Pearl whistled as he took in the damage around the room. Adam glanced up at him and scowled. His head throbbed like all hell as he sat on the edge of the couch. Rosila had a good arm as he rubbed the back of his bleeding head. Though he supposed he might have deserved it from her.

Where did his cousin get the right to push him around though? He sighed when he remembered the smelly dwarf. He reminded him too much of home. Adam paused when he realized he had lost all desire to return to his homeland. It wasn't home to him anymore. Not without her in it.

He wasn't thrilled to see the small dwarf, but hoped he came bearing good news. At least better news than Suzy.

"Pearl, what do you want?" Adam growled as Pearl made his way over. The room had been more trashed than he had thought, though the bloody knife on the floor made Adam smile. Pearl finally looked at him taking his eyes off the mess and frowned.

"You're the one who wants me. Or at least Ivy did. I've sent my men to collect the girl and though I am finding rumors of fairies I'm afraid nobody has seen a mermaid in many years." Pearl told him grumpily. Adam nodded annoyed, flinching when the movement caused his head to throb.

"Don't bother with the girl I've already called in some real help to deal with her. I'm sure you're familiar with the Hounds? They don't fail me. If you can't find anything here on mermaids, then I suggest you start looking elsewhere. Am I clear?" Adam told him annoyed.

He hadn't expected the dwarf to be here, but then Kale had said they were good at their jobs. He hadn't seen them for a few days however so had forgotten about them. When Pearl didn't answer him, he turned to glare at the shocked dwarf.

"The Hounds? You called in those monsters?" Pearl asked too terrified to be angry.

"Yes, because unlike some, they don't fail to deliver a body." Adam told him in a bored tone.

"When did you ask for a body?! You said to make sure she doesn't return to Trayson! We did that. When did you call them? My men are out there with orders to keep her out of the forest. If they run into the Hounds, they will get killed. The Hounds kill everyone in their path, that's why they were sentenced to death before they mysteriously disappeared." Pearl told him half growling, half whispering in terror.

"I called them sometime before I left Trayson. Though they do travel fast and deadly, they do also give me what I want. If your men get in their way, it is not my fault." Adam told him with a shrug. Pearl was angry and scared for his men, turning to leave the place in a hurry. He needed to contact his brethren and quickly. Adam sighed as Pearl left and continued to pack his random things.

Pearl started off towards the market getting lost in his worry as he thought about his men. They were more like family. They grew up together, went through school together, becoming bounty hunters together. Pearl had always just sort of imagined them all dying together too.

"Everything ok boss?" Pearl turned to see Diamond limping out of the shadows with Ruby at his side. He sighed in relief and went to see if Diamond was alright.

"No, no everything's not alright. But first, are you alright? What happened? Your letter didn't say much." Pearl wrapped an arm around Diamonds shoulders pulling him into the shadows and leading him away from Adams place. He was thrilled to see Diamond had made it to Welpion safe. But didn't have the heart to celebrate until he could verify the safe return of all his men.

"Raven was stronger than I had anticipated. I challenged her to a fight and lost." Diamond paused petting Ruby's head as she walked beside him. "She could have killed me. Could have killed her. But she didn't. Instead, she mended my wounds while I was unconscious, and mended Ruby as well. 

"Then she left with her two other friends, Steel and Howlite. When I woke, I messaged you and headed here to the rendezvous point. Since I am in no condition to take on three enemies right now. Four if you count the deer. I doubt I could stop them from returning to Trayson." Diamond told him as they turned a corner. Pearl nodded as he listened to Diamond talk.

"You like her." Pearl told him remember her note in the book. It had worried the others causing them to move faster before Diamond finally responded. Pearl laughed when Diamond stopped to stare at him confused.

"You're calling her Raven; you only call people you like by their real names." Pearl was surprised to see how dense Diamond had been when he blushed a deeper red than Ruby.

"It isn't like that. She just reminds me of someone I used to know." Diamond told Pearl defensively. Pearl paused to look him over. Diamond may have been older, but he had simple, childlike habits that clued Pearl into his thoughts. It didn't hurt that he was absently playing with his sister's empty trinket.

"Someone you no doubt cared for. Come, we need to contact Emerald and Opal. Adam has sent the Hounds after Raven and our men are in their way." Pearl started off but paused when Diamond didn't follow him. He watched as Diamond slowly stroked Ruby's head while he stared his feet. Pearl frowned, realizing what he said.

"There is nothing we can do for her at this point. She's a job Diamond, nothing more." Pearl sighed not quite believing his own words. But he needed to keep his emotions out of it if he was going to act. He went back and urged his friend forward, jumping when someone grabbed his shoulder.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to startle you." Ivy apologized as Pearl simply frowned.

"Forgive me your highness, but I don't really have time to talk. Something urgent has come up that I must deal with." Pearl told her with a bow of his head. He started to pull away pausing when Diamond didn't move.

"Is something wrong princess?" Diamond asked as Ivy shifted nervously. "I'm sorry. I had heard it was Queen now." Diamond corrected himself.

"It's quite alright. Honestly, I prefer princess. I seem to have lost my lady in waiting and can't seem to find my husband or the tavern he mentioned. I was hoping you might be able to point me in the right direction, but if you are busy then I don't want to bother you. I just don't know many people in the strange place." Ivy told him nervously glancing around.

She had seen Kielia giggling with some men while she shopped, but then she was gone. So were the men. Pearl growled hating how naive this young lady was. Couldn't she see her husband was a monster?

"Pearl, I didn't expect you to be in Welpion. You completed the task I gave you I hope." A silky voice asked making Pearl grumble. Now what? He paused when he saw the well-dressed young man, taking a heavy sigh.

"Aye we did, Kale. It is not often we see you away from your library. We were just talking with Adams new wife. We are in Welpion on behalf of her request. Though unfortunately, we aren't having much luck." Pearl grunted as Kale paused. Trying to keep the charade in place for the queen. Kale was lean with the dwarven bronze tan and yellow eyes. His dark black hair circled his face as he glanced over the young woman.

"That must make you Queen Ivy. I have heard much about you from Adam though I have yet to make your acquaintance. I always seem to be busy when you came to visit Salvino." Kale told her holding out a hand. She frowned at it before reaching out to shake his hand. She pulled away before he could kiss it making him hesitate.

"Forgive me, but I have never heard of you." She told him simply as Pearl and Diamond shared a look. Kale was Adams oldest and closets friend. All of Salvino knew of their relationship. It seemed like an odd thing to keep from his wife.

"I see. I was on my way to Adams place to deliver an update. I hope you enjoy your evening." Kale said pleasantly deciding it may be best to avoid her for now, pausing when Pearl grabbed his arm.

"Can you please take the lass with you? She is trying to find Adam anyways and he probably won't be going into town tonight since his fight with Suzy." Pearl grunted making Kale raise an eyebrow.

Pearl simply shrugged to tell him he didn't know why they were fighting either, signing at him with his hands though to warn him of the current state of their wayward prince. Before grabbing Diamonds, arm and hurrying away. Ivy pouted watching them go before glancing at the beautiful stranger. He smiled in invite before she wandered over to him.

"You and Adam are here for your honeymoon, correct?" Kale asked to make small talk. She seemed different than what he was expecting. The way Adam described her made her sound like a giddy love-sick girl. This was clearly a woman. With hair like fire and eyes like emeralds, she was a rare and beautiful creature. Though he knew Adam was only interested in her crown.

"Who knows." She grumbled flatly making it clear she wasn't interested in talking. Kale frowned inwardly confused before deciding to try a different approach. She had run into Kale once or twice in Welpion when she had lost track of Adam.

Adam had told her Kale was a spy for his brother and not to be trusted. Just another one of Adam's lies. Ivy rubbed her temple, trying to relieve this growing headache. The disturbance from before was growing, making her restless. Something was happening to the druids. To her home.

"Adam hardly ever visits Welpion anymore, but he used to stop by every summer when we were kids." Kale told her as she simply ignored him. He had been expecting her to smile and ask for more childhood secrets about her husband, but the cold attitude made it seem like she could care less.

Maybe Adam wasn't paying her the attention she needed. Or maybe Adam didn't know her as well as he thought. Kale looked her over out of the corner of his eye, intrigued by the puzzle she presented. He led her to a colorful house, wandering inside.

Adam was in the kitchen grumbling as he tried to mop the blood from his skin. The room was a wreck as blood stained the floor and furniture. Kale frowned realizing that this was more than a simple disagreement. If Suzy was involved, then this had been a real fight. Suzy would never take it this far over a simple disagreement. Blood and weapons meant Adam had done something to really piss off his cousin.

"Adam?" Kale called out, hesitating when he remembered his friend's wife. No doubt they were going to be discussing things not meant for her to hear. Adam turned around, hesitating when he saw Ivy.

"My dear, what are you doing here?" Adam asked in his best worried voice.

"I got lost. Shopping was tiring. Will we be leaving tonight? I would like to take a nap if I can." Ivy told him as he nodded slowly coming over to her.

"Of course, love. Was shopping not fun? I am afraid my attempt to negotiate with my cousin didn't end well." Adam told her hurriedly to explain the mess.

"Then we will have to try again another time." Ivy told him keeping out of his reach as she headed for the stairs. "The bedroom is up here, correct?" Ivy asked without looking at them. They didn't answer as she closed the door behind her, shutting them out.

"What the fuck did you say to her?" Adam growled softly as Kale scoffed offended.

"Why did you assume it was me? She was like that when I met her. She was talking with the Boars trying to find you. Said she was lost." Kale growled going to grab himself a drink. At least he wasn't the only one who saw something was off. Adam huffed pacing before leaning against the counter. "So, you going to fill me in?"

"You first. I am a king now." Adam growled making Kale roll his eyes.

"There was a change of plans. The crew I hired bailed. I have Soren hiding in the forest just outside of town. Thought I would check in with you since it seems at this rate you will be there before I make it." Kale grunted annoyed with Adams attitude. It wasn't his fault he had pissed Suzy off.

"Soren?" Adam inquired.

"Thatwas the name bestowed upon the demon according to the ancient texts. So, whathappened here?" Kale asked offering Adam a drink. Adam sighed before heaccepted it. He needed a drink before he explained it to Kale and figured outwhere to go from there.