Disguised in wolf-hide cloaks and scent-masking paste, they entered Stone Maw as traders.
The outpost was chaos — stalls of monster parts, enchanted claws, glowing herbs. Beast-kin of all shapes bartered, brawled, and boomed laughter.
Echo's Charm drew glances, but the disguise held.
They found the gem seller — a lizard-kin with beady eyes and a forked tongue. His stall was full of crystals, but the keystone wasn't on display.
"I seek a gem," Echo said, voice low. "From a shadow-panther's brow. Blue, with a silver vein."
The lizard-kin hissed. "Rare. Expensive."
"What price?"
"Fifty silver fangs. Or… information."
Leyla stepped forward. "What kind?"
"A map to the Blood-Paw Tribe's hidden stash. They stole from me. I want it back."
Echo exchanged looks with Leyla. She nodded subtly — she knew where it was.
"Deal," Echo said.
As they turned to leave, Echo felt eyes on him. He looked up.
On a wooden balcony above, a fox-kin woman leaned, elegant in silk and steel. She smiled, ears twitching, then disappeared inside.
Mira followed his gaze. "Kiera. Daughter of the Swift-Tail Merchant House. Powerful. Dangerous."
"Why would she watch us?" Echo murmured.
"Maybe she knows what you are," Leyla said quietly.
They secured the map from a derelict watchtower on the outskirts — a quick, tense operation. On their return, Kiera intercepted them in a narrow alley.
"You move well for a human," she said, voice like honey and blades.
Echo tensed. "What do you want?"
"The map. And the gem. I'll pay double what the lizard offers."
"Why?"
"Because the gem isn't just a stone. It's a tracker. The lizard-kin works for the wolf clan. The moment you buy it, they'll be on you."
Echo's blood went cold.
"And you?" he asked.
"I want the gem studied. And I want you to help me win a trade war." She extended a slender hand. "Come to my tea house. We'll talk."
Echo hesitated, then took her hand.
A spark passed between them — electric, promising.
[ Bond Formed: Kiera (Lv. 1) ]
[ +1 Bond Point ]
[ Charm opens diplomatic avenues ]