A group of guards passes by the party. The leader yells “to the west!” and his men follow. Enseada is in utter chaos. Probably another tree has fallen over something. In the last fifteen minutes the fugitives saw plenty of imperial and kingdom soldiers working alongside to minimize the damage that the downpour had been doing. No one even paid attention to the five hooded figures that entered town.

“Let’s find somewhere dry.” Kai proposes trembling.

The tavern is packed. A lot of travelers and refugees were prevented from leaving because of the rain. The bartender informs there are no rooms available at the inn, but the party wasn’t planning on staying the night either way.

Omega has some questions for the man. “Where can we find the town’s sorcerer?”

“You want an autograph, little man?” The tavern keeper laughs at his own joke, but the kid doesn’t share his sense of humor. “We don’t have one here, son.”

Solanus raises a brow. “There is not a single mage in a port city?”

“Oh, no, ‘course we have a few. But the one who cares for the temple is from the woods.”

“That’s inconvenient, no?” Aisha chimes in.

The man shrugs. “No one pray to lizards here.”

Jack swears the boy’s eyes shift to golden as the man offends the dragons. Or it could be a trick of the light as he quickly hiss “thanks for the information” and turns to go sit at a table.

“What do you need a witch for?” Kai is drinking something from a mug.

“The way to the temple requires some enchantments.”

“Can’t Sol do it?”

The child shakes his head. “They are very specific and passed down from master to pupil.”

“Why go to such lengths to secure a shrine?”

He stares at the rogue, a solemn expression on his face. “Because there are very valuable things inside.” Then he sighs. “I would like to ask you, Jacqueline, to bring me back to the forest on your way home. I must search for this witch of the woods.”

The girl’s eyebrows are furrowed. “You? Alone?”

The others share her confusion, but Omega answers before anyone else. “I’m afraid so. This is where we shall follow different paths.”

Solanus has an upset tone. “Then we disagree for once.” He crosses arms over his chest. “I’m not about to let you on your own!”

The kid wears a weak smile. “I appreciate the thought, but it could become dangerous now.”

“That’s ultimately my choice to make.” The summoner almost pouts saying it.

And the princess joins in. “I also choose to go.”

Lastly, Kai raises a hand. “I’m tempted to say the same, but I would like some insight on this danger part first.”

Outnumbered and surprised, Omega chuckles and turns to face the rogue. “I can tell it to you, but…” His eyes meet Jack’s.

The girl lets out an embarrassed “oh” and averts her gaze.

“It’s not that I distrust you, young one. I only believe you are safer knowing as little as possible.”

She looks up.

His irides were really glowing in golden before, as they are now. “But I will disclose the last secret we kept from you, if that’s your wish. Just bear in mind it might bring upon more trouble than you signed up for.”