The trio of moons cast their light through the Glember Inn's windows. The enigma surrounding Linai and the effects of her concoctions had forced Nyaogi and Kairo’s hand; it was time for direct confrontation.

They tread quietly through the deserted tavern, their footsteps a soft echo in the stillness. Kairo, leading, scrutinized every corner and shadow of the familiar space. Nyaogi, vigilant, followed close behind.

They stopped in the main bar area. They peered behind the counter, eyes scanning the rows of bottles and glasses for a hint of something out of place. Nyaogi glanced out the front windows. Only a few customers remained, and none had seen Linai recently.

Finding the bar area empty, they progressed to the storage rooms. The aroma of old wood and stored provisions permeated the air. They wove through kegs of ale and stacks of supplies. Kairo and Nyaogi exchanged anxious looks.

Quietly, they opened doors of un-rented rooms upstairs, peeking into the dimly lit chambers. They even knocked and investigated the rented rooms. Each room was a snapshot of transient lives, unmade beds and clothes hanging out to dry, yet Linai was nowhere to be seen.

As they descended the creaky steps into the cellar, they were greeted by the cool, damp air of underground spaces. The the faint sound of water dripped in the background.

It was as if she had vanished into thin air.

Their search circled back to the bar area. A regular said, “Hey Kairo, can I get another one of those Linai drinks?”

“Not right now, Ngalu.”

Ngalu wobbled in his seat. “What a way to run a business!”

“Is that your cloak?” Nyaogi asked, pointing to a thin suweve cloak tossed over a stool behind the bar.

“No.”

“Hers?”

“Must be. I don’t know how I missed that,” Kairo said.

“Maybe that means she’s coming back?” Nyaogi said.

“Or that she ran away fast.” Kairo's concern was evident. "This is bad," he whispered. "We need to find her, figure this out."

Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

Nyaogi nodded. Nyaogi checked the cloak’s pockets. Nothing in the first one. She found a folded paper in the next. Nyaogi picked it up, unfolding it cautiously.

I knew you would come looking. There are things better left undiscovered for your own safety, the note read, chilling Nyaogi.

Nyaogi passed the note to Kair, who read it, his expression troubled.

"She expected us to find this," Nyaogi said. "What does 'things better left undiscovered' mean, though?"

Kairo and Nyaogi shared a look of concern.

#

Kairo’s hands were clasped tight, his eyes reflecting Nyaogi's anxiety.

"This random woman shows up, causes all this trouble," Nyaogi said, her voice betraying her shock. "And then to vanish without any explanation..."

"It's more than her leaving. It's the implications for us, for the tavern. She clearly was doing something unlawful.”

The concern in his tone was evident. They both understood the danger Linai's disappearance might pose, particularly with the inspector’s visit.

"Did the inspector come because of her?" Nyaogi asked.

Leaning in, Kairo said, "It could be. The inspector’s arrival, his interest in her drink... It doesn't seem like a coincidence."

Nyaogi pondered the possible consequences of Linai's actions. “I'm concerned about the impact on us, especially with the inspector already wary,” she said, her voice tapering off, leaving her worries unspoken.

“We must be ready for whatever comes,” he stated solemnly. “If the authorities start inquiring, we need a consistent story. We can't risk any mistakes.”

Kairo and Nyaogi delved deeper into their conversation, pondering potential issues and how to move forward.

“We need to think about the worst-case scenarios,” Kairo said, his tone serious. “What if the inspector return with more questions? Or if he finds out about Linai’s possible use of magic?”

Nyaogi nodded, her expression grave. “We need a solid plan. We can't let them find anything that incriminates us or links us directly to Linai’s activities.”

Kairo agreed, “Exactly. We should review everything in the tavern, ensure there’s nothing out of the ordinary.”

Nyaogi said, “And Linai... shouldn't we try to find her? If we can talk to her, we might get a clearer picture and better prepare ourselves.”

Kairo rubbed his chin. “A discreet search for Linai makes sense. But we have to avoid drawing attention. The last thing we need is to seem involved.”

Nyaogi nodded, her mind already on another crucial task. "Speaking of discretion, I should move my supplies tonight. If I can do it without being seen, it will reduce any risk of them being linked to the tavern."

Kairo looked thoughtful. "Are you sure you can manage that without drawing attention? It’s important we don't give the inspectors any reason to suspect us."

"I'll be careful," Nyaogi assured him. "It's best we eliminate any potential ties to my arcane practices, especially now."

“I don’t know. I think it should wait. Is everything covered up?”

“Yes, mostly.”

“Inspector Adamma could get up again any time. I think it’s a bad idea. Too big a risk.”

“You sure?”

“No.” Kairo ran fingers through his stringy hair. “But it’s what I think.”

“If I get a chance right now, I’ll move them and go home for the night. Otherwise, I’ll agree.”

“Sounds like a good plan,” Kairo said.

“It’s a plan, anyway.”