“Y-yeah, you’re right,” Clark responded, motioning for Arthur to follow him to join the caravan. It was clear to the cricket’s traveling companion that Clark much more nervous than he was, despite having done this before. Arthur told himself he’d be brave, even though his nerves were telling him a different story.

As the caravan moved into the city proper, Arthur took the chance to look around and observe what he could see of Irris, being sure to stay on the lookout for Charity Lane. While he hadn’t seen it so far, he had seen enough of the city to figure out that Irris was a place of many contrasts. There were nice neighborhoods with fancy houses for a few people guarded by fancy looking gates a block or two away from slums crammed with many more people than that. There were many people working for an honest living and people committing crimes just far enough away that those honest people could plausibly deny seeing them. And even where Arthur and Clark were now, there were ornate shopping buildings next to run-down market stalls.

The man noticed the caravan was starting to spread out as it got further into Irris. Some of the people were going to the lower part of the city, some were heading to different parts of the market, and others were heading in other directions entirely. The man couldn’t help scanning for the direction where the prisoner wagon was going. He didn’t know where Charity Lane was, but hopefully it was in a different-

DINGDONGDINGDONGDINGDONG! The sudden ring of a bell, this one quicker and even louder than the one he heard before, interrupted Arthur’s thoughts. This was immediately followed by distinct, panicked yelling. “The prisoner has escaped! THE PRISONER HAS ESCAPED! ALL UNITS-”

The source of the alert was quickly silenced, presumably by the frog. “We should get out of here,” Clark whispered. Arthur agreed and was about to start running, but the former convict hopped right in front of the pair!

“Prison food is so bland. I think I’d like a little snack,” the frog menacingly said, instantly stretching his tongue out at Clark. The cricket froze in place, expecting the worst, but out of instinct Arthur grabbed the tongue with his hands! He then pulled the appendage like it was a chain attached to a ball, moving the frog’s body so it would slam against a nearby building with significant force.

Only after doing this did Arthur consciously realize that yes, he could fight and yes, he could win. This was surprising to say the least, and the man was definitely still scared of his amphibian opponent, but he knew he would not back down. Arthur took a step in front of Clark and got into a defensive fighting stance, preparing himself for however the frog planned on countering him next.