Work kept them busy late into the night again. Minister Perez took the money and got to work, contacting the City Court to arrange an emergency hearing, filing the case documents and evidence, and assuring Renato that the case would be airtight.
In the bathroom on the top floor of Fragrant Words, Renato lay in the long, oval bathtub, enjoying Perly's massage.
"You have another match tomorrow, but you worked so late today. How is your body supposed to cope..."
"I can't help it. I've got work to do." Faced with the young mage's concern, he could only reply helplessly, "An investigation came up this afternoon, over at the Gilded Dice. I've really made an enemy of the Wolf Gang now."
"Perly, make sure you stay alert when you're out. If you feel threatened, cast a spell immediately. Don't worry about hurting the wrong person; I'll handle the fallout. If you notice anyone suspicious following you, remember to come find me at work..."
"I know." Perly pressed a little harder with her fingers, cutting him off. "I'm a mage of the School of Transmutation. Those thugs should be afraid of me."
"Stop worrying about me all the time, Renato. I won't become a burden to you." The young mage's hands brushed over the defined muscles of his back as she murmured, "Just take care of yourself, Constable."
"Renato, I might need to leave the city sometime this week. I accepted a Mage Association job through the Adventurers' Guild, investigating the cause of the earthquakes in Brekka Town."
"Don't worry, we won't be going into the Phantom Forest. It's just a geological survey around the outskirts, with a group of mages working together. The reward is pretty good. I get to learn a second-circle transmutation spell that isn't in the Grand