Isaiah grew a smile of satisfaction when he heard Sumika's katana clash with Ryan's shortsword as he, Makenna, Eyana, and Alfonso left Sercen. Makenna noticed.
"You have that smile again…" he told him.
"What smile?" Isaiah asked in a mocking tone.
"That smile you get when a plan you have laid comes together exactly as you hoped," Makenna replied. "What did you do?"
"Nothing that will not benefit all involved," he answered.
Makenna knew he would not be extracting anymore information than that and ceased questioning.
Alfonso looked across Lake Rumare at the Market District on the other side. "It is a shame we have to go all the way around the Red Ring Road to get somewhere so close."
"No, we do not," Makenna interjected.
"I do not feel like swimming," Eyana said to him.
"No," he said waving his hand allowing a bluefish purple wave to sweep over them, "we walk."
Makenna stepped out onto the water and stood on its surface. Eyana and Alfonso walked over to the shore and stomped on the water. They found it was quite solid. Isaiah strode past them and stood next to Makenna.
"How long does this spell last?" Eyana asked Makenna.
"Long enough to cross," he responded. "If we get to it."
At those words, the four immediately started off across the lake to the Market District of the Imperial City.
"I be you are uncomfortable Fons," Eyana commented.
"Not every day I walk on water," he replied.
"I was talking about being shot at by Isaiah and myself," she laughed.
Alfonso, who had been watching his footing very intently, heard that comment and lost his concentration. He fell face first into the lake.
"Hey!" he yelled at Makenna. "I thought this spell was for water-walking!"
"Sorry," Makenna answered with a chuckle, "I must have left out the tripping-and-falling part of the spell."
Isaiah and Eyana laughed as Fons floated in the water.
"I could use levitation if you would rather…" Makenna suggested jokingly.
"You know what…" Alfonso stared nervously. "I'm fine swimming."
"Not one for finesse Fons?" Eyana queried.
"The biggest hammer wins," he replied.
"Said like a Nord," Isaiah commented.
Makenna cast a pale blue spell at Fons.
"What the hell was that!?" the Nord yelled.
"Water-breathing," Makenna responded, "thought you might want it to fight off that slaughter fish. Seeing as how you're swimming and all."
With a confused and astounded look on his face, Alfonso was pulled underwater.
Furey took his hammer off of his back as he floated face-to-face with a toothy, ugly looking fish. Alfonso swung the warhammer at the slaughter fish, but the water slowed his swing so that the scaly monster was easily able to move around it. The fish bit him in the arm as he put the hammer on his back again, it would be useless underwater.
Fons swung his fist at the fish. The blow connected with the slaughter fish's head but its sharp teeth drew blood from his knuckle as well. The fish wrapped itself around Alfonso's neck, attempting to strangle him. He grabbed it by its neck, cutting his hand all the while. It wriggled around in his hand until he snapped its spine.
Fons returned to the surface gasping and sputtering. Without saying a word to the others he began swimming as fast as he could towards the shore of the Imperial Isle.
Once all four of them got there, Fons was panting, the others were laughing. "How did the bigger hammer help?" Makenna asked jokingly.
"Just get this over with," Furey pointed at the Market District gate.
"Alright," Isaiah took control. All laughing ceased. "Here is the plan: we three," he indicated himself, Makenna, and Eyana, go in and get to our positions. I will be in the upstairs window of the Merchant' Inn, you two will be on the roof of the Black Horse Courier. After about ten minutes," he turned to Alfonso, "you come in and start causing some havoc, get attention, in your beast form of course."
"And then you shoot me?" Fons asked.
"No," Isaiah replied. "Your appearance will be a major event in the city, they will send the bulk of the guard to take you down. Once they are there, then we shoot you. Our arrows will be coated with a poison to paralyze you. We come down and convince the guard to release you into our custody. It is very important you do not kill anyone, otherwise we lose some of our pay and it will be harder to negotiate with the guard. Good to go?"
Yeah…" Fons said hesitantly.
"You two?" Isaiah asked Makenna and Eyana.
"Always," Makenna responded.