Jenny stood in the cold hall, her familiar wrapped around her neck like a scarf. "What do you think Rose wants today, Swiftfang?"

"She probably wantsss to give usss new work assignments," the viper mused. "There's still the rat infesssstation in the arcaneum to deal with. I think I could help with that, at leassst."

Jenny's green eyes sparkled with mirth. "It would be nice if you gave us a hand."

A reptilian sigh emanated from Swftfang. "That joke grew old the day I met you, mistressss."

"That joke [i]never[/i] gets old."


"It's a pleasure to meet you, Draco. I'm Kalisel." The huntress curtsied to her new compatriot, then started assailing her ham in a most unladylike manner.

Suddenly, the hair stood up on the back of the angel's neck. [i]Wolves howling, hunters nervous... something's moving out there.[/i] Kalisel stood up, buckling Forgiveness to her waist and double-checking the edge. Sharp enough to deal with bare flesh, but no so sharp as to fail against armor. In short, the blade was perfect. She strode out the door, eyes darting around to see any movement, but not seeing anything... yet.