Accept her help.

The heat is still on and you'd rather not hide away in the city for days just to attempt escape. This organization Rose refers to as Shadow Garden might be your best bet. While you may have hesitated to work alongside criminals in the past, a lot has changed in your months of living in Abso. Now, you feel right at home, for better or for worse. Rose seems rather accommodating as well. She's given refuge to those who hide from the law. Now it's your turn, and then you'll finally be able to get back to Castle Phoenix with both Lala and Vivi in-hand.

"I dare say Shadow Garden knows more of this city's layout than the royal family," Rose boasts. As she speaks, she makes her way around the counter with a confident sway to her hips. "You've luckily picked the right side to be on. In fact, I know an easy way to get you out of the city right away."

"That would be amazing, Rose," you reply.

She looks to a goblin boy carrying a mug of frothing mead past her feet, and then stops him as she kneels down to meet his height. Though as she bends, he's given quite the view right in front of his face. "Excuse me, but would you be a sweetie and fetch Mina for me?"

His eyes widen and he immediately salutes. "Y-Yes, ma'am!" Before running off, he pushes his mug right into the woman's hands.

Rose stands and takes a sip of the boy's mead. "She'll be your guide. I hope you don't mind crawling through tunnels."

"I've been through worse."

She grins. "I bet."

Delphi flutters by. "So, what is this whole Shadow Garden thing really?"

"You don't trust me, little fairy?" Rose asks.

"Oh it isn't that. I think it's a really cool name for an underground organization. I'd like to know more!"

Vivi steps over as well. "It's no surprise the capital city would have a criminal underbelly. I might be an experienced, mature woman blessed by the wisdom of time... but I rarely found myself in Tolis, so I don't know either."

Rose glances down at the little witch. "Mature, huh?"

"What are you saying?"

Thankfully, they don't get the chance to start butting heads. The back door opens up and a small figure makes her way towards the group. She stands at the height of a goblin, so hardly half your size, and a big round set of rat-like ears stick up from her fluffy, neck-length grey hair. Around her forehead is a set of goggles with lenses like shimmering blue gemstones, and beneath that is a set of adorable blue eyes. Her front teeth are slightly longer than the rest, like a subtle bucktooth, and her outfit is dark orange--a very short dress squeezed in the middle by a leather belt holding a number of pouches and trinkets. A small, brown scarf hangs from her neck, which matches the colour of her knee-high boots. A backpack also hangs from her back. Finally, through a hole cut above her rear is a long, spindly, grey tail.

"What do you need, Ms. Rose?" she asks. Her voice is appropriately high-pitched.

You look her over. Though she isn't as curvy and busty as Stax, she has a modest chest proportionately sized to her petite stature. Her skin is quite pale as well--nearly pure white. You haven't seen anything like this before, though you can recognize wisdom in her eyes--more maturity than one might expect from one so small. You know better though. After meeting goblins and other interesting races, it's become obvious to you that size doesn't matter. Otherwise, she'd think you were an elder just because you were taller than her.

I don't even recognize everything she's carrying. I think that's a small crossbow, but then she has a load of random stuff, even sticking out from her pack. Is she a thief or something?

"This is a very special new ally of ours, Mina," Rose explains. "Demon King Kyle Warren and his friends need safe travel out from the city walls without the guards catching them. Do you think you could escort them for me?"

As they talk, Fang steps slowly out from the back door, rubbing her eyes. The hair atop he head is incredibly messy. Though as her eyes spot Mina, she straightens up and almost seems to jump as her tail raises.

Mina sees this and jumps as well, taking a quick step back. She lets out an involuntary squeak noise.

Lala follows behind and places a hand on Fang's shoulder. "What's the matter?"

"Sorry." Fang shakes her head. "I just... couldn't help but get excited for a second there. Something about mice."

"Ah I see. Oh! I think I've heard of their kind before."

"Oh?"

"I read it in a book once. Squeakins. I think that's what they're called. They're traditionally from the lands southwest of here and live out in the hills and in mountains, though they've become more rare as time goes on."

Mina rubs the back of her head. The attention turns her cheeks pink. "It feels weird hearing everyone talk about me, but that's right."

"So... you're like a mouse?" you ask.

She bows. "Something like that. My name's Mina, and I'm an artificer. An expert on magic items and other feats of engineering. Follow me and I'll make sure you all sneak out of the city safe and sound."

"Then you better get going," says Rose. "We'll stay in touch, Demon King. I promise you that."

"You're not coming?" you ask.

She smiles and leans back on the counter--one leg crossed over the other. "Do you ask all women that question?"

"Hey, I--"

Delphi falls back over your shoulder, holding her stomach as she laughs.