It was only a few moments later that we all found ourselves seated at one of the many tables near the back of the guild hall. Darmund had been kind enough to order me a drink since it was my first time here.

I may not have remembered anything about myself, but I knew of alcoholic beverages, though not much about them. I wasn't sure if I'd ever partaken of the bitter drink, but I somehow got the feeling that I hadn't. Mauri insisted I get myself a mug of malt liquor—a drink which she herself had ordered an alarmingly large mug of.

I declined, not particularly fond of the smell, and instead opted to take Darmund's suggestion of an apparently non-alcoholic drink called 'ice-cream soda'. I was fairly sure I'd eaten ice cream at some point, but to make a soda out of it? I didn't think I'd ever heard of such a thing.

My curiosity piqued, I took a sip, and quickly downed the rest of it a moment later. I licked my lips, savoring the thick creamy vanilla taste. The carbonation tickled the back of my throat as the drink went down, and I hummed in delight, wanting more, but not wanting to bother Darmund for another round.

To both my embarrassment and delight, the large man ordered me another round without my prompting, and he himself ordered a far more modestly sized glass of what he called 'whiskey'. With our drinks in hand, Mauri downed a generous portion of liquor before turning to me with an inquisitive smile.

"So... Stella," she began, dragging out the words, "from what Darmund here tells me, you wish to travel outside this town and require an escort, yes?" at my confirmation she nodded and leaned back in her chair, "normally I charge quite a bit for my services, but as this is a... special favor," at that, she cast a quick glance in Darmund's direction before turning back to me, "...I will take you wherever you need to go, within reasonable distance of course."

"Well," I replied, taking a more measured sip of the mug of cream soda I held in both hands, "from what I've learned, it's not too far from here. I only need to go as far as Ruvenbor, and I should be fine on my own after that," I frowned, "well... I'll figure things out from there on my own anyway."

Mauri tsk'd and leaned forward, setting her mug down on the table and staring me in the eye as she spoke.

"I can take you that far easily, but a girl like you wandering around that town without any clue as to what you are doing is bound to cause trouble," she replied gravely, "both for you and others who get involved. Ruvenbor is not like this small town, not even close. It is the largest city in Vale, and you would do well to go in prepared if you go at all."

"She ain't wrong, Miss Sparkle," Darmund added, resting an arm on the table, "that town'll swallow ya whole if yer not careful, an' it's real easy ta fall in with, or fall victim to, the wrong crowd without even realizin' it. Hell, once ya do realize it, it might be too late ta back out."

"I'm aware of that," I replied quietly as I stared into the amber froth of my drink, "but I don't really have a choice right now. I don't know anyone who'd be able to help me, and I can't just rely on others to do everything for me anyway," I raised my head and gave the other two what I hoped was a reassuring smile, "and besides, I'm not completely helpless. I... well, let's just say I can take care of myself if absolutely necessary."

"Oh? Have some tricks up our sleeve, do we?" Mauri replied, leaning closer and giving me a conspiratorial grin, "perhaps you are more competent in the way of the sword than that gaudy replica on your back suggests? Perhaps you are not all show and there is a true warrior hidden within?"

"I... don't think so," I answered with an uneasy chuckle, "I'll admit I'm stronger than I look, but I'm hardly a warrior, and this... replica," I frowned and turned my head slightly to look back at my sword, "I don't even know how to use it. It's just kind of a... keepsake, more than anything."

"Ah... I see," Mauri replied, frowning in disappointment as she sat back and took another swig of liquor, "that is a shame, but it is not all bad. You may not think yourself fit to be a warrior, but I can see it," she gave a knowing smirk, "there is a lion sleeping within you, Stella Sparkle," she fell silent for a moment as she looked at me, then frowned thoughtfully, "...or perhaps it is more of a demon."

"What?" I asked, completely baffled and somewhat unnerved by the woman's assessment. I turned to Darmund for some kind of explanation, but he only shrugged in response, apparently just as confused as I was. Finding no help there, I returned my attention back to Mauri, "what do you mean 'demon'?"

Mauri silently worked her jaw, as if trying to decide whether to answer the question or not. In the end she chuckled and shook her head before taking another drink.

"Never mind, I should not have said anything," she finally replied, "you may discover for yourself what I mean one day, but do not let it bother you now. Now is the time to get to know my client!" her bright smile returned and she smacked a hand down on the table, "tell me, Stella, what can you do?"

It took me a second to respond, as I was still trying to parse what Mauri meant by me having a demon inside me. She told me not to worry about it now, but with everything that'd happened to me, I couldn't help but think about it. Something in the back of my mind stirred the more I thought on her words, but no new thoughts were forthcoming, much to my frustration.

"You alright there, little lady?"

I finally snapped out of it at the sound of Darmund's voice, and looked from him and his concerned frown, to Mauri, who raised an eyebrow. I rubbed my arm and gave an awkward, apologetic smile.

"I'm fine, sorry about that," I asked, feeling somewhat idiotic, "what was the question again?"

"Skills, Stella Sparkle," Mauri replied in a flat tone, "what can you do? If we are to be traveling together, I would like to know what you can contribute to the journey."

"What I can..." I frowned and lowered my head in thought, "well... how do you mean? If you're talking about fighting, like I said, I don't really know how to use a sword, but I'm alright with a rifle."

"Bah... guns," Mauri spat in disdain, "any simpleton can pick up a gun, pull the trigger, and kill something. It makes me sick to think about."

"Really?" I asked, somewhat surprised at her reaction, "I only learned how to use one a couple of days ago, and it was a lot harder than it looked."

"No, you misunderstand me, Sparkle," Mauri raised her mug, but didn't drink. Her eyes narrowed slightly as they focused on me, "I am sure there are... what is the word? Nuances?" she shook her head, "I am sure there is an art to learning how to properly use a gun, but guns make killing easy."

She leaned forward, her gaze intensifying.

"Far too easy."

I leaned back slightly and glanced behind me, this time at the rifle on my back, unsure of what to say in response. I thought a moment about what she was saying and realized she was right. It may have taken me time to learn how to use the rifle the way it was meant to be used, but it really was far too easy to take a life.

"I... think I get what you're saying," came my slow reply as I turned to face Mauri once more, "when I was learning how to use my rifle, most of the lesson was about what not to do and how to avoid accidental injury and death."

"Exactly," Mauri replied with a small smile. She eased back in her chair, seemingly satisfied that I was getting the picture, "put one of those in the hands of a child who has not yet learned the weight of life and death and you can invite a tragedy that could have easily been avoided."

The woman suddenly stood up and grabbed at the sheathed blade tied around her waist. In one quick motion, she pulled the sword out and raised it up for all to see. I was far from an expert when it came to swords, or really any kind of weapon, but even I could see that the blade she held aloft was a thing of beauty.

It was a single edged blade, slightly curved, tinted green the same as her hair and the silk around the hilt, and polished to a brilliant shine. Even at a glance, I could tell the edge was terribly sharp, and overall, it looked as though the sword was newly forged. I began to wonder if it had seen any use at all.

"Now, this," Mauri exclaimed, "wielding one of these takes effort, dedication, and in this world, a good deal of talent. It is certainly possible, but with a sword, or any other similar weapon, it is far harder for those untrained or unworthy to kill so carelessly."

"Ah'll give ya that one, Mau," Darmund said, speaking for the first time since the conversation began, "much easier ta handle some nutcase wieldin' a melee weapon than it is dealin' with some nutcase with a firearm, but even so," he leaned back and patted the pistol on his belt, "fer someone who actually bothered ta learn how to use their gun, it pays ta have one handy."

Mauri rolled her eyes and returned her blade to its sheath before plopping back down into her seat.

"Anyway, I think we are getting off topic," she continued before turning back to me, "it would do you well to learn how to use that blade, Stella Sparkle. I think you will find that it will be far more reliable in the long run. Even if it is only an imitation of the real spellblades of legend, it is still functional, yes?"

"Well... yeah," I admitted, "but I don't know if it's a good idea to go around using it out in the open. From what Darmund tells me, even having a fake could be dangerous for my health."

"Darmund is a paranoid lout," Mauri replied dismissively, "though I will not say that he is completely wrong, I will tell you that it will not be a problem if you know how to defend yourself."

A glance in Darmund's direction showed the man was unaffected by the insult, merely shrugging his broad shoulders and taking another draw of whiskey as he listened to Mauri speak. I returned my attention to the smaller woman who was now hunched over her own mug, a contemplative expression on her face.

"Perhaps I might even teach you a thing or two, if the situation warrants such a thing," she smiled, "something to think about for the future, yes?"

"I... suppose so," I replied with my own uncertain smile, "I... you're right, I guess. I really should learn how to defend myself so I don't have to completely rely on my rifle. If you're willing to teach, I'm willing to learn."

"That is what I like to hear!" Mauri laughed, before tossing back the last of her liquor and slamming the mug back down on the table, "now then, let us move on to what else you can do."

"Well, there's... not much else, really," I replied, "I'm pretty strong, I guess, but other than that, as far as skills outside of defending myself go... I can't really think of anything else I'm particularly good at."

Besides maybe magic... and friendship, but I'm not getting into either of those topics right now.

As if reading my thoughts, Mauri narrowed her eyes at me suspiciously, as though trying to tell whether or not I was hiding anything. I tried to look as innocent as possible, and Mauri hummed thoughtfully for a moment before, much to my relief, she decided to move on.

"So it seems I must be the one to do most of the work during our journey then," she sighed in exasperated resignation, "I suppose it cannot be helped. You have the aura of a novice and the stink of naivety hangs heavy about you."

I winced and rubbed my arm before looking over to Darmund.

"Is... is it really that obvious?"

The stetson wearing hunter shrugged again, this time giving me a small apologetic smile.

"Ah wouldn'ta put it quite so bluntly, but Mau's right, Miss Sparkle," the tall man agreed, "ya'll may look the part of an experienced warrior what with that fancy blade and rifle hangin' off yer back, but any real veteran'd be able ta tell how green ya were just by a glance."

"Luckily," Mauri added before I could respond. I turned back to see that she was once more leaning forward, a smirk plastered across her face as she looked at me, "I have taken a liking to you, and am willing to teach you a few things that would make your life much easier."

"I'd, ah... appreciate that," I replied uncertainly, "honestly I was kind of worried about going out on my own. I... can't really remember anything about who I am or where I came from, nor do I really know anything about this w... this country, or its apparent war with Grynda," I shrugged with a helpless smile, "I'm basically fumbling around in the dark here."

"Well, it is a good thing Darmund brought you to me then," Mauri replied with an air of smugness, "I might look young and I may be small, but I have more life experience than either you or the giant over there."

My eyebrows raised slightly at that and I took a closer look at Mauri's small form. With her size and facial features, she could've been mistaken for a girl anywhere between fifteen and twenty years old. I found my own assessment rather odd given that I hadn't even been human myself and should therefore have no frame of reference, but there it was.

In any case, she looked far younger than she apparently was, and while I didn't exactly look very old myself, I still felt an odd pang of envy. It was strange to be sure, but I was content to leave the matter be and focus on informing Mauri of my other little 'errand'.

"There is... one other thing I wanted to do that I'd hoped you'd help me with," I began hesitantly, "i-if it's not too much trouble I mean. It's... kind of important actually, given my current... circumstances."

"Oh?" Mauri asked, cocking a curious eyebrow, "and what might that be, Stella Sparkle? What new task do you wish to heap upon me?"

"Well, if you don't mind," I explained, "I was hoping we could take a detour into some woods near the town. There's something I kind of need to do there."

"The woods near town?" Mauri questioned, turning to Darmund with a bemused frown, "Darmund, does she plan to do what I think she does?"

"She ain't got a traveler's permit ta get into Ruvenbor," Darmund clarified, his face somewhat grim, "an' it seems someone tipped her off about Qaedis the Seeker an' his 'services'."

Upon hearing this, Mauri whipped around to face me with an expression I couldn't quite place. It was like a mix of incredulity, disgust, and, oddly enough, thoughtfulness. After a moment her gaze slowly lowered downward towards the table, her expression turning contemplative.

"Qaedis the Seeker, is it?" she muttered more to herself than me. A slow, slightly wicked smile crossed her face, "yes... yes, that should do nicely," she looked back up to me a moment later, speaking a bit louder, "so you want to see old Qaedis, do you?"

"Y... Yeah," I replied warily, "apparently Qaedis is bad news, but it doesn't seem like I have much of a choice but to ask him for a permit, unless someone's willing to give me theirs, I steal one from someone or somewhere, or I try to sneak into Ruvenbor somehow, which I don't see going all that well."

"I can see your problem," Mauri nodded sagely, "and so you turn to the one man that can get you what you need for no bits," she leaned over the table again and steepled her fingers, eyeing me critically, "and I assume Darmund has already told of the possible danger of accepting Qaedis' help?"

"He did, but I'm... willing to risk it," I confirmed with a single nod. I turned to address Darmund as I spoke, "based on what you told me, the risk of his favors are based on what I'm asking of him, right?"

"More or less," Darmund replied carefully, "keep in mind though, Miss Sparkle, Ruvenbor is on high alert right now due to the war against Grynda, and the king ain't too eager ta let folks in an' out o' the city as they please right now. That goes double fer strangers like yerself."

"And because of that, permits are probably in high demand right now," I finished with a despondent sigh, "they're probably harder to get, meaning they'd have more value than they normally would, and that means Qaedis might up the risk of whatever he wants me to do in return."

"You catch on quick," Mauri replied, with a small nod of acknowledgement, "dealing with Qaedis is a tricky business, best left to those who truly know what they want and what they are getting themselves into," she jabbed a finger in my direction, "you may know what you want, but you are not prepared to deal with Qaedis. Not as you are, and not alone."

"I know, and I don't really have a good feeling about him either," I admitted before shoring up my determination and looking Mauri in the eye, "but I won't get anywhere by not taking risks.

"From what I've read, there's a lot of danger to be found, not just here in Vale, but everywhere. Deadly monsters, vicious bandits and cutthroats, even nature itself seems like it'll be out to get me," I smiled weakly, "I need to start preparing myself somehow."

"Well said, Stella Sparkle," Mauri replied with a grin, "and it is because of that resolve that I will see to it, you make it through those woods and to Qaedis' mansion. However," she held up a hand, cutting off my reply, "if we are going into those woods, I have one condition that must be met."

"Okay," I answered, the wariness returning to my voice, "what is it?"

"First," she held up a finger as she spoke, "you planned on us taking a coach to Ruvenbor, yes?"

"I was planning on it, yeah," I replied, "I was hoping I could pay a bit extra to have the driver stop by wherever Qaedis lived before heading towards Ruvenbor."

"That ain't how coaches work here, Miss Sparkle," Darmund said with a small shake of his head, "they don't go off the beaten path like that, an' Qaedis' mansion ain't exactly on the beaten path."

"Oh," I replied, dismayed that my plan was doomed to failure from the beginning, "I guess that makes sense given how dangerous I've heard things are outside town."

"It is just as well," Mauri chimed in with a bright smile, "my one condition was that we would not be making use of a coach at all."

"What?!" I cried, snapping a disbelieving look towards Mauri, "why not? Are you saying you want us to travel all the way to Ruvenbor on foot?"

"That is exactly what I am saying, Stella Sparkle," Mauri confirmed, all mirth gone and a serious frown now adorning her face, "if I am to escort you to Ruvenbor, I want to make sure you are prepared. You need to experience what the world has to offer firsthand, Stella Sparkle, and you cannot do that from within the confines of a horse-drawn carriage."

"But... but why?" I spluttered, "why go through all the trouble? The only reason you're even doing this is because you owe Darmund a favor, right? I'm already asking you to do more than you were asked with my detour, so why would you do more?"

"It is true that I took this on as an opportunity to pay my debt to the tall one," Mauri admitted with a single nod. She put on another playful smile, "but as I said, I have taken a liking to you, Stella Sparkle. You intrigue me, and I feel I will stumble upon some very interesting things if I travel with you."

"Ya just might at that," Darmund added, hiding a knowing smile behind his glass of whiskey, "hell, ah'd join ya if ah didn't have... prior engagements," he frowned and sighed as he lowered the now empty glass back down on the table, "Goddesses know I could do with some proper adventurin', but, duty beckons an' all that."

"Adventuring?" I replied, turning to Darmund with a raised brow, "who said anything about an adventure? I'm just gonna see Qaedis... who apparently lives in a mansion in the woods," my face scrunched up in bemusement before I shook my head and moved on, "do his favor to get what I need, and make my way to the city when I have it. Nothing more, nothing less."

"Yer right ah suppose," Darmund responded, chuckling slightly, "guess that ain't really... much of an adventure."

He didn't say any more than that on the subject, but he still held that odd knowing smile, much to my confusion. Deciding to just ignore it for the time being, I turned my attention back to Mauri, or rather, where she'd been a moment ago.

Blinking in surprise, I looked around and spotted her at the bar a moment later. I watched for a moment as she ordered another round of malt liquor, and frowned thoughtfully before addressing Darmund once again.

"Hey... Darmund?" I began, not taking my eyes off the laughing woman, "what do you think Mauri meant when she said she could see a demon sleeping within me?" I turned to face Darmund, a troubled frown crossing my face, "do you see the same thing?"

The man didn't answer right away, instead raising his gaze towards the ceiling and tapping his glass in thought. A moment later he sighed and lowered his gaze and looked at me. He gave a small, helpless shrug and spoke, his voice low and easy.

"Mau is a strange woman, Miss Sparkle, but she's got an almost unnatural insight when it comes to people," he explained, "especially when it comes to those who 'are destined to take to the battlefield one day', or so she says."

He turned to watch the woman in question as she tried to argue the price of her new drink down with the bartender. I followed his gaze, but didn't say anything, and he continued a moment later.

"Ah don't know how she does it, but she's never been wrong about a person before," he said, before snorting with mirth, "she wasn't wrong about me, ah tell ya that much," he frowned and faced me again, "but honestly? ah'd do as she says an' not worry about it fer now."

I took note of the fact that he hadn't actually answered my second question, but let the matter drop for the moment.

"I can't not worry about it though," I replied, shaking my head, "something about what she said is bugging me, and I don't know why," I sighed and scratched the back of my head, "maybe it's because of the Headhunter, but what she said is making me nervous."

I turned my contemplative gaze from the table to Darmund himself, raising an eyebrow.

"Speaking of which, why didn't you mention the Headhunter to Mauri when we were talking about my skill?" I asked curiously, "I kind of expected you to, but you didn't."

"Well, why didn't you?" Darmund shot back with a raised eyebrow of his own, "ya had the opportunity, but ya didn't take it. Ah didn't bring it up because ah don't know all the details. What's yer excuse, Miss Sparkle?"

"Well I... it's... complicated," I replied lamely, "a lot of things happened and I... don't really want to talk about it... not yet."

"She'll find out eventually, ya do know that, right?" Darmund replied quietly, "if not from you, then probably somewhere else. Ya can't keep a feat like wipin' out the infamous Headhunter secret forever, an' when it gets out, people are gonna start talkin'. Start wonderin' how ya managed ta pull it off."

I remained silent, studying Darmund's expression and trying to work out how much he really knew about what had transpired. I couldn't gauge anything other than honest concern, but still...

"How much do you know about what happened? Really?"

"The only thing ah know is that ya put the damn thing down fer good," Darmund replied without hesitation. He raised his hands in a show of placation, "I swear on mah life an' the life of mah dear departed mother that ah don't know anythin' else," his eyes flickered towards something directly behind me for a brief second "...though ah admit, ah do have mah suspicions."

It took me a moment to realize he'd been looking at my sword and I shuffled uncomfortably in my seat. Seeing this, Darmund lowered his hands and gave me a reassuring smile.

"Hey, like ah said, ah'm not gonna pry," he said, giving another careless shrug of his shoulders, "but if ya ever wanna tell me what really went down, ah'm all ears. Ah think you'll find ah'm a pretty good listener."

I chewed on that for a long moment before returning his reassuring smile with a smile of my own. I didn't think of Darmund as a friend quite yet, but it was a start, and that was enough for now. At the very least I felt like I could trust Darmund a lot more than Mauri at any rate.

"Thanks, Darmund," I answered with genuine gratitude, "I'll keep that mind if I ever see you again. It's... it's nice to know there's a friendly face out there, and I won't forget you."

"Same here, Miss Sparkle," Darmund replied, grunting quietly as he pushed himself out of his seat. He patted down his pants and turned to me with a nod, "if ya ever get yerself into trouble in Ruvenbor, come find me an' ah'll do what ah can ta get ya out of it."

"Leaving so soon?" came Mauri's voice, "and where is my heartfelt farewell, eh, Darmund?"

We both turned to see the armored woman making her way back to the table with another large, sloshing mug of malt liquor. Her face was slightly red, but she still seemed to be fairly lucid, if her tone was anything to go by.

I didn't know too much about the effects of alcohol, but I was told by Darmund that it apparently made you a lot less coherent and a lot stupider the more you drank, which was another reason I decided not to indulge. In any case, Mauri smoothly sat down in her seat, still giving Darmund a mock glare.

"I thought we were friends, you and I, yet you ignore me in favor of this woman," she jerked a thumb in my direction, "tell me, Darmund, what does she have that I do not, hm?"

"The good sense not ta drink so Goddesses damned much during the day fer one thing," Darmund replied with a hint of disapproval, "seriously, Mauri, ya got a job ta do so cut it back, would ya?"

Mauri, who'd been about to raise the mug to her lips, paused halfway and narrowed her eyes at the man.

"I know my limits, Darmund," Mauri replied icily, "do not lecture me as if I were some irresponsible teenage whelp who could not hold her liquor."

"Ah'm just sayin', ya have someone else's life in yer hands now," Darmund replied, undaunted by Mauri's dangerous tone, "maybe think about that a bit before throwin' 'em back like that."

He turned to me, his disapproving frown vanishing as he tipped his hat and gave me one last, friendly smile.

"Here's hopin' ah see you again real soon, Miss Sparkle," he said before turning on his heel and making his way back towards the guild hall's entrance. He turned and called back to me from over his shoulder as he went , "remember, if ya need help, come find me in Ruvenbor!"

With that, he waved a hand and was soon out of sight. Both Mauri and I watched him go for a moment, before a scoff from Mauri caught my attention. I looked around to see her downing a generous portion of her drink before she once again slammed it back down on the table.

"I am his elder, yet he treats me like a child, that one," she grumbled, cursing in a language I didn't understand. She took a deep breath, exhaled, and, to my surprise, smiled brightly "ah, but he means well, I suppose, and his earnestness is endearing, much like your innocence and naivety, Stella Sparkle."

I furrowed my brow as she looked over to me, unsure whether or not to take her comment as an insult or a compliment. In the end I decided to just take it as a compliment and move on.

"So... what do we do now?" I asked, finishing off my second round of cream soda, "are we leaving right away, or...?"

"Patience, my little Amethyst," she replied, raising a hand, "I still need to collect a few things, then we will be on our way."

"Amethyst?" I replied, completely baffled by the name, "did you... just call me Amethyst?"

"I did," Mauri replied off-handedly, "your eyes shine like an amethyst jewel in the sunlight, so I refer to you as such. Besides, I find it a much better alias than Stella, don't you?"

"I... what?" I replied, suddenly put on the backfoot, "that's not...an alias..." I sighed after a moment, unable and unwilling to put up the facade at the return of Mauri's knowing smirk, "...how did you know?"

"You mentioned you did not remember much about yourself, yes?" Mauri answered, "from that alone, I could easily guess the name was a fake, and 'Sparkle'? Really?"

"Actually, Stella was the name I came up with," I replied with an embarrassed shrug, "I... I think Sparkle may actually be my real name, or at least part of it. It was all I could remember when I first woke up."

"Oh really?" Mauri replied with some intrigue coloring her tone, "interesting. Odd, but interesting," she stretched and leaned back in her chair with her mug in hand as she continued, "in any case, I like Amethyst, so that is what I will call you. Aside from that, I know you can do more than you let on."

My heart began to race in my chest and I could feel Mauri's icy blue eyes pinning me down with their sudden intensity. She didn't say a word for a long moment and I sat there, unable to say anything myself, then she spoke again, her voice low and even.

"I will not ask what it is you are trying to hide from me, Sparkle, but I will say this," she leaned forward slowly, her eyes remaining locked on mine, "...there will be a time when you will have to reveal that secret, and when that time comes, you will do so without hesitation, do you understand me?"

I nodded vigorously, now wondering just how much she really knew. Did she really believe my sword was a fake, or did she know better? Did both she and Darmund suspect I could use magic? Did she know something about our upcoming journey that I didn't?

The questions came one after another as we locked eyes, and when she finally pulled back and took a small sip of liquor, I took the opportunity to let out a breath I hadn't known I'd been holding.

"I will say no more on the matter so long as you understand," Mauri finally said, her casual smile returning as though nothing had happened. She raised her mug high and her smile widened, "that bit of business aside, here is to the journey ahead and a friendship everlasting, eh, Amethyst Sparkle?"

I grimaced as Mauri polished off her second mug in an overly enthusiastic display, unable to share in her apparent mirth. Somehow I felt as though the stakes had gotten a lot higher, and I could only pray that Mauri was as reliable as Darmund said, because if she wasn't, then I had a feeling I wasn't going to last very long, even with my abilities.

Here's hoping the journey ahead doesn't kill me...

Welp, got that done, and it was indeed a lot easier to finish, even if it did take a couple of days. Next episode marks the beginning of the journey (finally).