An "old friend" was not a label Glavas would use when thinking about the detective. They knew each other and managed to bring down a dangerous criminal with combined efforts, but other than that, they haven't seen one another in months. Maybe because of that did his arrival surprise Glavas so much.

"What the hell are you doing here?" he barked at the man in a black poncho.

"That is something I wish to discuss with you alone," he replied, and his eyes slid over to the other four people at the table.

"Why don't we show you two where you're gonna sleep? And we should find some clothes for you that might be more comfortable to rest in," Glint urged the children into Glavas' bedroom, haphazardly transformed into a guest room after the young hunter left his home. "You two chat away, but keep it short, we'd like to turn the lights off soon." With that, the elven couple led Alma and Surdi away, leaving the two "old friends" to catch up.

"So? Care to answer now?" Glavas immediately returned to the topic.

"I came here to see you." Clive grinned and leaned back in his chair.

"We've barely seen each other once. You didn't come here to chat. You want something."

The detective sighed. "I was hired by the Zindan royal family? You know them?"

"Not really. I've only heard the name."

"They are the rulers of the Zindan region down south. Their territory directly connects to Ujima, Ranrul, and..."

"Rotler."

"Yes, the independent city of Rotler. Or... ex-independent city."

"So that's why you're here." Glavas' hand slowly slid under the table and onto his holster.

"Don't try anything stupid, please. I'm just here to talk."

"Are you? What does the Zindan family want with Rotler anyway?"

"Their merchants went to buy something and arrived at a wasteland. Over three hundred dead. A genocide. They wanted to know who was responsible and bring them to justice. After all, the golems purchased there were in high demand."

"So you are here to arrest me?"

"If I was, I would bring reinforcements. No, that is not why I'm here. You see, the first step of my investigation was to take a look around the ruined city. And naturally, I even ripped open a golem."

"So you know what was inside them?"

"Yes. The Zindan folk were the first people I told about it. Suddenly, golems from Rotler were getting banned all over the country and the souls inside were humanely destroyed. Congratulations. You brought down what might as well count as a gold mine of child trafficking." The Detective gave him a slow clap.

"How did you even find out it was me?"

"Seriously?" Clive cleared his throat and pulled a yellow folder from inside his poncho. He briefly went through the pages until he found what he was looking for. "Worth living for..."

"Okay, okay, I get it! You found the warehouse."

"Yes. And the names of the children drawn onto a piece of wood. Quite the night you had."

"But why seek me out if you knew Rotler was to blame?"

"Because I found out something different. Something interesting. Remember Peldo?"

"Yeah. We killed him together."

"Yes. Naturally, I went to look into him. I wanted to know who exactly did I help rid of their life. The bastard, as it turned out, was a merc. Doing dirty work for whoever asked. Imprisoned three years ago, but saved. Somebody broke him out of his cell. Just... poof! He disappeared one day. No sign of him, only faint traces of magic."

"Ruun probably broke him out."

"Yes. I thought that there must've been an accomplice, so I looked into the people he usually worked with. Couldn't identify the charred bodies in the warehouse, but I did find out that most of his past associates, who were also imprisoned before him, had all escaped."

"And let me guess, same mysterious poofing?"

"Indeed. So, I started looking. All sorts of criminal records from all over Ezma. I found twenty different cases of disappearing prisoners."

Glavas straightened his back. "So you know..."

Clive dropped the file onto the table. "Yup. I know who works for the demon. Granted, I didn't know it even was a demon. Just thought it was some syndicate nobody knew of. On the papers is all the information I've managed to gather about the prisoners, including their strengths and weaknesses, should you decide to confront them."

"So you went here to tell me about them?" Glavas reached for the file and started reading through the numerous pages bound together. Clive's work was no joke. He actually gathered quite extensive profiles of each of them and even put in accompanying sketches of their rough appearance.

"Yes. It wasn't easy to find you, so first things first, I wanted to contact your family. That's when I found out about the Extinguishing, the invitation... well, you get the idea. Then I just hid and watched you from the crowd. I wanted to know exactly what happened at Rotler and if you'd know any new information about Ruun's little group of scoundrels. I even stalked you to the graveyard. Really hard to stay away from all the undead lurking around the perimeter though. Gotta praise your friend for her work. So since I couldn't get too close, I just waited at your parents' house for you to come here and tell them everything."

"And you just listened."

"Yeah. And wow! A real demon. Now that is a threat I want to bring down."

"So do I. But... to fight all these people... we had trouble with Peldo. I think I'd rather lay low for a while."

"That is because you don't see it."

"See what?" the hunter raised his head from the papers.

"All of the people he freed were specialists in certain fields. Alchemists, blood mages, scammers, thieves, arsonists, and the list goes on. But only a handful of them were fighters. And most of that handful died when we fought Peldo."

"So, you're saying?" Glavas shrugged.

"Wow, you are slow. Okay, answer me this: Why did Ruun come here, to a busy city, to ask you for help, instead of using force?"

"Alma needs to come willingly. Her powers won't work if she doesn't want to use them. You can't just push her into doing anything."

"Yes, yes, I know. But before, Peldo tried to kidnap them and it almost worked. What prevents Ruun from just snatching Surdi and using him as leverage, for example?"

"I don't know."

"Exactly. I think it is because of what you cited before. You said that Ruun spoke of a raging dragon. Surdi probably saw his friends and family die at the demon's hands. That broke him."

"Dragon's wrath?"

"Yup. Most likely. He lost it and went explosive on their asses. And I think Ruun fears that. I think the reason he came here to ask was that he himself is too weak to do anything. Pulling out souls without damaging them requires skill and magical prowess. I think he might be great at that, but not exactly suited for combat. And that is why he had someone like Peldo. Who, unfortunately for him, is dead. The reason he avoided a hostage situation is simple - he can't go for it. Your mother, father, Sizzy, and the people from Elkif, are all capable of causing a lot of trouble for him. Nobody he could just snatch easily. And other than them, you don't have anyone who'd be close to you."

"I get it. He lacks the manpower. So the allies he has left..."

"Are most likely utility and support. To help him get around and run the whole operation. They are not fighters. Only a few of them could pass as combat-oriented, and frankly, none of them would last a second against you. Especially after they saw what you did to Rotler." Clive leaned even closer. His voice got a bit quieter. "They are afraid of you. Would be a shame to not use that."

Glavas sighed and pulled himself out of the reach of Clive's stale breath, smelling of old coffee. "So you want me to strike first? I get that, and sure, I guess I'd be in, but... there are a few problems."

"Location of the demon and your aversion to dark magic, I suppose?"

"Heh, you really do know everything, huh?"

"Well, it is just my observation based on what you said to your parents. And neither of these issues would really be a problem. Say, you mentioned that the demon entered a portal, right?"

"Yeah. White one, kinda... fluffy around the edges. And no, it wasn't the kind that would show you what's on the other side. It was also... cold. Made the whole place feel like a freezer."

"Good. That is very good. Every portal magic has its maximum range. All I need to do is figure it out and then search for their hideout."

"There's like a million different teleportation spells! You can't go through them all!"

"I won't have to. All I am looking for is a white, cold, fluffy portal, just like the one you described. The escapees came from prisons around the northwestern part of Ezma. That narrows it down already quite well. If I find out the maximum range of the portal, I will be able to narrow down the locations from where he would be able to operate. Therefore, finding the bastard will only be a matter of time. A time that you will use wisely. To recuperate and stay safe. Can you and the kids disappear somewhere to the east for a few weeks? Maybe a month or two?"

"East? I don't know... I don't like that idea."

"Why not? Scared of dragons?"

"No. Scared of Valimar."

"Oh... Right. Probably the best to keep Alma away from them. Fucking wizard freaks. They are always problematic. Well, what if you just go past Valimar and further east?"

"Why don't I just go anywhere else?"

"Because I need you to stay safe, but close. South is full of humans and mixed species. You will never be able to truly know if there isn't one of Ruun's men lurking around. But the east is a land of forest elves and dragon hives. I doubt the demon would be able to infiltrate their societies and get someone on his side. Not to mention that he pissed his pants when saw the tantrum of a little kid. He'd definitely avoid dealing with any adult dragons."

"Well, you do have a point. But I'd like to remind you that forest elves and moon elves don't mix. And dragon hives don't really like visitors."

"A moon elf who hates their own religion? They will welcome you. And dragons? Just tell them you want Surdi to experience his own culture. There. Problems solved."

"Easy for you to say! You won't have to actually argue with a bunch of shamans and oversized reptiles!"

"Will probably be easier if you don't call them that."

Glavas slammed his hand against the table. "Clive!"

"Shush! You're making too much noise. Listen, all I need you to do is to lay low relatively nearby. Can you do that for me?"

A quiet harrumph left the hunter's mouth as he rolled his eyes. "Fine. I will take them on a bit of an exotic trip."

"Splendid! Then I will leave in a few days and get the whole investigation going."

"In a few days? What are you going to do until then?"

The detective stood up from his chair. "Well, enjoy the festivities, of course! Who wouldn't like a good Extinguishing?" He gave Glavas a wink and headed toward the main door. "I'll be staying in an empty building just across the street. The one at the top of all the others. Just come for me there if you need anything urgent." He briefly stopped before closing the door behind him. "Oh, and tell everyone I wished them a good night."