By the time they arrived at the destination that the pigeons were leading them to, the sky was full of squawking and feathers.

Overhead, the mutated birds and Lady Pigonette’s legion fought for dominance of the skies, while Mr. Nimble zipped past their rickshaw with a laugh. Arthur craned his neck around as he watched the superhero crash into one of the Dogclops full force.

The force of the hit tossed the poor beast back even as its brethren unsuccessfully tried to grab this new threat.

Theobold pulled the rickshaw to a stop in front of Captain Swordsman, whose glowing sword illuminated the street around him even in the daytime. His mask covered his face, but Arthur could almost feel the sheer confidence that radiated from the man. If he didn’t know better, he would think there were no monsters here at all.

“Captain,” Arthur said as he climbed down from the rickshaw, his cane at the ready.

The longer he watched the fight, the more the ember flared in his chest, but he did his best to suppress it. These beasts weren’t threatening his hoard directly right now. Besides, he’d hired The Assembly to do this job; it would be insulting to not let them do it.

“Arthur,” Captain Swordsman replied, even as he gestured for Power Drill to move ahead. “Fancy seeing you here. We’re responding to a call. One of the scavenging teams reported an influx of creatures here.”

“Which team?” Arthur looked around, trying to figure out what was even around them.

No signs displayed what these buildings once held, and he saw nothing worth taking. Not that it mattered much to him where his scavengers went to find supplies, as long as they came back with things he could sell. It was good to see his initiative with The Assembly working out, though.

“Jones was the leader’s name.”

Arthur nodded, even though he couldn’t put a face to the name. “Great. How many jobs have you done so far?”

In the background, a Dogclops howled, and Mr. Nimble laughed. A part of him wanted to join in on the action, but he resisted. No need, not right now. If the cultists failed, he’d get his fill of violence soon enough.

“We’re out and about at least once a day,” Captain Swordsman said, sounding tired. “But it’s been good. It’s nice to help people more directly. Plus, it’s easier work than trying to fight Riccardo’s tactics.”

“Speak for yourself.”

A familiar, onyx-colored pigeon landed on the edge of the rickshaw and ruffled its feathers. Its appearance made Arthur look up—a mistake—as a feather fell into his face. With a grimace, he brushed it off and shook his head.

“Hello to you too, Lady Pigeonette.”

“Arthur.” The bird she was inhabiting hopped to the left before she continued speaking to Captain Swordsman. “This incursion is small, and I can’t find anything else in the area.”

“Keep scouting, but I think we should be about wrapped up here,” Captain Swordsman said.

As the bird took off, Arthur turned back to check on the truth of the man’s words. Pigeon corpses mingled with the mutated birds on the ground while Mr. Nimble and Power Drill finished the remaining dogs. With a sigh, he moved to pick up the corpses.

The pigeons he left, but the mutated birds he collected. They gave him little he could use unless the feathers turned out to be useful for something special.

STOCK FOUND

1X SHINING SONGBIRD MEAT (INEDIBLE)- RARE

1X SHINING SONGBIRD BONES - RARE

1X PARTIAL RADIATION CRYSTAL (RANK E) - RARE

SEND TO STORE INVENTORY

ADD TO BAG (UNAVAILABLE - MISSING SHOPKEEPERS BAG)

DISCARD ALL OPTIONS

When he’d finished collecting the birds, he started on the Dogclops. Once again, there was little new, but it gave him a chance to ask Captain Swordsman a question as the man followed him across the battlefield.

“Is this all you’ve been finding, or have you encountered other Pit Fiends as well?”

Captain Swordsman shook his head and put his sword away. “No. Only these, which is strange. I’ve seen signs of other Pit Fiends, but no bodies. It’s concerning, to be honest. Though the scavengers are feeling safe, which is nice.”

“Agreed,” Arthur said, filing away that information.

He intended to ask around, but he expected to get the same response. If he did, he could be sure that it was due to whatever Rathnil was doing. For the Pit Fiends to go from a threat to creatures that showed up weakened and then disappear entirely? Unnatural.

With the speed at which it happened, he knew he’d need to hurry up his timeline with Rathnil. However, that could wait. For today, at least, he had a party to get to. After saying goodbye to The Assembly, and checking once more that they had everything they needed, Arthur climbed back onto the rickshaw.

Theobold mounted up, and they sped off towards the knight’s compound with a new story to share at the feast.

***

Theorisa put them to work almost as soon as Arthur got himself through the hole in the wall.

A group led Theobold off to help some of the work crews. His massive form was an asset for lifting barrels and putting up a collection of stands for the carnival games that would act as the evening’s entertainment. For Arthur and Augustus part, they got stuck on a different type of job.

His first duty was to report to the cooks and hand over everything he’d bought. Never in his life had people acted so pleased to see him as when he walked into the bustling building acting as a restaurant. When he showed them the various cuts of meat he’d purchased, along with the centerpiece, they almost tossed him out the door to get prepared.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

After the cooks, Theorisa kept him busy with a variety of odd jobs. Augustus trailed behind him and helped as he hung up banners, moved chairs outside, and helped clean up the area around the fountain. All around him, people worked hard, smiling through tired eyes and exhuasted movements as they set things up.

As night fell, Arthur stood up and cracked his back from hammering on the last few boards that finished the makeshift stage. Next to him, a group of women were handing out flasks filled with water, which he happily took.

While the day had been tiring, he couldn’t help but smile at his efforts. It was nice to do work like this occasionally, as it allowed him to take his mind off his problems. Even as he drank, he scanned the crowds, looking for any members of The Council. His list of questions still required answers.

None were around, though he saw Theobold chatting with Sienna near the fountain. A few other teens were there as well, and Arthur decided it was best not to disturb him. Not when he had other potential issues.

With a shake of his head, he collected Augustus and went to find his next job.

It turned out he didn’t have one, and Theorisa was more than happy for him to wander the compound. He took her up on her offer and moved around the place, watching the people. The tension remained, but he could feel the undercurrent of excitement and hope the party brought.

Children played openly, and couples strolled arm in arm. In the mess, he found himself near the section with the carnival games, listening to children speculate on the upcoming special events. To his surprise, he found Cyrus sitting on a bench, dressed in his typical robes, and holding his intricately crafted staff.

“Arthur, sit with me,” he called, gesturing to the seat.

Without needing more prompting, Arthur sat, happy to take the chance to have a break. For a moment, they simply sat, watching as the crowd walked by. A smile crossed his face as he enjoyed the chance to take a break. There were no pressing issues, at least none that required his immediate attention, which was a pleasant chance.

“So, I heard the cooks were happy with your gifts.” Cyrus didn’t make it a question; his placid tone was almost uncaring.

“They seemed pleased with it,” Arthur agreed. “I have others, if you’re interested?”

“More food?”

“More gifts,” Arthur said as he reached into his briefcase.

With a few swift movements, he pulled out one of the raw bits of iron he’d purchased. It was small, but from the look Cyrus threw at it, the ore may as well have been a basket full of gold. His eyes widened before his brow furrowed and he leaned forward.

“Are you thinking of selling?”

“If you’re able to buy,” Arthur said. “Though, I had a different trade in mind than coin.”

“Oh?”

“Kourtney’s book. I’d like a copy.”

Cyrus frowned, his shoulders sagging. “I doubt she’ll let it go, not for long. Why do you need it?”

“Information on The Pit, and I would only need it for a few minutes. She’d be more than welcome to watch the process. The same process I would use on your ores.”

“In that case, I think it should be something we can negotiate. Shall we go now? I believe she should be in her office.”

As he spoke, the sounds of music started up from the stage, accompanied by shouts and cheers. Overhead, the stars shone, with the full moon doing its best to help illuminate the scene.

Arthur shook his head, standing up as the crowd made their way back to the stage area for the starting speech. He remembered Theorisa remarking about Alyssa preparing for it.

“No, not right now. Tonight, I think we can simply celebrate. May I accompany you?”

Cyrus laughed. “Of course. Come, if I know Alyssa, we won’t have to sit through anything long, and I am curious to see your feast unveiled.”

“I am too,” Arthur admitted, and together they stood and joined the crowd to see the start of the celebration.

***

Cyrus’s prediction about the length of the speech turned out to be entirely correct.

Alyssa didn’t take up much time, simply restating that they’d found another entrance to The Pit, which would give them another chance to combat the fiends that attacked their homes. Cheers met her words, but not as loudly as when the cooks finally brought out the feasts.

Tables appeared first. Long wooden things that Arthur could tell were re-used display pieces Smells hit the air, roasting meat and vegetables, all blending together. Pleased exclamations sounded from the crowd as a group carried out massive plates covered in slabs of giant boar.

As the cooks brought out the various plates, the head chef tried his best to explain what each piece was. His words clashed with the marveling crowd as he gestured to sections of manticore that looked like you’d need a broadsword to carve through and tiny bite-sized rabbits.

More fantastical selections appeared, one after another, until the crowd started getting restless.

That changed with the last dish, one that Arthur had known would become the centerpiece of the meal. Rab and several other knights carried the massive carcasses on the spit to stand before the long tables. From the metal pole hung a full griffin carcass, an apple shoved into its beak.

Arthur couldn’t help but laugh at the sheer range of expressions the beast’s appearance caused.

“Impressed?” He couldn’t help but ask Cyrus, who remained sitting next to him.

“Incredibly.” Cyrus shook his head. “We could have been buying things like this from you the entire time?”

Arthur laughed. “No, this is recent. But I think a proper partnership would benefit us both.”

Rab’s call for Alyssa to be the one to carve up the mighty creature briefly interrupted their conversation. She did so to the chanting of the crowd. Her sword flashed through the air as she hacked it up along the lines that the cooks had helpfully provided.

“Hulvin would be the impediment to that,” Cyrus admitted.

Arthur rolled his eyes. “When isn’t he? It’s one reason I figured raw materials would be better than trying to trade actual weapons and cut his people out of the deal.”

“A wise decision.”

Another cheer went up as the head chef declared it was time for the start of the feast. People surged past them with such force that Augustus hissed and snarled to keep a bubble of space around them. Only when the tide stopped did Arthur bother to start his trip towards the table with Cyrus in tow.

Both of them helped themselves, stepping to the side, where Alyssa and Rab still joined them. The Knight-Captain gave him an appreciative nod as she approached.

“I should thank you for the meat and the wine, even if it is a bit on the ostentatious side.”

He laughed. “Well, I figured they’d appreciate it.”

“And what do you want in return?” Her voice sounded resigned.

“This?” Arthur shook his head. “Nothing. It was a gift and a bit of advertising for me.”

Alyssa snorted. “I’ll owe you a favor, then. Tonight isn’t the time to discuss such serious business.”

“Indeed!” Rab cheered as he held up a flagon in his hand.

Others mimicked his actions, but when they dispersed, Rab turned his attention to Arthur. His voice dropped, sounding more serious. “I have one question for you, however.”

“Yes?”

“You have sent The Assembly out onto the streets. Tell me, what have they found?”

“More of the Dogclops and those birds, little else. Why?”

“Hulvin,” Alyssa said with a shake of her head. “The idiot has decided this new influx of monsters is proof we need another crusade. Combined with your discovery of a new entrance, he’s obsessed. This normally wouldn’t be an issue, but people are angry and afraid. As futile as it is, a crusade would at least be an action.”

“Are you thinking of letting him do it?” Arthur asked, trying to come up with a good reason not to let a group of bloodthirsty knights anywhere near his store.

He simply didn’t trust Hulvin not to decide his people should be involved. From the look on Alyssa’s face, it appeared to be a sentiment she shared. Which made what she said next even more worrying.

“Perhaps.”

Cyrus shook his head. “This is not the night, as you have said.”

“Of course, Trade-Captain!” Rab saluted. “Perhaps I should take Arthur to the games if he’s eaten his fill?”

“Sure,” Arthur said, suddenly finding himself less hungry.

After one last look over the milling people, he downed the last bite on his plate and placed it with the other used ones that a child was dutifully trotting into the kitchen. That done, he followed Rab through the crowd, curious to check out what the knight did for fun around here.

As he heard the thunks and clangs of combat, he couldn’t help but shake his head. He had a pretty good guess.