As fate would have it, the bard got to fulfill his offer to Deku much sooner than he expected, for it was only a few hours later that same day, while he was playing a song for some reluctant customers, that another stranger walked into the tavern, looking cold and hungry. What drew attention right away from the guests was his two-toned hair, the sure mark of someone with magic in their blood, possibly royalty.

 The stranger looked about Denki's age. Denki registered the sword he had and possibly magic wristguards. Hey, this could be just who Deku's looking for. He thought. Now, to approach. He slid over to the newcomer's table.

 "Hey, traveler, you look like you're here on some kind of quest," he said, turning on the charm. The stranger looked up.
"I am," he said dully. "What's it to you?" 

Ouch. Normally people warmed up to him right away. Denki struggled to maintain his confidence. "Oh, you know, just wondering... not too many questers come through here, you know... in fact, it's a weird coincidence. I just saw one earlier today." 

The stranger made no response, and just began eating his cold noodles.

 Denki tried again. "He was alone, just like you, said something about going North."

This finally worked. The traveler looked up, surprised. "North?"

"Yes, something about a friend who was looking for the 8th holder or something," Denki said. "And he was trying to find this friend, I told him the fellow was probably dead, but he insisted. Only, he needs a party, right? I said I'd keep a look out." 

"This person, he has information on the 8th holder?" the traveler said. 

"Oh, sure, sounds like it," Denki said, not really certain if Deku had ever specified or not, but probably.

 The stranger frowned. "Where did he go?"

"Out, but he said he'd be back," Denki said. "If you want to wait." 

"I would." the traveler looked at his hand thoughtfully. "Would you mind telling me if he walks in?"
"Oh, sure," Denki said.

***

As luck would have it, Deku walked in not half an hour later. Unfortunately, the traveler had fallen asleep by then, all Denki had gleaned out of the tight-lipped youth was his name was "Shoto." "He sounded pretty interested, once I told him you had information on the 8th holder," Denki told Deku proudly, after being paid his fee.

"You told him what!?" Deku cried. "That was a secret!" 

"Oh that part was a secret?" Denki said, "sorry, dude, I didn't realize. That's what got his attention though, so it worked out." 

"You don't think that could be suspicious at all?" Deku said. 

"Well, you told me, so I figured you weren't worried about it," Denki said. He actually hadn't thought about it at all. 

Deku sighed "I guess I did... but I have to be more careful... I'm sorry, I don't think I can trust this guy. He might be a spy or something. I'd better just move on." 

"Oh, okay, sorry," Denki said. 

"It's fine," Deku said, it really wasn't. "Thanks for trying." He left. 

Denki sighed. 

"Was that him?" Shoto suddenly surprised him by asking, sitting up.

"Oh, uh, no that was someone else." Denki said, obviously lying.

Shoto frowned. "Are you sure?" 

Denki looked away. "Of course." 

Shoto frowned, then he got up. "I think I'll ask him just in case. Thanks for the tip." He left.

Denki frowned. "That fellow's scary, I hope Deku loses him."

***

The two warrior women reached the village by the end of the day. "It doesn't look so bad," Momo said, eyeing the houses. "Just a little monotonous."

"I can't imagine sleeping inside one of those glorified prisons," Kyoka said grumpily. "We should just camp out here."

"It could be dangerous to do that," Momo said. "Besides, we need information... where do you think we could find it?"

Kyoka looked around. "I hear a lot of talking coming from in there," she pointed to something. 

"Ta-vern of the Bluebird.." Momo read carefully. "That sounds harmless."

"Yes, I don't know what a tavern is, but it sounds loud," Kyoka said warily. 

"It's somewhere to start," Momo moved that direction. "Do you think our armor will stand out too much?"

"Why does it matter? We don't have anything else to wear," Kyoka replied.

 
Before they even got to the door, it was opened and someone was flung outside, right past them, landing in a hay pile for horses. "And stay there!" shouted a drunken voice. "No more of those uncanny songs around here!" 

Kyoka blinked. "What in the Land was that?" 

"I believe that was an angry man," Momo said uncertainly. "And that..." she peered at the figure, "seems to be a little girl with a lute." 

"What?" The person sat up, offended. "I'm not a girl! That's so mean! Do you just go around insulting people like that when you meet them?"

Kyoka frowned. "It's a boy," she said to Momo.

"Duh!" the scrawny male said. Then he peered more closely. "Hey, you're warriors, aren't you?"

Kyoka grabbed him by his collar and pulled a knife. "Who told you?!" she demanded.

"*Cough*, no one, you're wearing armor!" the lad squirmed. "Put me down! Sheesh! It's not like I said anything bad!" 

"Oh... he has a point," Momo said, "I thought so, really. Put him down." 

Kyoka dropped him. 

"Ow," he muttered. Momo pointed her sword at him. "Young man, would you be so kind as to tell us what is the purpose of this establishment?"

"This-- you mean the tavern?" The boy said, rubbing his back. 

"He's sharp, this one," Kyoka said sardonically. 

"Don't be rude," Momo hissed. "We need answers, and he looks pretty weak if it comes to a fight."

"Looks can be deceiving," Kyoka frowned. "He's got a lute, maybe he's a bard." 

"Maybe," Momo agreed, "we must be cautious."

"Uh, I'm right here," the boy said, annoyed. "I can hear you. Do you ladies need help or something? Are you lost?" 

"Of course not!" Kyoka said sternly. "We never get lost. We just happen to not have been to one of these disgusting villages before, that's all. Can we get information here or not?"

 "Oh sure," The boy stood up. "Actually, you've come to the perfect place. I know all sorts of stuff, for a fee--" 

Momo and Kyoka exchanged a look. 

"Do you know anything about the Dark Lands?" Momo asked. The bard frowned. 

"You're actually the third person today who's...nevermind. I mean, sure, I know lots of things about that, but you'd have to be more specific."

"Fate has smiled on us," Momo turned to Kyoka, "Now we will not have to go inside that questionable establishment after all."

"If he's telling the truth," Kyoka said, scowling at the bard. "I've heard about these fools. They can lie to your face really well."

"I'm sure it's nothing you can't handle," Momo said confidently. "Tell us, O bard, how far to the Dark Lands?"

 "A few days from here, but don't tell me a couple of girls like you are actually planning to go there," the bard laughed. "Alone? You're joking, right? That's crazy--"

 Kyoka kicked him back into the hay.

"You dare mock our Princess!" She said furiously. "I'll make you eat those words, you worm! You piece of cow dung!" 

"Kyoka!" Momo held her back. "Please, I'm sure he just doesn't realize our rank, we can't expect everyone to recognize us." 

Kyoka scowled. "I'll let you off with a warning this time," she muttered.

The bard sat up. "That really hurt--do you always break people the first time you meet them or am I just lucky?"

"You must tell us all you know," Momo said. 

The bard picked up his lute. "Sure thing, it's one copper piece per song." 

"It's what," Kyoka said, warily. 

"One copper piece, I don't do this for free, sister." The bard said.

Momo frowned. "You want us to pay you?" 

"Uh, isn't that what I just said?" the bard frowned. "We've all gotta eat, sweetheart." 

"Sweetheart? You insolent fool!" Kyoka twisted his arm behind his back. "I say we beat it out of this vagrant!"

 "I'm sure that's not necessary," Momo said, as the bard blanched. "He can just tell us, and we'll be on our way." 

"Tell you? But--" the bard began.
Kyoka twisted harder. 

"Ow! Ow! Okay, okay!" he cried. "I'll talk, just loosen up." 

Kyoka did so. The bard drew some deep breaths.

"Okay," he said. "So, you two warriors want to know about the Dark Lands right? Well, I can tell you, there's someone who came through here who could probably help you. He just left an hour ago. He was looking for someone who was heading to the Dark Lands, so he's probably pretty knowledgeable about it." 

"I thought you said you knew," Kyoka said. 

The bard shrugged. "Knowing the right people is knowing stuff, besides, that was in song, and you didn't want the song, apparently." 

"I wouldn't mind it--" began Momo. 

"No, that's how they subdue you!" Kyoka said. "I told you, I've heard about these kinds of men. They're dangerous." 

"Oh, well, in that case, we'll look for this other one" Momo said. "Where did he go?"

"I can point out the right way, North," the bard gestured toward the other end of the village. "He'll be in the woods by now, but if that's not a problem, you could probably catch up. You'll know him, he has red and white hair, like a mage. But watch out, he could be pretty dangerous. Maybe even more than a bard, you sure you don't just want to pay me and hear the songs?"

Kyoka threw him aside. "I'll take my chances with a mage," she said. "Right, Princess?" 

Momo considered. "I do believe our skills are more than sufficient for a mage," she finally said. "But, thank you for the warning, bard. We'll just go now." 

"What? Are you serious?" The bard seemed a little surprised. "You'd rather go risk your lives for that then pay for a few songs? I'm not bad, you know." 

"Please, even if you could play this thing, you think we'd trust you?" Kyoka picked up his lute.
"Hey, careful with that!" The bard cried. 

She tossed it into him and knocked him on his back. "Don't follow us." 

They walked away.

"As if I'd want to!" the bard grumbled. "Talk about a witch in warrior's clothing--hmm, that'd make a great song title..." he started strumming. "Of course... they could get in trouble." he mused. "Not that I care, that one was a real shrew... but the other girl didn't seem so bad, it'd kind of be a shame if she got hurt because of her dumb friend... Maybe I should follow them just in case. Nah, they'd know I was coming..."