As we approached the city, the road we were on connected to several others, and started to become busy. Merchants, travelers, and even a few adventurers started to come into view as we walked. I noted that there was a far more cosmopolitan feel here than I’d seen in Itlan. That wasn’t to say that Itlan wasn’t diverse, just that Heracleum was much more so. I saw dwarves, gnomes, a few elves, and even what looked like some kind of dog-man. I noticed that several of the non-humans were actually dressed in the togas and other outfits common to the city and its residents. I commented as much to Tib.

“Heracleum has encouraged other races to become citizens of our city, and many have accepted.”

“Why would they choose to join?”

Tib went to answer, but was cut off by his cousin.

“Tax purposes mostly. We tax merchants and others within the city who aren’t citizens at a much higher rate. We also have plenty of humans who are native, but aren’t actually citizens.”

Tib frowned. “Many people also join because they see the potential of our city and people.”

I nodded. Tib’s relationship to his home city was complicated to me. He was clearly a patriot, but was also keenly aware of the many problems his country and his people had. I’d seen that attitude before, I was American after all, but it painted him in an interesting light.

As the crowds grew thicker the city itself began to come into sight. It was an ocean of stone, marble, and columns. The buildings were larger and grander than those of Itlan though that was likely an easier feat when your city wasn’t made of mobile islands. All of the buildings and statues had been painted in bright colors. This wasn’t the picture of a roman city people on Earth had, all pale white stone and full of austerity, this place was alive.

As we passed into the city we saw men and women eating at small restaurants, brothels plying their trade, and merchants engaged in fierce conversations. I lingered a bit next to one of the restaurants, its sweet and savory smells pulling me closer, but Tristus tapped my shoulder before I could break off from the group.

“These restaurants at the entrance are all overpriced, taking advantage of travelers. You’ll save some copper if you wait until we’re further in.”

I nodded and fell back in with the group. We moved deeper into the city and as we did so the people thinned out more and more. Soon we were in what seemed to be a poorer district. There were beggars on the street and the smells had turned from sweet and savory food to something much more foul.

“Where exactly are we headed?” asked Millicent before I could raise the question myself.

Tib looked at her. “I’m leading us to a seedier tavern I’ve heard about. Probably the worst one anyone I know of has ever been to.”

“Why?” she asked.

“I think it would be best to lay low for the day. Those after my cousin will likely be on the lookout at the inns and taverns closer to the embassies, and our homes are likely being watched as well.”

Millicent nodded. That made sense, but I also felt more than a little disappointed. First time in a new city and I was going to be staying at the worst possible hotel? I sighed. At least that certainly seemed like the kind of thing an adventurer would do.

We reached our destination, an Inn by the name of “Gaius’ Popina and Lupanar.” Patience and Zevrack saw to the cart, taking it back into an alley behind the bar. Patience seemed very at ease in this section of town, as she did anywhere a person might be shivved for a few copper. Zevrack also seemed comfortable though I assumed that was more to do with a lack of concern about most things not involving inventions or dragons.

The rest of us walked into the bar. It was as dirty inside as it had been on the outside, but the smell was at least much better. There were only a few patrons there, and I noticed a number of men and women lounging about in sheer togas, or nothing at all.

Tib looked embarrassed, but approached the bar anyway, where a man sat cleaning out some cups and taking the occasional bite from a bowl of olives he had on the bar in front of him. The man looked up at Tib, then passed him to the rest of us, and smiled when his eyes reached Tristus.

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“Tris! Gods, I haven’t seen you in so long! Looking for three tonight or just two?”

Tristus walked past Tib with a smile. “Good evening Gaius, I think I’ll go with three. I’ve been on the road for awhile, and need to limber up a bit.”

Tib frowned and shook his head. “Why am I surprised?”

Tristus looked back at him. “Did you hear about this place from Marcus?”

Tib nodded.

“Who do you think took him?”

Tib took his hand and ran it down his face, then moved to stand next to Tristus at the bar. “How much for three rooms?”

The man turned his attention to Tib. “With or without company?”

“Without.”

The man frowned and looked over at Tristus. “He’s no fun, is he?”

Tristus nodded in agreement.

“That’ll be five copper a night.”

Tib looked over at Tristus. “Put it on his tab. I’m assuming he has one.”

The man smiled and nodded.

Tristus pouted for a moment, but recovered quickly.

We all sat at the bar and Patience and Zevrack entered shortly after. The bartender poured us each a glass of wine without asking, and went back behind the bar for a few moments. He then returned and placed plates of fish, bread, cheese, and fruit in front of each of us.

I tucked in. I was a little disappointed I hadn’t had a chance to eat what I’d smelled earlier, but at this point I was too hungry to worry about it too much. Besides, we’d be here for a while.

After we were done eating, a woman and two men approached Tristus and he gave us all a smile before they led him off. “Anyone care to join?” asked Tristus.

I shook my head, Tib glared, Millicent pondered for a moment longer than I expected her to before shaking her head no, and Patience just said, “Too many cooks in the kitchen.”

That prompted a chuckle from him as he was led off. The rest of us finished eating, occasionally having to politely decline men and women plying their trade. I was surprised to see that despite the fact that the bar seemed lower end, the men and women working there were quite attractive. I actually found myself having a bit more difficulty turning them down than I expected. One of them even approached Zevrack, but after he asked where the egg was he’d need to sit on, she dropped it.

Once we were done eating, we all divided up into pairs and went to our rooms. Millicent and Patience in one, Tib in his own, and Zevrack and I in the last one. Unfortunately, my room turned out to be next to that of Tristus and his companions for the night. Thanks to their enthusiasm, I eventually gave up on any chance of sleep.

I looked over at Zevrack. The room was pitch black, but between his and my ability to see well in the dark, we didn’t need any candles. Nevertheless I lit one anyway, to let him know that I was also awake. He had laid out several things from his pack. I saw the wings, much refined from the last time I’d seen them, now with a metal tube in between them across which a large amount of runic script had been drawn. There was also some kind of muzzle, and two tubular items that, based on their size, went on either his wrists or his ankles.

I walked over to get a closer look. Zevrack didn’t notice, too focused on his work.

“I know what the wings are for, but what’s the rest do?”

Zevrack looked up and gave me a jagged smile, “This,” he pointed at the tube, “is for propulsion,” he pointed at the wrist or ankle guards, “These will let me fire my needles while a fly, and help control my motion, and this,” he said, gesturing at the muzzle like device with a twinkle in his eye and a wagging tail, “is to let me shoot fire from my mouth.”

I smiled. His enthusiasm was infectious. “Finding your own path to being a dragon huh?”

He nodded. “My brothers and sisters believe the secret lies deep within the caves and will be revealed in time, but I always thought there must be another way.”

“You’re an innovator.”

He nodded, as if that was a given. “Yes, and you helped show me how I could do it.”

“Me?”

“Yes. You led the way out of the caves for me. You brought dragons through. You showed me the result of their fire. Now, I can work based on what I’ve seen.”

I paused. I had just been stumbling around for the most part, but it seemed in the process I’d been finding Zevrack divine inspiration. “I’m just glad I could help.”

He smiled, and returned to his work, though truthfully his claws had never fully left his project.