The group arrived at the modest, cramped room Danio shared with Thomrik, tucked into the second floor of a weathered inn. It was a haphazard mix of Danio's chaos and Thomrik's stoic practicality. One side of the room was scattered with crumpled maps, loose coins, and half-empty bottles. A tattered blanket was draped across the foot of Danio's bed, which looked like it had been hastily made—if at all. On the other side, Thomrik's space was a stark contrast: a small cot was neatly tucked and his meticulously arranged pack rested at the foot of the bed. The low fire flickering in the corner cast long, shifting shadows across the walls, giving the space a strangely intimate but chaotic air.

Rakz padded in first, sniffing the room with suspicion before curling up near the hearth, the faint crackling of the flames reflecting in his watchful yellow eyes.

Danio threw his coat onto the back of a chair with a dramatic sigh, the kind of performance suited to a man deeply aggrieved. "I'm just saying," he began, his voice full of righteous indignation, "if my so-called 'trusted partner' had shown up to help, I wouldn't have been blackmailed into charity work!"

Thomrik, seated calmly on his cot, barely glanced up as he methodically polished his warhammer, the massive weapon gleaming with faint, rune-etched magic beneath the dim light. The rhythmic scrape of cloth against metal was steady and deliberate, as if he'd heard this argument a dozen times before and could endure it for a dozen more. The stout dwarf's broad shoulders and sturdy frame spoke to years of labor and battle, but his expression carried the dry amusement of someone who was quietly enjoying the spectacle. "I told you we should've skipped town after all the stunts you pulled," Thomrik replied gruffly, his deep voice rumbling like distant thunder. "But no. You insisted on staying."

"That's not the point!" Danio turned toward him, throwing his hands up with exaggerated flair. "You're supposed to know when I'm in trouble! I can't be expected to send an engraved invitation every time a tavern mob decides to throw me out!"

Thomrik finally looked up, his expression calm as his lips tugged into the faintest smirk. "If you didn't make a habit of pissing people off, maybe you wouldn't need rescuing."

Danio froze, gaping at him. "Even you, Thomrik? Betrayed by my own muscle. Unbelievable."

Hovan, who had been watching the exchange with his usual expression of irritation, stepped forward with a scowl. His presence instantly sucked the levity from the room. "Enough," he snapped, his voice cutting through the lingering humor like a blade. "I've already got a headache from dealing with him." He jabbed a thumb toward Danio, who feigned an affronted gasp. "Now we have a job to discuss. Let's get on with it."

Danio slumped into the nearest chair, legs sprawled lazily despite the limited space. He propped his boots up on the edge of the table, ignoring the glare Thomrik shot him. "Fine. Enlighten me," he said with an exaggerated wave of his hand. "What's this grand operation you need my brilliant expertise for?"

Raelyn stepped forward, her expression calm and resolved. "There's a mansion atop the hill," she began, gesturing toward the frost-covered window that overlooked Flatrest. The group instinctively glanced outside, where the distant silhouette of the mansion loomed like an unspoken threat. "A magus lives there. At the far end of the mansion is her study, and somewhere inside that study is an artifact. The artifact tethers our... uh... friend to her and the mansion. We need to sneak in, find the artifact, break the tether, find Folainn, and get out. All of it unseen and undetected."

Danio blinked, his mouth opening slightly as if to object, but he paused. He let out a low whistle, sitting up straighter in his chair. "You don't ask for much, do you?" he said, his tone almost admiring. "Just infiltrate a magus's lair, rummage through her study, break some all-powerful artifact, rescue a damsel in distress, and waltz out like nothing happened." He chuckled to himself, shaking his head. "You lot have a real gift for dreaming up impossible schemes."

Raelyn remained unshaken. "You think you can do it?"

Danio's grin returned, wolfish and confident. "Of course I can. Someone of my talents? Child's play." He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table and steepling his fingers. "Just one question—what does this artifact look like?"

Raelyn hesitated, exchanging a glance with Hovan, whose frown deepened further. Finally, she spoke. "I don't know," she admitted. "But if you take me with you, I might be able to sense it. I can detect magic if it's strong enough."

Danio's grin faltered for the first time. "Take you with me?" His tone edged toward incredulity. "That's not how I work. I don't do groups. Too many people means too many mistakes."

"I'm going too," Hovan said firmly, his tone brooking no argument. "You're not taking Raelyn anywhere without me."

"Same here," Benji chimed in, stepping forward with his fists clenched and his jaw set. "I'm not sitting back while you risk your life. I can help."

Danio groaned loudly, throwing his head back as though the mere thought of teamwork pained him. "Help?" he said, drawing the word out like a curse. "This isn't a parade; it's a heist. I work alone, or I don't work at all."

Hovan's eyes narrowed, his voice taking on a dangerous edge. "You gave your word, Danio. Or do I need to remind you of the consequences?"

Danio muttered something inaudible under his breath before slumping forward, his arms dramatically draping over the table. "I hate it when people remember things I say," he grumbled. Turning toward Thomrik, he jerked his thumb at Hovan. "Are you just going to sit there and let him talk to me like that?"

Thomrik didn't even glance up this time. "What do I care? You dug your own grave. Besides..." He picked up his warhammer, letting its weight settle in his hands as it shimmered faintly in the firelight. "I'm as subtle as a fist to the face. I'll be no use to you sneaking around a mansion." He set the hammer down with a thud and leaned back against the wall. "I'll wait outside with the horses. If you need a quick getaway, I'll have it ready."

"Traitor," Danio muttered darkly. He slumped deeper into his chair, sighing dramatically. "Fine. We'll sneak in tonight. But mark my words—this has disaster written all over it."

Just as he straightened up, ready to discuss the details, Danio suddenly froze mid-motion. His face paled, his eyes widening and locking onto a shadowy corner of the room. His usually smug expression vanished, replaced by sheer panic. His voice cracked as he pointed a trembling finger.

"WHAT IS THAT?!"

The room's mood shifted in an instant. Hovan was the first to react, his instincts honed by years of battle. He moved with sharp precision, his sword ringing softly as it slid free from its scabbard. The steel gleamed in the low firelight, the tip angled toward the shadowy corner.

Rakz sprang to his feet, his low growl vibrating through the room like a distant landslide. His scales bristled, the faint sheen of firelight dancing across his back. He crouched, jaws slightly parted, yellow eyes fixed unerringly on the darkened space.

Thomrik grabbed his warhammer in one fluid motion, the weapon humming faintly as the runes etched across its surface shimmered with suppressed magic. "What in Azazel's name is that?" he muttered, his voice like gravel underfoot.

Benji scrambled to pull his sword free, the blade catching awkwardly on his belt loop before he finally managed to draw it. His stance was equal parts brave and laughably clumsy, his grip tight and his knuckles white. "I-I've got this," he stammered, though his eyes darted nervously between the others.

From the darkness, something small and trembling moved. Its shadow stretched grotesquely long across the wall, flickering and wavering in the firelight. Frightened wails broke the silence as a hunched figure stumbled forward, its hands raised above its head in surrender.

"No hurt!" a familiar voice squeaked. "Please! Massah mean no harm!"

Raelyn's jaw slackened in disbelief, her widened eyes locking onto the small, quivering figure. "Massah?"

The imp stumbled fully into the light then, his small, scrawny frame looking even more pitiful than the last time they had seen him. His wide, black eyes shone with terror, and his clawed hands shook uncontrollably as he kept them raised. "Yes, yes, it's Massah!" he cried, voice warbling with desperation. "Do not hurt Massah! Massah comes to warn! You must leave, must leave Flatrest!"

Danio, still pressed against the back of his chair, made an undignified noise halfway between a groan and a whimper. He dropped his feet from the table and shot a glare at Raelyn and Hovan. "I didn't sign up for this," he muttered, his voice higher than usual. "Demons? Absolutely not. This is beyond my pay grade." He stood abruptly as if to storm out. "You lot can deal with it. I'll be packing my—"

Hovan's sword shifted slightly, cutting off Danio mid-sentence with an almost imperceptible hiss of steel. Hovan didn't even look at him. "Sit down."

Danio froze for a moment, then muttered under his breath as he sank back into his chair, though his eyes never left Massah.

Raelyn took a cautious step toward the imp, her tone softening, though a wary edge remained. "Massah, what are you doing here? Why are you warning us?"

Massah wrung his clawed hands together, his frantic gaze flicking nervously to the window as though something might burst through at any moment. "Danger!" he squeaked, his voice trembling with every word. "Must leave Flatrest now! Must go, must go far away! Not safe here!"

Hovan's grip on his sword remained firm, his glare unrelenting. "You expect us to take your word for it? You're an imp. Demons lie."

Massah's eyes widened in horror, and he shook his head violently. "Massah no lie! No lie to Raelyn! Massah good! Massah wants to keep you safe!" He turned his pleading gaze on Raelyn, practically hopping in place. "Please, please, do not go to the mansion. It's trap! Magus waits for you! She knows! She knows you are here!"

Hovan's scowl deepened, his voice cutting through Massah's rambling. "Or maybe you're part of the trap. Maybe you're just trying to get us to walk away."

Massah whirled toward Hovan, desperation plain in his trembling form. "No! Massah swears! Swears on life! Massah only wants Raelyn safe. Must not trust mansion. Must not go!"

Hovan didn't lower his sword, though his expression wavered between doubt and suspicion. "Convenient timing," he growled. "You show up just as we're about to act. I don't buy it."

Raelyn shot Hovan a sharp look, rising to her full height. "Massah warned us before, Hovan. He saved us outside of Brystwy Forest. If he hadn't, we wouldn't have made it to the elves."

Massah nodded frantically. "Yes! Yes! Massah helped before! Massah helps now!" His voice broke, his words dissolving into a desperate plea. "Please, must believe!"

Hovan's sword wavered slightly, but his voice remained hard. "And if it's another trick? What if this is Baragor's way of keeping us from gaining an ally? What if Folainn's counting on us and you're leading us away from him?"

Massah froze, his small form trembling, but he shook his head. "No, no, no! Massah wants only Raelyn safe. Please, listen. Raelyn must leave."

Raelyn glanced at Hovan and Benji, her gaze resolute and unyielding. "If it were either of you trapped in that mansion, I wouldn't even hesitate. Folainn deserves the same chance. I'm not leaving him behind."

Hovan sighed heavily, his frustration clear, though he didn't argue further. "Fine. But if this is a trap, we'll need to be extra careful."

Massah's hands clutched at his chest, his voice breaking. "Please, Raelyn. Don't go. Leave this place now!"

Raelyn knelt back down, placing a reassuring hand near the imp. "I won't get caught, Massah. I promise."

Massah glanced over his shoulder nervously, his trembling intensifying. "Massah must go! Baragor will know. Baragor will see! Please, please be safe!"

With that, the imp turned and darted back into the shadows, vanishing as quickly as he had appeared.

The room fell silent. The tension hung thick in the air as everyone exchanged uneasy glances.

Danio was the first to speak, though his voice carried none of its usual bravado. "So... we're still going through with this?" He chuckled weakly, the sound hollow and dry, as he rubbed his hands together for warmth. "Fantastic." His tone dripped with sarcasm, his grin now replaced by a look of resigned dread. "It's just demons, traps, and a magus. Should be a walk in the park."

Raelyn turned to him, her posture steady, her expression unwavering. "We are," she said firmly. "Start preparing. Tonight, we go."

Danio groaned, running a hand through his hair as he slumped further into the chair. "Tonight. Of course it's tonight. Why wait until I've had a good meal, a decent drink, or maybe a solid night's sleep?" He threw a glance toward Thomrik. "You hear that? They're trying to kill me."

Thomrik snorted. "If you die, it won't be because of them. It'll be because of your own big mouth."

Raelyn ignored Danio's theatrics and turned her focus to Thomrik, her tone shifting to something more thoughtful. "Thomrik, I need to ask something important of you."

The dwarf looked up, one thick brow raised. "I'm listening."

Raelyn hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "I want you to watch the locket while we're gone."

A sudden tension filled the room. Hovan straightened abruptly. "What? Absolutely not."

Thomrik's eyes narrowed, his dwarven pride immediately prickling. "Why not?"

"Careful, Hovan. Thomrik might hit you with a lecture harder than that hammer of his." Danio interjected.

"I don't trust you with it." Hovan growled, stepping forward.

Thomrik shot to his feet, warhammer in hand though its head rested harmlessly against the floor. His voice rumbled like distant thunder, low and full of warning. "Mind your words before I add another scar to your collection. A dwarf's honor is not something to question lightly."

Hovan didn't flinch, his glare cold and unyielding. "It's not your honor I doubt. It's your company." He jabbed a finger toward Danio, who sat up straighter, blinking innocently. "You're working with him. Forgive me for thinking twice about leaving something so important in your care."

Danio shrugged. "He's got a point..."

Thomrik rounded on him with an exasperated look. "You're not helping."

"I wasn't trying to," Danio replied with a smirk. "Just pointing out the obvious."

Thomrik scowled deeply before returning his steely gaze to Hovan. "I may be working with a thief, but my word is my bond. If Raelyn trusts me, that should be enough."

"It's not," Hovan shot back. "You're a mercenary at best and a thief's accomplice at worst. I'm not risking everything we've fought for on blind faith."

The dwarf's knuckles whitened around the warhammer's handle, his voice a low growl. "You have no idea who I am and what I have been through. I have been fending for myself since long before you were suckling from your mothers teat!"

Raelyn, finally fed up, stepped between the two of them, holding up her hands for silence. "Enough!" Her tone carried an authority that froze both Thomrik and Hovan in place. She turned to Thomrik first. "I trust you. I know your word is your bond, and I know you'll keep the locket safe."

Thomrik grunted, though the anger in his eyes softened somewhat at her words. "I'll keep it safe, lass."

Raelyn nodded in thanks, then turned toward Hovan. "And I'll leave Rakz with him as well."

At this, Rakz, who had been quietly observing the tension, lifted his head and let out a faint trill, his yellow eyes meeting Raelyn's.

"If this is a trap," Raelyn continued, her voice steady, "then the worst thing we could do is allow them to get both me and the locket. Rakz will stay with Thomrik and guard the locket."

Danio, who had been watching the entire exchange with great amusement, finally spoke up. "Well, I, for one, feel better already. Nothing like a dwarf and a big lizard on babysitting duty to put the mind at ease." He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms behind his head. "Besides, if anyone comes for the locket, Thomrik can just hit them with his hammer until they stop moving. Subtle as a blizzard, that one."

Thomrik rolled his eyes but said nothing.

Raelyn stepped toward Rakz, running her fingers gently along the top of his head. "I'm counting on you," she said softly, her voice full of quiet resolve. Rakz blinked slowly, as if in understanding, before resting his head back down near the hearth.

The tension in the room seemed to ease slightly as Hovan finally relented. "Fine," he muttered. "But we move quickly, and we move carefully. The moment we get what we came fore, we are out of there and leave this place."

Raelyn turned back to the group, her voice resolute. "Agreed. Start preparing. We leave as soon as the sun sets."

As the fire crackled softly and the room fell into the rhythms preparation, the looming sense of danger hung heavy in the air. Outside the window, the silhouette of the mansion atop the hill darkened further as the day crept toward night.