Atzi slept through the rest of the morning and even through the afternoon. Besides being tired enough for it, she didn't want to risk going outside while the Serpent might be out there.

  She woke up and headed straight for the academy, stopping only to get a skewer of chicken on the way.

  To get in, she first had to convince the two city guards just outside the academy gates to let her through.

  What was it that V said? "I have business," Atzi said to the two guards.

  One of them turned his helmet towards her. "With who?"

  Figures it's not as easy as it was for V. The guards probably won't even believe me if I say Terra. "The front desk."

  The guards looked at each other, one of them shrugged, and then they opened the gate.

  Huh. Knowing stuff is like some kind of magic spell for getting what you want.

  Atzi started to stroll through when one of the guards spoke up. "Don't leave the main path."

  She nodded and headed in, traveling up the stone pathway. Along the way she caught sight of a familiar but unfriendly face, the snooty white-robed rich wannabe. She was traveling with her two friends.

  Atzi would have liked to trip her up, properly this time, but she didn't want to risk getting kicked out before she had Terra's protection.

  They ignored each other as Atzi entered the six-story central building. She walked up to the butler sitting at the front desk. He looked up at her and pushed his too-small glasses up his nose. "May I assist you?" he asked.

  "I need to talk to Terra."

  He set down his quill gently and slightly adjusted his bowtie. "I'm sorry, miss, but Madam Terra is busy. May I inquire as to the purpose of your chat? I could pass along a letter."

  "She's not gonna be interested in waiting on this," Atzi said. "Tell her it's about her book."

  He nodded. "Ah, yes, that is a priority for her. If you have information on it, I could give it to her, and then she would decide whether to see you or not."

  "I know where it is, but I'm only telling her in person." Atzi crossed her arms. "And I can prove it, too."

  He pushed his glasses up again. "I see. How can you prove it?"

  "I know what the inscription inside it says. Tell her that and she'll agree to see me. Bet you a gold she does."

  He sat there, unmoving, as he regarded her. He seemed to be waiting for something, but Atzi couldn't figure out what.

  She grunted and uncrossed her arms, setting them on the desk. "It's a message from her mom. I'll say the exact message to her, I figured it's meant to be a secret. Tell her that and she'll wanna see me."

  He pursed his lips. "Very well, I shall inform her. I do not know the haste with which she will respond, but you are welcome to take a seat in one of the chairs while you wait."

  Atzi took a seat in one of the many chairs lining the entrance hall. I know, asshole. She'll be racing over when she hears that.

  The butler got up from his desk and strolled away.

  Atzi waited. After ten minutes, she sighed. Twenty minutes in, she slumped. Thirty minutes and she grabbed a nearby chair, pulling it towards her, curling across them both.

  Great… He didn't even go tell her, did he?

  Atzi didn't wander off, figuring it was a bad idea because of the wards. Still, she looked around every time someone came through the hall for anyone she recognized. She didn't see anyone.

  Only after waiting for an hour did the butler return.

  Atzi sprung up from her chairs and wandered over to him. "You get lost? I know it doesn't take that long to walk there and back..."

  He smiled. "I'm afraid Madam Terra is unavailable right now. I put a letter in her office detailing your statement. If she deems it worthy, we will contact you on another day."

  "You're bullshitting!" Atzi pointed a clawed finger in his face. "She's crazy about that thing, she'd be running down here if you told her!"

  The butler pushed her finger away. "I did not get to speak with her. As I said, she's busy, which is why I left the letter. Please do not yell."

  "How'd it take you so long then?" She narrowed her eyes at him.

  "I have multiple matters to attend to," he said simply.

  Atzi figured he was 'politely' telling her to go fuck herself. She silently fumed for a moment. "So how do I get in touch with her when she reads the letter and needs me?"

  "We will make all arrangements to contact you should that occur. Where could we reach you?"

  "The One Eyed Open, an inn," Atzi spat.

  He went to his desk, picked up his quill, and wrote it down. "And your name?"

  "Atzi." Maybe this guy's working for V and that's how they stole it? If that's the case, then V will be far, far too interested in how I know to just kill me without asking. Which is a chance to improvise.

  "Very good. Was there anything else I could assist you with?"

  "Nah. Just make sure she reads that letter." Atzi waved her claw, turned, and headed out.

  Atzi thought about what to do while she waited. Hm. There are parties tonight. Maybe I could- no, talking to Alana is a very bad idea. She corrupted Cory. But that old drunk will be there. Maybe he'll know people out near Cthy and can get me through the army...

  She headed out, avoiding the group with Alana until she found him dancing away. It was earlier than usual, so she found him further away, closer to the street with all the fussy government buildings along it that Atzi had never been in. Except the jail.

  Just like she remembered, he was dancing away in the worst style she'd ever seen. He clearly had no coordination even before he got wasted. She wandered closer, but out of range of being pulled into his 'dance'.

  "Hey! Old man!"

  He looked over, eyes slowly focusing, before he cheered. "Atzi!" He danced closer. "My… blest friend!"

  "Uh…" Atzi took a few steps back. "Yeah. Hey, do you still have friends from the army?"

  "Yep!"

  "Great! So say someone wanted to go to Cthy, and there's the army in the way, you know anyone that would be able to get me- get them through?"

  "What?!" he asked, cupping his hand to his ear as he moved closer.

  "Do you know anyone who can get me through the army and reach Cthy?!" Atzi shouted at him as she continued to backpedal.

  The people already giving Braun a wide berth started giving Atzi one, too.

  Then her back hit the wall of a building, and Braun was still 'dancing' towards her.

  Atzi ran her claw over her face and groaned. I'll let him get closer this one time, so he'll tell me what I need to know...

  He pulled his fists back and forth in front of his hips, before trying to spin and nearly falling over. He stumbled forward, and Atzi leapt out of the way. He smooshed up against the wall, then scrapped his face across it to look at her.

  Then he pushed himself off the wall and slung an arm around her shoulder. He reeked of alcohol, but that was nothing new.

  This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Atzi stuck out her tongue in disgust. Great. "So... you know anyone who can?"

  "Army… Cthy… why?" he asked.

  "It's" - Atzi searched for a suitable lie - "my friend's a cyclops and she's worried about her family!" Atzi silently apologized to Hemm.

  Braun made various humming and hawing noses, still holding an increasingly uncomfortable Atzi in a half hug as his brain worked at Braun speeds.

  Finally, he said, "You'd want to talk to Buddy."

  "Buddy?"

  "Buddy!"

  "Who's that?"

  "Buddy's the guy in charge of logi- logic- logitty-"

  "Uh huh. Where's Buddy?"

  Braun pointed.

  Atzi had no idea where he was pointing to, other than east.

  Her eyes twitched. "Anywhere more precise?!"

  He squinted, then smiled. "Follow me!"

  "I... you know what, sure, whatever."

  Mercifully, he let go of her. Atzi kept a distance from him as he stumbled forward. He was pretty adept at actually managing to walk without falling over, despite his stumbling.

  Too well-trained at drunkwalking.

  He eventually lead her over to a building on the same street. It didn't look special to Atzi in any way, with no signs or anything, just two stories and made of stone with a single door out front. Not even a window.

  "Can you introduce me?" Atzi asked.

  "Maybe, maybe." Braun nodded. "I haven't talked to him in a while but we were buddies when I was in. Buddies with Buddy!"

  He turned his head lazily to the side, seemingly staring at something in the distance. Atzi followed where he was looking, but didn't see anything. Then he turned back to her. "Tell you what…"

  "Yeah?"

  "If you introduce me. To a nice gurl. I'll help."

  "You-" Atzi sighed. "Really are an old lecher, huh?"

  Braun scratched his balding head.

  "I know a girl who'll probably dance with you, how about that? After we're done here." Have fun dancing with Alana, lunatic.

  "Okay!" Braun smiled and walked up to the door. He shook the handle. Locked. He knocked. No response.

  "He's not in?" Atzi asked.

  "Oh, must be… late. Tomorrow? Tomorrow!"

  Atzi shook her head. "Alright. Let's go introduce you, then." Atzi started leading him back. Should at least be good for a laugh.

  "What about her?" Braun asked, and pointed nearby.

  Atzi glanced over. Her eyes widened in recognition.

  Nearby, tucked in the corner at the mouth of an alley, was a bored looking woman. Dark hair covered half her face. She had tried to help Alana kill Atzi, once.

  Oh shit… But I don't know anything about her. She has no reason to kill me here. Atzi decided to risk talking to her, to see what would happen. "Uh. Hi?"

  The bored woman looked at the duo and sneered. "Yeah?" She asked. She had a naturally bitchy tone of voice.

  Atzi cowered a little. "Y-you're... Alana's friend, right?"

  The woman arched an eyebrow and was silent for several moments. Finally, she snorted. "That perky bitch? I guess I know her. Why?"

  "I... you know what, I just thought I'd say hi, I guess you don't really wanna, uh... sorry!" Atzi backed away, having decided this was a very bad idea.

  Braun stumbled forward. "Hey… I'm Braun. What's your name?"

  Ah. Fuck.

  "Don't bother me," she said to him.

  "Oh..." Braun seemed to shrink in on himself. "Sorry..." He hung his head and wandered off, dejected.

  This one's at least a bit more honest than Alana is. Still, what's going on with them? Whatever Cory said, I know she's not responsible for the explosion. Just what are they trying to have her do?

  Atzi walked off with Braun, still intent to bring him to Alana. She wanted to annoy her for fun, but also she wanted his help and Alana would dance with anyone.

  They soon saw Alana dancing away. Atzi nudged Braun in the ribs "See her? Her name's Alana, she'll dance with you. Go have fun."

  Braun looked up, then smiled while nodding fervently. He stumbled over.

  Atzi stood from a distance to see what would happen.

  They briefly talked. Alana acted like her usual bubbly self. She offered him a hand, and he took it. Then they started to dance.

  Under Alana's guidance, Braun danced legitimately well. Except Alana seemed unhappy. She didn't say or do anything, still dancing with him. There was nothing wrong with the dance, as impressive as any she usually participated in. But she seriously frowned the entire time.

  Atzi chuckled to herself. Take that! That's for dragging Cory into whatever the hells you're up to!

  She left them to it, finding another spot to drink and hit on women. Unfortunately, none of them were receptive to her advances, so she ended up heading back to the inn.

  She crawled into bed, alone.

  ===

  She had barely gotten any sleep at all when there was a loud knock at her door.

  Atzi groaned into her pillow. "Who is it?"

  "Madam Terra wants to see you," a man's voice replied.

  "Why couldn't she wait until the... urhg, fine, fine!" Atzi crawled out of bed and threw on her clothes. She groggily wandered over to the door.

  "Stupid butler couldn't deliver the letter earlier," she said as she opened the door.

  In front of her stood two city guards on either side of a red-haired woman that Atzi recognized. The head of the city guard.

  "So, it really is you," said the head.

  Atzi swallowed, suddenly nervous. It was one of her worst fears come true. Not that she had ever expected the head of the city guard herself to come for her. She'd only heard of her making arrests for really dangerous criminals. Atzi laughed. "I-I'm on the straight and narrow now, I'm even helping the city's finest mage out..."

  "You're under arrest for suspected theft and treason."

  Atzi's eyes widened in a panic. "But I didn't steal it! I'm just trying to help her get it back! I'm innocent!"

  "Not to mention your previous sentence, and the extra years for trying to escape it."

  Atzi deflated.

  The head of the city guard stepped towards her.

  "W-w-wait, wait!" Atzi stumbled back. "I really do know where the book is! A-and it has a giant reward, right? Can't you just... take that and leave me be?"

  "All information you have will be considered at a later time. Will you come willingly?"

  "Does Terra at least know?" Atzi waved her claws. "She'll wanna know."

  "You have five seconds. Do you come willingly?"

  "...is the alternative getting stabbed to death?" Atzi whined.

  "It's not impossible."

  "I'll-" Atzi's shoulders slumped. "L-look, if I see Terra I can explain everything, can you at least tell her I know where her book is?"

  "Two seconds."

  "Fine! Fine!" Atzi groaned. "I'm coming, alright?"

  "Turn around, hands behind your back."

  This is screwing up this whole loop. Stupid inflexible guards. She did as requested, begrudgingly.

  She was slapped in manacles and marched out of the inn. She didn't see Hemm or Marco on her way out.

  Outside, the rising sun was just peeking over the horizon.

  Going back to jail was something Atzi had been having nightmares about for years. But in the context of the loop, it was less horrifying. At least I know I'll be out in a week. She sadly laughed to herself.

  She was marched through the streets. Several people gawped at her along the way. It wasn't every day they saw the head of the guards arresting someone. Atzi kept her head down all the way to the jail.

  Pushed inside, it wasn't much different from how she remembered it. It had polished stone floors and rough stone walls, though scratches covered both. A white haired man in puffy robes stood just inside, and Atzi was brought up to him. She vaguely recognized him as the man in charge of the prison.

  He looked at her. She didn't meet his gaze.

  She was left alone with the two city guards while the head of the guards and the man in charge of the prison walked away to chat. Shortly after they came back and the man motioned to the guards. "Atzi, holding cell A."

  She was pushed along a hallway with several large cells, most of them empty. It wasn't the prison proper - that was further in. She vaguely hoped there was a chance she wouldn't be staying, since they hadn't put her directly in the back.

  Inside one of the cells, the prison head spoke firmly. "Face the wall, don't move."

  "Fine, fine." Atzi did so, sighing.

  She was let out of her manacles, only for the jail door to clang shut behind her moments later.

  Atzi swung around and shouted at him. "Hey! You better go tell Terra, or she'll be real pissed when she finds out you wasted her time not saying! She can turn you to dust with a wave of her fingers, you know!"

  The white-haired man ignored her and went back to talking with the head of the city guard. Atzi still couldn't hear their conversation, even as she pushed up against the bars.

  Guh. Great! Bunch of stick-up-their-ass morons got wind of this before the one person that needed to. Next time I'm going to the Water Temple instead of this horseshit. The academy sucks if you don't have a giant bribe to cheat your way through it with.

  She waited and waited. Half a day passed. She saw from the very tiny window in the cell that the sun rose, then fell again. She was brought shitty food at some point. It was worse than Parish's. At least he used real ingredients. Atzi wasn't convinced they didn't serve pig slop in the prison. She didn't touch it.

  Atzi slumped against the wall. What a waste of time. I'm going to spend a week here until Malus blows me up. Great!

  She heard someone walk up to her cell.

  Atzi glanced up.

  The lizard man standing in front of her cell had an intimidating aura that immediately made Atzi shiver. One of his eyes was covered with a cloth, and his other stared at her unblinking, a piercing blue gaze. He had bright silver scales and greying hair. His simple hooded robes only served to draw more attention to his unsettling visage.

  "Atzi Dotharl. Moved to Sostra from Pomaria nine years ago. Involved in several thefts, culminating in a theft in Branek Bank gone wrong, leading to your capture, eventually escaping as part of a larger prison breakout. Performed small thefts to subsist after." His voice was monotone, betraying no emotion. "Is all this information correct, to your knowledge?"

  "When you put it like that…" Atzi flopped her tail. "Fine, fine, yeah, it's true! Who are you?"

  "Regent. I do not normally involve myself in matters of petty law, however I have been informed you have information pertaining to the theft of the sage's tome. You will tell me everything you know about it," he said, and the look in his eye staring down at Atzi made it clear he expected her to spill her guts, one way or another.

  a discord for all your lizard needs.