Damn it. Maxwell never let up. Blood leaked from the makeshift bandage and dripped onto the grasses. The wound fluxed between, though the pain burned and throbbed. This won't do, leaving a blood trail was as good as leaving a 'come get me' sign. After a short pause, she shook the blood off the grasses and took off running.

Ragefire Vally's jagged rocks and tall grasses weren't easy to navigate through, have always hated going through this way, but it'll be difficult for him too. There the road off ahead, Amperage.

Wonder if he's still there? Everything was going to the dark ones lately, such black luck. Weaving and bobbing forward, she stumbled as the swiftness spell abruptly wore off. A coin pouch came undone from her hip slash and clanked on the ground. The emergency fund! Straining, she snatched it back up mid-run and double knotted it to the slash. Almost at the bottom now. The valley spread out to a long dusty path this expanded into a dirt road that led to a modest town in the valley.

Sounds of town buzzed off ahead, and the scents of spices from the bazaar near the open gates wafted out. Just a little further. The god was much harder to suppress then any spirit ever was, at this rate... She shook her head. The mission hasn't failed yet, find passage on a ship. First... Her vision blurred momentaril, she slapped her cheeks. Get going.

A shirtless youth ran past. His arms shot up as a silver orb ball hovered over his head.

"I've got it!" He motioned his hands and the ball shot off towards a girl that was running towards him.

The ball whirled between hers, and without her touching it, the ball shot off towards a garden off to the right with the children chasing after it.

A merchant beckoned from behind, his narrow counter was several feet away, crowded with desserts, fruits, and buns in baskets beside it.

"Young lady, you shall find the finest sweets here! Why we have the rare Fizzy Kerf from across the five seas! Guaranteed to delight!"

"Some other time." She stepped to the side further away. He just wouldn't get a clue. She attempted to move past him while covering the wound.

He stepped around the counter, holding out his arms palms up.

"But, wait! I am an aged man trying to pay the taxes here. Will not you reconsider?"

"I need to go." She hissed through her teeth. A sharp pang came and went.

"A special offer today: only a five, gold for three buns!" His right eyebrow twitched and he continued to smile, though now it didn't reach his eyes. His long ears covered with age spots and little hairs at the tips. Pretty brave working here. But then again, the elder here wasn't half bad for a human.

Merchants were such land-grubbers, they never gave up. "Some other time." She took her hand off the wound and flashed her blood-covered fingers near his face. "Keep quiet about this." The fewer people involved the better; they'll just end up dead.

He frowned and came near again. "Miss?" It didn't seem possible, but his forehead wrinkles deepened.

Shaking her head. "You might want to stay inside for today." Going through the rocks wouldn't slow Kar down much, he could track through a blizzard if needed.

Hope dad still has those healing stones. Gah. Asking him for anything always led to massive guilt trips, he's worse than mom.

After crossing the dirt street--more of a path really--two men staggered beside the small tavern just a breaths pace away. Their arms wrapped around each of their shoulders. Great. Fat-drunken-blockage. She moved over and leaned against the merchant's empty counter. The door never looked so far away as it did now.

The red-bearded man sang a raucous old sailor shanty. His friend leaned back while puffing out his chest as he bellowed the song. Together they mangled the lyrics and sang off-key; as if they were a cat being beaten with a hot tong. She cringed as the red-bearded one hit a particularity ear-splitting note.

They bellowed and shuffled down the street and kicked the legs out from the merchant stalls with each lyric they sang. The merchants and townsfolk were far from pleased, to say the least, as they came from behind their booths chasing after them. Both the men, as they ran away, dodged the assorted goods being flung.

Finally. Dad's Inn was in an inconspicuous corner. People of so-called good standing shied away from it. At least in this outfit blending in wasn't a problem.

She arched her neck. Above the doorway, a large sign read: Fuzzy Tail Inn. Below it was a picture of a black cat standing on its tiptoes, with its tail straight up in the air, proofed out. It was nice to be back, even if it wasn't home.

He never locked the door, pushing it, she entered. The place had torches lined along the walls, although these and the candles on the tables did little to cast light into the inn. He always had it too dark in here. It was empty this time of day, too early most were still asleep.

"You dragged yourself in at an odd hour." She was startled by the sight of several new raw, ragged scars. A gentleness gleamed from within his eyes.

"Where have ya been? Mother's back at the city already and had already sent two letters by wind arrow now."

"Do you—" the pain came on full as a ram-bear, she crouched, gripping her side.

"Merry!"

Then she sagged further, becoming unconscious.

The next morning, waking to her room. Mostly it was awkward visiting with him, more so after joining the Adepts.

Sitting up was a mistake, she sucked in a sharp breath as the wound sent a bolt down her side. This was bad, though not as bad as the poison from a spider-nab.

Soft bandages moved some. Gingerly she eased into the leather armor and her sore muscles spasmed. She clutched the sides of the bed. It passed in a moment. Just have to tell him, he hated anything to do with the adepts. Sucking in a breath, she headed back down.

He was at a table right next to the stairway.

"What went wrong?" That knowing look of his was almost too much.

"It has been just a..." The screams rang in her ears just like they did two days ago. Running her fingers over the smooth wooden counter, she followed a groove. Lie, maybe? "It's fine."

He squeezed her shoulder. "I can't help ya' if you don't tell me what ya plan."

She shook her head and wove her feet behind the stool. "I'm just visiting, I'll leave soon."

He crinkled his brow. "You're not so much older now that I won't still wash your mouth out with stone soap." His voice sounded too stiff. Lying again wouldn't be wise.

Sighing, she rubbed her forehead. "The mission didn't go quite to plan."

"Clearly." He took her hand and laid his on top.

"I... need to leave. I shouldn't have come." She pulled her hand away and stood. What if Kar goes after him? Stupid. Stupid.

"Let me help." The corners of his mouth turned down.

"You already have."

He made a dismissive hand gesture. "As headstrong as your mother. That reminds me you should visit her, it's almost time."

"I'm planning on that, but the next ship won't be back for another month or so." And, need to get this god out immediately.

Boot-clad footsteps clomped across the cobbled stones outside.

Bloody harpy hells! Is that him? Her body shook, and her hands grew cold. Small beads of sweat formed on her forehead.

A pounding on the door.

"Quick, hide."

Padding back upstairs, she peeked out the upstairs window, just enough to see without leaning out. But was too late to catch the full exchange.

"—haven't," dad said, from downstairs.

"I wish the woman no harm, I just wish to an inquiry about possible stolen property."

"It's not my job to keep track of every balpted person who wanders here in town," dad said.

"Don't lie to me, peon!" He disappeared down the alleyway with his men following.

"I said I don't know where she is, Ya greasy pox-marked bugbear! Now kindly leave!"

She tiptoed down the stairs, swung her legs over the rail, winced, and dropped into the cubby between the stairwell and the hallway to the back storage. She pulled out her daggers. Things are getting down to the wick. She shifted, ready to spring.

Footsteps again, this time fading away.

Going over to him, he shook his head and clicked his tongue.

"Shhh. Send me a mail port and I'll try to catch up."

"But your retired."

"Go back to the Adapts." He hugged her, a quick squeeze, and let go.