Chapter 78: Through The Sewers

POV Eliza

As soon as Tamina had finished eating, I instructed her to lie down again. She still seemed to be very exhausted because she immediately fell into a peaceful sleep. In the meantime, I also took something to eat and thought about what I had learned from her. So there were still people in the empire who believed in Luna. If the teachings of Lumos, which I was allowed to enjoy during my time with the heroes, were to be believed, the cult of Luna had been eradicated. The Church of Lumos were very proud of this achievement, but Luna was truly not only the goddess of the moon, but also of the night. Her followers probably operated underground and out of the public eye. That was good to know, because it might tell me the location of another Luna shrine. I would almost certainly never find the shrine I had found when I fled from the soldiers.

Then I thought about Tamina. I had encountered a beastfolk again, just like back in Tyros. Both times they were on the run. I wonder how Dirala was doing? I had already met a surprising number of Beastfolk, considering that they were only allowed to live as slaves in the Empire. I was particularly surprised that we were here next to the capital with the imperial palace and that Tyros was only a few days away. How long had they been living in hiding in this area? And how many people knew about it? Or were there still many like me who could turn into a human? I had many questions and far too few answers.

Towards evening, I woke Tamina. Unfortunately, I hadn't been able to keep my curiosity in check beforehand and had used Appraisal on her. I discovered that she was 15 and a thief by profession. Her level was 14. Presumably you had to become a criminal to survive as a beastfolk in the capital. If she lived in the capital at all. So far I only knew that she had fled from there and wanted to go back.

“Hello, you late riser. How are you?” <Eliza>

“Good morning. Uh, wait, why morning? Shouldn't it be evening?” <Tamina>

“It's evening too. The sun will set in about two hours.” <Eliza>

I could see Tamina blushing. She was obviously embarrassed that she had briefly lost her sense of time and had been caught out.

“Ohem, I'm feeling better again, thank you. I still have some pain in my leg, but I think I'll be fine.” <Tamina>

Tamina stretched and stood up slowly. Then she took a few steps and tested the strength of her injured leg. She grimaced briefly, but then put on a brave face.

“If we can't, we can wait another day. I can find enough food for both of us here. We have water in the river or I can summon it with water magic.” <Eliza>

“No, I have to go back today. This is important, more important than my pain.” <Tamina>

“Very well, it's your decision. What time should we arrive at the town? It'll take us about three hours to get there, two hours if we hurry.” <Eliza>

“It should be completely dark by now. Midnight or just after would be good.” <Tamina>

“All right, then. Then we still have three hours. Enough time for that.” <Eliza>

I went to my equipment and came back with a water hose and a clean piece of cloth.

“Here. You'll want to wash up. As soon as you're done, I'll take care of your injury again.” <Eliza>

I handed Tamina the things and turned to the former campfire. I dug a small pit to smother the remains so that they couldn't start a new fire. All the while, I kept my back turned to Tamina. Girls that age can be touchy when it came to nudity, especially around strangers. We barely knew each other, after all.

“I'm ready.” <Tamina>

“All right. Then please sit down so I can have a look at the wound.” <Eliza>

Tamina sat on a tree stump and rolled up her trouser leg. I squatted down in front of her and examined the bandage. Fortunately, it wasn't bloody.

“The bandage looks unchanged. I only know the basics of wound healing myself, but that's probably a good sign. But you should have a specialist in the city take a look. It would probably be better if you didn't swim across the river, though.” <Eliza>

“Thanks again. But I'm not planning to jump into the river. We'll get a boat in the fishing village and paddle across.” <Tamina>

“All right. We'll leave here as soon as the sun is almost down. Do you need a light?” <Eliza>

“I can see well enough in the moonlight.” <Tamina>

“Good, then we won't use the light. But we can still go to the edge of the forest while there's still light. It's safer for you.” <Eliza>

“What about you? Don't you have any problems in the dark?” <Tamina>

“No, I have good senses. I'll be fine.” <Eliza>

“Enviable. I'd like that too.” <Tamina>

“You'll have other strengths to make up for it. Now come on, we should get going.” <Eliza>

We made our way towards the river. As soon as the sun set on the horizon, we reached the edge of the forest. From here it was another hour north and we were within sight of the town. We waited here for over an hour before continuing on. In the meantime, I had to renew my transformation so that I wouldn't stand out.

Around midnight, we came near the city. From here, Tamina took the lead. She had pulled her hooded cloak low over her face and hid her tail. Then we snuck into the nearest harbor from the south. There we looked for a small boat and took it out onto the river. Tamina seemed to have operated a boat before, because she steered towards the other bank with practiced strokes. I noticed that she was heading towards one of the sewers. We went ashore there and Tamina pushed the boat back into the river. The riverbed was dug deep into the landscape and the city was almost 5 meters above us.

Then Tamina crept with practiced steps to the sewer. As I remembered, it was closed off by a large grating. She reached through the side of the grating and seemed to be looking for something. Then I heard a click and part of the grating opened. We quickly scurried inside and Tamina closed the grating again. We then went through various sewers. Tamina took me by the hand and told me not to get lost. That was very likely if I was human. But I didn't say anything about it.

Then we came to a small end section. Here Tamina pushed a piece of the wall aside and operated a lever. She proceeded in a practiced manner, as if she did this often. Then she pushed me through the resulting opening and closed the entrance behind her. Then I heard her light a lantern and it became bright. A door with a complicated lock could be seen in front of us.

“Eliza, we may meet someone in a moment and have to explain who we are. I'm not normally allowed to bring anyone here who hasn't passed a test first. But I only have a short time and can't afford any more delays. Please forgive me if I cause you problems with my actions.” Tamina

Tamina looked pained. The decision she had made didn't seem to have been an easy one. I prepared myself inwardly for what awaited me behind the door.