News of Fern's capture spread quickly through the castle, like poison through the veins of a body. No one could deny that the long-smoldering conflict with the elves had finally begun to escalate, but so much was still unknown. What would happen next? Were the people within New Albion safe? What about those citizens who lived beyond the Gwendolyn wall, the farmers and ranchers that kept the kingdom fed? The fear and doubt left everyone feeling paralyzed and helpless.

By the third day, the mood in the castle had improved slightly. Business resumed and the castle staff tried to return to their routines, with varying degrees of success.

While eating breakfast with Riley before her work shift, Zach said, "What now? There's got to be something I could be doing for Fern."

Riley gave a sad smile. "I don't think there's anything you can do. It's in the Guard's hands now. But you can keep working on getting your ability back. That would help everyone."

Zach slumped in his chair, ignoring his breakfast of seasoned eggs and sweetened oatmeal. "Easier said than done. Milo is off with the Guard preparing for the rescue mission, and Evelyn's far too busy with political stuff to help me strengthen my memories of home."

Riley was not one for moping. She bopped Zach's nose with her spoon and said, "I have a proposition for you: I'll stay up late with you, helping you practice magic and listening to your stories of home, if you do something for me."

Zach blinked, caught up on the word 'proposition'. Part of him hoped Riley wanted something intimate and fun, but the rest of him knew better. He asked, "And what is it you want?"

She smiled. "Find us a home to rent. Even with all the chaos out there in the world, we have our own lives to maintain. You have an income now from your gold mine, and my room was never designed for two people."

I can't argue with that, and I'd love a place of our own, Zach thought. Living as a guest in the servant rooms is far from glamorous, or comfortable.

He nodded firmly. "You've got a deal. I'll search for a place while you're at work. I don't have any connections in that industry yet, but that's never stopped me before." Feeling rejuvenated, he scarfed down the rest of breakfast, gave Riley a quick kiss, and set out on his new task.

Zach decided to start with the business connections he already had: Altro the importer, down by the docks; Eleanor the leatherworker at her stall in the eastern market; and even the mapmaker Nevin in the city center.

Zach made his way to the docks which were bustling despite the early hour. Altro was friendly and eager for another business deal, but he had no info on the local housing market. When it came to real estate, all he cared about was his shop and his warehouse, and he'd owned both of them in full for over a decade.

The shorter and stouter man bowed his head in apology and said, "Sorry I couldn't be of more help. But if you do end up opening a shop of your own, you come straight to me for imports. I'll treat you right."

Zach grinned. "I wouldn't dream of going anywhere else."

After that, Zach paid a passing merchant a couple Chips to ride on his cart to the eastern market. The man dealt in dried fruit and the cart was filled with a dozen different kinds, making for a pleasantly fragrant trip. The route was crowded with other carts and carriages traveling the same route between the docks and the market, but it was still much faster than walking.

Even though the open-air market changed its layout often, it didn't take long for Zach to find his destination because Eleanor's shop was the largest stall by far. He was early enough that Eleanor wasn't busy yet, so he easily started up a conversation. She was more helpful than Altro, since she had formed some relationships over the years with customers who worked in the real estate industry.

"What was his name?" she mused aloud. "Carlyle I think? A big, round fellow, friendly as can be, but ruthless when it comes to a sale. He runs a property fund over in the Red River district. Tell him I sent you and he'll help you out, especially if you're a potential sale."

Zach waved a hand in front of his face. "Oh, I can't afford to buy. I'm just looking to rent."

Eleanor shrugged, the warm smile never leaving her weathered face. "No problem. I believe he deals in rentals too, and if not, he definitely knows people who do."

Zach offered a hand, planning to do that wrist shake that businesspeople in New Albion favored. "Thanks so much, Eleanor. You've been a big help."

She didn't take it. Instead, she gestured at all the leather wares hanging behind her. "Before you go, are you perhaps interested in another 'backpack' or even something custom?"

Zach hesitated. He wanted to pay Eleanor back for the useful advice, but he couldn't think of anything he needed from a leatherworker.

No, he could think of one thing. He averted his eyes and mumbled, "Um, actually, there's something I'd like, as a gift to my girlfriend."

He was thinking of the underbust corset that Riley wore on occasion. He thought she looked great in it and she clearly loved wearing it, but it was definitely wearing down with age. Since it was meant to be worn on the outside of clothes, Riley was self-conscious about the broken eyelet and myriad scuff marks it had accumulated over the years. She would probably love a new one.

Eleanor leaned forward, eyes sparkling. "Girlfriend? Your interest in a home has taken on a new light, Zach. Tell me more."

Blushing and fumbling over his words, Zach described the corset he wanted and even picked a size for it, based on the mannequins that Eleanor had on display. He paid in advance, then hurried off to continue his house hunt. His next contact was Nevin in the fancy city center area, which was on the way to the Red River district and Carlyle.

Zach no longer needed help finding his way to the cartographer's shop; he'd fully memorized the map he had purchased there what seemed like a lifetime ago. He strolled down the small street and glanced around, feeling nostalgic. The cartographer's shop looked exactly the same, but the snooty coffee shop next door was closed up, with heavy boards over all the windows.

In the back of his mind, he wondered if his coffee stand at the equinox festival had anything to do with it. But the thought vanished when Zach entered the shop and a voice called out.

"Oh, a returning customer! Zach, was it? Hard to forget a name like that."

Zach looked around, but couldn't see the speaker. Then a small man slid down a ladder attached to a towering shelf. He looked just like the last time Zach had seen him, down to the odd red hat on his head, like an oversized beret.

"Hello, Nevin. How are you today?"

"Not bad," he answered, his tone soft. "Better than some others in the neighborhood, at least."

"Oh, you mean the coffee shop next door?" Zach asked.

"I do indeed. Albyne House is no more. The family that ran it packed up and left town yesterday. I still don't know why; their business was doing better than ever." A strained smile appeared on Nevin's face. "But enough gossip. What can I do for you today?"

The economic side of Zach's imagination was already running wild. There was an opening in the coffee market, and Zach actually had a little experience there. Maybe he could relaunch Equinox Coffee…

But that wasn't why he had come to Nevin's shop. Zach forced his thoughts onto the man in front of him and said, "First, I was wondering if you got any maps of the mountains since my last visit."

It was a longshot, especially since the Guard had their own maps, but maybe access to a good map could help the team searching for Fern.

Nevin blinked, saying, "Oh yes, you had some interesting requests back then. Very few customers want to brave the wilds to the west, that's for sure." Then Nevin's eyes went wide. "Wait, I do have a new map of the mountains. I haven't had my mage copy it yet since it only just arrived last week with Stal's crew."

"Stal?" Zach asked. "I actually know him. Nice guy."

"Oh, just full of surprises, you are. In any case, the map is rather small, focusing on some valley that Stal is calling 'Steam Valley' because of the natural springs that bubble up there."

Ha! I bet that map has my claim on it! Zach thought, I doubt it would do Fern's rescue party any good, but it would be a fun souvenir, to celebrate my first big venture. He tried to play it cool and said, "Would you happen to know if that map has any mining-related information on it?"

Nevin nodded. "It does indeed. Stal had mentioned mining as the reason for the journey."

"In that case, I'd like to buy a copy of it. No hurry, just whenever you can get copies made. How much would it cost?"

"For a returning customer, I suppose I could go as low as two Harts, if you pay up front."

"Done." Zach reached into his coin purse with one hand, then offered the other to seal the deal.

As Nevin shook the offered wrist, he said, "You said 'first' earlier. I assume there was something else you came here for?"

"That's right. I was wondering if you knew a good realtor, I mean real estate merchant, around here."

Nevin blinked, looking a bit stunned. "You want to buy a shop? What is it that you sell?"

"Oh no, while a shop would be nice eventually, I mostly need a place to live. And for your question, I guess I sell information, in a way."

That seemed to satisfy Nevin's curiosity. "Ahh, we are kindred spirits then. Ever since I started selling mage-copied maps instead of originals, information is my real merchandise."

Then the small man sighed, "But I don't know any land sellers. Some have bought my city maps from time to time, but they just send an assistant to do it, usually a different person every time. People that wealthy don't tend to dirty their hands with direct transactions."

Zach thought, Ah, like that equipment rental place that was staffed with a bunch of workers. I never did meet the owner or even a manager. He put on a smile. "No worries, Nevin. Thanks anyway. When should I return for that map?"

"Hmm, the mage I usually use is busy with classes during the week, but I should be able to meet with her before next Monday. Does that work for you?"

"Sure does. Thanks again," Zach said as he departed. On the way out, he glanced longingly at the Albyne House building, dreaming of how he could use the space. But there was no way such a fancy place could be within his price range. Should I have argued for a larger advance on the mining deal? I've never been much of a negotiator…

Even in his best clothes, Zach felt very out of place in the Red River district. It was even fancier than he'd expected, with dedicated alleyways to keep delivery traffic out of sight of the locals and their guests. Zach was a prospective customer, so he took the guest path, a covered walkway of wrought-iron lattices, hanging ivy, and warm lantern light.

It reminded Zach of a shopping and nightlife district called Larimer Square back in his hometown of Denver. And just like Larimer Square, the shops here were all way beyond his price range. Stores offering fine art, real silk clothing, and expensive seasonings lined both sides of the path, with high-end residences above the ground-floor shops. The fancy restaurant where he and Riley had gone to celebrate his mining deal looked like fast food compared to the ones here.

He found Carlyle's office and felt relief wash over him as he stepped inside and out of the stifling elegance of it all. The office itself was surprisingly plain with sparse decorations and just a few paintings on the walls, all of gorgeous mansions.

A tall and rotund man with thick glasses glanced up at Zach. He was seated at a massive desk covered with loose paper and leather-bound folios. "May I help you, sir?"

Zach put on his best smile. "I hope so. I'm looking for a home to rent, and the name Carlyle came highly recommended by my friend Eleanor."

The man immediately lit up with a beaming smile. "Oh, that's great news! She's amazing, isn't she? Such a knack for business and artistry, but I just can't convince her to get a permanent storefront. She always waves me off with a comment about how she loves the open air market too much to ever abandon its community."

Zach was pretty sure that Carlyle had a thing for Eleanor, and it seemed that mentioning her was already paying dividends. He smiled back and said, "Yes, she's a wonderful lady. And when I asked her for advice, she sent me straight to you."

Carlyle stood up and stepped around his desk to stand before Zach. He was nearly a foot taller than Zach, and three times as wide. "How rude of me. Allow me to greet you properly. I am Carlyle VanMeel, and I do believe I can help you find a residence to rent." He bowed his head slightly then resumed smiling at Zach.

"I'm Zach Pike." Zach wasn't sure what else to say. He still wasn't sure this man would even have anything in his price range.

"Please, take a seat. What sort of place are you looking for? You strike me as a young noble, so perhaps an apartment near Red River? You can't find more convenient access to shopping and high society events."

Zach sat down in a chair near the desk, then said, "Proximity to the castle is actually my main requirement. My girlfriend and I both work there."

Carlyle returned to his seat and said, "Ah, I see. Any other requirements?"

Zach thought back to the Albyne House, which had living quarters on top of its coffee shop space. He said, "It's not a requirement by any means, but it would also be nice if it had an attached storefront near foot traffic. I have a variety of plans that could use the space."

Carlyle reached for a folio near the far edge of the desk, saying, "Hmm, I may have something like that. This is a great time to be in the market for a home or storefront. Through sheer coincidence, several of both have entered the market in the last few days."

"Like the Albyne House over in the city center?"

Carlyle looked up from the folio that he'd just started to flip through. "You heard about that?"

"I was just at the cartographer's shop next door, actually."

The man shook his head sadly. "Such a strange affair, that one. William Albyne, the head of the family, sold that place to a friend of mine at a huge loss. Wasn't even interested in finding a new proprietor for the business, even though it had a great brand. And from what I heard, he bought up a bunch of wilderness gear and winter supplies and took his entire family out of New Albion. It was like he was running scared of something."

A sour taste flooded Zach's mouth. Had Albyne heard about the situation with the elves? That information was supposed to have stayed within the castle to avoid mass panic, but the news was bound to get out eventually with so many people in the know.

Zach frowned. Even if Albyne did hear about the elves, that isn't enough cause to sell everything and flee the city. What does he know that I don't?

"Is something wrong?" Carlyle asked, his voice soft and caring.

Zach shook his head, "No, I'm fine. Just got lost in thought. So do you have any places like what I want?"

"I do indeed. Though, I do need one final piece of information: your budget."

"Ah, of course," Zach said as he recalled his income from the mining deal. He'd been told to expect payments of at least 30 Crowns per month, plus more whenever the miners struck a particularly deep vein. And he couldn't spend all his income on housing; he needed capital to fund his future plans. He answered, "Well, I can afford up to 20 Crowns a month, but I'd rather spend less and save up for a rainy day."

Carlyle looked a bit puzzled by the 'rainy day' comment, but he seemed to figure it out through context. He said, "That makes sense. You said you have a girlfriend after all. It's wise to save for your future." Then he plucked a page from the folio and placed in before Zach. "This might be exactly what you're looking for."

Zach read the page full of data about a townhouse just south of the castle. It had two floors and a basement storage area, and the front room could easily be turned into a snug but functional public shop. It had internal plumbing and four fireplaces for heat, one in each major room. And it even came with furniture, since the previous resident hadn't bothered to take it with them. And the whole place was only 15 Crowns a month, about $1500 in his old hometown's money.

He hummed in admiration. It looked like a great fit. "This looks pretty good. Can I see it in person?"

Carlyle smiled. "Absolutely. I can call a carriage right now if that works for you. I am free all afternoon."

As Zach got into the carriage a few minutes later, he felt vaguely uncomfortable about the entire house hunt and he didn't know why. I'm doing exactly what Riley and I both wanted, so why does it feel like I'm making a mistake?