❧Chapter Two: Under Wise Malefaction ❧

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The clop-clunk of horses passed from Merryn's hiding spot. I'm so truly foolish trying to outrun a horse. And, found herself stabbed with a short sword he hid under his robes. Thank Elaema for the small cave at the end of a stream...

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Blood leaked from the makeshift bandage and dripped onto the grasses outside. The wound fluxed between, though the pain burned and throbbed. This won't do, leaving a blood trail was as good as leaving a 'come get me' sign. After a short pause, she shook the blood off the grasses and took off running. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcM5Ah8WS6U

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I've got to get away. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yVB8IqR4x

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Got to hide! 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJi3Zmmc5Js

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Ragefire Valley's jagged rocks and tall grasses weren't easy to navigate through, have always hated going through this way, but it'll be difficult for him too. There, a town in the road off ahead, Amperage. I hope father is still there. Everything was going to the dark ones lately, such black luck. There might be enough distance between us now—Maybe. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcG7kNyv6bc

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Weaving and bobbing forward, she stumbled as the swiftness spell abruptly wore off. The coin pouch came undone from her hip slash and clanked on the ground. The emergency fund! Straining, she snatched it back up mid-run and double-knotted it to the slash. Almost at the bottom now. The valley spread out to a long dusty path this expanded into a dirt road, it led to a modest town in the valley. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8twcftA9OD

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Sounds of town buzzed off ahead, and the scents of spices from the bazaar near the open gates wafted out. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9ZVehxfiQ

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The god is tremendously harder to suppress than any spirit before, I shouldn't be so tired already. The mission hasn't failed yet, find passage on a ship. Her vision blurred momentarily, and she slapped her cheeks. Just a little further, I hope he's home today. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgr2Mk3O6c

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A shirtless youth ran past. His arms shot up as a silver orb ball hovered over his head. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbdbb43WOI

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"I've got it!" He motioned his hands and the ball shot off towards a girl who was running toward him. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHb0yiLrODV

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The ball whirled between hers, and without her touching it, the ball shot off towards a garden off to the right with the children chasing after it. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaGxagYjgP

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A merchant beckoned from behind, his narrow counter was several feet away, crowded with desserts, fruits, and buns in baskets beside it. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96DEnNuh5I

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"Young lady, you shall find the finest sweets here! Why we have the rare Fizzy Kerf from across the five seas! Guaranteed to delight!" 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGikpSoj8h

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"Some other time." She stepped to the side further away. He just wouldn't get a clue. She attempted to move past him while covering the wound. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2oWuDj7PF

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He stepped around the counter, holding out his arms palms up. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DXXnEyxlt

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"But, wait! I am an aged man trying to pay the taxes here. Will not you reconsider?" 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVhq8e2Snb

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"I need to go." She hissed through her teeth. A sharp pang came and went. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1JoMO5dXq

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"A special offer today: only a five, gold for three buns!" His right eyebrow twitched, and he continued to smile, though now it didn't reach his eyes. His long ears were covered with age spots and little hairs at the tips. He's pretty brave working here, lots of bandits tended to pass through, but then again, the elder here wasn't half bad for a human. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tq48P66Ks

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This merchant is a such a pushy cart pusher, he needs to give up! "Thank you kindly, but some other time." She took her hand off the wound and flashed her blood-covered fingers near his face. "Keep quiet about this." The fewer people involved the better; they'll just end up dead. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUephIN6VsX

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He frowned and came near again. "Miss?" It didn't seem possible, but his forehead wrinkles deepened. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6LR8lEEv6

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Shaking her head. "You might want to stay inside for today." She took a couple steps away. If I go through the rocks... no that wouldn't slow Maxwell down, he could track me through a blizzard if needed. Hope dad still has those revivify stones. Gah. He's probably lost them under piles of boxes again. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFlkQQ0rd1

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After crossing the dirt street—more of a path really—two men staggered beside the small tavern just a pace away. Their arms wrapped around each of their shoulders. Great. Jolly-drunken-blockage. She moved over and leaned against the merchant's empty counter. The door never looked so far away as it did now. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8dKJ4PREb

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The red-bearded man sang a raucous old sailor shanty. His friend leaned back while puffing out his chest as he bellowed the song. Together they mangled the lyrics and sang off-key; as if they were a cat being beaten with a hot tong. She cringed as the red-bearded one hit a particularity ear-splitting note. I'm surprised dad hasn't come out and threatened them with some rotten eggs yet. At another time this would've been funny. The deep wounds flared up again, moving is what did it, and demand attention that took over all brain space left. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiDbc3Ae9b

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They bellowed and shuffled down the street and stumbled into several merchant stalls and still managed to sing each lyric in time. The merchants and townsfolk were far from pleased, to say the least, as they came from behind their booths chasing after them. Both the men, as they ran away, dodged the assorted goods being flung. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAokyfp5wZx

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Finally. Dad's Inn was in an inconspicuous corner. People of so-called good standing shied away from it. At least in this outfit blending in wasn't a problem. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oEx0PrgPz

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She arched her neck. Above the doorway, a large sign read: Fuzzy Tail Inn. Below it was a picture of a black cat standing on its tiptoes, with its tail straight up in the air, proofed out. It was nice to be back, even if it wasn't home. Her vision blurred again. She leaned against the doorway. A few more steps. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMnOpnET2I

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He never locked the door, pushing it, she entered. The place had torches lined along the walls, although these and the candles on the tables did little to cast light into the inn. He always had it too dark in here. It was empty this time of day, too early most were still asleep. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8T5lobbxxi

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"You dragged yourself in at an odd hour." She was startled by the sight of several new raw, ragged scars. A gentleness gleamed from within his eyes. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iCYhF5nnD

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"Where have ya been? Mother's back in the city already and had already sent two letters by wind arrow now." 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJCIr6hpF3

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"Do you—" the pain came on full as a ram-bear, she crouched, gripping her side. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadbY66Dri0

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"Merry!" 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtabZmK0n0

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Then she sagged further, becoming unconscious. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiQCLfM0kJ

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The next morning, she woke in her room. Mostly, it was awkward visiting him, more so after joining the Adepts. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTjvqTFQEW

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Sitting up was a mistake, she sucked in a sharp breath as the wound sent a bolt down her side. This was bad, though not as bad as the poison from a spider-nab. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9LBvlc6AC

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The soft bandages are newly applied. Father? Gingerly she eased into the leather armor and her sore muscles convulsed. She clutched the sides of the bed. It passed in a moment. I'll just have to tell him, he hated anything to do with the adepts. Sucking in a breath, she headed back down. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZOerZXhhA

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He was at a table right next to the stairway. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7h0TrK0qp

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"What went wrong?" That knowing look of his was almost too much. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIlzDNCCYV

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"It has been just a..." The screams rang in her ears just like they did two days ago. Running her fingers over the smooth wooden counter, she followed a groove. Lie, maybe? "It's fine." 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFw080L9nkT

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He squeezed her shoulder. "I can't help ya' if you don't tell me what ya plan." 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQAr0XHWtm

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She shook her head and wove her feet behind the stool. "I'm just visiting, I'll leave soon." 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeV3oYwT70

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He crinkled his brow. "You're not so much older now that I won't still wash your mouth out with stone soap." His voice sounded too stiff. He's right lying again wouldn't be wise, going to have to break this bad habit. Its gona' be hard. Honesty out there always bit me in the aft end. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWUPNAL7Mq

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Sighing, she rubbed her forehead. "The mission didn't go quite to plan." 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sob42SmZk

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"Clearly." He took her hand and laid his on top. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgo8CcpjmX

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"I... need to leave. I shouldn't have come." She pulled her hand away and stood. What if Maxwell goes after him? Stupid. Stupid. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRn5v3ueHb

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"Let me help." The corners of his mouth turned down. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhyTINOub8

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"You already have." 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zZLBuhWed

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He made a dismissive hand gesture. "As headstrong as your mother. This reminds me you should visit her, it's almost time." 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNGDZGTuPN

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Mom is trying to hold everyone together back home, she must be exhausted. "I'm planning on doing so, but the next ship won't be back for another month or so." And, I need to get this spirit—god—thing out immediately! It's taking every bit of energy I've got to even partially seal it in the pendant. Luckily it chose to go in that instead. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlMhB9Vkue

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Boot-clad footsteps clomped across the cobbled stones outside. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFH8SZKDysN

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Bloody harpy hells! Is it him? Her body shook, and her hands grew cold. Small beads of sweat formed on her forehead. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2WA9X7yvK

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A pounding on the door. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFssJ8HkRO

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"Quick, hide." 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLURUyrvL0j

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Padding back upstairs, she peeked out the upstairs window, just enough to see without leaning out. But was too late to catch the full exchange. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLp1wbEChQl

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"—haven't," dad said, from downstairs. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3wj73AtKk

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"I wish the woman no harm, I just wish to an inquiry about possible stolen property." 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdrejy345q

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"It's not my job to keep track of every balpted person who wanders here in town," dad said. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDXADZrQOi

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"Don't lie to me, peon!" He disappeared down the alleyway with his men following. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMBA4cLF55

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"I said I don't know where she is, Ya greasy pox-marked bugbear! Now kindly leave!" 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OWFdzAMZa

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She tiptoed down the stairs, swung her legs over the rail, winced, and dropped into the cubby between the stairwell and the hallway to the back storage. She pulled out her daggers. Things are getting down to the wick. I know dad can take on anyone, even at his age he's still The Beast after all. She shifted, ready to spring. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BYgLPJHui

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Footsteps again, this time fading away. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76dag6lV7M

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Going over to him, he shook his head and clicked his tongue. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bOcUT6iZI

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"Shhh. Send me a mail port, and I'll try to catch up." 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Q9X7r5wRN

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"But you're retired." 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsbvDEhODW

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"Go back to the Adapts." He hugged her, a quick squeeze, and let go. 147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkkqokHX8t

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