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[img]http://i.imgur.com/0zOu8o4.png[/img][/h3]

The Grand Inquisitor sighed once more. What a mess…

“You can make up whatever nonsense you please,” Glint said, shaking her head as she brushed a stray hair out of her face. “But if you can fix the roads at least then I won’t throw you in an oubliette. Veronica, can your friend fill out a public magic and familiar form?”

“She doesn’t speak Abbalic very well.” The knightess responded. 

“I’ll issue her a temporary pass, then,” Glint responded. One could practically feel the Inquisitor’s aura calming down as she turned her attention away from the sage. “Would you mind swinging around the tower later? It’s been forever since I visited you.” Veronica stood frozen for a moment before nodding. She had never really seen her so agitated before. Then again, she rarely saw her working as Grand Inquisitor. The older woman waved her glowing hand about while making some hushed incantations. Every official and suit simultaneously gave a short nod, whether or not they were watching her cast her spell. They began mobilizing, shooing away whatever was left of the crowd, leaving only the sage and various Order officials.

“Well,” Veronica said as she left the incident behind her. “I guess that’s over with… Except for that bit about the familiar. Should we even bother?” Her words had a subtly pressing tone to them. It sounded like a very obvious trap, after all. And that was something Veronica was beginning to grow rather tired of.
[hr]

By the time Autumn had finished navigating her way through the crowd, the alley was clear, at least from what could be seen from the edge of the street: A flash of purple light shone from a turn further along the cramped path before fading as if a door had been closed in front of it, complete with a sharp slamming sound and some quick, hushed chatter.

[img]http://i.imgur.com/3MlfTgI.png[/img]
When Helvyra quite suddenly stumbled backwards, Rebecca halted and took a step back to avoid being crushed by the golem should it fall over, clutching her launcher defensively. The true danger soon surged into view however, and as it leaped overhead Rebecca was already running back down the trail of flattened grass to protect herself and her prototype. Calieo shrieked, that thing hit the ground with a thunderous slap, and as Chambala shouted Rebecca slowed her sprint to turn back and face their attacker. 

Chambala was right, it was a Knoll Rotter, and it looked to be at least half the size of Helvyra now that it's mass had gathered into a roundish blob rather than a pancake of death. Rebecca had heard of such creatures before but had never actually seen one that wasn't a sketch in a textbook. Unimportant to her studies she knew little of the beasts, but she knew they were predators, and ready to protect herself she ensured her weapon's safety was off.

[hr]

[center][h3]???[/h3][/center]

A hooded figure impatiently stood in the alleyway, features obscured by a long drab cloak. Ashley and Magnolia were supposed to be here a while ago. Hopefully they didn't get into trouble, looking for a way into that tower…

And there they were, the blonde dragging the youth along at top speed like children on their way to a fair.

“Is everything oka-” the hooded figure started.

“Shhh!” The vampire whispered. “Someone's on to us...” He gestured backwards, to someone who presumably existed around the corner, with a tone that suggested he really wasn't taking this very seriously.

“Hide.” the figure said, quietly yet firmly. Ashley rung his bell and disappeared into a nearby door, an intense purple glow emanating from the door until it closed shut. The hooded figure huffed. That wasn't what he meant.