After the woman fell asleep, Han picked up the chamber pot before quietly cracking open the door, slipped outside, and threw the contents out onto the groves in the street, then set the pot aside. It was uncanny, this day! How often did travelers bother coming here anymore, let alone stay and maybe spend a few opals? Stars above, we could use it.

He stretched his arms over his head, uncracking his back. That's better. Time for the nightly walk. Nobody will bother her, it's too quiet here. It's been months since we've had visitors, hopefully nobody will become overly enthusiastic this time around and scare this one away.

In a moment, the night sky eased away the light giving way to sharp points of stars, casting their glow over the sleepy city, with just the squpuila and their endless chirps, chirrs ending with offbeat plops. One crawled and plopped up the tree its body ending in a caterpillar bottom half, it turned its head, its center black eye blinking, its furry ears flopped while it still made its way. Fortunately, this creature hadn't fallen to the aggression that's begun to plague so many other animals over the world. Maybe people were trying to figure out why. News took it's time coming out this far. Well, it's not my job to keep track of of these matters. No need to think much about it right now.

He headed en route toward the city square, avoiding the broken streets and piles of wreckage. A quick memory popped up just long enough to hint at faces, before drifting away. Enough. We'd all fixed up what we could, but there wasn't much left in the treasury.

What am I thinking? One single visitor can't fix this, I can barely afford to feed the lady. I should've told her to go stick herself. Most likely she'll cause trouble if her armor is any indication, only bandits or thieves around here wore it. Only thing she's missing is a blood splattered hand axe to go with. Then again, maybe... He dawdled along through the city streets, It was late, the streets mostly deserted, those still active kept to themselves. Detouring around the main street; the cobblestone cracked, broken fully down to the dirt, a huge trench scarred through it. No logic, none, how could anyone afford to pay them if they kept putting them in debt with need repairs? Goons and thugs in fine clothing is what they are!

Down the new path between a short expanse of what was the park, stood the tired burnt husk of the arcane society, he pressed a hand-pads against the board, it crumbled underneath. She sent each month excited letters on how the membership had grown, how much good they were going to do. Was it all pointless? The blackened street sign hung crooked off the end of its chain, ready to fall.

He stopped at the stone memorial a soft hum as they pulsed with two light stones set above, the near-primeval energies brighten them well. It didn't take much will here to light them, Olenus at least blessed us with the light here, although all else was ignored. Highlighting the seventeen carved names. They placed it next to the shack that stored the dried vegetables, maybe as it was visited often.

The once sapling, next to it, now brushed against its left side. Why didn't she send for help? I would have come, Everyone else in this world can burn. Now I'm stuck here, made to finish what... she started. Why did you have to do that? Who cares about their problems? You said you'd stay safe!

He shook his fist at the memorial, and just pulled back from spitting on it. Better not. No, sis would've slapped me. A short epitaph above it read:

No backs tuned in shame that day, when the Copper Eagles Syndicate tried to take our lives, freedom and coin. We'll never forget Nakin Sekhmward and Declan Sekhmward's martyrdom. Below this, the names of the seventeen that fought with them.

He bowed his head as a tightness built in his eyelids. Anyone else. Why couldn't the Eagles have left this place alone, they had plenty already. Why didn't she send for me before it came to this? A memory of what she said one time re-surfaced. 'The cloaks that shadow people's minds often braid truths with falsehoods. Do not hate them as they wished to do what's just, and decent.' Even after the Eagles still insist the payment is incomplete! There has to be someway to get rid of this noose on everyone's neck.

He scrubbed the wetness away. That woman. Maybe if I can convince her to stay a few days and charge her. If her muscles are any indication, she wouldn't have a problem ending them. There's a few not too far off pockets of treasure hoarding monsters around here. I can even go with —staying outside to wait— and heal her as she frees the riches. I could tell her why later, if she's willing to help more after that. Why, I know I'll talk to the inn keep and get her a discount whenever she stays here.

A soft crunch of boots on pebbles; shortly a hooded human wearing a red cape came from behind the shack next to the memorial.

This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

Han bristled, his fur rising some. Another Eagle come to pester us about payment, so soon? I need to warn the mayor!

Two pinpoints of light blazed from under the hood, then faded.

The drink from earlier came back as an urgent need, he suppressed it. The mayors most likely sleeping I'll— I'll— I'll just, leave... him alone. Han moved his tail from the side to twitch behind him. It liked to get twitchy at the worst times.

"I come with a warning. There's a... precocious Elvin woman that may have passed through here. I have reason to believe that she is hiding a tome of power that she unjustly stole, along with inadvertently causing the deaths of thousands." His voice oddly flat and stale; monotone.

I don't know about this. I can't, see his face. There's still enough light, I should be able to... Han scratched his neck. If he is being honest, then... Is her politeness a façade? Or is this some falsehood by the Eagles? And, why come to me? Better play it safe, I don't need a demented Elven woman causing trouble. He squinted and tilted his head. "Alarming..." He kept his voice slow and unwavering. His nose twitched, he rubbed it to make it stop. "I thank you for the warning." If this is true, she needs to leave today. We don't need any more trouble. Looks like the treasure plan is sunk. I don't know him well, either. Why me?

"If I were to believe you, what assurance would I have that this is the correct remedy to take?"

"I believed she is under the influence of the evil tome, and it would in her best interest to have her and it returned. In the interest of safety, of course. All who've tried to bring her back have been thwarted." The man moved closer, took out an oval object, then took out another of smaller size. After tapping it, it glowed, the object; a dazzling luminescent fiery opal. He moved it back and forth under the light, catching his gaze. He set it down on the ground by the memorial.

"If a person who knew how to act with discretion and also was willing to help return this befooled, yet cherubical Elvin to safety, then prime healers would find a way to help her find her way back to the blessings of Elaema."

He ignored the opal, and pushed back his shoulder blades while straightening his spine as he drew up every inch available. I see nothing. They seem very forgiving of her actions. Just who is she, and how is she so valued that they want her alive after what she's done? Maybe she's secretly rich? Or some lost noble? That happens sometimes. "That's on them, why should I help such people?" He sniffed. "She sounds like a dangerous sort, one to stay far away from. "How am I to know what you say is of justness?" His tail jerked and twitched, he resisted catching and holding it.

The man's said nothing for moment but toed the opial before bringing his line of site back his way. "My people are incapable of falsehoods." This time his speech held a calm sleekness, that set his whiskers on edge. Must be an accent, maybe a middle worlder.

The man held out his hands, still keeping his face hidden. "True, it would take great strength and courage to stay with one who's so dangerous. But, this person could be a great help when the time comes to help her as she tends to overreact, and is confused."

He seems to know much about her. Elaema might bless us for helping a lost one as her! She must be suffering, that'd explain why she was so thin, and distressed. That and nobody here needs any more problems to come and ask my help about. The opal drew his attention, such a lovely luster to it, just lying there waiting, it'd be a shame not to accept such a gift. "How long would this take, getting her help?"

The man huffed while he tilted in closer. "Not long. A few days, a couple of weeks at most. The healers need to make this cure by hand, and the ingredients are limited and dangerous to harvest." He held out his hands.

Han hesitated. This should not hurt anything, no one needs to know. Everyone here deserves that opal, I can't leave things as they are. If they have it they won't need me anymore. Both the man's hands sent a chill through his pads, he suppressed a shiver and released the clasp.

"The deal is made, and the promise set."

He startled. "If broken, wraiths of misfortunes fly free."

The man slipped away, back into the gloom.

Han bent, picked up the opal and headed back.