Bastian lead Elizabeth outside the stables. Scowling after a moment of preparation, walking toward the marketplace. The place filled with silent chattering, sneers and boisterous laughter. Many beastkind twisted their necks, nearly snapping them off. Glancing at Bastian coming from behind, glaring daggers. Penetrating through the large crowd until spotting the face-down human corpse amidst the assembled. The dressed-up and deceased aristocrat approached by several guards with heads hung low. Helmets covered their identities. Unlike dogs, they didn’t need tails tucked between their legs to display their trembling bones. Picking the body off the ground and hurling it into an empty wheelbarrow.

[color=A55151]“Lotta good your precious wealth and fashion sense did ya!”[/color] An armored beastkind called out in a gravelly voice, east of Bastian and loud enough for Elizabeth to hear. Bastian shielded his twitching nose with his paw, the familiar pungent scent lingered. Gently squeezing her hand and taking them into an dead-end alley. Resting his paws onto her shoulders, sighing and removing the feigned fury from his face.

[color=0072bc]“Here’s the plan.”[/color] Bastian confided gazing into her eyes. [color=0072bc]“The northern building that I cannot access, with the vultures circling overhead. It’s a gambling ring. That’s where you’ll locate my target that’s connected with the kidnappers. She’s nicknamed ‘The Bladed Beauty’, known only by the flayed flesh from her clientele. Rumored to be the best at altering one’s entire appearance. Including herself, which is why pictures of her or my kidnappers are likely worthless. Find her, gain her trust and trick her into leaving the premises.”[/color] His tone was firm, giving her a concerned look. [color=0072bc]“Given the circumstances with the ongoing beastkind insurrection, you’ll actually be safer there than around here. But I’m still asking to put yourself in danger for my sake. Please be careful, I don’t want you to get yourself killed.”[/color]

He stepped back, dropping his arms to his side. Briefly looking elsewhere and clearing his throat. [color=0072bc]“I’m going to track the cloaked figure who entered the city before us. I’m certain they murdered that nobleman at the marketplace. But I’m probably being baited into a trap. Their wearing a strong and unique smelling cologne, which is preposterous for an assassin. Unless they wanted to be found. Every beastkind could smell that a mile away. The other explanation is that their working with the beastkind, alerting them to aide and allow them to kill select targets…but if I ignore it. I willingly risk others lives...I have enough eating at my conscious."[/color] He said staring at his blade while muttering his last words, clenching his paws.