The exterior of the town was small, yet, several crowds of Natura Borne walked from one establishment to another. The housing and storefronts were connected, and others were separate stalls with vendors selling various knick-knacks on the streets.

“Keisha, come here for a second.” Verona reached her hand to cover her eyes.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m changing them violet, like mine—travestimento.” Nothing happened, but Verona removed her hand from her face. “There, that should hold for a while. Keep your hood on just in case, and don’t look at anyone directly in the eye.”

“Why did you need to change my eyes anyway?”

“Because a Natura Borne has silver eyes, and if they notice yours are different, they will report it.”

She assumed if they found out, the Thirteen Monarchs would punish her. Keisha grabbed both edges of the cloak, and they headed for a blacksmith’s shop.

“If anyone asks,” Verona whispered to her as they passed a few Natura Borne. “You’re a resident of Dolent.”

“Right, got it, I don’t know what that is, but got it.”

Verona shook her head, but they were already coming close to the blacksmith. “Come on, let’s hurry inside.”

***

“You want what now, missy?” 

“Well, clearly, I didn’t stutter. I need you to make a Stanza for my friend. I’m showing her the ropes.” Verona tried convincing the blacksmith. He was a tawny brown-skinned man who stood close to six feet tall with a bald head and a thick beard with bulging muscles.

“I’m from Dolent!” Keisha exclaimed. She was off to the side, examining the different weapons he had for any situation or creature.

The blacksmith’s silver eyes stared at Keisha and side glanced at Verona.

“Right, she’s a trainee?”

“Don’t judge a book by its cover, you know. She’s a real fighting machine.”

A clang brought Verona’s attention back to Keisha, who had dropped a plate of armor that she had picked up to inspect. Seeing that she had an audience, Keisha hid the armor behind her back and gave them a toothy smile.

“Uh-huh, dangerous. Look, whatever, you girls can be as tough as nails, but what you ask will take time…and money, which I don’t think you two can afford.”

Verona grumbled. She placed her hand in her pocket to show him sparkly jeweled Shards of different colors, but the blacksmith shook his head, saying it wouldn’t be enough.

“Sir, please,” Keisha begged, coming over to the counter. “We need that Stanza so I can protect myself.”

The blacksmith narrowed his eyes at her. Keisha forgot to look away and regretted speaking when she did. She was worried about the consequences or what the Monarchs would do to her if they found out she was here.

“Guess there’s one thing you can do,” the blacksmith said. “We’ve got a She-Wolf problem, and if you can get rid of it, I’ll do this without pay.”

Keisha wanted to jump in victory.

“Deal,” Verona said. “And one last thing, do they still appear?”

“The Mortal Light? They’re located in the Descent last someone seen them. They have eyes and ears on everything, but there are dangers on that path.”

Verona tapped the counter. “We’ll be fine; thanks for the heads up.”

The two of them left the store to handle the towns’ She-wolf problem. “Who’s the Mortal Light?” Keisha asked, and her heart skipped a beat. “Is this someone who has answers to find my mamma?”

Verona grinned. “They might be able to help find your papa, too.”