The Council doesn`t exist.

　　The thing that attacked the gala had been by itself that night. And then its continued rampage in Lumeer afterwards a series of lone wolf attacks. Either a shock trooper for the Council while they bargained for whatever it is they`re after, or a disaffected agent gone rogue after Shaker offered his olive branch. Hopefully the latter. My master, at least, had assumed the Council was going to be satisfied by Shaker`s offer. But now there`s these things. Maybe a remnant of something before everything got squared up. Or maybe getting back to Lumeer and thrashing the things in the bathhouse until they squealed was in order.

　　Putting the thought aside. Today is payday.

　　"You weren`t kidding," said Magpie, grin on her face.

　　"I`m shocked myself. When he said fifteen I almost panicked. Fifteen hundred would have been an insult. Fifteen thousand is a whole other level. I was figuring we`d maybe get nine."

　　"So what are you buying? And what was that thing you picked out?" Referring to the gift for Wolfe.

　　"Its for a friend. She`s an Empath and they have automatic regeneration. Which sounds great, right? Well, apparently, it makes it so you can`t get drunk."

　　"That`s awful," said Magpie, sounding suitably horrified.

　　"Yeah, its complete crap. So this thing here is sort of a novelty item, it simulates drunkenness. Its got a certain amount of charge and then it runs out. And then you toss it. But I think I might be able to keep this thing going forever. I was planning on testing that out tonight. If it works, it works. If not, got drunk. Win win."

　　"That sounds like a great thing to test out. I`d like to help."

　　"You`re more than welcome. I figure a rechargeable gift`d be better than not. What was that thing you picked out?"

　　"This," she said, pulling out a small rod, "is a pitch pipe. It helps to get pitch perfect."

　　"What`s that for?"

　　"I`m in the house choir."

　　"You`re in the what?"

　　"The house choir." Giving her a blank look, the reiteration didn`t help. Magpie momentarily at a loss. "You do know about the club, right? Heaven`s Gate." Shrugging. "They`ll probably have you start helping out there when we get back. One of the big reasons Bee and I even joined Ishtar was because of the club. We ended up talking to some of the musicians between sets and they recommended we join up, so now Bee plays piano there on day five. And he just got talked into playing for some theatre production they`re putting on later in the year. He`s really talented."

　　Had been inside Ishtar`s club maybe a handful of times. The light and sound enchantments were top notch, but the drinks were way too expensive. The last time there had been on business and caused a bit of a scene. Not exactly banned, but haven`t been back there since. But a house choir? Guess something like that`s possible. The houses have been putting on that event for the Winter Festival for the past couple years. And, from listening to her in the tent over, the girl definitely has a set of pipes. What`s this house even like? There`s the nightclub and, obviously, there`s that, but otherwise only seen this trip.

　　"That`s cool. How good are you at singing, anyway?"

　　"Well I was pretty good, but I`m definitely way out of practice. I did it growing up, but then I went to college and it all fell by the wayside. And then I got accepted into the Academy after. I`ve been practicing to get on stage, but getting assigned to this trip made that harder. But thanks to you, and with this thing" giving the pitch pipe a shake, "I`m going to be able to step up my game. What are you planning on getting?"

　　"Happy to help. I dunno, I figured we`d divvy everything up before worrying about that, and then before getting around to me I still need to get another souvenir."

　　"Okay," she said, "assume it`s all split up and you got your other souvenir, what are you thinking about getting?"

　　"Oh, in that case, nothing exciting. Some new clothes and definitely some new shoes. Then probably a new hatchet. This knife is nice for in town, but for most of the stuff out in the field a hatchet really has that certain something, you know what I mean?" Magpie giving me a shrug of her own. "This bank has got to be around here somewhere. What are you going to do with your share?"

　　"Um, similar to you, clothes and shoes," she said. Then pointing. "That`s looks like it could be it right up there."

　　The building very similar to the one back home, only a slight difference in color. Entering. Very similar in here, too. A couple more plants, but the tiles arranged in the same colors and in the same pattern. The teller could be her suntanned twin.

　　"Hi, I`d like to cash this note. Paid out in gold."

　　The teller examining the note, her finger touching on the value written and then going to Urasu`s signature. Pulling out a ledger from underneath her counter and flipping through some pages. Comparing the two signatures. Closing the ledger and stashing it away.

　　"Ms. Macarthy," she said, "this is a large amount. I`m going to need to contact my manager in order to get authorization to have someone get it from the vault. The fee for cashing this is one hundred fifty silver, leaving fourteen thousand eight hundred fifty silver-" Suddenly stopping, glancing off to one side and getting a look on her face. "There is also the matter of the fines you have accumulated. Two counts of assault within city limits, one against one of your compatriots. Fifty silver for the assault in the Hulark district and one hundred silver for your assault in the bazaar. Which leaves fourteen thousand seven hundred silver, paid out in gold, one hundred forty seven gold. Please wait over there, this may take some time."

　　Going with Magpie to sit in the chairs while the teller wandered off.

　　"Those assault charges are coming out of your share," said Magpie, grinning.

　　"What? No. This whole thing was a group effort and they were both justified."

　　"That guy in the bazaar, yeah, but what about what you did to me?"

　　"You sleep like a log. I tried everything else before resorting to that."

　　"Somehow I doubt that. But whatever." Stretching her arms and putting her hands behind her head.

　　Waiting a bit.

　　"Hey, so one forty seven divided by eleven isn`t even," she said. "Its thirteen and change."

　　"You`re right. Hmm. Do you really think everyone else is going to want to be bothered with silver?"

　　"No, probably not," said Magpie, "and that`d be a lot of silver to bring back in the first place. We should save them the trouble."

　　"Right, we`ll be doing them a favor. Let`s see, eleven times thirteen. Four gold left, two each for running around and getting it. More than fair."

　　"More than fair," she agreed.

　　Waiting some more.

　　"You ever had to wait this long to get money at the bank?"

　　"I`ve never cashed a note that big," she said.

　　"We`re going to need to be very careful getting back with this."

　　"Yeah?" she said, glancing around.

　　"Yeah, just a feeling."

　　Had cashed a number of larger notes back in Lumeer over the years. The largest was for an oversized two-handed axe that sold for just under forty thousand silver to the pawnshop. Walked over to the bank afterward, here is your money sir, oh minus the various deductions for fines, and then on my merry way. Out of sight. Perhaps paranoia, but when had paranoia last steered me wrong? Could serve to listen to it a bit more.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

　　"How bad a feeling?" said Magpie.

　　"Like every minute we spend waiting here means killing at least one of these jabbering fucks on the way back. That`s how bad a feeling. Think we`re up to fifteen already."

　　Looking around the bank, the teller watching us, a guard across the way watching us. Waiting another minute, the unease growing.

　　"Fuck," she said, sighing. "you might be right. You think that Urasu guy set us up?"

　　"Him? Possible but I doubt it. One of the others, maybe. How many different red dragon heads did you see while walking through town? I thought I saw five."

　　"I saw six. The one with the smoke, the one with the claw, the one with the eyepatch, the one with the mustache, the other one with the claw and the one with the forked tongue."

　　"There were two different claw ones?"

　　"One of them had one claw sticking up." Sticking up her thumb. "And the other had two." Making a V with her index and middle fingers.

　　"You didn`t see the one with the flower in its teeth? Or the one with the symbol on its forehead?"

　　"No," said Magpie, letting out another sigh, "I didn`t see either one of those."

　　Both of us looking at each other, then Magpie standing and starting to limber up.

　　Heading over to the teller.

　　"What`s the holdup?"

　　"I`ll check and see what`s going on," said the teller. "Wait right here."

　　Waiting at the counter for another five minutes, glancing around the bank. The teller returning.

　　"Ms. Macarthy, I apologize for the delay, they`ll be right out with your funds. You can wait over there."

　　Resisting the urge to leap over the counter and throttle the smirk off her face.

　　Heading back over to Magpie. Kneeling down. Tracing.

　　"Alright, we`re right here." Tapping on the left, marks appearing. "And the place we need to get to is over here." Tapping to the upper right. "First we`ve got to get back over this river. We`re not heading anywhere near the bazaar. Making an X off to the north. Fuck that. When we get out of here, head south, east to the river, then back north and over the bridge."

　　"We could use the south bridge instead," she said. "They`ve got to know where where staying and the north one is the more direct route."

　　"Yeah, but that`ll take longer. It`ll give them more time to get people in position."

　　"Do you really think they need more time? We`re not even out of here yet and we`re totally at their mercy. Unless..." The edge of panic leaving her voice. "What are we even doing playing their game? How about we just don`t even take the money. Open an account right now and deposit it. Then come and get it later with some more people."

　　"That..." Trying to find a hole in her logic. Dammit, that sounds like the smart, safe play. Nodding in defeat. "That`s actually a good plan."

　　Both of us walking back over to the smug looking teller.

　　"Listen, this is taking way too long. How about we just throw it in an account and we`ll come back and pick it up later when you guys are ready."

　　"Ms. Macarthy." Amazing how fast that smugness vanished. "I understand you`re undoubtedly busy, but it`ll only be another few minutes."

　　"That`s right, we`re busy people. I`d like to deposit it. Thank you."

　　"If you insist." The teller nodding thoughtfully. "Since you`re not citizens and because your status is, well, since you`re also Outsiders, there are going to be some additional fees, as well as some restrictions on your account. Unless you`ve been granted a special dispensation by the Poobah. But I`m currently unaware of one." Glaring at her. "Maybe its recent, do you have documentation allowing for an exemption?"

　　Sharing a glance with Magpie. "No, I don`t. What sort of fees? And what kind of restrictions?"

　　"Nothing too terrible," said the teller. "First, there`s a flat fee for opening the account, one hundred silver. Then, as a non citizen there is a one percent fee on all deposits. As far as restrictions, however, Outsiders are unable to withdraw funds from their accounts for up to thirty days, and after that you`ll have to keep a minimum balance of at least one thousand silver in the account. As a sort of insurance policy for any future indiscretions. Please understand that while you`re not unwelcome in Tasnanca, we`re aware of how flighty and difficult some of you can be."

　　Sharing another glance with Magpie. "I need to discuss this for a moment."

　　"Take your time, Ms. Macarthy, Ms. Upton."

　　Moving a couple feet away and putting our heads together.

　　"I`ll keep the guard occupied if he comes, you go with her to get the money."

　　"Are you sure?" Conflicting emotions, excitement and uncertainty, warring on her face.

　　"A month is crazy, she`s got to know we`re leaving in a couple days. Its our money. Imagine going to a bank and them not giving you your money. They deserve to hang on principle."

　　"Yeah, but..."

　　"Do you really want to leave here empty handed?" A small shake of her head. "Have you really been enjoying yourself these past nine months? Serving drinks at some club. Being at someone else`s beck and call."

　　"It could be worse." Her voice sulky. "But no. Not really."

　　"I need you with me on this, I can`t do it on my own. Let`s get what`s ours and slip out of the noose before it has a chance to tighten up any further."

　　Magpie taking my offered hand. Both of us going back to the teller.

　　"Alright, scratch that deposit request. We`ll take the money now."

　　"Excellent," said the teller, "I`m sure it`ll only be a few more minutes. Please take a seat over there."

　　"Listen to me you fucking bitch. I don`t know what the fuck you`re trying to pull, but if you don`t get that money right now I`m going to scrape off your skin in strips."

　　"Threats like, um, that-" The teller starting to retreat and Magpie vaulting over the counter to block her escape. The guard across the way looking up, trying to figure out what was going on.

　　"I always sort of wondered where things like you end up when you die." The teller`s attention now focused on Magpie`s drawn knife, held low. "Do you feel like finding out?"

　　"If you`ll please-" The teller looking over at the guard. He`s too far away to save you. "I`ll see what`s taking so long." Magpie and the teller walking in the direction of the vault and the guard coming over.

　　"Excuse me," he said, "is there a problem?"

　　"Not anymore."

　　The man glancing up and away, but getting a puzzled look. No laws being broken. This isn`t actually a robbery.

　　Two minutes later a simultaneously triumphant and furious Magpie returning with the teller.

　　"We good?"

　　"It was just sitting in a bin. Waiting. But, yeah, it`s all there." Magpie jumping back over to this side of the counter.

　　Pulling out my knife and pointing it at the teller. "If we run into any trouble out there I`m going to come back here for you." Not so smug anymore. Some of these things in this town have no respect. Long past time they learned some.

　　Getting to the door, our weapons still out, opening it a crack and peering around. High midday sun, just about noon. Not a very busy street at the moment, some things walking around but by no means crowded. Leaving the bank and skirting around the edge of the building, eyes up.

　　"Someone just pointed at us." said Magpie. Glancing back. Two men looking in our direction, starting to follow.

　　"We need to get to the north bridge before word gets out. Let`s go east to the river and then north. Run."

　　Both of us sprinting east a short ways to a cross street. Turning to head north, but a group of three men a block away stopping suddenly at our appearance. Their reaction causing us to stop short. One of them reaching into a pocket and throwing something that expanded as it flew through the air. A web.

　　Not wasting any time and bolting east. The web missing, splatting on the ground behind us. Getting to the next intersection and turning the corner south, but then a sudden feeling in my guts. Now out of line of sight of our attackers, and continuing to move, but my intestines starting to twist, my breath coming in short gasps through clenched teeth. Oh shit oh shit. Stumbling, hitting the ground. Trying to get back to my feet, Magpie grabbing my arm and helping me up. Pulling me along. Then the feeling fading, the spell warded off. Getting back up to full speed, zigzagging through the streets, heading east and south. After several blocks slowing to a fast walk, with no obvious pursuit behind us.

　　"We`ve got to get," panting, "across the river."

　　"Then what? They know where we`re staying. We can`t just head in that direction."

　　"I don`t know. Maybe loop around, come in from the east."

　　Doubletiming it further south, and alternatively east, toward the river. Weapons out, but inverted, hidden behind our forearms, staying near the edge of the buildings. Our height helping to keep us hidden. Getting to the southern bridge and starting our crossing. Glancing back. No obvious pursuit. A tense moment coming to the other side of the river, looking this way and that, but nobody coming, and no more projectiles flying.

　　"How about we head in here?" said Magpie, looking over at a nearby building, an inn.

　　"If one of the Urasu is chasing us I don`t think we`re just going to be able to lay low at some place like this."

　　"I wasn`t thinking that." Magpie still looking over at the building. Following her gaze. A symbol on the corner. Entrance. "I was thinking we avoid them entirely." A conspiratorial grin. "You`re not going to mind going through the sewers, right?"