All of their party had gathered in The Resting Goose. The atmosphere of the inn had somehow completely transformed overnight. Turning back in his chair, Fritz looked at the other patrons. Several members of the local church had gathered in disparate groups. White and green cloaks were pulled tight over their faces, yet their distinctive ears popped out from opening in the top. Other more shady characters had taken up seats drinking slowly and methodically rarely talking. Scanning the inn, guilty eyes turned away from Fritz.

At his table, Ada and Brenn continued on spilling mead, smoking tobacco and reminiscing of old times. Fritz had never seen Neva acting so natural. Ada's mood had soured since her victory, whereas Marcelle seemed happier within the quieter inn. The lamia sat reading from a tome discussing rare herbs. Various plants were drawn within with detailed descriptions and diagrams relating to their composition and usefulness for alchemical reactions.

Ada leaned into Fritz. With a free hand he absentmindedly stroked the top of her head.

"You had no choice. That man was clearly deranged. He belongs in an asylum." Fritz said.

"The whole crowd hated me." Ada whined.

"Screw 'em." Brenn said as she made an obscene gesture.

"You would." Neva snorted.

"Damn straight. Well maybe not most of them. Probably a lot though."

"What the hell was his problem?" Fritz asked.

"Chasing glory. His reach exceeded his grasp." Neva grumped.

"Clearly delusional." Marcelle responded. "You did him a favor. He should return to farming." Ada sighed.

"Everyone want's to root for the underdog." Fritz said. "It's inspiring and gives us hope. I wouldn't take it personally, your a good girl, they don't know what-" Fritz stopped mid-sentence, as he felt Ada stiffen up against him. Her tail whapped against her chair. Everyone at the table was staring at Fritz strangely. "What? Did I say something strange?"

"No! No! No! Say it again!" Ada demanded.

"Good girl?"

"No! Like you mean it!" Ada said snuggling closer. Fritz patted her head. Neva and Brenn were watching him closely. Their eyes narrowed in anticipation. Fritz could feel Marcelle side eyeing him beneath her long black hair.

"Your a good girl Ada. Good girl." Ada positively vibrated in her seat, as she leaned harder into Fritz. Neva cleared her throat, ready to change the conversation.

"Thanks to Ada's wins we've made quite the profit. So much so, now we've got transportation lined up."

"How much longer are we staying?" Marcelle asked.

"The boat leaves in two days." Neva said confidently. "Wasn't cheap either on such short notice. The ride will take at least a week, but it'll be far faster than on foot."

"Great! It feels good to finally make some progress." Fritz admitted.

"Yes, Hueryss hasn't been bad. Much better than Trira." Neva replied.

"Aw, come on. This city at least has the UFL not like Reches. Nothing to do there." Brenn interjected.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

"Don't remind me of that place!" Neva said cradling her head.

"So, how do you two know each other?" Fritz asked pointing to the beastkin across the table.

"A long story. Let's not." Neva said waving her hand.

"I promised cutey here!" Brenn replied.

"I don't care! It's my business!"

"Huh? Why are you being so secretive?" Brenn asked. "Anyways, screw her, it all started-"

Neva threw her arms over the Brenn's shoulders quickly. Drawing the ratkin closer she whispered something in her ears. Brenn's eyes went wide as she looked across the table.

"Me and Brenn are gonna have a talk upstairs."

"Right." Brenn side rising from her seat, and dusting herself off. "Elder's first." Neva clicked her tongue before standing up and walking upstairs.

"Weird." Ada said. "I always knew Neva was secretive, but who cares at this point?" Fritz shrugged slightly, as he patted Ada's head.

"Marcelle, I've been thinking."

"A rarity to be sure. Did it hurt?" Ignoring her barbs, Fritz continued.

"Do you have any books on enchanted items?" Fritz asked. Ada's ears perked up. Looking up from the table, a hopeful look filled her eyes. Dreams of wielding her own magical weapon filled her mind.

"Yes of course. Enchanted items and their composition if properly extracted can be an excellent source for condensed mana. Of particular note is their ability to hold onto elemental mana."

"Can I borrow it?" Fritz asked. "I'd like to understand more about magical objects." Marcelle's eyes narrowed as she peeked at Fritz between her long black hair.

"Only if you will leave me be." Marcelle grumbled.

"Why? Planning something?"

"Always." Marcelle reached into her dimensional bag. Withdrawing a large gray tome, she placed it in front of Fritz. The title was missing on the cover.

"I doubt you will receive much use from it. Without a proper magical education the topics will surely sail far over your head. Return it to me in perfect condition, or else."

"Got it." Fritz said ignoring the underlying threat.

"Fritz, are you coming to the fights tomorrow?" Ada asked.

"I was planning on it."

Ada snuggled into Fritz's side as she threw a free arm over his shoulder. Opening the tome, Fritz started flipping through the pages. The tome was hand-written, and structured like a mages research findings rather than a traditional textbook. The composition and structure of magical objects were arrayed in grandiose detail before him. Yet despite being dropped into something complex, everything seemed to make perfect sense. All magical items functioned by supplying a feedable magical circuit to a mundane object. Most magical circuits required external energy sources, but more mundane enchantments, could function almost indefinitely. What really mattered was the magical circuit itself.

Fritz read for hours, eventually retiring upstairs. Propping the book on Ada's sleeping head, he read through most of the night.

----------------------------------------

In the dark of night, a singular carriage stood upon a foggy hill outside of Hueryss. Skeletal steads stood unmoving waiting for orders. The door to the carriage was open. Hannah stood by the entrance with her hands by her side. Lying within the coffin dominating the carriage, Lilly stared at the ceiling. Her arms were crossed over her slight chest. A scowl worked its way upon her lips.

"They have located him?"

"Yes of course Mistress. Your quarry resides within The Resting Goose. A rather drab and boring inn. Dirty and cheap with rundown furniture, not befitting your station."

"What else?"

"They will be in town for two more days only. They have procured passage on a sailing vessel, leaving in the early morning."

"Have they alerted the guards? Do they know about our quarry?"

"No. They appear to be traveling incognito. They are isolated and alone."

"That helps. They will be divided and weak. Without support from the guards, we have the advantage."

"One issue, my lady."

"What? Speak."

"The ghoul Gaston who was our liaison for their 'tribe' has been killed."

"How?"

"We believe it is the work of a bounty hunter. She has joined our quarry's party, and can be frequently seen with the target."

"Another nobody then."

"I'm afraid not. She goes by Brenn The Flicker Blade. Rumor has it she is quite durable, and can take quite the pounding."

"It matters not!" Lilly said decisively. "Our time here is running out. We cannot delay any longer. We must assault the inn. Drag him out, so that I may slay him!"

"My lady, ar-"

"Do not doubt me." Lilly snapped. "Gather the necromancers, have them command any lingering ghouls. We shall strike the night before. Contact the thieves guild and bring in any assassins. So long as they do not kill the champion, I don't care who they slay."

"As you wish, my lady."

"Go now, so that I may be done with this place!"

Bowing, Hannah left the carriage. Shutting the door, her form disappeared into a cloud of darkness as she traveled back into Hueryss.