To Bait a Mason...

Sitting behind a bush were Arithmia's greatest spies. They hid in the forest to collect as much intel on the enemy as they could. Princess, Woody and Straw Hat held broken branches above their heads as they looked over the bushes while Foxy and Agent Yellow held them between their teeth. Everyone had circular sunglasses to keep a low profile.

-Foxy, Agent Yellow, do you smell anyone behind us?

-Woof, woof.

-So that's a no. Straw Hat are you positive the target is in their residence?

-Oh yeah Princess. I knocked and he started telling me off. You wouldn't believe how masons can curse, particularly the old ones.

-Wait.

-What is it Woody?

-Can I change my code name?

-What, why?

-Woody doesn't sound as cool as I hoped.

-Then what do you want us to call you?

-Wilhelm.

-Come on. I know you can do better.

-Then Kaiser.

-This one sounds so cool. Much better than Woody.

Straw Hat seemed to like Woody's new name. Princess started getting worried they might not get anything done if they keep discussing the codenames.

-We keep getting distracted, look, intel exchange takes place! Everyone listen in.

A new character has entered the scene. A young woman wearing a headscarf, a linen chemise and a wool apron. Whatever the reason she came here, it wasn't anything good. Her face was full of fear.

-Old man Dieter, open the door.

Doors opened and a stout old man looked out from behind the door.

-Helga? What is it?

There was no anger in Dieter's voice, it was much more of a question a concerned grampa would ask his grandchild.

-Franz disappeared! I lost my sight of off him and now I can't find him.

-Have you looked for him?

-I have asked my neighbors whether they saw him, but nobody knows anything.

-Very well, send the signal.

-Signal? What are they talking about Princess?

-I don't know Woody, I mean Kaiser. Most likely they're going to ask the rebels for help.

-There are rebels?!

Straw Hat almost jumped out of the bush, but Princess and Kaiser stopped him and hushed him.

-We don't know that! That's what we've come to check.

-Wait... Are you Lucy Dorima? King's advisor? What have I gotten myself into...

-I'm Princess! What do you think the point of code—

-Princess, look, it's the signal!

Helga put something into the big brick furnace. Must have been coal or wood, as it was burning and released smoke. It spread all over the village and even reached into the bush, making our spies rather uncomfortable, especially those with sensitive noses.

-People live like this?

-Foxy are you okay?

Foxy dropped to the ground and put her paws over her nose. Agent Yellow quickly followed.

-I heard about this, masons have special kind of coal they burn. Since everyone here is used to the smell of smoke, they put a certain very stinky oil as kindling. They use it to signal everyone in the village something has happened.

A merchant knows a lot. Straw Hat was truly an important part of their team. Even if he almost ratted them out by accident.

Villagers smelled something is wrong so they emerged. Grenze was home to people of all ages, crooked old people, dirty children and everything in between. Concern was clear on their faces. Some of the kids looked more concerned than others. Dieter waited for everyone to gather around the brick furnace and spoke loud and clear for everyone to hear.

-Helga's little brother Franz disappeared. Has anyone seen him?

Crowd's already worried faces started expressing their condolences. They knew first hand what it meant to disappear. Especially one face screamed "uh-oh". Helga picked up on this immediately.

-Karl, didn't you and other boys play with him the other day? Haven't you seen him? Didn't he say anything at all?

Franz was a very young boy, so having a clearly emotional young adult screaming at him didn't help him admit he knows something, if he knew something. It wasn't impossible Karl was just afraid he was next if his friend he just played with yesterday disappeared, hence the reaction.

-I don't know anything!

-Helga, I know it's about your only family, but you need to calm down.

-How am I supposed to calm down? What if something happened to him?

For someone so old, Dieter didn't know women only get more emotional when you tell them to calm down.

-Did anyone see him walk out of the village?

Dieter tried to get a productive discussion but villagers had a different plan. Merchant's appearance coinciding with Franz's disappearance truly was the last straw.

-It must've been that merchant from Arithmia!

-Ever since they started coming here all at once bad things started happening!

-Let's find him and teach him a lesson! As long as we don't split we'll be fine!

Straw Hat was innocent, but it didn't matter to the rage filled people who finally found an outlet for their frustration. Every men picked up a brick and made his way to the road.

-Straw Hat, Agent Yellow, I think it's time for you to get going.

-You don't have to convince me! They wanna kill me! For what? I didn't do anything!

-And what are we going to do Princess?

-We'll wait for them to go after Straw Hat and talk to Karl.

-Wait, so I'm the bait?

Lucy took down her sunglasses, made a serious face and put both her hands on his shoulders.

-You're a very important part of the team Straw Hat. I'm counting on you.

-Good luck.