Ronny and Enzi skipped the Bazaar because they had spent all their money on gear the day before. Instead, their first stop was The Warrens. It was the same as hellhole as usual, with its signature combination of rags, bugs, and junkies. As they were walking, they passed muggers, drug dealers, and more. None dared bother them. They made it to the Inn without much issue. Surprisingly, the door was unlocked.

After using Detect Life to ensure that it was safe, they went inside. On the surface, it appeared to be exactly the same as the last time they’d been there, but closer inspection revealed that someone had been there recently.

It was small things like drawers in the kitchen being creaked open or a few loafs of bread being missing from the pantry, but it was proof. Proof that only someone who lived there would be able to notice. Alice had been there recently.

They looked around the lobby and kitchen for clues regarding her location but found nothing conclusive. The closest thing there was to evidence was the presence of some burned up papers on the floor. It seemed like the didn’t want to be found, which was what they’d been expecting.

While Enzi was searching the foyer, Ronny started up the stairs, “I’m going to check her room.”

“Go for it.” The only floors where the stairwell had been reinforced for Enzi’s were the ones he lived on. He couldn’t have followed even if he wanted to. Ronny went up to the top floor where her room was located. Strangely, just like the entrance to the Inn itself, her door was unlocked. She always kept it locked.

Her room was more well-kept than most of the Inn. She had proper furniture and decorations. It would have been a stretch to call it luxurious, but it certainly wasn’t crummy. There was a dresser, a mirror, a nightstand, and a bed.

It was the bed that caught his attention. On it, there was a rolled-up piece of parchment. Curious about it, he unrolled the scroll and read the contents.

“Ronny. I hope you’re the one reading this. If not, that’ll cause me problems later, but I’m willing to bet that it’s you. I left some fake hints about my whereabouts for Madison that should keep her away from here for a while. Anyways, I’m writing this message to tell you that you need to get out of Barnock as soon as possible. In a few days, Madison is going to deploy a weapon that will undoubtedly destroy most of the country. If you want to live, take Enzi with you and go to Ignar. I’ll be waiting there. As for Theo… don’t worry about him. He’s a noble, so Madison will keep him alive. Assuming you survive the trip, I’ll see you in Ignar in a few days’ time. We’ll talk more then. Good luck.”

There was a bit more on the bottom.

“Also, you need to set this paper ablaze as soon as you can. I don’t want these words falling into anyone else’s hands.”

Ronny went downstairs and told Enzi about the letter. They burned it over a torch shortly after and scattered the charred remains. After packing some bread into the knapsack, they left.

Because of the sense of urgency conveyed in the message, Ronny and Enzi hurried to the wall as quickly as they could without being drawing attention. The masons were there, working on the rubble still.

The one who addressed them was the same one that they’d saved before, “Good morning, Mr. McKitty! Enzi too! What brings you today?”

“We’re going into the forest.”

“Again?” The kid frowned, “Didn’t you guys almost die last time?”

“There’s no choice. You should prepare to leave the city too. This place is going to be a battlefield in a day or two.”

“What do you mean?”

“There’s going to be an invasion. The Guild is sending Mythrills to reclaim Barnock because of its decision to give Demons citizenship. Get out while you can.” Ronny and Enzi started walking away, leaving the kid alone to interpret the warning. Ronny hoped they’d take it seriously.

The forest was much less threatening under the sun. It was still dark, but not so dark that a lantern was required. They found the river and started following it downstream. Using the map as a reference, Ronny estimated that it they’d get there late in the next day’s evening, assuming that they’d be able to keep a good pace and didn’t stop to sleep.

They walked quietly for the most part, with some short conversations sprinkled in every now and again.

♦

The Mythrills stood next to their ship. They’d anchored only minutes before, but they were already to begin the invasion. The ship they’d used to get there was docked about twenty miles from the country’s northernmost city of Kell.

Because of how famous all them were around the world, they chose to steer clear of the city and go through the forest on foot instead. If a scout saw them and sent a Messenger Bird to Barnock in advance of their arrival, they’d lose the element of surprise and things would be much more difficult.

Of course, if the information they’d gotten from Alissa Grivelspyre was true, things were going to be difficult either way…