308 City Center (1/2)

Nightmare nipped at Jun Li's mount, only to receive a warning snarl.

Nix shook his head at the big cat. ”I forgot you had that Junie.”

Jun Li patted the Dire Cat on one shoulder. She had won it in a bet when she defeated the Scarlet Temple champion. It had long Saber fangs and was striped like a tiger. ”It's been so crazy I haven't had a chance.”

”What's his name?”

”Her name is Fang.”

Nix brought up his hud while they rode. ”Isn't the Scarlet Temple on the Edge of the Great Desert?”

”Yes. There's a pretty dense Rainforest on the northernmost part of lower Everspire; a large river separates that from the Great Desert.”

”The Temples on the Rainforest side of the river?”

”Yes.”

Nix zoomed in on the map. ”That river runs all the way to the ocean.”

”Looking for commerce?”

”Let's get the lay of the land first.” Nix highlighted the entire Rainforest area. ”I know it's in lower Everspire, but it's close enough to the Great Desert to take a look.”

/Inferno: Nix: You around Shae?

/Inferno: Mina: She told me she has to take care of something, might be a few days.

/Inferno: Nix: Okay.

[Whisper: Jun Li to Nix] Something going on with Shae?

[Whisper: Nix to Jun Li] Seen Rhylia lately?

[Whisper: Jun Li to Nix] Isn't she tasked with watching the Fire & Air Palace while Shae is helping you?

[Whisper: Nix to Jun Li] Yep. The problem is that no one has seen her in a while, Wilo has disappeared also.

[Whisper Jun Li to Nix] Ronnie's Air companion?

[Whisper Nix to Jun Li] Yes. Wilo disappeared almost two months ago.

Jun Li turned slightly in the saddle, her eyes going to the dark archer.

[Whisper Jun Li to Nix] Why haven't you got involved?

[Whisper Nix to Jun Li] I was asked by Rhy to let her handle it.

[Whisper Jun Li to Nix] And now Shae's is saying the same thing?

[Whisper Nix to Jun Li] Yep. I'll let it go for now.

/Inferno: Nix: Can you bring Nebs here, Min?

/Inferno: Mina: The Salamander cleric?

/Inferno: Nix: Yes. Bribe her if you must. She's probably at Loki.

/Inferno: Mina: I'll go now.

By the time the Turtle house came into view, the smell of smoke was heavy in the air. A flash of silver in the sky showed that Fey was busy with the burning detail. ”She can fly, but I can't use a flying mount? How does that work?”

Jun Li laughed at the look on his face. ”There is a Guild Quest to unlock flying mounts. I have no idea where it is, though.”

Nix rode around the back of the house and dismounted next to the pond. Soup was still there, but there was no sight of Morti.

Jun Li slid from her tiger and held out her arm. An instant later, the tiger appeared to shrink and leap at the same time. A small tattoo of the beast appeared on Jun Li's forearm.

Nix made a face at her. ”That's awesome as hell.”

/Inferno: Nix: I'm going to turn this quest in. We don't need another guildhall, so I'm electing for a City Center.

/Inferno: Semmi: I think that's smart.

/Inferno: Jun Li: We'll set up a tent city close by. Let's get out of Nix's hair.

/Inferno: Bali: Nix, we've put down the last of the blighted wildlife. There's not much left.

/Inferno: Nix: Thanks. Good work.

**************

It was Nix's first time coming to Scarlett's office. The Clan Leader of Titania sat behind a desk, quietly sipping a steaming cup of something while she hummed to herself. There was a look of peace and contentment that hadn't been there when Nix first met her.