Archer rested in his new bed. Marma the badger nestled beside him. It was strange. Archer, who rarely ever dealt with Palismin, seemed to attract this one like a bee to honey. As the creature pressed its bristley fur into Acher's side, the boy rubbed his fingers against the beast's flank. He was not used to this kind of affection.

Still, Archer let out a deep sigh as he stared at the mottled white ceiling, he had a quest to complete. It was not like Archer had not done a significant part of it already. Few if any witches actually figured out how to summon a real live human. It was just finding and capturing the thing that was a problem. Archer was only one person, and without magic of his own. This made his venture difficult, if not impossible.

Pulling himself into the sitting position, Archer made sure not to wake Marma, as he pulled a small piece of paper from his pocket. Pressing the paper against the dresser, Archer began to write.

'Emperor Belos, I have completed the most difficult portion of the quest you have laid before me. I am writing to request your assistance in the capture of the human you so desire. If you could spare a few troops, I will have them captured by the start of the new moon. Your faithful servant, Archer."

As Archer finished his note, he folded it and pressed it to his lips as he whispered, "Piece of paper in my hand, send this to the lord of the land." Slowly the piece of paper seemed to catch an almost invisible breeze and slip through the cracked open window. The slip faded into the night.

Archer smirked. Ancient magic was frowned upon, but in a pinch the emperor would accept it, especially to inform him of a human in his realm. Turning to the dresser, Archer picked up the framed wanted poster, studying the features of Alathor the Great.

'If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be in this mess,' shaking his head, Archer could not get rid of the dumb smile on his face, "I don't know if I should be happy or angry with you for that."

Marma at that point had woken up and was at Archer's side, her small paws now pressing into his leg. Glancing down at the creature, Archer gave her a pat on the head and returned to the framed image of Alathor.

He was tall, with spiked brown hair that seemed to float with an unearthly serenity. If it weren't for the jagged smile of pointed teeth, he would almost appear calming. He stood in the image clad in a tight fitting top covered in a mottled brown cloak. In his hand, he held a staff. Archer's eyebrows shot up in surprise as he soaked in the image. The man's palismin was a badger.