"Gods only know if Reton squealed to anyone before croaking," Merse frowned. "And with the Conglomerate around, this place is getting too crowded. Time to make myself scarce...not sure where to head to though."
"Thought you might say that," Pia grinned slyly. "I hear the Guild is farming out a few merc-type jobs, feel like teaming up like in the old days? It could be fun."
"Sounds good, for now," Merse said reluctantly after pausing to consider. "I think we should take Drin along, he's not savvy enough for this town, and the last thing I need is him bringing the Conglomerate or anyone else down around my ears." Pia scowled.
"That kid is trouble," Pia grimaced. "Not sure what's wrong with him, but he's a liability." In response to Merse's querying gaze, Pia motioned to her and led her upstairs. Stopping before the door at the end of the corridor, Pia knocked.
"You want food or you gonna starve?" Pia called. Merse could hear shuffling behind the door and the sound of heavy items being moved. As the door creaked open a hair, Pia quickly kicked the door open, sending the person on the other side flying.
"Oof!" Drin grunted as he fell back, then scurried into a corner clutching a chair leg he was wielding as a club. Eyes wide open in fear, Drin crouched in the corner glaring at Pia. "It'll find me! It got Merse already, I know it's coming for me next!" Drin hoarsely screeched.
"Nothing's got me, you little twit," Merse growled as she entered the room to Drin's disbelieving stare. As comprehension dawned, Drin leaped to his scrawny feet, club forgotten, and grabbed Merse.
"It's here! It's hunting us down! It killed everyone else and it's here!" Drin babbled wildly, clutching at Merse's shirt. Furrowing her brows, Merse reached down, grabbed Drin by the collar, lifted him off the floor, and landed a heavy slap across his face.
"Get ahold of yourself!" Merse snapped, then pulled Drin closer. "You trying to advertise what you did? It's dead, you dolt, I saw it with my own eyes. It's a different one here," Merse whispered, hoping to calm Drin down without him spilling too much information.
"But the Conglomerate..." Drin sputtered after a moment's contemplation.
"Is snooping around, so it's better we get out of town," Merse broke in, cutting him off. "Or would you rather be left behind?" At the hesitant shake of Drin's head, Merse dropped him to the floor. "Get ready, we're leaving as soon as we can."
Pia stood silently by the door throughout the conversation, giving no indication of having any interest in it whatsoever. Merse was certain Pia had her own suspicions about the matter, but for the moment, Merse wasn't inclined to share. Leaving Drin to his own devices, Merse and Pia headed out to prepare for their journey.
**********
The scruffy young heretic paused in the woods outside Dregsbale.
"Let's see, they said the messages came from a wolfen tribe...well, it couldn't hurt to head that way," the young man smiled lightheartedly. A passerby might think he was contemplating a trip to a relaxation spot rather than a trek into the metabeast-controlled wilderness. Picking up his belongings, the heretic turned away from the town and headed in the direction of the encampment of Kayl's pack.