Milo rolled twice and then got his feet under him, crouching behind a barrel. He heard the small click as the crossbow was cocked and knew the direction the sound came from. But if the person shooting at him was good, they had already moved. Darkness didn't affect his vision, but he couldn't spot anyone. Their skills were high enough that they were overwhelming his perception, similar to how his own skill worked.

He concentrated on not being seen and moving as quietly as he could, circling to the right, always staying low or behind cover. Another shot came from across the room, missing his head by only an inch. Not knowing exactly where his opponent was, he took a chance and threw a skull at where he'd heard the sound of the crossbow firing. The damage from the spell broke her concentration and he saw Charlotte finish cocking the crossbow and take her next shot.

Instead of dodging, Milo cast Harpoon of the Winds. The attacks were almost simultaneous. Milo saw his spell slam into the crossbow, destroying it, and then continued on, carving a gash in Charlotte's cheek and the side of her head, tearing her ear. She screamed, half in pain and half in rage. Her crossbow bolt hit Milo in the arm, but the bolt stopped when it hit bone, the momentum of the impact knocking him down.

Grabbing the bolt stuck in his arm, he pulled it free. If it had been poisoned, it didn't seem to be affecting him. A quick glance confirmed that.

[You have been struck by a light crossbow and have taken 75 points of damage.

You have been poisoned. Weak poison doing 50 points per round of damage is countered by your Poison Resistance.

You have been poisoned. Strong poison doing 20 points per round is countered by your Poison Resistance.]

The damaged crossbow sailed over his head and struck the wall. Charlotte came into view as she moved out from behind a crate. "You owe me a new crossbow, that was my favorite. I hope that little bit of poison isn't inconveniencing you too much."

Milo stood but was happier to stay partially behind cover. Did she have anyone else here with her? "Sure. I'll be happy to get that taken care of as soon as we finish here. Why are you shooting at me?"

Charlotte shrugged. "Sorry, partner, it's dark in here and when I saw someone sneaking up on Smiley, I figured you were an assassin sent to finish the job someone else started. I've been guarding him non-stop, and I'm a little tired."

Milo did think she looked tired and strained. Then again, Charlotte sort of always looked like that. "Guarding Smiley from who?"

"Duh. From the people trying to kill him. And if I knew exactly which Shadow Skulkers that was, I'd be out hunting them. But I'm pretty sure Petey is behind it, maybe the twins, but that would be tough with how they hang around you so much. Unless you did it? Hard to keep all the players straight, isn't it?" Charlotte had sat down and pulled out a healing potion. She was pouring it over her face and ear. "Wonder if I'll get a cool scar out of this? It's hard to make people take a pretty girl seriously. Grandfather keeps calling me 'his little girl' and telling stories about how cute I used to be. Meanwhile, he can't see I'm twice as good a Death Master as the twins and Petey put together."

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

"So either Petey or the twins are part of a group who poisoned Bleusnout and Smiley? And why would you think I'd be in on it?"

Charlotte finished with her ear. Milo noticed she still had a tear in it. Maybe she wanted it to heal that way. "Poisoned? Where did you hear that? They both overdosed on too much bad cheese that someone gave them. Bleusnout was an addict before he dried himself out and managed to take over as Master of Cheese. Smiley is just following in his footsteps. The two of them would be down here most nights snorting lines of parmesan or having a late-night snack of double-cheese lasagna. At least now Rif can take over and clean the place up."

"And no, just teasing you. I don't think you did it. I mean, sure, the scenario might fit. A tall, handsome stranger comes into the Hollow, cleans out the drug addicts, takes over as the new person in charge, and runs everything. It happens all the time in the stories. But I've watched you a lot. You're a little lost and getting pulled in several directions. The old Masters are running you ragged."

"You should talk to Rif more. He's got some good ideas. And when he gets his ring, that would be two of you on the council. If we get rid of Petey, and you keep the twins in line, I'll be the third. That's nearly a quorum and people are getting old. You could even take over Gilad's ring. Toss scout to the twins, or go for a double ring. Gramps was a triple for decades, I don't see the problem. Then we have a new generation making the rules and setting things straight."

This was a lot of new information, and as fast as he parsed it, Milo kept finding holes in what she was saying. Too many variables and things didn't line up based on his observations. "Hmm, sounds like then we'd have a lot of work. I'm already teaching fighting and engineering classes, and doing lots more."

"That's the point! Don't you see?!" Charlotte was walking towards him, her tail moving back and forth as her hips swayed. "You do all that work already! They owe you more recognition. I heard they voted on you keeping the Scout ring when you earned it already! Rif isn't getting a ring until he works his ass off for years we've heard. The old rats want to control everything. Do you know Grandfather even warned me off when I said I was interested in you?"

"Me?"

She smiled at him oddly. "Yes. You! I'm surprised you didn't see me looking at you all the time! None of the other boys can even keep up with me. You proved you were my equal the first time we met! But gramps wants a say in who I cuddle up to. This would let you and I get together like we want to, wouldn't it?"

She took a step forward. Milo took a step back. Charlotte smiled at him. "Playing hard to get now that I have you alone? Don't look now, but your back is almost against the wall." She took another step forward, making direct eye contact. "Naw, plenty of room to dodge. If I wanted to." He took a quick look over his shoulder.

As soon as he looked back, Charlotte slashed with her claws at his stomach and a knife drove for his eye.