Leaving the bar, Aislin and Mylon released Baz. Standing up Baz grumbled, “You two really need to lighten up, dragging me out of there was uncalled for.”

“Uncalled for? I think you need to have your brain checked, you moron! You were clearly interrupting something important!” Aislin angrily scolded.

“What was that?! How about you try saying that again!” Baz antagonistically shouted.

Mylon, in an attempt to diffuse the situation, put his hands between the two of them and said, “Now now, let’s all calm down. We still have to find a place to stay the night.”

Aislin and Baz, in unison, both shouted, “Stay out of this!”

Mylon threw his hands up, sighed, and walked over to Aisha who appeared to be lost in her own thoughts. Aislin began to continue her rant but relented, groaning, “As much as being told to calm down does the opposite, Mylon is unfortunately right. Let us put this ‘discussion’ on hold, at least until we find a place to stay.”

“I don’t think so, we are going to settle this here and now!” Baz shouted back.

By the time he had finished, Aislin had already begun to walk off. “Well, I am going to go check elsewhere. Knowing Nalea, she will find the ones still looking and reunite us. Have fun with the vomit skinned monster.”

“What was that you walking, untreatable rash?!” Baz scowled, beginning to give chase.

Mylon stuck his sheathed sword in front of Baz’s legs, tripping him. By the time he stood back up Aislin was gone. Mylon holstered his sword back on his hip and turned to walk away. “Alright Baz, let’s get moving. The sun is setting relatively quickly and I would like to sleep on a bed tonight.” Mylon exasperatedly explained.

Baz, Mylon and Aisha began to walk around the city, bathed by the setting sun’s rays, searching for a place to stay. After exhausting a few options, Baz nonchalantly asked, “Hey Mylon, what do you think?”

“Think about what? You and Aislin’s behavior?” Mylon responded provocatively.

“No not that. You know, that Lizali girl. I think Zycor mentioned her once or twice, but always steered away from providing much information other than ‘she was a good friend.’” Baz clarified.

Mylon raised an eyebrow, asking, “And?”

“The way he reacted and was talking to her was beyond ‘a good friend.’ They seemed really happy to see each other.” Baz explained further.

“I mean, they both thought the other was dead this entire time. So it would only make sense for them to be over the moon to find out they were both alive. Besides, it seems rather pointless to speculate when we have such little information to go on.” Mylon retorted.

Baz sarcastically sighed, “I don’t know man, they seemed like they might have some history if you know what I mean. Back me up, miss wolf.”

Aisha remained silent, ignoring Baz’s attempt to irritate her. She recalled the conversation she had with Adria about Lizali and how much she meant to Zycor. The conversation loomed over her as she grappled with her own emotions.

Baz and Mylon looked at each other, uncertain what to make of Aisha’s current attitude. “Normally, she would be furious at me. In an adorable way, like an angry toddler, so what gives?” Baz asked Mylon in a hushed voice.

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Mylon shrugged, responding, “I am just as lost as you are here.”

Aisha contemplated the idea of Zycor being taken away by his childhood friend. She quickly pushed the thought aside, thinking, “I can’t think like that. And besides, she is not the only ‘childhood friend’ he has! I may have been second, but I have spent more time with him than her! So there is nothing to worry about… right?... I suppose there is no point in worrying about that for the moment though. I can figure something out later.”

Finishing her thought, Aisha nodded in agreement with herself. Mylon and Baz looked on in utter confusion, the latter inquiring, “D-do you think we should find a clinic?”

“No, I think we should just leave her be. Besides, none would be open at this time.” Mylon replied, seemingly more concerned about the money.

They walked around for a bit longer and finally found an inn to stay at. After the trio entered, Nalea, who had been watching them from a distance, returned to the tavern. Upon arriving, she saw Zycor and Lizali exit the tavern. Seeming to appear from out of thin air from Zycor and Lizali’s perspective, Nalea said, “Sir Zycor, Miss Regali, the rest of the group has found a place to stay for the night. I will escort you there. We shall head for the hidden village early in the morning.”

As Lizali began to look around Nalea and question how she appeared from nowhere, Zycor, recovering his breath, asked, “Nalea, could you try and not randomly pop into existence? It cannot be good for my heart.”

Nalea cocked her head in confusion and retorted, “But I do not cease to exist at any point, so how could I ‘pop into existence’ as you have put it?”

“That’s not the point… Listen, Nalea, could you please make an attempt to not show up suddenly?” Zycor sighed.

Nalea thought for a moment before she replied, “I believe I am able to do that, Although it may take me a while to do consistently. Breaking a habit can prove troublesome.”

Zycor thanked Nalea, the latter of whom brought Zycor and Lizali to the inn. They were greeted by Baz, Mylon and Aisha who were surprised to see them. When Zycor and Lizali were questioned on how they found the inn, the two of them pointed at Nalea. “Yeah, that makes sense. She seems to know where everyone is at all times, so I suppose it should not surprise me.” Mylon commented aloud.

In response, Nalea explained, “Well, considering my duties under Lady Adria, it is only natural I am good at it.”

Interjecting, Zycor inquired, “That’s right Nalea, you worked with mom. Will you tell me what exactly she did, and why it might be dangerous for me?”

Nalea, confused as to what would have brought this line of questioning up, looked at Lizali. She instantly looked away as she began to sweat bullets. Nalea’s eyes narrowed as she began staring daggers at her. She finally sighed, “Unfortunately, I have sworn to Lady Adria that I would not tell you about her work. It was one of, if not the most enforced rules and… requests. She was ok if you found out yourself through other means or people, but I was to never tell you anything you did not already know about it.”

“Well, that’s infuriating. Though, I do have one other person here who seems to have the information I am seeking.” Zycor insinuated.

Lizali shivered as she mumbled about how Adria should have told him herself. Zycor paused his line of questioning and looked around at everyone in the room. “Hey, has anyone seen Aislin?”

With that one question, Mylon, Baz, Aisha and Nalea’s expressions suddenly changed to one of realization. Mylon, in a stunned tone, commented, “I think we forgot about her…”

Nalea vanished from the room, heading out to find their missing comrade. Baz could not stop himself from chortling, “Haha, serves her right! Karma’s a bitch!”

“If this is her karma, then I really don’t want to be around when it comes for you.” Mylon muttered.

“What was that buddy?” Baz questioned, too busy relishing in his own laughter to have heard.

Mylon shook his head saying it was nothing.

Meanwhile, in the middle of the city, Aislin sat on a bench, her leg rapidly bouncing up and down. The longer this continued, the more intense her irritation and anger built. She had begun to mutter to herself, “I cannot believe they forgot about me. No, it wasn’t that they forgot about me, he remembered me, and it is because he remembered he made sure no one else did. He probably steered the conversation away to divert their thoughts away from me. This is your idea of revenge? Then I hope you are ready for what comes next, Baz.”