The dark-haired Assassin winked at the barmaid and tossed back the pint she sat in front of him. "Haven't really been here since before the chaos. Seems like the place has really changed."

The barmaid glanced over her shoulder at the nearly empty bar. Unfortunately, the Cold Bitch was the most popular tavern in town. The Burly Bear was a distant second with only a few regulars coming in. "We've some roasted boar on the menu if you're interested."

/Pathfinder: Jiggs: How can such a badass Assassin be so awkward with women?

/Pathfinder: Gideon: Shut up, clown. I'm out of practice.

"That sounds great." Ducky smiled at Gideon before fixing her blue eyes on the barmaid. "I haven't been here since Shi left the temple. Would you know where she is?"

"The Ice Spirit? The barmaid shook her head slightly. "She left Cyphix months ago; rumor says that she was gravely injured."

"Oh, no!" Ducky's face showed her alarm... "Do you know where I might find, Cyan? She was the temple Cleric at the Shi Temple."

The waitress pulled up a chair from one of the nearby tables and sat down. "Cyan is gone also. What's your name, hun?"

"Ducky..." The Water Witch's all-blue eyes stared at the floor, before glancing up. "Seems that my friends have all left. What's your name?"

"Cella." The barmaid stood suddenly when a fat, bald man walked in from the kitchen. "This table wants the boar, Hoop!"

"It will be ready in a bit; give me a hand." Hoop turned on his heel and exited into the kitchen.

/Pathfinder: Jiggs: Why are you asking about Shi and Cyan? We already know where they are.

/Pathfinder: Gideon: Don't be an idiot, Jiggs.

Cella returned with their meal a few minutes later. She rested a hand on Ducky's shoulder for a moment while offering her a smile. "I'm off in an hour. We can walk over to the old temple; maybe someone there knows where your friends are."

Ducky squeezed her hand gently, her pale blue lips smiling sweetly. "I'd like that. Thank you."

/Pathfinder: Jiggs: Smooth... She's eating out of your hand.

/Pathfinder: Ducky: Out of my hand? Why would I want that?

/Pathfinder: Nebs: It's an expression, Ducky.

/Pathfinder: Ducky: I see... If anything, I'd have her eat off my tummy, or maybe my thighs.

"...." Jiggs.

The Inn door slammed wide-open with a loud bang as three men walked in. They stood in the doorway, letting the frigid night air flood into the warm room. "I've heard that there's an Inferno Bitch in town."

/Pathfinder: Gideon: I'll handle this.

/Pathfinder: Ducky: It's fine... They just want to play with me. I forgot to hide my guild tag.

Ducky stood up slowly, smoothing her blue robes before stepping away from the table. "Are you interested in joining Inferno?"

All three men had the same guild tag, Raging One-Thirty. The man who spoke held a rifle in one hand, while both of his friends sported bladed weapons.

/Pathfinder: Gideon: I've heard of these guys. The One Thirties are a bunch of douchebags that joined Colonial at level 125. They rushed to the level cap of 130 but never actually entered Everspire. /Pathfinder: Roto: They can do that? I thought you had to go through the portal.

/Pathfinder: Gideon: There was a workaround.

/Pathfinder: Paco: Lame... What do they do? PK the noobs?

/Pathfinder: Nebs: Among other things. They are wanted by several different governments. They raid, loot, and raze whatever they like.

/Pathfinder: Jiggs: Bad people then... Let it slide, Ducky.

/Pathfinder: Ducky: He mentioned Inferno so politely, I feel like he needs entertainment.

"Joining Inferno? Everyone knows they're a shit guild. Just part of the lore to usher in the new lands." The man let the barrel of his rifle slide off his shoulder until it pointed at the Water Witch. "Why don't you take off your clothes... A bitch like you must like to play with real men."

Ducky laughed at the words, her expression not changing at all. "You aren't wrong."

[Witch's World]

Zabi Truent has been charmed.

Runic Gabor has been charmed.

Placento Chamille has been charmed.

Ducky approached slowly, her hips swaying gently with each step. "Undress for me." Her voice purred softly, sending shivers down her teammate's spines. magic

The door from the kitchen opened. Hooper stood in the doorway, watching the interaction, but he made no move to interfere. He glanced down at the ring on his finger; the bluestone was pulsing for the first time in many months.

The three men piled their clothes on the floor, not stopping until they were completely finished. Ducky waited until they were done before walking around them in a small circle. "The three of you look like close friends. Perhaps you'd like to entertain each other? Why don't I get you boys a room."

The man who had been speaking disappeared into thin air, followed a few seconds later by both of his partners. Gideon laughed loudly from the table while Ducky gathered up the gear that the trio had dropped.

[Whisper: Jiggs to Gideon] What happened?

[Whisper: Gideon to Jiggs] They rage quit. Dub players can log-off during combat situations, but there's a huge penalty and a two-day freeze on their account.

[Whisper: Jiggs to Gideon] I would have done the same! Remind me not to tease her.

[Whisper: Gideon to Jiggs] Smart move. They could protest, but the result would say that they started a fight with an NPC. Despite her name, Ducky is not sunshine and daisies.

/Pathfinder: Nebs: Where'd they go? This was about to get interesting.

/Pathfinder: Paco: Nope, it really wasn't.

/Pathfinder: Jiggs: Hell to the no...

/Pathfinder: Gideon: They're long gone... Let's get a room here.

The team rented one large suite for the evening and relaxed while Ducky met with Cella. They discussed the 130s as well as the mission in front of them. They all realized they had caught a huge break with the intel from Inferno. Otherwise, they may never even set foot in the Burly Bear Inn.

It was nearly midnight before Ducky returned from her rendezvous. The water witch shook her head slightly when Gideon glanced up from his hud.

/Pathfinder: Ducky: She doesn't know anything, but she is really sweet.

/Pathfinder: Gideon: Did you charm her?

/Pathfinder: Duck: No. That wasn't necessary.

A knock at the door caused everyone in the room to stand up. Jiggs shut the lights off while Gideon walked toward the door. The assassin cracked it open to reveal the bald Innkeeper. "Mr. Hooper?"

"May I talk with your Mistress?" The man's bald head glistened with sweat, his brown eyes darting nervously while he wrung his hands together.

/Pathfinder: Ducky: Assume that he means me.

"My Mistress?" Gideon glanced over his shoulder, stepping to one side when he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"May I help you, Innkeeper?" Ducky's all-blue eyes seemed almost purple in the lowlight flooding in from the hallway.

Hooper held a ringed hand up; the bluestone burst into life, casting an eerie light onto walls. "Are you the new Coven Leader?"

Ducky nodded. "I am."

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

Wind stood next to Ronnie on the first Snipernest. He watched in frustration as the ranged fighters poured damage onto the Burrough Commander. Alpha team was already hitting the graveyard; he returned to base to be healed up because of his injuries. Unfortunately, the melees were out of this fight. Only the two Bone Titans could stand in front of Bensic. The skeleton thief was forced to stay behind because of the [Ring of Graves].

When Bensic was actively engaged with multiple targets, he did AoE damage in waves to everyone within melee range. Thanks to the efforts of Inferno, he was without his main weapon, a shield, and one hand. Even so, the fight lasted nearly an hour. The two Bone Titans held aggro easily, rotating between holding him in place with powerful jaws and swatting him down. When he approached one percent of health, the sniper nests stopped attacking.

/Inferno: Jun Li: All ranged damage stand down. Get ready, Wind.

Ronnie watched the skeleton thief as he moved toward the end of the platform. "How's it feel to get the money-shot here? I feel like you owe me something nice... Since I did all the work."

Wind ignored the innuendo. He'd known Sharl and Ronnie since they first started playing. "I'll help you out with Nix one time. As long as it doesn't ruffle too many feathers."

The dark archer winked at him. "Done deal!"

/Inferno: Jun Li: Go!

Mortimer has used [Bone Focus]. All enemies within range must target him.

Mortimer has used [Shatter]. Bensic's defensive abilities have been reduced by five percent. [3rd Stack.]

Armor Break! Bensic's armor has been broken.

Wind moved next to the older Titan, who had circled behind the Burrough Commander in preparation.

Mortimus has cast Shield on Wind. All incoming damage to Wind will be redirected to Mortimus for the next thirty seconds.

The skeleton thief flashed in, both daggers striking at the back of Commander Bensic.

[First Strike][Backstab][Double Strike]

Triple Combination Successful.

Wind has landed a critical hit on Commander Bensic.

[Mitiaged by 15 percent]

Wind has landed a mortal strike on Commander Bensic.

[Mitigated by 10 percent]

Commander Bensic has been defeated by a [Double Strike].

[Mitigated by 10 percent, 5 percent]

Instead of falling dead on the battlefield, the Commander's tag turned green, signifying him as a non-combatant with one health point left.

[Commander Bensic may not be attacked any further.]

/Inferno: Jun Li: Wind?

Bensic dropped to one knee; his head bowed slightly. His broken armor fell to the ground as he glanced upward with troubled eyes. "I would speak with your Commander if you'll allow it."