The Visitors

A window in the inn room was cracked open. Frederick watched the lively crowd below from behind it.

Bellberk came back and sniffed Frederick. "Looks like you've washed up."

Frederick reached back to tickle her and asked, "What did you find out?"

Bellberk pulled out an extra edition of the newspaper. "Schneider gave the city a surprise. He slipped out of town in the middle of the night to welcome some friends."

Frederick took the paper and glanced at it. That was basically the story it told; it didn't mention a word about the killings in the dark.

"They still don't know who's coming?" Frederick asked, a little surprised. It only said an airship team had brought four people and their attendants, without giving their identities.

Bellberk said, "There aren't any photo studios here yet. When the photographer took the picture just now, people crowded around and almost blocked the shot. They got into an argument."

"Aren't you going to meet them?"

"No need. They'll handle things just fine. I'd rather spend more time with you."

Bellberk said, "You can spend time with the other three."

Frederick smiled. "I'll spend the day with you and the night with them."

He was licking his lips and about to make a move on Bellberk when he suddenly frowned. There was a God of Magic nearby.

At the same time, the inn's top floor had been cleared for the visitors. Schneider was meeting some old friends in the tavern on the ground floor.

The tables in the tavern had been rearranged. Besides Schneider's family and the three visitors, local officials and reporters were there too. One of the visitors had gotten airsick and gone to rest in a room.

Romain, the Weissen Family's chief tailor, said to Schneider, "I'm truly sorry. Earlier, I