My third day of travel passed by rather quickly. I was no longer traveling alone,  Kleeix being more than willing to share her stories with me to pass the time. Tales of adventure in the fey wilds and even a few encounters in the human world filled the hours and made for rather entertaining stories.
	“And the rat’s coming right at me and this red cap is cackling and rolling the whole time!” She was speaking excitedly with her hands, “I leapt over the rat, sending it into the sewer. I broke free of the bindings and spread my wings! Before he knew what was happening I scooped up my sword and charged the red cap!”
	“And this red cap,” I interrupted, “It's a fey too?”
	“Yeah, but they’re evil and hate fun,” She quickly explained, “They’re kind of like your… what do you call ‘em, nilbogs?”
	“Goblins?”
	“Yeah them, anyway! He blocked my sword swing with his gnarled staff! I feigned another swing and managed to get through his defenses!”
	“Why are they called red caps?”
	Kleeix groaned, “Because they soak their stupid hats in blood. So–”
	“Hats?”
	“Reece,” Kleeix put on a pouty face, “Can I finish my story?”
	“Sorry, sorry,” I was feverishly writing both her story down and notes about red caps. 
	“Okay, so, I stabbed him. He’s all wailing ‘its not fair’ and ‘you’ve killed me!’ I nodded, beaten and bruised, ‘Good. Wallow in your failure.’ I said. Like all fey, he’d reform later in the fey lands, but my fey made sword would make that take a bit longer. If that red cap ever comes back, I’ll be ready.”
	“You’ve been all over, huh?” I chuckled, “Then what?”
	“Well, I got on the train pretty soon after that encounter. It was pretty easy to sneak aboard,” The pixie explained, “Then I saw you getting food. It was hard to sneak into the kitchen, those short folk can see fey pretty well. We’re good at not being seen when we don’t want to.”
	I nodded, “Alright, so let's see here…”

	Name: Red Cap
Type: Fey
Rarity: Very Very Rare
Disposition: Mean, angry, vicious
Habitat: Portals to the fey wilds
Notes: According to my informant, red caps have a disposition unlike every other small fey, their size is similar to pixies and fairies but without the wings and the friendly, albeit teasing and joking personality. These outcasts attack almost anyone that nears the blood stained portal they have set up at. Wielding big knives, for their small stature, these supposedly evil fey crave blood with which they douse their hats in and feed off of. Unfortunately, like all fey, they regenerate in the fey wilds when destroyed by non magical means. I would avoid these at all cost and let the few warrior fey deal with them.

	I shuddered, “Not a fan of these.”
	“Yeah. Same,” Kleeix lounged on the table in front of me, “Did you get the story details down?”
	“As much as I could,” I shook my hand, “I took notes you gave me on fairies and high fey, but I think I’d like to meet one myself. And I transcribed all five stories,” My hand was hurting a lot more by now, having been writing all day. Strained from constant use and the constant storytelling Kleeix had been providing. As I leaned back, I massaged my palm and rested. Out the window, rain came down as little more than a fine mist. The sky was dark and full of gray clouds, the sunset struggled to shine through the fog and rain. 
	Kleeix flew into my hand and knelt down, “How does an author hurt himself with a little bit of writing?”
	“I prefer digital word processors,” I sighed, “And the odd typewriter.”
	“Digital?” The pixie blinked her big black eyes at me and tilted her head.
	“Computers, mostly,” I explained. Her face was still blank, “Imagine… A magic moving picture. You can control the picture with two input tools. A slate of letters, and a clicker that lets you move things around in the picture. With these tools, I can write books, stories, notes, and everything else I may need. A few games too.”
	Kleeix rubbed her temples, “That sounds complicated.”
	“Well, not really when you’re used to it. Maybe I’ll show you one day,” I sighed, “Our stop is soon. If you’re still planning on coming with me, at least.”
	“You’re going to die out there if I don’t help you. I don’t want that on my immortal consciousness,” She cracked a smile as she rubbed my palm with surprising force. After my palm she moved on to my fingers, rubbing each one like a small massage, “Feeling any better?”
	“A lot, thank you,” I packed away my things, “Rest while we can, I suppose.”
	“How about a song?”
	I opened one eye as the pixie returned to her bag. She pulled out a small harp made from a rounded horn and tiny strings along with a bow that she ran over the strings to create a light, sweet noise. The pixie was beaming at me, “Well, you did call yourself a musician. Go ahead.”
	As my eyes closed, she began to play. The high pitched notes were long and soft, each one droning in my ears as she moved onto the next note, one after the other making soothing noises in my ears. Once her singing was added, a low, warm call in the fey tongue, I felt totally at ease. I felt my stressed body decompress and sink more into the couch. I knew some elvish, mostly the script, but a few words were carried over from the old fey language. The word ‘love’ or ‘lover’ seemed to be very prominent in the song. It didn’t surprise me in the slightest from the feeling the song gave me. I felt sleepy… Warm too…

	FWEE!

	A loud cry from the train’s horn rocked me awake. Kleeix tumbled off of me as my heart beat skyrocketed and I sat up on the couch, “Hey!” The pixie cried as she was shaken awake and was sent falling towards the floor.
	“Sorry!” I quickly grabbed her, hoping to save her from falling, without thinking and clutched the fey woman in my hands. Her face was red and furious. With a yowl, I released the woman as she bit my thumb.
	She screamed at me in the fey language as she flew around my head. As if knowing I couldn’t understand her shouting, “You lumbering, loud footed, human, buffoon, idiot!” She yelled, “NEVER. EVER. NEEEEEVER. Grab a pixie like that! If I WANTED you to hold me I’d sure as all hell let you know!”
	“I know, I know, I’m sorry, I panicked, I didn’t mean to,” I quietly mewled as she stomped on my scalp. 
	She huffed again and moved away from me to pick up her bag, “You could have torn my wing off, Reece the klutz.”
	“I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” I whined and rubbed my head.
	The door to my room slowly slid open, “Master Gawain?” One of the train workers peered into my room, “We’re at your stop.”
	I nodded and picked up my bags, “Thank you. I’ll be out in a moment.”
	The door shut. Kleeix reappeared, looking like she calmed down, “Sorry if I beat you too hard…” She whispered. 
	I threw my coat on, “I could have hurt you badly. It's fine. Let’s go catch a ride and get some dinner, alright?”
	“Right,” The pixie undid my buttoned chest pocket and crawled inside, “Just let me sleep a little more.”
	I put my bag over my shoulder taking care not to let the strap fall over Kleeix and held my backpack by its handle. I departed from the train and into the crisp, southern Oregon air. The clouds still were gray and dark over the tiny train station. Two rails flanked the covered, concrete platform. Two others sat and waited for another train, basked in the yellow lights overhead. I stepped up some stairs and across a bridge over one of the rails and down to the office. I passed through and stepped into the parking lot. There wasn’t a single automobile here, the only thing occupying the space being a single horse drawn buggy and its coachman, “Think you can get me to Highrock?” I called.
	The man nodded, “It's only fifteen or so minutes from here,” The man, a human like me, climbed down from his seat and opened the stained wooden buggy’s door for me. I handed him a silver coin, more than enough for the fare. He tipped his hat for me and closed the door. The inside was all velvet. Two windows on either side, each with a closed curtain, and a single door. I ran my hands over the clean upholstery and sighed, “Anywhere specific?” The man called.
	“A nice hotel in town,” I replied, “Actually, what about a diner?”
	“I know just the place,” He pulled the reins and the horses started to trot, “Why’d you pick Highrock, friend?”
	“Work,” I replied simply, “Anything you can tell me about the town?”
	“Not much. It used to be popular as a tourist spot, but they’ve fallen on hard times. I’ve heard rumors in the nearby towns that people can hear and see strange things at night. Shouts, cries, animalistic roars, to name a few.”
	I frowned, “Sea creatures? Aquatic demi-humans?” I decided to write these rumors down.
	“No clue. Some say they fly,” The man chuckled darkly, “I think these rumors started five years ago and people have started to leave.”
	I nodded, even though he couldn't see me. Sea creatures? Odd sounds? Flying? I tapped my pen on the page as I silently wondered what I was looking for. Before I knew it, the driver had dropped me off at a small diner called the Gull’s Gullet. <i> Not the most appetizing name but what was I to do? I entered in search of food. 
	
	To my surprise it was actually quite good. I'm not too keen on seafood but even I was able to enjoy the fried fish sandwich and french fries, both of which I shared with Kleeix when she awoke to their mouthwatering aroma. With dinner out of the way, I was free to explore Highrock. It was a small town, as expected. Cliffs rose around the town, making the already dark evening look even darker. The misty, salt water smelling town had few landmarks. The main street leading from the road down into town out to a dock on the sea was lined with small shops and local restaurants. The short and windy roads beyond those had a few small hotels, an apartment complex, and two or three room abodes. Streetlights cast their yellow glow in the fog that obfuscated the buildings around me. I looked around, trying to figure out where to go. The light rain didn’t bother me at all, thankfully, “Think I could find a mermaid?” I wondered.
	Kleeix was lounging in my pocket, tuning her little instrument, “Maybe. What else is there here? I can’t feel the fey lands anywhere nearby. I’d imagine the ocean holds what you seek.”
	I shrugged and started down the road towards the sea. Cold wind blew through the town and made me shiver, “Where is everyone?” I mused, “That diner was on a skeleton crew too.”
	“It's late,” The pixie picked at her fingernails, wiping the crud on my coat.
	“It's only seven, I think?”
	“Is that early or late?”
	“It's early, Kleeix,” I sighed. I recalled what the driver had said about the rumors surrounding Highrock and picked up my pace. The further along the main road I got, the less and less shops had their lights on. Even the street lights started to turn off, “I don’t like this.”
	Kleeix for once was quiet, “I’ve got goosebumps too…”
	She was a pixie from an ice kingdom, I doubted goosebumps were a regular occurrence for her. I neared the edge of the beach. The water looked an inky black in the night. Completely uninviting and even hostile feeling, the rain drops broke the surface, throwing bits of ill smelling ocean water up in the air. It all felt off. I felt drawn to it, my eyes fixed on the endless black waters. With great difficulty I looked away, it somehow felt like a vice had been loosened from my head when I did so, “Is that a bookstore?” I said, hoping to distract myself. The lights were off, but that didn’t stop me from pressing my face against the glass to peer inside. 
	DONG!
	A church bell rang, startling me from my peering. The rain picked up.
	DONG!
	Echoes spread all over the town, the low, loud note rattling my ear drums. The wind howled in my ears.
	DONG!
	The lights, all down the main road, went out one by one as if the inhabitants were scrambling to shut them off.
	DONG!
	Wet, gurgling noises filled my ears. The ocean crashed against the shore as it parted.
	DONG!
	My heart raced. I felt ill and weak. 
	DONG!
	Something rose from the ocean, silhouetted by the waning moonlight. 
	DONG!
	A horrible screech like an animal striking at its prey filled the air. I fell to my knees and covered my ears as an even worse cry pounded against my eardrums. I felt my bones shake and rattle, totally incapacitating me. I heard a shrill yell from Kleeix, who was as pained as I was. My vision had blurred. I heard a noise like a shlorp and plop as the ocean creature neared the shore. Through my hazy eyes, I saw a bright flash of yellow and then a stream of magical powers that struck the monster over the ocean. More screeching and hollering hurt my ears. More flashes of light flew overhead, a quartet of attacks, each as flashy as the last struck the beast. I could only see flashes of its amorphous shape. Something huge flew through the air, buffeting me with wind like a huge limb trying to swat a fly. With another gurgle, this one of pain, the beast retreated. I groaned and rolled onto my back. The rain pattered against my face, “Kleeix?” I poked my pocket gently. The pixie didn’t reply, “Crap,” I rubbed my eyes.
	Thunder rolled and lightning struck, filling my pained eyes with a bright light. I groaned again. As thunder rumbled again in the distance, the earth around me shook. I looked up as the lightning flashed, revealing a silhouette looming over me. A clawed, four fingered hand reached out to me, barely visible in the dark light. Still in pain from just the sounds of the battle, I fainted.

	I awoke with a start. I was panting and tired, a bit of sweat on my forehead. I was on a couch made of a somewhat itchy material, my head laid on the arm rest. The dim lights overhead illuminated the simple, blue tunic I had been dressed in. My pants were the same and only a little damp. Shoes and socks had been removed. Before me was a heavily scratched and used coffee table with long gouges from a four clawed creature in the wood. The room was somewhat small, and had two walls made of stone and two of a wooden construction. The floor was made from a different, lighter wood. My other shirt and coat both hung from a pair of hooks by the door. Across from the couch was a disused and dusty bookshelf. 
	My things sat by the door, my bags were untouched. I sighed and sat back on the couch, rubbing my aching head with both hands. A sudden thought hit me, “Kleeix?” I called.
	“Here! Here!” The pixie cried.
	I hurried to my coat and dug through the pockets. The weary fey woman groaned in my coat, “Are you okay?” I gingerly offered my hand for her to climb into.
	“You learn fast, Reece,” Grabbing hold of my finger, she pulled herself into my palm. She was obviously as rattled as me. Her wings unfurled as she stretched, “Why’d you crumple me up in your coat?”
	“I didn’t. I don’t know where we are either,” I admitted, “I fell unconscious because of that noise, whatever it was. I only just woke up.”
	“Yeah, what was that?” Kleeix asked, rubbing her head gingerly.
	A voice spoke in a deep tone, “That was the call of a Leviathan. A beast of the deep. A demon by most accounts,” I turned around and held Kleeix protectively. An imposing figure stood before me, cloaked in the dim light of the room I could barely see his features. Curling back from his brow were two short horns that rose over his smooth scalp. He was easily over seven feet tall, even without them. His red eyes stared down at me, in an almost condescending way as they looked between me and Kleeix. Either she didn't notice or didn't care that his appearance caused me to shrink away from him, “What were you doing out at dark, human? Surely you know of the danger.”
	“I… uh…” I swallowed nervously, struggling to find the words.
He exhaled sharply from his nostrils and flicked the lightswitch next to the door, “You must be from out of town,” He noted, “She was right.”
	The humanoid before me was cloaked in dark gray, his skin was only a slightly lighter gray with a few cracks in his skin, including on his face. His gaze was intense and his body was large and rippling with muscles, “Ugh! Look at its face, Reece!” Kleeix blurted out.
	“Hush!” I covered her with my hand, “You’re a… Gargoyle? Right? Or is grotesque what you prefer?”
	He raised a brow, but seemed almost pleased that I had recognized his kind, “Gargoyle, if you would.”
	“UGH!” Kleeix shoved my hand and attempted to take off, only to cry out in pain, “My wing!” She cried, “My wing is broken!”
	It did look like it had been folded at an uncomfortable angle, “Here, fey,” The gargoyle unfolded his wings that he wore like a cloak. Two massive bat-like wings that he folded against his back, revealing the brown tunic and leather shorts he wore. He chanted in latin, filling the room with a soft white glow. He reached out with a clawed finger which Kleeix shied away from.
	“You can trust him, Kleeix,” I assured her. She looked up at me and gripped my finger and squeezed her eyes shut as the gargoyle finished his spell. The divine magic enveloped the pixie at a slight touch. As the light faded, Kleeix slowly opened her eyes and tested her wings.
	“Hey! It worked!” She giggled, “Thank you, mister.”
	“You are very welcome,” He folded the wings around himself again, “I am sure you have questions,” He gestured with his head towards the door, “But it is time for dinner. You were out for quite some time and my wife made sure to make extra for our guest. We were unaware you had a stowaway.”
	“Me? Stowaway?” Kleeix huffed, “You’re the ones that crumpled me up in his coat then.”
	The gargoyle nodded, “Yes. As I said, we were unaware. Come along.”
	I scooped up my bag and followed him out. The hallway was barely wide enough to hold the gargoyle, making it even harder for him were the paintings that adorned the walls. Christian imagery hung in ornate wooden frames behind thin layers of glass, many depicting saints whose names I never really knew, while others showed the Messiah, from His miraculous birth to his crucifixion and finally his resurrection. It had come as no surprise to me that a gargoyle might hold to the faith, given what little I did know of them. I was brought to the end of the hall and brought through a door. Four more gargoyles sat at a long table that fit a dozen at least. A cloth dyed a bright cream color stretched across the table. Each seat had a plate and silverware set placed on a red, wool table mat. The two chairs at the head sat empty and a younger gargoyle with short black hair who was face deep in a book sat in a chair to the left. The right chair was empty, and a pair of somewhat younger gargoyles stared at me from where they sat across from one another. The man had a chiseled jawline, just like all male gargoyles seemed to, and the female had long, braided white hair. Both wore tunics, hers was purple and his was green and their wings were folded against their back. Chandeliers hung overhead, casting a yellow glow over their grayish-blue stoney skin.
	The younger man tilted his head. His hair was very short and brown with the bangs swept to one side, “A fairy? Carlisle, you said nothing of a fey being brought here.”
	“I did not know, Brutus,” The older gargoyle grumbled, “Ask Agnes why she could not smell the fairy.”
	“Fairy… Fairy…” I could hear Kleeix grumbling in my ear, “You’d think such wise and old looking</i> creatures would know a pixie from a fairy. At least they didn’t call me a sprite,” She flipped over and sat on my empty teacup.
	“A pixie is welcome here, one way or the other,” The feminine one smiled, “Come sit, you two. Agnes will be done with our food soon. Agatha, you have not been very close to a human before, have you? Much less a fey,” She turned to the smaller gargoyle who was nervously watching me over the top of her book.
	Carlisle, the one I had met first, took a seat at the head of the table. I sat across from the smaller, younger gargoyle with the older woman to my left and an open chair to my right at the head of the table, “Allow me to introduce the present members of my clan,” Carlisle cleared his throat, “The young one sitting next to me is my daughter, Agatha. She is but a child at thirty summers passed. Say hello.”
	“H-hello,” She greeted and quickly hid behind her book.
	“To your left is Tiffany, a recent addition to our clan and a wise cleric.”
	“How do you do,” She gave me a toothy smile, showing off her long, sharp fangs. I noted her wings were more birdlike with feather designs chiseled into the stonework.
	“Across from her is Brutus, a powerful warrior,” He gestured with pride in his voice. The man put a fist on his chest, his right hand on the upper left of his torso as a salute, “I am Carlisle. Patriarch of clan Flennings. The rest of our clan is out working, making sure the Leviathan and its minions stay away, minus my wife who is preparing food.”
	I had started to write everything down. I was trying to formulate a question, slowly reaching something good. Kleeix was quick to blurt one out, “Where are we?”
	“The attic of Highrock’s church. It is where we live,” Brutus replied.
	Carlisle nodded, “It was constructed by dwarven orthodox missionaries more than fifty years ago. We purchased it from the last owner, the last of the missionaries.”
	I nodded, “Can I ask you more about the Leviathan? For my notes?”
	“Notes?” Brutus raised an eyebrow at me, slowly turning to a glare.
	I shook myself, “Ah, right. My name is Reece. I’m an author and chronicler. I’m working on a bestiary. And this is Kleeix the pixie, my companion. I came to town on a witch’s suggestion, looking for creatures and things to write about.”
	“A witch?” Brutus growled.
	I didn’t have time to respond as the door at the far end was thrown open. A final gargoyle, this one wearing a black apron, white button up with rolled up sleeves that showed off her strong arms, and blue, form fitting jeans, “Food’s hot!” The woman called, her short black hair done up in a bun, “Oh! Our friend has awoken,” Her two wings acted like a second set of arms that helped her carry out plates of food, “I hope you like chicken,” Her accent was surprisingly southern sounding unlike the others whose accents told me they had been around the Pacific Northwest for some time.
	“Thank you, Agnes,” Carlisle smiled at the gargoyle woman as she brought food around on trays. A tray of chopped, seasoned chicken, a plate with soft taco shells, bowls of salsa, limes, guacamole, onions, and a bottle of hot sauce were spread around, “Tacos?”
	“Of course, our daughter loves them,” She was helping the small gargoyle plate up a few of them, “How are you, dear?” Agnes looked right at me.
	I waited my turn, “I’m just fine. My ear drums still hurt a little.”
	“What were you saying about working for a witch?” Brutus slowly grabbed a few tortillas. He was still eyeing me with distrust.
	I shook my head, “She commissioned me. Her name is Maxine Hamilton.”
	“Oh, miss Hamilton’s baby girl?” Agnes smiled, “The Hamiltons are great benefactors of our work and order. Even if she is a wizard, you don’t need to worry, little Brutus.”
	“Your work?” I was slowly picking up my notes and pen again.
	Carlisle sighed and nodded, “I suppose many do not know. We gargoyle clans are put in place where evil is afoot. When the Lord’s second coming happened, we were formed along with the introduction of mana in this world. The first gargoyles created our alliance. I was spawned soon after.”
	“Spawned?” Kleeix looked confused, and I had to admit, so was I when I had first learned of them.
	I took a moment to get some food for the pixie. A single chicken taco with pico and a bit of lime, “They’re constructs, Kleeix. They don’t reproduce the same as other races.”
	“We are made to fight evil, darkness, demons, and the like,” Brutus explained, “Two gargoyles are able to spawn a third, just like a human man and woman could. While the Word says that humans are made in the Lord's image, he created us too, and bestowed us with the holy magicks we use in our duties.”
	Tiffany shook her head, “We are all God’s children, Brutus. From the goblins and orcs, to the elves and fey. The Toulouse Council in the second year of the new world said we are all welcome in the congregation.”
	“In no small part to our quick reaction to defend the world from evils and demons,” Carlisle reminded his junior.
	“It is the duty of all gargoyles to protect this world,” Agnes added, “Even those that do not stick to a clan. I was like that for a little while, before I met Carlisle. I was always looking out for folks, defending is in our blood.”
	I nodded, completely neglecting to feed myself as I hastily scribbled notes, “I imagine you worked as a police officer or security guard?” I asked.
	“I worked security.”
	I nodded, “Going back, this second coming, you mean the Cracking?”
	“Some call it that,” Carlisle replied, “We call it the second coming as that was when the Lord showed himself to us who are new to his congregation for the first time. Do you know of our denomination?”
	“Somewhat,” I nodded, “I worked on translating an early rendition of it from the dwarven script. I never was told who wrote it originally. It later became what we call Dwarven Orthodox. You believe we are waiting for Christ’s third coming. With how much the world was changed, I can understand the belief.”
	Brutus finished his first taco and began to pour wine for himself, “Are you a believer? What about your companion?”
	“I was raised non-denominational, though I’ve slacked since moving,” I admitted, which caused Brutus to huff and shake his head, muttering something about protestants no doubt. I shifted my attention to my pixie companion, “Kleeix, do your people believe in any gods?”
	“Why would we?” She scoffed.
	I rolled my eyes, “Well, anyways. Would you like to see what I’ve written?” I asked, allowing everyone to gather around me and my journal. 

	Name: Gargoyle
Type: Living Construct
Rarity: Rare
Disposition: Solitary, protective, devout
Habitat: Towns and Cities. Mostly North America and Western Europe
Notes: Only technically constructs made from Christian faith magic, these creatures made of living stone stand taller than humans on average with their males being seven or more feet tall and females being between six and seven feet. They turn to stone in the sunlight. Every gargoyle’s rock-like skin is a shade of gray or gray-blue, two horns grow from their heads, with the males horns being longer, and all have a form of wings, usually looking batlike with some having more angelic, bird wings or even wings that can act as an additional set of arms. Typically living in a clan, gargoyles are protective by nature with latent faith magic coming from God. They believe their duty on this earth is to protect it from evils whether they come from hell or otherwise. 
	I met  clan Flennings, their patriarch Carlisle and a few other members. I learned that gargoyles are able to have children which they spawn through as of yet unknown means. I met a single gargoyle child who was older than I was. Thirty years is still considered young amongst gargoyles, she seems to be ten or so if compared to humans. I wonder if this has to do with gargoyles turning to stone in the sunlight. Carlisle and his wife, Agnes seem to have been around since the Cracking.

	“How's that?” I asked aloud as I finally put my pen down.
	“Reasonable enough,” Carlisle nodded.
	Tiffany leaned over and stared at my page of writing, “I still am unsure why you are on this quest.”
	I stopped myself from saying the same thing, “Maxine is paying me. She is right, there isn’t a comprehensive list of creatures in this world. We have encyclopedias of animals, but more sentient creatures have their info scattered through numerous books. As for why I <i> specifically am the one doing it… Apparently my lack of worldly experience makes me a good author and narrative voice. She liked my previous work too, or so she says.”
	“Odd,”  Brutus grumbled.
	Agnes giggled, “His benefactor is odd. It's not a surprise the whole situation is strange. Have you asked him about his books, Agatha?”
	The young gargoyle shook her head, “No… What did you write?”
	I paused for a moment, “I’m known for my writing about the Sol Eater conflict. Ballad of Sol Eater.”
	“Can I read it?” She asked.
“I… wish I had brought a copy with me,” I reached into my bag, “Its not one of mine, but if you’re looking for more reading material you can have this,” I offered the sci-fi book I had been reading on the train. A smile crossed her face as she took it, “I’ll try to get a copy sent to you as soon as I can.”
	“Reece, dear,” Agnes leaned over, “Are you going to eat now?”
	“Ah, right…”

	After my wonderful meal, I listened to the gargoyles chatter. I was exhausted, but I still had many more questions, “Can I ask more about the monster from earlier?”
	“Leviathan?” Brutus perked up.
	Agnes groaned, “Come, Agatha, you do not need to hear about this. Help me in the kitchen, please.”
	“Okay, mother,” She looked a little down, but got up from the table with her mother, leaving me with Carlisle, Brutus, and Tiffany. 
	“You intend to write about it?” Carlisle seemed wary suddenly.
	I nodded, “I do. It's part of my work. Isn’t it a good idea to let more people know about these things?”
	“No.”
	“No?”
	“The last thing we need is adventurers with visions of grandeur coming here to get themselves killed or to fall victim to its other machinations, worse than death magicks,” Carlisle growled and folded his arms.
	Brutus nodded, “Not to mention the cults that tend to spring up. We’re fortunate that Highrock has not been infected by one, but putting our information out there will only ask them to come here.”
	With the scratching of my head, I began to scribble out details, “I’m going to obfuscate this town’s name and location. Will that put you at ease?”
	“Slightly,” Carlisle sighed, “Though I still think it would not be wise. Anyone too curious about such things gives it power.”
	Tiffany smiled, “He did your daughter a kindness, Carlisle. We can humor him at least. What do you want to know, Reece?”
	I began my notes anew, “What is this fate worse than death? Where do they come from? Is there more than one?”
	Carlisle paused, the other two looked to him to answer, being careful not to overstep their bounds. Kleeix looked at them and then me. She was tired, too, no doubt overfed from the half-eaten taco beside her. The patriarchal gargoyle nodded, “There are similar monsters, but we are unsure if they are all of the same ilk. All come from Hell. They are likely demons, but how many are like Leviathan we do not know. I would guess a dozen or so. As for their fate worse than death, they are able to subjugate beings, turning them into amorphous demonic spawns that follow their every whim.”
	“What is this thing shaped like?”
	“It changes. Demons are shapeshifters, changelings,” Tiffany explained, “But it is always huge and comes out exclusively at night. We have to wonder if it is similar to a vampire’s weakness to sunlight.”
	“The holy light of the Lord drives it away, so on this I agree,” Brutus added helpfully.
	“Gotcha… Do they have a goal beyond destruction?”
	“Not that we’ve seen,” Brutus scowled, “A South African town was laid to waste by one soon after the Cracking. Perhaps it only wants death and destruction, wanton killing and culling of the Lord’s people.”
	“It could want their souls,” Tiffany added, “It is a common currency amongst evil races.”
	“It can do that? Take someone’s soul?” I asked, suddenly feeling a chill run down my spine.
	Carlisle eyed me for a moment before leaning forward in his chair, getting uncomfortably close to me, “The races of men have been selling their souls for less, far longer than the likes of gargoyles have been around. It is not hard to imagine something like Leviathan corrupting a weak-willed man. That is why we must remain vigilant in our faith, your people and mine.” 
	I nodded. Then nodded some more in agreement, “Right. I wish I had brought a bible with me. But here, this is what I have.”

	Name: Leviathan
Type: Leviathan/Demon
Rarity: Twelve or fewer exist by my guess
Disposition: Evil, destructive, corrupting
Habitat: Ocean, Hell
Notes: Horrible monstrosities that supposedly come from the depths of Hell. These amorphous, shapeshifting demons tend to take shapes similar to massive, towering squids. They can incapacitate most people with their cry and have the ability to turn their victims into thralls that take similar forms. They seem to have little magic beyond these two abilities. The Flennings clan believes it wants nothing more than destruction, possibly to take souls, a common currency amongst demons.
	I saw one myself and its cry brought me low, unable to move as pain wracked my body. The Flennings clan saved me.

	“Remove our clan name and I will find it acceptable,” Carlisle noted, “I do not want anyone looking into our names and finding this place even on the slightest chance.” 
I quickly did as asked and revised it to leave them completely anonymous. Noting to do so in future writings too, “That should do it. Not much to go off of, but maybe I’ll learn more later,” I nodded, “Thank you all for your hospitality and help.”
	“Of course. ‘Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?’” The patriarchal gargoyle quoted as if he had done so a hundred times, “Isaiah 58:7.”
	“Keep the clothes,” Tiffany instructed, “They don’t fit us very well anymore.”
	“I’ll leave you a bible to take with you,” Carlisle smiled, “Perhaps you will learn a little more about our different beliefs that way.”
	Brutus nodded, “It will be day break soon. We must finish our nightly duties. Allow me to take you back to the study to rest.”
	I nodded in agreement, feeling quite out of it now, “Thank you again. I’ll most likely leave tomorrow evening by train. I want to see if I can find a mermaid or other sea life to speak to.”
	“Not without this,” Carlisle somewhat roughly put a heavy object in my hands. A flanged mace, “The Lord keeps us safe most days. But sometimes you must take your safety into your own hands. Your small companion is armed, but I cannot trust the damage she can do with such a small blade. Good morning.”
	Kleeix frowned, but she was too sleepy to put up an argument. After thanking him again, I followed Brutus to a door he held for me. As I entered the room, he quickly followed me inside, closing the door behind us. I was worried he was going to get on my case about something, “Do you find her…” He looked uncomfortable, unwilling to finish his sentence, “You travel with one of the fairer sex. How?” The question took me aback.
	“Food,” Kleeix answered, “He shared food with me.”
	“Is that all it takes for a woman to become one's companion?” An incredulous look crossed his stoney face. 
	I shrugged, “I think fey are different. I never had much luck with my own kind. Who is it?”
	“Oh, it's Tiffany,” Kleeix grinned, “I could see the look on your ugly mug when she spoke. Emotions are easy to read across the board, don’t even need to be a fey to notice that.”
	“Am I really so ugly?” He fidgeted, which under other circumstances would have been comical to me, a big warrior such as himself worried about his appearances.
	I took a deep breath, “I don’t know anything about statue beauty standards. But I think you have a chance, she seemed very sweet. Why not talk to Carlisle about it?”
	“He would never allow it…” He sat on the couch sadly, “If Tiffany and I were to become one, he would most likely lose us. He makes a yearly journey to the council leaders to provide a status update. Our relationship would be brought up and they would likely deem us to become our own clan. He relies on us greatly.”
	I felt myself swiftly taking out my journal again, as casually as one could, “Why would they deem you to become your own clan?”
	“You’re going to write about this?” He frowned deeply, “You must be joking.”
	“Relax, I’ll keep your names out. By the time I’m done writing this you and Tiffany may already be a couple,” I encouraged him. 
He thought it over for a moment and sighed, “Alright.”
	“Good. So tell me about this custom of yours.” 
	“When a couple is formed, a rarity amongst our ever busy kind, they tend to quickly spawn a child– after becoming married. Generally, this couple is made to lead a new clan and is sent to a new threatened location along with a few other gargoyles who are currently clanless. If a new threat was to arise and the council knew of us, we would surely be the first to be moved to combat it. Tiffany is an excellent spell caster and someone who I could easily rely on, but that same strength is what Carlisle relies on. The council knows the dangers Leviathan poses, but our customs require us to follow them to the letter. The last thing I want to do is anger him…”
	“Then…” I scratched my head, “Take it slow, then?”
	“Oo-or you could whisk her away one night and make a secret among yourselves,” Kleeix pointed at him as she fluttered around his head. 
His frown deepened further, “I pray you’re not suggesting what I think you are.”
“So serious! All I’m saying is a secret is only a good one if you have someone to share it with! Tell her how you feel, you dummy! Do it over dinner, if not just any food will do, find her favorite.”
	“Yes, yes,” I agreed, clasping my hands together, “Make it yourself for her. Agnes might be willing to help, by my guess.”
	“Perhaps you are right,” He scratched his head and ran his claws through his hair, “I will try it. She is a gorgeous woman by gargoyle standards, by the way,” He explained, clearly assuming we might think her similarly ugly, “I would be lucky to have her.”
	“Then I will wish you luck,” I smiled softly, “And… Pray for you.”
	“Thank you,” He gave me a small smile back, “I must go to the belfry. The sun will be here soon and I will return to the stone I was formed from.”
	“Oh, can we see it?” Kleeix asked.
	Brutus sighed, “If you wish. The walk is not kind.”
	We were led to a round stairwell. I sighed and began to climb as Brutus spread his wings and took flight, easily reaching the top before me and stepping through a door. It took some time, but my already exhausted body made it to the top and pushed the door open. The morning’s orange glow had begun to crest the horizon. The entirety of clan Flennings, including the ones I had not met, had taken their spots around the bell, each one still chatting indistinctly. I was unnoticed by all but Brutus and Tiffany who took spots next to one another on the edge of the open air platform. All at once, the glow of the sun shone on us. Each gargoyle turned to stone, first their feet, their body, and then their scowling faces, each trying to be scary to ward off more evils. Each one was a gray, rough stone now. Out of curiosity, I poked at Brutus. He was completely petrified, even his clothes were stone.
	I nodded and looked at Kleeix. I rummaged in my bag as a thought crossed my mind, pulling out a camera. Over the back of future lovers, I took a photo of the sunrise between them. It didn’t turn out very well, but I was happy with it.
	“You never told me you were a cupid,” Kleeix teased.
	“What about you? You picked them out pretty quick, didn’t you?” I retorted, putting the camera away in a hurry, “Think they’ll actually get together soon?”
	“Oh, they already are, he just doesn’t know it yet,” She giggled, “She had the same look he did at dinner. It was so obvious I bet Carlisle already knows.”
	I chuckled, “Come on. Let’s get some sleep. I’ll buy tickets and some food when we take up.”
	“Tickets? You just need the one,” She scoffed, “Where are you going anyways?”
	“Salem, I think. Or if they have a ticket, maybe that halfling town near Mount Hood, the Rhewbuck Shire,” I picked up a blanket from a basket in the corner and laid out on the couch. I watched Kleeix roll out her mat, “Good morning,” I said, mimicking Brutus.
	“Yeah, morning,” The pixie scoffed. 
	Both of us fell asleep rather quickly.