What do you want to do with the time you have left? It`s a question most people never consider. Too busy thinking they have more time.

　　Ignatius

　　4 Hours Later (Lighthome Time) - Ignatius - The Roc`s Nest

　　Molly sloshes over with another pitcher of beer. Dear friend. We don`t need it, but we kinda do. I ain`t sending it back.

　　We`re the only Dark Elves in the tavern, nest, thingy. Probably. It`s definitely a tavern - they sold us beer. I think this place actually started as a roc`s nest. It looks like it was built by a giant bird. Also, the bar is a giant bird skull. Suggests something of a hostile take-over. Anything can be a thingy. That`s just math.

　　Molly tops up my pint. We`re probably the only Dark Elves in the bar. It`s hard to say for sure. We`re practically identical to our Light Elf cousins. Our differences are purely philosophical. To blend in, I pretend that time doesn`t exist. Beer helps.

　　Roland storms into the tavern. Uh-oh. He`s grumpy. Either he fucked up or I did. I`m afraid to ask. He slams himself into our booth, sending glasses tumbling. My shadow snakes out and catches mine, returns it to me. "Thanks." I murmur. Roland and Molly tense up, but I`m not worried. No other patrons noticed - my shadow is very discreet.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

　　This small amount of excitement wakes Molly enough to notice Roland`s mood. "Did we fuck up?"

　　"No." Roland grabs the pitcher, drains it. "I lost Copycat."

　　I shrug. "It happens. She`s a runner."

　　"She didn`t run." snaps Roland. "She was poached by Longstrider."

　　"Longstrider?" I`m baffled. "The fuck? You sure? There`s lots of drunk gnomes."

　　Roland grunts. "Had his first mate with him."

　　"Cyan?" Well shit. That`s a bizarre complication. Blast from the past. "I thought The Silence had scrambled their brains."

　　"She did. Repeatedly."

　　"I guess it didn`t take." Longstrider probably didn`t have enough brains to scramble. Cyan`s a worry, tho. Guy`s a fucking weapon.

　　Roland shrugs. "Hard to say. Longstrider always seemed a little brain damaged. He never even saw me. Or he`s playing a long con. Fucking Longstrider. Anyway, sober up. I need help."

　　I shake my head. "Can`t. I got a line on Vali. His bounty is double Copycat`s. It`s gonna take you, me, and a team of expendables to bring him in."

　　Roland grunts. "So we leave Molly to track Copycat?"

　　"Naw, I have a better idea." I turn to Molly. "How are you with awkward silences?"

　　Molly says nothing.

　　I laugh. Her comedic timing is impeccable. Or, she`s asleep. It`s funny either way.

　　"Grab another pitcher." I tell Roland. "We`ll sort it out in the morning."