At the entry gate of a massive city with tall, black stone walls, a long line of people, merchants, or travelers awaited their turn to enter the city. A horse-drawn, covered wagon slowly moved up to the gate where an annoyed guard approached the wagon.

“A’right. Wat’s ya purpose in Goun?” The guard asked.

“Trade sir.” An older man with charcoal hair and beard answered the guard.

The guard sucked at his teeth and looked over at the woman sitting next to the man. She was around the man’s age. The woman looked rather plain with no distinguishing features.

“Wat’s inside?” The guard asked.

“Goods from Lenmos! They are quite popular and high in demand for their usefulness.” The man replied.

“I see. Oy! Appraiser! Need ya over ‘ere!” The guard yelled over at an educated looking man in nice clothing.

The new person seemed even more annoyed than the guard. His complaints of how busy it was and them being shorthanded were easily heard.

“Alright, alright. Yil ren oust. Woq gal do. [Appraise Value].” The man appraised the contents of the wagon.

“Hmm. Your tax will be one gold.” The appraiser finished writing a receipt for the wagon driver and held it up to him to check.

“Ah. That is agreeable.” The wagon driver pulled out a single gold, but before he handed it over he asked a question.

“Does that include entry toll?”

“It does not. The toll is a large copper per person.” The appraiser responded.

The wagon driver added two large coppers and handed it to the appraiser. The guard waved them forward to the next station. A guard in a window looked up at the wagon driver.

“Purpose?”

“Trade.”

“Here are your visas. They are good for two weeks. I don’t think I need to tell you what will happen if you do not renew.”

The wagon driver nodded as he took the passes from the guard and they headed into the city.

The covered wagon pulled up to a large, warehouse like building that had heavy looking iron gates that were open. Workers were moving various supplies about the area. A young woman in nice, merchant like clothing approached the stopped wagon.

“Greetings, what brings you to the Yellow Rose Trading Company this fine day?” She asked.

“Looking to sell some goods from Lenmos.” The wagon driver replied.

“Ahh, those are premium goods. I would be more than happy to appraise them and make an offer. Please drive your wagon inside to stall eight.”

The wagon driver nodded and followed her directions. The inside of the building was massive with a large number of stalls, carts, workers, and other wagons about inside. The driver brought his wagon to a stop in the stall numbered “8” and hopped down. As he was helping his companion down from the wagon, the merchant woman approached them with a small cart that had several items on it.

“Alright. My name is Lisa and I will be your appraiser today. Are you familiar with the Merchant guilds appraisal method?” Lisa asked.

“Yes.” He handed her a couple of small coppers.

“Thank you sir. I will begin immediately. Name please?” She set a piece of paper on a stone lectern by the entrance to the stall.

“Eric.”

Lisa put her hand on the paper and channeled her magic into the lectern. It lit up in a soft blue light that traveled down its structure, across the floor into the stall and lit up a runic circle that was below the wagon. Lisa wrote his name at the top of the page. The page filled itself with a listing of all of the contents of the wagon automatically. Lisa held the page out.

“Please verify the contents of the listing.” Eric took the page and began checking the contents.

Lisa placed another page on the lectern and repeated the process. Eric finished verifying the listing as Lisa finished making the second copy.

“Please compare this copy to the one you have. Once you have it verified, I will ask that you please sign at the bottom of both copies.

Eric complied and finished it after a few minutes. Lisa took one copy and told Eric to maintain the other copy while she took the paper to a buyer in the trading company. Before she stepped away, Eric stopped her.

“Excuse me, I forgot to mention that we also have an appointment with a Miss Reese.”

“Miss Reese? I am not familiar with that name.” Lisa responded confused.

Eric pulled out and handed a small wooden coin that had a black cat on it. Lisa channeled a small amount of magic that caused the cat’s eyes to flash.

“I see, there has been a mistake. I believe you meant Waurice, our consultant. I will take you to a meeting room to meet with him.” Lisa smiled casually and led them into the building.

Lisa brought them to a door that she opened for them. “He should be inside.”

Eric and the woman entered the room. The door closed behind them and a large, burly, dangerous looking man sat at the only desk in the room.

“What brings you here?” The man asked.

“The jingle of gold I hold close to my heart.” Eric replied.

The man smirked and stood. Without saying a word, he pushed open a section of a wall that revealed a tunnel just wide enough for a person to walk through. Eric thanked the man and the two entered, the wall closing behind them.

“Is all this really necessary Micah?” Eric asked as they walked down the hall.

“We know she is in Goun. Yes we could just go straight to her, but the place we arrived at is a major location. The fighting arena gets a lot of money for Goun. We also cannot cause an incident or it might void the contract keeping Goun from invading the kingdoms again.” Micah explained.

Eric sighed.

Two days ago, the two of them snuck in to track Micah’s mother’s whereabouts. The location they arrived at, the Grand Arena, which was a government sponsored location. If they attacked it to rescue Micah’s mother, they would be putting the kingdoms at risk, so they had to change tactics and try to sneak her out as quietly as possible.

Eric sniffed the air. “What is that smell? Perfume? Where the hell are going?”

Micah sniffed the air as well. She realized the truth but held her tongue with a sly smile on her face.

They reached a single door after a minute. Upon the door it said to ‘Ring the Bell’ before entering. Micah noticed a pull string next to the door and tugged at it. The two of them could barely hear the jingle of a bell on the other side of the door.

“Enter!” A feminine voice called out.

They opened the door that ended up being another hidden wall and entered the room. The room was decorated in a gaudy fashion with silk drapes, pillows, and the liberal use of the colors red and pink.

“Oh…” The words escaped Eric’s mouth when he realized that they had just entered a brothel.

Micah was quietly snickering to herself as she followed him up to a large and extravagant desk. Behind it sat at very slender woman with heavy make-up, wrapped in a black robe with a golden sash to keep the pale skin of her body hidden.

“Well, what do we have here? Two disguised people? Though I must admit, you smell delicious.” The woman eyed Eric like a carnivore.

“What do you mean disguised?” Micah asked.

The woman laughed merrily.

“It is obvious to me. Someone familiar with how a woman handles themselves, I could tell you walk with a confidence far beyond that of one that you are disguised as. You know your beauty and it gives you confidence. Him on the other hand, I find it surprising that you even attempted to hide that… treat.” She bit one of her thumbnails seductively.

“Um, we uh, were referenced to you for help.” Eric shifted his weight around uncomfortably, garnering another snicker from Micah.

The woman had them sit on the overly large cushions before her desk. She then sat upon her desk and spun her legs from one side to the other so that she was now sitting directly opposite of them.

“Now then, who referenced you to Cat Blacken?” Cat said putting her hand to her chest in a dramatic way.

“Councilwoman Nadia of Alta. She said that for what we need, you would be our best help.” Eric replied.

“Oh Nadia! I love that woman, she was the one who made a woman out of me.” She said with a blushing smile, seemingly remembering something inappropriate.

“Anyway, what is it that this little kitten can do for you?” She reached out her hand beckoningly toward Eric, which made him feel embarrassed.

“We need your help rescuing a dark elf from the Grand Arena. We need to do it as quietly as possible without causing any damage to anything, or anyone related to the Goun government.” Micah explained.

“Do you have a name?” Cat asked.

“Tanya Yuldo.” Micah replied, which caused Cat to tense up briefly.

“Oh dear. You seek to rescue The Dancing Butcher?”

Micah looked at Cat questioningly.

“Her title in the arena. She is known to be undefeated. If I remember correctly, she is owned by that slime ball Reno.” Cat said with distaste.

“You know him? What can you tell us?” Eric asked.

“Yes I know him. Bastard has an abusive tendency toward my little flowers I tend.”

Eric got confused by what she meant, but Micah clarified that Cat was speaking of her workers in the brothel.

“Do you know if he brings her out of the arena?” Micah asked.

“I am sorry, he keeps her there. Rumor had it that she almost escaped twenty-three times. So to deal with it, he keeps her locked up there.”

Micah clenched her teeth in frustration.

“So what can we do?” Eric asked Cat while placing a comforting hand on Micah’s shoulder.

Cat took a few moments to think.

“Hmm… Ah! That should work.” Cat hopped off the desk and circled to the back of her desk looking through it. She pulled out three pieces of paper that were black with a golden emboss.

“This is how we will do it! These are invitations to the next major arena event that is to come two nights from now. You two can come in as my guests. Once inside, we will need to think of a way to get you to your mark. Though I don’t know if I will be able to put an escape plan together…” Cat fell back into thought.

“Don’t worry about that Miss Blacken. If you can get us inside with the invitation, we will be able to take care of the rest ourselves.” Eric said with utmost confidence.

Cat shivered from the confident look in his eyes. “Mmm, you need to be more careful those eyes. I almost jumped you there, though the offer is open.” Cat said with a sly smile.

“I-I’m good.” Eric replied while Micah struggled to hold back a laugh.

She has been really enjoying herself this whole time… Eric thought bitterly.

“Very well! Then in two days’ time, I will have you two come with me.”

Micah and Eric stayed at an inn that was recommended to them by Cat. He had shifted them into the Haven so that they could work with everyone else to establish a plan. They were all relaxing in the hot spring together.

“Micah, you really enjoyed yourself today.” Eric commented which caused her to laugh.

“Come now Eric, you are just so adorable in how you get embarrassed. Also how you didn’t notice.” She smiled while turning her face way to stifle her hysterical laughter.

“Notice? Notice what?” Eric asked.

“Cat was not a woman.” Micah choked out before bursting out laughing for a few minutes.

“S-seriously? No wonder you enjoyed my embarrassment more than usual…” Eric lamented.

“So what’s the plan Papa?” Ruby asked.

“Simple really. Once we are inside, we will deploy the Beholder Eyes. I will need you girls to find and keep track of Tanya. By doing this, we will look for a point in time to rescue her. The slave collar won’t be an issue, but we have to steal her away without putting any risk to the magic contract binding Goun. So long as I can see her, with my own eyes or with the Beholder Eyes, I will be able to shift her into the Haven.”

Ruby, Luna, and Rorroco acknowledged his plan and were set for the day of the event.

Cat and two individuals wearing full faced masks approached the entrance to the Grand Arena.

“Invitations?” A guard at the gate asked.

“Here you go sweetie.” Cat handed the three tickets to the guard.

“Those two are with you honored guest?” The guard asked.

“Yes. Is there a problem?” Cat asked annoyed.

“No madam. Just wanting to make sure. There is no issue with guests wearing masks, as some prefer to protect their images.” The guard marked their passes with the special stamp and returned the tickets back to them.

The three entered the Grand Arena without any further delay.

Cat had a private booth for the three of them to be seated. The area was massive with a large battle ground in the middle, surrounded by seating for regular paying guests. The regular seating was packed with people and nearly all of the private booths seemed to be occupied.

“Hmm, this is good. It seems his majesty and general are not here today.” Cat commented.

“Were you able to find out the line-up for the battles today?” The masked man asked.

“Yes. Tanya is the main fight today. How goes your search?” Cat asked.

“Ruby, how is the search going?” The masked man sent out a telepathic message.

“Not good Papa. We are looking, but if there is not a way into a room we can’t check it.” Ruby replied to Eric.

“Nothing yet Cat.” Eric replied.

“I was hoping we might have been able to get mother out before the fight…” The masked woman, Micah said depressingly.

“Sorry Micah, we really are searching as quickly as we can.” Rorroco called out.

“It’s alright. I know how much effort all of you are putting into this. Thank you.” Micah replied.

“Cat, how much time do we have until her fight?” Eric asked.

“You have about two fights and a bout before her fight. Each fight will probably be less than ten minutes a piece. The bout could run around twenty to thirty if we are lucky. Though if my info is good, there is a chance the bout will end too quickly.” Cat explained.

“What is a bout and what did you mean about it ending quickly?” Eric asked.

“Fights are one on one or pairs battles. Bouts are group battles of three to ten per team. I am not sure if you are familiar with gambling, but sometimes the games are rigged. The team that is battling is one of Reno’s. Rumor has it that he is looking to retire. My guess is that he will use some kind of poison to weaken his team while secretly betting a massive sum of money on the opposing team to win.” Cat’s explanation sent a worrisome chill surging through his body.

If that is true, we really need to find Tanya before her fight. We won’t be able to nab her off the open field without causing an investigation…

“Girls, do your best to find Tanya before her fight.”

“Understood.”

“Ladies and gentleman! Welcome to the Grand Arena! Today we have quite the line-up for you! First, a battle between two rising stars! Our first fighter! They’re wild! Uncontrollable! Causing blood spray and carnage! Berserker!” The announcer trumpeted the first fight who enter the ring, unleashing a bestial roar, gaining the enthusiasm of the crowd.

“His challenger! Cold and calculating! Carrying themselves with the disposition of a deadly assassin! Death’s Hand!” A man stepped out and drew his blade in a threatening motion before his throat.

The announcer called for the fight to begin and the two began their battle to the death.

The girls continued their desperate search of arena’s inner areas in hopes of finding Tanya before it was too late.

Eight minutes later, “Victor! Berserker!” The announcer cried out after Death’s Hand met his end.

Several arena slaves rushed out onto the grounds to get it cleaned up for the next fight. After a few minutes the announcer stepped out to announce the next fight.

“Next up to the arena! His mighty axe has claimed the heads of countless foes! The demon-kin, Rayus the Executioner! His opponent, the fallen knight who fights to reclaim his glory! Lindus the Shamed!” The two fighters began their battle at the call of the announcer.

“Girls, how much more do you have left?” Eric asked.

“We’ve checked every prison cell in the in the south, east, west, and north. She must be in a sealed room. What would you like us to do?” Ruby replied.

Eric checked the map they had drawn up.

“We’ll setup at each major section to enter the arena grounds. Ruby, you take north. Luna, south. Rorroco, take the east. I will keep watch on the western entrance.”

The girls acknowledged his orders and moved into position.

“Do you think we will make it?” Micah asked.

“I am hoping that we will be able to get her before she enters the arena. If need be, I will shift her out the damn arena.” Eric replied.

“Mm… I like listening to that determination in your voice.” Cat cooed.

If he had not been wearing his mask they would have seen the apprehensive look on his face.

After thirteen minutes, “Victor! Lindus the Shamed!”

The arena slaves returned to the arena floor and got it prepared for the next fight.

“Next up! A special bout between Team Kraken and Team Basilisk! Fighters! To the arena!”

The two teams entered the arena to the cheers of the crowd.

Cat frowned while looking at Team Kraken. “Damn, it seems it is true.”

“What do you mean Cat?” Micah asked.

“The team looks haggard, like they have had little rest or drank far too much the night before. This bout will not last long. You may want to keep close attention to the halls, they will be bringing Tanya soon.” Cat answered, her voice cold and angry.

Eric passed the information onto the girls in the Haven as the announcer had the bout begin. The fight ended just as Cat had predicted, it was a complete rout of Team Kraken within a few minutes. The crowd was spilt between disappointed boos and cheers.

“Any sign of her?” Eric asked as the arena slaves rushed about to clear the arena.

“Nothing on east!” “No Papa!” “Nobodies around!” The girls reported in not seeing anyone.

What the hell is going on?!

“Cat?!” Micah asked in a panic.

“I-I don’t know! My information is spot on so she is supposed to fight!” Cat replied.

“Papa I got something! Some greasy looking man with two men with him. You definitely want to check this out! Wait… Below! They are bringing her from below!” Ruby cried out.

Eric tuned his attention to Ruby’s Beholder Eye while Micah asked Cat about the Ruby’s report.

“What? From below?! They only use that for large beasts. They would not waste their time on raising Tanya up… Unless it is going to be a repeat of Team Kraken. They want to make it as grand as possible for her to meet her end…” Cat’s expression was in scared shock over her blunder in information.

Eric hoped he might be able to gain some information from the person Ruby said to check out.

Near the entrance to the arena grounds, a short, fat, hairy, and balding man stood in a set of white and gold finery. It seemed like he was trying too hard to be perceived as a noble. Two large unsavory looking men flanked him.

“A-are you really sure about dis boss? I mean, I could understand doin’ it to Team Kraken, but also to The Dancing Butcher? Wouldn’t be better to jus’ sell ‘er?” One of the men asked, which garnered a chuckle from his boss.

“Heheheh. True I could have sold her. But for my goal, the money I will get from her dying here will raise me up.” The short man replied.

“Yeah but, Mr. Reno, you still aven’t told us what’cha mean.” The other man said.

A wicked, sleazy smiled came to his face. “Huhuhuhuh. I made a deal with a Barony that is having severe monetary issues. In exchange for access to ‘my’ money, I get to marry their young and beautiful daughter. Too bad for him, he will never realize that I set the whole thing up.” Reno laughed.

“Wait, that was what all those jobs you had us doin’? Oh shit boss! You a damn genius!”

Reno had his men causing all sorts of issues in the Barony he targeted. Loss of tax money. Businesses closing down. Even a bad harvest. Because of their actions, the Barony lost an enormous amount of money.

“You made sure she ingested the poison correct?” Reno asked one of his men.

“Yessir. I made sure she ate it and didn’t barf it up. What was that stuff anyway?”

“It’s called Sloth Weed. It is not a deadly poison, but as it spreads through the body, the person will find it quite difficult to operate effectively. It the case of the arena, a guaranteed, untraceable death.”

Back in the booth, Eric finished going over everything he heard with Cat.

“Hmm, I am pretty sure I know which Barony he is speaking of. They had a long run of bad luck this last year… To think that slimy toad was capable of running such a long con.”

“What of the Barony themselves?” Eric asked.

“You mean what are they like? Among the many noble houses in Goun, they would likely be better off in one of the allied kingdoms for their ideals. They keep slaves, but they use that premise in a clever way to protect them from the rest of Goun while paying them a living wage. The people of their Barony also quite like and respect them.”

Hmm, I will have to try to learn more about them later.

The announcer then cried out. “Ladies and Gentlemen! You have waited long enough! The final fight has come! All know her name! Flitting about the battlefield, cutting down her enemies with vicious precision!”

The crowd went wild with anticipation.

“Her master was kind enough to promise her freedom if she wins this fight! Here she is! The Dancing Butcher! TANYA YULDO!” At crescendo of his announcement, on one half of the grounds, the floor dropped and slid to the side, and an elevator rose up with a lone occupant.

The dark elf woman’s black leather armor that had metal plates covering her vital areas. Her silver hair shimmered in the magic lighting the arena. Pulling her thin long sword from its sheath, she silently raised it toward the heavens, her violet eyes burning with determination for her freedom.

The crowd erupted, chanting her name. “TANYA! TANYA! TANYA…!”

The announcer waved for the people to calm down for his next announcement.

“Today! She is have a special opponent! The Champion of the Grand Area! The destroyer of whole cities! Crusher of armies! Obe the Titan!”

The floor opened once more and the elevator struggled to lift the twelve foot, dark purple skinned demon-kin to the grounds. He wore nothing more than a fur loincloth and boots. The rest of his muscular body rippled with power. The demon’s roar shook the whole arena as he swung is solid iron club about.

“Hmph, you were one person I hoped to not have to fight, Obe.” Tanya spoke.

Obe merely roared once more, foaming at the mouth.

“I see, they finally stole your mind from you… I will put you to rest so our suffering may end.” Tanya readied herself.

“Fighters! BEGIN!” The announcer cried.

Obe charged at Tanya, seeking to crush her. Tanya easily dodged his attack lashing out with her blade in an attempt to sever his arm. The blade only sunk in partway and stopped. Tanya was surprised at this and quickly retreated from him. She held up a hand only to see it shaking unsteadily.

“No…” She realized the truth of Reno’s betrayal.

“Seems she realized the truth.” Cat commented.

“Eric is there anything we can do?!”

Eric was desperately trying to think of something that they could do.

If I shifted her out now, there may be too much trouble… What can I do?

Then Luna spoke up, “They really look alike don’t them. Even fight the same.”

“Eric! That’s it! Send me into the Haven and then switch me with her!” Micah plead.

Eric turned to her seriously.

“Can you beat him without your equipment?” He asked.

He could feel her confident smile behind her mask.

“Very well.”

“OOOARRRRR!” Obe smashed the ground once more, creating a large dust cloud.

Reno watched with elation believing that his plan had come to fruition.

“RAAAAH!” Obe wildly pursued the weakening Tanya.

A thin flash of steel shined through the dust cloud and Obe stumbled backward, one of his eyes cut along with his face. Tanya charged out of the dust cloud, her strength seemingly renewed.

“What?” Reno asked.

Obe charged and continued to swing at Tanya. She effortlessly danced beyond the reach of every attack, striking back with her own counters. Her attacks were precise, cutting tendons and ligaments.

“THIS CAN’T BE HAPPENING!? What is happening?! She seems stronger than she ever has been!” Reno cried out.

“Oh my goodness folks! We were worried there for a moment! But it seems that The Dancing Butcher has caught a second wind!” The announcer cried out, garnering the adoring cries of the crowd.

Within minutes, Obe could barely move or lift his club. Tanya dashed forward, dodging Obe’s weak swing that dropped his club, leapt and kicked Obe in the chest with all her body weight.

Obe did not have the strength to keep himself standing and fell onto his back.

After the dust cleared, Tanya stood atop Obe, looking down into his face. Obe could not lift his limbs and weakly struggled on the ground.

“Time for you to be put to rest.” Tanya’s red eyes were filled with pity as she raised her sword up. Driving her sword down into his skull, Obe’s soul passed on, to the cheers of the arena crowd.

“THE VICTOR! THE DANCING BUTCHER TANYA YULDO!” The announcer exclaimed.

“Now then! Tanya Yuldo! What is you wish on your final day here?” The announcer asked her.

“One thing. That my Master, Reno, come out here before everyone, and free me here.” She answered.

“Oh! Well then, Master Reno, please come out onto the field!”

Reno did not want to do it. Since she won, his only choice to meet his goal would have been to secretly sell her off, but if he frees her before everyone, he may lose his chance since the collar would no longer work on her. He was not confident that any of his people would be strong enough, even if he brought everyone, to re-capture her.

“Master Reno! The crowd awaits!”

Reno was trapped. If he denied setting her free in front of everyone, he would not be able to stay in Goun as the mob would drive him out or kill him.

“Dammit, dammit! Come on you two…” Reno and his men stepped onto the field.

“Here he is folks! The benevolent master here to set his loyal servant free!” The crowd cheered as he walked up to Tanya.

Reno and his men stood before her, and spoke to where only they could hear each other.

“How did you do it?! You should have lost!” Reno growled.

“Some people need to keep their ace in the hole hidden for their greatest time of need. Now, be a good little toad and tell the people that you set me free.”

Reno looked at her with the deepest of disdain.

There is something odd about her, different, but I can’t tell what it is.

“Now then Master Reno! Let the crowd welcome their new champion whose has earned their reward!”

Damn announcer! Shut your trap! Ngh. No choice…

Reno turned to face the crowd with a forced smile and cried out.

“Thank you Tanya for your loyal and great service! A promise is a promise! I Reno Delgrad, hereby set you free of your service!”

Tanya reached up to the now unlocked collar around her neck and pulled off, tossing it before his feet. The crowd erupted once more, chanting her name. Tanya sheathed her sword and got the attention of the crowd.

“I thank you all for your support, but I have been long from my family and must return home. Might there be someone who might assist me?” She asked.

Before anyone could speak, a masked man jumped down onto the grounds and approached her.

“I may be able to help with that. I have connections with the Sheila’s Heart airship.”

The crowd was in awe over the man’s statement.

“How do I know I can trust you?” The masked man pulled up his hood and shift his mask so only she could see his face.

“Very well. I trust you. Let us leave this place.” Tanya followed the masked man away from the furious Reno.

Reno wanted to shout in protest, but he knew there was nothing he could do, so he headed back to exit the grounds.

“Ladies and Gentlemen! We of the Grand Arena thank you for your patronage and wish you the best of luck! We look forward to your patronage next time!”

“Dammit! My plans are ruined!” Reno kicked the table of the room he was assigned in the arena for the day.

“Boss, can’t we still do it?”

“What are you talking about?! The money is gone! The winnings from Team Kraken only cover a third! I need the winnings of this fight!”

“But boss, what about offering that money as well as protection! If nothin’ bad happens in a few months, the place should recover right?”

Reno contemplated his lackey’s idea and felt it was a very feasible plan.

“Alright, we will go with that, I should be able to convince that idiot if I have the mon-.” A knock at the door stopped him.

The announcer and several men entered the room.

“Mr. Reno, you lost your wager on the final fight and have a debt to pay.” The announcer claimed.

“W-Whatever do you mean? I did not make a wager on the final fight.” Reno looked uncomfortable.

“We have it under solid authority that you submitted a massive wager against The Dancing Butcher under the name Eron Smallty. With the odds stacked against her as they were, you owe the house one thousand, four hundred and seventy six gold pieces. That is including fines for getting caught rigging matches.”

All of the blood drained from Reno’s face.

“I, I, I don’t have that kind of coin!” The announcer sighed.

“Very well. We will petition with the government to have the amount procured through confiscating any money you do have, then we will try through liquidating possessions, and if that is still not enough, you will be turned into a debt slave to serve out the remaining amount performing hard labor. Seize him.”

The men with the announcer charged forward and grabbed the struggling Reno and dragged him away. Reno’s lackeys just stayed out of the way to avoid being dragged down with him. The announcer stepped out of the room and handed a small bag of coin to an unassuming looking woman.

“Thank you very much for the information miss. Thankfully we will be able to recompense some of the money back.”

The woman bowed her head to him. “You are very welcome sir. I will be on my way then.”

The woman turned and left the announcer, wearing a familiar looking black cat on a silver pin on her chest.