“Well, I think that makes our decision for us.” Naiela said as Jorsh walked away.

  Triss put her head in her hands. “It’s going to be the western road.”

  “What? Of course not. I highly doubt there are actually demons on that road. Most likely a stray band of direwolves came down from the mountain and this driver’s mind ran away from him. Lack of sleep can do that.” Naiela said. “I would say it’s best to avoid the direwolves though, so the northern road it is.” She nodded once to herself, seeming to consider the issue settled, and began eating her stew.

  “You don’t get it. I’m not saying we should take the western road. I’m saying with my luck, one way or another we’re going to have to take it. And it’ll be worse than you think.” Triss replied.

  “Nonsense. We have no reason to take the western road.”

  “Not yet.” Triss replied gloomily.

  “I agree with Naiela, actually.” Reginald said. “I think we should take the northern road. We’ll have to leave here shortly if we want to get our supplies before nightfall. Are you coming with us?” He directed the question to Naiela.

  She shook her head, still eating, and raised a hand in the air. Jorsh returned seconds later. “Master Jorsh. I need to leave first thing in the morning, but I do require a few supplies first. Would you be kind enough to send one of your maids to do some shopping for me? Everything I need is on this list.” She pointed to the piece of paper with her spoon.

  “Of course, Mistress Naiela. I’ll have someone sent right away.” He bobbed a quick bow and grabbed the paper, hurrying towards the back of the inn.

  A dark expression passed over Reginald’s face, but he quickly smoothed it. “Good enough.” He said. “Triss, you stay here with Naiela. I’ll grab what we need and be right back.”

  “Wait, what? I want to go shopping too.” She replied.

  “I think it will be easier if I go alone.” He replied, glancing at Naiela. Triss was about to protest, but she recognized the look on Reginald’s face. It was his ‘Don’t argue with me right now’ face.

  “Fine.” Triss said grumpily, sitting back in her seat and crossing her arms. “Just don’t leave me with her for too long.”

  "You're more than welcome to leave anytime." Naiela replied, sipping at her wine.

  "Just try not to get into a fight while I'm gone." Reginald replied, standing up and pushing his chair in. He fixed Triss with a hard look. "I mean it."

  "Yeah, yeah." Triss replied, grabbing her ale and taking a large swallow. "We'll behave."

  He stared at her a moment longer before turning and heading out the front door of the inn. Triss finished her beer, glanced at Naiela, then crossed her arms and stared across the common room at the empty stage. A serving woman came by within seconds, swapping out the empty mug for a new full one. She looked at the foamy mug, and idly wondered if they would bill Reginald or Naiela for it. She knew Reginald didn't have a lot of extra money. She decided she didn't care at that moment. Reginald had left her behind, after all. She grabbed the mug and drained half in one large gulp.

  "Crass." Naiela remarked, sipping on her wine.

  Triss roller her eyes. "Do they install the stick at the council? Or is it something that comes naturally to you?"

  "Excuse me? What stick?"

  Triss grinned wickedly. "The stick up your ass, of course. The one that makes you act like you're better than everyone."

  "I am better than everyone. At least, everyone at this table." Naiela replied coldly. "At least I don't chug beer like a common wagon driver."

  Triss drained her mug before replying. "Probably for the best." She remarked. "You'd be under the table after two. And lord knows I'm not carrying you you to bed." Triss felt warm and slightly flushed, and realized the ale was already having a mild effect on her. She relaxed in her seat, holding up a hand for a refill.

  "Please. You think we didn't drink in training?" Naiela said. She grabbed the ale that had been placed in front of her earlier and took a sip. "I could drink a dozen and not even feel it if I felt like it."

  "Bullshit." Triss replied, grinning. Part of her knew this was a bad idea. She and Reginald had to leave soon, and she'd need to be at least partly sober. The other part of her wanted to take the arrogant council wizard down a peg. A serving woman brought Triss a new mug, and smirked at Naiela before taking a deep drink. "I'm two ahead of you, if you're losing count."

  Naiela's eyes narrowed, then she drained the mug in one long, smooth go. She held a hand in the air, glaring at Triss as she waited for her refill.

  “Out of the way fool!” The cart driver yelled. Reginald growled and bared his fangs, but took a large step back at the same time. Two large Olotina barreled past him, their heavy padded feet splashing through the puddle in front of Reginald and splashing his feet and legs with what Reginald hoped was just mud. The cart they towed followed behind, it’s wheels sending a cascading wall of puddle water that reached over his head. “Idiot!” The cart driver called over his shoulder as Reginald tried to wipe the mud from his eyes.

  Reginald took a slow, deep breath. “If I kill them all, it would be wrong. Probably.” He muttered to himself. He took a few more slow, calming breaths, running through the spells he knew. Maybe fire ants? He could try summoning fire ants to deal with that merchant from earlier. “This is why we don’t leave the castle.” He turned and began walking down the street again. He had one more stop to make before he could go back to the inn. A part of him wanted to spend the night there in the soft, warm bed and deal with whatever came up in the morning. It wasn’t like a council wizard was a match for him. At least, not a normal council wizard. He sighed, and put his hood back down and let the cold rain hit his face. Maybe it would clean off some of the mud for him.

  The final stop was down a narrow alley in the worst section of the city. Reginald was almost a little grateful for the rain, as it kept the more unsavoury types off the street. Only a fool would be out on an evening like this. The only person Reginald saw was an old man lighting the lamps that stood every twenty paces or so on the sides of the street. They did little to fix the everpresent gloom that surrounded the dilapidated buildings. He made his way around piles of trash and down between two buildings until he reached a wooden door set into the side of one of the houses. The door was once painted blue, though now only the barest of flecks remained stuck stubbornly into the cracks in the dare wood. He lowered his hood and knocked twice, then twice more in a staccato rhythm. He waited several minutes, wondering if he should knock again when the door suddenly swung open with a deafening creak. Beyond was pitch black, with no sign of anyone.

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  “Hello?” Reginald called into the open doorway.

  “Who dares to disturb the dead?” A faint, unearthly whisper replied. “Step forth, unless you value your life.”

  “Oh, knock it off Aleen.” Reginald replied.

  There was a momentary pause before the voice responded. “Reginald?”

  “Do you know any other Draconic?” Reginald replied sarcastically.

  Light bloomed in the room, blinding Reginald for a second. “Damn it Aleen! Warn someone before you do that!”

  “Sorry, sorry.” The voice had changed. No longer the whisper of an undead spirit, now it was the croaking voice of an elderly man. Shuffling footsteps announced the man’s approach. “What are you doing standing out in the rain like that? Come in, come in.” Aleen stepped into the doorway, looking up at Reginald. The man had always been short, but now his back was bent so much he walked as though he was always bowing.

  “I would, but there’s someone standing in the doorway.”

  “Oh! Yes, yes. Come along now.” Aleen moved back and Reginald stepped into the room. “I must say, I didn’t expect to see you again in my lifetime. What brings you out this way?”

  Reginald shook the rain off his cloak before turning to face the older man. “You still have those tomes on demon summoning?”

  The rain was pounding even harder when Reginald finally left Aleen’s. Great drops of water careened through the skies to slam against his cloak as he half jogged back to the inn. His mood was darker than the skies at this point. Aleen had the tomes, but the information he needed wasn’t in them. At least, not all the information. He cursed the reclusive and secretive nature of dark wizards once again. Of course the information he needed was in multiple books. He’d have to seek out another dark wizard when they reached Koponi and hope that this one would have what he needed.

  When the inn finally came into sight, he increased his pace. He remembered Triss telling him once that running got you wetter in the rain than walking, but he didn’t believe it. The faint sounds of music and singing grew louder as he approached the door. Naiela had probably retired already, the music too much for her, but Triss would likely be in the common room. He pushed open the door and stepped into the room, looking for Triss. The common room was absolutely packed, and he cursed inwardly. It would be difficult to find her with all these people here, seeing as he was shorter than almost everyone. He was just looking around to find a chair to stand on when he heard her. No, when he heard them.

  “Everybody!” Triss and Naiela sang.

  “Yeaaah!” The crowd sang back.

  “Rock your body!”

  “Yeah!”

  Reginald pushed through the crowd towards the stage, baring his fangs at anyone who tried to stop him. One particularly inebriated oaf was too caught up in the singing to notice Reginald pushing him aside, and he had to kick the back of the man's legs to get him to move. When he finally pushed through to the front he found Triss and Naiela dancing atop the narrow stage, still singing the same nonsensical song. "What are you doing!" He yelled at them.

  Triss looked down through bloodshot eyes. "Reggie! Sor-sorny. Reginald. Hi!" She gave him a lopsided grin. "We're... singing!"

  "Yeah!" Naiela added. "Swinging!"

  "Oooh, do you think they have a swing set here?" Triss said, eyes going wide. "Reggie! We need a swing set!"

  "Get down from there at once!" He snapped. Triss's face fell, and Naiela glowered at him. The crowd began to boo and hiss at him as he took the girl's hands to lead them off the stage. Naiela snatched her hand back.

  "I am a Willard. Unhand me." Naiela said coldly. Then she giggled. "Willard. Willard. Wiilllard." She repeated, drawing the word out. "I can't say Willard." She said, voice slow and slurred.

  "Hey, leave the ladies alone!" A drunk man at Reginald's side said, pushing his finger into Reginald's chest. "If they wanna ding they can sing."

  Reginald grabbed the man's finger and twisted, not enough to break it but enough to get his point across. The man screamed and fell to his knees as Reginald pushed the offending digit backwards. "Stay out of this."

  "Hey! Don't do that! Thass my friend!" The big oaf from before bellowed, stomping forward and pushing people aside like a wave.

  "Hey!" Triss yelled at the big man. "Thass my friend! You...stop!" She reached for her sleeve and the wand Reginald knew was hidden there. His hearts began to pound in his chest as he realized what she was planning to do. The big oaf ignored her words and continued plowing people aside as he stormed towards Reginald, the promise of violence plain on his face.

  "Enough!" Jorsh’s voice rang above the inebriated buzz filling the room. To Reginald’s surprise, the room quieted instantly. The innkeeper strode to the stage, the patrons parting for him without a word.

  “Hi Josh!” Triss said excitedly when he stepped up on the stage. He gave her a smile and a nod, then turned to address the crowd.

  “I don’t know what has gotten into your heads tonight, but it stops now. You all know better.” He stared down the big man who’d stopped only a pace from Reginald with his hand still clenched into fists. “Johann. What would your mother say if she knew you were going to hit that man?” The big man looked down at the ground, shame plain on his face. “And Tert. How do you expect to work with a broken finger? Think the mill will pay you out of the goodness of their hearts when you can’t work?”

  He crossed his arms and looked around the room. “There is no fighting at the Golden Bear. You all know this. The next to try will receive a year long ban. Understand?” Sullen nods and muttered agreement came unenthusiastically from the assembled patrons. “Good.” He smiled, the shouted. “Drinks are half off for the next hour!” The assembly cheered loud enough to shake the windows, and the room was suddenly overwhelmed with conversation and laughter.

  Jorsh pulled Reginald out of the crowd and up on the stage with the two girls. “I would suggest getting these two off to bed, if you can.” Jorsh said. “I think if they stay down here things will likely get a bit too out of hand.”

  “You heard the man. It’s bedtime.” Reginald said.

  “What? No! I don’t wanna go to bed!” Triss pouted.

  “You can’t tell me what to do!” Naiela snapped. “I am a wizard! Wizard! Thass the word!”

  “You did it!” Triss cheered.

  “Gods above help me.” Reginald sighed. “One was enough. I took in one stray and it turned everything upside down. How was I foolish enough to take on a second?”

  Jorsh clapped him on the back. “It sounds like your problem now. Good luck.” The innkeeper hopped off the stage and disappeared into the crowd. Reginald sighed again and turned to the two recalcitrant women. This…this was going to take a while.

  The first thing Triss was aware of the next morning was noise. And that that the shuffling of feet on the inn’s floorboards sounded way, way too loud. She pulled her pillow over her throbbing head, covering her ear to block out the noise. Someone was playing with something else. Then the curtains must have been flung open because sharp lights stabbed through her closed eyes. “Damn. It. Reginald!” She said hoarsely, moving the pillow to block her eyes and ears. “My heeeaad.” She whined.

  “Oh, I have just the thing for that. Here.” Someone said. Not Reginald. A serving man? Why would a serving man be in her room? Someone took her exposed hand and placed a cold something into it. A vial? Yeah. A glass vial. She forced herself to sit up, bleary eyes unable to make out the people in her room. People? There were several shapes. She blinked to clear her vision, and then her blood suddenly ran cold.

  A fat man in a colourful robe sat on Reginald’s bed, an intricately carved wand in his hand. “Good morning, Mistress Triss.” He smiled like he knew something she didn’t. “I am Yurnash, Court wizard of Hortin. And I’m afraid you are now my prisoner.”