I thought I knew cities.


    Those are the places with busy and endless streets. Big buildings with people everywhere.


    But nobody told me about the smell. Not just the smelly men here, but also the elegant fragrances, smell of who knows what things are inside many of these never ending rows of shops.


    Salt. Smoke. Spice. Too much of everything.


    The docks looked like they had sunken a little by the weight of all of the cargo as well as the ships. Men were shouting, carrying goods around, mostly by hand. Seagulls were the scavengers, fighting over anything that looked good enough for them. Also, covering this whole place with their poop.


    All right, no time for chitchat. Gotta work. I began counting and inspecting the barrels. One, two, three, four...


    The work was boring but at least, I got to visit Neopur. Finally, I can visit the actual city instead of just scanning from the edge of the docks.


    The work was as boring as ever but the sailors were so friendly. They were so cooperative with me through the whole sail. Did you know, majority of the youngest sailors in the ships of nobles were girls? They were even younger than me, sixteen, fifteen.


    But I don''t look my age. Many sailors said, I looked twenty-one. The highest was twenty-six.


    Harish was of the Dory House. He is one of the richest family in Neopur. I went near to two sailors seemingly talking about the noble.


    "Let''s get out before Harish gets here", the fat one was quick in his words.


    "Lord Harish. If his men find out that you are disrespecting him, this will be your last day", the small one was quick to stop him.


    "Whatever", the fat one mocked. "He may not remain a lord for a long time. Heard that his wife killed a noble from Razki."


    He continued, in a much smaller voice. "People say she works for the Crows."


    Hearing this, the small guy dragged the bigger guy away from possible eavesdropping. Who are the Crows? Or are the crows sentient birds here? Surely, it''s the first.


    Sometimes, there is an itch inside me, to use magic. I don''t know why, it doesn''t soothe until I cast a spell, any spell works. So, I just heal my small scars.


    But today was different. This itch was stronger than any itch during my time in the Guild. It was like the days before, when I was in the tower.


    A crowd started gathering around our ship. I joined them. The guy beside me jumped in surprise. "What the hell, man! When did you come here?"


    Stupid me. I used magic to leap to the crowd, the second time. I should be careful.


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    Our captain was there. "Everyone! You all have time till dusk to reach the ship. Till then, do what you want. Just don''t cause any trouble."


    That was good to hear. I made my way towards the shops near the docks. There, I heard a voice calling me from one of the alleys.


    "Alfred...Alfred...", the voice delicate but with a manly voice. Following the voice, I reached the alley. There, a man with black cloak was waiting for me.


    The shopkeepers didn''t seem to acknowledge the presence of this person. Just standing near him caused the itchiness in my skin, making me want to tear my skin off.


    I was stupid to fall into this trap. I was ready to use my spells. Before I could do that, the man took off his hood. He was the Hollow Lord.


    "Abandon the Guild. Real work awaits"


    I should ask no questions and have no hesitation. A Hollow follows.


    Making my way behind him, I walked past multiple alleyways, narrow paths, and wide roads. We went past men who didn''t dare look twice. Our stop was at a small abandoned house. The wood was barely alive after the fierce fire which seemed to have almost burned this place to the ground.


    I wonder what is keeping it up.


    Its walls covered in painted sigils-some I recognized, most of them faded. The Ashen Pact were the ones to burn this down.


    Those guys would even burn their mothers alive if paid well.


    Inside, he showed me a parchment, sealed in black wax.


    "A bounty", he said.


    I took it. His eyes ordered me to not open them yet. Those eyes were studying me, like a smith inspecting a new blade.


    "Disappear", he walked towards a narrow window. "Show me what we made of you."


    Then, he was gone.


    I took a long breath. Tearing the wax with the knife beside me, there was a face with a name.


    "Maun" Sola


    Reward: 5,200 silvers


    Wanted Alive


    I turned the poster. Behind, the reason for bounty was written.


    Wanted for assassination of Zafar Kleist.


    She is a ''Maun Gayak'' member.


    How to recognize ''Maun Gayak'': They don''t have tongues.


    The house was easy to find. There were even signs on the main road to show the Harish House. But the house was quiet.


    But there was no firelight or any murmur of the servants. This is wrong quiet. Seemed like something had already happened.


    There were no guards, quite unlike any nobles in the books. Beofre stepping in, I peaked through the open gate, acting as a bystander.


    There were no servants whispering any secrets they thought no one could hear. Strange.


    But this house is magnificent. High walls with sturdy iron gates. Heavy stone with beautiful architecture, unlike anything I had ever seen. The glasses were stained. This place is history itself. Maybe cruel and unfair history but they got their fair share.


    I stepped inside.


    The smell was different inside the house. A little bit of blood, and mostly of wine, I think. Never tasted one.


    Burned candles and perfumes started to grow strong on my nose, making me loose my focus. Those feminine smells are what I long for.


    The house was a mess, maybe a party just ended.


    The floors were shiny, almost mirror-like. The lanterns were each worth more than a normal person''s life. Paintings on the wall were boring though. Stupid modern art. These artists just draw anything.


    Finally, I saw something worth noticing. A broken glass on the stairs. A wine glass. Someone was careless.


    I went up the stairs. A large hallway followed, larger than the one on the ground floor. One door was open.


    This is it. She must be inside.


    I was true. Peeking inside, I saw a king-sized bed. Someone wanted to be the queen, it seems.


    The curtains seemed expensive. A desk for the Lord to work on. A typical mirror and fireplace. And her. She stood near the far window, me outside of her sight.


    Dark loose hair. A blue silk robe, with silver linings. But she seemed calm.


    If the bounty poster is already out, why is no one behind her yet? And where is Lord Harish? Why isn''t he here to protect her? Or is he going to betray her?


    "Posters are out, it seems", her voice barely audible. Her head turned to me. "How much is the reward?"