Dahlia and Perus, dragging a rickety cart, wound their way through the dim, secluded back corridors of the station. After a cautious scan of their surroundings to confirm they were alone, Dahlia's boot hit the cart with a solid thud. "Alright, Hex. Out," she ordered, her tone curt.
Hex clambered out of the cart, rolling his shoulders as he stretched, his expression somewhere between irritated and curious. "Didn't you say you got the captain's permission? Why the hell are we sneaking around? Or did you fake that whole mana trace thing?"
Perus frowned, crossing his arms. "It couldn't have been fake—I verified it myself. But I'd also like to know why we're sneaking around." Both men turned to Dahlia, watching her expectantly.
Here's the updated section with the reference to the captain:
Dahlia let out a weary sigh, shrugging one shoulder. "I've already given information away to a criminal today. What's the harm in doing it again?" She cast a calculating look at Hex and Perus, then continued, "The captain and I suspect foul play. He mentioned something when he dragged me away earlier—he thinks the sergeant's somehow involved with the Frjals, and it looks like they have a particular interest in the ruins."
Perus raised an eyebrow, the frown deepening on his face. "So that's how you got his mana trace—you're working together, alright I understand why we're sneaking around. But I still don't understand why you set Hex free."
A mischievous smirk tugged at Dahlia's lips. "They're determined to capture him. And if the last incident taught us anything, it's that they can get to him too easily. So, we've devised a plan to hide him... in plain sight."
Hex's brows furrowed, his tone laced with skepticism. "Plain sight?"
Dahlia's smirk grew wider, her eyes gleaming with a dangerous sort of delight. "You're going to become a guard for the Ashault family."
Hex looked taken aback, but only for a moment, his face quickly slipping back into his usual indifference. Perus, on the other hand, was visibly shocked, his mouth dropping open in astonishment. "You can't be serious! You want this... man... as your guard? Did you forget he turns into a monster?" Perus turned to Hex, adding quickly, "No offense."
Dahlia rolled her eyes, waving a hand dismissively. "Calm down. It's all a ruse to keep him hidden from the Frjals and the sergeant. Now, both of you, listen to my plan." She waited until they were silent, then continued. "Perus, you'll fly him out of town. There should be a carriage parked along the road just outside the gates—it should be easy to spot from above."
She turned to Hex. "Inside the carriage, you'll find a uniform. Put it on, and the carriage will bring you both back here, where I'll introduce you as my new guard." With a quick motion, she pulled a ring from her coat pocket, identical to the one she'd worn in Hex's cell, and handed it to Perus. "Put it on—it's the same as mine." She raised her hand, showing him the tattoo the ring had created on her finger.
Perus took the ring with a glance of uncertainty, examining it briefly before sliding it onto his finger. It shifted and melded into a tattoo on his skin, matching hers. Dahlia nodded, her tone firm. "Alright, Perus, take him away."
With a reluctant nod, Perus unfurled his wings, grasped Hex by the shoulders, and launched them both into the air. As they soared above the town, Hex peered down, surveying the sprawling city below with a hint of curiosity. "Big town," he muttered, as though commenting on a mildly interesting landscape.
Perus glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "Not fazed by flying, are you? Have you flown before?"
Hex's expression remained impassive. "Yes. On all manner of creatures."
Perus chuckled, a hint of surprise in his voice. "Well, that explains it."
They flew out of town without incident, soon spotting the carriage on the road below—a small, green, unassuming vehicle like any commoner's transport. Perus landed them beside it, where a stout dwarf sat perched on the driver's seat, puffing on a pipe. The dwarf's eyes narrowed at the sight of them.
"Are you the one I'm waiting for?" the dwarf asked, his voice gruff.
Perus nodded. "Yes, that's us." They climbed into the carriage, finding a neatly folded Ashault guard uniform waiting on the seat—a sharp white coat with the Ashault family's snowflake crest emblazoned on the back, paired with a sleek black waistcoat and trousers.
Hex took off the ragged clothes he wore and slipped into the uniform, buttoning it up before turning to Perus with a smirk. "Well? How do I look?"
Perus looked him over, scrutinizing him with a practiced eye. It didn't take long to spot the issues: Hex's hair hung long and unruly, and an earthy, musty smell clung to him. Perus wrinkled his nose slightly. "You look... like you've been living underground. You'll need a bath and a haircut as soon as we're back in town."
Hex scratched his head, looking mildly amused at the comment. They rode in silence for a while, until Perus leaned forward to ask the driver if he knew of any nearby barbers.
The dwarf nodded. "Aye, I know a place." He directed them to a narrow alleyway, where a small, brightly lit shop sat nestled between two larger buildings. The scent of shaving soap and fresh cedar drifted out as they entered, and inside barbershop had a cozy, old-fashioned charm. Polished wooden floors reflected the glow of the oil lamps hanging from the ceiling, and the walls were lined with an assortment of grooming tools, neatly arranged on dark, varnished shelves. In one corner, a copper kettle steamed over a small hearth, filling the room with the comforting aroma of herbs and warm metal.
Inside, two young dwarves with broad, welcoming grins looked up, tools in hand. Their excitement was palpable, and they eyed Hex as if he were a rare challenge, their arms bristling with combs, razors, and scissors.