Neera was half stumped. If the blacksmith was cleared, that meant there was the potential of a hundred victims to be had. Poor Akira was just one of many. A hundred daggers… A hundred staged murders. "To the alchemists then." Before the pair could make two steps, a shrill screech of a bird and flap of feathered wings caused her to turn around. A hawk settled on Neera's wrist, a message tied to its leg. The puca took the rolled message and carefully read it.

"Let's skip the alchemist. The attack was clean, with no use of poisons that Celeste and Tempest could detect." When Neera turned her attention to Lewis, a relieved expression was on her face. "She's awake, but it's no time to celebrate. Let us go to your contact. We still have an investigation." She would follow him wherever he led, using whatever form best fit the situation.

Meanwhile, back at the tavern, Akira merely sat there. The boys seemed unnerved. Where was the happy, bubbly girl they knew? Her eyes seemed to stare out blankly, there were no smiles to be coaxed out of her. Any time they tried to talk to her, she would gaze upon them with little idea of how to react to them. Celeste's heart squeezed to see Akira like this. It hurt, even more, to not know how to fix it. Usually, Akira's face brightened to see Celeste, accompanied by hugs and kisses. Her voice would be tripping over itself trying to tell her about her latest adventures. But now, there was nothing. This, she feared, would break Lewis's heart to see, for even she could see the fondness in the boy's eyes when he gazed upon her daughter.