Who knows why I felt what I felt we left Gudea's mansion, yet, it ended up setting my mood. And so as we four, the three of us and the always present Holt, this time as the driver, traveled this part of the inner city (inner city of the inner city if we use Aison's words), I was alert, silent, and expecting something to happen.

And something would happen, indeed. Although, not a sudden attack or the like, as I had envisioned, but an unexpected tingling inside my mind, one that I could confuse with nothing else. {The [Mark] spell!}

For an unknown reason, and even under the danger of that moment, I had set up a simple spell on Eithne during the last time I saw her. And now, it had reacted!

My sudden jerk made Aison turn to me, but it was Gudea to ask, "Did something happen?"

"Yes, it did..."

***

The closed carriage stopped after Gudea knocked on the wall behind him, and I, along with Aison, disembarked.

Even if only Holt could overhear him, Gudea had returned to our openly known roles. He didn't mention what would be discussed or touch on our previous talks. Thus, as I spoke, I followed his lead.

"This may not be polite of me, but I hope Maester Gudea understands." Even though Gudea had agreed to my decision to go after Eithne and not attend tonight's council, I still found it right to excuse myself.

"There should be no issue. I would be the one to speak in any case, so it's just a matter of informing Maester Rador a bit later." Gudea waved my excuse away, turning towards Aison now, and asking a seemingly harmless pair of questions, "Does Maester Aison plans to accompany Maester Rador? Shouldn't the Maester introduce himself to the nobles as part of his plans?"

"Mmm, while I am thankful for Maester Gudea's concern, my plans for these next few weeks can wait, Maester Rador's current predicament being of the utmost importance." Having assumed our usual roles, Aison also returned to the [Trade Guild] affiliated swordmaster, searching for a couple of clients to train. Yet, there was no need to be a genius to understand why Gudea was shocked to see Aison leaving with me.

"And while I know it is unpolite to ask it now that I am acting like this, I trust that Maester Gudea finds it alright to continue with my friend's introduction. Lelani shall be waiting for you in the Palace, as arranged." As Aison continued speaking, he managed to, in a non-forced way, perfectly answer the unasked question, confirming that there would be a [Royal Hound] for the small chamber meeting.

"Yes, yes, do not worry about that." Gudea waved his hand again as if it was nothing and, with that particular topic clear, the only he was concerned about, bid us farewell, Holt closing the door of the ornate, enclosed carriage.

As the two-horse pulled, painted white and yellow carriage left, Aison motioned for me to follow him to a corner of the street and, standing below the wall of one of the mansions lining the street, chose to go over what I had told them, vaguely, before.

"So, you left a mark on Eithne to find her, or in the worst case, her body, and it only now resonated, right?" Making sure no one heard us, Aison moved even closer to me as I began answering.

***

Chubu was a big city, all right, but it was still a bit strange that my [Mark], one that was supposed to be felt from over a kilometer (in a straight line!) away, had only reacted by now. The stranger thing was that the location I felt was not so far, only taking us a few minutes to reach. But what I tagged as strange ended up being nothing much to Aison, who, while repeating he was no mage (again?), explained, "From what I have heard, such spells rarely work fine in cities where a lot of magic is active."

Now, that explanation didn't seem like something he only would have heard about, but something he should definitively know, especially with his line of work. Thus, I took it at face value, noting to myself to check it out later.

Anyway, Aison going with me was a welcome boon, as I had no idea what did expect at Eithne's mark location. {She should have rushed to Gudea's side, but she didn't. So, I should assume she's captive, or as Aison said, it is the worst case, and someone involved just decided to hide the body, for some reason, inside the city, where no one would be looking for her.}

While the more sinister case wasn't something I enjoyed thinking about, I forced myself to judge rationally and even half-accepted that any outcome would be good for us, maybe even granting us another piece of the puzzle. Well, this latter is not a thought of mine, more a reword of Aison's words about why he chose to tag along.

With our small discussion concluded, we set out, this time me leading the way. After leaving the mansion-filled part and crossing the city's main street, it took us only a few minutes to reach a non-descript house, much like most of the ones around. Two stories, white plaster walls, wooden frames, and wooden shutters on the windows, the latter closed. No signs, boards, or plates denoting it as a business, so it was safe to assume it was a simple house.

"Wait, don't stop." I am unsure if he noticed something or just wanted to scout it out first, Aison whispered to me as he pulled my sleeve, forcing me to walk past the house.

"No, I am not mistaken." Nearly reaching the corner of the street was when Aison stopped and spoke up. While his words were calm, and he had whispered them as before, he didn't look calm at all.

"What do you mean?"

"I only know a few of the [Royal Hounds] bases in the city, and this isn't one of them, but I can identify one when I see it." It took Aison several minutes to regain his usual calm, and only then he continued to explain, "You see, half of the hideouts are unknown even to other [Hounds], but there are always a few marks to go on. Mainly so we avoid knocking on the wrong door."

I am sure he didn't give me the list of marks and details, but he did point me out to a couple of them. One was a small darkened stain on the otherwise pristine white plaster just below the left window. It looked natural, like the loose-looking, half-body forward tile on the right corner of the roof. Yet, that and the reddish (as if rusted), in place of the usually polished iron pommel on the door, indicated a [Royal Hounds] compound. A disposable and unguarded one, used for meetings or to conceal themselves if required.

"But while I am not privy to all the locations, Lelani and her people did scour the entire city, and knowing her - I am sure they did find and check this one." Now with these words, it clicked for me as well.

Eithne wasn't a [Hound], that's for sure. But if she was inside, someone from the organization was involved. Either by holding her captive or having told her about the place. And a thing of note was that someone had to be from the missing local [Hounds].

"So, what do we do?"

"If the place is a compound, there is a second entrance. Hard to find, disguised, but marked for even the outside ones to use. Assuming a [Hound] is involved, he's probably alone, at most has a couple of men along, so they can only react to one thing at a time. So, let us divide." Back to his usual manner, it took Aison only a moment to formulate a plan. And while I didn't enjoy the idea of barging inside from the front door alone, it was a fact that only he could find the second entrance, so my role was set up in stone regardless of what I felt.

"Try to avoid killing, at least if you can not confirm who is who." Leaving me only those words, Aison disappeared behind the corner, probably intending to approach the house from behind, using the small passages left between the houses for fire security reasons.

"Yeah, yeah, go away, work your shady stuff." Muttering to myself, I reclined on the corner house wall, lighting up my pipe, giving Aison some time to act, and calming myself before who knows what.

***

The basic outline of the plan was straightforward, creating some disturbance while moving toward Eithne. As for Aison, he would be barging from the backdoor, doing the same but moving towards the racket I would create.

The problem, or problems as there were a few, laid in the how-to of that plan. Aison didn't leave many instructions, saying I should act as I feel, only asking me to avoid killing if I can and avoid using spells. This latter, as he explained, to not leave magical traces, the physical ones he and the [Hounds] would take care of if needed.

Acting without [Life Radar] didn't sit well with me, but I had no other option. {Well, the door's closed. So what should I do? Knock? Kick it out? Or else?} Slowly walking towards the house, I ran over the options.

---

Knocking could be stupid, but it would definitively attract the attention of the ones inside. Still, I doubt they will open the door, no matter what I try saying.

Thus, let's discard this option.

Kicking the door was no small feat, but with the [Word of Power], I should have no problem. The old words were not spells per se, either, so no one would be tracing me later. A good option and the mess would be enormous. Yet, it would raise two problems that I would prefer to avoid.

First, no door meant anyone could enter the building after me. With no allies to do so, it would be either an enemy or an eyewitness, nobody of which was good. In the worse case, it could be even the Baron's guards, either called by a neighbor or a patrol attracted by the commotion.

Second, the force used may later raise questions about how I did it, and I probably was on the limit of my believable lies.

Thus, while a good option, let's think of something else.

Now, for something else, what about opening the door myself? Entering, closing, and barricading it from the inside would be even better. No possible witnesses from outside, and even if someone arrives, they would need to crash through the door, giving us time to react. Plus, no need to watch out for anyone escaping, at least via that route.

As for how, haven't I already opened a few locks thanks to the [Earth's Blood], my so-useful [Magic Clay]? It only required a direct mana infusion if already shaped, so no spells. Yes, now this one seems the best.

---

After making sure there was no one to see me and listening for a few seconds for anything coming from behind the door, I summoned a clump of [Earth's Blood], pushing it inside the lock.

I sent a wisp of mana to secure the form and another as I turned it around, not wanting to risk it breaking.

*Click* *Click*

The sound of not one but two locks sounded, and I slowly pushed the door, which opened without a single sound.

{Perfect choice. It was indeed the best way.} Looking around the dim interior, with only an oil lamp in the entire hall opening directly from the door, I congratulated myself. And how could I not? After all, I was inside, and there was no one around, allowing me to carefully close the door and move a chair to block it.

Now, with that done, it was time to look around. The hall occupied nearly half of the house, about twenty meters from side to side and slightly less from the door to the back. Scarcely furnished, there were only a few chairs, the table on which the oil lamp stood, and a couple of wooden crates near one of the walls.

It was silent, which meant Aison was yet to start, and I decided to maintain what stealth I could for now. Eithne's [Mark] was coming from below me, but I couldn't rush there without checking around. So, not losing time, I chose the closest of the four doors in the hall and slowly approached it.

This door led to a corridor, from where another door and the stairs to the second floor were. After confirming that the door was the bathroom, I returned to the hall, and as the door opened towards it, I also blocked it with a chair. {Not a barricade that will stop anyone for long, but at least if someone is up, I will know before they get to me.}

Going counter-clockwise, I checked on the next door, which ended up as an empty room. {The [Hounds] definitively didn't spend much on the furnishings, huh?}

The next door, on the opposite side of the hall, led to the kitchen. I didn't see much with only the scant light from the hall's oil lamp, but I caught on some shelves, an oven, and a few crates or boxes. Considering the smell of herbs and cured meat, it was clear that some provision was present.

Now the fourth door was the one I needed. It led to a corridor identical to the one on the other side, but the stairs led down. As for the door, it led to a small storage room, empty from the looks of it.

Feeling each step as I descended in nearly absolute darkness, I arrived at the bottom to find myself in a narrow corridor.

Judging from my feelings and the ideas about local construction I have obtained until now, this corridor usually extended until the other side, with an entrance to the cold storage somewhere near the stairs, and the rest used to store unneeded things. Or, in some cases, the corridor would be the cellar, with the original space employed as a workshop or similar. Not that I cared much about the house's construction as to go and check.

Eithne's [Mark] felt near, and some light near the ground revealed a door and source of light behind it. Nearly hugging the door, I stopped breathing, dedicating myself entirely to listening. There were no voices, but I heard steps and a soft clang of metal against metal, confirming there was somebody there.

{And where's Aison? I already checked the first floor, and I doubt the back entrance is on the second, so it should lead here to the basement. So, why am I the only one here?} While I had launched myself into this voluntarily and even thought of going alone, now that Aison wasn't around, I felt reluctant to act.

{Still, I got to act-} Feeling the [Mark] some twenty meters from me, I cleared my head of all thoughts except Eithne possibly being alive and captured. And that made me stop hesitating. Taking a step from the door, I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and kicked the door with all my strength. As a surprised exclamation sounded from inside, I jumped forward, following the half-unhinged door. My eyes darted around, quickly scanning the room, preparing to either pounce or fall back.

***

Twenty-five or so meters long, half that wide. Stone floor, wooden panels on the upper half of the walls, and the roof. Following the same pattern as the rest of the house, it was barely furnished, with only a table and four stools near it. The only differences were a [Magic Candle] for illumination and the two people present.

Before looking at their faces, I quickly checked their stats and their equipment, only then attempting to identify them. The man I had seen before, in the [Rich Miner], he had been sitting near Grol, was named Yort and was part of the [Zlolim] mercenary group. As for the woman, I had not seen her before, but her stats, especially her title, plus Yort's presence, left no doubt - this was no one else but (Lady) Ezilda.

While inwardly I thought of how good it would be to forget everything and leave, I also wished to kick their asses, no matter her scary stats. And surprisingly, it was the latter that won.

"A pleasure to meet you, Lady Ezilda." All my scans and deliberations took less than a few seconds, and I spoke up nearly as I had appeared. Yort had been sitting on the stool facing the door but apparently jumped up as I crashed in. As for the [Zlolim] leader, she stood near the opposite wall and seemingly had not moved.

{Act! Don't think!} Commanding myself, I quickly pounced forwards to close the distance while landing to the right of Yort, who was yet to draw the sword on his belt. I acted quickly and impulsively, but maybe that is why it worked. He got no chance to react as I hit his temple with the hidden steel plate on the back of my bracer.

It did make him stumble, but it seemed he wasn't so easy to fall. Still, it's not like I had nothing to add. Grabbing his left shoulder with my left hand, the bracer on which had just opened the combat, I brusquely pushed him.

*Crash*

Between the hit to the head, the shove, and the stool behind Yort tumbled back. And he was taken out of combat, as the fall ended with his head slamming against the table. Of this latter, I made sure - my [Status Screen] showed him out cold (probably there were several wounds and injuries along that, but I didn't call on the screen, only checked his state.).

"Now, where were we?" Who knows why I went with such a line of speech and conduct, but I wasn't going to fuss over details. I had more important stuff to think about, like why she wasn't moving, even after I showed hostility and could have killed her man.

Yort (Out cold, unable to take part in the events).

NAME (As I see it) LEVEL (Hiding anything below average) Strength 12 Close-Quarters 13 Slashing 11 Labor 12

(Lady) Ezilda (Playing statue).

NAME (As I see it) LEVEL (Hiding anything below average) Kingdom of Neverc, Noble - Speech (Social) 15 Manners (Social) 15 Education (Social) 15 Strength 14 Force (Martial) 11 Quick 16 Close-Quarters 14 Slashing 13 Mapping 17 Orientation 16 Danger-Sense 12 Identification 11 Beasts and Monsters 16 Leadership 13 Command 13 Navigation (Never seen before) 14 Shiphandling (Never seen before) 17

Not only she had two skills I had never met (thankfully, they were self-explaining), but there was also another title on Ezilda, one that I would only later think about but even during the first scan, instinctively took note of.

Radowian Republic Bounty 85 (As confirmed before, this number is money. Only question is, what kind of money?)