Two days after Trinia was apprehended, word was starting to get out that she was apprehended. The good news for that was that it meant that the mobs started to die down and riots came to an end. However, if the citizens of Korvosa were able to catch the rumor, there was no doubt that Queen Ileosa did as well. Takota wondered if Cressida was taking steps to ensure that the queen didn't simply send her guards to take Trinia away but the field marshal kept such decisions to herself.

The other members of the Korvosan Guard were more agitated by Takota's presence than usual. Takota was aware that they weren't too keen to have a Shoanti work with them but they kept to themselves. Now, the archer was quick to notice that the men protecting Citadel Volshyenek glared at him whenever they thought he wasn't looking. Some left the room whenever Takota stepped in and he was aware that the rations he received for breakfast was less than that of his companions.

When Takota sat with his friends, Falenas took one look at his meager plate, placed one of his own bread rolls on the archer's plate, and said that the problem was solved.

Takota ate without comment even though he knew it would take more than a small act of kindness to solve the problems he faced now.

Before the recent riots, the Korvosan Guard was able to tolerate Takota's presence. Now, they wanted nothing to do with him. The only conclusion he could come to was that something happened recently that connects to his ancestry. The archer wondered if other Shoanti in the city had caused problems.

It was midday that Takota was called to Cressida's office along with the rest of his companions. When the group of three stepped in, they saw that the field marshal was joined by Griffin and Alexander as well as a stranger to the group. The fourth man was Shoanti with long black hair that was graying with age. He was garbed in dark-colored robes and carried a staff in his hand, adorned with the femur and skull of a beast. The elderly Shoanti turned to look at the group, his face tattooed with an ash white pattern over his dark skin. Even his eyes were milky white as though he were blind although the way his head tilted showed that he saw the new arrivals.

"These were the adventurers we were telling you about," Cressida told the elderly Shoanti. "This is Thousand Bones, a shaman of the Skoan-Quah, the Clan of the Skull."

Takota bowed his head and remained silent while Viera stepped forward. "It's an honor to meet you, Thousand Bones."

Thousand Bones frowned towards the group and turned to Cressida. "And you think that they would be able to help?"

"I do," Cressida motioned for the group to step forward. "Have a seat, everyone."

The group stepped forward and took a seat, although Thousand Bones remained standing. Griffin addressed his friends. "We've been told about the situation. It's a very delicate matter."

Thousand Bone's deep voice was unable to hide his anger. "Delicate? That is how you describe what happened? My people have tried to understand those who dwell in Korvosa, yet it seems each day that we see how this city's people work just as hard to foster old hatreds. My grandson was beaten to death by the cowards of Korvosa's streets."

"I am truly sorry to hear that," Viera frowned.

Thousand Bones waved his hand dismissively, his tone stern and critical. "I do not blame any of you so you need not apologize. It will take more than words to repair the damage of Gaekhen's murder. My son and his kin are not as forgiving as I am and seek to return to the Skoan-Quah in the Cinderlands and join with the Sklar-Quah to wage war against Korvosa. This would be disastrous for both of our people."

"That it would," Alexander nodded in agreement. "There has to be something we can do to stop this."

"I believe this would be the second potential war that we've stopped should we succeed," Falenas noted with a smirk. "You've come to the right people."

"Should Gaekhen's body be returned to us, the talks of peace between my people and yours can continue," Thousand Bones explained. "However, his body was taken."

"With all due respect, there are many missing corpses in Korvosa," Falenas noted. "Surely, there are other ways we can establish some sort of peace, one that doesn't involve searching the entire city for a single corpse."

"Gaekhen's body is needed so that when the funeral rites are performed, the smoke will carry his spirit to the Great Sky," Takota said, glancing towards Falenas. "We have to retrieve his body."

Takota had to leave behind some of the lessons he was taught from the Shoanti to survive in Korvosa as a child. Yet, the funeral rites stuck with him even today. When his parents were murdered by Gaedren Lamm, he had to go out of his way to ensure that their spirits would be accepted by the Great Sky when no one else saw to do so. Such an event would stay in his mind for the rest of his life.

Thousand Bones nodded. "If I could send Gaekhen's spirit away with honor and dignity, his father will listen to reason and hold off from taking revenge. Fortunately, I know where Gaekhen's body is. The spirits have told me that his remains were sold by a peddler to a necromancer known as Rolth, and now resides in the Dead Warrens."
"I'm confused," Viera said. "Your son and his family are warriors, right? Could they not retrieve his corpse? Why come to us instead of him?"

"If I were to lead my people to retrieve Gaekhen, your people would see it as an act of aggression," Thousand Bones told her. "It falls to you to retrieve his body and make amends before I have to take action myself. Although it pains me to say it, if we must fight Korvosa, we will not be gentle. That is all that I have to say."

Thousand Bones nodded curtly toward Cressida, and without another word, left the office. Takota understood why the guards had a problem with him. They heard word of what problems Thousand Bones and his people faced and what lengths they were willing for one of their fallen. The Korvosan Guard must have thought that if war between the city and the Shoanti broke out, that the archer would side with his people.

Takota wasn't sure what he would do if war did break out.

"He's a very pleasant man," Falenas said sarcastically.

"He lost one of his grandsons," Alexander pointed out.

"And he's right about the situation," Cressida nodded in agreement with Alexander. "Someone from Korvosa needs to return Gaekhen to his people. If you can bring his corpse here, I can see that arrangements are made, including your payment."

"What do we know about the Dead Warrens?" Viera asked. "The name sounds familiar to me."

"The Dead Warrens are one of many underground burial vaults that are riddled with undead," Cressida explained. "Although the church of Pharmasa patrol and keep the warrens clear, there's always another problem that comes up. In particular, the Dead Warrens are beneath Potter's Ward. We apprehended the man who sold the corpse to Rolth and he explained that he left Gaekhen's corpse around the southern end of the ward by a mausoleum marked by a toppled statue of a gargoyle wielding a sword."

"That's where we'll have to begin our search then," Griffin noted. "There is one last matter we should discuss before we head out. It's about Rolth."

"What do we need to know about this vile necromancer?" Viera questioned.

"Rolth was expelled by the Academae when it was discovered that he was trying to create a golem out of murdered vagrants and stray animals," Cressida revealed. "Since the Academae didn't want to press charges, Rolth was able to get away with it and has been trouble for Korvosa since. He's likely responsible for several murders in the city but we lack evidence to arrest him. If you find anything in the Dead Warrens that we can use as evidence, I would greatly appreciate it if you could bring it to me."

"Aside from being a monster of a man, Rolth happens to be the last surviving son of Gaedren Lamm," Griffin added quickly.

Takota grew tense. "Gaedren had a son?"

"He did, and it's possible that he could be out for revenge," Griffin answered with a nod. "We should be cautious."

"Is there any way that we can distinguish Gaekhen from the rest of the corpses?" Falenas asked Cressida.

"Aside from him likely being the only Shoanti taken, Thousand Bones did provide me with a description," Cressida said. "Gakehen is around eighteen years old with short brown hair and a scar on his left cheek. He also had distinct Shoanti tribal tattoos throughout his body. I doubt that you'll be able to miss him if you find him."

"We shouldn't waste anymore time," Alexander said and stood up. "With your leave, we'll depart at once."

"Good luck," Cressida told the adventurers and waved them off.

"Don't go too far ahead without me," Griffin told the others. "I have something that can help. I just need to talk with the field marshal for a moment longer in private."

Takota left along with Falenas, Alexander, and Viera. His thoughts were still occupied, bouncing between Thousand Bone's request for help and Gaedren Lamm having a son that followed closely in his footsteps. Although it has been well over a decade since the archer has seen the Cinderlands, he still thought of himself as Shoanti. He couldn't remember what clan his parents were a part of anymore but he knew that it was his duty to help Gaekhen ascend to the Great Sky through the proper funeral rites.

Rolth Lamm's existence and his criminal ways were problematic. If Rolth cared for his father as any good son would, he would want to avenge his father. However, it was possible that he didn't know who killed Gaedren or even that his father was dead. Takota and the others struck in the dead of night, left no survivors, and even disposed of Gaedren's body. Still, it was possible that Rolth could use magic to learn the truth, and if so, could seek out revenge.

If so, the cycle of vengeance would only be broken when one of them was killed, and Takota would do everything he could to ensure it was Rolth that died.

After leaving Citadel Volshyenek, Alexander led the group to an alleyway away from the eyes and ears of the guards. He quickly explained that they were waiting for Griffin to change into his disguise to catch up. Although Takota wasn't keen on waiting for too long, he could tell that the rest of his companions wouldn't leave without Griffin. The archer leaned against the wall of a building, eyeing his companions. Alexander stood by the alley's exit, looking for Griffin, while Falenas casually took count of his bombs and elixirs nearby.

Viera looked at Takota. "I can see that you're dedicated to our current task. It makes sense, I suppose. I'm surprised that you knew about why we needed Gaekhen's body."

Takota grunted. "Is there something you need?"

"I was just curious about other Shoanti traditions," Viera explained. "I thought that maybe you would know more."

"Would he?" Falenas commented, not looking away from a bomb he held in his hands covered in blueish parchment. "He follows the same customs as a typical Korvosan citizen."

"I had to sacrifice much of what I learned to survive," Takota defended himself and crossed his arms. "I couldn't go home and there wasn't any Shoanti in Korvosa that could take me in. I'm sorry that I am unable to explain more."

"That's alright," Viera bowed her head. "I am sorry for pressing the matter."

Takota turned his gaze on Falenas. "Even though I don't practice our ways, I am still Shoanti."

"Are you though?" Falenas said, pocketing his bomb in his newly acquired bag.

"Do you doubt me?" Takota asked bluntly.

Falenas looked at Falenas eyes and smiled. "I assure you that I do not. We're friends, are we not? I just thought that Thousand Bones treated you no different than he did the rest of us. Maybe I was looking into it more than needed."

Takota didn't say anything on the subject. Falenas was a good friend to him, and when the archer thought more of it, the alchemist was right. Thousand Bones didn't treat him any better than the rest of his companions even though he was Shoanti enough. Even remembering and explaining the funeral rites didn't get much of a reaction from the shaman.

Perhaps Thousand Bones' grief distracted him from seeing what was in front of him. Takota hoped so at least as the other options didn't please him at all.

Suddenly, a man dropped down from a nearby rooftop, wearing a familiar blue mask. "Sorry to keep you waiting."

Viera gasped in alarm. "You could have gotten yourself hurt!"

"But I didn't," Griffin chuckled. "I thought to surprise you with a grand entrance."

"I suppose it did come as a shock to me," Viera admitted. "Just be more careful."

Alexander looked over his shoulder. "Should we get going then?"

"Yes," Takota answered, not waiting for the rest of the group, and stepped forward.

The rest of the group fell in line behind Takota to ensure that Gaekhen's remains were returned to his people.

A/N: At this point, we're moving in to the final stages of Edge of Anarchy. It's been fun getting to write this story with these characters, although it does pain me knowing that I'm not sure when I'll get into the next part of Curse of the Crimson Throne.

Expect more details as to what comes next for this story as we near the conclusion.

Until next time.