“Done.”

  Arlo blotted the ink dry on the parchment before him. Neat letters lined nearly every inch of the page, detailing, in no uncertain terms, David’s obligations to himself and Coradiel. Two thousand gold had been counted out — nearly the last of their money. They’d be lucky to afford a room in Turtleback Ferry at this rate. Their schedule had changed; they would now be skipping a few towns and hunting more desperately for food in the wild.

  He supposed he should be happy the halfling was going free. David had done a deed Arlo applauded. But now, Arlo and Coradiel were paying for it. To make matters worse, Arlo doubted the Magistrate had let the orphanage keep any of the money they’d been given.

  Maybe Coradiel was right. Maybe he was too paranoid. But every time he let his guard down, something terrible happened. Was it really paranoia if people actually were out to get him?

  Tsuto hadn’t stirred tonight. Coradiel slept like the angel he was. Shalelu and Orik seemed to have bonded rather well over the last few days, but they still slept in separate bedrolls in front of the tavern’s hearth. They didn’t have money for a real room. Not anymore.

  He saw Coradiel’s bed moving slightly. The paladin was “praying” again. Just like he had every morning since starting their journey; quietly, unobtrusively. Arlo was starting to wonder if he didn’t just have an exhibition kink.

  If he did, what did that make Arlo? Because the amurrun really enjoyed watching the half-elf play with himself.

  The movement stopped. And Coradiel stretched out with a tired yawn. He crawled out of his bedroll and padded barefoot over to Arlo. The paladin’s dress hung low today, baring much of his shoulders. Arlo had a feeling that was going to change soon. It was much too cold for that kind of garb outside. But at least within the tavern, the fire kept it toasty warm.

  “It’s done?” Coradiel prompted. He glanced down at the parchment. “The debt incurred by David Moonglow… among other aliases… not exceeding 2500 gold- 2500 gold sails?”

  “He cast that spell on me,” Arlo argued. “I feel violating my body in such a way is worth at least five hundred gold. He’s lucky I’m not claiming more.”

  Coradiel grunted, but continued reading.

  “‘To the effect that the person David Moonglow as defined above, definition negating any and all aliases past, present, and future, shall join the adventuring party The Paladin’s Squires until such a time as his debt has been paid off in gold sails.’ The Paladin’s Squires?”

  “Thought you’d appreciate that,” Arlo said, stretching back.

  “‘David Moonglow shall receive a share of 32 percent until such time as his debt has been repaid, after which this contract may be annulled or renegotiated.’”

  Coradiel frowned.

  “A better contract would stipulate our obligations to him as well.”

  “What obligations?” Arlo growled. “He-”

  “Is a vile person who should have to pay, yes, I know. How is he going to pay? Sure, he has a minority share of our loot, but we are obligated to provide opportunities for him to obtain said loot,” Coradiel pointed out. “We can’t leave the contract like this; it would be too easy to buy a house somewhere and have him work for us for the rest of his life without ever seeing a single copper he could put toward his debt.”

  “Ugh…” Arlo pulled out a separate parchment. “[Scrivener’s Chant].”

  A quill dipped itself in ink, then began copying the contract over as Arlo read it. He stopped at what he figured was an appropriate spot.

  “‘The Paladin’s Squires shall provide gainful employment to David Moonglow in the form of adventuring such that David Moonglow maintains both the rewards and the risks Coradiel Arthien and Arlo Silverpaw enjoy.’ Better?”

  “Mmm… ‘The Paladin’s Squires shall provide gainful employment to David Moonglow such that David Moonglow enjoys the same opportunities as full members of The Paladin’s Squires.’”

  Arlo sighed, but let the quill write Coradiel’s words down.

  “In the event of a dispute, both parties shall turn to a local authority to resolve the dispute satisfactorily. Should David Moonglow renege on his end of the contract, full payment shall be tendered to The Paladin’s Squires to the sum of 2500 gold sails, or the equivalency of. Should The Paladin’s Squires renege on their end of the deal-”

  “We won’t,” Arlo pointed out.

  “Should The Paladin’s Squires renege on their end of the deal,” Coradiel repeated, making sure Arlo wrote the words. “The Paladin’s Squires shall immediately liquidate and forfeit an amount equal to 32 percent of their current wealth to David Moonglow.”

  “And what’s to stop him from saying we went back on our word, and then stealing everything we have?” Arlo demanded.

  “It’s not everything we have. And a simple [Zone of Truth] spell would be enough to ensure none of us can lie about what the other has done. Keep writing. ‘To the effect that David Moonglow may perform his obligations with the safety afforded full members of The Paladin’s Squires, The Paladin’s Squires shall give-”

  “Stop! We cannot afford to clothe his sorry ass,” Arlo snapped. “It’s going to take everything we have just to break him out of prison!”

  “The Paladin’s Squires shall give David Moonglow no less than one full day to ensure ample time is provided for David Moonglow to outfit himself properly. Any funds borrowed from The Paladin’s Squires for this purpose shall be added to David Moonglow’s remaining debt. In the event of David Moonglow’s death through misfortune, one single resurrection spell, or magic of similar intent, will be provided by The Paladin’s Squires, to the effect that David Moonglow be allowed to continue paying off the debt, with the cost of the resurrection spell added to the remainder.”

  “Christ, you’re going to make me use the back…” Arlo grumbled. “Give me a moment.”

  He blotted the page dry and flipped the parchment over. Wetting his quill again, the amurrun looked expectantly at Coradiel. Coradiel scratched his head. Turning the parchment over again, he read through what Arlo had already written.

  “You do realise this confirms the fact that you are still alive, right?”

  “How so? I didn’t use my name, and when I sign it, I’ll just mark an X. That’s legally binding, right?”

  Coradiel sighed, rubbing his forehead. “Gods, I hate contracts. Yes, that’s legally binding, especially if we can find a cleric of Abadar around here to oversee the signing. If not, I’m sure there’s a clerk in the Magistrate’s office who can confirm the contract is whole and sound.”

  “Well then.” Arlo looked out the window, where they could see banks of fog roiling about. In the distance, a haunting whistle could be heard outside. “Let’s not waste any more time. I have the money, you get the contract.”

  The magistrate’s office was filled to the brim with books. It looked more like a library than an actual mayor’s office… or magistrate. Arlo gazed around them, spotting a couple of tomes he recognised from his time perusing Haladan’s library in Sandpoint.

  Behind a large mahogany desk, a gnome sat. Vibrant green hair frazzled in every direction, and the gnome’s eyebrows stretched off his face, giving him an outlandish look. Before him, Arlo’s contract sat.

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  “So, you wish to buy the halfling’s debt off me?” Magistrate Bagalom clarified.

  “Yes, Lord Magistrate,” Coradiel said. “We have the two thousand gold sails with us in five bags. Your clerks have already verified the count.”

  “And has David agreed to your proposal?”

  “We thought it best to come here before involving him, Lord Magistrate. It was our intention to ensure the contract was sound and agreeable by all parties, however, David cannot be released to view the contract without your permission.”

  “I can see your conundrum. Well, I am happy to sell his debt to you, to be handled in whatever manner you see fit,” Magistrate Bagalom said. “However, you need an official to oversee the signing of this contract. As much as it pains me to release that beast from his cell, I will grant you an audience. Guard!”

  The human standing beside the door came to attention.

  “Have David Moonglow brought to my office.”

  “Yes, my lord.”

  Bowing, the man hurried from the office, to be replaced with the guard standing outside the room.

  Coradiel and Arlo waited several minutes before the halfling was brought before them. David cast a scathing glower at Arlo as he was brought to a stop between the two. The cambion was back in his halfling guise — it seemed to be his natural form. Arlo had to exercise great restraint not to pop wood just looking at him. It was unnerving in a way — he was clearly an adult, but his size gave Arlo pause.

  Coradiel didn’t seem to have the same problem.

  “David Moonglow. You stand accused of stealing two thousand gold sails from the office of the Magistrate,” Magistrate Bagalom said sternly. Arlo tried not to laugh; the gnome looked hilarious trying to cast a serious shadow. “Two options lie before you. You can either join with the Black Arrow Rangers and become their problem to manage, or you can sign this contract The Paladin’s Squires have set before you.”

  “Contract?” David’s eyes narrowed. He stepped toward the desk, only to be yanked back by the man guarding him. His shackles clanked loudly. “Do I get the opportunity to read this contract before signing my life over to strangers?”

  “The contract stipulates-” Coradiel started.

  “I’d like to read it for myself,” David interrupted.

  “I’ll allow it,” Magistrate Bagalom said, motioning the halfling forward.

  David scanned the contract slowly, mouthing out several words as he read.

  “2500 gold sails!”

  “Reparations for enchanting me to pay off your debt,” Arlo growled at him.

  “I would have doubled that,” Magistrate Bagalom said.

  “But you’re giving me a majority share in loot?”

  “Minority. Coradiel and I are the only true members of the party.” Arlo’s eyes narrowed at the halfling, as he tried surreptitiously to hide his erection. “You’re lucky to get as much as we’re offering.”

  “If you feel the contract is unfair, we are heading to Fort Rannick,” Coradiel added helpfully.

  “Isn’t coercion illegal?” David demanded, glaring at the magistrate.

  “Sure is. But this is not coercion. You’re free to choose either option,” Magistrate Bagalom pointed out.

  “And what happened to working off my debt here?”

  “Your debt has been purchased by The Paladin’s Squires,” the magistrate replied. “You are no longer my concern.”

  “If I sign the contract, do I get my gear back?”

  “Combat gear, yes. Anything else is forfeit,” Magistrate Bagalom replied.

  “Even my viola?!”

  “Everything. If you choose to join the Rangers, we will keep your combat gear as well. The Rangers will surely outfit you accordingly.”

  “I at least need my hairpin. I cannot-”

  “It is a Greater Hat of Disguise. It remains with us.”

  That seemed a bit harsh, even to Arlo. But he wasn’t in a position to renegotiate. The contract was between him, Coradiel, and David, not the magistrate.

  Growling, David grabbed the parchment.

  “Will someone remove these thrice-damned shackles?!” he demanded, yanking at the chains around his wrists.

  At a nod from Magistrate Bagalom, the guard produced a key and unlocked the halfling’s wrists and ankles. David wet a quill and signed the two parchments in front of him. Shoving them toward Coradiel, he watched as the paladin and the arcanist signed after him.

  “So who’s the blasted paladin we serve?”

  “That would be me,” Coradiel said with a smile.

  “Aw fuck me….”

  They remained in town a full day as stipulated. But with no money, no one was buying anything. Instead, Arlo spent his day enchanting a wand he’d collected from Magnimar, while Coradiel worked on copying the book he’d been carrying around.

  Finally, night fell. The group retired beside the hearthfire. David was afforded a simple straw pallet and a spare blanket Arlo had tucked within his bag. For his part, Arlo continued using his tattoo to keep watch over the group. But Tsuto seemed to finally accept his fate; he hadn’t done anything nefarious since Wartle.

  Arlo still kept an eye on him.

  Come morning, they were treated to another dish of swampy stew. Arlo flavoured his accordingly, drawing a glower from the tavern keeper. He didn’t care. Good food was its own reward; he didn’t need anyone to approve his actions.

  Harnessing Jack and Diane proved a chore in the drizzle — this was starting to get out of hand. The rain had not stopped for six whole days!

  “What is up with this weather?” Arlo demanded, hooking Jack up to the wagon.

  “You’re the mage,” Coradiel grumbled.

  “Not a diviner though.” Arlo frowned, thinking through his spells. Nope, no useful divinations; not for this situation at least. “I don’t know. It just doesn’t seem right. Do you think someone’s up to something?”

  Coradiel sighed, tightening a harness.

  “I don’t know,” he said. “Let’s just get on the road.”

  Arlo shrugged. Someone was in a bad mood this morning. The amurrun wasn’t sure how to help, so he just went inside and gathered everyone.

  They set off east along an increasingly wet road. Ilsurian was only a day out of Whistledown, but that did little to lighten the mood. David seemed to be the cause of it all; the cambion was sulking in the back of the wagon. It made Arlo want to do something — anything — to help him feel better. He fought with that feeling, not sure if the cambion was fucking with his mind again. His heart said no, his mind said there was absolutely a possibility.

  The group passed through Ilsurian early in the afternoon. After some debate, it was decided to continue further, and the wagon finally turned north. But their struggles were far from over. The roads remained bogged down, the rain only increased in fervour, and spirits soured further. Even the sight of patrols from the town didn’t help their moods.

  With the rains pouring down around them, it took another four days to reach Turtleback Ferry.

  “Arlo Green is alive.”

  Kulungu took a deep breath. It was the first time Annamentus Jivorus had seen any open sign of unease from the druid. That in itself spoke volumes.

  The information had come from Wartle not an hour ago. A Pharasmin cleric had seen a catfolk demolish a caravan with spells and an exploding weapon. It was unlike any other report of the amurrun. Annamentus had the feeling the cleric was not being honest with her report. The Deer had mentioned Arlo Green did his best to ensure people were safe. The amurrun had given his life to save another.

  “Master Annamentus, I must admit I have doubts about Arlo Green’s survival,” the Deer said quietly. “He was dead. You saw that yourself. The spell worked, and we waited the appropriate amount of time to ensure resurrection was impossible. Our agent verified Lord Coradiel Arthien still holds the urn with his ashes within his townhouse. I, myself, verified that Lord Arthien was not able to resurrect Arlo; he had no magic to be dispelled upon him as he left Iomedae’s temple, nor did anyone following him. Reports from the Church of Abadar confirm his appointment for resurrection was missed in the days we kept him here.”

  “Still, there is a chance. We cannot accept that chance,” Annamentus said. “I want you to travel to Wartle and verify that there are no amurrun hiding there. I will maintain eyes on Arlo’s house in Sandpoint for the next month, just in case.” The man took a deep breath, steepling his hands on his desk. “Deer, I understand your reticence. I would not ask this if I were not absolutely certain of the need. When you return, I will see to it that you have a month off of hospice duty.”

  “Thank you, Master Annamentus.” Kulungu bowed slightly. “Am I to take anyone with me? The roads are hazardous between here and Wartle.”

  “You may take Lillian with you for support,” Annamentus allowed.

  Kulungu nodded silently. Lillian was a warpriest of no inconsiderate skill. For her to be placed under his command… Annamentus really thought there was a chance of Arlo’s survival.

  But if he was alive, Pharasma must have allowed his soul to return. Maybe his death wasn’t required.

  No. Kulungu had his orders. He would follow them.