On their way back to the inn to retrieve their belongings, the goddess seems to have dived so deep into her thoughts such that the knight opts to silently walk alongside her, keeping up with her brisk paces. Yet when they reach the fountain and she continues on straight ahead instead of turning to take the uphill slope to the inn, the knight brings himself to interrupt her.

“Oh!” Iacy halts. “I must apologise; I didn’t mean to keep you wondering. I wanted to share, but my thoughts kept coming one after the next. Anyway, we’re paying a visit to an old friend. Come, this time I’ll talk as we walk. It’s just nearby, fortunately, about three more corners.” And so they resume past the fountain, the water spouting in restraint in contrast to how it was so magnificently flowering just a night’s turn ago. “Our little meeting with Ser Greufard might have drawn some attention. I believe we might as well set out as soon as able. But this visit is obligatory, and since we most probably will not return to the city, we’ll do it now.”

“Hm? Oh yes, I thought so too. In any case, we shouldn’t allow such powerful malevolence to roam on the loose. And as you said, it might sprout up some clues. Shades are produced by the deconstruction of reality, an ill-found magic. What Ser Greufard told us, about the sudden change in character…Perhaps there is a reason to the appearance of that core you mentioned in Moonmorn Fortress. Maybe this whole region received its influence. Eitherhow, we can afford to spend some attention on a few things on the side. My presence comes along with a lucky charm of sorts: The Luck Of The Path, my sisters call it. It means that no matter what, eventually, the dots will connect and we’ll be able to make sense of our own actions.” She giggles softly. “Poetic, is it not?”

They reach a stretch of stone-built houses with thatched roofs, and then the tallest one among them, its rough-amber windows glowing from the light within. “Here we are, I think. Our arrival might already be noted, so let’s just enter.”

Inside they find bookshelves, neatly arrayed with leather-bounds on one side but on the other messily stacked with distinct sizes of scrolls and parchment binds. Hanging from the ceiling are the red waterlamps that are making the windows shine from outside, and at every corner of the floor is a collection of bulb-lidded candles, giving the pair a warm welcome from the dry winter night. “By the Heavenness, how are you still alive?” A voice comes down from upstairs as light footsteps hurry down before a fair face with smoothly braided hair comes to stare at them. “By Lundiel’s good graces, you really are breathing, ancient friend! Cuts, my manners!” He performs an exaggerated bow to Iacy. “It’s my pleasure and honour to once more lay my humble eyes upon the graceful Lady Luck. Pray, come, come, take a seat. By the Heavenness!”

Iacy accepts a hot cup of heavy-scented tea as she takes an offered seat. “I beg of you to stop using my good Mother’s name in your exclamations. Enjeine, the centuries did nothing to your personality. Still…” she looks around the room, “bright as day. Before anything, a tinge sadly, as I will explain, one of your two ancient friends is now breathing with a new life, different from the one you knew. Even so, we wished to stop by and give you our regards.”

Enjeine, with his pointed ears now observed by the knight, understands swiftly. “That…That makes better sense. But you speak strangely, Lady Luck. Cuts on me, that is no good thing to point out to someone after so long apart! My apologies, everything seemed like it was only yesterday. My apologies for my insensitivity as well, er, Ser Knight, reminiscing about a past you must clearly feel begrudged not remembering yourself. Cuts…I probably shouldn’t have mentioned that.” The elf sighs in relief as he receives a relatable smile from the knight, then he passes over a cup of tea. “But you have come to Eve’s Bade at a terrible time. So many recent happenings. Happenings! With a capital letter! All foul magic that I find difficult to fathom.”

“That’s the root of the name ‘Evaeba’. It was a prettier name a long time ago, centuries before we first came here. Eve’s Bade; The Farewell The Day Before, a very pretty story.” Iacy turns to explain to the knight, then she returns her eyes to their host. “It is truly the height of luck that you still remain in this village, Enjeine. This city, I mean. There’s actually another reason to our coming to your place, if you don’t mind. Can we rely on you for elaborate information on these recent Happenings?”

“Oh er, pray do! The two of you seem to be on a journey, I can reckon. It would be the height of my pleasure to aid you in anything. Over tea, and by the candles, oh the nostalgia! Pardon me, I cannot resist. I will certainly enjoy this night. Let’s begin.” He takes a seat himself, and gestures for the knight to follow suit.

The goddess smiles in thanks.