Chase had learned many things, during the month or so that she had been following the chaos and danger that was an adventurer's life.

One was that no matter how many levels she gained or how skilled and powerful she got, she was still a halven. And most humans thought halvens to be weak and peaceful and honest, humble and lazy and comfort-loving.

The second thing she had learned was that when people underestimated you, they tended to make mistakes, leave openings, and otherwise render themselves vulnerable to her methods of manipulation.

There were more things, but right now they really didn't matter. What did matter was that through the cracks between her fingers she could see the guards looking at each other with surprise and doubt. A few looked back to her with sympathy, more and more as she bawled, getting as loud as she could without being too histrionic. There was a fine line between adorable and guilt-inducing and ugly crying, and she wanted to stay firmly on the side of the line that got those spears away from her face.

And after a dozen seconds, the most-armored man there had enough. “Oh for the love'a the gods! Down spears. Down spears, archers relax, don't do nothing unless she turns into a dragon or something. You, girl...” he knelt, putting his gloved hand on her shoulder. “Hey, hey, calm down, eh? Calm down. No one's going to hurt you.”

“I was so scared!” Chase squealed. She hugged him.

The man snorted, then rubbed her head. “Shush, shush. Hush, it's fine, it's a fine.”

A few of the men laughed, and muttered, and she felt the tension easing.

“You okay there kiddo?” A familiar voice called. The catgirl!

Chase shot a look at her, found her in chains between four other guards, several spears not far from her, either.

“I'm... fine. Thanks for rescuing me,” she sniffled, trying to shut the tears off. The problem with high charisma and low willpower was that she had made herself sad, just by pretending. “Give me... give me a minute...”

“Okay,” the guard commander said, releasing her and rising. “You get a five or so. Then Sir Barriano wants to see you. Be good, and you got nothing to fear, eh?”

“I'll be good,” Chase promised, meeting the acrocat's eyes. “Cagna say the same?”

The catgirl's eyes widened, then narrowed. “Nothing to worry about if you behave, yeah,” she said, then cried out in pain as one of the guards grabbed her ear.

“No talking! We told you before! You don't get to talk to the halven!”

“Oh, I'm sorry, I'm sorry,” Chase put her hands to her mouth. “I didn't mean to get you in trouble! I feel so bad about that!”

Your Silver Tongue skill is now level 33!

The ramifications of the guard's statement were troublesome. They didn't want the cat Burglar talking to her. Why? What did they know?

One step at a time.

The guards helped her up and sat her in chair, got her some tea to drink and a blanket to wrap around her as she shivered, and Chase took the opportunity to study the hall while she was here.

It was huge, high-ceilinged with an archway supported by purple-painted pillars. Stained-glass windows lined the two walls leading up to the archway, and engravings and paintings and icons studded the walls, showing mighty engines of conquest, ancient gnomish steam tanks and legions of short, plumed-helmeted warriors fighting fantastical beasts and conquering distant lands. Magical runes glowed among the artwork, flaring from gold to crimson and back again. More pillars traced the way from the arch, up an aisle, past some pews, and to a golden altar adorned with golden spears and sheaths of grain and cogs.

The guards around the catgirl jerked the chains and pulled her from the room, out a door behind what looked to be an altar. It shut behind them with a heavy thump.

Chase wanted to ask where this place was. But that might tip them off that she wasn't a local. She didn't know what they knew, and didn't want to give them anything that might be turned against her. So she sat silent, sniffling, drinking her tea and waiting to see what came.

Through a few of the broken glass windows Chase heard shouts in the distance. Red light ebbed and faded against the glass, showing that the fire still burned to the... east? Maybe. She wasn't sure which way was which, not after that trip.

This is the second time that someone's bagged me into a sack like an unruly goose. I'm going to have to do something to discourage that in the future, she mused.

After a few minutes, the door opened again and a guard beckoned. “He's ready for the kid.”

“Come on then, little one,” the commander said, offering his hand.

Chase swallowed her pride and took it, letting him lead her across the room. It was better than being at swordpoint and she wasn't bound in chains, so that was something at least.

They led her through stone halls, past paintings that made her gasp at their beauty, past works of art that she would have stopped and admired if she hadn't been, well, kidnapped and in danger at the minute.

“I know, right?” the commander said with pride. “Looting started, Sir Barriano seized the Basilica and kept it safe. Nothin' stolen, just a few a windows broken. Gnome's history is in good hands, yeah?”

“Yeah,” Chase agreed, staring for a long moment at a pair of huge, slightly inverted golden discs that were carved around the edges with pictures of people doing... things. The discs were a bit too old and worn to make out much detail, but what they did portray made her ears hot under her scarf.

“Those are the last remnants of the goddess Cymbal,” a voice said behind her, and Chase jumped.

The commander straightened to attention, taking his hand off Chase and thumping his chest in salute. “Sir Barriano!”

“At ease.”

Chase turned, staring up.

Not as far up as she imagined. The voice was oddly deep for what was a comparatively short human. He was built like a dwarf, stocky and thick with a bald head and a neatly-trimmed brown beard.

And he was smoking, the thick leathers covering him showing charred patches and holes, and additional layers below. Not as thick as he looked then, just really, really well armored.

“Good evening,” he told her, staring with an intensity that contrasted the politeness of his tone. “Might I make the inquiry of your name, young lady?”

“I'm Chase,” she said, caught by his eyes. He had to have serious charisma... Knights generally did, from what she'd heard. And she doubted that was his only job.

He nodded. “Are you in league with the dragon, Chase? Are you helping his cause?”

“What? No!”

He seemed to relax, just a bit. “Well, that's a relief. In that case you'll be happy to know that we saved the bridge. It took my earth elementalists a lot of work to keep it together while the smiths and masons did their job, but the dragon failed.”

“I am, but I'm worried about my friend. We were on a boat under the bridge when the catgirl grabbed me, and I don't know if she made it.”

“And what's the name of your friend?”

“Speranza. She's a short, blonde human. Maybe your height, maybe a bit taller... sorry. I'm not trying to imply you're short.”

“Ah.” Sir Barriano nodded, but his eyes flicked away, just for a second. They were harder when he met her gaze again. “I shall inform my men to ask around for her. Rest assured you shall be the first to know if she turns up. However, I have further questions for you.”

“Of course,” Chase said, glancing away from those hard eyes, taking the chance to look at the golden discs again.

“Cymbal was a goddess once. Subjugated, destroyed long before the godswar. She put her might against Gnome, took up her instruments and dealt thunderclaps of force and music against the iron legions.” He moved up beside her, and Chase braced herself for a hand on the head or shoulder, or something of the sort. But he didn't touch her, and she relaxed. Just a bit.

“In those days, gods and goddesses could take the field. So Gnome fed her legions, choked her with blood and flesh, until her discs were too coated with gore to sound properly. Then mighty Roamer and Reamer, the twin wolves of Gnome, took the field against her and ended her existence with her avatar. Her bones lie beneath this basilica, and it is guarded night and day against fools and Necromancers and other scum.” She looked up then, to find his face darkened and eyes blazing, and was very glad she wasn't the object of his ire. “Which is why I was not at my Duke's side when the dragon struck,” the Knight continued. “The cowardly worm burned the southern part of the city first, and I took my garrison out to secure this... and other relics, that I will not dignify with discourse at this time.”

“I didn't know that,” Chase said, shuddering a bit. The old weapons cast a different light now, more sinister.

“Though, admittedly, the risk is slight,” the Knight said, almost as if he was talking to himself. “The catacombs below here are a dungeon now, as are most of the old monuments and structures. The change forty-six years ago did for that, the old ruins caught it first. I still remember the despair on my father's face when the horrea became the Horroreum. Our world changed forever... he lost his life reclaiming this city, and helping the old Duke to keep sanity in a world gone mad.”

Leather creaked, and she glanced over to find his fists clenching inside burned gloves. “Cymbal was a terror, but we destroyed her. A god, thrown down, and Gnome's legacy moved on over her. Now the dragon has arisen, and pitted itself against my city. The great wolves of old are no more, but we shall not need them, we shall prevail no matter the cost.”

His eyes were softer as he looked to her again, but only by a bit. “So you must understand that I cannot be lax in my duty, not while we are in crisis. Why are you here, Chase Berrymore? Why were you trying to enter my domain?”

Chase considered lies, but only for a second. She didn't know what the catgirl had told Sir Barriano. “A friend of mine was supposed to come here yesterday, then return to us. Her name is Cagna, and she's a dog beastkin. Have you seen her?”

“A dog beastkin appealed for an audience with my yesterday afternoon. But when the time came she did not arrive.” Sir Barriano studied her. “Why was she here?”

“We're looking for a missing friend... and she's searching for a wanted man,” Chase decided in an instant that mentioning Cagna's real motivation might help. “She's an agent of the Doge of Arretzi. She's after a man called Pwner.”

Sir Barriano hesitated, and she watched his lips twitch, pull over his teeth for just a second. “I see. And what is the name of your missing friend?”

“Thomasi,” Chase said. Something was off, but her instincts were telling her she'd gone too far to return. Lying now would not save her.

WIS+1

Okay, THAT was a shocker. She shivered a bit, and the Knight studied her, before nodding to himself.

“Is Dijornos still with you?” Sir Barriano said, and it was Chase's turn to control her own surprise.

“No,” she said simply. Renny's paws tapped on the back of her neck, once, twice. A warning?

“There is no need for that, ser fox. Yes, I know what you are. You may reveal yourself without risk, and I ask that you do so.”

“Do it, it's okay,” Chase said quickly.

“Now that's the first lie you've told tonight,” Sir Barriano smiled. “You're far more honest than I'd been led to believe. Let's keep it that way, yes?”

“Um...” Renny sat up, pulling himself up on Chase's hair until he was propped up on her shoulder. “How did you know all this? Who are you?”

The Knight's next words sent dread straight through Chase's spine, destroying her courage and leaving nothing but despair.

“I'm currently the official authority in Rome. Which is why the Inquisition saw fit to contact me and warn me of you.”

“Ah,” Chase said, closing her eyes. “That's it then.”

“No,” Sir Barriano said, and his tone made her open her eyes, and sent a small spark of relief through her nerves.

He was smiling.

Not in an evil way, not in a 'ha-ha I got you way,' but a relaxed smile that seemed to imply a large worry had been removed from his mind.

“You're not working for the dragon, or advancing his cause, and that was my primary concern Chase Berrymore. You are a problem to the Inquisition, but I do not believe they have been completely honest with me. So far you have.”

“What are you going to do with us?” Chase asked. It seemed the safest question right now.

“The Inquisition wants you and any associates. They want your players.” His eyes turned hard again. “If you had told me the Butcher of Barvigga was still with you, I would not be so friendly. That he is loose upon the world again is a blow against you, a shame that you must answer for. I believe you had your reasons, you seem a sensible girl, but that is between you and whatever god you follow.”

“Hoon,” Chase said.

“What?”

“I don't... I'm an Oracle, so I don't really follow him. It's a different relationship than that.”

“That would explain her grudge against you,” Sir Barriano rubbed his beard. “Agnes has ever been at odds with Hoon. Her god despises yours. But the fact remains that you released Dijornos, yes?

Chase took a deep breath. “Yes. He's not the unbeatable immortal he used to be. He's well aware of his mortality.”

“And no less guilty of the slaughter he perpetrated decades ago,” Sir Barriano's tone told her to drop it, and she nodded, looking down.

“You are young. You have made mistakes,” he said into the silence. “But if you are not helping the dragon I believe that they are not problems I need to reflect upon at this current time. If the city is mine when the dragon is gone I shall sort it out then. If a lawful heir turns up, then I shall bring the problem to his or her awareness. In the meantime I shall keep you prisoner. You will not be mistreated or harmed in my care, you have my word—”

“Wait! No! I need to get my sister back before the dragon cult moves!”

The Knight started in surprise, then knelt before Chase, grabbing her shoulders and pulling her close to his face. “What do you know of the dragon's slaves? Tell me now!”

Chase didn't hold back anything, telling of her tailing the group back to the compound, finishing up with Greta's arrival on the roof. “They have her. I don't know why, I don't know how, but they've got her and maybe the rest of my family. I need to get in there. I need Cagna's help to do that. And I need to do it before whatever plan they're working on comes into fruition in three days.”

“It won't,” Sir Barriano said, releasing her and rising to his feet again. “They tipped their hand too early. They won't get any of the crystals south of the river, we're in the process of rounding them up and securing them now. In fact—” he paused, then shook his head. “You're good. Very good.”

“Excuse me?” Chase blinked.

“I almost told you things I shouldn't have.” He nodded, then peeled one glove off, studied a silver wristband lined with small glowing gems. “The Inquisitor gave me this. It wards against lies and manipulation. But it's not perfect. You've found a way around it, with disarming charm.”

“I haven't been trying to manipulate you,” Chase said, watching the gems glow. “The moon is made of cheese,” she tested, and watched them flicker red.

“You're dangerous, and also not my primary concern right now,” Sir Barriano said, nodding. “Yes, to guest quarters with you. And your friend.”

“Renny's innocent,” Chase protested.

“He's a different problem. But we'll let the Cylvanian ambassador sort that out, if and when she turns up.”

“Wait. What?” Renny burst out.

“Don't get your hopes up,” the Knight waved at his commander, and the guardsman picked up Renny and took Chase's shoulder, nudging her toward the door. “Given her chosen shape, and the appearance of another dragon so close to her arrival, there are many questions she'll have to answer before Lady Madeline is trusted again.”

Chase shot him her most pleading look, but he turned his back. As his men pushed her forward, gently but steadily, she moved her lips as subtly as she could. “Silent Activation, Size Up.”

She hadn't been able to risk it while he was looking straight at her face, but now that his back was turned...

Your Size Up skill is now level 9!

SIR BARRIANO

Charisma – Slightly worse

Perception – Hugely better

Willpower – Greatly better

Wisdom – Slightly worse

Influencing Conditions: Hear No Lies, Pride of his troops, Scourge of the Wicked

He twitched, started to turn, and Chase whipped her head around to stare forward. Her instincts had been right. Lucky, lucky halven...

Her pulse pounded until she got out the door.

They took her downstairs, past a well-lit guardpost, one that didn't have any hanging key rings or sleeping jailers, and into a series of cells that looked like priests of old had used them for snoozing and the occasional bout of flagellation. For a second Chase shivered...

...and then they went up a flight of stairs again, to a windowless hall lined by wooden doors. She was ushered into a cozy room with a bed and a nightstand and the odors of freshly-cooked food, and found a plate of pasta waiting on a small end table. She tucked in, sighing with relief as her belly filled for the first time in days.

“Madeline's here! Madeline's here!” Renny squeaked, running around in circles.

“Mmmrf?” Chase asked, swallowing one last mouthful, and chasing it down with the wine she'd found next to the plate.

“She's one of my guild leaders! She's Garon's um... girlfriend? I think.”

“Okay... and she's missing.”

“Oh. Yes,” Renny's tail went down. “But I'm sure she didn't die.”

“The dragon did burn the city. And if she was an ambassador, then she was probably in the palace. That got burned.”

“She's a fire elementalist!”

“Oh.” Chase nodded. “That would put better odds on her survival. An ambassador from your home country... that's an odd coincidence.” Chase sat on the bed. My, it was cozy for a human bed.

“It's possible that she came looking for us when our party didn't come back. She does that sometimes, goes and checks up on groups in the field. It's easy for her because she can fly.”

“Oh?” Chase blinked. My her eyes were heavy. She'd been up all day, and been walking far more than any reasonable halven should.

“Yeah! She's big and tough and now that I think about it I think I see why Sir Barriano is suspicious of her. Her golem body is a wooden dragon.”

Chase eased back into the bed. Maybe she'd just shut her eyes for—

Renny's words sunk in.

“She,” Chase said, struggling up on her elbows, sitting up despite the aches and pains. “She's a dragon.”

“Yes,” Renny said.

“Nebs told Corinthia that the dragon that would destroy the world is a woman.”

“Um... yes.”

“And that it would happen in five days from now.”

“Uh oh.” Renny was smart. Smart enough to see where she was going. “You think...”

“There are two dragons!” Chase slapped the end table. “We have to tell Corinthia! We have to figure out what to do about this!”

“But... but she wouldn't destroy the world! She's awesome!”

“Her shadow, it's her shadow that's supposed to destroy the world! Something that she'll do will do it! Aaaaaah, this is no good,” Chase struggled to her feet, ran to the door. “We have to tell Sir Barriano! I didn't tell him about the prophecy, he needs to know right.... away...”

Chase's voice trailed off as the door opened, silently. She looked up at the black-suited catgirl who was staring back at her, with a bloody club in one hand and a set of lockpicks in the other.

“Oh,” Chase said.

“Yeah,” the catgirl said, tucking the club away, and pulling out a pillowcase. “Let's try this again. Lootbag!”

CHASE'S CHARACTER SHEET

Spoiler: Spoiler

Name: Chase Berrymore

Age: 15 Years

Jobs:

Halven level 11, Cook level 5, Archer level 9, Gambler Level 5, Grifter level 12, Medium level 7, Oracle level 17, Painter level 2, Teacher level 6

Attributes / Pools / Defenses

Strength: 71 Constitution: 39 / Hit Points: 110 / Armor: 10

Intelligence: 69 Wisdom: 126 / Sanity: 195 / Mental Fortitude: 55

Dexterity: 134 Agility: 66 / Stamina: 200 / Endurance: 0

Charisma: 213 Willpower: 57 / Moxie: 270 / Cool: 65

Perception: 113 Luck: 243 / Fortune: 355 / Fate: 50

Generic Skills

Archery – Level 1

Brawling – Level 8

Climb – Level 15

Dagger – Level 2

Dodge – Level 13

Fishing – Level 14

Ride – Level 10

Stealth – Level 19

Swim – Level 7

Throwing – Level 31

Halven Skills

Fate’s Friend – Level N/A

Small in a Good Way – Level N/A

Cook Skills

Cooking - Level 20

Dishwasher – Level N/A

Freshen - Level 12

Archer Skills

Aim – Level 9

Demoralizing Shot – Level 6

Far Shot – Level 1

Missile Mastery – Level N/A

Quickdraw – Level N/A

Rapid Fire – Level N/A

Razor Arrow – Level 8

Ricochet Shot – Level 21

Gambler Skills

Ace in the Hole – Level 2

Ante Up – Level 1

Assess Challenge – Level N/A

Cardsharp – Level 9

Deadly Dice – Level 1

Double Down – Level 1

Gambler’s Fortune – Level N/A

Hold’em – Level N/A

Grifter Skills

Feign Death – Level 7

Fools Gold – Level 4

Forgery – Level 11

Master of Disguise – Level 15

Old Buddy – Level 7

Pickpocket – Level 20

Silent Activation – Level 32

Silver Tongue – Level 33

Size Up – Level 9

Unflappable – Level N/A

Medium Skills

Bad Fortune – Level 15

Crystal Ball – Level 10

Focus Vision – Level 5

Fortuna – Level N/A

Good Fortune – Level 16

Palmistry – Level N/A

Séance – Level N/A

Stack Deck – Level N/A

Oracle Skills

Absorb Condition – Level N/A

Afflict Self – Level 1

Diagnose – Level N/A

Divine Pawn – Level N/A

Foresight – Level 46

Grant Vision Level 7

Influence Fate – Level 14

Lesser Healing – Level 48

Omens and Portents – Level N/A

Random Buff – Level 9

Short Vision – Level 16

Transfer Condition – Level 15

Painter Skills

Fast Dry – Level N/A

Painting – Level 5

Teacher Skills

Lecture – Level 24

Red Ink – Level 3

Smarty Pants – Level N/A

Unlocked Jobs

Farmer, Herbalist

Gear

Enrico’s Last Hand

Light Leather Armor