The little village, when they reached it as late as they did, was lit only by torches along the dirt streets. There were a few figures moving around, but they were settling in for the night, and they cast many nervous glances at the group that stood just beyond the western edge of the village.

Something was wrong here. Very wrong. Aubri gazed fixedly at one of the torches, absorbing the faint traces of energy that crackled from it. Everything around them was connected with such energy, and when you opened your mind to it, you could see it feel how the strands interwove with each other, what tugged on them, which ones swirled dangerously, which ones flowed peacefully. And there was something negative here tonight. Something was waiting for them.

He turned his gaze to Tif. The weaponsmaster was gazing darkly into the night, her black cloak pulled over her shoulders. The minstrel's little dog was in her arms, and she stroked its ears tenderly. It was hugging her around the neck with a big, idiotic smile on its adorable face. Aubri glanced back at Zim. The minstrel was pouting, and the gypsy girl was talking to him probably trying to calm him down.

Something was still wrong here. But Aubri couldn't see anything, his senses dulled by the necessity of form. He wished for the millionth time that Tif hadn't come along with them. Even the over-exuberant Dib could tell there was something wrong with her. But still, the way she petted the little dog

Tweek, I don't think there's going to be trouble just because you ate half of the waffle stacks. People really don't mind that much. Jaime undressed throughtfully, getting into her nightrobe.

But they had the rare stuff the fruit, the little dragon whined nervously. They import that from like Phaena! Way across the sea!

Oh, don't worry.. she replied, a touch of amusement in her voice, before crawling into bed and pulling the blankets up to her chin. Small towns like this, when they were full of friendly people, were a good place to live if bad for business. Healing had never been much of a business anyway, more of a service, but Tweek had a lovely charm of his own. If only it wasn't so lonely here. The dragon was a good companion, but there was someone Jaime remembered someone from a long time ago. He'd died, but she knew, somehow, that he hadn't stayed dead. Maybe someday wow, it would be really nice if there weren't trouble tonight Jaime's eyes fluttered closed and she drifted off to sleep, not noticing the warm ball of dragon that curled up on top of her knees.

Tif knew where the assassin was hiding. It was her job to know. The dark, exciting pulse that reverberated through her mind told her to take the group right there, bring them to Tak, and then her job would be over she would see Filler again. She would feast on orange pickles. A dreamy smile came to her face as she remembered the rewards her master doled out. But it faded after another moment, as she looked at the soft green animal nestled in her arms. It had fallen asleep, its little pink tongue hanging out. Its small black feet kicked adorably, and it hugged its arms around her tighter.

Emotions were something a weaponsmaster learned to do without. But it felt so good to have such a trusting little being at her side, who she knew loved her it loved everyone, so surely she would not be an exception. Tif glanced over at the dog's master, who was sitting on his pony with his arms crossed and a pouty expression on his face. She felt an uncontrollable urge to poke him, and stifled a giggle that rose up from some part of her she didn't remember existing. What had happened to her? Let Tak get the big-headed kid no, it was funny to watch him argue with the minstrel. She could kill the wizard no, even a trained assassin probably couldn't pull that off. The annoying foreign girl with the camera'? That might be alright. The gypsy no not Ivy, either. Tif had never been able to condone killing children.

She looked back at the shadows, and jumped. A pair of glowing purple eyes were staring back at her from behind the corner of the house. Tak wasn't supposed to be here. But here she was and her eyes burned into Tif's, reading more there than Tif wanted them to. And then the eyes disappeared. Unconsciously, the weaponsmaster tightened her grip on the little dog. She should warn them she knew the assassin was going to strike she wasn't supposed to strike now or here but Tif chewed on her lip in indecision. Her master would punish her if she didn't carry through with this withhold the happiness

Dib thought that Aubri must've been the only one to see the attack coming, but even he wasn't quick enough. None of them were. A dark, sleek shape shot from the shadows on long, thing silver appendages like the minstrel's, and, incidentally, landed right on said Irken, knocking him off of his pony. All of them saw the glint of a long dagger as it sped towards the minstrel's unprotected throat. Dib had thought he would never hear such hollering. Ivy screamed, and so did the gypsy, but the latter didn't waste time staring.

Ohmygosh!! Oh man!! JC yelped, and she thrust her camera into Dib's hands and leaped to the ground. GO she called, jumping up and down must unhelpfully. Dib looked the camera over, his attention half taken in by his sudden possession of the object. Aiming it towards the scuffle, he took a couple of pictures.

KidK was already over next to them. She'd uprooted one of the long torches and was using it to try and get the purple-eyed shape off of the minstrel. As it was, the dagger missed Zim's throat, but it cut into his shoulder, and managed to drag down into his chest before the Irken on top of him, illuminated in the lamplight, was forced off by the flaming torch.

Tif leapt from her horse, drawing her sword, but she didn't do anything. What are you doing!? Dib wanted to scream at her. She was a trained weaponsmaster, she could probably take out this assassin in one blow!! The Dark Lord had obviously sent her but there would be time to prove that later. Dib snapped another picture.

Odd-colored blood spilled the ground, dripped from the assassin's dagger. Dib could see her clearer now; she was a green being with long antennae, like Zim, only the antennae were curled at the tips and her eyes were a violent purple. She snarled, turning to face Tif, but their gazes only locked for a moment before the silver legs slid out again and the assassin lunged for KidK.

DO NOT HAR— the minstrel started from the ground, but he choked in the middle of yelling, splattering more blood over the dirt road.

KidK stumbled, trying to knock the smaller being aside with the torch, but she had no training in the art of battle, and the assassin swept the torch aside, bearing the dagger down towards the gypsy's throat. Where was Aubri in all this, Dib wondered, snapping another picture.

YOU'RE THE COOLEST WIZARD!! GO!!! JC was yelling, and Dib looked over to see Aubri involved in a battle with a small, lightning-fast animal with glowing red eyes. Aubri was, somehow, moving just as fast as the cat-like creature was, blocking its every attack with his sword, moving from its path. The air around him was shimmering again he was probably working another spell or something, but Dib couldn't tell what it was. He snapped a picture anyway.

Tif was staring at the minstrel, who had gone limp and unconscious on the ground by now, his strangely-colored blood soaking his clothes and seeping into the ground. The little green dog was now on her head, and it was screaming and clinging to her. She shifted her gaze to the assassin, then suddenly brought her sword around, sweeping with deadly speed towards the assassin's flank. A pair of silver legs came up to block it, and she managed to divert the blow, although it took the legs with it at the joint. The assassin hissed, her eyes going wide, and she whipped the dagger away from KidK to orient on Tif. She wasn't fast enough, however and in another swift double-slash the weaponsmaster had sliced her through the torso, and she crumpled to the ground in a heap.

The cat-like creature turned to see this, and without a sound, it leapt away from its battle-dance with Aubri, and sped off into the night. Aubri paused, himself, staring after it, then turned his gaze slowly towards the sudden still after the assassin had fallen. His eyes were glowing again. Dib took another picture. JC, standing stupefied, finally seemed to notice that Dib had her camera.

hey! she said, walked over, and snatched it from him.

Dib would've said something in protest, but he was interrupted by a frightened sobbing from the little Irken child still seated on KidK's horse. He fidgeted, trying to control the queasiness in his gut as he looked down at the minstrel. KidK was kneeling next to him, and tears shone on her face, as well. Zim's eyes were closed, his clothing in bloody tatters, and his breath gurgled. JC, holding her camera, stared in mute horror. The minstrel's dog was sobbing and clinging to Tif's boot. The weaponsmaster slowly wiped her sword's blade on the grass near one of the buildings and sheathed it, then picked up the little dog gently. Aubri was watching her, his eyes still glowing fiercely.

she said guardedly, comforting the unhappy little dog.

You knew she was here, he said simply.

Tif didn't say anything, petting the little dog's ears.

Aubri didn't seem to have anything more to say, and he turned to KidK, resting a hand on her shoulder. She had her head bowed over the minstrel, one hand on his antennae and the other hovering over his chest and shoulder, as if she wanted to do something to help him. She was shaking. The weaponsmaster's gaze fell to her for a brief moment, when she suddenly pivoted and strode off into the village. She headed straight for a house near the edge of the square, and setting the little dog loose to climb onto her head again, she pounded roughly on the door.

waffl—huh!?

Jaime jumped awake, startled, as a whip-like scaley tail hit her in the face and Tweek's claws dug into her side as he shifted around to stand up on the bed, looking towards the door. His wings were spread out, and his head cocked.

I told you there'd be trouble! he yelped. They hate it when I eat all the waffles!! Jaime groaned, rubbed the sleep from her eyes, and pushed the little dragon off the bed. She stumbled onto the floor, wrapped a blanket around her shoulders, and made her way over to the door.

She had barely undone the latch when a leather clad hand and arm slammed it open, catching her off-guard and nearly bowling her over.

Jaime yelped. Be careful— She paused, staring curiously at the little green dog-like thing that was perched on her visitor's head. The woman herself would've been imposing if not for that. Still, it was a cute little thing. Jaime smiled at it.

You. Healer, the woman said. We need your services now. She looked like she meant business; she wouldn't take no for an answer.

sure, Jaime said.

What happened!? squeaked Tweek from the bed. The woman at the door stared for a moment at the small dragon, and the green creature on her head shrieked with delight seeing it. Tweek's reaction to the dog, however, was not so enthusiastic. ALIEN PUPPY! he squealed, his soft furryness changing quickly to armor, spikes and scales. That always scared people it was just something that happened in accordance with the little dragon's mood. Tweek was now hopping madly around on the bed.

Okay, okay, I'll be right there, Jaime said, and turned from the door to look for a warmer cloak. But the woman at the door reached over, caught her arm in a white-knuckled grip, and dragged her from the house.

The minstrel was in a bad spot by the time Tif returned. Aubri had kept him going, Dib assumed, by a hand over his forehead, and that ripple of the atmosphere that always seemed to echo any magic he did. The weaponsmaster strode back into view, dragging by the arm a young woman with long red hair, dressed only in a white nightrobe. Seeing them, Aubri stepped back to stand next to Dib.

Here he is, Tif said curtly, dropping the woman's arm when they reached the little minstrel. She turned away immediately, going over to her horse. Dib gulped nervously. Who was this? Somebody to get rid of the annoying being, Dib hoped vehemently. He hadn't died yet, but if no one did anything, he would soon. He heard Ivy's muffled sobbing behind him. KidK had gone back to comfort her Dib didn't hear her crying. He was sure she had more sense than that.

The new arrival looked at the minstrel for a moment, before kneeling down next to him and laying a hand on his forehead. She hovered her other hand over his chest, her brow furrowing in concentration. She had better not be healing him, Dib thought, and shifted uncomfortably. Was Aubri still on the kick that this stupid little bard would actually be useful?

hey what's she doing? JC said, coming up between Dib and Aubri.

Healing him, Aubri said calmly, his eyes never leaving the healer and the minstrel.

Dib gritted his teeth hard and turned away. That minstrel had been bad news from the beginning, and now they wanted to save him? How the heck was he going to be of any possible use?? He was an arrogant, obnoxious, stupid artist who wanted to rule the world and had an addiction to controlling things!! He was better off dead! Or at least, they'd all be better off with him dead

Lights flashed painfully behind the minstrel's eyes as the sharp, throbbing ache in his torso sprang up in intensity, then ebbed gradually. It was like a warm liquid flow, spreading through his body. His first thought was that some foul member of the group had tossed water on him, but there was no burning. Gradually, the lights in his eyes faded, and he opened them, attempting to clear his muddy vision.

The first thing that greeted his eyes were a pair of filthy stink-humans. He grimaced, but was still too stiff to leap away as he wanted to do. But did they have to lean in so close? Ugh! One was his stink-slave JC, the other was a female human he'd never seen before. He tried to sit up and push them away, and winced at the ache that sparked in his wounds. He saw dried blood staining his clothes and the ground around him, and felt a stab of fear run through him. Then it all came back. The attack, the purple-eyed horror knocking him off of his horse and wrestling a weapon with him until she managed to just about gut him. It quailed him, though he would never admit it, how he had come so close to dying. Well, no matter, his AMAZING skills of healing had saved him from the vile creatures trying to bring him down.

Zim felt quite a bit better now, and he sat up fully to glare at that ugly JC-creature. Bring me my FID-ILL, huuuuman! he snapped. If the instrument was hurt

no I don't think so, she said. You'll try and control my mind again. Oh, smile! She snapped a picture in Zim's face.

STOP THAT! he howled, before breaking into a sputtering cough. He did so much for his stink-slaves serenaded them with fid-ill music, protected them from evil monsters so that they could serve him and this was the thanks they offered! Insolent, disgusting beasts! They were worthless! Utterly pathetic and useless! He ought to doom them right now!

Here you go, a voice said with a sigh, and the gypsy stepped up behind him, setting his fid-ill in his lap. He dodged forward to avoid her skirts she was too close for comfort. They ALL were.

Back! Away from the mighty ZIM! he snapped, struggling to his feet a bit painfully, holding the instrument close to his chest. The new person obligingly got out of the way, as did KidK. Only JC leaned closer, grinning scarily, her eyes alight.

he snapped at her, backing up.

You know, you'd think someone who'd just had their life saved would be a little more appreciative, a disgusted voice said from behind him. Zim whirled around, glaring. It was Dib, standing next to the pack mule, returning the glare intently. Stupid bard, the filth-child grumbled.

YOU!! You dare to insult the intelligence of the mighty and amazing and MAY I SAY VERY.. eh.. INTELLIGENT, ZIIIIIIIM!? The minstrel raised a fist threateningly. You, who are nothing but a loathsome monkey-beast, and a larva at that! IT IS YOU WHO ARE STUPID!

Not now, the vile wizard said from somewhere behind Zim, startling him. Dib, we can't stay here