[quote]"My name is Kahya Tarom. I'm... an explorer? From far south. I don't wish to burden you, Rune Thistlecatch. But I would greatly appreciate somewhere to stay as I recover." She glanced down at her poor wrist. Kahya was kind and gentle, but she wore her pride on her sleeve. "I can work in return."[/quote]

The mayor noted Kahya's injury with concern, but the traveler was clearly embarrassed by the handicap. Out of respect it would not be mentioned at present. Rune's expression brightened at the mention of work.

"There are plenty of empty rooms at the castle," she urged, enthusiastic at the idea of filling even one of those beds. "More food than any of us could possibly eat -- especially after this season's harvest -- and we've recently lost our tour guide. If you're willing to learn the histories of the marsh and the castle, and to be patient with the tourists, you are most certainly hired." She laughed a little. "Our previous guide quit out of fear of the marsh ghosts -- he said they followed him home each night and drank his goatsmilk. They're lovely, though, once you get to know them."

As they were talking, the cafe had quieted to a concerned din -- the patrons wandered out the doors and gathered among the tables outside, craning their necks to see the plume of dark smoke that tainted the sky. Murmurs arose about the shrine on the next street, the sudden unexplained conflagration, and a sighting of the missing watchmaker. The fire brigade's warning bells clanged in the distance.

The mayor looked back out the open doors, and her mouth thinned to a firm line. She gave Kahya an apologetic smile as she stood. "I'm sorry to leave you abruptly, but I'm needed elsewhere. Please enjoy your breakfast. Take your time to think about the offer, and come by the Castle Willow whenever you like. I'll tell the guard to let you through." She bowed her head. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Kahya. I hope to see you again soon."

She walked with no little hurry to the doors, where the Pooths yabbered and hopped for her attention, pointing at the smoke. A shadow passed over the crowd, and she looked up to see Anzo buzzing on his way to the scene in rare flight. The mayor broke into a run in his wake, suddenly overcome by a deep dread in her stomach.

The cafe was nearly empty by this time, but the clumsy waitress stayed behind with an encouraging smile and a refill for Kahya's coffee. "The healer's place is on the next corner," the waitress mentioned offhandedly. "It looks like a hokey herbology shop, but it's where we all go for our scrapes and sniffles. Louroy will fix you right up. You can tell him Lark sent you." She grinned with a wiggle of her feathered ears.

[hr]
[quote]Winding isn't alright. Something was up and Anzo needed to find out what before more shit happens. All of these events must be connected in someway, but right now a building was burning and the fire brigade may need some help. 

While the beetle usually doesn't, Anzo extended his wings before flying to the shrine. Hopefully everyone would be okay.[/quote]

Anzo's flight allowed him a birds-eye view of the gaggles of townsfolk who gathered with curious concern in the town square, and of the small yellow-haired mayor who cut through the crowd in her hurry toward the bells and billows of dark smoke. The smell of burning wood hung heavy on the breeze; as Anzo drew closer he could hear the dull roar of flames, then see the bright flames flashing deep in the smoke.

The shrine was famous as a point of interest in Winding: it was certainly one of the oldest buildings, dating back to the giants and the dragon-battles of the marsh. Its red columns and ornate carvings and peaceful still ponds had secured its reputation as an ancient place of peace and reflection, a favorite of the townsfolk who wanted a little time to breathe and to think.

Now the shrine billowed with dark smoke, and the pond was angry with the reflections of red flames. The fire brigade scurried throughout the shrine grounds carrying buckets and axes; their wagon was parked in the lawn, and two brigadeers worked the pump while two more aimed the water hose at the worst of the inferno. A stained-glass window exploded in a bloom of smoke and fire, showering a flower bed with colored shards. Though the brigade fought valiantly, it seemed clear this was a losing battle.

Anzo's fellow guards held the gawking crowd back away from the edge of the grounds, but their pleas to remain calm fell on deaf ears. A hysterical shriek rose above even the thunder of the flames: "MIA! MIA'S STILL IN THERE! LET ME THROUGH! MIA!"

Faintly, Anzo might hear the terrified scream of a girl inside the shrine.

A few of the fire brigade suited up and rushed into the inferno -- but a blast of heat and smoke sent them tumbling back. Others hacked away at the walls, trying to create a new door through which they could find and rescue Mia -- every minute seemed like an eternity. Townsfolk from the crowd rushed the shrine with their own axes and buckets to the aid of the brigade.

On the empty road -- while everyone's attention was on the burning shrine -- the watchmaker ducked into an alley and ran with long shaky strides toward the marsh.