Penny Lane

"We should go now." By the time we get to the gates, it should be dawn. We can use the low light to move around, but it won't be pitch black yet.

I'm wearing an overcoat I spend my day making. I cut the larger black caiman's back hide into a rectangular shape, roughly 2 meters by 1 meter, added big holes for my arms and made some slashes to help to make it less rigid.

It is still very much not comfortable, but the dark color and thickness might help me both with the stealth and to take blows if I get into combat. 

As for the eggs, three of them hatched healthy mini lizards, they are so funny looking with their big jaws pretty much always open. We decided to name them after the justice league: Diana, Clark, and Bruce. We don't really know their gender, though.

Biel and Lily have been doing a great job with them. Actually, they've been working pretty well together. They are both pretty pragmatic and like to do chores: Lily likes to take care of the garden and cleaning. Biel likes to organize and make trinkets and fix stuff. Both like to cook and seem to enjoy doing it together.

Somehow, since my enchantment about Lily died out, I've noticed what I liked about her is so similar to what I got from Biel. The clear view about stuff, without much of anything around it. Not much judgment, but not very emotional either. They are even completely unable to discern the little guys. 

Bruce is clearly the one with the defying eyes! Haha

Speaking of batman, the night is almost upon us as we, Sally and I, reach the gates of the city. We wait for it to get just a bit darker and proceed. 

There isn't anyone guarding the first gate and very few people in the streets. Wait, that long black hair! Is that joy? No, definitely not. 

We cross the river before heading to the second gate, which isn't much more well guarded, although it is made of iron on a rock wall — the other one is wood on wood. 

By the time we get to the temple, it is already pitch black. 

"So, what do we do now?"

"Well, Don said he convinced the Author to come. Maybe a metaphor for praying?"

We tried praying, talking, meditating and even dancing — Sally is unexpectedly good at it, might I add. Are we just not convincing enough? 

It is too risky to go home, so we find a seemingly hidden spot to rest. We'll try again the next day.

We wake up to the noises of some ladies chatting.

"Kana says the blessed one visited her house yesterday."

"The mysterious girl that can heal any ailment and ease your mind? Yeah, right. There isn't any witch healing people."

"That is what I said. She said the girl turned into actual words when she left. Bait used to be believable, am I right?"

I didn't notice yesterday, due to the dark, but the temple is huge in the inside. At least 15 rows of wooden benches and a hallway in the middle. There is a step, a little pulpit on the left side and a shrine with a chalice in the middle. 

It kinda resembles a church, with a mosaic painting on the top and glass windows on the sides and front, at least 4 meters high. On the back there is a staircase on each vertex (we slept under the right one) which leads to an internal balcony and continues into tower-like structures. 

We try to check every single corner of this place, for any answers on how to find the creator, but nothing happens. 

We give up and try the outer side. Weird how this thing seems to be made with bricks. How did they even do that? Why is the temple the only thing not made of plain wood? Although the auditorium seemed made with marble … And the inner wall with stone …

We meet again up front after checking the vicinities, and once again: Nothing. 

"It's useless. Didn't see anything that looks divine, either." 

"Never though I'd say that, but I wish Don was here."

So, she didn't like Don. That is news to me. 

"Didn't you like him?"

As I say that, I notice a suspicious movement behind her. Someone hides hastily from my gaze. I'm pretty sure I recognize him: Was that Omar? That reminds me, we should find a black market dealer to move our stuff once we are established … 

"Not really. But my brother used to feel ~"

I signal her to stop by raising a finger. And then call her with another hand signal. 

Come to think about it, Tarik was the one who recommended Omar's service. Is he working for Daniel too? 

I chase what I thought was his shadow for some time, well into unknown territory — Good thing Sally is a native. I took too much time to realize and lost his trace, but somehow I feel that he didn't lose mine. 

We head out of town after the first noon rain, the forest can be pretty dangerous in the night. I ask sally to make plenty of detours, as we are definitely being followed. 

Cannot just wander around forever though, I have no time to spend being questioned, and every step is a risk of someone getting me. 

We decide to use the riverbank to not risk any patrol and agglomerate of people on the gates. Once we get to the forest, I can barely sense anyone following us. Are we safe? Did we shake them off, or it just happens that they are better at tracking in the forest? 

"So, how was it?" Biel asks

"I'm the one who has to ask, you and a beautiful lady alone at night. Tell me EVERYTHING." I give a smile towards them.

Lily blushes a little and laughs. 

Biel seems more defensive, "Han? I'm no Talarico. Stop that. Weren't you alone with Sally as well, though?"

Sally doesn't seem as willing to joke around. 

"We got nothing. A waste of time, if you ask me. Also, I've been meaning to ask, where is the other girl?"

"We don't know. I thought she would be already back by now."

"Is she good with that sword of hers?"

"Yes. I do think so."

"Then we'll go looking for her. We're going back to my plan, and we'll need every fighter we need. Any idea where she might be?"

To be honest, I was trying to not think about it.

I have no idea.