Note: A shorter one this time, I think. This is mainly to have some consistency with the game, as this is a required location, but here, it will not be an extended visit. And also, some information will be gained, such as Elliot's whereabouts for Riesz, even if the readers know where he is.

Also, sort of making Beiser a darker place, as the Night Market is probably very illegal. Especially that one particular area where Elliot was held.

Special thanks to Owyn Ross for suggesting how the Night Market could work in the story. And yes, more detail will be given as to why the characters are going on the journey, yet I feel that some details either aren't known by the characters or that it'll be better off later. Plus, Hawkeye can't precisely tell anyone thanks to Isabella's curse.

Again, there won't be much more before we go to Palo and Laurent. With that said, I hope you enjoy it!

The Night Market

"So...the ship won't depart until morning?"

The skipper nodded. "We've got a lot of cargo to load up. From what I've heard, the folks back in Palo are having quite a bit of trouble. It's a miracle that those damned Nevarlans are letting in any shipments. Though it's probably so they can use it for themselves."

'Indeed.' Riesz thought, about to say it aloud, yet remembered the thief among them. "Well...I suppose it can't be helped. Thank you, good sir." she began to turn away.

"Why are you so anxious to go there anyway? I mean, your business is yours, but you'd be going right into less than savory territory." the older gentleman said.

"It's...personal business," Riesz answered. "Either way, thank you."

"Wait." the man suddenly said. "You're an amazon...aren't you?" the young, blonde woman didn't answer. "I see. Well...I don't want to steer you wrong, so...I'll tell you this. Surely you're aware that their king is dead, right?"

The princess froze. "...yes. I'm aware."

"And that his daughter and son are nowhere to be seen?" she didn't answer that inquiry. "I don't mean to bring up anything painful or perhaps you didn't know...I just don't want you jumping blindly into something dangerous."

"Your concern is noted," Riesz answered. "But I am NOT going to stand idly by and see my sisters suffer at the hands of invaders." her hands clenched themselves into fists, her entire body beginning to tremble. "I am GOING to Palo. And I will NOT be deterred."

The skipper was startled by her intensity yet ultimately sighed. "If that's what you want. I'm just giving you a heads up." he then turned back to his business. "Don't say I didn't warn you!"

Riesz took a deep breath and attempted to mellow herself out, looking to the other five. "Now…" she sighed. "What shall we do with our time?"

"Well," Kevin spoke up. "How much...stuff do we have?"

"Stuff?" Angela asked.

"Well...yeah." the beastman continued. "I mean, won't we need some things before we go? Supplies?"

"Oh, yes. Of course." Riesz answered. "I apologize. It slipped my mind."

Looking around, there were several stands and shops everywhere. Admittedly, not as plentiful as Maia's, yet there was still a good amount. Still, this place felt odd. Everything seemed normal, people walking around, going about their business. Many of them appeared to be well off, especially those that seemed to be young couples or men and women. Yet there was a strange lack of children. Indeed, Maia was plentiful in all sorts of people, yet Beiser seemed to have rather uppity folks that flaunted golden jewelry and trinkets, delicate dresses, and clothing. Yet despite its glimmer, the town's inhabitants felt like they were being weighed down by something. They were trying to cover something that lay beneath the town's image that they couldn't precisely suppress.

This place gives me bad vibes. Faerie remarked.

"Why?" Duran asked, though he shut his mouth when he saw some people staring at him. Why?

The people here...they seem...off.

She's right, hun. Lumina then said. These people...they don't seem to have any light in them at all.

Cold as stone. Gnome added. I wouldn't stay around here long if I were you.

"Uh, hello! Duran?" Angela said, breaking the young man out of his current conversation. "So, what are the voices in your head saying this time?"

"Shh!" Duran hushed, looking around.

"Don't shush me."

"Well, keep it down then. People around here are going to think I'm crazy."

"You've already got a bunch of invisible friends, so you're pretty much screwed either way."

Duran only growled, Angela chuckling to herself. Anyway, there's not much we can do. The soldier told Faerie. The ship goes off tomorrow; until then, we're stuck here.

Well, yes. I know, but-

"Getting back on topic," Hawkeye interjected. "If we need supplies, we could always try the Night Market," Hawkeye suggested.

"Again with that?" Riesz asked.

"Yes, again," he replied. "And why not? We need supplies, and what better place than a prominent place like that? Plus, I heard they've got some of the rarest items from all over the world."

Angela's interest peaked. "All over the world, you say?"

Hawkeye nodded. "From here to where you and I come from. They have everything you could think of." at least, that's what he had been told. "So, what's your call?" he asked, turning to Riesz.

"Sounds like a plan. I'm in!" Angela said.

"Well...I guess it sounds interesting." Kevin remarked.

"I wanna go!" Charlotte added.

Riesz felt instead put on the spot. "I don't lord over this group," she said. And frankly, she didn't think that anything these shops had would be better or worse than what this 'Night Market' had in stock. Still, at the moment, she was spent. The sun was going down, the trek here was exhausting, and she wasn't in the mood to argue. "Yet fine. Do what you want."

"Perfect!" Angela then cheered. "It's decided. Now…" she began to reach for the sack of cash on Duran's person.

"Hey, hey!" he drew back. "King Richard gave this to ME, remember?"

"Hey, c'mon!" Angela said. "Don't be so greedy!"

"I'm not." the soldier argued. "It's just...well...he gave it to me. So...I should decide how much each of us gets."

"Sounds like you want to keep some extra for yourself," Hawkeye noted.

Duran neither confirmed nor denied this. "Look, we can't just spend it all in one place." He reached into the sack. "Look." he then said. "Here's at least one thousand. Each of us gets that amount. Fair?"

Angela and Hawkeye looked at each other, then back to Duran. "One-thousand and fifty," she said.

"What?! No!" the Valsenan soldier argued.

"Need I remind you that you STILL owe me a favor?"

"One-thousand and forty-five," Hawkeye added.

"No!"

Angela. "One-thousand and thirty."

Duran. "Still no."

Hawkeye. "One-thousand and twenty-five."

"Ok, ok!" Duran relented. "One-thousand and twenty-five," he shoved the money into everyone's hands. "For each of you. Happy?"

"Hmm…" Angela held her chin. "It's still a little on the stingy side…" she smirked when she heard Duran growl. "But it's serviceable."

Hawkeye nodded. "I'll make this work."

"Thank you for your generosity, Duran." Riesz thanked him.

"Yeah! Thanks!" Kevin said as well.

"C'mon!" Charlotte grabbed his hand. "I wanna go get some candy!"

"Wait a minute!" Riesz then cried out. "Do any of you know where this market even is?"

As if on cue, a large shadow overtook them all, the six looking to see a large, burly man, a grin on his face. "Hey." he then said. "Hear you guys are looking to buy some stuff?" he then extended his hand. "One hundred and fifty lucre to get in. Each."

The sun had left the skies; the moon had taken its place as the dominant body of light. And indeed, it was somewhat fitting that a place such as this would be open only in the darkest time of the day. Each of the six entered through the small door after paying the toll, pausing as they were overtaken by the expansive space that lay before them and all it held. All around them were stands that sold items that none of their eyes had ever seen, so many trinkets and baubles, clothing, weapons, all things that one could ever think of. Incense and colored smoke filled the area; several patrons were also here for a show that was taking place. Atop a platform danced three beautiful, blonde women garbed in dancer attire, swaying and twirling with the fluidity of water. They had captured many of the eyes of the male customers there, and the three young men there as well.

"Ahem!"

All three were brought back to reality, Riesz folding her arms.

"Hey, c'mon." Angela then said. "They have their needs." The amazon's cheeks grew red, she in turn huffing. "Anyway," the other princess looked around. "Where to start…" she then spotted something of interest. "Oooh!"

"Wha-" Riesz began, yet felt her arm being seized, Angela dragging her away with her.

"C'mon!" Charlotte then grabbed Kevin's hand. "I wanna get some candy!"

"Wait, Charlotte-" Kevin began to protest, yet nevertheless allowed himself to be pulled along.

"Well," Duran then said, looking at Hawkeye. "Guess that just leaves you and me."

There's a lot of humans here… Faerie noted, seeing through Duran's eyes.

Well, it IS a market. he said back mentally.

You sure it's safe here? the winged woman asked.

I don't entirely know. her host answered. But if anyone tries something, I'll take care of them.

Oh, come on. Lumina said. Duran's up for anything! Aren't you, hun?

Yeah, I've seen rougher. Gnome noted. Literally. Dwarves practically live this way. Plus, you blew up a Jewel Eater! So far as I'm concerned, you can do anything!

Despite their words, Duran felt they were saying such things mainly because he HAD to go on this trip now.

'Well, regardless,' Faerie said. 'Just be careful, not to-'

"Excuse me? Young man?" Both Duran and Hawkeye turned to see a man behind a nearby counter, eyeing them intensely.

"Hm...let's see…." Angela had gone into a nearby store, surveying the lineup of items for sale. It seemed that she had still been in the men's section, going over and stopping when she saw things of a more feminine look. "Mm-hm…" she came upon a rather interesting piece of clothing. It was a gown of sorts that was a golden color with a green bosom. It had poofy, short sleeves with green trimmings, and the same applied to the bottom of the gown. It was beautiful, the princess wouldn't lie, yet it reminded her of the clothes she was forced to wear several times when she was still in the castle.

"Take her food away," she remembered her mother saying. "I won't have her dressed as a harlot at the table."

"Something I can help you with, miss?" the man behind the counter asked.

Angela only looked at the dress for a moment more before turning away. "No," she replied. "I think I'm…" her green eyes then caught something. It was an outfit that appeared similar to that of the three dancing figures, this one being a vibrant, red color. She was drawn to it immediately. "How much is this?"

"Seven-hundred lucre."

"I'll take it!" she exclaimed, directing her attention to Riesz. "What do you see?"

"Hm? Oh, well…" the blonde surveyed the expensive clothing before her. "I don't see anything that-"

"Oh, come on!" Angela groaned. "Don't lie to me! There's got to be SOMETHING that you…" she then paused, noticing that Riesz's attention had been seized, if just for a moment. "Oh...I see." she then snatched an outfit of green, another dancer's outfit. "Looks like our tastes aren't that different."

"What?" the amazon sputtered. "Don't be ridiculous. I don't have any need for-"

"Forget needs." the other princess interrupted. "We've got plenty of money to get all that other stuff." she then shoved the clothing in Riesz's hands. "Hey," she then turned to the man behind the stand. "We got a dressing room around here?"

"Oooh, ooh! I'ww take some of these," she took a handful of wrapped chocolates. "And some of these," she grabbed a handful of candies. "Oooh! And maybe some of this!" she reached over to grab a honey drink on the counter, only for the contents in her arms to spill over onto the floor. "Uh...oops." Charlotte said sheepishly, the woman behind the counter only shaking her head.

'Kids.' she thought. "Hey, where's your mom, kid?" she asked.

"I'm shopping by mysewf!" the small girl answered but then looked at Kevin, who was also surveying the goods in the grocery.

"Brother?"

"Um...yeah! Kinda."

She looked. "I can see the resemblance." she quipped.

"Anyway, how much is it?" Charlotte gathered all of her items and piled them up on the counter. Kevin, too brought over his share of food, only it consisted of things such as various meats.

"Um…" it looked like the teller would have to do some math to sort all this out.

"Hey." Charlotte looked around. "Hey, kid!" She saw someone hiding behind a curtain far off in the distance.

"Hewwo?" Kevin was busy trying to tally everything up with the teller, Charlotte, in turn, seeing a piece of chocolate thrown in her direction. Looking back to Kevin, then to the piece of candy, she made her way over and picked it up. It looked like a piece of chocolate, and unwrapping, it sure looked like a good one. But what did her grandpa say? "Oh yeah!" she said to herself. "Don't take anything that's poison!" She sniffed it. "But...it doesn't smeww wike poison-"

Suddenly, her voice was silenced, a hand covering her mouth and dragging her back behind the curtain.

"You have to come out sometime," Angela said, the man behind the stand having led them to a small back room with a curtain.

"I'm not coming out." Riesz retorted, hiding behind the curtain.

"Oh, come on. You're going to look great!"

"No!"

All right, Angela thought. This called for a more direct approach. She went inside the changing room and seized the blonde by the wrist.

"H-Hey! What are you doing?! Stop!"

"Ok, everyone!" she called out; not many were even paying attention. She was just in the mood to rile the other princess up. "Feast your eyes on...this!"

"That's a rather impressive sword."

Duran looked to the sword currently in his sheath behind his back. "Thanks."

The salesman tilted his head to get a better view, though it wasn't much as the young man's body mainly concealed it. "Mind if I get a better view?"

Duran narrowed his gaze. "Why?"

"Just to have a look." the salesman answered. "No ulterior motives. I just have an eye for quality." Duran was still suspicious, yet Hawkeye gave him a wink.

"Don't worry," he said. "If he tries anything, I'll just get it back for you."

How well the supposed thief could fulfill, that end was yet to be seen. And besides, if this guy DID try anything, the soldier was more than convinced he could take care of the matter personally. Nevertheless, he drew out his sword for the man to see, but he kept it in his grasp, shifting and twirling it around so he could get a full view of the weapon.

"Hmm...Hmmm...ah, yes. Oooh, I see…" the man behind the counter carefully surveyed the weapon, analyzing its surface and how the lights from the lanterns above reflected on the blade. "How much do you want for this beauty?"

After he said that, Duran immediately put the sword back. "Sorry, but it's not for sale."

The salesman grinned. "They all say that," he replied. "Everything can be bought. So what'll it be? One-thousand lucre?"

"Nope."

"Ok, ok, one-thousand and ten lucre?"

"I'll have you know that this is my father's sword," Duran said, starting to get heated.

"Ah, I see. So...that brings it up to around one-thousand and twenty-five?"

Duran slammed his hands on the counter. "Listen, you, this sword is STAYING with me, and I will DIE before anyone takes it from my hands."

"...one-thousand and fifty?"

Duran was just about ready to leap over the counter and give this guy a piece of his mind, yet suddenly, a clang diverted his attention, as well as that of the salesman. "How much will you take for these?" They were both surprised to see that Hawkeye had put his daggers down on the counter. "Or rather, what've you got in exchange for them?"

"Exchange, you say?" the salesman asked, quirking a brow. "What for?"

"Well, I've been carrying these things around with me for some time, and frankly, I've gotten tired of them." the thief gestured to the knives placed on the stand. "But rest assured, I HAVE been taking care of them."

The man behind the counter looked at them, taking one in his hands and observing the weapon. He put his fingertip to the tip, giving a light hiss when it broke his flesh, a small drop of blood forming. Still sharp. While not the best quality, these were of decent quality. "All right," he said, bringing out a few selections. "I'll be willing to trade one of these for those." he gestured to all of them. Hawkeye's amber eyes traveled down the line, looking upon and deciding which of the blades would be best for picking. He looked and looked until he found one that caught his eye. "Ah, the Rondel Blades? Good choice.

Reaching for it, he drew out one of the daggers from its sheath, its smooth surface serving as a mirror for his tanned face. He did the same test as the salesman had with his weapons, and sure enough, the tip of his finger broke, but instead of a small bubble, a cut had been formed, allowing blood to flow freely. It seemed that this was far from Hawkeye's intended result, as the sight of the blood on the knife made his eyes grow vast and his expression grim. "Hey, you ok?" Duran asked, Hawkeye immediately going to work wiping his finger off as if he were trying to wash away something unpleasant.

The salesman was confused, yet nonetheless, had a business to run. "So, what'll it be?"

"I'll take them." the thief said right away. "How much?"

"Nine-hundred-sixty."

"Done." Duran was shocked, given how the thief had up and hassled him for a more generous amount being given to him before, yet here he was and didn't even bother to try and get a lower price. It's like he wanted to get rid of these things once and for all. He then began moving away from the stand.

"Hey," Duran spoke up. "What was THAT about?"

Hawkeye sighed, his behavior very much unlike him. "Let's just say I've been meaning to get rid of some weight." He doubted that he'd ever be rid of it, the images of whose neck that witch's claws cut through. And if he valued Jessica's safety, that secret would be kept with him to the grave.

"What?! What do you mean it's seven-hundred lucre?!" Hawkeye and Duran were drawn from their current thoughts to a young man no older than them at another stand, arguing with the man behind the counter. Come to think of it; all the salespeople had the same appearance: orange tunics and white turbans, and they all gained attention by gyrating peculiarly. Brothers or distant relatives of some kind?

"I mean that it's seven-hundred lucre." the man behind the counter said plainly. "Either pay up or get out of here. I've got other people to see."

"Ugh, fine!" the young man shoved a plethora of coins in the salesman's direction and took the item, which appeared to be some sort of dried-up, a rather disgusting-looking paw with sharpened claws at the ends. "Now, is that all?"

"Yes. Finally." the young man named Matelo answered. He stuffed the claws in his bag and began browsing for seemingly other strange and peculiar items. "You're lucky I don't have my master come and blow this place to smithereens."

Master? Duran and Hawkeye looked at each other. The guy seemed a little out there, especially if he was buying disgusting things like that claw. Though it was based on nothing, the soldier couldn't help but find a certain wizard coming to mind. But...no. No way. He was long gone by now. Right?

Riesz stood there, wide-eyed and amazed at what the other princess convinced her to put on. She should've suspected something was up the moment she put the clothes on. But, of COURSE, Angela would drag her out so she and everyone else could see. She was dressed in a Nevarlan-inspired outfit, similar to the three dancing girls. She wore a top that covered her breasts just enough, the fabric a deep green with lighter, vertical stripes, the same applying to the small pair of pants that had slits down the sides, exposing her bare legs. Slippers of pink were on her feet, and the cuffs on her arms were the same color.

"Oooh, you look great!" Angela cheered. "I'm bringing the boys over."

"Wh-What?! No!" the amazon protested, shaking her head furiously.

"Oh, come on!" the other princess said. "You look too good to hide all of this!" She gestured to her form: muscled but lean. Angela thought breasts could use a sizing up, but no one was perfect. Besides, at least she could take even more pride in her chest. "It's a compliment to have men comment on your figure."

"Maybe for you, but…." Riesz bit her lip, and when she got the opportunity, she dashed right back into the dressing room. Before Angela could protest, the amazon emerged just mere moments garbed in her regular wear and dashed off, leaving the sorceress alone.

"Hey, where are you...eh, whatever." Angela shrugged. "Been wanting to try on mine anyway.

Who in the world did she think she was?! Dragging her out like that...and in THIS of all things?! Had they not been in a relatively public place, Riesz would've seen fit to tell that young lady a thing or two!

Upon gathering her bearings, she realized that she had gone further into the back, the lights from above not precisely able to reach this part of the market. Save for one hanging just above what appeared to be a man and...a cell?

"Hey! What's the big idea?!" and that voice...Charlotte? "Wet me outta hewe!"

"Goddess, your voice is annoying!" the man standing in front of the cell moaned. "I should've gagged you first!" he put his fingers in his ears. "You're even more annoying than that last boy. Went on and on about being a prince-"

"Care to explain what's going on?"

The man turned around, seemingly surprised to see Riesz. "Hey, this section's off-limits until-"

"What is this?" she asked, then looked at the blonde girl in the cell. "And for what reason do you have this girl locked up?"

"Oh, this girl? She…" his eyes went back and forth. This young lady wasn't a customer. "She's just some kid I'm keeping," he explained. "She's a bit on the naughty side, so she's currently in time out-OW!" his hand drew closer to the cage, just enough distance for the blonde to take a bite out of him. Luckily for him, the damage was minimal. "You little brat-"

"He pwaticawwy kidnapped me!" Charlotte said.

"Clearly." Riesz agreed.

"Quiet you!" the jailer shouted. "Or do I have to muzzle you before I sell you off-"

"Charlotte?!"

The jailer looked in the direction of the voice. "The hell-"

"Charlotte!?" a tanned, golden-haired beastman came charging through the curtain barrier, giving the man and Riesz a bit of a fright. "Charlotte!" Kevin said, relieved, going over to the girl in the cell. "Where'd you go? And what is-"

"He did it!" the blonde girl shouted, pointing to her captor. "He waid out a candy and wocked me in hewe!

"Shut up, you brat-" he was cut off by Riesz getting dangerously close to him. "Hey, lady. You'd best back off if you know what's good for you."

"Pray tell, why?" the amazon said smoothly, her face as hard as a stone.

"I've got connections from all over for this place. You'd be surprised how easy people here were willing to give up their-"

WHAP!

He was knocked to the floor, looking up to see the young beastman tightening his fist. "I heard you say something about a boy that said he was a prince." Riesz knelt down to his level. "What was his name?"

"Wh-What?" the man asked, startled by the amazon's complete transformation.

"His name," she said smoothly. "NOW."

"I...I don't have to tell you anything, lady!" he barked back. "You don't know what creek you're in! This market runs this town! Which means I run it too! I've got connections you wouldn't believe-" another punch from Kevin silenced him.

"Thank you, Kevin." Riesz thanked, turning to the jailer again. "I WANT his NAME."

"E-Elliott!" he stammered, feeling his nose beginning to bleed. "He said his name was Elliot! He also went on and on about him being a prince-"

"Where is he now?" Riesz asked, placing her foot on the downed man's chest and pressing down. "I don't think you want me to ask you again."

"I-I don't know!" he answered. "Some man took him! Some man with red eyes!"

"And where did HE go?"

"I...I don't know! I swear! He just came up to me, and I don't know what happened after that." Riesz and Kevin glared down at him. "Honest! Hey, I won't sell kids anymore! I'll turn over a new leaf! Honest!"

She took her foot off him and gestured to the cell; it was obvious what she wanted him to do. Not wishing to know what else this young woman would do to him, he unlocked the cell containing Charlotte, the girl running out of the section concealed by the curtain. Riesz and Kevin looked down at the jailer.

"Consider yourself fortunate that we're in a relatively public place." with that, and a crack of his knuckles from Kevin, the amazon and beastman left the man on his lonesome.

He held his sore nose, narrowing his eyes in her direction. 'Oh, you have NO idea what you've done, kid.

Riesz and Kevin exited out of the back section and made a beeline for the exit, Kevin taking Charlotte with him. "H-Hey lady!" the man at the counter selling clothes shouted. "You gotta pay for" he was silenced when a flurry of coins was thrown in his direction, one hitting him square in the head.

The woman behind the counter at the stand where Kevin had been looked shocked and somewhat amused, yet when she realized her customer had gone, she leaned over. "Me too!"

Another shower of coins fell over her, two somehow ending up in her ears. Well, that was one way to receive payment.

Both intrigued and awkward at what just happened, the other three members felt it a good time to exit.

Of course, Riesz returned to recover her regular wear, relieved to find that neither it nor her weapon had been stolen. Still, to her shame a bit, she was glad Kevin was there to do most of the hard-hitting for her. Otherwise, she would've probably turned into a real animal. Finally, they were all at the inn, paid, and went to their rooms.

"You serious?" Angela asked, taking off her headpiece. Whether in Altena or now, she was somewhat attached to that thing. "They put Charlotte in a cage?"

Riesz nodded, taking off her headgear. "She won't say, but I think that spooked her. She insists on staying with Kevin tonight." then she looked out the window. "This place...it always felt a little wrong, but this…" she then moved away. "I will send the entire guard down on this place if I have to." true, it would've been more appropriate for her to alert King Richard, yet still...the fact that Elliot was so close…

Angela saw Riesz stiffen, then begin to tremble slightly. "Hey, you ok?"

"Y-Yes," the amazon hurriedly coughed out. "Let's just go to sleep. We need to rise early tomorrow." with that, she immediately leaped into bed, her armor beside her in a chair.

Angela was left without much to say yet was both too tired and uncomfortable to ask. Thus, snuffing out the lamp, she, too, laid down in her bed.

Matelo's Home

"Here, master." the young man said, putting what he had purchased on the table.

"How often have I told you not to call me that?" Koren groaned. Nevertheless, he needed the hapless fool, so he may as well be SOMEWHAT cordial, especially now that he depended on him. Though the wizard still held the fool's life in his hands. "Yes…" he took the Dragon Claw in his hand. "This shall do." he then took the bowl and crusher that Matelo provided and began to crush the claw. "Consider yourself fortunate," he told his host. "You've just bought your life tonight."

"Ah, thank you!" Matelo got down on the ground and bowed to Koren. "Thank you, master!"

"Oh, get up!" Koren scoffed, Matelo doing just that. The wizard slapped his palm on his forehead. "Look," he gestured to the now crushed claw. "Make some tea. This flavor will be revolting, so I need some flavor to wash it down."

"Oh, uh, sure, master!" Matelo said, going right over to the stove. Koren sighed. His chest still hurt, yet once the concoction of tea and claw entered him, he could finally begin healing faster. Matelo would never hear of it, yet the wizard knew well of the regenerative powers of a dragon, even just one part of it. "All right," Matelo said, having returned with some hot tea. "So, NOW are you going to show me your secrets?"

Koren stopped sipping, trying to fight against vomiting. Tea or not, the taste was still awful. "What interest is magic to you? You aren't capable of it."

"I can learn." the average (in appearance only) young man attested. "I've studied all my life for this!" he then took his hand. "And now that I have one who can teach me, I can't let you go! Not now!" He then took Koren by the hand. "So you must teach me!"

Koren was at a loss. This man was impossible! He simply wouldn't let up! Still, the wizard needed him for now. "All right." he sighed. "All right." he noticed Matelo's eyes light up. "First off, I shan't drink all this, so you may take what's left."

"And what will that do?"

Koren smirked. "Well, you'll have to see, won't you?"

Note: Angela and Riesz's outfits are based on costumes found on the cards in the Circle of Mana game, especially Angela's. Riesz's is more based on Phanna/Pamaela from Secret of Mana. They will be worn later when they go to Palo. Also, escape scene and more checking in on the other characters in the next chapter.