“And then my father walked in with a crab sitting on his shoulder. Apparently, some old shop-witch sold the thing to him insisting it could talk, and he’d been waiting hours to hear it. Shiny little creature with a rainbow of colors depending on how you looked at it, and it had a pointy little hat on its—oh, he’s awake.” From his chair beside the bunk bed, Ardmy looked over when he heard movement.

“Keep talking about the crab,” Deventh said.

“I’ll get back to my story in due time – how are you feeling? Do you know where you are?”

Alert but somewhat confused, Deventh sat himself upright, flicking his gaze around for any giveaways for his suspicion he was being tricked. Across the room, Anna sat in a chair beside an empty bunk bed. A slow blink closed in over her eyes, in relief at both Deventh’s return to consciousness as well as the abrupt end of Ardmy’s story. Lydie and Tatsidi had their own bunks, too, against the adjacent wall by the window. The pair snoozed through all manner of racket at home, and here was no different. Deventh concluded his survey and fixed on Ardmy’s face, finding nothing but concern in his heightened brows.

“Ogre’s Bowl, Kho’gul,” Deventh answered. “We stayed here last night.”

Ardmy leaned forward in his chair, pressing his fingertips together in thought.

“Yes, well… and the night before. You’ve not blinked awake for a second since we turned in on the evening of our arrival.”

“Apologies,” said Deventh, the pinkish sunrise reflecting on his face from the window, “I didn’t mean to waste so much time.”

“Time is no object, Deventh, I assure you. We were concerned with your ailment – your well-being is valued, whether or not you understand that.”

Anna’s pursed lips, and her otherwise relaxed posture, spoke for her. She did not ask for an explanation, nor did the fractious demeanor typical of her in such situations prickle the air. It was clear Ardmy told her what he knew of Deventh’s affliction, and she was more disappointed than irritated with finding out only now.

“Do you not have to piss after sleeping for that long?” she asked.

“Good point,” said Ardmy, “On that note, are you hungry? Still tired? Do you feel anything out of the ordinary?”

Second-guessing his own bodily attunement, Deventh paused to collect his senses. No urgencies, no pit of hunger in his stomach. No stiffness, pain, nor cramping. No signs of dehydration, not even chapped lips. On the contrary, he’d never felt more well-rested. Only a faint metallic taste lingered on his tongue.

“No complaints.”

“Well, either you’ve suddenly become a very strange immortal entity, or your affliction is of the magical sort. Though I was confident in having narrowed it down to the latter already, as there are few likely explanations for the near-perfect stasis of your organic processes. Unfortunately, my expertise is mostly limited to matters of the corporeal variety. I would urge you to be seen by Zéah.”

“I had plans to visit on our way back.”

“Please go get treated,” Anna chimed in. “I’d rather not have to scrape you up when you pass out and get run over by a wagon.”

“Hire someone to scrape me up if you need to,” Deventh insisted. “But it should be fine until we leave the city. It’s best not to waste any more time.”

“Easy, now,” Ardmy said, jumping to his feet and holding out his arms as Deventh stood slowly. As soon as he lifted himself off the bed, he began clutching his forehead. And there it was – a splitting headache, the usual garniture of these episodes, enacting its vengeance. He remained stable through it, and Ardmy backed off. “Another headache?”

“Aye, not any worse than the last.” After the initial swell of pain, it dulled to a tolerable intensity. Anna watched him with a scrutinous eye and a blank expression, unimpressed and unconvinced.

“How can you so confidently predict you’ll be fine?”

Deventh realized, rather unlike himself, he’d spoken on a hunch. Such certainty without sound reasoning was not his usual manner, especially given the sporadic nature of his episodes. At the very least, they needed to come to a rational agreement.

“Truth be told, I can’t. Based on the gaps between previous incidents, though, it’s more likely than not that it will be some time before it happens again. If it does while we’re here, then I will go to Zéah.”

“Fine, you stubborn old dumrak,” Anna said, standing and patting him on the back with a firm, heavy hand. “Just try not to die.”

“Fair deal.”

“I’m glad we can agree. Now, all of us should start the day with a good breakfast. And I mean all of us.”

“Breakfast,” Lydie grumbled, rolling over and yanking Tatsidi’s tail which hung from the top bunk. A second roll nearly landed her on the floor, but she bounced to her feet. As she yawned and reached her arms up for an overhead stretch, Tatsidi jumped down to the floor, groggy and zombielike, but also quite ready for a meal.

By late morning, they’d left the Ogre’s Bowl and set out on their way to the Oath’s guild hall in hopes of finding more of an explanation from Thulreg. None but Deventh spared a glance at the Graystone Hostel as they passed by. Carpenters were preparing for the day’s work on reconstruction, two carrying wooden beams through the door while one hauled in tools. He tracked them with his gaze until they fell out of his range of sight.

A bit deeper into the market square, a surly old orc swung his bell unceremoniously as he hobbled to the center of the commotion. The breeze tousled his bright yellow cape, a bold contrast to his torpid presence in combination with his brocaded blue doublet. His voice was loud enough to demand attention, but he slogged in speech as much as in movement.

“Khoz-khor, khoz-khor! One and all! The Grimros Guard has recovered most of the missing individuals’ bodies. The burials will take place this upcoming Shendor in the garden graveyard, where a memorial space has been set aside for victims of this recent tragedy. If you are affected by loss due to these incidents, Beaverton Traders is also offering compensatory provisions at their local headquarters for those in need.”

“Yes, feed them and they’ll shut up,” Anna muttered as she quickened her pace. She set her focus on the hilltop guild hall, leading the others up the sloping road.

“Do ya’s think we can get some of them provisions if we come up with a proper good sob story?” Lydie mused, failing to dodge Tatsidi’s elbow as it nudged her ribs. “Ow. Fuck me for just askin’ a question, then.”

Thin-pressed lips concealing a smirk, Deventh shook his head in feigned disapproval to ease Anna’s annoyance. Ardmy brought a hand to his mouth, but it did nothing for the chortle that escaped from his nose.

They soon arrived at the hall to find it in its usual manner of activity, filled with adventurers taking rest and imbibing between their exploits. Deventh espied the nods of recognition and smiles of gratitude which followed them as they passed through, finding that they stirred an unprecedented sense of accomplishment – strange, but not unwelcome. Lydie, Tatsidi, and Ardmy settled in at a vacant table while Deventh and Anna split from the group to meet with Thulreg.

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“Ah, my favorite bunch!” the jolly orc said, a latent curiosity contorting his face. “What brings you lot here?”

“Your letter,” Deventh answered as Anna slipped the crinkling parchment out of her pouch. “This order seems… Sudden, to say the least. We were curious if you know any more details.”

“Me?” Thulreg asked, his gut jolting with laughter. “Not a clue – I’m no councilman. But I’m inclined to believe it’s a load of bollocks.”

“A sentiment we all share,” said Anna. “Do you know about the bodies that were found?”

“Well.” Thulreg shifted in his chair. “There is a rumor goin’ around that they haven’t truly found a single damned one. I… know a man personally who accepted a hefty bribe to keep quiet about his own daughter. Not sure what else they did to him, but he never struck me as the type. On the contrary, he was more doting than a mother.”

“And yet you’d still rather call off the contract?”

“It’s not a matter of preference,” said Thulreg. “Keeping it open would be like dangling a slab of meat in front of a Chilbear’s spit-stringed maw. Rather not lose a hand – I’ve got a wife of my own, and three gromlings to look after.”

A glint of concern flitted across the orc’s stern eye. With a slight cock of his head, Deventh glanced at Anna. Thulreg’s reasoning was understandable, was safe. All guilds under Grimros registry were bound by local governance, not excluding their own. If the Oath’s chairman stood to lose his entire livelihood in defying it, so did they – and he was worried for them as much as himself.

“That will do, Thulreg. Thank you for your time,” Deventh concluded, stepping in before Anna’s face could turn any redder. Staying her tongue against a flux of protests, she relented.

“Yes, thank you,” she said through gritting teeth.

“Of course.” Thulreg rose from his chair, reaching out a sturdy arm to shake hands with each of them. “And I apologize – for any other matter, I’d extend whatever help you lot would request of me. I am still grateful for your kindness.”

They returned to the others to collect them before leaving. Lydie promised to catch up, muttering something about a drink she’d already ordered. A shrugging Tatsidi urged them on without her. At the building’s exit, just as Deventh was reaching for the handle, the door opened from the other side.

“Julien,” said Deventh, recognizing the familiar face in the threshold.

“Oh,” the young Nelthrin man responded, stumbling into the foyer as he gathered himself. “Well, I’ll be damned.”

“Shopkeeping didn’t work out for you, I take it?” Deventh asked, noting his sword and scale cuirass. In search of a merchant’s mark on his cloak, he found only an owl embroidered into the collar. He was looking healthier, clean, but no less distressed than last they’d met. At Deventh’s query, Julien lowered his head, adjusting his satchel strap.

“Let’s just say my life-altering experiences did not end with my return to the city. Although I must admit – my next steps weren’t exactly calculated.”

“Running with the Oath, then?”

“Aye, though I’m not initiated yet. Been running errands for Thulreg all week.”

“Exhilarating.” Deventh smirked.

“That’s one way to put it.”

“And your grandmother? Is she well?”

Julien shook his head. Deventh detected an air of grief, a sullen sobriety leaving his body to hang loose. The tension of worry had long since passed.

“My condolences,” Deventh said. “Best of luck with your new affiliation. We were just on our way out.” Deventh tilted his head to the exit, but as Anna pressed her palm to the door, Julien seized the opportunity to speak freely.

“I believe I’ve made a mistake, Deventh.” A grim despondency shaded his voice. “Tell me, does Grimros, too, harbor such festering corruption that I came so far to escape?”

“Perhaps worse, depending on where you came from.”

“At least there are threads of truth to be found here.” Amidst the silence that ensued between the two, Anna gave a signal for the others to file out. A quick exchange of glances passed between the two guild leaders before she closed the door behind them, leaving Deventh and Julien to their conversation.

“Ransvale was also rife with messy cover-ups,” Julien continued. “Among other sloppily executed political endeavors. Atrocities, even.”

“So I’ve heard. Most regions of Nelthemar rival Drondaris in that manner.”

“Aye. There's nothing quite like a remote city propped up on a rivalry between the local government and a group of vigilante assassins who fancy themselves the protectors of the people.” Julien’s nose wrinkled with a bitter disgust. “I thought it to be a noble cause working alongside the guard. It turns out that one was not better than the other.”

“Rarely is either side better in such dichotomies.”

“Well, there was certainly the illusion. They put me on a pedestal, gave me praise and riches, called me the Hero of Ransvale. Made a walking target out of me, perhaps by design. To get to the point, I was a pawn of Lord Dorin for far too long not to recognize what is transpiring here. Frankly I cannot rest knowing what happened to me, and all those other people, just for it to be buried in that cemetery with all those decoy corpses.”

“Thulreg mentioned that he’s aware of the bribes,” said Deventh. A twinge of annoyance tickled his throat, trying to goad him into making an ill remark, but he chose to swallow the urge. “Have you told him of your misadventures?”

“Of course not,” Julien said as a cynical laugh escaped him. “I don’t trust him. Thulreg lacks any semblance of a spine, which neither surprises nor disappoints me. So I ask you, who saved me without question or reward – are you giving up the search, too?”

“No.” Deventh spoke with not a moment’s hesitation nor a shudder in his voice. “Will you be joining us?”

“Yes,” Julien said, matching his confidence. “So long as you and your cohorts continue to prove yourselves the exception to my expectations of this place, it would be an honor to work alongside you.” His smile faltered with a brief hesitation, during which he met Thulreg’s inquisitive gaze from across the room.

“Then it’s settled,” Deventh said, diverting his attention to initiate a hearty handshake. “Welcome aboard, Julien.”

After a brief conversation to break the news to Thulreg, Julien rejoined Deventh, and they set out to meet with the others, of whom only Anna and Tatsidi remained. Lydie followed closely behind, and having spotted the interaction between them from afar, she took to prodding with questions before anyone else had a chance to speak.

“Oi. Is he comin’ with us?” she asked, leaning against a lantern post. “Wherever it is we’re goin’. Seems like we ain’t gettin’ anywhere hobblin’ around this stupid city.”

“I hope it’s no trouble,” said Julien. “If you’re truly set on continuing your search, I’m here to offer whatever help I can.”

“Is that so?” Anna asked. “Ha! You have no idea how relieved I am to hear that. Please, make yourself one of us – we have some work to seek out before we head back to the inn, but there is much to discuss.”

“What’s the sudden change of heart?” asked Lydie, the shuffling of her first step kicking up dirt as they started back out on the road, “Wanted us to chase ya all the way to Kho’gul? Wanted ol’ Dev to really try and win ya over?”

“I think that is enough questions, Lydie,” Tatsidi intervened, but Julien took her remarks in good humor.

“I do love playing hard-to-get,” he said, cracking a smile. “But I can assure you that more has changed than just my mind.”

“Jul—” Lydie cupped her hand over her mouth as a tipsy hiccup lit a spark within. Smoke streamed between her fingers and billowed up to her eyes. “Julien, right? What do ya think? We’re wastin’ our time here, right? If you was us, you’d get straight to those forest ruins, right?”

“I do think it’s our best option,” Julien hesitated to admit. “Everyone in the city is afraid to open their mouths, paid off and threatened with further losses not to do so. Grandmama was a confidant to many, thus I’m acquainted with some of the affected families. I’ve tried asking around. Always the same answer – I shouldn’t interfere, I should lie low, it’s dangerous for anyone to know my connection to all of this.”

As he absorbed the conversation, Deventh found Lydie’s slew of questions to be in line with his own curiosities. He noted Anna’s slow nodding along and her confident stride; she was equally impressed with Lydie’s focus, her casual approach that seemed to put Julien at ease. A tactical habit, perhaps, learned from her previous occupation, or a simple display of her inclination towards men of a certain appeal. Whatever the case, Deventh thought, she was in unusually high spirits.

“You’re safe with us,” said Anna. “But that’s better shown than said. Now, we’re near the market, let’s work out supplies. We’ll meet back at the Ogre’s Bowl.”

“Don’t need to tell me twice,” Lydie said, springing ahead with Tatsidi tailing her. Julien, too, split off to attend his own tasks.

“There seems to be a long road ahead of us,” said Anna once only she and Deventh remained.

“Seems to be.”

“It’s an odd thing, what started so simple – all these twists and turns.” Standing beside him, Anna peered out over the bustling market in the valley. A hair strayed from her bun, but she left it be. “And around each bend I still find myself, the bright-eyed young woman I was twenty years ago, still grasping at the thread of hope, frayed as the years have made it, that I can make everything right with the world.”

Deventh slid his hands into his pockets and immersed himself in the view as well. The people, the stalls, and the rush of the day’s endeavors looked infinitesimal from where they stood. Perhaps this is one of many reasons the Nelthrin built their castle on a hill, he mused.

“Personally, I was beginning to take comfort in the mundane,” he said. “But perhaps that is not our calling.”