Chapter 282: Changeling, Part 1

'Clang!'

The sound of steel banging against steel reached our ears as Liara and I drew closer to the longhouse at the end of the row. 

'Clang!'

The three chimneys rising over its thatched roof sent pale golden smoke wafting up to the sky, a sign that magic was at work inside of it. 

'Clang!'

The scent of burning wood and chemicals drifted out of the open windows. 

'Clang!'

Heat burst out to greet me as I stepped closer toward the open door. 

"Late, you are," said Yami, the older of Master Yojimbo's two apprentices. "Waiting for you, our master is." 

The dark elf whose upper body was covered in tattoos let me pass, but he got in Liara's way like a typical Yakuza enforcer would when she tried to follow me. 

"Allowed inside, only apprentices are," he insisted. 

"I need her." I glanced over my shoulder. "Let her pass."