As dinner came to a close, the table had all but turned into a mess of empty plates and bowls. All their bellies were full, including Ruk's, and they were content. Drinks were still being served with Fred bringing in the latest pitcher full of cold juice. There was a distinct lack of alcohol in the large meals they shared.

There was no ale, no wine, or any drink of that sort. There was just cold water and cold fruit juices. In fact, Adam remembered that throughout his time eating here, he was never offered a single cup of alcohol.

Honestly, Adam preferred it that way. Though he wouldn't have declined a shot or two if they had brought out alcohol, he did not find the appeal.

That said, the night was not yet over. After the latest pitcher of juice was emptied, Baran and Fred were about to voice their goodnights when they were stopped by Adam, who finally revealed that he and Ruk brought someone else to stay the night. When asked by Baran why the two didn't bother inviting this third person in or informing him or Fred of her existence, Adam simply asked them to follow him, and if they knew how to administer aid.

Adam led them back to the front door and revealed his capture. Still clad in her hood, the bunny woman from before hung in the air with dangling limbs that sometimes swayed with the wind. She was very much alive, albeit still unconscious and cold to the touch. The night had not been kind to her, but she herself deserved neither the mercy of nature nor the pity of any court. She was, after all, a monster inside. Adam had seen it.

Her poisoned dagger floated beside her, a testament to the person this bunny woman truly was.

Ruk seemed to share the disdain, though he hid it behind a seemingly proud smile on his face.

"Ha! Was no match for my brother!" Ruk boasted, "Defeated her with just his hands!"

A flash of realization appeared on the faces of both Baran and Fred as they walked up to the floating bunny woman and stared.

Baran then turned to Adam with a perplexed but somewhat proud look on his face. He obviously had a lot of questions, but it also seemed like he already had a few answers in his mind.

"Where did you encounter her?" Baran asked.

"While we were walking back from the guild," Adam explained, "She dropped down from some nearby roof and threatened us. I mean, not explicitly, but I knew better than to follow strangers who hide their faces behind a mask and cover themselves under a hood."

Adam then walked up to the floating dagger. Feeling his telekinetic grip around the poisoned weapon, he flipped the dagger down and pointed the blade towards the ground. After that, he made it float near Baran for him to see more clearly.

"Please do not touch the blade, Mr. Baran. It's smeared with some sort of poison." Adam warned.

Baran nodded and leaned forward, placing an enormous amount of trust on the assumption that the blade wouldn't just suddenly lunge at his face. After a few seconds of inspection, the portmaster took a step back from the weapon.

"It is poisoned alright. No smell, but I can sense the foulness reaching out from the iron. I believe it's Darxan Blood. A foul concoction and terrible poison." Baran frowned as he explained his findings. The fact that he knew exactly what poison it was made Adam think. The portmaster was indeed experienced.

"So, I'm guessing you have no idea who this is?" Baran asked.

"She's Felsha. An assassin. No, a monster. Works for someone who has many names." Adam explained.

"That's her name?" Baran asked, surprised.

"Her real name, yes."

Baran was tempted to ask the young man how he knew about the Scythe's real name, but seeing the muted disdain and anger in Adam's eyes made him reconsider. Instead, he opted to expand on the young man's knowledge.

"Felsha, or more known as The Scythe, is a wanted criminal. An infamous assassin responsible for hundreds of deaths and thousands more crimes over the past decade. She has lurked within the shadows for so long, and earned herself the reputation of leaving behind gruesome scenes. Baran explained. A look of dread and realization then appeared on his face, as if something terrible had just dawned on his mind.

"She was known for besting even orcs with her speed and agility. She's deadly. Strong. And yet..."

Baran turned towards the unconscious bunny woman, the infamous Scythe. A woman named Felsha, somehow reduced to a floating and unconscious body by the same young man he had saved mere weeks ago.

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Baran was right. Adam was indeed someone special, and he only needed help.

"Well, this is unexpected." Baran said, finally coming to terms with the reality that Adam had single handedly defeated a powerful assassin, and the fact that he did so without the help of Ruk.

What a terrifying young man.

The poisoned blade moved back to float beside its owner, still pointing downward as if in defeat.

Turning to look at Fred, Baran gave his friend and partner a nod. No words were exchanged, but understanding was shared, nonetheless.

"This could've gone worse by the looks of it," It was Fred's turn to voice his surprise. He walked up close to the bunny woman and grabbed her wrist and pressed, looking over the rest of her limp form as he did. After a few seconds, Fred let go. "She has a healthy pulse. Not in any serious condition, I think. But I doubt she's waking up anytime soon."

Adam nodded, "Should I bring her down so you can check her more thoroughly? Just to be sure."

"Yep! No problem. Just put her inside and on a table."

The group returned inside with the unconscious bunny woman in tow. As per Fred's instruction, Adam sprawled the assassin over a dining table, allowing Fred to check more of her vitals.

After a few minutes, Fred gave the group a thumbs up. Felsha was okay-ish and was not in any immediate danger. That said, some of her bones were broken and would take months to heal. Not unless she had a healing potion somewhere or a willing healer mage to fix her up quickly.

Hearing that she wasn't gravely injured calmed Adam somewhat and eased the worry swirling in the back of his mind. In spite of the fact that he had crippled the assassin and held little sympathy for her, he wasn't about to let the bunny woman die. He was not a murderer.

No. Never. He was not. He never killed.

Never?

Adam shook his head, burying the painful memories that tried to surface once more. He held back the past and focused on the present.

"So... what's gonna happen to her?" Adam asked.

"We'll surrender her to the Princess-Governor directly. The Royal Guard and the Royal Mage Guild should know what to do with her." Baran said.

"She has a lot of crimes to answer for. I wouldn't be surprised if they give her the noose as soon as they get their hands on her." Fred added.

Adam nodded, not bothering to question the legal and justice system of Port Silvershore. If Felsha were to be executed tomorrow as per the laws that governed this city, then he had no say in the matter.

At least her death wouldn't be in his hands. Or would it be?

Ignoring the unsavory thoughts for a while, Adam figured that this was also the first time he was hearing about the city having a Princess-Governor. A governor princess? A princess turned governor perhaps. It was a strange but rather straightforward name. If the name was to be taken literally, then a princess directly governed this city, which would make for a rather curious kind of royal authority.

Adam would like to meet this princess, or at least see her in the future. She sounded interesting.

With all that said, Nother thought crossed Adam's mind as he watched Baran and Fred look over the unconscious bunny woman. There was little alarm in their eyes now. The initial surprise had worn off, replaced by curiosity and slight wariness.

"You don't seem to be too bothered with..." Adam gestured towards the bunny woman, "All of this."

Baran turned to him and chuckled, "Ha, if it were anyone else in this situation I'd be sending Carnos an urgent message, but not you kid."

Fred smiled, "Yeah, an assassin as ugly as the Scythe taken down just like that? Boy you're already better than a royal guard!"

Adam frowned, though he was not offended by anything that was said. He was just concerned that, if the Scythe had avoided justice for so long, then it meant that she and the person she was working for had connections. Powerful connections.

Not only that, but it seemed like Baran and Fred had actually grown numb with their fear of the Scythe. Adam could still sense the hint of lingering dread that prevailed over their minds whenever they looked at the unconscious bunny woman, but the feeling wouldn't stay for long.

The young man knew that neither Baran nor Fred would be safe if word spread that they had captured the Scythe. And thus, Adam decided to be more proactive for once.

"We should have her bound and gagged," Adam said as the bunny woman was pulled back into the air, "After that, we should surrender her in secret to the Princess-Governor before the sun rises tomorrow."

Baran and Fred looked at each other and then back at Adam. Ruk simply yawned, feeling the temptation of slumber knocking on his large noggin.

"Sounds like a good idea. Fred will tie her up, he knows his way with the rope." Baran said.

"And I know how to shut people up!" Fred added with a smile and a thumbs up.

"I'll send a message to Carnos and have him send someone discreetly. Knowing him, he'd probably send them by the next hour." Baran explained.

Adam tilted his head in confusion, "Why didn't you say so sooner?"

Baran smiled and waved dismissively, "It's not a problem, kid. We're not in any real danger. Whoever her boss is won't think of looking around here or suspecting us. Not unless we keep her here for more than a few days."

"How do you know that?" Adam asked.

"I'm the Portmaster. I may not look like much, but I'm no pushover," Baran placed a hand on Adam's shoulder, "If they wanna hurt me or my employees, they better have a sturdy face. My fist isn't light."

Baran then gave Adam a reassuring smile as he gave the young man a few pats on the shoulder. After that, he walked away towards wherever they kept their waystone to send Carnos the news.

'So uh, mind if you put her back on the table?" Fred asked as he pointed at the floating bunny woman.

"Oh uh, yes."

The night ended on a somewhat light note. Just as Baran had expected, Carnos was quick to send an Adventurer to retrieve the unconscious bunny woman. It took the Adventurer a mere 10 minutes to arrive at the front door, knocking as if she was but a normal late-night visitor.

The adventurer in question was none other than Dasha herself, clad in the same uniform she wore as the head clerk and receptionist. She received the now tied and gagged Scythe with a curt bow. She thanked Adam and Ruk for subduing and capturing the wanted assassin, surprising both with a pouch of coin.

Gold coins. Apparently Felsha The Scythe had a hefty bounty on her head for several years already. Adam and Ruk were more than happy to accept the reward. The both of them now found themselves with more money than they knew how to spend.

Fortunately for them, they were now adventurers, and they would soon learn that being an adventurer was expensive.