Summers waited as Synel spoke to an elven man behind a stall. She had assured them her contacts in the city could support their search. And frankly he was a little flattered she was so adamant about helping him.

He glanced back down at the short list in his hands, three creatures Synel had thought may be able to fix his condition. Much like their philosophy on dueling, the elves believed eating a powerful creature would lend you a degree of their strength. Which was ironic, given that was exactly what Summers was trying to do. So, the problem wasn’t finding them, per se. It was more of an issue of the cost.

The creatures Synel had suggested were some of the most dangerous, and therefore most expensive in the region. There was a market for them, but it was an exclusive one that catered mostly to nobility and the most affluent merchants. A single monster could cost as much as three stones, and that was just for a taste.

“You smell that?” Nowak wrinkled his nose as a ribbon of smoke passed by.

“You know I do.” Summers responded.

A stall nearly twenty feet away was selling some of the most horrific kebobs Summers had ever seen. Something like giant insects spit-roasted and grilled over an open flame. They also had the distinct scent of rotten meat.

Actually, now that he was looking at it properly, he’d seen them before. They were the same insects that created skinwalkers. Knowing what they were just made the somehow appetizing scent all the more disturbing.

“I don’t like leaving the boat unguarded.” Cortez muttered. “We’re just asking to get our shit taken away from us again.”

“It’s only for a day” Nowak explained. “And Summers told the captain to take off if he runs into any trouble. We should be fine. Besides the more people we have on this the faster it should go.”

Nowak looked to Summers, more than a little worry in his eyes.

Before Summers could respond Synel turned from the stall, heading back in their direction.

“…How’d it go?” Summers looked to the woman who was clearly not happy.

“I have a few leads. However, I have a feeling this won’t be easy.” Synel had already begun counting through a coin pouch at her side before tucking it back into her robe.

“We still have a stone or two left, don’t we?” Summers looked to Nowak.

“That won’t be enough.” Synel countered. “In fact, I don’t know if I even have the funds for it. And let me assure you, I have been remarkably successful as of late.” She patted the pouch in her vest for emphasis.

Summers glanced at the crowd around them.

“You sure you should be saying that so loud?”

“Oh please, you could break them in half if they tried.” Synel spoke even louder, watching the crowd mill around them. “Besides, I happen to take pride in my work.”

“…Fair enough.” Summers conceded.

“Moreover, money isn’t our only concern. It seems while some of these creatures were on the market recently, they’ve already been sold. Given that we’re on a tight schedule –“ Synel reached for the paper she’d given Summers, tearing it into three neat strips. “I suggest we split up and try to track down the buyers.”

“I can take one.” Asle offered, reaching up as Synel handed her a section.

“All right.” Nowak began. “Summers you and Synel should pair off. I can take the privates and… Asle, think you could translate for me?”

Asle nodded in response.

“I can take Orvar.” Cortez nodded to the man at her side. “I’ve been teaching him English and picked up enough of the local language to get by.”

“Fucking eh.” Orvar agreed with a heavy accent and surprisingly formal tone.

Summers didn’t even try to address that and instead handed Cortez the last strip of their list.

“Guys, are we sure this is worth it?” Summers looked down to the strip of paper in his hands tentatively. “I mean, it might be better –“

“Nope.” Cortez interrupted. “Either it works, or it doesn’t. Not taking shit from you until we see what happens.”

“This one’s not up to a vote corporal.” Nowak emphasized the rank. “My jobs to get as many of my people back home in as few pieces as possible. That includes what’s in your head. And you’d lose the vote anyway.”

Summers sighed, looking out to the city in front of them.

“All right then. Let’s get started.”

Synel guided Summers through a maze of stalls and wagons. The building actually reminded him more of a modern mall than a market. It was a large, half circle shaped structure filled with alcoves merchants were using to display their goods.

“So, what’s this thing supposed to do?” Summers looked at the woman questioningly.

“It is a creature with a legendarily tough hide. In fact, every bit of it seems armored.” Synel explained.

“Uh huh, and you think that will help me?”

“I once saw a spear shatter stabbing into this creature’s heart. Just the heart, mind you. So yes, I think it’s worth exploring. Now, stay here, please.” Synel gestured to a stall on the corner. “When you see me signal you, walk over and offer around fifty silver more than I am.”

“What?” Summers looked at the woman, confused.

“Just trust me.” She leaned forward, kissing his cheek before she moved in the opposite direction of the stall.

Summers watched her approach a small boy, handing him a handful of coins and directing him towards the same stall.

She passed Summers again.

“I’d forgotten to ask. Does it matter what cut we get?”

That was a good question, Summers thought before responding. He trailed a hand up to his now long, elf-like ears.

“Blood… Or something in the head. Since that’s what I’m trying to fix.” Summers tapped the side of his skull.

The woman didn’t seem to understand but she nodded after a moment. “Head it is then. Ah, right.” She reached into her coat and handed him a small pouch of coins. “Just in case you don’t have enough.”

Summers felt the weight of the pouch in his hands. There had to be a small fortune in there. By the time he looked up she was at the stall, speaking with the older elf behind it.

They spoke for some time before the man moved to the back, taking what was unmistakably a horn and placing it gently on the counter in front of him. It was as big as Summers’ chest, with some kind of gold metalwork ringing the bone.

He assumed it was something like a drinking horn.

Synel’s waved a hand behind her back, Summers took that as his signal and started forward. As he did the same boy Synel had spoken to earlier darted by, grabbing for the tray with the horn on it. The kid clearly didn’t have a grip on it though, the horn tumbled to the ground as Synel screamed, some of the contents spilling onto the stone ground before the merchant was able to right it again. By the time he looked up the kid had already disappeared into the crowd.

Summers watched the scene for only a moment before he saw Synel’s hand gesturing for him again.

Synel spoke loudly, telling the shopkeeper off for his carelessness and refusing to pay full price. Summers took the hint as he approached the counter himself.

“…Excuse me…”

Summers sat with the drinking horn over his shoulder, Synel by his side as they watched the bustle of the marketplace.

“I can’t believe that worked.” Summers felt at the horn, apparently it was part of the actual monster.

“Why wouldn’t it, I happen to be very good at this.” Synel turned up her nose at him, he laughed for a moment before catching himself. Synel only blushed in response.

In the end Summers had still spent two stone on the horn, most of which had been Synel’s money.

“…Thank you, even if this doesn’t work please don’t let me forget I owe you big time.” Summers gave the woman a slight bow.

“Don’t worry, I won’t.” She assured him.

Summers opened the horn with a pop, brushing a small coating of dirt off the lip. Inside was a wine-red liquid, small pieces of something floating inside.

“…What’s in this?” Summers wrinkled a nose.

The smell wasn’t unpleasant, but it was definitely something he wasn’t used to.

“It’s an alcohol of the creature’s blood and…soft tissue.” Synel explained. “It’s not terribly strong, you should be fine.”

“….Tissue? From its head?”

Synel nodded after a moment.

Great, he was going to drink brain slushie.

Synel shifted in her seat, watching him.

“…How long will it take?” Synel looked at him as he was still considering the horn. “For you to… change I mean.”

“I have no idea.” Summers answered. “But… one way to find out.”

After another moment, he put the horn to his lips and drank.

Asle sat leaning against a wall as Nowak and “Pat” spoke with the merchant beside her.

“I have proven to you who I am, and I can promise you generous payment later if you’d simply sell to us now.” Pat spoke in a pleading tone.

Asle already knew the man wasn’t going to accept the deal. Pat had produced a small signet ring that acted as a pedigree for the northern tribes. Mr. Nowak had thought that was a bad move but in truth the gray armies’ cities were largely independent, but since news of the war in the north hadn’t reached here quite yet the man had no reason to trust Pat’s word that it was over.

Asle jumped as one of the animals in a cage at her side let out a small growl. Ms. Synel had told her the creature they were looking for was often sold to the arenas for a high price, and so they’d come to one of the arena’s suppliers. The man, however, was what Ms. Cortez would refer to as an “asshole.”

“Either you have the coin up front or no deal. I’m not risking my reputation on a soft sale.” The merchant looked down his nose at Pat.

The creature itself was widely sought after for bestiarius, warriors who fought beasts in the arena. It was able to heal itself from even the most serious injuries in a short time. Meaning one creature could easily fight in half a dozen battles before it died.

It was an incredible value for the arena and paid for as such.

A cheer erupted from the distance. Even here, they could hear the crowd from the arena. The twins flanking her looked towards the sound.

All at once, Asle was struck with inspiration. She moved over to Nowak, tugging on his shirt.

“I think I have a better idea.” She turned to the twins. “Did you bring your guns?”

Summers held a cloak low over his head.

“I can’t fucking believe this.”

“It’s not… that bad.” Synel tried to comfort him.

She reached over to pull the cloak back. Summers’ head had two large, horn-like nubs growing out over increasingly pale skin. In fact, what had started with a small patch of leathery skin was quickly spreading.

“I look like I death metal cover.” Summers pulled back at the cloak.

Synel only looked at him questioningly.

“It’s bad.” He clarified.

“The… horns are coming in quite nicely.” Synel consoled.

“I have horns?!” Summers reached for his head to feel the two nubs that were forming. “I have fucking horns!”

Synel stared at him, a clear worry in her eyes.

“…We should find the others.”

---------

The cheering of the crowd was nearly deafening as Asle looked over the arena. She watched as the twins stepped into the sand covered ring, a metal gate slamming shut behind them. Nowak and Pat stood behind her, both clearly nervous.

“…I’m still not sure about this.” Nowak looked to the girl.

“Didn’t you say they needed practice?” Asle countered.

“Practice isn’t…” Nowak started to say something but trailed off.

The arena masters had been skeptical when they’d asked to sign up for an impromptu match. That was until they’d demonstrated the “power” of their weapons. If there was anything the arena thrived on, it was novelty. She’d had Pat introduce the group as a band of travelling warriors, giving not so subtle hints that they’d be interested in staying in the city some time, assuming there was enough coin in the deal, and of course the right to their kill.

They certainly had no intention of coming back after today, but the arena masters didn’t need to know that.

Unfortunately, they’d only wanted two for the fight.

The twins were all but smiling as they made their way out. Raising their weapons to the sky and doing their best to encourage the crowd.

“They seem to like it.” Asle responded, giving Nowak a small grin.

The gate opposite the twins lifted, revealing a green-scaled creature the size of a wagon. Spines of white bone jutted from the monsters’ back as it stalked towards the center of the arena.

“Hold fire!” Nowak yelled in his best Nos. The twins listened to him, fighting their urge to unload on the creature from a distance.

Once it was close enough, Nowak yelled again.

“Fire! Fire! Fire!”

The twins responded immediately, unloading an entire clip into the creature. It tried to run, but it was only a matter of seconds before it was torn apart by their concentrated fire. It twitched on the ground, still trying to get up. Even as it did, Asle watched Bard reload his rifle, and empty a burst into its head.

It didn’t move after that.

The cheering had all but stopped after the first shot, the crowd stunned into silence.

Then Viggo climbed to the head of the creature, striking a pose with his brother.

All at once, the arena came to life once again. Manic screams drowning out all other noise.

“This is the greatest day of our lives!” The brothers declared in unison.

Asle smiled in earnest.

It was the easiest coin Asle would ever make.

Summers leaned his back to the ship, head in his hands. The sailors still on board had given him a decidedly wide berth.

The drinking horn laid empty at his side.

“Fuck it, I don’t care anymore.” Summers felt at the two very prominent horns on his head. They curved with his skull, forming a halo of sorts.

His skin was taking on a bluish gray complexion, it was also incredibly tough, presumably like the monster itself. It made it hard to move around and had dulled his sense of touch pretty significantly. Which was why it had taken a moment for him to realize Synel was holding one of his arms, probably trying to console him.

“Summers?!”

Summers turned to find Cortez and Orvar on the dock, looking at him with wide eyes.

He raised a hand to wave.

“Still me. Just weirder.” He assured them.

He saw Orvar was holding jars of something that looked like an internal organ.

“Did… you manage to find something?” Summers eyed the jars, knowing the answer but not looking forward to it.

“Yeah, some medicine shop was selling these as a cure for poison.” Cortez gestured and Orvar started to unload the jars onto the ship.

“Does it really do that?” Summers looked to Synel.

She shook her head.

“The monster’s apparently known for being immune to any kind of sedative, poison, whatever.” Cortez explained. “Might keep this junk from affecting you. Couldn’t remember if it was the kidneys or the liver that handled poison in the blood, so I got both. Or I think I did.” She gestured to the jars of strange, meaty shapes.

“Wait...” Summers started. “How did you pay for those?”

“Traded about thirty rounds for it. Told him it was a cure for uh…” Cortez glanced away. ”Bedroom problems.” She must have seen Summers expression. “Relax, it won’t kill them. Hell, the confidence boost might even fix it, guy thought the casing was fancy packaging.”

“…And that worked?” Summers watched the woman with a mix of confusion, horror, and a little bit of admiration. He turned to Orvar, speaking Nos. “Did he believe her?”

“I’m not sure.” Orvar spoke up. “But I believe he thinks he can convince others of it.”

“See, no harm done. Got some pills for the boat ride out of the deal too.” Cortez gave him a weak smile, but she still looked at him with an odd expression.

“…That’s great.”

In the distance, he could see Nowak and his group dragging something that looked like a giant lizard in a cart behind them. He took a deep breath.

“…I really appreciate everything you guys are doing for me. Seriously.” Summers did his best to sound sincere. He was, but his next question worried him too much to really put feeling into his words. “So… you have any idea what this thing looked like?”

“Yup, this is as bad as it gets.” Summers looked down at the claws on his hand, and small boney protrusions on his back. “…Well screw it, if it’s this or brain damage, bring it on.”

It had only taken a handful of hours for the changes to start. Summers wasn’t a vain man, but on a scale of one to ten, he was almost certainly a monstrosity the likes that would be run out of a town with pitchforks. If pitchforks were a thing here.

“Think we should test the lizard?” Nowak looked to Summers.

“…Sure.” Summers held out a hand as Nowak produced a knife. Most of the day had passed since he’d eaten, or rather choked down what his friends had brought him.

Nowak cut a clean line on Summers’ forearm, but it had taken him three tries. That at least confirmed he was tougher than he used to be.

Black blood leaked freely from the cut, after a handful of minutes it stopped.

That was useful, at least.

The others still looked at him with worried eyes. He didn’t blame them, given his appearance. Somehow, the mishmash of creatures had left him looking almost demonic.

“All right, just one last test.” Summers looked up to the sky, as he got up. It was getting dark. “…I’ll see you guys in the morning.”

Asle sat in silence, Synel in a hammock beside her. She’d tried to sleep, but it had eluded her most of the night. Every bit of movement she heard from outside woke her.

It was almost dawn now, so she was sure they’d have an answer soon. She’d racked her brain trying to think of anything else that might help. Given what little she knew of monsters, that wasn’t much.

It wasn’t long before she heard something shift in the next cabin over. Synel sat upright almost immediately, startling Asle for a moment.

The woman made no move to speak, instead she walked to the doorway, looking out into the hall.

They only heard a single word from the next cabin, even as the shuffle of bodies became apparent.

“Fuck.”

Summers sat in front of the large market, thinking. The others had followed him, Synel and Asle at his side. He’d changed to his old balaclava and a cloak, mostly to hide his new face.

None of it had worked. He’d spent most of the morning writing in his journal, trying to retain some small piece of his past. Thankfully, he still hadn’t lost any of his friends. But that seemed to only be a matter of time.

“…I’m certainly no expert on exotic creatures.” Synel prompted. “I can reach out to some contacts, see if there was something I missed.”

“We can stay in the city as long as we have to.” Nowak agreed. “Not like we got a timer on this thing.”

“Look, guys. I appreciate it, but…” Summers stared at the market.

He had trouble believing there was anything out there that could save him at this point.

No, he couldn’t think like that. Something still rattled around in his head telling him that you didn’t give up until the bitter end. The memory smelled like disinfectant and phenol, but he knew it was important. That hadn’t been taken away from him at least, not yet.

Summers took a deep breath.

In an instant he could smell the distinct, rotten barbecue smell he’d noticed the day before. The same half-burned insects displayed in front of the stand.

He could still picture their first steps into this world. The odd, shambling imitations of the dead walking around, controlled by whatever the hell was inside them.

Actually, now that he thought about it, it was a lot like the hamr. It had taken the dead, and just used parts of them for its own means.

In fact, that was all the hamr really was, as far as he could tell. Dead flesh.

If that was true…

“Asle…” Summers looked to the girl. “The uh… the skeen.” He gestured to the stall. “…Do you know how they work?”