Hugo kneeled in the ashy, charred remains of a lone hovel. He peered through the splintered framing and reached out his hands grabbing a worn leather satchel. Hugo dusted off a layer of debris before rummaging through its contents.

“Grave dust, old vials, bone fragments…” Hugo continued muttering, taking out one strange trinket after another. He paused, putting his thin, bony fingers to his greyed lips. “Another one it seems.” Hugo gently set down the satchel and began to stand up, turning to address a lone figure behind him. A relatively husky man adorned in a white and red gown stood unsettled. The husky man addressed Hugo, his words barely more than a whisper.

“Is that all then? We should leave this unholy place.” Hugo dusted off his aged leather coat and began to trudge towards the door. “Did you hear a word I said? This place reeks of something dark. Why would a merchant such as yourself have any business in the remains of this place.”

“Like I said, Brother Maxwell. I used to have family in this part of the city. I am quite sad to see it fenced in and chained up under lock and key.” The husky priest nervously rubbed his hands together.

“Yes, a tragedy the fire. The Church has relocated most of its former occupants to a nearby district, you may want to look there for any clues to your family’s whereabouts.” Hugo made his way out of the dilapidated mess, trekking through the ashes of a once bustling city district. When Hugo didn’t reply, the priest continued talking to fill the silence. “Perhaps check with the City Registrar. They may be of more help than I.” Hugo responded with a grunt.

Finally, the piles of ash began to subside. Hugo and the priest were met with a tall iron gate. Hugo pushed on the cold iron gate. It heaved open, rattling the entire fence as they pressed forward. Eventually, Hugo turned and offered his hand to the priest.

“Thank you again for your time, Brother Maxwell.” Hugo peered downward at the priest’s soot-stained robes. “And I do hope that doesn’t stain.” The priest took his hand and shook it halfheartedly.

“It was no trouble, but I’m glad to be rid of this place.” Hugo turned to leave when the priest called out to him. “I’m sorry, I never got your name!” without turning Hugo answered,

“It’s just Hugo.” Hugo turned to leave. He had no intention of going to the registrar. He was no merchant and never had any family living there, but he did find a lead. There was a necromancer there. As Hugo left the priest behind, the landscape around him transformed from a desolate, stony cityscape, to more urban and well-traveled. Merchants peddled their goods through the crowded cobblestone streets, while the faceless masses gathered in droves. Hugo felt uneasy about crowds, as he spent much of his time traveling by himself. As the streets grew even more claustrophobic, Hugo began to think of his work to distract himself.

It's no wonder that The Church would burn any remnants of dark magic away from the city, but to leave evidence of necromancy along with the hasty resident relocation the whole situation seems…messy. Hugo continued to look downward, deep in thought. His green, focused eyes shifting downward towards the satchel he grabbed. While walking he rummaged through its contents, transfixed on finding the vials he’d passed over prior. At the time they seemed of little importance, but perhaps Hugo could analyze the alchemical contents and track down the local apothecary the vials were obtained from.

As Hugo poured through the satchel he mistakenly walked headfirst into a burly man. The man turned to face him, but before Hugo could apologize the satchel was snatched from his grasp by a smaller hooded figure.“Hey!” Hugo tried to yell, but his quiet voice was drowned out by the many voices of the city. In haste, Hugo ran towards the direction of the thief while the burly man shouted obscenities at him from behind. Hugo weaved through the crowds, but they seemed to close in and the hooded figure faded from view, but not before Hugo caught a glimpse of the figure taking a sharp left turn.

Hugo, finally reaching the last location of the thief, turned left into an alleyway, the only possible path for the hooded figure. Except for garbage littering the damp floor, it was empty. Hugo turned away, angry at himself and at the loss of what could have been important information. As he was leaving, however, he heard two voices. Hugo couldn't let the opportunity slip from his fingers again and so he listened in. Suddenly, one of the voices blurted out,

“So what, you’ve brought me bits n’ baubles. Looks like you reached into a gutter and stuffed whatever you pulled out into this burned-up handbag.” The voice speaking was raspy and loud, much like a crow's.

“I swear, a guy was clutching this bag like it was his lover or something. You weren’t there you didn’t-” The other voice, the thief most likely, was unmistakably a young woman.

“No, I don’t want to hear it. This isn’t the first time you’ve brought me garbage. Lucilla, bless her soul, brought me not one but THREE earrings. One of em fitted with some red jewel.” The girl's voice sighed.

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“But that’s not fair!” the voice cried out.

“Guess what, princess? Life isn’t fair. Now take your trash and pawn it off somewhere because you aren’t eating ‘ere tonight.”

Before the child-like voice could reply, Hugo heard a door slam. He started to slowly creep deeper into the alleyway, but the thief was already marching out in a huff. Clearly the figure hadn’t noticed Hugo because the thief bumped right into him. The thief let out a gasp of surprise before looking up. The thief quickly recognized Hugo and tried to take off in the opposite direction, but not before Hugo, who reacted much quicker, grabbed ahold of the thief’s cloak.

“Where’s my satchel?” He asked a note of panic in his voice, despite trying to sound intimidating.

“What’s it worth to you? How much coin?” Hugo pulled off the thief's hood. It was a young girl, who looked to be about eleven or twelve. She had long, ratty brown hair, and very mistrusting brown eyes.

“I don’t think you’re in much of a position to negotiate.” Hugo was calm, finally realizing who he was really up against. The girl pursed her lips and handed him the bag.

“I dunno what you want with this bag of shit anyways but-” the girl started talking but Hugo was already rummaging through the satchel barely paying attention except to say

“Girls your age shouldn’t talk that.” The girl, more interested in the contents of the bag kept prying. She tried to peer over Hugo’s shoulder, but Hugo kept turning, trying to keep her away.

“Is there a hidden pouch or something? Stashed gems?” Hugo sighed, with the relentless questions beginning to wear on him.

“Do you not have anywhere else to be?” Hugo blurted without thinking. The girl’s demeanor changed, her curiosity turning to melancholy.

“No, I really don’t,” Hugo remembered the conversation he overheard between the girl and whatever authority was ordering her around. He wanted to help the girl, but his current mission was of utmost importance. Conflicted, Hugo said nothing. He started to walk back onto the main streets, unable to meet the girl’s gaze, when he hesitated. Hugo took a step back and turned towards the girl who still looked at him expectantly. “What’s your name?” he asked.

“Elizabeth.” The girl replied, hoping Hugo had changed his mind about leaving.

“Just Elizabeth?” Hugo replied.

“Yeah. Just Elizabeth.” Elizabeth stated firmly. Hugo finally gave in. He sighed and his shoulders slumped.

“Fine. Come on, I’ll get you something to eat.” Elizabeth raised her arms, and ran towards Hugo, hugging him tightly. Hugo awkwardly returned the hug, unsure how to reply. “There’s a tavern not far from here. It’s not fine dining, but it's good food and they have vacant rooms.” Hugo fell silent for a moment. “And it’s cheap”. As the two continued to walk down the cobbled streets Hugo looked up only to see that the sun had started to set, giving the streets a warm, orange glow. They walked in silence for most of the journey, before reaching a small, squarish building. The tavern sat expectantly, the firelight brightened the somber atmosphere of the city.

Hugo opened the door to the tavern with a sense of familiarity. A lone bartender leaned idly at the bar fondling a lit lantern. The bartender’s shadow pulsated with the lantern’s flickering flames, as he tinkered with the casing. He set aside the lantern and watched the two customers approach his bar. The bartender was a lean old man. His face was mostly covered in a wispy white beard and his half-rimmed glasses, but his expression was unmistakably welcoming.

“Hugo. This is a surprise. A welcome one I might add.” The bartender exclaimed with a sort of joy, as he hobbled over to Hugo and Elizabeth. “And you brought a lady friend, I see.” The bartender gave Hugo a soft nudging elbow. Hugo pursed his lips at the awkward assumption but managed to remark quickly.

“Actually Bernard, she’s a close family friend. Not- what you’re implying.” Bernard the Bartender glared scrutinizingly at Elizabeth, trying to glean something. Anything.

“Hmm. A close family friend? So is she aware that-” Hugo’s demeanor changed, and he tried to quickly change the subject. Despite his attempt, Elizabeth still glanced at Hugo, seeing through his ruse, but saying nothing

“We were hoping to get two rooms for the night. I am setting out for Rothel tomorrow, and both of us are dreadfully tired.” Bernard nodded his head, and opened a drawer below his bar and began to sift through it producing two identical keys.

“Go left take the two rooms in the back.” Hugo nodded and rummaged through his pocket. He proffered two gleaming silver coins but Bernard handwaved the coins away.

“Tavern’s empty anyways. Besides, you’re going to need it if you’re going to Rothel. You’re aware of what the church does to your kind, even if you do hunt necromancers.” Hugo looked down, very aware of what Bernard meant.

“I am sure my family’s legacy will make up for that fact.” The two turned behind them and trudged up an old creaky staircase. Elizabeth, who managed to gather up courage for most of the exchange turned to Hugo and spoke to him with slight distrust.

“What does that man mean when he says the church hunts your kind? Are you some heretic?” Hugo looked away ashamed.

“No, on the contrary, my family was devoted to the church.” Elizabeth felt that Hugo was only telling her half-truths, but pushing him further would yield nothing of value she thought. Both Hugo and Elizabeth said nothing as they each entered their rooms and closed the doors. A few hours later Bernard knocked on both doors with two trays of food. Though they ate separately, Elizabeth and Hugo shared the same exhaustion. After finishing his food, Hugo collapsed on the bed in an exhausted stupor. Elizabeth fell asleep soon after, unaware of what awaited the two in Rothel.