"There is but one person in all of Eorzea capable of reconstructing this vase. A man whose skill with the hammer has brought rival goldsmiths low, so breathtaking are his works, so fearsome his competitive spirit."

Hearing Hildibrand's description made it seem like he was a god goldsmith among men. And Azlyn hadn't known someone of that caliber… well… Roll was fairly, actually, very good at making the things she did. She spent a great deal on her works—making sure it's quality was spot on.

"This man is no mere goldsmith. You speak of him as one would of a great warrior." The stranger in red remarked.

Hildibrand nodded. "Once, a notorious gang of thieves perpetrated a series of robberies in Ul'dah, targeting establishments which sold luxury goods. One such shop was owned by the humble lapidary of whom I speak."

Everyone, even Azlyn had been enraptured by the storytelling, that Hildibrand continued in earnest. "He was the last shop the thieves struck, for the following morning they were found beaten, bound, and gagged in the Gold Court."

"Wow!" Nashu clapped ecstatically at the end of the tale.

"The brass blades never learned who was responsible. The only information they had was the testimony of a thief, who kept muttering the words, 'The hammer… the hammer…'"

Now Azlyn knew what a good story was, and when one sounded fishy. What she wanted to know was how Hildibrand knew this strange vigilante and how this person could reconstruct the broken vase.

"He sounds dangerous." Maria worriedly looked to Alisaie. The Sharlayan shrugged, not exactly sure who this man was.

The man garbed in red crossed his arms over his chest. "Aye… that he does! And I do so enjoy the company of dangerous men!"

Nashu gave him a surprised look, pulling both of her arms up at the exclamation.

It was then that the stranger cleared his throat, and addressed them all once more. "But where are my manners? I have yet to properly introduce myself. I am Gilgamesh, and that—" He pointed to the green painted chicken. "is my companion, Enkidu!"

The chicken clucked at his introduction.

"Well, not really. It has been many moons since last I saw her. So to ease the burden of loneliness, I tamed a rooster and painted it green."

"I knew it." Azlyn snapped her fingers, before coughing into her hand. "Excuse me, sorry."

Gilgamesh moved on from her interruption. "In any case, you mean to search for this goldsmith, yes? If so, it would be my pleasure to help."

The Inspector and Nashu happily welcomed the man. Nashu began to clap, as Hildibrand gave him a thumbs up. "The pleasure is all mine, Gilligan! I, Hildibrand, agent of enquiry, inspector extraordinaire, bid you welcome!"

"It's Gilgamesh." Azlyn and Alisaie both said at the same time.

Maria chuckled at their unison.

Displeased by his name being called out wrong, Gilgamesh crossed his arms. "If it is that hard for you to remember, I give you leave to call me Gil."

Hildibrand broadly smiled, "Excellent suggestion, Greg! Playful monikers are an effective means of building commaderie. Call me Hildy!"

Azlyn, Alisaie, and Gilgamesh groaned.

"Now then," The Inspector turned away from them to gather the pieces of the vase in the fabric. Making sure all the pieces were secured in his leather satchel, he held the bag with care. "from what I know of the goldsmith's propensity to procure his materials himself, I have deduced that he is most like to be found in the vicinity of Bluefog in northern Thanalan. It is there we shall begin our search!"

Given that Maria and Gilgamesh had not attuned to any aetherytes in northern Thanalan, there best course of action had been to rent a chocobo caravan—where all of them were stuffed inside the cart. The ride had been adventurous, as Maria stared out into each of the different landscapes. Her eyes were filled with wonder, so Azlyn started to recount a few tales of when she first started to travel in Thanalan, and how in one night her friends had bagged nine wanted monsters for their levequests.

The ride itself only took an hour of their day, before arriving to the blue fields of Camp Bluefog.

"Let us search due north!" Hildibrand boasted, before sprinting on ahead. The others stayed together, well, except for Gilgamesh who ran ahead with his green painted rooster.

Five minutes of exploration found their first waypoint. A dead doblyn laid to the side, the crystals that once grew upon it's body stripped and harvested. Upon further observation, Azlyn noted that the doblyn's wounds were caused by a hammer of sorts—and a trail of bloody footprints lead to the north.

"Let's follow the tracks." Azlyn led their entourage, Nashu giddily bouncing next to Maria. Alisaie took the rear, her hand at the ready incase any monsters came out.

They moved along the path, following the bloodied steps where they all found Gilgamesh examining a corpse of a basilisk. Azlyn peered down, looking for any clues as to what happened. From what she gathered, the basilisks' wounds were similar to that of the doblyn. It had been felled by a hammer of sorts, and more bloody footprints led away—further north.

Gilgamesh admired the death blow upon the creature. "A single blow to the head. Impressive."

"Let's move on." Alisaie pointed to the tracks, almost fresh but not quite.

Another five minutes of walking led them straight to Hildibrand—the inspector had been standing in front of a carcass of an Ahriman. The eye of the monster had been harvested impeccably. And looking just beyond the canyon she could see another dead body—one which Hildibrand did not miss.

"The doblyn, the basilisk, the Ahriman—all were slain with a hammer. As was that beast over yonder, unless I'm mistaken."

Azlyn followed the bloody trail of footprints to the next body—seeing them stop at the head of the gigantic chimera.

"That chimera must be his latest prize, which means he must still be about."

"I don't see him on foot." Azlyn scoured the area with an intense gaze.

Hildibrand spoke resolutely. "Mayhap he is watching us at this very moment, attempting to ascertain our intentions. He was ever a cautious man when on the hunt."

Everyone joined them, looking around with quizzical expressions.

"Alas, it comes to this! Though every fiber of my being cries out in rebellion, I must break my own oath and do the unspeakable."

This statement alone seemed to worry the group. Gilgamesh crossed his arms, as he asked him curiously. "Wh-what must you do that is so terrible?"

The only one in their group not the least bit concerned was Nashu, she clapped her hands excitedly.

Under their piercing gazes, Hildibrand closed his eyes—taking a long, deep breath—and posed as he yelled to the heavens. "I—I must DANCE!"

"I'm sorry, what?" Alisaie said in disbelief.

Immediately following his proclamation, Hildibrand started to sing obnoxiously—and loud. Not only was his singing off key, but the dance was… well it was hard to describe with words. There was a lot of hopping, and arm waving—lots of flourish and pizazz—one in which Azlyn felt too embarrassed to watch, but couldn't turn away.

It just burned her vision the more she watched.

"I'm a Mander-Manderville Man. Doing what only a Manderville can. From the peaks of Coerthas to Thanalan. Mander-Manderville man!"

Azlyn saw as his entire right leg seized, his quad bulked as he dropped down in pain. "I'm a Mander-Manderville-Gah!"

"I cannot avert mine eyes!" Gilgamesh said in shock.

"Gods." Alisaie said horrified.

Nashu clapped happily, and Maria stared in confusion to all of them.

Hildibrand wheezed, panting as he looked to his leg. "That… that is the dance of House Manderville, passed down from father to son. Were I to perform it within sight of our quarry, he would not be able to resist revealing himself. Alas, I… I neglected to properly stretch my legs beforehand. My good assistants, I see no other solution—"

"No. Absolutely not." Alisaie said knowing exactly what he was about to ask.

He continued. "You must dance in my stead! Though it be a gross-nay-unconscionable—violation of my family's traditions, I must bequeath to you both the Manderville!"

"Why us!" Azlyn shook her head. "Why can't Nashu? Or Gilgamesh!"

"I did not sign up to dance a silly, outrageous mess of body movements!" Alisaie countered back.

Behind them Maria let out a small laugh. Her giggle was immediately stiffened as she covered her mouth with her hands.

Nashu pointed to the pair of them with a knowing grin. "The Inspector would only ask this of those worthy of such talent, you two must do the Manderville dance! For Maria! For the broken vase!"

"I am not one who dances. It can only be you two." Gilgamesh spoke candidly. "I am a proud warrior. I do not dance unless in the face of battle!"

"Fine." Azlyn exasperatedly said, leaving an equally shocked Alisaie.

Azlyn figured out the movements, before leaning over to speak with the twin quietly. "The sooner we get this over with, the more we can help Maria." She pointed to the blonde girl hiding her laughter. "She'd probably enjoy this more than us."

"I can't believe it. Errrr, Okay—but not a word to my brother!"

"I think you mean, not a word to anyone. I'd rather not people find out."

"Deal."

The pair pulled away from their quick chat. Alisaie pointed squarely to Hildibrand. "We agree!"

Hildibrand's face turned into pure ecstatic bliss, before explaining the breakdown of how to dance the Manderville. Azlyn and Alisaie walked through it briefly before shaking off the weird feeling they had.

"We are siblings now, my constant comrades!" Hildibrand joyously spoke to them afterward. "For I have shared with you the secrets of House Manderville. Now you must use that knowledge. Go to the fallen chimera and dance like only a Manderville can!"

He pushed the pair of girls out to their intended destination. They looked over their shoulders as the others cheered them on.

"Alright, one dance." Alisaie pepped herself up. "It's only one. It won't completely tarnish your reputation."

"Remember, not a word to anyone." Azlyn muttered. The last thing she needed was to have a revival series of the Bloody Princess followed with an absurd dance of untold proportions.

In front of the chimera they stood side by side. They both took a long deep breath, instantly regretting the first move. They moved in sync, the dance already in motion. They were a few beats into the rhythm, dancing as one—Alisaie muttering under her breath that she prayed this was a bad dream.

Enkidu crowed loudly behind the pair—and it felt like the aether shifted the more they danced the routine. As silly as it was, Azlyn couldn't help but laugh. Alisaie gave her a bewildered expression, until she finally shook her head and laughed as well.

"Fancy yourself a Manderville Man? You would do what only a Manderville can? Then lift your legs, and put up your hands. Be a Mander-Manderville, man!" A brusque sounding voice came from overhead. The pair stopped their dance, seeing the flash of white crash into the ground nearby them.

"He comes!" Gilgamesh yelled from behind.

Alisaie brought forth her rapier, while Azlyn summoned her book to her side via her aether pocket. She noticed the stare from Gilgamesh as she brought forth her weapon, but her attention was needed for their potential new guest.

After the dust settled, they could see a white haired man… in white underpants kneeling there.

"Ho Ho Ho! You have naught to fear from me, naught at all! The only account I came to settle were with the chimera!" The man in underpants replied.

Hildibrand's face had gone from joy to a frown, as he looked upon their new guest. Watching as the man almost naked, bulging with muscles, went to the carcass of the chimera. Donned with a pair of sunglasses, and an impeccably combed hairdo—the man who arrived spoke with ease.

"But you were not drawn here by some coincidence, were you?" He looked over each of them, his glasses scanning to group before landing on the familiar tuxedo. "No, you came in search of me, Godbert! Why else would you gyrate your hips in such a gentlemanly fashion, if not that?"

"Please no more." Azlyn lowered her book, letting it disappear. Her face went red in embarrassment. Alisaie too, lowered her rapier, opting to remain silent.

"Wait." Godbert turned his attention to the group once more. "I know you, she of strong-yet tender fingers!"

Azlyn blinked several times, thinking back. Alisaie peered at her with an incredulous look before the girl had a lightbulb moment. She snapped her fingers as the memory came back to her.

"Oh, you're that guy who wanted his muscles rubbed with oil back at Camp Bronze Lake!"

"Azlyn." Alisaie narrowed her eyes, her tone was exasperated. "We really need to work on your saying no!"

"Sorry."

Godbert greeted her with a wave, before returning to the task at hand. "But, more importantly, how in the hells did you learn the Manderville? If I did not teach you, then who…?"

Everyone, even Azlyn and Alisaie turned to Hildibrand—who started tiptoeing off into the distance. Caught by the stares of all, Hildibrand slowly looked behind his shoulder—his lips quivering as he turned away.

"By the grace of Thal, what sorcery is this? He… He yet lives?"

In lightning quick reflexes, Azlyn had sworn the older man had been by the chimera, but in the next he was right behind the one in the tuxedo—the one who immediately bolted down the dusty trail. Together the pair sprinted—practically going as fast as one could possibly go.

A giant dust cloud emerged as the pair ran, one chasing the other all through Camp Bluefog and back on the trails. They saw Hildibrand come back for a second lap, only for his quarry to catch him at last—his arms wrapped around his front torso—and using the momentum weight to suplex Hildibrand's upper half of his body into the ground.

The impact made a loud booming sound, as they watched Hildibrand's entire upper body get smashed into the ground. Only his legs could be seen flailing, while Godbert stood victorious…was that even the right word?

"Ten years, Hildibrand. Ten years since you left home! And five since I learned of your trip to Dalamud!" Godbert shook his hand, planting his hands on his well sculpted hips. "How long were you planning to allow your mother and father to suffer under the illusion that their beloved son was dead?"

"Now this is making sense." Azlyn replied. "There does seem to be a familial relationship, just couldn't tell what it was yet."

Alisaie scoffed. "If Dalamud didn't kill him, that suplex into the ground did."

"Son?!" Gilgamesh spoke in shock. "You are Hildy's father!?"

They watched as Godbert jumped right into song, dancing happily to the tune.

"Godbert the goldsmith's a Manderville man! Smithing as only a Manderville can. Oil him up and give him a tan. Fit for a Mander-Manderville man!"

Azlyn didn't know what was more absurd—the fact that she was accepting all of this—or the fact that she wasn't shocked to learn this dancing Manderville Man was naked collecting materials for his work openly.

Hildibrand seemed to gain his consciousness back, as his legs started to wiggle and pull out his upper torso. Godbert still danced overhead as his son emerged from the dirt.

"Please father, cease your undulations at once! There are more pressing matters at hand!" Hildabrand retrieved the leather satchel—all that held the shattered vase within—and presented it to his father. Maria walked to his side, peering between him and Godbert with pleading eyes.

"This antique vase must be made whole once more, for the sake of Miss Maria."

Maria sadly looked to the ground.

Godbert's sunglasses remained focused on the pair of them, and then to the girl casting her view downward. There was a somber moment—an unusual serious tone came over their group as they watched with baited breaths. Godbert slowly approached the bag, examining the pieces.

After a prolonged few seconds, the man laughed. "Do not worry, little one! I deal with worse cases before my morning bowel movement!"

Azlyn inwardly grimaced. Out of all the things to say.

Godbert moved away from the group, placing all the pieces on a workbench atop a rock—Azlyn wasn't sure how that got there—but they watched as the man pulled out his trusty hammer and began hammering away. Azlyn couldn't tear her eyes away from the process, and after a few clicks, taps, dings, thrills, and zings—they all bore witness to a beautiful restoration of the vase.

Maria's face brightened in awe, as did most of their party.

"Hold your applause until the end! Byregot, guide my hammer!" An intense aetheric energy overtook him, as the vase that had been restored been further worked upon until it became an entirely new piece. A stunning jade colored vase, pristine in every way possible.

Azlyn stared at the beautiful masterpiece before them.

"Look how it sparkles in the sunlight, how it radiates excellence! Would you all not agree that it is a work of art!"

Alisaie nodded, her eyes fixated on the piece.

"You've completely destroyed a priceless antique's historical value!" Hildibrand gasped at the new vase.

"Nonsense!" Godbert explained. "I have taken a dull, unremarkable vase and transformed it into something far superior! I hope you were paying attention Hildy. How long has it been since you last held a hammer?"

Hildibrand frowned. "Father, I—That is not my path, I am an agent of enquiry, an inspector! It is my duty to help those in need." He turned to Maria, his face still dirty from the ground it had been buried in. "Miss Maria is one such person. There are others, too—innocent people whose weapons were callously ripped from their hands by a thieving duelist."

Godbert listened to his son, but remained firm in his belief. "I thought you had put away childish dreams. No matter—you will understand in due time."

"No I will not! I am an inspector, Father! I can be naught else!"

Azlyn winced, not for Hildibrand's sake—but rather her own future goals. If there was one thing she had in common, and it was really only this one thing, it was their want to help people. She wondered if maybe her dream was childish as Goldbert stated.

Maria had been staring at the sparkling vase—in awe and shock. "Uh…" She stammered. "Mister… Godbert, sir—I—I don't think my mother's going to like what you did. She probably won't let Master Hildibrand help with the investigation…" She teetered off her thought, as she traced her shoe in the dirt. She had a troubled expression on her face.

Gilgamesh stepped up to reassure her. "We cannot say that for certain, can we? Mayhap she will take a liking to this—reimaging."

Hildibrand smiled over to the man in red.

Maria seemed to lift the frown from her face, looking to the vase. She nodded to his words.

Gilgamesh crossed his arms over his chest. "You speak of a thieving duelist, did you not? It so happens I am something of a duelist myself. Were we to cross paths with this fellow, I would welcome the opportunity to put my skills against his. Enkidu's as well, I should think!" The green rooster crowed beneath him.

Hildibrand smiled broadly, as he postulated his finger to the sky. "I see you too possess a strong sense of justice. Full glad am I to have met you, Greg! Now, let us return to Vesper Bay and see how our vase is received."

Godbert grinned ear to ear. "Vesper Bay, you say? What a coincidence, I shall be traveling there on business once I have finished gathering materials."

Gilgamesh turned his attention to the skies, and shook his head. "Go on without me, I might have seen the demon bird which took my weapon. I shall follow anon."

Azlyn leaned over to Maria, giving her a small smile. "Are you attuned to the crystal in Horizon?"

Maria nodded.

"Good, let's teleport there and walk back together."

"Okay!" Maria carefully held the vase in her hands, taking it off the workbench with ease. And together they all distinctively teleported one by one to western Thanalan.

When they arrived in Vesper Bay, Maria hummed to herself—a bit nervous as she carried the vase in both arms. "I hope she likes it…"

"I'm sure she will." Azlyn wanted to keep her hopes up, remaining optimistic after everything they did. They made their way through the markets, and came to the steps of the house. Maria led them inside, and together the five of them made sure the vase was delivered safely to a nearby table. Ellie happened to be by the stairs, awaiting their arrival.

"Nice work you all!"

Azlyn gave her a thumbs up.

Upon their return, Lady Durilda stormed over—and looked squarely to her daughter.

"Mother… I brought you the vase…"

Angrily, her mother flared up. "By the gods, have you all no shame!? How dare you make my daughter complicit in your chicanery!"

Maria winced at the tone, taking one step back.

"I don't know where you found that gaudy trash, but it bears no resemblance whatsoever to the vase I purchased!" She continued to drill into them.

"Now wait a damn minute!" Alisaie rebuked. "How dare you talk to your own daughter like that! I've held my tongue, but this is my limit!"

"Lady Durilda!" Ellie openly admonished as well. "Not only did you send Maria to fetch your priceless vase alone, you potentially placed her in considerable danger had there been any bandits or wild beasts!"

"I also can't stand for your attitude either Lady Durilda." Azlyn shook her head. "Be contemptuous to us, fine, but your daughter worked hard to earn your acknowledgment on this task. And you still admonish her after the work she's put in."

"…Gaudy trash?" A new voice perked at the open entry.

They all turned, seeing Goldberg dressed in a White tuxedo blazer… and black skin tight booty shorts.

Lady Durilda gasped upon seeing him. "L-lord Manderville, sir, I did not realize you had arrived!" Her entire attitude shifted as she realized his coming. "Though I know it is nothing compared to the lavish accommodations an esteemed gentleman such as yourself must enjoy, I pray my humble abode meets your satisfaction."

Godbert bowed, his sunglasses glinted when he rose from it.

Everyone waited with baited breath once more—as Godbert approached. "Oh, it does, my lady, it does indeed—especially that exquisite vase over yonder. Although I gather from your previous comments that you do not like my reconstruction?" His tone dropped, more saddened about the turn of events.

Lady Durilda's face paled as she looked back at the vase. "Your reconstruction?"

He nodded.

And like that her entire attitude flipped, as she exuberantly expressed her love for it. "Ohoho! I don't like it— I love it! I would go so far as to call it the new centerpiece of my Thorne Dynasty collection!"

"Kiss ass." Alisaie whispered to Azlyn, who had to bite her own tongue.

Godbert sighed in relief, looking pleased at the vase on the table. "What a relief! I would have been most distressed had you said otherwise. We Mandervilles do so take pride in our work and ever strive for professional perfection." He gestured to his son. "Oh, but why am I repeating what my son Hildibrand told you when he offered to investigate the duelist's threats? Enough expository banter, I say!" He laughed, and Hildibrand joined him.

Lady Durilda's entire face paled another shade of white.

"I cannot recall if your son used those precise words, but I do remember thinking that his help would be most welcome! You will be helping us, inspector Hildibrand, will you not?" Her voice raised higher in octave as she proclaimed her need of assistance.

Azlyn leaned over to Alisaie, her voice low enough to be out of ear shot. "And there it is."

Alisaie dryly laughed.

Ellie looked between Lord Manderville and Hildibrand with wide eyes. "Wait, your father is Lord Godbert Manderville, the man who took Eolande Quiveron's seat in the Syndicate?"

Now that was news Azlyn didn't know. She wondered if Roll knew the man given his high stature in Ul'dah. Considering the response from Lady Durilda made it fairly obvious too.

"It appears there have been a great many developments over the past ten years of which I was completely unaware." Hildibrand admitted. "In any case, we must redirect our energies towards the investigations of the thieving duelist! Our first order of business will be to review all the facts with consenting inspector Briardien."

"Consulting inspector." Azlyn corrected.

Lady Durilda pointed outside of her home. "Why, if you're looking for him—he's outside by the fountain! Let me guide you to him!" She ushered their group with more generosity than Azlyn had seen from her. Quickly, they were taken over… where the inspector in question had been passing report over to a few Ishgardian Knights.

"We shall begin the operations at once—What are you all still doing here?" Briardien waved off the knights to turn his attention to the group.

"Allow me to elucidate! Lady Durilda has asked that we assist with the investigation! Now kindly share with us all your information!"

Azlyn and Alisaie shrugged, standing back with Ellie to watch what would happen next. His brusque way of asking was probably not the best play of words… but who would stop a man with a mission?

"…Fine. Our plans have advanced to a stage that even you couldn't ruin them anyway." Briardien adjusted his glasses. "I commissioned several reproductions of the Treaty-Blade through a merchant named Jojonpa, who traffics in counterfeit antiques. These blades have been delivered to the Observatorium, where they are being distributed amongst Lady Durilda's sellswords. Once I give the order, they will transport them via alternate routes to Vesper Bay."

Nashu tapped her cheek in thought. "Oh I think I get it. You're hiding the real transport with a bunch of decoys, right?"

Briardien elaborated further. "They're all decoys. The moment the thief strikes, all our forces will converge on his location—including those disguised as small folk along each route. The real Treaty Blade will remain in the original owner's hand until the thief has been apprehended." He then added with no regret. "Everything has been accounted for—You are superfluous."

Hildibrand flexed his muscles, curling his upper torso one way than the other.

"Mayhap we could use more 'small folk' to watch the roads in and out of the Observatorium—assuming you have the capacity to conduct yourself in an unassuming fashion." Relinquished Briardien stated.

"Fear not, my fellow inspector, for I am a master of disguise! Have you any information regarding the duelist himself? A description?"

Ellie sighed. "You never thought to ask until now, did you." She grabbed her notebook to find the necessary information. "The thief is said to be a towering brute dressed in red who wields a halberd."

Alisaie turned her gaze to Azlyn. "Doesn't that match…"

Azlyn's thought went there as well, thinking of their towering new friend… who conveniently wasn't there. However she didn't recall him having a halberd. "…Yeah."

Hildibrand's laughter broke them from their talk, as he deduced aloud. "A man so garishly dressed should be easy to find in snowy Coerthas!"

Briardien shrugged. "If he was that easy to spot, then we shouldn't need you. Come or don't. I don't care."

Ellie went to follow after the retreating inspector. "And I always go to follow my stories! See ya!"

Hildibrand waved goodbye to them, seeing them disappear in a quick teleport away.

Lady Durilda and her daughter were brought back inside by Godbert, with the promise of good food for dinner.

A man in garish red, a towering foreign brute ran into the town center, before seeing their group by the fountain. He and his pet rooster ran over to them. "Pray forgive my lateness!"

"Greg, my good man! What a pleasure to see you again! We just received new information regarding the weapon thief!"

Alisaie blinked, looking between Gilgamesh and Hildibrand.

"A victim described him as a halberd-wielding brute… dressed in… dressed in…" Hildibrand stammered off, giving both the girls a bit of hope as he seemed to catch what they caught earlier on.

"A ridiculous outfit!" He concluded, to which the girls dropped their heads into their hands.

Gilgamesh pondered. "A ridiculous outfit? Ho, now I am intrigued. What reasons would a warrior have for wearing impractical clothing?"

"What reasons indeed! It is enough to make a gentleman laugh!" To which he did.

Azlyn lost her words. She just watched everything unfold, as the Inspector, Nashu, and Gilgamesh started to leave to their next destination.

"He's an idiot, isn't he?" Alisaie finally said, gawping at their backs.

"He almost had it. Almost." Azlyn tried to credit him, using her fingers to indicate just a tiny bit. "Well, come on—we should keep an eye on the thief… if it's really him."

"Do you honestly doubt it?"

"Hmm… haven't seen the halberd yet. I'll hold off all conjecture until we find out more."

"Fair enough."