Together on the street, the party looked around.

  “So, now what?” Shaynen asked.

  “If there’s something going on in the city, Ratscratch will know. So let’s go see him.” Mayhem said. “He’ll also know where we can stay tonight.”

  “We also need to see the professor for Shaynen.” Kilek said, thumbing toward Shaynen.

  “I’m okay,” Shaynen said, he scratched at the bandages covering the bite.

  “Let’s take a look at that before we commit to that.” Kilek said, he came around and took the bandages off. The bite wound was still deep and oozing coagulated blood, it was red and puffy but there was no sign of infection or supernatural.

  “It looks all right,” Kilek said. “Needs a little clean, but doesn’t look out of the ordinary from any other bite I’ve seen.”

  “Have you seen many?” Shaynen asked.

  “If I had a copper for every man-made bite I’d treated,” Kilek chuckled, “I wouldn’t be here with you, I’d be living a life of luxury.”

  “Why so many?” Shaynen asked incredulously. “Why, why?”

  “Teeth are a natural blade you carry with you at all times.” Kilek said as he rewrapped Shaynen’s arm. “When backed in a corner, you bite.”

  “True, I’ve bitten quite a long list of people.” Mayhem said and proudly smiled with her fangs.

  “I… see?” Shaynen said though he wasn’t sure if he did.

  “If he’s good for now, then let’s go talk to Ratscratch and get some local gossip.” Mayhem said. “He’s in the performer’s alley, won’t be hard to find. Stick close, everywhere’s crowded.”

  “I think this city is beyond capacity.” Jiit said. Looking at the crowded streets with scrutiny. “It’s a hazard.”

  “Who would police that?” Shaynen asked. “The kingdom is in charge of the law enforcement and there’s no force higher than the kingdom… so who would get in trouble and who would police it?”

  “Mostly the lawyers that would sue the kingdom if a client was injured while over capacity.” Jiit said. “Wouldn’t be the first time a royal went on trial for criminal behavior.” The crowded streets were lined with stalls and hastily made selling tables. People hawking commemorative wears for this once in a lifetime event. Shaynen stopped to look at every single one. Gawking at the goods and being pulled along by Thunder or Kilek.

  “You gotta keep moving, kid.” Thunder said. Shaynen turned a glare to her. “Respectfully, keep moving or you’re going to get lost.”

  “I’m trying, but there’s so much to look at.” Shaynen said, trying to wander closer to another table.

  “It’s all junk.” Thunder said, gaining the ire of many sellers. “Just meant to earn a quick coin.”

  “But why is there so much? Who needs so much?”

  “What are you talking about?” Thunder asked, keeping a firm grip on his sleeve to keep him from wandering.

  “Who needs all of this?” Shaynen said. “There’s so much stuff! Why do people need so much? At the monastery, we learned to live off of nothing and leave nothing behind. But all of this?”

  “I see,” Thunder said. “Well I can’t say what or why people want these things, it’s simply not something I have any interest in.” Shaynen nodded but didn’t really seem to hear it. Still pulling and wandering closer to the stalls and sellers. Mayhem wasn’t any better, moving closer to stalls on occasion and then moving away. Thunder kept her eye on Mayhem and watched her slide an item or two into her pockets. Thunder couldn’t help the little smile.

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  The streets opened up into an equally crowded but very noisy street. Now the street was lined with stages. Some large some small. With big curtains of every color. Some stages had people performing on it but others had their curtains drawn. There was a method to the open and closed stages. With at least one or two empty between the ones in use. Though both sides of the street were lined with stages, they kept the same separation so there were no performers working opposite sides of each other.

  Mayhem’s smile only grew bigger and brighter as she walked down the road. Pushing through people to get to the last stage on the road. On the stage was a kenku, tall with sleek dark feathers that you could barely see through the cloak of other kenku feathers in every color of the rainbow. It was a beautiful cloak and every time he twirled he turned into another member of the audience and imitated them in a comedic way. The crowd was howling with laughter.

  “That’s him. That’s Ratscratch.” Mayhem said, proudly.

  “I didn’t know what to expect.” Jiit said, “but it was certainly not this.”

  “Where’s the name from? Is it the one his parent’s gave him or is it a name earned?” Kilek asked.

  “I have no idea.” Mayhem said. Ratscratch changed his shape again back to his usual form.

  “Who’s next?” He called.

  “How about an old friend?” Mayhem shouted before the crowd could shove another victim forward. Ratscratch turned his head and looked at Mayhem waving and threw back his cloak.

  “Sorry ladies and gents and all the rest! It seems my performance is to be cut short!” Ratscratch announced. “Please enjoy our other talents and don’t forget tonight we’ll be showing the Marvelous Marriage on the main stage at sundown!” Ratscratch twisted his cape and the curtains closed.

  “Come on, let’s head backstage.” Mayhem said,

  “Are you sure, he didn’t seem very excited to see you.” Shaynen said.

  “Yeah, not on stage. He’s a performer.” Mayhem said, “Professional through and through.”

  “Man after my own heart.” Kilek said. They followed Mayhem around the stage where they were intercepted by a young teen.

  “Are you Mayhem Feldspar?” The teen asked.

  “That I am, did ‘Scratch send you?” Mayhem asked,

  “Yes ma’am, please follow me.” The teen said and led them behind the stage and into the buildings behind the stages. The teen led them to the nicest one in the neighborhood and knocked on the door. A pair of bodyguards opened the door and looked at them.

  “They’re here to see Ratscratch.” The teen said and the two guards opened the door fully for the party to enter.

  “That’s some pretty heavy security.” Jiit said suspiciously. They entered the house and found it lavishly decorated in excess. Curtains with gold thread hung every where and tapestries with jewels inlaid covered the windows and kept the room dark. A heavy smoke filled the air. Every surface had something priceless on it. Sitting at the very back of the room on a lavish loveseat with blankets and pillows everywhere was Ratscratch still wearing the elegant cloak of feathers. He had a long hookah pipe in his beak and he drew a long breath and let out a cloud of smoke. Then tossed the pipe and stood up.

  “Mayhem, you fiend, it has been too long!” He said, opening his wings and throwing back the cloak from his shoulders. He and Mayhem embraced tightly. “Whoa, who are all these people?” he said once he noticed the party behind her.

  “These are the crew I’m running with at the moment.” Mayhem said. “Which leads to why we’re here.”

  “Not a social visit then?” He asked, returning to the loveseat.

  “ ‘fraid not.” Mayhem said. “We need to speak in private,”

  “We are in private,” Ratscratch said. Mayhem stepped closer.

  “No Scratch.” She said quietly. “We need to talk where the walls can't hear.” Ratscratch looked hard into Mayhem's stone face.

  “I see. Please,” The Kenku said finally. He gestured to follow. “This way “ he led them to a curtain and pulled it back and revealed a hidden door. He pulled a small key from inside his cloak and unlocked it. He clicked his beak and the two guards turned.

  “I am not receiving. No one in.” He said. “And enforce that.” The guards nodded and went back to their posts. Ratchscratch opened the door and ushered the party in. Mayhem walked in with no hesitation, though the rest of the party hesitated.

  “Please,” Ratscratch gestured again. Shaynen walked after Mayhem, figuring that if she trusted the bard then he should too. Kilek came after, trusting safety in numbers. Thunder and Jiit wandered in last, feeling outnumbered and put voted. Ratscratch entered after all of them, dropping the curtain back in its place and locking the door behind them.