105

“We’ll bring Maevaris,” you say.

You don’t have time to argue and, honestly, you’re more afraid of Mae than you are of Dorian. Someone needs to stay and manage things at headquarters, and today, that someone will have to be Dorian.

“Very well,” he says, “but don’t expect any home comforts when you get back. I don’t see why you should be rewarded for leaving me out of the fun.”

Mae needs only a minute or two to prepare, strapping on simple, but functional armor and picking up a staff so nondescript that this is the first time you’ve noticed it.

“I thought you didn’t need a staff to do magic,” you say. You know Dorian uses one, but then, you also know he’s spent a lot of time in the south.

“I don’t,” says Mae. “But I might need one to take out someone’s kneecaps.”

“That’s… fair.”

When she’s ready, the four of you slip quietly out of the pawn shop door and head through the darkened streets toward Glandivalis Square.

• Turn to page 106.