Nita groaned as she blearily forced her eyes open the next morning. There was a not insignificant pool of drool soaking and crusting the side of her face and matted into her hair. She lamely forced herself to roll over and out of the mess. The colored light from her window blinded her as she rolled into it, sharp pains shot through her skull.

“Gah! What the hell! Bloody light.” She cringed waving her hand and rolled over once more, depositing herself onto her hands and knees beside the bed, before groaning loudly again, and flopping onto her back to stare at the ceiling.

“I really need to stop drinking so much.” She lamented aloud as her head spun and pounded.

It took her a few minutes to gather her wits enough to crawl to the nightstand and grab the pitcher of water. Chugging straight from the pitcher she downed over half of it before setting it on the ground and flopping onto her back again to continue her perusal of the ceiling.

Slowly burning some of her reserves and essence she moved the water throughout her dehydrated body. Relief came in waves for a few minutes before she had her wits about her again. She continued to stare at the boring white ceiling for a while. If I continue doing this maybe I should get someone to paint a mural on the ceiling, something nice to look at maybe something nautical. I wonder it Kit knows how to paint. She giggled. Not likely. Now wasn't there something I was supposed to do this morning?

“Shit!” Nita swore rolling to her feet before leaping towards the door.

Half way there she noticed she was in knickers and nothing else, then swore. “Damn! Clothes!” She dove into her wardrobe and dug out a set of her leathers and quickly dawned them grabbing her sword belt and purse from the floor before heading out; strapping them on as she went.

In the main room of her apartment she studied the clock and let out a relived sigh, it was only 8:45. She had time to make it to her appointment if she hurried. Huh, I wonder where everyone went. It’s not like it’s that late.

Poking her head out the door into the hall, she looked both ways, not finding anyone. Huh strange, kind of creepy. Where is everyone? She shrugged and set off towards the kitchens. They should have something I can grab for on the go.

When she got to the kitchens and poked her head in, she found the usual bustle of the morning meals. Thank the goddess. That strange for a minute there. Like the start of a bad horror movie. Lost in her own thoughts, she failed to notice Cid lounging in a chair in the corner watching the cooks go about their business.

When she finally noticed him, she did a double take, before approaching.

“Why are you lurking in the kitchens? Don’t tell me you are already looking for a mistress. Elena will kill you.” She teased, punching him lightly in the shoulder. Before taking the chair beside him.

“My god! your hair is terrible. What’s on your face?” He said with a belly laugh, after taking in her presence. “And no. I’m avoiding Father and Ander. Thought I would get a bite to eat in the bargain. Stacey isn’t being very forthcoming, however. I think she is employing delaying tactics.” He said glaring at one of the cooks.

“Shit!” Nita exclaimed looking around the kitchen. Seeing a water barrel, she headed for it. As she was about to dunk her head, she felt a sharp tug on her ear and her head was manipulated to looked up at the Head chef Yos, who was glaring at her. He pointed out the side door.

“Ow. ow! Please let go!” She whimpered. He released her and she made haste for the door. Finding a rain barrel, which she dunked her head in, scrubbing her face, then wrung out her hair for a minute before returning to sit by Cid.

“Ass.” She muttered.

“Why are you avoiding your father? And I have a better way to avoid them; I have that appointment with Master Durgon in less than an hour. Want to come?” She asked him. “Also, do you know where I can find Corten? I need to get the mithril from him.”

“Hey Stacey, think I can get something to go? I have an appointment with Master Durgon in half an hour. Pretty please?”

“They want to read my memory of our two battles on our trip. Likely, so they can criticize our skills.” He lamented with a shudder. “Even though he’s my brother, the mind magic wigs me out.”

“Of course, Lady Nita. Here you go.” Stacey said passing her a couple steaming buns stuffed with eggs, meat and gravy.

“Thanks, you’re the best!” Nita chirped rising to look at Cid with a raised eyebrow. “Yeah screw that, you are definitely coming to the smith with me.” She started heading for the door, hair dripping down her back, soaking her blouse.

“Hey, what about me?” He asked the cook.

“She asked nicely.” Stacey pointed out.

“Can I please have a bun?” He rolled his eyes at her.

Giving him a smile, she handed him a roll.

“She got two!” Cid protested.

“Are you coming?” Nita’s voice came floating back receding into the distance.

“Shit, fine, be that way.” He said glaring at the smiling cook before hurrying to catch Nita.

“Corten?” Nita asked when he caught up.

“Shod b’ in hi’ of’ce.” He said around a bite of his bun.

“Right we need to hurry.” Nita started to pick up the pace, breaking into a jog.

What seemed like moments later Nita was knocking lightly on Corten’s slightly ajar door.

“Come.” He said looking up from some paperwork.

“Ah, Anita, good. Your mithril is in that bag. Be sure to read any documentation that old weasel gives you thoroughly before you sign it. Cost should be under 4 kings. Now scat your running late.” He said pointing at a sack before promptly waving her out.

“You have 20 minutes, you better run. He really dislikes tardiness.” Corten's voice followed her out, and they broke out in a run.

They quickly passed out of the Keep and bailey into the city itself. Dodging wagon and pedestrians as made their way. In short order they found themselves in front of a large manor. A wrought-iron gate set into beautiful white washed stone walls was maned by two large Kin in full armor. They stood eyeing the two as they paced to catch their breath.

Nita straightened up and presented herself formally.

“Lady Anita Alexander, to see Master Durgon. I have an appointment.”

The guard on the left nodded at her in confirmation. “And your companion?”

“Sir Cid Galloway.” Cid said.

“Alright, follow the path to the right, master’s workshop is behind the manor. Do not stray from the path. Your other companions have already arrived.” he cautioned, indicating a path that followed the wall.

“Other companions?” Cid asked Nita once they were out of earshot.

Nita shrugged. “Beats me.”

They followed the path around the manor, eventually finding themselves facing a large stone building with many high arching windows, there shutters thrown open revealing people moving about almost franticly and shelves upon shelves of various items. Metals, herbs, gems you name it were strewn on every surface without apparent care.

Working their way around to the massive double doors, that were spiked open with what looked like two massive polearms, Cid and Nita shoot outside and peered inside.

Curiously four guards in the Counts colors stood outside keeping a wary eye on their surroundings. When they saw Cid one of them shot him a frown, but left it be when he shifted his gaze to Nita.

Cautiously approaching the door, she peaked inside at the bustle. She spotted Edward, Kit and her new slave Viktor of all people. Huh I wonder how they ended up here together. She thought scratching her damp head before shrugging and moving up to join Ed who had yet to notice her over the din.

“What are you doing here?” Nita asked from beside him, having the pleasure of seeing him startle at her sudden question.

“Flower! Why I’m here to make sure you don’t make any stupid decision of course.” He recovered quickly giving her a smirk.

“And speaking of stupid decisions.” He said holding up his hand revealing two familiar earrings dangling from between his fingers. “Really, shiny permanent earrings? What if you need to hide? Your hair or a hood won't always be reliable cover.” he admonished.

“Give me those.” She said trying to swipe them from his hand which he held above his head out of her reach.

“Gah! I don’t intend to put them in my ears. Now give.” She tried for another jumping grab.

He raised an eyebrow at her and smiled wide.

“Oh? Do tell!” He teased.

Nita blushed and turned away.

“Ha! I made her blush.” Ed said in greeting to his brother.