Two Sides of the Coin

Chapter 12

Making Friends

Mckenzie never considered herself an early riser. Sunrises? Pah! She preferred sunsets. They were so much more peaceful, majestic, and romantic to her. Fanciful fantasies that she once held were almost exclusive to sunset and twilight. Her friends and family called her a night owl for it, and they were right.

Switching worlds didn't change that for her. So, when the door to her room in the palace opened with a gentle creak, followed by gray sunlight flashing across her face, she grumbled then rolled over.

"Time to get up, milady," a palace maid said. "Lady Emmeryn wants you to be with the others."

Mckenzie cracked an eye open, then she closed it, preferring not to move. She could hear the maid sigh, but she didn't care. Five more minutes weren't going to kill anyone. Sure, it could turn into another hour of blissful sleep, but she felt like she had earned the respite. She survived as a prisoner to bandits, traveled in the back of an extremely uncomfortable cart with people who hated her, and dealt with the fallout of being the one person every royal in this hole of a city seemed interested in.

In short, a moment of being left alone would have been pure heaven for her.

The maid's steps faded as she left, leaving the curtain open for more sunlight to slip through. There wasn't much, considering Castle Krakenburg sat the bottom of a pit, but there was enough to be annoying. So, with a huff, Mckenzie turned over, using her blankets to shield her head from the gray rays.

Right as sleep started to claim her again, softer footsteps entered. She screwed her eyes tighter, brow knitting as she fought to remain in her dreams.

"Mckenzie," Emmeryn said.

"Bite me," she mumbled, rolling over only to be greeted by the sun.

Emmeryn uttered a soft sigh. "I'm afraid you must wake up now."

"It's too early."

"It is nearly noon."

Mckenzie's eyes shot wide open. She sat upright, giving Emmeryn a look of pure disbelief.

"How!? The sun just came up."

"We are at the bottom of a pit, Mckenzie," Emmeryn replied with a light laugh. "The only way for the sun to come up is for it to be directly overhead. Now, get dressed. You're going to come with me to the market today."

"I am?"

"Dressed, Mckenzie. The retainers will not wait forever."

That last part was an order and Mckenzie knew it. She did not like it, but Emmeryn had a way of getting people to do what she wanted with a polite tone and a smile. It would have made her blood boil if it didn't leave Mckenzie entirely baffled. Then again, she shouldn't have been surprised. Los Angeles, especially Hollywood, was full of that type. But those types usually were far more condescending and far less genuine.

She couldn't help but actually like Emmeryn a little bit, even if she barely knew the woman. Maybe it was because Emmeryn did not immediately hate her upon meeting, or maybe it was because Emmeryn didn't try to get her killed when they first met like Samwise had. Regardless, Emmeryn, along with Corrin, seemed like the only two friends she had in this dismal city. Better to stick close to them.

So, begrudgingly, Mckenzie dressed herself in the itchy clothes provided to her. It was a gray dress with a darker gray coat to go over her shoulders. Wool, from the feel of things. She would complain about overheating if she hadn't remembered how cold Nohr felt. An itch blossomed on her shoulder which she scratched but could not soothe. She huffed then shook her head as she marched out, meeting Emmeryn in the hall.

"I don't suppose you have extra robes that are comfier than these?" she asked.

Emmeryn smiled. "At the market, we can see about buying something for you, I'm sure. You've earned that much thanks to the information you provided to the King."

Mckenzie arched an eyebrow as she followed Emmeryn through the palace halls. She earned something? Color her surprised. Not a hint of gratitude had been shown by anyone since she got here.

At least Emmeryn has manners.

Outside, Emmeryn paused near the gate. As she leaned on her staff, Mckenzie looked around.

"Who're we waiting for?"

"Gawds, Inigo, if you're so worried about it then why don't you go out for once!" Severa burst from the barracks door, red-faced and scowling. She spun around when Inigo barked something back at her. "Oh, go sit on a stalactite you idiotic buffoon!"

Mckenzie gulped as the woman stormed toward them. She looked like she was dressed for battle. Leather pauldrons guarded her shoulders and braces girded her forearms. Her sword clung tight to her hip as she draped one hand over the pommel. Her dusty boots kicked several rocks before she paused next to Emmeryn.

Severa flicked her gaze at Emmeryn then frowned. "I didn't swear."

"I know. I'm quite proud of you for that."

"Say anything else and I might just fucking lose it, Emm."

Emmeryn bit her lip. "At least Morgan didn't hear that part."

"Yeah, yeah, don't worry. I'm gonna try to not raise her with a foul mouth. Naga knows I'd rather not raise a replica of me."

Mckenzie furrowed her brow, perplexed.

"Don't put yourself down in such a way, Severa," Emmeryn replied as they walked through the opening gates of Castle Krakenberg. "You're a fine person."

"I remember your brother referring to me as a real shithead once."

"Chrom is…" Emmeryn sighed. "He's more prone to anger than me."

"He's honest at least," Severa shrugged as she folded her arms. Now she glanced at Mckenzie. "She's tagging along? I gotta watch two of you now?"

"Yes."

Severa's lips thinned. "You're lucky I actually like you, Emm. If anyone else asked-"

"I know, I know," Emmeryn replied. "You can spare me the tirade."

Mckenzie blinked. Was that Emmeryn actually sounding annoyed? By the slight smirk on Severa's lips, she assumed that was the case. Severa chuckled under her breath and shook her head.

"Whatever. Sam's probably out in the city gathering information for Prince Leo."

"Which is why you were yelling at Inigo in such a tame way. He's watching Morgan," Emmeryn said.

"Bingo," Severa nodded.

Mckenzie snorted. "God, I never thought I'd hear that one again."

"Don't blame ya there. Never heard it myself until Sam showed up."

Emmeryn looked between the two women then opened her mouth in understanding. "You told her."

"Sam told her. I would've fucked that conversation up royally, you know that. Words aren't my thing."

"Words are your thing, just not the polite ones," Mckenzie said without thinking. Upon realizing it, her lips puckered as she sucked in a sharp breath. She could feel the daggers Severa shot her way. Despite her sudden dread, she managed to glance at the redhead.

Why Severa intimidated her so much, Mckenzie did not know. She had met plenty of girls like Severa. It came with living in an area filled with "Trailer Trash" when growing up. Her own mother could really get going when she wanted to, although that happened when she ran out of cigarettes or stubbed her toe particularly hard. That, or if Joey did something especially stupid. It wasn't like such harsh words and prickly attitudes were foreign to her at all.

But, the difference was made evident by how casual Severa was about her sword. Her fingers drummed the pommel like it was a common tool, similar to how a writer clicks and spins a pen, or how a construction worker pats their hammer. Severa could bluster and back it up, which explained why the other retainers feared her so much.

So, Mckenzie braced for the backlash, only to be surprised by a snort and a slight chuckle.

"Fair enough, Mckenzie."

Emmeryn hummed, and that drew Severa's ire.

"Got something to say?"

"Not at all."

"Figured as much."

Mckenzie said nothing, allowing the other two to fall into silence as they strode along the terraced roads of Windmire toward one of the large plateaus clinging to the pit. There, multiple buildings sat precariously along the edge of the plateau. Several entryways and windows were carved into the earth. Candlelight flickered from within those shadows. From that plateau, Mckenzie heard the Windmire Market. Then she smelled it. Her nose wrinkled, causing Severa to chuckle.

"Oh yeah, you were a real princess, huh?"

"Excuse me?"

"Hey, don't get mad. Sam was kind of the same way when we first met. The World of Steel is mighty nice from what I understand." Before Mckenzie could retort, Severa returned her attention to Emmeryn as all three approached a large entrance carved into the dirt and rock. "What're you here for?"

"Queen Arete required specific herbs and ingredients."

Severa rolled her eyes. "You're her retainer, Emm, not her errand girl."

"Do you not do the same for Princess Camilla?"

Severa sputtered. "It's not the same-"

"Last I recall, fetching whetstones, fresh axe handles, and carrion for her Wyvern counts as errand running."

Severa's cheeks darkened. She folded her arms, huffed, then flicked one of her long twintails behind her shoulder.

"Fucking politician."

Emmeryn chuckled. "That I am. Also, Mckenzie needs to be here too."

"I do?"

"You have a list." Emmeryn reached into her robes and withdrew a small square of paper. She held it to her. "From Prince Leo, for your eyes only."

"Oh brother, he's being secretive again. Friendly advice, Mckenzie: if you suspect anything he requests can kill you, it probably can. So, if you aren't comfortable grabbing something, don't. I'd rather not have to clean you up off the floor anytime soon."

"That is why I have this," Emmeryn stamped her staff. Mckenzie blanched, but her color returned to her face when Emmeryn covered her mouth and uttered a quiet chuckle. "For healing, Mckenzie. I don't plan on turning you into a puddle of goo."

That entirely implies that she can if she wanted to. Mckenzie thought, swallowing hard.

"But Leo might be."

"Leo is a good man, Severa, even if you don't like how he utilizes Sam."

"Yeah, yeah, I've heard it before," Severa huffed. "You go do your thing. I'll stick with the newbie."

Emmeryn nodded. "You will find me at the apothecary if you finish before me. If not, I shall find you."

Without another word, Emmeryn drifted away from them, easily passing through the crowded market. Mckenzie gawked as she watched several merchants shout at her, wave, and smile, but none of them tried to get her to buy anything. She slipped through the crowd, not brushing elbows with anyone. The people parted before her, some bowing their heads a little as she passed by them. Those same crowds paid no such respect to her and Severa.

"Hey, watch where you're going!" One surly man with a dark beard and beady eyes growled at Mckenzie after he bumped into her.

Before Mckenzie could say or do anything, Severa snatched the man by his beard and yanked him to her eye level.

"Want to retry that?"

"Sorry, ma'am."

"That's what I thought." And she let go of his beard. "Beat it."

The rude man rushed away. Severa huffed, rolled her shoulders, then glanced behind her at Mckenzie.

"Stay close to me. They aren't going to be as nice to us as they are to Emm."

She didn't give Mckenzie a chance to reply before pushing forward through the crowd, moving with the tide of people toward a dark alcove littered with stalls and shacks in the vast cave that was the Windmire Market. Mckenzie yelped then scurried after her, ducking and weaving through the throngs of people all the while trying to keep her eyes on the head of red hair ahead of her. When she managed to catch back up to Severa, the crowd began to thin as they reached the back edges of the market, where there were deeper shadows, less torchlight, and even more unsavory-looking folk.

"How does Emmeryn do it?" Mckenzie wondered out loud.

"Comes with everyone suspecting she's gonna be the queen someday," Severa replied with a nonchalant shrug.

Mckenzie's eyes widened. "How would that work?"

"Well, when a boy and a girl love each other very much-"

Mckenzie frowned. "I'm not stupid."

"Then don't ask stupid questions. Gawds, is that so hard? She and Prince Xander try to be subtle about it, but in reality, only Emmeryn is actually capable of subtlety. The puppy dog eyes I see on the Prince's face sometimes… blegh!"

"Aren't you married?" Mckenzie leaned closer to Severa. "Last I checked, Sam sorta gave you the same look before."

"He better," Severa replied, the corner of her mouth twitching upright. "But just because I enjoy being fawned over doesn't mean I like seeing it happen to others. Especially when it's done in the most awkward ways possible."

"Like?"

"Have you ever seen a Prince give someone he cares about a donkey simply because he thought they symbolize peace like the girl he likes?"

Mckenzie gave Severa a flummoxed look.

"See, to Emmeryn, she thought it was adorable and sweet. To me, the Prince was literally giving her an ass, so… you interpret that how you wish."

"So Xander needs some socializing," Mckenzie slowly nodded.

"In the worst way," Severa grunted. "But, that ain't my job. And, it's not your job either. Your job is your list. So, what does it say? You're leading the way from here."

Mckenzie looked at the folded-up paper in her hand. A small lump lodged in her through as her fingers touched the loose corner. When she unfolded it, what would she see? Severa made it sound like Prince Leo would have her fetching horrible things. But, in a world like this, what could they be? Acid? Poison? Literal shit? All three wouldn't surprise her given that the Prince was some sort of wizard, and as far as she was aware, wizards liked that sort of thing.

After drawing in a deep breath, she opened the list.

"Okay, we have," Mckenzie looked at the first item, "Newt eyes." That made sense for a weird magic man. "Hair of a black cat. Vulture feathers." She screwed her eyes as she peered at the chicken scratch. "I think that says ooze? And sk-sk… skooma?"

"Damn, he wants us to go there. Yeah, never mind, I'm taking the lead." Severa grabbed Mckenzie's wrist and pulled her along. "Come on."

"Going where!?"

"One of Anna's favorite places, and one that always manages to give me a headache. We're going all the way to the back of the Market. Don't look at anyone funny. Don't smile at anyone. That'll give them ideas and, when it comes to a pretty girl like you, we don't want to feed any imaginations, right?"

Mckenzie shakily nodded. "R-right."

"Let's go then."

Mckenzie furrowed her brow as she stared at the sign carved into the rock over a black door.

"Rock Bottom?"

"Fits, doesn't it?"

"But we aren't at the bottom."

Severa snorted. "Might as well be." She raised her fist and banged on the door. A small slot opened, and one red eye glared through it.

"Password?"

"Cut the shit, Annabelle," Severa growled.

A light, excited gasp shot from the other side of the jet-black door. A heavy lock groaned open. Mckenzie drew back, surprised, when she saw Anna standing on the other side. Only, Anna looked nothing like Anna. Firstly, she wasn't wearing a scowl. Secondly, she wore a bright pink shirt with trousers so white they could have served as winter camouflage back home. Thirdly, the smile she did wear on her face was wide enough that Mckenzie wondered how her cheeks weren't sore. She clapped and then beamed wider at Severa.

"Oh my goodness, Sevvy, it's been so long!"

"Yeah, yeah, your sister in?"

"Annabeth is drinking, of course. Why do you ask?"

"Gonna need her negotiating skills for one of Leo's lists."

"Oooooh, gotcha. Sam's not with you?" Anna's eyes flicked to Mckenzie. She gasped. "A new friend!"

"Annabelle…" Severa droned.

Mckenzie yelped as Anna threw her arms around her and squeezed tight. Tighter than she thought the scrawny girl could even manage. Several vertebrae popped, making Mckenzie's eyes bulge.

"There. Cracked like an egg, yeah? Hugs are great like that. So, what's your name?"

"Names later. Your asshole sister first," Severa interrupted.

"Mckenzie," Mckenzie answered. "And yeah, I guess we need to see your sister?"

"Anna," Annabelle nodded. "Follow me."

Severa strode into the tavern, and Mckenzie followed. Once inside, the din of patrons drinking, laughing, and conversing swarmed her ears. Smoke hung heavy in the air, making Mckenzie's nose wrinkle. Several of the patrons glared at her from their dark booths along the walls. A sharp glare from Severa sent several back to their cups, but a few dared to challenge her. She ignored those few and continued to follow Anna without any hint of worry.

But for Mckenzie, the people around her reminded her far too much of the bandits that captured her only a few weeks ago. Already, she could feel her heart starting to race in her chest. Her breathing quickened. Sweat beaded on her brow as she frantically began to plot an escape from this place.

A massive wham shook her from her thoughts, followed by a low, growl that made her hair stand on end.

"I did not lose," one of the most intimidating men Mckenzie had ever seen rumbled. He stood two heads taller than her, with shoulders so broad she wondered how he fit through the tavern's small door. He tossed a hand of cards onto the table then jabbed a finger across it to the redhead tossing back a shot of whiskey. "You cheated."

Mckenzie knew Anna's grouchy, sarcastic tone anywhere.

"Well," Anna began, blowing out a long, bored sigh, "if that's what you say, then do something about it, big guy." She spun the glass on the table, her red eyes not even glancing up at the thug accusing her of cheating. "Surely it'll be quite easy for you to handle a little thing like me. Or are you just going to stand there and look like an idiot?"

"My money," he leaned against the table, palms flat against the wood grain, "now, you bi-"

A dagger slammed into the back of his right hand. The heels of Anna's boots landed on the other. The man's scream was muffled by Annabelle smacking a hand over his lips.

"Now, now, we don't want to hurt the barkeep's sister in her own bar, right?" Annabelle replied with a smile that somehow made Mckenzie's skin crawl. "Rule one around here, lovelies: don't upset the one who's pouring the drinks."

"And rule two: don't piss me off," Anna replied, digging the heels of her boots into the man's hands as she leaned back in her seat, leaving her dagger to pin the other hand to the tabletop. "Now, when my sister lets go of your lips, are you going to apologize?"

The man glared at her, hatred in his eyes. Anna shrugged.

"Figures."

And her boot collided with his temple. The man hit the ground with a thud, eyes rolling, and incoherent mutters mumbling from his lips. The others from the table, his friends, gathered him up and hauled him out of the tavern. Once they were gone, the chatter that had hushed grew lively again.

"Not bad," Severa grunted, taking a seat across from Anna. "So, how'd you cheat?"

Anna scoffed. "After all we've been through Severa, you would accuse me of-"

"You've got an extra card sticking out of your sleeve."

Anna hissed, tucked it further up her sleeve, then folded her hands on the table. Her red eyes shot to Annabelle and Mckenzie.

"Well, well, well, if it ain't everyone's least favorite hostage. How're you doing kid?" She asked as she reached for the bottle of whiskey in the middle of the table. She uncorked it, poured another shot, then plucked the glass and sipped. "Castle life treating you well so far?"

Mckenzie shrugged. "The clothes are itchy."

"I'm sure," Anna replied with a wry smirk. Her eyes flicked to the list in Mckenzie's hands. "Leo's list?"

"Yup," Severa replied.

Anna held out a hand. "Let me see."

"Shall I bring another glass?" Annabelle asked.

Severa shook her head. "Can't expect Inigo to watch Morgan all day."

"And how is the little one doing?" Annabelle chirped as she moved around the table and slipped to a seat next to Anna, making the elder sister frown. "Still as cute as a button, I hope. Oh, I'm sure she is. Do you have any idea how much money I'd make if I could sell her smile?"

"Might want to rephrase that one, Annabelle, if only because that may as well be my niece you're talking about," Anna replied as she scanned the list, her brow furrowing. "Skooma?" She whipped her eyes to Annabelle. "You sell?"

"Mom taught me."

"When!?"

"You and Annaliese weren't always watching me growing up, y'know." A shout from across the tavern caught her attention. "Be right back. Someone's threatening not to pay."

"What're you gonna do about it?" Anna asked, not bothering to look up from the list as she sipped her drink.

"Oh, you know me, I'm going to calmly and rationally explain to him how I could paint the walls with his gray matter should he decide to skip out on his tab." Annabelle reached behind the bar counter, hefted a mace, then grinned. "If you'll excuse me."

Mckenzie watched her leave, eyes wide, lips puckered. The sound of metal crashing through a table, followed by some fervent apologies, only caused Mckenzie to shrink more in her seat.

Who are these people?

"Other than the Skooma this is some…" Anna trailed off and she let out a low whistle. "Death dust, eh?"

Severa frowned. "Come again?"

"You know what that stuff is, right? Think Leo is cooking up some new Risen?" Anna slid the note back to Severa. "Or, is he experimenting with other stuff? I've been wondering where all those Faceless have been coming from lately. They're about as common on the road as a deer nowadays."

Severa's face darkened. "If that's the case then he and I are going to have a little chat."

"Camilla won't let you, and you know that. But, I say relax, Sev. I know my alchemy, believe it or not. Death dust might be used for necromancy, but it also has other applications. Most of this stuff is pretty standard fare for a laboratory, which I'm sure he has. Getting it at a decent price though, that's another issue."

"Got any in your stock?"

Anna snorted. "You think I'd sell it if I did? My stock is rare and not cheap. No offense to Nohrian royalty, but they don't have money like Ylissean royalty does." She finished her second drink, wiped her mouth with her hand, then glanced at Mckenzie. "Since when does Leo trust her to run errands rather than Sam or Niles?"

"Trusting Niles; now that's a good one," Severa replied. "I don't ask what the Prince is thinking or why. Just do what I'm told."

"Like a good soldier," Anna replied, lazily leaning back while Severa scowled. "I don't blame you one bit though, Sev. After everything you've been through, a little stability ain't a bad thing. Just not for me, is all. I'll help get this list together for you by the end of the day, but after that, I'm probably heading out again. Got more to do than drink and win gold off of schmucks."

Anna got to her feet, pocketing the list as she did. Severa rose as well, and Mckenzie did the same, only because she felt like she had to, and because she didn't want to stay in this tavern for much longer. The smell made her queasy, and the looks sent her way only made that worse. She trailed behind the others as they made their way out the black door. Once outside, Severa pulled Anna a bit further ahead from Mckenzie and whispered something she couldn't hear. But, Anna's smile dropped. She glanced at Mckenzie, nodded, then waved farewell to both.

Only to be stopped as a group of thugs emerged from the darkness, hefting clubs and knives. Among them was the guy Anna recently cheated. He glared at her, right eye turning black from the blow Anna's boot gave him.

"Where do you think you're going?" He snarled.

Anna arched a thin eyebrow. "Out. Who are you to stop me?"

Severa stepped forward, one hand grasping her sword. "Back away now-"

"King's Justice ain't real this deep into the ground, miss," he interrupted. "I wonder what'll it be like to have you as a victory. The mighty Crimson Death, Severa Darean, beaten by us? Wouldn't that be something?"

"You'd have to include her partner in crime as well. Although, judging by how close I've gotten-" Mckenzie's eyes widened as one of the smaller thugs drew a dagger and placed it close to the big guy's nethers- "you won't be claiming a victory anytime soon."

The man froze as Sam drew back his dark hood, a small smirk on his lips. "So, we have ourselves a bit of a situation now, don't we? You've got a big old gang wanting blood because you got your manhood temporarily taken, and I've got my dagger down there, ready to take it permanently. I urge you to make the smart choice in this situation. Cowards do well down here. Dickless cowards though, not so much."

The man swallowed hard. "Didn't mean anything by it, Lord Daraen."

"I'm sure. So, tell your boys to move along, or they can be introduced to me and my lady under much less pleasant circumstances."

Sam pushed the dagger, making the man's face turn white. "Y-You heard him! Back off. We're leaving them alone."

"Permanently."

"Permanently!" The man echoed, fear lacing his voice.

Sam's dagger slipped away from the man's pants. Still, the thug held his breath until Sam waved a hand.

"Bye."

The Thugs turned and left. Several scowled and glared at Sam as they passed him, but their leader merely kept his eyes away from the smaller man. Both Sam and Severa stayed at the ready until they watched the group disappear into the main market's crowd. Once that happened, Sam exhaled and sheathed his dagger.

"How come they're scared of you all of a sudden?" Severa asked as he approached.

"Comes with building a reputation as Prince Leo's bandit hunter," Sam replied, chuckling as Severa folded her arms. "The eyepatch also helps. Don't worry, you're still plenty scary."

"I'm losing my touch," Severa grumbled.

"Not at all," Sam replied before turning his attention to Anna and Mckenzie. "Leo's errands?"

"You'd think he'd be better about keeping it a secret given everyone seems to know about it," Mckenzie answered, making Sam chuckle.

"Leo's careful, but he's still a Prince, and that sheltered life has led him to be a bit naive when it comes to his own subtlety. I'm working on that though. So, you're taking care of it, Anna?"

"For now."

"Then she heads out again," Severa said.

"Oh? Going to go find Tiki?"

Anna closed her eyes and exhaled. "Sam, for the last time-"

"That's how last time started."

"This time it's different."

"You said that before," Sam remarked.

"Except I mean it because it wasn't me that called things off!" Anna snapped, her cheeks turning red. She drew in a calming breath. "Normally, I'm the one that gets ticked and walks, but this time… I don't know. But, I do know when Tiki doesn't want to be bothered. Her signs are hard to miss. They usually involve fangs and threats of devouring, digestion, immolation-"

"Huh?" Mckenzie squeaked.

"That bad?" Sam asked, concern on his face. Severa looked equally worried.

Anna sighed. "Just do whatever you two have to do fast, Sam. I'm- I'm not exactly sure how much longer she's going to be able to help us out here. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to find some death dust."

Anna marched away. As she left, Severa shook her head.

"That bad?" Severa muttered.

"Makes me wonder if I should start trying to track her down," Sam responded.

"We've got other things to worry about," Severa glanced at Mckenzie then nodded for her to follow. "Come on. Let's find Emmeryn. Maybe we can get some food too."

"That sounds like a lovely idea," Sam agreed.

Mckenzie gave both quizzical looks as they strolled ahead of her. She heard small bits of chit-chat between the two. Sam asked how Morgan did this morning, followed by Severa asking what the hell Leo had him doing so early today? Something involving making sure local gangs paid their share of dues to the crown. Niles, the other retainer to the Prince, was doing similar work a few levels up at one of the poorer markets. Before they reached the main market though, Mckenzie did hear a tidbit that caught her attention.

"Death dust, huh?"

"Yeah, and the Faceless are becoming more common."

"You thinking what I'm thinking?"

"That we're moving too slow, or that we're still ten steps behind?" Severa answered.

"Feels more like twenty," Sam said as they shouldered through the crowd, making their way toward a large stall where Mckenzie spotted Emmeryn leaning on her staff while speaking with a merchant.

"That's reassuring. Even when it came to the Fell Dragon we weren't that bad, right? Sometimes I feel like we're dealing with something worse."

"That's hard to believe, but now that there are Faceless roaming, you might be right."

Mckenzie frowned. Faceless? Were they some sort of monster? And why did they speak so quietly? More importantly, she knew enough about these two to know that they didn't need to say anything with her around. They wanted her to know a little bit. They wanted her to understand at least some of the situation they were all currently in. But why? What role did she have to play in all of this?

Hopefully none. I just want to go home.

Emmeryn smiled when she saw them. "Did you find Anna?"

"How did you know we'd look for her?" Severa asked.

Emmeryn giggled. "I've seen you try to negotiate, Severa. You have expensive taste, but you don't have the bartering skill to go with it."

"I do too!"

"My wallet says otherwise," Sam replied with an impish smile.

"It's my wallet too! And… fine, it's been a little light lately," Severa huffed. "Don't blame me for wanting to get a nice pair of boots for the first time in forever."

"They're already muddy," Sam pointed out.

"I was getting around to cleaning them."

"Who's hungry?" Emmeryn asked.

"Me!" They all said together, causing Severa to roll her eyes and snort out a small laugh, Sam to chuckle, and, for the first time since arriving in Doluna, Mckenzie felt a slight smile crease her lips.

She might be in the most confusing place she had ever lived and stuck in circumstances she didn't even understand yet, but at least she was around good people. After seeing how Sam and Severa handled things, she could say that with some confidence.

Now if only she could stomach how they operated.

And chapter! Hello again everyone! It feels good to be writing this one again. Hopefully there won't be as long of a pause between chapters going forward, but the reason for that long pause was not due to writers block (not entirely at least). I actually wrote quite a lot... of Original Content. Finally got a first draft of an Original Novel finished! So, while I await large amounts of red ink that'll force me into a rewrite, I'm gonna get back into Coin. As for the content of this chapter, it was fun to write these characters bantering again. Missed it a lot actually.

Anyways, let me know what you all think of this chapter! As always, I hope you all enjoyed it. Have a nice day!