Josh and the others didn't quite know what to make of the encounter in the dungeon. The idea that Hou Zheng was somehow teleporting through the rifts was an incredible discovery, but they had to put that aside for the moment to focus on why. He clearly hadn't been trying to ambush them specifically. That meant that he was doing this for some other reason.

  Speculation proved to be about as productive as a bunch of fruit bats in a juice factory. Ruth kept suggesting that he was planting bombs, but Josh nixed that as easily as asking Anna. She had been suspicious about the dungeons ever since they started sprouting like weeds, and had her hunters keeping an eye out for any devices that might be the cause. They would have noticed bombs. Not to mention there wasn't anything worth bombing at the dungeon locations anyway.

  Mary's theory was simpler: Scouting, leading up to assassination. He had a high-level stealth ally, after all. That led to a discussion about how many people Hou Zheng might be able to teleport around with him. The fact that he hadn't had any with him implied that he couldn't bring anyone, but it was weak evidence. Josh thought that, at the least, it was evidence that Hou Zheng and Jael didn't trust each other fully. If he did, the orc could lend the bracer to her so that she could do the scouting.

  Darius headed off that line of reasoning by pointing out that they still couldn't be sure of Hou Zheng's goals. Perhaps he wasn't scouting at all, and was doing something in the region that only he could do. There was little overlap between an assassin and a priest, after all. Furthermore, they didn't know for sure that he hadn't lent her the bracer for a bit.

  His own theory was more complex, and based more around the strange dungeon that Mary and Anna had run with Hou Zheng and Jael before they realized who he was. Darius thought they might be looking for a specific dungeon, with very special properties, perhaps even broken somehow like that one. Unfortunately, that kicked off another round of theories. What sort of dungeon would he be looking for? Would he be trying to find a way to break the dungeon holding the dragon, to get him out early?

  Josh, of course, just wanted that bracer. Teleportation would certainly be a world-changer. Even if it only worked for one person and couldn't be replicated, there were options. If the range was long enough, they might even be able to reach the Eight Heroes and warn them of the dragon.

  “That won't work,” Ruth grumbled, as they finally ambled back into town. The guards gave them nods as they passed. “My dad's stupid quest is still blaring. They'll probably shoot you on sight.”

  Mary snorted. “I'd shoot you if I thought it would get the quest to go away.”

  “They could,” Josh admitted, though privately he doubted it. Most of the Eight wouldn't kill him. Not without giving him a chance to explain, at least. “It's still worth a try, though.” As long as he didn't run into Solomon alone, he still thought it was the best plan.

  “Thought the plan was just to get strong enough to make everyone listen,” Mary said. She swatted something on her cheek with a scowl. “Bloody bugs. I swear they're more annoying than the magic ones.”

  Insects had been harassing them all day. They had forgotten their insect repellent, which was especially silly because there were a few Alchemists around now. Multiple low-level Alchemists were trying to grind levels by producing easy items like bug spray. Sarah could probably make literal magic bug spray by now. Yet they had forgotten bug spray, and nearly been eaten alive by insects in just a few hours. At least healing potions worked for bug bites.

  “Getting stronger remains the goal,” Darius said calmly. He remained completely unconcerned with the bugs. He had tuned his shroud somehow to zap any that got too close. He claimed he could only do it for himself, but Mary didn't believe him, and swore violently every time she was reminded. “With luck, that can even be done here.”

  Ruth yanked open the door to the mayor's office as if she owned the place. “We should be able to do it here! Everybody is great, and I've already got a bunch of ideas for what we can do with the citystone!”

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  “Those ideas will have to wait,” Baara said, as she walked up. She paused, did an awkward half-bow, and continued. “Uh, if you don't mind. Mister Mayor, your companions told me that you were abusing mana potions to continue working?” She said it like it was a question, as if she wasn't sure what she had been told.

  Josh sighed. “Aye, that's true. Don't worry, I haven't taken any potions since I got knocked out of the fugue.”

  “Yes. Well.” She shifted from foot to foot. On her back, her father's massive Pyrolance was like a flag rising behind her. “You got those mana potions from Miss Sarah, correct? The first Alchemist?”

  “Sure.” He frowned. “Has she run out of potions?”

  “Or did she go mad as a hatter and start poisoning people?” Mary asked.

  Ruth jabbed her with an elbow. “Be nice!”

  Mary rolled her eyes. “She's Anna's sister. I assume that entire family is just waiting to explode the second your back is turned.”

  Josh sighed. He needed to lock those two in a closet and have them work out their differences, one way or another. “Baara,” he said. “It's been a long day, and we have a lot to do. We ran into...” He stopped. They had tried to avoid involving Baara in the dangerous work so far. It was one of the reasons they had left her with the paperwork. They could figure out if they wanted to talk to her about Hou Zheng later. “We have a lot to do,” he said again. “Can you please tell us what Sarah has done?”

  Baara winced. “She collapsed. She's been drinking too many mana potions.”

  There was a pause, then Mary laughed out loud. It was not a happy laugh, nor a nice one.

  “Oh, that's rich,” she said, as bitterly amused as an old crone watching enemies fail. “Should have known she'd be a hypocrite about dosages.”

  Josh tried not to smile. He really, genuinely tried. “I'm sure she'll be fine,” he said. “That way, we can give her hell for it later.” He turned back to Baara. “We ran into Anna outside the walls. Has anybody told her yet?”

  “I sent a runner.”

  Josh suppressed a flinch.

  Baara reached out to touch his arm in concern. “Mister Mayor? Are you all right?”

  “Yeah, it's just...” He managed a weak smile. “Brain decided to go all barmy on me for a second there.” It wasn't her fault, after all. She had sent a runner, a messenger. Not someone of the Explorer role with the Runner class.

  It wasn't her fault they didn't have anyone with the Runner class.

  Mary, sensing what was bothering him, stepped up. “Yeah, so the crazy battle maniac knows her sister went on a bender. Did you need something from His Mayorshipness, or was this just an update?”

  “Just an update.” Baara stepped back, letting go of his arm. “She is far and away our best Alchemist. I thought it was important to let you know.”

  Josh nodded. “Yeah, it's good to keep us in the loop.” He looked at the others. “In fact, we've got some updates for you, too. We got a free meeting room or somesuch?” The group was a bit too big for the mayor's actual office, which Baara had largely claimed as her own.

  “Of course. Right this way.” She turned to leave.

  Mary raised an eyebrow. “You sure you want to just head off to a meeting like this?”

  Josh paused. They were all sweaty, their clothes were a mess, and they were covered in bug bites. He didn't even want to know how bad they smelled.

  “On second thought, let's take a mo' to get fresh,” he said. He forced a smile. “Don't want to be stuck in a small room with us right now.”

  Half an hour later, they were all dressed in fresh clothes and at least halfway to presentable.

  “How are you the one who took the longest?” Mary asked, as she adjusted her guns on her belt.

  “I am sorry that I choose to take a moment to my appearance,” Darius said in a dry tone. “You weren't finished that much faster.”

  Mary shrugged. “Honestly, I'm not mad. I just thought for sure that Ruth would be the slow one.”

  Ruth just looked confused at that. “Why do you keep acting like I'm some helpless little duck? I grew up mostly on the hot side of the Burn Line!”

  “Ducks aren't helpless,” Josh muttered. He opened the door to the meeting room. Baara was already waiting there. “You ever fought one of those Anatidae Screamers? They'll eat you whole.”

  Ruth stuck her tongue out.