Tobias walked through the market snacking on a spicy kabob. Fafnir darted in and out of shops, exploring the market. It was the first time the holographic dragon had visited the market, and he was clearly enjoying the experience.

“I wish I could sample some of these delicious-smelling meats,” the dragon said, eying the kabob Tobias was eating.

“You can smell?” the Battle Mage asked, truly surprised.

Fafnir nodded. “It is a cruel punishment to be able to smell but not taste. My mouth is literally watering here in my cave.”

Tobias shook his head, amazed at the magic that could not only project his friend’s image across the universe, but could also transmit the smells of the market.

“The food alone would be enough reason to come here in person.”

“Is that even possible?” the Battle Mage asked.

The dragon shrugged his wings as they walked. “Anything is possible.”

Tobias had never thought of Fafnir being physically there, but the idea of having the dragon there in the flesh was intriguing. “If you were here, could I ride you?”

“If I were here, we could soar through the clouds and rain down fire on our enemies.”

The Battle Mage smiled at that idea. “So, how do we bring you here?”

“We would have to create a portal.”

“And how do we do that?” Tobias asked.

The dragon shook his head. “I have no idea.”

They continued to meander through the market in silence, appearing to walk randomly, all the while keeping an eye on the fruit stand where Tobias had purchased peaches on two separate occasions—and subsequently been captured or killed each time.

“It looks like he is closing up shop,” Fafnir said. “You continue wandering. I will stay with him and let you know which way he goes.”

Tobias nodded his agreement and continued walking, making sure the man didn’t see his face, while the holographic dragon stayed behind, unseen by all but Tobias.

The Battle Mage used his Analyze skill on the man as he walked past.

Name: Dorrick Mercer, Human

Profession: Merchant

Level: 9

Size: Medium

Health: 180 / 180

Vitality: 108 / 108

Agility: 11

Charisma: 12

Intelligence: 9

Stamina: 12

Strength: 11

Wisdom: 12

***

The sun had set while they followed the peach merchant around town. Tobias had originally been worried that the man would go home to a family that included the boy that worked at the fruit stand, but it appeared that the man was a loner.

Fafnir stayed at the man’s side while he visited two different taverns, consuming several mugs of ale at each. The dragon relayed everything he heard and saw back to Tobias who stayed hidden in the shadows.

The Battle Mage was tired and hungry by the time the merchant emerged from the second tavern, stumbling slightly as he called back into the tavern, “I’ll be back soon!”

“He promised a woman in an ill-fitting dress that he would return after taking care of some business,” Fafnir reported as he followed the man out of the tavern.

“Ill-fitting?” Tobias asked mentally.

“She looked like she would burst out of her clothing at any moment,” the dragon replied.

The Battle Mage shook his head. Why am I not surprised? he thought to himself.

Tobias waited until the man was nearly out of sight before he followed, knowing that Fafnir would stay with him.

After several turns, it became apparent that they were heading toward an area of the outer city where many merchants had both their homes and warehouses full of goods—oftentimes in the same building. There were very few people out on the streets, and Tobias had to keep a large distance between himself and the man he had been following all evening.

It was an area of town where a fruit merchant legitimately could live, and Tobias began to entertain the possibility that the man truly was a simple merchant as his profession indicated.

The Battle Mage doubted the man’s innocence, though. His Strength and Agility were high enough that he could be very skilled with weapons while his Wisdom and Charisma weren’t particularly impressive, which should have been the man’s primary focus as a Merchant.

They were getting close to the wall that surrounded the inner city, and the Merchant turned down a road that ran parallel to the wall. Tobias stopped instead of following and peeked around the corner. He saw the man approach the door to a warehouse that backed up against the city wall on the opposite side of the street.

Two men stepped out of the shadows to intercept him then let him pass, apparently recognizing him. The door to the building opened to let him in then closed quickly. The guards disappeared back into the shadows.

“That seems a little suspicious for a simple fruit merchant,” Tobias whispered to Fafnir who had returned to his side.

“Do you want me to see what’s inside?” the dragon asked.

Tobias nodded. “Yeah, scout it out while I go get the others. I want to know what we’re up against before we go barging in.”

“I will inspect the building, then wait for you here,” the dragon said, then sauntered toward the building, unseen by anyone other than Tobias.

It took the better part of an hour to return to the Crow’s Nest where his friends had gathered and were waiting for an update. They were dressed for battle and ready to leave as soon as Tobias appeared.

Elithia walked quietly at the Battle Mage’s side as they returned to the warehouse district, a stoic expression on her face. She was skeptical that the fruit merchant would provide any relevant information but knew they had to try. The half-brothers, Christoph and Doulgorlig, walked behind with more purpose, a spring in their steps. They were more than ready to visit some pain upon anyone who might be in league with the Electriterra—or Black Robes as they were commonly known. They had not experienced as much pain as Tobias, but they had taken a few lumps from those associated with the semisecret order.

Faylienne was perhaps the most excited at the prospect of breaking into someplace new. The purple-haired Thief walked beside Tobias and on the opposite side as Elithia, peppering him with questions about the building and what he expected to find.

Fafnir was waiting for them around the corner and out of sight of their target building.

“The building is truly a warehouse full of random goods,” the dragon reported. “I have no way of knowing if it belongs to our Merchant friend or not.”

Elithia exhaled sharply. “So, you didn’t find anything?”

“I didn’t say that.” Fafnir puffed up his chest and shook his wings a little. “The casual observer might conclude there is nothing untoward going on, but I am well versed in the art of covert observation. There is a hidden door in the back of the warehouse that leads down under the wall.”

“Are you sure it goes under the wall?” Christoph asked.

The dragon nodded. “There are multiple rooms and numerous tunnels. I think they tie into the catacombs and sewers under the inner city.”

Faylienne grinned. “Smugglers,” the halfling declared with a nod.

“That still doesn’t mean they are associated with the Electriterra,” Elithia pointed out.

“It doesn’t mean they are not,” Doulgorlig countered. “I vote we go break some heads and find out.”

Tobias held up his hand, index finger extended. “How many people did you see?”

“Ten plus the two outside,” Fafnir answered. “Our Merchant friend was in a room talking to someone who appeared to be fairly important. He had an eyepatch and a scar on his left cheek.”

The halfling Thief frowned. “Giovani. He’s head of the Thieves’ Guild.”

Christoph drew his sword. “We need to see what’s going on,” the armored Knight said, “even if it’s only to report back to the city guard.”

Doulgorlig reached down and unhooked his mace from the belt he wore over his brown Monk’s robe. “Let’s bust up this little smuggler’s ring.”

“Hold on,” Elithia said. “We can’t go in there killing people.”

“We’re not gonna walk away,” Tobias insisted.

“I’m not suggesting we do,” the half-elf assured him. “We just need to avoid killing anyone, if possible.”

“That’s no fun,” Faylienne complained as she sheathed her shortsword and dagger.

Doulgorlig hooked his mace back on his belt. “I disagree,” the huge half-dwarf said with a smile. “I quite like a fistfight every now and then.”

“So how do we get in before the guards can warn those inside?” Tobias asked.

The Monk smiled widely. “I will just carry you in.”