In the back of the storage room, surrounded by cheese, I begin casting spells in front of Kisa. The Stranger and Meera are waiting outside, so I need to hurry.

[Muddy Stone of My Endurance, Move Forth-Meld]

[Frozen Wind of My Soul, Come Forth-Chill]

“Kisa, inform the others that they’ll be working tonight. Everyone without an Icebomb sets fires! Just as we discussed. One Icebomb goes to the Demi-Raccoons in Lencester, another is for the Demi-Cows on Agathon Street. Hit the Riventish barracks again. They won’t be expecting it. As for number three…who should we have deliver it? Teheer is in jail so I’m thinking Jero might have to do,” I ask while handing over three perfectly crafted Icebombs in the backroom. “And please…be careful. This is going to be messy. There will be reprisals. Make sure everyone is aware that their survival is a priority!”

“Yes, Master!” My actual number one hardest-working employee accepts the milky blue-white Icebombs and begins wrapping them in paper to disguise their glow. I know her sure hands won’t drop them. “Master…what if I delivered the third Icebomb? We can have Jero and the Demi-Rats setting fires…it’ll be more efficient!” When she says this, I do a double take. Wait what did you say? Examining her earnest face closely I shudder. There’s no sign of hesitation. Only a vicious desire for vengeance. Hold on…you want to personally plant a Icebomb? You’ve been training in basic combat for all of a few months and you think you’re ready to take on assassins? Way too risky! Not to mention I need you to keep Meera from eating all the cheese! Yea…how about…

“No,” my response is short and to the point. “Sorry, Kisa. But this is going to be far more dangerous than usual. Feel free to do a little arson in the alleyways but there’s no way you’re going near a priority target! They’ll be on high alert after all the previous bombings!”

“Master…” she starts to say, but then sees my expression and sighs. “Yes, Master. I’ll inform Jero that he needs to make a delivery tonight. As for the target, how about the slavers? My old owners used to bribe the Omniscient Guard frequently. A call from their Demi Bazaar will definitely receive a large response.”

“Good. Perfect choice, Kisa.” I nod happily, still a little worried because her face is a bit dark. I’d thought that Kisa was past old grievances…but perhaps she needs to vent a little. Should have hit her old masters sooner. “Just remember…Jero delivers the Icebomb. You set some fires and return to the shop. Got that? I’m counting on you. If something goes wrong, I’ll need you to be free to fix it. While I’m gone, you’re in charge of our operations!”

“Of course, Master. I won’t let you down!” She seems pleased. Her ears perk up and her fingers work a little faster tying up the Icebombs, although her expression remains wooden. I’m a bit worried but there’s nothing else for it. Trusting that Kisa will do an excellent job as always, I head out the storage room to the lobby. As I pass through the door, Nya bumps into me, coming back with more packaging paper.

“M-Master Myrr! Ahhh-noO-! I’m so sorry! I’ll pick this up at once!”

“Nya?” I jerk as rolls of white packing paper go everywhere. The tiny Demi-Cat has overburdened herself trying to carry more than she can handle. Heh…this one…always so clumsy. Seeing the rolls escaping, Nya cries out and hurriedly drops to her hands and knees. She tries to pick them up but ends up pushing several rolls farther away. Bending over, I stop one with my foot, somewhat amused at the whole thing, because I never usually bump into people. I always see them coming…when the Stranger isn’t around. “Relax, Kiddo. Let me help. It’s no big deal!”

“But…but it’s such a big mission. And there’s no time to waste…the Stranger said so!” she scampers about for all the world looking like a cat, hunting mice, as her tawny tail pops out from the back of her dress. Finally, after a bit, we get all of it back together and I help her up, placing the last rolls in her arms. “S-Sorry Myrr…I’m so clumsy…everyone’s going out to set fires…and I can’t even carry things…I’m useless!”

Oh dear…look at her shaking. She’s terrified. Well, no wonder…Meera and I are going to be gone. And Kisa has to go tell everyone their targets. She’ll be all alone in the shop. At her age…I suppose that would be scary…mmm…perhaps a little comforting is in order.

“No, you’re not useless, Nya.” I give her a wink, remembering how a certain someone used to feel while watching other people fight his battles. “Don’t tell Meera, but after your sister…you’re my favorite employee. Number two in Myrr’s Cheeseshop! I’m counting on you to take care of your sister and watch the shop while we’re out! It’s a tough job, but I’m not worried at all since my number two will be on duty!”

“R-Really? You mean it, Master?” she exclaims. When I nod, she bursts into a broad smile and her tail swishes happily. I reach out to rub Nya’s ears but barely manage to catch the back of her head before her Demi-Cat engines rev and she practically shoots away to give her sister the wrapping papers. My child labor young employee disappears into the backroom yelling, “Sis did you hear that! I’m number two in the shop! And Myrr wants me to watch the shop while you’re gone!”

I hear a reply,

“Wow, number two? Oh, did he really say that? That’s incredible! And watching the shop…that’s a very important job, Nya. Congratulations! Why don’t we start by wrapping these packages but be careful not to drop them!”

“Yea!”

I listen with a smile as the backdoor closes on their conversation. Ahh Demi-Cats…I miss Natalia. I think she hates me now though. Ever since I forgot her birthday, she stopped sending me mail. Walking out into the lobby, I cast one last spell on the display cases and then cross the floor. Our bells chime as I pull open the front door and a cold wind from the frozen streets blasts into my face. The Stranger and Meera are waiting just outside. Their expectant gazes fill me with a fiery anticipation even as the winter cold bites at my cheeks.

*Tinkle*

“Bye guys! I’m going out! Stay safe! If anything bad happens just run away!” I yell out, hoping the sisters can hear me. And with that…I adjust my coat and we’re off to the undercanals!

#

“Years ago, the sewers used to be regularly patrolled by the Omniscient Guard. These days though…the city isn’t what it used to be. Selena isn’t completely inept, I’ll give her that much, but she has no idea what she’s doing. The Omniscient Guard’s given up policing the undercanals. They won’t know the best ways to get inside. Too many other things to deal with.” The Stranger, his white mask like a grinning skull in the night, raises his arms at the looming giant storm drain in front of us. Water from the canals above, sheets over the top, forming a murky waterfall, which covers the dark entrance he assures us is behind. Down here, in the dried-up riverbed, we’re like mice walking into the snake’s mouth. A small set of stairs are all that separates us from the jaws of hell. “We’ll go in from here. Should get to the Ferry-Rat first.”

“I see.” As I observe the darkness behind the waterfall, there’s a flash of light from the side. Ghostly, ephemeral, a shadowy flicker appears out of nowhere to join us at the base of the stairs. It’s Echo. The short, hooded figure is disconcerting, but at least it’s not the Omniscient Guard. Someone else doesn’t share my sense of relief however-

“You didn’t say she would be here!” Meera exclaims angrily but Echo pays her no mind. The Stranger’s lieutenant ignores us and goes to her boss with nary a peep in response, although I sense a flash of killing intent. She’s small, but no less deadly for it. The faceless mask atop that shapeless cloak, whispers in the Stranger’s ear. I hear nothing of what she says. Eventually, the Stranger calls to us.

“Listen you two, Echo is one of my best fighters, not to mention your security. Naturally, she’ll be coming with us. Trust me, the things down there will make you glad to have a stone-cold killer like her beside you.” The Stranger chuckles. Nodding at Meera and I in the silty canal underbelly, he continues, “It seems your Demi’s are causing quite a pain in the other parts of the city. The Omniscient Guard are running ragged trying to put out all the fires they’ve started. This is our chance! Detonate the Icebombs, my boy!”

“Done.” I say redundantly as shockwaves rumble through the city. It should have been three massive blasts at once, carefully coordinated and set in areas with the most vulnerable members of the high houses. An attack that would have Merekeep’s rulers begging the Omniscient Guard for backup. However, to my surprise, I only sense two explosions. That’s not right…did I miscast one of the Icebombs? Or am I just hearing it wrong?

“Meera…is it me, or did you only hear two-“ I blurt out. The Stranger’s already going up the stairs with Echo. They don’t hear me. When I turn to her, Meera gives me a look which says she’s also confused and I grow a bit worried. Huh…so it’s not just me…but why would there only be two explosions? I’ve never failed the cast before. Not on an actual target-

“Something wrong?” the Stranger calls back and I realize while I’ve been thinking, he’s already almost reached the top of the stairs. The waterfall covering the entrance is just beyond him. “Hurry up! Just because I know the area better than the Omniscient Guard is no guarantee we’ll reach the Ferry-Rat first!”

“O-Okay! We’re coming!” I agree and pull Meera’s elbow. Her face is scrunched up with worry, but I just shake my head and pull her up the stairs with me. “It’s fine. We’ll figure it out later.”

“You sure, Boss? That sounded like only two explosions…maybe we should turn back-”

“There’s no time. We’ll have to trust Kisa to handle it.”

“But, Boss!”

“Just roll with it!”