\u201cYou lost your money pouch.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. Maybe. Perhaps. It might be down here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you really searching\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh dead gods, Venaz!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShut up, Marian. Move those hooves. I have to find my money pouch. I had a lot of gold in there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not worth looking through\u2014watch those hands!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am going to murder you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cVenaz, where were you? We saw you jump into the harbor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHmf. Hiding in an attic. I could ask you the same question, Umina. That is you, there, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course. We were in a ship\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t tell him that! We\u2019re competitors!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh? So you want to fight now, is it? I\u2019m willing to settle the score, Marian.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBig talk from a Minotaur crouched next to my right hoof. Forget about the money, Venaz. It\u2019s gone. You probably lost it in the harbor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going to kill you, Venaz. Do you hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen I\u2019ll go back and find it there. I have to have my bag of holding.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhoops! Hey! Watch the hands!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSorry. I\u2019m trying to kill the Minotaur.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe all want to kill the Minotaur. But\u2014wait. Hold on. You said you\u2019re a Runner? What\u2019s one of your lot doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI had a delivery for that Minotaur. Venaz. He dragged me into this.<\/em> I\u2019m going to kill him. Where is he?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHm. Not here\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGah!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSorry. Don\u2019t get near me. This is a very small space. And it stinks! My hooves are twitchy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUmina, you can cast magic. Light up this cesspit again.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHold on, Venaz. That patrol was hot on our heels. We have to keep hidden!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGah! Who\u2019s near my tail.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSorry. Where\u2019s Venaz?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOver there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, that\u2019s me.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh. Sorry, Umina.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll have your gold. I swear to you, Luan the Runner. Just give me a second\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlright, everyone shut up!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going to\u2014urk.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGah!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t kick me, Marian!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay. Okay. Everyone calm? Or do I need to kick you both again?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cVery well. Let\u2019s start from the beginning. Voices quiet. I think they\u2019re searching the apartments.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Quiet.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026oh no\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201c\u2026No one here! Damn those students. What do you think\u2014invisibility potion? Or\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Screamer Dust is off that group. Let\u2019s follow the sounds instead. Besides, did you see that Minotaur? Huge, ugly bastard. Venaz, I think. One of the Titan\u2019s top pet students. Not worth fighting that.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSteady, Venaz.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGet off me. I\u2019m going up there.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOver your dead body!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll help with that.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShh!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Nah. Let\u2019s go. Sorry for the bother, Miss. Alright, patrol! Let\u2019s\u2014holy Nagas, what the hell is\u2014run! Get out of\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026what luck! Is this a trick or..? \u2026shh\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI think they\u2019re gone.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo kidding? Wonder what scared them off?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe some students? Those clouds that Tulm the Mithril conjured?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCould be.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHmf. You should have let me go up there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd blow our cover? This is our<\/em> hiding spot, Venaz.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re welcome to it. I just followed you because I had no other choice. I want my bag of holding. I just need that money. Move over. I\u2019m still searching.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAw, Venaz\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI promised. I won\u2019t forswear myself. This is\u2014gah. I\u2019ve waded through monster stomachs cleaner than this!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cVenaz, stop. I\u2019m serious. You\u2019ll catch something, and you\u2019re about to throw up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShut up\u2014Umina. I promised. I need\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWill someone explain what\u2019s happening?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh! Sorry. I forgot you were here. Your name\u2019s\u2026Luan?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. What\u2019s going on? What were those clouds? Why is the harbor filled with warships?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Professor\u2019s playing a game. Haven\u2019t you heard?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cProfessor? What? No. You\u2019re making no sense.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSorry, I meant the Titan of Baleros.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about him?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUh\u2014this could be tricky. Well, let me put it this way. Do you know about the Forgotten Wing company?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA little.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRaise that hoof, Marian. I feel\u2014no. That\u2019s not gold.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cVenaz, stop<\/em>. Look, Mister Human. This is all a game.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWith magic fog, warships, and people trying to bash my skull in?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExplain. Please.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, let\u2019s start from the beginning. My name is Umina. I\u2019m a student of Niers Astoragon. The Titan. That\u2019s Marian, the Centauress who kicked you. And Venaz is the one on his hands and hooves.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll find that gold. You have my bag of holding?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. Okay, now what\u2019s this about a game\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n It was just a game. You could say that. Just a game. Why did it matter when there were people dying across the world? When monsters threatened lives, when war pressed down? There were some who would rail at the injustice. Why did a game matter? Why didn\u2019t the world care about what was truly important, what mattered?<\/em><\/p>\n And they were right. And wrong. Because it was a game, yes, one where no one was supposed to die. On the other hand, it was a game set up by the Titan of Baleros. On one side you had Tulm the Mithril, the Iron Vanguard, and against him you had a class of students, all trying to reach their Professor in a plaza. Trying to make it to a small circle ten feet by ten feet across, to win a prize like no other.<\/p>\n The truth. And a gift from the Titan\u2019s treasures. That alone made it a great game, one where the prize meant something. But the rest of it? The reason why the world watched?<\/p>\n Because it was real. It was true. The powers of the world, adults, rulers and leaders and monsters alike, watched children put everything they had on the line for victory. Striving, as hard as they could. And so was it a game or reality? A mix of both, perhaps.<\/p>\n It mattered. It mattered so much the losers wept. It mattered enough for an army to sail from Terandria. Now they clashed on the street, with [Soldiers] from the Forgotten Wing and Iron Vanguard. And those soldiers gritted their teeth and held their ground, fighting with blunted weapons, breaking bones, drawing blood. Because although it was a game, they had pride. They wanted to win.<\/p>\n They all did. You could see it in the students\u2019 eyes, hear it in their voices. The tremble, the longing.<\/p>\n Victory.<\/em><\/p>\n And that was why Luan could rationalize it all. He was standing up to his calves in\u2026muck. Excrement. He was, in fact, standing in a septic tank, a collective latrine used by the citizens of Daquin. He had seen the very same thing in Talenqual; the pits were filled, as it were, by a block or a few houses, and periodically emptied by [Nightmen], by [Scourers]\u2014those employed to take the collected matter. It was, after all, valuable in its way. You could use it as fertilizer.<\/p>\n But why anyone would stand here stretched the City Runner\u2019s belief. The South African man might well have believed this was all some prank, or that Venaz, the Minotaur breathing shallowly next to him, was entirely insane. Until he heard the Minotaur\u2019s voice. Until the Centauress, Marian, and the Lizardgirl, Umina, explained. Then he understood.<\/p>\n Not everything. The feud between the Titan and his student, the politics of the Iron Vanguard, the fact that these three [Strategists] were students at some kind of academy, and so on was a lot<\/em> to digest. But Luan already believed. Part of him already understood the important part. Because of who Luan was.<\/p>\n An athlete. An aspiring champion. Someone who competed in the truest sense of the world. He, Luan, had made his life\u2019s dream about victory. He had a window; his body would grow old, and he would lose his edge all too quickly. He could lose his chance thanks to injury, bad luck, any number of factors. But if he succeeded? If he trained until his sweat was blood? If he had the drive and will and courage?<\/p>\n He could have been the best in the world. Unmatched. Luan would have competed against the world\u2019s finest, in front of millions. And win or lose, he would still have numbered among the greatest in his sport, in what he did.<\/p>\n So yes, Luan understood what drove the students. Better than Ken could have. He listened as they told him why they were here. And he understood.<\/p>\n It still didn\u2019t make standing in sewage any more fun. But it stopped Luan from trying to kill Venaz. The Minotaur was doing the exact opposite of hyperventilating as he tried to search the waste he was standing in. Luan heard swearing, sounds of disgust, gagging\u2014until the [Rower] could bear it no more.<\/p>\n \u201cEnough. Stop looking around. You\u2019re not going to find it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have to have my bag of holding.\u201d<\/p>\n The Minotaur\u2019s voice was steady as he straightened. He was barely visible with the tiny crack of light that came from the privy above. Luan reached for the Minotaur\u2019s possession, the bag of holding.<\/p>\n \u201cTo win, yeah? Take it.\u201d<\/p>\n He offered it. Venaz hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cBut my gold\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll track you down after this. And if you don\u2019t pay me, I\u2019ll\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Luan hesitated. Threatening to break Venaz\u2019s legs or offer the Minotaur any kind of physical harm was ludicrous.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026I\u2019ll make sure the Runner\u2019s Guild hears all about this. But you want to win.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI must.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen\u2014here.\u201d<\/p>\n Luan held the bag of holding out. And the Minotaur hesitated again.<\/p>\n \u201cI should pay you first. This lacks credibility. You were right to demand your payment. It\u2019s dishonorable.\u201d<\/p>\n There was a plaintive note in his voice. Luan hesitated. He wondered what Ken would have said if he were here. If he had told Luan about Minotaurs\u2014but it was the competitor who spoke back to Venaz.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you want to win, or not? I don\u2019t know about your Professor or this grand secret. But do you want victory?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen take it.\u201d<\/p>\n Luan thrust the bag of holding out. It wasn\u2019t exactly light\u2014it felt like it was ten pounds of weight, despite being very small. It also felt full. But Luan hadn\u2019t undone the drawstring. He waited for a moment. Then there was a splash\u2014he felt a huge presence, and then a hand closed over his wrist. Venaz spoke softly.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n Luan didn\u2019t know what to say to that. Frankly, he was still angry. His boat was damaged, possibly sunk. He was covered in\u2014and he\u2019d been chased and nearly beaten black and blue by the soldiers on the street. But after his anger had faded and he\u2019d heard what was going on, the students\u2019 situation had impressed itself on him. He looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cSo you\u2019re all in the same class? The Titan\u2019s class?\u201d<\/p>\n The three shapes nodded. Luan tried to be suitably impressed. But even though he knew of the Titan of Baleros, he didn\u2019t know<\/em> the legends well enough to be in awe. And the three had done little to impress him. Now the Centaur shifted her hooves. She\u2014Marian\u2014spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re worried about Venaz paying you, don\u2019t be. He\u2019d rather drink this entire midden\u2019s contents than renege on his word. He\u2019ll pay you after this is over, Luan, is it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right.\u201d<\/p>\n Venaz made a snorting noise to Luan\u2019s right as he opened the bag of holding.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re exaggerating, Marian. If I had to choose between breaking my word over fifty gold pieces or drinking this filth, I\u2019d rather give up fifty gold. Kraken\u2019s tooth, but this is disgusting! Umina, what possessed you to hide here? I can\u2019t see anything either.\u201d<\/p>\n The Lizardgirl spoke up nervously. She had a higher-pitched voice, and from the way she shifted, was clearly more hesitant than her two companions. She sounded younger, too.<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2026it\u2019s a perfect hiding spot, isn\u2019t it? Short of magic, no one will even think to look here. Dogs won\u2019t sniff us out\u2014we could hide for a long time here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d rather be caught.\u201d<\/p>\n Marian groaned. She sounded faintly sick. Luan was trying not to breathe. The smell did not<\/em> get better over time. He looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I did my job. Can I leave now?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n All three students said it at once. Luan scowled.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll give us away. We need to win this thing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou mean, get to the center of the city and reach your Professor? Like a game of capture the flag?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHm? Well, I suppose so. It\u2019s a lot more involved than that. Did you notice the soldiers?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was nearly beaten<\/em> by the soldiers. What kind of game has people attacking City Runners and civilians?\u201d<\/p>\n Venaz grunted.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat kind of proper game wouldn\u2019t have that? Damn. I can\u2019t find\u2026Umina, can I get some light?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure. Just for a second. [Light].\u201d<\/p>\n The Lizardgirl cast a spell. A hovering orb of light illuminated their surroundings. Luan saw moldy, slimy wooden walls, the Lizardgirl, a Centauress standing next to her, Venaz, one filthy hand holding the bag of holding\u2014and then the [Rower] realized that Umina had illuminated what he was standing in.<\/p>\n He wished she hadn\u2019t. Luan looked down and retched<\/em>. It was semi-liquid, that was true. But there were\u2026crusts. Venaz made the same mistake and uttered an oath. Marian began dry-heaving.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry!\u201d<\/p>\n The light disappeared, but Luan had enough. He raised a hand, realized what was on it, and let it fall.<\/p>\n \u201cI wish to leave now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou can\u2019t. I\u2019m sorry, but we need a plan. Those mists rolled in moments after the Screamer Dust. Tulm the Mithril must have used one of his Skills, or his [Mages] conjured something incredible!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat was a Skill. [Cold Iron Mists] or something like it. A [Mage]-killer technique. Lesser artifacts and spells will fail inside of the fog. And we\u2019ll be weighed down. Not that it matters. I intend to move shortly. What of you two? We are competitors, but given what we\u2019re up against, I wouldn\u2019t mind teaming up.\u201d<\/p>\n Venaz was pulling something out of his bag of holding. Luan heard a clank<\/em> and then saw the Minotaur shifting. Venaz was lifting something up.<\/p>\n \u201cWatch out or I\u2019ll hit you.\u201d<\/p>\n Luan shifted back a few steps. Marian lifted a foot with a wet, sucking<\/em> sound.<\/p>\n \u201cUmina, both your ideas are good hiding places. And I think we could hide here for a good time. But we need to win, not just hide. That\u2019s the point of the game. We haven\u2019t figured out how to defeat the Iron Vanguard, but we won\u2019t manage it here. And frankly, if I have to stay here another minute longer than I have to, I will kill you and everyone down here ending with myself.\u201d<\/p>\n She sounded serious. Luan shifted back from her. Umina sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cI suppose you\u2019re right. But we are at such a\u2026I don\u2019t know how to take on those Dullahans. You\u2019d need an army! This isn\u2019t just hide-and-seek. They can seal off the plaza with how many bodies they have. But you\u2019re right. Venaz, a team up? What did<\/em> you bring in that bag of holding?\u201d<\/p>\n Marian shifted again.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd why did you have a City Runner deliver it? You could have just\u2026brought one. I did.\u201d<\/p>\n Venaz\u2019s voice was muffled for a second. Luan heard another metallic rasp.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought our possessions might be confiscated, or the Professor would have interfered with our equipment somehow. I expected a trick. Just not the Iron Vanguard. Historically, he\u2019s pulled tricks like this before\u2014confiscating all the students\u2019 equipment and clothing and making them hide naked in the jungles. Casting an anti-magic spell that wiped out their equipment. Unleashing [Thieves] on them before the games started\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDead gods. He did all that?\u201d<\/p>\n The Minotaur\u2019s voice was reproving.<\/p>\n \u201cYou should have studied. The Professor\u2019s created countless undesirable scenarios. I thought a City Runner would ensure I got my possessions and maintained a huge advantage. Now, I wish I\u2019d hired a mercenary company instead. Still, I feel better prepared now. Ready to leave?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The others chorused as one. Umina waded past Luan and shouted up at the door.<\/p>\n \u201cExcuse me! We need out!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlready?\u201d<\/p>\n There were hurrying footsteps. A flash of light. Luan looked up at a [Nightwoman], a Lizardwoman whose job it was to wade in what he was standing in every day. He had never had more appreciation for her class than now. Umina looked apologetic.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry, we can\u2019t handle the smell. Mind if you get us a ladder? Er\u2014stairs, for Marian? I\u2019m really sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n The Lizardwoman smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cAw, for you, anything. And we can get the Centauress up\u2014we\u2019ve got a platform for emergencies. You wouldn\u2019t believe how many Centaurs fall in the toilet each year!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat happens? And thank you!\u201d<\/p>\n The Lizardwoman disappeared. That left Luan and the other students standing in the now-illuminated tank. Luan shifted, saw something float past one foot\u2014he closed his eyes.<\/p>\n The wail of the Screamer Dust had subsided, but he could still hear lots of shouting at a distance. More so than before, in fact. A game that engulfed an entire city? He shook his head. Well, it was<\/em> the Titan of Baleros\u2026he wanted to dunk himself in the harbor right after this.<\/p>\n \u201cNearly there! Hold on! It\u2019s a bit heavy, but we\u2019ve got a few hands! Don\u2019t drop it on Umina, you guys! I\u2019m rooting for her! Stand back!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe?\u201d<\/p>\n Venaz looked alarmed as everyone moved to the side. Umina waved a claw at him.<\/p>\n \u201cThis apartment belongs to, uh, the night soil collectors around here. I think they like to stick together.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOr no one else tolerates their company.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cVenaz!<\/em> They\u2019re really nice. And that\u2019s true. Okay, let\u2019s get up there, ask what\u2019s happened, and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n A flash of light. Marian, who had been silent and trying not to throw up, suddenly spoke urgently.<\/p>\n \u201cUmina, we need to leave, now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy? Wh\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Umina, Luan, and Venaz saw the hatch opening. Behind them. The stairwell the [Nightpeople] lowered, and the open privy was one spot of light, but on the far side of the wide tank a hatch had opened, to expose light into the darkness. And someone was preparing to\u2014Luan climbed up the steps so fast he nearly knocked over Umina ahead of him. Venaz was right behind Luan, and Marian moaned as she got up the stairs.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, dead gods, dead gods, dead gods.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSorry about that. Here. Let\u2019s get you some water and, uh, more water.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Nightwoman] looked apologetically at her guests. There was a small crowd of her co-workers around her, mostly Lizardfolk and three Dullahans. They insisted on shaking hands\u2014after a few buckets of water had been splashed on all four. It didn\u2019t get rid of the smell, but it helped. Luan breathed freely as Umina spoke to the [Nightwoman] again.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re really sorry. I could handle it, but my friends\u2026we also have to get moving, I guess. Still, you saved us from that patrol.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Scourers] beamed as one, treating Umina like she was a minor celebrity. Which she\u2026was? Luan eyed Umina as he sluiced himself off with more water. Venaz was demanding soap.<\/p>\n \u201cNo problem! Pleasure to be of assistance! This game is so exciting! And we want you to win, of course! When I think that you were using this pit\u2014whenever I clean it, I\u2019ll think of you! And, uh\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n She peered at Luan with a frown.<\/p>\n \u201cIs he a student too? Not one of the Titan\u2019s personal class, is he? I know all the names. Unless he\u2019s a new addition?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, no. I\u2019m a City Runner. And I really should be going\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Luan raised his hands hurriedly. He looked towards the doors.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll find you later, Venaz, yeah?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. Wait in the city. I\u2019ll be sure to get you your money.\u201d<\/p>\n The Minotaur breathed in and out. Only now did Luan realize something had changed about him.<\/p>\n He was wearing armor. The metal gleamed as water ran down it. Umina turned and stared along with Marian and the other [Nightpeople]. Venaz gritted his teeth.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? I told you I came prepared for a fight. This is only part of my gear. I\u2019m not hiding any longer. Ready to go?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNearly. Just one question. You said you were a City Runner, Mister Luan?\u201d<\/p>\n Marian dumped a bucket of water over her tail. Luan nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI go by water, though. I\u2019m a [Rower].\u201d<\/p>\n The Centauress frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cOdd. How\u2019d you get through the harbor, then? The Iron Vanguard had at least six warships<\/em> sealing it off.\u201d<\/p>\n Luan smiled faintly.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, they didn\u2019t manage to seal it off fast enough. I slipped through.\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone stared at him. Marian blinked.<\/p>\n \u201cYou got past six warships? In\u2026what? A dingy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA scull.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA what?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Venaz snorted, then turned his head and spat back into the privy. The [Nightpeople] looked disapproving at that.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s the fastest City Runner on the water short of a Courier now. Why else do you think I hired him?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHuh. Then are you any good in a fight?\u201d<\/p>\n Marian eyed Luan. The City Runner hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cNot much good. But I served in a suppression company once. Saw some fighting, but I\u2019m mainly good at rowing. Very good, actually. Why?\u201d<\/p>\n Umina was looking at her friend. Marian was thinking hard. At last she came to a decision and reached for a bag at her waist.<\/p>\n \u201cMind staying with us? I\u2019ll pay you twenty gold coins and<\/em> Venaz\u2019s fee right now if you help us win this game.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMarian!\u201d<\/p>\n Umina exclaimed as Luan\u2019s eyes went wide. Venaz blinked at the gold Marian held out to the City Runner.<\/p>\n \u201cYou want to hire my Runner? Why?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAn edge. Luan\u2019s a City Runner, and he\u2019s free to hire, right? Why can\u2019t we hire help? The other students have done it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStill, twenty gold pieces? Is he worth\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Luan glared at the Minotaur. He hesitated over the gold coins.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m afraid that arrogant cow\u2019s right, Miss\u2026Marian. I\u2019m not good off the water.\u201d<\/p>\n Venaz choked and turned red. Marian smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cJust for calling Venaz a cow, I\u2019d hire you. You made it this far. One person could make all the difference. What about it? You won\u2019t break more than bones, and if you do, there\u2019s healing potions at the ready. And I want to win.<\/em> Umina?\u201d<\/p>\n The Lizardgirl started.<\/p>\n \u201cYou sure, Marian? The gold\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014is mine to use. If we win, it\u2019s worth it. What about it, Luan the City Runner? My [Headhunter] Skill says you\u2019re more valuable than I think.\u201d<\/p>\n The Centauress stared at Luan. He blinked at her. And then he looked at Venaz.<\/p>\n Victory.<\/em> The man smiled wearily.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, why not? I\u2019m in it this far. I could use some money and a diversion.\u201d<\/p>\n He took the coins from Marian. She offered him the twenty gold pieces; he declined the rest. He\u2019d get it from Venaz. The Minotaur snorted as Luan stepped up behind him. Umina was thanking their hosts.<\/p>\n \u201cIf there\u2019s anything we can do\u2014we can\u2019t fight, but we can make sure those Iron Vanguards have clogged privies if they stick around long enough!\u201d<\/p>\n The [Nightwoman] chortled. Umina laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll let you know. Alright. Ready?\u201d<\/p>\n Venaz nodded. He thrust open the door to the apartment and stepped out, fists clenched. His armor shone as he strode out, ready for war. Marian followed. She\u2019d drawn a bow from her bag of holding. Umina and Luan had only their fists and a few items at their belt, but they followed. Ready for anything. Ready to take on the Iron Vanguard. Ready for\u2014<\/p>\n \u201cForwards! Take the street!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n A rank of men and women in armor galloped down the street. Venaz lurched backwards, fists raised. But the Humans in armor weren\u2019t aimed at him. They were pursuing a group of Dullahans and Lizardfolk! Banners streamed behind them as they rode forwards in a wedge. Behind them came thunder.<\/p>\n Marching boots. Shouts. Luan saw dozens of Humans racing past him, armed with shields, clubs, some holding bows. Another rider was leading them, bellowing orders.<\/p>\n \u201c[Knights] move up in spear formation! Archers, divide with foot soldiers and take those two rooftops. The rest of you, shield formation and move up\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He thundered past the group of four. Luan heard the soldiers streaming down the street shouting as well.<\/p>\n \u201cFor Kallinad and the Order of Seasons!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPush the Iron Vanguard back!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWil Kallinad! <\/em>Victory for Terandria!\u201d<\/p>\n And then they were gone. The sound of battle broke ahead of them. Venaz stared down the street. He walked out a few paces and stared at the backs of the running Humans. Marian trotted out behind him. Umina and Luan stared after them.<\/p>\n \u201cDid they just say \u2018Kallinad\u2019? Was that a mercenary company or something?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUh, maybe? Maybe\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n All four looked back. They flattened themselves back into the apartment as a second wave charged down the street, and then a third. Then they heard the horn blasts. Then, as the four climbed to the rooftop and the rooftop audience pointed them towards the harbor, they saw the four warships at the docks. Luan\u2019s jaw dropped.<\/p>\n Those weren\u2019t there when I left!<\/em><\/p>\n Venaz, Marian, and Umina were all staring. The streets were filled with Humans fighting the Iron Vanguard! Pushing them back! Venaz stared at a rank of [Knights] as they harried a group of Dullahans.<\/p>\n \u201cAh. I\u2026might have underestimated Wil.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo kidding? Hey, Venaz? Exactly what did you bring in your bag of holding?\u201d<\/p>\n Marian and Umina turned to the Minotaur. He coughed, and looked into his bag of holding. The Minotaur rummaged around inside, pulled out a mace, a few pieces of paper with glowing lettering, a picture of a colorful dog\u2026he put them back in the bag and looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cDamn. Well, now I feel really foolish.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n An army in the streets! Warships in the harbor! Chaos reigned in the plaza where Niers Astoragon stood. Not just among the Iron Vanguard; they were scrambling to react. Somewhere in the streets filled with grey fog, Tulm the Mithril had halted his advance to deal with the unexpected attack. But the arrival of the army Wil Kallinad was leading had thrown everyone into confusion.<\/p>\n The Wistram [Mages] were scrambling to get a new vantage point on the battle. Teura was ordering more [Mages] to watch Wil. And members of Niers\u2019 own company, like Perorn, were visibly ecstatic. The Centauress was practically prancing in place with delight.<\/p>\n \u201cDignity, Perorn.\u201d<\/p>\n Niers murmured out of the side of his mouth. But he couldn\u2019t hold back his smile either. He watched as Wil sent the soldiers still disembarking from the warships charging up the streets, gaining as much ground as possible before the Iron Vanguard could regain their footing. Niers would have been happy to watch in silence, with only the audio from the scene.<\/p>\n But, sadly, there were always those whose first reaction to an unfolding drama was to give their opinion<\/em> about it. The sort of people who would be standing in the crowd as someone drowned and offering their commentary on the other people diving in. Those sorts. And unfortunately, there were two who were debating the latest turn of events even as the images of Wil, his sister, and the army she was leading appeared on the scrying orb.<\/p>\n \u201cFour warships filled with [Soldiers] and even a [Knight] order! Unbelievable, and the crews themselves are taking part! Amazing! Incredible! An inspiring<\/em> turn of events! Sir Relz, can you credit this?\u201d<\/p>\n The two Drakes were leaning over their upholstered arm chairs, staring at their own scrying orb and loudly speaking to their captive audience. The one with the monocle was nodding rapidly, but with a huge frown on his face in contrast to Noass\u2019 look of amazement.<\/p>\n \u201cI can, Noass, I can\u2014I have eyes! But I don\u2019t know that inspiring is the word I would use. Think on it, Noass. Yes, this is a game-changer. But is it fair?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n He gestured to the image in the scrying orb as Noass sat back, confused.<\/p>\n \u201cAnyone with the might of a Terandrian house could have pulled off this tactic. That the other students in the Titan\u2019s classes haven\u2019t isn\u2019t due to a lack of skill. Consider this, Noass. If Wil Kallinad can pull an army out of his pocket, how can anyone else hope<\/em> to compete?\u201d<\/p>\n Niers saw Noass sit up a bit. He wondered if the Drake\u2019s guild of assassins was still extant. Did they do contracts on public figures? He saw Noass cup his chin in his hand as he pointed at the orb, mildly outraged.<\/p>\n \u201cHold on, Sir Relz. I have to respectfully disagree with your assessment. Even if you knew Tulm the Mithril were going to appear in this game, Sir Relz, could you <\/em>convince your family to send over a thousand soldiers to another continent? Let alone call on half a dozen other noble houses?\u201d<\/p>\n He waved a claw at Wil, who had appeared in the scrying orb again in between his comments.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd let me remind our audience that no one saw these warships coming!<\/em> Not even the Iron Vanguard, which boasts the most powerful navy of all the Great Companies in Baleros bar none! Sir Relz, how can you dismiss that as simply the product of wealth?\u201d<\/p>\n The other Drake adjusted his monocle haughtily as he frowned at his friend.<\/p>\n \u201cI just have a hard time giving this as much credit as you, Noass. To me, this stinks of an advantage born of station, not achievement. I realize that my own position as a noble contradicts my statements, but I am a son of Pallass, not some arrogant Lord of the Wall, like Salazsar\u2019s jumped up tyrants.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, come now, Sir Relz. You can\u2019t make this entirely referential to Drake politics. Even if you\u2019re going to bring in someone like\u2014like Wall Lord Ilvriss as a point of comparison\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Mercifully, whoever was controlling the broadcast decided the two Drakes were getting off-topic. Their voices cut off, and Niers could focus on Wil. The Titan watched with a [Strategist]\u2019s bird\u2019s eye view as he saw Wil\u2019s forces moving and Tulm\u2019s preparing to intercept. Not bad. Then again, he\u2019d see how well Wil was doing and how shaken Tulm was in a few minutes. He murmured to himself as he reached for his lime juice.<\/p>\n \u201cI saw it coming. But I knew where to look.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake [Commentator] duo was half-right this time. It wasn\u2019t just that Wil had the resources to call on; it was that he\u2019d figured out Tulm the Mithril was coming. He had plotted a sea route that took the warships to Daquin\u2019s harbor without alerting a Great Company or the other ships at sea. Yes, they hadn\u2019t been looking, but still. If you understood anything of logistics, of the effort it took to move that many warriors, you would look at Wil and want him to manage your armies.<\/p>\n It was proof of his ability. But there was another reason why countless eyes were glued to the scrying orb, to the drama unfolding in Daquin. It was sheer, simple amazement. Admiration.<\/p>\n The daring.<\/em> The audacity. Noass was right. If you had the chance, even if you were nearly completely certain, would you risk it? Could you? Niers looked up. Teura was watching him again. He cheerfully smiled at her.<\/p>\n Yes, they were all watching. Everyone from the [Kings] of Terandria to the Wall Lords in Izril. Watching Niers\u2019 student. Evaluating him as a [Strategist], to be hired or fought against.<\/p>\n Wil Kallinad. A name known around the world in a moment. He was challenging Tulm the Mithril to a battle in the streets. Putting himself against the greatest [Strategist] of the Iron Vanguard on purpose. This was his moment. Niers only hoped he made the best of it.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n He stood in the street, with a map of Daquin unrolled on the back of his sister\u2019s warhorse. His ears were ringing. The ground felt like it was shaking.<\/p>\n Dark clouds rolling down the street. Flashes of armor. Ringing hooves, [Knights] riding past him, armor ablaze with the light of magic.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWil! I brought half of the reinforcements you asked straight from our garrisons! The other half came from the families you contacted! We got them on ships, and the [Captains] are letting their sailors take part! They were really impressed with your sea route, and they\u2019d just love<\/em> a chance to stick it to the Iron Vanguard\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n His hands were sweaty. Shaking. Heart beating out of his chest. [Mages] made the air shake as they held the cold iron fog off. Flashes of magefire from the rooftops. Skirmishes already.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cLord Kallinad, my name is Sir Kelm. I am a Knight of Autumn and the Order of Season\u2019s representative. I and a hundred and twenty-six of my peers have joined Lady Knight Talia by her request. We understand this is a non-lethal confrontation and have equipped ourselves accordingly\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Glancing up. Seeing a Drowned Man with a tentacle for an arm, holding a club with his good hand, grinning at him with a face half-fish.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t bring any [Strategists], but we\u2019ve got an army here, Wil! And with the crews of the ship\u2014you know, I got three propositions from the sailors on the way here?\u201d<\/p>\n The horse snorting, shaking, restless. Glancing up. Checking the slowly setting sun, seeing Feshi\u2019s wide eyes and shocked expression. A ring of steel. [Knights], [Field Commanders], [Captains], surrounding him. Waiting. Doubtful, impatient, excited.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cSir Kallinad! I am Lance-Commander Wylint, serving House Teoring and commanding two hundred of my men! We are disembarking and looking for orders\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Glance up. See Talia\u2019s face. Excitement, passion. Her horse shifting. The creak of metal on metal. Waiting faces.<\/em><\/p>\n Fear. Terror. Uncertainty. Elation. A thousand and one emotions and more, running hot in his veins. And just when he thought he\u2019d break under it, a realization. The Professor\u2019s words, beating in his chest.<\/p>\n \u201cYou only get one chance, lad.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s that? Wil?\u201d<\/p>\n Concerned faces. Wil Kallinad glanced up, taking in the ring of Humans around him. One Drowned Man, a [Captain]. And Feshi. The Gnoll stared at Wil. And he breathed in and out slowly.<\/p>\n For a moment, Wil looked around and memorized the moment. And he knew that as long as he lived, he would never forget this day. Never lose this moment. Whether it was in shame or glory. He stood a bit straighter. The fear and panic in his breast didn\u2019t disappear. It never did. But he mastered it.<\/p>\n Thank you, Professor. You gave me a chance.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWil? Are you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The [Strategist] turned. He cut his sister off. He checked the sun, and began snapping orders.<\/p>\n \u201cLance-Commander Wylint, you are now acting-[General] on the field. Unload those ships! I want the soldiers moving up the streets as fast as they unload! Don\u2019t worry about formations! We\u2019re taking the first six streets from the harbor and holding there. Keep a [Mage] on standby and I\u2019ll have orders for you in minutes!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSir!\u201d<\/p>\n Will turned and surveyed the people around him. His mind was snapping to ideas and conclusions like lightning, too fast to fully process into words. The [Captain]? No. The [Knight] in brown and red, stained armor. Autumn Knight.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThe Iron Vanguard is using [Message] spells, but they have horns and drums as well. We\u2019ll relay using messengers on horseback, so we\u2019re not relying on either one exclusively in case of interception or faked signals. Sir Kelm, take your men down the main street. Engage the enemy at your discretion, but fall back in the face of superior numbers or if Xol is spotted. I will send you reinforcements as needed; the other [Rider] and [Knight] patrols I will split up across side streets. We will be preparing to flank and ambush the enemy; all mounted forces are to prioritize withdrawing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHit and run tactics? But we brought\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n His sister was confused. Wil held up a hand, not looking at her as he checked the map.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Iron Vanguard has the numbers and superior soldiers. They\u2019ve also fielded Xol, one of their War Walkers. We cannot take him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf we used lances\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He glanced up. Talia was taking a breath, ready to argue. Sir Kelm was watching, the [Captain] grinning. Wil glanced at the waiting officers. Some were watching him. He nodded shortly.<\/p>\n \u201cIf this were a situation where both sides used lethal weapons, I wouldn\u2019t have brought half as many [Knights]. Especially against the Iron Vanguard; they can\u2019t kill our horses or unseat our cavalry as easily. But this is still the Professor\u2019s game. We\u2019re pushing in fast; the goal is still to reach the central plaza. Commander Wylint! These streets I want fortified! Here, here, and here!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n He stabbed chokepoints. It was easy. He\u2019d memorized the map a week ago, and he knew where the Iron Vanguard\u2019s force roughly was. If you calculated how fast a Dullahan could run\u2014they could dig in. After that\u2026Talia was glaring at him.<\/p>\n \u201cWil! We can win this! I didn\u2019t talk father into coming all this way just to run from a fight. Trust me, we can\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cKnight Talia, the [Strategist] on the field is speaking.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n His sister fell silent. Wil nodded to Sir Kelm. The [Knight] saluted.<\/p>\n \u201cBy your order, Sir [Strategist]. What\u2019s the signal for retreat in case of emergency?\u201d<\/p>\n Of course.<\/em> Wil hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cThree horn calls, Sir Kelm. My apologies.\u201d<\/p>\n He nodded and Wil remembered. Don\u2019t flush with embarrassment. Don\u2019t panic.<\/em> He switched to the Drowned Man.<\/p>\n \u201c[Captain].\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCaptain Squallcut, at your service.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drowned Man gave Wil a grin. One of his eyes was part fish, and it winked with a pale, yellow light. The Terandrian officers shuddered. Wil glanced around.<\/p>\n \u201cTo your stations! Move those men up with Commander Wylint! Are you waiting for the Iron Vanguard to set a picnic!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n They jumped and ran. Squallcut laughed and gave Wil a bow that looked halfway sincere.<\/p>\n \u201cSo you\u2019re not just able to plot a course through the ocean currents, then? A master on the deck.\u201d<\/p>\n Wil felt a grin take over his face, unfamiliar. Wild. His heart was beating.<\/em> He could feel it, louder than war drums.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is my ship, Captain Squallcut. Can I trust your men to take orders, or won\u2019t they obey?\u201d<\/p>\n The Drowned Man was amused. He waved an arm, and two more [Captains] followed him. One was a Gnoll with a peg leg, a bandana tied over her head. The second, a Garuda whose feathers on his legs had turned to scales.<\/p>\n \u201cThey came for a fight, not a Terandrian dancing lesson. If the orders are good, we\u2019ll think of obeying.\u201d<\/p>\n Feshi turned and bowed to the Gnoll [Captain]. The Gnoll grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cSo this is the Human who sailed us through the Kraken\u2019s Gulch? He barks fire! Little land-cousin, does he have the courage to lead a [Storm Sailor] crew? And take the consequences of failure?\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll [Strategist] hesitated. Wil answered for her. He didn\u2019t know Gnolls, but he knew [Pirates].<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s your name, [Captain]?\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll with the peg leg gave Wil a long look. She wore a cutlass at her side.<\/p>\n \u201cThey call me Saltears, boy. On the sea, that is. If you want my real name, ask me when I\u2019m in irons.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen stow your sword, Saltears. No one draws blood.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSays who?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Titan himself. And he\u2019ll drown Storm Sailors in the waves if his orders aren\u2019t obeyed.\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll paused. She looked at Wil. The young man met her eyes and then the Garuda\u2019s and Squallcut\u2019s. They were watching him closely.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t need your men, [Captains]. But if you and your ship\u2019s crews will fight, on land or sea, I\u2019ll pad whatever my sister\u2019s paying you myself. The Iron Vanguard will be attacking us from the rear. And we have to sally forth and reach the plaza. But mark me\u2014if your crew won\u2019t take my orders, you can wait on the sides. I mean to dance with Tulm the Mithril himself, and I\u2019ll drag him over the world\u2019s edge if I need to. There\u2019s no room for mutiny in this battle. Understand?\u201d<\/p>\n They waited. And then the same grin spread across three faces. Saltears removed her cutlass and tossed it backwards towards a [Storm Sailor].<\/p>\n \u201cBoy, we\u2019ll hold your harbor against six warships or twenty! The rest of my lads will move with your land slugs. Where do you want me?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Wil bared his teeth.<\/p>\n \u201cCan you punch through a street full of Dullahans? I want you to bring a message to a bunch of students fighting. There\u2019s several hundred of them\u2014some are officers, others are [Strategists]. Tell them I\u2019m overseeing the command of Kallinad\u2019s army. If they want to fight, they can flank the enemy soldiers. We\u2019re all going towards the same spot. You need to cut through the Iron Vanguard to get there\u2014and those clouds. [Mages] choked in them.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Captains] looked up. Saltears perked up one of her ears.<\/p>\n \u201cGood thing we\u2019re not [Mages]. Say I do that. What then?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow\u2019s thirty gold pieces for every officer you knock out sound?\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll [Captain] grinned as a reply. Wil straightened. Negotiations were done. The [Captains] strolled past the soldiers forming up. Wil pointed.<\/p>\n \u201c[Mages]! Hold those mists back. Sir Kelm, advance!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The [Knight] raised a padded spear.<\/p>\n \u201cKnights of the Autumn, with me!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n And they moved. Wil snatched his map and strode back. A group of [Mages] and officers approached him. The first thing he demanded was a table. He heard Talia mounting up behind him.<\/p>\n \u201cWil? Where do we go?\u201d<\/p>\n Her voice was tentative, but it was a fair question. A group of knights in bright, burnished armor of gold, brass\u2014the colors of summer\u2014were lined up behind her. Wil raised his head.<\/p>\n Fighting<\/em>. He pointed at the map.<\/p>\n \u201cMove forwards. Gather at the second command spot. [Mages], you have your orders. Horse!<\/em> Feshi\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll grinned at Wil as he mounted up.<\/p>\n \u201cYou planned this. Am I part of the plans?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOnly if you want to be. Can you ride?\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll hesitated. Then she held up a hand. Wil pulled her onto the saddle. He felt her grab him as he turned to his sister.<\/p>\n \u201cTalia! We\u2019re supporting Sir Kelm! Take us down that street!\u201d<\/p>\n His sister whooped<\/em> as she lowered the visor on her helmet.<\/p>\n \u201cForward, Knights of Summer! Take the streets!\u201d<\/p>\n She began riding forwards. Wil kicked the horse into motion. He saw Talia\u2019s head twisting towards him, and she raised her visor in alarm.<\/p>\n \u201cWil! Stay back! You\u2019re trying to win,<\/em> remember?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe need to push in. We\u2019ll reform later. You need me.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n There was no time to argue. The [Knights] rode forwards, a solid body. Wil eyed the numbers. Disperse them later<\/em>. For now, they were a fist. He intended to gain as much ground as he could.<\/p>\n \u201cInfantry ahead! They\u2019re filling a street!\u201d<\/p>\n A [Scout] raced back. Wil saw Humans already skirmishing with a group of Dullahans who\u2019d blocked off a street exit ahead of him. It hadn\u2019t even been ten minutes! The Iron Vanguard had lightning reflexes. He pointed at the group as the Knights of Summer slowed.<\/p>\n \u201cPull the soldiers back. We\u2019re breaking through. Advance at a trot!\u201d<\/p>\n Thunder.<\/em> The Human [Soldiers] fell back. The Dullahans did not follow. They looked up and saw the riders coming at them. To their credit, the line only wavered. Then it formed into a solid formation. Braced. Wil kicked his horse.<\/p>\n \u201cCanter!\u201d<\/p>\n Faster now. He could see the Dullahan [Sergeant] shouting orders as the [Knights] lowered the thin lances as spears. Wil shouted.<\/p>\n \u201cStow lances! Swords!\u201d<\/p>\n Hesitation<\/em>. He saw the [Knights] switching weapons. Padded spears might kill at this charge. The Dullahans were also pikeless. But they were still braced. They thought the [Knights] wouldn\u2019t charge for fear of their horses injuring themselves. That was their only mistake.<\/p>\n \u201cGallop!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n On they came. Feshi was howling something behind Wil. He roared as the first rank of [Knights] closed on the ranks of Dullahans.<\/p>\n \u201c[Ram\u2019s Charge]!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The Dullahans\u2019 [Sergeant] raised his hand too late, eyes widening.<\/p>\n \u201c[Shieldwall\u2014]\u201d<\/p>\n The impact sent Dullahans flying. Wil saw the formation scatter like pebbles before a wave. He shouted as he saw [Knights] lashing out with swords.<\/p>\n \u201cRide on! Keep moving! Avoid trampling!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The Humans caught their horses just in time. The wounded Dullahans pulled back as the Knights of the Summer raced past them. Wil looked around. He bellowed one word.<\/p>\n \u201c[Healers]!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n They were already converging on the fight. Wil pointed, and his [Knights] rode onwards. Faster. He bared his teeth. Take as much ground as he could in the first few minutes. And then push! Push!<\/em><\/p>\n He could feel the Iron Vanguard reacting. Moving to slow his army\u2019s advance, hold them back before they could consolidate their position. And soon he\u2019d be sending the full weight of his army against Wil. Tulm the Mithril. Wil pointed ahead.<\/p>\n \u201cCharge!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The clouds of grey iron waited. His [Knights] cut a path of silver as they rode into darkness. And then there was only thunder. And, waiting in the darkness, that magical shine. That flash of armor.<\/p>\n Mithril.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n An army of silver raced across the streets below them. Venaz stared. Marian paced back and forth, counting. Umina rubbed at her eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cWhoa. Is that the same Wil we know?\u201d<\/p>\n He was racing at the head of a small vanguard of [Knights], some kind of elite Terandrian order. Umina looked at her classmates. They were almost petrified for a moment. Strangely, it was the City Runner they\u2019d just met, Luan, who was calmer. He looked up and met her eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cSome game. Was this part of the plan as well?\u201d<\/p>\n She grinned weakly.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDead gods. Wil called in his family\u2019s army<\/em>. If this were any other situation, this would be an act of war.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Marian spoke slowly. She followed the Humans as hundreds raced down the street. There were [Sailors] mixed in among them; Umina thought she saw a Gnoll with a peg leg. But her mind had to be playing tricks on her. Venaz nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cIncredible.\u201d<\/p>\n Both the Lizardgirl and Centaur looked at Venaz. Coming from him, that word said it all. The Minotaur glanced up. He gestured to the streets below.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s turned this into a proper battle. This isn\u2019t a game of seeking anymore. The Mithril has to engage the Humans, or they\u2019ll punch through and get Wil to the plaza. Look: the Iron Vanguard\u2019s already pulling back.\u201d<\/p>\n He pointed ahead. Only a few of Daquin\u2019s streets were visible from their rooftop ahead of them, but Umina saw Dullahans in full retreat. She nodded slowly, watching the Humans capturing street after street. But what looked like a complete victory was just an illusion. Umina had already done a headcount and come to a few conclusions.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re still outnumbered. The Iron Vanguard plus the Professor\u2019s [Soldiers] still have at least a two-to-one advantage over Wil\u2019s force. Plus, their main punching class is [Knight]. They\u2019ve got horses, but not enough, and they\u2019re up against Dullahans. And the Iron Vanguard at that. Heavy-infantry specialists.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMobility versus armor.\u201d<\/p>\n Marian nodded. She was frowning. The Centauress glanced up at Venaz.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s like the battles we\u2019d play out, Venaz. Only, in these streets, Tulm has it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOnly if you discount the other students.\u201d<\/p>\n The Minotaur snorted. He was eying a plume of smoke in the distance, arms folded.<\/p>\n \u201cI see what Wil\u2019s going for. He\u2019s trying to link up with the other students who bought adventurer groups or mercenaries. There are at least a hundred students still in the game. If you put that many up against the Iron Vanguard\u2014no matter how many officers they have, they\u2019ll run out of Skills first. So will Tulm the Mithril. He can only use his active Skills so many times per battle. Like that terrain-changing Skill he used; he won\u2019t be able to use it twice.\u201d<\/p>\n He gestured at the roiling clouds, still engulfing a good portion of the city. They were growing thinner; [Mages] were actively fighting the clouds. But they were slowing the Human\u2019s advance. Marian nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cSo Wil\u2019s trying to break the Iron Vanguard\u2019s formation and mount a charge that gets him to the plaza. Failing that, he\u2019ll be trying to out-Skill Tulm with the students. It could work. The issue is whether or not he\u2019s got an answer to all of Tulm\u2019s high-level officers in his party.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf he has [Knights], the quality of his [Mages] are presumably\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Luan glanced from [Strategist] to [Strategist]. Their shock of a minute ago had faded. Now they were casually discussing the unfolding scene as if they were at ease. He raised a hand.<\/p>\n \u201cThis <\/em>is still part of the game?\u201d<\/p>\n All three glanced at him. Umina blushed, and Marian blinked.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a surprise.\u201d<\/p>\n Luan stared at her. The Centauress didn\u2019t look<\/em> that surprised. His heart was still racing out of his chest. But they\u2019d already begun talking tactics! Still, his comment reminded them why they were here. Venaz pounded a fist into a palm.<\/p>\n \u201cDamn. I\u2019ve been completely outmatched. Very well. Come on. Let\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n He strode towards the stairs. Marian stared at him.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n The Minotaur looked up as he checked his armor.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m moving forwards. I came here to participate, not hide! Are you with me or not?\u201d<\/p>\n The Centauress hesitated. She looked at Umina.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re outmatched.\u201d<\/p>\n Umina shot to her feet.<\/p>\n \u201cYes. But the point isn\u2019t to beat the Iron Vanguard. It\u2019s to get to the plaza. Like it or not, Wil is going to open up a path for everyone<\/em> if he starts taking ground. Better yet\u2014I think we can use his army to our advantage. Venaz! Head left!\u201d<\/p>\n Venaz was already clattering down the stairs. Luan followed them as he and Marian ran down the wide steps. He still had no idea what was going on, but they did. The Minotaur snorted.<\/p>\n \u201cYou want to take us away from the fighting?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou want to fight both Humans and<\/em> Dullahans? Both sides will take us for foes!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHm. Point. Which way, then?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLeft! We\u2019ll circle around the main advance. We just need to get behind the Iron Vanguard\u2019s lines!\u201d<\/p>\n The Minotaur nodded. He began jogging down the street. Umina waved at Marian. The Centauress held out a hand.<\/p>\n \u201cNeed a ride?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m fine! Let\u2019s go! Follow Venaz! You too, Luan!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have no idea what I\u2019m doing.\u201d<\/p>\n Luan muttered as he ran after the three. A formation of Humans was marching up towards them. Luan heard a shout.<\/p>\n \u201cUh oh. They\u2019ve spotted us! Go, Venaz!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis way.\u201d<\/p>\n The Minotaur turned and pounded down an alleyway; Luan ran after him. Marian galloped past him with ease; Umina panted as she ran just behind Luan. Venaz turned up a street, cursed, and pointed.<\/p>\n \u201cNext alley! There\u2019s fighting all over!\u201d<\/p>\n Luan entered the second street, saw two [Mages] throwing spells at each other, and ran as a splash of some kind of yellow liquid hit the buildings across from him and steamed<\/em>. He ran down the next alleyway, hearing shouts from behind. And above.<\/p>\n \u201cLook! More students!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhich ones are they? Oh! I recognize that Minotaur! And the Lizardgirl! That\u2019s Umina!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHells, they know us. They\u2019re giving us away!\u201d<\/p>\n Marian growled. Venaz reached a second street and pointed up it.<\/p>\n \u201cNot for long. Brace yourself. That fog\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n His voice was muffled. Luan entered the third street, saw the dark grey fog, and hesitated. Umina ran past him.<\/p>\n \u201cHurry up!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Cursing, Luan followed her. The street didn\u2019t exactly vanish, but the instant Luan hit the outer edge of the dark, iron-tinted mists, the shouts and sounds around him grew dimmer. The air felt\u2026heavy<\/em>. His pace slowed. His breathing came a touch heavier.<\/p>\n \u201cJungle rot. This is<\/em> a Skill. It\u2019s hard to breathe! Everyone here?\u201d<\/p>\n Marian slowed. Ahead of her, Venaz was looking around slowly. The fog had reduced visibility, sound. Everything was halved for Luan. He could still see the three [Strategists] in front of him, but their voices were quieter. Umina frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cThis\u2026is Tulm the Mithril\u2019s terrain Skill. [Battlefield \u2013 Cold Iron Mists]. Dead gods. This is the Skill he used when he beat Professor Fleethoof in battle.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSelphid\u2019s tits. And he\u2019s using it on us?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Marian\u2019s face was pale. Venaz shook his head. He took a breath, frowning.<\/p>\n \u201cDamn air. But this works against him as well. Even if his troops are immune to the effects, visibility is still low on both sides. We can sneak through. Come on.\u201d<\/p>\n He led the way down the street at a slower pace. Luan followed, hair standing up on his neck. A Skill had done this?<\/em> Suddenly his [Lesser Strength] Skill and his other abilities he\u2019d thought were too powerful seemed paltry by comparison. The three [Strategists] moved slowly, heads spinning left and right. Umina breathed in and out, taking huge gulps of air.<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t want to go too far. The Iron Vanguard\u2019s holding the center of the city. We just want to get closer and find another hiding spot. An apartment\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHold up.\u201d<\/p>\n Venaz held up a hand. All four suddenly paused. Venaz frowned. Marian cupped a hand to an ear.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought I heard\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The shout came from all around them. Suddenly, the mists exploded as a group of Dullahans and three Centaurs raced out of the street. They\u2019d been hugging the walls! Luan spun as nearly twenty rushed the four of them. Marian reared.<\/p>\n \u201cUmina! Get behind me!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Nagas\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The Lizardgirl grabbed at her belt. Luan hesitated. The [Soldiers] were armed! And he\u2019d forgotten to grab anything like a weapon. But they wouldn\u2019t kill him\u2014<\/p>\n Just break every bone in his body! <\/em>He dodged back as a Dullahan swung a cudgel at him. Marian grabbed an arrow. It was thick, with a heavy pouch of sand for a tip. She drew and loosed, and the Dullahan charging her cursed as her arrow struck him across the cheek. A heavy blow. But he still came onwards. Marian swung her bow. Luan dodged backwards again, collided with Umina as she ducked a Centaur racing at her. Luan stumbled, and then felt the club strike his arm. He shouted in pain, raised a hand\u2014<\/p>\n Venaz grabbed the Dullahan, tore the club from the armored [Soldier]\u2019s grip, and then hurled<\/em> the Dullahan through the air, armor and all. The Dullahan crashed into three of his friends, and they all went down. The Minotaur turned, punched<\/em> the Centaur targeting Umina in the chest, and hit another Dullahan with a thwack<\/em> that Luan almost felt. The Centaur stumbled and knelt; the Dullahan just fell backwards without a sound.<\/p>\n \u201cYou idiots! Grab a weapon and fight!\u201d<\/p>\n Venaz roared at the others. He tossed the club at Luan and whirled. He didn\u2019t bother with a weapon; the Dullahan charging him struck with a wooden sword at Venaz\u2019s stomach. But he hadn\u2019t noticed the Minotaur\u2019s armor. The wooden sword bounced off the metal. The Dullahan swore. Then Venaz grabbed him. The Minotaur head-butted the struggling Dullahan, tossed him to the ground, and kicked<\/em>.<\/p>\n A female Dullahan with armor flew back six paces, her armor bent around the hoof print in the steel. The Dullahan patrol halted for a second and stared. Eight of the twenty down in seconds! Venaz turned. The Minotaur roared across the street, his voice cutting even through the heavy fog.<\/p>\n \u201cI am Venaz! Foremost student of the Titan himself! Come at me, you pathetic cowards!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n They hesitated. Then they did just that. Luan gripped the club with two hands and swung desperately. He nailed a Dullahan across the shoulder as he appeared out of the mists and tripped up another with a foot. He kicked and swore as the Dullahan stumbled; the Dullahan\u2019s armor was hard!<\/em> But he knocked the Dullahan down. Before the [Soldier] could get up, Luan hit him across the back of the head. Not as hard as he could have; with his [Lesser Strength] Skill, the Dullahan\u2019s eyes still rolled up, and her head popped out of her armor.<\/p>\n \u201cUmina!\u201d<\/p>\n Marian drew an arrow and loosed it. The blunted, sand-filled pouch struck a Dullahan straight between the eyes. He stumbled and fell forwards. Umina was ducking, dodging as Venaz took on half the patrol by himself. She reached into a pouch and hurled something into the eyes of a Dullahan. He shouted and reached a hand up as he swung blindly. Umina dodged back, and Marian knocked him out with an arrow as well. She whirled\u2014Luan raised his club.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s me!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHelp Venaz! Go left! I\u2019ll use a Skill! Umina, get behind\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The two stopped shouting and turned around. They looked around. And then they realized that the fighting had stopped. Venaz straightened as he dropped a pair of [Soldiers] he\u2019d bashed together. The Minotaur grunted, wiped at his armor, and looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cYou got yours, then? Good. Grab a weapon if you don\u2019t have one and keep moving! We\u2019re sure to have attracted attention.\u201d<\/p>\n He began trotting down the street. After a second, he noticed he wasn\u2019t being followed and came back with a huge scowl.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou just took out fourteen [Soldiers] by yourself!\u201d<\/p>\n Marian pointed accusingly at Venaz. He looked around, and a mildly smug expression crossed his face.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, they were clearly low-level. I didn\u2019t see the [Sergeant] or [Lieutenant] leading this group. Maybe he was the one I dropped at the start? It would explain why they fell apart so quickly. It just goes to show that you can find trash in any army. Raw recruits; the Mithril should have brought veterans. But he underestimated me.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n He looked around. Marian was still staring. Umina rubbed her head.<\/p>\n \u201cEven so. Are you a [Warrior], Venaz? I\u2019d expect that from Jekilt, but Minotaur or not\u2014!\u201d<\/p>\n She gestured at the bodies. Venaz snorted impatiently.<\/p>\n \u201cDo I look like I wasted levels on a fighting class? No! I have a few levels, but I\u2019m a [Strategist] to the core. Come on. Stop wasting time!\u201d<\/p>\n He set off. Luan staggered after him, and after a beat, the Centaur and Lizardgirl followed. The Minotaur led them through the fogs, grunting and following the buildings on the left side of the street. After a moment, Marian spoke up again.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, so how did<\/em> you do that? And don\u2019t tell me it was your armor; you didn\u2019t use a single artifact. Unless you have some kind of potion?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat, you mean like a battle pill? Do I look that weak?\u201d<\/p>\n Venaz gave her a scornful glance. Marian opened her mouth, and Umina slid between them.<\/p>\n \u201cVenaz, you know what Marian means. You\u2019re clearly good at fighting. Are all Minotaurs as good as you, or did you learn that somewhere?\u201d<\/p>\n The Minotaur slowed. He looked back with a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cI learned it, of course. And Minotaurs are good. But no one<\/em> is as good as me. Why do you think I\u2019m here?\u201d<\/p>\n He stomped on. After a second, Marian frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cHere as in Baleros? In the Titan\u2019s class?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cObviously. Keep up, Marian. You\u2019re normally quicker than that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re the best among your kind?\u201d<\/p>\n Venaz turned to look at Luan. The [Rower] was rubbing one arm; he\u2019d used a tiny bit of healing potion, but he wasn\u2019t looking forwards to getting hit again! Still, it beat walking around with a huge bruise for a week.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right. I won the competition for the honor<\/em> of learning from the Titan himself. Everyone in the House of Minos under thirty years of age participated. And I was the best, the sharpest, bar none.<\/em> Or did you think my people would have funded me to learn here if I wasn\u2019t the best at what I did?\u201d<\/p>\n Umina whistled softly.<\/p>\n \u2018Wow. So you beating those [Soldiers]\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Venaz waved a gauntleted hand.<\/p>\n \u201cSkill at arms isn\u2019t difficult to come by. Other species mistake Skills and levels for combat prowess. Minotaurs do not. I\u2019ve pitted myself against seasoned warriors many times before. Against a Level 20 foe, I\u2019d have to get serious. Level 30 and it\u2019s difficult, but doable. Even higher-level foes can be taken down in the right circumstances. And to learn from the Professor, I beat a Level 28 [Armored Veteran] in a duel with bared swords. There were hundreds of competitors; everyone wanted to win. I even beat our [Prince] for the honor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSeriously?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou have royalty?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou still owe me money.\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone paused. Luan shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cJust adding that. So you\u2019re one of the best, Venaz, friend?\u201d<\/p>\n The Minotaur grinned at the Human man.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s just say that with this armor on and my bag of holding, I won\u2019t be an easy target, even against the Iron Vanguard. They probably have no idea how strong I am. Marian doesn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n He glanced back at the Centauress, who\u2019d bitten her lip. Umina nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cNo wonder you keep arguing with the professor over your \u2018lead from the front\u2019 philosophy. You can\u2019t fight in training matches.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe forbids it. Well, I\u2019m perfectly content to crush my opponents with my mind. I\u2019ll save my talents for actual combat for when I take to the field. And for this game. Now. Enough gossip. Let\u2019s move out. These mists are hard enough to fight in without walking into another ambush.\u201d<\/p>\n The others fell silent. And now they did follow Venaz with a will, because the Minotaur clearly knew what he was doing. He made less sound with his armor on than Umina and Luan did\u2014let alone Marian with her hooves clopping on the street. The Minotaur was listening as he slid down the street\u2014thanks to that, the students heard the second<\/em> patrol well before they spotted them.<\/p>\n \u201cDamn fog. I\u2019m blind as a Dropbat out here. That Tulm the Mithril must want to win this all on his own because we\u2019re not going to spot a thing until his Skill ends! How long do you think it\u2019ll take?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n A voice floated up the street: a loudly grousing [Soldier]. It was clearly not one of the Iron Vanguard; as a few shadows appeared, the students and Luan crouched by a stairwell. The patrol walked past them, still talking.<\/p>\n \u201cForgotten Wing soldiers. Our lot. They\u2019re not keeping to noise discipline!\u201d<\/p>\n Umina hissed at the others. Marian made a face as she drew an arrow.<\/p>\n \u201cShould they? This is probably just as bad for them as us! It sounds like they\u2019re not included as being on Tulm\u2019s side! Makes sense; they\u2019re not his people.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis is your Professor\u2019s men, yeah?\u201d<\/p>\n Luan looked at the passing shapes as he whispered at Marian and Umina. They nodded. Venaz growled.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re not on our side. But they don\u2019t enjoy working with the Iron Vanguard. We can use that. Follow me. We\u2019ll sneak around.\u201d<\/p>\n He rose to his feet and stealthily moved up. Luan followed him, then Umina. The aggrieved patrol walked onwards, still talking.<\/p>\n \u201cAn hour? Yeah. Sounds about right. So that means an hour of walking around in this crap.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAt least we\u2019re not fighting the Iron Vanguard. I served with Fleethoof. You know. In the battle.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo kidding, [Captain]?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want to talk about it. Let\u2019s just say that the sooner this game\u2019s over and I see the back of that damned Dullahan, the better. He can bite my equine ass if he thinks we\u2019ll help him win. With that said, ten gold pieces is still ten gold pieces. And if we do<\/em> run across a bunch of arrogant little snots thinking they can sneak past us\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh shit.\u201d<\/p>\n The soldiers turned. Luan whirled around as he heard galloping hooves. Marian, drawing an arrow, yelped as a Centaur [Captain] charged out of the mists and rammed into her. He had a staff in one hand and whirled it. Marian took a hit across the head and torso as the Centaur whirled.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s four! Surround them and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He dodged backwards as Venaz lashed out with a kick. The Centaur blocked with his staff; the wood bowed inwards and splintered with the impact, but the staff held. He swore and backed up.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ve got a good fighter! Get over here!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Running footsteps. Umina reached for her belt as Luan held his club up. Marian scrambled backwards as Venaz advanced with his arms raised, grinning. The Centauress shouted at Luan and Umina.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll back that idiot up. You two, run. We\u2019re bait\u2014secure our next spot!\u201d<\/p>\n So saying, she charged a [Soldier] coming out of the mist. Luan looked at Umina. She pointed down the street.<\/p>\n \u201cFollow me!\u201d<\/p>\n The patrol raced after them, but Luan and Umina were already moving and the fog obscured vision and the pounding footsteps were hard to place. They settled for Marian and Venaz. The two whirled, keeping the group back. The [Captain] faced off against Venaz. He whirled his staff; the Minotaur grunted as he blocked a strike aimed at his chest and then his chin in quick succession.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got him, Captain!\u201d<\/p>\n Someone shouted from behind Venaz. A Lizardman lunged forwards, swinging a cudgel. He connected solidly with Venaz\u2019s back and heard an unpleasant clang<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cUh\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n A seven-foot-tall Minotaur wearing full plate armor raised his fist as he turned around. The five-foot-six Lizardman [Soldier] looked at his cudgel. He backed up too slowly. The thump<\/em> of the Lizardman hitting the ground made the other Forgotten Wing soldiers wince. They backed up as the [Captain] came at Venaz again. The Minotaur was laughing and shouting.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cForwards! For glory and the House of Minos!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The sound came from behind them as Luan and Umina staggered out of a cloud. The Lizardgirl hissed<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cThe mist\u2019s lifted here! That means we either went the wrong way\u2014or someone lifted the fog around here!\u201d<\/p>\n Luan looked around wildly.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy would they do that? And where do we go?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnywhere. We just need to secure a route away from that patrol. Hurry! Let\u2019s make sure the street is clear. I have some wards\u2014anyways, the only reason someone would do that is if it was someone against the Iron Vanguard. Or<\/em> if they needed to cast magic\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n She stopped. Both she and Luan looked around. They saw an empty street. Empty windows, too. And in one apartment, dripping water. Almost as if\u2014<\/p>\n A shape floated out over a balcony. Umina flattened herself in a shadow. and Luan crouched at once. A Dullahan with shining crystal built into her armor was floating through the air at street level, her head floating next to her body, swiveling back and forth. The Lizardgirl hissed at Luan.<\/p>\n \u201cOh hell, [Mage]<\/em>! She must have heard the fighting. Hold on\u2014distract her!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMe? <\/em>How?\u201d<\/p>\n The Lizardgirl didn\u2019t answer. She was creeping sideways, risking being spotted to get behind the Dullahan. Luan cursed.<\/p>\n \u201cJust a game. Just a game\u2014twenty gold pieces. Hey you! Down here!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n He jumped out and waved his hands. Instantly, the Dullahan looked down. Before Luan could blink, she dropped out of the sky. Her head was on her shoulders in a moment. She pointed a finger at him. Luan swore and raised the club. She was fast!<\/em><\/p>\n \u201c[Water W\u2014]\u201d<\/p>\n The Dullahan ducked as the club spun over her head. She pointed at Luan\u2019s chest.<\/p>\n \u201c[Water Wall].\u201d<\/p>\n Water shot upwards from the ground, engulfing Luan in a second. The [Rower] struggled, arms flailing. He didn\u2019t panic; he\u2019d been in situations like this before. He just had to swim free\u2014Luan\u2019s eyes widened as he realized the water was thick<\/em>. And it was keeping him in the center! Air was only a foot away, but he couldn\u2019t make his body move as he tried to swim towards it. He saw the Dullahan smile slightly. Then her eyes narrowed. She spun as Umina burst out, shouting.<\/p>\n Choking, submerged in water, he saw the Lizardgirl hurl something at the [Mage]\u2019s face. The Dullahan raised a hand, and a shimmering barrier appeared, but it couldn\u2019t block the cloud of dust. The particles swirled around the shield, and the [Mage] doubled over. Luan flailed desperately, saw Umina run forwards as the [Mage] tried to point at her\u2014<\/p>\n The water surrounding Luan collapsed. He hit the ground as it splashed around him, coughing and gasping for air. He crawled up and saw Umina racing towards him.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you hurt? Sorry, I had to get into place!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Luan coughed up some water. He felt her slap him on the back and got up.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m fine. What did you do? How\u2019d you get\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He looked at the Dullahan. Her head had rolled off her shoulders, and she was unconscious. Umina grinned weakly.<\/p>\n \u201cJust some flour and grit. It gets in the lungs and you hack a lot, but that\u2019s all. [Mages] hate stuff like that, though. They can\u2019t concentrate. Good thing her barrier spell was so poor. Low-level [Mages] usually use shield spells, not full-body protection spells. That\u2019s a mistake, especially against clouds and other tricks like that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow\u2019d you get her to stop the spell?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI kicked her in the head. That works too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh.\u201d<\/p>\n Luan stared at Umina. Somehow he\u2019d expected something more impressive. The Lizardgirl shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cAnti-mage tactics on a budget. I learned that getting into fights back at home. There\u2019s always someone who\u2019s got a [Sorcerer] spell, and they can scorch your tail right off if you let them. Don\u2019t worry, she\u2019s just unconscious. Now, help me set up!\u201d<\/p>\n So saying, Umina grabbed what looked like strips of paper and handed a stack to Luan. He stared blankly at them.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s this for?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re ward talismans. They\u2019ll keep anyone from reaching us if we stick them on the alley entrances. Confusion ward, I think. They\u2019re not mine. Venaz gave them to me.\u201d<\/p>\n Umina held up a piece of paper about as wide as Luan\u2019s hand and a bit longer. He blinked, and then grinned in sudden delight as he recognized them.<\/p>\n \u201cAre those talismans? Ofuda?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n They looked exactly like the Japanese warding charms he\u2019d seen from their culture. The symbology didn\u2019t seem exactly like Kanji, but the concept was the same. Umina looked blank.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? Maybe. These are pretty strong! They should work on that patrol, and these are\u2026anti-scrying wards! Venaz really did come prepared! These are Drathian\u2014<\/em>here, put these up on the alleyway. I need to figure out where we are. Excuse me, this map\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She indicated the ones Luan should put up. Gingerly, almost reverentially, he stuck the warding papers on the alley they\u2019d come through, four of them. Two made him vaguely nauseous as he stared at the glowing ink, and the other two had some kind of closed eye inscribed amid the magical writing. They weren\u2019t sticky, but somehow, when he placed them, they instantly gripped the stone brickwork as if they\u2019d been glued in place.<\/p>\n \u201cSo sugoi.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n For a second, Luan let his inner fan of Japanese culture escape. He wished Ken were here to see this!<\/em> Then he turned to Umina.<\/p>\n \u201cAll done. What next?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCall them! Venaz! Marian!\u201d<\/p>\n Umina shouted down into the alleyway, into the mists. Luan took a breath as well and bellowed as loudly as he could.<\/p>\n \u201cThis way! Street\u2019s clear!\u201d<\/p>\n For a moment, he only heard the distant sound of fighting and shouts. Then pounding footsteps, growing louder rapidly. Luan stood back just in time; Venaz hurtled through the alleyway, half-carrying Marian. She had a black eye and several discolored bruises on her arms already.<\/p>\n \u201cMarian!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe just took a few hits. Move aside.\u201d<\/p>\n Venaz grunted and grabbed a potion from his bag of holding. Unceremoniously, he uncorked it and splashed Marian in the face with it. The Centaur gasped and came back to life. She staggered to her hooves, looking around wildly.<\/p>\n \u201cThe patrol\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe won free. And you used the talismans. Good work.\u201d<\/p>\n Venaz trotted over to the alleyway. He frowned at the four glowing ward papers and then at Umina and Luan.<\/p>\n \u201cYou didn\u2019t need to use four. Two is enough. One for the patrol, one to blank scrying.\u201d<\/p>\n Umina looked embarrassed.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry. I didn\u2019t know how strong they were. Can you remove them?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cToo late. They\u2019re activated. These are high-quality. Even a Level 40 [Warrior] would get turned around. Unless that [Captain] has a [Scout]\u2019s Skills or an artifact, we\u2019re safe. It doesn\u2019t matter. I have more.\u201d<\/p>\n Venaz flicked his fingers. Absently, he rubbed at one horn and cursed.<\/p>\n \u201cHe wasn\u2019t bad. Those [Soldiers] nearly got us. Why is there no mist here? Have we gone the wrong way?\u201d<\/p>\n Umina pointed silently. Venaz noticed the unconscious Dullahan [Mage] at last.<\/p>\n \u201cAh. Good work, you two. It seems this Skill affects even the Mithril\u2019s own [Mages]. Good to know\u2026where are we?\u201d<\/p>\n Marian sat down for a second to catch her breath. Umina shook her head as she investigated her map.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve gone down several streets. I don\u2019t know where we are exactly until we get onto a roof.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBetter not. They\u2019re watching the roofs.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight. Well, I think we\u2019re a lot closer to the plaza now. We\u2019ll know once we run into the fighting.\u201d<\/p>\n Venaz frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cYes. I\u2019d like to know how far Wil\u2019s forces have pushed in. We\u2019re moving blind. But we are<\/em> getting closer. I can feel it.\u201d<\/p>\n