Home at last, if felt good to be back to Topland. Gluzzie and Raik were strolling along the pathways with Ama’s sisters and Sebastian was looking at the two moons overhead with an awed expression on his face. Ama had strolled over to the little brook and was sitting on a little bench. Suddenly there was a blur and a Dragon dropped to the ground then jumped up at me. In midair, Twink changed from Dragon form to that of a ten-year-old girl. Running to me she jumped up and wrapped her arms around me and began to cry softly, “Poppa oh Poppa.”

I hugged her back and then whispered, “I am here Twink, and it’s alright.” As I looked up I saw that the others had all returned and were staring at Twink and me. Holding Twinks hand I introduced everyone to Twink, she was staring with wide eyes at my friends. I gently spoke to her, “Twink these are people who will be part of our family now. So please be nice to them.

At this point, I noticed that all the ladies in the group had a soft look on their faces and then they all came over and hugged Twink. Ama, in particular, gave her a kiss on the forehead and whispered something in her ear. After a few minutes of everyone chatting to Twink, I called to order the group.

“Twink,” I began, “How are things at the Inn? Have you noticed any strange people hiding around, or trying to spy on anyone at the Inn?” I looked at Twink who was holding Ama’s hand and half listening to me and half showing Ama something in the Creek. No Papa, only your friend Archon, who has been coming to the Inn every day to see if you have come home.”

“Thanks, Twink, your one great little Dragon gal, and I sure missed you.” Turning to look at everyone I spoke, “It’s time to go to the Inn folks, I have a few questions for Reona, and then I need to get some information. Raik I would like you and Taiqana out front on point watching for anything. I was attacked once and I won’t let that happen again. Ama and Twink your stay with me, Twink you are going to be my eyes in the skies. Clea and Brae I need you to follow us about 3 meters distance. Sebastian, I need you to stay far back and keep an eye on anyone who looks like they are keeping an eye on us.”

Seeing everyone nod I gave Raik instructions on how to get to the Inn from the abandoned park. It was helpful to show him the map and trace out our route. “Just one more thing before we leave the park, if you see anyone stealthy who is trying to follow or leave once they have seen us I want them captured and brought to me. It is late and the city should be empty, so we will not have to worry about witnesses. Let’s go.”

As we left I wondered what I would say to Reona, I knew I wanted some questions answered, but on some level I did not want to have a knockdown argument with here. Ama gave me a sideways look and smiled, then said, “Don’t worry about your ex if she gets out of hand I will have a chat with her.” As Ama spoke her eyes flashed red and for a minute I fantasized about these two powerful women stripping down to their underwear and having a knockdown fight. I could charge admission for that I thought, but then shoved the greedy inner self down and squeezed Ama’s hand.

We made it back to the Inn without attracting undue attention and entered the building. As we all sat down at a couple of tables near the kitchen Reona stepped through the door. Once she saw me she gave me a big smile and said, “Tor, I am so glad you are back.” Then she stopped and looked at me closer. Finally, she looked at my friends and then sighed, “I guess this gig is up, I want you to know Tor that it was not all acting, I really do like you, and I adore Twink.” She then walked up to me and grabbed my face and gave me a long kiss before pulling away. Looking at me she smiled then snapping her fingers she said “I release them all,” and then in a blur of motion, she was gone out the door.

Suddenly out of the kitchen stumbled Mathias the Innkeeper. He looked around with a bewildered expression on his face. Seeing me he rushed over and grabbing my hand he asked “Master Tor, why am I hear, how did I get here? I remember working at my Inn in the village of Brookshire. Then this beautiful redheaded woman talked to me. She told me to follow her and then told my serving girls the same.”

“What else do you remember,” I asked. Mathias replied, “She brought us here to this Inn, it was abandoned like most of the buildings nearby. We spent some time working on it and then we were running an Inn. It seemed strange, I thought this was my Inn but my Inn is leagues from the city. What has happened to me, to the serving girls?” Hearing the fear in his voice I spoke softly, “I believe I know what has happened but I think the girls should hear this also. Go get them Mathias, and I will tell all I know and surmise.

We all waited a few minutes until Mathias returned with the two serving girls. Once they were all seated at the table I asked Gluzzie to go get us some sharp cider and began to talk. “Reona is the redheaded women who brought you all here. She is a Dhampyr, a daylight walking Vampire. I believe she cast beguilement upon all of you. She did the same to me to convince me that we were in love. I fell into her trap like a moonstruck calf. She is very powerful and it is no wonder that she has managed to keep you here.”

The girls and Mathias looked at each other and then looked at me. “Is she gone now?” Mathias asked with a worried look on his face. I looked at them, the two girls huddling together holding hands and trying not to cry and Mathias projecting a brave mask in front of the girls. “She is gone,” I spoke with compassion in my voice. “I do not think she will bother you again, you should be safe.

Mathias looked at me and said, “Tor, I have been impressed by you since I met you and I want to thank you from all of us for freeing us from this entrapment. I am not sure I know what to do, should I go to the city guards with this? To tell you the truth, I just want to take the girls and go back to Brookshire.” The idea of staying here is not something I think any of us want to do now.”

I nodded and then spoke, “Mathias do you own this Inn or was it just being operated without the city permits?” If you own it I will purchase it from you here and now, even if it is not registered I will gladly give you a few gold to take over it, and the gold will help you get back home, what do you say?” Mathias gave me a searching look and then said, “Reona made sure that the paperwork was done and it is in my name, if you want it you can have it, no charge.”

I shook my head and spoke up, “No my friend I will buy it from you, the gold will come in handy if you get home and need to deal with issues.” After more discussion it was agreed that I would pay 50 gold for the Inn and everything in it. The morning light was starting to break across the city walls and I knew customers would soon be arriving for the morning meal.

I looked at Gluzzie and smile, “My friend, are you ready to work your culinary magic for the people?” Gluzzie gave me a broad smile and nodded. “Ama I need you and your sisters to be the servers, you to Taiqana. Ama is in charge. Raik you are the doorkeeper, and Sebastian you are the busboy kitchen helper. We will operate the Inn ourselves until we have some more staff.”

Seeing all of them smile and nod at me I grinned, it was good to be back home and to be here with friends. I had a lot to do today and I needed to plan the day carefully. First, I would talk to Archon once he arrived. Then I would find out what both the Old Bastards and the Jackass were up to. I also had done some thought and decided that two could play the game of building a house outside of a guild.

Once I had created my house I would begin to recruit, it was going to be a slow process but I had most of a year to work this. I also still wanted to get to the Temple Library and do some research about the abandoned zone and the Kradula. Once I had the knowledge I would lead my party to the Kradula and save the children. But before I did anything else I called Sebastian over. “My friend I have a mission for you,” explaining what I needed to be done I gave him some coins and then made my way to my room. I needed some sleep.

I was awake by mid-morning and after getting cleaned up I made my way down the stairs to break my fast. As I entered the common room I saw Archon sitting next to a window looking out at the stables. I made my way to his table and then sat down. I admit it I enjoyed seeing the surprise on his face as he noticed me.

“My God, what did they do to your eyes?” Archon asked with a pained expression on his face. I slowly nodded, I was so used to the black silk cloth covering my eyes that I did not notice it anymore and in the daylight, the fires that burnt in my eye sockets would not be visible behind the dark material. I smiled at him and responded, “The Jackass took two sharp daggers heated them and then burnt out my eyes. But have no worries in some ways I see much better now. Now how about you give me a smoke and then tell me what are you doing in my Inn?”

“Your Inn, Archon looked surprised, I thought this Inn belonged to Mathias?” “It did until I purchased it, and now it is mine, so getting back to the question why are you here, the last time we were together I recall you turned into an asshole.” Looking at Archon I could see a gamut of emotions running across his face, and then finally he spoke. “I am here to apologize, I was extremely out of hand on the Temple mount.”

I sat back looking at Archon and wondering how much of this is sincere. Sebastian walked over to our table and whispered into my ear, “There is a stealthed individual sitting behind you at the little table, would you like me to grab him?” I thought for a minute and then nodded, turning to Archon I said. “Excuse me and then turned to watch the show.” With a blur of motion, Sebastian was suddenly holding the arm of a man who suddenly stood up and then tried to spin around and break free of Sebastian's grasp.

“Looking at Sebastian he cursed and then yelled out “You had better let go of me Cupcake, or you will be hurting. He then glanced over at Archon and then tried to hit Sebastian. In a blur of movements to fast for normal eyesight Sebastian spun the rogue around like a cloth toy and the grabbed him from behind and began to squeeze the neck while pressing against the poor fellows back. I looked at Archon and asked, “Is he one of yours, because if he is not I am going to allow Sebastian to keep him for a plaything.

Sebastian looked at me with a smile and I laughed and asked, “Do you want a new toy, Cupcake?” By now Ama and her sisters along with Raik were standing around and watching along with a few late for breakfast customers. Sebastian gave me a wink and said, “oh please master may I have a new toy, I broke my last one.”

Archon looked at me and said, “Enough, let my man go.” I stared at him and then replied, I will let him go, but no more of this Bullshit.”

I nodded at Sebastian who whispered in the poor fellows ear and then laughed as the man turned pale.

Letting him go Sebastian nodded at me and then walked back to the bar and began to polish the glasses. I decided we needed to somehow get a piano for him to play.

Looking over at Archon I spoke, “We really don’t want to be fucking around like this anymore. Are you Old Bastards ready to get serious or are we wasting time. If we are wasting time, you can get out, if you want to have a real talk then give me a damn smoke and lets put the cards on the table.”

Looking at me Archon slowly nodded, “All right lets talk.” He said. Pulling out a handful of rollies he placed them on the table, I grabbed two and lit them with Dragon fire from my finger. Passing him one I called Brea to bring us a pot of hot kavaa and we settled down to have a long discussion.