Friedrich walked along the road with the sun high above his head, holding both his golden fox mask and his new black minotaur mask. He was focused intently on them, amazed by what he could now do with two soul masks in his possession.

“I have no idea how to use this,” muttered Marina, looking into her magical amethyst. It sparkled and flashed brightly as though the electricity within was dying to be unleashed.

“You will find a way,” said Blackjack, her bundle of ten new fiery arrows nestled within her quiver.

There came a sudden rustling in the bushes and Friedrich tucked away his fox mask, then placed the minotaur mask upon his face. The agonising feeling that he had grown used to with Kitt’s mask was back in full force with his new mask, but this transformation felt as though it was deeper penetrating his soul.

He let out a yell of anguish as his arms and legs lengthened and grew bulkier. His face swelled up and two large horns erupted from atop his head as black hair grew rapidly from his body. He now stood tall in the form of a minotaur, taller, hairier and burlier than even Myraeon was.

A wild rabbit ran from the bushes and onto the road before him. It looked at the large beast with its little heart-shaped nose twitching. Friedrich snorted like a bull and the rabbit fled, skittering into another bush.

“That was excessive, no?” asked Marina, looking up at her now-enormous companion.

Friedrich grunted, but he could not voice words in the same way that Myraeon could. Minotaur though he was, there was something different about this one. At first, he had wondered if it had lost its tongue, but the dry hairier tongue was sitting comfortably inside his mouth.

“It was an excuse to wear the mask,” said Blackjack, furrowing her brow. “He will not put the stupid thing down.”

Friedrich shook his head, but she was right of course. Ever since he first tried it on upon exiting the mine, he had wanted a chance to test what it was capable of. What he was capable of.

“Just how strong do you reckon you are now?” Marina asked, folding her arms across her chest.

Friedrich walked over to the nearest tree and placed his hands upon it. He dug his hooved feet into the ground and pushed, but the tree was not upended. Granted, it was a rather sturdy, deep-rooted tree. He moved over to a smaller one and pushed it instead, having to place his hands one above the other to make them fit on the narrow trunk. This tree was uprooted easily and Friedrich punched the air victoriously.

“We will see if you are still nimble in combat or if your entire style must change to fight effectively,” said Blackjack. “I worry that this new form of yours will throw you off balance and you will become useless to us.”

“It did take a few tries to get used to the fox form,” said Marina, nodding fervently. “I would imagine it will be the same with the black minotaur.”

Friedrich snorted again and led the way down the road, not wanting to hear it. Again, he knew that the Blackjack had a point, as did Marina, but he was itching to fight to test himself. He needed to if he was going to be able to use the form to the best of its abilities.

After a few minutes, Friedrich turned back to normal. It was a good thing too because, as they reached a crossroads by a river, they happened upon a roadside inn and Friedrich could have easily been mistaken for a monster. And he wouldn’t have blamed anyone for thinking that as he himself would have been taken aback had he seen a minotaur strolling down a country road.

The inn was a cozy little place with stone walls and a thatched roof. Running along the right side of the building and creeping onto its front was a cluster of green ivy while much more colourful flowers were planted in the grass around the base. By the stone bridge leading over the river was a sign, showing that the way to Akatfall was to cross the bridge and continue following the road.

“Can we stop?” asked Marina, looking longingly at the inn.

“Akatfall is this way,” said Blackjack.

“I know,” said Marina, “but we haven’t slept in a proper bed since Fallswych. I hoped we would have that chance in Cambrae, but we changed course.”

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“Wasn’t our detour through the mines to speed us along?” asked Friedrich. “Spending the night here would only slow us down when we’re mere days from Akatfall now.”

“The detour was to speed us up, but it didn’t speed us up because we wound up fighting Balgreuh and then camping just outside the exit. I hate complaining, but…I’m exhausted!”

Friedrich and Blackjack looked at each other, then both nodded. “Alright,” they said together.

Marina had a look of disbelief on her face. “You both mean that, right?”

“Yes,” said Blackjack.

“Why wouldn’t we?” asked Friedrich.

“I thought I would be voted down,” said Marina, pushing her tongue against the side of her mouth.

“If you’re exhausted, you’re exhausted,” shrugged Friedrich. “Truth be told, it would be nice to have a place to rest for the night.”

“And we would not need to suffer Friedrich’s badly butchered cooking,” remarked Blackjack.

Marina laughed as Friedrich scowled. “Badly butchered is a little excessive,” he said under his breath.

The three made their way inside the inn, with Blackjack pulling her hood up and placing her mask over her mouth. Friedrich had assured her that few people would care that she was an elf, as long as she wasn’t causing trouble, but she insisted that she conceal her identity.

It was quiet and dim inside, but it was warmed by sun shining through the glass windows. There were only two patrons inside, both drinking ale from flagons in the corner as they chatted. Standing at the counter was a portly woman with a friendly smile.

“What can I do ye for, travellers?” asked the woman jovially.

“Three beds for the night and a meal for each of us,” said Marina, placing kupons on the counter. Friedrich reached for his own pouch, but Marina stopped him.

“We make a lovely beef stew,” said the woman, counting out the kupons. “Will that be in a shared room?”

“Two rooms,” said Marina. “One for Friedrich here, and a shared room for…my tall friend and I.”

“I presumed as much,” chuckled the woman, looking at Blackjack. “Have you got a face, Madame Elf?”

“You can tell?” asked Blackjack, pulling the mask below her face.

The woman nodded. “As long as you don’t cause trouble, you may stay here.”

“There will be no trouble, I assure you,” said Blackjack. “I am simply looking to pass on through.”

After everything was settled, the trio sat down and waited for their food to be cooked by the chef out the back. The scent of the cooked beef was mouth-watering to them, having eaten a mixture of trail rations and whatever Friedrich hunted for on any given day. It was especially welcome after having such an exhausting time killing Balgreuh.

“I didn’t realise I was as hungry as I was,” said Marina, fidgeting in her seat.

“Likewise,” said Friedrich, fiddling with the two masks he had tied around his neck.

“I wonder what soul is trapped within the minotaur mask,” pondered Marina aloud, noticing Friedrich’s hands.

“I’m not sure, but if he wants to travel anywhere, then I hope it’s to Kai’roh. If he wants to go halfway across the continent or to some other remote island then he can forget about it.”

“That’s assuming his soul won’t influence you the same way Kitt’s soul has been doing.”

“I still don’t buy that theory of yours,” said Friedrich, avoiding eye contact. “Wouldn’t Branric have told me as much?”

“Who’s to say he knew?”

Blackjack was sitting silently staring into the distance, her ears twitching every now and then. Friedrich waved his hand in front of her and she jolted back to alertness.

“Yes?” she asked.

“Are you eavesdropping?” Friedrich whispered.

“Yes.”

“Anything good?”

“Friedrich!” scolded Marina, slapping him lightly on the arm.

“As a matter of fact, there is something good,” said Blackjack. “You took us on a detour into the mines, I may call upon a similar favour as reciprocation.”

Marina looked confused. “What is the fav—”

“Demons,” Friedrich said before she could finish her question.

“Yes,” said Blackjack, quickly glancing at the two men drinking at another table.

“What are they saying?” asked Friedrich.

“There was something about a forest shrine to the southeast that has been plagued by abominable creatures. I’m trying to hear where it is, but they’ve switched topics.”

“Why don’t you ask them?”

“That would be most unwise.”

“Why?” asked Friedrich.

“I am a stranger asking for information, they may not be so receptive, especially knowing that I am of the Alauri.”

Friedrich stood up. “There’s an easy solution to that.”

He walked over to the men as Blackjack tried to grab his tunic to pull him back, but he twisted to the side to avoid her. He marched over confidently, a smile upon his face.

“Gentlemen,” he said.

The two men stared at him, not knowing why this young lad was approaching them. They said nothing, eyeing him up as though he was about to mug them for their meagre possessions.

“What is it, lad?” asked one of the men grumpily, breaking the silence, while the other took a swig of his ale.

“Forgive the interruption,” said Friedrich as calmly and politely as he could, “I believe I heard one of you mention something about a forest shrine a moment ago?”

“You been eavesdropping?” asked the man with a frown.

“I heard it unwittingly,” said Friedrich, “but I thought it better to ask you directly rather than listen in. Would you mind explaining what the situation is for me and my friends? We’re curious and would rather avoid danger on the road if there’s trouble afoot.”

The two men looked at each other and the man sipping his ale raised his eyebrows and gave a slight nod. “Doesn’t bother me,” he said.

“Fine,” grumbled the grumpy man. “Pull up a seat for two minutes, I’ll tell you what I know and then be off with you.”

“Much obliged,” said Friedrich, beckoning over Marina and an incredulous Blackjack. “Come on,” he urged as they hesitated to join him.

The three sat down and listened to the man intently as he told them what he knew.