Ekuince, Capital city of Kuic

  Through the busy streets of the mert district dashed a handful of urs of various races, the tiny forms darting through the sudden chaos as they ran from the figure chasing them. The t oran was entirely unhindered by her mail, but she was not as able to simply dodge between people and was taking greater care to not cause collisions. Still, this was not her first time chasing the street rats and mao catch a flicker of motion as the st one dodged into an alley. With a growl she luo the er, preparing to bloy who came out … only to find a short, empty dead end.

  Bellona swore in frustration. “Light bst that gang!” She was aware of the realities of the world, even with their best efforts the temples could not prevent there being children born in poverty or who have lost their parents. So she did not begrudge the occasional filg of bread and the like, children o live more than a mert needed a few coppers, but this lot had retly gotten a new leader, and his escapades were causing serious damage to some of the businesses.

  She moved forward carefully, grabbing a piece of discarded wood to prod at ers and move suspicious lumps. The orc was not going to draw her sword when she was following unarmed kids, but she o check everything carefully. Unfortunately, her best efforts turned up nothing. How did they keep doing this?

  At least it was a bit of a silver lining in all the ret turmoil. The iigations had uncovered some corruption that might not have e to light so quickly otherwise. Mostly smuggling or small cases of bribery, but they did uncover one kidnapping ring that had been targeting the same sort of urs who were causing so much trouble in order to sell them off to svery in the northern empire. Bellona wouldn’t be surprised if that particur mert group had been a deliberate target by the kids, and she was grateful for that, but they could not be allowed to tinue running these heists!

  The irritated orc tossed the wood aside and did her best to not stomp her way out of the alley, then looked around as she tried to decide which lead to follow. A calm voice cut through the noise of the crowd, and she turned her head to frown at its source. “You’ll never cate like that by chasing him through the city streets.” The speaker was an elderly-looking 5-tail kitsuting at a table in front of a nearby eatery. He was staring down into his teacup meditatively, and slowly tur in his hands.

  “Oh? And what would you know of it, grandpa?” Normally she’d try to be more polite, but she was not in a great mood and this sudden interje was suspicious.

  The kitsune smiled slightly. “Oh, never as much as people seem to think. But I am good at seeing patterns, and the one you hunt will not be caught easily at all. Which does not mean it is entirely impossible for you to y your hands upon him, you would however o ge your huntihods.”

  This wasn’t making her less suspicious of the old man, but she couldn’t afford to not at least listen. “And how would you suggest I get my hands upon this troublemaker?”

  “Hmm,” came the reply in thoughtful tones. “You could never get close to his safe spaces in this city, but there appears to be a vergence of his path upon a more distant location. It would be a difficult challenge, even for one such as you, but there is a newborn living dungeon, and the patterns I see suggest he will eventually make his way there.”

  “That seems rather specifiing from one who cims to know only a little. And where exactly is this supposed living dungeon?” To her knowledge, there were only two oire ti.

  “Oh, that one is easy enough. Head to Riverbridge or Azeria, and the folk of either guide you there. But if you do go, you should ask yourself what sort of justice you seek. By the time his path takes him there, it is uhat he will be returning to this city any time soon. Also,” Now the old man looked up to meet her gaze with clear, dark eyes. “While I ence you to seek muidahan mine, I strongly reend you visit the dungeon alone. While nothing I see is guarahe happiest paths for your life seem to mostly spring from that choice.” He paused and tilted his head to the side in sideration. “Oh, and you should research what sorts of gifts are appreciated by dungeons. Diplomacy is often rewarded. Take some time to sider this, your little rat will not be leaving the city soon.”

  Well, that was a lot to take in. Some sort of disturbance had rippled through the upper echelons tely, and Bellona couldn’t help but wonder if it was reted to the appearance of the new dungeon. She could see officials wanting to get a hand ouation before the neidespread, though if two unities already knew about it then the secret wasn’t likely to st long. “I’m not sure if I should actually thank you for this information or not, but I will take your words into sideration as I iigate.” Which was to say, she did not trust him, but his words rang true enough that she felt it worth looking into.

  “That’s fine dear,” he answered with a kindly smile. “Making one's own choices is important, and you have all the advice that I have to give. Whatever path you choose, I sincerely wish you luck.”

  Belloated, then gave a slight bow before she headed for the temple. There were some questions she o ask before she could begin deg anything.

  “Nephew, just what do you think you are doing with my champion?” Asked the golden-furred 9-tail woman who gracefully settled into the seat opposite him. “Also, you look ridiculous like that.”

  He chuckled and shook off the illusion of age, allowing all of his tails to show. Not that anyone here was going to notiow that he no longer wished to be seen. “You know I have a simir ability to my father’s, and I saw a set of potential vergences. A few words to open up possibilities, as may well lead towards a great redu in an annoyance.”

  A new female voitruded. “Hmm, I don’t know Brother, I think you are pying favorites and just want to set up a harem for a certain someone. You’ve obviously gone soft and romantice those two girls started making eyes at you.” This newer plopped herself into the chair o her mother, red hair and fur bzing against gold in bright harmony. He eyed his half-sister with annoyance.

  “First of all, no. They are both too young, even by mortal standards. Sed of all, absolutely not with regard to Amélie. I am trying to help with her trauma and will py a more fatherly role, and there is no way I am crossing those lines. As for Tsukiko,” here he had to pause and sigh, “I stumbled across a grouping of potential futures that force me to aowledge it as a possibility. But unless she lives a long and fulfilling life, plete with romances and other adventures, before her soul es to my realm to fulfill her tracted role, those possibilities will be dead ier. So for the half tury or so I io pletely ighe situation because it is actually the best thing I do for her. Are we clear?”

  His retives looked more amused than chastised, and he simply shook his head. “Incible, both of you. And I at least expect better of you, Aunt. But to ahe other insinuation, my pns are more lohan that. And I don’t expey new romao bloom there. Admittedly nothing has said that it ’t happen, and that knot of iions is too plex to tease apart with any accuracy, but what I have looked at has not suggested a strong likelihood either. Now, would the three of you like to enjoy some tea with me?”

  His words anticipated the arrival of his mother in the seat o him, pleting the set. Well, his father would truly plete the set, but he’d chosen to carefully keep distant from the mortal world arusted such delicate touches to others.

  “Yes, thank you dear.” His mother replied as he poured some into the cups that had appeared in front of each of the women. “And it seems I’ve missed my ce to tease you about those adorable crushes. That’s what you get for making a cult in a new world without telling your family about the discovery.”

  “As if father didn’t know as soon as I did, if not before. And I am still not sure our little friend didn’t make it there first, though I saw no traces until after I’d established myself.”

  Their versation sted for quite a while lohe four did not gather at the same time terribly often, but they all had duties to attend to and even the smallest avatar took up some attention.