After leaving Flossier, Tanya made sure Kuon would be able to sleep comfortably, and then she flew through the night. Kuon woke at dawn, and rubbed his eyes.

“Good morning,” Tanya said.

Kuon yawned and then mumbled a greeting. After a few more minutes of lazily growing alert, he unwrapped the additional pie they'd brought from Flossier.

He handed Tanya a slice, which she accepted.

“We should be there by this evening,” Kuon said, “Let me do the talking when we get there. The Evorys don’t like newcomers much.”

“Okay.”

Goldburow, unlike its name, was not underground. The town was nestled among some hills. Tanya passed through the barrier that separated Goldburrow from the human realm, and landed on the outskirts of the city.

“Put this on.” Since glamour didn’t work on most fey, Kuon handed Tanya his long cloak. Tanya closed the clasp and pulled the hood up.

“And you need to do something about your broom. It’s too flashy.”

In response, the broom shrunk in Tanya’s hand until it was a small wooden hair comb with an intricate flower in the middle. She pushed the hood back down and clipped her hair back. Then she pulled the hood back up.

This left Tanya unremarkable, unless someone decided to pay attention to her face. Kuon rached over and tugged the hood a bit further down.

“It’ll keep people from running away for now. Let’s go.”

Kuon led the way, being familiar with Goldburrow. There were a lot of the darker fey populating the streets, going about their business without making a fuss.

They arrived at a palatial mansion that held the faintest silver glow. It was the Evory clan’s home. Kuon knocked on the door. A moment later it was opened by a most unusual fey.

Tanya turned her face away from the merman and let Kuon do the talking.

“You’re new,” Kuon studied the mer for a moment, “I’m here to see Ives.”

The merman nodded, expression bored, “I know who you are. Come in.”

He led them to a sturdy study, made of a rich cherry wood. A bookshelf lined one wall, and another wall had huge rounded windows. Tanya and Kuon sat down on the soft cushions as the merman directed them to do so.

“Ives will be with you shortly,” the merman left and returned with a tray of delicacies.

Tanya eyed the food. Moments later a Goose waddled in. He was dressed in a handsome manner. Silver buttons and the gleam of protective magic adorned his suit jacket. An impressive enchantment, that, and not a cheap one.

Kuon stood, and Tanya copied him.

“Ives,” Kuon said, “Good to see you.”

The Goose gazed at Kuon with a cool expression, and glanced at Tanya.

“Please, let’s sit,” Ives said. His tone matched his face.

The merman served pond tea to each of them, and then moved to the side of the room.

“I hope you did not come empty handed,” Ives said. He didn’t waste time on pleasantries.

Kuon smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes, “That’s what I brought my companion here for. She is willing to do some enchanting work for you in exchange for clearing my debts.”

Interest sparked in the Goose’s cold eyes. Enchantment was a rare and valued skill, after all. Worth even four thousand gold coins, in some cases. “Enchantment? We were going to commission Leverns for the ballroom, but if all you want is to clear your debt in exchange, I think we can arrange that.”

Now Ives took a close look at Tanya. Tanya pushed her hood down. There was no doubting she was a Tear.

“What’s this?” Ives hissed. His neck stretched across the table until he was very near Tanya’s face. His sharp, spiky teeth were in full view. Tanya did not flinch.

“If you worry I will kill you, you needn’t be.” Tanya said.

The Goose hissed again, and turned his elongated neck until he faced Kuon.

“What are you getting mixed up in, Kuon? You think to intimidate us?”

“No,” Kuon said in a clear voice, “What I said stands. We mean no violence. I intend to clear my debts in total.”

Tanya leaned back and sipped at the pond tea, its earthy flavor and warmth a heady combo.

Ives sat down, his hot menace schooled to his earlier coolness, and considered the pair before him.

“Fine,” he said at last, “I will accept this offer with the stipulation that the Tear keep her presence here quiet, finishes the work to my satisfaction, and leave right away.”

Kuon met Tanya’s eyes and then nodded, “That is acceptable.”

Tanya set her tea down, “I am on a tight schedule, so I would like to be gone by tomorrow evening, at the latest.”

Ives stood up. “I will draft the required enchantment work and have it ready in the next few hours. Silas,” the merman stepped forward in response to his name, “Escort these two to the dining hall and serve them dinner. Make sure they have rooms as well.”

The merman bowed. Ives waddled out of the room. When he was gone, Silas nodded his head to Kuon and Tanya.

“If you would follow me, please.”

Silas settled Kuon and Tanya for a proper meal. Ives joined them a while later, several sheaves of paper in hand.

These he handed to Silas, and he sat down to eat.

When the meal was over, at Ives’s beckoning, Silas handed the papers to Tanya.

“You’ll find that you should have everything you need in there, but if you have any questions, please let me know.”

Tanya shuffled through the pages, “It’s quite clear. I should have this finished by morning and you can check over the work before we head out.”

Ives nodded, “Very good. Kuon, if you could follow me, I wanted to discuss some private matters with you,” Ives turned back to Tanya, “Silas will show you where to go.”

Tanya stood and glanced back once. Ives stared straight back at her for a moment and then turned to Kuon, the intensity gone.

A hint of unease spread through Tanya, but she shook it off. She had a job to do, and she could take care of herself.