Pajaran pressed herself against the wall, peering cautiously around the corner. The narrow and dirty street looked deserted, save for a few huddled-up beggars and vagrants trying to keep themselves warm in the drizzle. When she was satisfied she was unobserved, she pulled her own hood up, wrapping the material around her face as well, replacing the smell of rotting garbage with the odour of dirty, unwashed wool.

Her mace hung at her hip, the grip close to hand, as she walked down the street. The sea-mist was particularly thick today, a rancid yellow, catching all the smoke of Cormontara and limiting vision. She could hear conversations, warped and eerie echoes, but the speakers were no more than vague shadows, if that. It made it easy to sneak around, but there was the feeling of being watched, impossible to escape.

Whispering a quick prayer, she moved quickly through the mist, ignoring the swirling eddies as something jumped through the air above her. She stopped at one of the doors, rattling it with a swift knock, surprised by how loud it sounded and looking around guiltily, before latches clicked and rattled and the door opened.

An arcane flow briefly washed out into the mist, pale blues mingling with the yellow smog, before she stepped through and shut the door behind herself. A swirling disc of runes hovered in the air in front of her, slowly rotating, distorting itself where it met the walls, flattening itself onto the surfaces. Part of it moved through her, illuminating the armour beneath her cloak, before fading away.

She lowered her hood, glad to be able to remove the stinking garment. ‘Weather’s still foul. Early winter storms, near as I can tell. Can’t see a damn thing out there.’

Kivata bustled over, carrying a steaming mug of something and handing it over. Pajaran sniffed it suspiciously, just in case it was dosed with something, or had something unpleasant in, but it seemed normal enough. ‘Thanks. Anything happen here?’

‘No. Magus Hakara is currently tending to the warding spells.’ The magical effect shuddered for a moment, before returning to a steady movement. ‘The magus allowed me to assist her.’ She looked proud for a moment, before lowering her gaze.

‘Well, thanks for helping out. I went down to the docks – not many ships coming in at the moment, it’s really quiet. Got some food, although it’s not the greatest. Where are the others?’

Hakara walked down the stairs, her crystals still shining from the spells she was working on, one hand twisted into a painful-looking configuration, fingers bent and crooked.

‘You’re looking more rested.’

‘Yes, a static building is easier to ward than a moving ship. Although not quite as comfortable, especially in this weather. The sunlight was nicer than the drizzle.’ She had a thick robe on, bundled over her shoulders and a scarf around her neck, despite being indoors.

‘The weather’s foul, yeah. You been able to find Stathis at all?’

‘I am reasonably confident that she is alive. And somewhere far to the south and west of here, but other than that, I am unsure. There is a large amount of disruption whenever I try that makes it hard to be certain. I would guess that she is somewhere with magical wards or defences, perhaps, or so heavy with magical power that my scryings cannot penetrate? Or has acquired some magical protections herself, of some kind? It does at least mean that she is shielded from anyone else, I suspect.’

‘Well, keep trying, hopefully she’ll get away somehow. It’s good that she’s alive. And you’re confident no-one knows we’re here?’

‘As confident as I can be via magical powers – a mundane spy I can do little about though. It is possible that someone has penetrated my wards without me detecting it, but that would take a lot of skill. And having an assistant is very helpful. I have detected at least three attempts to divine our location, but have been able to deflect them.’ Kivata squeaked in delight, ducking her head to cover a happy blush.

‘That’s good. Thanks, Hakara. And the others?’

‘Um, I think Semari went out.’

‘Again? Well, as long as she’s not getting into trouble. She’s probably going to start rumours about some sort of mist-demon if she keeps jumping around between the rooftops though, especially in this weather. Any idea what she’s been doing?’

‘She normally comes back rather inebriated.’

‘Figures. Just going out to get shitfaced? As long as she doesn’t wreck a bar, that should be fine.’ Has Parth come back yet?’ Pajaran looked around, half-expecting a green-cloaked figure to fade out from a shadow.

‘I have not seen her. But she disliked this place the first time we came here, and it is even less pleasant now, it must be said.’

‘Yeah, the fog is shit. But it was the closest place to where we got dumped, and Carissa’s still on the warpath. You managed to find Janaxia at all?’

‘Similar to Miss Stathis, I have been unable to get a precise location, but she is in the same direction, so maybe they’re together? It would be easier if I had a scrying sphere, attempting to emulate the spell without the proper components is rather awkward. I have been able to tell that she is still alive, and appears to be somewhere quite bright, but cannot tell where, although the blocking effect is similar to that affecting Stathis.’

‘Well, it’s only been a few days, so she might be trying to find somewhere safe. Or the two of them are together – we all got spat out close together, after all. So it would make sense that we got separated that way and they came out together somewhere else.’

‘Yes, such spells do often work in that fashion when disrupted. Although it is fortunate that we were able to escape the immediate pursuit.’

‘And that we were able to get here! Would have been better not to get dumped out somewhere quite so dangerous. And I don’t really want to know what strings Semari had to pull for this place.’

‘It is better than the, ah, ex-brothel that she arranged for us last time.’

‘Hey, that place was fine! Even had a secret look-out spot.’ Semari crawled up from a crack in the floor, wrenching a floorboard out of the way to make enough room for herself. ‘Yeah, there might be some debts due after all of this. Just sayin’, is all. Hey, Pajaran, can you make some food?’

Pajaran sighed and held up her holy symbol, muttering a prayer under her breath. Silver-grey light flickered around the table, forming itself into a pile of loaves. Semari immediately grabbed one and ripped it apart, shoving a chunk into her mouth. ‘Thanks! Kinda bland, but not bad. Think some of those, like, weird shape-shifter buggers might be around. Been nosing around the docks, caught wind that there’s been some weird shit going on. Like, trusted allies turning on each other, people backstabbing each other, all that weird shit. And not even, like, normal treachery! Oh, and some spooky crowns appearing. Which doesn’t sound suspicious at all. Especially without Janaxia around to do her spooky shit.’

‘Like what we saw at Per Tolith? More of those people with the metal stuck into them?’

‘Yup. Gonna try and track some down and punch them, see if they say anything. Although maybe get some gloves first, so I don’t get goop all over me. Vrintar says she’s gonna come with as well. You want in on this?’

‘We might want to have something more specific for a plan! Just going in and attacking someone that might not even by who we’re after doesn’t seem very helpful.’

Semari immediately looked disappointed. ‘We’ve been cooped up for ages, I want to go now!’

‘It’s been a few days. And they regenerate fast, so taking them down will be a challenge.’

‘Don’t worry, I’ve thought of that – gonna get some spirits, use Vrintar to light them. Fwoof!’ She made an exploding gesture with her hands, then tapped her head. ‘Can’t keep fighting if you’re on fire.’

‘Let’s keep the explosives to a minimum, OK? Although a raid to get some information might be helpful. It’s a shame Parth’s not here, she’d be useful for this.’ She raised her voice. ‘You’re not here, are you?’

There was only silence, and the creaking of the floorboards as Semari returned the one she had broken to its place.

‘Any idea where they’re holed up?’

‘Couple of seedy bars, about the usual. We can liberate some booze as well! Something to liven up the food you make.’

‘It’s not my fault the spell only makes bland food! Hakara, is there anything it might be useful to look for in order to determine what they’re up to? Or that you might find interesting?’

Hakara was absent-mindedly tracing another spell onto the table, a series of runes glowing into life before fading. ‘If there are any spellbooks or anything written down. From what little I’ve observed, they appear to be artificially induced in some fashion – similar principles to golems, perhaps, but made into living flesh, or made entirely from living beings. I am unsure what the conduit could be, to create and induce the power. I have heard of similar grafts being attempted with the tissue of dragons, but that tends to be something of a self-limiting problem, once the dragons find out. Having a specimen to study would make matters easier.’

‘I don’t think you should really be considering vivisection.’

The runic circle on the table flickered and faded as Hakara withdrew her hand. ‘Oh yes, of course, that would be a little… unethical. Kivata suggested it, and it did have a certain practical sense to it. But you’re right.’

Kivata looked crestfallen as Pajaran spoke again. ‘Well, we’ve no idea where Stathis is, or Janaxia, or quite what happened at Per Tolith other than that those creepy shapeshifters were causing a lot of chaos and screwed everything up. We managed to get out and somehow ended up here.’

‘Oh, I saw Brina.’

‘Who’s that?’

‘Huh, thought you woulda known her. Old “friend” of Stathis’. She’s like a spy or diplomat or both. Kinda got promoted when we were last here, so she’s, like, officially a spy or something, however that works. Didn’t see me, but she was doing something that looked all covert ‘n shit. Someone dressed like a sailor but not dirty enough handed something over to her then walked away. Super shady looking!’

‘I think I remember her now. Short, perky? Those two were inseparable for a while. I guess it’s not really a surprise she’s ended up in intelligence though. It might be worth talking to her, as she probably won’t immediately report us.’

Semari was looking at her consideringly. ‘Hey, so the three of you ever…?’

‘No. Why would you even ask that? I’ve never been interested in anything like that.’ Pajaran shook her head – it had been amusing helping Stathis get to her “meetings” with Brina, but joining in would have been too much! ‘I wonder what she knows? There was an attack on Per Tolith itself, that seems pretty bad. I wonder if there’s a way to get her a message?’

‘I can climb up to the castle again. Takes a while, but the fogs so shitty and thick it’s easy to do without being spotted. Find her rooms and, like, slip it under the door or something.’

‘That’s actually not a terrible plan. We might be able to get some further information from her. And she’d probably want to help Stathis. But these shapeshifters should probably be our first priority – whatever they want, I doubt it’s good, so let’s deal with them, and try and figure something out. If we make it a quick and quiet raid, we might even manage it without raising any alarms. Is Vrintar here, or has she gone somewhere as well?’

Kivata bowed. ‘She went out as well. But she did say that she would be back soon.’

‘As long as she doesn’t get in trouble. Probably buying more gifts for her family, for if she ever gets back to them. Fuck, I hope we’re not stuck here too long! Hakara, keep trying to get a message through to Stathis, and then we can try and meet up. Semari, see if you can meet up with Brina, she’s probably reliable. And Kivata? No vivisections, no matter how informative you think they might be!’

She looked crestfallen, but nodded, lowering her head to hide her eyes behind her fringe.

‘Is there anything you know about it?’

Kivata paled and looked away before responding. ‘The shards conduct will, and enhance the power of those implanted, but control them. When Mother pushed one into my eye, then I could feel it, and if I went against her will, then it could be moved.’ She covered one eye with a hand and shuddered. ‘I could feel it, inside of me. And should I ever disobey, then…’ She shuddered again.

‘That sounds unpleasant.’

‘Those that have larger shards placed within them gain increased physical powers, but they can be easily controlled by magical effects. Either Mother or the stranger could command them, although I’m not sure to what degree.’

‘Hmmm, interesting. Although I’m not sure how the effect is achieved.’

‘You’re still not chopping anyone apart! Use divination magic or something instead. And ideally without letting anyone know we’re here. If Brina can capture one then you can have a look.’

‘That would be interesting. Until then, I will see what I can do, and keep trying to get in touch with both Stathis and Janaxia.’