With Magpie onboard, three items left.

　　First, depositing the two completed shoe soles at the cobbler.

　　Second, heading a bit south to the pawnshop and entering the basement level, the huge space filled with tables and a few other shoppers. An associate appearing at my side.

　　"Ms. Macarthy," he said, "is there anything I can help you with?"

　　"I`m interested in getting a wand, preferably bone."

　　"I can certainly help with that," he said, "right this way."

　　Bringing me to a different section than the weapons, passing by several tables filled with an assortment of items. Wands right next to a table filled with scrolls. Giving a wistful glance at the rolls of parchment, but my gaze returning to my objective for the day.

　　"We have three in stock," he said. "This one, bit more charge, thirty five hundred, this one, a bit less, thirty two, and this, twenty eight."

　　All out of my desired price range.

　　"Bone may have been too much." His lips souring. "How about this type over here?" A twisted branch, about seven inches in length.

　　"Thirteen," he said.

　　"I`ll take it."

　　Third, getting to the weapon shop and the blacksmith, a burly man with a beard, appraising my current weapons before giving me a curious glance.

　　"I need a special order. About fifteen feet of chain."

　　"Chain?" he said. "You can pick that up premade at the general store."

　　"I need something better quality than what they have. Tempered steel, quarter inch links should be plenty strong. And then for the center link I need something with a space for me to write on, maybe about four inches, a flat piece of metal. Sturdy."

　　"I can make something like that," he said, after considering. "You`re going to pay a premium, though."

　　"Fine by me. This should more than cover it." Tossing him a gold. "I`ll see how it does, maybe get you to make me one out of a stronger, lighter material if it works out."

　　"It`ll be ready in a few days," he said.

　　"How about quicker than that?" Tossing him another gold. "I need it in two days, first thing in the morning."

　　"I`ll make sure it gets done."

　　"Great, thank you."

　　Almost ten in the morning, bit of a late start today because of Ishtar. Underground still doable, theoretically. Not great experience. Could climb the graveyard gate, probably, but disadvantaged against most of the stuff in there. More traffic going north, would rather avoid. Maybe west for a couple hours on the road. Then get off and head south, maybe far enough south to hit up the marsh. But that`s going to take awhile, should probably sell those stones first. Those stones. Quick inventory check. Forgot the stones again. Screw it, may as well head out now.

　　***

　　Time to test this baby out. But how does this work, exactly? Wave it, right? Holding the twisted branch like a small sword and giving it a gentle swoosh, producing a light tingling in my fingers. Seems simple enough. Alright, that thing over there should be in range. Good posture, wand hand ready. Giving a much more determined wave of the stick and feeling a surge of energy travel to the tip.

　　The grazing triceratops looking beast with the extra sharp horns and spiked tail over in the thataway direction suddenly seemed to develop a digestive problem. Something near the beast`s belly bulging outward at an odd angle before quickly deflating, making it stagger.

　　Success.

　　Only to quickly collect itself while looking extremely annoyed. In my direction.

　　Didn`t expect it to drop that thing, but that`s my current achilles heel solved. Range. Enough to get away, set up an ambush. The wand probably has a couple uses left before it crumbles. Good job little guy, back you go. Going to save up some and buy you a brother.

　　Dodging the lumbering charge and taking the opportunity to stick it once in the eye. The tail with its barbed spike swinging at me, being intercepted by the shield and producing a nice breeze. Making a second, much more decisive strike at the eye. The beast falling to the ground, thrashing in its death throes. Blocking a wild strike with the shield and backing up some.

　　Putting a blot on the side of mortally wounded animal and removing pieces to leave behind the fissured design of Disjunction. Activating. Cracks appearing at the center of the rune, spiderwebbing outwards and tearing open its skin and muscle, revealing the ribcage and organs underneath. The beast letting out a scream of agony as its entire body was suddenly pulled inward leaving behind a red brown stone that fell to the ground. That looked and sounded extremely painful, almost as brutal as Kate`s spell. Almost. Definitely not going to show that to Nico anytime soon.

　　***

　　"Mac," said Magpie, "with what we`ve got coming in today you`ve got to promise me you`re going to get a new chain for next cycle."

　　"Its really difficult controlling that thing. I was thinking about holding off on getting another one until I get better at it."

　　"What? You did great, and it made those things sitting ducks until that big one broke it."

　　"Maybe you just did better because of your sword."

　　"That definitely helped. But c`mon."

　　"I barely had to heal anything until then." said Wolfe. "We were way ahead because of it."

　　"Okay, fine. I`ll get a better one made. It uses a lot of mana, but I`ll use it against this stuff."

　　Killing things from a distance sounded very fun in theory, but playing complete support while needing to stay within ten feet of the center link on my chain was a different story. And it had been incredibly nerve wracking not being able to activate the shield, or do too much else other than slowly walking, while trying to control it. Also real tough getting it to flip itself in the right direction, but leaving it on the ground and luring things near, like a boa. Should probably feel better using it against things it can actually choke. Definitely not going to show that to Nico unless he really makes me angry.

　　"I`d like to cash these two notes."

　　"Ms. Macarthy," said the bank teller, "the combined fee for cashing these notes is eighty three silver, which leaves eight thousand, two hundred fifty nine silver. However, there is the current matter of your outstanding fines. Ten silver, one count of property destruction at House Ishtar. And then at The Spider`s Web, one hundred silver, one count of assault against one of your compatriots. And then, also at The Spider`s Web, five hundred silver, one count of sexual assault against one of your compatriots." The teller giving me a disappointed look. "You naughty girl."

　　"Mac, what`d you do?" said Magpie.

　　Turning around to see Riley with a hand over her mouth, trying to hold back a laugh, Wolfe not even bothering to try and Magpie with an ear to ear grin. Another woman behind us in line, wearing normal clothing and squinting at me with one eye.

　　"It was consensual." The woman pointedly looking in another direction. "I swear."

　　"What`d you do?" said Magpie, grin taking up the entire lower half of her face. Riley not able to hold it back any longer, joining Wolfe.

　　"Well, you see-"

　　"Lucy, we`re not eating that one," said Riley, "That`s coming out of your cut."

　　"The thing is-"

　　"Did you kidnap him?" said Wolfe.

　　"I can see her doing it," said Riley. "You were merciless, weren`t you?"

　　"I mean, well, yeah, basically."

　　Devolving into giggles.

　　Getting our money, splitting it up, plus for me from the stones earlier in the cycle, minus for my indiscretion. Walking out of the bank while still being hounded.

　　"Okay, you want to know?"

　　Three nods.

　　"So it was like this, you know that spell that freezes things, I hit him with it right before he was about to blow. The boy had a religious experience, almost gave up the ghost."

　　Devolving again into giggles.

　　"Alright everybody," said Riley, "great to see you all again, that was a great day, a great lunch, and then a truly wonderful bank visit." All of them starting to laugh at that. "I`ll see you next cycle."

　　"Evie," said Wolfe, "before you go, I was wondering if you could go somewhere with us. Right now."

　　"Okay," said Riley. "Sure. Of course. What`s going on?"

　　"Its tough to talk about."

　　"Mac," said Magpie, putting out her hand, "let me try and explain. So Mac came to visit me two days ago. I was trying like hell to figure out exactly what was going on, but she could only talk in circles, if at all. I think they`ve been cursed."

　　"That`s not good," said Riley, "I can fix that though. Why are you waiting until now to tell me?"

　　"You won`t be able to." Shaking my head at her surprised look.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author`s consent. Report any sightings.

　　"Its like a good curse," said Magpie. "Mac said it was like a secret club." Turning to Wolfe. "You`re in it too, right?"

　　Wolfe nodding.

　　"Kate, you`re in some secret club and you didn`t-" said Riley. "Oh, because you can`t talk about it."

　　"Yeah," said Wolfe, "I tried to tell you a few days ago but the words just won`t come out. Its, like, how to even say this. My master had said, to, um. Its important because, that is, we need to, uh. Fuck, this is so fucking annoying. Its really important. Its really important and you have to join. I can`t talk about it though."

　　"And how did you find out about it?" said Riley, looking at me.

　　"I`ll tell you when I can. Ready to go?"

　　"Lead the way," she said.

　　Heading southeast from the town square into the merchant district. Going to the southeast side. A neat and ordinary little neighborhood. Little fences all nice and neat and picketed. Every little thing in its right place. Shrubs symmetrical and pruned. Very orderly and secure. And quite neat. Standing in front of a three story brownstone.

　　"They`re expecting us. Evie, I want you to know, you`re being a real trooper about this."

　　"I got you," said Wolfe.

　　"I guess this is my penance," said Riley, not sounding happy at all. "Actually hold on. Now that we`re here, I need to ask someone about this."

　　Wolfe giving me a confused look, and then rolling her head to one side and considering as Riley pulled out a small key and held it in her palm. Shuffling around a bit as Riley kept looking. Taking her time. Looking at the brownstone for a bit. Back to the key. Then putting it back in her pocket. Giving Wolfe a look. Giving me a look. Blinking.

　　"I guess I`m still in," said Riley.

　　"Alright, that`s what I wanted to hear." Reaching out and taking one of her hands. "You`re going to be fine."

　　"You are going to be fine," said Wolfe, taking the other

　　"What about me?" said Magpie, pretending to pout.

　　"Grace," said Wolfe, pointing her finger, "you`re going to be fine, too. You don`t have anything to worry about."

　　Walking up the steps and getting to the door, the barest hint of some pungent smell inside conjuring up a reminder of how we`d spent the morning. Giving several sharp raps to the door.

　　"You smell that?" said Riley.

　　"Yep," said Magpie.

　　"How`d you meet these people?" said Riley.

　　"It`s a good cause," Wolfe whispered, perhaps as a reminder to herself.

　　The door opening and revealing the man from the caravan, bags still under his eyes, but with only a midafternoon stubble today. Looking in recognition at me and Wolfe. The smell still there, a touch stronger now, and another one joining it, the familiar sweet scent.

　　"Bring them inside," he said.

　　Blood Mage. Probably a whole nest. Need to be on my absolute best behavior. They`ll probably get angry if I kill one of their invisible monsters. No cupcake repeats.

　　"Oh, which smell were you talking about?" said Magpie.

　　Riley blinking at her. "I guess both of them, now."

　　"We can tlak about this inside. Let`s go, let`s go."

　　In we went. The scenery a carpeted combination of angst and indifference. Some dirty clothes on the floor by the entry. A short bookless bookcase with a plate with some food still on it. A humanoid skull. A large bird`s talon, petrified. Following him to a living room with a big couch and a hookah on a table, the source of the sweet smell. Another man on the couch, one of us, a pact member. Recognition flowing. And then him looking at Magpie.

　　"Grace?" he said.

　　"Hi," said Magpie, with no visible recognition.

　　"You`re going to be involved in this?" he said, sounding excited at the prospect.

　　"Hey Magpie," glancing over at her, "who`s this?"

　　"I think I met him maybe a month ago, before we went on that trip.You were at that house party, right?"

　　"Yeah, that`s right. We were talking for awhile. More than talking."

　　"Oh, right," said Magpie. "Your name is, um, sorry, I was pretty drunk."

　　"Its Derrick," he said, not sounding put off in the slightest.

　　"Oh, right," she repeated.

　　"Hi, I`m Lucy." Stepping in between the two in order to save her. "Hey, I don`t mean to interrupt your reunion, but we need to get this done. I`m kinda on a schedule today."

　　"Oh, right," said Derrick, looking at the other man. "We need a knife. Two, actually."

　　"Here`s one," said Magpie, pulling her`s out and flipping it around.

　　"Here`s the other." Getting the backup from my hip.

　　"Do you want to wait for Julie?" Derrick asked the other man.

　　"She should have been here thirty minutes ago, its already half past two," he said. "We`ll get her another time." Turning to Magpie and Riley. "We`ve been entrusted," then stopping. "Fuck, I can`t even say it. We`re going to need a good bit of blood from each of you." Looking at Wolfe. "You`re going to be able to deal with both of them at once?"

　　"I should be okay," she said.

　　"I`ll help triage." Tracing. "Which arm you going to cut, left?"

　　Magpie and Riley much less than enthused now that the time had come.

　　"Yep." "Yes." Left gloves off, Magpie`s arm guard unbuckled, sleeves pulled down. Mending runes in place.

　　Glancing at Wolfe. I`ll deal with Magpie. Glancing at Derrick. You deal with Evie.

　　Derrick coming over to get ready to brace Magpie. Huh, can`t even follow instructions. Changing my plan and instead getting ready for Riley to collapse. Wolfe glancing at me. Okay understood, Evie`s in good hands.

　　"Hey, so we`re clear, we`re using the contract language I provided for them?"

　　"I got your letter," said the man.

　　"Wait," said Wolfe, "you were able to change the language of the contract?"

　　"Kate, you didn`t even try? This stuff isn`t written in stone." Wolfe, the very picture of consternation, opening her mouth but nothing coming out. "You know what, Kate, I wouldn`t worry about it. You`ll probably be fine. We are using my language for the contract, right?"

　　"Yes," he said.

　　"Alright, I`m holding you to that."

　　"Please accept this invitation to join our Pact of Blood," said the man, looking first at Magpie, then at Riley. Using one of the knives to cut his hand and starting to chant. The words skittering around us and the blood coming from his hand starting to swirl in front of us.

　　Magpie and Riley each getting a knife. Hesitation from both, but then cutting deep. Their blood joining the swirling mass. My arms loosely around Riley`s middle, getting ready.

　　"Repeat after me," he said. "I will not betray the Council."

　　"I will not betray the Council."

　　Riley going limp. Activating the rune on her to close up the wound and then straining to bring her gently to the ground. Seeing her, knowing she was a member of the pact. Looking over at Magpie and knowing again. Her arm already healed and still standing, but being entirely supported by Derrick, and her eyes fluttering, fighting to stay open. Wolfe`s hands on her.

　　"I`m okay," she mumbled, trying to find her feet, "help her."

　　Wolfe not answering, continuing for another twenty seconds, and then coming over to Riley.

　　Getting a leaf from my pouch and putting it in Magpie`s mouth. Starting to chew. Helping Derrick to set her on the couch.

　　Riley starting to come to under Wolfe`s ministrations. Derrick and the other man carrying her to the couch, putting her upright, Wolfe moving with them.

　　Magpie still chewing, her eyes glancing around at the rest of us. Lifting up her arms some and opening and closing her hands a few times. Riley`s eyes half closed, looking around.

　　"So that`s how it is," she said.

　　"You guys did real good. Super proud of you."

　　"Thanks Kate," said Magpie. "Yes, thank you Kate," said Riley.

　　"I told you you`re in good hands," she said.

　　"Kate," said the man, "when your friend came up to me and asked about getting more people in, I told her that without someone to help deal with the aftermath I wouldn`t want to do it. I`ve got some candidates I`d like to get in and I`d really appreciate if you could help me with them."

　　"I`ll definitely help," she said.

　　"I was surprised you guys weren`t recruiting more. I`ve been looking around town and there`s not as many as I figured. We`re going to need some numbers for when we hit Solstice."

　　Everyone looking at me at that, Wolfe`s eyes getting a bit wide.

　　"You guys didn`t know about that?"

　　"Wait," said Riley, bringing her hands up to make a T. "What exactly is going on here? Start from the top."

　　"The top?" said the man. "So almost a year ago, a bit less, the Director and the houses went through with their plan to take over all the guilds."

　　The sound of the front door closing stopping him short. Footsteps approaching.

　　"Is that what this is about?" said Magpie, looking at me. Nodding at her.

　　A girl, tall, slim, red hair, somewhat familiar, not a member of the pact, coming into view. Much more familiar, however, the light green demon laying draped over her shoulders. The demon`s mouth pulling back, feeling my gaze on it, and Wolfe`s, and letting out a hiss.

　　"James," she said, looking at him, and then narrowing her eyes at me. "Who are these people?" She definitely remembers me.

　　"Julie," said James. "You`re late." Turning to Wolfe. "If you wouldn`t mind?"

　　"I don`t mind," said Wolfe. "But tell that thing to stop hissing at me."

　　"I don`t see why I should, you`re in my fucking house." A vision of a smashed cupcake dancing in my head. Going to crush that thing into paste.

　　"Julie," said James, "this is about that thing I was trying to tell you about. These people are friends."

　　"Friends," she said, giving me a flat look before turning to the thing on her shoulder. "Sassafras, don`t worry. I know you`re only looking out for me. Its okay." Stroking its chin, the hissing replaced by a throaty purr. The demon scampering off her shoulder and finding a perch on the arm of the couch.

　　"We`re doing it now, Julie," said James, his cryptic mutterings beginning again and another small stream of blood coming from his hand and starting to swirl. Holding out the knife to her. "I`m going to need a lot."

　　Julie considering the knife held out in front of her, but not taking it immediately. Feet seeming a little colder now. Reaching out and taking it.

　　"Don`t worry," said Wolfe, coming over to her. "You`re going to be fine."

　　Julie narrowing her eyes at the comment, and then plunging the knife into her own arm.

　　"Repeat after me," said James. "I will not betray the Council."

　　"I will not betray the Council."

　　Out. Caught by Derrick and immediately being healed by Wolfe. Eyes opening weakly. Joining the others still convalescing on the couch, their physical wounds healed but still recovering from the spiritual ones that had been inflicted. Wolfe continuing to stabilize her. Her eyes glancing around in sudden understanding.

　　"So this is what happened," said James, returning to his story, "the guilds went kaput and we found ourselves suddenly under new management. We Magi have always been more reclusive, people tend to find our magic unsettling, so we`ve stuck together, much moreso than a lot of the other groups. This year we did our best to find as many of our fellows as possible from the incoming class. That`s how I met Julie." The two sharing a fond look.

　　"So new management came in," he continued, "and gave us a choice. Do what they say, when they say it, or get the fuck out. They were nicer about it than that, but that`s what it was. After a great deal of debate our formerly very tight knit group split. Some of us coming out here and the other side staying."

　　"So this is an internal dispute?" said Riley.

　　"Evie, its more than that. Its more than them," said Magpie, her eyes smoldering, that old forgotten anger now rekindled. "Like you guys, I fell for the bullshit marketing and slogans and I came out here. But while this place is in some ways much worse than what they said, back when I got here it was also much better, in a different way. I spent a year, more, with the guild. I got through the initial training and initiation - not many of us made it though that - and then I started running jobs on the streets. After being lied to and betrayed I actually managed to make a new home for myself all the way out here. It was an amazingly fun time. I even, I even earned my name." Shaking her head.

　　"And then I go to sleep one night, go back to the worse place for a bit, and then after my shift when I come back in I find I`m not in my bed anymore. Instead I`m falling a couple feet onto wet stone in front a blank wall in the sewers. No entrance and everything I`d gotten gone. I sleep naked. That was some fucking night." Looking at me, "That`s why we`re doing this, right, Mac? This is what you were trying to talk about the other day."

　　"That`s exactly why we`re doing this."

　　"Good. Thank you. Hopefully my stuff is still in my room."