"So, all this time, wererats have been living in Korvosa?" Alexander questioned with a frown.

"You shouldn't be so surprised," Eries chuckled. "Any large city has its fair share of rats and Korvosa is no different in that regard."

When Viera told Alexander about an important task, he was quick to join the others at the Vossler estate. He stood between her and Griffin to face Eries in Falenas' makeshift lab. The priestess and the noble had yet to make up with each other after the argument and so he couldn't help but notice how tense Viera was and how struggled to smile. Falenas was busy at work pouring a red liquid that Alexander didn't recognize from a flask and into a vial. Takota and Verik stood by the door, relaxed even though they acted as guards.

Although Alexander thought for a moment that they didn't need to worry about Eries trying anything, he knew there was more to the woman than meets the eye.

"You're one of them, aren't you?" Alexander continued his questioning. "That's how you know what's happening with the wererats. They're your people."

Eries grinned. "I was wondering when someone would figure it out. It's true. I'm one of the oldest wererats in Korvosa and quite proud of it."

"And yet you're here because something is happening with the wererat population," Griffin reminded Eries. "What can we do?"

"Throughout Korvosa's history, the government has tried to purge us from underneath the streets," Eries explained bitterly. "They could never drive all of us away but I still remember the devastation and suffering. I'd like to avoid a repeat of those purges, and to do so, I need you to deal with a firebrand in our community. Girrigz Ripperclaws has rallied several wererats in preparation to wage war against Korvosa, an act that will fail but is something we all want to avoid."

"Why would he choose to attack Korvosa while it suffers from a plague?" Viera asked.

"That's why he wants to attack now," Eries said with a frown. "Korvosa is as weak as it has ever been in his eyes and there is no better opportunity to attack than now. I've heard about your little group from friends in the Korvosan Guard and thought that you could do what needs to be done before it's too late."

Alexander had mixed feelings about Eries' call for help. He recognized that she wanted to keep her people safe but he also recalled that wererats weren't known for their altruism. At least when he helped the Korvosan Guard with more underhanded tasks, the warrior knew he was benefitting the city. By doing what he could to kill Girrigz, Alexander was allowing the wererats to stay in Korvosa. There was also the fear in the back of his mind that in the fight, he would become infected. The temples were busy enough with the plague and he didn't know if they would see him to help him if it happens.

Yet, even though he couldn't trust the wererats, he couldn't tolerate the thought of wiping them out of Korvosa. Some might not have asked to become infected with lycanthropy and were just trying to make the best of their life as they could in their situation.

Alexander noticed that Viera and Griffin both looked at him, waiting to hear his input. He didn't want to come back as a leader, and while he reminded himself to make that clear, he was willing to speak on behalf of the group on this matter.

"We'll do what we can to help," Alexander said and quickly added. "Yet we'd like for you to do what you can to help Korvosa in its time of need."

"I understand," Eries nodded. "If Girrigz is killed, I'll be able to convince the other wererats to dispose of any infected bodies that aren't where they should be."

"That could be of bigger help than one would think," Falenas noted while working. "Many in Korvosa have taken to dumping bodies infected with blood veil anywhere they can. It's certainly a factor for the spread of the plague."

"Then I think Alexander has the right idea," Griffin said. "We'll do what we can to help."

"Thank you," Eries bowed her head. "I only ask you to do what you can to spare everyone but Girrigz. You'll know him when you see him. Now, if you'll excuse me, I should get going. I'll come back to the Pantheon of Many with directions on where to find Girrigz."

Erie looked over at each of the adventurers one last time and made her way past Verik and Takota toward the exit. At the very least, Alexander didn't think she was out to trick the group. He decided that he would do what he could to spare the wererats but wasn't sure how possible he was. If wererats were like other lycanthropes, it would be difficult enough to harm them with the weapons they had.

Verik and Takota stepped forward into the room with the former speaking. "So, does anyone know a good silversmith we can consult?"

"I'm afraid that the odds of finding one will be difficult enough," Viera told Verik. "A lot of businesses in Korvosa are closed on account of the plague."

"We should take into account what silvered weapons we have already," Griffin said before his voice dropped low to a whisper. "I have a dagger coated with silver from our venture into the Dead Warrens."

Several seconds of silence passed by with everyone deep in thought. Takota was the first to speak up. "What about mithral?"

"Mithral is similar enough to silver," Falenas called out, setting aside two vials. "It would work."

"But it's even rarer than silver," Griffin quickly added. "If we're not finding silver weapons, we won't find mithral either."

Takota pulled out his sheathed dagger, revealing it to be mithral. "I'll make do."

"Where did you get a mithral dagger?" Viera asked, taken aback by Takota's new weapon.

"It's a long story," Takota said.

"Still, it sounds like all we have are daggers," Alexander shook his head. "It might not be enough."

"I imagine that we could still hurt the wererats if we hit them hard enough," Verik shrugged. "It's no big deal."

"There is one last thing we can use against the wererats," Griffin said and paused before continuing. "We could always use magic to weaken them."

A brief silence passed over the group when they realized what Griffin meant. Eyes started to turn toward Falenas, the closest among them capable of using offensive magic. Between his extracts and bombs, Falenas would be a great asset against the wererats if he agreed to help. Yet, Alexander could notice that the elf was narrowing his eyes at the silent request.

"I warned you that I would focus my efforts on creating a cure for the plague," Falenas said with a sigh. "Even if I did help, my bombs are lethal. Spare the wererats all you want but they'll burn to death if I join you."

"You used a frost bomb back in the Dead Warrens," Viera pointed out. "You can make those. The wererats will be hurt by the cold but it won't be dangerous like fire is."

"I could but to make them would take time," Falenas argued. "Time we don't have."

"Why don't you just make some bombs so we can take them with us while you work here?" Verik asked.

"I made my bombs specifically against others using them," Falenas answered bluntly. "If you throw one, it'll just break. It's either I come with or I stay here, and I, for one, think staying is the best plan."

Griffin looked to Alexander, hopeful that he would be able to do something. Although the warrior knew they needed Falenas, the group needed a new leader. He was still intent on returning to his family life after the blood veil crisis was resolved and everyone needed to prepare for that. Alexander crossed his arms and remained silent, and with a sigh, Griffin turned to address Falenas.

"Unfortunately for you, if you want to keep your space at my estate, you'll need to pitch in and help," Griffin told Falenas firmly. "Take the rest of the day to make frost bombs. You're right that we don't have time to waste, so we deal with the wererats tomorrow."

Falenas laughed. "You're not serious."

Griffin crossed his arms. "I am serious, Falenas. I'll admit you may be our best chance to deal with blood veil, but so far, you have little to show for your efforts despite what my family has given. If I wanted to, I'd be well within my rights to have you removed."

"But Tiran-" Falenas started to protest.

"-is only in charge of the estate as long as our parents are away," Griffin told Falenas. "Tiran took you in but I can convince him that it might be time to let you go."

Falenas' shoulders slumped downward and he sighed. "Very well. I just want you to know that should I be mauled to death by the wererats, any more people who die from blood veil will die because of you."

Griffin dropped his arms and didn't rise to Falenas' bait. The alchemist pushed aside some of his regents and reached into his bag of holding, pulling out his tools to make his bombs. The room was silent with the method of how Griffin used his authority to get Falenas what he wanted to do. Alexander had to admit that he wouldn't resort to such a tactic right away but couldn't deny that it worked. He just hoped that if Griffin was taking over as the group's leader, he'd be able to convince others of his plans in a more kind manner.

Still, the group had a plan. They had to wait for Falenas to finish his preparations and for Eries to give directions to the wererat's den but they knew what they were doing. Alexander had his doubts on what he could do against blood veil even knowing that someone was behind spreading it but he knew that he could hold his own against a pack of wererats even without silver weapons.

A part of Alexander was glad to be back with his companions. It would be good to fight together again.


A/N: And I'm back after a short hiatus.

For those of you curious (and haven't Shadow in the Sky that I started earlier this month), I had computer problems earlier that kept me from writing throughout December. I am hoping to continue this story and have designated Tuesdays as a day solely for writing. This will allow me to continue Seven Days to the Grave while focusing on other stories.

I'll admit that this chapter is shorter than I was hoping for. Given the computer troubles I dealt with and reorganizing some of my notes for this story, I didn't have a lot for this chapter. That'll change for next time though when our heroes face off against wererats.

Until next time.