Regent stared down Atzi with his one visible eye, his request hanging in the air.

  Atzi raised her clenched claws into the air. "Yes! That's what I've been trying to tell people! Just let me talk to her!"

  "Were you involved in the theft of the tome?" Regent asked, his voice maintaining its same monotone.

  "Nope! If I knew how to get in and out of the college I'd have gone right to her, instead of giving my name like an idiot and hoping some moron does it for me, wouldn't I?"

  "Do you know anyone who was involved in the theft of the tome?"

  Atzi narrowed her eyes. "Maybe yeah, maybe no. I'll tell it to Terra."

  "Do you know the location of the tome?"

  "Again, I'll tell it to Terra-"

  "Do you know why the tome was stolen, or for what purpose?"

  "-who you are definitely keeping in the dark here for some reason. You think I'm an idiot? I know her. She'll be charging right for me the second she hears about this. She's obsessed with it. You know she's gonna find out eventually, right?" Atzi stood up and walked over towards Regent. She grabbed the prison bars between them. "No, I have no idea why it was stolen, and I don't care! I want Terra! I need to talk to her!"

  Regent looked unmoved. "If you answer the questions, I can assure you the Sage will be informed."

  "It was probably stolen to bribe an aspiring sage. That make sense to you? It's the best book on magic anyone's gonna find in the whole empire, isn't it?"

  Regent gave a barely perceptible nod. "And those involved? Their locations?"

  "I have a pretty good reason to believe if I say that, I'll be dead before she gets it. If you aren't in on the theft yourself, you should go fucking fetch her!" Atzi was getting really frustrated with all the idiots who didn't understand what she understood.

  Regent tugged at the pair of white leather gloves that covered his claws. "I do not make a habit of silencing useful assets, provided they are not a danger. However, I do have permission to do so, at my discretion."

  Atzi's tail straightened. "No need for that! Someone with a lot of money and friends inside the guard, and that's why I don't wanna say." She sighed. "That enough for you?"

  "I see." Regent was then silent.

  Atzi tilted her head as she regarded him. "You know, it's kinda weird. You look a little like my dad does." She pushed out thoughts of what had happened to her father from her mind.

  "I am aware of your father's existence. We are cousins," Regent said plainly.

  "Huh. We're family?" Atzi's tail lifted. Maybe he'll actually listen to me, then. "Do me a solid then - let Terra know. The city's in danger, it's pretty important. I really, really need to talk to her. If I can, she'll know I'm telling the truth. I got stuff only she can confirm."

  Regent stared at her. She hoped he was considering it.

  Then he reached into his robes and pulled out a key, using it to unlock the cell door.

  Atzi blinked. Wait, that actually worked?

  "Follow me. If you run, I may exercise my discretion."

  "Where would I even run?" Atzi stepped out. "I'll stay close, don't worry."

  She followed Regent out of the prison. Nobody stopped them, though a prison guard did glance their way with confusion. Atzi stuck her tongue out at him, then walked a little closer to her distant family member.

  Regent took her a few blocks down the street, to a single-story non-descript building made of stone. He opened the door with a different key - this one much smaller and duller. "Enter." He held the door open for Atzi.

  She stepped inside the dimly lit building. It was eerie in its plainness, decorated with only slightly upscale furniture that felt like it had been chosen specifically not to stick out. It looked like a cross between a living room and a waiting room.

  The place felt distinctly unfriendly. Atzi wondered if she was going to die. Sorry, Hemm. I tried. It's not on purpose.

  Regent brought her past the room into a short hall. He used a third key to unlock the first door on the right, this time stepping in first.

  Atzi walked in after him. Inside was a proper office, with chairs, desk, bookcases, and so on. It looked like Atzi imagined a normal government office would, besides the poor lighting.

  Huh. Weird place to kill someone. Maybe he won't.

  "Take a seat." Regent motioned to a wooden chair in front of the desk.

  Atzi sat down, slipping her tail through the hole in the back. Regent stepped around the desk and sat on the other side. His chair was the same as hers. He folded his gloved claws on top of the desk, and stared at Atzi. "I can assure you we have complete privacy, and that nothing you tell me will reach anyone potentially compromised."

  "Oh. Sure." So that's why he brought me here. "The thing is, I'm kinda snitching on my boss here, so to speak." She gave a short, awkward laugh.

  "I can offer you amnesty from previous crimes and protection from retaliation, should your information lead to the retrieval of the book, or related arrests." Only Regent's mouth moved.

  Even if it's just for one loop and out of necessity, being a snitch feels bad. Atzi nodded slowly. "Sure. You know V? Valentine? If you did your research on the whole Branek Bank job."

  "I do." He didn't elaborate.

  "Alright. Well, they took the book. How, why, I don't know and I don't care." Atzi tapped the desk in front of her with a claw. "By the way, do you know how they got so rich? I mean, everyone else on the job got screwed, and the moment I step out to do the right thing I get arrested! But V's just walking around like nothing happened."

  "I cannot say." Atzi couldn't tell if that meant he knew but wouldn't tell her, or if he just didn't know. "Do you have information on where they keep the book?"

  "Sort of? I know what room they showed it off in, but not exactly where in the room it's kept. I figure if Terra marches in she'll find it, that's why I was gonna tell her."

  "Is it kept in V's domicile?"

  "As far as I know, yeah. When V took it out, they just went upstairs to grab it." Atzi leaned forward. "Speaking of them, by the way, I'm meant to be meeting with them tonight."

  Regent ignored her. "When was it that you witnessed V retrieving the book?"

  Atzi laughed. "Recently, let's just put it like that."

  "Do you have a day?"

  "Yeah." Atzi smirked. "Tomorrow."

  Regent unfolded his claws. "Do you practice any magic?"

  "I wish. I was gonna ask Terra for lessons." Atzi sighed. "Better than just some gold, isn't it?"

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  "Many would agree." Regent opened a desk drawer and withdrew a stack of paper, a bottle of ink, and a quill. He dipped his quill into the ink and positioned it over a page. "You said there will be a meeting tonight. At the house?"

  "Oh yeah. Me and the old crew. V wants to try again, see. Pissed off about how it went last time."

  Regent wrote something down. Atzi tried to read the page upside down, but she noticed it was in some strange symbols she didn't understand at all. After half the page was filled, Regent set down the quill. "Very well. Would you prefer to wait here while this matter is investigated, or return to the One Eye Open? I can better assure your safety here. You will be monitored either way. You are forbidden from leaving the city for now."

  "... why can't you just tell Terra? If you think you're gonna be disturbing her you have no idea. She's insane." Atzi waved a claw. "She'd kill everyone in the city to get that book back, and she wouldn't even blink."

  "If evidence is found, she will be informed."

  "I have evidence!" Atzi yelled. "I know what's written on it, the part she wouldn't tell anyone!" She huffed. "I saw it."

  Regent picked back up his quill. "What is it?"

  "It's a message from her mom. She treated it like it's pretty private. Just tell her that and she'll come confirm it."

  Regent once more wrote in symbols on the page. "Is there a reason you will not share the exact message?"

  "Two reasons. One, she treated it like it's pretty secret. Two, I don't trust anyone else not to screw me over in delivering it. I want her to be right here, hearing me say it, no-one else." Atzi folded her arms. "No tricks, no excuses, she knows I've seen it."

  "I see." Regent continued to stare at her.

  "...do you ever blink?" Atzi asked.

  "I cannot."

  "Oh. Why not?"

  "Paralytic venom, injected cranially."

  "... Oh. Uh, sorry." Atzi felt awkward. "What's your job, anyway? Why are you the one asking questions about all this?"

  Regent set down his quill once more. "I am the head of Sostrian Counterintelligence."

  Wow. I guess the spellbook is a pretty big deal. Wait, maybe I could use this. "You're in charge of spy stuff right? And… threats to Sostra?"

  "Correct."

  "Here's the deal… I know about something else, too. Lemme talk to Terra and I'll… talk about something else. I just need her input first, alright?"

  "Very well. Again, would you prefer to wait here, or at the One Eye Open?" Regent said. Atzi couldn't tell if he was putting any weight on her words.

  "Better food there, and Hemm'll be worried if I don't go, I'll take my chances."

  "Very well."

  Atzi waved her tail awkwardly. "Uh, should I go to the meeting with V tonight...? It'll be really suspicious if I don't."

  "Do not."

  "Oh. Alright." Atzi rubbed the scales along her neck. Talking to a guy like this is so weird.

  Regent opened another desk drawer, took out a bell, and rang it.

  Atzi sat there, having no idea what the bell meant. Then, without warning, someone in a decorative fox mask and billowing robes stepped out beside her. Atzi leaned away, surprised. Where did they come from?

  "This agent will be assigned to you as your defense and monitoring. Should anything occur, notify them."

  "Uh… alright."

  The agent lead Atzi out of the building. Atzi took a few steps forward, then turned back towards the fox-masked person. "Hey, how do I-"

  They weren't there.

  Creepy.

  Atzi turned back around, a fox mask staring her down. She leapt back, clutching her chest. She breathed out a few times. "I was gonna ask how I notify you. Guess that answers that."

  The fox-masked agent didn't reply. The ornate carvings of their mask made Atzi feel like they were making fun of her.

  Yeah, well screw you too! Atzi walked past them. One step. She looked back. They were still there. Two steps. Still there. Three steps.

  Gone.

  Atzi shivered. She made her way back to the inn.

  Entering inside, she saw Hemm polishing the counter. "Sorry about that earlier," Atzi said.

  "About what?" Hemm asked, looking up with her one big eye.

  "...Nevermind. Good night." I know she wasn't here, but they didn't just empty the place before grabbing me? Atzi shook her head and headed upstairs to sleep.

  ===

  Atzi awoke mid-morning the next day, stretching and yawning. She headed downstairs, ignoring the annoying noises of the Crow's arrival outside. She went up to the counter where Marco was and sat down for breakfast. The biscuits were a little dry, but she was happy to have them.

  What should I do while I wait? Oh, I know, I can go find Braun to see if he can't help me find 'Buddy'. But where would he be? Hmm. Maybe Parish would know? I haven't talked to him in like, what, a month? Weird to think about.

  Atzi stepped outside. The Crow's parade was further up the street, having already passed the inn. The floating woman with the two-headed crow on her shoulder was barely visible above the heads of the rest of the 'half-giants'. Atzi hadn't had many interactions with the horned people of Tarsus. The ones in Sostra mostly kept to their own parts of the city meant to accommodate them, anyway.

  As Atzi walked towards Parish's, she passed a hooded figure. At first she didn't pay them any mind, then she did a double-take.

  It was Terra, minus her large hat.

  "Hey!" Atzi called out after her. "They finally told you, huh?"

  Terra turned around, humming in confusion.

  Maybe Regent told her to put on a disguise before going out. Not that it's important this time. "It's me. Atzi."

  "Atzi, Atzi..." Terra didn't look like she recognized the name. Then her eyes widened. "Wait, are you the lizard I was told about?"

  "Yes!"

  "Ah. They didn't mention your name."

  Atzi sighed. "Of course they didn't. Fine, can we just go to your room at the academy?"

  Terra nodded. "Yes. Let's hurry. No time to waste."

  Finally. Finally! Screw the guards. Screw that butler. I'm finding a better way next time.

  -

  Terra brought Atzi into her office. Before she could even warn Atzi to not touch anything, Atzi sat down in the chair near her desk, plopping her tail into her lap. "Okay, so I know who has your book. Hear me out a second first."

  Terra seemed to take it in stride, sitting down. "Okay."

  "I'm stuck in a thing you called a loop. Every time I die, I wake up back at the same moment, a few days ago. We've chatted before, a few times. And you told me that the only way you'd believe this is if I said what's inside the book, so…" Atzi took a deep breath. "It says 'To Terra, I'm sure you'll be the best mage ever, love mom.'"

  A dopey grin expanded across Terra's face. "Well, that proves you've seen my book. Great! Where is it?"

  "V's mansion. Last time you made me steal it for you, but you screwed it up so badly you almost didn't get it. Can you just storm it and get it yourself this time? I can tell you what room it's probably in."

  Terra grasped Atzi by both her shoulders. "Where?" she asked with intensity.

  "Upstairs, then... you turn left, all the way down the hall, the room right there. That's where V was holding it when they brought it out to show off, so probably there." Atzi wiggled out of Terra's grasp easily - the sage wasn't very strong at all. "You don't care about the whole 'time loop' thing? Last time you offered me a reward if I let you kill me and then tell you what it's like."

  "Oh! Yes, that sounds fascinating," Terra said absentmindedly. "But let me get my book first. That's more important. Then I can kill you."

  "Don't actually kill me!"

  "I'll be right back." Terra stood up. She retrieved her hat from a stand next to the door out of her office, and then headed out.

  Atzi sat there awkwardly. After a few minutes of boredom, she leaned over Terra's desk and started looking over random papers. She didn't understand most of them, but she noticed over half of them were the start of the same letter.

  "Dear Mother,

  I hope you are well."

  Then they all varied, eventually trailing off.

  Ah. Mommy issues. Not my problem, I know mine hates me.

  Atzi waited a little longer. She stared up at the ceiling and yawned. Her eyes trailed down the wires from the ceiling, down to the two skeletons hanging down from it, one covered in vines. Atzi shivered. Why can nobody do things quick this loop?! I hope she didn't mess up and die. Ruin the whole venture if she does!

  Time stretched on. Atzi went up to one of Terra's bookshelves and reached out a claw. At least the bookshelf probably isn't trapped, right? She grabbed a random book.

  Nothing happened.

  Sighing in relief, she pulled the book out. Turning it over, she looked at the title. 'Carnivorous Plants and Reanimation of the Undead.'

  Atzi again looked at the plant-covered skeleton. Maybe this will actually have some answers about the skeleton attacks. Not that the ones I saw before had any plants on them.

  Atzi thumbed through the book. She barely understood what the author was talking about, primarily referencing theories and concepts she wasn't familiar with. What she did understand was that, rarely, plants would wrap themselves around dead bodies and puppet them around to eat people.

  As Atzi continued to read, she realized the reason she had so much trouble understanding it. The author didn't know what they were talking about, and was just using lots of big words and references to hide it! The stuff about the plants is probably made up too! Gah, what an asshole.

  She pushed the book back in frustration. She paced around as she continued to wait what felt like hours.

  Finally, the door clicked open.

  Terra entered. She was covered in sludge, muck, and sewage, completely caking her robes. A strip of something unidentifiable, similarly caked, hung down from her filthy hat. A wide grin split her muddy face. Clutched tightly between her hands, and only slightly dirty, was her spellbook.