The inn door swung open, and Ethan stepped inside, the familiar scents of baked goods and roasted herbs wrapping around him like a warm blanket. Sunlight spilled across the polished floorboards, illuminating the lively chaos within.

  “Guess who’s back!” he announced with a triumphant grin.

  Pixie shot past him like a comet, her cloak fluttering behind her as Kip followed close behind, wooden sword raised high. “You shall face my mighty blade, foul beast!” he declared with dramatic flair. Pixie skidded to a halt, spinning around to face Kip with wide eyes.

  Kip brought his sword down in a heroic arc. “I will save the day!” He swung his weapon toward her, but Pixie rolled away just in time, springing back up to her feet and striking a playful pose.

  “You can’t defeat me that easily!” she taunted, baring her teeth playfully. “For I am the fierce dragon of doom!”

  Ethan chuckled at their antics, already feeling the weight of the day lift. He spotted Tessa near the hearth, she was diligently brushing Amelia’s fur with utmost concentration while chatting animatedly about every thought that zipped through her head. “And then I told Mama we should have ice cream for dinner because it’s summer now! And Amelia loves ice cream but do you think she can eat it? She might get a brain freeze! Is there wolf ice cream? Maybe if we go to the market we can find some special wolf flavors!”

  Amelia looked up at Tessa, her bright blue eyes sparkling with contentment as she allowed the gentle strokes of Tessa’s brush to soothe her disheveled coat. Although she remained quiet, her tail thumped lightly against the floor in response to Tessa’s exuberance.

  “Hey, Tessa,” Ethan greeted as he moved closer. “How’s it going?”

  Tessa looked up, a bright smile on her face. “Look at Emmy! She’s so shiny now! We’re practicing for the royal ball.”

  Amelia flicked an ear but remained still under Tessa’s gentle ministrations. Her silver-gray fur gleamed in the firelight, and there was something peaceful about her relaxed demeanor amidst all the chaos.

  Ethan turned back to where Pixie and Kip were now engaged in a mock battle that involved much leaping and dodging around various furniture pieces while shouting outlandish threats against imaginary foes.

  “Beware!” Pixie shouted as she pretended to breathe fire at Kip. “My flames are hotter than any knight can withstand!”

  “Not if I have my enchanted shield!” Kip replied gallantly, raising his makeshift weapon defensively as he charged towards her once more.

  Moose ambled over to Ethan’s side, watching the playful mayhem unfold with a bemused expression. “They’re energetic today,” he noted dryly.

  “Just a normal day in our lives now,” Ethan said, leaning against the wall and crossing his arms. He glanced back at Tessa and Amelia—both were engrossed in their own world too—before looking at Moose again. “You know? I think this might be exactly what we needed.”

  Suddenly, Tomlin let out a soft snore from his position sprawled across Buster's back in the corner of the room. Buster lay like an immovable anchor beneath him, letting out exaggerated huffs whenever Tomlin shifted slightly but otherwise appearing perfectly content with his mini passenger.

  “Even Buster has been converted into a bed,” Moose remarked softly.

  “I think he enjoys it,” Ethan observed with a smile. “It suits his personality—a mix of grumpiness and indulgence.”

  As if sensing their gaze upon him he grunted in his sleep, trying to adjust himself without disturbing the tiny human sprawled on him. A soft whimper escaped Buster's lips, followed by an exaggerated sigh that resonated through his massive frame.

  Suddenly, Kip dove toward Pixie with a wild battle cry. “Prepare to be vanquished!” He swung his sword downward dramatically.

  Pixie squealed and twirled away before collapsing onto the floor in another faux death scene—legs splayed dramatically as she held one paw over her forehead in mock agony. “Alas! The brave knight has bested me!”

  Ethan raised an eyebrow and turned toward Moose. “I hope we arn’t driving away all of the inn’s customers.”

  Moose watched with an inscrutable expression. “It appears they’re all quite happy though.”

  Mara stepped out from the kitchen, flour dusting her apron and a wide grin plastered across her face. “Don’t worry about the inn, Ethan. I overheard you worrying about it. We’ve made more this week than we’ve seen in the last two months combined! Apparently talking beasts are great entertaniment. It has been drawing people in to dine and drink.”

  Just then, Lyra emerged from the kitchen behind Mara, carrying a plate piled high with warm honey cakes that glowed golden under the soft light of the inn. She approached Ethan with a nervous energy that contrasted sharply with the usual composure she maintained.

  “Ethan,” she said, holding the plate out toward him. “Here’s the latest batch.”

  Her eyes darted briefly to the floor before returning to meet his gaze. There was something almost anxious about her demeanor, a tension beneath her calm exterior that spoke volumes.

  “You made these?” he asked as he took one from the plate.

  She nodded, biting her lip ever so slightly as she watched him intently—her emotions practically crackling through their bond.

  “Okay,” he said slowly, making sure to examine it carefully before taking a bite. The flavors melted over his tongue—rich honey mingling with an extreme amount of spice. Way too much spice, but still edible.

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  They could almost be as good as Mara’s, he thought—even though, deep down, he knew they weren’t.

  But from the bond, from the emotions bursting across it, and from the hopeful look in Lyra’s pale amber eyes, Ethan could almost believe these honey cakes tasted better.

  No. They were better.

  He made himself believe that.

  His eyes widened in exaggerated delight. “This is incredible! Definitely my favorite batch yet!” He made sure to emphasize every word, allowing himself to bask in the joy of her pride as her ears perked up at his reaction.

  Lyra beamed back at him, relief washing over her features even as she tried to maintain her composure. It was infectious—the way she relaxed sent waves of warmth coursing through their bond.

  Mara watched them both from across the room and caught Ethan’s eye just long enough for a knowing wink that made his stomach twist slightly. He turned away quickly to mask his surprise at being caught in such an intimate moment; he was always trying to navigate these feelings without understanding them fully.

  As her gaze lingered just a moment longer, Lyra returned to fidgeting with her fingers—a faint blush creeping into her cheeks as she busied herself rearranging the remaining cakes on the plate.

  “Uh... thank you,” she said after an awkward pause, finally breaking their gaze.

  “It really is amazing work,” Ethan assured her again, savoring another bite and feigning deep contemplation as if he were critiquing some fine wine rather than baked goods.

  “Just don’t tell Pixie,” Lyra added half-heartedly while glancing toward where Pixie had begun plotting another chaotic attack against Kip who was busy sparring with Buster’s tail instead. “She’ll want me to make them every day.”

  “Your secret’s safe with me,” Ethan promised lightly as he placed the cake carefully into his bag of holding, making sure not to smear the sticky treat on the lip of the pouch.

  Lyra set another plate down in front of Moose.

  Moose looked pleased. “Thank you,” he said, then took a big bite.

  There was a small hacking cough, but he powered through and ate both cakes. They might have had a bit too much spice mixed into the honey.

  Lyra didn’t notice Moose’s discomfort—already dashing back into the kitchen, pleased that Ethan loved her cakes.

  Ethan took a moment to enjoy the chaotic warmth of the inn—a space buzzing with laughter, the scent of fresh baking, and the soft murmur of chatter.

  But beneath that comfort was something else. Urgency.

  "Lyra!" he called out, catching her just as she emerged from the kitchen. "I have something for you."

  She paused, eyes brightening with curiosity as she approached him.

  "What is it?"

  He produced one of the communication stones from his pouch, its surface gleaming under the inn's warm light.

  "This is what I've been working on at Ed's. It's a communication stone—a way to talk to each other at a distance."

  Her brow furrowed in intrigue as she took it carefully from his hands.

  "You made this? Just now?"

  "Just finished it." Ethan nodded, feeling excitement bubble in his chest. "It works by sending mana signals between paired stones. You can call each other whenever you want, as long as you both have one."

  "How does it work?" Lyra's eyes sparkled with anticipation as she turned the smooth stone over in her palm.

  "Press this part here," he said, pointing to a small rune etched into the surface.

  Before she could respond, Ethan spotted Gwenna seated near the far end of the bar, quietly observing them with an arched eyebrow. He gestured for Lyra to follow him over.

  "What's this I hear about communication stones?" Gwenna asked, raising her cup slightly as they approached.

  "This is the prototype," Ethan explained. "But if all goes well, I could have more operational versions soon."

  "Careful with prototypes," Gwenna warned dryly, though there was genuine interest in her voice. Her brown hair, streaked with early grey, caught the firelight as she leaned forward. "They usually fail when you need them most."

  "Not this one," Ethan said with confidence. "Lyra, want to test it?"

  Lyra lifted the stone and focused on it intently, then pressed the activation rune. A soft chime echoed through the air, and her voice carried clearly through Ethan's matching stone.

  "Can you hear me?" she asked, her face lighting up with delight.

  Gwenna's eyebrows rose in genuine surprise.

  "That actually worked."

  Ethan handed his stone to Gwenna.

  "Your turn."

  The tan woman accepted it cautiously and pressed the rune. When Lyra's stone chimed in response and Gwenna's voice came through clearly, she set the stone down with visible satisfaction.

  "This could be incredible for my line of work," Gwenna mused thoughtfully. "I could send messages without worrying about interception or bribery."

  She reached into her pouch and produced a gold bit, placing it firmly in Ethan's palm.

  "One gold bit now for a promise of three communication stone pairs. Three more gold bits when they're completed."

  Ethan examined the shimmering bit nestled between his fingers. "That's... quite generous."

  "It'll save money in the long run," Gwenna shrugged, though her calculating gaze held traces of gratitude. "Finding trustworthy runners has been costing me a fortune. Everything gets compromised along the way."

  Lyra's eyes widened at the amount.

  "Four gold bits total?"

  Gwenna nodded firmly.

  "Reliable communication is worth more than gold to someone in my position."

  Ethan tucked the gold bit into his pouch, feeling like real progress toward their goals.

  "I can have them ready soon."

  "Good. And I need you to see Mabel at the Adventurer's Guild the day after tomorrow," Gwenna added, returning to business mode. "She'll guide you through setting up training sessions in one of their practice rooms."

  "Training for the Pack?" Ethan asked.

  "For all of you. Private sessions. No crowds asking questions." She took a sip of her drink. "I should also have your Academy pass ready by then."

  “I know we talked about checking out the sewers. I can help tomorrow afternoon, if you don’t want to go it alone. Give me a call on this new talking stone.” Gwenna said.

  “I can do that,” Ethan agreed, determination shining in his voice.

  With their arrangements settled, the atmosphere shifted back toward the warmth of the inn.

  After dinner, Ethan gathered the Pack and headed upstairs to their room. Once the door was closed and the inn’s privacy ward was activated, he pulled out a few silver pieces from his pouch.

  "Time to make use of that mana before bed," he said, settling cross-legged on the floor.

  Lyra watched with interest as he concentrated on the silver pieces in his palm, channeling mana through them. One by one, they shimmered and shifted—folding into gleaming gold Bits.

  "You're getting more efficient," Lyra said. "That looked smoother than yesterday."

  "The Enchanter class is helping," Ethan agreed, tucking the Bits away. "Buster, how are my levels looking?"

  "Perfect timing to sleep," Buster confirmed. "You'll be back to full by morning."