Savannah insisted on them taking a water taxi to the edge of Goblindown, as it would be faster than walking. When Siobhan objected, saying that she didn't have the money to pay for a taxi, Savannah had waved it off, then started negotiating with a merman who was waiting by his boat in the canal.

"Ah, come on, Frankie honey," Savannah said, smiling broadly. "You can give us a ride for free."

"No, I cannot. The union is already on me cuz of last time," the merman scowled as he protectively wrapped his arms around the stern of his small boat. 

"Yeah, but remember what happened last time? Didn't Maka love those opals you got for her?"

"Yeah, she did. But even with your credits, the seller still wound up stiffing me. Do you know how much I paid for two opal earrings?"

"My man, those were genuine opals, not the freshdirt garbage they sell around here. Someone had to dig those out."

"You make sense, but still…"

"Please, Frankie? My friends have a super important meeting, and they're broke and starving. You don't want them to have to walk all that way, do you?"

"Look, I need collateral in the future for any and all rides. The union rep came down on me hard. All our earnings at the end of the day go into the pot, and we all share. If nothing else, how about that necklace you're wearing? The black one."

"Hey, you're asking me to give up my jewelry now?"

"We don't always get paid in dallas. People can trade stones and stuff. That looks like real jet stone. It should cover all three of you one-way."

Savannah let out a huff of air, then unlatched the necklace and handed it over. She and the others clambered into the boat. Frankie put the necklace in the small chest at the stern of the boat, hauled the tow rope over his shoulder, and started swimming down the canal.

The boat had a good pace, enough that Raymond leaned back and grinned at the air blowing through his clean hair. Siobhan leaned over to Savannah and whispered, "Was it okay to give up your necklace?"

Savannah smiled. "It had no value to me. I picked it up in the market with some others for like ten dallas. If it's valuable for Frankie, it's all good."

Siobhan simply sat back and enjoyed the rest of the ride. When seen from the water, the crowded streets took on the air of a tourist spot. It was approaching twilight, and the lamplighters were scurrying along to light the street lamps. A few were fairies, lighting the lights with their magic. Several small brown dragons galloped along, clambered up the lamppost with ease and blew the fires into being. There was a communal air to the crowds, as most of them were heading home after work, and they could afford to be generous to their fellow travelers.

Before she had tired of the sight, they were at the port for Goblindown. They disembarked, and Frankie took off upstream, muttering that he'd find no legal fares down here. Savannah set off with confidence, taking long strides to keep up with the taller humans. Raymond seemed to come a little more alive, sniffing the air almost constantly. Siobhan simply walked along, trying to not get separated from them.

It was different here than in the parts of the city she was used to. The buildings were built out of stone, more solid than the decorative buildings in the Mercantile Quarter where she usually played. In spite of the different appearance, the buildings were mostly clean and decorated with carvings and small gardens. As they kept walking, the stores began to outnumber the homes, and they were dodging all sorts of sellers and buyers.

Savannah led them straight through the crowds, although Siobhan would have preferred to skirt the Goblins, as there were so many she had to push as much as they did. Raymond somehow managed to get through with very few Goblins getting in his way. Perhaps it was his fangs and growl that cleared a path.

Eventually, they reached a more run-down part of Goblindown. The buildings began to look deserted, and there were a few junkers of all races sprawled out on door steps, or sleeping in alleys.

"Hey, friends, you wanna try some junk?" A Goblin leaned out of a window abruptly, startling Siobhan. When Raymond growled at the Goblin lady, she grinned, exposing teeth filed to sharp points. "Maybe your little doggie friend could use some to calm himself."

"Maybe he doesn't need any," Savannah said politely, pulling Raymond away.

"Come back anytime," the Goblin lady called after them.

They finally reached their destination, a building that was probably a remnant of the last time the city council had tried to install community housing. Some races simply didn't understand Goblin desire to have their own clan homes, rather than sharing buildings with strangers.

"Are you sure this is it?" Raymond asked.

"Yeah," Savannah said, trying the front door. It swung open under her hand, as the locks no longer worked. "It's a good thing we came with you. If I hadn't grown up around here, I doubt I could have found it for you."

They went in to find a long-since trashed lobby. Carvings and graffiti covered the walls, and trash was piled against the walls. It looked like some junkers had used it as a place to crash at some point.

"Watch where you step," Raymond said, leading them to the nearby stairs. According to the map, they were supposed to meet the mystery man on the third floor. It was basically a large gymnasium, with shower rooms against the far side. The man was sitting cross-legged in the center of the floor, in the exact middle of the basketball court.

"You're early," he commented.

"Had a guide." Siobhan nodded towards Savannah.

"I am surprised you keep company with werewolves," the man said.

Raymond growled softly in his throat. Siobhan put her hand on his arm, then said to the man, "I came as you asked. You promised me information."

"Step inside the lines first, please." The man gestured to the lines on the court.

"Nuh-uh," Raymond said. "We're not going in there. I can smell magic all over it."

"Cages make him mad," Savannah said, her fingers stroking one of the many pouches on her belt.

"It's not a cage. It's a protection magic. I don't want people overhearing."

Siobhan blinked in surprise, then strode forward. She crossed over the line, and felt a cool barrier pass over her. Raymond and Savannah dashed in after her.

"Don't be so frackin' reckless," Raymond snapped.

"Then smell it, or whatever you do to ascertain it's harmless." The man slowly moved his hand in front of him, and a box slowly became visible. Siobhan was surprised again. He must be a high-level mage. She hadn't sensed the invisibility spell over the box.

"What's that?" she asked.

"Your sister's thesis and notes."

"How did you get them?" Siobhan asked.

"I worked with her in the lab. My name is Tim."

"She mentioned a guy named Tim who helped her research stuff. That was you?"

"Yes. We shared notes all the time. She helped me with my thesis, I helped her with hers."

"The Academy gave me all of my sister's work. Why this elaborate meeting?"

Tim looked up at Siobhan, unnerving her with his calm brown eyes. "Are you sure? Did they really give you everything?"

"What do you mean by that?" Siobhan whispered.

"Just this: the University has a lot at stake in protecting its reputation. Perhaps you should consider that as you read this." Tim slowly stood up, his joints seeming stiff. "I know most of Sinead's reasons for her research. The main one was you. I helped her design those bracelets you wear, and she said they still weren't enough. She said perhaps next time you visited, she could convince you to meet me, so I could see firsthand what the trouble is. After meeting you, I wish that had happened."

Siobhan's heart lurched. Sinead's last letter home mentioned that hopeful meeting. The chances were even greater that he was who he said he was. "Okay then. Suppose I believe you when you say the University didn't give me everything. What does that have to do with you? What are you getting out of this skullduggery?"

Tim sighed, and tucked his hands inside his jacket pockets. "I was in love with Sinead. I never got around to telling her. The time was never right. And now…" He shrugged. "I don't fully believe she's dead. But I can't prove it on my own. For that I need your help. And to get your help, you need to get your magic under control. It was slipping out today. For that, you need to read all of her research. Not the sanitized versions the University gave you."

Siobhan crossed her arms, gripping herself as she tried to stay calm. It hadn't been her imagination. Her magic had slipped out when she was playing violin. She needed help, and it was quite possible that this guy could help. "Okay. Okay. I'll take this stuff home and read it. Will that satisfy you?"

"It'll be a step in the right direction. But I would prefer you to not travel home with this."

"Oi." Raymond stepped forward. "You are not keeping her here."

"I didn't say I would. Step closer to each other and the box, please. I can transport you."

"What?"

"The protection spell on the box should stay intact for another week. Only those I've authorized can open it. So it should be fine if you keep it in your apartment. Step closer, please." He motioned them towards each other. 

"Hold up a second," Siobhan said hastily. "First of all, do you know where to transport us? Second, how am I supposed to contact you when I'm done reading? I don't want to come back here again."

"I'll contact you. See you soon." Tim waved his hand. A magic circle appeared on the floor around the three friends and the box. Siobhan caught a glimpse of the circle before the light flared and then faded, and they were standing in the dim apartment kitchen.