Later in the evening, when cloudy skies casted dark shadows all across Trira, Ada returned to the inn. Marcelle had been steadily preparing creating alchemical concoctions. A small bubbling cauldron sat near the window, blowing a thin white cloud out into the city. A magical flame sat atop a small insulated brick. A steady stream of barely perceptible curses towards Marcelle's enemies fell into the cauldron. Neva had woken shortly after Ada had left. She sat at the table, staring at it as she awaited her comrades' return.

Neva's ears perked up, as she heard footsteps on the stairway. Ada knocked on the door.

"It's me." She said, her voice was deadly serious. Neva worked her way towards the door. She opened it slowly, her hand glittering with burning magic. Marcelle seemed entirely unfazed by her return. She killed the magical flame and kept stirring the brackish liquid.

"Your back. Marcelle brought me up to speed." Neva said as she let Ada into the room. Ada nodded to the gray-haired wolfkin.

"I tracked him down. I had to ask around a lot. Not a lot of helpful people here. The guards weren't interested in helping either. Finally, I got a hold of the shopkeeper who sold me this bad boy." Ada held up the wooden sword. A smug smile played at the edge of her mouth. "They were in a huge hurry. I don't get it. They kept trying to say they were closed, but they eventually told me about something interesting. There's a local gang, in this city, that controls everything here. The gang operates out of an abandoned warehouse, near the edge of town."

"Ada, we'll talk about the sword later." Neva said with a confused look.

"Anyone guarding it?" Marcelle asked.

"Lot's of thugs, and nasty looking men hanging about." Ada said. She frowned as she looked at Marcelle's small cauldron. "They don't look seriously armed. Some leather armor, and some axes, but that's all."

"We should assume there are more inside." Neva commented.

"Performing a full frontal assault would be dangerous. There must be at least twenty gang members coming and going from the warehouse. What about the guards? Can we get them to help us?" Ada asked.

"No guarantee." Neva said. "The only thing that matters is lumber traveling south. The laws here are just a suggestion, so long as the lumber flows. Besides, that would draw attention."

"Negotiations then?" Marcelle grumbled. "I was looking forward to teaching them a lesson." She reached into her dimensional pouch and pulled out a couple of glass flasks.

"There's still a risk there. We don't know if they intend on honoring their agreements."

"They want money." Ada said. "Why would they want to kill us too?" Neva gave her an inquisitive look.

"To take both. If they just want money, they won't know about his ability."

"What do you mean?" Ada asked.

"He could create money with the snap of his fingers couldn't he?" Neva said. "Don't tell me neither of you considered that?" A slight injured look passed between Marcelle and Ada. Neva let out a sigh.

"So what then?" Ada asked hesitantly.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

"We take him back. By force. Leave immediately after, and don't look back." Neva replied.

A knock at the door interrupted their conversation. Ada and Neva immediately turned towards the door readying their weapons. After a moment of silence the knock continued.

"Who's there?" Neva called out. The person behind the door knocked again. Neva and Ada inched towards the door. Neva took hold of the handle. Rapidly turning it, she quickly opened it. In the dark hallway a familiar pale woman stood. Her attire was fully black. A black mourning veil obscured her face. In her hands was a small letter. Neva's eyes went wide. Ada's muscles tensed in anticipation, as she gripped her wooden sword tighter. Magical fire danced around Neva's hand waiting to be unleashed. Ignoring the beastkin within, the pale woman bowed politely.

"Please, do not be alarmed, living ones. I have not come to fight. I've come to deliver a letter. My lady was most insistent that I do so immediately." The pale woman's voice was soft, yet felt like ice. Standing straight she seemed to stare straight ahead into the room.

"Undead. Why are you really here?" Neva hissed.

"My intentions are true. My mistress wished for me to deliver this letter. The letter is for the man. May I hand it to him? She is quite incensed with him."

"Leave." Ada growled out.

"I cannot return until the message is delivered. My mistress was most insistent that I deliver this message. I cannot return until it is handed to the man." Marcelle stood up as she finished filling her flasks. Snuffing the flame, she deposited her stuff inside her dimensional storage. "He is here, isn't he? Or have you parted ways? I do not sense his lifeforce."

"Who is this mistress you speak of?" Neva asked.

"You've already met her."

"The vampire with the onyx blade." Marcelle said.

"Precisely, Lady Lilly von Erwenhest II bade me deliver this letter no matter what." The veiled woman answered.

"He isn't here, we are about to get him. But not before punishing whoever crossed us." Marcelle said.

"Idiot!" Ada seethed, as she locked onto Marcelle's eyes. "Don't divulge information to the enemy."

"You are duty bound to deliver this message wight?" Marcelle asked.

"That is correct." The veiled woman responded.

"Help us get him." Marcelle's eyes flashed with a dangerous glint, as a malicious smile warped her lips. "No one steals from me. No one."

"Are you crazy?! What the hell's so important about that letter?" Ada asked. "Is it cursed?"

"No. It is a simple ordinary letter. I cannot return until it is delivered. If he is lost, I can help you find him. Lady Lilly would most enjoy hunting you all down as a group. Your previous method of escape has upset her greatly." The pale woman said softly. The deathly whisper of her voice filled the room. Her body was completely still as she stood in the doorway.

"Help us, and we'll give him the letter." Neva said finally.

"How?" She asked.

"He was kidnapped." Marcelle answered. Ada growled at the lamia.

"Kidnapped. Most unfortunate. Do you know where? Perhaps I can kill those who lay claim to my Lady's quarry."

"Yes, and we intend on taking him back. Can you fight?" Marcelle asked. The tip of her tail undulated with excitement.

"Of course. I could easily kill all three of you with but a word." A sudden chill wafted through the room. Ada's hair bristled in response. She gripped her sword tighter. The wight remained perfectly still. "Though, I am forbidden from fighting my Lady's prey at the moment. That honor shall be her's."

"Swear to it, and we'll tell you."

"Marcelle! Don't decide things. We should just fight her."

"Calm down Ada." Neva said. "Wights are powerful, and we still have to grab Fritz. Swear to it, wight." The wight gave a short bow before clasping a hand over her heart.

"On the honor of the Erwenhest family, I shall assist you. I shall not harm you, nor the man. I shall deliver the letter and disappear."

"Good enough" Neva huffed. "Full frontal assault it is. In twenty minutes meet us in front of an abandoned warehouse near the walls. Can you find it?" The woman nodded. "What can we call you?"

"Hannah."

"Good, help us get him back and we'll make sure he gets the letter." Neva said.

"Your terms are acceptable." Hannah replied. She stepped back into the nearby shadows along the wall, and disappeared. Her form vanished like smoke into the darkness of the hallways. A chill ran through Ada's spine, as finally relaxed.

"What the hells was that?" Ada asked.

"We made a deal with a wight. Goddess preserve us." Neva replied with a weary sigh. "Why is it always like this?' Neva asked the heavens above.

Behind the two wolfkin, Marcelle smiled deviously. In her mind, she saw her enemies falling before her might.