Charlotte’s POV

Charlotte was beginning to make some traction on her current report. As she was making some final corrections and scanning over the document for errors there was a knock on her door. The headache was coming back. She left instructions to be left alone unless it was an emergency. Pressing her irritation down she said as calmly as she could “You can come in.”

Terry walked into her office with his eyes looking down at his phone. She always hated that. It was a dangerous habit. There were plenty of videos online of people walking into the street while zoned in on their devices and getting hit. Not only that but just plain tripping. If you were not looking where you were going who knows what you're stepping on.

Suppressing her irritation level which was now doubled she asked “What is it Terry? You know I told you I needed some space for finishing up this report.”

Still looking at his phone he said “You have got to see this! It just came out on the local news and it's going viral!”

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Terry was one of the few people she could count on so she didn't want to burn that bridge with a loose tongue. Charlotte needed all the help she could get.

“Can it wait for another hour Terry? I am almost done with this report.”

A little weasel smirk was now on his face and he said “You are going to want to see this. It's only a minute long.”

Sighing she took the phone. The video clip was labeled “From hero to zero.”

Clicking play she saw that it was security camera footage. There was a man that looked to be examining some coins but she could only see his back. Then the other man…

It was Jim. She could only roll her eyes as she looked at his shirt. It was one of those shirts with fake muscles drawn on. Seconds away from handing the phone back four men entered the store. Then everything started moving fast. The clerk tried to use his phone but then he dropped it.

There was no sound but she could see the bright flash at the end of one of the pistols. After a short pause the thieves started ransacking the place. One man started to move towards Jim, but to her surprise Jim attacked the man. In a flash the guy was on the floor and his weapon was in Jim's hand. And then instead of firing the weapon he threw it at the other armed man instead. The throw actually connected! Charlotte watched in bewilderment as he proceeded to kick the crap out of three guys at the same time. He even caught a knife thrust that was inches away from taking his throat out.

As the fight was going on she saw a police car enter the parking lot as Jim was putting the finishing touches on the last man. Then the officer entered the building with his gun drawn. Jim's back was to the door and when the officer entered Jim whipped around disarming him with one hand and punching him in the face with the other.

A second later the look of panic on Jim’s face was a bit comical. He tossed the gun down and leaned down as he said something to the officer. Then the man's partner who was still outside had his gun aimed through the glass. Jim put his hands up as he backed away. The clip jumped forward in time and there were more officers on the scene. It ended with Jim on the floor being handcuffed with the other four.

Charlotte didn't know what to think. She had always thought Jim would be useless in a fight, but that was clearly not the case.

Making a joke to herself she muttered “He knows Kung Fu.”

As the joke passed through her mind again she narrowed her eyes. Was this what he was working on? Did he create a shortcut to learn how to fight with company hardware? Could she pitch that to the higher ups? She turned to Terry and thanked him. As he exited she started working on a new report.

Assassin’s POV

Scarlet had just finished burying the trio that she had killed. All in all it turned out rather well for her. She would have killed the three men anyway because they had seen her break into the house. Their testimony would have caused people to get the wrong idea. People in the merchant circle did not break into people's houses. They paid other people to do that kind of work. It would have blown her cover.

Scarlet twirled her new dagger around as she kept an eye on the house. The little girl that the man had saved was visiting again. For the past couple days she would come over to play with the dogs for a few hours and then go home.

One of her original hopes was that if she had taken both dogs out to play that it would give her access to the rich man known as Jim, but the young wolves weirdly never left him alone. When one was out of the room the other one was there. After observing them for two days she finally concluded it wasn't luck. The animals were actually intelligent. Even at night one would stay awake at all times. It was annoying.

Scarlet had seen professional bodyguards that were less attentive. Still for her it only took one mistake. When she saw that both of them were asleep she took her chance. She had it all planned out too. Evidence would have been left on the bodies that they were paid to rob Jim, but were then double crossed after the goods were given over.

It was a perfect plan. Unfortunately it didn't go so well. As she watched the sunlight dance in the reflection off her new dagger she reconsidered that last thought. She had seen the mage named Jim summon this magnificent dagger from nothing. He had already promised more riches for a simple bodyguard job. Considering those two beasts that always kept near him and that magical shield that surrounded him the job couldn't have been easier. Maybe it was time to attach herself to a new star?

Forrest’s POV

Forrest was on the deck of his house drinking some of his home brew. He felt like he had a new lease on life. When the stupid potion maker had seen him alive and well his jaw was hanging down and catching flies. The look on his face was priceless!

Then the man dared to accuse him of stealing from him. Feeling ever so much better he let the man know he objected fiercely to being called a thief. After a few punches to the gut and a finisher to the face the man laid sprawled unconscious in his front yard. It didn't take too long for the guards to come sniffing around.

They roused the potion maker and he started making all kinds of accusations. Then Forrest flatly gave an account of what happened. The man dared to call him a thief and a liar in his own front yard? When the guard asked the potion maker for any proof on his claims he stood there speechless.

Forrest was well within his rights and the man knew it. The guard ushered him away a few minutes after. While he was leaving he saw the man give him a savage glare. He laughed. Looking to his left an oversized wolf pup was laying down. If that man tried anything he would be in for a nasty surprise.

As he was having pleasant visions of the man having his throat torn out his friend Davis had come over with Maria. Ever since the man came Maria had started visiting his house way too often. He didn't mind though. The wolf pups loved the girl, and she them. She even named the pair.

Davis said “Maria wants to play with the pups again. That okay?”

“She is always welcome Davis. You know you don't need to ask.”

After a quick nod from Davis Maria let out a squeal and ran to the backyard with the wolf pup on her tail. He had no doubt of her safety when that beast was around. A couple times some of the more ruff kids tried to pick on the girl. Smiling he remembered the holes torn in the back of their pants and the high pitch screams. The fools tried coming back with their older siblings only to get sent packing again. Good times.

His friend Davis took a seat next to him. Figuring he knew what this was about he pressed his friend “What's up Davis? What's on your mind. Your poker face sucks.”

Davis sighed and said “Two things. First I just heard about that little scuffle you had with the potion maker. What happened?”

Forrest shrugged and said “The fool came on my land and called me a liar and a thief. Hell I should have beat the man to death when he tried to con me out of my house and land. Little lizard. I don't know why the council hasn't kicked him out yet.”

“You know why he hasn't been kicked out Forrest. He has friends in high places. All the money he makes from curing that disease sees to that. And you really embarrassed him man. That will cause trouble.”

Forrest snorted and said “Oh, this coming from the man who punched out his brother in law. How's the man doing by the way?”

Davis sighed and said “Gwen is finally seen the light and kicked the man out. He has few connections and what people know of what he did should make the annulment smooth.”

Arching an eyebrow Forrest asked “of what people knew? Sounds like there is a story there.”

“It makes me sick friend. I am sure you are familiar with the potions that cure the disease?”

Forrest rolled his eyes. They were just talking about the man that made them. "What does that have to do with your brother in law?”

“Well turns out one of the main ingredients in that potion is a mushroom that grows in caves.”

Horrified Forrest started putting the pieces together and said “No. you can't be serious!”

Davis nodded saying “It started six months ago. He found a small crack that a child could fit through. At first it seems like he only sent her a few feet in. He and the potion maker were friends of a sort and he happened to know what went into some of his mixtures.”

Forrest shook his head and said “At first? How far did she end up going in?”

“That girl is so brave Forrest. Miles. Many miles. We can't be sure but she spoke of how long it would take to find new areas for harvest. These types of mushrooms seem to take a really long time to grow, so she had to keep going into new areas.”

Forrest asked “Why? Why did she do it? It couldn't have been just because he asked.”

Davis brooded for a few seconds before saying “He found a dog. It was a runt really. But he used it as a reward and punishment.”

Confused Forrest asked “Punishment?”

“He beat the dog in front of her when she didn't have anything to bring back. He kept the dog tied up near the potion makers house. For two weeks he took her there everyday. Then he demanded she just go in a little bit to pick up the mushrooms. But each week she had to go further.”

Forrest’s hands flexed on the pommel of his dagger. Filth. There was such filth in this town. Why couldn't the common man see it?

Forrest then asked “How is Gwen taking it?”

Davis sadly said “She is a wreck. Twelve years she had been married to the man. Gwen told me she felt like she failed Maria. While she was happily running her business her daughter was going through hell and she didn't notice. Gwen said she thought the child was going through a phase.”

Forrest asked “What about the dog?”

Grimly Davis answered “Dead. He beat the dog to death after he thought Maria wasn't going to come back.”

“Why the hell would he do all this in the first place? Money?”

Snorting Davis said “Nope. Apparently the man got hooked to one of the potion makers mixtures. Apparently the mushroom as multiple uses. So he traded them for this finished product.”

Grimly Forrest said “Weeds. Poison. Evil. They should all be dead, not thriving at the top.”

Davis quietly nodded. Forrest then asked “What was the second thing you wanted to talk about?”

“The stranger. Jim. What do you make of him?”

Forrest laughed and said “He saved my life for a stay in one of my rooms. Not only that those cute fluff balls are monsters in disguise. My property is probably more safe then the head councilman's own home. Not only that but I got paid for it!”

Davis laughed and said “You were always the lucky one you prick. Hah.”

Assassin’s POV

Scarlet listened intently to the conversation. This was perfect! She would have to give a little visit to this potion maker. Glancing through the window she saw that the other wolf pup was awake and on guard. There was no harm in hedging your bets right? The wizard would be fine. The merchant circle would be here tomorrow. She had some scouting to do.