There was alcohol, food, and even music. A small three-person band comprised of one piper, a mandolin player, and a fellow with two congas and a barrel drum played quick, catchy tunes.

After completing our tests earlier, we officially became Hunters. We were allowed to retire to two private rooms to clean up and rest. My cold stone room had a shallow mat on the ground and a blanket that looked to be made of burlap. I doubted I would be sleeping here much, especially when there was a perfectly fine bed at a perfectly affordable inn just down the block.

This room did have plumbing, though. In the corner of the stone room, a faucet jutted from the wall with a drain on the ground. The floor was sloped slightly to allow the water to drain properly. It was about waist-high, but I had washed myself as best as I could and then collapsed into bed.

I had woken up to a knock at my door. I didn’t get up. So, as is the nature of things, Ersabet kicked my door open.

She kindly informed me that I had thirty minutes to prepare for the party, and there was no way she was going alone. I did as commanded.

We were in the same chamber where our fights had been held, but now the floor was covered in a scattering of tables and chairs, and there were drinks and plenty of food to go around.

The room was packed with rough-looking men and women. I knew that each and every one of them was likely more than capable of a fight. It was a shame that they were wasting their time hunting monsters in the wild while the real monsters played games in our world.

Ersabet and I found a table near the back. She had changed into tight black, padded leggings and a matching heavy long-sleeve that hit her form snugly. I had no idea what fabric her clothes were made of.

I beckoned for a waiter and ordered a ‘normal human wine.’ Ersabet said she would have what I was having.

We then proceeded to drink until we achieved that perfect level of intoxication, where your inhibitions were limited, but your wits remained…for the most part.

Many of the human Hunters came to congratulate and welcome us, but the lizards stayed on their side of the room.

What was the fun of playing in a fantasy world if you didn’t get to know the local inhabitants? Oh, right, because the Kurs would more likely kill the locals than actually befriend them.

Except for Prajio. He had seemed more than willing to form relationships with locals. I was saddened that things ended as they had with Prajio, but it was likely for the best. He didn’t know what I was, only that I was out of place, an anomaly. And for that, he was willing to kill me.

Well, to be fair, I also lied to him, but still, it showed me who he truly was.

I glanced at Ersabet. She had accepted me without question. While I thought she was good, I knew she was motivated by her own self-interest, and her true nature remained a mystery to me.

My thoughts were interrupted when a woman came to greet me at the table. I stood when I saw Minna, the woman I had barely defeated earlier in the day.

“That was a great fight,” I said. “I don’t think I could have beaten you without fighting a little dirty.”

She raised her mug of ale to me. “Monsters fight dirty, and so must we.”

I raised my wine glass to her. “Here’s to only getting my ass kicked a little bit.” I took a drink.

Minna took a drink and looked at Ersabet. “How’d you get tied up with this one?”

“It is a long story,” Ersabet said dryly. “Too long for you to worry over. You fought well today.”

Minna beamed at the praise. “You’re one to talk. You were amazing out there. I’ve never seen anyone fight like you before.”

Ersabet glanced toward the other side of the room where the Kurskins gathered. “While I enjoyed displaying my abilities, I don’t think it helped me make any friends.”

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Minna winced. “The Kurskins here don’t really make friends. They travel with us on hunts but mostly boss us around like they’re in charge.” Minna crossed her arms. “Just because someone is stronger than you, it doesn’t make them better than you.”

“Here, here,” I said and took a drink. “So, do any of the Hunters like them?”

“Not really,” Minna said.

“So why are they here?”

Minna shrugged. “Master Roan accepts all who are willing to join in his crusade to rid the world of monsters.”

I decided to hold my tongue and changed the subject. “How do things work around here, Minna? Now that we’re in, how do we get assigned hunts?”

“To start, there’s a poster board in the trophy room that has information on active targets. Sometimes, we’ll get a call about a werewolf sighting or something that requires immediate attention and dispatch a team.”

“Hold up,” I said. “Werewolves are real?” It was strange not to know what was real and what wasn’t in the world I supposedly grew up in. “I’m going to have to be more careful during full moon now.”

She looked at me strangely. “Yes, werewolves are real. And what does a full moon have to do with anything?”

‘Val, a little werewolf lore would be nice right about now.’

‘I’d prefer to see how this plays out.’

I mentally growled at her. I hoped she could feel it or sense it or something.

Delicately, I asked, “Don’t people only turn into a werewolf during a full moon?”

“What? No, of course not. Once a person is turned into a werewolf, they retain that form forever.” She put her hands on her hips. “For someone who wants to hunt monsters, you sure don’t know much about them.”

“I know I don’t like them,” I said. “I figure that’s enough.”

Minna grinned. “Best take me on your first hunt if you want to survive.”

“Oh, but haven’t you seen my best friend and bodyguard?” I gestured to Ersabet. “We can handle ourselves just fine.”

“One day, John,” Ersabet said with a sigh. “You will annoy me to such an extent that I will have no choice but to break your fingers one by one. Not even your pretty human pinky will be safe. Exercise caution, John.”

“Do you think my pinky is pretty?” I asked with a grin.

Before I could react, Ersabet leaned forward and slapped me hard across the face.

Minna broke out into laughter. “You brought that on yourself.”

I touched my tender cheek and winced. “It was an innocent question.”

“It was a deliberate attempt to make a mockery of my threat,” Ersabet said. “As Minna said, you forced my hand.”

I needed some male friends… but not the kind of male that was currently walking towards our table.

It was Djadja. Drunk me wanted to call him Jar Jar, but that could get me in trouble. Maybe Djadja was a fan of Star Wars.

I tried to meet his eyes as he approached, but he was locked onto Ersabet. She met his gaze coolly.

The disrespect irked me, so I stood and blocked his path and stuck out my hand. “Pleasure to see you again Djadja.” I pointed to bruising on the left side of my face. “You sure pack a lot of power in those little arms of yours.”

Finally, his eyes turned to mine. He cocked his head and looked at his arms. They were shorter and thinner than an average human's arms, but they were sinewy and could execute a punch twice as fast as any human could.

“You mock me, yet you lost the fight,” Djadja said. “I do not understand. Shall I knock you out again?”

“Oh, no need for that,” I said. “It’s just a bit of playful banter.”

He huffed. “I am not here to play a game with you, human.”

How ironic.

Ersabet laughed at him. “Not here to play a game, huh?” She raised her glass to him. “I sure am.” She finished off her drink. “And I plan to win this game. Remember my name, Djadja, for it will be etched into our history.”

Djadja snarled. “Something tells me you won’t live long enough to accomplish anything worth remembering.”

“Oh my. Is that a threat?” Ersabet asked.

He bowed gracefully, his tail curling inward as he did so. “It is a promise, dear Dalari.”

And with that, Djadja turned around and walked away.

“Sooo, that doesn’t sound good,” I said.

Minna spat on the ground. “Those Kurskins really can be bastards sometimes.”

I laughed sourly. “Bastards? We’re monster hunters, aren’t we? I’ll tell you this. I know the Kurskins well. I know them better than any human on earth, and I can assure you, Minna, that they are the true monsters. And they are far more brutal and powerful than any abomination you’ve ever hunted.”

Minna looked around nervously, “You shouldn’t be saying that.”

“I shouldn’t speak the truth?”

“The Kurskins are our brethren,” she said.

“Would one die for you?”

She didn’t respond.

“They are using you,” I said. “You mean nothing to them. They invaded our lands and homes and are taking over multiple guilds and organizations. You must see how little they care for humans.”

Minna looked at the floor, not speaking.

“Look, Minna, I’m sorry if you’ve been offended by what I’ve said. But, it’s important you know the truth about them. The only thing humans and Kurskins have in common is that we’re both sentient beings. The similarities end there.”

“I understand what you are saying, John,” Minna said. “But this is not the right time or place for such words. Please, excuse me.” She smiled sadly and wandered off, leaving me alone with Ersabet.

“Think they’re going to try to kill you tonight?” I asked her.

“No, not tonight. Killing another Hunter is against the rules. They won’t do it on these grounds. Perhaps they’ll make their move during a hunt.”

“Good.”

“Why is this good?” Ersabet asked.

“I have a plan. Well, it’s more of a spark of an idea, but I’m sure it will grow into a plan. Just give me some time.”

“You can have until tomorrow when we embark on our first hunt. We'll have company, no doubt."

“I’m counting on it.”