The hounds were quick. Immediately going for T'hih-me as they entered the park. Opal shielded him from one attack, but could not help on the second. Edge swooped in taking one of the creatures head on, while Gudrun helped from a distance, avoiding any close encounters with the beasts. The hounds had them outnumbered, and maybe out matched.

Opal reached for her necklace uttering ancient words she had only heard a time or two before. A spectral polar bear head roared around her as she spoke. Opal let out a relieved sigh as the two hell hounds surrounding T'hih-me ran. The young man did not look so good.

Opal took a few swings at the remaining hell hound. Her warhammer lit with radiant light as she struck. The creature whimpered as it collapsed at her feet.

"On your right!" Gudrun called.

Opal ducked just in time as another hell hound leapt toward her. She braced for a hit, but nothing came. She opened her eyes to see T'hih-me standing over the hell hound, his reptilian arm outstretched holding the rainbow orb.

Opal glanced around the park. four hell hound corpses littered the ground. "Do you think that one that got away will be a problem?" Gudrun asked as she approached. "Never seen this many hell hounds in one place."

"Should we go get someone?" T'hih-me asked. "We need to show the guard what was attacking the children, right?"

Edge nodded in agreement, "Kid, why don't you come with me."

Opal frowned, "T'hih-me and I should go..."

Gudrun stepped up to Opal and whispered, "I know you want to protect this kid, but we need to be smart about how we split up. You both are definitely tougher than Edge and I."

Opal nodded hesitantly, "I'll stay with Gudrun."

Edge and T'hih-me were off back toward the guard post they had stopped by earlier. Opal kept a watch over the park. She paced as they waited for T'hih-me and Edge to return. Her gaze shifted slightly to see Gudrun off in a corner. It looked like she was talking to someone, but there was no one there. Opal shrugged it off. When planning she often talked to herself too.

After a few minutes of waiting and pacing, Edge and T'hih-me returned with two town guard in toe. They glanced at the park and then up to Gudrun and Opal. She could tell that they were genuinely shocked at what they saw.

"We'll need a few statements," the man from earlier sighed. "And we will get someone over here to clean these things up. You really took these guys out on your own?" He glanced at the ragtag group.

"We did," Gudrun replied. "Now it would be very helpful if we could get a letter of recommendation for our services." She smiled. "The letters will be for Opal, T'hih-me, Edge, and Gudrun Valdis Henriksen. That's S-E-N."

The guard wrote the names down quickly and stuffed his journal in his pocket. "Alright, I will get those letters written for you. It will be about two days."

"Perfect," Gudrun smiled. "Now I understand that there was a reward promised for this as well."

He nodded, "Once we complete our investigation and make sure that the creatures have truly been disposed of, we will send the reward to your home." The guard took each statement quickly as the other ran back to the outpost.

"Do you guys need a place to stay?" Gudrun asked as she approached T'hih-me and Opal. "My place is available, no charge."

"I don't want to impose," Opal started.

"You wouldn't be," Gudrun smiled warmly. "I wouldn't have offered if it would be an imposition."

Opal and T'hih-me glanced at each other, "We would appreciate a place to stay." T'hih-me nodded in agreement. "Do you happen to have a bath?" Opal asked as she glanced down at her blood splattered hands.

Gudrun chuckled, "I do. Follow me."

Edge walked with them for a time before heading in her own direction. She waved at the group as she left. Opal was starting to recognize the different areas of town. She could see the Book Wyrm and the Olde Krone down the street. She knew they were getting close to Gudrun's shop, Idun's Garden.

Gudrun opened the door quickly and ushered her two guests inside. Opal watched as she quickly hung her shawl and the room began to warm. She gestured for T'hih-me and Opal to follow her up the back staircase. Once at the top of the stairs the small hall opened into a decent studio apartment. There was a single large bed up against the far wall and a bath tub in the corner. Along the walls were multiple instruments mostly stringed instruments.

"You are welcome to stay here," she smiled. "There is only one bed, I hope you do not mind. You mentioned you had siblings so I bet you are familiar with sharing a bed."

An image of Freya, Ingrid, and their mother cuddled up next to her flashed through her mind and she nodded, "I can sleep on the floor."

"Nonsense," Gudrun smiled warmly. "If you are uncomfortable sharing the bed I will sleep on the floor." She turned. "Ok, there is the bath. Opal you are welcome to take the first bath, I will get supper ready."

T'hih-me followed Gudrun back down the stairs leaving Opal alone in the spacious room. She felt her heart sink as the memory flooded back to her mind. She missed her sisters greatly. She missed her mother even more. It had officially been a year since her passing and she had been avoiding the thought for weeks now. She began to fill the tub. At least there was running water. She doffed her armor, gently slipping her undergarments off and slipped into the bath. Her necklace still around her neck. She glanced at the piece. The icy opalescent hues and silver chain. She ran her finger along the jagged edge near the bottom and dunked her head under the water.

...

Opal made her way back down to the others, her traveling clothes on instead of her armor. She took a seat at the table in the corner as Gudrun came into the room with a pot of soup. She ladled out a few bowls for Opal, T'hih-me, and herself. T'hih-me however had not come to the table. As soon as Opal had made her way downstairs he had bolted up the stairs for his turn in the bath.

"Gudrun?" Opal started and the other glanced up from her soup. "Why did you say that the seance didn't work yesterday? Do you have to use specific herbs or candles depending on who you are talking to?"

Gudrun coughed, "Uh, no. I just...Hm." She glanced at Opal curiously. "What did you think I was trying to talk to?"

"A dead person," Opal stated plainly.

Gudrun nodded, "Well, yes...I don't think T'hih-me's parents are dead." She stated. "I just think he never met them. My seances don't work for those that are living."

"How did you learn to do them?" Opal asked her eyes flashing with curiosity. "Can anyone do a seance if they know how?"

"I mean I guess so..." Gudrun answered.

"Sorry, I just was curious." Opal said as she quickly continued her meal glancing away from Gudrun.

They ate in silence for a few moments. T'hih-me came back into the room, wearing the same clothes he had before. He took a seat next to Opal and quickly ate his soup.

He smiled up at Gudrun, "Can we try talking to my mom this time?"

She sighed, "T'hih-me, buddy..."

He frowned, "Stop calling me buddy, that's not my name."

"T'hih-me...I don't think the last seance worked. Why would this one work?" Gudrun asked.

"Can we at least try?" He asked.

Gudrun stood and began to gather the candles and herbs. Opal tried to keep track of how she was ordering each item, and what types of herbs she was using. Gudrun lit the candles and gestured for T'hih-me and Opal to hold hands. Mette scuttled forward and held T'hih-me reptilian arm.

Gudrun began to mutter softly to herself. It didn't seem like anything was going to happen. Then suddenly a swift winter wind swept across the room and all but one candle goes out. Gudrun's eyes were wide as she continued to mutter. Then finally the lone candle went out.

"It worked!" T'hih-me exclaimed. "What did she say?"

"It didn't work T'hih-me," Gudrun sighed. "All I saw was smoke and mist."

"That's my mom!" T'hih-me smiled widely. "That's how I see her anyway. Did she say anything?"

Gudrun shook her head. "I'm sorry T'hih-me."

He shrugged, "It's ok. Thank you." He smiled as he hopped off his chair and made his way to the rock in the center of the store. "Can I sleep here? It is really warm and comfy."

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Gudrun chuckled, "Of course...T'hih-me."

"I should head to bed too," Opal smiled. "Thank you again, Gudrun for sharing your space with us."

"You are very welcome," she smiled. Opal could have sworn the smile faltered every so slightly as she turned away.

Opal made her way back upstairs to the apartment. She pulled out her bedroll and set it up in the corner of the room. She took her journal out of her pack and began to write.

"We fought hell hounds! Siri told me about them once, but I'd never thought I would see one in person. I mean I have fought wolves and the like in travels and to protect towns...but nothing like this. And I almost failed my one duty, to protect T'hih-me. I've only been on this for one day and i almost failed. Get it together Opal."

She closed the journal and shoved it back in her pack. She snuggled up to the wall and drifted off to sleep.

...

Spring 40 YR 331

Opal awoke to the smell of fresh backed bread. She yawned and stretched as she stood from her bedroll. She padded downstairs to find Gudrun already hard at work, and T'hih-me still passed out on the rock. Gudrun had bags under her eyes and it was obvious that she had not gotten much, if any sleep last night.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Opal asked. As she stepped forward Gudrun jumped slightly. She must have been lost in thought. "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."

"You didn't," she stated then glanced back at her kitchen. "Have you ever made bread before?"

Opal shook her head, "No, but I am willing to learn."

"I just need you to stretch the dough," Gudrun stated as she showed Opal a few techniques. "Just fold it like this." Opal tried and Gudrun nodded. "Perfect, i will be back in just a moment. I have to grab something from the back room."

Gudrun disappeared around the corner leaving Opal to stretch the bread. She glanced up to see Henry the goat staring at her from the pen. Opal sighed and turned her attention to the bread.

"Maybe it wasn't the best idea to stay in Gudrun's home..." she thought to herself. "I should probably get a room for the next few nights."

The bell at the door jingled and Gudrun came back to the front of the shop. She smiled warmly at the new customer and chatted for a little while. Every so often Gudrun came back with new instructions on the bread making.

Eventually, Edge made her way into the shop. She plopped herself at the table and put her feet up on the chair across from her. She began to read the morning newspaper that was dropped off before Opal had come downstairs.

Around noon, Gudrun turned the sign on her door and locked up shop. She glanced at the other three that had kindly invaded her space and smiled. "I think we should head back into Tolvhund today. See if we can figure out who was summoning those creatures?"

"Excellent idea!" Edge exclaimed as she dropped the newspaper on the table and glanced at T'hih-me. "Is he still asleep?"

"I'm awake," he responded. "This rock is just so warm and toasty." He stood slowly and turned to the group. "I'm hungry."

"I made some bread!" Opal offered as she pulled the burnt loaf of bread from the oven.

"You tried to make bread," Edge chuckled.

...

Tolvhund was still quiet in the mid afternoon light. There were a few children testing the streets, but not many. Gudrun went to the home we had stopped in yesterday and knocked on the door. There was no answer. After a few moments she knocked once again.

When no answer came on the second knock, Gudrun sighed. "I guess they're not home?" She began walking away from the home. "I think we should ask some people around this part of town if they know anything."

Opal glanced around, there was no one in sight. She followed Gudrun, Edge, and T'hih-me as they began to walk away. Gudrun stepped up to the next home and knocked once more. No answer came.

T'hih-me glanced up at Opal, "Maybe it's too early?"

"It is just after lunch," Gudrun agreed. "Maybe they are out to lunch or working. We can always swing by later." Edge, T'hih-me, and Opal nodded in agreement. "Should we head to House Lind? Maybe scope the place out?"

"I like that idea," Edge smiled. "Maybe we can..."

"No stealing things..." Gudrun stated plainly. "We need to get a job there not rob them."

Edge rolled her eyes, "I wasn't going to say that."

The scenery shifted rapidly on the walk to House Lind. The small homes quickly turned into opulent mansions with gated gardens and many guards, not all of which were regular Towns Guard. There were quite a few properties with Sword's Brand guards as well. House Lind's guard were almost exclusively Sword's Brand.

"Halt!" The guard ordered as Gudrun and Edge stepped closer to the gate. "What business do you have with House Lind?"

Gudrun raised an eyebrow, "We saw the notice on the job board regarding guards for an event."

"Do you have an application? References?" The guard asked dryly.

"Well you see, we are in the process of getting those..."

"No application, no job. No references, no job." The guard stated. "Now please move along."

Gudrun held up her finger, "About that application, how would we get one?"

The guard sighed heavily as he snapped his fingers toward the other guard. The quiet guard quickly dug through his pack pulling out a stack of papers. He handed the stack to the other man and then stood at attention.

"Here," the guard sighed. "You will each need to fill one of these out and bring it back with your references."

"Of course," Gudrun smiled politely. "Thank you." As she turned away from the men she rolled her eyes dramatically.

They left the opulent district and began making their way back toward the Blad Ward. They had not gotten to central area of the Blad Ward the day before, today it was bustling. The district was mostly residential, and had the highest population of homeless in the entire city. Children ran through the streets, many without shoes or jackets. There was a lack of guard presence in this area, but a surprising amount of Sword's Brand mercenaries.

Opal watched as Gudrun interact with a few of the children. Opal couldn't quite hear what they were discussing, but the group of children around Gudrun seemed to be growing rapidly. Opal noticed that it was catching the eyes of a few mercenaries. The children seemed to notice as well. Just as quickly as the group had formed, they scattered.

"So all the kids agree that it is not safe about two blocks in that direction," Gudrun stated as she pointed to the north part of the district. "We should probably start there for our search."

As they walked through the district, the Sword's Brand seemed to be giving them looks but kept their distance. They were turning down a new street when the whistle of an arrow caught Opal's attention. The arrow flew just passed her ear and into Gudrun's neck. The woman dropped to the ground unconscious beside Opal.

"Watch out!" Opal ordered catching Edge and T'hih-me's attention. She pulled Gudrun back down the alley and held up her shield. "You'll be ok..." She muttered as her hand glowed with a healing light over Gudrun.

Gudrun gasped as she came to. She stood quickly, staying crouched behind Opal and the shield. She muttered some arcane words and the air around them began to spin violently. Opal watched as another arrow flew through the air, nicking Edge before hitting the wall behind them. Edge then disappeared on the roof of the nearby building. T'hih-me attempted to followed quickly leaving Opal and Gudrun on the ground.

Opal turned to Gudrun, "Are you ok?" She tried to ask, but her voice was covered by the wind. Gudrun nodded and gave a thumbs up.

Opal took that as a yes and climbed up onto the roof. Edge and the assassin were in a battle. As Edge fell, the assassin turned his attention to Opal, his new target. The attack hit Opal and she stumbled slightly, but held her ground. She froze as she saw T'hih-me finally making his way onto the roof beside her. The assassin's gaze flitted back and forth deciding his next move. T'hih-me made an odd face and stuck out his tongue at the assassin. The man fell to the ground in a fit of laughter, his hood falling revealing his face. He was a Hobgoblin. Opal caught the momentary look of sadness on T'hih-me's face. She then ran forward to Edge and her healing magic settled on the tabaxi. She jumped back up to her feet.

Opal was preparing her next attack as she heard T'hih-me's voice in her head, "I think he is being controlled..." Opal furrowed her brow and glanced back at T'hih-me just as Edge began to let loose on the assassin. "Non-Lethal!" T'hih-me yelled as the man's neck snapped.

Edge immediately began to loot the body. Opal laid a hand on the man's head and attempted to stabilize him with her magic. She felt his neck snap back into place and let out a sigh of relief. She then began to tie the man up. If he came to, they needed him restrained.

"What's that?" T'hih-me asked pointing to the hobgoblin's forehead.

"It's a rune," Gudrun stated as the wind around her began to calm. "Whoever put it there probably wanted some form of conrtol."

"I was right," T'hih-me stated. "Is there a way to get rid of the rune?"

Gudrun nodded as she pulled out her dagger. "Usually if the sigil is broken, then the magic stops." She attempted to cut the sigil, but nothing change. She furrowed her brows. "This is unlike any sigil I have seen before. Does it look like a bird to anyone else?"

Opal glanced down and frowned. She pulled the ornate bird from her pack and set it next to Gudrun. "It looks similar, doesn't it?"

She glanced beteen the sigil and the bird, then nodded. "Where did you get this?"

"I found it at the warehouse a few nights ago," she stated. "Do you think they are connected?"

Gudrun sighed, "They might be...let me see what I can figure out about the figurine. It will take a few minutes, so it might be best to worry about it later. Let's get this man to the authorities and collect our gold." Opal grabbed the bird figurine and nodded.

The group carefully lowered the assassin to the ground and walked back toward the nearest guard posting. As they approached the same guard post from the day before the man sighed.

"I don't have your letter yet..." He grumbled.

Gudrun smirked, "Well now you can add another feet to our letter of recommendation." She nodded toward Opal and T'hih-me. "We present Andre the Hunter." Opal and T'hih-me stepped forward with the hobgoblin tied up between them. "Your assassin problem has been dealt with."

"Oh..." the guard's eyes widened.

"He was being controlled," T'hih-me added. "So someone is going to need to fix that. Then he will be all better."

The guard nodded, "We will get him to a cleric then...Thank you." He turned and shuffled through a few drawers. "Here is your reward as promised by the flyer."

Gudrun took the reward and began heading back toward Kjemper's Tooth. Opal, T'hih-me, and Edge followed closely. Before they get to Idun's Garden, Gudrun turned to Opal her keys outstretched.

Opal frowned, "What's that?"

"I need to run an errand real fast," Gudrun stated. "Here are my keys, I will be right back."

"Do you need any..." Opal stated and Gudrun shook her head. "I really don't mind..."

"Please go back to my shop," Gudrun stated. "I will be back soon."

Opal nodded and took the keys. Gudrun began her walk toward the other shops in Kjemper's Tooth. Edge had left them before they even got into the district heading to her own place for the night. Opal opened Idun's Garden and stepped inside with T'hih-me.

"Thank you," T'hih-me said softly as they stepped inside.

"For what?" Opal asked.

"Not killing the hobgoblin today," he stated a hint of sadness in his voice. "It wasn't his fault. He should have to die for the things he did if it wasn't his fault. It is the fault of the person that was controlling him, right?"

Opal nodded, "I agree with you. I couldn't let him die knowing that it was not his fault." T'hih-me stood quietly for a moment, fidgeting ever so slightly. "Is something wrong?"

"He just reminded me of my brother Luc," T'hih-me stated sadly. "It was really hard to even fight him because..." he couldn't finish his sentence.

Opal stepped closer to T'hih-me. "It can be really hard to do things that remind you of family, but sometimes you have to." He nodded in agreement. "I have two little sisters." Opal stated. "Their names are Freya and Ingrid, they are 8 years old."

T'hih-me smiled slightly, "I have sister too. Her name is Helen." He glanced down at the ground. "Umm, Opal? Can I give you a hug?" She smiled warmly and nodded.

Their hug was quick and interrupted by the slamming of the door. They both glanced up expecting to see Gudrun. Instead they wer greeted by Edge holding a halfling woman by the collar.

"I just want to talk, I swear..." The woman tried. Opal's eyes widened as she realized who the woman was. The halfling spellcaster from Tyr's Uproar. "I promise, I am just here to talk."

"Let her go," Opal stated. Edge did no such thing. "Didn't you say that you wanted to help them?" Opal asked. "Maybe she needs help and came to us because of what you said?"

"Let her go, Edge." Gudrun sighed as she stepped into her shop, setting down a pile of fabrics on a stool next to the door.

Edge finally released the woman. "Thank you," the woman sighed as she adjusted her cloak. "My name is Dagny. I am here because I need help."