Chapter THREE: As it goes, it comes.

As they rode, Zen glanced over at Rhen and couldn't help but admire her. He had been

with the Guild for months before her, and being partnered with Rhen was like an experience never before. She was relentless and confident and had an air of mystery that he found alluring. Zen smiled; they had been working together for two years, and it never felt like work. They were two of the best bounty hunters in the area and had already made a name for themselves. They continued to ride until the sun started to peek over the horizon. Rhen and Zen found themselves content with the night's bounty and adventure. The reward, no doubt, was enough to keep them going for the next few days; they both knew it was time to call it a night as the sun started to rise. Rhen glanced at Zen, smiled at him, and offered her hand in celebration. He smiled in return, grabbed it joyfully, and took it as a sign of friendship. "Here's to another great day," he said as they returned home.

As Rhen and Zen arrived at what they liked to call the fort, they noticed someone had been by or was still around. The security measures they left in place had been disturbed; someone had left giant footprints in the dirt and hadn't bothered to cover their tracks. They weren't worried about being discovered or noticed, which to Rhen, was a good sign. They both glanced at each other knowingly and prepared to have to encounter possibly a struggle, to be on the cautious side; you never can be too careful these days. Crime was rampant, and law enforcement wasn't what it was in the days of tech. Everything was magic-infused and didn't always work as intended; things could go sideways quickly. A person could cast a spell only meaning to freeze and person and end up blowing their head off instead. Magic was finicky at the best of times. This is why Rhen did not rely on her magical talents and instead focused on honing her body to be a weapon that no other could compete against.

"Hey Zen, is this one of your Tribal people? Maybe stopped by to take care of some more business?" asks Rhen. "I wasn't expecting anyone, especially at this hour!" exclaims Zen. They look at each other with a questionable glance, wondering who or what awaits them.

They don't get visitors and don't have friends.

Everyone they knew was associated with the Guild, and they interacted at the guild headquarters in the city.

As they approached the front door, a shadow moved and then stooped up, presenting a hulk of a man. He didn't look angry, or like he were there for a fight, so Rhen relaxed her grip on her sword. "Hello there, Mister; what can we do for you?" "Hello Miss Rhen and Mr. Zebidiah. I came by because I needed some help, and well, I was told you two are the best, and well, I" m awful sorry to come to your house, but I didn't know where else to go," Rhen and Zen both instantly relaxed and smiled. "Well, let's get inside, have some tea, and talk, Mister?" Rhen asked. "I'm Tiddly or Mr. Tom Tiddly. Thank you," said Tom. They all retreated to the fort's interior and went to the kitchen.

Rhen and Zin were not decorators and could be described as minimalist. The fort or their home consisted of the necessities and weapons, many weapons of all kinds everywhere. The kitchen was just a bare kitchen with nothing decorative and strictly functional. They all sat at the table, and then Rhen got up and started to make tea. She put the kettle on to boil some water. Then got mugs for everyone, tea bags, sugar, and cream, and set it all on the table while waiting for the water to boil. She looked at the giant hulk of a man named Tom Riddle. "Well, Tom, what can we do for you that you can't do for yourself?" asked Rhen. Tom cleared his throat as if he were trying not to cry. "It's my Levee; they took her and won't give her back unless I do something for them. And I can't do what they're asking of me. Levee wouldn't have it, no how." Exclaimed Tom. "Wait a minute, hold up; who is they, and who is Levee?" asked Zin. "Levee is my wife. We've been married for going on twenty years now. And I don't know who they are; I don't know who took my darling wife. I was out working in the pasture, and she was done when I came in for the day. I was left with a picture of my sweet Levee tied up, her mouth taped shut, and a note that explained they would kill her in forty-eight hours if I didn't kill this boy that goes to the magical academy." explained Tom. "Wow, what boy, and do you have the note, picture, and any other information that might help us identify where she is?" asked Rhen. "The boy's name is Zorbic O'Brian; he's seventeen and attends the local magic academy. That's all I know besides the picture they left of him. Here is the note, the picture of Levees, and the information on Zorbic. I'm sorry, but how much will this cost me? I'm just a poor turnip farmer and have very little. I couldn't even get the Department of magical USE to swear out a wizard." "We'll worry about the cost later, Mr. Tuddly; let us try to see if we can even help with what you have, OK?" says Rhen. "Awe, Rhen, you aren't doing pro-bono again, are you? We really can't afford to do that again. If you keep giving our services to every Tom, dick, and Harry, everyone will always expect it; we have bills to pay and an awful big damn need to eat!" "Oh, just hush, you big jerk, we have plenty of money for everything we need, and if we need more, I have money saved. This may need help, and from his looks, he doesn't have much," explains Rhen. "Excuse me," says Tom, "Yes," say both Zin and Rhen simultaneously. When I went to the Department of Magical Use and was turned down, I heard these homeless fellas talking on my way out, and they told me about you two and where I Could find you. That's how I knew to come here," explains Tom. "See, this man did try to get help on his own, and he doesn't even have the fifty dollars needed to hire a Wizard from the department." Says Rhen. "Fine, I guess we can help him; based on this evidence, he's going to need us, and you're going to need Myra's help," says Zin. "Yes, I realized we would need Myra as soon as I saw the evidence. You know what that means?" Says Rhen. "Yeah, all the bounty collected is gone. I guess easy come, easy go.!" says Zin, "Alright, Mr. Tom, we can and will help you, but we'll have to consult a friend. She has a rare ability that will give us the information we need. This will take a little while. You can go home and rest or stay here; that's up to you." explains Rhen. "If you don't mind, I feel much safer waiting here for you folks," explains Mr. Tom. "OK, Mr. Tom. Please give us some time to freshen up, then back for this mission, and then we'll go ahead and get on our way. Now let me go ahead and fix us all some hot tea since the water is finally boiling," says Rhen.

Rhen made some chamomile tea for everyone, and she and Zintook their teas to their quarters, so they could shower and change and get ready to see Myra. She also informed Myra that the visit would be needed immediately and prepared the check to pay Myra. Myra responded with her standard answer, Why of course, my pet, you know the place, see you soon, kiss. Myra. Since Rhen had met Myra, she had been a bit teased and tried to bed her but not aggressively, and she always gave her a discount on her consult services. Myra's Magic could track anyone based on an object they had touched. All they had to do was present the letter and pictures, and Myra could use real-time GPS with her Magic, and they would know exactly where to go to find Levee. What bothered Rhen was why this boy at the magical academy; what was so special about him that someone wanted him dead this bad?

Rhen stepped out of her quarters just as Ziny did. Both wear their standard military gear and weaponry. They walked to the kitchen, bid.

Mr. Tom, still sipping his tea goodbye, saddled up the horses. As quickly as they came, they were off again without sleep. This was going to be fun, thought Rhen.