Sable jumped onto Holden’s shoulders and the two of them hastily left the Grand Library. The ghost girl meekly followed behind them, trying to stay out of sight.


    Holden made his way through the back alleys around the municipality district, which was only a few blocks away from the Grand Library. This district contained building for all of the major governing bodies of Chrimoria, including the Mages Union, and the Chrimoria Police Department Headquarters.


    The person Holden was looking for had a habit of drawing graffiti in the alleys between different buildings. They were also one of Holden’s first clients when he moved to Chrimoria a few years ago, who still owed Holden for the job he completed.


    “So, you allowed this guy to pay you for your services in exchange for his own,” Sable said to make sure he understood Holden correctly. “What could you possibly use an artist for? Other than the current circumstances at least.”


    “I was trying to establish myself back then,” Holden explained. “So, I was a lot more willing to work out deals like this. I figured I could use his artistic skills for something. And behold, here we are.”


    “I believe you did the same thing with the kid whose sword we helped find. Your soft side is going to make us go bankrupt.”


    “Then you can always stay with Elliandra. I’m sure she’d love to have a furry companion by her side at all times. Being a prosecutor is stressful, you know.”


    They continued making their way through the alleyways, eventually coming across a young beastfolk with a paintbrush and palette in the distance of painting a white horse on the side of the Mages Union building. This beastfolk didn’t look that different from a human, aside from his tail, hairy knuckles, and slightly monkey-like facial features. This man was a race of beastfolk known as monkymen.


    “Does your friend happen to be a monkey?” Sable asked with a cheeky grin. “If so, I think we found him.”


    “Hey, at least my friends are real,” Holden retorted. “And not some imaginary teenage girl that I’m afraid of.” Holden admired the partially completed mural that the monkeyman was making on the wall. The whole thing was nowhere near complete. So far, the monkeyman had only drawn a forest, and what looked like a unicorn collapsed on the ground. It still looked magnificent in its unfinished state, showing that the monkeyman painting it had extraordinary talent.


    The monkeyman noticed Holden’s presence upon approach, and gently placed his brush down. “Isn’t it wonderful, Holden? This piece came to me in a dream but a few days ago. I think it’ll really catch people’s attention about the depravity of alchemy in this age.”


    “Well, it’s certainly something. Though I can’t tell what it is yet.”


    “Ah fair. I haven’t finished it yet. Since it’s you, ill share my vision for this piece. Once I finish all the details on the unicorn I will begin to paint an armor-clad warrior driving a sword into the unicorn. This piece will showcase society’s abuse of magical creatures. The news regarding a tavern owner in your neighborhood participating in a fairy trafficking ring inspired this. Were you perhaps involved in putting a stop to that? You can never trust those articles the reporters write. All the details said the police broke the case. That prosecutor, Elliandra, was somehow involved. I know how you both are friends, so I thought you might be involved.”


    The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    “Whoa, slow down there. That’s a lot of information all at once.”


    The monkeyman scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. “Oh. I’m sorry. I’m in my own head right now. You know how I get. What can I do for you?”


    “I can actually use your artistic abilities in this case I’m working on.” Holden then gestured toward Sable, who was still standing on his shoulders. “This cat keeps seeing a ghost girl, but I have no idea what she looks like. I know you probably haven’t sketched in a while, but do you think you could draw her for us.”


    The monkeyman looked at Sable closely, paying particularly close attention to the shape of his face, and any other distinguishing features. He was specifically drawn to the gem on Sable’s forehead. “Ah, you''re a cait-sith. Simply marvelous. This will inspire so many works of art. Say Holden. I can definitely sketch this girl, but afterwards can I sketch this cait-sith, too? It’s not very often one comes across their kind.”


    Holden nodded his head. “I’d definitely be agreeable to that. But not tonight. This case is somewhat urgent, so we’ll have to come back some other time. I think we can call your debt to me square after that.”


    “Yes. Yes. Understandable. Besides, I’m knee deep in my current piece. Wouldn''t want some wandering inspiration to distract me from my vision.” The monkeyman stared at Sable for another moment before extending his hand. “By the way, Cait-Sith, you can call me Brandish.”


    Sable awkwardly extended his paw, allowing Brandish to shake it. Sable then explained the situation with the ghost girl to Brandish.


    Brandish immediately went to the bag of art supplies he had lying next to his pallets to pull out a pencil and a large sketchbook. He prompted Sable to continue talking while drawing in the sketchbook.


    “That’s certainly an extraordinary story,” Brandish said at the end of Sable’s tale. “Would you mind keeping an image of this ghost girl in your mind for me. Thank you.”


    Sable didn’t understand the purpose of it, but he followed Brandishes instructions anyways. The ghost girl thought it would be helpful to show herself within Sable’s field of vision so he would have a clearer picture.


    ”Ah, yes. There it is. That’s perfect,” Brandish said, the moment Sable saw the ghost girl.


    Sable’s ears dropped in confusion. “Chopped Liver, what is this man doing?”


    “Focus, Cat,” Holden replied. “He’s peeking into your mind so he can get a clear vision of this ghost girl you claim to see. He’s a telepathic mage, you see. That allows him to read thoughts, and see whatever other picture in their heads.”


    “Yes, it’s a wonderful talent,” Brandish said while still drawing. “Although it’s wasted on one like me. I suffer from severe migraines when using it. Regardless, it has inspired a multitude of my works, which is why I shall persevere nonetheless.”


    “That is tragic,” Sable said. “Although I have heard of psychic mages suffering much worse fates. Some lose their minds completely. Or even their memories.”


    “Yes. But the tradeoff is worth it in my case.” Brandish’s expression brightened up as he finished drawing. “Yes truly marvelous. This ghost girl. This story. They are both the stuff that truly inspires the mind. A ghost girl appears before the only one in the world who can see her. But is she even a ghost? Is she the soul of a now deceased person? Or is she just a psychic impression? This is truly marvelous. It will be the focus of my next work. Holden, please return this drawing, along with your companion to me quickly. I must finish my current piece tonight. For I have something new that has sparked my curiosity. But first I must know how the story ends. Please come see me once you have solved this conundrum of yours.”


    Brandish left the sketch he drew of the ghost girl with Holden and Sable, then returned to the mural he was working on.


    Sable confirmed that the sketch Brandish drew was spot on. In fact, the cait-sith was impressed by how well-done it was. Everything, even the minor details, the sharp edges of the girl’s cheek bones, and all other features, were perfectly reproduced in this sketch.


    “I must say, this friend of yours has real talent,” Sable admitted.


    “I never thought I’d hear you seriously praise anyone,” Holden said. “I guess there’s a first time for everything, though.”


    “Excuse me, sir. I have praised people before. I don’t praise you because you’re a bumbling buffoon.”


    “Uh huh. Keep tapping, Cat.”