"When I was told a willing young girl from House Ishtar was just begging to see me on my front step, I had to let her in. I don`t suppose that`s the reason you`re here, though, is it?"

　　Sam`s handsome face enjoying an indulgent grin as a scowl spread across mine. Potentially could have been tempting. Secure status, superficially charming, chiseled jaw, wealthy. Completely untrustworthy without a knife at his throat.

　　"I don`t suppose there`s anything I could offer to make you change your mind?" His grin widening at my expression. "Oh well, c`est la vie." Turning to the woman wearing a maid`s outfit with a very short skirt standing to the side of his opulent desk. One of the things from the caravan. "Could you be a darling and get that dossier we`ve been assembling. On this one, here."

　　"Yes, sir," she said, her skirt swishing with each step as she left the room. Not wearing panties.

　　"You don`t seem very surprised."

　　"You`re wrong," said Sam, taking on an affected look of innocence. "I found the news quite surprising, but certainly not outside the realm of possibility. Out of curiosity, do you still have your virginity?"

　　This conversation isn`t being productive at all.

　　"You misunderstand," he said, holding up his hands, "I`m merely thinking we might be able to auction it off. Potentially pull in quite the sum. I`m certain I`ve a number of clients who`d be interested."

　　Lost to a hooker`s toy in a ratty hotel by the docks. Certainly a less ignoble fate than what may have been.

　　"I was wondering if I could get a list of those clients."

　　"And cut me out of the arrangement? Now, now, my client`s identities are kept confidential, for their safety as well as my own." Sam leaning back in his chair. "If that`s going too far I may have a position for you here. I think you`d look quite good in one of my hostess outfits. Would you do me a favor and try one on for me?"

　　Keeping my emotions in check, anger at the forefront. Doing my best to stave off the gentle tugging, all of his words lightly touched with Suggestion. If he starts humming a Lullaby this peaceful meeting is going end rather abruptly.

　　The door opening behind me, the woman returning with a very thin folder.

　　"Thank you," said Sam. "Go make yourself busy somewhere else for about a half hour."

　　"Yes, sir." Giving me a glance on her way out.

　　"Hmm, not a lot here," said Sam. "I guess we`ve only had a few days. Lucy Macarthy. I don`t suppose that`s your full first name? I`d appreciate if you could tell me, it would do wonders for record keeping. No? Well, we`ll find out." Pausing. "Do you mind if I call you Lucy?"

　　"I`d honestly prefer it."

　　A surprised blink, and then a thoughtful nod at that. Pulling out the single page in the folder, looking over it.

　　"Not very much here at all. Runemage." A glance at me, then back to the paper. "Known associations, House Ishtar. Well, I assume that`s all gone to pot." Making a face, giving him a shrug and a gesture. "And then two individuals, an Evelyn Riley and a Kate Wolfe. I suppose I should start collecting information on them, as well."

　　That`s a line, right there.

　　"Sam, I`ve put up with a lot from you tonight because we`ve known each other for a pretty long time, but if anything happens to either of them you`re not going to be able to stop me. I`m going to invent new things to do to you and your people."

　　"I mean absolutely nothing untoward, I assure you." His voice, now coated with an added dose of Suggestion, only fueling my anger. You`re a dead man. Sam glancing back at the paper. "That seems to be a very deep commitment you`ve developed in a very short period of time."

　　"You try being dropped into a desperate situation, see what kind of bonds you form. And, word of warning, they`re not helpless."

　　"Well, you, at least," said Sam, his practiced ease fading, "don`t seem very desperate tonight, making threats like that. Here I was hoping you`d come hat in hand, but I suppose this also works. What do you want?"

　　"I have a business proposal, regarding these." Pulling out one of the disjuncted stones and rolling it over to him.

　　"And what`s this?" Picking it up.

　　"I make those now. Been doing business with a woman here, Cynobel Inkathius, she owns a small shop near House Mink. I`m not exactly sure of the mechanics of it, but she uses those to help make magic items."

　　"What sort of magic items?"

　　"Stuff we can`t make. I delivered a letter to the brother of this woman when I was out in Tasnanca. He used to run a little shop doing the same thing out there, but now he`s working for the Urasu family. You`re familiar with them? Good. He`s the foreman in their operation. They gave me a great price on those stones."

　　"So, what," said Sam, "you want me to help get more caravans headed out into the desert?"

　　"No. Why go all the way out there when we got the sister right here? I`m thinking you invest in her, turn her little one man operation into something more, like the Urasu family`s got going out there."

　　"And what are you hoping to get out of all this?"

　　"Right now I`m trying to achieve some semblance of normalcy. I want to avoid walking around town with a bullseye on my head. So all I really want is your protection. Shaker told all the house leadership about me and its only a matter of time before it trickles down. You`re a great example. I`m more than capable of dealing with the occasional dustup, but I`d rather avoid all out war. That said, if everything does hit the fan, I`m not going to stop. I`m going to make them regret it. I have nothing left to lose."

　　"And only you can make these little stones?" he said, skeptically.

　　"Any Runemage can. But where are they? Not doing nothing. My master said he was starting classes back up and I`ve been meaning to head over. Maybe there`s untapped potential. Like Empaths, if they couldn`t do what they could, they`d never be cultivated like they are. Not typically combat inclined people. Or Augurs, for that matter, except they`re not as in demand. Or even, to a lesser extent, people of your particular persuasion."

　　Sam considering me for a long moment.

　　"I had doubts when you first came in here, but its really you in there, isn`t it? How are you holding up?"

　　"Pretty well, all things considered." Using the shield to grab his desk, briefly pulling it toward me, and then releasing it. The sudden flash of sound and light causing him to almost fall over backwards in his chair. "Fortunately this situation does have some advantages. Do you think we can work together?"

　　"I don`t know why I doubted that was you." Recollecting himself and then letting out a laugh. "Magic items we can`t create, huh? That does sound both intriguing and potentially lucrative, and not really stepping on anyone`s toes." Thinking for a moment. "I`ll speak with her tomorrow, see what exactly she can do, and see if I can talk her into something. What was the name of the place?"

　　"Ink`s Charms. Just her and her kid. She had wanted me to head out to the graveyard to get some materials, but with Shaker`s interdiction Wyrmsblood isn`t going to let me waltz in there. Let her know you might be able to help clear the way. I assume you can pull some strings."

　　"You seem to be getting a lot out of this deal," said Sam.

　　"You are too, we`ll all come out ahead."

　　"If I can make this happen, and that`s an if, I`ll put out the word that you`re working for me. And then, in addition to selling me all your stones, if any jobs come up that need doing here and there, do your best to help. You`ll be compensated accordingly."

　　"Deal."

　　***

　　West Gate, two days later. Eight ten. No Riley, no Wolfe, no Magpie. What time were Riley and Wolfe supposed to get here, eight or nine? Don`t remember, could have said nine. But no Magpie demands retribution. Going to visit Shaker and give him a piece of my mind. And, if he`s not there, try and pull the sympathy card with the wife.

　　Sitting, leaning against the gatehouse, a group of Stormhawk gathering a short ways away. Karson, but no Davos, and Rath not in today. A number of glances at me. Curious, not hostile. Then coming from down the road, wearing a Stormhawk insignia, Everton.

　　"Hey Jack, long time no see," getting up and walking toward him.

　　Getting a hesitant look, glancing over toward the group. Following his gaze, Karson, unconcerned, shrugging. Not the sharpest tool in the shed but his priorities right on target. And then there`s his bulging, um, arms.

　　"Hi Lucy, welcome back," he said.

　　"Great to be back. You`re fully signed up with these guys, now?" Gesturing at the group.

　　"Yep. Evie said she was meeting you here at nine, or is she late?" Guess it was nine.

　　"Nah, I got up early." Yeah, that`s it. And sounds like Evie`s schedule change went through.

　　"Hey, who`s this," said Magpie, managing to sneak up on us. Startling me and making him jump.

　　"Hey Magpie, good morning."The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

　　"I thought you said we were meeting at eight."

　　"Yeah, I messed up, I must have told them nine. It was awhile ago, cut me some slack."

　　"So who`s this?"

　　"Magpie, this is Jack he`s Evie`s," pause, "boyfriend?" questioning look at him. Him confirming.

　　"Ah that`s a shame, thought you were bagging him," said Magpie with a wink. "I`m going to say hello to the rest of them." Magpie heading over.

　　"She`s interesting," said Everton.

　　"She`s great. I`ll let you get going. I`d consider heading over but they`ll probably treat me like a leper."

　　"A leper? You`re at least slightly cuter than that," he said, with a smirk.

　　"Thanks. But you know what I`m referring to."

　　"We`re not really taking it very serious. I`d say give it a couple cycles, then come by in the afternoon on day four. I`ll bring you to talk to Lane. He`s pretty reasonable, and you can probably sweet talk him."

　　"I appreciate that." Its not going to work, but do appreciate the thought.

　　Heading back to take my seat against the gatehouse. The Stormhawk group leaving and Magpie coming back fresh from flirting with them.

　　"Do you really need to do that with Stormhawk?" Bitterness creeping into my voice.

　　"Why not? I went over to see if Sly was going out with them today, but they said he`s not on duty day four," said Magpie, taking a seat next to me. "Besides, they`re very fit. And they aren`t exactly rocket scientists, so they`re fun to talk to. You should have come over and-" Magpie stopping short. "Oh Mac, its like I know, but when I talk to you, I forget. You know?" Stopping again, gauging her next words. "You`re not a dyke." It was a statement.

　　"No, I`m not."

　　"What happened with Daniel?"

　　"Fucking Daniel. Well, he`s got magic hands, and I was hoping he was going to be my first, but that`s not happening. I just wanted it to be with someone special."

　　"Listen to me. You know probably this, but men can be jerks." Gesturing with both my hands. "So don`t get too hung up on finding Mr. Perfect, because that`s not going to happen. He doesn`t exist. And you`re only going to make yourself miserable if you do that. Its not worth it."

　　"I will, I`ll try at least. Thank you."

　　"Me giving you advice," said Magpie, glancing over, "I could get used to this."

　　"Let`s not get ahead of ourselves." Sticking out my tongue.

　　"Hey, so these girls, what do they know?"

　　"Nothing about this."

　　"You might want to get around to telling them, and sooner as opposed to later."

　　"I haven`t been pretending to be someone different around them, they know what I`m like. But yeah, at some point, I owe it to them."

　　Sitting in comfortable silence watching other groups leave and merchant wagons coming in. Magpie resting her eyes.

　　"Hey Lucy," a voice in the distance. Riley and Wolfe, waving, Wolfe with both arms.

　　"Evie, Kate," on my feet, waving, heading toward.

　　Riley with a slight wardrobe change, a symbol, golden outline of a key on black. Otherwise her usual too white field outfit. Kate with her hair different, longer. And a different setup, no shield and hammer, instead a long, metal tipped staff strapped to her back.

　　I missed you`s and hugs all around.

　　"Kate, I love what you did with your hair. It looks great."

　　"Thank you," she said, bringing her hand up and giving it ruffle, "but you`re one to talk, you got a lot of sun and your hair`s all golden, I really like it."

　　Riley giving me a meaningful look.

　　"Yes, Evie, I see. It looks really good, but let us mere mortals have a moment."

　　"As long as you noticed," said Riley, with a grin.

　　"I`m more interested in that." Pointing at the symbol. "Not a bad choice, you could have done far worse."

　　"It seemed like she had great benefits, and definitely more hands off than a number of the others, but I`ve had to spend a bunch of time in the graveyard. Which is nasty. Like, nasty shit."

　　"Well, we`re not doing that today." Would love to, but doubt they`d let me. "So don`t worry. Tell your thing to take five."

　　"Yeah, but you`re probably thinking about sending us down there."

　　"What`s wrong with down there?"

　　"Once was enough. And why haven`t you introduced us?"

　　"Sorry. Sorry. Sorry." Once to each. "Evie, Kate, I`d like you to meet this girl I met while on the trip. She`s in Ishtar. I`ve been kicked out, by the way. Or I guess I never made it all the way in, something like that. But anyway, that was yesterday, this is today. This is Magpie. She`s great."

　　Their eyebrows climbing and climbing during the explanation. Glancing back and forth between us.

　　"Your name`s Magpie?" said Wolfe.

　　"Thank God you got kicked out," said Riley.

　　"No, your name can`t be Magpie," said Wolfe, reaching out her hand. "Group up." Pausing. "Grace, very nice to meet you, I`m Kate. What do you want me to call you?"

　　"You can call me either. They`re both my name," said Magpie.

　　Wolfe getting a look on her face, that burning desire to ask.

　　"Why`s your name Magpie?" said Riley. "And, seriously, I don`t know what twisted shit you did to get kicked out of that house, but, whatever it was, good job."

　　"I`m in that house," said Magpie.

　　"And I`m certain you`re a lovely person," said Riley, with more than a touch of condescension, "but your house patron, not quite so much."

　　Magpie`s natural expression becoming more expressive.

　　"Evie." Extending out the two syllables. "I don`t think they feed it blood." Probably not, maybe only on special occasions.

　　Riley regaining a bit of her composure, looking back at Magpie. "I`m sorry."

　　"Mac, you fed that thing blood," said Magpie.

　　"You did what?" Riley losing that little bit of composure gained.

　　"Why`d you call her Mac?" said Kate.

　　"It likes blood, what else was I supposed to do? I didn`t want to make it mad."

　　"Whose blood?" said Riley, squinting one eye.

　　"My own. What, do you think I`m going to run around trying to find a sacrifice for a dark god in order to gain power? That`s crazy. Just the logistics."

　　"Why did you get kicked out?" said Riley.

　　"Why`d you call her Mac?" said Kate.

　　"Its a nickname, it`s short for Macarthy. Better than saying Lucilia. That would get old."

　　"I didn`t get kicked out because I gave it blood. Wait, you`ve got to see this, I`ve got a number of new tricks. Evie, you`re making me cut my own hand now. I just want you to know that."

　　Glaring at me.

　　"Fine. I got kicked out because that piece of human garbage Harold Shaker blackballed me. Every house. On account of he and I having words at the gala, right before that thing came and started killing people. Fortunately, though, most of these people around here, they don`t seem all that thrilled to be doing it."

　　"The Director?" said Riley. Wolfe narrowing her eyes, glancing past me, staring into space.

　　"Yes."

　　"Why?"

　　"Because I really pissed him off."

　　"I mean, that`s a plausible explanation, with you." said Riley. Magpie failing to hold back her laugh. "Yeah, you know." Looking back at me. "So what are you going to do about it?"

　　"I`m going to talk to him, see if he`ll relent if I grovel enough."

　　"I don`t believe that for a second."

　　"You`re right, no matter how much groveling I do he probably won`t. I`ll ask him, but then I`m going to wait it out. Its just the houses, and not even really the rank and file. Magpie here is proof of that. And ask Jack, he`s aware."

　　Riley starting to talk again, but cut off by Wolfe, "Lucy, its really great you`re back." Addressing Riley, "let`s not give her the third degree." Turning back, "where are we headed today?"

　　"Well, we were going to go underground, but that has been rejected. Personal question. Levels."

　　"Thirteen," said Wolfe. Riley turning in surprise. "Matt`s been having me join him the past couple cycles. He`s a really great guy."

　　"Eleven," said Riley, in shame. "I did that whole pilgrim thing, and now Jack started playing with his friends on day four. I`ve been going out with some others from the temple on day one, and slacking a bit on day five."

　　"Kate, what do you usually do on four? We`re not fucking with your time with Matt, right?"

　　"Its fine. Starting next cycle he`s also got something scheduled during the day," said Wolfe. "He asked me to join him but I already have a job outside of here. I don`t want to sign away all my free time. Spending half a day with you guys, though? Worth it."

　　"Kate, I appreciate that. I`m very glad to be back. Alright, I think I`ve got something that will satisfy everyone. We`re heading to the Haunted Forest. The one north of here, not the other one."

　　"That`s the one north of the boars?" said Wolfe. Nodding at her. "I was there last cycle. The trees wail. Its something."

　　"Mac, we`re going to the western side, right?"

　　"Yeah, west and south." Magpie looking relieved, Riley with no objection. "Alright, Haunted Forest it is. Get in a circle, hold hands."

　　Me, Riley and Wolfe holding hands. Wolfe and myself reaching out for the now hesitating Magpie.

　　"Come on, get in, we don`t have cooties." Magpie joining hands.

　　Riley starting her prayer. Definitely different. Cold. An arctic wind, swirling around and through us, but leaving us refreshed and smelling crisp morning air.

　　"Evie, you just reminded me. May I have some bread?"

　　"Yes, you may," she said, with a proud smile. "I got three flavors now. Olive oil and garlic, honey and herb and pretzel."

　　"No cinnamon?"

　　"I`ve been trying," she said, shaking her head, "just pick one of those."

　　"Honey and herb sounds tempting, but I`ll do olive oil and garlic, an oldie but a goodie."

　　Quick chant, and then pop, fresh from heaven`s ovens. Magpie looking at Riley in a new light.

　　"Kate, you`re up," said Riley.

　　"Pretzel," she said. Another pop.

　　"Alright, you, little munchkin two point oh," said Riley, pointing at Magpie.

　　"You can just make bread?" said Magpie, in awe.

　　"Magpie, some people in this world are born lucky. That is not either of us."

　　"Hurry up," said Riley, giving her fingers a snap, "or the kitchen will be closed."

　　Magpie glancing back and forth between mine and Wolfe`s. "Pretzel." With conviction. Pop.

　　"Here you go," said Riley, handing it over. "Magpie? I`m Evie. Sorry I was a bit of a bitch to you earlier."

　　"Don wurry bout id," said Magpie, her mouth full of bread.