Emalynn POV

Rain had poured all through the night. Thundering and flashing, keeping Ro and I awake most of the night. Water streamed into the cave dousing the fire before we could eat dinner. Rory used her tunneling magic to burrow small coves into the cave walls for our beds. At least we weren’t soaked as we slept. Was this how we would live from now on? Hiding in caves, forging in the forests, and fishing in rivers? It didn’t sound so bad, but not interacting with others was beginning to take a toll on me. Could we earn money while living like this? We could always hunt and sell our kills that we didn’t eat. It would be the only way I could earn money living like this, especially since I suck at fishing. Rory and I had discussed a future where we could raise orphaned children like ourselves, but would this be any kind of life for them to live? Always on the run, never able to settle down, or have friends…

I had cried on and off since Ro told me that she would have to eliminate any loose ends that could lead back to us. I have killed people before, but I never imagined someone would have to die for just helping me. I know Mr. Applegate found out too much when he saw Ro transform, but I didn't think it would come to this. He had been so sweet to us on the way here from Pine Row. I am not sure what upsets me more, Mr. Applegate having to die or how easily Ro decided the man needed to die. Ro's been my best friend for years, but there were still many things that I don't know about her. I thought my life had been traumatic until I learned how Ro had to live her entire life. I looked down at her sleeping form as I cleaned up my area. The cave floor is muddy from the endless stream of water last night. Part of me wanted to jump into the mud puddle and squish the mud between my toes. I had to fight my instincts to drop everything and play. My tail twitched just needing to roll in the mud, but I needed to head into town to get more supplies and probably medicine in case we end up with a cold from our wet campsite. Stupid responsibilities! “I promise to play with you when I come back, muddy puddle,” I whispered to the teasing muddy goodness.

My little cove in the wall didn’t leave much headspace for getting dressed, so I rolled up the blanket neatly to give me room to move. Crawling toward my bag, “Owww…” I groaned. I lifted my knee off my fuzzy, amber tail. Part of me was missing my fluffy white coat although the orange-amber fur is easier to clean and maintain because of its wax coating. I gave myself a good brushing and pulled out a cream-colored dress to wear to town with my gray cloak. Dull colors attract less attention according to Uncle Elias. I pulled on my brown boots, trying not to wake Ro with my grunts. Getting dressed was like a worm trying to put on clothes because the space was so small. I wiggled out of my cove into the squishy mud of the cave and squashed my way to the entrance of the cave. Sunlight was just peeking through the trees above, so the morning was just beginning.

The Evergreen Forest had a beat to it like a distant drum from the rain dripping off the tree branches. I didn’t want to leave a muddy trail of footprints toward the cave, so I jumped into the tree. I removed my clothes to put them into my bag, so I didn’t ruin them with my shifting. With a deep breath, I called my small monkey form forward in my mind and allowed my form to change into a small primate. My fur became a brownish amber as each little individual hair tingled across my body as each wave of change washed over me. It made me want to itch every inch of my body like something was crawling under my skin. My bones began to compress into a smaller size as my point of view changed from over five feet down to my two-and-a-half foot size. There was a dull pain from the compression of my bones, but my shifting was otherwise painless. The last wave of a skin-crawling itch faded from my body as I shook out my fur. My little tail flicked with excitement as I grabbed my bag and secured the bag’s strap around my small form. It had been a while since I could freely leap and swing in the trees. A cool breeze blew through the whiskers on my face as I leaped from tree branch to tree branch toward the town. Flipping and twirling with each jump, I swung my way noisily through the treetops. This is exactly what I needed to feel myself again after yesterday.

The town came into sight after an hour of traveling by treetops. Stopping outside of the town’s sight, I shifted back into my simian beast form and dressed again. I covered myself in my gray cloak to keep from drawing attention to myself. Unlike Pine Row, this town was huge and busy due to the Wizard’s Guild. All the buildings were huge and had different hues of blue, gray, and green. Some were built from sturdy brick with high peaking roofs and stylized accents while the wooden buildings were newer and had a warmer feeling to them. Down Market Road, there were large wooden stalls that were built for merchants to sell their goods. Small cafes, loud taverns, and fancy restaurants were settled on every other corner of the street. The town was a well-mixed town of races from all walks of life. I was happy that I wouldn’t be sticking out in this town, but the number of people was overwhelming compared to the towns and villages that I had traveled through.

Off in the distance, stood a gray stone compound like a giant castle with giant creepy statues watching over the compound. The castle-like compound is the Wizard’s Guild that Ro had stolen from yesterday. A chill ran through my body just looking at the Wizard’s Guild. Knowing Ro, what Ro had done there only a day before made me wary of the townspeople around me. My grip on my cloak tightened. I needed to focus and retrieve the supplies that I came for. The town was loud with chatter and bustling movements. I peeked out the hood of my cloak for a cheap clothing merchant. Ro had worn out her three sets of clothes since we left Pine Row and mine were tattered from use. I had been training hard with Ro each day to improve my skills. Ro could be a slave driver when it came to training, which speaks volumes of how Elias and Leah trained her.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

After half an hour of wandering down Market Road, I had successfully retrieved all the supplies on my list from clothes to food. The last thing I needed was to get the latest scoop on the town. Walking into the closest tavern, I ordered myself some lunch and allowed my big round ears to do the rest. Two town officials were rumored to be having an affair with the same person. Boring… The town baker had made a new dessert that the town was going crazy over. That sounds yummy. Another raise in taxes was being proposed to fix a broken bridge on the other side of town. Yawn. My tail twitched with anticipation. I knew someone would mention the break-in at the Wizard’s Guild. It was only a matter of time.

“There you are, Braxton!” A male voice exclaimed. “What are you doing in this tavern? We have a mystery to solve.”

Now that sounds intriguing… I listened as I finished my stew.

“Silas, we spent the whole day and night searching for information about the thief. If I don’t get some food in me, then I will end up eating you instead.” A deeper, raspier voice responded, which I could only guess was Braxton, according to the first voice’s greeting.

“Grumpy orc,” Silas sighed, sitting down at the bar. “Can’t go a day without eating, huh?”

“Why should I? Just because you don’t eat much when you start a new obsession, doesn't mean I should go without food.” Braxton reasoned with Silas.

Silas groaned, “It’s not an obsession.”

“You’re right. It’s normal to drag your best friend all over the guild and town, trying to find information about a thief without stopping for an entire day and a half. My mistake.” Braxton mocked his companion.

“Here’s your sandwich, sir. Do you two need anything else?” A female server asked.

“Yes, could I get a pint of your best draft beer, and my friend would like a bowl of stew,” Braxton answered.

“Sure, big guy,” the server replied and left the men be.

“I don’t need anything, Braxton,” Silas whined.

The two men argued over food and each other’s habits for at least 10 minutes until the server brought their order over. I was beginning to think I had wasted my time listening to them whine over lack of sleep and ridiculous behaviors that each one had. I finished my stew by the time Braxton finally asked what Silas wanted to do next about the thief. This had better be worth my time.

“Well, Master Renaldy, has the whole guild under lockdown. Their investigation has been kept quiet. Few people outside the guild even know about the robbery.” Silas went quiet for a minute.

Yes! My patience is paying off at last. These guys know about Ro’s theft. I walked into the right tavern. Keep talking boys, Ema needs more information. I felt a smile creep onto my face as my tail swooshed under my gray cloak. If anyone had noticed me at this point, they would think I am some sort of psycho. Actually, I wouldn’t mind being called a psycho. They seem to have all the fun anyway.

Braxton chuckled, “Well, aren’t you lucky, Silas? I happened to hear something useful on my way here.”

“Really! What did you hear?” Silas asked, excitedly. If this man were a dog, his tail would be wagging like a branch in a windstorm.

“See, you are obsessed with the thief,” Braxton laughed again. This Braxton guy had a point. The Silas guy did seem a bit too interested in the thief.

“I am not obsessed! I am merely intrigued by the impossibility of her identity. Have you ever heard of a beast woman harnessing such strong magic?” He paused. “No, right? This woman should not exist, Braxton, and it bothers me that she does.” Silas huffed.

Great. They know more than Ro thinks they do. She’s making her normal identity into some sort of wanted criminal although I suppose her normal form was a criminal from the start. When Leah and Elias told her to lay low, I don’t think this is what they meant.

"Well, my obsessed friend, it seems a merchant saw a dark figure run into the Evergreen Forest not long after the robbery that morning. Now, I know for a fact that Master Renaldy hasn't heard this bit of information yet, so we have a chance to find this rogue first." Braxton sounded chipper from the pint the server woman had brought him.

"You think the thief is a rogue?" Silas questioned this new label his friend had given the thief.

Braxton scoffed as if it were obvious. "What else could she be? Only a rogue class person could break into the Wizard’s Guild, face off with Fairy Darius, and escape without a trace. It's a blessing Fairy Darius didn’t have anything but a hurt pride after that encounter. This rogue is powerful, rare, and someone that you want on your side. Too bad she pissed off Master Renaldy. He's not going to let this go…"

“Leave it to a former general to profile a thief with such ease,” Silas jokes.

My heart beated rapidly in my chest. Either Rory had seriously messed up, or these wizards were smarter than she thought. Maybe it was both. Would she kill them all because of what they knew? Was she capable of murdering so many? What if the whole town knew it wasn't just gossip? Would she kill a town over gossip? My head ached from the questions overwhelming me. I needed to leave. I got the gossip I came for anyway. How will she react to all of this? Ro must know the guild will come after her, but does she know these men were after her? Damn… We just can't catch a break. I quickly paid my tab and left the tavern in a rush, grasping my cloak for dear life.

Rushing through the town, I did my best to seem normal. I didn't want to draw attention since Ro had managed to get enough attention for the both of us. My tail was twisting and knotting under my cloak like my stomach. I wanted to vomit all the stew that I had just eaten. Damn it. Why was this happening now? It's been 2 months since Ro went into a frenzy, revealing herself to the world, and now more people were looking for her. I came with her to help, but I am not sure how to help her. Did she do this on purpose?