They reached Lutenberg as the heavy rainfall lightened to a soft drizzle. The mist coated the weary driven travelers with some cloaked bodies topped with colorful cavanas. Stark pigments adorned the wide-brimmed hats dignifying Lutenberg's higher class. With the magic enchantment bestowed by the Gods, the cavanas protected their wearers from Detra's dominating weather.

From above to below, Isla gazed upon the multi-tiered city inlaid upon the mountain's side. Each level had stone aqueducts segmenting the city in three. The interconnected channels drained water from the heavens to the ocean waters below. With a first look, care and luxury embellished the city. But beneath the ostentatious exterior, the segments foretold the residents' truth. From pure white limestone situated above, the color darkened to dirt and scum below.

"Woah," Leef said, tugging Rydin's arm. "Do you see it?"

"Yes, Leef," Rydin smirked before glancing at Isla. "Do you need to disguise yourself?"

"No, not with this many people," she responded while pulling her hood lower.

They traversed the stone inlaid entrance and bypassed the watchful guards. Inside, the mouth branched three ways with the middle garnering attention.

"Which way?" Isla questioned as they paused.

"Right. Towards the docks." Rydin pointed before taking the lead.

Though their talk grew silent, their surroundings flourished with boisterous voices, merriment, metal clangs, and wooden clatter. The sounds dulled and the road's appearance darkened as dirt coated their feet upon crossing the aqueduct border.

"This way," Rydin called, turning left.

Two streets over and Rydin halted before a stone crafted building, an anomaly within the wood structured forest. A metal crafted gate protected the entrance, but for now, it stood open and inviting. Vines detailed the front walls with sparsely budding orange flowers bracing the cold.

As they entered the home's pathway, the front door opened, revealing a short chubby woman. Her tight-tied chestnut hair showed the first signs of gray. She directed a friendly and welcoming smile at the three of them. "Hello dears, I'm glad you could make it here safely, do come inside."

Rydin stepped forward. "Thank you, Eve. But there's no need. We'll need to find an inn for the night so we can't stay long. Are the arrangements still available?"

"Of course they are. Don't worry yourself. A few other children live with me, Leef won't be alone. And if you need an inn, why don't you try the Quiet Fox three streets east, off the main road. You remember I told you about Callum, he owns the place. Tell him I sent you. He's a good man," Eve said.

"That works. I wanted to see him," Rydin agreed before dropping in front of Leef, jostling his hair. "Leef, as promised, you need to stay here for a bit."

"No!" Leef stomped as a tear sprung loose. "You can't leave me. Why can't I go?"

"Because it won't be safe."

"That's not fair," he whined.

"I know. If I had to choose, I'd bring you. You know that."

"You're lying!"

"Why would I lie to you?"

Leef quieted, his head down and shoulders drooping.

"Leef?"

"No," he murmured, tugging Rydin's cloak. "Don't leave me."

Isla watched their silence drag, her gaze calm. Rydin's rejection had stung her, and she couldn't place the reason why. Had Rydin's promise of return felt untrue? Sure, Rydin believed his own words, he had the innocent vibe of transparency. Maybe she knew, his success clung to hope. Pathetic and unattainable hope drenched in sweet abandonment. Rydin might become like those forgetful hags. But would Leef become like her? She wished her gut were wrong.

Rydin ruffled Leef's hair once more then stepped back. "Leef, be good. I promise I'll be back for you."

"Come along, Leef. I'll show you where you'll be staying," Eve suggested as she ushered Leef inside, pulling his hand.

They stared after Leef as he was dragged away. While moving, Leef continued to keep his attention on his brother. His face shone pale white, the streams of tears adding a crystal sheen.

"I'm awful," he chuckled, but his face betrayed his cheer. Rydin sighed, throwing his hood off and disheveling his hair. "Let's go before I lose my resolve."

Isla nodded, trailing Rydin's lead from Leef's new home. Her eyes wandered from his forlorn back to the sky. The rain quieted, but the dark clouds overhead spoke otherwise. With night approaching, the shadows lengthened, blackening the gray stone columns and aqueduct channels beside them.

She increased her pace, joining his stride and airing her questions. "Who's Callum?"

Rydin's downtrodden face glanced her way. "He's the contact who might have a clue on our transport."

"And he runs an inn?" her skepticism voiced.

"I guess. First I've heard. Maybe it's a cover?"

"No, too much traffic. Likely he's the underground's ears, acquiring information and dispersing it."

"So you think he's dangerous?"

Isla snorted. "Very," she replied then added. "Unless your parents were truly good friends, we'll need something worthy to trade. And I don't mean gold."

"Information?"

"Yeah. Especially since information brokers are known for their sleaziness."

"Oh? Sounds like you've had some past experience with those types."

"Nothing you need to concern yourself with. How is Eve connected to him?"

Rydin shrugged. "I don't know. Never asked."

"Forget it," she sighed. "Let's meet him first."

Eve's directions brought them before a downtrodden building. The darkened wood mimicked the area's wealth status, but the patched roof and plank fixed walls declared a unique apparition, one better off avoided.

The sign plate overhead the stairs affirmed they reached their destination—The Quiet Fox. Written with slanted and straight lines, the Human language front and center.

Isla surveyed the insides through the illuminated windows. The bar provided a source of excitement, shouts, laughter and at times, screams upon the street. Aside from the deafening noise, a whiff of moldy cheese and stale beer swept outside with each door swing.

"Quite the place," Rydin remarked.

"Could be worse," Isla added, following Rydin as he mounted the three steps.

As they entered, a bushy eyebrowed man greeted them at the bar counter. A grizzly, untrimmed, auburn beard and sharp copper eyes contoured his face. The man towered over them, peering down. "How can I help ye?"

"Eve sent us, we're looking for a room for the night," Rydin inquired, his chin tilted upwards.

"Eve? So the lass sent ye, huh?" He nodded, closing his eyes a second. "Hmm...think we got somethin' left."

"Are you Callum?" Rydin interrupted, his tone unabashed and even.

"That be me," he responded, stroking his beard with a hand. "But who be you?" His cheerful voice darkened a smidgen, but still invisible to the unprepared.

"Rydin." He struck his hand out, his palm open and ready.

Callum frowned, staring at the outreached hand. A second passed, and his bearded face enlivened. "Could ye be Meret's boy?"

"You remember my father?"

"Aye." Callum's laughter boomed and he grabbed Rydin's hand, pulling him into a bear hug.

Rydin's frame stiffened. "It's good to meet you," his muffled voice sounded as he squirmed.

Callum freed Rydin, stepping back and crossing his thick arms. "Ye need a room then. Should ha'e one left, let me check." He walked from the bar counter to a side table, flipping a crinkly book open.

"He doesn't seem bad," Rydin whispered.

Isla rolled her eyes. "You're so naive."

Callum returned before Rydin could retort. "Follow me." He strolled past, pausing several times to yell disgruntled remarks at the drunken customers.

They climbed the wooden stairs, turned right, and reached the hallway's end. "Here ye go," Callum said while unlocking their dwellings and throwing the door open. He deposited the spare key upon Rydin's outstretched hand and walked away.

Dropping his belongings beside the nearest bed, Rydin plopped onto the cotton-coated furniture, his head against the pillow. "I expected worse after seeing the outside," he yawned.

The boisterous inn's first-floor occupants filtered upwards, the noise reverberating the floor. With each passing second, the sound grew, heightened by the rain's splatter against the window.

"Now what? Do you think he'd be willing to help us out?"

Isla stood absentminded before the dirt-smudged window. Blinking several times, she broke her trance, facing a silent and expecting Rydin. "He seems to care enough. Try telling him your story."

"You think it'd be that simple?"

"No," she laughed.

"And if it doesn't work?" Rydin questioned, frowning.

"We'll find a plan B."