A soft breeze ran through Dollar’s shirt as he gazed calmly at the members of House Tiberius encircling him. On Earth, he had faced titans and powerhouses that had sought to overwhelm him with monetary might. On Ioa, a mere flick of the Geist’s wrist could slice him in half. It was a chilling thought, but the shivers were stopped in place by an iron will. A risky venture was never made without a plan. Dollar had entered the heart of his enemy, and he’d made sure that every precaution was taken care of.

Voices and murmurs that filled the air only seconds before had died down at the sight of the Accensi’s sheathed swords, though the displeasure in the eyes of the crowd had only increased. Nobody was fooled by the declaration made, and over half of the gathered people were symbologists or accompanying a symbologist.

Some even had pity in their eyes.

Uinso Tiberius was still standing beside the dispensary, lying against it as he eyed Bill warily. The grec had an expression on his features that Dollar had never seen before. Bill’s snout was high and tight, and the uni-pig’s forehead furrowed, the fur above his eyes clustering to form a menacing frown. The symbols across his skin glowed bright in Dollar’s vision, ready to be used, and some of the symbologists were shifting as they felt the winds of change in the air.

“House Tiberius is in a desperate situation.” A hush fell as Dollar’s voice echoed across the marketplace. “However, they’ve made a mistake. No matter how much you say otherwise, house Tiberius cannot act against all five guilds.”

A sharp crack resonated from beside him as Uinso'a grasp shattered a piece of the dispensary. The Geist’s hand grayed as stone dust trickled through his fingers. Dollar expected anger, or fury, but all he saw were two cold eyes, and a menacing smile.

“Oh? Do tell.” Uinso replied.

Dollar could see that Uinso Tiberius had all the confidence in the world. The Geist’s breathing was calm, his chest rising in a rhythmic motion that was accompanied by loosened shoulders and relaxed posture.

“Ioa is a world where structure is necessary, but it isn’t a world where kindness rules. House Tiberius is one of the seven great households of the southern continent, revered by all,” Dollar’s voice held a hint of praise. He respected the ruthlessness of his Uncle’s household. He truly did. It was just a pity that they had decided to make him their target. “Your household commands armies of Accensi and Ino, and countless golems of war. At their top are the Geists. You are equal to gold-ranked adventurers and are truly a force to be reckoned with, even if House Tiberius is considered the weakest of the seven households.”

His final words caused Uinso to frown. Most of what Dollar had said were compliments, and Dollar saw Uinso gazing into his eyes, but all the soldier saw were two pillars of darkness. Dollar’s mask hid his features, but it couldn’t hide his posture. It was just as relaxed as Uinso’s.

Dollar saw a frown creasing the sides of Uinso’s lips. The Geist was starting to realize that Dollar hadn’t been intimidated by his presence, and it disturbed him. The members of House Tiberius had come expecting to frighten a child.

They had angered something that was much more than that.

“Your household's reputation means nothing in the face of true power. The five guilds are world-spanning organizations built on the blood of their enemies,” Dollar said. “Their mission is to take care of humanity, but those words are meaningless without action in a world where humanity is weak. When a single being born in deep waters can level and evolve until it can destroy cities on its own, all of humanity must be kept in line to survive. If that means crushing a few loose ends, then they will happily oblige. They have done it before, and they will do it again. All they need is a reason.”

Dollar waved his hand, and Uinso and the four Accensi shifted, returning their gaze to the crowd. Earl and the symbologists didn’t move from their position, and Gherm was close enough for him to see the goosebumps on the information broker’s skin. Tiny, the silver-ranked hunter, was powerful enough to handle a gold-ranked adventurer on his own, and the Accensi knew it.

With a flick of his finger a silver badge appeared in Dollar’s hands, and the Accensi around Uinso stiffened. The badge dangled lazily on Dollar’s middle finger, glimmering in the light of the afternoon sun.

“Master Grisham provided me with his old badge for identification purposes. I am no hoodlum. Or fraud. Master Grisham is a proud member of the symbologist guild. To rob a registered symbologist of their artifacts is a grave crime, one that will be met with the strongest retaliation possible.”

“Even if they crushed us. You would still die.” Uinso said.

Bill snorted, sending out a blast of warm air that hit the Geist. The grec trotted up to Dollar nonchalantly, ignoring the lingering eyes of Uinso and the Accensi as he plopped down in front of Dollar, creating a blockade of flesh and muscle that towered over the dispensary.

It was easy to forget how big Bill was, but when being the size of a car faced you down, it was always intimidating. Months of having nothing to do but run, swim, and break things had toned the grec’s body, revealing rippling muscles beneath the soft fur.

“Oink,” Bill said. His voice carried across the crowd, and blasted into the ears of the soldiers of House Tiberius.

“The grec is right. If my life would take down House Tiberius, then it would be a worthwhile trade,” Dollar replied calmly. “And Master Grisham’s reputation would skyrocket. People would whisper about the man whose humble attendant could bring down one of the seven great households. It is a trade I would make any day. But I cannot because only an idiot would agree to conditions that are so deeply in my favor.”

A smile crept along Dollar’s lips, and Bill shivered beside him. He gave the grec a gentle pat, aware that the uni-pig must be feeling fear even if he blustered, but when he looked up he saw Bill looking down at him. Bill couldn’t see through Dollar’s mask, but they had been together long enough for him to recognize the expression on Dollar’s face. With his lips curled back almost mockingly, Dollar’s smile was reminiscent of a predator about to pounce on prey. All in his presence shivered, and the dust of the marketplace floor shifted as the crowd edged away.

Dollar saw the cheer draining away from Uinso’s features. The Geist’s lips grew taut, and his fingers curled into fists, his nails biting against his skin. Nobody present could defeat the young man, but that didn’t mean he could make a move. With a few words Dollar had turned Uinso’s entire situation around, and the severity of the repercussions was weighing on House Tiberius’s shoulders.

Even a Geist couldn’t hold that weight for long without being crushed by it.

“You would threaten House Tiberius?” Uinso asked.

“No. I will do nothing against House Tiberius. I cannot, for I am too weak. But Master Grisham is no stranger to thieves, and he has his own methods for dealing with them. He does not care if you are a Geist or a beast. He will find you. He will greet you. Then, he will talk to you,” Dollar said.

Dollar’s words mingled with the afternoon chill, pressing in on the Accensi. His tone sent a shiver through them, and a couple jolted in surprise. For a moment they had feared a child.

Uinso shifted, his hand reaching for his sword for the first time. “It’s clear from the quality of the work that this master of yours is only a symbologist. Not a warrior.”

“Exactly. You have nothing to fear,” Dollar chuckled, and the Geist’s posture tightened. “Should you anger him, you do not have to worry. Master Grisham always faces anger with kindness. If the opportunity arises to repay you, he will take it. There will never be a moment that he is not searching for you, even if he must wait until the moment you draw your last breath. And when he acts personally, you will discover the meaning of benevolence.”

Dollar stepped up, his tiny form drawing all eyes toward him. With a sweep of his hand he motioned toward the artifacts on display. Each was valuable in their own right, but it was the person behind them that drew the crowd’s curiosity.

“My master is a symbologist to his core. His lessons are not drawn on surfaces. They are carved deep in stone. I have seen him talk with thieves before. I’ve heard his words, ever-so-kind, bringing them comfort when they are crying out in pain. When they are stumbling and frightened, and the horror of their reality seeps into their bones, my master does not chide them. He only guides them. When his enemies are in the throes of suffering, convulsing on the ground and whimpering with fright, realizing the grave mistake they have made, my master only smiles. No matter how much they beg, and no matter how greatly they plead, he always makes sure they cannot die. For life is precious, and they deserve to live every moment of it with his kindness engraved into their hearts.”

Dollar tightened his mask, the darkness symbols birthing more shadows that clouded his features. As he moved, he saw a twitch in the Geist’s movements. It was so subtle that nobody else had picked up on it, but his trained eyes didn’t miss the hesitation, or the increase in Uinso’s breathing.

He’s afraid. It’s only a smidgen of fear, but its there. Dollar thought. Good.

Dollar gazed down at the Geist. He had been fooled by the robes and the confidence into believing this teenager was a man, but now that he looked closely, Uinso couldn’t have been any older than nineteen.

“By the time the symbologist guild investigates your actions and frees me, it will already be too late. My master will have heard everything. How you have taken his artifacts, and possibly slit my throat as well. You are a confident man, Uinso Tiberius, but you are still a child.”

Uinso paused, his eyes narrowing, “what did you call me?”

“I wasn’t calling you something, I was confirming it,” Dollar said. “A Geist at your age. Talent so terrifying it must never have been challenged before. Did your mother and father not speak up to you?”

“There is no need for my family when I have House Tiberius. None of them would ever dare punish me,” Uinso’s voice held a hint of a snarl. “What of yours?”

“I have a similar philosophy,” Dollar stated, not a single whisper of emotion in his voice. “They simply don’t know it yet.”

“Your master does not scare me, child,” Uinso replied, his eyes flashing with anger. “I am a member of House Tiberius. he will find himself crushed by a mere glance of our household.”

“Exactly. So what makes you so afraid that you need four Accensi to point their swords at me?” Dollar fired back.

Uinso paused, his mind churning at Dollar’s words, but Dollar ignored the Geist. The Accensi had huddled further together as the guild members drew in closer. Earl’s eyes were glued onto the silver-ranked symbologist badge in Dollar’s hands, and Dollar could see the anger in his eyes as he confirmed it was real. Now, the symbologist guild had proof that House Tiberius was trying to rob one of their members.

Tiny stepped forward, his hunters-guild badge strapped tightly onto his chest and his gloved hands rising to reveal claw-like hands.

The guilds had numbers, but House Tiberius wasn’t weak. The four Accensi glowed with red light, with a smidgen of gold splattered within, and they were only the warmup. Among a sea of auras Uinso’s aura was like a radiant candle about to explode. Dollar had no doubt that the Geist would turn a quick rumble into a prolonged death match. Uinso’s presence was the only thing stopping the guilds in their tracks.

Each was ready to strike each other down in an instant.

The Accensi’s red aura must be vitality. Even though mine looked silver. And gold is clearly life force. Interesting that they have a piece of the latter within them. It must have something to do with the way they’re trained. Uinso’s aura is almost all gold. A person with power equal to a gold-rank adventurer isn’t to be underestimated. Especially not one that has dedicated himself to the art of war. Dollar frowned. It would be wrong to fight here. There’s no profit in it.

Dollar cleared his throat, and the sound plucked at the tension in the room. Together, everyone turned toward him, and Dollar tapped the top of the dispensary.

“This has gotten out of hand for a mere auction. Come, friends. Come. Surely you can see that these artifacts are fit for general sale,” Dollar waved his hand over the four plates containing the artifacts. “Gherm?”

“That is a fact confirmed by the fisherman’s guild,” Gherm nodded. “The dispensary’s permit was also purchased from and verified as true by House Tiberius.”

Gherm had returned the water breathing ring to the dispensary, taking off the box placed over his head and watching the water spill out of it. Soaking wet, he had lost his rugged nature and straightened his back. The man hadn’t shrunk back in the presence of the Geist, and looked more like the guild representative was meant to be.

Looking behind him, people could see the five towers of the guild standing tall within the inner ring, but behind them loomed Mount Halcyon.

Overshadowing all were the skyscrapers of House Tiberius.

“This thievery cannot continue, and pride only holds behind it meaningless deaths,” Dollar said. “You have spoken much of House Tiberius, but actions speak louder than words. Do you value your own household so little that you would damage its reputation to maintain your own? The life of one soldier cannot be worth the lives of the entire household.”

Whether it was strength of will, or depth of the cut, his words didn’t hold back from striking at the heart of Uinso’s lies.

He’s expecting a weak child that’s easy to bully. Too bad he got me instead. Dollar grinned.

A low sound escaped Uinso’s lips. It was a laugh. The sound cascaded over the marketplace, crashing against everyone present.

“You’re an interesting person, attendant of Master Grisham,” Uinso said. “What’s your name?”

“I have none,” Dollar lied. “I abandoned it the moment I began to follow my master.”

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“You need more time to think of a better lie,” Uinso replied. “But it doesn't matter. Your reasoning does not justify my inaction. You say that actions are louder than words. You are right. If I kill you, then your words will fall silent.”

Dollar stared at the Geist. “I know.”

His words carried the confidence and calm of a man who had been forged in flames. For years he had lived among the savages that were the titans of Earth’s private industry. They had lied, connived, twisted facts, and paid off countless people to get what they want. However, among all of them, he had come up on top.

Which was why he knew that when it was used properly, the truth was a weapon more devastating than any other.

“Master Grisham has faced this situation many times before. Better fellows than you have tried to steal from him and stronger beings than House Tiberius have threatened him,” Dollar said. “Master Grisham has traveled the five continents, and his artifacts have gathered attention in all of them. This is my master’s old badge. Lent to me in case of emergencies and thieves.”

Dollar once again drew attention to the badge in his hand, the silver shine and whisper of its existence undeniable proof of its validity.

“The members of House Tiberius don’t need to go to the guild to hand out bronze badges. They take the test internally. But as a result, the symbologist guild often makes them retake their bronze test, stating that the standards of House Tiberius aren’t high enough for the symbologist guild. To earn a silver-ranked badge is even more difficult.”

“A trinket,” Uinso said. He waved his hand dismissively. “What proof is there that this is his?”

“Ay, it's mine. I’m actually a seven-year-old silver-ranked symbologist,” Dollar said. “And on top of that, I’m an old man reincarnated into a young child’s body. You know, the usual stuff.”

Bellowing oinks followed his words and Bill’s belly heaved as the uni-pig laughed. There was movement to Dollar’s side and he spotted several children dragging their parents toward the laughter, drawn in by Bill’s oinks and squeals. They thought it was a show of some kind.

For the first time the crowd around him cracked a smile, the tense atmosphere disappearing as the grec’s squealing grunts filled the air with joy.

“Twice now I’ve heard that joke,” Gherm shook his head. “You need new material.”

What does a reincarnated guy have to do to be believed around here? Dollar pursed his lips.

“If that were the truth, then even if it meant incurring the wrath of the five guilds, I would strike you down where you stand,” Uinso said. “Master or no master.”

Uinso’s words froze everyone in place, the authority in his voice bolstered not by borrowed reputation, but by personal power. Their dying smiles were replaced by the unsheathing of steel as the Accensi drew their swords.

Dollar nodded. “I couldn’t have put it better myself.”

The four Accensi surveyed their surroundings calmly, their eyes as cold as ice. Most of the people in the marketplace were foreigners, only arriving in the city to try and claim the symbol that was calling out from the depths. The Accensi held no loyalty toward them, nor did they care if those people were insulted.

“Attendant, perhaps you do not know this, but House Tiberius reigns above all in this city,” Uinso’s voice was low, and chilling. “There is a time to defy, and a time to follow. This is your last chance to decide before I task those under my command to strike you down where you stand. Know that my generosity has limits.”

Pride always comes before the fall. Dollar thought. And yet I don’t see any pride.

Uinso’s cold eyes held little anger, or fury. There was no wounded honor or need for gratification within his movements. The young man was simply confident, and whether that confidence was held because of his power or some unknown factor, it meant that the Geist was ready to fight.

A battle benefits him. Dollar sighed. But I’m afraid that doesn’t suit me.

Dollar reached down, accenting his finger placement as he tapped Bill’s mask. Light splashed across the surroundings as flames billowed across the uni-pig’s body, and underneath them Dollar saw a familiar sheen of transparent film protecting the grec like armor.

The fire symbols and protection symbols on Bill’s back had been activated.

A faint blur and elegant strut told Dollar that Bill’s haste and movement symbols had also awakened.

“Perhaps you do not know this, Master Grisham has means beyond mere artifacts. And he has given me the methods to control them.” Dollar sat back, avoiding Bill’s flames. Eyes had widened and he saw the crowd shuffling back. But only the citizens and warriors. The symbologists in the crowd leaned forward instead, their eyes gleaming with interest as they sensed the symbols activating across the grec’s body. “He does not allow me to show this except in emergencies. You have entered the blessed few who have witnessed this and lived.”

Letting Bill activate his symbols was a risk, but to Dollar being taken away by House Tiberius was the worst outcome. Uinso wasn’t the issue. There were others in the household who might recognize Dollar. Or note his resemblance to their patriarch’s brother. His mask was the only thing protecting his identity, and he doubted that the soldiers would let him keep it on when they took him in.

“As you can see, the masks of master Grisham’s personal attendants have a variety of features unavailable to the public,” Dollar tapped his own mask, and a film of armor spread across his skin. He’d moved a protection symbol onto himself earlier in the day, but left it unactivated until now. “Don’t worry, I understand that you are part of House Tiberius, and are not to be harmed. But we will stay put until the symbologist guild can be contacted to send an artifact examiner. Or perhaps until one of the crowd steps forward to determine their validity. I see many viable candidates.”

The ground crunched and sizzled as Bill stepped forward at Dollar’s words. Fire licked at the air and as it fought against the shadows of the mask still affixed to the uni-pig’s face, the two elements merged to form darkened flames. Bill had turned into a demonic figure wreathed in flames, and the tip of his horn gleamed with death, causing the children that had once flocked to him to cry out in fear.

Those who were brave peered at the mask and tried to discern its secrets. Others held back, worried about what else the artifact could do.

Of course, his mask can’t do any of those things. Dollar mused. But they don’t need to know that.

“Bill,” Dollar’s voice broke through the shock and awe. “Greet the Geist.”

With a single step, Bill’s body blurred, and he appeared next to Uinso. The edges of the grec’s flames brushed against the Geist’s tunic, and Bill’s hot breath rippled across his dark hair. In unison, the four Accensi raised their blades, anger in their eyes.

Then, just as Dollar had hoped, Uinso raised his hand, and the Accensi paused.

“Stop,” Uinso ordered. “Look not at the empty threat, but at what he is showing us. Not with your eyes, but with your mind.”

The Accensi lowered their weapons at the Geist’s words, and then closed their eyes. A faint ripple escaped each of their beings, and Dollar recognized the feeling as a symbologist unlocking his senses.

They’re not symbologists, but they’ve been trained to sense symbols. Dollar realized. Of course they have. House Tiberius is a symbologist household. They’d make sure that their soldiers could guard against enemy symbols and artifacts.

One by one each of the Accensi stiffened. They had sensed the symbols on Bill’s body, as well as the ones within the artifacts on the dispensary.

Darkness. Silencing. Water breathing. Fire. Protection. Haste. Movement.

They couldn’t tell which symbols were present, but they could see most of them in action. Over half of the ones they’d seen were rare symbols. All of them were useful.

Within the crowd, Alphea Nestin tilted her head, gazing at Bill’s flaming form with curiosity. She raised her hand and tapped it against her hairpin, withdrawing a silver badge from a storage space. It was a hunter’s badge. She placed it on her chest next to her symbologist badge, her previous hesitation replaced with a cool and mocking smile.

Her entire demeanor was a ruse. Dollar noted. Now that ‘Master Grisham’ has shown his capabilities, she is willing to show her true self to earn his favor.

Merry the warrior was carrying a sword now, unsheathing it the moment the Accensi had. His chainmail flickered, parting to reveal a silver adventurers badge. Dollar saw Merry’s eyes lingering on the sheet of armor that had appeared on his body.

Lady Olivia and Tuhoa stood still, but neither looked concerned. The old butler was formal in posture, but relaxed, and his mistress had a faint smile on her features.

They were the fastest to react, but not the only ones. This was a crowd filled with people from all walks of life, yet all of them knew the implications of what they were seeing.

Uinso glanced at Bill, and his expression shifted into something nearing respect.

“Your master’s capabilities are varied, and grand,” Uinso said, his tone surprising Dollar. “Master Grisham, did you say?”

“The one and only,” Dollar nodded.

“Impressive,” Uinso replied.

In the eyes of the crowd Master Grisham was evolving past being a mysterious existence. Now, he was a man worthy of being impressed. More importantly, he was someone who could handsomely reward those that got on his good side.

“Who is master Grisham?” One of the Accensi asked. The man was the first of the soldiers aside from Uinso to have spoken. “I searched his name. We couldn’t find a single record of such a man. This proves he is a fake. No master would hide his reputation.”

“Quiet. That is not true,” Uinso said. His voice filled with certainty, and the Accensi looked shocked that he had interrupted his own soldier.

Their shock didn’t surprise Dollar. He was sharing that same emotion with them.

Uinso shook his head. “This very display before us proves his existence. The grec proves it. The attendant proves it. The fact that we do not know his name means that we are too low in the hierarchy to know it. A fact that is not lost on this crowd.”

“To go against him is to court death,” Dollar agreed.

The dramatic statement met cold eyes as Uinso turned his attention back onto Dollar. The Accensi still circled Dollar, wary of Bill’s horn and flames, but they were hesitant now. The Geist to his side was stifled by his emotions, and it didn’t look like he was going to strike out without warning.

One slash would end the fight in an instant or buy enough time to drag it out into a brawl, but Bill’s presence had changed things.

Thump.

Dollar frowned as something smacked against his side.

Thump.

He thought it was Bill, but a quick check of his companion showed him that the grec was still standing guard.

Thump.

“One second,” Dollar raised his hand. “I need to do something.”

Gherm, Tiny, and Earl stiffened at his words. The Accensi frowned, and Uinso’s lips curled upwards faintly, triumph lacing his skin. They all thought he was going to give up.

But Dollar wasn’t surrendering. He was looking at his storage ring.

Thump.

My ring is trembling. Dollar thought. Just like before. Why today?

“Oink?” Bill’s voice rumbled deeply.

The grec gazed at Dollar’s storage ring, and soon all eyes turned toward it. The artifact was shaking violently now, and the Accensi tensed, their swords rising. Sending his senses into his storage, Dollar spotted the culprit immediately. It shook and rumbled within the ring, begging to be let out. So, he let it out.

The notebook of the Unseeing appeared in his hands.

Orange leather greeted Dollar’s fingers as he clasped the book, and the single caged eye on the cover glanced at him. To his shock and surprise the etched iris swiveled to the edges of the eye, and he moved the cover until it was facing the crowd, and the pupil finally centered again as it found its target.

The eye wasn’t looking at the Accensi. It was staring out into the distance.

And then the eye narrowed.

“Enough.”

Dozens of people groaned, and Dollar trembled as a voice hit his ears. The voice was imbued with willpower strong enough to shake his mind with a single utterance, and a quick look around showed him that the crowd had frozen in place. Lady Nestin’s weapon had fallen from her hands, her ax gouging the dirt beneath her. Earl, his symbologists, Tiny and Gherm all stepped back, their eyes wide. For the first time, Tuhoa the butler looked fearful, but Lady Olivia brushed his shoulder lightly, whispering something into his ear, and he calmed.

Even the four Accensi had fallen to their knees.

Wait. Why are they kneeling? Dollar frowned.

His attention shifted to his notebook, “did you just speak?”

The eye looked up at him, and though it didn’t have a way to express itself, he could feel its disappointment.

Of course it hadn’t spoken to him.

It was Uinso that responded first, the young man glancing dismissively at the Accensi and then toward the source of the voice. “Who dares attack House Tiberius? Show yourself.”

“I do.”

Three figures threaded through the crowd, each draped in black and silver robes. Dozens of eyes were etched in patterns across the fabrics, each designed to be trapped in cages, and the sight of them drew gasps wherever they stepped.

People parted before the trio, staring at their silver and black robes.

Then they each turned their gazes away.

All of them were avoiding what lay underneath the newcomer's hoods.

Even Alphea Nestin and Merry stepped aside. Both had been ready to step forward to confront the Accensi and even a Geist, but Dollar could see that neither was willing to confront those that had arrived. It was the furthest notion from their mind, and their fear showed their intentions to flee.

I have a feeling that the only reason they’re staying is because those hooded strangers haven’t given them permission to. Dollar frowned. That’s concerning.

“You.” Uinso’s voice held a hint of shock. “When did you return?”

The trio paused, and the crowd sucked in a breath as the figure’s heads turned toward the Geist of House Tiberius.

“He speaks to you.” “He speaks to us.”

The two spoke in unison, their voices overlapping perfectly. Each one was light in tone, but heavy in weight, and the crowd shivered. Some tried to draw back, but fear kept them in place.

“Let us see him.” “Let him see us.”

With a single motion two of the newcomers stepped back and took off their hoods, leaving the one in the middle alone. Underneath the hoods were two women in their early twenties, and both had a single shimmering silver tape covering their eyes.

They’re blind? Dollar drew back in surprise. Wait…That tape is—

Symbols blazed to life along the tape, each one glimmered bright and calling out loudly. To Dollar’s shock each of the symbols was unveiled, but none of the individual symbols were revealed to him as [Language -Symbols] activated.

Instead, the symbols on the tape merged to form a sentence and sang a warning to Dollar, one that he had never heard before.

They are veiled.

They are blinded.

They are unseeing.

Dollar’s body froze as he read the warning, his instincts warning him that there was a deeper meaning to the words than what he could see. In his hands the notebook of the Unseeing trembled, its eye refusing to look away from the women.

“We have walked here because we have always done so,” the first woman replied. “To the marketplace of the city of Tiber.”

“We have arrived as we have always done so,” the second woman stated. “To the auction of the one they call Master Grisham.”

Their voices echoed out, each speaking one after the other, yet Dollar could hear both their voices, each one echoing impossibly alongside each other, even when only one of their mouths was moving.

The remaining hooded figure stayed in the middle of the two blind women.

The final newcomer’s eyes were covered by their hood, but Dollar had no doubt that their gaze was resting on him.

“There is no auction to be had,” Uinso replied, his eyes never leaving the Unseeing. “This sale has been declared unsanctioned. An action that only benefits your household.”

The remaining hooded figure shifted their gaze off of Dollar, and relief swept across his body. Bill trotted next to him, nudging Dollar’s arm gently with his snout. Dollar ran his hand through Bill’s fur comfortingly, and felt the Grec’s soft skin quivering underneath his fingers. Bill was the bravest of the group, not because he was tough, but because he was carefree.

Now, for the first time, Dollar felt terror in his companion. It wasn’t fear born from experience. It was primal instinct.

Did he deactivate his flame symbol to avoid angering these newcomers? Dollar wondered.

“There will be an auction. There has always been an auction. No threat exists. No enemy has been presented. The auction will continue. The Unseeing have seen it. I have seen it. So, it will be.”

The lone hooded figure’s voice smashed against Dollar’s mind, and Uinso grunted, his eyes clouding over and his knee stooping low as it threatened to drop to the ground.

“Is that an order?” Uinso asked, his voice coming out strained.

“It is a fact.” The hooded figure replied.

Dollar held his tongue at the Geists' situation. Uinso had faced several guilds and households without trembling, but now he had a hint of respect in his tone, and a slight bow in his posture. Behind the Geist, the kneeling Accensi had moved to the side, uncaring for the unveiled women, but cautious of the one representing them.

Ignoring the members of House Tiberius, the hooded figure turned back to Dollar, resting their eyes on his notebook for a second, before moving up to match his gaze.

“Your works have interested me. And those I represent.” A distinctly feminine hit his ears, sounding younger than it had when imbued with willpower. It was almost girlish. “We have seen this auction. I will attend it in person.”

Dollar didn’t deny her claim. “May I have your names, my honored guests, and benefactors?”

Several people gasped at his words, and the silver eyes etched into the girl’s robes blinked in unison, moving just like his notebook’s eye did. Those eyes turned toward him and for a moment a strange pressure fell over him, as though the entirety of his being was on display. His aura trembled, and his mind pushed back instinctively, but still, the eyes watched him, and examined him. Each one searched for a hint of mockery, and any deception, yet they found nothing but the truth.

He truly did not know who they were.

“Very well,” the girl said.

A slender hand rose and clasped the edge of her hood, lowering it gently behind her head. Strands of silken brown hair fell over her shoulders, covering the silver eyes lining the black fabric of her robe. Unlike the two women flanking her, the girl’s almond-gold eyes were uncovered, her pupils distant as they seemed to look at Dollar, and at something beyond him.

A shiver of understanding ran down his spine. He had seen those eyes before. He had seen her before.

Now, Dollar knew he should have run when he could.

“Greetings Ength, disciple of Grisham.” The girl’s voice brushed against his ears, calm, with a hint of knowing. “My name is Ayia Tiberius.”