Erin Solstice\u2019s inn was now an establishment. Not just a curio, an attraction, or simply a locus of unusual events. It was a home, a gathering spot. A place that people had made their habit to visit, for food, entertainment, and in that way, it became part of their lives. Like a local diner, or a library, or park, The Wandering Inn\u2019s worth had taken on a value you couldn\u2019t sum up in an arbitrary number.<\/p>\n
Well, you could if you were paying taxes. Erin sat in her inn the next morning, feeling a bit grouchy. She\u2019d paid the taxes. Since it wasn\u2019t a small amount, the friendly tax-Drake, Geillsten, had even arranged for two ordinary [Guards] to pick the gold up in a bag of holding. And how polite they\u2019d been, too!<\/p>\n
She\u2019d paid. But Erin had not had a good yesterday resolving the issue. First, Lyonette had scolded her for ten minutes and then gone off to see if she could renegotiate the terms. After all, it wasn\u2019t fair! You couldn\u2019t tax someone for before<\/em> they were a citizen, right?<\/p>\n Well, the [Princess] had found out that you could and Liscor would do just that. Geillsten had referred her to the Council\u2019s notes, which had pointed out that Erin had received the City Watch\u2019s help on numerous occasions\u2014an officer had even died<\/em> protecting Erin\u2019s inn. Klbkch.<\/p>\n Never mind the fact he had come back or that he and Relc had been helping her as friends. The fact was that Erin\u2019s inn had benefited from the City Watch patrolling around Liscor to remove the majority of monster threats, the healing potion Klbkch had given her that was City Watch equipment, and the numerous occasions the City Watch had helped resolve crises threatening Erin\u2019s inn.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd to be clear, Miss Lyonette, the Council\u2019s position on this is that a tax should<\/em> be paid. And they have allowed Miss Solstice to claim a number of discounts, including a sizable one for aiding in the negotiations with Esthelm.\u201d<\/p>\n And that was that. Lyonette had glumly returned to the inn empty-handed. Because, when you got down to it, Liscor\u2019s new democracy only extended to electing the Council. In their seat of authority, the Council could enact whichever laws they pleased.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s like a monarchy. Only, [Kings] are often balanced by a lot of forces. Their advisors, the nobility, public unrest\u2014but some of them can simply order someone to be jailed or someone to pay more taxes. It\u2019s all about having the right kind of power, Mrsha. Knowing how to use it and incur the least amount of pushback or mitigating it.\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette had balanced Mrsha on one knee as she explained why Erin was counting gold coins. The [Innkeeper] wasn\u2019t sure that <\/em>was a suitable lesson for Mrsha, but she didn\u2019t have much to say. So she\u2019d paid up the next day and now she glumly regarded the contents of her safe.<\/p>\n It was still quite a bit. But Lyonette\u2019s not-quite-a-glare as she put out today\u2019s breakfast for the inn\u2019s morning crowd told Erin it wasn\u2019t good.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve still got enough to pay the staff and buy food and stuff! Plenty! We could go for like, a month on this alone!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin weakly pointed at the coins with a smile. Lyonette pursed her lips. As she passed by with a huge, fluffy roll of bread and a bread knife, she pointedly looked at four table\u2019s worth of Antinium Soldiers and Workers.<\/p>\n \u201cThat money was supposed<\/em> to be used for refurbishing the inn, Erin. I\u2019ll have to talk with Klbkch about delaying the first payments. And I\u2019ll need you to make more ice cream. That\u2019s one of our best sellers. In those\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCones. They\u2019re good, right?\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette sighed. But she nodded. Erin\u2019s latest little innovation had been recreating the hard-batter cones that made ice cream a thousand times better than eating them in bowls. Plus you could walk around with them!<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll need as much as you can make. Ishkr will buy the ingredients if you need more. No buts! You\u2019re in the kitchen at least for three hours! Then you can go to Pallass.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette glared. Erin weakly smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cBut<\/em> Lyonette, I have to go to Esthelm today! You know, to negotiate and stuff?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Princess]\u2019s brows crossed.<\/p>\n \u201cToday?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYup. For the discount?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Innkeeper] watched as Lyonette tossed the fresh loaf of the bread on the table in disgust. Lyonette ground her teeth, and then nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cFine, I\u2019ll get Ishkr to make the ice cream and have\u2014how long will you be?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUm\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n At another table, the Horns of Hammerad were eating. Pisces, Ceria, Ksmvr, and Yvlon were having a rather nice meal of cereal grains flavored with a bit of sugar. Just a bit; the days of cheap honey were gone with the Ashfire Bee nest, which Ceria deeply regretted. Still\u2014the food was really good. She noticed Ksmvr bouncing in his seat and watching Erin and Lyonette.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Ksmvr?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am waiting for my sustenance, Captain Ceria.\u201d<\/p>\n The half-Elf eyed Ksmvr. He alone wasn\u2019t eating cereal.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat, the bread? Is that all you\u2019re eating for breakfast?\u201d<\/p>\n The Antinium paused.<\/p>\n \u201cIs that a bad thing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUm\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria had no idea. She suspected it was, but Ksmvr couldn\u2019t get enough of gluten after discovering the Amulet of Food Poison Resistance or whatever it was. It turned out lots of Antinium liked gluten\u2014they were just hugely intolerant to it.<\/p>\n \u201cJust eat your bugs for dinner or something.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Ice Mage] finished lamely. She heard a snort, but Yvlon and Pisces\u2019 faces were completely neutral when she looked over. After a moment, Yvlon glanced over.<\/p>\n \u201cYou might have to go and get the bread yourself, Ksmvr. Lyonette\u2019s not looking too happy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will acquire my breakfast now, then, Yvlon. I must not be the weakest link. Miss Erin has informed me of the perils of being one.\u201d<\/p>\n Ksmvr got up. Ceria blinked for a few seconds, and then decided it wasn\u2019t worth commenting on. She looked at the rest of her team, then at the diners the next table over.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Bevussa, what\u2019s your team doing today? You interested in the new missions being offered by Liscor\u2019s Council?\u201d<\/p>\n The Garuda sitting at the next table with her team looked up. She was having breakfast at the inn. Some of her team looked a bit annoyed at the question; Ceria was still Silver-rank. But Bevussa just smiled and shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s interesting. They want to chew a regular trade route towards Pallass? It\u2019s been tried before.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria frowned. Among the latest developments in Liscor, the decision to build a trade route to Pallass had been of most interest to her team. Bevussa nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cLiscor had one, I think. Before the second Antinium War. Then\u2014you know, the Necromancer\u2014the city lost a lot of outlying villages in the Floodplains and trade stopped with the Antinium Hive. Not that it was doing well after the First<\/em> Antinium War\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWars tend to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n One of the other Oldblood Drakes offered helpfully. Bevussa stared at him.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. I guess they do, Zassil. Imagine that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just saying. Wars. Bad for the economy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe get it, Zassil. That was Bevussa being sarcastic<\/em>. This is me being mad.\u201d<\/p>\n Issa, another Drake, snapped. Zassil looked hurt. Ceria bit her lip to keep from laughing.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just trying to contribute to the conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow? What does that statement have to offer? Why would you even say<\/em> that? Wars are bad for trade? Hey, you know what? When I flap my wings, I sometimes fly.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot for much longer with how much you\u2019re eating.\u201d<\/p>\n Bevussa ignored her squabbling teammates. She turned back to Ceria and shook her head in response to the first question.<\/p>\n \u201cInteresting, yeah. But not for us. We\u2019re sticking with the dungeon. That\u2019s where the real gold is.\u201d<\/p>\n Her last teammate, the silent Kin, looked up and nodded, brushing crumbs off his\u2014her?\u2014scales as Zassil and Issa threw bread pieces at each other. Ceria made a face. The bounties on monster parts were now being made into a very attractive list in the Adventurer\u2019s Guild. You could get two<\/em> gold coins for an adult Blankipillar\u2019s venom sac, intact.<\/p>\n It was going to drive even more interest to Liscor as adventurers came in looking for safe monster-hunting work as opposed to dungeon exploration which was far riskier and didn\u2019t guarantee pay. But\u2026she shook her head and nodded to her team.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a thing about the dungeon. The Bloodfields sounds like good work until the door gets to Invrisil. Safer than the dungeon, too.\u201d<\/p>\n Bevussa nodded understandingly. Then she frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cJust remember, the Bloodfields aren\u2019t much safer than the dungeon. If it was winter, well, that\u2019s different. But the summer? Just stay clear of it, got it? Even the border! And watch out\u2014even regular monsters might steer clear of the Bloodfields, but nasty types sometimes still hang about the area.\u201d<\/p>\n The Horns of Hammerad nodded seriously. Ksmvr was trying to figure out how to eat his half of the loaf. Ceria bit her lip, and nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cHopefully we never get close. It\u2019s to make a safe route around; but we\u2019ll be careful.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo when\u2019s the work start?\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria had no idea. She looked at Yvlon, who\u2019d signed them up at the Adventurer\u2019s Guild. The [Wounded Warrior] raised her shoulders.<\/p>\n \u201cIn a day or two. It\u2019s still being organized. We\u2019re just recruiting teams today. The Council\u2019s offering us a headhunter fee for every team in Celum we can get to work on the request. So we\u2019re going to reach out to some teams we know. Hopefully they\u2019ll listen.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHuh, what\u2019s the fee?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust a few silver\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone winced<\/em> as someone dropped a plate with a crash of pottery. Ceria looked over and saw a white shape on the ground and a broken plate full of eggs. Mrsha got up and stared at the plate of breakfast she\u2019d been trying to bring to Numbtongue\u2019s table. She stared at it and her eyes filled up.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Mrsha! Are you alright? Come here. It\u2019s okay, it\u2019s okay! Are you cut? Let me see.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin, Lyonette, and several others immediately converged on the Gnoll. So did Numbtongue. He squatted down and investigated the plate of eggs mixed with shards. Mrsha wasn\u2019t hurt; she\u2019d just tripped. But she was staring at the broken plate and food and crying. Numbtongue watched as Lyonette and Erin cuddled Mrsha and tried to reassure her. He reached for the eggs and began to munch on them.<\/p>\n \u201cNumbtongue! Stop that! You could swallow some shards! It\u2019s all right, Mrsha. Eggs are cheap. I used to find them all the time. Those Dino Birds lay them in the ground. Here. Ishkr! Broom! And we\u2019ll get new eggs\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n This was morning in The Wandering Inn. Everyone watched out of the corner of their eyes as Mrsha went into the kitchen with Erin and Lyonette and came back with another plate of eggs in a moment. She put it on the table in front of Numbtongue. He nodded, smiled, and began to eat. And Mrsha sat with him, wagging her tail as Erin and Lyonette helped Ishkr and the two Gnolls on morning duty pass out the rest of the food.<\/p>\n \u201cErin! Hey, Erin! Is my thing ready?\u201d<\/p>\n A pale, scaly hand and unfamiliar voice waved at Erin as she passed by Numbtongue\u2019s table. She looked over and recognized Jelaqua. Different body, same grin. Erin blinked.<\/p>\n \u201cNot yet! Give them like, five minutes, Jelaqua?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGot it. Hey! All these adventurers in the inn, huh? Feels like a second Adventurer\u2019s Guild!\u201d<\/p>\n The Selphid grinned at the other teams eating around her. Bevussa called over to the Selphid.<\/p>\n \u201cJelaqua, is your team interested in the Bloodfields mission? I thought you were still going to Invrisil.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, well, the thing is\u2026we\u2019re getting there! A few miles a day. Sometimes more. I\u2019m uh, on vacation. You know. With Maughin?\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua grinned a bit nervously. Ceria exchanged glances with her team. Bevussa nodded slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cRight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow that\u2019s<\/em> news. Wonder what it\u2019s like in Pallass. A Dullahan and a Selphid? I wish I could hear the gossip.\u201d<\/p>\n Zassil commented under his breath. Issa kicked him.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t be a lizard. It\u2019s sweet!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just saying. Maughin<\/em>? Master Maughin? And\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt takes all kinds, Zassil.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, but how many kinds? And how many bodies? I mean, that\u2019s a nice one. Objectively, right? If it was just that one, awesome, but what if\u2014stop kicking me!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua was talking, oblivious to the side conversation.<\/p>\n \u201cSo I\u2019m out. And my uh, team, is sort of on vacation too. At least, they\u2019re either doing that or moving the door. I gotta make it up to them a bit.\u201d<\/p>\n She grinned a bit wanly. Bevussa looked around, although Moore\u2019s absence was conspicuous.<\/p>\n \u201cRight. Where are they today?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSeborn and Moore? They\u2019re in Pallass. Moore\u2019s been getting depressed lately. Female company<\/em>, you know? A lack of it. So Seborn finally got him to\u2026er\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua caught Mrsha\u2019s eye. She and Lyonette were both giving the Selphid expectant looks at the next table. So was Erin. Numbtongue, frowning and listening as he ate breakfast, paused, and then his expression cleared as Pyrite told him the answer.<\/p>\n Jelaqua coughed.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, they\u2019re just going to look.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLook at what?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2014<\/em>hey, Erin! Are those cookies done?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet me check. Uh\u2026yep! One sec! Hey, is there a bag<\/em> anywhere?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got one! Bag of holding. Right here!\u201d<\/p>\n The Selphid hurried into the kitchen. Ceria saw her coming out, patting a bag. Erin had a smaller platter of the rest of the cookies.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I made a double batch! Who wants\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Half the hands in the inn shot up. Lyonette cleared her throat.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s extra<\/em>, not breakfast.\u201d<\/p>\n Only three hands went down. Mrsha waved hers eagerly. Pisces, who had hitherto been preoccupied with his cereal and reading a book at the table, flicked a finger. Erin yelped as a cookie tried to float off her plate. Then another.<\/p>\n \u201cHey! Whoever\u2019s doing that, stop!\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces, Ceria, and Kin all paused guiltily. Erin snatched the floating cookies back and counted.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s enough for all of you! Now, Lyonette, here\u2019s the cookies. You can make them pay. Jelaqua, that good?\u201d<\/p>\n The Selphid was counting her custom-ordered cookies. She patted the bag again, and then looked at Erin. She smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cI think so. Thanks for doing this, Erin. Really.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo problem! You could actually make them yourself, you know. Gonna share them with a certain, uh\u2026Maughin?\u201d<\/p>\n The Selphid blushed in an interesting way. Her cheeks stayed pale, but a lattice of what Ceria took to be her actual form appeared under the pale scales, faintly orange. It was even more distinctive when she wore a Human\u2019s body. She waved a claw awkwardly.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want to mess it up. Besides, I don\u2019t even have [Basic Cooking]. I mean, I know I don\u2019t need <\/em>it, but I can\u2019t make everything perfectly. And\u2014dead hands, you know? Well, claws today.\u201d<\/p>\n She was still a bit orange. Erin nodded, noticing how nervous the normally-cheerful Selphid was. She edged over with Jelaqua towards the magic door. It was currently open to Celum and you could see Octavia\u2019s shop inside. Octavia too; the [Alchemist] had had a quick breakfast but she was working on something. She still glanced occasionally back towards Erin\u2019s inn every now and then.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, what\u2019re the cookies for? A date today?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin teased Jelaqua, smiling. The Selphid hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, nothing grand. But Maughin\u2019s not working, so he invited me to visit some of Pallass\u2019 attractions. They have this amazing display of these\u2026interlockers is what they call them, I think. The things they use to make the elevators? Maughin\u2019s made some parts, so the [Engineers] invited him for a new display.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOoh! Sounds cool. I should visit Pallass more often myself. There\u2019s so much I haven\u2019t seen! I bet you\u2019ve got lots to do, right? Have you visited Pallass before?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, yeah. Nine years back? When the Halfseekers worked in the south. But\u2026well, there\u2019s not as much for a Selphid to do. Massages, bathhouses\u2014no real good. I can adjust my body myself, and I need a really fresh<\/em> one to enjoy a massage. And it creeps out anyone who\u2019s not used to Selphids. And bathhouses? I\u2019m just glad there\u2019s other stuff to do.\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua shook her head. Erin studied her.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve gone on a lotta dates. I think you\u2019re serious about this.\u201d<\/p>\n The Selphid squirmed.<\/p>\n \u201cI am. At least, it\u2019s been the first time in, like, eight years since I met anyone I hit it off with this well. Hey, Erin. Between us. Maughin and I. Do you\u2026think it\u2019s a good fit?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin took the question seriously. She nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI think he likes you. Maybe even more than hitting things with a hammer. And I think you\u2019ll be fine. He likes you. And you like him. And you know that he likes you. And he knows that you like him. And you know that he knows that you know that\u2026well, it\u2019s good! Don\u2019t worry! I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll like the cookies.\u201d<\/p>\n The Selphid smiled at Erin, relieved.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Erin. You\u2019re the best! Okay, I\u2019m off! Mind changing the door\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, sure. Octavia! Just letting Jelaqua through to Pallass! Say, are you on the list? Hey guys! Jelaqua\u2019s not on the list! Sorry!\u201d<\/p>\n The door opened and closed after Erin argued with the Drakes on the other side for a bit. The rest of the inn\u2019s breakfasters began finishing up. Ceria got up with a sigh.<\/p>\n \u201cTime to head to Celum. Let\u2019s talk to Crossbow Stan first. He\u2019ll listen to us most. Yvlon and I will do the talking, Ksmvr. No asserting dominance.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI shall be meekly subordinate, Captain.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I<\/em> will study. I have been far too remiss as it is in keeping up my magical practice.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Necromancer] sitting at the table didn\u2019t move as Yvlon got up. Ceria snapped at him.<\/p>\n \u201cPisces!\u201d<\/p>\n He just looked up and raised his brows sardonically.<\/p>\n \u201cMy presence is surely not needed negotiating with Celum\u2019s adventuring teams, is it? In fact, I would consider it a hindrance. Wouldn\u2019t you, oh glorious Captain?\u201d<\/p>\n That was a good point. Pisces\u2019 absence would be helpful. But\u2014Ceria hesitated. Yvlon took over and slapped Pisces on the back. He winced and she frowned at him.<\/p>\n \u201cYou really have to stop making all your good points as obnoxiously as possible, Pisces. Fine. Stay. Right, Ceria?\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at Ceria and the half-Elf reluctantly nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI suppose it\u2019s for the best. But you\u2019re not weaseling out of work, Pisces!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPerish the thought. I\u2019m preparing myself for that very moment.\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces looked up and nodded. He even seemed serious. Then he turned back to his breakfast, flipping open his personal spellbook and checking his notes. He reminded Ceria of his days as a student, in fact. She paused, and then gave up and went towards the door.<\/p>\n \u201cMind if you send us to Liscor, Erin? I\u2019d fly, but my stomach\u2019s first.\u201d<\/p>\n Bevussa was first in line. Erin shut the door, obligingly changed it, and sent the teams out to Liscor, and then the Horns to Celum.<\/p>\n The visitor arrived just after the flow of traffic ended. And he came through the actual, ordinary door which was a surprise. Erin turned as a Drake with black scales spotted with yellow swept into the room. Teliv Witherscale looked around warily, and then put a beaming smile on his face as soon as he saw Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cHello, hello! Are you by any chance the<\/em> Erin Solstice? Teliv Witherscale, at your service! I\u2019m the [Negotiator] in charge of the Esthelm diplomatic trip. We\u2019re all ready to depart; the wagons are just rolling north with their escort! But we can catch up to them in an hour without issue if you need to wait!\u201d<\/p>\n He strode over to Erin and she found herself shaking his claw. And it was the perfect handshake\u2014firm, but not too strong\u2014the kind that made you feel like you weren\u2019t failing at the opening greeting. She liked Teliv instantly, and wasn\u2019t sure if it was a Skill or just the Drake\u2019s personality.<\/p>\n \u201cHi! I\u2019m Erin! Sorry, did you say the wagons are going now? Am I late? That tax guy just said someone would pick me up!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot late at all, not at all! The main convoy\u2019s just moving at a different pace. There\u2019s a Watch escort and not all the [Wagon Drivers] have movement Skills. I have one ready to go that can easily catch up\u2014or, if you can ride, we can take horses! But where are my manners?\u201d<\/p>\n So saying, he produced a bright green flower and offered it to Erin. She was tickled pink.<\/p>\n \u201cFlowers?\u201d<\/p>\n Teliv winked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cI know it\u2019s antiquated. Although they do teach us to give flowers at the academy! But it is<\/em> a delight to meet the iconic, no, legendary owner of The Wandering Inn! Olesm has told me such<\/em> tales\u2014when he deigns to visit me. I\u2019ll admit, we run in different circles these days, but I envy his company!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou know Olesm?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin blinked. Teliv smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy, of course I do! He\u2019s never mentioned me? Not once? His handsome, charming friend?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe\u2014but why have I never seen you with Olesm, then? Or at my inn?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin propped her hands on her hips. Teliv smiled apologetically.<\/p>\n \u201cMy dear Miss Solstice, I\u2019m afraid that\u2019s because I have a healthy regard for my life. I\u2019m positively allergic to death or situations that cause it. Or trouble, for that matter. Hence my reluctant aversion to your inn!\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake sighed. He turned, spreading the smile to Lyonette and Mrsha, who\u2019d both come to stare at him. Erin was impressed; when Teliv saw Numbtongue he only froze up for a microsecond. Then he just smiled at the Hobgoblin. He was<\/em> pretty good.<\/p>\n \u201cI also spend altogether too much time in such establishments as it is. I work at Wishdrinks, if you didn\u2019t know. I also work as a [Host] and if you\u2019d like to offer me competitive rates at your inn\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUh\u2014[Host]? And [Negotiator]? I didn\u2019t know Liscor had either. Well, we can talk about it. I mean, we\u2019ll be travelling for a day, right? Hey, we can take the magic door to Esthelm in back! We could even let the other people take it there! Lyonette, where are the extra mana stones? Or maybe I should go with you. To set it up properly.\u201d<\/p>\n And to avoid making ice cream for four hours. <\/em>Teliv blinked, but he let Erin lead him to the door and explain how it worked.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d heard about this, Miss Solstice. Teleportation magic. Er, it\u2019s completely safe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, probably. Why?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo reason, no reason! It\u2019s just that I\u2019m familiar with Fissival\u2019s network and ah, well, I suppose it would help. Not to mention, a door would definitely improve our negotiations! Bring it or those little stones, by all means! But please, Miss Solstice, the Council has asked me to tell you that this is a sensitive mission. Your presence is necessary due to the goodwill Esthelm\u2019s people feel towards you, but I would appreciate it if you left the bargaining to me.\u201d<\/p>\n Teliv eyed Erin. She put her hands on her hips, a bit miffed.<\/p>\n \u201cSo I\u2019m just there as, what, entertainment? Goodwill? Krshia\u2019s got a lotta nerve telling me to do this and do that! All the power\u2019s gotten to her head! Or Lism has! Power corrupts! Anyways, if I\u2019m so unpredictable and you\u2019re so afraid of death, why are you going with me<\/em> to Esthelm?\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake sighed again.<\/p>\n \u201cDuty calls, Miss Solstice. And to be fair, being paid to stick my tail into danger is quite different from seeking it out. Now, I\u2019m sure we\u2019ll have plenty of time to debate the Council and all manner of interesting topics on the road! But let\u2019s keep things in order. I\u2019d like to be on the road in twenty minutes just so we can stay with the wagons.\u201d<\/p>\n He was brisk, for all he laid on the likeability! Erin nodded, waving at Lyonette who was bringing the extra mana stones over.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay. I guess we can make a door at Esthelm to get back. So\u2026I\u2019ve got my knife, um\u2014I\u2019ll get a healing potion or two? Anything else I should bring?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot much to defend yourself, I should think. It\u2019s not far and we won\u2019t be passing through any unpredictable wilderness. But if you have anything that would smooth our introduction to Esthelm\u2014well, I was saving this for the road, but let me brief you on the mission.\u201d<\/p>\n Teliv walked with Erin as she went into the kitchen, and then he was speaking rapidly, in a business-like tone that did<\/em> remind Erin of Olesm a bit.<\/p>\n \u201cEsthelm\u2019s hit a poor patch of late. Of course, you helped repair their walls, but the city\u2019s population was decimated. They\u2019re poor, to put it frankly, and not a little traumatized from the Goblin Lord\u2019s attack. A delicate touch is needed, hence our gift of dried fish from the spring\u2019s harvest and your presence. Even so, I would appreciate it if you didn\u2019t\u2026do anything too extreme. Unless it helps the cause. And refraining from mentioning that Liscor is positively swimming with Gold-rank adventurers and so on might help. We are just two cities on the border trying to help each other, not a rich city looking down on a poor one.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGot it.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin nodded as she rummaged through her cupboards. She thought for a second and then found her special wing of the pantry marked \u2018NOT FOR COOKING\u2019 in huge letters.<\/p>\n \u201cIn that case, maybe I should bring some acid jars along. To give to them. And some chess sets? Everyone likes chess! And I should have made a third batch of cookies! Oh well. Here\u2019s the jars\u2026darn, I really should have a bag of holding for stuff like this! But it\u2019s expensive, or so Selys says! What if I borrowed hers? Hey, Teliv, hold these?\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake found himself holding two glass jars of green liquid. He stared at them and then recalled one of his notes on Erin Solstice. Gingerly, he backed out of the kitchen and put the jars on a table. He caught Lyonette pulling Mrsha well clear of the jars.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t let her drop those anywhere near you.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Princess] pointed at the acid jars. Teliv shuddered as Erin came out with two more. To her credit, she was holding them very carefully herself.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe refrain from displays of wealth, Miss Solstice? We\u2019ll stow your jars on the wagons without the bag of holding. Far from us.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin nodded. She placed the jars on the table and looked around. Anything else? Nothing off the top of her head. Besides, she was just helping out. Then she studied her dress. She took her apron off after a second\u2019s thought and regarded her attire.<\/p>\n \u201cHuh. Okay. I\u2019m not dressed too badly. But\u2014oh! Should I take my ring off?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat ring?\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette, keeping Mrsha back from the acid jars, looked up. Teliv, Pisces, still at his table, and even Mrsha and Numbtongue looked around. Erin waved her right hand.<\/p>\n \u201cThis\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Erin went to point to the ring on her finger. The golden ring that Ilvriss had given her. Then she realized what she was doing and hesitated, but it was too late.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014ring. I wear it sometimes. It\u2019s cool, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n Lamely, she twisted it a bit so the golden letters weren\u2019t visible. Lyonette frowned as she walked over. She stared at the ring on Erin\u2019s finger, mystified.<\/p>\n \u201cI have never seen you wear that ring in my life, Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? No, I wore it yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin protested, blinking at Lyonette. The [Princess] raised her brows.<\/p>\n \u201cOh? Well, maybe. I must have forgotten it. Where\u2019d you get it? You could buy something far nicer at the marketplace. That\u2019s sort of\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She looked around, hesitating, then went for it.<\/p>\n \u201cPlain?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin frowned, hurt. And then she really<\/em> frowned as she stared at the ring on her finger.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? I mean, it\u2019s not full of jewels, but it is<\/em> gold, right?\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette stared at the ring.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not gold, Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n This time the [Innkeeper] really hesitated. She frowned at Lyonette, expecting a joke, but Lyonette didn\u2019t do jokes that much. Slowly, Erin regarded the ring that bore the single word, \u2018Salazsar\u2019, on it. And on a hunch, she interjected a bit of incredulity into her voice.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not golden to you?\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette raised her eyebrows, surprised. She looked at the ring and shook her head. Mrsha did the same. Erin showed the ring to Teliv, and he shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cDoesn\u2019t look like gold to me, but I\u2019m no expert.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am. Show me.\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces leaned over and narrowed his eyes as Erin took the ring off her finger. He stared at Ilvriss\u2019 ring in Erin\u2019s palm dismissively for a second and shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cCopper.\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette nodded, agreeing with a sigh.<\/p>\n \u201cPolished well. Erin, you know what gold coins look like. You didn\u2019t pay for it as if it were gold, did you? Never mind, I don\u2019t<\/em> want to know. If you like it, that\u2019s great.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked at her. Then at the plain, copper ring on her hand. She put it on and stared again. Then she looked up with a guileless smile that was in fact, full of guile. But well-hidden.<\/p>\n \u201cOh. Well, right. I wear it sometimes. <\/em>Don\u2019t be jerks about it! I like copper.\u201d<\/p>\n She put the ring back on her finger before anyone could see the faint indentation of flesh. And she looked at the ring thoughtfully for another second. But then Teliv was politely urging her towards the waiting wagon, and Erin had an adventure to attend to in Esthelm! Not a huge one if Teliv had his way, but Erin wanted to see how the city had fared since she\u2019d helped it. So, it turned out, did Numbtongue.<\/p>\n Of course, that was a bad idea, at least, according to Teliv. But soon Erin was on the road and busy. She was always busy, but sometimes she remembered how quiet her inn had been. And all the old guests who had left or\u2026gone.<\/p>\n Her old Antinium chess players. Halrac and his team. The original Horns of Hammerad. Once, Brunkr. Ryoka. And\u2026Erin sat on the wagon, and looked at the ring on her finger. Sometimes she forgot it was there. It was comfortable; if she didn\u2019t think of it, it felt like part of her finger. And no one remembered her wearing it? Come to that\u2014Erin narrowed her eyes and then fished out a gold coin. She stared at it and at the ring.<\/p>\n \u201cHuh.\u201d<\/p>\n She wanted to know what it meant, but Teliv wasn\u2019t the person to ask. Like the special coin in her safe, it was something to ponder and ask the right people. And it did remind Erin of a certain jerk who hadn\u2019t been completely a jerk. Sometimes she even missed him.<\/p>\n She wondered what he was doing now.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Wall Lord Ilvriss of Salazsar was home. He had returned to his Walled City, the City of Gems, Salazsar, located in the mountainous eastern region of Izril. And had Erin Solstice wished it, she could have found out his whereabouts and what he was up to quite easily.<\/p>\n Anyone could. It was a fact of this world that thanks to [Message] spells and the changing nature of politics, information was power. And Ilvriss was a name. One of many, true. But a Wall Lord still merited enough attention that his actions were the talk of Salazsar.<\/p>\n They said he\u2019d gone after Zel Shivertail even though a truce had been called between the Trisstal Alliance and Salazsar. Even though the Goblin Lord had been attacking Drake and Human cities, Ilvriss hadn\u2019t let go of the grudge and dueled Zel Shivertail. The injuries of that duel had led to General Shivertail\u2019s demise at the Goblin Lord\u2019s claws.<\/p>\n No, it wasn\u2019t vengeance<\/em>. Wall Lord Ilvriss had gone with General Shivertail to raise another army! He\u2019d balked at working with the Humans, obviously, but he\u2019d been holding the walls while the Humans assailed Liscor.<\/p>\n Actually\u2014and let\u2019s be clear here\u2014it was neither. If you wanted to know the real details of Ilvriss\u2019 mysterious sojourn abroad, it was all to do with the rumored lover he had. He\u2019d met her in Liscor and all the other incidents he\u2019d been involved in were a result of that getaway! But they\u2019d broken up, hence his abrupt return.<\/p>\n Those were the three biggest theories, and there were some other rumors, with everything from Ilvriss trying to become Liscor\u2019s next Wall Lord, or that he\u2019d taken some serious injury in the battle with Zel Shivertail or their following clash with the Goblin Lord and been forced to recover.<\/p>\n Rumors of a liaison with a Gnoll, or even more scandalous, a Human<\/em> were never founded. But then again, no one who understood the significance of it took the absence of the plain, golden ring on Ilvriss\u2019 claws lightly.<\/p>\n The sheer fact was that Ilvriss had everyone\u2019s attention on him in the weeks after his return. And what had he done? Well\u2014partied.<\/p>\n But in a refined way. What he\u2019d done since returning home was throw a series of the most exquisite soirees and dinner parties that had Salazsar\u2019s elites toasting him nightly. Of course, what else was a son of Salazsar to do when they\u2019d been away from their home, and thus culture, for so long?<\/p>\n However, ironically, those actions were positively mundane compared to the aura of mystery Ilvriss had cultivated while abroad. So the well-received parties soon became of no interest to anyone but those invited and possibly an envious mention in passing. And that was just how Ilvriss intended it.<\/p>\n It was in fact, morning in Salazsar, albeit a cold and frosty one in the highest reaches of the towers of the Walled City. Of course, the nobility could pay for as much magical heating as they liked, and so it didn\u2019t touch Ilvriss as he stood on a balcony and walkway leading to the private routes the Wall Lords and Ladies could use.<\/p>\n Like the rest of Salazsar, the towers and reaching structures of the Walled City were connected by walkways. The lower parts of the city were the most densely populated; wealth stood above. In fact, Ilvriss\u2019 family owned this particular spire, from top to bottom. And his personal estates\u2014more vertical than sprawling\u2014occupied the top of the tower.<\/p>\n The Wall Lord suppressed the urge to yawn as he heard the door open behind him. He\u2019d had a late night of refined debauchery. And the Drake responsible for about sixty percent of said debauchery was stumbling out, shrugging off the help of the few attendants Ilvriss employed.<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t Brilm. Or Hesalief. Or the six other Drakes who\u2019d attended the private little party in Ilvriss\u2019 estates. No, only one Drake could and would keep drinking even when the sun had come back up. And he came stumbling out of the door helped by the Drake [Housekeeper].<\/p>\n [Housekeeper]. It was an important distinction. Ilvriss employed a [Chef], [Cleaners], [Waiters]\u2014no [Servants]. True, you could argue that [Housekeeper] was just a higher-ranking servant, but in the context of Drake society, a [Housekeeper], like a [Cleaner], was someone you employed. Not someone you were better than; and indeed, if you threw dirty clothes on the floor in front of a Drake [Housekeeper], they\u2019d probably throw it right back.<\/p>\n Drakes believed in military discipline and ranks, but not servitude. So there was no [Butler] or [Manservant] to haul the Wall Lord who came stumbling out to stand next to Ilvriss to a waiting carriage and speed him back to his estates. You couldn\u2019t fit a carriage on the walkways this high up anyways, and horses had a thing about heights. He\u2019d have to walk, or failing that, stumble home.<\/p>\n \u201cTasilt.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss winced at the sound of his own voice. He reached into a pocket of his robes and withdrew a small vial. He uncorked it and drank the hangover potion as Tasilt grinned blearily at him.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s that? Hangover potion already? You\u2019ve lost your step, Ilvriss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you\u2019re taking far too many. For yourself?\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss offered the vial to Tasilt. He normally didn\u2019t drink that much, but Tasilt was a bad influence. The rest of the Wall Lords that Ilvriss had invited to the dinner that had turned into drinking had all needed one. But Tasilt just waved a claw vaguely.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m still pleasantly, no, happily<\/em> drunk. That was a fine repast! And the drinks afterwards! Just\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He tried to blow a kiss with his claws.<\/p>\n \u201cNow that<\/em> is the Ilvriss Gemscale I know. A Drake of taste<\/em>. Sophistication! And\u2014and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFine wine?\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss raised his brows drily. Tasilt took two steps left, stumbling unsteadily. He had to lean on the balcony as he nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cExceedingly! Although, I will own, at some point it\u2019s lost on me since I<\/em> feel the point is to be happily drunk, not classily tipsy. A waste of a good vintage!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSome wines are meant to be shared. Or else why bother hoarding at all? It was only a Laile.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTrue! True! But generous, nevertheless. I\u2019ve half a dozen bottles I\u2019m terrified to open, do you know? They\u2019re in my vaults under Preservation Runes along with everything else. I\u2019d love to taste<\/em> just one, but my heirs would kill me. As would my dear beloved. It\u2019s inheritance.\u201d<\/p>\n Tasilt heaved a huge sigh. He squinted out at the brightening skyline.<\/p>\n \u201cAncestors, it is<\/em> dawn already, isn\u2019t it? I should have been home ages ago. And I\u2019m due a meeting with these [Merchants] in four hours! Dead gods, I wish we were young again, Ilvriss. Free of work!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve certainly acted like it these last few days, haven\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss smiled a bit. He stood very tall, not showing the effects of drinking. Tasilt on the other hand\u2014well, he wore his drinks and some of his excesses.<\/p>\n Then again, he was the more cheerful of the two Drakes. Ilvriss had long considered that, and the fact that Tasilt, for all he\u2019d never seemed to grow up like Ilvriss had, was still quite successful as a Wall Lord himself. And beloved; if Ilvriss was the model Drake in both bearing and appearance, a symbol of Salazsar\u2019s elite, Tasilt was quite fondly regarded despite being a failure in those regards.<\/p>\n Now Ilvriss\u2019 old friend was sighing. He still didn\u2019t take the vial and instead straightened his clothing.<\/p>\n \u201cNo help for it. I\u2019ll take a stamina potion, don\u2019t worry, Ilvriss. And I\u2019ll explain myself at home. Rhelika will understand. You\u2019ve been away for so long and she did<\/em> enjoy that dinner party. Just invite us all for a private meal next week, would you? That\u2019ll unruffle her fur and I can bring the children over.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cVery well. Give her my greetings.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNaturally! And er, I\u2019ll convey your regrets for the late hour. Completely unavoidable. Old friends need to catch up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss kept his face straight as Tasilt checked his breath. The Drake was still drunk, though. Ilvriss coughed.<\/p>\n \u201cIf a hangover potion isn\u2019t enough, I can have someone fetch a sobering\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Tasilt caught him with a claw, grinning toothily.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, no, let me enjoy this, Ilvriss. Or the wine will have been sacrificed for nothing! I\u2019ll be fine. This is why handrails were invented. Rhelika won\u2019t mind.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd the [Merchants]?\u201d<\/p>\n Tasilt just laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cSimple! I\u2019ll provide them with suitable refreshments! That\u2019s the trick of it, Ilvriss. Don\u2019t rise; bring them down to your level! You\u2019d be surprised at how many upper-class [Merchants] have forgotten how to barter while drunk! Just give me a second. Ah, what a sight, eh?\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss nodded. He could feel the cold breeze on his scales, but the heat rising from the balcony\u2019s tiles made the experience bracing, pleasant. And Salazsar by dawn was beautiful. The light caught the towers one by one, illuminating millennia of craft, wrought stone. Carved gems angled to split the light cast colorful reflections.<\/p>\n Salazsar was a jewel. And Ilvriss loved it as much as the first day he\u2019d seen it from above. He glanced to one side and saw Tasilt\u2019s eyes shining. Different they may be, but they were still sons of Salazsar.<\/p>\n And Tasilt? Ilvriss paused another moment, regarding his old friend. He was unlike Brilm, who was always on the cutting edge of the latest \u2018thing\u2019. And if Brilm was a traditionalist, even painfully so when it came to how he employed Gnolls, Tasilt was his opposite.<\/p>\n Everything the Drake did was new. Experimental. Three quarters of his enterprises tended to fail, but the remaining quarter made up for his failures. Everything from trying to use water to blast holes in mines to how he had married.<\/p>\n He was the only Wall Lord\u2014or Lady\u2014in forty six years to have married a non-Drake. And only one of eight in as many centuries. By now, it had been\u2026what, seventeen years? Ilvriss felt it was only yesterday that Tasilt had been rowing with his friends and father about the very idea of marrying his Gnoll wife, Rhelika. And Ilvriss remembered vividly the way he\u2019d acted back then.<\/p>\n It was the only time Tasilt had ever hit Ilvriss. Now of course, that day was over a decade past and Ilvriss and Tasilt were old friends who\u2019d gotten back together for a night of relaxation after his long absence.<\/p>\n Ilvriss thought more of moments like that these days. And he looked at Tasilt differently. Of course, he\u2019d never been Brilm, who still held Tasilt at a reserve, but Ilvriss had always regarded Tasilt\u2019s decision as\u2026odd. Now, though? Ilvriss wondered how difficult it had been for Rhelika. And he had never considered that before. Not once. But if it was difficult for a\u2026Human, living just outside a Drake city. If a Goblin could be an adventurer\u2014<\/p>\n Ilvriss shook his head. He looked at everything differently than when he\u2019d left, come to that. It felt like the world hadn\u2019t changed. But he had. And it was an uncomfortable feeling. Things that had mattered in the past didn\u2019t now. While other things mattered more.<\/p>\n After a moment, the Drake cleared his throat. Ilvriss\u2019 purples scales stood out next to Tasilt\u2019s fair green mixed with brown.<\/p>\n \u201cHow are the children, Tasilt? I didn\u2019t have the opportunity to ask.\u201d<\/p>\n The other Wall Lord looked up, deeply surprised. He paused, and Ilvriss noticed Tasilt\u2019s eyes flicking to his face for a moment. Tasilt visibly sobered a bit and replied, smiling a bit and staring over the balcony.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat, the twins? Just grand. You\u2019d never know they were different species. Both of them run about on all fours. Cecilla\u2019s normal\u2014she\u2019s in her hoarding phase. We\u2019re working with her on that. Not a problem there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh, of course. And\u2026is it Feldir?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt is.\u201d<\/p>\n Tasilt heaved a sigh. He glanced at Ilvriss again, and then leaned over the balcony. And this time his voice was lower. Genuine concern flickered through his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s unruly\u2014you know? Won\u2019t listen, always disappearing\u2014and I have to watch that he doesn\u2019t take anything from home! You know, the other day I found out he\u2019d taken a Potion of Greater Invisibility out of our family vaults?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally? <\/em>And he used it?\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss looked greatly concerned. Wall Lords had their inheritances of old. Some had squandered it of course, but Tasilt and Ilvriss\u2019 families both possessed some treasures, even if the majority of it was just the wealth they owned. Tasilt was the one with legitimate heirlooms in his family, and that potion was one of them. Tasilt nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cJust like that! I had to tell the guards not to let him in! And the damn potion. You know how he used it? Well, let\u2019s just say Tielma was not<\/em> happy about where she found her daughter, her daughter\u2019s friends, Feldir, and half a dozen of his mates. I can\u2019t imagine how it must have been. Obviously she saw nothing, but the sounds\u2026<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n He shuddered. Ilvriss stared at him and then he laughed. Tasilt stared at him. His lips quirked, and his tail swayed on the warm stone tiles.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t laugh! It was a disaster!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry. But that really is a story that would only come from you, Tasilt.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss chuckled, shaking his head. He looked at his old friend.<\/p>\n \u201cBy all means, bring over your family next week, Tasilt. I\u2019ll send the invitation. I should like to meet Feldir and the others. He sounds like a spitting image of you at his age.\u201d<\/p>\n The other Wall Lord blinked. Then he grinned ruefully.<\/p>\n \u201cAncestors, I hope not! Otherwise he\u2019ll be\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He paused and then suddenly frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cDamn it. He has<\/em> been asking for more money. If he\u2019s at those\u2026I\u2019d better send a Runner down to The Scarlet Tail and inquire tactfully\u2026no, better if I go myself. Dead gods. I can\u2019t have grandchildren running around yet! Well, Ancestors. I have to run. Ilvriss, this was a pleasure.\u201d<\/p>\n He turned and held out a claw. Ilvriss took it, smiling.<\/p>\n \u201cI quite enjoyed it, Tasilt. And we must talk later.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, I\u2019ll look forwards to it.\u201d<\/p>\n Tasilt smiled, genuinely pleased. Then he adjusted his clothes a final time, walked out of the balcony and down the walkway across Salazsar. Ilvriss watched him go. Then he turned and went inside.<\/p>\n The private sitting room wasn\u2019t too messy. Not as if, say, Tasilt\u2019s rebellious Gnoll son, Feldir and his friends had been drinking late here. It was mainly just empty cups and bottles. Ilvriss walked around them and sat in a chair by the fireplace. He rubbed at his temples. Now<\/em> he was feeling tired. He\u2019d need a stamina potion to function today as well. Absently, Ilvriss reached for something to drink and came up with a nearly empty bottle of fine wine. He stared at it, and then, carefully, put the bottle down.<\/p>\n \u201cSalisa.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss left the sitting room and found one of his family\u2019s staff waiting for him in the hall. The old Drake looked expectantly at him.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m in need of some water. And a stamina potion.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll have it to you at once, Wall Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n Salisa nodded. The Wall Lord nodded and retired to the study. After a minute, a Drake returned with some water and a shot of a strong stamina potion in a glass. He took both and let them begin cleaning the room. The water and potion cleared his mind and Ilvriss sat back.<\/p>\n He felt guilty about drinking. But it had served its purpose and now he was back to non-alcoholic beverages again, just like in Liscor after\u2026<\/p>\n Lost in thought, Ilvriss glanced up and saw Salisa returning. He looked up and she nodded towards the door. She wasn\u2019t <\/em>a servant, was she? But what else could you call her? She\u2019d been employed by his family just like her father and mother for generations. But she wasn\u2019t a \u2018servant\u2019. But that was just splitting hairs.<\/p>\n He hated thinking like this. But he couldn\u2019t stop it. Ilvriss stood up and Salisa paused. She didn\u2019t bow or curtsy or whatever Human servants did, but the rest of it was the same.<\/p>\n \u201cWall Lord. Wardmistress Geyasa awaits you in the dawn study.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll see her at once. Thank you, Salisa.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss nodded. And then he strode towards the study facing the northeast. It was already illuminated by the rising sun, and Ilvriss saw that the waiting [Mage] was well attended to. She rose from a small meal and dabbed at her mouth.<\/p>\n \u201cWall Lord Ilvriss. Thank you for making time for me. I hope I\u2019m not intruding?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot at all, Wardmistress Geyasa. I just saw the last of my guests off today. May I ask how your work has gone?\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake inclined her head.<\/p>\n \u201cMy team and I have swept your mansion and your properties, Wall Lord. We did uncover a few minor spells, but nothing of note. Nothing in your estate\u2014your wards held.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss sighed, affecting relief. Internally he was skeptical, but the Drake standing in front of him was one of the best in all of Izril at her job. He nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you for your understanding, Wardmistress, as well as the need for discretion and haste.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Wardmistress] bowed her head slightly.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, Wall Lord. Rest assured, my team was thorough. Your friend\u2019s impetuousness has thankfully not cost the security of your estate as far as we can discern. Nevertheless, we have updated all the wards and installed a more powerful enchantment at your request. Even an Archmage of Wistram would have great difficulty cracking these wards, and the enchantments I have installed will alert me the moment they are broken.\u201d<\/p>\n She looked somewhat disapproving. Not at Ilvriss, but at his friend, the one who had been behind the drastic need for her arrival to begin with. She glanced at Ilvriss.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you by any chance still have the offending object, Wall Lord? I could attempt to trace who placed the spying spell, or my colleagues at Fissival could undertake the task.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss smiled ruefully.<\/p>\n \u201cI regret to say I disposed of it as soon as I was aware that it was at fault. Rest assured, I\u2019ve informed Wall Lord Brilm of his mistake. It will not happen again.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOnly prudent, Wall Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n Wardmistress Geyasa nodded understandingly. Ilvriss felt a pang of guilt as she flashed a glare out of his study window, as if trying to find the culprit.<\/p>\n My apologies, Brilm.<\/em><\/p>\n His friend\u2019s indiscretions were well known. No one who heard the tale would doubt that Brilm had inadvertently brought an object enchanted with some spying spell into Ilvriss\u2019 home after being duped. And if Brilm himself heard the tale, he might well believe it himself. It had happened before. Thinking of that, Ilvriss went to his bag of holding and pulled out an apple-sized object and held it out to Geyasa.<\/p>\n \u201cWould you check this bauble? A recording spell on quartz unless I miss my guess. Simple, but I would like to be certain.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt would be no issue. One moment.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake took the quartz sound recording and turned it over. Ilvriss waited, and she nodded after half a minute.<\/p>\n \u201cIt seems perfectly fine. The complexity of the sound contained within is somewhat above average, but for a conversation in numerous parts or music, I would expect it to be. Will there be anything else?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNothing. You have my sincerest gratitude.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss nodded and Geyasa bowed.<\/p>\n \u201cOur pleasure, Wall Lord. On behalf of Fissival\u2019s Scholarium, we thank you for choosing our institution above all others.\u201d<\/p>\n She smiled a bit smugly. Ilvriss smiled too, nodded, and forbore mentioning that she was the second<\/em> [Mage] he\u2019d hired to inspect his home.<\/p>\n \u201cOnly naturally. Drakes must work with other Drakes. Please tender my regards to Fissival\u2019s Three when you return. May I offer you an escort\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will politely decline, Wall Lord. If you would be so good, though? My team\u2019s equipment is somewhat cumbersome and affects our bags of holding as well as teleportation\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will have it returned to Fissival at all haste.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss reassured the [Mage]. She nodded and excused herself. He made a note to send a gratuity fee; she had travelled through the night and it must have been a chore to transport the magical objects via wagon and not the customary methods.<\/p>\n Geyasa was of the nearest Walled City to Salazsar, the City of Magic, Fissival. It was known for its [Mage] presence, and the academy that had once rivaled Wistram in power. The City of Magic possessed its own unique traits as well, among them, well, teleportation.<\/p>\n There had been a reason why Ilvriss hadn\u2019t been dying<\/em> to get his hands on Erin Solstice\u2019s door. It was valuable, but hardly unique. The world over, [Mages] could teleport small objects long-distance. It was larger objects across increasingly distant spans that posed the real problem. But some magical artifacts and technologies still existed.<\/p>\n Fissival\u2019s teleportation network exceeded the magical door in Erin\u2019s inn by several magnitudes. And yet, it was incredibly limited at the same time. They could move a thousand ton\u2019s worth of goods in a day if need be, and regularly did between the cities linked to Fissival.<\/p>\n On the other hand, no one dared use the grid for transporting people anymore. There had been\u2026incidents. And one in forty thousand deliveries went astray. Sometimes in a minor or amusing way. Sometimes never to be seen again. There was a reason only cheap, expendable goods were ever risked these days.<\/p>\n The past glories weighed on Ilvriss whenever he walked the towers of Salazsar and saw what had passed before. And when he strode through his own home. He stood in the dawn study when Geyasa had left. It was only then that he realized she hadn\u2019t finished the meal she\u2019d been brought. Absently, he left the study and told Salisa it was there.<\/p>\n \u201cInquire if Wardmistress Geyasa or her team require refreshments before they leave. I will be in my personal study.\u201d<\/p>\n It was a mark of how rich Ilvriss was that he had a personal study, as well as multiple other ones in case he wanted a change of pace. He retired to his room and sat in the chair, its rich fabric worn from years of use. But the wood was still beautiful. And there the Wall Lord reached into his pocket and pulled out the piece of quartz. The contained music. And he put it on the desk and tapped it once.<\/p>\n There was music. Ilvriss listened to a young woman singing. The first song made him frown. But he listened to it. There wasn\u2019t an option to skip. The second song made him pause. Ilvriss listened, frowning. Because the music struck him more than the first time he had heard it. This time, he focused on one part of the song and realized something.<\/p>\n \u201cThat instrument. What is it?\u201d<\/p>\n He had never heard a piano before. And he had no idea what it was. But then, the third song contained on the crystal began to play. And Ilvriss settled back, listening to it.<\/p>\n The music was by the \u2018Queen of Pop\u2019, the Singer of Terandria. The rising sensation of the continent, apparently. Ilvriss wasn\u2019t sure who she was, but Brilm had bought a number of these\u2026recordings of her music. And he had gifted one to Ilvriss after realizing how fond the Wall Lord was of this particular song.<\/p>\n Now Ilvriss listened. It was a song he\u2019d played countless times already. He understood the author was\u2026what was the name, again? Definitely Human. Ah, yes.<\/p>\n Frank Sinatra. And the song was called \u2018My Way\u2019.<\/em> Ilvriss, listening to it, was sure of one thing at last. It was no song that had ever been made in this era. Perhaps in one long past, now rediscovered. Or\u2026<\/p>\n Part of Ilvriss just wanted to listen. But hearing it again, he couldn\u2019t help but wonder. That was the thing. Ilvriss was a Wall Lord. He had been educated in swordplay, tactics, knowledge of economy, warfare\u2014a hundred different aspects of life. And one of those things he had picked up was music.<\/p>\n He understood music, even if certain styles didn\u2019t appeal to him. And the composition of the music, the style<\/em>, it was all unique in a way that shook him.<\/p>\n The song could not exist, in a way. That wasn\u2019t how music worked. Yes, a culture could produce something like this. But Ilvriss would expect to see experimental pieces that began the process of understanding the medium before such a polished piece appeared. But this was finished. Perfect.<\/p>\n The young woman\u2019s voice that echoed in his sitting room understood the song she was covering. She understood the emotion. It was impossible that he, let alone Brilm, had not heard this kind of music before.<\/p>\n So where had it come from? Not Terandria\u2019s halls. And not any other continent Ilvriss could name. A magical experimenter, a [Songwriter] or [Singer] of surpassing talent? This Sinatra\u2026but no.<\/p>\n Ilvriss thought of Erin Solstice. And he felt certain there was a connection. But it slipped away from him. Some\u2026leap of logic that Ilvriss couldn\u2019t make.<\/p>\n He didn\u2019t have wings. It didn\u2019t matter. The Drake leaned back and listened. He still had time before he had to work. And the music flowed on. Ilvriss listened, in the privacy of his room. And when the music was done, he tapped the crystal again and it replayed the music obligingly. A song he didn\u2019t care for, one he didn\u2019t mind. And the song that spoke to him.<\/p>\n The fourth time he was playing the music, the door opened. Ilvriss sat up, opening his mouth furiously. But then he saw who was slowly walking in and sat back. And the old Drake, his scales grey, his steps slow, walked forwards. As if the music had summoned him. He looked around, and then focused on the music crystal. And when the music had stopped, he looked at Ilvriss. The Wall Lord stood up.<\/p>\n \u201cFather. Is something wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n Wall Lord Zail looked at his son for a moment. And then he saw the chair that Ilvriss was placing in front of his desk. Zail sat down slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. No. Ilvriss. I was wondering\u2014what was that song?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMusic, father. From Terandria.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally? It\u2019s changed a lot since I was younger. Better. Not all those flutes and\u2026better.\u201d<\/p>\n Zail sat back, murmuring to himself. He was very old. Drakes didn\u2019t live past seventy or eighty years on average. Well, most who lived near or battled monsters died far earlier. But most Drakes wouldn\u2019t reach past those years. Still, with magic, one could live far longer. As long as a hundred and twenty years. Ilvriss had heard of Drakes reaching a hundred and forty, albeit by consuming numerous potions and using artifacts. But his father was simply eighty-three. And tired. He sat in the chair, looking aimless. Blank.<\/p>\n \u201cFather. Is something wrong? Have you lost something? Salisa can help you find it. Are you hungry?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not hungry. I\u2019m bored<\/em>. There\u2019s nothing for me to do. That damn Gnoll is managing everything and since I retired, there\u2019s nothing to\u2026do. Just read, pay social calls\u2014and visit my son. When he returns from his jaunts abroad.\u201d<\/p>\n The old Drake snapped back. Ilvriss sighed. So it was a social call. Zail must have slipped his attendants. They were probably worried, but an old Drake still kept all his levels and Skills.<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t too hard for his father to manage either. His quarters were right above Ilvriss\u2019. The peak of the tower, as they always had been. Now he looked, well, confused.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere did you go this time? There was a mess with the Trisstal Alliance. Was that it? Someone mentioned\u2026a Goblin?\u201d<\/p>\n He looked worried for a moment. Ilvriss delicately avoided the subject.<\/p>\n \u201cMy duties take me far from home, father. I was in Liscor among other places. I visited Pallass\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhatever brought you there?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Zail looked affronted. Ilvriss sighed again. But he explained.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was unavoidable. I had to return by way of Liscor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh. It\u2019s summer, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. It is.\u201d<\/p>\n Zail nodded a few times. He looked at Ilvriss and paused.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s little for me to do these days. Boredom is worse than taking a lightning bolt to the chest. Your mother, now, she keeps herself busy. I should have done that. Never should have quit managing the mines. They\u2019re in good shape?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, father. As well as they ever have been. Would you like to see the reports\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n Better than they ever had been, actually. Zail shook his head. He looked at Ilvriss. And then he was lost again.<\/p>\n \u201cIlvriss?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n His son waited. He could see the scar on Zail\u2019s chest, past his loose robes where he had been struck by lightning. And\u2014a slight indentation along the Drake\u2019s skull. The scales were almost gone there. Wall Lord Zail had sacrificed much for the city he loved. At last, Zail looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cI came to ask you something. What was it? My\u2026my tower. Is it finished?\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss exhaled slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cYes. A decade past\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He caught himself. Nodded slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, father. Would you like to see it?\u201d<\/p>\n The old Drake nodded. Slowly, he got up. Ilvriss escorted him out of the study. Back to the room he had spoken to Geyasa in. He waved away Salisa and the anxious Drakes who hurried towards him. Zail caught his breath as he stepped towards the window. He looked at the newest tower, one that Gemscale funds had helped build. Ilvriss watched, his eyes on Zail\u2019s face. Once, the Drake had been taller. A towering presence. Zail murmured softly.<\/p>\n \u201cOh. Oh, it is beautiful. When I die, my ashes should be scattered from the tower. That\u2019s the way of it, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n Zail paused. Then he turned his head. Ilvriss was expecting him to ask for his promise again. But the old Drake frowned. His eyes focused on Ilvriss\u2019 hand.<\/p>\n \u201cI heard you gave your ring away. You did. Who are you marrying?\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss jumped. Reflexively, he covered his claw, but Zail had seen its absence. The old Drake straightened, looking more awake suddenly.<\/p>\n \u201cI do hear about it. The ring\u2019s gone. So. Who is it? Some Gnoll? That\u2019s what my people tell me. Or a Human? <\/em>Some\u2026Pallass? Dullahan? Garuda? Tell me if it\u2019s going to happen. I might as well know now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNone of those! I\u2019m not marrying, father!\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss snapped. This was the last thing he\u2019d expected his father to pester him about! His sister, perhaps! But those damn rumors\u2014it didn\u2019t help that he\u2019d spread this one himself! He growled.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not a sign of marriage. You know<\/em> that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know exactly what that ring means. I gave it to you. Trust. <\/em>Who do you trust enough to give that ring away?\u201d<\/p>\n Wall Lord Zail snapped back. Ilvriss sighed. He felt the ring\u2019s absence. But he didn\u2019t need it. And he had\u2026he paused.<\/p>\n \u201cI gave it to someone who did me a great service. Who\u2026is unique. In her own way. Who may need it more than I. It was a gesture of respect.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAha! Her?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFather! It\u2019s none of your concern.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss glared at the old Drake. Zail walked around him. He looked at Ilvriss, looking him up and down as he had a thousand times before.<\/p>\n \u201cThey say you left your duty to play in a border city for months. Or that you lost your head. Chased someone and lost your ring. Tell me that\u2019s not true.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not true.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss held his gaze. Zail\u2019s eyes narrowed.<\/p>\n \u201cSo you didn\u2019t flee the Goblin Lord out of cowardice? You haven\u2019t lost your way? General Shivertail died<\/em>. You were there. Where were you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t think he would die. I thought he would live.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss gritted his teeth. Zail shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t believe you. Tell me. Say it. Swear it.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n He twisted a ring. Truth spell. Ilvriss gritted his teeth. He was angry. Zail could rally that emotion in him. The two Drakes stalked each other in a slow circle, tails lashing the carpet. Ilvriss\u2019 voice was low.<\/p>\n \u201cI am a Lord of the Wall and a son of Salazsar. The walls of my city be my oath; my loyalty has never wavered! For Salazsar, I would bleed every drop of my blood dry! The walls stand!\u201d<\/p>\n The stone glowed blue. Zail saw its light. Slowly, he relaxed. His voice echoed Ilvriss\u2019, a shout.<\/p>\n \u201cThe walls stand! Forevermore.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Then it was done. He slowly relaxed and looked around. He noticed the platter and wandered over to it.<\/p>\n \u201cBreakfast. Hm. Looks good. Proper meat, not what they feed me up there. Damn [Healers] and their prescribed nonsense.\u201d<\/p>\n He began plucking bits of meat off the tray. Ilvriss sighed. Wall Lord Zail loved testing him.<\/p>\n \u201cFather. The [Healers] recommend their diet for your health.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHah! They want me to live forever.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. And?\u201d<\/p>\n Zail glanced back at his son and shook his head. He chewed as Ilvriss rubbed at his temples. He was going to be late for his meeting. He was looking at the door when Zail spoke up.<\/p>\n \u201cIlvriss. When will you bring a wife worthy of our line? There must be one, in all the cities.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss froze. He turned, his hand on the door to the study. And he wavered. But the truth stone was still shining on Zail\u2019s claw. So he turned. And his back was straight. He looked past Zail, at the rising sun.<\/p>\n \u201cThere was, father. But I couldn\u2019t even bury her.\u201d<\/p>\n Wall Lord Zail stopped chewing. His head rose. He looked back at Ilvriss. And his expression changed.<\/p>\n \u201cDid you avenge her?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot yet.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss strode out of the room. He nodded to Salisa, waved away the apologies of Zail\u2019s minders.<\/p>\n \u201cGet me Captain Shieldscale.\u201d<\/p>\n He strode towards his personal study, leaving his father behind. The sound stone went into Ilvriss\u2019 bag of holding. He had work to do.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cCaptain Asrira Shieldscale reporting, Wall Lord Ilvriss!\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake with bright, almost unnaturally blue scales stopped in the center of Ilvriss\u2019 study and saluted. The Wall Lord glanced up from the piece of paper he was writing on.<\/p>\n \u201cSalisa, we\u2019re not to be disturbed. Even by my father.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Wall Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake [Housekeeper] nodded and shut the door. Ilvriss stood up.<\/p>\n \u201cLock it, Captain Shieldscale. Magical lock on the top.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake did so. She was an Oldblood Drake, a True Oldblood. That meant she could fly and<\/em> spit acid. She locked the door, turning the key in the lock. And then the second<\/em> key in the glowing lock. She heard a faint buzz<\/em> of sound, just below the level of hearing.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re secure, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood. Take a seat, Captain Blackwing.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake turned. And Asrira Shieldscale was suddenly Osthia Blackwing, [Captain] in service to Pallass\u2019 army. Niece of the late Thrissiam Blackwing, famed [General] of Pallass. She had yellow scales underneath the dye Ilvriss had provided her. And she had been captive of the Goblin Lord, Reiss, before escaping during the hour of his death. She sat down in the chair and Wall Lord Ilvriss sat opposite her.<\/p>\n \u201cI trust you\u2019ve acclimated to Salazsar, Captain Osthia?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Wall Lord. It\u2019s been exceedingly pleasant. I have nothing to want for here. I\u2019m equally gratified for the lodgings in your personal estate.\u201d<\/p>\n Osthia replied awkwardly. She was still in awe of Ilvriss. He was a Wall Lord, the nobility of the Drakes! Normally he\u2019d command an army or huge division and she\u2019d be far below his rank. But circumstances had thrown them together. For one thing, he and she both knew one thing that put them both in danger.<\/p>\n Az\u2019kerash, the Necromancer, was alive. Osthia had seen him take over his minion, the Goblin Lord, Reiss. Ilvriss had learned from Zel Shivertail and Ryoka Griffin that Az\u2019kerash was alive. The Necromancer had killed his soldiers, including his love, Periss, during a battle thanks to the inadvertent interference of Ryoka Griffin.<\/p>\n Ilvriss had found Osthia as she escaped the Goblin Lord, caught her before she could warn the Walled Cities. He had persuaded her to stay silent, to adopt a disguise and return with him to Salazsar. Osthia still wasn\u2019t sure if she should have refused and spread word Az\u2019kerash was alive. But here she was.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s the least I can do. You are being awarded the lesser guest quarters, as befits my bodyguard. If it\u2019s uncomfortable in any way\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot at all, Wall Lord. The staff and Miss Salisa are exceedingly polite. But with respect, that isn\u2019t a high concern of mine. The\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Osthia glanced towards the doors. Ilvriss waved a claw.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re clear. The wards have been reinforced and checked. Twice. Speak freely.\u201d<\/p>\n Osthia nodded and relaxed.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Necromancer is my only worry, Wall Lord. I could sleep on rocks so long as it meant doing something. With respect, I\u2019d like to know your plan of action. It\u2019s been weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt has. And I appreciate your forbearance, Captain Blackwing. But as I stated, I had to be sure. I\u2019ve completed my deception as well as I can. As far as the city knows, I\u2019ve finally returned home and embraced my former lifestyle. Banquets, socialization\u2014and so forth. In that time, I\u2019ve also ensured my home is not under any surveillance, physical or otherwise. That includes you.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Captain] nodded, appreciatively. She\u2019d been terrified to even say the word \u2018necromancer\u2019 lest Az\u2019kerash catch on that she was alive. Ilvriss hadn\u2019t even used her real name until this moment.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re secure, then. But what is the plan, sir? Alert the ruling bodies of the Walled Cities? Rally an army and march on the Necromancer?\u201d<\/p>\n Osthia was practically vibrating with the desire for vengeance. She remembered the Necromancer\u2019s voice, the moment before he had conjured an army of undead to slay her uncle\u2019s army to the last Drake and Gnoll. All but for her. She would personally lead the charge on his lair, even if it meant her death.<\/p>\n But Wall Lord Ilvriss just shook his head. He sat back in his chair and tapped his claws together.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve given the matter much thought, Captain Blackwing. And I\u2019ve come to three conclusions. Hear me out before you reply.\u201d<\/p>\n He raised one claw. Osthia sat back, listening. He was<\/em> a Wall Lord, but she\u2019d had poor [Commanders]. What had convinced her to listen was the fact that Ilvriss had a reputation for sharpness, even if he had been traditionally opposed to Pallass back when they\u2019d both been part of their Walled Cities.<\/p>\n \u201cFirstly, I am certain of this: Az\u2019kerash, the Necromancer, the foe who brought war to Liscor and sent his armies ravaging the south of Izril. That monster who plagued us during the Second Antinium War until he was brought death by Zel Shivertail. Is. Alive.\u201d<\/p>\n Osthia nodded and clenched her claws into fists. There was no doubting it. He had made a puppet of the Goblin Lord, Reiss. He had turned a Goblin into<\/em> a Goblin Lord as an experiment. She shuddered. Ilvriss went on.<\/p>\n \u201cThe second thing I know is this. He is as great a threat in his own way as the Antinium.\u201d<\/p>\n This time, Osthia blinked.<\/p>\n \u201cSir?\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss stood up and walked over to a set of books on a shelf at the far side of the room. Few people could own a library, but Ilvriss had that, and extra copies for his study. He plucked a book from the shelves and tossed it at Osthia. She caught it and read the title: The Antinium Wars (Pt. 2), by Krsysl Wordsmith. <\/em>She didn\u2019t open it; it was standard reading in the academy. Ilvriss nodded at it.<\/p>\n \u201cIf one reads the history of Az\u2019kerash only as it pertains to his end during the Second Antinium War, he was a lesser force. Between the Antinium and the Goblins, his presence was most keenly felt around Liscor. While his undead hordes did strike into the heart of Izril, they were but one of the plagues that assailed us. By that standard, he might be seen as weak. However, the opposite is true.\u201d<\/p>\n Another book. This one\u2014Necromancy, Its Rise and Fall, <\/em>by Sir Hilten, [Autumn Knight] of the Order of Seasons. She hadn\u2019t read it. Ilvriss went on.<\/p>\n \u201cThe history Drakes aren\u2019t taught is Az\u2019kerash\u2019s legacy before he fell. Once, he was an Archmage of Terandria, a contemporary of Archmage Zelkyr, even. After he was deemed a monster and hunted, he turned on his homeland. For over a century he plagued Terandria and despite the best efforts <\/em>of the [Knights], kingdoms, and other forces present on the continent, he escaped them every time. One could argue that he in fact won each conflict because no matter how many times his undead minions were slain and he was forced to flee, he himself was always alive, and came back stronger after biding his time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI see.\u201d<\/p>\n Osthia had found some books on Az\u2019kerash, but she resolved to read this one as soon as possible. Ilvriss nodded and sat back down.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, my conclusion. Where the Antinium and even Goblins had their King and Goblin Lords, and the Antinium their Prognugators and Hives, Az\u2019kerash is a force of one. And in that sense, he is most certainly far above the level of most beings on this planet. He may be the highest-level threat to Izril at this moment. And a handful of people know that he still lives.\u201d<\/p>\n Osthia felt a chill. She got what Ilvriss was saying at. They had no idea about Az\u2019kerash\u2019s levels. In fact, he might have leveled up<\/em> since the Second Antinium Wars. No\u2014he surely had.<\/p>\n He\u2019d killed Zel Shivertail, the same Drake who\u2019d killed him<\/em> during the first war. Who would stop him now? Osthia? Ilvriss? The Wall Lord saw Osthia\u2019s pale face and nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cWe could stop him. But it would take an army. And the third thing I know is that Az\u2019kerash is not alone. He has minions. Thinking, capable beings that can use magic to disguise themselves and walk among us. Worse still, there are traitors within Drake ranks. Highly-placed traitors at that.\u201d<\/p>\n That was even more chilling than Ilvriss\u2019 last statement. Osthia looked up, her claws sweaty.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re sure?\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss nodded darkly. He reached for the papers on the desk and pulled a file out. It wasn\u2019t large, but it was\u2026Osthia blinked. A report on a Named Adventurer? She read as Ilvriss talked.<\/p>\n \u201cRegrika Blackpaw. A Named Adventurer who was a minion of Az\u2019kerash. I fought her and her escort. I did not witness\u2026what\u2026she was, but I put together the clues afterwards. Zel Shivertail informed me that she was sent after the runner, Ryoka Griffin, to silence her after she met the Necromancer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t believe it.\u201d<\/p>\n Osthia stared at the hand-drawn illustration of the Gnoll. She glanced up.<\/p>\n \u201cWas it an undead?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat, or some other puppet. The very fact she was able to use that cover means someone falsified documents certifying her rank, created the illusion of her accomplishments or at the very least, her origin. It may be a Guildmaster of the Adventurer\u2019s Guild aided the Necromancer. Or someone of higher rank.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss drummed his claws on the table. He went on. He had another piece of paper, a list. He was so\u2026organized. And the fact that he could find the information? Terrifying. The Wall Lord pointed down at the next list. Names. Dates. Levels.<\/p>\n \u201cIn many cities that Regrika visited, high-profile Drakes met with accidents, before or after their visit. [Mages]. Retired adventurers. [Scholars]. More. How many Drakes have been killed and their deaths disguised as accidents by his minions? How many of them are there? How many traitors does he command?\u201d<\/p>\n Osthia could only shake her head. This was far deeper than she\u2019d thought. Now she understood why Ilvriss had held her back.<\/p>\n \u201cSo we might be sabotaged by our own ranks? By fellow Drakes? It\u2019s unbelievable. But if\u2014Wall Lord, if we assail him, we\u2019ll see who they are, surely. If we reveal Az\u2019kerash lives, we can assail him; no one would deny that!\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss was just shaking his head.<\/p>\n \u201cI considered that, Captain. But I believe that it would be too dangerous to risk.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss sighed. He placed two lists of names in front of Osthia. One was short. It held her name, his, and a handful of others. All of them were Ilvriss\u2019 personal staff, the ones that had accompanied him back from Liscor. Ilvriss tapped it with one claw.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a list of people I regard as trustworthy beyond doubt. They alone are not puppets of Az\u2019kerash, willingly or unwillingly. I hope to add to it from this list.\u201d<\/p>\n The second list had names Osthia knew. Big names. Like the Dragonspeaker of Manus, Luciva Skybreath. Ilvriss nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a list of people I wish to alert by any means necessary if we can be sure they are true. I would have their aid in defeating the Necromancer because they possess some means of opposing him. But until I am sure, sure<\/em> that they are not under the Necromancer\u2019s control or one of his puppets in disguise, I will treat all of the names on this list as possible enemies that might turn on us if the Necromancer\u2019s hand is forced.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut you don\u2019t have anyone on the first list. Not even your fellow Wall Lords? Your family?\u201d<\/p>\n Osthia was shocked. Ilvriss just looked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cI do not trust my father<\/em>, Captain Blackwing. There is no one I can be certain of. No one besides you, Zel Shivertail, and the young woman named Ryoka Griffin. And by now she may have been compromised herself. I don\u2019t believe you understand just how dangerous Az\u2019kerash is.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI saw him wipe out an army\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The Oldblood Drake protested hotly. Ilvriss held up a claw.<\/p>\n \u201cI am not talking about his military<\/em> abilities. I am talking about his ability to make puppets out of corpses as real as if they were alive. He has done so in the past. In Terandria, a [General] might be leading an army against Az\u2019kerash only to make disastrous move after move. He would lose the battle, damning his troops and then return back in disgrace. And then lead a second army again and fail. And then, as he stood before his [King] in disgrace, reveal himself as an undead and assassinate the ruler and everyone else in the room.\u201d<\/p>\n Osthia paled. Ilvriss went on.<\/p>\n \u201cThat has happened twice. In another case, the Necromancer replaced a sitting monarch and her family<\/em> with puppets. And he manipulated one of his puppets into ousting the fake [Queen] as undead simply to continue the ruse. If we go to war, we may find our allies committing blunders, sabotaging our ranks. We cannot allow that.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss stood up and paced back and forth, restlessly.<\/p>\n \u201cAz\u2019kerash is a difficult enemy to face openly. We have no idea what his grand plan is. We may extrapolate, but the Necromancer\u2019s motives\u2014besides the obvious\u2014are unknown to us. We know where he is vaguely, but we cannot move on him without alerting him that we are aware of him. We cannot alert the Drake cities without risking the same. And if it comes to war, we may well lose even without interference by traitors.\u201d<\/p>\n Osthia gulped.<\/p>\n \u201cYou mean\u2026the Antinium?\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Antinium are the second threat. The Humans, third. If it were just Az\u2019kerash, I would call on the Walled Cities to eradicate him and his plague once and for all. But should we try it with the Antinium at our backs, we might fight a war on two fronts, or even three if those damned Humans decide to take advantage of the situation. And we nearly lost<\/em> a war against the Antinium the first time. No. We do not take that risk.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen what can we do? We need to fight the [Necromancer] covertly? Or\u2014no, create a force that can ambush him, take him by surprise. That\u2019s what must be done. But who? Who can be trusted?\u201d<\/p>\n The Oldblood [Captain] felt sick. How could they be certain their ranks wouldn\u2019t be infiltrated? The task was daunting. Too much! But she saw Ilvriss smile grimly.<\/p>\n \u201cCaptain Blackwing. You have a Lord of the Wall on your side. I am not without my means. I\u2019ve merely educated you on the reality of the issue as I see it. Now, here are some of my solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n He returned to the desk and pulled out an object. Osthia stared at it. It was a hand mirror, inlaid with pearl and silver. Ilvriss regarded it and shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cDuring the investigation of a murder of a Gnoll in Liscor, Regrika Blackpaw was asked, under truth spell<\/em>, whether she had committed the murder. Somehow, she fooled the spell.\u201d<\/p>\n He waved the mirror at Osthia.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a dreadfully gauche Mirror of True Seeing. <\/em>See how many pearls are inlaid in..? Never mind. [True Seeing] is a Tier 6 spell capable of seeing through all but Tier 8 magics, and even they begin to fail in its presence. Az\u2019kerash may<\/em> be able to fool its power, but if he can, he should have been able to break Liscor in half rather than waste time assailing its walls. He is a [Necromancer]; he is not specialized in magics outside of his field. So we can regard this mirror as accurate.\u201d<\/p>\n He held it up and Osthia saw it flash<\/em> as he lifted a claw. Any number of complex auras were surrounding the magical rings on his fingers and she saw he was wearing an amulet or something in his clothing. His sword was enchanted too\u2014by contrast, Osthia only had a faint aura about her. Ilvriss nodded.<\/p>\n The next item he pulled out he regarded with almost as much distaste. Osthia recognized it as similar to a crown, only lacking the rigid structure in parts.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a Diadem of Inner Thoughts. Note the hanging jewels? It is the precursor to modern truth stones. They only reflect duplicity. Each stone on this diadem reflects a different state of mind.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cInner Thoughts? But what\u2019s the point of wearing something that reveals how you yourself are thinking?\u201d<\/p>\n Osthia was confused. Ilvriss looked a bit embarrassed.<\/p>\n \u201cIn times past, it was considered to be an essential tool of monarchs. Such that nobility wore it as well; to prove their actions were beyond repute. That fad went about as well as one might expect. Now, this is how we will test people. Put it on and hold the mirror up.\u201d<\/p>\n He held out the diadem to Osthia. She dutifully put it on and saw the jewels lighting up. She couldn\u2019t see all of them, but then she picked up the mirror and saw the enchantment around the diadem. And herself.<\/p>\n \u201cThat aura. Is it\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh. That represents your natural aura. It seems legitimate. Oldblood Drakes have more magic about them. But the real test is if a spell activates when you try to lie, as well as the diadem\u2019s reaction. Captain Osthia. Please state that you are not under the Necromancer\u2019s control or working for him or anyone else in any way.\u201d<\/p>\n Bemused, Osthia turned her head.<\/p>\n \u201cAnyone else? But\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n She heard the sound of metal rasping in its sheath. She twisted\u2014and held very still as a bitingly cold blade\u2019s edge lay against the side of her neck. Ilvriss stared at her, quite calmly.<\/p>\n \u201cSay it.\u201d<\/p>\n Osthia did. Ilvriss waited, stared at the diadem, and lowered his sword.<\/p>\n \u201cGood.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou were serious about that. What if I\u2019d been an agent of someone else?\u201d<\/p>\n Osthia felt at the cold cut along her neck. Ilvriss shrugged fractionally as he sheathed his blade.<\/p>\n \u201cI told you. I trust no one.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Captain] thought about this. Then she offered the diadem and mirror to Ilvriss.<\/p>\n \u201cWell then. Your turn.\u201d<\/p>\n He blinked. But then he put on the diadem and raised the mirror. Osthia walked around him so she could see it and see the gems glow as he replied. They were the same colors, more or less, that had glowed when she\u2019d spoken.<\/p>\n Both she and Ilvriss relaxed. They\u2019d been sure, but the test made both feel better. Ilvriss went back to sitting down at the table. Osthia picked up the mirror and played with it.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, what\u2019s the next step? Test everyone in your employ, and then the city? One by one?\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss looked amused.<\/p>\n \u201cIf it were that easy\u2026tell me, what do you think would happen if we discovered they were the Necromancer\u2019s allies?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cKill them? Or interrogate them, keep them captive I suppose.\u201d<\/p>\n Osthia didn\u2019t blink. Ilvriss raised one brow.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd then? What would Az\u2019kerash do? When his minion failed to report in or suffered an \u2018accident\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh. Then what\u2019s our next move? Wait\u2026we\u2026only test who we can.\u201d<\/p>\n Osthia was getting the hang of this. Ilvriss nodded, smiling.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd we adopt his<\/em> strategy unto them. A few accidents would not rouse the Necromancer\u2019s suspicion if it seems innocuous. Our goal is to reveal his minions and create a group we are certain of while avoiding alerting him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut how can it be done?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The complexity of the task was maddening Osthia. She was no [Infiltrator], no [Spy]! Ilvriss sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cSimple. We engineer scenarios where the people we want to test are in the same room as us for reasons the Necromancer would believe are completely genuine. And there will be a reason for us to approach such people completely overtly. A reason that Az\u2019kerash will accept as completely legitimate. This is for you. I intend to circulate it among my peers first; if there are any spies for other Walled Cities or Az\u2019kerash, he will surely see it.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss passed a document to Osthia. She stared down at the neat handwriting, and his personal seal. And then she understood. She looked up and Ilvriss smiled at her. The Wall Lord tapped the copy in front of him.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is the secret force you and I are going to begin building, Captain Blackwing. I\u2019m appointing you as its head. We\u2019ll be securing allies, making deals with other Walled Cities\u2014it will require travel, secrecy, and diplomacy. It may incur danger of its own. And any number of Drakes and Gnolls are going to learn of its existence. And its purpose will be\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Osthia read from the page.<\/p>\n \u201cA private army designed to destroy the Antinium. High-level [Soldiers], magical artifacts on par with a Gold-rank adventurer\u2019s gear or better. Special forces from every Walled City\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She looked up and inhaled. Ilvriss sat back.<\/p>\n \u201cExactly. This is how we fool Az\u2019kerash, Captain Blackwing. A plan within a plan. Both are needed. The Antinium are a threat. Az\u2019kerash is a threat. This way, we create a group capable of fighting both. People in my position, who are capable of fighting, leading, or financing actions as needed. High-level individuals. An elite strike force.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe same tactics that General Sserys used to fight the Antinium during the first Antinium War.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUndead are similar to Antinium. And an individual like Az\u2019kerash will slaughter regular [Soldiers]. What do you think? If you have any objections, Captain Blackwing, I would like you to voice them now.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss waited. Osthia mulled over the document. Her wings fluttered and her breath was tinged with a hint of acrid acid. She looked up and her eyes were burning.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m in. Where do I start?\u201d<\/p>\n The Wall Lord bared his teeth.<\/p>\n \u201cFirstly, I will put this proposition forwards within the week. Carefully. I\u2019ll start with close friends. Gather support. In the meantime, I want you to headhunt Salaszar\u2019s standing forces. I also have a list of individuals you and I are going to approach. But before that? We may be the targets of covert action ourselves. Other factions may see this as me grabbing power. Forming an army. Which I am, of course. So you will be my [Bodyguard] in fiction as well as reality. To that end\u2026let\u2019s pay a visit to my personal armory. I will need to acquire more artifacts, but right now I can equip you at something better than the average Gold-rank standard.\u201d<\/p>\n Osthia inhaled sharply and got up. She was still daunted by the task ahead, but she felt better when she saw the racks of gleaming weapons. And the armor. And magical rings\u2026she walked past them. Ilvriss sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cNot one heirloom-class weapon like the Heartflame Breastplate. We\u2019ll need to acquire that before the final assault. But I have a modest arsenal.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBeyond modest, Wall Lord! Do you have a spear with anything anti-magic? Naq-Alrama steel, maybe?\u201d<\/p>\n Osthia looked up hopefully. Ilvriss pursed his lips.<\/p>\n \u201cI could only but wish. I have an Adamantine-tipped spear enchanted with a [Piercing] spell. Will that do?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think so.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Ilvriss left Osthia to pick out as much gear as she wanted from his armory. He had no fear of her overloading the magical enchantments and causing a reaction; she knew to check for how much magical interference she was generating. But she would be as well-equipped as, well, he was.<\/p>\n The Wall Lord didn\u2019t know Osthia\u2019s complete capabilities, but he estimated that a [Captain] wearing magical items was around the rank of a Gold-rank adventurer. Decent, in short. She\u2019d be a capable [Bodyguard] at least, and Ilvriss would find the best warriors to oppose the Necromancer.<\/p>\n Oh, the very best. Ilvriss returned to his study. He sat down in the familiar chair and leaned back. The first thing he\u2019d do was reach out to one of the names on his list of potential recruits. Pallass had a named Adventurer, and Ilvriss had considered adding Saliss of Lights to his list, but the Drake was, by all accounts, extremely difficult to work with and Ilvriss had no need for anyone who couldn\u2019t be trusted.<\/p>\n Besides, that was Pallass and he was their sole Named Adventurer. One, for an entire Walled City. Salazsar, in its wealth and opulence, had two. <\/em>Two Named Adventurers, one an individual, one a Named team, which was more than Manus could boast of; there was little work in the City of War for adventurers. And that was different from the the transient groups that came in and out of Zeres\u2019 ports with regularity.<\/p>\n The lone Named Adventurer would join Ilvriss. That wasn\u2019t even a problem; money dictated who Shriekblade worked for. The real issue would be passing Ilvriss\u2019 proposal among his fellow Wall Lords and Ladies. Many would oppose him forming a force to fight the Antinium. They\u2019d see it as needlessly provocative, or even, as he\u2019d told Osthia, a power grab.<\/p>\n But it had to be done. And Ilvriss would gather true allies he could tell about the Necromancer. The Drake stared at the list of names he\u2019d come up with. So few! Even if they formed an army. It would be desperate work, keeping it all secret. Keeping up the charade.<\/p>\n The enormity of the task before him hit him only now. The scale of the opponent he had set himself against. Az\u2019kerash. An immortal monster.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, not immortal. He\u2019s only two hundred years old. Only. Hah!\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss rubbed at his face, despairing.<\/p>\n \u201cTwo hundred years. Half-Elves can live longer. There are some beings in this world far older. Salazsar\u2019s walls are ancient.\u201d<\/p>\n But Az\u2019kerash had been a man. That was what people forgot. He had lived in<\/em> this world, not apart. Half-Elves in their villages could pass decades unchanging. But a man?<\/p>\n He had lived two and a half times as long as Ilvriss\u2019 father. What level must he be? How could Ilvriss truly fight him? He\u2019d seen how Osthia had paled, despite her own thirst for vengeance. Ilvriss couldn\u2019t help but feel her doubt now. He\u2019d had to reassure her. But he was\u2026afraid.<\/p>\n Ilvriss was afraid of the future. The task ahead. He was tired. As tired as Zail. He thought of how, just a few weeks ago, he had sat in an inn, amid noise, crowds, the rudest Human he\u2019d ever met. And he\u2019d been annoyed there, or amused. Entertained. But it hadn\u2019t been like this.<\/p>\n He wished he had never left that inn. But duty pulled him onwards. Duty. Vengeance. Terribly heavy things.<\/p>\n \u201cA Lord of the Wall is loyal to his city unto death. He does not waver.\u201d<\/p>\n But he was just a Drake. And he did not feel like a Lord of the Wall in that moment. Ilvriss bowed his head. And he sat at his desk and remembered how this had all started.<\/p>\n \u201cPeriss.\u201d<\/p>\n He was alone.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n One last visitor stopped by Ilvriss\u2019 home before he left it. And she changed where he went. Ilvriss had been intending to stop by his office, lower down, and talk to Alrric, his [Administrator]. He\u2019d have to leave the work in Alrric\u2019s hands, and the Gnoll would have to divert funds towards Ilvriss\u2019 project. Alrric wouldn\u2019t be happy, but he could be privy to the lesser secret about the Antinium task force.<\/p>\n However, the Drake with purple scales and long pants and a fairly casual tunic reminiscent of Human fashion\u2014even if it had been tailored with high-quality material\u2014stopped Ilvriss. He blinked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cNavine. I didn\u2019t expect to see you today. To what do I owe this pleasure.\u201d<\/p>\n Wall Lady Navine Gemscale pointedly glared at Ilvriss. She wasn\u2019t smiling, nor did she seem pleased to greet her sibling. They were nearly of age, although he was the eldest by three years.<\/p>\n \u201cIlvriss. I\u2019m not here on a social call. I heard you lost your ring.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHalf the city knows. And I gave it away, not lost it.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss snapped, regretting spreading that rumor. Navine raised her brows.<\/p>\n \u201cReally? You didn\u2019t leave it on Periss\u2019 grave?\u201d<\/p>\n The Wall Lord stopped. He stared at Navine and felt a familiar headache coming on. She looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cOr was it Shivertail\u2019s? You can\u2019t do that, Ilvriss. Those rings need to stay with the family.\u201d<\/p>\n She raised her own. He bit his tongue.<\/p>\n \u201cI left it on no one\u2019s grave.\u201d<\/p>\n Her brows rose even higher.<\/p>\n \u201cReally? Then you gave it to someone. Female?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoes it matter? It was my decision.\u201d<\/p>\n He tried to step around her. Navine stepped over to block him.<\/p>\n \u201cIt matters<\/em> because if you gave it away to some Drake, Gnoll, Human, or whomever you just met because you were trying to forget Periss, I\u2019ll throw you off the tower myself. To stop father from doing it and straining his back. She deserved better.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss\u2019 head jerked around. He stepped towards Navine and poked a claw at her chest.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t you dare insinuate that I would do that\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou didn\u2019t care enough to marry her. Or keep her from getting killed! It was a skirmish between armies, Ilvriss! Who got her? Shivertail? I can\u2019t believe he\u2019d kill her in battle. She\u2019d surrender! The Goblin Lord?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. It was an accident. It has nothing\u2014I gave the ring to someone I met. Someone worthy of trust<\/em>. Not marriage.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake bristled at his sister. Navine stared at him. There was an accusatory look she always wore around him. And a familiar glower on his face. He tried to force it away.<\/p>\n \u201cMother would like to see you. I know father wanders in from time to time, but mother would like you to call instead of having to do it herself. You should visit her. You stopped by once when you came back.\u201d<\/p>\n Abruptly, Navine changed the subject. Ilvriss blinked and growled, but she was right. She loved <\/em>being right.<\/p>\n \u201cI have to visit Alrric today\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen do it after you visit Mother. Business can wait.\u201d<\/p>\n Navine pointed to the door. Ilvriss ground his teeth, but he followed her with bad grace.<\/p>\n The reason why it was harder for him to visit his mother at least, not as simple as walking upstairs\u2014was that Helessia Gemscale lived in another tower. It saved her from constantly running into Zail, and that was for the best these days. Navine lived in the same home with her staff, and the two nobles made their way through the entrance in dire silence.<\/p>\n \u201cMother, Ilvriss has finally decided to come calling. Do you have time to see him?\u201d<\/p>\n Navine called out as she pushed the door open to Helessia\u2019s room. Ilvriss waited until Navine beckoned, and entered the room.<\/p>\n Helessia was sitting upright in her bed, tended to by a Gnoll [Healer]. The old Drake\u2019s bed was a thing of magic\u2014and that wasn\u2019t just hyperbole. To reduce the aches on her bones, it had been fashioned of the softest materials available and could perform any number of functions. Including float. Ilvriss paused as the curtains were moved back by Navine.<\/p>\n \u201cMother.\u201d<\/p>\n He nodded to the old Drake peering up at him. Not without fondness. But he was prepared for a scolding and got it.<\/p>\n \u201cIlvriss. Where is your ring?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe says he gave it to someone trustworthy. Female.\u201d<\/p>\n Navine interjected. Ilvriss glared at her.<\/p>\n \u201cI think this is a private conversation, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot at all. But go on.\u201d<\/p>\n Grinding his teeth, Ilvriss leaned forwards. Helessia caught him and kissed him. And he brushed his lips against her cheek.<\/p>\n \u201cYou do make me worry, Ilvriss. All that time in Liscor with the Goblin Lord. And then Shivertail\u2019s death. And the Human army. It was a wretched mess.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know, Mother. But as I told you, some of it was unavoidable. But for Shivertail\u2026the rest went as well as I could have hoped.\u201d<\/p>\n His sister snorted softly behind him. Helessia gave her a warning look.<\/p>\n \u201cTell me about the ring.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI gave it to someone I could trust, mother. I don\u2019t wish to say more. You know the rings aren\u2019t crucial.\u201d<\/p>\n Helessia smiled quietly. Sickness had left her thin and pale, despite the [Healer]\u2019s best efforts, but she was still the beauty Ilvriss remembered.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. Not crucial. But I would have never thought you would have given it to anyone but Periss. We didn\u2019t discuss it when you visited.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI would prefer not to.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss avoided her gaze. Helessia sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you insist. But then, tell me what else you are up to? You\u2019ve been enjoying yourself. But I know that look.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat look?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIlvriss\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The Wall Lord sighed. He didn\u2019t want to bring this up now. But Helessia would find out through Navine if Ilvriss had his way, and it would distract her from\u2026Periss. So he told her.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m planning to create a force to oppose the Antinium. A proper organization. Arms, equipment, individuals\u2014Named Adventurers and notable figures from all the cities\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Navine exclaimed. Helessia just frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cIs that necessary? It\u2019s been quiet, Ilvriss. We\u2019ve made so many precautions.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have been to Liscor, mother. They live with the Antinium. I saw Klbkch the Slayer myself. And Xrn. They are plotting something.\u201d<\/p>\n It was the truth. Helessia inhaled and Ilvriss wished he hadn\u2019t said it. He went on, choosing his words carefully, framing an argument anyone could accept.<\/p>\n \u201cThe force is necessary. Zel Shivertail\u2019s death has left a hole in our ranks. It\u2019s not enough to trust to our best individuals to rise up in times of crisis. Look at Thrissiam Blackwing, Garusa Weatherfur. Fine [Generals]. If they\u2019d had a few more elite units supporting them, or one or two notable figures, they might have defeated the Goblin Lord themselves. We need organization. Not just against the Antinium. The Humans\u2019 aggression as well.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo a private army. You want to make one that can beat Humans and<\/em> Antinium? That sounds like you\u2019re preparing for an attack.\u201d<\/p>\n Navine\u2019s voice was sharp. Ilvriss looked up and glared at her.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m prepared to be<\/em> attacked. Unless you think the Humans weren\u2019t prepared to take Liscor, Navine?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSome of them. Some of them didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd the ones who did are the ones I\u2019m concerned about. I\u2019m not here to argue with you, Navine. I\u2019ll put it before our peers. I\u2019m worried about the Antinium in any case.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss turned back to Helessia. His mother sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cSchemes. Always schemes. You are your father\u2019s son, Ilvriss. You\u2019ve been back not one week. Tell me. Have you visited Periss\u2019 grave?\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss paused.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t know one was made. I\u2014we never recovered her body.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe held a funeral. You may find her cenotaph in the Gemscale mausoleum.\u201d<\/p>\n The Wall Lord paused.<\/p>\n \u201cYou buried her there?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPrivately. Yes. Do you disagree?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. I\u2026I will try to find the time to visit. But I am busy.\u201d<\/p>\n The Wall Lord half-rose, distracted. Navine\u2019s voice was bitter.<\/p>\n \u201cDid you even shed a tear for her?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNavine!\u201d<\/p>\n Helessia turned her head. Navine looked away. But both Drakes were looking at Ilvriss. If he was like his father\u2026Ilvriss was dry-eyed now. He paused, and then straightened.<\/p>\n \u201cA Wall Lord weeps not for himself, but holds the walls first. Mother, I do have to go. I will stop by later this week. Perhaps later, when Navine is happily occupied elsewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n He looked pointedly at Navine. She glared at him.<\/p>\n \u201cLet the damn walls crumble to dust. They\u2019re not the most important thing in this world, Ilvriss!\u201d<\/p>\n Helessia saw Ilvriss pause as he bent to give her a farewell kiss. The Wall Lord looked up. But then he slowly bent down and kissed Helessia on the cheek again and stood up.<\/p>\n Ilvriss slowly left the room, not bothering to reply to Navine. Half a year ago he would have stormed away furiously or confronted her. This time? He felt a bit melancholy. What would Navine have done if she\u2019d met Erin? They would have been a better match. Worse, still. It was hard to admit she might have been right about Humans.<\/p>\n \u201cMother. You saw that too, right?\u201d<\/p>\n Navine turned to Helessia after Ilvriss had left. Her mother sighed and sat up in her bed. She gestured, and the bed slowly sank downwards. Then she sat up.<\/p>\n \u201cI think I will walk, Gersa.\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll [Healer] hrmed<\/em>, but then gently helped Helessia up. The Drake struggled up after a moment and Gersa found her the pillow with the rings on it. Helessia put on one ring, and then another, and straightened. Strength-enhancing rings. Navine watched her mother slowly walk past her, and Helessia\u2019s voice was focused, sharper than her husband\u2019s.<\/p>\n \u201cI saw. He\u2019s changed. Whether it was Periss or this mysterious person he gave the ring to, Ilvriss is much different. Find out who it was, if you can. Someone in Liscor, most likely.\u201d<\/p>\n Navine grimaced.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019ll be hard. You know the rings are enchanted not<\/em> to be noticed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know. But I want to know just what made Ilvriss change so. He was the spitting image of Zail when he left.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think he\u2019s actually concerned about the Antinium? Or is this about the Humans? My truth spells said he was lying about how Periss died, mother. But when he said he wasn\u2019t as worried about the Humans, he was telling the truth. Mostly.\u201d<\/p>\n Helessia paused. She shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know. Either way, it\u2019s still too risky to take him to the meeting in Oteslia. Let\u2019s just hope this Magnolia Reinhart is everything they say she is.\u201d<\/p>\n Navine nodded. She accompanied her mother to the dining room. Some things were secret. And there were Drakes who saw potential in an alliance with the Humans. And Drakes who did not. Even families sometimes were at odds with each other.<\/p>\n Ilvriss knew that. And it had been his life. The complicated web of politics, influence, working to advance his city at the cost of others. That was what he had known. It was why he had gone to war against other Drakes, fought Zel Shivertail. And now he was changed. The Wall Lord didn\u2019t go to visit Alrric. Navine was right, damn her. There were more important things to do.<\/p>\n He descended. Through Salazsar\u2019s towers, down walkways, travelling slowly, greeting people, accepting their welcomes back to the city. Down and down. Salazsar wasn\u2019t all vertical. It had an underground component. Storehouses. The ever-reaching mines.<\/p>\n Cemeteries, or rather, mausoleums. But Ilvriss didn\u2019t go down that far. He stopped, a good two-thirds up the social echelons of Salazsar. And he walked a street hundreds of feet over the actual ground, past neat homes that were far smaller than his grand tower. It occurred to him he was empty-handed. But he hadn\u2019t gone before. And if he turned back now, he wouldn\u2019t come back.<\/p>\n So, the Drake paused at a door like any other. Like no other. He had never been here; what a scandal. What an outrage. He wished for all of it now. He wished he\u2019d been here with her before. But it was too late. All he knew was the location. He\u2019d memorized it when Perris had told him.<\/p>\n Sometimes he forgot what her voice sounded like. Other nights he thought he could hear it. Ilvriss raised a claw, paused, and knocked softly. He waited there, ignoring the looks on the street.<\/p>\n After a while, a Gnoll opened the door. She stared at Ilvriss and gasped<\/em>. Ilvriss bowed to her. He had expected a Gnoll. Or a Drake. But he knew there would be one of each.<\/p>\n \u201cExcuse me. Miss Solicia Veldant? Mother of\u2026Periss Veldant? I am\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWall Lord Ilvriss?\u201d<\/p>\n A stunned voice behind him. Ilvriss turned. A shorter Drake was standing behind him, looking dumbfounded. Ilvriss stepped to one side, looking between husband and wife.<\/p>\n \u201cMister Elkill Veldant? Miss Solicia Veldant? I hope I am not intruding. I\u2014I have been away from Salazsar for quite some time. And on my return\u2026I was hoping to speak to you two.\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll looked at her husband. And then at Ilvriss.<\/p>\n \u201cI see. Periss spoke of you. You were leading the army, weren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss bowed his head.<\/p>\n \u201cI was. I\u2014I regret that I could not bear news of her passing myself. If you would allow me, I would like to speak to you of the events that led to her\u2026death. I am deeply sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n Solicia looked at him. And Elkill cleared his throat, looking at his neighbors staring at the Wall Lord.<\/p>\n \u201cPerhaps inside? Come in, Wall Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course. Come in, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n Solicia moved out of the doorway. Ilvriss paused as Elkill headed inside, murmuring urgently with his wife. He didn\u2019t know if coming here had been correct. But something\u2014maybe the thought of what a certain Human would have said, or Periss herself\u2014had impelled him. He stared at the open door. And he recalled an old conversation.<\/p>\n \u201cDid you know, Ilvriss?<\/em> One of your [Lieutenants]\u2014Periss, yes, that\u2019s the one. Her parents are mixed. Gnoll and Drake. What? Of course it doesn\u2019t have anything to do with how she does in the military. But you\u2019re asking how Rhelika and I work? Ask her. She\u2019d know\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Tasilt.<\/p>\n Ilvriss entered the home. And he sat at a small, comfortable couch as he was served some tea. And then into silence he spoke. He forgot the words almost as soon as he said them. But the feeling, the moment, it lasted forever. The faces of the two parents, tearing open a wound so it might heal a bit better. Listening to a confession.<\/p>\n Truth about a relationship. Lies about a death. But truth about pain. About loss. Promises\u2014offers of wealth. Meaningless words mixed in with guilt. Ilvriss didn\u2019t know when he ran out of words. But it was Solicia\u2019s stare, the way Elkill leaned against her that made him just sit there. Waiting.<\/p>\n And all Elkill did in the end was put down his cup, untouched. He looked at his wife. And then at Ilvriss. And he looked at a painting on the far wall. And Ilvriss turned his head and saw her.<\/p>\n \u201cShe was special, wasn\u2019t she?\u201d<\/p>\n The quiet question shook Ilvriss. It cracked something. And he bowed his head.<\/p>\n Wall Lords wept not for themselves. So a Drake sat and shed the tears the Wall Lord could not. He wept. But he was not alone in his grief. For a while, Ilvriss put aside the vengeance in his chest. That could come later. He just sat there and remembered who he had loved. The way she laughed.<\/p>\n He missed her.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Previous Chapter<\/a> Next Chapter<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Erin Solstice\u2019s inn was now an establishment. Not just a curio, an attraction, or simply a locus of unusual events. It was a home, a gathering spot. A place that people had made their habit to visit, for food, entertainment, and in that way, it became part of their lives. Like a local diner, or […]<\/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-6958","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-volume-6","category-writing"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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