“Oh, I don’t doubt it,” Jason said. “I’ve found your brothers to be upright in all their dealings. I was actually complimenting you. I appreciate someone who wields their words with purpose and care.”

“I’m glad to hear it, sir. Although, as upright dealings go, it seems you haven’t met my brother Hubert.”

“Haven't had the pleasure, no,” Jason said, taking the boots from Filbert's hands.

Item: [Sand-Cutter Boots] (iron rank, rare)

Boots incorporating the chitin of a sand-cutter, inheriting some of its power (apparel, boots).

Effect: Improved ability to walk on sand.

Effect: Increased jump height and distance.

Effect: Enhanced kick attack. Highly effective against enemies with strong earth affinity.

“What’s a sand-cutter?” Jason asked.

“Ah, you have a good eye, sir. Are you familiar with the grasshopper and the mantis?”

“I am.”

“Well, the sand-cutter is about halfway between, except it's four-feet long and lives in the desert.”

“That sounds horrifying.”

“They’re actually quite good at hunting mirage hounds,” Filbert said. “Shame you can’t train them.”

Filbert rubbed a hand over his mouth, thoughtfully.

“You know,” he said, “I did just hear about an adventurer that can control monsters. I wonder if I could get into contact with him.”

“That’s an unfounded rumour,” Jason said darkly.

Filbert, sensitive to the mood of the customer, returned the boots to the box.

“I imagine you’d know, sir, being the capable adventurer. So it was just the boots and the dimensional bag?”

“Thank you, Bert.”

* * *

“The first green pill will change your aura,” Belinda said. “Don’t use any mana or they’ll be able to sense your real aura through the fake one. I don’t have to tell you how fast they’ll be on someone with two auras. Once you’ve got the goods, get to the change point where I’ll be waiting.”

“I know all this,” Sophie said. “We’ve been over it many times.”

“Would you rather be bored from hearing it too much, or caught from hearing it too little?”

Sophie let out a sigh.

“Right, yes. No using mana.”

“At the change point,” Belinda continued, “I’ll give you the blue pill, which will purge the aura of the first green pill. That will take a minute to completely go through your system, during which time you change outfits. Then I give you the second green pill for another false aura. You leave the goods behind and catch the loop line to Marina South.”

“I don’t like leaving you behind.”

“I have to clear the goods of anything they’ve done to track them. The change point and the contingency point are the only places I have shielded from whatever they might be using.”

“No one knows what we’re after,” Sophie said. “How would they know what to tag?”