This is not a good day for Ryner at all. Currently, he is in an abandoned house at the edge of the city, sitting in a small cramped room and facing two cloaked men. At their feet were Ferris's sword and nine boxes of Dango. One of the men was holding a pile of paper and the other a dress.

"We have a deal then." One of the men asked.

"What a pain, fine." Ryner grumbled, unhappily resigning himself to his fate.

"Very well, let's get started…."

Earlier….

.

The day didn't start out bad, in fact it started quite nicely. Ryner woke up and went down to breakfast without any interruptions, which was unusual. He was surprised Ferris didn't wake him and drag him down to the grand opening of the new Dango shop. He wasn't complaining though, it was nice having the morning off. After breakfast, he quickly headed outside. He would hang out all day in town and then find another inn to crash in. It was the only way to avoid Sion who was in a worse mood than usual.

It started when Brittleton, a town on the north side of Roland, started being invaded by a non-named group. This caused Sion to stress out more than he already was. He had forced Ryner and Ferris to help him deal with the overload of work that was coming in. After almost three weeks of constant work, Ryner and Ferris bailed and were currently hiding out in the town. They had managed to stay away for about four days, though sadly they both agreed to return at the end of the week since Sion was attempting suicide by work.

But for the time being he was enjoying his peace and quiet. With no work to do and Ferris probably off at the grand opening by herself, he was free to do whatever he pleases. The peace didn't last long, however. He had been walking for about five minutes when Ferris came out of nowhere and tackled him to the ground.

"There you are, you pervert!" She said, pushing Ryner's head in the dirt with her foot.

"Ow, stop!" Ryner cried. "What did I do to deserve this greeting? Shouldn't you be at the grand opening of that new Dango shop or something?"

"I would if someone didn't steal all the Dangos there!" Ferris proclaimed. "Hand them over! Hand over my sword as well."

"What? You're insane!" Ryner yelled. "Why would I steal Dangos or your sword?" Ferris pulled out a note and handed it to him.

I have stolen your sword. If you want it back you must do what I say.

Signed, Ryner Lute

"Ok…I didn't write that." Ryner informed her. Ferris pushed down harder on his back.

"Then who did?" she questioned him, "There's another note for the stolen Dango too."

"Why would I steal those things?!" Ryner asked. "Urg, get off me! I'll find your Dangos and sword, alright?" Ferris cocked her head to the side and thought for a moment.

"Very well." She said, getting up and stepping back. "You have until nightfall to find them."

"Alright," Ryner grumbled, standing up. Ferris turned and walked away. Ryner watched her go.

"That woman will be the end of me." He sighed brushing the dirt off his clothes. As he did so, he suddenly became aware of someone approaching him. He turned to find a man in a black cloak walking towards him.

"Ryner Lute, I presume?" he asked.

"What do you want?" Ryner asked tiredly.

"I happened to be the man who wrote your partner that note." He said. "Now if you want those items back then you better follow me."

"And what if I refuse?" Ryner asked narrowing his eyes.

"Then you'll not get them back and will have the wrath of that woman." He said without looking back.

"You have a point." Ryner sighed, following the man down the street. As they walked, Ryner observed the man in front of him. Even with all his threats, the man didn't seem that threatening. Even so Ryner kept his guard up.

They walked until they were at the edge of town and headed into a small abandoned building. There were no people around except them, and there are trees blocking the view of the rest of the town. Ryner felt like he was going to get mugged, which was stupid since the guy could just ask for whatever he wants. Once they were inside, they went upstairs to an upper room. There he found another man sitting on a couch with the stolen items at his feet.

"Sit down." The other man said gesturing to a chair facing him. Ryner paused for a moment before he obeyed. As he sat he heard the sound of the first man locking the door behind them. He tensed.

"So what do you want?" he asked bracing himself for their demands.

"Ryner Lute, we need your assistance." The first man said, bowing down. "We are in dire need."

"Wait what?" Ryner said, confused by their begging.

"We are part of the clan The Seven Stars." The first man said straight up and sitting down. "We live in the forest to the north, at Roland's border. We mostly take care of bandits and collect plants and animals not easily accessible to most people and sell them in towns. Recently, however, we've had a problem. Our leader had two sons and recently he died. The older son was supposed to take control but the younger son and his group kidnapped the older son and held him prisoner. The younger son wants to invade Roland and establish another country. My comrades and I don't wish that to happen."

"Wait, is that what the whole conflicts in the north is about? Ryner asked, frowning. "So it's your guy's fault."

"Please, Ryner, we are trying to stop it but we do not have the power to!" The second man said. "We must follow orders from our leader and until the rightful heir is returned we cannot disobey the younger heir. Even if we did attempt to rebel we would not be able to find the rightful heir. The younger heir has a hidden fortress in the forest that only his most trusted followers know."

"So what do you want me to do?" Ryner asked.

"We need you to save him!" the first man said. "You're Roland's Strongest Magician after all."

"How do you expect me to do that?" Ryner exclaimed. "Also, couldn't you explain your problem to Sion? I'm sure he'd help."

"We don't wish to bring Roland into our problem. They would probably take over our group. We need you to infiltrate the younger heir's fortress and free the rightful ruler!"

"Sure I'll go break into a hidden fortress in forest." Ryner muttered sarcastically. "I have nothing better to do."

"We don't need you to break in." One of the men said. "They will bring you to the fortress and once inside you can find the rightful heir."

"Why would they bring me to the fortress?" Ryner asked frowning.

"The younger heir has recently started kidnapping women from one of Roland's border towns"

"Wait, hold on…no you better not be asking me what I think you are." Ryner demanded.

"It's the only way!" one of the men exclaimed. "We have all the necessary information for this to work." He opened a bag and pulled out a stack of papers.

"Plus we have all the accessories to make you into a fine young woman." The other said pulling out a dress.

"I don't believe this!" Ryner exclaimed.

"Don't forget if you don't you'll have your partner's wrath to deal with…" the other one reminded him.

Ryner folded his arms and groaned. There was a good chance that if he returned to Ferris empty handed she wouldn't believe his story. Plus if he did this Sion would calm down a little and stop worrying so much. He already collapsed twice while Ryner was working with him from lack of food or sleep…..

"Damn it!" Ryner yelled in frustration

"We have a deal then?" One of the men asked.

"What a pain, fine." Ryner grumbled back.

"Very well, let's get started…."

.

Later….

Ryner stopped in front of Ferris' mansion. When he knocked, their butler opened the door.

"Here's Ferris' stuff." Ryner said before he could speak. "Tell her I'm going to be away to Brittleton for a while. I'll be back at a later time." The butler opened his mouth again to speak but before he could Ryner took off down the road.

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