After analyzing the situation, Katerina sighed and asked her "husband" to wait outside with Clyde and the children while she personally concluded the deal with the merchant. Cassia understood her mistress's signal and left the store, taking the children by the hand.
Left alone with the shopkeeper, Katerina smiled warmly and asked in a soft, gentle voice:"Sir, what do you think of my children?"
"Madam, your children are undoubtedly talented. I believe they have a bright future ahead," the man replied.
"Sir, have you ever heard of the special institution run by the Magical Empire?" Katerina asked casually, approaching the counter.
"Uh, madam, what are you talking about?" the merchant stuttered, suddenly nervous.
Katerina said no more. In a flash, she grabbed the man by the hair, forcing him to look into her dazzling blue eyes."Wha—!" he tried to react, but his mouth was swiftly gagged with a cloth.
"Look into my eyes. Listen only to my voice," she whispered.
The delicate woman held the man's head firmly while chanting a spell. She pulled out a vial of blood and drew a strange pattern on his forehead. A small pendant materialized, swinging like a pendulum between them. The whole scene looked eerie and unnatural.
The merchant's gaze became unfocused as he stared blankly into her eyes. Katerina made a shallow cut on his forehead and, using his blood, traced another strange symbol while chanting monotonously:
"This evening, five people visited your shop. They browsed the weapons briefly. A worried mother ordered a chakram and a karambit knife for a four-year-old girl and boy, respectively. They paid for the items and the delivery, but you somehow lost the money while going out for dinner. As a result, you had to cover the cost yourself and personally deliver the weapons to the 'Three Geese' tavern. Now, you're going to the blacksmith to beg for a discount."
As the blood-drawn symbol absorbed into the merchant's skin, the compulsion took hold. Katerina elegantly wiped her hand and made her way toward the exit.
"Thank you for your business, madam! It's been a pleasure!" she heard the cheerful voice of the merchant behind her as she walked out the door.
Finding her companions amidst the bustling crowd, Katerina took the children's hands. Together, under Clyde's guidance, they headed toward the tavern.
Though it had been a wonderful day of rare relaxation, tomorrow would mark the continuation of their perilous journey. They needed to gather their strength.
News of the "Harbinger of Night" had already spread far and wide. Who knew when the Magical Empire would receive their portraits? Very soon, their faces might adorn every alley and tavern wall. Although they had disguised themselves and Katerina had used every possible means to cover their tracks, she knew even minor facial similarities, the size of their group, or an unwary comment from the children could eventually expose their true identities.
When it came to her family's safety, Katerina took no chances. Expecting the worst, she pushed to move farther from danger as quickly as possible.
They approached a three-story wooden building with a large sign that read "The Three Geese" and went inside.
The tavern was alive with energy. The air was thick with the scents of ale, roasted meat, and sweat. A noisy crowd filled the space, their laughter and shouts blending into a chaotic symphony. Clearly, this was a place where merchants and adventurers came to relax after long, grueling days.
In one corner, a lively group was playing dice, while a drunken bard onstage plucked at a lute, trying to earn enough for a visit to the local brothel. A curvy waitress wove through the tables, balancing plates and mugs, occasionally squealing when a hand got too bold.
Finding a free table, the group ordered food and drinks — magical ale for the adults and orange juice for the children. Some of the more inebriated patrons cast glances at Katerina, but after noticing the deadly gleam in the neko man's eyes, they wisely looked away.
The twins listened intently to the bard as they ate. He sang of brave mercenaries challenging monstrous beasts, of friendships forged in battle, and of bonds stronger than steel. Meanwhile, Katerina and Cassia listened carefully to the surrounding conversations, fishing for any useful information.
Noticing that some drunken men were slowly becoming immune to Cassia's murderous glare under the influence of alcohol and lust, the family decided it was best to retreat to their room upstairs, avoiding any unnecessary conflicts.
Clyde promised to come back early the next morning to escort them out of the city and left. Per Katerina's request, he still needed to finalize some paperwork before their departure. Although she disliked involving strangers in their troubles, Clyde's assistance had been invaluable, significantly speeding up their registration process.
Climbing the creaky wooden staircase, the family finally reached their room. It was pure luxury compared to what they had endured over the past two weeks — a massive double bed covered in soft, inviting down blankets, a large hearth crackling warmly in the corner, and a rough but cozy carpet covering the floor.
The twins, no longer accustomed to such comfort, immediately curled up together and drifted off to sleep, their movements so natural it seemed they'd rehearsed it countless times.
Meanwhile, the adults bolted the windows and doors and sat at a small table to finalize their plans — confirming their method of travel, refining their route, and listing essential supplies.
Katerina then joined the sleeping children, though she had no intention of truly resting. Cassia sat cross-legged by the door, keeping part of her consciousness alert for danger.
At dawn, before the birds had begun their morning songs, a knock sounded at the door."Delivery," a voice called.
Peeking outside, Katerina saw the medicinal materials vendor. He had successfully procured 300-year-old wyvern saliva and now greeted her with a broad, carefree grin. After receiving his generous payment and a hefty tip, the merchant beamed so brightly it seemed his face might split in half.
"Mrs. Ashford, forgive me for disturbing you so early! But with your radiant presence here, it's impossible to tell night from day. I fear if you stayed in Stormdale any longer, none of our citizens would ever sleep again!" the merchant declared grandly, before being firmly shown out.
When Cassia returned with a rented carriage and horses, Katerina, Clyde, and the children were already waiting outside the tavern. Before them stood an old but sturdy wagon made of solid wood, loaded with three large trunks full of supplies.
Two dappled mares, strong and majestic, were harnessed to the wagon. Even the children, young as they were, could recognize them as magical beasts of high rank. Though lacking horns or wings, they were easily one and a half times larger than normal horses. Their golden manes shimmered under the morning sun, and their powerful frames seemed capable of toppling even a bear. Next to them, their small donkey companion — who had traveled with them for the past two days — looked almost comically tiny.
"Mama, can we take Jack with us?" Grace asked, pointing to the little donkey.
"No, sweetie, Jack has to stay with Clyde," Katerina replied gently, watching sadness well up in the girl's eyes.
"But Mama..."
"Dear, it's not up for discussion. Jack has a home waiting for him. Right, Clyde?"
"Yes, ma'am. Jack is very much needed back at the village," Clyde agreed, though he clearly felt guilty under Cassia's sharp gaze.
Accepting the inevitable, Grace hugged the donkey around the neck like an old war comrade. For a moment, an air of solemn farewell settled between the girl and her loyal companion, as if they were recalling countless adventures together.
Their bittersweet moment was broken when Clyde cleared his throat:"Mrs. Ashford, here are the documents. You can't imagine how much effort it took to get them processed so quickly."
"Thank you, Clyde. You were a tremendous help. Any trouble?" Katerina asked.
"No major issues. It's just that lately, the authorities demand extremely detailed reports on every person entering Danmoor. Something about a prophecy or some other nonsense," Clyde said casually.
At his words, the dark-haired boy with the cat ears standing quietly beside Grace tensed noticeably.It was as if the words "prophecy," "darkness," and "god" triggered something deep inside him — a tide of fear and anxiety he fought to suppress. No matter how often he reminded himself that his mother was near, the fear was overwhelming.
It was only the tender voice of Katerina telling them to get into the carriage that finally pulled him out of his panic.
Soon, the clatter of hooves and the creak of wheels filled the air. Gray barely noticed when he ended up curled in his mother's lap, watching silently as the silhouette of the city slowly faded into the distance.