Sweat rolled down the side of his face. It matted his fur, turned it darker. It dripped onto the stone floor. But of course, she couldn\u2019t smell it. She could hear him, but he made no sound as his face lowered towards the ground.<\/p>\n
Slowly. His arm compressed, and his body\u2014seemingly far too large to be supported by a single arm\u2014followed. For a second, Ceria thought he would collapse as his arm shook and his face nearly touched the ground. But his balance was perfect, and slowly, his body rose.<\/p>\n
A pushup. One of many. Ceria had known you could do them one-handed, but she was no [Warrior]. She didn\u2019t like the idea of exercising to begin with. But he was one of those maniacs who trained even out of battle. Yvlon and Ksmvr were like that, actually.<\/p>\n
Another pushup. Ceria heard a faint grunt, but that was it. She watched as he adjusted his body, putting his entire weight on his arm. His one arm. The Minotaur\u2019s horns nearly touched the ground of his cell this time as he lowered, then pushed himself up.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow many do you do each day?\u201d<\/p>\n
It was the first thing she\u2019d said in a while. He glanced up. She saw his muscles strain as he levered himself up. All\u2026what, three hundred pounds of him? At least. Calruz was a giant of six foot seven, fairly tall even for Minotaurs, but he didn\u2019t look stretched. His body was solid muscle from years of fighting and training. The idea that he could lift his weight with one arm was ridiculous.<\/p>\n
But maybe it was because he only had one arm. Ceria stared at the missing gap on his right shoulder where the solid muscle and bone just\u2014ended. Calruz had lost his arm a long time ago, to Skinner, and he\u2019d had to learn to fight and survive with just the other one. You probably got a few Skills that made you stronger if that happened, right?<\/p>\n
\u201cSo. You do this every day now? The guards tell me you\u2019ve been working out nonstop.\u201d<\/p>\n
Calruz shrugged as he took a break to take a sip of water. He had some in his cell. The Drakes guarding him weren\u2019t stupid; they\u2019d left buckets of water in the cell, fresh water to keep Calruz from dehydrating and dying of thirst. Ceria wondered if they gave him more food. She wasn\u2019t going to ask.<\/p>\n
Which meant she was going to ask, but later. She shook her head.<\/p>\n
\u201cPushups with one arm. What else?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSitups. Stretches. Odd\u2014it\u2019s hard to explain. I need to move muscles, but I can\u2019t. So I try different poses. Stretching out.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Minotaur spoke quietly, but that still meant his voice was quite loud. Ceria nodded. She stared at Calruz. Absently, her good hand rubbed her right hand. She felt smooth, cool bone. And shuddered because it was her hand, but she couldn\u2019t feel it.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo. You started working out? Why? You want to look good in jail?\u201d<\/p>\n
The Minotaur looked up at her. His blue eyes blinked once at Ceria\u2019s face, and then both of them looked away.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have to do something or go mad. This is what I know. It makes sense.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah? You were having a blast doing the empty stare a while back.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Minotaur\u2019s ears twitched. He was so calm now, but Ceria still found ways to needle him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI suppose I got tired of that. I couldn\u2019t see the point the fifth time you visited me. I can try doing it again if it helps.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ceria snorted. The half-Elf stared past Calruz. She shook her head.<\/p>\n
\u201cParchment and ink, too? What, is this a luxury cell?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHardly. I asked for that. They gave it to me so I could draw maps of the dungeon. And I\u2019m sure they wouldn\u2019t have let me do even that unless you\u2019d intervened.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another pause. Ceria bit her lip. Calruz didn\u2019t look at her. He was doing something else now. Sitting against the wall, only without a chair. It looked\u2026strenuous. He wasn\u2019t facing towards her\u2014he spoke while staring at the opposite wall of his cell. That way she didn\u2019t have to meet his eyes. They preferred it that way.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, well, you know the other teams aren\u2019t going to trust your maps, right?\u201d<\/p>\n
A shrug. Calruz\u2019s feet stayed planted on the ground, but she could see his legs tense with the effort of keeping his body against the wall.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey don\u2019t have to. I wouldn\u2019t. Even the Raskghar could get surprised by traps. But the maps are a general layout. As best I know. If they help or reveal opportunities\u2014even make them aware of the dangers of being cornered\u2014it\u2019s worth it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ceria couldn\u2019t argue with that. A map, even from an enemy, was better than going in blind. And she thought\u2026she thought some of the teams might use the maps. Her eyes went to the maps. They were meticulously drawn; the Minotaur had labored over them, refusing to waste any parchment or drops of ink.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo. What after the maps and your exercising?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing. I keep exercising. When the maps are done, I\u2019ll stop there.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Minotaur\u2019s voice was flat. Ceria nodded. She hesitated, stared past Calruz at the bare wall. A magical barrier separated the two, sometimes barely visibly, other times shivering with light as dust motes struck it. But for that, they could have been mere feet apart.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo. We\u2019re leaving. I mean, all the northern teams. Halfseekers, Griffon Hunt, the Silver Swords\u2026we\u2019re all, uh, taking off.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the Raskghar\u2019s treasure. You\u2019ll have to get it exchanged. I don\u2019t know where. I\u2019ve never had a haul like that. I was\u2026dreaming of it. How I\u2019d do it when I got out.\u201d<\/p>\n
That made Ceria pause. She stared at Calruz\u2019s face. He looked ahead, a statue but for the sweat dripping off him. She hadn\u2019t told him where they\u2019d found the treasure. He\u2019d just worked it out in between one of their meetings.<\/p>\n
\u201cInvrisil.\u201d<\/p>\n
She saw him pause and nod.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course. It\u2019s good the other teams are going with you. You won\u2019t be shortchanged.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ceria shuffled, scuffing at the ground, although the prison was kept very clean.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Silver Swords aren\u2019t part of it. I mean, they weren\u2019t given the treasure. They, uh, found out.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI see. Will there be trouble?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf there is, there is. But Ylawes didn\u2019t seem inclined to press it. I had a chat with Jelaqua and Halrac, and we decided we\u2019d give something if they really pressed. But we\u2019re mostly afraid of the other teams finding out. You know, Gemhammer, the Wings of Pallass, and so on?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re all staying?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey didn\u2019t make a huge fortune in the dungeon. Some of them got a bit of the loot\u2014so yeah. They\u2019re staying. I expect we\u2019ll hear more from them. After all, we have Erin\u2019s door.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIndeed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Calruz didn\u2019t say much. He\u2019d already commented on the door. He was just sitting there, listening. Ceria knew he was paying attention, though. When the silence drew on too long, the Minotaur spoke.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you for coming.\u201d<\/p>\n
That was it. Out of nowhere. Ceria looked up, but he hadn\u2019t even turned his head. She felt\u2014there weren\u2019t words to describe it. The half-Elf glanced about. The prison was mostly empty, although there were some troublemakers in the far cells near the entrance. Around them was empty, though. She reached for her belt.<\/p>\n
\u201cTime for a snack.\u201d<\/p>\n
At last, Calruz looked around. He stared at Ceria as she pulled out a Gnoll treat\u2014a salted fish packed with a meaty paste. It lasted quite a while before going bad, and it actually tasted pretty good. The Minotaur eyed the snack and shook his head.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe guards won\u2019t let you give that to me. They make the cell\u2019s field permeable to feed me, but only then. You can\u2019t pass it through.\u201d<\/p>\n
The half-Elf stared at the Minotaur.<\/p>\n
\u201cWho said anything about you? This is for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
She bit into her meal. Calruz stared at her. She knew he probably got prison rations, which again, weren\u2019t as bad as you might get in a prison in Terandria. But hardly tasty food. She saw his cheek twitch. Then he barked a short bit of laughter.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou always were a pest. I can\u2019t imagine how your new team puts up with you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGo rot your face. I\u2019m a great leader.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Minotaur kept chuckling, the first sound of amusement she\u2019d heard from him.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf Gerial could see you now\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
He paused, broke off. The amusement flooding his face grew bleak in a moment. Ceria felt the fish snack in her mouth grow less appetizing. She stopped chewing. Swallowed. Calruz stared ahead, breathing slowly.<\/p>\n
\u201cSay their names.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI remember.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSay them.\u201d<\/p>\n
A shuddering breath. The Minotaur spoke harshly.<\/p>\n
\u201cGerial. Hunt. Terr. Marian. Coblat. Grimsore. Sostrom. Barr.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ceria nodded. After that, there was nothing to say. She put the rest of her snack in her belt pouch. Someone moaned across the prison. A late-night reveler waking up and regretting. Probably the drunk Relc had brought in with a huge lump on his head.<\/p>\n
It was early morning. Just past dawn, really. Ceria knew that, and she knew she couldn\u2019t stay. Not that she ever did.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to leave. We have to take care of that Ashfire Bee nest.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBe safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, whatever. I\u2019ll have the other Gold-rank teams with me. At least Falene, anyways. I\u2019ll be back tomorrow. Look, if you need more parchment or some new quills, you could do some sketches of\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t bother. I\u2019m not going to be here much longer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Calruz looked up. He met Ceria\u2019s eyes again.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re going to execute me. I know Drake law. I deserve it, Springwalker.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2014know that. What, did you think I\u2019d try to help you out with that?\u201d<\/p>\n
No reply. Calruz just met Ceria\u2019s eyes. She turned away. The Minotaur spoke quietly, illuminated by the magical runes surrounding his cell.<\/p>\n
\u201cBetter to die sane than down there, like a monster.\u201d<\/p>\n
She closed her eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cTell me it wasn\u2019t your fault.\u201d<\/p>\n
No reply. She turned.<\/p>\n
\u201cSay it. You\u2019re different now. Down there, it was a spell. The water. Or\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can still hear the voices sometimes. I did it. And there was no reaction when they tested me. No magic. It was just me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Calruz shook his head. He stopped sitting against the wall. He stood up and faced Ceria.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was me.\u201d<\/p>\n
His hand pressed flat against the invisible wall in the air. Ceria looked at him. She turned. She couldn\u2019t say anything. Why couldn\u2019t he lie?<\/p>\n
She was walking away when Calruz called out after her.<\/p>\n
\u201cOlesm.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ceria turned. The Minotaur was staring at her, a frown on his face. He spoke haltingly.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was\u2026he was with us, wasn\u2019t he? A part of our team. I forgot his name. What happened to him? I thought you said\u2014when we were below. What of him?\u201d<\/p>\n
The half-Elf stared. Calruz was frowning. He still couldn\u2019t remember everything of what had happened below. She forced herself to smile.<\/p>\n
\u201cOlesm? He made it. I told you. He\u2019s not adventuring anymore. But he\u2019s fine. Yeah. I think he\u2019s\u2026fine. I\u2019m going to go. But I\u2019ll be back tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFarewell.\u201d<\/p>\n
That was all Calruz said. He watched as Ceria left, hurrying past the cells, pausing to speak with the guards. Different from his memory. But she\u2019d come every day, if only for a few minutes. Sometimes for hours. To shout at him, annoy, poke, prod, tease. Reminisce.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Minotaur whispered. He meant that. And he also wished she\u2019d stop. He closed his eyes and sat against the wall. Waiting. For tomorrow or the end.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
What had happened to Olesm? That was a good question. And the truth was, \u2018nothing much\u2019.<\/p>\n
Or rather, Olesm had done well. He was no adventurer, putting his life on the line. He was a [Strategist] now. In a sense, he had made it; becoming a fully-fledged [Strategist] at his age made him a rising star, if anyone was doing constellations. And he had survived a potential war with the Humans. He had helped fight back the monsters and Raskghar plaguing Liscor, and he was due an extra gold piece and six silver per week<\/em> thanks to his new class.<\/p>\n Yes, everything was on the up and up for Olesm. If you considered his fortunes, he was on a meteoric rise. But again, that assumed people were thinking in stellar terms. They weren\u2019t. And Olesm wasn\u2019t happy.<\/p>\n If you asked him why, he couldn\u2019t point exactly to the reason. Maybe it was being hit with rotten travel rations yesterday. Or nearly being engulfed by some crazy green lightning cloud. Or it could be his guilt over the way the Goblin war had ended. But it might have just been that he hadn\u2019t seen Erin Solstice again. And the fact that he was being ripped off.<\/p>\n \u201cHow much did you say it would be for your services, Miss Rissa?\u201d<\/p>\n He stared at the female [Scribe] sitting across from him. The Drake woman had faint yellow and blue scales running down her body in a crisscrossing pattern. It made her stand out compared to Olesm\u2019s uniform sky-blue scales. But you\u2019d hardly notice because the [Scribe] was wearing long, concealing clothing that covered her arms, legs, and even her tail.<\/p>\n The effect was something like staring at a mobile pillow. Apparently, Miss Rissa grew cold easily, and since she sat in the same place, she\u2019d outfitted herself and her work area to be as comfortable as possible. No stool for her; she had a high-backed chair filled with cushions, a wide writing desk, and several magical quills. And she was glaring at Olesm.<\/p>\n \u201cTwelve silver per copy. That\u2019s my final offer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTwelve?<\/em> I could get the same amount done for eight silver!\u201d<\/p>\n The [Strategist] clutched at his head. He stared at Rissa.<\/p>\n \u201cLast time it was only nine! And I paid that!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I\u2019ve heard that these magazine things are valuable. So I want to see some more coin myself. Twelve silver or you can go to my competitors. And you know I\u2019m the best. You want steady reproductions of these maps and these\u2026whatever they are?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGo strategies. They\u2019re sketches of good chess and go games.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGo what? You mean that other new game? Either way, it looks like a pain to recreate. So. Twelve silver. That\u2019s my final offer. Don\u2019t make me make it thirteen. That\u2019s an unlucky number, so we\u2019ll skip to fourteen<\/em> then.\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm sighed. He opened his mouth to object, saw the [Scribe]\u2019s eyes flash, and gave up.<\/p>\n \u201cTwelve silver, then. Can I pay for twenty copies now? I have to get more money<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat will do.\u201d<\/p>\n Miss Rissa watched greedily as Olesm slowly placed several gold coins on the table and hunted around for more. He wanted to object, but he wasn\u2019t in the mood to risk alienating the best [Scribe] in the city. Rissa was temperamental, but she was quick<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cI can have at least ten done by the end of the day.\u201d<\/p>\n Coins disappeared as Rissa flipped through Olesm\u2019s latest creation. It was a hefty little package, and she wrinkled her nose at all the chess notations Olesm had written down. Then at the maps with scrawls of neat words accompanying them.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s this? It\u2019s not your usual bad handwriting. I thought I\u2019d have to correct it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Miss Rissa. I had a copy made\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The [Scribe] gave Olesm a glare. He raised his hands.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014just to see how it would look! And the handwriting is better, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis is Jeckl\u2019s handwriting, that stupid Gnoll. You\u2019re not giving him my<\/em> work, are you? Because if you are\u2014you can see his line work isn\u2019t nearly as good as mine. And his inks\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIncomparable, truly. You\u2019re my preferred [Scribe], Miss Rissa. I\u2019ll just take that copy\u2014you can get the best notes from my original. Thank you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The magazine was really just a sheaf of papers that Rissa thrust rudely at Olesm. He scrambled to put them in order, treating the soft paper very carefully. He\u2019d used paper instead of parchment, and it had cost him a pretty penny (rather more than a copper penny, actually) to write the latest edition of his chess newsletter.<\/p>\n \u201cYou didn\u2019t put one of these out last month. Or the month before.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been busy. I\u2019m hoping to make them more regular. Every two weeks or three. If I can afford it.\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm wished his tail weren\u2019t sulkily curling up. To be fair, he had been busy. There had been no time for stuff like chess and his hobby of noting down Erin\u2019s games and commenting on them when the fate of Liscor was at stake. But recently, he\u2019d had ample time to write.<\/p>\n \u201cYou see, I have four of, ah, the best games I had recorded written down in notation with some of my commentary. I chose two games sent to me to include commentary from my special guest<\/em>, and she\u2014er, my guest also provided some sample games of Go, this new craze sweeping through Baleros. It\u2019s in-depth stuff, and she explained a ton of theories, hence all the notes on various strategies. And after that, I have some commentary on Liscor\u2019s siege and my perspective on the Raskghar attacks, not to mention the Face-Eater Moth incident\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Rissa grew slowly more cross-eyed as she listened to Olesm talk. She shook her head and waved her quill, interrupting him.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t need a summary. I\u2019ll have to read it myself. Leave me to my work! Gah. You\u2019ve written double-sided? I suppose it saves parchment, but I\u2019ll have to use my lightest inks\u2026come back with the rest of my money and I\u2019ll have the first professional<\/em> copy ready.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Miss Rissa. Thank you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The door nearly hit Olesm on the way out. The [Strategist] glared as Miss Rissa\u2019s long-handled stick adeptly flipped the sign on her tiny shop. From \u2018Available\u2019 to \u2018Reserved\u2019. He yawned and glared up at the sun. It was barely past dawn; he\u2019d been lucky to get here in time to get her services for the morning.<\/p>\n \u201cTwelve silver? It\u2019s not like I make that<\/em> much for each magazine. In fact, I don\u2019t! What am I supposed to do, charge a gold<\/em> piece for each? You\u2019re lucky I need you to send this to Lord Astoragon. Then I\u2019m getting these done cheap<\/em> at Jeckl\u2019s. At least he\u2019s not a jerk.\u201d<\/p>\n He glared at the shop and then stomped down the street. He was hoping to sell at least two hundred copies all told, which would make up for the price of the initial twenty done by Rissa. It had been a while since Olesm had run out an edition of his chess magazine. Heck, it wasn\u2019t long since he\u2019d started making them. But Erin had encouraged him and\u2026well, that was all he\u2019d needed.<\/p>\n \u201cLast time I sold, what? Eighty? They went out to Celum, and I think some people took more north. Somehow, one of them reached the Titan himself. If you add that to my dedicated mailing list\u2026if I charge ten silver and I can get the Runner\u2019s Guild to buy them off me\u2014can I do eleven? Twelve, to make up for Rissa? If I sell two hundred copies\u2014but what if I make too many? Then I\u2019m down\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The [Strategist] muttered to himself as he tried to do some math on the go. Liscor\u2019s streets were still filling up, but he had a lot of work to do. And it wasn\u2019t even his work day yet. Today and yesterday had been Olesm\u2019s days off, and he\u2019d hoped to talk to Erin. Since he hadn\u2019t and had been hit with a bag and nearly blown up, he\u2019d spent last night working on the chess magazine, which was really just a [Strategist] magazine now. Gloomily, Olesm walked down the street.<\/p>\n \u201cI should really have a name. Olesm\u2019s Insights<\/em>. No. That\u2019s terrible. Chess Monthly<\/em>? But it\u2019s not chess anymore, is it? Er, the Liscorian Perspective<\/em>? This is why I need Erin. She\u2019d have a catchy name like\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOlesm!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHm?\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake turned. Someone was calling out to him. He saw a tall figure striding down the street around two elderly Drakes arguing with an old Drake that Olesm recognized. Tekshia, Guildmistress of the Adventurer\u2019s Guild, glanced up at hearing Olesm\u2019s name and then let the tall figure with bunny ears pass. Hawk strode towards Olesm with alarming speed. But that was Couriers for you. Tekshia kept arguing with the other two Drakes, sitting at an outdoor restaurant or maybe a pub. Olesm turned to Hawk.<\/p>\n \u201cHawk?\u201d<\/p>\n The Courier of Liscor wore a light vest and nothing else on his upper body. He had long pants on, tailored to fit his rabbit hindquarters. But they were simple clothes, meant for strenuous motion, not fashion. He was clearly working today, but Olesm saw no package in his hands.<\/p>\n \u201cAnything for me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot just yet. I haven\u2019t run in the last few days. Did a long run to Pallass and got back a bit ago through that magic doorway a few days ago. I decided to take a holiday for a bit\u2014I\u2019m about to hit the Runner\u2019s Guild for work. I expect there\u2019s at least a few deliveries waiting on me.\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm nodded. Hawk, as the sole Courier living in Liscor, could do deliveries south of Liscor where normal City Runners couldn\u2019t. With the Blood Fields active in the spring\u2014especially after the battle between the Drake armies and Tyrion Veltras\u2019 forces\u2014it was too dangerous for anyone to go south. Which meant that messages and deliveries usually waited on Hawk.<\/p>\n \u201cI imagine they\u2019ll be relieved you\u2019re coming in. But, uh, if you\u2019re going to do a trip south, mind waiting for a day? You see, I just got my latest chess magazine done. I don\u2019t know if you\u2019ve heard of it\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The [Strategist] flushed a bit and trailed off. What was he doing, talking to Hawk<\/em> about his magazine? But if the Courier went, it would be days before Olesm could send a delivery south.<\/p>\n To his surprise, Hawk\u2019s ears perked up. The Rabbit Beastkin gave Olesm an appraising look. They\u2019d rarely talked, but as Liscor\u2019s [Strategist], Olesm had gotten to know Hawk and made a few requests of him in official capacities over the years.<\/p>\n \u201cYour chess thing? I heard about that. Mind if I see?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh! Of course!\u201d<\/p>\n Flustered, Olesm presented him with the sheaf of papers, Jeckl\u2019s copy that had offended Rissa. The Courier flipped through the pages, blinking at the chess notation. Olesm winced; it definitely wasn\u2019t eye-catching stuff unless you were a [Strategist]. But he had a growing audience\u2014some people had sent him a lot of gold in donations! The Titan<\/em> had read his work! That had to count for something.<\/p>\n \u201cHefty. And this is going out by the Runner\u2019s Guild?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. I\u2019m sending them by way of City Runner to various [Strategists] I know. I can\u2019t copy too many, but\u2026I\u2019m hoping to do two hundred. Uh, I\u2019d only be able to pay you to do eight or so! You can just bring them to Pallass\u2019 Runner\u2019s Guild. It can go to the other recipients from there.\u201d<\/p>\n Hawk frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cHm. They can\u2019t copy illustrations at the Mage\u2019s Guild. At least, not unless the [Mage] knows a sketching spell or has [Artist] classes. Sounds like it\u2019s worth my while, then. How much for six?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cO-oh. Well, if it\u2019s only six, wait, at your rates\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm fumbled, confused. Hawk laughed. He shifted, his wide rabbit\u2019s feet restless as ever.<\/p>\n \u201cI meant six for me<\/em> to buy. On top of the eight you want sent out. How much are you charging? Two gold pieces per edition? If it\u2019s only two hundred, this is a limited run, right? That drives up the price.\u201d<\/p>\n He reached for his money pouch. Olesm gaped at him.<\/p>\n \u201cTwo <\/em>gold pieces? No, it\u2019s ten silver!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTen silver?\u201d<\/p>\n This time, the Rabbit Beastkin recoiled. He stared at Olesm and shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cFor this? And you\u2019re selling only two hundred? Olesm, friend, you\u2019re going to get ripped off that way. How much do you think these things are worth?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUh\u2014not two gold pieces.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, no. But people will pay a premium to get a copy first. Once it gets spread about and people make more copies, it\u2019ll be worth less. But Olesm\u2014remember that ring and the note I gave you from you know who?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Hawk waggled his ears at Olesm. The Drake stared at them and jumped.<\/p>\n \u201cYou mean from\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014ah, no names. Courier\u2019s code an\u2019 all. But yeah. If he<\/em> read your copy, you bet it\u2019s popular. I heard some people were making copies in Baleros of your older editions. And this? This is new. So it\u2019s worth me paying for\u2014if you\u2019re not about to spread them via [Message] spell or something.\u201d<\/p>\n Hawk gave Olesm a stern look. He was lecturing, but only slightly, and Olesm listened. You could learn a lot from a successful Courier, and Hawk was rich.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are clients in other Walled Cities who made me an offer to get them one of your chess magazines if you come out with one. They\u2019ll pay double for exclusive stuff like this. As long as it\u2019s exclusive. Don\u2019t let the Mage\u2019s Guild get a hold of one of your copies unless you want to lose all your profits. And don\u2019t trust the City Runners not to sell it to the first Mage\u2019s Guild, or even the one in Liscor. Some might even get it copied by a [Scribe] too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut isn\u2019t it easy for anyone to copy? I mean, I\u2019d expect that\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm trailed off weakly. Hawk nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cSo would I. So the trick is you make a few copies, say, forty? And you send them off and get paid a premium. Then, after four days, you make up a batch\u2014your two hundred\u2014and sell them to the Runner\u2019s Guild and Mage\u2019s Guild in Liscor and Pallass for cheap. That\u2019s what I\u2019d do.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWow. But people will pay that much?\u201d<\/p>\n Hawk gave Olesm a strange look.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Titan reads your magazine, Olesm.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut\u2014I know that, but\u2014it\u2019s just a small enterprise! I just started a few months ago, I\u2019ve put out like four editions!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd the Titan<\/em>\u2014damn, I said his name twice\u2014reads your magazine. That means every [Strategist] and, er, chess lover around the world will want a copy of your magazine. How many do you think there are? Thousands. Tens of thousands. That\u2019s your audience. You won\u2019t reach most of them yourself; your magazine\u2019s going to be copied. But you can have an exclusive list who\u2019ll pay you in gold for early access. Don\u2019t take that for granted. So, about the copies?\u201d<\/p>\n Hawk patted Olesm on the shoulder in a friendly way. The [Strategist] stared at him, mouth agape.<\/p>\n \u201cWell I, uh, well, I\u2019m having more copies done. But\u2014but I\u2019ll have some tonight! Definitely! I can contact you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll stop by and delay my run until then. Let me know, alright? And remember, keep them away from [Mages] unless you want to ruin my profit margin\u2014and yours!\u201d<\/p>\n Hawk strode off. Olesm gaped at him. Hawk was delaying his run for some of the chess magazines? The Drake felt a surge of elation and fear. Then he had a thought. He turned and rushed back towards Rissa\u2019s shop.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m bus\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake [Scribe] snapped as the door flew open. She stared at Olesm and glared.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? Do you have more of my money?\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm shook his head, panting. He pointed at the papers on her desk. She was already halfway through one copy. He\u2019d seen Rissa work, and she was fast<\/em>. All those Skills. He coughed and spoke hurriedly.<\/p>\n \u201cThose twelve silver coins\u2014they\u2019re for exclusivity, right? You\u2019re not making anyone else any copies. Right?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n He saw the [Scribe] freeze for a second. She glanced down at the papers and confirmed Olesm\u2019s worst fears.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I\u2014this is hardly enough money to be exclusive<\/em>. And you didn\u2019t ask. I have my work to do, but I suppose if anyone asked\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou can\u2019t do that! Those are mine! You can\u2019t copy them! What were you going to do, make more copies for the Runner\u2019s Guild? The Mage\u2019s Guild?\u201d<\/p>\n He saw the older Drake woman bristle, but her tail was twitching rapidly.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s highly\u2014what an allegation! What I do with works provided to me is my business. If you wanted me to keep it exclusive, you should have made that clear. And if you want me to avoid making other copies, the price will be sixteen\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo!\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm lunged for the desk. He tore his precious copy of his magazine away. Rissa made a startled noise.<\/p>\n \u201cGive me that! You paid me\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I want my money back! You\u2019re no longer hired!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou can\u2019t unhire me!\u201d<\/p>\n The [Scribe] tried to get up, but her padded clothes made her awkward. And she was hardly fit; she swiped for the copy Olesm was stuffing into his belt pouch. He tore frantically at the half-finished copy on her desk, ripping it to shreds.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re mine! Anyone who wants a copy has to pay me! Me! <\/em>And if you think I\u2019m paying you sixteen silver\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll pay me more than that! How dare you! I have every right to make whatever copies I please\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The door opened. Olesm stopped dancing about, waving his magazine copy over his head. Rissa stopped reaching for it and trying to stab Olesm with a quill. They turned towards the door. Ilvriss, Wall Lord of Salazsar, stared at the two of them and coughed.<\/p>\n \u201cSwifttail.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWall Lord!\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm stared and then realized he was still fending Rissa off with one hand. He straightened, blushing fiercely.<\/p>\n \u201cI was, uh, just\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI believe I heard. Miss Rissa Inkscale?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes? The best [Scribe] in Liscor at your service, Wall Lord Ilvriss. I was just having an incident with a disagreeable client. How may I serve you?\u201d<\/p>\n Rissa hurried behind her desk, beaming at Ilvriss and giving Olesm a death-glare at the same time. Ilvriss eyed her and then turned to Olesm.<\/p>\n \u201cI have some work I needed copied. Minor sketching. But if you\u2019ve reserved Miss Inkscale\u2019s services, Swifttail, far be it from me\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. No, I was, uh, cancelling<\/em> my order. And I\u2019ll need my money back.\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm glared at Rissa. The [Scribe] purpled, but she dared not object in front of Ilvriss. The gold coins and silver appeared back on the counter\u2014minus one of the gold coins Olesm had paid her. He gave her a flinty look, but took it anyways. Ilvriss stared at the papers Olesm clutched to his chest.<\/p>\n \u201cAm I to assume you\u2019ve come out with another edition of your\u2026magazine? I recall you telling me about that. General Shivertail made a passing remark on the subject.\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm jumped. Zel Shivertail<\/em> had read his magazine? He stammered.<\/p>\n \u201cWh\u2014yes! I did come out with a new edition. But, uh, I\u2019m trying to figure out a way to market it. And having it copied\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExclusivity. I quite understand. Well, her work is hardly high-level [Scribe] quality, but if that\u2019s the issue\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss tapped a claw on his chin as he thought. Olesm waited nervously. So did Rissa, who was quite cowed by the Wall Lord\u2019s presence despite this being her shop. Ilvriss just had that effect. He was the picture of a Wall Lord, grand, commanding, and, Olesm had to admit, handsome. Olesm only got called cute by the Drake girls, but Ilvriss was like the [Lords] you heard about in stories. A real Wall Lord of a Walled City in the flesh. In Liscor. And, what was stranger, he knew Olesm\u2019s name and took an interest in Olesm\u2019s life.<\/p>\n The younger [Strategist] had no idea why, but Ilvriss had taken an interest in him and treated him almost like a prot\u00e9g\u00e9 at times. Like now, in fact. Ilvriss came to a decision and nodded brusquely at Olesm.<\/p>\n \u201cAllow me to lend you my personal assistant. We can discuss a moderate fee for the transaction later, but I think this would be a useful instructive moment. Assuming you don\u2019t object to slightly lower-quality work?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? No, not at all! I\u2019d be honored!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWall Lord! I\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Rissa cut off as Ilvriss gave her a cool glance. Too cool, in fact. Cold. Olesm wished he could give someone that look on command. Ilvriss snapped his fingers gently.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Inkscale, I\u2019d like to request your services for a series of prints. Monster sketches, mainly. The copies of which I have\u2026here.\u201d<\/p>\n He placed a sheaf of sketches, all on snow-white paper, on Rissa\u2019s desk. The [Scribe] blinked, and Olesm caught a glimpse of several disturbing creatures as she paged through them. They looked like crude illustrations drawn by someone with no talent. Even so, they looked quite disturbing. And undead. Ilvriss tapped the papers.<\/p>\n \u201cI know you\u2019re no [Artist], but I\u2019m told you have the [Illustrator\u2019s Vision] Skill. Are you able to see the intention behind these?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2014yes, Wall Lord. Horrific beasts. Still sketches, though. I\u2019m getting imaginative images rather than anything concrete. Whoever made these didn\u2019t see them, only heard them, I\u2019m afraid.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what I expected. Nevertheless, if you\u2019d be able to transcribe the internal images, I\u2019d be most grateful. By tonight? I will pay for speed, hard work, and exclusivity.\u201d<\/p>\n Rissa blushed a bit. She straightened and looked at Ilvriss.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, Wall Lord. It would be my honor. I can have the sketches done by then. In color?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI understand there\u2019s very little. Black ink will suffice. My assistant will come by sundown to collect them. Good day. Swifttail? With me.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss gave Rissa a slight bow and a smile that had her blushing. Then he swept out of her shop. Olesm, in awe, watched him go. Then he saw Rissa glance at him.<\/p>\n \u201cWell? What are you standing around here for?\u201d<\/p>\n She snapped at him. He jumped and hurried out after Ilvriss. The Wall Lord was waiting for him. Olesm had to admire that. He\u2019d gone in there, hadn\u2019t haggled, just made his request and left. He wondered if money was even an obstacle for Ilvriss. Would Rissa even overcharge him? A Wall Lord?<\/p>\n \u201cI hope I didn\u2019t interfere too much, Swifttail.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss glanced at Olesm. The [Strategist] blushed again.<\/p>\n \u201cNot at all, Wall Lord. It was my fault. I didn\u2019t realize my magazines were so\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Valuable?<\/em> It felt ridiculous to say that to Ilvriss, who had gemstone rings on his claws and wore silk<\/em> clothing day to day. But the Wall Lord only nodded as if it were reasonable.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s hard to appraise the value of something new. Your magazine is a new commodity, but, I think, gaining in worth. You\u2019re aware the Titan of Baleros praised it? That alone makes its earning potential substantially higher. From what I heard, you\u2019re aware you should be making it exclusive?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, yes\u2014I just met with Hawk, actually. And he said\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm hurried after Ilvriss, talking quickly and summarizing his chat with the Courier. Ilvriss nodded. He was leading Olesm back down the street, towards the City Hall. It was slow going, even though both Drakes knew where they were going. That was because Ilvriss had to stop every few seconds to greet someone.<\/p>\n \u201cMister Rekil. A pleasure to meet you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood day, Miss. And who is this young one?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGuildmistress Tekshia. An honor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWall Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n The old Drake was still sitting with her two companions. One of the old male Drakes looked up, munching on some kind of pretzel.<\/p>\n \u201cIs that Wall Lord Ilvriss? Fine fellow! Good job on those Walled Cities, young Drake! I visited Salazsar once. Beautiful place. You still mining those gemstones?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs always, Mister\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRudss.\u201d<\/p>\n The old Drake extended a claw, and Ilvriss shook it. The Wall Lord nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cGemstone mining, magical or not, has always been Salazsar\u2019s greatest source of income. Our mines are actually expanding, in fact. We\u2019re looking into claiming some new areas for forge work. Steel, armor, and weapons to go along with our magical productions.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh, but Pallass has the best steel, or so they say. That was how it always was. Pallass for steel and potions, Salazsar for gems. Oteslia was where you ate, and Zeres from where you sailed. You went to Fissival if you wanted to learn magic and not go to Wistram, and Manus to become an expert warrior. But now Salazsar wants gems and<\/em> steel? That\u2019s risky, that is. You tell the other Wall Lords it\u2019s not easy upsetting history like that.\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm winced. Rudss was an old Drake, one of the retired veterans from Liscor\u2019s army who could live off his savings and pension. He was the kind who sat about and had an opinion on everything. But this was Ilvriss<\/em> he was jawing off to. But Ilvriss didn\u2019t seem to mind. The Wall Lord smiled a bit as he nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be sure to pass that on to my companions, Mister Rudss. And I hope that if you ever come to Salazsar, you find your stay pleasant. Guildmistress Tekshia? A pleasure.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood day, Wall Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n The elderly Drake inclined her head. Ilvriss walked past her. Olesm, following, could hear Rudss talking loudly to the other two.<\/p>\n \u201cSee? That was a proper Wall Lord. Always time to talk. Not like those stuck up [Senators] from Pallass. They had their Wall Lords and nobles\u2014still do\u2014but are they running things? Not likely! And look where it\u2019s got Pallass. No, you want a proper city? You let them run things\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs<\/em> Salazsar looking into investing into arms manufacturing, sir?\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm glanced up at Ilvriss. The Wall Lord smiled slightly.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been an ongoing topic for the last six years. And it\u2019s a nice topic to bring up, Swifttail. But frankly? We might poach a few [Smiths], but we\u2019re not looking to fight in that area. Panicking Pallass is always worthwhile, however. Because if we wanted<\/em> to, we could entice some of their best [Smiths] away.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh. Of course.\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm nodded. It was a known fact that of the six Walled Cities, Salazsar was richest by far. Not that any of the Walled Cities were poor<\/em>, but Oteslia, famed for its agricultural and pastoral harvests, wasn\u2019t nearly as affluent as Salazsar, who provided gemstones to much of the world. Even Pallass, the famed City of Invention, couldn\u2019t compete with Salazsar\u2019s sheer economic might.<\/p>\n \u201cFrankly, it might be worth doing. They have two high-level [Smiths] in Pallass from last I recall. You wouldn\u2019t happen to recall the names, would you, young Olesm?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHm. Maughin the Dullahan of Baleros and, uh, Pelt the Dwarf of Terandria, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm knew a lot of facts about politics, people of note, and monsters in general. A [Strategist] had to understand not only politics, but remember high-level individuals who could literally turn the tide of battle. And both [Smiths] certainly qualified. Ilvriss snapped his claws.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course. Thank you. Yes, both [Smiths] are quite good. Neither one is world-famous, but I\u2019ve heard Maughin may hit Level 40 within the decade. As for Pelt\u2026I recall reading a report claiming his Skills indicate he\u2019s at least Level 40 already. Why the Dwarves would have let him go\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cProbably his habits, sir. He\u2019s a notorious drunk, and his work ethic is quite poor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll the more reason why Salazsar could easily poach him. A Level 40 [Blacksmith], even a poor one, is a rare commodity, Olesm. Baleros has a few, and so does Izril, but Chandrar and Terandria both lay claim to more. Dwarven steel still claims a sizable portion of even Pallass\u2019 markets, and Chandrar always has some rare pieces, although their [Smiths] are hardly as organized or well-funded. Desert tribes somehow produce unparalleled masterpieces, but they can\u2019t compare with the sheer volume of Pallass\u2019 forges.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m aware of the disparity, Ilvriss, sir. Are you suggesting we need higher-quality weapons?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMm. No. A Level 10 [Soldier] doesn\u2019t do particularly better with a masterwork spear in his hands. Cheap steel like Pallass provides is more advantageous, and we can equip our soldiers better than the north. But they have their [Knights] who use magical gear that tip the scales. It\u2019s my opinion we need more elites, and not just Oldblood Drakes. Hence my interest in [Smiths].\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally? But, Wall Lord, traditionally our elite units have taken a backseat to high-quality standing armies.\u201d<\/p>\n That was the notable difference between Human doctrine and Drake when it came to war. Humans favored elite attack forces and disposable infantry. Their [Knights] were a terror on the battlefield, as were their [Mages] and Gold-rank adventurers, but Drakes had won battles based on their superior general forces and [Generals]. The claim was that a Drake [Soldier] was worth one and a half Human [Soldiers] in a massed battle. But Ilvriss was shaking his head.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been\u2026thinking on the subject. And our standing armies need more elite forces, Olesm. To hunt monsters, to battle incredible foes\u2014steel and courage only go so far.\u201d<\/p>\n That was true, but it was still an unusual stance for Ilvriss to take. Olesm hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cDoes that have anything to do with the pictures you gave Miss Rissa, sir?\u201d<\/p>\n He saw Ilvriss give him a sharp glance. The Wall Lord frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cThose? Those were merely sketches, Olesm. Reproductions of\u2026well, monsters I\u2019d heard about. Hardly my concern. I was more speaking to the loss at the Blood Fields.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm nodded. But he thought, privately, that Ilvriss had hesitated for a second. Still, the Wall Lord was all cool grace as he swept into the City Hall, and Olesm wondered if he\u2019d imagined it. It was hard to read Ilvriss.<\/p>\n The City Hall of Liscor had traditionally been a place to settle complaints, for the Council to meet, and for officials like Olesm to work. It had been a quiet place, for all it occupied a spot in the center of the city. The Council of Liscor, a body of the heads of the Guilds and so on, were happy that way. But of late, it had seen a lot of use. And with Ilvriss stranded in Liscor, he\u2019d practically taken over the place.<\/p>\n A pair of Drakes, Ilvriss\u2019 personal guards, stood at the front doors. The instant the Wall Lord entered, a female Drake hurried down the steps. She was attractive and had a pair of spectacles on. Olesm had noted that everyone in Ilvriss\u2019 employ tended to some degree of perfection. Whether in beauty or, in the case of his personal guards in his retinue, skill at arms.<\/p>\n \u201cWall Lord. Orders?\u201d<\/p>\n The female Drake paused before Ilvriss, glancing at Olesm. Ilvriss nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cWelsca, make a note to pick up the sketches at Miss Rissa Inkscale\u2019s at sundown. Until then, I have need of your services. Young Olesm has his latest chess magazine finished. He requires copies. How many, Olesm?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Strategist] cringed as the female Drake, Welsca Crimsonscale, one of Ilvriss\u2019 personal adjutants, glanced at him. She didn\u2019t look exactly hostile, but he had a feeling that she outranked him as the personal aide of Ilvriss. And here he was giving her work.<\/p>\n \u201cEr, I was hoping for sixty copies, Wall Lord. But I\u2019d hate to\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan you have them done, Welsca? The issue is having them copied.\u201d<\/p>\n Welsca pursed her lips.<\/p>\n \u201cI can, Wall Lord. But I\u2019d need to hire at least one [Scribe]. It would be a simple matter if they\u2019re trustworthy. Have you a name I could use, Strategist Olesm?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEr, yes, I do. There\u2019s a Gnoll by the name of Jeckl who\u2019s very reasonable\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will see to it, then. May I see the papers?\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake paged through the reports, eyes flicking over the pages busily. Ilvriss glanced at them with some interest.<\/p>\n \u201cAh. Interesting chess games. Am I right in thinking they come from Miss Solstice, Olesm?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Strategist] coughed hurriedly. He didn\u2019t want anyone to know that Erin was his mysterious chess master, but Ilvriss was bound to know.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t find the game as fascinating as others, but I can admire skill. I had some notion of Miss Solstice\u2019s skill in the area but\u2026how would you rate her, Welsca? Welsca?\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake jumped. Olesm thought the red scales on her cheeks turned slightly darker for a second, but like Ilvriss, her expression was almost instantly neutral.<\/p>\n \u201cApologies, Wall Lord. These are magnificent games. Truly\u2026and there\u2019s even commentary on this new \u2018Go\u2019 game. Which was first released in your last issue, isn\u2019t that so, Strategist Olesm?\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at Olesm. He jumped.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right! How did you\u2014er, you read the magazines?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI believe Welsca is quite good at chess. As for Go\u2014will they sell well, Welsca?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh yes, Wall Lord. Quite well. Although\u2014the last section is controversial.\u201d<\/p>\n She handed Ilvriss the section with maps. Olesm cringed. That was the last part of his magazine. He\u2019d included chess games, the games of Go and strategies Erin had outlined for him, but the part about Liscor\u2019s siege\u2026he watched as Ilvriss read quickly. The Wall Lord\u2019s brows raised.<\/p>\n \u201cAh. I see. That is notable. Olesm, you understand this will provoke a reaction?\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm took a deep breath. He\u2019d written about Goblins. His opinions, as well as his insights. He\u2019d made it\u2014well, he\u2019d been honest to how he felt. If anyone had a problem, it was his<\/em> magazine, not his stance as Liscor\u2019s [Strategist].<\/p>\n \u201cI do, Wall Lord. But I feel it\u2019s only right. I mean\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He floundered, but Ilvriss was nodding.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t say I disagree. A bold choice. Welsca, copy it. Young Swifttail may account for his own words, especially as a [Strategist].\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBy your leave, Wall Lord. Although I will correct some of the spelling errors. And the maneuver employed during the Raskghar battle was a triple flanking maneuver, but the formal term is a triple envelopment.\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm blushed as Welsca pointed out the mistakes. She nodded at him and left with the copy Jeckl had made. Ilvriss had Olesm\u2019s original. He chuckled at the look on Olesm\u2019s face.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry, Swifttail. Welsca is a fan, though she\u2019d hardly admit it. And she is<\/em> an active [Strategist].\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe is?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm twisted to stare at Welsca\u2019s back. Ilvriss nodded calmly.<\/p>\n \u201cA former field officer in Eartiv\u2019s army. I recruited her, oh, twelve years back. She\u2019s currently a [Veteran Adjutant], a straight promotion over her [Strategist] class, but perhaps not one with as much room for advancement. Nevertheless, she\u2019s my best staff member in terms of coordination. You\u2019re aware of the [Adjutant] class? Up the stairs to my office.\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm followed Ilvriss up the staircase.<\/p>\n \u201cVaguely, sir. [Adjutants] are a mix of, er, [Secretary] and [Soldier], aren\u2019t they?\u201d<\/p>\n The real phrase Olesm had been thinking of was \u2018Combat Secretaries\u2019, although that was more of an insult. Ilvriss nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cCorrect. They\u2019re able to fight, but they receive a number of utility Skills that allow them to perform a [Secretary]\u2019s role. Welsca will be able to get your copies made, and she\u2019s knowledgeable enough to aid in battle. You\u2019re aware the rest of my retinue are former officers as well?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, sir. A Wall Lord\u2019s escort is generally considered to be the equivalent of an officer base. A dangerous addition to any army.\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm spoke up, reciting his lesson from memory. He saw Ilvriss smile.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, so long as the Wall Lord is capable. Now, about your magazines\u2026ah. Captain Shieldscale. A moment.\u201d<\/p>\n They were striding along the third floor to the office that Ilvriss now occupied when they met a Drake in armor. Olesm stopped, blinking at the Drake striding towards them. Like him, she had scales, but hers were bright blue, almost too bright. She had the posture of a career soldier, but unlike Embria, she had wings and an acrid odor about her.<\/p>\n Oldblood. <\/em>Like how Zevara always smelled a bit smoky, Olesm was sure that this Drake was an Oldblood capable of both flight and breathing acid. The rarest of the varieties of Oldblood Drake and highly prized in any city. She stopped in front of Ilvriss and gave him a crisp salute. She was wearing fresh armor, and unlike Olesm and the Wall Lord, she was armed with a sword and shield and in full battle gear despite being in the City Hall.<\/p>\n \u201cWall Lord. I was coming to see you as per your instructions. Is there a change in scheduling?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSlightly, Captain Shieldscale. I\u2019m assisting young Olesm with an issue. We will be only a few minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, sir! I\u2019ll await your call.\u201d<\/p>\n She stepped to one side, opening the door to Ilvriss\u2019 office smartly. Ilvriss nodded at her and strode in. Olesm did likewise after giving the Captain a longer look. He\u2019d met her once before; she\u2019d turned up after the battle for Liscor. One of the reinforcements sent through from Pallass, maybe.<\/p>\n She was intense<\/em>. And her scales were very bright. Olesm wondered if she was one of those people who dyed her scales. Maybe she had an unfortunate coloration?<\/p>\n \u201cUh, is Captain Shieldscale a new addition to your retinue, Wall Lord?\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss was rummaging around in his desk. He glanced up, and Olesm definitely saw him hesitate.<\/p>\n \u201cHer? Ah, yes. Osth\u2014Osthmissa <\/em>Shieldscale arrived with a detachment from Pallass. Although our relationship is too formal for personal names. Ahem. She\u2019ll be serving as added security. She\u2019s a quite adept [Captain] of the Oldblood. But I digress. We\u2019re here to ensure your magazines earn their full worth. That means your initial sending will go via Hawk, who is trustworthy, to some of your clientele in the south. But I assume some will go north, too?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right. But I don\u2019t know how I can prevent the City Runners from just copying them at Celum and selling them\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm sighed. Ilvriss smiled slightly.<\/p>\n \u201cCourier Hawk had the right idea. An initial, limited run keeps the price high until you mass-produce copies. Hiring trustworthy Runners and making sure that they understand this is<\/em> a confidential delivery helps. But to ensure no copies are leaked\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He was pulling objects out of the desk and setting them on the counter. Olesm saw him pull a piece of wax out that had glittering flakes embedded in it. To his eyes, it looked magical, not to mention expensive. Ilvriss muttered to himself.<\/p>\n \u201cMagical sealing wax and\u2026where\u2019s the flashfire dust? Captain Shieldscale?\u201d<\/p>\n He called out and the door opened slightly as a female voice replied.<\/p>\n \u201cTop drawer, sir. The sealed box. You have two seconds.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss pulled out a box. Then he looked at Olesm.<\/p>\n \u201cAs Welsca will be making more copies, I\u2019ll brief you on how to make these letters and lend you the wax and dust to work at your leisure. Hawk need not take these letters as he is a trustworthy Courier, but for the ones going north\u2026observe.\u201d<\/p>\n He took the loose papers of Olesm\u2019s magazine, inserted them into a large envelope. Then he pointed to the box.<\/p>\n \u201cTwo seconds.\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm saw him flip up the lid, scoop up a handful of a strange, red dust, slap the lid shut, and pour it into the envelope. Instantly, Ilvriss sealed the lid. Olesm blinked. There was a trace of powder on Ilvriss\u2019 claws, and it turned to smoke after a moment.<\/p>\n \u201cFlashfire dust?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIncinerates in the open after two seconds. Anyone opening the envelope will have it ignite. Be sure to press the envelope flat<\/em> or the air will ignite the dust. And then the wax\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n There was no licking of the top of the envelope to stick it to the paper like there would be in Erin\u2019s world. Instead, Ilvriss used the wax he\u2019d taken, using a candle to drip it onto the envelope. Ilvriss let the wax harden and then pressed one of his rings into the wax. It left a distinct imprint, and the red wax sprinkled with gold shone as Ilvriss held the envelope out. The Wall Lord studied it with satisfaction, then blinked at his ring and laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cI put my seal on it! Force of habit, Swifttail. But you see? The magical seal can\u2019t be removed without destroying it or the envelope. And if they do get the letter open\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe dust incinerates it. That\u2019s a lot of expense, though, Sir Ilvriss! And what happens if it gets to my, uh, readers? How will they open it? And the cost\u2014I couldn\u2019t possibly pay for\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm broke off as Ilvriss held up a claw. The Wall Lord smiled somewhat affectionately.<\/p>\n \u201cNonsense, Swifttail. These are simple tricks of the trade. As a [Strategist], I expect Liscor would want you to understand as much of your job as possible. Possibly they\u2019d send you with their army for field training, but I find [Strategists] who only understand war lack civic training to an alarming degree. You\u2019re familiar with the various countermeasures against spying?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, of course. Codes, incomplete messages, and direct delivery versus [Messages]. But this\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cConsider it a gift. For one of your magazines? Welsca will enjoy reading it. And this should do for the first batch of exclusive sendings. In a few days\u2019 time, it will be moot, but until then, this will prevent tampering until it reaches the intended owners. Naturally, you\u2019ll need to send them a [Message] spell informing them of the countermeasures\u2014the local Runner\u2019s Guild can extract the documents safely.\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm gulped, but what could he do but nod in the face of Ilvriss\u2019 generosity? Private [Messages] where you pay for privacy, exclusive, trustworthy City Runners\u2026Olesm gulped as he added up the costs. But if Hawk was paying two gold<\/em> per magazine issue, and if he received the same\u2026would his readers pay the cost? Olesm had no idea.<\/p>\n \u201cHere. Your first letter and the wax and box.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss handed all three to Olesm. The [Strategist] stammered his thanks, but Ilvriss waved it away.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s nothing. A trifle.\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm was sure that was true for Ilvriss. But he thanked him again. Ilvriss smiled, and Olesm thought he seemed genuinely pleased to have helped Olesm. That gave the [Strategist] the courage to ask another question.<\/p>\n \u201cEr, Wall Lord, you\u2019ve been nothing but an asset to Liscor. But I can\u2019t help but notice you\u2019ve stayed here for quite some time. When you and General Shivertail\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He broke off, the memory of the famed Zel Shivertail still fresh. Ilvriss nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cGo on.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014When you and General Shivertail got here, you told the Council you\u2019d only stay for a while. And you\u2019ve told me you wish to return to your Walled City. Are your plans changed?\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss\u2019 smile twisted. He sat down in his chair.<\/p>\n \u201cHardly. But I need to get through Pallass, Olesm. I\u2019m sure you\u2019re aware of the difficulties I face any other way now. If I had left earlier during the winter\u2026but now the Blood Fields are active. It was well I stayed, but politics are holding me in Liscor, and that<\/em> is a problem I wish to resolve. Quicker than ever.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Assembly still won\u2019t grant you passage through Pallass?\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm was surprised, but only a bit. Drake politics got petty, and Pallass was quite capable of refusing Ilvriss entry. Still, it was hard to imagine they could do this forever, especially since Ilvriss had the credit for helping Liscor repel both the monsters and the Humans. The Wall Lord grimaced.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re exercising their one right in this situation\u2014their right to allow entry into their city. But that\u2019s about to end. Naturally, I won\u2019t tolerate this state of affairs, Olesm. But Pallass does hold the advantage since I am alone. A rare change of events for them, I\u2019m sure. But not to last much longer.\u201d<\/p>\n That sounded ominous. Olesm gulped.<\/p>\n \u201cUh, as Liscor\u2019s [Strategist], may I ask what you intend to do, Wall Lord? It\u2019s hardly advantageous for Liscor to be caught between Walled Cities.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss blinked. Then he laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry, Swifttail. I\u2019m hardly about to start a huge incident. Underhanded pettiness requires a reply in kind. Thus, I\u2019m sending Erin Solstice after them, of course. Or haven\u2019t you heard that the Assembly of Crafts is already having to explain a tax on Liscor\u2019s magic doorway?\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm hadn\u2019t. But he gulped anyways. Pallass might be a Walled City, but he imagined Erin was a match for it. Ilvriss grinned predatorily.<\/p>\n \u201cMail your magazine out, Swifttail. And send Captain Shieldscale to me, would you? I do hope your magazine is well received. How many readers did you say you had?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not sure, Wall Lord. I\u2019ll be sending the, uh, first sixty to my readers on my list. As for the others\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm had gotten a lot of mail from people before all this business with the dungeon. He hoped to get more. Apparently a lot of people read his magazine, but his reading list\u2014the people he\u2019d be mailing to, sometimes free of charge\u2014was very short.<\/p>\n There were about forty-five names on the list. Friends, [Strategists] and [Tacticians] he knew or who had asked to be put on there\u2014it seemed like the rest had acquired copies of his magazine through other channels. Olesm felt another bit of spite and jealousy rise up in him, thinking of his<\/em> work being stolen! Stolen without him earning a copper coin!<\/p>\n But the names of two of his readers calmed Olesm down as he left Ilvriss\u2019 office. One of them was a legend. Niers Astoragon, who would be getting a [Message] spell and a physical copy by Courier and damn however much it cost. And one more name. But Olesm was too cowardly to give it to her in person, so he sent it the only other way he could.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Ilvriss, Wall Lord of Salazsar, sat in his office as he watched Olesm leave. He frowned, listening to Olesm speak to Captain Shieldscale outside, and then hurry off. He leaned back in his chair.<\/p>\n \u201cHm. Interesting.\u201d<\/p>\n He didn\u2019t have long to think on what Olesm had asked him, though. The door opened a beat later.<\/p>\n \u201cWall Lord? The [Strategist] told me\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCome in, Captain Shieldscale.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss called out loudly. He saw the door open fully. Captain Shieldscale, her scales bright blue, her breastplate gleaming, strode into the room and closed the door behind her. Ilvriss nodded. He spoke casually as he twisted a ring on his finger.<\/p>\n \u201cAh, Captain. You have the report on Liscor\u2019s\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The ring on Ilvriss\u2019 ring finger twisted all the way around, and the turquoise gem flashed<\/em>. The light wasn\u2019t a single glare though; it seemed to expand in an instant, filling the room until there was a bubble nearly touching the walls. Just for a moment, and then it was gone. Ilvriss sat up, leaving off the last of whatever sentence he\u2019d been about to make up. And \u2018Captain Shieldscale\u2019, or rather, Osthia Blackwing, relaxed slightly.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re clear?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy ring is active. Unless someone\u2019s capable of piercing a bound Tier 5 [Denial] spell, we should be invisible.\u201d<\/p>\n Osthia Blackwing scratched at her bright blue, artificially colored scales.<\/p>\n \u201cHe<\/em> could do it. I\u2019m sure he could. Reiss\u2014the Goblin Lord was sure that his master could cast at least<\/em> Tier 7 spells. Probably Tier 8.\u201d<\/p>\n The thought of that made Ilvriss\u2019 insides clench, but he spoke briskly.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m aware. But [Denial of Observation] is a specific spell that can fight off even a higher-level scrying spell. I\u2019m not aware of any spell short of a truly epic magic that can pierce it, and if Az\u2019kerash has such spells, he is already aware of us. Since we\u2019re both still alive, I assume it\u2019s working. Have a seat.\u201d<\/p>\n There was a beat of hesitation, and then Osthia pulled up the chair and sat. Her back was rigid, and her posture military-straight. Ilvriss eyed her. She was nothing like the desperate Drake he\u2019d found running towards Liscor in the hours after the Goblin Lord\u2019s army had been routed. Gone were the shackles on her wings, and her atrophied muscles had bounced right back. Now she looked like what she was\u2014a former officer of Pallass. An Oldblood [Captain] in Pallass\u2019 army, in fact, one of two sent to destroy the Goblin Lord months ago. Her entire army had fallen, and her uncle, Thrissiam Blackwing, one of Pallass\u2019 star [Generals], had been slain there. Osthia had never had a chance to avenge him, but she had survived her captivity.<\/p>\n She was different now, of course. They\u2019d dyed her scales blue instead of black and given her a fake name. She was\u2026damn, what had he told Olesm her name was? Osthmissa Shieldscale. Ilvriss hoped the cover was unnecessary. With luck, Az\u2019kerash would assume she was dead or not remember her. But even so, he double-checked that his ring was still active before he spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cWell? What\u2019s the result of your investigation?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI made the inquiries like you asked, Wall Lord. I can trace the origin of Regrika Blackpaw and all the cities she\u2019s visited\u2014and the deaths of notable personages around that time\u2014to every city in the last six years. If I correlate the two, half of the cities she\u2019s visited had a person of note pass away or disappear under dubious circumstances.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAncestors damn it.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss closed his eyes and struck the armrest of his chair. He stared past Osthia, gritting his teeth. Regrika Blackpaw, the fake Named Adventurer. A strange, mysterious murderer that Erin Solstice had revealed to be behind the murder of Brunkr\u2014and then, subsequently, Ulrien of Griffon Hunt. There was a bounty on her head, but Ilvriss was sure no one would ever claim it.<\/p>\n Because, as it turned out, Regrika Blackpaw was no Gnoll after all. She was an undead servant. One of the minions of Az\u2019kerash, the Necromancer. A being thought dead, but who Ilvriss was now completely certain was alive. The same monster behind the Goblin Lord. And behind the death of General Zel Shivertail.<\/p>\n No one knew that he was alive. Everyone had assumed that Az\u2019kerash, the bane of Terandria, a being of incredible power, had been slain at Liscor by Zel Shivertail himself during the Second Antinium War. It wasn\u2019t a stretch of an assumption to make either; thousands had seen Zel rip<\/em> the Necromancer in half. But somehow he\u2019d survived. And he\u2019d been plotting and weakening the Drake cities since then.<\/p>\n \u201cIll enough news, I suppose. But we knew she\u2019d been killing high-level Drakes already. Shivertail and I had been making inquiries. But what about your second line of investigation?\u201d<\/p>\n Osthia nodded. She pulled something out and placed it on the table.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is the second investigation I conducted. A list of every city where an individual known as \u2018Perril Chandler\u2019 visited, ostensibly as a [Merchant].\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss ran his claw down the list.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd the second list?\u201d<\/p>\n Osthia\u2019s lips tightened.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery Drake person of interest who was present in two or more cities at the time of Perril Chandler\u2019s visit.\u201d<\/p>\n The list of names was eight long. Ilvriss wished there were far fewer. His claws tightened on the paper.<\/p>\n \u201cI recognize six of these names. Two of those\u2014two of those I know.\u201d<\/p>\n He could sense Osthia watching him carefully. She was an unknown quantity to him, and, he suspected, he to her. They were allies of convenience, but he was<\/em> a Wall Lord of Salazsar and she a [Captain] of Pallass. Technically, they\u2019d be enemies under some circumstances, but she was dead to her city. And dead to the world if Az\u2019kerash knew she yet lived. He thought he\u2019d killed her, but his apprentice, the Goblin Lord named Reiss, had conspired for her to live. For some reason.<\/p>\n \u201cThey could just be coincidental, Wall Lord. But I did check and double-check. All Drake cities keep lists of persons of interest as well as [Merchants] of note who enter, so\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I\u2019m aware. I don\u2019t imagine Az\u2019kerash knows of that protocol, or if he does, he was too arrogant in assuming no one would remember his name. Which no one did<\/em>\u2014these names. Each one will have to be investigated. Quietly.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m at your disposal.\u201d<\/p>\n Osthia sat up straighter. She was practically vibrating in her chair. Ilvriss glanced at her. He could feel it too. A boiling fury. An urge to grab his sword, put on his armor, and\u2014<\/p>\n But no.<\/em> No, it wasn\u2019t time. Osthia had a reason to hate Az\u2019kerash, but Ilvriss had just as much reason, if not more. Periss, his second-in-command, was dead. He\u2019d thought Ryoka Griffin had caused it somehow. But the truth was that she\u2019d stumbled onto Az\u2019kerash\u2019s lair. The Necromancer thought he\u2019d disposed of all the evidence. But through Ryoka, through Osthia, Ilvriss knew. So he was biding his time. He had to be patient. And so did she.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. Neither you nor I will be making the inquiries personally. And you will stay out of the public eye as much as possible. We return to Salazsar first. And then\u2014then we gather allies. I need to be secure in my estates, though. And that means our objective is to get past damned Pallass and the asinine Assembly of Crafts first.\u201d<\/p>\n He saw Osthia\u2019s eyes flash as he insulted her city to her face. She didn\u2019t say as much to him, though.<\/p>\n \u201cPallass is a proud Walled City. If you made a humble request\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPallass is as petty as any Drake city on the continent. I won\u2019t beg. For one thing, it\u2019s out of character. For another? The Assembly isn\u2019t a body of Drakes I trust. They might let me into the city, but I have political rivals who wouldn\u2019t hesitate to send [Assassins] if they saw an opportunity. No, I want to be past Pallass and heading to Salazsar without anyone knowing my exact timetable.\u201d<\/p>\n Osthia straightened.<\/p>\n \u201cThen what\u2019s my role? You\u2019ve taken me in, and I\u2019m grateful. But everyone needs to know that Az\u2019kerash\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. A select<\/em> number of individuals need to know. And that number is up to my discretion.\u201d<\/p>\n The two Drakes glared at each other across the desk. Osthia spoke slowly, her voice taut.<\/p>\n \u201cI did not survive my captivity to make this a political issue\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis is not<\/em> politics. This is about victory. If the Assembly of Crafts in Pallass were informed, I guarantee you that within the hour<\/em>, word would reach Az\u2019kerash. They are not subtle.<\/em> And it is my belief that Az\u2019kerash would welcome a war.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHis minions were damaged by Zel Shivertail. One was destroyed! Reiss said\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Goblin Lord<\/em> may have hated his master, but he is not in possession of all the facts. If Az\u2019kerash were to attack\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss was leaning over his desk, and Osthia was on her feet. The door opened, and a Drake hurried in.<\/p>\n \u201cWall Lord, I\u2019ve made two copies, but I saw fit to let the Gnoll [Scribe] do the rest of the work. It was easy enough to get him to swear to secrecy\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Welsca paused as she saw Ilvriss and Osthia facing off. She stared sharply at Osthia, who immediately stepped back. Ilvriss sat back down and coughed.<\/p>\n \u201cWelsca. You\u2019re early.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Wall Lord. My scribing Skills aren\u2019t good enough to do illustrations, merely quick writing. I saw fit to delegate. My apologies, I didn\u2019t hear anything\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Her eyes went to Ilvriss\u2019 glowing ring. The Wall Lord nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI was just discussing our plan of action with Captain Blackwing. However, your presence reminds me. Summon Veel, please, Welsca. I wish to make this a discussion rather than\u2026now, please.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Wall Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n Osthia sat back down, and Ilvriss collected his thoughts and calmed himself. Within the minute, Welsca was back, and Veel, a former [Sword Captain] and Ilvriss\u2019 best warrior in his small retinue, was in the room. Veel was a Level 26 [Sword Captain], a strong fighter with an enchanted blade, and Welsca was a former [Strategist], as Ilvriss had told Olesm.<\/p>\n Olesm was correct in that a few good adjutants could be the same as an officer core. An asset to any army or in times of peace, very capable help. What the Wall Lord hadn\u2019t said was that a retinue of a Wall Lord was still a retinue<\/em>. Ilvriss was higher level than all of his subordinates, and capable though they might be in all their fields, none of them was a Zel Shivertail. Or even a Periss. Zel could have torn Veel apart with one claw, and he was a better [General] than Ilvriss, even with Welsca\u2019s aid. He had been\u2026extraordinary.<\/p>\n Now he was dead. And one of the few people who could have stopped Az\u2019kerash on equal footing was gone. In his absence, Ilvriss felt vulnerable. As he explained to Osthia, his caution was not misplaced.<\/p>\n \u201cIn this room stands all but one<\/em> person who knows Az\u2019kerash is alive. Ryoka Griffin is aware, but to my knowledge, no other beings in the world know of Az\u2019kerash\u2019s return. Perhaps there are others and we may have allies, but until we know for certain they aren\u2019t the Necromancer\u2019s pawns, we operate alone.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd why aren\u2019t we telling more people? At least Watch Captain Zevara?\u201d<\/p>\n Osthia faced Ilvriss directly, refusing to use his rank. Welsca and Veel shot her dark looks, but Osthia wasn\u2019t Ilvriss\u2019 subordinate, for all she pretended to be. Ilvriss had to convince her, and the Wall Lord did.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause I cannot be sure who is trustworthy\u2014completely trustworthy. And second, because each person who knows is a liability that may lead to Az\u2019kerash becoming aware that his cover is gone. If that happens, we go to war. And that would be a deadly mistake. Isn\u2019t that so, Welsca?\u201d<\/p>\n The former [Strategist] nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not the right person to make the complete call on this, Wall Lord, Captain Blackwing. But I\u2019ve run the numbers, and Az\u2019kerash was capable of fielding at least four hundred thousand undead in a single army. He was routed by the Goblin King, but he still assailed Liscor with a smaller force and nearly won. Against<\/em> Liscor\u2019s walls with their entire army defending it and Zel Shivertail and three other [Generals] attacking him at the same time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut he\u2019s only one [Necromancer]. If the Walled Cities marched on him\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014the Antinium would hit us. It\u2019s not even a question of if, Blackwing. It\u2019s when.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss leaned on his desk. He stared at Osthia, who\u2019d grown pale.<\/p>\n \u201cYou might not have fought in the Second Antinium War, but I did. And believe me; the Grand Queen will attack if she thinks there\u2019s a weakness. And the Necromancer is that weakness. Between his armies and the Antinium, we could be fighting a losing battle. Our only hope is twofold: that Az\u2019kerash doesn\u2019t think he\u2019s strong enough to triumph yet, and that the Antinium are equally biding their time. But we must be ready for both to keep assailing us, or in the worst case, join forces.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo what\u2019s your plan? Hide the fact that Az\u2019kerash exists?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFrom everyone but a select few. And then we find out how many loyal Drakes he\u2019s gotten to. How wide-spread his allies might be. Regrika Blackpaw could not have existed without some corrupt officials covering her. As for killing Az\u2019kerash, we need to figure out a way to do that too. Captain Veel?\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake gulped and saluted. He was older than Osthia by a decade and a half, a seasoned warrior, but he still looked pale.<\/p>\n \u201cI agree with Welsca\u2019s determination, Wall Lord. I\u2026I did some thinking into how I\u2019d take out the Necromancer. Or just his minions based on what Captain Blackwing told me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd\u2026and had I all the resources at my disposal, sir, I\u2019d need a group of Level 30 plus adventurers, [Captains], and so on to take on the Chosen. Preferably around a hundred.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA hundred individuals over Level 30, Captain Veel?\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, sir. Or a Zel Shivertail. I tried running the numbers in my head. If I had elites, over Level 20\u2014but a thousand of them might get mowed down by that group. As for the Necromancer? The only way I could think of taking him out would be a massive army. Exhaust his spells, fight off the undead he animates\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut he\u2019d keep reanimating from our dead.\u201d<\/p>\n Veel nodded towards Welsca.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, he would. But unless you can call me three teams of Named Adventurers\u2014and even then, I\u2019d don\u2019t know if they\u2019d risk their lives against the Necromancer, let alone him and all his pets\u2014I can\u2019t think of a way to beat him short of vast numbers. He has<\/em> to be over Level 60.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReiss thought he was over Level 70 at least. Maybe over Level 80.\u201d<\/p>\n Osthia muttered. The room fell silent. Ilvriss felt his scales tingling.<\/p>\n Over Level 80. <\/em>He could think of no one, no one<\/em> in the world who was higher level than that. The Blighted King? The King of Destruction? The Archmages of Wistram? Niers Astoragon? All would be Level 60 to Level 70, but not higher than that.<\/p>\n Individuals capable of shaking the world reached Level 60. The kind of [Kings] who could build an empire the size of a continent, like Flos, the King of Destruction, were around that level. But beyond that?<\/p>\n Niers Astoragon, the Titan of Baleros, had become the head of one of the four Great Companies of Baleros, but Ilvriss would bet he wasn\u2019t over Level 70. Past that level was where stories of monsters and legends were born. The kind of old heroes, like Redcal, the Drake hero of legend who\u2019d slain the Minotaur King over a thousand years back.<\/p>\n Or Archmage Zelkyr, the last true [Archmage] of Wistram who\u2019d created an army of Golems that still protected Wistram to this day. They were powerful enough to be called armies on their own. And they could brush away armies of low-level soldiers like trash, even by the hundreds of thousands.<\/p>\n \u201cZel Shivertail defeated the Necromancer once.\u201d<\/p>\n Osthia spoke quietly. Ilvriss nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cHe did. He beat him with the aid of Antinium, in Liscor\u2019s darkest hour. Not a hundred feet from the walls of this city. In close-quarters combat. That was his strength. But the Necromancer is a\u2026[Necromancer]. And that means his servants are his strength. Recall that he had lost a good part of his army to the Goblin King. And he still brought giants of bone to assail Liscor. He could conjure ghosts and wraiths and undead far beyond mere Crypt Lords and Draug. His servants are an indication of his strength.\u201d<\/p>\n Welsca nodded, adjusting her spectacles.<\/p>\n \u201cIndeed. [Necromancers]\u2019 summoned creatures are generally weaker than the Necromancer in question by a substantive margin. The fact that his creation, this\u2026Venitra, could pose as a Named Adventurer speaks to his strength. And troublingly, I\u2019m not sure if she\u2019s stronger than the average Named Adventurer or weaker.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd he can make more. Which means every day we\u2019re not attacking him gives him more time!\u201d<\/p>\n Osthia slapped the table. Ilvriss nodded, waving Veel back as the Drake glowered.<\/p>\n \u201cTrue. But if we did corner Az\u2019kerash, even if we could fight the Antinium, Osthia, what\u2019s to stop him from escaping or faking his death if we corner him again? Remember. Zel Shivertail beat Az\u2019kerash once. And the Necromancer survived and came back. And he killed General Shivertail the second time.\u201d<\/p>\n Silence<\/em>. The other three Drakes stood with cold sweat on their scales. You couldn\u2019t forget that fact. The Goblin Lord hadn\u2019t killed Zel Shivertail. The Necromancer had. He\u2019d killed Zel and Periss. Two crimes Ilvriss intended him to answer for.<\/p>\n \u201cRealistically, Osthia Blackwing, this is my determination. As it stands, there is no force the Drakes can muster capable of killing the Necromancer. We might beat him in a war, but there is no team, no force<\/em> who can take out his Chosen, who can beat his undead creations in a battle. There are<\/em> individuals. Named Adventurers, teams, elites from Walled Cities\u2014but if it came to war, the Necromancer could pick them off, leave us with no one capable of killing him. That\u2019s what he\u2019s been doing all this time.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss walked around from behind his desk. Osthia, Welsca, and Veel followed him with their eyes. All were below Level 30. Ilvriss was below Level 40. He\u2019d always thought he could match Zel with his artifacts. That the other [General]\u2019s strength was nothing to a strong army, proper economic might. Now, Ilvriss wondered if Zel were laughing at him from beyond the grave.<\/p>\n No,<\/em> he\u2019d never laugh. Zel, give me strength. Periss\u2014<\/em><\/p>\n Ilvriss turned.<\/p>\n \u201cSo we need allies. I have a list of Drakes I want to approach. I have a list of Drakes I want to investigate. And I have a third list of artifacts, of old Drake legends. The Heartflame Breastplate appeared after Zel\u2019s death for a reason. It may not have protected him, but with other artifacts, with Drake heroes<\/em>, we might be able to form a force capable of humbling the Necromancer. And\u2026it pains me to say it, but it won\u2019t just be Drakes.\u201d<\/p>\n The others looked at Ilvriss sharply. The Wall Lord took a breath. He hated to say this out loud, but he had no choice.<\/p>\n \u201cIf it comes to it, we\u2019ll recruit from other species. There are\u2026individuals of note. Opportunities. But to start, to be in a position to build a force like that, I need to get back to my city. Captain Blackwing, you and I are on the same side. But make no mistake; I am still a Wall Lord, and this is my war to wage. If you object, say so now.\u201d<\/p>\n He waited. She hesitated, but said nothing. Ilvriss nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cGood. In that case, here\u2019s what I intend to do. First, I intend to make sure Liscor stays in a position of power. If we had to fight the damn Humans as well as the Necromancer and Antinium? No, Liscor must stand, and it has many individuals of note. Potential, in short.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs that why you\u2019ve been aiding Strategist Olesm, Wall Lord?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPartially. He has potential, Welsca. As does Watch Captain Zevara. A straightforward, trustworthy Drake. I\u2019m not sure about Wing Commander Embria, but the Gecko of Liscor actually fought<\/em> that thing called Venitra for a few seconds. But we can\u2019t recruit them. Liscor needs them, and it needs to grow from the dungeon. But I can<\/em> lend my aid, which I intend to do.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut you\u2019re still stuck here, aren\u2019t you, Wall Lord?\u201d<\/p>\n Osthia stared at Ilvriss. The Drake grinned, but it was mirthlessly.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I am. At least, that\u2019s what I\u2019ve been telling Swifttail and the world. I\u2019m still railing against Pallass, aren\u2019t I? But I have at least one asset I intend to make use of. Welsca? Do you have a copy of Olesm\u2019s magazine?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight here, sir. Would you like to discuss it? It\u2019s quite fascinating\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss sighed. Welsca did love chess.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, thank you. This isn\u2019t for me. It\u2019s for someone else.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNeed you an escort, sir?\u201d<\/p>\n Veel straightened. Perhaps he was ashamed of his estimation of Az\u2019kerash\u2019s strength, but Ilvriss waved a claw.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. She doesn\u2019t appreciate rank.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh, you\u2019re visiting her.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The other two Drakes sighed. Osthia looked confused. Ilvriss made a face that was partly over exaggerated, but he nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cCaptain Blackwing, I\u2019ll be back. I need to visit the first of what might be unusual allies. At the very least, she\u2019s thwarted Az\u2019kerash again. Which means that Erin Solstice has the support of Salazsar.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe [Innkeeper]? But what can she do?\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss turned, his claw on the door. He twisted the ring, and the spell went out. He smiled, for once with genuine humor.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know. But I imagine that\u2019s why she\u2019s an asset. No one<\/em> knows what she\u2019ll do next.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Magazines and chess. Ilvriss didn\u2019t actually like chess. But it occurred to him, finally, to wonder just how good Erin Solstice was. He stared at the young woman as she peered at the pages, oohing<\/em> at the neat chess notation. She was so engrossed that she completely ignored the Wall Lord. Until he coughed.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, sorry Ilvriss. This is some good stuff! Okay, a lot of it\u2019s my <\/em>stuff, but these two chess games are good! And Olesm has a chess puzzle! I can\u2019t wait to solve it. Don\u2019t know about the strategy, but he said\u2026nice things about the Goblins, I guess. Why didn\u2019t he deliver it himself?\u201d<\/p>\n There were a lot of things the Wall Lord could say as he sat at the table near the magic door in Erin\u2019s inn. He could have remarked on the lowered number of guests in her inn or her repeated use of his name rather than his title. But he declined to do so and replied politely instead.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe young Swifttail is ashamed to visit you. Perhaps owing to his involvement in the defense of Liscor\u2019s walls.\u201d<\/p>\n The happy look on Erin\u2019s face faded.<\/p>\n \u201cHe should be.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor doing what was asked of him?\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss lifted a brow. Erin stared at him.<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n The Wall Lord considered this and nodded slightly.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, he requested me to bring this to you. Which I did. Perhaps he will work up the courage to visit himself, but for now, I have a small piece of business with you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat have I done this time?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin sighed, putting her hands on her hips. Ilvriss reached for something in his pocket as he glanced towards the far end of the room.<\/p>\n Erin\u2019s [Grand Theatre] Skill was still in effect, and at the far end was the stage. And there were [Actors] on the stage, a motley Human crew with a few Drakes and Gnolls gathered around. Ilvriss nodded at them.<\/p>\n \u201cI take it you are resuming your plays?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYup. They\u2019re holding auditions for a new crew. Why? Wanna join?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin gave Ilvriss a smile that was either teasing or mocking. Or both. The Wall Lord snorted softly.<\/p>\n \u201cHardly. I see the quality of their acting has dropped markedly. Where\u2019s the young Drake who was there? She at least had a presence.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey left. Went north, I think. Better jobs. I\u2019m\u2026well, it\u2019s good for them.\u201d<\/p>\n The slight hurt on Erin\u2019s face was another thing Ilvriss didn\u2019t comment on. He sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cA pity. I might have hired them, if only as a novelty act myself.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat, to go to Salazsar? Aren\u2019t you still banned from Pallass?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, and I continue to protest the fact. But if I can direct your attention downwards?\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss held something up. Erin\u2019s eyes went round.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, that\u2019s\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOne of mine. I assure you. They aren\u2019t hard to come by, especially not for a Wall Lord of Salazsar. Nor is that door of yours hard to understand.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut wait. It\u2019s no good unless you have another\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHawk arranged it for me. Or did you think I would have simply hired him for one delivery? Rest assured, it is in a safe place. It only requires your discretion\u2014and permission\u2014for me to activate.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin stared at Ilvriss open-mouthed. Then her eyes narrowed. He wondered if she\u2019d be outraged or annoyed. Instead, to his surprise, she just grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re sneaky. Like a snake.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAn unquestionable insult. But I thank you nonetheless. May I assume I have your approval?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure\u2026but do you need a distraction or something? Because I can do a great distraction.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSpare me. Just a moment will suffice. If you\u2019ll allow me? Take the stone off, give me five minutes, and open the door again. I assume you can count?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin nodded. Then she narrowed her eyes and stuck her tongue out at him. Smiling to himself, Ilvriss stood up. Casually, he walked over to the door, placed the black mana stone he\u2019d shown Erin on it, opened the door, and slipped through.<\/p>\n There was no need for a distraction. After all, people used Erin\u2019s door all the time. And so what if the mana stone he had used was black? Who kept track of the colors? The door was open a fraction of a second for Ilvriss to slip through, then he closed it and knew he had five minutes before Erin would put the stone on it again and open the door.<\/p>\n Plenty of time. Ilvriss didn\u2019t know where he was now. It was dark, but he\u2019d made arrangements, so when he coughed, there was a spark of light.<\/p>\n \u201cApologies, Wall Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake who lit the lantern was neither tall nor short. Neither fat nor thin. He wasn\u2019t anything in particular, and it was hard to even remember his face. That was the quality of a good [Infiltrator]. Or [Spy]. Ilvriss wasn\u2019t sure which this Drake was, but he knew the name.<\/p>\n \u201cLawes of Pallass, I take it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStationed here at your orders, Wall Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake nodded to Ilvriss. The Wall Lord nodded back politely. He consulted the notes in his head.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re one of our operatives. Six years?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cComing on seven come fall. Yes, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss glanced around the room. It was small, made of stone and mortar. A hut? He continued making idle chatter, trying to gauge Lawes. The Drake was trustworthy, or Ilvriss would have walked into a trap, but you could never be too<\/em> sure of a spy, even an employed one.<\/p>\n \u201cHow long have you been waiting?\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake grimaced.<\/p>\n \u201cFour days. I rented this hut in the village on the pretext of needing to get away from the city on some real gambling debts. The Courier dropped off the stone, and it took me hours to locate it; a goat had picked up the bag. I assumed that was the reason for the delay.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh, my apologies. I wasn\u2019t able to access my side of the door until now due to complications with the owner. Can you keep guarding the door?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs long as need be, Wall Lord. But I was told to expect allies from your side?\u201d<\/p>\n Lawes looked sharply at Ilvriss. The Wall Lord nodded. He\u2019d said that, but he\u2019d come through first. If there had been a trap, Ilvriss would have wanted to spring it himself. He had enough artifacts to make any would-be ambushers regret it.<\/p>\n \u201cI will send through two of my men shortly. They\u2019ll occupy the hut. Unless people in the village would ask questions?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot if they stay in this room.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss nodded. It would be four of his people, and Veel would lead them.<\/p>\n \u201cIn that case, my next task is simple. I need ten horses, ready to go. Fast and with stamina\u2014I intend to head straight for Salazsar when I leave.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake [Spy] inhaled sharply.<\/p>\n \u201cIt won\u2019t be easy to procure them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou have time. Just do it covertly.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHm. I could make it seem like I\u2019m trying to get some horses and sell them to make up for my debts\u2026I\u2019ll have them in a few days.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss nodded. He was counting down in his head and knew he only had a few seconds left.<\/p>\n \u201cIn that case, I thank you for your service. My men will see you tonight. And I will commend your service upon my return to Salazsar with some suitable reward.\u201d<\/p>\n The door opened. Lawes bowed his head.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re too kind, Wall Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHardly.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss stepped back through. Erin blinked at him and then plucked the black mana stone from the door as the Wall Lord shut it. She handed it to him, and Ilvriss tucked it into his pocket.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, did you have fun? And where did you go?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSomewhere convenient. It will take me to Salazsar, assuming my contact isn\u2019t untrustworthy. I\u2019m still unsure, but Captain Veel will ensure that any traps will be dealt with. Should they occur.\u201d<\/p>\n The young woman shook her head as she eyed her shut door. After a second, it opened and Numbtongue strolled out, pickaxe in hand. He stopped, staring at Ilvriss. The Wall Lord eyed him and turned back to Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cI only hope you\u2019ll be discreet about this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? Oh, sure, sure. Hey, Numbtongue, how\u2019s it going?\u201d<\/p>\n The Goblin didn\u2019t reply. He was staring at Ilvriss. The Wall Lord glanced at him. He turned back to Erin, and the Hobgoblin walked around. Erin stepped back as Numbtongue moved between her and Ilvriss. The Drake stared at him.<\/p>\n \u201cI see you.\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue didn\u2019t budge. Ilvriss sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cNumbtongue.\u201d<\/p>\n At last, the Hobgoblin moved.<\/p>\n \u201cHi. Got more magic sludge.\u201d<\/p>\n At last, Numbtongue looked at Erin. He lifted a jar, the sight of which made Ilvriss turn his head and frown, and then wandered off to a table. The Drake blinked at the jar.<\/p>\n \u201cWas that\u2026raw magicore?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYup. Numbtongue mined the stuff. Or\u2026I dunno, scooped it up? Can you mine a liquid?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. But how did he\u2014never mind. I\u2019m afraid my stay in Liscor is now limited, Miss Solstice.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, you\u2019ll be back, won\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n The Wall Lord blinked. He looked at Erin, who was smiling up at him.<\/p>\n \u201cMy home is Salazsar, Miss Solstice. My sojourn in Liscor, although surprisingly pleasant, was just that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTrue. But I have a magic door, and you can always visit. Or I\u2019ll make it, uh, go farther. Or you could always ride back to Pallass. Don\u2019t be a stranger, right?\u201d<\/p>\n For a second, the Wall Lord just blinked at Erin. Then, surprisingly, he laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cAh, Erin Solstice. Perhaps I will return one day. But until then, I\u2019m afraid I will be going. For quite some time. And I\u2019m not sure whether I should thank you. Your company has been exceedingly unpleasant and, somehow, beneficial.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks?\u201d<\/p>\n She blinked up at him. And she was so young. Ilvriss bent down to her.<\/p>\n \u201cI will leave in three days. With no warning to Liscor\u2019s Council or anyone else. I expect Pallass won\u2019t even notice I\u2019m gone until I appear back in Salazsar. But perhaps, yes, perhaps I will<\/em> return. The door will stay in place, after all.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I\u2019ll check every day. Or maybe I\u2019ll just wait until you send me a [Message]. But if you need to come back, just let me know.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked up at him. Totally ignorant of what it meant to promise a Wall Lord of Salazsar to help him spite Pallass behind their backs. But that was why Ilvriss almost liked her. She didn\u2019t know who he was, even if she had guessed some of it. And he had guessed a lot about her. So, to her surprise and his, he held out a claw.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Solstice, we won\u2019t see each other until that night. So I bid you farewell.\u201d<\/p>\n Slowly, Erin reached out and took his clawed hand. She shook it gently, and he was surprised to see her tearing up a bit.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re going too? The other adventurers are leaving and\u2026well, good luck. You have to come back, alright?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will.\u201d<\/p>\n And somehow, he meant it. Ilvriss looked around the inn and thought of Liscor. A proper backwater city, notable only for being a border city to the north. Without a hundredth of the grandeur of Salazsar. Constantly imperiled by monsters. If he had thought of it a year ago, he would have sneered at the notion there was much of worth here. Now?<\/p>\n Now, he slowly reached for his left claw. Ilvriss absently tugged on one of his rings as he spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cI imagine Pallass will cause a fuss. But they won\u2019t figure out what was done, obvious though it may be, for quite some time. They have frail imaginations. I expect there will be some fuss, but I am sure you are quite capable of generating more than your fair share to offset the balance.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, definitely. Don\u2019t worry. I know you have a job.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin smiled wetly at Ilvriss. He smiled back. And he wished he had more time. But\u2014<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you come to Salazsar, speak my name and you will be welcomed. Until then, Erin Solstice, consider this a token of repayment. For the city, for hospitality. A sign, if anyone should ask. If you need it. Hide it. Show it when you need it. And never let it be said a Wall Lord isn\u2019t generous.\u201d<\/p>\n He handed her something. Erin blinked down at it. For a second, her eyes narrowed, then they widened.<\/p>\n \u201cBut\u2014hey! Ilvriss! Hold on\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n But he was already walking through the door again. For once he left her speechless.<\/p>\n Three days later, he was gone. On the fourth day, Erin Solstice heard a Wall Lord had appeared in his home city. Watch Captain Venim and the Assembly of Pallass were really<\/em> not happy about that. She had to slam the door on his foot twice and shout a lot. But they had no idea how Ilvriss had gotten through, and she could tell them it wasn\u2019t an [Invisibility] spell without lying.<\/p>\n Frail imaginations indeed. After they\u2019d left and the chaos had calmed down, and in the days since, Erin stared down at what Ilvriss had given her. It was a band of metal. Not half as well-adorned as his other rings or signets of his office. It had no gem. It wasn\u2019t even shiny.<\/p>\n It was a ring of copper. Copper. But someone had written on it in gold. And the engraving said one word:<\/p>\n Salazsar.<\/em><\/p>\n And when Erin looked at it, she knew it was more valuable than any of the magical rings with gems. She stared at it on her index finger where it fit perfectly. Then she shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cStupid Ilvriss. I\u2019m not marrying you. You can have it back when we see each other again.\u201d<\/p>\n And she swore, someday, that she\u2019d meet him again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Previous Chapter<\/a> Next Chapter<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Sweat rolled down the side of his face. It matted his fur, turned it darker. It dripped onto the stone floor. But of course, she couldn\u2019t smell it. She could hear him, but he made no sound as his face lowered towards the ground. Slowly. His arm compressed, and his body\u2014seemingly far too large to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":52856846,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"patreon-level":0,"patreon_level":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11693086,349],"tags":[],"twi_volume":[11693135],"twi_collection":[],"class_list":["post-5960","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-volume-6","category-writing"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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