Chapter One - “What is it going to take for you to quit it?” he muttered. * “Promise I can come with,” River whispered before yelling, “I knew I should have taken that job in the red-light district instead!” * The mother looked horrified and slapped her hands over her toddler’s ears...

Chapter Two - The two entered Grapetown without incident after that. Besides River’s grumbling about that ‘gothic jack ass’, Maroshi’s contemplative silence, and a brisker walking pace, nothing really changed...

Chapter Three -“The rules are simple,” the priestess for Sheep, god of crafts, declared. “The man goes into the room with the Enchanting Eva. If he comes out with her mark, he looses that which he has bet! If he comes out with her charm, he wins what he deserves!”...

Chapter Four - “You!” River bristled at the taller man. He knew that black coat on the rack looked familiar. * “Who else?” Xyo looked casually at him over the book. “Had I known you were a necromancer in training, I’d have retired from the business.” * River scowled as Xyo’s eyes flipped back to the book. “Ass! As if my day couldn’t get any worse!”

Chapter Five - Not only that, Hue thought briefly he had seen something change in those amber eyes. Something feral and animalistic almost... Hue dismissed it. If those first few minutes were any indication, he had nothing to fear from this fledgling. * “Don’t take me lightly just because I’m a healer,” Hue turned the hilt of his sword idly. “I guarantee I’ve been alive and in battles before your old master was even born.”

Chapter Six - The monk just continued to grin happily... “Many monks often go away on spiritual journeys to find themselves, Miss Tabitha.” * “Aa,” Tabitha nodded a bit. “And what have you found?” * Eva was too busy blushing and picking fuzz off her skirt to notice the sudden change in mood, though River and Maroshi picked it up instantly...

Chapter Seven - The elf was equally as shocked, but recovered quickly. Her purple eyes narrowed, mouth etching into a frown. Suddenly, the elf sprinted towards Eva with such speed it was hard to follow. * Celintra caught her dumbfounded sister by the left shoulder and waist. Time seemed to slow down and her frown transformed into a smirk. * “So good to see you, sister.”

Chapter Eight - …River pressed himself against the wall by the parlor’s doorway, listening. In a moment it came. Soft sobs drifted out of the parlor and fell upon pained ears…