Tahlea leaned her ear close to Estra’s mouth while placing the back of her hand against her brow. Her expression became solemn as she listened to her shallow, rasping breaths. A faint light emitted from her hands as she moved them across Estra's body.

"It appears as if Estra was trying to augment herself with… something. It became stimulated by an external influence and caused her mana to rebel. My knowledge of healing magic is shallow. But I do know that it requires at least an adept Magus of the Restoration discipline to save her. They also need to be experienced in mana backlash. I'm only a journeyman Magus of Divination, I can't do anything to help her," Tahlea said, moving away from Estra.

"Then there's no other option. We need to pay the Sisterhood of Mercy a visit and hope they can heal her," Dink replied.

"There's no time to lose, we must leave now to save Lady Estra!" Axion declared, rushing toward the exit with Estra cradled in his arms.

"We'd better follow him," Dink said.

"I'm coming with you!" Martha declared beside him.

"Suit yourself. Get ready now and don't fuck around," Dink replied with a shrug.

"I'll just inform my father and quickly pack my bags. This is so exciting, I finally get to go on an adventure!" Martha exclaimed. Dink shook his head to himself after watching her run out of the common room.

Dink walked over to the group and used his foot to urge Murkuk to get up from in front of the fire. There was an expression of yearning on his face as he clambered to his feet. Dink could feel Murkuk's strong sense of reluctance to leave the warm inn through their bond.

"Quit your pouting, Murkuk. You're getting too used to being pampered. Some could almost mistake you for a rich noblewoman's lapdog," Dink reprimanded, Murkuk wilted under his words. "Alright, I'm sorry. But get a move on, we don't have much time."

Riva and Tahlea briefly disappeared upstairs and returned carrying their packs. A door slammed open, everyone looked toward it. Martha barged into the common room, lugging an overfilled backpack with a shirt poking from the top.

"I'm ready, let's go!" Martha called out, dragging the pack behind her outside. Dink followed after her. "Darby, you better have the cart all set or I'll have your hide!"

"Calm down. Betsy is harnessed with Estra loaded in the back. They're just waiting for you lot to hurry up," Darby retorted from where he was preparing to muck out a stall for the night.

"Don't give me any of your snide remarks. You're still not too old for me to have father punish you," Martha threatened.

"Ha, your threats won't work this time. I'm finally rid of you," Darby cheerfully said, disappearing inside the stall. Martha was left speechless with tears forming in her eyes. Dink noticed her expression and stopped beside her.

"You don't need to come with us. It's probably a lot safer for you to stay here instead," Dink reminded her.

"No. I'm going with you. I've been wanting to leave this dead end town my whole life and here's my chance," Martha replied, her expression tightening as she firmed her resolve.

"In that case, close your mouth and get in the cart. We're leaving," Dink admonished, agilily climbing into the driver's seat beside Axion.

His gaze turned soft as he turned to look over his shoulder at the still figure of Estra lying in the cart bed. He quickly snapped out of it when Martha hauled her pack into the back with a herculean effort. She ungracefully clambered into the cart after it to sit down beside Estra's head.

In comparison, Riva and Tahlea travelled light. They threw up their matching packs and easily climbed into the cart, finding a seat next to each other. Tahlea made a series of hand gestures before placing it to Estra's chest while Riva silently watched.

"Hey, where's Murkuk? I told him to be here," Dink said, standing on the bench while shielding his eyes from the glare of the setting sun.

"Over there," Riva replied, pointing toward a narrow alley attached to the courtyard.

Dink confirmed the direction through his bond and hopped down. He gripped the crude hilt of his great sword and jogged to investigate.

Arriving at the opening of the alley, he discovered Murkuk sitting crosslegged in the shadows. A strange black and ginger stray cat was purring in his lap as he stroked its fur.

"Oi, what the fuck do you think you're doing?" Dink asked, startling the cat.

Murkuk jumped at the unexpected sound of his voice. He sheepishly climbed to his feet as the cat fled deeper into the alley.

"Uh… I smelt pussy. Made friend," Murkuk guiltily said.

"I don't much care what you get up to in your personal time. But we have an urgent matter at hand. Get on the fucking cart before I beat you for being a dumbass," Dink growled, angrily baring his fangs.

Murkuk became intimidated after hearing the threat. He tripped over his feet in his haste to comply. Dink stepped forward and caught him by the arm, steadying him upright.

"Sigh, it's hard to find good help. Stop messing around, they've left without us," Dink said, he could hear the squeaking of the cartwheels leaving the stables.

Dink hurried out of the alley in time to see Darby run to the street. He was tearfully watching his sister depart in the cart. While he thought no one was around, he loudly sniffed and wiped away a tear rolling down his cheek.

"Stop blabbering like a baby and get back to work. Fucking everyone shirking their duties these days. It was never like like this back in my day. Men were men and knew that responsibility means respect," Dink complained, pushing past him while dragging Murkuk by the arm behind him.

Darby jumped in surprise, quickly turning away while attempting to erase all traces of his tears. Dink snickered in amusement at his embarrassment.

"What do you know, you're just a cursed Goblin from the Expanding Woods. You probably ate your siblings," Darby snarled.

"Listen here, boy. Any siblings that I may have had would be long buried in the ground by now. Stop your snivelling and straighten your spine, you have an image to maintain," Dink barked. Darby spat on the dirt and walked away while glaring hatefully at the pair of Goblins.