Anger bubbled up within Fritz, as he looked upwards towards Regus. The door to the tavern slammed open with a bang. A panicked voice rang out near the doorway. Its familiar tone pulled Fritz's attention towards backwards. Turning around, he looked past the beastkin swarming the entrance.

"Has anyone seen Fritz? The human! Has he been by here?" Ada's voice was panicked. The stunned crowd of the inn went quiet. Fritz shifted slightly to look past Regus. His eyes locked onto Ada's pale gray eyes. Her face was panicked and stressed. In that instant, Fritz debated turning back around and pretending he never saw her.

"There you are!" Ada shouted as she moved towards the bar. Right behind Ada, Fran the silver haired foxkin healer trailed looking annoyed. Her eyes lingered on a pair of beastkin fighting just outside the inn. Rolling her eyes, she followed Ada deeper inside the inn.

"Uhh, hello Ada. I was just trying to get something to eat." Fritz said. Anger morphed into annoyance, as Fritz wondered what the hell was wrong with everyone.

"You idiot! Me and Fran were worried." Ada reached out a hand to grab Fritz's wrists. Regus stepped in the way. His large frame blocked Ada.

"Regus! Don't make a scene!" May boomed behind the counter. "Ada, good to see you. Are you all healed?"

"Yeah, almost. Fran's amazing. Not even a scar left." Ada said as she glared at the black haired wolfkin standing in front of Fritz.

"I was just getting a bite to eat. What is wrong with everyone?" Fritz protested.

"Well you're done now. Come with me. You should be in the clinic." Ada chastised Fritz.

"I was starving." Fritz said as he held his hands up. Ada tried to move past Regus. The male wolfkin moved to block her.

"Out of the way" Ada growled out.

"Make me." Regus said. "Me and him are gonna fight. We'll see who's stronger."

"Regus", May warned. Regus bared his fangs, daring Ada to continue.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

"You two! Stop this!" Fran shouted. "He's a patient of mine until I say otherwise. Nothing is going to happen to him while he's under my care!" A chorus of voices from around the bar rose up in support of Fran.

"Yeah, let's just stop." Fritz said. The others around him ignored him. With hard eyes Ada stared at her opponent. Her eyes were unflinching. Standing up, Fritz tried to move past Regus, but the man grabbed him by the shirt stopping him from moving.

"Let him go." Ada said. With her sword left behind, Fritz wondered how well she would fare against the larger wolfkin.

"Why is everyone so damn strong?" Fritz complained, as he struggled with the man's grip.

"I'm going to fight this hoo-man." Regus said. "You and Frann can get him back after I'm done."

"Goddess above, save us." May pleaded to the heavens.

"He is my patient. You can't fight him." Fran said.

"I'm not gonna ask again, Regus. Don't make me hurt you." Ada threatened.

"Shut up." Regus snarled. "Slink away with your tail between your legs. I'm the strongest. Just you wait, I'll prove it tomorrow."

"Fine. Have it your way." Ada said.

Her other hand shot out. The knuckle of her fist was faster than Fritz's eye could follow. Regus' chin buckled with the force, as Ada's fist sent him crashing into the bar. Fritz blinked as he tried to understand what was happening. To Fritz's side, Lizz barely reacted as Regus slumped over. Fritz felt Ada's hand grab his wrist, as she led him quickly out of the tavern. The crowd was silent as Fritz was led outside. Fran looked dumbfounded as Regus moaned in pain on the floor.

"Ada! What the hells?! You know the rules! No fighting in my tavern!" May shouted from behind her. Ada scowled as she left the building. A chorus of shouting and arguments erupted from inside the bar.

Ada kept Fritz moving. He could feel his mouth struggling to form the right words.

"Ada, what the hell was that? What is wrong with everyone? Is this town cursed?" Fritz asked.

"I wasn't gonna ask again. He was being a prick." Ada spat out. "Besides, Neva asked me to keep an eye on you. She doesn't want you wandering around alone." The two were quickly approaching Fran's clinic. The front door was wide open. Ada stormed back inside the building. Her hand was like a grip of iron around Fritz's wrist. Fritz pulled against her, but he was no match for her strength. From behind, Fritz could hear people leaving the inn shouting towards them.

"Ignore it. They should all know better." Ada grumbled as she dragged him inside Fran's clinic.

"Let me go, I can walk on my own." Fritz pulled on his arm, yet he couldn't contest her grip. She ignored him like he was a petulant child. The blonde wolfkin went quiet as she led him back inside.

She led Fritz back inside the patient room.

"Tomorrow, we need to talk." she declared suddenly. "Get some rest. Neva wants to meet you tomorrow, but before we're gonna have a chat."

Turning on her heels she left the room, leaving Fritz confused and standing alone in the dark. Grumbling to himself, Fritz conjured a loaf of black bread. Sitting on the edge of his bed, he chewed thoughtfully.