On the outside, the Visitor's Tavern was still an old, creaky grog shop. But having been inside, and knowing the secret backers, Jaeger was able to look past the battered wooden planks and pick up on things he'd missed the first time around.

  Like the windows, there were none, at least none that were real. The windows on the outside were dark, blurry, and showed only vague figures inside, but on closer inspection the figures were just shadows. Then there were the kill holes scattered around the entrance. Jaeger recognized their kind from the few he'd seen in castles back home. He didn't know how, but he was willing to bet that a quick spell would freeze or stop someone long enough for the bolt holes to open and death to rain down.

  He noted a few other surprises, but decided that none were as interesting as these two. He rode Ventress to the hitching post and dismounted. He patted her flank, fed her and checked the trough for water before moving in.

  This time he was prepared for the sudden change. Ready for the ghostly fish that swam around him and the light that came from walls covered in glowing plants and rocks. He pushed past customers seated at coral tables colored like the deep sea. He made his way to the chest-high sand bar and waited for Melinda to appear. She didn't keep him waiting long, flowing in from the far end and meeting him.

  “Ah, Bounty Hunter, you're alive and well, it seems. Tell me, how was your hunt?”

  “Completed.”

  “And I should just take your word for it, should I?” Melinda asked with a wry grin.

  “No, I’ve proof enough.”

  With that, Jaeger reached into his stash and pulled out the sack of heads, tipping it onto the bar; the sand slowly turning a bright crimson.

  Melinda stood still, her expression frozen as she looked over the many heads. Some were frozen in surprise, others in agony.

  “I don't see the old Kadrin here. Did he prove too much for you?”

  “No. It's the twisted lump with part of a spine sticking out.”

  Jaeger had grabbed the head from where Emilia had thrown it, her warnings about the possible survival of the man-monster making him wary of leaving it behind. The creature of decay might have gained a second life simply by decomposing. If Melinda didn't take it, he would find a fire and throw it in.

  Melinda pushed through the pile of heads until she came upon the brutalized lump. She grabbed it and turned it over, trying and failing to identify it.

  “This one has a series of hand prints pressed into the sides and resembles a monstrosity. Kadrin, as I recall, was a cold and brutal being, but he was still human; a rather handsome one, as I recall. How is this him?”

  “He made a deal with a group called the Decaying Court. A something morph, taphnomorph?” He shrugged, trying to remember the name. “He changed and this is what his head looks like now.”

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  Melinda held the head, examining it, checking the teeth before whistling. A figure emerged from the shadows, dressed in black, took the head and disappeared.

  “Let's say I believe you for now. You brought back most of the Greenswords' heads, and whether that monstrosity is Kadrin or not, you seem to have killed it. So we're square.” She reached under the counter and pulled out a small chain, spiky and brass, looking more like a weapon than an accessory.

  “Take this, it'll make it easier for me or a handler to keep track of the jobs you do for us.”

  Jaeger read the description and, finding nothing inherently wrong, put it in his pocket; his mundane jacket pocket. He'd have Lisette check it before he wore it; just in case there was any hidden magic.

  Melinda watched him, a grin on her face.

  “You know you're supposed to wear it, right?” She said mockingly. “Oh, well, now that you're officially an associate, I'll make sure someone gives you jobs. Where are you docked?”

  “Patterson, Adventurers’ Guild.”

  “Fine, I'll move some of our whitelisted members up that way; they'll deliver the jobs. This has the potential to be a very profitable relationship; I may even send some personal jobs your way. Good luck, bounty hunter, and keep the wind at your back.” Melinda sauntered off, helping a few customers before disappearing to the back.

  Jaeger left the tavern, mounted Ventress, and began the long ride back to Patterson.

  As if his deal with the Forced Redistribution Club had cleared the way, Jaeger's ride back to Patterson was uneventful. A few times he ran into wagons or trees blocking the road and spotted armored men hiding just out of sight, but they never made a move. In fact, the one time he simply waited instead of going around the obstacle, a scarred giant of a bandit - not even adventurers would wear that dirty, ragged armor - ran out and pushed the wagon out of the way before dashing back into the brush.

  Disappointing, but expected. Jaeger's only thought on the matter.

  So when the walls of Patterson were visible in the distance, he urged Ventress to reach them within the day. Boredom had run its course, and he welcomed the sight of his new home.

  As he approached the gates, he saw that the groups of merchants and visitors had changed in type but not in size, staying just as long as before. A constant flow of people moving in and out. He rode past the various pop-up stalls, ignoring the street food and charms, slowing only when he reached the gate guards.

  “Halt. The entry fee is 15 silver.”

  The bounty hunter revealed his adventurer's badge and showed it to the guard. The guard pulled out an onyx wand and pointed it at the badge for a second before nodding.

  “Welcome back, adventurer, you've certainly made a name for yourself.” The guard stepped aside and waved him through.

  With a kick to his horse, he rode through the gates. The streets were busy, with even more merchants and stalls than outside. This time, Jaeger stopped. He pulled up to a stall that sold some sort of greasy meat wrapped in flat bread. Eating the food while riding, he quickly navigated the busy streets and reached the guild.

  Not knowing how long he would be in town, he decided to drop Ventress off at the stables. She snorted when the groom tried to take her reins, shook them free, and pushed the boy into the stable. Leaving her to her antics, Jaeger went to find Lisette.