The Wolves were on deck as the ship made its approach into the Koulberg harbor. They sat on the deck, most of them resting their heads against the interior of the wooden wall as the ship slowed to a stop. Rising to their feet and waiting for the gangway to be lowered Maeryn said with little energy, “We have a welcoming party.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake!” said Jeanne, her head dropping down.

Peering over the port side, they saw a line of guardsmen waiting for them, Capt. Laurent at the head. Cid, took in a deep breath. “Gods I wished I had been a haberdasher,” he said before turning to Kveldulf and Jeanne, “Come on, let’s see what the good captain wants.”

“And the rest?” Kveldulf asked.

“Have them ready for anything,” Cid said, with resignation.

Reaching the bottom of the gangway, Captain Laurents stepped forward the rest of his guardsmen stand shortly behind. “I hope the voyage wasn’t too eventful,” he said to them cordially.

“It wasn’t anything to write home about,” said Jeanne.

“Fair enough,” said the captain. “I heard from some sources that there was a ruckus over at Victual, of a group using a ship of this description, and the individuals having a remarkable likeness to you and your friends.”

“Well, I guess it is a small world,” said Cid. “I’ve been confused for both kings and criminals alike.”

The captain nodded. Looking back at his contingent, lifting a finger into the air and with a quick rotation, the line performed an about face. The captain, then turning back to Cid, said “I was under orders, by the Council, to arrest whichever passengers left this vessel. But if I don’t see you get off this vessel, then … who’s to say who left this ship and who didn’t?”

“That is most kind of you,” Cid said to the captain.

“If it’ll give them some sweat under their collar, then I’d be happy to help,” said Laurent, “But I’d recommend laying low for a while until things blow over. And whatever the hell you and your friends nabbed, don’t lose them.”

“Thanks for the advice,” said Cid, “Kel, Jeanne, get the others, we’re leaving.”

The two nodded, quickly moving up the gangway. Kveldulf said, “Grab your stuff, now!”

Everyone, their packs in hand, left the ship and slipped into the darkness of night. Once out of sight of the guards, Cid said, “Keep to the alleyways, I want us seen as little as possible.”

“The hell was that about?” Benkin asked.

“We rub the Council the wrong way, and now they’re acting on it.”

“Oh gods, we’re criminals!” said Silvius.

“I can’t go to jail,” said Hypatia, “I’ll have nothing to talk about!”

“Seriously, that’s your concern!” said Silvius.

“I thought we’d have a few nice conversation starters,” said Sianna.

“Everyone shush!” hissed Cid. “Panicking solves categorically zero problems.”

There was a murmur in the back.

“What was that?” Cid demanded.

“Sorry, sorry,” said Leonidas, moving to the front, “I said it’s caused more problems than solved.”

“It’s true he did say that,” Maeryn followed.

“I keep forgetting about your elven hearing,” said Leonidas.

“I don’t know how to interpret that.”

“Could we please focus!” said Cid. “Right now, we need to lay low and not bring attention to ourselves.”

“Well, Hypatia and I can work on go and get the materials from the archives,” said Silvius.

“Good, Doc, see what you can do to help them out,” said Cid, “the rest of us will drop off this trinket over to the good Conall and get this job off our plate.”

“And the other things we acquired?” Doc asked.

“I want to wait a couple of days, and see where things stand. At this point, I think our best option is to get it into the hands of the captain.”

“You’re kidding?” said Jeanne.

“I’m not on board with the idea either,” said Cid, “But at this point, he’s shown to be only one who is actually in our corner.”

“What about Collan?” Kveldulf asked him.

“Oh, we’ll be getting a better gauge on him when he pays us a visit.”

***

Kveldulf opened the door, finding Conall and his guard on the other side. “We were hoping to see you,” Kveldulf said with a brimming smile. “Come, come, we have much to discuss.”

The three made their way up the stairs and into the solar, when Cid grabbed Conall and threw him onto the table. Benkin, Leonidas, Kveldulf, Silvius, Maeryn and Jeanne drew their weapons on the guard at once.

“You have quite the nerve coming back here after the stunt you pulled,” said Cid as he drew out his claws and pressed them against the official’s skin.

“What are you talking about?” Conall replied.

“The pirates knew we were coming!”

“I didn’t know, I swear,” Conall pleaded.

“That’s what they all say,” said Cid.

“You have to believe me, why would I even think of coming back here if I thought I double crossed you? And to do so without more guards, no offense.”

The guard shrugged casually at the comment.

“That’s not a bad point,” said Kveldulf, his gaze and weapon still trained on the guard.

Cid groaned loudly before he turned to Jeanne. “Do the thing,” he said to her.

“What thing?” she replied.

“The truth thing!”

“Oh, that thing, right.”

Jeanne moved over to the two and said to Conall, “Have you had a truth spell used before?”

“No,” Conall replied, shaking.

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“Well, this isn’t to the absolutely, positively, without a doubt the worst pain you’ll even feel.

“Truly?”

“No,” Jeanne said coolly before muttering to herself quick, then asked. “What did you know about the pirates ambushing us?”

“I don’t know anything!” he repeated.

Jeanne turned to Cid. “Yeah, he’s telling the truth.”

Cid looked at Conall, his anger subsiding and helped sit the man up. Cid brushed off the dust and straightened his clothes up. “My apologies, we were less than delighted when this took occurred.”

“Understandable,” said Conall, “I wouldn’t be in a great place either. Though I, if it’s not too much to ask, I wouldn’t mind a stiff drink, please?”

Leonidas turned his head to Cid enough to keep his gaze on the guard. “Does that mean we should lower our weapons?”

“Yes, yes,” said Cid, “I think we can be a bit more relaxed now,” Cid said, gesturing with his hand to everyone to lower their weapons.

Leonidas went over to grab a cup and bottle of wine as the others made themselves comfortable around the room. As he returned with the wine, Leonidas handed it to Conall, who took a long series of gulps.

“Well, that was a very good year. Just what I needed.”

“Good to hear,” said Cid, reaching in and pulling out the bracelet from his pocket. “We believe this was what you were wanting.”

Conall took the piece and examined it closely. “Yes, yes, this is precisely that. Excellent work, most excellent. Let me go down to my horse and …”

He began rising from his seat when his guard lifted and hand, stopping him, and began moving down the stairs by themselves.

Conall chuckled uncomfortably. “I keep forgetting I don’t need to do everything myself anymore.”

“So, what were the pirates wanting with this thing in the first place?” asked Jeanne.

“I couldn’t tell you, honestly,” said Conall, taking another gulp of wine. “I was told by someone I work that that particular crew had taken the jewelry. No other details were given to me.”

“Well, at least we have one less person after our heads,” said Cid.

“What do you mean?” Conall asked.

Cid recalled the event at the pier with the guards. Conall rubbed the back of his neck as his guard let out a low growl. “I can see that adding to some of the reception now.”

Cid nodded, “Yes, it’s been a few days to say the least.” He turned to the others, still having their weapons trained on the guard. “Wha – what are you doing?”

“I don’t like the look they’re giving me,” Kveldulf said to Cid.

“They’re wearing a pigface style bascinet helm, you can’t see they’re eyes,” Cid exclaimed, turning to the guard, “no offense.”

The guard lifted a hand waving off the comment.

“It’s the unseen eyes, the ones that stare into your soul,” Kveldulf said.

Cid, swatted the weapons. “Weapons down, or I am sending you all to your rooms without supper.”

“Wait,” exclaimed Leonidas, “This is my house! You can’t do that.”

“I can and I will, now stop tasking me!”

“This is ridiculous,” Leonidas murmured to himself as he took a seat near the fire.

“If the city guards are after us, does that mean we need to leave the city?” Kveldulf asked.

“Perhaps not,” said Conall. “If the captain of the guards let you escape, even if it’s implied, they may see their influence stretching so far.”

“But what’s keeping the Council from replacing Laurent,” Jeanne asked.

“The captain is personally appointed by Lady Allania, herself,” said Conall, “Only she is allowed to remove him from power.”

“So that’s another facet in our corner,” said Cid.

“Do you think the Council will try something?”

“Undoubtedly,” said Conall. “But they prefer to keep troubles to a minimum and without much bloodshed.”

“No assassins in their pocket?” Benkin asked.

“Only when the situation is reaching a certain point,” said Conall.

“But body counts begin building up and eventually the blood trail starts to lead back somewhere. And unlike many tales you here, most professionals prefer to stay away from large groups, altogether.”

“Still, I think it’ll be best if no one goes out alone,” said Cid, “I’d rather play it safe with everything else happening.”

“Agreed,” said Kveldulf.

“We should probably get the documents once morning comes,” said Hypatia.

“Ben, Maeryn go with them, just so they’re not by themselves. Jeanne, I want you with Doc.”

Jeanne nodded.

“I thought we were on good terms, Cid,” Leonidas said listlessly.

“You can file a complaint when we got out of this,” Cid replied. “Kel, you and I are going to stake out the Council’s building.”

“You expect to find something?” Kel asked.

“Nothing specific,” said Cid, “But sometimes you can find a diamond in the rough if you’re lucky.”

“Speaking of which,” said Conall, “Did you find anything other than the bracelet when you were at Victual?”

Cid turned to Jeanne who nodded silently. “Where you expecting us to find something?”

“I was hoping you would.”

“Doc, grab what we found.”

Leonidas left the room to go upstairs, when came back, he had his satchel in hand. He pulled out the various missive and handed them to Conall. The official took the missives and examined the emblems on the wax seals closely. As he read the opened ones he pulled back. “This is most disconcerting. And I can see you left the sealed one alone.”

“We didn’t think reading them on the boat was prudent.”

“Good thinking, some sailors aren’t the best at keep secrets.”

“We were thinking of getting these to the captain of the guard,” said Kveldulf.

“Am I still under the truth spell?” Conall asked Jeanne.

“You are,” she replied.

“I can assure you, they’ll be getting to right people,” Conall said to them.

Cid, looked down at the missives before handing them to Conall.

“I want to say, I appreciate your trust in this matter. I know this isn’t easy.”

“That’s the nice thing about truth spells,” said Cid, “They help dispel some of the uncertainties in life.”

“But gods it takes it out of you,” said Jeanne, rubbing her head.

“I just make everyone some tea,” Leonidas said, moving into the kitchen to grab a kettle. “Anyone want to come with while I get some water?”

“I’ll come,” Hypatia, following Leonidas out of the house.

“I’m still trying to figure out why we’re having to work behind the Council’s back like this?” said Silvius. “If Callandan or his followers are actively trying to bring him back, wouldn’t the Council take steps to keep it from happening?”

“Fear mixed with arrogance and greed will blind one to a straight path before them,” said the guard, their voice harsh, gravelly, and ominous. “The Council may think they are doing the best for the city, but they may not see the fire spreading until their flesh is charred and flaking off their bones.”

“All right, I was not expecting that,” said Kveldulf taking a step away from the guard.

“My guard is certainly one of few words,” said Conall.

Leonidas and Hypatia returned from the well and the doctor began preparing tea for everyone. Hypatia joined the others as Leonidas went over the kitchen area. “It shouldn’t be long before it’s ready,” said Leonidas told the others.

“I don’t know what our next is going to be with the council,” said Cid.

“I think what the captain suggested in laying low for a quick spell isn’t a terrible idea,” said Kveldulf.

“And if they’re not going to be trying to kill us, they may try to win us over,” said Hypatia.”

“As they say, ‘the enabler of power is the quality of friends’,” said Sianna.

“Hmm,” Cid hummed rotating his neck muscles, “We’ll tend to that one when we get to that bridge.”

“Wouldn’t mind going to nice little party,” said Silvius.

“I’m going to need a new outfit,” said Benkin, “I don’t think this attire is going to do.”

“I could get a nice party dress,” said Jeanne, lightly clapping her hands together.

Leonidas turned to her. “You are an intriguing person,” he said to her.

“In any case,” said Conall, finishing his drink, “I should take my leave, before I overstay my welcome.”

“You don’t want to stay for tea?” Leonidas asked.

“As much as I would like, I should attend to this matter with haste before I am remiss in my duties. I do thank you all for your efforts and I know my associate will not forget this kindness.”

“Well, I hope our next meeting will be less intense.”

“Yes, I agree with this entirely,” said Conall, as he and his guard made their way out of the home.

Cid turned ran his hand down his face as Leonidas handed him a cup of tea. “It’s official, I want to be haberdasher,” he said to everyone.