WayWocket looks behind Lone and Pela and waits a few moments. He has watched his death four times now. A small part of him, hopes for this future. Pela and Lone have slowed down, and apart from a bit of heavy breathing, they seem completely fine.

Lone comes up, grabs the jug, pours two cups and hands one to Pela. Stillwater, Gunnar and Kilroy wait while they drink, but WayWocket stares at the door a little longer, sighs and looks at Lone.

Lone pulls up a chair, and Pela sits down on another. “Report, Solo,” Stillwater says.

Lone takes another drink, then puts it down. “I will assume that Kilroy has given you all the information.” Kilroy and Stillwater nod, while Gunnar grimaces. “We followed Timothy, each taking a turn, so we were not noticed.”

Pela breaks in, “Yeah, this blunderer would have been spotted if I hadn’t pointed out the flaws in his plan.”

Gunnar laughs at that, and so do Stillwater and Kilroy. Lone glares at Pela a little, and she smiles back, then he continues. “We followed them to a decrepit housing building. Timothy entered, and after a while, he left with three individuals.”

He nods to Pela to speak, as she recognised them. “Um, yeah. I knew them from my job at Corbin’s. They are part of the Wilted Flower Gang.”

Gunnar smacks his hand. “Good work.” He coughs a little, realising that he just complimented two halfies. “So, Winkle was right.”

Stillwater nods in agreement but then thinks about that statement. “He named the gang, but we can’t take this to Klaus yet. We need to find some evidence and connection to their supplier or expert.”

Gunnar asks, “What’s the plan, Boss?”

Stillwater has a think. “If they are the culprits, we need to move now. This is just us having a look, but make sure that you’re armed, just in case.”

Kilroy stands up. “I have to get back to the Bath House. Good luck, and if you need a hand, just ask.”

As Kilroy leaves, they all stand up and bow to him. Stillwater says, “Thank you for your time, Master Kilroy.”

He flashes a grin at them, looking more youthful than his age would suggest. Then his focus settles on Lone. “I will see you tomorrow, Solo. I have a few new exercises for you to do.”

With a groan from Lone and a laugh from the rest of them, Lone replies, “Thank you, Kilroy. I will see you tomorrow.”

Smiling, Kilroy leaves the Hall. Stillwater eyes the Rejects. “Head home, grab your gear and meet back here in one hour.”

With a nod from everyone, they all hop up and head off.

🔹️🔹️🔹️

Less than an hour has passed when the Rejects are back at the Hall. Even Pela has changed into pants and a loose shirt, covered by a tight leather vest with a small blade at her side. Stillwater has a basic leather vest and a half sword in her hand. If possible, WayWocket has even more pouches strewn across his body, and Gunnar has Ripple, Caw and Beltram as well as his hand axe and sickle. Lone is still wearing his sword from before but has put on his Plate of Jack, as well as a few more knives.

Lone looks around at the people sitting around the Hall. One of the other new Adventurer groups—the one that was on trial a few weeks ago—and the Helpers are discussing something. On the table is Bree, the gnome engineer leader strapped with her goggles on her head. Korri sits close by, the Dwarven female fighter with the massive axe strapped to her back. Lone remembers bumping into her at the Musket and Anvil.

Uriel, the Halfling Bard, has his lute out, randomly plucking at the strings. Dirk Crestwell, the Orange Crusader Lone saw at the Watch’s mess hall, and Paco, the tall Folk, sit nearby. Paco’s mane of feathers flips between the colours of purple, brown and grey.

Noticing him staring, The Helpers look back. Uriel waves at Lone who returns it. Uriel and Korri were a great distraction when he was escaping via the stairs in the Musket and Anvil. If not for them, he would probably have been caught by the late Malik.

Stillwater motions the Rejects to move to the side, then inspects everyone, but stops at Pela. “Pela, you are not part of the Rejects. I’m sorry, but we can’t risk taking you with us to that old building, in case we have to face the Wilted Flowers.”

Pela’s eyes are pleading. “I know that Stillwater, but I can be of use. Look at you guys, you have weapons poking out everywhere. No-one around here will believe that you are just hanging around.”

Lone appraises everyone and looks at himself. “We are a bit overprepared. Are we going in to fight this lot, Joan?”

Gunnar adds, “Halfy is right, we look like we’re going to war. Let me and Pela head in—I have my companions who can sniff out anything. You three stay back, and if you see Beltram,” he scratches the raven under the chin, “come in with your weapons drawn. How about that, Boss?”

“You all are right. That’s the plan now. We wrap up our weapons.” She indicates Lone and herself. “Gunnar and WayWocket will head in, Lone and I will be in visual range. Sorry, Pela, I can’t risk you so you will be staying here.”

Pela’s face droops and Lone pats her on the shoulder. “It is okay, and thanks for your help today.”

Before anyone else can speak, WayWocket jumps on top of a table. His voice has a low register, words coming out of his gaping mouth like a fleeting memory.

“Blooded must come,

Her path will be revealed.

All is what will be,

Only in our actions will the truth be heard.”

The Helpers, Bertude and Royce, turn to watch the spectacle of WayWocket. Stillwater steps in between them and Way, to shield him from their scrutiny.

WayWocket faints, falling off the table. With quick reflexes, Stillwater catches him before he hits the ground. They stare blankly at WayWocket; this isn’t the first time he has done this, but it is a strain on him after it happens.

Walking over to WayWocket in Stillwater’s arms, Lone places his hand on Stillwater’s shoulder and looks up at her. “Do you know who ‘Blooded’ is?”

Stillwater walks over to their table and places WayWocket on top. “Not sure, I haven’t seen Way this bad. We’ll leave him here.” She turns to Pela. “As we are a gnome down, you can come along. Let’s go. You will be with Gunnar.”

Shock passes over her face. “Um, yes.”

Gunnar checks on WayWocket then rolls him onto his side. He turns and says, “He’ll be fine. I’ll leave Caw here with him.” At the mention of his name, the mastiff stands up and walks over to lick WayWocket’s face. Gunnar pats Caw as he comes over. He winks at Pela. “Ripple will be our backup.”

The cat yawns and stretches, then pads over, standing at waist height to Gunnar. Pela is still looking shocked at the events at hand.

Lone turns to Stillwater. “Are you sure about Pela?”

Pela snaps out of her funk and glares at Lone. Before Stillwater can answer, she says, “With your skills, I know you’ll be spotted straight away.”

Gunnar laughs at that. “Yep, that’s our Halfy. Stupid as always.”

Lone strides towards Gunnar, but Stillwater holds up a hand. “Enough, this is how we’ll play it. Gunnar and Pela will head in. Lone and I will stay outside, waiting for the signal.”

She walks over to the bar, where Bertude’s face shows concern. “Is WayWocket okay?” the barkeep asks.

Stillwater nods. “He’s just had an episode. Do you have a cloth we can borrow?”

“Don’t you mean blanket?” Bertude asks.

“We need to wrap up our weapons, so they’re not so noticeable.” Stillwater motions to Way. “Could you let him lie there until he recovers? We’ll be back within the hour.”

“Sure.” Bertude heads to the back and comes out with a canvas cloth. “Here you go. If you get blood on it, you will have to replace it.”

“Thank you, and I’ll try not to spatter it with blood!” Bertude laughs a little at that and continues wiping the bench. Stillwater heads back to the Rejects. “Lone, we’ll put our weapons in here. Pela and Gunnar, you should head off now, and we’ll follow in five minutes.”

As Lone and Stillwater wrap up their weapons, Pela, Gunnar and his companions head out.