Take him where?! Caster had escaped the fire only to land in the frying pan.

“He… okay mister, this way!” Caster stood, quickly stepping around Griffin and into the hallway.

Holy hell, this is bad! What am I doing?!

Caster nearly tripped as he reached the stairs. His legs were entwined with one long piece of fabric that covered his body. Looking down, he realized he was wearing a faded blue dress.

A dress?! I guess I really am a girl now. There’s no time to think about it! Just think of your next lie, Caster!

Caster ran down the stairs with Griffin less than a pace behind. The knights gathered in the lobby looked at the two in confusion, but they all silently agreed it would be better for them to keep their limbs rather than to interrupt Griffin’s murder-rage.

Out the doors, Caster ran around the building. Ignoring the crowds that were finally dispersing, they passed one city hall corner, then the next. Making it to the back end of the building, Caster stopped in front of a grate that was placed less than a pace away from the backdoor.

“There!” Caster pointed to it, stepping out of the way.

Griffin dove for it, and grabbed the grate’s slots with his bare fingers, then ripped it free from the vent shaft. He held his hand over the hole but didn’t release his fire into open the tunnel.

“Damn! He’s escaped!” Griffin threw the grate onto the ground, it shattered into a thousand splinters on impact.

Good thing he just destroyed that grate. If he’d looked at it, he would have known that no one had opened it in generations!

Griffin’s eyes darted around the distant crowds and the storage buildings nearby, but it was obvious to him that Caster had ‘escaped.’ Griffin exhaled and shook his head. He looked at Caster, then cleared his throat.

“Sorry you had to see that, lady. That criminal tried to take my life not long ago. He’s a dangerous maniac who puts everyone in this town at risk. Thank you for helping me… I’m sorry but I don’t remember getting your name or giving you mine.” Griffin’s expression of frustration and rage faded to a polite grin.

My name… what’s my name?!

“I’m Lord Griffin, the Flame of Ambition.” Griffin bowed, keeping one hand on his chest and the other outstretched to the side.

Yeah, I know.

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“Good to meet you, Lord Griffin. I’ve heard of you before.” Caster giggled, keeping one hand on his mouth and the other waving toward Griffin.

Just play dumb!

“I’m Wendy Wacker West, the third.”

I am?

Caster didn’t expect that to come out of his mouth. He hadn’t even thought of a name yet. It was as if his new form was speaking for itself.

Level Up! Luck Increased +1!

Maybe this new form has a mind of its own? Whatever works, I guess. Take us home, Wendy! Caster shrugged in his mind.

Griffin reached out and took Wendy’s hand and kissed her fingers.

Ehh?!?

Wendy giggled again.

EHH!?!

“Well met, Ms. West. And please, just call me Griffin.” Griffin smiled.

Oh, now you’re being civil all of a sudden!

"If you don't mind, would you be able to answer a few other questions about the dangerous man you encountered? I understand if you need more time to recover. A delicate lady such as yourself must be shaken after being exposed to a character of such great villainy."

Slap him!

"No, Lord, I mean, Griffin. He was frightening, but I am no ordinary lady. I can answer anything you ask." Wendy stood proud.

"Ahh, impressive! Please, follow me. My father would love to hear what you have to say."

Oh no.

Griffin turned and led Wendy back around the building's bend.

What am I doing? Am I trying to die?!?

Only now did Caster realize Wendy was still holding the Zz'Wrath in her hand. She quickly raised the necklace over her head and tucked it into her dress shirt.

Around the corners and up the stairs, Caster followed her guide right up to the doors of the meeting room. Griffin turned and spoke calmly.

"The councilmen of this town are inside this room. They are meeting with my father about forming an alliance, well, that's not important. What I mean to say is that my father is in there. I'm sure you've heard of him before, his name is Noden, the Old God."

"Oh my," Caster held her hand over her mouth in fake surprise.

"He might seem nice but he's..." Griffin hesitated. "Just refer to him as 'Holiness', and don't make any sudden moves." Griffin turned and began opening the twin doors.

He just met me and he's acting like I'm a closer ally to him than his own father. Here we go.

"The creature is gone." Griffin confidently strode into the room. "This girl assisted me in tracking his escape, but he was able to weasel his way out of my grasp."

You have no idea, fire boy.

"This... girl?" Noden spoke, leaning in his chair to peak behind Griffin.

Griffin stepped to the side, revealing Caster to the rest of the room. Caster stood there, fidgeting her fingers she'd clasped behind her back.

"Good afternoon," she performed an awkward curtsy, barely managing to stay upright after crossing her legs.

"This servant girl nearly caught the creature before he escaped through the tunnels in this building. No doubt he's already escaped to the Badlands, he probably returned to the mangy village he was hiding in when I first encountered him."

Mangy village? Oh no - he's talking about Casterville!

"Servant girl, you say?" The councilman sitting beside councilman Richard spoke. "I'm the Head of Staffing of this city, and I take great care in knowing who works where. I've never seen that girl before in my life."

A shadow of doubt was cast over the room. Even Griffin turned to face her. All eyes were focused on Caster.

Caster answered.