Lucy needed to find Alfador quickly. There was no telling when the King of Rogues would return. So after quickly making a mental note of what the signs on the roads below said, she pointed at herself, and said, "On Alfador's shoulder!"
"I'm not sure where she's gone, my liege," Alfador said. "I tried to find her with magic, but I lost sight of her... Though I suppose 'him' might be a better word. I don't envy his predicament."
"I understand," Prince Lanthus said. "Then I shall find her. If she's in the Lost District, she must be found. And the Key she seeks is there as well."
"Milord, you must be wary," Alfador said. "The District has grown unsafe of late. The war effort has kept us from properly enforcing law in that place..."
"If men would attack their Prince in the streets, they would also attack innocents. It is our duty as royalty to stop this... I will falter in it no longer. But I will be cautious."
Alfador nodded. "Then I shall aid you in-"
"Alfador. On your shoulder. Something..." Lanthus blinked, staring at the miniature beauty before him. "There's a woman. She's, uh... quite... pretty..."
Lucy looked up at Prince Lanthus. "Hi?"
"Ah!" Alfador said, "You're well... I had worried for your safety."
Lanthus's face turned beet red. "Forgive me! I didn't know you were..."
"I was what?"
"Well, Alfador told me you're, err, a man, only magic transformed you into a... very... attractive woman... By the Divine, I've just made myself look like a clod."
Lucy shook her head. "It's all right, sir. At least you know. But there's bigger problems right now." Lucy slid down Alfador's robe, whispering "at normal size" as she did to return to normal. Lanthus's face grew redder as he saw Lucy's chest jiggle a bit during her return to normal size.
"Right." Alfador said, "You were in the Lost District, I could tell that much. What did you find?"
"The King of Rogues plans to steal something dangerous from you. I saw him strike a deal with a sorceress that appeared to lead a gang of thieves; in exchange for treasure, she was instructed both to take me alive for the King of Rogues, and loose a Fire Elemental on the city to create a diversion while he stole the item he wanted."
Lanthus's fist clenched. "So for a mere diversion, he would set the town aflame and unduly harm my people... I will not let this stand!"
"Lanthus, you must keep calm," Alfador warned. "Your father would grieve if you fell within his own walls."
"I... I know." Lanthus shook his head. "Tell me, Lucy. Is this elemental already summoned?"
"It is. The sorceress has it bound, likely somewhere in the same building I found her."
"Then it must be banished." Alfador said, "I shall see to it that the Spellcorps is ready."
"A spellcaster will be vulnerable to daggers and crossbows, though." Lanthus said, "I shall lead the guard myself."
Alfador sighed. "Very well. I shall guard the treasuries in the meantime."
"Lucy," Lanthus asked, "Can you tell me where these conspirators hide?"
