odore

an to grate on my nerves. I hadn't realized he had such a talkative

was in the garden, gathering flowers. She tu

he meal?" Jiraiya as

ave," Nej

here to assist me," Jiraiya instructed, a

"What's going on?" she asked,

hurry. "We need your help wi

nging the flowers inside

" Jiraiya added, and Neji

eturn. Soon, she emerged with a tray bearing three s

ged the food. I eyed the dishes curiously, wond

ng dried rice and vegetables mixed wit

nearby couch,

Jiraiya asked,

ng the Kingdom of Orch

arrowed. "He did

"No, just that he w

tched on his face. "That's strange.

d-bite, sen

iplomatic visit

d on Neji. "Or perhaps

ession turn

spoil by morning," Jiraiya said, leaning bac

rank some water, and the

uring to the leopard.

the prey. Jiraiya called out to Neji, "Ge

" Neji replied,

turned with a tent an

stones to contain the flames. Jiraiya ins

nto a butcher's twine, suspend

a mat, watching Jiraiya

moked meat filled the air. Jirai

nd began packing the

ey," Jiraiya said, his eyes

es fixed on the sack. "Whe

adventure. "We'll discu

fire crackling, and the

re leaving first thing tomorrow morning" Jira

eji, we will hit the ro

t the road early," Jiraiya said, secu

rise. "Where are we headed

sion turned seri

. "Orchomenus? But w

ny things you don't understand, Neji.

pable, but Jiraiya offer

e repeated, his to

ctantly, rising

ts already focused on the journey

e shadows. I wore a black, long-sleeved hood that concealed my face a

ld asked, as we halted bef

ied, pushing ope

the air thick with dust and spider webs. The

filled bar. The room fell silent as we entered, t

ceased, replaced by an

ly man asked, stepping fo

other patrons, a mix of thugs and notori

, revealing my face.

and approaching the bartender. "Two glass

our drinks. I took a sip, motion

called out from the

pproached, but Egrem

zing Shawn's personal assist

Greetings, my lady. Ma

st six women, sipping wine. His

whispered to the women,

rmly. "What an honor to have

e me, his imposing fra

or me to sit. "P

rossing my legs. "I've come

with curiosity. "I'm a

oned behind him, their

," I said, capturing S

nto his chair. "You've filled my coffers with gold

a generous reward: 7,000 Greek dra

as I produced a paper

paper on the table. "I want him d

an evil grin. He handed t

wn said. "But we need s

dal he wore on his birthday, and

sandal and coi

balance when I see

l bring you his he

naling the m

I exited the bar, navigat

night air, I felt a

s fate wa

contin