"Those trees did a little more than wail," said Riley.

　　"I`ve never been to that part of the forest," said Wolfe.

　　"Yeah, sorry about that, but with that other group where we wanted to go, I figured better to play nice and let them have the spot. They got there first."

　　Ink`s Charms appearing on the horizon. A new person behind the counter, a young man, one of them.

　　"Welcome to Ink`s," pausing, "Ms. Macarthy, how nice to meet you. Let me get Ink, she wanted to speak with you when you came by."

　　Voices off in the side room, and then Ink herself.

　　"Ms. Macarthy," she said, "I`ve been expecting you. I had a visitor yesterday. Visitors. They made quite the tempting offer and I was told you were responsible for that."

　　Questioning looks from Magpie, Riley and Wolfe.

　　"Looks like you`re already hiring."

　　"Yes, it was quite the offer. But now, unfortunately, your easy days of indolence are over. I`ve got a substantial project lined up and you`re going to be very busy."

　　"That`s how it should be."

　　"What`s she talking about?" said Riley.

　　"Ishtar booted me so I went looking elsewhere. These little stones are valuable, Ms. Inkathrius, it turns out, is capable and enterprising, and we managed to find an investor."

　　"Who?" said Magpie, considering the fairly short list of possibilities.

　　"Sam."

　　Riley and Wolfe with blank looks, no recognition.

　　"Sam," said Magpie, frowning. "What`d you get yourself into?"

　　"Well, apparently, I`ve lost a lot of free time," time that would be spent out in the field anyway, "but now I`ve got a guaranteed thing with these stones, and this little shop is not going to be so little anymore." Ink beaming at that. "I know its a little late to be asking this, but would you guys mind helping me do this, from time to time. I`d really appreciate it."

　　"Of course," said Wolfe.

　　"What kind of question is that?" said Riley

　　"We`re still going to be getting paid, right?" said Magpie.

　　"That`s actually a good question," said Riley.

　　"Yes, we sure are." Pointing at Magpie, then pointing at Riley. "But, if whatever they`re asking for is, say, down there," Riley making a face, "we`re not going to have too much leeway to say no."

　　"I`m putting together a list of the specific creatures I`m looking for," said Ink. "I`m going to be doing some experimenting. It`s going to be pretty extensive, you won`t need to drag these poor girls anywhere they don`t want to go."

　　Ink, that last part did not help.

　　"That`s great, thanks Ink."

　　"My pleasure. What do you have for me today?"

　　Rolling them out. Brown with a red dot and sickly green. Eleven and ten.

　　"Fifty five each for the these," said Ink, "but these others are much better, eighty four."

　　And then a different pouch containing the dark green, brown and more brown stones from yesterday afternoon and evening. Turning to leave, the other three in front.

　　"Oh, hold on, I forgot something. I`ll be right out."

　　Getting Riley`s gift. Out the door and to lunch.

　　***

　　"Hey Evie," said Magpie, "you must have played. I was second base."

　　"Pitcher. Growing up and through high school," said Riley. "But controlling this thing is different." Giving a short chant and a globe of water appearing mid air, above her palm. "See how its just floating, I don`t need to physically do anything to make it shoot off, but going through the motion really seems to help with accuracy. And its way more fun than softball." Glancing around the restaurant. "Let me take this outside, I don`t think they`ll like me getting their floor all wet." Riley getting up and turning toward the door.

　　"Wait." Refilling my water glass. "Anyone else?" Being handed Wolfe`s and then Magpie`s. Riley giving me a look, grabbing hers too.

　　"Barely anything left," said Riley, sitting back down and surreptitiously releasing it under our table with a small sploosh.

　　"Its a good thing you had it. Your light isn`t fire anymore. That really would have been useful against those trees."

　　"Under new management." she said, tapping on her symbol. "Worked well enough against the spiders."

　　"Yep, slowed them down considerably," said Magpie.

　　"Hey, Kate, you doing alright?"

　　"Yeah," she said, absently, continuing to stir her sweet tea with her straw, "I just feel like I did a lot of standing around today. There`s not much I can do against them."

　　"You`re invaluable. Kept them off Evie, kept them distracted for Magpie. I see why you switched weapons. And we walked out of there with only some rips on our clothes. But I don`t think that`s what you`re upset about. I`ve got something that`s going to cheer you right up. Your gift."

　　Opening my pack and then putting her gift on the table. A small, carved wooden statue of a man holding a cup.

　　"Um," said Wolfe, trying to seem happier than she clearly was, "thank you?"

　　"Did you find that on the side of the road?" said Riley. "Be honest."

　　Magpie starting to crack up. "There`s more to that than meets the eye, it made the trip back much better."

　　"Pick it up Kate, you`ll see. And don`t get crazy with it."

　　Wolfe considering my smiling face, and then Magpie`s, and then reaching her hand out to pick up the statue. Holding it for a second, studying it.

　　"Oh." Looking back at me. "What is this?" Gesturing at her, smug look on my face. Small smile creeping on to hers, and then a resolved nod. Concentrating on the statue, blinking a few times, and then concentrating again.

　　That may have been a bit much.

　　"Whoa," she said, eyes going wide, "did that just get me-" The second wave hitting, interrupting her mid sentence with a hiccup.

　　"It did. Lucy," she slurred, "this is great, I love it." Taking her hand off the statue and accidentally knocking her sweet tea off the table, the glass shattering. "Whoopsie." Giggling, leaning over to try and start picking up some of the pieces, but falling sideways out of her chair, directly onto the pieces of broken glass.

　　"Kate, are you alright?" Getting up to help, using the shield to assist picking her up.

　　"I`m fine," she said, waving her bloody hands, pieces of glass sticking out, "this is nothing." Picking out the pieces, her hands quickly healing the small cuts, the glass being pushed out.

　　"What happened?" said Riley.

　　"That thing got me drunk," said Wolfe, big smile on her face. "For the first time since our farewell party, more than half a year."

　　"You might have done a bit too much. I forgot to mention the delay."

　　"Nope, this is just right," she said, her hand tapping the table, getting some blood on it, and threatening to knock other things off.

　　"Take it easy for a bit, you`re not used to it."

　　"Lucy," she slurred again, "I appreciate your concern, but you`re not the boss of me. Maybe a bit more." Starting to reach for the statue again.

　　This has gotten out of control rather quickly.

　　"Nope." Using the shield to grab her arm. "You and I are going for a walk, right now."

　　Wolfe giving me an annoyed look, but then a crafty grin growing on her face. "Okay, you want to go, lets go."

　　"I`ll be right back." Leaving an amused and slightly mortified Riley, and a significantly less mortified Magpie at the table, one of the restaurant staff coming over with a broom and dustpan.

　　Getting out of the restaurant, Wolfe leaning on me, her arm around my shoulder. Not exactly a pixie. For softball, probably third base. From her face it looked like she trimmed down a bit but she doesn`t feel any lighter. Feels heavier, if anything. Hold up - taking a deep breath - she`s allowed to wear heavier armor than me. Getting the flash of jealousy under control and starting to walk around the block.

　　"Hey Lucy," she said, "its really great to have you back. I don`t even care that you`ve got some secrets that your not telling us, its great that you`re back."

　　"I, um, I don`t-"

　　"Don`t give me that," she said. "I know we all have secrets, but you know. You know too much. Always have. Since the first day we met. Every crazy thing you`ve said has turned out to be not so crazy. I love that about you. So don`t give me that."

　　Continuing to walk with her, taking another lap.

　　"You deserve to know, and I`m going to tell you, but I don`t want you to hate me."

　　"I`m not going to hate you. This thing with you being banned everywhere, it has to do with it, right?"

　　"Yes, it does."

　　Wolfe stopping, forcing me to stop.

　　"And the Director is really blaming you?"

　　"Yes." Surprise and then distress on her face. "I`ve tried really hard not to lie to you guys. Really, really hard. I love you guys and I`m really sorry. Just give me a little more time."

　　"I want to help you," she said, searching my face, "but I trust you. You`re going to tell us when you`re ready?"

　　"I will. I promise. How do you like your gift?"

　　"Its extremely thoughtful, thank you," she said, breaking out in a smile. "And totally overdue."

　　"You`re good to head back?"

　　"I am, it just all hit me at once." Starting to walk but Wolfe not making any attempt to start moving again. "Hey, Lucy, when I said I was glad you came back, I meant it. You`re the same as when you left. You`ve never acted weird around me."

　　"Just crazy, right?"

　　"I don`t know. Before coming out here I don`t think I even knew what crazy was." Starting to laugh but stopping at Wolfe`s dead serious expression. "I`ve been helping Matt these past few cycles. The people he`s joining up with have some pretty strict standards. I`ve met with them a couple times and they didn`t even look at me twice. Yesterday I went out with Matt to do his test. That was only yesterday..." Wolfe trailing off.

　　"Yeah, how`d that go?"

　　"Oh, it all went fine. He got a little banged up but he did great. I`m proud of him. Its just that, so I go over to help him after, and its like a switch gets flipped. These people who wouldn`t give me the time of day are suddenly acting super nice. They barely even congratulated him."

　　No reason to sugarcoat it. "Its because you`re an Empath."

　　"I know. I`ve been going out of my way not to tell people because some of them get weird, and sometimes they get pushy."

　　"If they go overboard you should demand they kiss the ground you walk on."

　　"I`m definitely not going to do that," she said, a bit horrified at the prospect.

　　"Suit yourself." Giving a shrug.

　　Wolfe losing it, leaning heavily on my shoulder. Trying to stay up. "Lucy, its good you`re back."

　　"I`m glad to see you, too. Lets get back, the food`s probably already on the table."

　　Back at the restaurant, food already out, Magpie and Riley about a quarter of the way in. Both pointing at Wolfe when she came in.

　　"There she is." "Welcome back." Wolfe turning chartreuse, putting a hand on her face.

　　"Sorry," she said, taking her seat, "been awhile."

　　Taking my seat. Riley looking at me expectantly. Starting to eat my food. Glancing over. Still looking.

　　"This is pretty good."

　　"Better than the place we went two days ago," said Magpie.

　　"Oh yeah, that was horrible. So get this, the place we went to looked good. I made the call, had a quality sign out front, nothing too dodgy. You think there was going to be anything wrong with it?"This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author`s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

　　Riley still looking expectantly.

　　"Nope," said Magpie, "seemed like a decent place. Nothing stood out."

　　"So we go into this restaurant, first clue something`s wrong-" Glancing over at Riley. "Yeah, Evie, is there something I can help you with?"

　　"Well, I was just wondering," she said, and then she stopped.

　　"Oh, what kind of restaurant it was? It was a-" Her face going full pout.

　　"What`s wrong?" Completely unable to control my grin.

　　"You know full well," said Riley.

　　"Evie, you`re right, I`m sorry. Due to everything with Kate it completely slipped my mind. I most certainly did not forget to get you a gift. I figure you will most appreciate it. Let me get it."

　　Rooting around in my pack, making a show of it, and then uncapping the lid on the pail, pulling it out and putting it on the table.

　　Riley looking at it, nodding thoughtfully. "I don`t suppose there`s anything in the sand?"

　　"Maybe. Just start digging on down. You might like what you find."

　　"Okay." Starting to dig, at first tentatively, then with more vigor. Finally, a discovery. Triumph on her face. Pulling it out.

　　"This is," said Riley, pulling out her gift, about an inch long. Several blinks. "This is a bug."

　　"I can`t believe you got her that," said Magpie, trying not to make any sudden moves.

　　"That," holding up my index finger in order to offer a gentle correction, "is a scarab. Its been de-weaponized."

　　"That`s what I said, its a bug." Riley peering at it. "What`s this material?" Her head snapping up. "What do you mean its been de-weaponized?"

　　"Those are typically used as traps. While they`re still active they`re pretty valuable, but when they`ve been disarmed they`re just jewelry. Its a status symbol."

　　"You want me to wear a bug?"

　　"Evie, take a look at the craftsmanship." Riley resuming her inspection. "And its not just jewelry. This chain I`m wearing," pointing to the thing on my neck, "helps regulate temperature. It was perfect for being out in the desert."

　　"Wait, you were wearing something like that?" said Magpie. "I was sweating like a pig the whole time."

　　"It only helped. I sweat a bunch, it was plenty hot." Magpie giving me a look. "Anyway, Evie, they reanimated it. It can serve as a hairpin or a clasp without being dangerous. She also said it helps to repel vermin. I`m not sure what that means, to be honest."

　　"So I can make it move?" The onyx scarab in Riley`s hand suddenly coming to life, getting to its feet, wings opening. Magpie letting out a small eep. Feeling a jolt of nervousness, myself. "This thing is really cool." Then scarab walking around a bit on her hand, getting its bearings, then crawling up her arm and onto her head. Choosing a place to settle, grasping onto her hair, it wings still unfurled.

　　Letting out my breath. Had been holding it.

　　"So how do I look?" Riley turning her head this way and that.

　　***

　　Money in hand, minus the fines for helping Wolfe off the floor, with the spinnerets from the spiders included, and several wooden hearts, roughly nine gold each, plus extra for me from yesterday`s stones.

　　"I`ll see you guys later."

　　"See you, Mac," said Magpie, waving, heading off. Riley and Wolfe sticking around.

　　"So what`d you think of her?"

　　"I like her," said Wolfe.

　　"Its a shame she`s in Ishtar," said Riley.

　　"Listen, Evie, they`re decent people," holding up my hands at her expression, "I know you don`t like their thing, but they are not their thing."

　　"You seem to be very forgiving about this whole situation," said Riley. "They kicked you out. I figured you`d be more angry. I would be."

　　Looking away and sighing. Keeping my eyes off her for a moment before looking back, meeting her uncompromising stare.

　　"Every person on that trip, ten people out of the house, decent enough people. And, so far, only Magpie with the guts willing to be seen with me in public. The rest of the house, not my concern. Their leadership, trash. I`m quite angry at them, but I also understand the position they`re in. I owe Magpie an enormous debt of gratitude."

　　Looking at each other for a long moment.

　　"I like her," conceded Riley. "I`ll try not to hold it against her. And she can turn invisible, it`s pretty amazing."

　　"Thank you, and it definitely is. Its been really good to see you guys. Tomorrow, West Gate at eight?"

　　"I`ll be there," said Riley. "But I`m going to talk to Jack to see if he can do anything at Stormhawk for you. There no reason for you to be blamed for something you`re not responsible for."

　　"Evie," said Wolfe, "let`s not push this just yet." Riley starting to retort but Wolfe continuing. "I`m sure Lucy only needs a little bit of time to get things sorted out." Looking back at me. "And if you can`t manage on your own, know that we`re here for you. Okay?"

　　"I appreciate it, Kate."

　　"Fine," said Riley, acquiescing, but not happy about doing so.

　　Waving goodbye, both going their separate ways.

　　So many things to do. Need to meet with Shaker, need to rattle those people at the bathhouse, need to go to the clothing shop and get some extra sets made, need to go to the pawnshop and look around, need to see my master and scout out the Runemages, need to think about a long term living situation, rent an apartment, if only for storage, and, of course, need to head underground, keep building up a buffer. Unfortunately, experience underground is getting slimmer and slimmer. Another level or so, going to have to go somewhere else for several months. Need to pester Sam about getting graveyard access now that the deal went through. Its relatively close, certainly closer than the northern Haunted Forest. The list of things to do growing and growing, then, suddenly, the tick hitting. Level 15.

　　Name: Lucilia Macarthy

　　Profession: Runemage Level: 15

　　Sex: Female

　　Experience: 99,862 (3,546)

　　Age: 20

　　Until Next: 25,888

　　Health

　　86

　　Mana

　　84

　　Stamina

　　38

　　Spirit

　　8

　　Strength (STR)

　　58 (4)

　　Constitution (CON)

　　64 (7)

　　Dexterity (DEX)

　　69 (14)

　　Agility (AGI)

　　88 (19)

　　Discipline (DIS)

　　78 (14)

　　Aura (AUR)

　　83 (16)

　　Logic (LOG)

　　74 (17)

　　Intuition (INT)

　　77 (18)

　　Wisdom (WIS)

　　47 (-2)

　　Influence (INF)

　　78 (14)

　　Name

　　Trainings

　　Bonus

　　Armor Use

　　6

　　29

　　Physical Fitness

　　16

　　62

　　Simple Weapons

　　16

　　62

　　Arcane Symbols

　　21

　　71

　　Magic Item Use

　　16

　　62

　　Harness Power

　　16

　　62

　　Mana Control

　　16

　　62

　　Runemancy

　　16

　　62

　　Arance Lore, Decomposition

　　4

　　20

　　Arcane Lore, Shaping

　　16

　　62

　　Arcane Lore, Transference

　　5

　　25

　　Survival

　　15

　　60

　　Perception

　　16

　　62

　　Climbing

　　15

　　60

　　Swimming

　　11

　　48

　　First Aid

　　15

　　60

　　Trading

　　16

　　62

　　Stalking and Hiding

　　16

　　62

　　New experience breakpoint, getting slower and slower. Reshape unlocked. Need to test. Let`s see, fifteen ranks is fine for those, can double up on Decomposition. And trading is cheap, may as well grab another rank. Let`s see what`s on tap.

　　Sixteenth rank.

　　Animate: Allows the caster to control of up to 50 lbs of inorganic matter. Duration is 5 minutes per level. Maximum size of the object animated is increased with each rank of Arcane Lore, Shaping. With 20 ranks of Arcane Lore, Shaping and 20 ranks of Arcane Lore, Transference, and an appropriate vessel, the caster may create a permanent golem under his or her control. Only one such golem can be in existence at a time.

　　Permanent golem? Neat. But forty ranks all together is a big ask. Fifty pounds baseline but increased with more ranks. Definitely need to test.

　　Seventeenth rank.

　　Erase: Can remove hostile physical spells from friendly targets or cleanse cursed items. Failure may result in the target or item being damaged. Can also be cast offensively as a warding spell. Effectiveness is increased with more ranks in Arcane Lore, Decomposition.

　　This spell would have saved me such a headache, well earache. Seventeen mana to use, probably packs a serious wallop.

　　As for now, would like to head underground, but the priority is Shaker. A little bit of groveling never hurt anyone. Turn on the waterworks, get him to back off, prevent him from blowing everything to pieces prematurely. Wonder if he`s even in today.

　　Heading back into the bank and depositing the majority of my money. Just in case. Heading back out, and north through the town square.

　　A voice calling out. "Ms. Macarthy." One of them running toward me, holding something in his hand. "Delivery. I`m going to need your response." Handing me an envelope.

　　At the sound of my name a lot of attention being paid to me. Did he really have to find me in the middle of the town square? Well, his office is right over there. But how about finding me inside the bank, its right over there, too. Significantly fewer people. Glancing around at the curious crowd. Ignore them, read the letter, give the response. Then move.

　　Lucy,

　　I have secured a partnership with Ms. Inkathrius, with the terms as discussed, except she insisted that you will have to be made available for specific requests, as she may have, from time to time. I don`t see why this would be an issue, you`ll still be getting paid for your work. According to my previous records you should be available on day five, please come by then at nine in the evening. If this is too sudden come by next day two. I`ve made some discrete inquiries and was recommended an individual who may be able to assist you in finding whatever it is Ms. Inkathius needs you to acquire, as far as a specific schedule you two can work it out amongst yourselves. If you have any issues let me know, otherwise I assume you`ll be kept quite occupied making the both of us rich. Please let me know when you`re going to be coming by.

　　Best regards,Samuel Phelps, Esq.

　　Esquire? Pretentious ass. Glancing back at the waiting courier, and doing my best to ignore the curious glances from the crowd.

　　"Please tell him that I`ll be there on day five. Tomorrow." Digging into my pocket for some silver and giving him fifteen coins.

　　"Ms. Macarthy, thank you very much, your message will be delivered."

　　Off he goes. Now for me to make my exit. Hastily starting to depart to the left, but being intercepted by a group of goons, Stormhawk emblems on their cloaks. What happened to the goodwill and cheer between us from earlier, fellas? At least the non aggression. One of them a familiar face, Everton. Mouthing something. `Sorry.` You`re going to be.

　　"Excuse me." The group moving to block me, encircling me.

　　Times like these, being short is a real disadvantage. Can`t see shit behind them. Are they really doing this in the middle of the afternoon with all these witnesses? The worst part, they`re so goddamn smug. Guards completely down. Killing one, a few days in the clink. Killing two or three in city limits, six or nine. But not really an option now, not with the meeting tomorrow.

　　"Can I help you with something?"

　　Looking down at me, his hand stroking the short beard on his chin, seemingly in thought.

　　"Your name`s Macarthy?" he said. "You`re the one the Director blacklisted, right? You seem like you fit her description."

　　"Yeah, that`s me. What`s it to you?"

　　"Listen," he said, "some of us were talking about it earlier, and we think it`s very unfair that you`re being blamed for something you`re not responsible for. You can`t help who your family is. In your present circumstances we were thinking you need some people to watch your back. Stormhawk will take you right in. All we ask in return is some gratitude."

　　"Nah. Appreciate it, but I`m good." Grin growing on my face.

　　"I don`t think you fully appreciate the severity of the situation you`ve found yourself in. You really might want to consider our help."

　　"Yeah, and what if I don`t?" Ear to ear. Then yelling. "If you want to fight me then let`s fucking go. Let`s get someone to officiate this and let`s do it."

　　Shocked. Got to play this right, not too tough, just enough to get him to agree.

　　"Or, what, one on one ain`t good enough for you? You really needed all six of you to gang up on one fucking girl?"

　　His group glancing around at the crowd.

　　"I didn`t know Stormhawk was letting in pussies."

　　That may have got him.