Scarlett sat in the foyer of the lodgings provided for her and her group at the Golden Griffin Inn, sipping tea from a cup that one of the employees had brought. Their accommodations took up an entire section of the inn, comprising six rooms, a small gathering area, a dining hall, and this small foyer.

The establishment catered exclusively to nobles and other affluent individuals, giving Scarlett the impression of a high-class hotel rather than a typical ‘inn’. She imagined this was the closest thing to staying at a five-star lodging in this world, except perhaps for places like the Dawnlight Palace in Elystead and Grovefort Castle in Windgrove.

On the table before her lay a book about the tenets and histories of the original ten deacons who had made up the Followers of Ittar’s Quorum during the early days of the empire. As she awaited the return of the others, she leisurely perused its pages while savoring her drink.

Fynn had been waiting with her earlier, but he wasn’t one to sit idly by when there wasn’t a specific job to fulfill. At the moment, he had retired to his quarters, where Scarlett presumed he was occupied with his meditation and communing with the ancestors of his tribe.

A knock sounded from the foyer’s entrance as an employee opened the door and peered inside. “How are you, my Lady? Is everything to your satisfaction?”

Scarlett glanced up from her book at the man. “Yes, for now. I will notify you if that changes.”

“Of course, of course. We are at your disposal if there is anything that you need.” The man slightly lowered his head. “I’ve come to inform you, as you requested, that your companions appear to have returned. A party of three, two women and a man, is currently being led here as we speak.”

“I see.”

With that, the man performed a small bow as he left, gently closing the door behind him.

Scarlett’s gaze lingered on the doors even after he disappeared. Eventually, she rose from her seat, returned the book to her [Pouch of Holding], and walked down the hallway connecting to the foyer until she reached the quarters that had been prepared for her.

Inside was a beautifully furnished room with a long bed against one wall and a pair of large windows overlooking what must have been a charming garden during warmer seasons. In one corner stood a round hickory table with two chairs. Moving over to it, she sat down and rested an arm against the table, tapping her finger on the wood.

She wasn’t sure what to expect now that she had sent Rosa off to handle this alone. In the game, you were supposed to be with her, and Scarlett would have preferred that. But she was already pushing the limits of what her pact with Anguish allowed by giving Rosa tasks that involved interacting with important quest points. Anything beyond this, and she wasn’t sure what would happen.

Perhaps if she could convince Rosa to get help from Allyssa or any of the others, things would be easier from here. But the woman might be just as likely to push them away as agree to that, which made matters difficult.

Nevertheless, the primary goal was to make progress in dealing with Rosa’s demon problem. Anguish would be furious—an incensed Vile wasn’t something anyone wanted on their hands—but for now, the demon was at least somewhat restrained. On several fronts, really. There was her pact with Scarlett, Beldon’s investigations into Count Soames if those went anywhere, and the other Viles encroaching on Anguish’s territory while trying to learn more about the potential incarnate.

The pact between Scarlett and Anguish would last for at least a little while longer. She didn’t know how long, but she was hoping for at least a month or two. Even a few weeks would be enough. While she had been somewhat concerned earlier about signs of Anguish taking control of Rosa soon, things had appeared relatively calm these last few days. Presumably, The Gentleman spreading the news of Rosa’s existence played a part in that when it sicced most of the Blazes at Anguish.

Scarlett had even inquired with Fynn just to be sure, but he hadn’t detected much of a demonic presence emanating from the bard lately. That gave Scarlett hope that things might actually go relatively smoothly. Of course, she wasn’t expecting everything to go off without a hitch, but it would be a welcome change.

As she waited by herself in the room, she eventually heard three sets of footsteps in the hallway, along with faint voices. Soon, two doors opened and closed, and then there was only one set of steps left, approaching Scarlett’s room. She concealed her left hand beneath her right.

The door opened, and Rosa entered the room.

The first thing Scarlett noticed was how tired the woman looked. It wasn’t the fatigue of an afternoon spent running errands around the city; it was more akin to someone who had just attended a funeral. Scarlett couldn’t help but wonder what excuse Rosa had given to Allyssa and Shin for her disheveled state.

Rosa quietly closed the door behind her and crossed the room. Scarlett’s gaze followed her as she stopped next to the table beside her and sat down in the only other seat, staring off into the room.

Almost a full minute of silence followed.

“How are you?” Scarlett eventually asked, studying the silhouette of the woman’s face. Rosa’s curled hair draped over her shoulders, partially obscuring her cheeks, so Scarlett could only see the edges of her mouth and the tip of her nose from this angle.

Rosa blew back a lock of brown hair, turning to look at Scarlett from a pair of dark eye sockets — darker and deeper set than they had been that morning. Perhaps others wouldn’t have noticed, but Scarlett always paid close attention to the bard and any signs of possession.

The woman seemed to be restraining herself from her usual cheerful smile. “Look at me. Really look at me. What do you see?”

Scarlett observed her for several seconds. “…You appear weary.”

“Exactly. Exactly.” Rosa met her gaze, then opened her mouth to continue, but stopped. She closed her eyes and took a breath before exhaling slowly. When she opened them again, there was a bit more composure in her gaze. “We can’t talk about it…can we? I can’t even tell you what happened, what I saw? Am I wrong? Am I?”

Scarlett stayed quiet for a while before finally shaking her head. “Even what we are doing now is unsound. But I did not think I could simply leave you be this time.”

It was a question of what qualified as interfering with Anguish or the Vile’s connection to Rosa. If there was one thing Scarlett had learned since she struck this deal, it was that demonic pacts like theirs allowed for some interpretation. There was more leeway than she had initially thought. But she could sense that her actions this day had been balancing on the edge. The seal on her left hand had reminded her of its presence more than once.

“…Could you stop me?” Rosa asked. “Really stop me? If it came to it? If I lose control and there’s no other choice?”

Scarlett remained silent. That wasn’t a question she could answer in their current situation.

The woman chuckled. “Yeah, thought as much. It’s not every day one can expect one’s boss to tell you whether they can put you down in a pinch or not.”

Scarlett frowned, but before she could respond, Rosa heaved a long sigh.

“I don’t know if this has been a terrible day or a great one. It dredged up enough memories to burrow a city block or two, but at the same time… This might be the first time in my life where I actually have something real to go off of.” The bard’s violet eyes locked onto Scarlett. “I bet you don’t understand exactly what that means to me.”

“I believe I do,” Scarlett said.

Rosa let out another light chuckle, shaking her head lightly. “No, I really don’t think you do.”

“…Well, if it is a positive development, then I am happy for you, nonetheless.”

“Wish I could be as well. But truth be told, I’m still about as confused as a headless chicken in a coop of scrambled cockatrices.” Rosa leaned back in her chair and gazed up at the ceiling.

Both of them sat there in silence for a while longer.

“You know, I met this old lady today,” Rosa finally continued. “Had a bit of a chit-chat with her, and...I don’t think I treated her well. Mind you, she was about as prickly as a thornbush and as grumpy as a senile cat, but at least she tried to help me. She told me about someone.”

Scarlett kept her eyes on the woman as she listened. “Is that so?”

She had a rough idea of how that encounter might have gone. It wouldn’t surprise her if the old lady never wanted to see Rosa again. Still, Scarlett hoped that the bard had gained some useful information.

“Do you know where Crowcairn is?” Rosa asked.

Scarlett suppressed the small smile that threatened to appear. “Crowcairn? I cannot say that I have heard of it before, no. Perhaps you can locate it on one of the maps that I asked you to procure?”

Rosa paused, turning to look directly at her. Scarlett maintained a neutral expression, even as the woman’s lips curved up. “Oh, yes. Indubitably. What a stroke of serendipitous luck that I just so happened to buy that today.”

Scarlett nodded. “Simply ensure that you return it to me once you are finished. I have need of it, after all.”

Rosa brought up one of her hands in front of her face and inspected it casually, huffing on her fingernails before buffing them on her tunic with a smirk. “Why, of course.” She shifted her attention back to Scarlett, studying her for a while, and her smirk gradually faded into only a small smile as she then looked across the room with a distant gaze. “…We were planning to stay here for a while this time, weren’t we?”

Scarlett nodded. “One week, at the very least.”

She was expecting it to take at minimum a few days before the Followers got back regarding the whole Sunfire Shrine matter, and if they didn't, she would need some extra time to find an alternate way in. Additionally, there were several dungeons she planned to look up during their time here.

Although all of that took a backseat to Rosa’s business here in Bridgespell.

For this reason, had ensured they had multiple options for when they would return to Freybrook. One week was longer than they had spent anywhere other than Freybrook or Elystead, but it wouldn’t surprise her if it passed by faster than expected.

“You wouldn’t mind if I took a day or two to visit an acquaintance of mine sometime during our stay, then?” Rosa asked.

“I would not, no,” Scarlett replied. “You are free to take your leave whenever you see fit.”

“…Thanks.” The bard fell silent for a moment, then she pushed herself out of her chair as she stood. “Think I’ll push that off for a couple of days, though. Have to prepare mentally and all that. You know how it is.”

“Of course.”

“Maybe I’ll even take more than a couple of days. A few days. Few sounds good.”

“If that is what you believe is best.”

“Can’t say I know a lick about if it’s for the best, but…” Rosa looked down at Scarlett, locking eyes with her. “…I’m not sure I can do it.”

“I have faith that you can,” Scarlett said. “For all the time you spend extolling your own virtues, I personally am of the opinion that you underestimate yourself far more than you should, Rosa.”

The woman’s eyes widened, and she stared at Scarlett for a long, drawn-out moment. Eventually, she took a step back and turned around, barely managing to hide the smile on her face. “I’m damn lucky that I met you, Red.”

“I am aware.”

Rosa laughed and moved towards the exit, waving her hand over her shoulder. “Just call for me if you feel lonely and want to hear a dainty little tune that’ll cheer you up. Just for you, I’ll make sure to be here in a jiffy.”

With that, the woman left the room, leaving Scarlett by herself. She continued looking at the door for a while, lost in thought.

Finally, she lifted her right hand and glanced down at her left, eyeing the faint imprint visible on the skin, forming a dark purple crest. She could imagine Anguish’s displeasure, which would likely intensify from now on. That made her want to smile once again.

She really wasn’t beyond pettiness, it seemed.

The fleeting satisfaction vanished a moment later, however, as she considered the risk involved for Rosa.

She retrieved the book she had been reading earlier and flipped to the page where she had stopped, trying to shift her mind to something more productive. Excessive concern wouldn’t serve her well. She was doing what she could, and that was that. She was committed to helping Rosa where she could, and the rest was up to the bard herself for the time being.

Hopefully, it would prove enough.