Fritz grunted in annoyance, as he moved the large iron manhole cover out of the way. Rays of fresh sunlight could be seen peeking into the sewer. Edging the manhole cover sideways, he finally managed to create enough room to escape.

He found himself within a park. Fresh green trees mingled with all kinds of flowers. Stone benches decorated the paved walkways that Fritz marched down. Breathing a sigh of relief he looked around. Beastkin stared at him with open fear. Obviously he could work out why. A strange, filthy, bloody human emerging from the sewers was clearly strange. Even stranger was a human holding onto a decapitated ghoul's head. With his free right hand, he waved awkwardly at a young couple. The two robed beastkin quickly stood up and fled the scene.

Moving over to the nearby vacant bench, Fritz let himself plop down. In his left hand he held the partially dissolved skull of Gaston. The sharp white teeth were fully intact, yet the lips had melted completely off. Bit's of the creature's brain dripped out of the open eye sockets. He let the head fall onto the stone path, as he leaned backwards.

"Really thought, I was a goner there." Fritz mumbled to himself. Several groups of beastkin were openly pointing and whispering about him as others fled from the strange dirty human. Fritz could not have cared less. His mind was on fire. The adrenaline from earlier had finally left him. Now, all Fritz could think about was getting a bath and relaxing. He greedily sucked in the fresh air, as he savored the sense of security and openness of the world above. A nearby fountain gurgled water. Compelled by the feeling of dirt and grime all over his body, he grabbed Gaston's head and approached the fountain. He placed Gaston's head down onto the side. Reaching into his pocket, Fritz created a bar of soap and started scrubbing some of the grime off of his arms.

"What's going on cutey?" A somewhat familiar voice said. Turning around, Fritz saw a smaller woman with a large battle axe strapped to her back. The long curving edge gleamed in the afternoon light. Her hair was short, brown, and spikey, hiding her rounded rat-like ears. The same curious look consumed her face as she watched him.

"Uh, not much." Fritz said blandly. The woman regarded him with open curiosity as her eyes lingered on Fritz's butt. Her corded muscles popped out, as she crossed her arms across her slight chest.

"Do you mind, telling me why a bunch of scared beastkin ran out of this park?"

"Probably, because of me." Fritz said with an awkward laugh. He briefly looked down to the severed head. "The head doesn't help, does it?"

"Nope. It does add an aura of danger to you. Quite attractive...." The woman purred. Her round ears above her head quivered slightly, as a group of bystanders started debating conspiratorially. The woman turned back towards them. "Don't call the guards. I got this."

"Look, I just bought it with me in case the guards were-." Fritz caught himself before he finished the sentence. "In case the guards...." Fritz trailed off as he looked for the right words.

"In case the guards had a bounty for ghouls and you wanted to get in their good graces?"

"Something like that. Look, I'm quite tired. It's been a long day."

"You do look rough. I hate when the bounties involve sewers. Luckily for me, you've got something I want." The beastkin pointed to the ghoul's head.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"You're a bounty hunter?" Fritz asked.

"Aye. Brenn. Former fang."

"Ah, we've met before. I recognize you now. Fritz." Standing up, he presented a clean hand to shake. Brenn looked at his hand like she had no idea what Fritz was expecting. Awkwardly withdrawing his hand, Fritz grimaced.

"Aye, you were hanging onto the lamia. Looked like shite. Looked like you were begging to be saved." Fritz grumbled to himself as he remembered the events from yesterday.

"Tell you what. Help me get back to my inn, and I'll hand over Gaston's head." Fritz said.

"The ghoul had a name?"

"Yeah, fancied himself some kind of gourmand too. Couldn't wait to sample me like I was a fine wine. Now look at him." Fritz slapped the skull, like it had offended him.

"Alright, toss the head here." Brenn demanded. Fritz grabbed it with one hand. The head slipped from his fingers falling onto the ground. The remaining flesh mushed into the stone path of the park. Brenn gave him a look of disgust as she collected it. The head disappeared into a bag of holding. Fritz closed his eyes as he waited for his embarrassment to pass.

"Let's just head back." Fritz said quickly. "Do you know the way to The Resting Goose?"

"That dive. Sure. Follow, ole' Brenn. Try not to stare at my ass too much." She teased.

Fritz quickly caught up to Brenn. His clothes were still filthy. The onlooking beastkin regarded him with disgust and awe as he left the park following Brenn.

"What were you doing down there?"

"I don't want to talk about it." Fritz said dejectedly.

"Hah! Wouldn't have expected you to be a thief!"

"How do you-? I'm not a thief! It was a misunderstanding. It was all just one giant misunderstanding!"

"Sure you aren't. Why else would you be in the sewers?" Brenn let out a hearty laugh, she gave his butt a healthy slap almost sending him to the ground. "Learned your lesson? Crime doesn't pay unless your taking someone's head."

"Yeah. Don't mess with magic. And if you do don't fuck up." Fritz grumbled.

"A good rule. Hard steel and strong muscles will never let you down." Brenn said with a winning grin. "You should get some practice handling a sword. I know all about it." Brenn gave him a sultry wink. "I can show you the proper way to handle a sword. I'm an expert, I've handled a lot in my lifetime. I know all the angles of attack." Brenn purred. Fritz with an exhausted, distracted mind took Brenn at face value.

"What's the point? I doubt I'd ever be as strong as my companions. Let them do the fighting. They're freaks of nature, if you ask me." Fritz complained. The short beastkin's face contorted, before she quickly mastered her composure.

"Just like the Goddess intended then!" Brenn boasted. Fritz regarded the slight ratkin as they walked side by side through the streets of Hueryss. "They're looking for you."

"Who?"

"Who do you think, half-wit? The guards." Fritz started rubbing his temples at the beastkin's words. "I heard it from the damn captain himself. He's got a warrant for your arrest." Fritz groaned.

"That quick? Hopefully, you won't decide to help him."

"Nah, I much prefer slaying monster's. No fun bringing in shrimps like you."

"I appreciate your generosity. But, I was still able to kill the damn ghoul."

"Aye. Looks like you burned him with acid. Good work, if a bit messy."

"Holy water."

"You also try and buy that with fake gold?" Brenn asked. Fritz waved his hand 'No'.

"There were two others. They didn't talk much though."

"Two more." Brenn let out a long whistle. "You must be pretty lucky to escape such an encounter. Guess, I still have something to hunt in this city."

"They're dead." Fritz casually mentioned. Brenn narrowed her eyes.

"Really? Did your party help you?" Fritz shook his head. "You did it alone? A guy like you? Are you pulling my leg?"

"See for yourself." Fritz said, letting the subject drop. "Take their heads. I'm never going down there again. Hopefully, I'll be out of the city soon."

The two walked in silence towards the inn. Fritz could feel Brenn's suspicion mounting as they walked forward. The cobbled streets of Hueryss twisted and turned underneath Fritz's boots. Eventually, Fritz found his way back to The Resting Goose. Brenn bade him farewell, and quickly disappeared down a nearby alleyway. Opening the door to the inn, Fritz started dreaming of a modern shower.