Kihet found himself returning to the golden temple.

The moment he climbed off the boat, a glimpse of daylight flashed him at the corner of his eye. He then felt a tremor coming from the opposite side.

“The battle’s started.” Tama informed him.

“All the more reason to act. Let’s go.”

Kihet limped through the empty lobby and headed straight towards the receptionist table. The place was empty, not a single worker to confront. Amidst the quake, workers sought for shelter under sturdy desk and tables, or had already evacuated.

Both of them moved behind the receptionist counter, examining every crook and cranny for a mechanism to open the heavy stone doors leading into Vike’s studies.

“Anything?”

“I’ve seen the secretary reach the switch multiple times during my visit. If Nyie remember correctly, it must be around… here.” Tama jabbed a keyhole with her claw. After seconds of fiddling with the lock, they heard a click. “Nya ha! Knew it!”

Two giant doors began to move.

Kihet and Tama hurried through the glass tunnel to find an empty study chamber filled with artifacts.

Since Kihet’s first visit, he heard the Elemental’s song echoing throughout the chamber. Many artifacts Vike collected contained a high concentration of magic in them. The loudest among them was Alc’Bruk’s severed horn as it still radiated the divinity of Crimson. Kihet could hear it at the entrance.

“Intruders, halt! If you take a step further, we will attack!”

“We’re not the enemy.”

Both sides went silent. Taking the guards silence as approval to show themselves, Kihet slowly descended from the stairs with his hands up.

Upon entering the glassy hallway, they encountered Pamalyrian soldiers. The guards stood firm into a shield wall formation as soon as they were spotted, and casters raised their catalysts in preparation to whisk a flurry of spells should the order be given.

The Elemental’s song helped identify the soldiers had magical equipment. Perhaps Vike lent them a lifeline in case the glass tunnel shattered and water from the lake rushed in.

“Leotharp and… who are you?”

“The Oracle. I need to speak to Kamrah.” Kihet provided identification with a small flick of a silver flame.

The squad leader looked somewhat troubled exposed to the Oracle’s flames, but he gestured for his men to be on standby. “For what reason has the Holy one wish to speak to Lord Kamrah?”

“It’s about the attack outside. I’m here to remedy the problem but I need resources.”

“If that’s the case… Please wait a moment while I send word to Lord Kamrah.”

Navargzan’s strength would plummet if the siege prolonged and in turn, the fated day to conquer Pamalyra’s tower would be set back.

Ideally, if Kihet were to challenge Pamalyra’s tower, he needed the country’s forces to be at their strongest. It was in his best interest to keep casualties as low as he could.

It wasn’t to say the officials did not try to prevent the siege as Douglas had insiders to infiltrate their chain of communication and weakened fortifications. With internal and external conflict happening at the same time, the Lycanthrope, Vike Kamrah, was in a position where he was the only one with authority to act without restriction.

Moments later, the messenger returned with a letter passed off to the squad leader. He gave it a quick glance and parted a path through his men.

“Lord Kamrah has permitted you two. You may proceed.”

Kihet hurriedly limped past the armed soldiers into the grand studies. He spotted Vike’s workers taking refuge from the attack outside while the Lycantrhope behind a desk assembled another miniature model of a vessel without a care for the outside situation.

“Yes, yes. One moment.”

The Lycanthrope was very invested at his ship building hobby. Every part was laid out meticulously in an orderly fashion as he eyed the detail of pieces through his magnifying monocle. His shaky claws carefully pinched a piece of string, rigging the sails to be pulled up from inside the bottle.

“There we go.” Satisfied, Vike wiped the imaginary sweat from his forehead and turned towards Kihet. “Oracle, back so soon? How may this elderly ship building enthusiast assist you?”

“Navargzan is under attacked.”

“It was difficult to not notice. I’ve had hardships trying to assemble this masterpiece over shaky grounds. I am greatly thankful your companions have gone to assist. Rest assured, they will surely be compensated generously for their efforts.”

“I’m not here for rewards or any gratitude. You should know who the attacker is.”

“Silver, the Liberator, Correct?”

“Lord Kamrah, if I may be forward with a complaint.” Tama lifted Douglas’ letter. “He was Nyonly helping me search for someone dear to me. Why did the Merchant Council attack Rogus and executed his family?”

Vike brushed Tama’s question aside. “Tell me, have you met the Liberator, Oracle?”

“I’ve met him before. He was running his Tavern peacefully, until now. I believe it’s all due to Rogus’ incident. Since you know everything going about in the city, what can you tell me? The Merchant Council tried to claim a bounty. Why?”

“Oracle, I am a professional. I cannot reveal information willingly as condition of the contracts. Where are you leading with these questions?”

“I want you to null Rogus’ bounty.”

“You do know the consequences of asking that favor, do you? That man is a dangerous fugitive. He can’t even control his temper. How am I supposed to make the people feel safe with people like him roaming freely?”

“He’s the key to convince ‘Silver’ to stop the attack. Also, he was targeted to become a victim of Pixie Dust. What’s the law about that substance?”

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

“Its usage is banned publicly in Pamalyra, but… not in the healing facilities and the Colosseum.” Tama answered.

“And he was attacked outside of the colosseum and acted in self defense.” Kihet set Salith’s reports onto Vike’s desk. “I’ve had people do research on the attackers too. Seems like the people who incited Rogus once worked for you.”

“My missing workers, correct? I’ve heard.”

“They were inflicted with Pixie Dust. This makes you a suspect.”

“Then what of the Samark Family? They were holders of such substance, no?”

“They provided a log for every time they used Pixie Dust. It’s kept to every detail of when, to who and how much when dosage was given. You can read it if you don’t believe me.”

“I have done no wrong, though I do admit these allegations do make me become unsightly to the people. Perhaps my workers can testify for my alibi?”

“I don’t have time to play detective. The only thing I want right now is to resolve Rogus’ bounty.”

“Seeing how persistent you are, Oracle. I will let you know this. Charges do not drop until the bounty is claimed. It is a law. Not even I could dismiss it so easily without payment.”

“We only need to pay off the amount to clear Rogus’ bounty?”

“This is the country of money. And since you clearly lack the funds and are impatient, I have a proposition, Oracle. I will pay the fugitive’s full debt and in return, I have a request of you.”

Skeptical, Kihet dared to ask, “What are the contents?”

“I would like you to lead an expedition under your banner through the Great Sandstorm.”

“You can’t be serious?! Guardians prowl behind the Sandstorm!” Tama gasped. “That’s sending the grumpy one to a death sentence! Every expedition through there failed!”

“No mercenaries nor captain accept any work to explore the unknown, but you Oracle, will eventually cross the Sandstorm.”

“Because the Tower’s there.”

“As we also suspected. I only wish to gain merits for sponsoring your expedition. It gives me an opportunity to stake a claim of ancient relics. Maybe even an outpost. Ultimately, my goal is a monster we Pamalyrians named Dalva Loheka, the Iron Scaled.”

If Kihet recalled, Dalva Loheka was once worshipped by Pamalyrians of a gigantic beast which ruled over Pamalyra’s desert. There had once been practices sailing virgin maidens out in the middle of nowhere and be devoured by the beast. In return, the Guardian would continue to allow the community to live within its territory under its protection.

Dalva Loheka was depicted as a large flat Salamander. Its body was covered in fragments of hardened mucus excreted over its body from rare minerals below the surface. The creature was often drawn with its upper half out of the dunes which suggested it had the ability to dig through the sand.

“And where would it be found?” Kihet asked.

“It makes its nest on the border of the Great Sandstorm closest to south east. Before anyone could claim its materials, I want full custody of it. Of course, I will provide necessary funds for such expedition when the time comes.”

The Lycanthrope must’ve known the encounter with the Salamander was inevitable when making the journey to the tower, thus offering a tempting quest. The only set back was if the designated creature possessed rare materials, Kihet and his group would be unable to use it.

Since magical weapons were rare to come by, his group relied on weapons forged from the strongest materials. [Coiling Dragon] was the only magic weapon his group owned. Lily took custody of it since the sword once belonged to Shibata, her brother.

But before Kihet made his decision, Tama beckoned for his attention.

“Grumpy one, are you considering his deal?”

“Is it bad?”

“It certainly isn’t purr say, but the conditions are mostly in favor of Lord Kamrah. First and foremost, I would highly suggest retrieving [Rolling Crown] as well as my request.”

To reiterate, Tama sought to find someone named Teach.

Kihet knew nothing about Teach, but what’s stranger was Tama wasn’t able to describe how the person looked like. Her memory was definitely tampered as even she was unable to recall if Teach was a Mixrel or Lycanthrope. Was he even a Pamalyrian?

Perhaps, he overthought it, but what were the chances the person who put bounties on Rogus and Douglas was Teach.

Kihet found it strange that three of the five leading Merchants of Navargzan accepted the bounty. Usually, it would be someone of authority or of higher power offering work for mercenaries.

Turning back to Vike, “I have two conditions to add. First, return [Rolling Crown] to Rogus. Second, I want all the information you have on Teach.”

“You impudent…!” Vike slammed down his tools and tore off his monocle with an expression seemingly mixed with fear and anger. “No, my apologies for showing such unsightly behavior. Oracle, do you have any idea who ‘That’ person is?”

“Only that it’s the person Tama wants to see.”

“Leotharp, so you weren’t all that affected.” Vike let out a deep sigh. “Then, this is one knowledge I must part onto you. The man you seek has his claws dug onto Pamalyra deeper than you think. I warn you. Do not look for him.”

“You’ve met him?”

“It’s dangerous to divulge any more information. The walls have ears.”

The walls have ears, a word of warning to keep one’s secret locked up. If one isn’t careful, secrets otherwise supposed to be kept could be leaked in a city where information is regularly exchanged.

Candles suddenly flickered. An icy breeze brushed against him. In that millisecond of darkness, Kihet felt a powerful physical pressure rivaling the Acolyte of Fury’s bloodlust sink onto his back. The only difference was this one did not emit any intent of hostility.

Kihet instantly turned around with his hand on his weapon, cautiously looked for its source only to find no one in the chamber capable of exerting the same terrifying aura.

There was no magic as far as his ears could detect. It was neither a curse.

“T-that was, Nyo way… Teach?”

Tama’s shared the same reaction with Kihet. Her every hair stood up. She looked in every direction to find the person she longed to see. It was as if a strong invisible gaze was locked to the back of her head, watching her every move.

Then the feeling vanished.

“He knows you’re looking for him. You two painted targets onto your own backs. The walls have ears, the windows can see, the floors can feel. Tread carefully, Oracle.”

Who was this Teach to have the grasp of the Merchant Council in its palm? Now that Kihet gained the attention of this ‘Teach’, he suspected it’d be more difficult to locate him at Tama’s request.

Perhaps, there is one method. It involves asking Ainig who may be able to summon the Pale Dragon to read people’s past.

“Oracle, are ya there?!”

A voice echoed through the glassy hallway. One soldier guarding its entrance rushed through and reported Rogus and a band of black robed individuals appeared.

“It seems the fugitive brought friends.”

“The Scalemen and Rogus are with me. Anyways, I won’t pry into Teach for now and going back to our deal, I’ll accept the agreement upon my two conditions be met right now.”

“Excellent! I’m ecstatic to see Dalva Loheka’s skull paraded on top of my glorious estate! I will right up the contract now and have the fugitive’s bounty paid in full. However, Oracle. Since a fugitive would always be branded a fugitive, he must be given a slave crest. Of course, you will be the contractor.”

Although not ideal, it was a solution to keep Rogus alive. Since one of Kihet’s goal was to remove Salith’s Slave Crest, he could also remove Rogus’ by studying the engraving procedure.

“We’ll deal with that later.” Kihet limped towards the walkway with [Rolling Crown] in tow. “Rogus, you gave me a lot of trouble looking for you.”

Rogus clicked his tongue, averting his eyes. “Lotta stuff happened. Didn’t wanna add more ta your plate.”

“You do realize I needed you to introduce me to a smithy for a new leg, right?”

“Could ya stop making me feel guilty? I’m sorry-.” But before Rogus completed his apology, a claw dug into his shoulder. “Ye-ouch! Tama, what da hell?!”

“It’s great to see you’re still one piece Ruffus!”

“Don’t even start changing my name.” Rogus grabbed [Rolling Crown] and bucked its sheath on his back. “So, looks like ya got my bounty paid for.”

“There’s a slight problem. Some people won’t be fond of you roaming freely.”

“Ya mean, dey’re gonna make me a slave?”

“You should know Salith has one as well. I could use your situation to find a way to remove hers.”

“I don’t like dis.”

“I’ll be your contractor. Naturally, I’ll remove it once I get a chance to.”

“Fine. So, what now? Are we gonna hunt a Guardian?”

“We’re defending this place. I’ve sent Lily and others to deal with the monster. They’re enough.”

Suddenly, murmurs stirred the group of soldiers. Everyone looked outside the glassy walkthrough, finding a screen of bubbles covering the water’s surface. They dissipated, revealing a vessel floating atop of them.

Many recognized the scars of the hardened hull with its markings of a ghastly grin carved onto it. The Elusive Wraith. It must’ve flown over the city’s defenses.

“That’s Sahzar’s ship!” Tama exclaimed. “They’re targeting Lord Kamrah! Oracle, be careful! We don’t know if Douglas will be with them!”

“Then let’s meet them head on to find out. Rogus, you’re with me. The Scalemen will hang back and only back us up only if negotiations fail.”