Irwin's Journey - The Cardsmith

Irwin followed Sahroot into what looked like a tavern or ordinary restaurant: tables placed neatly in rows, with bushes separating them. A room-spanning bar made from a single piece of wood and gleaming a very pale yellow was nestled at the back. A tall, older Viridian woman stood behind the bar, her hands on the bar.

Although there was no door to close, the sounds from outside muted as soon as they crossed the threshold, and none of the other Viridians followed them.

Sahroot stopped when they were near the bar before turning around, ignoring the barwoman who was calmly watching them.

"Alright, please start by explaining what happened at the exit portal," he said.

Irwin glanced at Tang, but the hulking man wasn't paying attention to him. Instead, he looked around, visibly annoyed, as he bent over from the waist to fit inside the room. He seemed perfectly fine with letting Irwin explain.

Fine, Irwin thought, quickly gathering his thoughts.

"We only know what we were told," he began, before quickly explaining what had happened with the invaders and how a few managed to get away, finishing with: "- meaning, the blue-haired demon you mentioned is likely one of them."

"There were two that got away?" Sahroot asked, looking highly worried.

"From what I was told, yes," Irwin said. "But it might be safest to assume there were more."

The woman behind the bar spoke for the first time, her voice hazy and fearful. "Sahroot, what do we do? If they were able to fight through the Blademaidens, how are we going to stop them?"

Sahroot shook his head, his dry leaves rustling before focusing back on Irwin. Something about him, the way he looked and behaved, felt familiar to Irwin, but he couldn't put his finger on it.

"I don't know about any Ignitzians lost down here, but one of the Grovekeepers that handles the beaches has been complaining that someone has been pulling Scorchi berries from the bushes. I thought it was a sign of the demon, but we have also been finding many of the Silver Burrow Beetles dead and partially consumed."