The trio traveled through the darkness of the night.

  “Shouldn’t we light a torch?” Toshie asked.

  Sally ughed. “Can’t see well, Great Hero?”

  “No, can you?”

  “Yup, one of the perks of being a Dwarf. Yr, should we hold her hands?”

  Yrlith ughed and took one of Toshie’s hands. Although it was scaly, Toshie was still surprised at its softness.

  “Uh, thanks. So, uh, Yrlith, was it? You’re a Dragon?”

  The two ughed.

  “Dragonkin,” she corrected. “But don’t worry too much about it.”

  ‘Fair enough,’ Toshie thought. She was more worried about how much longer her legs would continue to work. “I could go for a beer,” she said without thinking.

  “Ooh, I like the sound of that, Great Hero,” Sally said. “Got a bit more of a walk, though.”

  At the break of dawn, they saw the sea and the port town of Stonegate. Unlike Unterstone, there were no guards or walls. Toshie could see dog-faced creatures putting produce on dispy. She rubbed her eyes. Nope. Still dog faces. And she had worried Yrlith would stand out.

  “You look surprised.” Sally stared at Toshie.

  “Well, I wasn’t expecting to see, uh, Dogmen?”

  Sally looked at the town and back at Toshie. “Oh, do you mean the Houndsfolk? Did you not meet any of them when you arrived in Stonegate?”

  “I woke up in a field,” Toshie said matter-of-factly.

  Sally gave her a confused look. “You must be exhausted. Let’s get something to eat and rest at the inn. I doubt we will find a ship willing to take us today, anyway.”

  “Isn’t showing your face risky?” Toshie asked.

  “Ah, you’re right. Yrlith, if you would.”

  Yrlith csped her hands together and muttered some words Toshie couldn’t comprehend. Sally bent over, her youthful vigor faded, and now an elderly woman stood in her pce.

  Toshie gasped.

  “Don’t worry, young dy.” Sally gave Toshie a stupid grin. “Yrlith’s magic isn’t permanent.” Yrlith put out a scaled hand and led the old Sally into the town.

  Ol' Blue’s Inn and Bakery read the sign above the inn’s door.

  ‘Why can I read that?’ Toshie thought as she stared at the sign.

  “You coming, Great Hero?” Sally said as Yrlith pulled the door open.

  “Just call me Toshie,” she said as she followed them inside.

  The inn was an old oak building, not stone like everything had been in the Dwarven town. Upon entering, they were greeted by a desk where a dozing woman sat. She was covered with gray fur and had cat ears poking out through a loosely tied scarf.

  “I thought this was a town of dog people,” Toshie whispered to Sally.

  “Houndsfolk,” Sally whispered back. “And Stonegate is home to many kinds of people. Do you seriously not know this?”

  Yrlith cleared her throat. The woman stirred.

  “Two rooms, please. And meals, if you provide them.”

  “Thirty Nuggies,” she said, not even making eye contact. “Names?”

  “One room for Lady Starshine and Ashdris. The other is for…” Yrlith looked at Toshie.

  “Uh, Jess,” she said.

  “Strange name, Jess,” the woman said as she scribbled in a book. She pulled out two keys, still staring at her writing. “Rooms are upstairs. Down the hall is the dining area. Payment first.”

  Yrlith handed over the coins and thanked the woman. She said nothing and began to snore again.

  “Let’s eat,” Sally said.