Interlude

Mihai squints, and takes him a moment to finally say - "Yes."

The handler waits.

Mihai frowns, not comfortable to be talking about this - "I don't have any blood family left that i know of, but there's an adopted sister. Also, my former handler. After the way i left Lofell, it's not safe for me to make contact yet, but we're past that now. I've already written one of the letters; was going to mail them both as soon possible."

"Zelk Freeron and possibly her family," adds Steve. "Besides her the rest aren't cleared for this information so I'm not sure how overt you can really be but leaving them with nothing doesn't feel right either."

Everyone else speaks in the wake of Konrad's hesitation, until finally it is his turn... He nods. "It has come to my attention that I have a nephew and a niece, who survived my brother. I want them to be safe. His widow should be included as well, if he had a wife."

"Oh, uh, and there is a friend of ours in Walkerfree, Aemilia. Keep her safe too."

"Uh..." the fairy begins, a little shy. "Maybe my brothers and sisters in Lofell? I think they live near the city where Marie's house was. I'm not sure where it is though."

"Hmm." Sonlake pulls out a sheet of paper from his drawer, picks up a blue pencil, and writes down the information. He then puts the pencil back on the desk, joins his hands together again, and declares with a clear voice, "I will dispatch several agents to inform your relatives and closed ones of the danger that Snicker poses to their lives. Those who know nothing about him will be warned not to take any of his deals. Those who can defend themselves will be offered advanced magical protection. And those who can't, they will be guarded by some of our more... experienced agents." He pauses, and his eyes narrow. "As for the five of you, I am assigning you a new mission; find out how to kill Snicker, and if that proves to be impossible, how to seal him away. It seems clear to me that unless we find a way to contain him in one place or body, there's no way we can stop him from interfering in your lives."

"I ask permission to go to Zest's, then."

"Use whatever means necessary," he stoically replies.

"May we have use of a ship again? It would be faster and we have no idea how long this will take or how far we'll have to go. And he adds quietly, "And we don't have to worry about endangering civilians by using their ships."

"Don't worry. I will." Hearing the resolve tightening Konrad's tone as he vows to pursue Snicker to the ends of the oceans fills you with Determination.

Sonlake considers Steve's idea for some time, and ultimately nods. "I believe I know one ship whose captain would be willing to take you wherever you need to go; the Phoenix. It will leave shore tomorrow at 0700."

"I need to make preparations before then. I'll be back later today with my letters."

Mihai will leave if there's nothing else.

"I'll be ready. I'll go write some letters explaining things." Steve leaves.

Konrad nods to each of them. "Hey Blue, why don't you go with Fedler for a bit?"

The fairy slightly nods, and leaves with the others.

When it is just him, Konrad closes the door. "Just how closely are the Coins and the Free Feathers military working together regarding this issue?"

Sonlake tilts his head, wondering where this is going. "This will depend on my superiors' decision regarding this matter. I suspect we will share this new information with them, so they can relay it to the Citadel's Council, who will then decide what is the best course of action for the Free Feathers. Why do you ask?"

The handler examines Konrad's features, but quickly turns his attention on his sheet of paper and writes down the name on it. "Yes, I know who you speak of. I will take the appropriate measures."

"Thank you." Konrad then leaves and rejoins the others.

Next morning, the party stands on pier number three where the Phoenix is docked. Sitting on the rail with one leg kept inside the ship and with a long pipe stuck in his mouth is Tom Blackcliff, the Commander of the Coins. On his shoulder stands a small winged creature, eerily similar to Breeze. Unlike the blue-haired girl however, this fairy appears to be in his mid-twenties, and wears a rustic red tunic, a blue cloak with square patterns, and brown trousers. "Hi!" he shouts while waving at the group. His black hair is cut clean and short. "Come aboard!"

Mihai boards, and approaches Blackcliff - "Along for this one, Commander?"

Steve heads aboard, pleasantly surprised. "Good morning, sir. Who's your fairy friend?"

Konrad walks up the gangplank and offers a hand to Blackcliff. "Good to see you again, Commander."

He smiles at the fairy and waits them to get the greetings out of the way. "Nice ship. Smaller than the Barracuda, but strong and tough. Is she yours?"

Blackcliff puffs on his pipe. To Mihai, he says, "It certainly seems so."

To Steve, "That's Felix. Say hello Felix."

The cloaked fairy replies with a tight smile. "What, am I also supposed to perform a trick? Roll on my back?"

"Charming as always..."

Breeze is curious and happy to meet another one of her brethren, although she appears to be a little shy. Felix gently waves at her, and she responds in kind.

The commander shakes Konrad's hand, and answers him in a sharp tone. "Yes, it is. And it will take you where you need to go."

He examines the party with his eyes.