The heroes are periodically interrupted by micefolk at their feet who want to personally thank them. Some, notably the ones wearing armor, restrict themselves to a few formal words and a bow. But many of the civilians become emotional as they express their gratitude; there is much hugging. One adolescent mousegirl even climbs up Lilandra's chitin plates--assuming she lets her--and hugs her elven half. Her father, she explains, was eaten by the tigerfolk that Lilandra vanquished; she was glad the monster got what was coming to him.<br/><br/>The two male rabbits from earlier had been underground during the raid, thoroughly terrified and certain that all who remained above ground were as good as dead. They emerge to find the tavern bustling; there had not been this much hope and energy in the room since the Endless Winter began. They spot Sashi, who is not only alive but also rubbing a stuffed belly--<span style="font-style: italic">a belly?</span>. As if the platemail, cloak and scythe didn't make her exotic enough, she was also a maneater!<br/><br/>Pip enters the room, helping along a larger mouse who is wrapped head to tail in bandages to protect his acid-burnt flesh. They are both exhausted, but wanted to offer a truly heartfelt thanks to their heroes before sleeping.<br/><br/>Sounds can be heard from outside. Two humans riding non-morphic warhorses have navigated the narrow footpaths and have arrived outside the Cellar. One, a platinum-haired man in breastplate who Geno recognizes as a senior member of the Guard, dismounts and steps into the Cellar. On his stomach and back are holes in the armor in two arch shapes--one can visualize the teeth clamping together where they tried to scissor the human in half. His hair is short and cropped, and he has the austere face of one who has spent his life fighting violently insane criminals. A well-used longsword hangs from his belt.<br/><br/>He sizes up the tavern with a look of surprise. He had expected to walk into a morgue.<br/><br/>"Where is the district official?" he demands.<br/><br/>"Here" says Cecil, arriving from the stairs.<br/><br/>"Who is that?" says the human, looking to Lilandra suspiciously.<br/><br/>"She's on our side. She brought down a weretiger."<br/><br/>"What happened here?"<br/><br/>"Raiding party of feral preds and...some sort of feline fire demon. About thirty or forty heads in all, but poorly organized. When they lost their leader they retreated."<br/><br/>"Fire demon...there were a bunch of them all over Boryg--we're still trying to put out all the fires. I don't know what sort of deal they've struck with the ferals, but I don't like it. We have our hands full defending the city already; if we have to fight off immortals too...the city won't last."<br/><br/>"How do the other districts look?"<br/><br/>The human pauses to take a breath. "A disaster. All of the guards on the north wall were killed somehow, and the gate was opened from the inside. It happened too fast...by the time we could mobilize a counter attack, Stone Hill was already overrun. We saw some of them heading into Rodenttown, and I...I must admit, I didn't think you'd be able to hold them off."<br/><br/>"What, you think just because mice are small we don't know how to survive?" Cecil grins "Well, truth be told, we might not've made it through the night if we didn't have help." He turns and smiles at the heroes.<br/><br/>"Most of the raiding parties have retreated into the forest with their spoils, but my night isn't over. The gate was opened from within, which means Boryg citizens<span style="font-style: italic">wanted</span>this to happen. The Pact is losing it's grip on the people's hearts..."