It may have been an uncomfortable rest, but at least it was nostalgic — the starchy canvas cots which bloated the lower shelters were one of the first harsh greetings prisoners experienced. Many spent countless nights lying on these beds, too paranoid to sleep, fearing that the Keepers would slyly enter when the moon was high and drag them out to be lynched. Even so, it was hard not to wonder how such a courtesy — decent lodgings for all prisoners — was even considered. Not that the Keepers were lacking at all in courtesy. No, not those dogs of the crown. Indeed, it was at least nice to able able t-

Hm? It was an uncomfortable rest, and BEEADDLEDRUNG awoke to unfamiliar surroundings with a sense of deja vu. Perhaps it was wrong to call the rest uncomfortable; of those night hours after nodding off the bogeyman could recall nothing. What was uncomfortable was the feeling which lingered in his breast, one he did not know. Was it his adopted weapon poking through from under his aching back? Rolling over revealed that Finale was unbloodied.

Pennybard was roused by this movement and bobbed in his cage. He sighed and gripped the bars for stability.

“Good morning,” Elliother said from below after a yawn. He leaned off the cot and looked up. “Sleep okay?”

“Maybe,” BEEADDLEDRUNG replied. Panic seized him as he sunk into contemplation. Although his memory was foggy, he remembered catching sight of someone staring at him before he closed his eyes. Now the room was empty save himself and the boy.

“Everybody else has gone,” said Elliother, as if reading his mind. “Newbies tend to be early risers. I guess it’s because they’re anxious to find work while it’s available...”

“There is not enough work for everyone?” BEEADDLEDRUNG asked. He still had a very weak grasp on how this settlement operated, but he’d guessed by now that the prisoners were meant to provide for themselves, and that the guards in black kept them from escaping. It seemed intricate, but stupid. He figured the guards couldn’t be too much stronger than some of the people he’d seen on the street.

“Well, n-not exactly,” Elli responded. “There aren’t as many resource bounties lately, so they go quickly. Most prisoners want to take on those bounties because they’re the least dangerous.”

“Hmm,” said BEEADLEDRUNG. “Er, interesting. Have you done any?”

The boy shifted in his cot before stepping carefully onto the floor. “Well, a couple… it’s almost impossible to find a registrar in time, though, and they usually don’t accept parties of one.”

BEEADDLEDRUNG could see that, without his cloak, Elli was not simply lithe — he looked starved. In the daylight that filtered through the high window in the corner of the room, dirt shone all over him in violent contrast with his fair features. His breathing was uneven and his balance seemed compromised.

“Ellioth- mm, just Elli,” BEEADDLEDRUNG began, “when is the last time you fed?”

“Huh?” Elli blushed. “Fed? Y-yesterday I found…” his voice trailed off.

—

BEEADDLEDRUNG dragged his new associate by the wrist as he’d been dragged by the guard woman the previous day. Few words had been spoken between the two since the bogeyman suddenly sprang out of bed and led the boy out of the shelter, and Pennybard was still silent, whether for secrecy’s sake or because of some internal conflict.

“W-where are we going, Kinjo?”

“To find you a snack,” said BEEADDLEDRUNG. “My partner won’t be of any use to me if they’re skinny as a twig.”

Soon, after determinedly retracing his steps, BEEADDLEDRUNG looked at the sign which hung off the building before him to confirm that his navigatory instincts were still working. Welcome Inn (& Lounge), it read, though he could barely interpret the meaning of the symbols.

“They ought to have food,” the bogeyman remarked proudly, as if this was an expert bit of info. “We’re going in. I have heard this place is haunted, so be careful.”

“What!?” Elli burst out, but it was too late to turn back.

There were few people inside the Welcome Inn, and except for the innkeeper they paid little heed to the strange pair that entered. An earthy, aged fragrance was in the air that seemed to calm even Pennybard. After BEEADDLEDRUNG asked aloud for a meal, not knowing who was “in charge,” the two were seated, and Elliother was encouraged to order whatever he wanted by the bogeyman.

“Are you sure?” Elli asked, his face ruddy with embarrassment.

Upon receiving affirmation, he proceeded to order a slew of dishes which sounded more extravagant than typical human meals to BEEADDLEDRUNG. Apple porridge and honey-slathered oatsmacks and saussiches with gravy and potato pie and so on…

When the food was all laid out and ready to be dined on, the array covered the whole table! Of course, BEEADDLEDRUNG ordered nothing, believing human food would only exacerbate his true hunger. And they eat it hot! he thought amusedly.

The trouble came after Elliother finished eating, having left not a crumb — an admirable feat. BEEADDLEDRUNG was ready to leave the inn, but something about a bill prevented this.

“What do you mean you don’t have any stars!?” Elliother asked, worry manifesting in the volume of his voice.

“I never found anything like that in these clothes,” BEEADDLEDRUNG replied. “Do you have any?”

“Of course not!” Elli yapped, his gentle voice cracking. “S-sorry, I didn’t mean to yell… But why did you offer to pay if you don’t have any money?”

“I did not think it would matter. Can we just pay them later?”

“…When you said you lost your memory, I didn’t think you meant all of it.”

The boy’s disappointed tone tried BEEADDLEDRUNG’s temper, although it was impossible to feel threatened by such a frail creature. He had some awareness of the human system of commerce, at least insofar as it involved trading goods and deeds, but he took for granted the idea that food was something to be taken without regard for anything like compensation. Even now, he thought, it was possible just to give this wooden building and all its inhabitants over to Ignis and never hear about this bill again.

He guessed, however, that smart little Pennybard would advise against this. As long as he wore this skin, until he was outright cornered, it would be best to play along.

The innkeeper, who had already overheard the conversation, looked impatient. “Kinjo, you’ve already got enough sittin’ on your tab,” he said. “If you won’t pay, I’m gonna send for one of them.”

But he didn’t have to. At that moment, a figure in the obsidian armor of the Keepers slowly pushed open the lobby door, turning the relaxed atmosphere to a wary silence. The innkeeper seemed less enthusiastic about talking to one of them now that they’d shown up, and squirmed nervously. Elli went pale and cold and pulled his hood over his eyes instinctively. BEEADDLEDRUNG waited.

The knight’s helmet turned as they scanned the room for something or someone.

Their eyes, though obscured, seemed to lock onto the bogeyman, and they approached.

“Th-these two ordered a whole feast, and now they won’t pay,” the innkeeper managed.

“…that so?” came the guard’s voice, automatic and tinny. They looked at BEEADDLEDRUNG. “Number 13. You are wanted for questioning.”

The light of the Tower and the voice and sleep and dark, ravenous thoughts passed through the bogeyman’s mind, but something kept him from action.

“How much do they owe, innkeeper? Their bounties can be raised after questioning. I will pay for the two of them now.”

“Er, of course, thanks,” the innkeeper replied, holding out the written bill (Kinjo’s tab included) to them with a shaky wrist.

“Hmm,” the guard mused, their cold voice shifting awkwardly toward a tone of either anger or humor as they admired the bill. “Well, no matter.” They then removed a lump of folded leather from a notch in their armor, slid out a good stack of paper vouchers, and handed it to the innkeeper, who nodded anxiously and returned to his counter. He shot the penniless patrons a look a pity or contempt. Someone in the room sneezed before the silence returned.

“Come,” the guard said. BEEADDLEDRUNG and Elliother filed out of the inn in front of the guard with the feeling of eyes piercing their backs.

—

The knight in black didn’t so much lead the companions out of the inn as urge them forward, cornering them in a narrow, empty crossing with a dried up fountain.

BEEADDLEDRUNG looked at Elliother, whose eyes were glazed with dew. No, tears. And his lip was quivering.

“Thought I might find you there, Kinjo,” the guard began, taking off her helmet and shaking her head so that her hair fell naturally. The black waves looked somewhat unkempt, as if they hadn’t been washed in a while. “I know I told you to go get food last night, but I didn’t mean that much food. 20 stars? And a 30 star tab? Someone could’ve bought their life back with that much.” She sighed.

The woman from last night. BEEADDLEDRUNG felt relieved, but in a way he had anticipated this. Maybe it was the fact that Pennybard would have done something to get his attention if he were in real trouble. Right?

“You could’ve told me you were starless. Wouldn’t be the first time someone’s covered for you.” Her eyes turned, squinting, to Elliother. His hood barely obscured his face. He stood still and held his breath.

“And who is she?” she said with distaste.

Elliother began crying outright. His voice was hard to make out from between his sniffles and sobs. “Wh-who am I? Wh-what’s going on, Kinjo? Are we in trouble?”

BEEADDLEDRUNG’s mind raced. What was this tension? He looked to Pennybard. The imp was leaned against the inside of his cage with his eyes closed, smirking. This flaunt was unwelcome, but now was no time for the bogeyman to discipline his pet. He would have to resolve this conflict with his own intuition.

“I can explain,” Kinjo said. “My memory was damaged, however, so I only know what happened yesterday.”

“Go on,” the woman urged.

Kinjo scratched his hair nervously. “After you left me, I went to find some hu-, some food. I came to…”

“The L-lioneer,” Elli sniffled.

“Yes, that one,” Kinjo continued, “and talked with some people there about the bounty. They bought me a drink. It was terrible.”

“She bought you a drink? And you were alone, at the Lioneer?” the woman interrogated. For whatever reason she seemed angrier.

“No, no,” Kinjo said, “Elli has no stars. I found him outside getting kicked by some ruffians.”

“Oh,” the woman responded. This seemed to have calmed her down. She laughed dryly. “Leave it to Kinjo to save a poor young girl in distress. ‘Damaged memory’ or not, you never ch-”

She gave a confused look.

“Him?”

The boy’s sobs had subsided, but he sniffled on. He was about a head shorter than the woman, and his figure even under his cloak was clearly more slender than hers. His blonde hair and light eyes matched the traits Kinjo seemed to find attractive in women. His. He.

“Why does this always happen?” Elliother said and wiped his eyes. “I am a y-young man. My name is Elli,” he managed, shyly extending a hand.

The woman was still taken aback, but no longer angry, and she graciously shook the boy’s hand. “I’m sorry, Elli,” she laughed, her seriousness disintegrating. “My name is Alma. I didn’t mean to be so rude. It’s nice to meet you.”

Alma, BEEADDLEDRUNG noted. He was starting to appreciate the usefulness of names more than ever, and the fact that he knew no name for this person until now had bothered him.

Alma redirected her attention. “Anyway, Kinjo,” she said. “I wasn’t lying when I said you were wanted for questioning.” Her face turned stern again. “They’re curious about what you found out there, and how the others…”

“As I said, my memory is damaged,” BEEADDLEDRUNG said. His patience was running dangerously low.

Alma looked hurt. “Yeah, you did say that, but I don’t understand what you mean. How much do you remember?”

“Well,” BEEADDLEDRUNG started, “nothing.”

Alma let out a sharp breath in frustration. “Nothing!?” She moved closer to Kinjo and looked deep into his eyes.

Pennybard! Pennybard, what do I say? the beast thought, but his pet would not hear his panic, and if he spoke it would only complicate matters.

“You… since you came back, you look like years have gone by, like you were alone out there for a long, long time.” Tears fell slowly from Alma’s eyes. “What happened to you, Kinjo? I’m sorry I wasn’t with you all, but I’m here for you now. You can tell me. You can trust me.” She said this with the utmost sympathy. BEEADDLEDRUNG could feel the warmth radiating from her body as she moved to embrace him.

Elliother was still sniffling as Alma tried to hold back tears. BEEADDLEDRUNG was silent. What would a human say? What would a human say? What would a human say? The hug made him feel like he had jaws wrapped tightly around him, ready to crunch.

Then something returned to him from the past. It was an amalgam of sensations. The hero’s words, “Where is my daughter?” The bright flame reflected in his eyes. Something far older: little bony figures hopping around on a rocky surface. Their bright, hungry voices. Gone now.

Two companions mangled and left lying in the dirt, Erika knocked aside, and a deep pool of sorrow.

Kinjo stepped out of the embrace and placed two firm hands on Alma’s shoulders. His face looked gaunt and somber in the shade of the crossing. His lip quivered.

The last trace of anger disappeared from Alma’s face. Guilt and grief and worry shone instead. “K-kinjo?”

“It was a big monster, like a bugbear, almost,” Kinjo began. His dark eyes shimmered. “It had this terrible shadow… it skewered Conner. I tried to set a trap, but no trap could have stopped this beast.” Elli was silent now, listening along with an expression of shock. “Ike tried to cut it down, but he was not strong enough, and it broke him. Erika and I surrendered, but then the bugbear knocked her out, and I… I-”

“Stop,” Alma said. Despite how difficult this was for her to hear, she understood that it was more difficult for Kinjo to tell. “I think I understand. I’m not going to ask you to remember any more of what happened right now.” She sighed. “There’s more that I want to know, a lot more, but you need time…”

“I’m s-sorry,” Elli spoke up, “I didn’t know how much you were hurting, Kinjo. I guess I…”

Kinjo smiled slightly through his tears. “Thank you both. I should remember everything eventually, but I think I would rather not…”

Alma held her chin and puzzled over something. She looked around to make sure nobody had entered the crossing.

There was a stranger, or it seemed there was, but they quickly disappeared from around the corner. If they were listening, it’s unlikely they would have found anything too unusual, and they didn’t look to be a Keeper or anyone in their employ. Alma lowered her voice anyway.

“The Keepers will still want answers, and it’ll be hard to find a way around that without jeopardizing my position,” she said.

“Your position?” Elliother murmured. He was beginning to understand Alma’s unusual status as a Keeper. “W-what if Kinjo went out on another bounty as soon as possible? That way he could take some more time to remember, at least enough to please them…”

“Hmm,” Alma said, “Assuming they haven’t barred him from registering, that could work.” She looked to Kinjo again. “But Kinjo, there’s something you need to know.”

Kinjo wiped his eyes. “What is it?”

“You’re not the only one getting questioned. If you were the sole survivor, and this was a typical bounty, I doubt they’d care at all about the situation.”

Another? BEEADDLEDRUNG thought. His conscience was fuzzy. Ah, that’s right-

Kinjo’s brows furrowed. “What are you saying?”

Alma continued: “...Right around the time you came back yesterday, a repo force was sent out to retrieve you. Not just you, though. Everyone in your party was marked as a deserter when you failed to make a report, and even after I informed the magistrate that you’d returned alive, they still sensed someone out there.”

Although it wasn’t confirmed yet, Alma couldn’t help but smile. “Based on what you’ve told me, Kinjo,” she said, “I think Erika is alive.”

There is a price to pay for mercy, my lord, Pennybard thought.