Walk home.

How the hell do I tell Niki about this? She deserves to know. But if I say anything, she'll rush off for sure. It's late, and she's resting. Not only that, but she'd probably run all the way to the desert, and they'd easily take out her family long before she gets there if they catch wind of that. Shit. I think the best plan is to think this over, and tell her in the morning. But I need to come up with what to do in the meantime.

You haven't been gone long. Kashura is still tied up in the same spot, though it seems like the questioning has come mostly to a close.

"Welcome back, Master," Yin greets you.

"Hey everyone. How's this queen of mages?" you ask.

"It's the Sorceress Queen, Kash--" she starts to reply.

"She's fine," Niki says as she slaps her hand hard against the girl's shoulder. "We don't think she holds any allegiance to the Demon King at all. The worst thing she can do is keep trying to challenge us. Though we're still not sure if she's a threat."

"Oh I'm a threat all right," she barks back.

"Kashura," you say, and it grabs her attention. "If I untie you, can we talk privately for a moment? You can challenge Eva or whoever you have this vendetta against another time. We'll let you go, and it isn't like I'm wanting to kill you."

She purses her lips. "Fine... I don't really have much of a choice."

"But what if she teleports away?" Eva asks.

"Then she teleports away. But I hope she sticks around long enough to hear me out at least."

You walk up to the bound woman and untie her ropes. As they fall loose, she stretches out her arms, and lays back against the sofa with a sigh. "About time. I'm not into rope stuff." She snaps a gaze to Eva. "Wand, please."

"Sorry, guys. I just don't think it'll do anymore good interrogating her as a group. Let me talk to her for a second," you say.

She takes her wand and stands, and proceeds to follow you out of the room. You make your way around the foyer's staircase until you feel like you're alone. With a whispered voice, you speak.

"You can really open portals, huh?"

Kashura crosses her arms. "Of course I can. I'm amazing."

You think for a moment. "You really are amazing. From the little I've seen, I can tell you're an outstanding sorceress."

It seems like this catches her off guard. A big of pink comes to her nose, and she rubs the back of her head with a smile. "Hehe. Well, of course. I am the Sorceress Queen after all. You won't find a cuter or more powerful mage in the Empire or beyond."

"Do you think you could do me a tiny favour for letting you go? It'll probably be nothing for you anyway."

"You're probably right about that."

"Tomorrow I'd like you to open a portal to the Oraang Desert for me."

"It would be nothing for me, but still. Why should I do that? You may be letting me go, but you're the ones that tied me up to begin with. I see no reason why I should use my vast power to help you."

You sigh. "That's fair. I just thought you were strong enough to do it."

"I am strong enough! I just said--"

"It's fine. You don't have to cover it up. I get it."

She puffs out her cheeks and grumbles. "I... I'll show you! The portal I make for you tomorrow, I'll even do with my eyes closed." She grins. "Then you'll feel so embarrassed, thinking I couldn't do it."

You clap your hands together in prayer. "Oh thank you, great Kashura. You can even stay in one of her guest rooms tonight if you wish. The best one we have."

"I will take the room, and whichever I choose will be the best one, naturally." With that, she storms off upstairs.

You turn to the main room with a shrug. "I'm back. So I know this is weird, but she's going to be staying here for just tonight. I'll explain tomorrow, but I think she'll be able to provide us with invaluable help."

"You've been really secretive lately," Eva says. "But your plans are usually pretty good, and I'm too sleepy to care about it right now."

"I'll explain in the morning. Rest for now. Sorry, but this is the best way."

"Mr. Warren would not hurt us," Amara says. "I agree. Let us rest."