Sirius was slowly getting accustomed to his life among druids. He was still looked down at, since he was a foreigner, but with the help of tavern keeper people began warming up to him. All he had to do was help out him in the kitchen a couple of times and set up a couple of circle diagrams here and there to make life easier. He sat in that tavern, which locals called "Bread and Stew House", and ate the rich stew full of meat and bloodwheat. He had finally learned the name of those red grains on the fields and knew what to ask for to go along with the stew. Whatever went in that stew reminded him of his life with Uncle Verden and brought peace to his mind.

"Erm... Bless your Path," a bulky man awkwardly muttered a short greeting and sat in front of Sirius. The window's light highlighted his bald head and reflected off of the shiny mana crystals of his bracelet.

"As your Path is blessed. Do we know each other?"

"I don't think so. Do you want to earn some money?"

"Money? I thought that the barter is the way to go," said Sirius and reluctantly put his meal aside.

"You really are new, huh? Ever since foundation of Plain Veins we introduced gold coins. Anyways, are you interested?" the man said while throwing a glance to the side.

"I believe you heard about me, but not the other way around. Who do I have a pleasure of talking to?" Sirius was nervous in front of an adult who was much higher and likely stronger, but tried appearing confident and unfazed.

"I?... I am messenger. I can't disclose anything else, sorry," he shrugged and peeked to the side once again.

"Are you being followed?"

"That is not important. Do you want a job or not?"

"You still did not say what the job was," Sirius pointed out, making the man anxiously shuffle in place.

"I... That is a dangerous job. Hunting."

"Must I ask what the target is?"

"No."

"Human?"

"Yes."

They looked at each other for a solid minute, measuring each other. Sirius finally said, "No."

"But..."

"Doesn't matter. I won't do that, however highly it is evaluated..."

"It is a Crimson Crusade member. He is in city," whispered the man.

"They can wander the streets however much they want, and I dare them to meddle with locals."

"Fine." the man said and sat for a moment before standing up. "You can find me at the river bank, at the fisher's hut."

Sirius silently watched him stay for a second in front of him. Seeing no reaction from a kid, man raised his eyebrow, peeked one last time to the side and exited the tavern. Immediately after Sirius heard heavy steps approach his table.

"Do you know him?" asked the low bass of tavern keeper.

"No. Do you?"

"No."

Sirius frowned, "Iron Hands, have you seen him before?"

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"Never. His Life is messy as well."

"You mean the beads on his bracelet?"

"Yes. He must be a renowned mage with that number of crystals, yet his face is unfamiliar."

"He was talking that men from Kingdom are in here. And asked if I want to earn money by hunting them."

"What's money?" frowned Iron Hands.

"Kingdom uses metal coins for trade instead of crystals or other goods. Gold, silver and similar."

"Got it... He was paranoid."

"Very."

They both thought for a moment, before Sirius returned to his meal.

"Are you going to tell elders about him?" asked Iron Hands.

"Not now. I want to investigate."

"Be careful so that they won't pin the blame on you."

"Well, I have a witness that would testify for me," Sirius smiled, "Wouldn't you?"

"Of course," smiled back tavern keeper and put his heavy hand on Sirius' shoulder, "Don't let your bravery pull you down."

"Thank you. That means a lot to me. And thanks for the meal, it was what I needed."

The door opened, and a teenage boy walked inside. He surveyed the tavern, before locking onto Sirius, and walked towards him.

"The World blesses your Path, Mountain Wrangler. You looked for me?"

"As your Path is blessed, Yellow Snow..."

"Friend of a Snake," corrected Sirius with a frown.

"I saw you manifest ice more than your snake friend, so stop resisting."

"Fine, Pile Mover."

"Hey!" the boy began angrily stomping towards Sirius, but bumped into Iron Hands' side.

"You started first. What did you need?"

"Ugh, sorry. Yes, Friend of a Snake, rockhogs ate your decorations again."

"You seriously?"

"I don't know what you made them from, but they seem to really enjoy it."

"How do they go for my house and not the others? They all seem to be made out of rocks."

"Again?" confirmed Iron Hands, "You aren't using stone from below, do you? Rockhogs feed on these mana-rich rocks."

"And no one said that to me?..."

"Did you ask anyone?"

Sirius shrugged, desperately trying to ignore Mountain Wrangler's hollering. He had no words to refute that, since Whisper of Nature said that was fine. He had to act as if he haven't heard this old mage's tirade in Elders' hall. And now he have found a second opinion.

"Well, now you know. You can drain rocks from mana yourself, or wait a a week till the expedition to quarry sets out."

"I am in debt before you... again," said Sirius with a bow to Iron Hands. "You can ask my assistance any time."

"Nothing much. But if you say so, can you bring me a slab of inert granite from the quarry, in case you will accompany them."

"Sure will."

"Now, go save your house until it collapsed."

"Oh Gods!" Sirius remembered the issue at hand and ran towards the exit, "Take care, I really need to go!"

He ran out of the door, nearly avoiding bumping into someone on the street. As he dodged to the side, he noticed the snow-white hair of Daughter of Whisper in front of him. He caught his balance back, and winced a little, as his leg ached once again. To be fair, that was not the only reason for a grimace...

"Oh, here you are, Friend of a Snake! I was looking for you everywhere! Where did you disappeared?"

"I... Erm... I have been busy building a house on the outskirts. There I study when I have time."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I... Didn't find time to. Sorry, I really have to go, the rockhogs are eating the walls again. Ask Iron Hands if you don't believe me. Take care!" shouted Sirius and ran away.

He felt awful. He really didn't want to bring trouble onto Daughter of Whisper, but avoiding her wouldn't solve the issue. He ran, uncaring for the shooting pain in his leg, dodging people from time to time. If only he could move faster...

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Sirius carefully drew on the ground with his staff, shooing away the lumbering rock beasts from time to time. Circle after circle, line after line the diagram came together. In the center stood his house, enclosed by a focusing ring. He looked at the part of his diagram and found conflicting pathways, which he immediately eliminated.

"So here you are, yes!" a melodic voice rang from behind Sirius, making him close his eyes.

With a deep sigh, he answered, "Yes, I live here from now on."

"What's got into you? You stopped coming to our field, and you are nowhere to be found, even in hospital."

"Sorry, there have been a lot going on."

"What exactly that important, you had to disappear like that?"

"There are... reasons. I am afraid it might endanger you."

"What?... Are there more assassins?" she suddenly asked excitedly.

"Don't shout about that," Sirius hushed her. "It's not about me."

"Then who?" Daughter of Whisper pressured further.

Sirius sighed once again. He really didn't want to give everything out.

"Why are you so quiet, yes?" she asked once again.

Sirius suddenly turned to her, his eyes filled with so much deep sadness and rage, she took a step back. "You really want to know?"

"I... don't know."

"There are secrets in this city. They affect everyone here. You and me the most. Do you want to know? Even if knowing might put you in danger?"

Daughter of Whisper thought, while biting her lip, and asked once more, "It is related to my illness, yes?"

"Yes."

"Then I do."

"Fine. Come inside."