The walls of Hueryss rose high and proud. Yet its image was flawed. Ivy and moss overran the ancient stone. Subdued magical runes from a long dead civilization hid beneath the greenery, protecting its new inhabitants. Few guards bothered to stand upon the majestic wall. Only lazy, half asleep beastkin manned the ancient battlements. They leaned with unrestrained boredom gazing out into the long grass fields that stretched before the city.

Behind the walls, a great lake sparkled with the late afternoon sun. Barges, fishing ships, and sailing merchants littered the massive lake. Streams and small rivers flowed from the north into the great lake of Huerrys before traveling south into a grand river, rushing into the network of waterways connecting the Beastkin Conclaves.

Beyond the walls, near the center of the city, an aging gray castle rose into the sky. Four large towers stood at each corner. A smaller wall of stone separated the entrenched nobles from the city proper.

Fritz, Marcelle, Ada, and Neva continued their haggard march into the city. Before the gates, waving flags displaying a pair of orange fox ears fluttered easily in the light breeze. Passing by a bored pair of guards they entered into the city. Perfectly angled stone streets clicked underneath their boots. Every manner of beastkin was displayed on the streets, as they went about their lives.

Their party, covered with blood and dirt, soon found a cheap suitable inn to call home for a couple of days. The Resting Goose welcomed their tired bodies with open arms.

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"Why'd it have to be MY money." Marcelle grumbled. The inn was bordering on a riot. Shouting and arguments from the local beastkin about who was stronger reverberated through the stained wooden walls. Fritz 's hunger and thirst was the only thing keeping him awake. Fritz downed another mug of ale. A fresh sizzling cut of steak was plopped down in front of Ada.

"Because, you love us!" Fritz said sarcastically. Marcelle scowled at him. Her purple eyes narrowed in anger. "What? It was a joke!"

"Ada needs a new sword, and we need to pay for passage downriver. I've got a plan to make more money. Both require us to pool our resources. Fritz never had anything. And if he does I would be very suspicious." Neva responded. Fritz looked away from Neva's hard stare.

"You don't have to explain it again. That was a one time thing. Never happening again!" Fritz said confidently.

"I expect you to reimburse me immediately! All of you!" Marcelle seethed.

"We're in this together Marcelle! Don't be stingy!" Ada whined.

"Stop eating so much!" The lamia shot back. "It's not like I have much left!"

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

Ada pounced on her steak. Her knife cut readily into the steak. The dull blade caused the table to shake.

"Our finances aren't good." Neva said. She puffed lightly on her long stemmed pipe, as she leaned back into her chair. Their table was placed near a corner. Neva used her position in the corner to scan the inn's common room. "We have a place to sleep for the next couple of days. But after that, we might be in trouble. We should use this opportunity to rest and acquire gold, Ada needs a new sword, and we all need safe passage downriver."

"I vote we sell Ada into slavery. Then hire a mercenary." Marcelle proposed.

"Hgey!" Ada said with annoyance. Her throat bulged as a piece of steak got stuck. Reaching for her mug, she eventually washed the meat down."

"Careful. Eat slower." Neva said with a roll of her eyes. "Not a chance Marcelle."

"Why not? Think about it? We could get someone with gear and experience. Better weapons too. We'd be immeasurably safer."

"Because we're trying to travel incognito. Ada is one of us." Fritz answered. Ada tried to give him a cute smile. Her cheeks were filled with beats of meat. Extending her thumb towards Fritz, she gave him a confident wink. "Now what about money?" Fritz asked, returning to the table's conversation.

"We need more Fritz. Real money." Neva stressed her words. "Marcelle's purse has paid for our room's for the meantime."

"How much is left?" Fritz asked.

"After tonight? Probably nothing." Marcelle said with a hint of annoyance. "You two just spent a lot of it...." Marcelle pointed towards the two wolfkin.

"Ah...." Fritz raised his mug to drink. Using the wooden tankard he tried to hide his shame.

"There wasn't much left to begin with." Neva said. "Ada, hand me your sword."

The blonde wolfkin, regarded Neva for a moment. Swallowing her food, she reached down and grabbed her sheathed shortsword. Grabbing it, Neva unsheathed the blade to inspect it. Even in the candlelight, Fritz could see cracks and knicks. The tell tale signs of extreme wear were destroying the sword.

"How long have you had this?"

"Since...." Ada thought for a moment. "You started letting me go out into the forest." Ada replied.

"It's time you upgraded. Another couple swings, and it will shatter. Armor would be useful as well. You keep taking hits. Preferably something light, and easily maintainable. Leather would be best."

"I'm getting stronger." Ada huffed.

"Not fast enough." Neva answered.

"If Ada needs armor and weapons can't I just make them?" Fritz asked.

"I'd prefer something more...."

"Reliable?" Marcelle tried to finish her sentence.

"Professionally done. Let's leave it to the experts. No offense Fritz." Neva answered diplomatically.

"None taken." He replied.

"What about you?" Fritz asked Neva. "Are you grabbing armor?"

"Don't need it. Just slows me down." The graying wolfkin answered with pride. "Ada and I will head out into the city tomorrow. Arms and armor take priority but I've got a plan to shore up her combat experience." Neva said. "Fritz, you and Marcelle bang your heads together. Try and think of something you two can do for some money." Marcelle and Fritz exchanged a conspiratorial glance.

"Neva, these are desperate times.... We could...." Marcelle started.

"No!" Neva shouted above the crowd. She took the long pipe out of her mouth, and started stabbing the tip towards Marcelle. Leaning forward she continued in a whisper. "No! I don't want be run out of another town!"

"So what's your secret plan Neva?" Fritz asked.

"Ada's gonna enter the UFL."

"UFL?" Fritz asked. Marcelle slapped her face with a free hand. Ada nearly jumped out of her seat.

"The Underground Fighting League? Really?" Ada asked.

"Yeah, and I'm betting on you, so don't lose." Neva said.