The man sent as a messenger returned. He was carrying the familiar bastard sword and Goblin staff in each hand. He looked hesitant to give the weapons to the Goblins but relented after seeing the rows of weapon racks. They held a large assortment of weapons, such as swords, axes, maces, spears, and various exotic weapons. His hands were shaking as he handed the bastard sword and staff to Dink, who was grinning in amusement.

“Your diligent service has been noted,” Dink said with a dramatic bow, flipping the man a copper piece.

The man caught the unexpected coin awkwardly against his chest. He held it out in his palm to stare at it with a stunned expression.

"Murkuk, here's your bangstick!" Dink called out, tossing the Goblin staff to Murkuk.

Murkuk leered at the armoured escort with a murderous expression. Dink could sense his hostility through their bond. He used the flat of the bastard sword to swat the back of the Goblin mage’s head.

“Behave,” Dink admonished.

Murkuk looked at him obediently while tentatively rubbing the back of his head. Dink impishly grinned as he attached a scabbard to his torso. He sheathed the bastard sword across his back. The sheath was an open design that left the blade exposed. The hilt jutted indiscreetly above their shoulder as he began to walk through the armoury to the staircase leading up.

It’s time for the Sword Saint to greet the masses once again. After centuries of playing lowkey, I’m back.

Dink sauntered up the staircase with an eager grin as he rested his hands interlocked behind his head. Lady Estra and Murkuk followed closely behind. The well-dressed Goblin mage kept a wary gaze on the nervous men in case they did something rash.

Once Dink reached the top of the stairs, the majority of the crowd had already been evacuated by Master Chaplin. Dink could see him overseeing a group of guards to disperse the crowd while he politely ushered them to hurry while leaving. He looked back when he heard their arrival. His face became pale as he increased his urgency, placing his hand amicably on the shoulder of an elderly gentleman dawdling at the back of the crowd. After the crowd left, his shoulders slumped in relief at the crisis averted. Dink grinned at the scene as he continued toward the arena complex exit.

“Very good work clearing the path for me, Master Chaplin. I must return for a visit one day,” Dink said jovially.

“Oh. Yes, of course. I aim to be of service. I’ll always be here, so there’s no need to rush back any time soon,” Master Chaplin

“But I enjoy your company so much,” Dink said while fingering the hilt of his bastard sword at his shoulder.

There was the familiar itch of mana being channelled as the purple runes on Master Chaplin’s black robes lit up. Dink laughed as he released the sword, clapping a hand on Master Chaplin’s arm.

“Don’t be so tense. I’m only playing with you, relax,” Dink said with a laugh, giving his arm a playful shake.

“Please leave, now,” Master Chaplin said tensely with sweat-beaded brows.

“I know when I’ve overstayed my welcome, let’s go,” Dink said spiritedly.

He walked through the arena gates into the city before suddenly turning back, and looking into Master Chaplin’s eyes. His hooded face gave his eyes an ominous cast as he spoke one final time.

“Mark my words. I will return. When I do, it’s best that you be far from here, lest I decide to return the hospitality shown to me,” Dink warned.

Outside, the horizon had become dark as the sunset. It was a cloudy night with only one of the planet’s three moons visible in the sky. Stars were hidden by the pollution created by the bustling city. The crowd had dispersed down the main boulevard to enter rowdy taverns or return home to retire. The wind blew the scent of raw sewerage, causing Dink’s nose to wrinkle in disgust as the arena gates slammed closed behind him.

Fairy lights flickered into existence, lining the main streets of Chiset with illumination. They hovered above the centre of the cobblestone road. Dink watched as they appeared in sequence until they disappeared around a curve in the road. The buildings were made of stone with graceful wooden support beams and slate tile rooftops. Smoke trailed into the night sky from the chimneys of the taverns lining the street. He watched a tabby cat down a nearby alley agilely climb a wall, leaping to a neighbouring building to climb inside a lantern-lit window left ajar for it.

The trio began to walk as Murkuk looked around in wonder. The taverns open for business had ethereal signs formed from light floating outside their doors. They arrived at a busy intersection filled with late arrivals from the city gates and drunks stumbling home to their wives. Dink looked up, the street names began to magically trace in the air as he watched. He didn’t recognise any of them as Lady Estra purposefully led them down a side street.

He heard the hoot of an owl, followed by the squeak of its prey. He peered through the darkness in the direction of flapping wings to see the owl flying with a rodent clutched in its claws. His vision allowed him to see clearly on the cloudy night after they finished adjusting.

Lady Estra led the Goblins through winding back streets and alleyways to avoid suspicion until they emerged outside an opulent building on the main road. Horse-drawn carriages containing the wealthy. They entered through large ornamental doors on the main street while their drivers led the carriages into the stabling area behind the building. Less savoury folk entered through a side entrance down a neighbouring alley on foot.

The people entering were of different statuses’ from an assortment of races. Ranging from Humans, to Elves, to Beastfolk. They were all dressed in various fashions and designs. Outside the building, hovering in front of the second floor, there was a larger-than-life illusion. It was a glowing-pink depiction of a seductive High-Elven maiden from the waist up, covering her impressive chest with a coy expression.