The following morning, everyone gathered around a table in the dining area to take breakfast. Even Mal was allowed to join them. A feast of eggs, fresh milk (of which Ian refused to think about the probable six-legged source), a potato-like hash, and a fruit platter were all laid out on a long table against the back wall. They ate quickly, all eager to be on their way and back to Landorei.

Vale paid the innkeeper, an old man with wispy white hair and a crooked nose, after breakfast. The old man waved Ian and Roland off as pests focusing his attention on Vale. She stayed behind to chat with the innkeeper. Ian and Roland headed back to Pandora’s shop to pick up Ban.

“What was that about?” Ian asked when Vale caught up.

“A simple gift of candied fruits and some breakfast for our wounded friend. Not to mention getting some directions. The nearest city with a Transmission Spring is Juscilius,” She said.

“Great, pirate paradise," Roland said with a groan, “You know-” He came to an abrupt halt in the middle of the street, his violet eyes surveying their surroundings swiftly, hunting for something. “You know, a farming village should be bustling at this hour of the morning.”

Aside from the Innkeeper they hadn’t seen another soul. The farming village of Heatrin should have been busy with early morning activities. But it was quiet, tranquil, and it set them all a little on edge. Vale and Mal pivoted around without stopping to watch behind. Ian reached under the back of his shirt while Roland took a pull from his flask. All of them now searching as they walked.

“This may be the day that they pay worship to their god,” Vale said after a silent minute.

“No, this isn’t Sinutet’s time," Roland countered as they started down the street.

“Who?” Ian asked casting a glance at Roland.

“Goddess of the Harvest, Sinutet,” Vale supplied helpfully while admonishing Roland. “I saw her mark on the temple on our way to the Inn. It is just as likely they are out in the fields. It is still early. You are not omnipotent Roland.”

“Okay, so what are those?” Ian interjected before Roland could spit out a retort. He noticed overhead rotated a glimmering crystal about the size of a stoplight. It was one of many that sat atop the town. The colors varied in shades from deep blues and black to a pale milky white. To Ian, they looked quite menacing.

“I thought you said your people had harnessed energy,” Roland scoffed. “Lighting and transportation those kinds of things.”

“We have. So what are those?” Ian asked his tone taking on a tinge of hostility.

“Those,” Roland said, gesturing to the crystals, “Are simple transfer crystals they keep cities and villages lit and power many devices within homes and businesses. Somewhere around here lies a magirator, magical storage, and distribution for you non-magic types. Did you think the street lamps and buildings were powered by positive thinking?”

“With everything that’s been going on I hadn’t given it much thought,” Ian replied, ignoring the jab. “In my world, we use copper lines to run electricity, lightning as you called it, from place to place.”

“Your people have harnessed lightning?” Roland asked, cocking his head to the side.

“Later, we’ll talk later,” Ian said as they stepped onto the porch of the clinic. Vale waited outside, with Mal, handing Ian the package as he and Roland filed in past her.

“Ban’Koliath’s morning meal,” She said stepping out onto the street for a better vantage. They still hadn’t seen anyone the whole way here and it was beginning to disconcert her. Mal huffed restlessly at her side.

Inside, Pandora was leaning up against the counter again but more importantly, Ban was on his feet. The minotaur was leaning on the opposite side of the counter chatting with his personal miracle worker.

“… can’t thank you enough. My arm feels as good as new,” Ban said.

She had a thin smile on her lips and a flush of embarrassment on her cheeks. “It’s just my job, really it’s no...” She glanced over Ban’s shoulder, “Oh look, your friends are here.”

“Ban,” Ian walked over and clapped the minotaur on the shoulder, “glad to see you on your feet.”

“I had very little to do with it,” Ban said nodding toward Pandora, “though we should be on our way, yes? I think we’ve taken up enough of the Lady’s time.”

“I’m satisfied that you’re fit to travel but we do still need to discuss payment,” Pandora said coming around the counter with a list in her hand. She began counting off the items she’d used, not to mention her magical talents. “So, in total that will be five thousand one hundred seventy-two til. Will you be paying that in coin or trade?”

After hearing the astronomical figure Roland stepped forward and began to haggle with Pandora; Ban chimed in now and again to reign in Roland’s outbursts. The pair were soon arguing over some of the finer points of regenerative magics.

Since the majority of the conversation went over Ian’s head, his gaze drifted out the shop window. He watched Vale and Mal patrolling one end of the street that ran in front of the shop. Ian felt a prickle on his neck and looked about for the source. His gaze settled on the street through the window.

A figure covered in a flowing brown cloak was making its way towards the shop. It was far too broad to be a human and there was something off about its gait. The legs moved in slow, jilted steps, and its arms didn’t bend they swayed. They were held out stiff in front of its body like a...

“Ban!” Ian’s alarmed tone interrupted the two bickering mages, “you don’t have zombies in your world, do you?”

“Zombies? What are zombies?” Ban asked as he pulled away from the counter to join Ian at the window. He stopped short when he saw the lumbering thing coming towards them. “More importantly, Roland stop bickering, pay the Lady. We need to leave.”

Ian ran to the storefront window and rapped on it to gain Vale’s attention. He pointed up the street and mimed for her to come inside. She looked where he was pointing and stiffened in surprise. She gave Mal a sharp whistle as the lupine had begun to stalk down the street. The pair quickly retreated into the shop.

“I said no animals!” Pandora started as Vale and Mal burst through the door. There was a loud popping noise as the door to the shop swung shut.

“DOWN!” Ban roared as he seized Ian and pulled them both to the floor.

Vale dove forward and tackled Pandora hauling her over the counter. The pair crashed down on the other side. Mal yanked Roland backward by his robe as the mage had been muttering a magical incantation.

“Clipeuuu-!” Roland shouted.

The entire shop rocked on its foundation. The front windows imploded, raining glass down on them. Potions and herbs rolled from shelf to floor shattering and releasing a noxious cloud of colorful gas. A small storm cloud erupted in a corner.

“This has got to stop,” Ian grumbled, rolling to one side, “What the hell is that!?”

“Questions later, out now!” Ban said as he crawled along the floor sweeping glass out of the way. Ban called out to Pandora, “Back door!?”

“Yes, yes, of course! Down the hallway around the bookshelves,” Pandora said with a wild gesture, as though getting them out would stop the destruction of her livelihood.

Hunched and crawling they all moved towards the exit. Another pop, this one much closer, and the building shook crazily. The iron chandelier with its many miniscule light crystals, slammed through the floor near Ian. Boards snapped and groaned as the outer wall bubbled inward. The fatal moan from the building spurred them all to move faster.

Pandora was the last one out. She’d stopped by her supply closet to gather the rare herbs and few remaining potions. As she joined the others arms full of herb bags and potions, another hard impact brought down the healer’s home. The support beams that once held up the porch area gave way. The shop lurched forward; the second floor collapsed in on the first. They all ran for cover behind a nearby house coughing from the dusty air.

“Ahrhaa!” Pandora let out a screech of rage and sorrow spinning on them. “What have you done?! What was that?! Who in Haseth’s name is going to pay for all of this?!”

“No one’s going to be alive to explain anything if we don’t get out of here. And where is my hammer!?” Ban asked heatedly.

“Guards at the gate have all our stuff had to surrender our weapons to get in,” Vale answered while she rummaged through her cloak. A moment later she pulled out a small metal disc with a triumphant laugh. “Ha!” She gave Ian a mischievous grin then cut away from the group. Mal on her heels as she ran back around the shop.

She's enjoying herself, the thought popped into Ian’s mind as he watched her go. He drew his gun, checked his magazine and chambered a round. “We make for the gatehouse and stay together. I don’t know what Vale’s doing but I’m sure she’ll catch up.” Ian didn’t wait for agreement sweeping out in front and covering them as they headed to the gatehouse. Ian caught a glimpse of their hunter as they dashed between buildings.

Flashbacks of the warehouse came to him as the golem stepped into view. Its cloak was gone revealing its no-necked head twisting along with its entire torso to watch them. Its legs twisted to follow and a heavy crack resounded off the empty streets as the heavy foot cracked the cobblestone beneath. The last Ian saw of the golem was raising an arm then he was behind the next building.

Another loud pop. This time accompanied by the sounds of heavy chain links clanking as though the golem were dropping an anchor. The haberdashery they huddled behind shook and the back wall buckled from the impact. Thick stone fingers pierced the wall of the shop right beside where Roland stood. They curled into a fist and with a hard wrench tore a gaping hole in the wall. The hand retracted to the golem on a thick chain fingers pulverizing the hunk of wall as it did.

Great, a sentient claw machine, Ian thought as he waved them all on.

With a loud clang-clink the fist reseated on the wrist. The golem took a few steps forward leading the others with its arm and then fired again. Ian and party began playing a game of cat and mouse, or claw and prize, with the golem. Ian and the others avoiding the grasping hand while the golem punched holes, shattered windows, and destroyed anything that got between it and them.

Valethalassa watched the golem from the cover of shadows. Mal, behind her, used his powers to deepen them until they were impossible to see. Slow, methodical, it probably thinks that its size is enough to keep it from real harm. We’ll just see about that. She thought as she assessed the construct. She ran her thumb over the silvery disc she’d taken out earlier and then leapt onto Mal’s back. Being so short and petite did have its advantages. She waited patiently until the golem fired off its fist again.

“Parth el’itho,” She whispered to her companion.

Mal took off faster than an arrow. Using speed and surprise as their ally, the duo aimed right for the magical monstrosity’s exposed back. The pair were a gray-blonde streak against the stained wooden structures. Rushing forward Mal jumped and she stretched out her hand to slap the disc on the golem’s shoulder. A faint red glow began to pulse. Mal hit the ground and turned a corner with ease vanishing before the golem even had time to process what had happened. Vale counted down in her head as the pair bounded down the side street, aiming to rejoin the others.

“I hope Valethalassa hurries. We’re running out of cover,” Roland complained as they rushed towards the next building. Reaching for his flask he took a sip and came up empty. Trying to eke out any remaining liquid he shook the container over his lips as he ran. “Well, that’s just perfect!” He cursed and slipped the empty flask away.

Vale came bolting back squeezing her knees against Mal to bring him to a halt. Ian heard her counting down.

“… three, two...”

“Cover!” Ian shouted.

“One.”