Location: Baskerville Duchy
The doors to the bar opened as closing hours drew near.
The bartender glanced toward the late customer and immediately recognized the man.
Or rather, what was left of him.
Clean bandages covered most of his face, though the beginnings of fresh seepage were already visible through the cloth.
His eyes went over to the missing arm and the noticeable limp.
"The usual, boss," the injured man said as he sat on a stool, wincing in pain from the action.
The bartender immediately went to prepare the drink. This sight was not new to him.
He had seen many injured Baskerville warlocks walk through those doors, yearning to numb and drown their pain with the sweet intoxication of alcohol after their perilous missions.
As he passed the glass to the injured Baskerville, he remarked. "Crazy times at Baskerville Hall?"
The warlock stared at his glass and for a moment, he didn't answer.
He let out a shuddering breath.
"Crazy…" he muttered.
"Crazy does not even begin to describe what I experienced."
The bartender frowned, an uneasy feeling settling in his stomach.
"What happened?"
Another shuddering breath. "We have been challenged."
"The Family Head mobilized everyone."
"The Hound has bared his fangs."
"And there are already casualties," he added, glancing at himself.
The bartender leaned forward. "Against who?"
He paused.
"Who was crazy enough to challenge House Baskerville?"
The injured hunting dog of the Baskervilles slowly raised his head.
The look in his eyes made the bartender regret asking.
"The Fairy of Tenebris."
"The Crazed Princess."
"And the Ghost of the Tear."