After several conversations and some convincing on both Captain Winters and the two senior Mages, Lynn was allowed to leave and resume her mission.  They all said goodbye and Lynn began to walk.

Captain Winters took up his place following close but not too close. Jile walked right behind Lynn, which kind of annoyed her for some reason.

Roar kept turning around and giving the Guard a low growl of displeasure. Lynn liked that Roar seemed to read her emotions and was giving Jile a piece of her mind.

After a dozen or so food and wares stalls Lynn began to notice that people had begun watching the odd couple.  Just done with the looks she stopped and motioned Jile up to her.

"If you keep following me like that we're going to get Patrol attention." Lynn said. "Just walk next to me, least till we get to Homes I'm looking for."

Now happy with the arrangement Roar hopped from her shoulder to Jiles to show its appreciation. Lynn smiled and felt happy as well. She had a interesting pet and a handsome man at her side.

Trying to not think about a plot to kill her was hard but she pushed it to the partitioned part of her mind that thought of such things. It was a trained trick of the Mages and Lynn took to it easy. She could talk and still ponder problems.

"My I ask a question, Lady Mage Lynn?" Jile asked with hesitation out of the blue.

"Ask, Guardsmen Jile. If I am able, or allowed to, I will answer."

"Are Mages allowed to court, outside of other Mages that is?"

The random question threw her. Lynn had expected anything but that.
Not sure how to answer she instead asked her own question, "Do you know that a Mage does not marry unless it's allowed by the Elder Mage council?"

Jile shrugged slightly. He was a good Guard but all the politics of Farth and the world were beyond him. Simple but not stupid he would learn in time but only if taught.

"A Mage life is much like the Guards life, Jile." Lynn spoke in a distant voice. "We go where and when we are told. Right now I'm on the Long Walk, and I never wanted to go. I thought that I wasn't ready. After that, I study at a school or find a job somewhere and serve the people."

"I think your doing a fine job!" Jile said quickly. That was when it occurred to her that he may like her and was asking permission to court her. She felt flattered and flustered all at once.

They had spoken before now but never in great length. Lynn believed that he was the one guarding her door at night.

That he liked her confused and excited her, but she didn't have time for it either.

"Thank you, Jile. Yet I feel like a blind fish on the beach. Flopping from one cook fire to another with no clear idea how or why I'm still alive. I know that as long as I'm on the Long Walk I can't get entangled in any affaires of the heart."

Lynn was trying to be serious but Roar was now playing a game where it would hop on a shoulder and then nip a ear, then jump away before it was caught. Jile nodded then changed the subject.

"Your pet dragite is the liveliest one I've seen in a long time." Jile remarked, letting the serious conversation die. He understood enough that she was not saying no outright, but instead saying; wait till I'm ready and able.

It was the easy way that they talked to each other from the first day. Going from one conversation to the next. Usually not getting too serious or hung up on any one subject or idealism. This is what drew them together.

"Roar is odd, I must say." Lynn took hold of the dragite before it could jump back to nip her. "I bought it for unknown reasons, but it felt right. Did you know it tore up one of them and finished the other?"

Nodding he asked, "Did you order it to attack or did it see you in trouble and then attack?"

"That's what I'm saying, Jile. I got a bad feeling and Roar took off and went hunting the four attackers."

"That's not normal at all." Looking closer he added, "It's colour is like nothing I have ever seen before. Do you know the vendor that you bought it from?"

"No, I met the vendor in the park. I've never owned pets or cared to. Roar feels like a part of me and I would never be without that part ever again I think." Lynn looked Roar in its dark irisless eyes and playfully blew. In her thoughts she begged Roar to never change. In response it took hold of her nose and wiggled it's whole body.

"No, what I mean is, a dragite's intelligence is very basic." Jile stopped and watched the two interact.
"They are created to be an adornment, like a necklace or ring. Attacking, on thier own specifically, is not what they do at all."

Lynn thought about what the pet vendor had said before he ran off. Instead of saying this to Jile she said nothing but to change the subject.

"When I get to the section for Tusk's workers it may be better for you to hang back. Some may know you or you might just make them really scared." Lynn said abruptly.

Jile nodded and let the subject of Roar go for now. He did not tell her that he was once a handler for a pet creator outside of the city. He was certain that this dragite was like no other seen before. Aside from it being bronze, Roar had markings like no other dragite in the New World.

######

After several doors were politely closed in her face, Lynn could tell that without a decree from Master Awl himself no one was going to openly speak to her.

Then she came to the home of the Head Chef. A women so big she could have dressed like a man and no one would know the difference.

Anna was her name and she invited Lynn in, and then yelled for Jile to get his skinny hide inside as well. Loud, bouncing, and straightforward as they came Anna was actually a big hearted soul that just wanted everyone to enjoy life.

"Was wondering when you'd get ta me, girl!" Anna said with a full smile. "I made a pie an hour gone and no visit from ya!"

"You knew I was coming?" Lynn asked with a look at Jile.

"Well now! Ta Boar's a tiny place and maids run their mouths freely, more often than not." Anna looked at Jile, "ain't that why you followed her?"

"No. I've been her personal shadow from the moment after she healed Master Awl, by order of the Head." He added with dead seriousness.

So she had been right all along. It made her happy and sad. Happy to know that he was there, but sad that it had been by order.

"So the maids are tongue wagging about me. Odd that I told few of my plans." Lynn said crossly. She did not like people in her business.

"Don't git like that, Lady Mage." Anna patted Lynn's arm. "The maids see and hear all. It's always been, always will be."

"Just not used to so many knowing my every move." Lynn mumbled tiredly. The event of the day had caught up to her and it seemed a life time ago that she had set out from House Boar's Tusk.

"The trick, I think, is to use those clucking hens for your purpose, righty?" Anna had gone to the small stove and pulled out a large pie. Gravy bubbled from the large hole in the middle and a smell filled the small Home the likes of which made Roar hoot.

"Your pet is a cutie! Always wanted one but time is somethin I ain't got much of." Anna cut the pie and served it on several plates.

On cue four children came wondering into the kitchen. The smallest had to be five cycles old but was as tall as any ten cycle old child. They could be called fat, but like their mother they had the size of humans two times their age.

"Momma...," started the biggest child nervously looking at the strangers in his home. "Is the pie finished?"

"Excuse my rude offspring, Lady Mage. They're like me and love their food." Anna said with a easy smile. "This is Mage Lynn and Guard Jile. Introduce yourselves, now."

The biggest spoke for the group and pointed down the line as he spoke, "I'm Kale and I'm twelve, this is Shanna and she's ten, that is Bale and he's seven, and then the baby is Lanna and she's four."

"I'll be five cycles old when the next big moon is full!" Lanna said quickly.

"That's the White moon silly!" Bale said pushing his little sister.

"Behave!" Anna spoke sternly. "They're not a used to visitors."

"It's alright, Anna. I love them." Lynn smiled. "Must be tough to have four children and work the long days at the Tusk?"

Setting a plate in front of Lynn and Jile the head cook looked a bit uncomfortable. Roar immediately hopped on the table to wait for its share, which caused a big stir with all four children.

"You've a dragite!" Was all Lynn heard from four mouths at once. Roar spread it's wings wide for all to see, like it was loving the attention.

"Just be careful, little ones." Jile half stood protectively causing Lynn to stare at him.

"My Roar would not harm them, Jile!" Lynn threw in.

"Sorry, Mage Lynn, but I raised dragite's for many years as a young lad. They can act up, and you did say that your pet did attack without a order."

Roar was enjoying being fondled by the kids up to this point, but began to move closer Lynn. Lynn and Jile fussed back and forth for a bit longer before Anna interjected.

"Is the little beasty suppose ta be glowing, girl?"

Everyone froze and took notice of Roar. Who's long tail was swooshing back and forth like a rock lion about to pounce. It's focused eyes had Jile in its sights. A dim glow was eminating from its wingtips and the markings on its body.

Lynn blew an exasperated breath and Roar stopped and looked at Lynn waiting. The glowing faded fast and Lynn gave Jile a see-it's-fine look.

"That is what I'm talking about, Lynn. This dragite acts as if it needs to protect you." Jile stood and walked away from the table. Over his shoulder he said, "They've never lit up before now either."

Lynn watched him go. The little children slowly began to ask to play with Roar some more.

Wisely, Kale began rounding up they others and thanked Lynn for her time and allowing them to play with Roar. Then he pushed the kids out of kitchen. Anna gave each a plate to take with them to keep them silent.

"He's concerned over ya, girl?" Anna said when the last child reluctantly left. "I've a known ta boy since he first came to the Boar's door. Never seen him care this much."

Giving Roar a scratch the young Mage thought about the Guard. For some reason she thought of her village and the old healer that was always saying that life was short, explore all that you can.

"I'm a Mage, Anna. Not some girl that needs to be locked in a safe room."

"I'm sure that your able to walk through fire, girl. But r' ya able to see ta future?"

No. The simple answer was that since going on the Long Walk she has blundered around and walked right into every laid trap. Enough was enough.

"Can I trust you, Anna?"

"Depends." Anna said with a frown. "Will it endanger ta Master?"

"What? No! That's the last thing I want. The House and Master Awl is vital to this city."

"Good to hear. Ya got my ear, girl."

"I need you to create a mini network of loyal maids and workers that will report to you everything that Flower does or says." Lynn was getting excited now.

"They do it already, with out meaning to." Anna laughed. "I hear all the gossip in that kitchen. All of it!"

Jile walked back into the kitchen. "I will get the Guards tongues wagging if I can."

"Thanks, Jile. It means a lot, and I shouldn't have to remind you to be very careful. I think Flower isn't alone in this."

"We will have an adult conversation bout that pet of yours one day soon, but till then I will teach you how to care for a dragite. Is that accepted, my Mage Lynn?"

Anna touched Lynn's hand with a gentleness that surprised the young Walking Mage. The older women was reminding Lynn that Jile was a man that cared for her.

"I'm learning to trust you Jile, please learn to trust me." Lynn stood and took a step toward him. "I will learn all I can."

Jile smiled and bowed deep. Lynn now had her spy network within the House.

#####

They sat and ate pie around the small kitchen table. Roar gulped chunks of meat and potatoes while the three discussed ways to pass information.

Lynn was getting hungry again so she took a big bite of Anna's meat pie. She chewed slowly and really tasted the deliciously made food.

"This is the food Runner is selling at the park!" Lynn burst out. Roar began to flutter it's wings at the mention of the little girl.

Anna smiled, "Little Runner is ta daughter of me husband's sister. 'Day drew attention from ta wrong type somehow and needed to make a few Bits. She come here and bake three pies every morning."

"Jile," Lynn stood up, "You have to get that girl for me! She's been placed in my life for a reason and until I figure it out she could be in danger! Anna, here is the last of my silver Bits and one gold crown. Share it carefully with your husband's sister, call it a fee for keeping their eyes open and mouths shut, ok?"

Anna and Jile both looked confused but went into action. By the time Lynn, Jile, and the Captain made it back to the Tusk, there was a little girl with a dragite on her shoulder in tow.

Lynn now had her spy network and a new pet, with its own handler, and a great spell from some new allies.  She hoped anyway.

Things are going right for Lynn, for once.  Little Runner is going to factor into the story in a big way but it will take time for her to grow into her full story.
I wanna thank all of you who are following this work and ask that you check out my other two.
One completed short called The Rains.  Also, a started short called A Firefly in Winter.