When they arrived at Piederfort, Theo hopped off Carrot's back as they approached the gate. 

Scourge was tucked away in his cloak, and Theo had threatened him to keep quiet until told otherwise.

Piederfort was a small, somewhat poor town. 

There was a gate guard, though the walls around town were in such disrepair, Theo didn't know what the point of having a guard was. 

The guard seemed to agree, as he didn't make Theo show any type of identification. 

Not that it would have mattered. Theo had plenty of fake travelers' pendants.

"I'm looking for an inn. Do you have any inn recommendations?" Theo asked the guard, a tanned, fit man who seemed to be in his twenties.

"There's only one, my friend."

Theo nodded. "Where can I find it?

"Just stick to this road. About ten minutes of walking and you'll get to the city square."

Raising a hand, the guard waved down the street.

"Take the road on the left. Go until you get to this road on the left…I can't remember its name…Anyway, it's by the store that sells girly stuff and take a right. And then..."

Theo was trying to pay attention, but he was absolutely lost at this point.

The guard stared at his feet.

"Sorry. I'm terrible with directions. But if you wait twenty minutes, my shift will end, and I'll take you. It's where I'm staying. It's called The Plucked Chicken." The guard mumbled.

"That would be fantastic."

Theo sat on the ground, leaning against the brick gate wall while he waited.

"It'll be safer that way, too. I'd hate for a newcomer to get injured," the guard said.

Theo paused. "Injured? Is there much crime here?"

The guard waved his hands. "No, no. People here are great." He said, but he rubbed the back of his neck. "There's just been some kind of bogie coming. We've got a crew keeping watch, but…it still got in twice this week."

If a true monster was going around, it was probably something he had accidentally summoned at some point. 

He'd better take care of it. 

Of course, Theo would be beaten to the brink of death if Dullahan ever found out about it, but that just meant he had to make sure he didn't get caught.

"What's the monster like?" Theo asked.

The guard shuddered. "It's been eating people. Some it's just drained their blood. Another had their heart ripped out. It's-It's been nasty. I've never seen anything like it."

"What does it look like?" Theo asked, ignoring the cold guilt that was coiling in his stomach.

"Someone said it looked like a human, but the bite marks. There's no way."

Theo nodded. A bloodthirsty, human-like creature. 

He could do this.

"I'm Marcus, by the way." The guard said and offered Theo a hand.

Theo shook it. "I'm Th-Thad."

Theo kicked himself for almost saying his name.

 Even if the wanted posters had his name wrong, Theo didn't want any rumors of how he saved a town circulating with his real name.

 "Nice to meet you, Thad," Marcus said.

Silence fell between them until another guard came to relieve them. 

This one was silent, nervous. He stood with his back close to the wall and a hand on his weapon.

"Be careful, Henry," Marcus said to the newcomer as he gathered his things.

Henry gave a tight nod. "You too, Marc."

Marcus raised a hand in acknowledgment.

"Come on," He said to Theo as he led the way to The Plucked Chicken. 

Marcus chatted with Theo the entire way to The Plucked Chicken. He seemed the sort that never met a stranger. Theo found himself laughing at Marcus's jokes on more than one occasion.

By the time they reached the inn, Marcus had declared them friends and said they would be dining together. 

Theo imagined how Marcus would react to knowing his new friend was one of the most notorious villains on the continent. 

People often said they wanted famous friends, but Theo didn't think he was what they had in mind.

"You need someone to show you around the menu," Marcus said just before they reached the somewhat derelict inn. 

It had a porch with a leaning rail, the shutters were a tad crooked, and some windows had cracks. 

"Some of the stuff could rival the royal palace's fare, and some of it makes you think you'd rather starve," Marc explained.

Marcus led Theo to the stables where they were met by a scrawny stable hand wearing patched clothes.

"Two coppers for the night," the stable boy began, "and an extra if your stead would like some apples."

Theo glanced at Carrot.

"I'm sure he would," Theo said while handing the stable hand three copper coins.

Carrot snorted and jabbed at Theo with his horn. Theo rubbed his arm and elbowed Carrot's back. 

The stable boy's eyes shone at the sight of the unicorn. Unicorns weren't rare enough to oust Theo as "Neo" just for being associated with one. 

Still, their attitude made them be considered unreliable transportation, so it wasn't every day the stable boy would see one. 

"If you can find some carrots, I'd also appreciate that," Theo said, handing the stable hand two more copper coins.

"I'll make it happen, sir." The stable boy practically jumped with delight at the extra coins.

Carrot swished his head happily and followed the boy into the stables, ready to gorge himself, no doubt. 

Theo wouldn't be surprised if his bill was more extensive in the morning. Carrot had a talent for helping himself to food.

"Now that the unicorn's taken care of, we can finally eat," Marcus said, pumping a fist above his head. "I recommend the beef stew. Doesn't look like much, but tastes pretty good."

"Sounds great." Theo tentatively smiled.

Within minutes, Marcus had them sitting at a tilting table eating delicious stew. Of course, his opinion about its quality might have been influenced by the fact that Theo hadn't eaten proper food for a couple of days. 

As the inn began to fill with customers, Theo let Marcus goad him into drinking a couple of pints. 

Theo watched from the background as Marcus led the locals in a bawdy bar song.

At first glance, the people in the bar looked unaffected by the monster plaguing their town. But as Theo watched more, he noticed their laughter was a little too sharp, their smiles a little too tight. 

Furthermore, as soon as the sun began to set, everyone hurried out of the bar, eager to get home before nightfall.

 Everyone except for one drunken elderly man.

"I'm going to have to take Gramps home," Marcus said, waving to Theo.

"Be careful."

"Will do."

Theo chugged the rest of his ale and went to his room. 

It was a tiny, cramped space with a fading quilt. He hoped he could finish this task quickly so he could have time to laze around in it. 

It was such a waste to have a chance to sleep on a bed but spend it out monster hunting.

"You can come out now," Theo said and parted his cloak to look at the tiny dragon curled up in his pocket.

"Finally, Mortal Theo. Did you get me food?" The dragon asked as it clambered onto Theo's shoulder.

Theo winced as the needle-like claws pricked his skin, but he pulled a meat-stuffed bun he had snuck into a pocket and handed it to the dragon. 

Scourge grabbed the bun in his jaws and leaped onto the bed. 

Theo stared at the dragon lounging on the bed jealously. Too bad he wouldn't get to spend much time there.

Theo sat on the bed while he searched his pack. Theo didn't really need a physical weapon. 

He was much more accustomed to bending shadows to his will than using unyielding steel. But he couldn't explain how he killed the creature if he used his powers, so he was forced to use an ordinary weapon.

When he found what he was looking for, Theo stood and strapped the dagger to his thigh.

"What are you doing, Mortal Theo?" Scourge said past a mouth full of food.

"There's a monster killing people here. I'm going to take care of it."

"Sounds scary for a mortal," Scourge said before swallowing his food.

Theo shrugged. "It will be fine. It's better for me to fight it than those guards."

"I think the guard you've been hanging out with might have magic," Scourge replied. "It's hard to smell it past yours, though."

Scourge stretched his wings. Theo scratched Scourge's head before opening the window. 

However, he was surprised to learn the little dragon could smell magic. That could be a helpful skill in the future.

"Don't leave this room, and don't make much noise," Theo instructed the tiny dragon.

"Town is boring," Scourge complained and flicked his tongue.

"Scourge," Theo warned.

"I promise," Scourge said with a hiss, "but you better bring me back an offering."

"I will."

Theo hopped out the window and pulled it shut behind him. 

He slowly crept down the roof before leaping to the ground and landing in a crouch. Theo stuck to the shadows, clinging close to walls and darting between crates. 

It was in this manner that Theo patrolled the town. 

He scurried around about half the town before he heard a scream.

It was high-pitched and shrill.

Abandoning the cover of the shadows, Theo sprinted after the sound. 

He raced down the road and turned left. 

He still didn't see who it was. 

Theo crawled on top of a nearby cart and used it to clamber onto a roof. He swiveled his head, looking for anything awry.

Another scream pierced the air.

There, to his right. 

Theo saw two figures fighting a ghostly pale one. It was so white that it practically glowed in the night. 

Theo leaped off the roof and ran to fight the creature. As he got closer, he saw that the person fighting the creature was a man with a sword – Marc. The blade was glowing with a soft, blue light.

Scourge was right about smelling magic. 

Marc must be a sword mage, but it was strange for a sword mage to work in such a small town.

Regardless, Marc was panting with exertion, and his left arm hung at an awkward angle. 

Behind him was the bar gramps' prone figure. It was likely that Marc had been unable to use the full force of his magic because he was protecting a civilian. 

Theo gritted his teeth. 

He hadn't hoped for an audience, much less one who had already seen him and would be able to recognize him.

 Nevertheless, Theo threw himself between Marc and the creature, slashing wildly at the monster with his dagger.

 Who knew? Perhaps it would be nice to do something heroic. 

Theo had heard it was good to try new things occasionally.

The monster reeked.

It wasn't the scent of sulfur or death like one might expect from such a hellish-looking creature. It was unnamable. Suffocating. 

Theo choked under its stink.

His eyes watered, blurring his vision. He could barely make out the crooked teeth aiming for his throat. 

Theo ducked, caught his breath, and swiped at the monster with his dagger. Theo struck the creature in the ribs, and it howled in pain. 

Theo used the opportunity to jump back.

"You need to run," Marc said, pushing himself back between Theo and the monster.

Theo shook his head. 

There was no time for words. He rushed the monster again. 

It was prepared this time and swiped at him. It moved so fast. 

Theo couldn't tell what it even hit him with. 

He slid back several inches. 

He was bleeding from his ribs now. 

Several deep punctures pierced his flesh. Thankfully his cloak was thick enough to absorb quite a bit of blood, so the blood wasn't summoning any new creatures to deal with yet.

It was quite a vindictive little monster.

The creature smiled, rows of teeth gleaming. It licked its hand, no its claws, reveling in Theo's blood.

"Tasty," It giggled. "More, please."

Theo grimaced. Most of the monsters didn't turn on him, but occasionally one acted half-crazed over his blood. 

The tables turned, and it seemed to surge with strength from Theo's blood. 

It rushed him. Quickly. 

Theo struggled to react. 

The creature clamped its teeth at the base of Theo's neck. It hummed as it gnawed into his flesh.

Marc slashed at it with his sword to no avail. 

The time for playacting was over. If Theo didn't use magic, he might die. 

Theo gathered the most magic he could. He knotted together shadows and his own magic. It was a blunt, cruel weapon, but it would work. 

He thrust it into the creature's chest. It flew off him, slamming into a nearby wall.

Theo was dizzy from losing blood and mana, but he ran to the creature and sawed into its neck with his dagger.

The blood was acidic and burned his hands, but he continued until the head was separated from the body.

"What just happened?" Marc asked. His voice was quiet, still. "That magic was…unnatural."

Theo dropped the gruesome head and pressed his hands to his wounds. 

He was bleeding quickly and had to ensure his blood didn't fall.

The creature's acidic burn contaminated his wounds, but he couldn't afford to care.

"Burn the body. Not sure what. Better to be safe," Theo said. His head was swimming from blood loss and pain. "For food, thanks."

Theo took a stumbling step forward. 

He needed to run before Marc figured out what he was.

"You need a doctor," Marc said while moving toward Theo.

Theo scuttled backward, his back hitting a wall. Theo shook his head, and the motion caused him to yelp in pain.

"Let me go. I will...fight." Theo blinked. 

His vision was blurring.

Mark raised his hands. "I have…questions, but you saved me. You saved a lot of people. If I swear not to tell my supervisors until after we talk, will you let me help you?"

"Oath?" Theo bit out.

Marc hesitated, then nodded.

He pricked his thumb on a dagger, drawing a drop of blood.

Theo stuck out his hand and clasped Marc's. 

He already had enough blood on it to make an oath.

"I swear not to tell anyone about what Thad did until he's awake enough to have a real conversation."

Nothing happened.

"Is your name Thad?" Marc said as he stared Theo down.

Theo shook his head, growing dizzier with the movement.

"I could just drag you to a doctor," Marc said.

Theo pitched forward, doing his best to run away. 

He fell instead. 

He hit the ground with the crown of his head and his knees as he tried to keep his blood from touching the ground.

Marc pinched the bridge of his nose before offering his hand to Theo.

Theo pushed himself up to his knees as Marc tried again. "I swear not to tell anyone about this man until we have a proper talk about what happened."

A zip of magic surged between them. It felt a bit like static electricity. 

Theo relaxed. He was safe for now. 

He climbed to his feet and felt another rush of dizziness. Marc wrapped an arm under him before he could fall.

"Blood," Theo mumbled, "don't touch ground."

Marc grumbled as he half-drug Theo to where the bar gramps lay on the ground unconscious. "I'm not going to drop you."

Theo gritted his teeth. "Don't let," His breath hitched, "my blood touch the ground."

Marc paused. He studied Theo. "

What the hell have I gotten into?" Marc asked as he struggled to lift the bar gramps with his free hand. 

The movement made Theo vomit on himself and Mark.

"S-sorry," Theo murmured.

Marc sighed as he grabbed the bar gramps around his waist. 

"Least I'm alive," Marc said to himself. "At least I'm alive."