"So what's the Spider's Hand?" Amadeo asks as the party settles in at the Summerwind house. Each of them take a seat in the front room, the wizard lighting a fire in the fireplace. Hope stands guard atop the stairs by a window, while Anna watches out on the main floor. Tyrion sits in a chair across from the couch while Bellamina sets to heating more water. As she begins to speak, Anna interrupts her.

"This one, I actually know. My people do work with the Spider's Hand; kidnappings, killings, that sort of thing. They're a guild of assassins who have absolute faith in the Venom Queen, one of the nine Fiends, entities with powers equivalent to the gods, but who work toward much darker purposes. Their loyalty to her is why my people work with them so readily despite not all of them being my kindred. She is my city's matron deity, and the high priestess commits sacrifices in her name."

The elf puts a finger to her chin in thought. "These guys used a similar poison, very potent and incredibly deadly. Their skills were similar, but I last encountered members of the guild nearly fifty years ago. The cloaks looked vague and unmarked. However-" She reaches out to Tyion's broken crossbow, which he'd laid across his lap, and pulls at the dagger the short assailant had lodged in the weapon. She looks it over and nods, holding it up for all to see.

Emblazoned on the blade is a mark in the shape of eight outstretched scratches, almost like limbs, symmetrically divided down one side of the steel. "It's hardly something you'd look twice at, unless you know what you're looking for."

"That's actually rather astute, Miss. Where did you say you're from, to be so knowledgeable of such a group?" Bellamina tilts her head from behind the corner, watching the elf curiously.

"Oh, I...Umm-" Anna looks away as Tyrion clears his throat.

"It's a long story, Belle. She's a good person, no need to worry about such trivial things." He takes the dagger, examining it carefully. "Any chance they'll try to kill me again?"

"Sounds like they've already signed the contract with a client. Sorry, Tyrion, you're gonna be looking over your shoulder until the contracts complete, withdrawn, or the person who put the hit out on you is-"

"-Dead?" The halfling murmurs, eyeing the roaring flames. Stuffing the dagger in a sheathe on his belt, he sighs and rubs the bridge of his nose. "Any way to figure out who the client is?"

"Not to my knowledge. They'll probably have the contract at their den, but good luck finding where that might be, much less getting in and out undetected. You'd have better luck...what's the surface phrase? 'Finding a needle in a haystack'?" Anna looks out the window. The street has begun to lighten with the coming sun. Some folks step out into the morning air, greeting neighbors and friends as they turn to the day's work.

"Wonderful. What do we do, then?" Tyrion sits back, looking over the broken string of his crossbow.

"Same as we've always done, you bearded child." Hope squeezes the halfling's shoulder, having stepped down quiet as a mouse to avoid waking the sleeping Rowan upstairs. "Stick together. Get some rest for now, all of you. We'll head out once we're all refreshed."

"Sounds like a good idea." The wizard stands, stopping for a moment as Belle clears her throat.

"Your room is ready, Young Master. I've kept up with it since Frida departed in the hope she'd return soon, but...I mean, this is your house too, sir." She smiled at the halfling, wrinkles creasing around her lips. "As for the rest of your friends...There's a third bedroom upstairs that you're welcome to use. The bed's only big enough for one, though."

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"I can sleep down here." Amadeo chimes in, patting the cushion beneath him. "The couch seems comfortable enough."

"Well what about you, Belle?" Tyrion asks.

"I'll just sleep with Rowan. I've a feeling that the nightmare he had will have him needing someone to cuddle with."

"Right. Rowan...I'm sorry, Belle. I didn't mean to-"

"Not to worry, Young Master. You were given bad news, more bad news, then even worse news in rapid succession."

"That doesn't mean-"

"Enough, Finn." The cow folk shakes her head. "Sometimes, it just takes longer to figure out how to handle things. You're just fine. Now get to bed. Off witcha! G'on, shoo!"

"I'm a grown man, Belle." He grumbles, a heavy yawn escaping his lips as he exits the chair.

"Aye, you are, sir. Still a baby to me, though." She giggles softly, gesturing to the door. "Off you go, Young Master. Sleep sweet. I'll wake you for lunch."

The halfling says nothing, though Amadeo detects a small smile as Tyrion stumbles out of the room. "Good night, everyone. Rest well."

Hope leans against the wall, arms folded. "I can stay up if need be. Anna, don't you need to get some sleep, recharge your magic or something?"

"Technically, I don't need to. I just really like sleep." Anna puts a hand to her heart with a knowing smile.

"Huh? What do you mean, you don't need to sleep?" The tiefling raises an eyebrow, looking to the wizard for help.

"Elves don't have to sleep." Amadeo states plainly. "They instead enter a meditative state called Morana, commonly referred to as Trance. They become semi-conscious, reflecting on their memories from birth till now and performing mental exercises. The key difference is that Trance only lasts about four hours. She technically has never needed to sleep."

"...That is so unfair. Why can't I do that? She gets cat naps and I get to tolerate fire?"

"I can also see further than you in the dark, and sleep spells or potions have no effect on me. It's also difficult to use charm magic on my kin."

"That's even worse!" The tiefling huffs. "Really won that lottery, huh?"

"Well, if it's any consolation, I got to live in a terrible place where people are murdered every day and every move you make is scrutinized for any sign of disloyalty." Anna's face remains cheery despite the horrific statement.

"I...No, I suppose you're right." Hope sighs. "I guess I'll go to sleep then. Good night, you two. And you, Miss Bellamina."

"Good night, Hope." Amadeo and Anna speak in unison, watching their fellow traveler make her way up the stairs. After a few moments of silence, Belle stretches and releases a low yawn that reverberates in their ears.

"Well, I guess it's been a long night. Sleep well, friends of my master. I'll try not to disturb you in the morning before you're ready to head out."

"Thank you for your hospitality, ma'am." Amadeo stands, taking the cow folk's hand and shaking it. "And we apologize for showing up out of the blue like this."

"Don't fret over it. Rest your heads, young man and lass." She waves to Anna, who returns the gesture, before heading up the stairs after Hope.

All is quiet as the wizard sits back down again, rubbing his eyes. "Anna, get some rest. You don't need to spend all morning watching for danger."

Anna faces him, her eyes a little puffy. "I know, but I'm worried about Tyrion. He's been through so much."

"We all have. You lived through Hell and came out better for it. Hope saw her childhood hopes dashed, and she's risen to the challenge presented to her. I suppose I've honestly had it the easiest. Dealing with Mercy was terrifying over the long term, but it's resolved now, thanks to all of you." He pats the spot next to him, and the elf puffs up her cheeks.

"I'm not a little kid." She grumbles, coming to sit beside him.

"You're not an adult either, per your peoples' standards." He pulls a blanket from his pack, wrapping it around the both of them. "But, and I could be wrong...I think you're lonely."

"I'm not lonely!" Anna jabs him with her elbow before resting her head on his shoulder. "I have you guys."

"But you don't have your people. I know you did it for a good reason, but you still left the only home you'd ever known. That can't have been easy. Now you're up here with strangers around every corner, fighting for your life nearly every day." Amadeo turns to face her with a little smile. "But that's ok-"

The elf's eyes are closed. Her breathing steadies out. Her hair drifts across her face, and she scoots closer to the wizard. He sighs, moving the hair out of her face and kissing the top of her head.

"That's ok. No one in my family is ever lonely, viene brisei."

From the stairs, Hope watches the moment in silence before retreating to the third bedroom. She lays down upon the bed, breathing deep with tightly closed eyes. "Hope...You stupid girl."