We return to the land of standing, to discuss what our next course of action is.

  “I think it would be smart to head for the Manor next, the shop was a bust and at least we know Lucy is probably in the vicinity; maybe Larry is with her on the off chance” I said. Rhua disagreed immediately shaking her head. “

  We need a Leaky Shaft for freshening up; clothes included. It’s been days since we were genuinely clean and if we need to be sneaking around anytime soon it will not work if they can smell us before hearing us.”

  Horace being the more turned-out chap that he is, nodded in agreement. Wardi and I took a pit stop, gagging and nodding whilst holding our noses. I lead the way to the south gate where the Leaky Shaft is located. For the uneducated, it’s a sort of all-in-one tub-house, laundry room, airer and a co-operative, run by agents voted in at the capitals of each race. The money generated returns right back into the place keeping it running.

  My favourite thing about it is it’s the only true neutral store on the entire world so it’s everywhere. Even the Koan’s have outlets, and they generally fear anything mechanical in origin. As we pass through the entrance, the receptionist waves us to step closer but not before the smell of Klohrain cleaning solution, intoxicates us for moment.

  Fantastic substance; shame it’s initially a slap in the face. The receptionist was from the Huundhan subgroup, his name was Cud Dle according to the name tag and was wearing the Leaky Shaft attire. Black overalls with notably white pockets typical of dual coloured silk specifically from the Algota species of Arachnae.

  “Sorry about the smell, if you’re here every day it just becomes the norm” Cud said with a deep guttural growl that did not fit his size.

  “We need the big package today my friend and can you include a box of deodorisers in that? It’s been rough lately and we could do with keeping fresher for longer” said Wardi. Cud nods pointing us in the direction of the tub-house changing rooms and we head on inside.

  The water when we entered the tub-house, felt exactly like that one hug you received growing up: Warm, engulfing and a perfect remedy to a harsh day. Setron placed in the water ahead of time, added a fresh scent which complimented the neutral tub solts used for cleaning the water. As always, the feeling of using a rough brush to scrape the grime build up takes a few moments to push through, when you move into the more intimate areas it really helps to think of a happy place to negate the painful scrapes and scratches, but it is worth it in the end.

  We were not the only ones in the tub-house, it’s also a common place frequented like taverns, particular those that deem themselves a bit more upmarket. I realised when looking around that it was just me and Horace here, Wardi was talking with a robust and strong type towards the small waterfall continuously refreshing the water.

  Making hand gestures towards Horace in which I was asking if he had seen Rhua he replied shaking his head. Suddenly an exceptionally cold and nimble hand appeared to touch his shoulder which caused him to jump in reflex, and hit the poor unfortunate individual that had been looking down at him with a swift headbutt. In return a ferocious right hook came from a fiery haired Rhua, Horace was soon underwater contemplating funeral songs.

  Tears filling her eyes, the familiar tone she spoke with quickly filled me with delight. “Hiyooo dearies” she sobbed trying to wipe away the tears. “Lucy! it’s good to have you back with us! I said rushing over with a cloth to dry her eyes with.

  “I bumped into her whilst coming out of the changing room and we thought it be fun to prank one of you so thanks for beating up a small defenseless young Haberdashphylacterist Horace” said Rhua angrily.

  Horace having been publicly shamed, continued to stay underwater as punishment and raised his hands together in a praying motion above the water to ask forgiveness of Lucy. She conjured a water pillow to float him to the surface and patted his head.

  “Don’t worry deary, it was my fwault for scaring you” Upon further inspection I realised, this is the first time I’ve seen Lucy outside her armour, was she always this short I thought to myself? Noticing she’s barely got her head above the water. Well, she is only nineteen and normally wears large, heeled boots. Her distinctively fizzgum blue hair was barely visible with the towel covering it earlier, makes sense why I couldn’t recognise her before, it doesn’t help her birthmark is on the palm side either I would notice that for sure.

  Wardi having finished his conversation, heads over to join us. “Hey, Hankay, ~, glad to have you back with us, what’s been occurring whilst you were away?” Wardi says in a cheeky tone. “WWAURDI just because I am one doesn’t mean you should call me it and say it properly meanie!” Lucy responded with pulling a huffy face. “I am well, it is good to be back with the party especially with the recent weird events happening here lately.

  Lucy gave us the rundown and it became apparent that us reuniting with our resident Lùth enthusiast, was likely going to prove essential in the days ahead.

  “Larry has gone missing…strange noises in and an unfamiliar energy in the manor… and the towns people acting suspicious? This is an award-winning recipe for danger…” Rhua said with a worrying tone.

  “WHERE shall we start? Horace said after a moment of silence.

  “I say we try and get information from the townies can’t be sure if any are being influenced and I don’t think we should take any chances…I think I should use the bosh soon” Wardi said hesitantly, whilst pulling the silver adorned keg from his bag. A full keg should give me about an hour’s use, lucky for us this town’s not a capital and relatively small in population, we should be able to gather the intel before it runs dry.

  We gathered our equipment from the lockers in the airer room. I forgot how great we looked after we put our gear back on and glanced at myself and party members in the long mirror built into the wall. Rhua now her hair washed away of the built-up layers of grime, stood out with a long thick hair shimmering the colours of burning coal; the shape of it fell like tigion’s mane giving her a wild look, heavily contrasting the orderly Sillva scale plate mail she wears.

  Horace his hair white against his ashen skin was short and neat pairing well with his red boofal leather attire… I never noticed before, were his eyes always so turquoise? Though he soon looked like a fool again with that helmet.

  Wardi’s distinctively neat dirty coloured hair, looking ready to entice anything that looks at it. His eastern combat garb with its distinctively loose and black cloth was unusual for a frontline fighter though he swears by it, and I must agree; he’s certainly a remarkable sight during a fight.

  Lucy of course was in her familiar brown mage’s hat, smiles and all. Her face being the only thing visible and the outline of her extendable wand. Now that Lucy has returned to us, we have a stable group, one that could manage slightly more dangerous threats if they should arise. Of course, as an undefeated non sentient I’m capable of soloing anything in front of me zing-zing-ZINGERONI I thought to myself almost breaking into a laugh.

  Rhua our Chevallier/Caller hybrid faces the brunt of attacks and the occasional support, her shield and shield abilities have been vital to our lasting long as we have, especially with all but her being particularly squishy.

  Wardi uses his Prancer abilities to fight up front with me and Rhua, he is typically the most dangerous just from sheer speed and precision alone, but his nature and background are what typically lead us through the day to day, he’s great with people and wins over hearts easy.

  Lucy stays and guards the backline of the party with Horace, using her wand for extremely basic arts that do not require focus or channelling such as quick dispelling… or bonking the head of enemies that get slightly too up close. As a Haberdashphylacterist, the hat itself is the source of strength for the class and Offensive duties are the focus of it and supportive duties on occasion. Without her, enemies that are immune to physical attacks are absolutely off the target list not to mention she can heal us far better than what we can afford for healing items.

  Horace uses a crossbow to take out stragglers and as an Artillerist/Syntheneer hybrid class, uses a multi-purpose turret that attacks primarily through explode on contact style shells. Through buttons in his spare hand glove, he can set timers and manually detonate his shells, this is especially true for his debilitating or support shells…we don’t want to get it by a poison gas shell or accidentally help the enemies with a speed mist shell now do we! And as a Syntheneer, he’s able to make his own concoctions whilst being on the move, you know, like his unhappy deal canister I told you about earlier, but I bet you forgot, silly sausages that you are!

  We waved goodbye to Cud and left the keys in the drop in box at reception. He thanked and wished us well on our travels. Stepping back onto the streets, we noticed despite it being only a couple of hours into the afternoon, it was eerily quiet which is unusual for a town on a main trade route in fact the only people on the streets were clearly just merchants with cart and horse birds on their way to other towns.

  “Taverns are always a good place to gather information and from what I’ve seen so far, The Prince Albert has my gaze drawn since I arrived, I’m not going in there alone however!” Lucy said, her voice not coming through so well due to the nature of her newly reacquainted garb squeezing her face whenever she speaks.

  “Good as place as any to start then” Wardi says I’m familiar with Hattie the owner, good woman that one, I’ll save the Bosh until she points me in the right direction. As we head towards The Prince Albert, I looked around high and low subtly to see if anything stood out. The rooftops were clear, alleyways filled with rubbish and felines sleeping on the floor, nothing that warranted mentioning really. I ask Wardi if he has noticed anything, he whispered that his sensory ability didn’t pick anything up and he's been recasting repeatedly to be sure.

  “I think this will be plain sailing troops zing-zing, I’m placing bets that Larry is in the manor basement…40HFC” I said, probably not the best time to place bets but it gives everyone someone to look forward to when I win.

  “Heh, I’ll raise you 60, Larry is out of town unrelated to all this” Rhua says confidently. Horace aims for a high five jive signalling he’s in on the bet with Rhua, but she turns him down hurting his very fragile being. Lucy pouts and tell us not to be silly in a time like this, it could be a sad ending.

  Wardi has already entered the Tavern and is talking with the bartender as we finally get in. It’s darker than the previous locale we visited, yet cosy. Also, a suitable place for someone to take advantage of stealth and take out targets quickly if it came to it. We grab a booth to sit in and owing to the number of pub goers, decide I’m going to be safe and create a little privacy for us I thought.

  I pull out my Mizfitters Muter Sphere, it’s rare and when I checked the auction house last; was expensive. Lucky for me however, I acquired it in a chest that was randomly out in the open near Coch Manor before Areya went loopy. Being of high quality too, this one has repeatable use which is marvellous for maintaining good wallet health… though it’s use by date had only three days left on it, now is as good a time as any to use.

  I threw it up in the air and a jade mist whooshed out and enveloped the booth, a circular barrier continuously swirling prevents any external tampering.

  Horace was surprised I had one but im not sure why he was, it’s only rare in the sense of you don’t see them very often, most guilds use them. Mizfitters isn’t exactly known for selling stuff that isn’t market vendor purchasable either, there’s probably someone in town selling one just at a ludicrous price.

  We talked about what had happened until now with Lucy and vice versa. She left us before we had made our temporary base in Hawkestown. Running a separate request which happened to coincide with needing to go near Et-Navn. Deal with a Sludgineer that had been aggravating Ribbos at the potpourri swamp. Anytime that an unfortunate poor soul took a wander past, he got them all fired up and they started beating on them.

  Being highly vulnerable to art this was a walk in the park for her and it took her no time to see them off deeper into the area and then give him a good head wobbling and put a stop to it. The request giver only gave the Scrollitorium as a reward destination so imagine her surprise when she arrived only to find it closed.

  “Before you ask, Zooport Counts was no help at all” she quickly finished with “They’re only ever interested in helping, if the request is higher than a five on the grand scale. I piped up with an annoyed tone, shaking my head in disbelief.

  “You know how it is, guild league tables can make or break an adventuring guild, and they’re too focused on keeping up with the Ponty Pincers for joint 3rd.” Guilds are like sports clubs that the old world of Terra had they’re all competing to reach number one and win a trophy though unlike in the old world however the guilds on Maliterr compete to earn the GOTY award” I said without pause.

  “I’m still not sure what a sport club is but it sounds like a guild but nothing of actual value to society occurs within and only causes rivalry without any benefits” Lucy said laughing.

  It got me thinking, which is rare as you’ve probably realised by now. She has a point. When I think about it, sports only benefitted the players back on Terra, players would get paid, regardless of a loss or win, but the fans never got their money back if the teams lost. The more I thought about it, the more I started to suddenly lose track of my thoughts and suddenly I’m in the room zoning out.

  Hiyo all~, it's me, Lucy, I’ve been away doing other things, so I know you have not had time with me around, allow this little Haberdashphylacterist to give you all the important bits without any terrible jokes!

  The higher up the league table, the greater selection of requests offered by the guild. The top guilds are usually working alongside the most well-known individuals across Maliterr, the kings, queens’ celebrities and of course the highest ranked sentients, which are heads of top guilds themselves, dealing with the most difficult or dangerous Maliterr has to offer.

  If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

  Zooport Counts as my mentioned earlier, managed by Emcee Wotters, feisty and …not good at makeup. Yet a fearsome wind arts and Broadsword user if the situation asks for a sword. Her class is ‘Current Seeker,’ a master of aerial fighting. I once saw her charge into a haunting of banshees single handedly over two hundred scary femme fatales waiting to shriek at her! She baited the lot of them, jumping high into the sky, so high in fact I’m convinced she left the planet briefly.

  Then in the next few seconds, her broadsword had impaled at least fifteen in violent motion and straight into the ground. Blowing up metres of dirt as it embedded itself. She landed on the hilt of it and channelled an ancient wind art then blew the rest of them to dust. I couldn’t believe my eyes getting to see arts like that in action. I consider myself talented, yet it would take eight of me to produce that sort of power.

  The guild leaders are all high calibre people, whilst not all may be an Emcee in combat, they can make up for it in other ways.

  Sentients; Galgu for example. Are high ranking crafters. Most crafter and gather types use tools and machines made at the Unending Toil guild ran by Galgu. He can turn a toothpick into something strong enough to fight monsters beyond a five on the grand scale. Which is a true story, some ranger type acquired a toothpick from a chasm raid, and Galgu broke it down and remade it into a one made of djinn claw and Blau Kukobon venom you should have seen it melt through the goldanum armour a Knight of the Husk One had. It was as if a knife carved through butter without any restrictions… or so I’ve heard I don’t think anyone has seen real butter in nearly two years now and I wasn’t there when it happened if I’m honest.

  Another person of note is Halcyon Fleur, meister of botanical and gathering. Have you ever met a farmer that can manage all his acres in one swift action, and it’s organised with a snap of the finger.

  Not just that either, I saw him chop, organise, and regrow damndayleon flowers within a week of harvesting, and those things take months in normal circumstances. A strong economy can push a guild higher after all, also; his troops never go hungry or without a drink.

  Not to mention she has access to the raw materials necessary for cloth armour, in that department. Anyway, I thought you would appreciate information from a more thorough and detailed source that’s all from explanation guide Lucy; talk again soon!

  I’m not sure how long I zoned out for, though I sensed that somewhere, out there, in the great sea of stars, an uncountable number of sleeps just occurred at once reading an essay nobody asked for. I ask if anyone had seen Wardi yet and Rhua replied to me that it’s been at least twenty minutes since he went upstairs.

  “Afternoon Hattie, it’s been a while since I saw your Verde Pepenes bouncing into my eyesight” Wardi said with a smile which quickly turns into a grin as a pen the size of a short sword flies past his face and hit’s the ceiling, sticking firmly in place and causing a moment which shakes the room.

  “If voices could kill, yours would be the one that takes me out. Wardi, you cheeky bugger, it’s been a while since you sorted my cobwebs out, how the gods are ya?" She said with a thunderous voice that could rally an army on the battlefield. Hattie was an interesting individual; she was of mixed heritage. Half Scaq on her father’s side. She had the shimmering green that tree leaves have as spring comes in, covering all her skin. She had the look of one meant for the sea life and the tail to boot, but being half Felidhan she also had fur in places one would expect, feet, hands, head though it seems she inherited most of her father’s looks in the face it would seem. She inherited her mother’s Felidhan features for sure though, muscular, and tall she stood in the room. Hattie was far beyond the height of Wardi. If using a modern method of measurements; she’d be two and half Wardi’s in height.

  “I’m doing fine Hattie; though, I think we can’t say that of Et-Navn don’t you? His face turned serious, and he moved closer towards her. “What’s been happening here, this place seems to have gone to dritt?”

  “I wish I could say… it’s been like this for days, weeks even maybe, I’m not sure anymore. One night I was here in my office, and I heard a scream, with a full noise dampener spell cast on the room, and I’m told it was hearable through the entire town and a few kilometres outside it. The next minute, Von manor lit up, white, a pure blinding white. I think it could have been ancient light art, with how the night changed, it gave me the creeps Wardi. Ever since then, the town’s been quieter and quieter, the streets have gotten empty, and business has taken a hit.” Wardi noticed Hattie sank into herself as she said this, looking defeated from the continuous hit to business and the town morale but he didn’t need to try to rally her.

  “Not just me either! Said Hattie, spontaneously reinvigorated who continued talking. “All the stores have taken a hit, and I’ve asked around and the townspeople all say the same thing, nobody has seen Larry” Last I heard he was heading to Von manor then he just disappeared without a trace. He told his assistant to take a small holiday or vacation, you know that thing what you weirdos from Terra used to call it, heard she was heading south for a beach vacation in Danidorm until he sent for her again” Hattie slumped back into her overly sized soft chair deflated for good this time.

  “Well, this is starting to get interesting, though not in the good way that brings me fun and happiness, any leads for me to go off? or is there anything I need to know before we start causing a scene around town?” Wardi said, prepping his tool kit in between chatting.

  Hattie took her time answering, mumbling a few things that just sound like incoherent nonsense to Wardi, though, he was almost sure he heard the name Lee or Clodopeng maybe she is talking about Lilia Clondening the Jeweller? He thought. Though, when he tried to ask, she his three favourite words: “You daft Azukich” whilst smiling, which is Scaqiska slang politely translated as: ‘you’re a t^&t’ in our language, although it’s said in a far more vulgar and fun way in Scaqiska course, one day Wardi will buy the language tome to learn this stuff properly.

  “There was a merchant selling some an unusual knickknack, it looked to be from the far north or possibly old world Terran, likely Dornam tech though. Whispers in the tavern ranged from detector for low grade mineral deposits to a soul extraction device, usual grog talk” Hattie said, still using her thinking hat and not really all that present in the room anymore. “Sorry hun, hope it wasn’t a wasted trip coming up here and seeing little old me.”

  Wardi laughed in his head at the word little whilst biting his tongue to curb the laughter aloud. “Always a pleasure gorgeous.” Taking her by the hand, he kissed it gently, then bowed and left the room. He could practically hear the blushing after particularly as her stomping about in excitement was shaking the building. “Bless her cotton socks” he thought.

  We spent the time between Wardi breaking yet another heart upstairs, discussing what’s, where’s and when’s for after we solve the Et-Navn dilemma. I’m on the Coch manor most wanted list for the item I mentioned earlier, it was fine at the time, but it’s a no-go zone for yours truly now she’s lost it. Rhua made a fair point that the southern lands haven’t many requests put up lately, likely a step backwards if we head that that direction.

  Horace’s suggestion of heading west was probably our best bet, we all agreed east is probably beyond our ability if what appeared to make Viv nervous is anything to go off. Lucy was the first to notice Wardi heading back over to us. He shook his head at her and sat down with us.

  “Speaking with Hattie was a bust… she said the only thing worth noting was some peddling merchant had been selling Dornam tech, simply not worth the time if you ask me” Wardi says, his tone certainly gave him vibes of done with this madness.

  We all let out a sigh in harmony just at varying degrees of effort. “Looks like we’re going to have to follow up on it regardless, there’s nothing else we got leads on currently, let’s do that then we should rest up until nighttime, then take a visit to Chateau Le Von…” Rhua said brimming with newfound energy.

  “What’s put a spring in your step then ey? Wardi says to Rhua who points at the cups she’s drank without anyone noticing.

  “RHUA, you drank everyone’s CUPS” Horace piped up who just makes her grin even more. Me and Wardi laugh whilst Lucy holds back Horace from trying to initiate a slap battle.

  Before leaving the tavern, I say to the rest of the group that I think it would be best if we stick together, strength in numbers and all that military talk. Setting out into the streets, there’s few out. Although I spot Kungle and his wife Pana bouncing around and beckon him over after calling his name.

  “OH, good seeing you lot out here, I see you even found the girl in the hat too!” Kungle bounces forth enthusiastically and his wife Pana quickly closes in on us to with a “ELLO, ello everyone, hope you’re having a springing time! What brings you to Et-Navn?”

  “The usual madness you beautiful Impies, what about yourselves?” Wardi says.

  “OH, well we’re just off springing about, ten thousand springs a day the medicae recommend, have you seen been over to that Manor lately? We tried bouncing along the rooftops, then we tried bouncing onto that one and it only gone and bounced us back! “I bounced not once, not twice, that’s right five times before I quit, Invisible barriers set up all over the darn place!” “Cheek of it…I’m in my right mind to have a round or two with the idiot that put that barrier up, us Impies have rights too you know! Pana springing with energy says. “It’s all right dear, here” the puckering smooch-smooch were not that bad to hear though, the overly slurpy kissing is worse to look at than hear I thought, however.

  “Well, we better get going, we still have another one thousand three hundred and thirty-seven springs to go, nice seeing you all!” Kungle says before he bounces so hard it looked like he went over at least three houses.

  “Oh Kungle! You’re a cheeky bouncer! wait till we get home I’ll be having smooches from you later!” Pana says, though it slowly fades as she quickly tries to catch up with his bouncing away and out of sight.

  “Well ANYWAY, Rhua says trying to keep us focused after that ludicrous display of affection,

  “that’s the first I’ve heard of a barrier? this has gotten interesting…there’s not many capable of creating barriers of that calibre…” said Wardi.

  “Maybe it’s an item BARRIER, technology is improving fast AFTER ALL, we should investigate, if it’s non art in origin IT’LL BE EASIER TO break” Horace piped up.

  I nodded and said we should stick to the plan first, on the off chance that merchant could give us a lead.

  When we did eventually find the needle in a not so small haystack, Wardi hurried us over to the alleyway nearby and released seal on the keg. Slowly and creepily the red liquid came out forming a scale in the air above him. Lucy turned away and Horace looked at the floor out of fear.

  “Gross as always man” I said, Rhua nodding in agreement he replied with an “Aye” and slowly the scales began fading out of view, a neat effect to hide that a powerful gift is in use, only detectable by incredibly high-ranking detectorists or revealer tools. We’ll watch from here I said, and we waited in the alley whilst he approached the merchant.

  “How do lass, I think you’re the only merchant I’ve seen since I got here. What are ya selling? I’m after froot but can’t tell if you got any.

  “Where does he get all these strange sounding ways of talking?” Lucy said audibly sounding confused I said to her it’s from a form of entertainment we used to watch on a screen called the second to last of the winters ale and don’t ask me about it, it was for the MUCH older folks.

  “Ahh, hello there young sir, I’m afraid I have no froot in my cart. I’m Fijetta, a reconstructor, not a merchant. It seems most of the town has gotten confused by my profession. I modify unwanted tech, weapons armour accessories you name it, and I try to make new things with the combinations, like this piece of tech was made for finding ore in mines, with my skill, I merged it with an art tome and now it can scan an area for mapping traps that sort of thing I call it the OWIE.

  I don’t accept HFC however, I only deal in materials. She finished talking and the scale had descended behind the robed person in front Wardi, it had judged the person honest. “I judge thy being worthy of blessings” A warm voice in the air whispered, and the softest red light engulfed Fijetta.

  “Strange, all of a sudden, I feel great, really great in fact” she said aloud. “You all right miss? “Wardi said faking concern. She smiled and nodded, yes absolutely, I’ve not felt this good in a long time! Here you should take this porter box, you just place the items you don’t want in to it and it’ll transport them to me, I can send it back over when I’ve finished, just make sure to put your name on the materials though, creations have gone to the wrong people on occasion.

  “Our meeting was a blessing in disguise, this is only the fifth time I’ve given out one of my porter boxes and….” Wardi just stared at Fijetta, her fast and droning talking hurt him mentally, I know she said something to me in the blur of word vomit Wardi thought to himself.

  “Well thanks for that Fijetta, I do have some spare Mushay from a request I was partaking in and a bandit I beat had this extender pole on him if you’re interested in a trade for the OWIE?” She paused for a minute thinking, then nodded. Give me the goods and I’ll get working on it! In the meantime, make sure you like and spread the word about my upcoming createon catalogue for preexisting designs!

  “Deal, pleasure to have met you, I hope to use you again someti-.” She’d already wandered off before he even finished the sentence… Strange girl but a reconstructor could prove useful if we get some high-grade materials thinking to himself about the possible combinations for new swords. an extendable sword could be useful maybe…

  I rushed over to Wardi, who was standing their solemnly. “How did it go man? Did you get anything useful out of her?”

  “Did any good Information about this place reach my ears… no it did not. However, check this stuff out.

  Horace without warning piped up “A PORTER BOX! That’s so cool, you met a crafter WARDI!? He shook his head,

  “Reconstructor mate” Horace looked half surprised half confused “oh … WELL sometimes those are good I guess; I don’t like gambling with MY GOODS though” Horace piped up.

  “Well, who said you could use it, those things only link between the giver and acceptor, so you don’t have to worry at all, you don’t get to touch unless Wardi says you’re a good boy” I said giving Horace a pat on the back repeatedly, causing Horace to sulk and pout” Wardi and the other’s chuckled at my little jab.

  “Her name was Fijetta, would you believe the bosh gave her blessing? The last time that happened was when I met that young Impie back in forty-one.” “No idea what it did to her, but she was up in the clouds with energy, I got this neat little piece of tech her through a trade, it’s called an OWIE, it maps out areas for traps, maybe it’ll come in handy soon!” said Wardi brimming with excitement about such a useful tool.

  “That would be fantastic to have in our possessions! If we prepare the appropriate tools, we may never have to worry about getting hurt out in the wild again, and we may not have gotten any leads, but this is good news, it’s only a matter of time before we encounter an area that could be our gravesite” said Lucy with a little zest in her tone causing Rhua look to look down at her, patting her gently on the tip of her hat and noticing something shiny on the floor.

  As she looked at it further, she realised it was the lid to the sewers. “Hey all, follow me” Rhua says, quickly rushing away from us. We follow obligatorily wondering what is going on, not before I realise Lucy has fallen behind, so I pick her up and carry her over my shoulder, she thanks me with a head pat, those little legs get tired easily I thought.

  Rhua finally stops outside Von Manor, looking around from the roof to the ground. “Alright, taking a chance here, but I think MAYBE we can get past this barrier if we take a slightly unexpected path, Let’s meet back here at midnight said Rhua energised at potential route in.

  “Et-Navn hotel is near the northern gate; we should rest up there, I’ll lead the way!” Lucy says excited at the prospect of sitting down again.

  We sit in the communal area of the hotel, a smaller bar unlike the ones in the taverns that smell of old alcohol and tavern food gases, this one has more of a woodland scent to it. Wardi, Horace and Lucy are resting in their chairs, whilst I attempt to pass the time with my eyes wandering.

  I notice that It's not long before a gentleman caller makes his attempt at Rhua, who always looks more approachable after she takes off the armour and dons her towny clothes, her knitted dress with a Kanin sewn into it looked made me think of Lucy than Rhua but can’t judge a book by its cover after all. I try eavesdropping which isn’t hard when the gentleman in question is loud about his business.

  “What brings a beautiful creature such as yourself to these parts? The names Brianado, eternally wandering soul looking for the love that will join me in eternity.”

  “Thanks for the offer but I’ll have to pass” said Rhua though the gentleman in question seemed undeterred.

  “Hey just one little drink come on” he said, heading over to the bartender, paying for something, and returning with a bottle of vin. I feel for her, she’s always having to bat them away over and over, the life of an adventurer doesn’t leave much room for romance.

  Time passes by and when I wake up, Rhua isn’t around, the others are still in the chairs they fell asleep in too. I woke them up starting with Horace as he was the closest the other two. Noting that the time was close to midnight and that we should start heading over to the spot. Few are out currently and there’s only the streetlamps lighting the area. When we get there Rhua makes an appearance within a few minutes of us waiting.