My horse was barely moving, when I reached Mina. If I would have to describe Mina, I would call it a town with many churches. Most prominent among them were temples of sea god Poseidon. Surrounded by grass nds with a forests only on its south, town did not have walls surrounding it. It was big. Without walls town spread and grew wider. It was Rakshasar only port town and also the center of its navy. North west from it where Northmen isles. Northmen were vikings, who raided all seacoast vilges and towns, and Mina navy patrolled Rakshasar borders to protect the kingdom. Across the Middle ocean was also Dark continent, ancient enemy of humanity. Hundred years ago when queen Elizabeth and her allied forces invaded Lucifer's empire, they signed a peace treaty that ended the war. For now officially there was piece between the kingdoms, but raids from Dark continent kingdoms were common treat and never did stop.

  Because of the navy and ck of the threats from inside, the kingdom town was not protected by town wall. It was the first town that I saw, that was not protected by high walls.

  I left my horse in one of the stables and asked about the Adventurer guild. After walking around the town for several hours and taking some wrong turns, I was able to find the guild building. It was two stories high with simple wooden door, but had wide enough reception room, with dozen long tables. Some of them had young adventurers occupying the tables, with ale cups in front of them, and one of the guild workers was working as waitress.

  I took a look at a quest board. Mostly simple work in town. Some guard jobs, but not much work for high ranking adventurers. Also payment was mostly in copper coins. This adventurer branch looked more like temporary job agency to me.

  I went to the receptionist and smiled at her.

  - Greetings. I would like to post a quest for your adventurers. But my job is urgent. It is low risk, and I will pay five copper coins a day for any adventurers who will agree to take it. Also everyone will receive two silver coins if my job is completed, and a three gold coin to the adventurer who will complete my job first. How many adventurers can you gather until midday?

  - What kind of job is it?

  - Just information gathering inside the town. I am looking for something, and I am short on time. All that will be required from the adventurers is to walk around the town and perhaps ask some questions. Also there is a time limit. Job must be completed in two days time, counting today. I will tell more detailed information, once the adventurers are gathered.

  - How many adventurers do you wish to hire?

  - All of them.

  - What if several dozen adventurers decide to take the quest?

  - Good. The more the better. And I will be grateful to you if you decide to spread the word about it, - I put an orichalcum coin on the table.

  Her eyes widened and she nodded:

  - Please wait. I will prepare the quest form. Also you do know that Adventurer guild keeps ten percent of the reward, as a commission?

  - Yes, please increase the amount by it, so that adventurers could receive the reward that I mentioned.

  - As you wish. I will need your name?

  - It's Avone.She nodded and finished filling the form. I read its content and signed the form.

  - Good. I will be counting on your help. I will return in midday. Is there any taverns nearby?

  - Yes, - she described me the way to the tavern, and I left the guild. Behind me I heard he receptionist calling nearby adventurers. Well her payment was dependent on guilds income. And this was probably a high paying job for this town, which meant probably a month income for the guild.

  After finding Sea shell tavern, I ordered lunch and waited for a while longer sipping an ale. Most of my lunch was sea food, but cooked fish and seaweed sad was not bad.

  I returned to the guild and looked around. There were more than two dozen adventurers. Not as much as I hoped, but should be enough.

  Earlier receptionist approached me and bowed.

  - We gathered all adventurers that we could.

  - Thank you, - I smiled at her: - Your help is much appreciated. So all of them agreed to take the quest?

  - Yes. Everyone here.

  I nodded and stepped on one of the chairs. Adventurers looked towards me and noise in guild slowly died down. I looked around. Aloysius was not among them. There was only small chance of that, but I needed to make sure.

  - Thank you for accepting my request. Before I tell you about the details, I assume you all were informed about the reward amount and how you my increase it, - most of them nodded, and no one asked questions about it: - Good. I am looking for a someone. He is a man from Rider nds, - I described Aloysius as good as I could: - He arrived in Mina several days ago and probably will be looking for a ship. You have until tomorrow evening to find him. Once you do, come to Sea shell tavern. I will be staying there. First adventurer who takes me to that man receives the gold coins. All you need to do is find him and take me to him. Under no circumstances approach him yourself.

  - Who is he? - asked one of the adventurers.

  - He is suspected member of Assassin guild. You can imagine the rest, - adventurers started whispering amongst themselves. They probably had good imagination: - For that reason, I advise you to be careful if you pn to ask questions about him. If he finds out that someone is looking for him, he will disappear and you will not get your additional reward. I would suggest that you talk among yourselves and separate the town into areas that each of you will search. But do not waste your time. Remember that it is time sensitive. That will be all. I will be waiting in the tavern for good news.

  Some adventurers wanted to ask more questions, but I ignored them. I jumped down from the chair, nodded to the receptionist and left the guild. I still got some time and used an opportunity to register in local mage guild's magic circle. Time was te midday, and I went back to the tavern. I paid two copper coins to the waitresses for the permission to spend a night on taverns floor and ordered more food. I wondered if my gamble would pay off. Worst case possible was Aloysius finding out about me and killing me before I get a chance to kill him.

  Time was approaching sun set, when one of the adventurers came inside the tavern, He came inside and took a seat next to me.

  - My name it Kurt. I find your southerner. He is in a Sea captain tavern. It is one of the port taverns, that mostly sailor and ship captains use.

  - Good. Look likes you will earn your gold coins. I will need you to show me that tavern, but first I need you to take me to Aphrodite's temple.

  - But what if he leaves the tavern?

  - Do not worry. I will pay you one more gold coin for taking this small risk. You will receive it even if we do not find him.

  - Fine. But let's hurry.

  - Just what I was thinking.

  He took me to one of the temples, and I tossed him gold coin and ordered to wait me outside. He hid the coin and nodded.Temple was surrounded by columns and one of the priestesses greeted me, when I approached the entrance.

  - Greetings traveler. Have you come to pay your respect to our goddess?

  - Not exactly, - I showed her Flower of fortune - an artifact coin that granted me special treatment in Aphrodite's temples: - I need to talk to your high-priestess.

  - Please follow me. I will take you to holy Amtara, - young priestess bowed and took me to high-priestesses room. High priestess turned out to be a woman past her prime. Her looks retained some of her past beauty, but he was not one of a young women that I got used to see in Aphrodite's temple of Tyco. I demonstrated her the coin and bowed my head.

  - Thank you for seeing me this te of the day. I require your help, which I believe you will be able to provide.

  - What exactly do you need?

  - I need your help with my wardrobe, - I pced two orichalcum coins in front of her: - I need a dress and makeover that will make even a hermit to desire me. And I need a dress that will match my purse, but I need it all to be done fast. I do not have much time. Also I will be keeping the dress afterwards.

  Priestess grinned and looked at my purse. She looked me over and nodded.

  - We can help you with that. You heard our guest, - she turned to the young priestess: - Take her to take a bath and clean her up, but do it fast.

  Priestess bowed and opened the door for me. Behind me high priestess cpped twice and two girls came inside her room.

  Girl cleaned me up and used ointment on my hair. I pced my armor and cloth in my magic purse, but left the underwear.

  - I'll need to use my own.

  Priestess looked at my panties and bra and nodded. They were red and sexy and looked great on me. Three more girls came in and helped her with towels. After that they started to apply makeup. I felt uncomfortable being naked, but try to hide my embarrassment and endure it. After makeup they finally allowed me to put on my underwear, and two younger girls brought several dresses. Or things that were supposed to be dresses. Most of them were made from silk and left almost nothing for imagination.

  High-priestess came in and observed their work.

  - What kind of man you need to seduce? - asked Amtara.

  - Man from south. From rider nds. He probably spend his life without woman, but desire them deep inside. If I would have to guess, I would say that he avoided woman company for quite some time. Even prostitutes.

  - I see, - she nodded thoughtfully: - We can help you with their kind.

  After trying on dozen outfits, Amtara chose one of them. Girls put it on me and then worked with my hair and finished my makeup. Amtara cpped, and two of the priestesses brought a mirror.I looked inside and did not recognize myself. Makeup made me look like a woman from the south kingdom. My hair was gathered above my head and left visible my shoulders. Dress looked dark red, closely covering my body, and became almost sea through when I moved. It was side slit dress, that just covered my braw. Even my elves ears had earrings and made my ears to match my human appearance.

  Belt emphasized my thin waste and made my breasts look bigger, and sandals with straps that went as high as my knees made my legs stand out. Belt, with my cute looking purse, matched the rest of my clothe.

  - What do woman usually keep in their purses? - I asked Amtara.

  She looked at me and ughed. She nodded to one of the priestesses, and she returned with small handkerchief, bottle with perfume and small wallet, made from soft material.

  I nodded and pced some copper and silver coins inside the wallet and then put it in my magic bag, without pcing them in Magic purses dimensional storage. Unlike most magic bags, my Female purse allowed mo to masquerade my magic purse as an ordinary one. I was also the only one who could use its magic properties and take out items stored in a pocket dimension.

  I looked once more at my reflection: - Thank you. It is perfect.

  - Come to me if you decide to dedicate your life to Aphrodite, - smiled high-priestess.

  - I will keep it in mind, - I put my cloak above the dress and went to find Kurt.

  Young adventurer was impatiently walking across the street and ignored me, when I got out of the temple.

  - Ready to go? - I asked him, when I got closer.

  He looked me and his eyes almost jumped out of their sockets.

  - Miss Avone?

  - What, did you forget how I look already? - I grinned.

  - No, but...

  - Leave it. Let us hurry, before it gets te.

  He nodded and almost run in front of me. I called him and told him to slow down. Getting to the tavern out of breath, would not be ideal for me.

  Sun was already setting down, and it was getting dark. But it was not te enough for tavern regur clients to leave. On our way, three men blocked our path and one of them grinned.

  - What's the hurry? Wanna have some good time with towns finest men?

  I grimaced and pced my hand on Kurt's shoulder, to move him aside.

  - Sure, - I smiled and got closer to them. Middle man extended his arm, and I grabbed it with my left arm. I squeezed as hard as I could, until I felt his bones breaking. Man opened his mouth to scream, but my right fist connected with his jaw, and we all heard a sound of cracking bone.

  He flew back and fell on the ground unconscious. His companions started to curse, and their hands approached their belts, with knives on them. I grabbed left man's arm and hit his stomach. He felt on his knees moaning. Last man stepped back.

  - You betch! - he shouted and then turned to run away.

  I did not followed him and turned to Kurt: - Let's go!

  Adventurer was pale, but nodded, and we resumed our walk. I had to knock out two more sailors before we reached the tavern. Air smelled like salt, and I heard ocean sounds. Tavern was brightly lighted inside, and I heard usual tavern sounds coming out of it.

  - He was inside. On the left, table close to the wall, - whispered Kurt. I peeked inside and looked at the direction that Kurt told me about. There was a man in bck robe sitting at the table, with a cup in his hand. It was Aloysius. Near him was an empty table. Things went better than I could have hoped.

  I stepped back and nodded to Kurt.

  - It is him. Give me quest completion form, - I signed the quest form, which allowed Kurt to collect his reward and additional gold coins: - Tell receptionist that she can keep the change as my thanks for her help. Now leave, and, after collecting your reward, forget that you ever saw me or this man.

  Kurt nodded and run away. Our short walk scared him a little.I went inside tavern and looked around, pretending that I was looking for a table. I approached Aloysius and occupied empty table hear to him. I took off my cloak and after taking a seat crossed my legs, demonstrating Aloysius my slender hips. I could almost feel his eyes on my legs. Waitress came to my table, and I ordered cup of wine.

  - It will be two copper coins, - she said, gncing at me with hint of jealousy. I nodded and took out my wallet from the purse. I did it in a way that allowed Aloysius to peek inside my purse. After paying, I pced my wallet back, and after waitress left, turned to Aloysius and looked at him with curiosity.

  - Are you from the south? - I slightly smiled.

  - Yes, - he nodded, and his eyes grew little colder.

  - I never saw a man from the south. Sorry to disturb you. I was suppose to meet someone, but my acquaintance did not come, - I sighed.

  - He is a fool.- I hope he knows that, - I ughed: - Are you an adventurer? - I tilted my head and looked at him.

  - I am, - he nodded and looked away. Geesh, what was wrong with this guy.

  - I wanted to become an adventurer as well. Do you think I would make a good adventurer?

  He gnced at my legs and nodded: - I think you would.

  - I always wanted to become a great adventurer.

  Waitress came back with my wine, and I thanked her.

  - I would want to travel the world and see all kind of wonderful pces and meet other races. Have you ever seen a gnome or a titan?

  - Are you not an elf? Have you not traveled here from your kingdom?

  - My father was an elf, - I touched my ear: - He was adventurer, but he left my mother even before I was born. I think he was high ranking adventurer. You must be high ranking adventurer too. Most of adventurers in this town have only F ranks. I think that most high ranking adventurer have only rank D.

  - My rank is little higher?

  - Really! - I turned my whole body towards him and slightly touched his arm.

  - Hey, little one. Why don't you leave this desert rat and join company of real men?

  One of the sailors approached me and grinned, showing his remaining teeth. He was staggering, and I saw the grins on his friends faces. I moved back from him and looked at Aloysius with scared eyes. He stood up and faced the sailor.

  - You should leave, - I could feel the threatening aura coming from him. I felt goose bumps covering my forearm. Aloysius was way stronger than I thought.

  Sailor paled and murmured some excuses. He turned around and left to his friends.

  Aloysius took his seat and shook his head.

  - People from the north could use some manners.

  - Thank you, - I touched his arm and smiled: - Perhaps we could go to your room and you could tell me some of your adventuring tales. It will be quieter and calmer upstairs.

  He looked at me and nodded. My smile grew wider and I licked my upper lip. I followed Aloysius upstairs, and he opened one of the doors. As soon as we went inside he grabbed my waist and approached my face. I left out surprised scream, when he grabbed me, and put my hands on his lips.- No kissing. You do not mind? It is an elf thing.He looked surprised, but nodded. I put my hands on his robe and slowly opened it. It fell on the ground. I stepped back and let the upper half of my dress fall down exposing my braw. I walked around Aloysius and put my hand on his back tracing his muscles. Aloysius groaned with pleasure. My right hand went inside my magic purse and I stabbed Aloysius with my poisoned dagger, aiming for his liver. Before dagger went deep enough, he moved faster than I could react and hit my head, while still turning towards me. I flew back and hit the back of my head against the wall. My eyesight blurred and I felt blood on my lips.

  Aloysius approached me and grabbed my neck. He picked me up above the floor. I tried to stab him again, but he grabbed my hand with his left arm. He squeezed it, and I let go of the knife and let it fell on the floor.

  He was choking me, and I started to lose consciousness.

  - Who send you?

  - Loki's followers. Others are waiting outside. They will come soon. Please... I had no choice. They forced me.

  - How many. Describe them?

  He released his grip, and I could breathe easier.

  - Seven of them. They have swords. They threatened me. Please, do not kill me.

  - Tell me everything that you know, and I will spare you. Now... - he coughed and touched his lips. They were covered with blood. He staggered and let go of my neck. I fell on my feet and took out my second poison knife.

  Aloysius cursed and took out his own dagger. Blood came out of his nose and he cursed again.

  - You betch! You poisoned me.

  He tried to hit me with his dagger, but was too week. This time I grabbed his hand and stabbed him in the neck. Blood came out of Aloysius mouth, and he fell on the floor. I massaged my neck. What was this guy eating as a child? Iron nails?

  I searched his room and found the a crown made from a red metal in his magic bag. I tried it on and felt power coming out of it. That was definitely high ranking magic artifact. Well, let us hope that this was the Crown of Unity. I just now realized that I did not ask Loki how did crown look like. But too te to do it now. At least Aloysius was definitely dead.

  I pocketed his money and casted Exorcism spell on all his belongings. After that, it took me some doing, but I showed his body into my Female purse. It was impossible to put someone alive inside it, only exception were seeds, that probably counted as food. But, just as I hoped, I could put onside the magic purse a dead body. I took off my new dress and changed into my usual adventurer cloth. I felt better as soon as I did it. After all these years I felt uncomfortable without my chainmail, artifacts and clothes that I had from the moment I woke up in this world.

  Window was too small to jump out of it. So I casted Conceal on myself and after covering my face with hood I quickly left the tavern. Some customers followed me with their eyes, but I left before someone had a chance to ask me any questions. I wrapped myself inside my cloak and kept covering my head with the hood. I searched for the stables, were I left my horse, but town was unfamiliar to me and I got lost. Still I knew approximate direction and followed my sense of direction. I figured that at worse I leave the town and walk alongside its border until I found the road that I used to get here.

  - Miss Avone, - I almost jumped into the air, when someone called out my name. I turned around and recognized hero from Holy Griffin Empire Theodoric. What to hell was he doing here? Well, I could take an educated guess.

  - Lord Theodoric, - I used the happiest smile that I could under the circumstances. You know, murdering someone and having stolen property and a corpse in my bag: - I heard that someone matching your description was in town and was looking for you.

  - Really? Apparently our appearance did not went as unnoticed as we thought, - he looked back at his companions. I noticed among them a priest, two knights and a mage. So, there was a change among his party members, since our meeting in Grimsburg. How curious.

  - Not with those clothes and armor, - I nervously ughed.

  He looked down at his golden armor and smiled: - You are right about that. But why were you looking for me?

  Crap. I just said it, because I panicked.

  - I felt bad about our st encounter. You traveled such a long way and master Mesmer still refused you. You were so generous and so honorable, - I used my best smile on him and stepped closer looking into his eyes. Behind Theodoric priest sighed, and I stepped back. So he had that effect on woman. God dammed pretty boy: - It was just some pnts after all. And that drink taste not so good, in my opinion. So, I talked to master Mesmer. If you can offer him some other artifact simir in nature to the Horn of prosperity, like the water cup that you mentioned, or endless money bag, he agreed to triple the coffee supply that you will receive this time, and also to double the arranged time during which you will get that bck powder.

  - Really? That sounds great! Thank you a lot.

  - Just mention my name, and that I let you know that. Do not forget it, - I winked at him.

  He blushed and happily nodded: - I will definitely do that, - he promised: - But why are you in this town? According to my information, it is not very interesting for the adventurers.

  This guy was curious. Cannot he leave poor girl alone? I felt my palms sweating.

  - I was looking for someone. A member from assassin guild. He was suspected in killing a merchant and his family promised a reward. I asked local adventurer guild for help, but he was gone by the time I got to the tavern were he stayed.

  - If it is the same man that we are tracking, then you should thank the gods, that you did not meet him. Could you describe that man?

  - He is from Rider nds. Tall, dark skinned, with hunched nose. Prefers bck cloth, as far as I heard.

  Theodoric exchanged looks with his companions.

  - Could you tell us were you saw him st?

  I shrugged: - He was staying in tavern called Sea captain. It is one of the taverns near the ocean. Not the nicest pce.

  - I see. Perhaps you could show it to us?

  I shook my head: - Sadly no. I am new in this town. It is also dark, and, to be honest, I already got lost while looking for you. Besides that man has a reputation to be very slippery. I need to apologize to you, but it is possible that he noticed one of the adventurers that I hired to help me find him, and that could be the reason why he disappeared.

  Theodoric face darkened: - It is not your fault. After all you were doing your job too.

  - We should go, - said one of the knights: - Perhaps we can still track him down.

  - Just go to the ocean side and ask for Sea captain tavern.

  - Thank you for this information.

  I nodded to Theodoric and watched them leave. Gods that was close.

  - We are not going to Grimsburg again, - said one of the knights: - And you do not have any artifacts with you.

  - I can offer one of my own, - said Theodoric. They continued to argue, but their voices died in the distance. I turned away and quickly left.I needed more than an hour to find the stables. Some time more to wake up the guard. He compined a lot, but silver coin helped him to get back good mood and start calling me mem.

  Hour ter I was far enough from Mina. I took out Aloysius body and used magic to burn his corpse. After that I created hole in ground and buried what was left of him.

  I looked at my horse. I felt bad for it, but horse was a lot of meat. After killing the horse, I cut it in pieces, so I could put the meat inside my magic purse. I used my summoning spell and called forth the king simurgh. It was fastest way to leave the area.

  It was time to return to Bcksmith cave.