Getting back in at midnight after two days out. Running into an immediate hangover, paying the bartab from leaving for work at five thirty in the morning. Expected. Fumbling around, trying to get the light on. Shielding my eyes. Too bright. Magpie not in yet. Opening my pack and getting my pouch. Oh, there`s Magpie. The girl had nearly given up just outside the door, with both of us passing out on the bed in our underclothes. Coming in now, headaches and dry mouths. Underwear soaked in urine.

　　Getting a leaf and cutting it in half. Immediately chewing mine and giving her the other. Stripping down and tossing sodden garment in the corner. Chewing. Drawing Runic Shield on the back of my hand and using it to provide some modesty. Leaving to find a bathroom. Walking down the hallway wishing death on the universe. Swallowing. The desire for complete annihilation subsiding after a couple minutes on the toilet. Drinking from the shower head. Crossing paths with Magpie while leaving the shower but neither of us speaking. Grabbing a towel and getting back to the room.

　　The linens, fortunately, had been changed during the two days we`d been out. Sitting on the side of the bed wrapped in a towel, combing out my hair. Had hit 13 about three hours ago. Add another rank of Decomposition. Dang. Not enough points. Maybe double up Perception? But then risk this situation again. Hold off on that until Decomposition hits five ranks.

　　Name: Lucilia Macarthy

　　Profession: Runemage Level: 13

　　Sex: Female

　　Experience: 68,286 (6,452)

　　Age: 20

　　Until Next: 14,464

　　Health

　　85

　　Mana

　　77

　　Stamina

　　37

　　Spirit

　　8

　　Strength (STR)

　　57 (3)

　　Constitution (CON)

　　64 (7)

　　Dexterity (DEX)

　　69 (14)

　　Agility (AGI)

　　87 (18)

　　Discipline (DIS)

　　77 (13)

　　Aura (AUR)

　　82 (16)

　　Logic (LOG)

　　73 (16)

　　Intuition (INT)

　　76 (18)

　　Wisdom (WIS)

　　46 (-2)

　　Influence (INF)

　　77 (13)

　　Name

　　Trainings

　　Bonus

　　Armor Use

　　6

　　29

　　Physical Fitness

　　14

　　57

　　Simple Weapons

　　14

　　57

　　Arcane Symbols

　　19

　　68

　　Magic Item Use

　　14

　　57

　　Harness Power

　　14

　　57

　　Mana Control

　　14

　　57

　　Runemancy

　　14

　　57

　　Arance Lore, Decomposition

　　1

　　5

　　Arcane Lore, Shaping

　　14

　　57

　　Arcane Lore, Transference

　　5

　　25

　　Survival

　　14

　　57

　　Perception

　　14

　　57

　　Climbing

　　14

　　57

　　Swimming

　　10

　　45

　　First Aid

　　14

　　57

　　Trading

　　14

　　57

　　Stalking and Hiding

　　14

　　57

　　And then, the best part, scouting out the new goodies in Runemancy.

　　Fourteenth rank.

　　Runic Circle: Draw a series of runes around the perimeter of an area. There is no set dimension or shape, but larger areas will take longer to create. While inside the area members of the caster`s group will have their success chance for every action increased slightly. Duration is 30 minutes per Runemancy rank. At 10 ranks of Arcane Lore, Transference members of the caster`s group will also regenerate a minor amount of health, stamina and mana every five minutes while in the area.

　　Meant for area defense. Or maybe crafting. But still no spell to make the item enhancements permanent. Its got to be coming. That Transference bonus is juicy.

　　Fifteenth rank.

　　Reshape: Allows the caster to alter the physical dimensions of an object. Through this process matter is neither created nor lost, but the density of the object can only be very slightly changed. Duration is one minute per Runemancy rank. The base amount of material affected is 20 lbs, which can be further increased with more ranks of Arcane Lore, Shaping. At 10 ranks of Arcane Lore, Decomposition the density of the object can be altered to a much more significant degree. Will only affect non-living objects.

　　Undoubtedly designed to be used when crafting, but creative applications seem limitless.

　　Magpie entering, wrapped in a towel of her own.

　　"Hey, you want to get some dinner? Maybe grab a pint. Take it easier tonight."

　　The girl looking at me, her natural expression graced with a much larger frown than usual. Several blinks.

　　"Yeah, let`s do it."

　　***

　　The next morning, just after seven, nice dry sheets and no hangover. A light dinner, single pint and then to bed. Busy day today. Magpie still asleep, but not for long.

　　"Hey Magpie, get up, its payday." Giving the bed a kick.

　　Shifting, but not yet awake.

　　Tracing. Pulling out the knife and putting it on my side of the bed. Getting both my boots from the corner and my leather chestpiece. Usual runes on each, plus the new Rune of Warding, and then Runic Shield on me. Hands out. Carve. Activating all the runes. Turning and considering my companion. Suddenly losing a bedleg would wake her up. Could probably cut through that metal. Or maybe not. Okay, see if slow and steady works. And then Mend it back. Need to be fast.

　　Walking over to her side of the bed, kneeling down and putting out two fingers. Bringing them against the metal, softly, then adding more pressure. Trying to shear through, and scoring it a bit, but not more than that. Also causing a high pitched scratching sound. Magpie shifting a bit more, mumbling something. Not going to work. Well, there`s always the tried and true. Puncturing, the world returning to normal hardness.

　　She`d seen the shield in use against monsters. Flashes, interceptions. But no real sort of involved work. Activating the shield, the morning quiet shattered by its crackling sound and light. Grabbing her shoulders and pulling her vertical from her gentle repose. Earning a piercing scream. Thrashing a little, starting to break free. Releasing her, gravity taking hold, flopping back down.

　　"Hey Magpie." Yelling at the top of my lungs. "Get up, its payday. We got some money coming in today so let`s get moving."

　　"What the fuck was that?" A hand clutching her chest, eyes flaring.

　　"That was one gold coin." Holding up a finger to help her count. "That`s how much fucking money we`re making today. Who gives a shit about one gold coin? Get up, we got some money to collect."

　　Magpie now caught between anger and exuberance, being swept up in my energy.

　　"We better be making a lot."

　　Brothel breakfast. Surprisingly good. Spiced meat, reheated from last night, eggs and brown bread with an orange colored jam. The best place to start asking about Inkathius? Right here. Now where`s the one who saw me feed that thing, probably the most inclined to help. Spinning around on my bar stool. The room filled with a number of women - priestesses? - in their see through, sheer garments. But don`t see that specific one around. In that case anyone will do. Completing the three sixty spin.

　　"Hey barkeep, got a question."

　　Magpie glancing over, her mouth full of eggs.

　　The barkeep finishing up his jabbering with one of the women, their conversation punctuated by sharp consonants and short vowels.

　　"Ms. Macarthy, I hope you`re enjoying your breakfast." The contrast from his native language and ease at speaking with his own kind, and the overly polite manner of address given to me: unsettling.

　　"This is great. One of the top breakfasts, ever. No question. I`m looking for somebody. One of you guys. I`ve got a letter to deliver to him from his sister. His name`s Velmar Inkathius, you ever heard of him? She says he owns a shop here. Its a charm shop, something like that." Babbling.

　　"I`m sorry to say, but I`ve never heard the name. If he owns a shop someone in the bazaar will undoubtedly be able to direct you to him. He might even be there, himself."The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

　　"Thank you, appreciate it. Magpie you," another forkful entering her mouth, "still got a bunch left. Can I get another coffee I don`t think the first one took."

　　Sipping the new cup. Really decent coffee. Definitely one of the perks, that thing encourages indulgence.

　　Another sudden thought.

　　"Hey barkeep, where`s the bazaar?"

　　***

　　Moving along the crowded streets, staying close together and keeping a close eye on our surroundings, our pouches kept secured. An active Thieves Guild means unwary out of towners are most at risk. And then there was every other unsavory, unguilded character following our progress with their eyes. Stood out like sore thumbs, our drab field outfits clearly marking us as outsiders. The only saving grace being that we were so short, but that left us lost in the crowd, blind, and surrounded by the omnipresent jabber of their language. Moving from stall to stall, asking about Inkathius. Shrugs, who`s and idunnos following us in our wake. Finally, a hit.

　　"Inkathius?" said the man, rotund, a beard. "Yeah, I know him. He`s fairly famous, got quite a reputation."

　　"No one else seems to think so. Where`s he at?"

　　"Maybe you`re not asking the right way," he said, shrugging.

　　"How much do you think that information would be worth?" Putting a couple silver down on his stand. The man looking at the coins then back at me.

　　"Why do you want to find him, anyway?"

　　"I`ve got a letter for him from his sister back in Lumeer." Showing him the envelope. "Not like I`m trying to collect a bad debt. Well, I could be, for all I know. I haven`t read her letter." Flipping it around, showing him the unbroken seal.

　　Nodding at the explanation and grabbing the coins.

　　"I used to do business with Velmar back when he was running his shop." Looking at me expectantly. More coins on the stand.

　　"He did very professional work, and because of that he caught the eye of some very influential people. So now he`s working for them." Pausing again. More coins.

　　"He`s working for the Urasu family. You are, at least, familiar with them. I would hope." More coins. Starting to run out. The man taking them, ruefully shaking his head.

　　"Poobah Urasu hasn`t left the palace in several years. The rumor is he`s been dying. But that was a couple years ago and he still hasn`t announced an heir. In the meantime, his children have been running the city. Nothing comes in or exits without the Urasu family`s approval. That includes the group you came in with, by the way, as well as all the goods coming in or heading downriver." Looking at me again.

　　"So where`s Inkathius?"

　　"I told you, he`s working for the Urasu family." Gesturing with his hand. Pay up.

　　Taking a few of the last silver coins and putting them down. His hand reaching out once again but this time grabbing his arm with the shield, the crackling flash causing a stir from those surrounding us.

　　"You`re just milking this now. Get to it already."

　　The man trying to pull away, struggling to break free. Adding a little more pressure. Narrowing his eyes, but then shrugging in defeat. Releasing his arm. The coins slowly being picked up, one at a time.

　　"You Outsiders are an impatient bunch. Alright, Velmar is the foreman in one of the Urasu`s workshops. Its one of the large warehouses on the east side of the river, near the northern bridge. The symbol on the building is a red dragon`s head, but with smoke coming from the nose. The dragonshead is the Urasu family symbol, but each of the Poobah`s children has their own variation."

　　"Thank you." Walking a bit away.

　　"It sounds like the guy isn`t in business anymore," said Magpie.

　　"Yeah, but the people he`s working for have money. These stones are worth quite a bit so I`m sure they`ll be happy to pay."

　　"Or simply take them from us. I think it`d be a good idea to get some help before heading over."

　　Checking the time. "No." Magpie opening her mouth, preparing to argue. "Its half past eight. Anyone inclined to help is either still asleep or already balls deep in some hooker. Or-" A stab of jealousy hitting, a vision of Daniel and Serena. Trying to cast it aside, but lingering. Going to get this done and prove my worth. "I`m sure we`ll be fine."

　　"And, if not?"

　　"Be prepared for this to get bloody."

　　Walking east, toward the wide river.

　　"Hey Magpie, what level are you, anyway?"

　　She hadn`t had any trouble with any of the regular monsters in the mountains or desert. What level was she when the guild got disbanded? Somewhere in the teens.

　　"I`ll answer your question if you answer mine."

　　"What`s up?"

　　"Why are you only wearing one glove? It`s been bugging the hell out of me."

　　"Its because..." Fashion statement? Not even remotely believable. Lost the other one? No, she deserves more honesty than that. "If I`m wearing a glove I can`t draw on things. So my left glove stays on, provides a better grip. And the right glove is off."

　　"Huh."

　　"Would you believe me if I said fashion statement, instead?"

　　"No, I believe you." said Magpie. Pausing for a moment. "I hit sixteen a couple days ago."

　　Wait, was this your first trip out since you left? Looks like fighting your gag reflex has been the only fighting you`ve been doing. What a waste. Well, that settles it then. When we get back you`re going to start coming along with me. Make sure to get you out of the house. Make sure you don`t fall back into that rut. Make sure you do more with your life than what you`ve been doing.

　　Had spent almost the last nine months since losing the guild basically only drinking and smoking myself stupid, and then whoring and fighting. Only the last one got me anywhere. Well, there was a lot of time spent feeling sorry for myself, too. And that certainly didn`t end up getting me anywhere at all.

　　Finally getting away from the bazaar, more breathing room on the wide street. Bringing her off to the side.

　　"I just got something but its not cheap to cast. I can`t exactly be passing it around to everybody. And you`ve got to keep it hush-hush."

　　"What is it?"

　　"Are you going to mind your manners?"

　　Narrowing her eyes at that specific phrase, searching my face. "Sure."

　　"Let me see your boot." Kneeling down, drawing and activating Rune of Warding. "This is spell resistance. Its not going to help you against something like Serena`s projectiles, or her lightning, but against other stuff, it should be effective."

　　"Like that spell you used to paralyze me?"

　　"Exactly like that."

　　"You know, I was planning on killing you only a few days ago. Are you sure giving me something like that`s a smart decision?"

　　"Its definitely a risk. But telling you about it in the first place is far riskier. And that`s a risk I`m willing to take."

　　"My lips are sealed."

　　"Great. Let`s go get our money."

　　***

　　Broad daylight, not the most ideal time for maximizing Magpie`s effectiveness. She should be near me, ideally within several feet, but skulking out of sight. But at this hour, at this location, not really an option. Keeping our weapons visible should provide enough of a deterrent. Hopefully no trouble. No one wants to have a fight to the death just after breakfast, still nursing last night`s hangover.

　　Heading over to the first people in sight, a group of dock workers moving around pallets and boxes, talking to each other in their language.

　　"Excuse me."

　　Turning to take a look, all of them taking us in.

　　"I`ve got a delivery for Velmar Inkathius." Waving the letter. "I heard he was running the show down here."

　　"Who are you?" said one of the workers.

　　"We just came in with a caravan from Lumeer. His sister wanted me to give this to him while we were in town."

　　Turning to each other, jabbering in their language, glancing at us, and then the group laughing. A few more words exchanged, then turning back to me.

　　"Okay, I`ll take you to the boss," he said. "This way."

　　Exchanging a glance with Magpie, but following after him. Heading into the warehouse, and then to a set of stairs going to a second floor. A door at the top, him rapping on it. Entering, with us following behind.

　　The room, ill lit and stinking of tobacco. A ratty couch under the windows, a couple chairs in front of a desk, covered in paper. Some light coming in from the windows overlooking the river and a lamp on a desk the only illumination. A man smoking a pipe in rumpled, slept in clothing, his feet on the desk.

　　The worker and the man engaging in another jabbering conversation. Back and forth. Then the worker turning to leave.

　　"Please, take a seat."

　　"You Inkathius?"

　　"No. I`m Armando Urasu. Pleased to make your acquaintance. Ms. Macarthy. Ms. Upton. I`d heard you had a letter to deliver to Velmar, but I also assume you`re here to check in on the merchandise. Some of your companions were here the other day."

　　"Yeah, I`ll take a look." Magpie glancing over at me. "But before that, if you are Mr. Urasu, you`re exactly the man I need to speak with."

　　"What about?"

　　"I`ve been doing business with Inkathius` sister back in Lumeer. Nice lady. I assume whatever you got Inkathius doing here is similar to what she`s doing out there. I`ve brought along my own bit of merchandise I think you`ll be interested in."

　　"Really," he said, intrigued "what do you have?"

　　Pulling out a single disjuncted stone and putting it on the desk.

　　"What`s this?"

　　"That little stone is going to make Inkathius very happy, and they`re going to be a great boon for your business."

　　Peering at the stone. "Is that right? Okay, let`s get his opinion on this. Come with me."

　　Following him back outside the office, down the stairs, through the warehouse, and then to a set of stairs heading downward.

　　The large room at the bottom of that staircase having the same smell and feel as Ink`s shop back in Lumeer. Earthy and metallic. Sulfur. The same tingle in the air. Workbenches covered in various things. Some completed items, but mostly what looked like scrap or some amorphous material. Some kind of clay. Probably a dozen people, wearing gloves, and one, a face shield.

　　Urasu barking out something in his godawful language. Jabbering from some of the workers, and then the one with the face shield coming over, lifting it up. Definitely has a family resemblance.

　　"Mr. Inkathius, so nice to meet you. I`ve got a letter from your sister in Lumeer." Waving the letter at him, hoping he`d take it out of my hand as soon as possible. There. Gotten rid of. Job done.

　　Urasu jabbering with Inkathius. Inkathius jabbering back. Urasu handing over the stone, Inkathius peering at it and getting a surprised look on his face. More jabbering. Urasu indicating me, Inkathius looking positively gleeful.

　　"Ms. Macarthy," said Inkathius, "First, thank you so much for the letter from Cynobel, but do you really have more of those in your possession?"

　　"I brought over a whole bunch from the trip. Your sister said you`d be interested."

　　More jabbering between the two. Inkathius indicating the stone, pointing at some of the items on the bench. Urasu seeming a bit skeptical, but Inkathius adamant. Urasu shrugging.

　　"You were right, Ms. Macarthy," said Urasu, "he is very enthused. Let`s see what we can work out."

　　Heading to the far side of the room, to a table against the wall. Pulling out both pouches, clicking with the stones gathered as a result of the entire group`s efforts over the last several days. Slowly pouring them onto the table. Inkathius seeming very happy indeed, shouting something to the room and some of the other workers coming over. Sorting the stones into piles and counting.

　　"I guess, before we discuss the price," said Urasu, "when`s the next time you think you`re going to be back in town?"

　　"I don`t know, that depends on the price." Getting a polite chuckle from Urasu. "But probably about six months, its a whole undertaking getting over here. But, again, depends on the price."

　　"Let`s see what he says," said Urasu, indicating Inkathius. The counting continuing, now with magnifying glasses.

　　Inkathius coming over and yet more jabbering. Constant infernal jabbering. Going to bring earplugs next time.

　　"Well," said Urasu, "after speaking with him, and considering the volume, I`d say fifteen for the lot is a more than fair."

　　"Fifteen thousand silver?"

　　"Yes. Like I said, more than fair."

　　Trying to keep my face steady but not really able. Magpie losing her pokerface instantly. Urasu smiling at our reaction.

　　"That is certainly a fair offer. Ordinarily I`d like to haggle but I don`t think either of us would believe it. How about letting me save face and you throw in that item right there as well. That is what I`m thinking it is, right?"

　　Urasu turning, looking at the indicated item.

　　"That? Not exactly high value."

　　"Yeah, but I`ve got to pick up some souvenirs for some people back in town. It`d save me a lot of trouble wandering through the bazaar."

　　"Souvenirs?" he said, in puzzlement. Then letting out a much more amiable laugh. "That`s fine. If you want you pick out two or three of these small ones. But first let`s go back to my office and I`ll get you a bank note. When do you think you`re going to be in town next?"

　　"Hopefully sooner than I thought."

　　Following Urasu out of the room and up the stairs. Beginning to go in the direction of his office, but the man suddenly stopping.

　　"Oh, that`s right," he said, "the other merchandise. Follow me."

　　Doing an about face and heading outside. Heading across the way and entering another building, An open warehouse with a number of them. Mostly women, but some men as well. And a few children.

　　"They seem to be fully recovered," said Urasu. "When do you think you`re going to be able to come and pick them up?"

　　"That`s good to hear, but as far as when, I`m not sure. Probably in a couple days."

　　Plenty of these things already crawling around in Lumeer, so why are they importing more? Slaves? No, their clothing is modest but not poorly made. They even have luggage, and they`re freely walking around with no restraints. Indentured servants, then? Maybe. But maybe they`re coming over for another reason.

　　"Hey, you mind if I ask them something real quick?"

　　Urasu had no objection. Walking up to a nearby one.

　　"What can you tell me about the Council?"

　　"The Council doesn`t exist," it said.