[i]Enjoy the food[/i]. And they sure did.

There were already several empty bowls on the next table, and another came after Young Nina scrapped every bit of gravy from that old pot and had it delivered with an unrelaxed smile to a young lady that looked... very hungry. The owner blinked, mentally wondering who would pay for all of this, but soon realized that the crown's purse was nearly bottomless and his ex-boss was no pauper either. 

The ex-boss in question impatiently tapped her wrist.  

Located in a chamber next to the kitchen was another room. Unlike the rest of the inn, the room was brick-walled with smooth plaster made of white concrete. The place was lit by an expensive crystal lamp that radiates soft white light, and inside, there was a large metal cupboard, a large table, and several chairs.

"Interesting friends you've got there." the elven owner began, while Jazdia followed behind him. The door was not closed, either to avoid prejudical opinion or to invite anyone concerned and let them know that there was no state confidentiality being discussed here. 

[color=ec008c]"You could say that."[/color]

"A druid, a noblewoman turned mercenary, another mercenary from a foreign land, both known for ruthlessness on the battlefield. A strange doctor with interesting stories centered around him, a Pale Lady from far away province, and King's Right-Hand woman herself--" Baker counted. "One could put them all in one room and nobody would find it strange, but with you in the mix? Now that's a different story. Especially after that failed assassination attempt."

The elf woman shrugged. [color=ec008c]"Well, it seemed you did your homework, I thought you don't really care. I already know who they are, so why bother telling me?"[/color]

There was a brief pause and Baker turned at her. "Let us say it was to express my congeniality, if that's not enough for you, just an old habit that dies hard." 

[color=ec008c]"Congeniality?"[/color]

"They are not very solid, hmm?"

[color=ec008c]"Naturally."[/color]

"There was clearly a division. It wasn't natural at all."

[color=ec008c]"It was intentional."[/color]

The innkeeper opened his cupboard, revealing another containing a combined lock, then he continued without looking back. "Intentional? So it didn't end well, I presume? Looking at your bandages."

[color=ec008c]"This part was the result of holding back..."[/color]

A metal drawer was now placed on the table. Inside were numerous containers made of glass to separate a variety of trinkets. The Inn Owner selected a silvery piece of jewelry that looked like a compass with a brass lid, while Jazdia chose an earpiece. 

"Was it D-1M or DM-3?" he asked, referring to the device model Jazdia picked. "I believe that is D-1M, you have to channel magic into it. Ancient model, you know old man Anderson wouldn't let me take anything newer. Up to seventy kilometers range, that transceiver still uses universal frequencies, so we can pair it with the [i]Commpass[/i]."

That [i]commpass[/i] was the bras trinket Baker holds. He opened its brass lid and spoke [i]"There is something important I wanted to ask." [/i]

The words were received clearly by the D-1M earpiece, but it was not its only gimmick. When Baker pressed another button, the Commpass rewound the words faultlessly.

[i]"There is something important I wanted to ask."[/i] 

"The destruction of Black Serpent was your doing, wasn't it? It's not a secret, that orc lady can glare at me until a pair of wings sprouts from my back."

[color=ec008c]"Something piqued your interest?"[/color]

"So you don't deny it." 

[color=ec008c]"This is Kindeance. Information has its price." [/color]

"Fine. You can pick one more merchandise." 

Jazdia plucked a plain ring made of carved green garnet and placed it next to the commpass. 

"I thought you'd want something more... impactful," said Baker, leaning on his chair. "A dimeritium ring? So your next target is a mage?"

[color=ec008c]"This is for the girl upstairs..."[/color]

"Pardon?" 

[color=ec008c]"Gerrald Grey."[/color] The whispered name spilled icily from her lips. [color=ec008c]"The girl upstairs was his most powerful slave. You asked about my injury, she was the one who did it." [/color]

Baker's breath halted at that explanation. During his career in the Organization, he remembered that not many people could give their boss a run for her money, but Jazdia's cold expression told him that it was not a joke. 

Shuddered only slightly, Baker's face told everything, however. 

[color=ec008c]"I shot her lung,"[/color] Jazdia reported, answering his implied concern. [color=ec008c]"Missed a few centimeters from her heart. Her power was spent after rampaging that tunnel in response to her master's demise."[/color]

"So this will be another stray tiger you picked up. And I assume you want to house her here?" 

[color=ec008c]"Only for a couple of days. The accommodation for her to stay here had been paid."
[/color]
"Without my approval!"

[color=ec008c]"It was your fault not being present when we checked in. As far as the law concerned it was a valid contract..."  [/color]

Baker rubbed his temple with a pained expression, crazy facts that not only overwhelmed but also were being hammered inside his head one by one. Jazdia let him savor the pain for a while.

As soon as he managed to regain his composure, the inn owner returned to Jazdia. "Not the information I wanted to know actually, but--what the hell! So, by 'was' and 'demise' you mean you killed her master?"

[color=ec008c]"That's right. Black Serpent is no more." [/color]

It might be good news for some debtors and small merchants in Rascade, but Baker was not one of them. His handsome features turned gloomy, and he stared across the doorway cautiously. 

"This morning I rode to the capital after the Adventurer's guild notified me about the liberated slaves. Sadly two of them were dead." Baker paused and looked at his former boss keenly. "You know this, don't you?" 

[color=ec008c]"Was the deceased someone you know?"[/color]

Baker's eyes narrowed kindly at her. "This doesn't sound like you." 

[center]---[/center]

Jazdia wondered what she used to sound like, she only remembered all her actions were based on principles, and yes, she fully acknowledged that Baker is trying to jab at her trademarked morals. 

"Not directly... It was a daughter of a friend from the neighboring town." Baker gave up and both knew this 'friend' could be anecdotal, but the sternness in the Inn Owner's tone implicitly said that was beside the point. "I might not be the smartest agent in our now-defunct organization but I know collateral damage when I see one. It was the result of the raid, wasn't it?"

[color=ec008c]"Yes."[/color]

Silence fell. Baker, again, waited for more, but Jazdia's confirmation would only be that simple yes that seemed to have multiple meanings. The Inn Owner put the drawer aside and leaned forward. His eyes searched her. 

"Who was it?" 

The words came out sharply. But it was far from being galvanizing enough to make the elf in front of her waver. Jazdia knew where this conversation led to, and whatever reason Baker had to antagonize her and her team was probably warranted, but she simply had her own judgment. The murderer was a valuable asset, and he was needed.

[color=ec008c]"I am not obliged to answer that. It's already your second question." [/color]

"Wait! So Gerradl's slave counts too?" 

[color=ec008c]"You asked, and I answered..." [/color]

Baker looked like he was about to petrify on spot. 

"When I looked at that dead woman, I think about Nina's elder sister. God forbid-- I was glad it wasn't her, but I wondered what if it was her. I wondered how her family would react, I wondered how they would think after knowing the other slaves are liberated but not her. I wondered how they would take it she is dead by the one who was supposed to set her free. I wondered what the so-called liberators would think after that ordeal."

He looked at the doorway and grimaced with ephemeral disgust. "To think they would eat, drink and celebrate sickens me..."

There was a pause. Jazdia closed her eyes briefly and then glanced at him with a concerned undertone, signifying that both elves shared mutual sympathy, but hers was leaned more on reality. 

[color=ec008c]"Someone will be held accountable for that unlawful killing, but that will not be not today."[/color] Jazdia rose up from her chair. Her mechanical tone showed neither promise nor irresolution, but her blue, brilliant eyes glanced with hidden anger. Though there was no threat in Baker's condemnation, It was important for her to make her point. 

[color=ec008c]"You might not see me as a person who sees everything in the bigger picture, but this time I must."[/color] she said, reaching for the compass and the ring and securing it in her bag. 

"Until when you will hold on to this pragmatism?" 

There was more pause. And it was a question she intended to not answer. 

[color=ec008c]"I can't answer that. Thank you for your cooperation, Captain Baker." [/color]

Everyone save the bear was still in the common room when Jazdia exited from Baker's warehouse and climbed upstairs. Slowly but surely she opened the room where Gerrald's former slave was resting and found her sleeping soundly.  She could feel her chest tightens, not because it was wounded but rather a newfound sympathy. 

The girl remained undisturbed, her face was much more peaceful now, but her breath was still short. The elf held the ring and channeled some magic into it. The ring slipped onto the girl's middle finger easily, and then with a simple touch and magical command, it turned invisible.

[i]——Who… is to blame for this?[/i]

Jazdia closed the door and walked into the neighboring room. What Baker said, and the living irony rested just by the next door pounded her head mercilessly. Perhaps a warm bath can ease it up a bit.