{"id":9338,"date":"2020-10-25T00:29:18","date_gmt":"2020-10-25T00:29:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/wandering-inn\/?p=9338"},"modified":"2025-12-24T01:01:44","modified_gmt":"2025-12-24T01:01:44","slug":"7-55-e","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2020\/10\/25\/7-55-e\/","title":{"rendered":"7.55 E"},"content":{"rendered":"

(The Wandering Inn is on break until November 3rd<\/sup> for the author\u2019s hands! November 7th for non-Patreon readers. See you then!) <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a fun fact for you that I learned today: people are really scared of little girls.<\/p>\n

Okay, I was aware of this. There\u2019s\u2026commonalities between worlds. For instance, I\u2019m aware of evil little twins being a staple in horror movies. But while I was aware that \u2018scary little kid\u2019 was a horror trope, I wasn\u2019t conscious of that fact. It was like knowing a tomato is technically a fruit, or something.<\/p>\n

It never personally affected me. Because I, Laken Godart, am blind. And the idea of a strangely creepy girl standing in my hallway at night? Not really<\/em> as scary. I\u2019d just walk into her, or more accurately, bump into her with my cane if it wasn\u2019t my house.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t get it. Anyone<\/em> standing in a hallway at night in my home when they\u2019re not supposed to be there is scary. I think it\u2019s the entire effect.<\/p>\n

All this to say that the visual component of horror is lost on me. One of the reasons why horror movies aren\u2019t great<\/em> is that, in a silent scene, where suspense is allegedly building? I can\u2019t see<\/em> whatever\u2019s making everyone else so nervous.<\/p>\n

Not that I can\u2019t understand fear. It\u2019s just a difference in how you have to scare me. And there\u2019s lots of scary stuff, like dogs off their leashes, losing your way and having no idea where the hell you are\u2014<\/p>\n

That was me when I first met Durene. Now of course, I have \u2018landsense\u2019, or perhaps \u2018[Emperor]-sense\u2019? Durene called it that the other day and I\u2019m not a fan.<\/p>\n

But here I am. Sitting, listening to about, oh, two hundred individual complaints brought to me as a whole by Mister Prost. About creepy girls. To be more precise:<\/p>\n

[Witches].<\/p>\n

\u201cYour Majesty, it\u2019s\u2014it\u2019s not just nerves. No one who\u2019s seen \u2018em at night gets a good night\u2019s sleep, and that\u2019s with<\/em> your Skill sire, begging your pardon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCreepy little [Witch] girls, Mister Prost?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, your Majesty.\u201d<\/p>\n

The things that an [Emperor] has to deal with\u2026but the [Witches] are an exception, not just me being hands-on.<\/p>\n

Witches and Goblins. Two unique\u2026allies? Groups that are part of the Unseen Empire. I believe it\u2019s for the best. My people have reservations.<\/p>\n

And to be fair, Belavierr and the Goblin raids did happen. No one should demand that people who\u2019ve lost family or friends to Goblins should welcome them or be expected to forgive. It\u2019s just\u2026<\/p>\n

Arguments. Which I\u2019ve had with Durene, Rie, Beniar, two thirds of my advisors. And that group has expanded of late. So when I turn my head, it\u2019s expectantly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWitch Eloise, Witch Hedag, do you have anything to say on the\u2014\u2018creepy little [Witches]\u2019 topic?\u201d<\/p>\n

I hear a booming laugh. It\u2019s Hedag and Eloise who represent the [Witches] on my council. They accepted when asked and obviously, they were my first choices. Mavika refused and\u2014it\u2019s honestly for the best. But the [Witches] need representation, especially here. I want them to be more than bound by a pact.<\/p>\n

I think I\u2019m doing well. Or they\u2019d tell me otherwise. [Witches] can be both enigmatic\u2014and refreshingly direct. And in this case\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cI think your [Steward]\u2019s fears have merit, Emperor Godart. Or should I say\u2014I\u2019m certain? But it isn\u2019t something solved in a moment. It ties to witchcraft\u2014and we are not of their covens.\u201d<\/p>\n

That comes from Eloise. I actually stir.<\/p>\n

\u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n

And here I thought people were being paranoid. But Hedag\u2019s chuckling.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, your Majesty, we\u2019ve no doubt of it. But it\u2019s one thing to know and another to see<\/em>, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is indeed, Witch Hedag. Something of a problem with me, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

[Witches] aren\u2019t afraid to be honest either. I smile drily, but Hedag just chortles louder over Rie, Beycalt, and Gamel being offended. The others are used to it, like Wiskeria, who\u2019s sighing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean, go witness<\/em> it, [Emperor]. You should be able to tell what your people fear even without vision alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hmm.<\/em> Interesting. And since it does come from Hedag, I stand up.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes it happen every night, Prost?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAround dusk or later, your Majesty. Should we\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course. Do I need an escort or is it just scary?\u201d<\/p>\n

I\u2019m making light of it. But Gamel and Durene both agree to come with me. I sigh. Eloise just smiles. I can tell she does because she\u2019s taken to tipping her hat up to signal me. A downwards tip means it\u2019s a frown or something. She\u2019s used it more than once when giving me advice.<\/p>\n

Clever tricks.<\/p>\n

As we leave the \u2018throne room\u2019, which is both treasury and throne room\u2014in other words, a part warehouse and a reception area with the wooden throne, now apparently painted, and a place to put Riverfarm\u2019s greatest treasures under guard, I\u2019m still making light of the issue.<\/p>\n

Honestly, it\u2019s a relief from all this unpleasant and tedious business negotiating with other settlements. Cities and towns have become aware of the Unseen Empire and everyone wants something\u2014preferably without having to pay.<\/p>\n

\u2018Guard your roads for free? Why certainly, let me just do that in exchange for trade concessions I\u2019d get from every [Merchant] anyways.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cHow many nobles have replied for the party now, Rie?\u201d<\/p>\n

As my small group of about eleven walks through Riverfarm at dusk, I try to see what\u2019s changed today. What\u2019s changed this month?<\/p>\n

Paved roads. To be precise\u2014twice-paved roads.<\/em> What a disaster.<\/p>\n

You see, when I first laid out Riverfarm in my head, I made plans for it to be far larger. I tried to think of all the basics\u2014wells at numerous points in case of fire, farmland, placing buildings such that you wouldn\u2019t have a smithy next to houses, for instance\u2026<\/p>\n

Riverfarm is laid out very neatly; no weird roads or confusing intersections. I can visualize it all from a bird\u2019s eye view. Which is very handy!<\/p>\n

But I make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. And one of my mistakes was that I didn\u2019t realize that after the first mad rush to put up enough houses and the essential buildings\u2026people would begin constructing things the way they thought was right.<\/p>\n

Case in point: paved roads. Sounds good, right? Only\u2014they used bits and pieces. Stones, parts of masonry from foundation-work, and so on to make one of those roads you get in Europe. Collectively strong, flat-ish\u2014but bumpy as hell and prone to having bits and pieces torn up and needing to be reset.<\/p>\n

I hate those roads. They are so difficult to walk on without tripping and they don\u2019t do people in wagons any favors as well. So, I demanded that if we were going to get roads, make them brick! Make them flat<\/em> and not prone to being torn up.<\/p>\n

\u2026Well, it took about four weeks to tear up the old roads and find the right [Bricklayers] who knew exactly how to get bricks of the hardness and durability we needed. Sourcing the right clay?<\/p>\n

Gah. But you don\u2019t see me kicking over stones, do you? Not one. I\u2019m not being petty about it either, no matter what Durene claims.<\/p>\n

\u201cNice brickwork. I\u2019ll be interested to see how it takes its first winter.\u201d<\/p>\n

I\u2026sense\u2026the eye rolls from Durene, even Wiskeria and Rie. I determinedly do not scowl, and keep an even pace. I\u2019m an [Emperor]. I don\u2019t have many demands, like a golden palanquin. If I want nice roads, I\u2019ll have them. And sewers! No one seems to think they\u2019re a good idea, except for Rie. It\u2019s a \u2018Drake thing\u2019, apparently, or a big city idea which is somehow a condemnation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have eleven names after Lady Imarris, your Majesty. None of the Five Families as of yet\u2026but some of the nobility have followed suit.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBetter late than never. It seems Ryoka\u2019s plan is working.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s amazing how audacious she is. Three of the Five Families, coming here?<\/em> A party for the fae.<\/p>\n

I remember last time. It wasn\u2019t a failure\u2014far from it. But neither was it a huge success.<\/p>\n

The fae are dangerous. <\/em>True, they prevented Durene\u2019s cottage from being covered in the avalanche\u2014and it would have certainly killed us both. But they can be cruel, capricious\u2026<\/p>\n

Still, it\u2019s a favor to Ryoka. I owe her one, or so I feel. And\u2026it\u2019s an opportunity for Riverfarm. But the preparations are difficult, her [Messages] sporadic and she herself isn\u2019t exactly contributing hands or money to the cause.<\/p>\n

\u201cIvolethe\u2019s statue is finished?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sire.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood.\u201d<\/p>\n

That was on my list of priorities. Near the top, actually. It seems to me that I\u2019d want to be known for keeping my promises, even to the fae in disgrace. As for the rest?<\/p>\n

Rie is helping with the party, even though she thinks it\u2019s far too much work. She\u2019s only going along because she believes it\u2019s good public relations for the Unseen Empire\u2014not because she believes in Ryoka\u2019s ritual, or even understands it. She\u2019s reached out and got three names of nobles she knows to come along before Ieka Imarris made her pronouncement.<\/p>\n

Ieka. I remember her from riding with Lord Tyrion. Very polite, very knowledgeable. Part of his inner council. A [Mage]\u2014and one of the more powerful nobles outside of the Five Families. <\/em><\/p>\n

Interested in me\u2014but standoffish. Extremely so. She kept asking questions which I\u2019d deflect. How did Ryoka get her to come?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll just wait and see, Rie. Have we removed all the iron nails from the party grounds?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAt great effort, your Majesty, yes. Would you like us to brick the grounds as well?\u201d<\/p>\n

Some laughter. Either they\u2019re becoming more relaxed around me or the last sixteen meetings on roads really have left their mark. I smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you had already begun the work? See to it, Lady Rie.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hedag starts laughing as Rie hesitates, unsure of whether I\u2019m serious or not. I have to clarify that yes, it was a joke. My words have power.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The \u2018scary [Witches]\u2019 apparently appear around Witching Street\u2014fittingly. It\u2019s late evening and I feel the sun waning on my skin. Ah, the sun\u2019s still taking a long time to set. Far better than winters where it\u2019s gone before dinner.<\/p>\n

Witching Street. So-named because most of the new [Witches] who have come to Riverfarm are settled there. And yes, in the new houses, sometimes one or two per house if it\u2019s Eloise or Hedag\u2014often in small groups. Or covens?<\/p>\n

Certainly, multiple covens have come here seeking Riverfarm\u2019s protection. It surprised me, honestly. I thought the pact I made with the coven was for [Witches] like Hedag or Mavika\u2014those who were accused of crimes and might be guilty, or might be prone to fear and prejudice.<\/p>\n

But Agratha\u2019s coven appeared first, and then roughly two more. The [Witches] seem to think there\u2019s an opportunity here. Especially to raise new [Witches] in peace.<\/p>\n

Hence, young [Witches] and the ones like Agratha, who\u2019s an actual [Teacher]\u2014the first one I\u2019ve met in this world.<\/p>\n

So far, the [Witches] haven\u2019t given us more problems than the help they\u2019ve been\u2014[Witches] are an interesting combination of problem-solver, [Healer], [Mage], [Alchemist]\u2026but as I come to Witching Street, very deserted except for [Witches] in their houses, the first problem manifests itself.<\/p>\n

Few of the Unseen Empire\u2019s people are near the street. They do indeed seem to avoid it if my landsense is correct. I don\u2019t understand why. In my internal vision, the street is much like the rest. Oh, there\u2019s the smell of some [Witch]\u2019s experiment in the air\u2014I cough.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh. One of the apprentices must have fouled a batch.\u201d<\/p>\n

Failed<\/em> experiment. I cough and fan at my face. Still, you\u2019ll smell worse from a tanner, right?<\/p>\n

\u201cAny creepy [Witches], Prost?\u201d<\/p>\n

I laugh as I turn my head. Prost hesitates.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour Majesty\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2026And that\u2019s when I hear it. Sense it, too. In the distance, there\u2019s chanting. I stop chuckling. Fall silent.<\/p>\n

Six small [Witches] are skipping down the street. Gamel makes a sound. I sense\u2014behind me\u2014a group of men and women coming back from the fields stiffen, then hurry off in the other direction. Fast.<\/em><\/p>\n

They\u2019re singing. So, six kids, ranging from as young as nine, to perhaps, a girl who\u2019s thirteen? Singing? This doesn\u2019t sound scary on paper.<\/p>\n

But\u2014is the air colder? I feel a chill. And tingling on my skin. Like goose bumps. I twitch<\/em>\u2014it feels as though there\u2019s a hand on my shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

My voice feels more quiet. I know there are people around me\u2014but suddenly I feel as though I\u2019m standing alone. The street feels wider. The voices echo as the girls skip forwards. Singing and laughing\u2014no.<\/p>\n

Chanting.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The hats are in the well, the bodies in the dell <\/em><\/p>\n

The gate is open and goes to hell<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDead gods.\u201d<\/p>\n

Someone mutters behind me. I hear laughter, again. The girls are skipping down the street in a line. Then\u2014they stop<\/em> and start running in a circle around the one in the middle. Giggling.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The ghost is in my hat, her corpse is dark and fell<\/em><\/p>\n

Take the bell and ring death\u2019s knell<\/em><\/p>\n

And don\u2019t fall in the well!<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I\u2026feel someone grab my shoulders. I start\u2014Durene is trying to hide behind me.<\/em> I sense their heads turning, hear more high-pitched laughter.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026Ah. That\u2019s horrifying.\u201d<\/p>\n

I take it all back. I turn.<\/p>\n

\u201cWitch Eloise, Witch Hedag? Can you get them to stop that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGirls!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Eloise raises her voice. I hear giggling. The young [Witches] stop.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Witch Eloise?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

They chorus as one voice. I hear a murmur from the side.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey definitely practiced that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wiskeria. Durene meanwhile is giving me a massage\u2014or trying to pull the bones out of my shoulders with her fingers.<\/p>\n

\u201cEnough playing around.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut we\u2019re not playing,<\/em> Witch Eloise! We\u2019re practicing our craft!\u201d<\/p>\n

Another six-in-one voice. More giggling. I hear Eloise sigh and beyond the basic, primal terror trying to pick at my common sense\u2014it begins to come together.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh. Not yours, Witch Eloise?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot mine, Emperor Godart. Precisely the problem.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell then, I think we\u2019d better reconvene. They don\u2019t stick to Witching Street, do they, Mister Prost? You were saying\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, your Majesty. They wander down other streets. Lights go out when folk\u2019re drinking in pubs. They peek into houses through the windows so you wake up and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

He shudders. I begin to understand.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, well. And I\u2019ve been laughing it off so far. Creepy little girls indeed. We can\u2019t have this. Suggestions?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019ll give me permission, I\u2019ll stop them tonight, your Majesty.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wiskeria. I nod. This is why you have talented people on your side. People who\u2019re right for the moment. Wiskeria squares her shoulders, adjusts her spectacles, and begins rolling up the sleeves of her robe as she secures her hat. I wait for her to break the younger [Witches]\u2019s spell or\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201cEnough, girls!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

She sprints<\/em> at the [Witches] and they shriek and run off. I sense them scatter as Wiskeria chases them, calling out all manner of curses\u2014verbal ones\u2014if they don\u2019t come here right now.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cEr\u2026was that a particularly witchy move, Witch Eloise?\u201d<\/p>\n

Rie\u2019s voice sounds a bit strangled. Hedag chuckles.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing for stopping a good scare spell than smacking a head or two, Miss Rie. Wiskeria knows her craft. Let\u2019s head back now we\u2019ve convinced yon [Emperor] there\u2019s something to be scared of, eh?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Witchcraft is a strange thing. Sometimes it seems so ordinary. Like Agratha sweeping up honey but leaving it pure. Other times it\u2019s dark and magical. But it always makes sense.<\/p>\n

Like\u2014Wiskeria chasing off the girls by hitting them with a broom until they stop casting the fear spells? It makes sense because that\u2019s the least-scary thing I can think of. Also, very practical.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe issue is that each coven, and each [Witch] is a law unto herself, Emperor Godart. Apprentices are apprentices even so, but\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2014but if you start telling them their craft, their mentor objects. I have it precisely, Witch Eloise. I\u2019m only curious of two things. Why are they doing it? Not just for fun, it seems. And how much trouble will there be if they\u2019re forced to stop?\u201d<\/p>\n

A murmur of conversation among the other [Witches]. I\u2019ve dismissed most of the council for the night. Prost is here as always, Rie, Wiskeria, Hedag, and Eloise. Durene needed a lie down and some time at the pub after that scare.<\/p>\n

Joining us, though, are three more senior [Witches]. The one who replies is very technical with that\u2026that\u2026teacher-y voice. A tone of command, really. And of making you feel as though you\u2019re always in the wrong.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be precise, Emperor Laken, the young [Witches] are practicing their chosen specialty. It just so happens that the thing they make their spells out of in this stage of their careers is, regrettably, fear.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh. I thought so.\u201d<\/p>\n

Scary little girls. And because they\u2019re [Witches], they know<\/em> they\u2019re terrifying and use it to fuel their magic, like Mavika uses fear, Alevica uses resentment and loathing\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201cLike Witch Alevica? I haven\u2019t seen her around. I trust she\u2019s doing well?\u201d<\/p>\n

A susurration. The other [Witches] don\u2019t like Alevica much, at least, Agratha doesn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt would be\u2014regrettable\u2014if the young [Witches] try to emulate Witch Alevica. They hold her in some esteem. We are trying to guide them onto the right path, your Majesty, but their teacher is Witch Oliyaya.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh. Her.\u201d<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t think I\u2019ve ever heard her speak. Nor did she introduce herself. She\u2019s one of the reasons why people imagine [Witches] would want to live in a camp outside of Riverfarm instead of in houses. And indeed\u2014Oliyaya does. Or in a tree, or a swamp hut\u2026I\u2019m rather glad of it. The only time I\u2019ve ever heard her is when she started laughing manically.<\/p>\n

\u201cLike Witch Mavika, it seems.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another delicate pause. Another witch, Rebeca, another one like Agratha\u2014a teacher, replies quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, but your Majesty, Mavika<\/em> is even older magic. She has a flock. Her example isn\u2019t fair to use. Witch Agratha, Devay, and I are attempting to create a school of magic for young [Witches], but those like Oliyaya complicate matters. We would be all too willing to intercede on the Unseen Empire\u2019s behalf, of course\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

And here\u2019s where Eloise tugs on her hat. Downwards. Ah.<\/em> I hear a grunt from Hedag, a dissatisfied one. And that tells me something else.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a split in opinions here, isn\u2019t there?<\/em> Eloise and Hedag might not be fans of creepy [Witches] scaring everyone, but they\u2019re not all on board with Agratha\u2019s teaching methods.<\/p>\n

Tread carefully. If I pick Agratha\u2019s side, I have no doubt she might use that to push her kind of witchcraft. Which alienates Oliyaya and\u2026<\/p>\n

I sigh. But I\u2019ve learned how to do this. And as an [Emperor]\u2019s tasks go, this is one of the most important. I lean on the throne\u2019s armrest, as if bored.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo I would ask you to manage Oliyaya\u2019s pupils to bring peace to the Unseen Empire\u2019s people at night?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you deem it best, your Majesty, of course we would be happy to oblige. Witches are guaranteed protection, but your laws must be weighed against the craft of [Witches].\u201d<\/p>\n

Another telling answer. \u2018If I deem it best\u2019. And that wasn\u2019t exactly a promise to obey all of Riverfarm\u2019s laws.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps it would be best to tell Emperor Laken why<\/em> Oliyaya and her pupils like fear first, wouldn\u2019t it, Agratha? Young man he is, and sharp as the [Reaper]\u2019s sickle, but he might not see the issue.\u201d<\/p>\n

That comes from Hedag with a bark of a laugh. I smile as Agratha makes a noise of discontent rather like Rie. She was clearly hoping Hedag wouldn\u2019t say that.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s this, Witch Agratha?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cErm\u2026only that there are complications in some of Witch Oliyaya\u2019s pupils, your Majesty. All girls may become a [Witch]! It doesn\u2019t change\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t see it, Laken Godart. But young Witch Cirsa is the survivor of a fire. Her family perished in the flames and she was orphaned. Oliyaya adopted her as a pupil.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eloise spells it out at last. I exhale.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh.\u201d<\/p>\n

I wouldn\u2019t have sensed that. I can tell with my landsense where people are precisely, how they\u2019re standing, everything about their postures\u2014not facial features. Not yet, if it\u2019s even possible.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just features. The child\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Agratha trails off. I turn my head.<\/p>\n

\u201cI take it she has\u2014scars, Witch Eloise?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, your Majesty. Which I realize may not be as troubling to you. But they trouble Witch Cirsa. Especially other people\u2019s reactions to them. Hence her decision to play upon them. Most of Oliyaya\u2019s pupils are like that. And she herself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see.\u201d<\/p>\n

It all becomes clear. Small wonder. I feel sympathy now, despite having been scared myself. Agratha and her trio are silent as they wait for me to reply. It\u2019s Rie who helps set me up.<\/p>\n

\u201cA tricky situation, wouldn\u2019t you agree, your Majesty? On one hand, we have [Witches] practicing their natural craft. On the other\u2014your subjects are disturbed. Is there no common ground to be found?\u201d<\/p>\n

Thank you, Rie.<\/em> She spells out that I\u2019m aware this will inconvenience me either way. One of the other [Witches] makes a sound as she shifts. I nod.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is troublesome, Lady Rie. But as I have agreed\u2014I will make every courtesy and afford [Witches] every due possible<\/em>. Far be it from me to decide what [Witches] are.\u201d<\/p>\n

A tip of the hat upwards from Eloise and an exasperated sigh from Agratha. I suppress a smile. You\u2019re welcome.<\/em> I wonder how much I just gave Eloise\u2019s camp, if she has one?<\/p>\n

\u201cEven so, Witch Oliyaya and her pupils cannot terrorize Riverfarm. Witch Hedag, will you speak to Oliyaya and ask that the scary little [Witches] confine themselves to the only occasional<\/em> haunting?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour Majesty, all parts of Riverfarm?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMm. No, good point, Mister Prost. Certain streets of Riverfarm may be \u2018scare zones\u2019 at night. Some residents do seem to enjoy being terrorized. It adds spice to life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Like people who insist on watching horror movies.<\/em> It\u2019s a happy compromise and sending Hedag seems like the safest bet. I hear more sighing from Agratha\u2019s lot. And once again, Emperor Laken has steered the rocky course of negotiations!<\/p>\n

Huzzah. I stretch. I want to eat something.<\/p>\n

Anyways. Creepy little girls, even if they are horrifying, aren\u2019t the biggest thing Riverfarm has to deal with. If you want to deal with real <\/em>problems\u2014well\u2014the next day was even more of a headache.<\/p>\n

Goblins are good at giving me headaches. I think they enjoy making trouble for me.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhere do I even begin? There\u2019s too much to say\u2026where are you, I guess? Can I ask that? Or is it\u2026dangerous?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt might be. But this is the only way we can talk. The safest way\u2026well, how confident are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUm. S-six?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSix?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

That wasn\u2019t Elena\u2019s voice. Ryoka stared at Palt accusingly. He shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Elusive Lot.\u201d<\/p>\n

He whispered back. Elena was arguing with someone on the other side.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are<\/em> all listening in!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re keeping the spell active! You want to chat on an unsecured spell? We could get you a decent artifact, I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell? Will you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut we want to listen in!\u201d<\/p>\n

The argument between Elena and an unknown speaker\u2014Palt was writing \u2018Galei\u2019 as Galina frantically transcribed\u2014ended in the background. Galina had experience in transcribing, apparently. Erin was resting her hands on her chin, just staring.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s one of the Elusive Lot. Do you know about\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. I\u2019m um\u2014allied with Ullsinoi. We<\/em> are.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe? <\/em>There are more of you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka Griffin, aka \u2018batman\u2019, was sweating. Elena made a sound.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2014maybe don\u2019t tell me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Elusive Lot knows. I\u2019d rate this as a six out of ten myself. But we have to try. Let\u2019s keep anything extremely important secret. But I can tell you we have a safe place. In Izril. In\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka looked at Erin. The [Innkeeper] shrugged. Ryoka still hesitated.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2014In Izril. If we could get you out, we\u2019d bring you here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow safe is \u2018safe\u2019?<\/em> We\u2019ve heard how bad it is\u2014I saw some terrible stuff myself. Not all of its bad, but I saw\u2026monsters\u2026and Cara\u2014the [Popstar]\u2014she showed me a text chat that apparently happened before I arrived. That\u2019s how we know you. Some people\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. I know. You know\u2026\u2018asdf\u2019? The\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Imani flinched. Ryoka chose her words carefully. Elena made a sound.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think so.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was Crelers. The\u2014survivor\u2019s with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh. Oh my god\u2014<\/em>we\u2019ve found more people who survived monster attacks, but you found\u2026? Some people have horrible stories\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have to stay on topic. Sorry, but I know we\u2019re on a time limit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Palt nodded. Elena took a breath.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay. You\u2019re in Izril. Got it. Um\u2014there are<\/em> things we should tell you. I don\u2019t know what you know. But first? Listen\u2014do you have a scrying orb?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. We\u2019ve seen all the broadcasts, including the Singer\u2014Cara\u2019s?\u2014video.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, right. Well, she\u2019s telling you important things. You caught that, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAilendamus, Wistram, er\u2026[Necromancers]? Seek safety with Noelictus, Calanfer, half-Elves, Dwarves? Just in general?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s only one major Dwarf settlement in the world. And the half-Elves\u2014well, Cara knows some. Yeah. Good. I knew you\u2019d get it. I got it at once, and Cara and I can\u2019t talk. It\u2019s too dangerous.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo Wistram is<\/em> keeping you all hostage? You can\u2019t communicate?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone\u2019s always listening if we talk. They want Cara to come to Wistram\u2014and no, we can\u2019t leave. We\u2019re told we\u2019ll be able to once Wistram has \u2018control of the situation\u2019. But\u2026she asked for volunteers and I came here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Cara, sorry. She has more Earthers and she was suspicious of Wistram. I volunteered\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Write this down!<\/em> Ryoka was waving at the others as they poked and nudged each other. This was huge! And more was yet to come.<\/p>\n

Elena caught herself once more.<\/p>\n

\u201cNever mind that. Listen. Don\u2019t ever,<\/em> and I mean, ever<\/em> say anything about Earth in front of a scrying orb. Or give away who you are! It\u2019s usually safe\u2014Wistram can\u2019t see everything. But\u2014and we can\u2019t confirm this, the others with me\u2014something\u2019s up with Wistram\u2019s scrying television thing. I think\u2026they might be able to see through some of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka nearly dropped the stone Palt was focusing through. He caught the stone before the artifact could break. Erin threw up her hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cIlluminati! Aaaa\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho was that?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone else, sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka had clapped a hand over Erin\u2019s mouth. The [Innkeeper] was pointing at Kevin and gesticulating for him to \u2018get a hammer\u2019. Ryoka quickly spoke.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNearly. I heard them talking about \u2018obscure artifacts\u2019\u2014ones they can\u2019t<\/em> hack into. They\u2019re\u2026monitoring all kinds of people. The King of Destruction, other nations\u2014even the Antinium.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Oh no.<\/em> Ryoka felt her stomach twist. That\u2014that wasn\u2019t good. Erin was sitting bolt-upright, focused on the conversation. For the Wind Runner herself? The cost of telling Elena had already paid off.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll make a note, thank you, Elena. We\u2019ll remove all the scrying devices or be careful to\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cActually, I don\u2019t think you need to do this, Miss.\u201d<\/p>\n

A startled sound from Elena. Ryoka stopped.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello? Who is this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaster Galei!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Palt! I just had to break in here.\u201d<\/p>\n

A friendly male voice\u2014Palt\u2019s master?\u2014spoke up. He addressed the Centaur directly.<\/p>\n

\u201cPsst, Palt. How friendly are we getting? We could consult here\u2014but I\u2019d like to hear it from you first.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Centaur hesitated and looked at Erin and Ryoka.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaster Galei? I\u2019d call these significant allies.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Other voices in the background. Ryoka frowned. How many [Mages] were<\/em> in the Elusive Lot? And listening in? Even Palt didn\u2019t know. Galei murmured.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026heard him. I say we take it\u2026no votes! We\u2019ll leave you two to talk, Miss \u2018batman\u2019. But I just wanted to tell you that if you\u2019re just enchanting a mirror with [Scrying], you\u2019re not in danger of Wistram reversing the spell to watch you. Not if Palt\u2019s doing it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka looked at Palt for confirmation. Then she snapped back towards the stone she was using to speak through.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait. Wistram is <\/em>watching us through scrying orbs?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOho! She got it! I knew she was smart! That\u2019s five secrets you owe me!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Someone chortled in the background. Palt sighed and reached for a cigar. Ryoka felt like she never wanted to meet the Elusive Lot in person. It was like listening to faeries, a bit. At least in their chaotic insanity.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHere\u2019s Elena again. Also\u2014you have about six minutes left. We can\u2019t keep this up forever. Is this chat going to take long?\u201d<\/p>\n

Elena sounded rushed.<\/p>\n

\u201cSix minutes?<\/em> But we have too much to say! Okay\u2014listen\u2014give that back!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Galei\u2019s voice again.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, I thought so. In that case\u2014we\u2019ll do it later tonight. Mm. One of our warded rooms.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWait, again? You just said\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka and Elena were both confused. Galei made a sound.<\/p>\n

\u201cI meant, we grabbed Miss Elena not knowing how she\u2019d react or how long this was. We\u2019re casting a linked spell in a damned hallway! It\u2019s not perfect! We\u2019ll resume this later. Miss Elena, you\u2019ll just have to show up in one of our secure areas where we can let you talk far longer without the same risk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh. Will\u2014will it be safe? Archmage Feor\u2019s in my faction, Mage Galei. If he finds out\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

The Elusive Lot laughed in the background. Ryoka saw Palt give her a nod as Kevin made a motion. With a resigned look, Palt handed out a spliff to beckoning hands. Erin scowled. Ryoka reached out and Erin smacked her hand down. Like hell Ryoka was going to turn down Palt, though.<\/p>\n

Galei turned to Elena on their side of the call. He was a Centaur and he looked offended Elena even had to ask.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat, communicate without anyone in Wistram knowing? My dear, half of the [Mages] in Wistram could do that. We\u2019re the Elusive Lot.<\/em> We could dance naked in the hallways while screaming secrets from Earth if we wanted!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026Do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Who is coming to the Summer Solstice party? I have no idea if Ryoka will succeed with her plan to get three of the Five Families\u2014I don\u2019t even know why<\/em> she\u2019s so convinced it\u2019ll succeed.<\/p>\n

But I\u2019m still excited because I know someone is coming. Someone Ryoka told me about a long time ago, when we first met.<\/p>\n

Her other friend from Earth. And for that alone, I\u2019d roll out a red carpet. If we had one. We have carpets. They may be red?<\/p>\n

\u201cAll the way from Liscor. But if they\u2019re not on the way already, how can they get here? Ryoka seems convinced she can just run over and maybe she<\/em> can, but her friends? Unless they have a magical carriage\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

That\u2019s been bugging me all week. It took me ages<\/em> to get back\u2014true, we were escorting the Goblins in wagons, and that was the slowest trip you could organize\u2014but it\u2019s still a huge problem.<\/p>\n

As it happens, today my answers come from the same source as my headaches.<\/p>\n

Goblins.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Laken Godart\u2019s musings on guests for the mid-summer party, musings on his growing empire, and everything else, were idle thoughts.<\/p>\n

But unlike everyone else in the world, at any given time he had at least<\/em> a dozen people willing to listen, hear him out, and devote every waking minute they had to an idle question.<\/p>\n

Such was the power of an [Emperor]. Instantly, Lady Rie signaled covertly to one of her<\/em> attendants that they should get a [Message] spell to Miss Ryoka Griffin about that matter. Someone else produced a map and began calculating the average speed of people on horseback from Liscor to Riverfarm.<\/p>\n

Laken Godart could, if he really wanted, know the airspeed velocity of the Izrilian swallow, laden, unladen, and even if it was a migratory bird. Terandrian swallows were harder of course, but he could probably find that out too.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour Majesty, we could send Beniar and the Darksky Riders to escort whomever it is, but only if we have ample time. These visitors\u2014they\u2019re important?\u201d<\/p>\n

Lady Rie was not privy to the Unseen Emperor\u2019s every thought and confidence and she resented it. The [Lady] was an accomplished personage in her own right. Not extremely high-level in the [Lady] class, but still more than her level indicated.<\/p>\n

She didn\u2019t miss the fact that Durene gave Laken an excited look, or that he himself sometimes slipped up and referred to Ryoka\u2019s \u2018guests\u2019 as \u2018friends from home\u2019. She didn\u2019t have all the pieces, but she knew there was a puzzle and that was an important first step.<\/p>\n

The [Emperor] took his time in replying. And his morning walkabout of Riverfarm meant all his advisors not currently at-work waited with him.<\/p>\n

Prost wasn\u2019t here. Nor was Beycalt, Master Ram\u2014those were representatives of significant branches of Riverfarm\u2019s talents. Master Ram for the [Farmers], [Herders], and so on. Beycalt responsible for construction\u2014<\/p>\n

Master Helm, the [Blacksmith] of Windrest, was here. When he probably should have been at work. But the man was newly-promoted to his position and seemed to feel that he should be here. He\u2019d either calm down or Prost would take him aside to tell him that Laken preferred he do what needed doing; he\u2019d be summoned at need be.<\/p>\n

Gamel shifted, keeping a lookout for migrating swallows, monsters, or anything else that might trouble Laken. Durene was walking along, snacking\u2014Rie eyed her as she crunched<\/em> noisily on some popcorn.<\/p>\n

\u201cWant some, Laken?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo thank you, Durene. Ryoka\u2019s friends are greatly interesting to me, Lady Rie. I don\u2019t know them myself. But I consider their visit to be as important as any noble\u2019s. Let\u2019s ask about Liscor\u2014if they leave now, they might still be too late. They certainly will be if they moved as slowly as we did. Can we arrange for one of the coaches that go across Izril?\u201d<\/p>\n

Rie had to think.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey stop at Liscor, certainly, unless it\u2019s flooded, your Majesty. Perhaps that\u2019s what Miss Griffin is counting on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFlooded? <\/em>Wait, Lord Veltras mentioned that and it was damned muddy when we were there\u2026oh, the rains. But I didn\u2019t think that meant it flooded.\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Emperor] had to be told about Liscor\u2019s odd weather patterns. He was interested in Liscor\u2014but better at compartmentalizing than he had been.<\/p>\n

\u201cLady Rie, please prepare any notes on Liscor. I know enough about the city from the siege\u2026but not enough, it seems. We\u2019ll discuss it tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, your Majesty.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rie smiled. Another opportunity to talk privately with Laken Godart and learn more\u2014as well as ingratiate herself. She saw Durene grunt and eye her, but all the [Paladin] did was cram more popcorn into her mouth.<\/p>\n

It was Master Helm who volunteered, with voice-cracking nervousness, an important factoid.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour\u2014your Majesty! I think there\u2019s a faster way from Liscor to Riverfarm\u2014at least it\u2019d make it a sight shorter, if you\u2019ll forgive me speaking up!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaster Helm? Go on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laken turned and the [Smith] found himself at the center of attention. Master Helm, who could cheerfully handle hot steel and shout orders to apprentices in the center of his village, turned beet red with stage fright.<\/p>\n

\u201cEr\u2014sire\u2014it\u2019s er\u2014something I\u2019ve heard second-hand, mind. But I um\u2014it comes from Liscor. That is to say, I heard from Halrac there\u2019s a door there. Magic. Connects to Invrisil\u2014never seen it myself, but\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Laken, who had politely been listening to the confused reply, glanced up instantly. Or his head rose while his eyes stayed shut.<\/p>\n

\u201cA magic door?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Lady Rie had heard the same rumor. It had been one of those things she\u2019d dismissed as not being able to seperate truth from rumor\u2014but Helm\u2019s retort made her check through her notes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard the same thing, your Majesty. It seems hardly possible\u2014but I did hear Lady Magnolia<\/em> used a door to get from Invrisil to Liscor in a day. I thought it was a limited artifact but apparently\u2014there\u2019s a door of teleportation that can take you across the continent in a moment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRemarkable. Is it a relic? Could we get one?\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Emperor] was fascinated, as well he should be. Rie pursed her lips.<\/p>\n

Magnolia<\/em>. The name had been sour on her tongue, especially in light of recent events. The woman had more lives than a cat. She had been seconds<\/em> away from being ended and Lord Tyrion Veltras had let her escape.<\/p>\n

Now this business with poisoning his children. Rie felt like the Circle was overreaching. She knew how much power they had and she knew how much danger one of the Five Families could bring. If they took Tyrion Veltras and his House, it would make the Circle incredibly powerful\u2014and their reach was already long. But if not?<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll see, your Majesty. But it would cut any travel down to a scant day or two at most with an overnight carriage.\u201d<\/p>\n

That was what she said to Laken about the door. The [Emperor] nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell then. A magic door. And it connects to multiple cities, Master Helm? I wonder\u2026could it reach Riverfarm?\u201d<\/p>\n

Rie bit the inside of her lip hard.<\/em> And connect to\u2014Drake cities?<\/em> She didn\u2019t like it. Not one bit. It was dangerous if everything was true; she\u2019d heard the door in Liscor\u2014already a Drake city\u2014reached Pallass. One of the Walled Cities and principle enemies of the north. They\u2019d been responsible for sending the Drake [Infiltrators] to ruin the north\u2019s lands.<\/p>\n

But it was a worthwhile question to ask. Master Helm hesitated.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t know, your Majesty. I only heard tell of it. But\u2014young Halrac\u2014that is, Adventurer Halrac would know all about it!\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Emperor] smiled. And that smile\u2014Lady Rie scowled behind a handkerchief as she pretended to dap at her cheek, even though she was almost<\/em> certain he couldn\u2019t tell what her facial expressions were.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh.<\/em> Captain Halrac and Griffon Hunt. Well, I owe them a visit about a problem already. Let\u2019s finish our walk and meet them, then.\u201d<\/p>\n

He walked on. Rie fell back.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeatica, find me everything<\/em> regarding the magic door and notes on Liscor for his Majesty. Have them to me before dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, Lady Rie.\u201d<\/p>\n

The former [Councilwoman] of Lancrel didn\u2019t meet Rie\u2019s eyes. She bowed low, and scurried off. And here she had once been a self-proclaimed rival for Riverfarm. Well, she\u2019d assumed she had been, but she was smart enough to throw herself on Rie\u2019s mercy when Laken had returned.<\/p>\n

Now she was a useful subordinate. Of course, once a traitor, always a traitor, as the saying went. But\u2026Rie Valerund wondered if Beatica wouldn\u2019t be a good low-level operative of the Circle of Thorns. She might be a first good recruit. The Circle had ways to ensure that old truism about traitors only applied to people not in their organization.<\/p>\n

The Circle had yet to spread its roots in Riverfarm. To her knowledge, Rie was only one of three operatives in the area, and the largest at that. The other two had come simply to monitor her<\/em> work with the [Emperor]. Until now, no one had given Riverfarm a passing thought.<\/p>\n

Rie had gotten lucky. Lucky indeed; the Goblin raid had not been planned. But here she was, advising an [Emperor]. It was rising her star as both [Lady]\u2026and member of the Circle of Thorns.<\/p>\n

She only wished\u2014well, that Laken were easier to persuade.<\/em> He couldn\u2019t see, and a melodious voice wasn\u2019t half as effective. She needed him to embrace the Circle of Thorns. Or else, if he became an enemy\u2014they\u2019d cut him. And they could work well<\/em> together.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Rie caught up with Laken Godart as he finished his walk and headed into Riverfarm proper. It was now a large town and still growing. Rie had never seen expansion this fast\u2014or successful. But the rumors were already spreading.<\/p>\n

The [Emperor] of the Unseen Empire had traded his physical eyes for the ability to see all things. He could speak the tongue of beasts, and could tell if you were lying. He even allowed untrustworthy [Witches], evil Goblins, and more onto his lands because he didn\u2019t fear them\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

True and false. True and false. But it was certainly true that being able to monitor all his lands meant that there was little fear of [Bandits]. They kept coming\u2014and [Thieves] too. Laken would find Beniar in the middle of the night and tell him, oh, two hundred [Bandits] were coming here, or a [Thief] had just broken into a house\u2014would you mind dealing with them?<\/p>\n

A Skill worthy of an [Emperor]. Rie was jealous. It also made working in secret very<\/em> hard. She\u2019d been trying to figure out how to induct members of the Circle of Thorns and eventually concluded it had to be done outside<\/em> of Riverfarm entirely; she had nearly, nearly<\/em> tried to use a secret basement, right up until she\u2019d learned Laken Godart could see under the ground as well.<\/p>\n

That kind of thing gave her ulcers. What else was he hiding? Who was he? And why, oh, why<\/em> was he so willing to allow Goblins a second chance?<\/p>\n

It was an enduring mystery about him. Rie had thought Laken was mad. But apparently, madness was spreading.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Goblinlands of Riverfarm had been contentious the moment the first Goblin\u2019s prisoner wagon had rolled into the village. There had been threats. Arguments. People had left over their presence.<\/p>\n

They were Goblins. <\/em>But the [Emperor] had insisted. The Goblins had made a wall. Riverfarm had made a wall.<\/p>\n

They had nearly been killed in a standoff that had ended with an angry [Cook] and a ladle. People had first been outraged\u2014then paranoid\u2014then suspicious\u2026<\/p>\n

After months, they were\u2014not okay<\/em> with it. Not at all! If you struck up the right person with conversation, they\u2019d rant about how [Emperor] Godart\u2019s one<\/em> flaw aside from maybe the [Witches] and his thing about brick streets was Goblins.<\/p>\n

But the fire of hatred had been replaced by, well, experience. Not acceptance. You stared at Goblins for long enough as they built their walls, you stayed awake all night holding the sword and watching for them to slip over and slit all your throats to no avail\u2026and slowly the [Emperor] got his way. Hatred became sullen acceptance, which was still a complete willingness to kick all the Goblins out if Laken changed his mind.<\/p>\n

And then had come Griffon Hunt. And everything changed again.<\/p>\n

The little, grey-skinned Goblin had a poofy hat. This was a fact. You could take the hat off the Goblin if you were fast enough, but she\u2019d probably bite you and hit you with her ladle.<\/p>\n

The [Cook] had to have a hat. And Pebblesnatch, the Goblin [Cook], was cooking.<\/em><\/p>\n

It was a variant of something she\u2019d once heard Erin talking about. Nothing fancy. Pebblesnatch was not a fancy [Cook]. She was young, even as Goblins measured their craft and still learning.<\/p>\n

Here was how it went if she could remember it right: you had chicken stock. Which was not, in fact, chicken<\/em> in your soup like Pebblesnatch\u2019s first three experiments had yielded.<\/p>\n

You soaked<\/em> chicken in liquid and let it release\u2026chicken essence. Pebblesnatch had worked with the fermenting expert, Holdnose, and the chicken stock tasted good. Just in case\u2014Pebblesnatch had added tiny bits of cut up chicken to the broth. Because why not? It was her<\/em> recipe.<\/p>\n

Next\u2014a bit of flour. Erin said \u2018corn starch\u2019, but Pebblesnatch had stared at corn for a long time and not found any white stuff. So\u2014flour. You could put flour in soups.<\/p>\n

The other bits were easier. Some wild garlic from the Goblinlands. And ginger! The two roots came from Ulvama\u2019s stocks, actually. Pebblesnatch had seized them while Ulvama wasn\u2019t looking. Two bumps on her head attested to the sacrifice paid for good ingredients.<\/p>\n

Pebblesnatch had actually figured out how to make garlic powder. It was super dry and she\u2019d removed the edible-but-tasteless shell as a snack. Now she added ginger and the powdered garlic to the stock and mixed it all up.<\/p>\n

Her guests kept watching Pebblesnatch to make sure she didn\u2019t wipe her nose with her claws or do something weird. Which she\u2019d never do! Pebblesnatch had learned from the best. You scratched your butt after<\/em> cooking properly.<\/p>\n

She brought the stock up to a simmer after a taste. Yum.<\/em> Any Goblin would eat this as it was, but Pebblesnatch had learned the joys of cooking. Well, a snobby Mountain City Goblin might not\u2026<\/p>\n

The Goblin took this time to admire the stone stove. And the kitchen! What a lovely kitchen! The Human [Cook] was staring at her nervously, but the Goblin had been able to use the kitchen.<\/p>\n

What next? Eggses. Lots of eggs. Pebblesnatch whisked them up in a huge bowl. Fat big eggs, small eggs\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cUm. Halrac. Those are wild bird\u2019s eggs.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s probably edible.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Pebblesnatch ignored her audience. She whisked up her broth vigorously as it simmered. Then\u2014in went the eggs! Not all at once! She poured the blended mixture in and it became little fragments. Mm.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow she\u2019s licking the bowl, Halrac.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s done with the bowl. I think.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

You had to lick things clean. The Goblin glared at her guests. Yum, raw egg. She smacked her lips.<\/p>\n

Revi needn\u2019t have feared. Pebblesnatch was amazing. She\u2019d gotten a new Skill<\/em> as a [Forager Cook]. And that was: [Remove Food Poisoning]. No more throwing up or having mad poos after the wrong thing!<\/p>\n

Anyways,<\/em> she was doing this right. The soup was all hot and Pebblesnatch took it off the burner and added some magic.<\/p>\n

Hot spices! Green onions! A bit of butter!<\/em> And done! Pebblesnatch\u2019s Dropped Eggs Soup was done! It had bits of chicken, a nice spice, eggs\u2026and it was a soup!<\/p>\n

You couldn\u2019t ask for more than that, could you? The Goblin heaved it over to the table in a big pot and began ladling it into bowls. She stared at her guests for breakfast this morning.<\/p>\n

Griffon Hunt examined the meal as they sat in one of the mess halls of Riverfarm. In the Human<\/em> lands. Not the Goblinlands. And here was Pebblesnatch.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never seen a soup like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Human [Cook] edged around Pebblesnatch and into his kitchen, as if to make sure she hadn\u2019t stolen everything or poisoned it while he was blinking. The other Humans, who\u2019d been surreptitiously watching the Cave Goblin, eyed the glistening soup with the same dubious expressions.<\/p>\n

But Halrac? He\u2019d been in an inn and served this exact soup. It wasn\u2019t the same, but the adventurer took the bowl Pebblesnatch offered him. He dipped a spoon into the broth, blew on it, and put it into his mouth.<\/p>\n

The [Cook] waited. Halrac\u2019s face didn\u2019t change as he chewed the egg bits, then swallowed. The rest of his team, especially Revi, waited. Briganda pulled Cade\u2019s hand away from his bowl.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s good. And it tastes like the other soup. Just more chicken. I\u2019m almost certain it\u2019s safe, Briganda.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s almost certainly safe.<\/em> Pebblesnatch exhaled slowly. That was the kind of praise you worked these long hours for. Especially from Halrac. She beamed as the [Scout], of his own volition<\/em>, took another spoonful.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe things I do. Are you sure, Halrac? That was a lot of eggs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoesn\u2019t Ceria eat them raw, Revi? It looks a sight better than most of the cuisine I had as a boy, I must say.\u201d<\/p>\n

Typhenous took a bowl and ate with good humor. It was actually a pretty good soup and Pebblesnatch seized a loaf of white bread which would go well with it. Briganda tried some before giving it to Cade.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, it is good! Nice inn-food. We could have actually made that on the road. Here, Cade. It\u2019s a bit spicy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSpicy?\u201d<\/p>\n

The boy was still staring at Pebblesnatch. It was butt-scratching time since she was done cooking. She stared at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, uh, Pebblesnatch. It looks good. And it tastes\u2026huh. Hey, this is really good!\u201d<\/p>\n

Revi\u2019s eyes widened as she took a bite. She relaxed and Pebblesnatch beamed. The Stitchgirl [Summoner] looked around at her team.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhew, and here I thought it\u2019d be horrible!\u201d<\/p>\n

Pebblesnatch glowered and Typhenous nudged Revi. But the Stitchgirl had never been known for her ability to keep her opinions to herself. Revi sighed.<\/p>\n

And then she looked around and saw Riverfarm\u2019s people watching the Gold-rank team eating a Goblin dish<\/em> with mingled horror and shock. They looked away as Revi glared.<\/p>\n

\u201cHalrac, are you sure this was a good idea?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNope. But she kept insisting and it was this or the Goblin\u2019s camp. Which would you have picked?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh\u2026good idea to have it here.\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Cook], oblivious, helped herself to her own dish. She stared around the large mess hall. The Goblins needed to build something this nice! They were working on it with all the wood and such, but everything was so polished.<\/em> More Skills and time, she decided. She\u2019d tell Leafarmor and Raidpear and Ulvama about it when she got back.<\/p>\n

She was in the Unseen Empire\u2019s lands. The Human-part, not the Goblinlands. Pebblesnatch had thought this day would never come\u2014unless she was running for her life. But she had never expected old friends to show up.<\/p>\n

Griffon Hunt. Halrac had come home, as well as seeking a mysterious employment offer. He had met Laken Godart and then, when hearing of the Goblinlands, gone to investigate.<\/p>\n

And he\u2019d found Pebblesnatch. Or rather, she\u2019d found him. The Goblin\u2019s smile was big on her face.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026never seen a Goblin smile.\u201d<\/p>\n

Someone muttered. Briganda looked about.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you never will if you keep your distance. Hey, you want a bite? It\u2019s good soup! What is it, eggs and chicken?\u201d<\/p>\n

She waved at the Humans. And most didn\u2019t come over\u2014but one or two did.<\/p>\n

Mostly former Windrest villagers. They looked at Halrac as he shrugged and ate. And a Halrac-shrug was good enough for them.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs this the Goblin?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s Pebblesnatch. A<\/em> Goblin.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you know her?\u201d<\/p>\n

Revi rolled her eyes, already out of patience with the same conversation they had gone through countless times over the last week. Typhenous explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s an acquaintance, Miss. A [Cook]. She used to work at an inn we stayed at. Her name is Pebblesnatch\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

The Cave Goblin stared blankly at the Human woman and waved. It shocked them, somehow, to know she could hear them. As if they knew Goblins could listen, but not that they really understood<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Halrac was wearing his permanent scowl. Pebblesnatch kept waiting for him to burst into a huge<\/em> smile or to say this soup had changed him for the better. Maybe not this time?<\/p>\n

It was a funny thing. She didn\u2019t know Halrac super<\/em> well. He was just one of Erin\u2019s guests. But\u2026he had been there. He was from the inn. And when she had been alone in Riverfarm, a face from there was all she wanted to see.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks for the meal, Pebblesnatch.\u201d<\/p>\n

Revi ended up eating two whole bowls. She leaned back with a large sigh.<\/p>\n

\u201cErin is going to flip<\/em> when she learns Pebblesnatch actually learned how to cook.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s going to flip in more ways than one when she hears about this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Halrac pushed back his empty bowl and sat back. The rest of his team nodded. Revi alternatively winced and smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you think she\u2019ll do? Burn down half of Riverfarm?\u201d<\/p>\n

Some of the other breakfasters looked up sharply and Revi earned a smack<\/em> on the back of her head from Briganda.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t joke about that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, sorry! Ah, my eye!\u201d<\/p>\n

One popped out of its sockets and landed as a bit of cloth in Revi\u2019s bowl. Cade began choking on his spoonful of soup as Revi reached for her eye. Briganda immediately helped him spit up into his bowl.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry. Anyways, what do we think? We have<\/em> to tell her, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Revi looked around as she washed her eye in her water cup and put it back in its socket. Pebblesnatch listened with half an ear; she was three-bowls down and currently coma-ing.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe problem, Revi, is that you were indelicate, but completely correct.\u201d<\/p>\n

Typhenous sat back with a sigh. He looked around Riverfarm.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026And I cannot imagine her attitude will earn her much sympathy around here. Even if we\u2019re doing our best.\u201d<\/p>\n

He gestured to Pebblesnatch. Revi grinned.<\/p>\n

\u201cErin won\u2019t care.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the problem.\u201d<\/p>\n

Halrac growled. After a second, Griffon Hunt all nodded. That was right.<\/p>\n

Pebblesnatch was here.<\/em> So were other Goblins from the Siege of Liscor. Laken Godart had been responsible for the trebuchets that had assailed Liscor. It made sense from the Human perspective. The Great Chieftain Tremborag, Goblin Lords, history with the Drakes, and all that.<\/p>\n

But\u2026would Erin Solstice see it that way? They had met Pebblesnatch a while back. And still, they hadn\u2019t [Messaged] Erin to say, \u2018hey, we found your Cave Goblin friend, want to pick her up?\u2019<\/p>\n

Revi had wanted to on the first day, in the first hour. It had been Halrac and Typhenous who predicted that it might lead to\u2026issues.<\/p>\n

Such as Erin Solstice punching an [Emperor]. Such as Erin Solstice leading a Goblin rebellion to mutual bloodshed. Such as Erin Solstice doing anything<\/em> that she had in the past. Including marshaling Numbtongue to lead a one-Goblin, one-[Innkeeper] raid on Riverfarm that might pull in monsters like Saliss of Lights or\u2026any of her friends.<\/p>\n

You could see Erin getting away in Liscor with that\u2014if only because of her history. But Laken Godart? No one wanted to risk it.<\/p>\n

So here they sat. Griffon Hunt watched as the Cave Goblin, groaning, lay on the floor on her back. Cade dangled his legs at the table, staring at the Goblin. She wasn\u2019t the monster his Box of Wonders had produced. His mother had tried to explain\u2014some Goblins were evil, but not this<\/em> one.<\/p>\n

That was how the [Emperor] found them. Laken Godart paused in the doorway as everyone sprang to their feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs\u2026that Goblin well? I\u2019m sensing she\u2019s lying on her back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBloated, your Majesty. Not dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rie murmured in his ear. Laken relaxed.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, good.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour Majesty. Is something amiss?\u201d<\/p>\n

Halrac rose to his feet. He was more accustomed to Laken after a week or two of living in Riverfarm. Certainly\u2014Griffon Hunt was willing to call Laken \u2018your Majesty\u2019 and stick around for the dirty work.<\/p>\n

It had paid off. Briganda adjusted her new belt\u2014which was actually an extremely old<\/em> Belt of Strength. It made Briganda\u2019s already threatening grip and swing far more intimidating.<\/p>\n

And fun fact about good artifacts; it didn\u2019t just enhance her arm muscles, but her back, her legs, everything. <\/em>Briganda could do a backflip with it on. Or do most of one with armor on; and face plant much to her son\u2019s amusement.<\/p>\n

Boots and a belt. Griffon Hunt had taken their cut of the secret escape room they\u2019d found on the first day and the boots were on Halrac\u2019s feet. Typhenous and Revi had both wanted them\u2014and Briganda, again\u2014but they turned out to be non-resizable so they\u2019d only fit Halrac. And even then, they were a bit too big even for his feet.<\/p>\n

Boots of Stability. High-grade. If Briganda\u2019s belt was, say, a five out of ten, Halrac\u2019s were a seven <\/em>on the \u2018adventurer\u2019s loot scale\u2019. At first, everyone had assumed they were just Boots of Water Walking. Since you could walk on water with them.<\/p>\n

As it turned out, you could walk on quicksand or mud with them and not sink too. Also, if someone rammed Halrac, like, say, Revi with a run-up, she\u2019d just bounce off. Only Briganda could even budge Halrac with them on, and even then, not knock him down.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t earthshattering equipment, but it was nice.<\/em> Whomever the luckless person who\u2019d died in there had been, it was pretty clear they\u2019d been a [Rogue] or [Thief] of some sort. The kind of person who could steal something, backflip or climb over a wall, and run across a river to escape their opponents before hiding in their getaway secret lair and then run out of oxygen and die because the teleport spell broke.<\/p>\n

And that was the first<\/em> thing Griffon Hunt had investigated. The rest hadn\u2019t been as wonderfully rich, but they\u2019d discovered a small gold vein, uncovered two old nests of kleptomaniac animals and monsters\u2014one with a little magic ring that Griffon Hunt had forfeited since Typhenous had a better Ring of Mana\u2014all of which had earned them some share for investigating.<\/p>\n

So when they considered telling Erin Solstice, it was carefully because this was a good thing and Griffon Hunt didn\u2019t want to jeopardize it. And as it happened\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201cThe door in Invrisil?\u201d<\/p>\n

Halrac didn\u2019t blink, but Revi traded a glance with the others that everyone, including Laken, noticed. The [Emperor] nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have an interest in receiving some visitors through the magic door for a party during the summer solstice. Do you know about the door?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2014used it, yes, your Majesty. I don\u2019t know if it could reach Riverfarm, but it can move within\u2026four hundred miles of Liscor? We asked about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Halrac glanced at Typhenous, too-casually. The [Plague Mage] schooled his features and neglected to mention who had helped figure that out. Or that they were on a first-name basis with the owner.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe so, your Majesty.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally?<\/em> Well then\u2014do you happen to know who owns the door?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA\u2026[Innkeeper] in Liscor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Griffon Hunt saw the [Emperor] raise his brows.<\/p>\n

\u201cReally.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, your Majesty. Apparently she got it after an adventuring team indebted to her cleared a dungeon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see. Some relic, then? Rie\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll see about the door, your Majesty.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood! And I see you have\u2026Pebblesnatch here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Griffon Hunt as a team were dying<\/em> to put their heads together and figure out how Erin\u2019s name had even managed to come to Riverfarm. And what this might mean. Halrac nodded slowly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was told it would not be a problem, your Majesty?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course not. I approved it myself. I\u2019m grateful for your\u2014stance\u2014on Goblins, Captain Halrac.\u201d<\/p>\n

The man\u2019s eyes flickered. And this was the same [Emperor] who\u2019d assailed Liscor? Well, Erin Solstice might be gratified to hear that. But she still might punch him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see. Thank you, your Majesty. We are making sure Pebblesnatch doesn\u2019t get into trouble. As we said, we know her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom Liscor. It seems a lot happened around that city.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026Yes, it does seem that way.\u201d<\/p>\n

By now, Pebblesnatch had recognized the [Emperor] and his entourage. She sat up, warily, eying him. Was he<\/em> here for her famous Dropped Eggs Soup?<\/p>\n

As it turned out, she was partially right. When he heard about the soup, Laken wanted to try it and half of his entourage insisted<\/em> on poison and taste-testing it first.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, egg-drop soup. With chicken?\u201d<\/p>\n

Pebblesnatch\u2019s jaw dropped.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know<\/em> this dish, your Majesty?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I do. Amazing. Goblin cooking is\u2026no, that can\u2019t be right. I haven\u2019t heard of rice\u2014Lady Rie, do you know what \u2018rice\u2019 is?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s\u2026a Balerosian plant, your Majesty. I\u2019ve had it in some dishes\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAha! We should grow some if possible. It\u2019s quite good. Well, I pronounce a Goblin\u2019s cooking as excellent! Even nostalgic!\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Emperor] actually had the audacity to open his eyes just so he could wink. And didn\u2019t that<\/em> drive Lady Rie insane? He was from Baleros?<\/em> Or was it a trick? But how had he known what\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201cIs there anything you would like us to do, your Majesty? Or should we continue investigating the dig site to the northwest?\u201d<\/p>\n

Laken was investigating every underground spot or strange location in a radius around Riverfarm and they were sixteen miles out so far. It wasn\u2019t like every<\/em> mile had something unique in it. The [Emperor] held up a hand as Gamel proffered a handkerchief.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps if time allows, Captain Halrac. But I\u2019d be most grateful if your team\u2014and Pebblesnatch here\u2014can accompany me to resolve a pressing matter in the Goblinlands. I hope with negotiation\u2014and a friendly Goblin\u2014we can find answers.\u201d<\/p>\n

The adventurers and Riverfarm\u2019s people stirred. Laken Godart sensed Halrac\u2019s head lift and the Gold-ranked [Captain] eyed him. Laken could not sense what was all<\/em> in the Goblinlands of course, but he had some knowledge.<\/p>\n

For instance, that the Goblins actually possessed the iron-ore deposit there which Riverfarm had begun trading for. Laken had a \u2018view\u2019 of both walls, which now encircled all of the Goblinlands with no gaps\u2026and he had people who told him of the growing Goblin settlement.<\/p>\n

Yet trouble continued. And Laken felt this one could be\u2026concerning.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is the matter, your Majesty? And how may Griffon Hunt assist?\u201d<\/p>\n

Laken turned towards Pebblesnatch. The Cave Goblin slowly covered her face with her poofy hat.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing the Goblins have done,<\/em> Captain Halrac. It\u2019s just\u2026I do believe there are more of them. A lot more. I\u2019d rather like to know how they got there.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Gold-rank team stirred. So did Lady Rie, the entourage, the people of Riverfarm\u2014they all stared at the Cave Goblin pretending to take a nap. Halrac closed his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh. A good question, your Majesty.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A second Goblin tribe had arrived in the night. They had gone into<\/em> the Goblinlands\u2014over the Human\u2019s walls and been admitted by the Goblin\u2019s walls.<\/p>\n

A\u2026fundamental flaw of Riverfarm\u2019s hard work of months was that they had never considered that Goblins might want into<\/em> the very lands they had worked so hard to safeguard.<\/p>\n

This tribe was a medium-sized tribe for the area. In other words, around three times as large as the original Flooded Waters tribe had been; roughly the same size as they had been after Rags took over and before assimilating other tribes.<\/p>\n

However, to the more senior Goblins, this tribe represented more than just\u2026other Goblins. Raidpear and Leafarmor of the Redfangs, Ulvama of the Mountain City tribe, and a Flooded Waters tribe [Mining Leader] by the name of Sparkstones were the four Goblins who gathered to meet the Chieftain.<\/p>\n

Sparkstones was female, incidentally, and had been part of the Goldstone tribe, whose members even now held positions of respect for their technical knowledge, if not combat or strategic or magical prowess. Pyrite had taught his tribe well.<\/p>\n

And she knew this tribe.<\/p>\n

\u201cGreystone Tribe.\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked at the Chieftain, a surly Hob who smelled of soot and iron to Ulvama. And indeed\u2014his was another mining tribe. The first thing he\u2019d asked was about Pyrite.<\/p>\n

\u201cGoldstone Chieftain dead.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDead?<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n

The Greystone\u2019s Chieftain was astonished. And upset. He was a self-proclaimed rival to Pyrite; his tribe had known the Goldstone\u2019s Tribe as the two wandered mining ranges. Unlike Pyrite\u2014his Goblins were specialists in using mineable ore to make weapons of iron, even armor. They were sought-after by other Goblin tribes who paid them to arm their warriors.<\/p>\n

\u201cGoldstone Chieftain too hard to kill. Mistake.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDead. Impaled-dead.<\/strong> Sacrifice death. But death.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n

Sparkstones\u2019 bleak tones convinced the other Chieftain. He had to walk off and kick the nearest Goblin he found. After a brief fight; it had been a Mountain City Goblin, he came back.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood miner, Goldstone Chieftain. Good miner.<\/strong> Many pretty, worthless stones.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n

And that was all he said. If he sounded callous; he had seen it before. Even good tribes died.<\/p>\n

What interested Ulvama was the state of the tribe, not why the Greystone Chieftain had come. She knew why he had come.<\/p>\n

She had summoned his tribe.<\/p>\n

The Greystone Tribe was a proper one. It had a [Shaman], it did not<\/em> have an odd tribal composition, or something unique about it like\u2026every other tribe in the Goblinlands. It was not freakishly strong like the Redfangs with an imbalance of Hobs; the Greystones had seven total and they looked askance at the Redfang Hobs, probably hoping their Chieftain wouldn\u2019t make them challenge the famous tribe to see who was best.<\/p>\n

They also had a [Shaman]. She was a [Stoneshaper Shaman], low-level but with the kind of spells that really helped a tribe like the Greystones. Ore detection, melding stone to move the right way, sensing or preventing passage collapses\u2026<\/p>\n

She bowed repeatedly to Ulvama, who condescended to let her join the Greystone Chieftain for this meeting. The Hob rumbled.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood walls. Lots of Humans. Shaman say come. So come. Hunted-death otherwise.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n

Raidpear and Leafarmor nodded knowingly. So did Sparkstones. Ulvama made an irritable noise.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat hunters? Where was Greystone Tribe before this? Explain.\u201d<\/p>\n

She spoke in the common tongue. Reluctantly, the Greystone Chieftain rumbled more explanations.<\/p>\n

To the two Redfang Hobs, Leafarmor and Raidpear, the Greystone\u2019s plight was one that many tribes that weren\u2019t the Redfangs had suffered. His tribe was average-sized. Which meant they sometimes would raid very weak [Trader] caravans, steal, attack villages if desperate\u2014but they never really fought<\/em> Humans. Indeed, the Greystones lived off of trading with other tribes rather than conflict.<\/p>\n

And if a rising tide raised all ships or whatever the saying was, a strong Goblin brought wrath down upon every tribe. The Goblin Lord was dead at the Siege of Liscor, but the Humans had kept eliminating Goblin tribes for months thereafter.<\/p>\n

\u201cToo many Humans. Too many hunters. Tribe hide. Tribe run. Much running-death.<\/strong> Too-strong Humans come. Gold-ranks. And then\u2026<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n

The Greystone Chieftain shuddered.<\/p>\n

\u201cArcsinger.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n

The other Goblins went quiet. Even Ulvama bit her lip in silence.<\/p>\n

Elia Arcsinger, the famous Named Adventurer was operating out of Invrisil. And wherever her famous name travelled\u2014Goblins died. The Greystones had been trading with three other Goblin tribes in the eastern hills around the same time as the Ogre raids. Retaliation from adventuring teams had wiped out the other tribes to his knowledge and sent the Ogres fleeing higher. The Greystone Chieftain had been prepared to do the same\u2014when Ulvama had found his [Shaman].<\/p>\n

\u201cUlvama?\u201d<\/p>\n

Raidpear looked at Ulvama. Leafarmor frowned darkly and Sparkstones struck a shower of sparks into the fire she was building, muttering. Ulvama smiled sweetly at Raidpear.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis place is safe. So more Goblins make it more<\/em> safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

She fooled only the Greystone Chieftain\u2019s\u2026[Shaman]. The other Hobs and Sparkstones exchanged looks. Ulvama\u2019s ambitions had not died with Tremborag. And she seemed keen on building the Goblin\u2019s base of power, here.<\/p>\n

The problem was that\u2014Leafarmor dragged Raidpear away to have a quiet argument. Ulvama would have listened in, but she didn\u2019t really need to.<\/p>\n

The two Hobs argued. Leafarmor made several gestures spelling out Raidpear\u2019s entanglement with Ulvama in a relationship was affecting his bias when it came to taking her to task for disciplinary issues\u2014especially without consulting the leadership.<\/p>\n

Raidpear, less eloquently, tried to defend himself that while he was perhaps affected<\/em>, his overall commitment to the safety of Goblins was not<\/em> mitigated by his sentiments for Ulvama. If anything, they offered a valuable insight into her tribe and a parallel bias as it pertained to\u2014<\/p>\n

At this point Leafarmor hit him. Ulvama rolled her eyes as the two Goblins got into a short fistfight, egged on by the other Redfangs. She knew this would be trouble. But it was one she was willing to dare.<\/p>\n

She did not like Gold-rank adventurers, no matter what Pebblesnatch said. She did not trust the [Emperor]\u2019s words. She wanted Pebblesnatch to come back now.<\/em> Besides\u2014the Greystones could help mine.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Goblins had begun mining the ore deposits they had coincidentally<\/em> been placed near. That was the basis for the interchange between Humans and Goblins.<\/p>\n

Few of the Unseen Empire were good [Miners] to begin with, and while Laken Godart had lucked out that some were of the Goldstone tribe. Now, the Goblins had iron in abundance.<\/p>\n

But they craved<\/em> steel. Nails, hammers, and so on. Cut wood, like the Humans could manufacture and Pebblesnatch so loved. Spices, cooking materials.<\/p>\n

So they traded. It had really begun to pick up as Griffon Hunt arrived. Pebblesnatch being willing to gesticulate and point at things the Goblins wanted\u2014along with a few other Goblins\u2014meant the Humans would bring things the Goblins wanted, the Goblins would put bags of ore on the ground, and they\u2019d point and go \u2018nuh<\/em>\u2019 until both sides were reasonably happy.<\/p>\n

It also helped with matters like crime\u2014such as there were between Goblins and Humans. Goblins stealing from farms and warehouses had precipitated a lot of bad will and since Laken Godart wasn\u2019t able to imprison or punish Goblins as easily as Humans, he\u2019d instituted an easy system.<\/p>\n

Any Goblin who was caught stealing was \u2018ransomed\u2019 at their body weight in ore. Until then, the Goblins received no supplies from the Unseen Empire. The Goblins considered it a good alternative to being shot\u2014and it stymied the thefts.<\/p>\n

After the second portly Hob was caught sneaking out of a henhouse at night with a bunch of eggs and five hens, an enraged Sparkstones had come down on the thefts. No more!<\/em> Unless it was a really small Goblin who could get some produce, that was. But no more!<\/p>\n

All this to say that when Pebblesnatch raced back into the Goblinlands to tell Ulvama that the Humans wanted to know why there were more<\/em> Goblins, there wasn\u2019t an immediate rush to battle stations. The Goblins, like Griffon Hunt, had realized there was a potential here for a good thing. Not a perfect thing. A thing born out of blood and death. But they\u2019d be silly to turn it down because of that.<\/p>\n

\u201cPebblesnatch, tell Humans other Goblins come because they hear it is safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSafe? How Goblins hear?<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n

Leafarmor folded her arms. Ulvama rolled her eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cGoblins hear.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEmperor is not stink-mind. Emperor knows no Goblins escape.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGoblins listen to the wind. Tell [Emperor] that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pebblesnatch opened and closed her mouth. And how was she supposed to say all that? She did her best; Ulvama had been teaching her.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmperor stink-brain.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ulvama raised her smacking-hand and Pebblesnatch leapt behind Raidpear. The Hobgoblin smacked his lips.<\/p>\n

\u201cPebblesnatch make good foods in Human-land?\u201d<\/p>\n

Dropped Eggs in Soup! Pebblesnatch nodded eagerly. Ulvama\u2019s ears perked up. But hold on! They weren\u2019t done with this Goblin issue!<\/p>\n

\u2026Unfortunately, everyone else seemed to be. The Greystone Chieftain was consulting with Sparkstones\u2014mostly about what they could expect to mine and how the food situation was looking. He brightened up as Sparkstones pointed at Pebblesnatch.<\/p>\n

\u201cDropped Eggs? Mm. Make, make.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leafarmor ushered the little Cave Goblin over to her cooking area\u2014considerably less fancy and hygienic than the Human ones\u2014but Pebblesnatch had Skills now. The [Forager Cook] happily grabbed the biggest pot. She was so glad she\u2019d tested out her recipe on Griffon Hunt first!<\/p>\n

\u201cRaidpear. The Humans. Pebblesnatch tells them first.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n

Ulvama plucked at Raidpear\u2019s shoulder. They had to be assuaged! The Redfang looked at her blankly.<\/p>\n

\u201cMountain City thinking. Humans get angry anyways. Not Pebblesnatch fault.\u201d<\/p>\n

She blew out her cheeks. Mountain City thinking?<\/em> It was so much harder for Ulvama to find support\u2014and Raidpear was no Tremborag, undisputed ruler of the tribe who thought along the same lines. Leafarmor had as much authority as he did.<\/p>\n

Frustrating!<\/em> She had been able to command thousands of Goblins at her whim, and the entire tribe through Tremborag! The [Shaman]\u2019s magical body paints began to glow as she got annoyed.<\/p>\n

\u201cPebblesnatch tells Humans\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUlvama tells Humans herself. Ulvama has best words.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n

Leafarmor twisted as Pebblesnatch adjusted her hat and prepared to work the wonders of culinary magic. Ulvama hesitated. But Sparkstones looked up with the Greystone Chieftain, Raidpear\u2019s ears twitched as he kept his silence\u2014<\/p>\n

She\u2019d gone too far this time. The [Shaman] bared her teeth as the other Goblins regarded her expectantly, and then turned away. After a minute, she turned and stomped off towards the Human\u2019s lands.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t just that it was a mix of tribes and not the Mountain City tribe alone. It was that\u2014Raidpear, Leafarmor, even the Greystone Chieftain, were not the kind of Goblins to inspire the others to action. They had not the ambition, not the drive. Ulvama needed\u2026a [Chieftain]. Or for that damn door to start working.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnything?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026It looks like she\u2019s gone back to making that soup.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?<\/em> I thought she was going to ask about the new Goblins! What do we do?\u201d<\/p>\n

Revi lost her temper as Griffon Hunt waited on the Human walls. Halrac said nothing. He was watching from a vantage point\u2026which was Briganda\u2019s shoulders.<\/p>\n

The Unseen Empire had yet to put up towers, which would have given their [Archers] an unparalleled shooting position. And that was because Laken had let civilians<\/em> make the damn wall. The Goblins<\/em> had sniper towers, but Halrac didn\u2019t want to stand on the ones Riverfarm had in progress.<\/p>\n

\u201cHalrac, you\u2019re a lot heavier than Cade. You going to take much longer?\u201d<\/p>\n

Briganda glowered up at Halrac. He didn\u2019t look down at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cStop moving. I think one of them\u2019s coming this way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPebblesnatch? One of the Redfangs?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. The [Shaman].\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh!\u201d<\/p>\n

Typhenous smiled and stroked his beard. Revi looked at him in disgust.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou old lecher. That\u2019s a Goblin.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs it my fault if I admire body art, Revi? Incidentally, have you ever met some of the [Sailors] in ports with those amazing<\/em> tattoos all over?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot impressive, Typhenous. I\u2019m a Stitchgirl. String Folk can put all kinds of tattoos on their body.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but that\u2019s just thread and ink, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo\u2019s an actual tattoo. Ours are just easier to put on and remove.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s my point.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSilence. Let\u2019s hear what the [Shaman] has to say. Typhenous, you\u2019re on defensive spell duty. Mind she doesn\u2019t hex us or cast a charm spell.\u201d<\/p>\n

Halrac hopped down. He stared at the [Shaman] making her way warily over with a dozen smaller Goblins as backup.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s pointing at you. You want to go alone or do you want us?\u201d<\/p>\n

Briganda observed. Ulvama pointed at Halrac, and then pointed to the neutral zone, and beckoned as she walked forwards with her staff. Halrac grunted.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll hear her out. Revi, Typhenous\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, yeah. We\u2019ve got your back.\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Scout] descended from the wall and walked forwards as Ulvama waited, staff in hand. Halrac\u2019s face did not change. He knew she was watching him\u2014and his empty hands, probably to make sure he wasn\u2019t holding the invisible bow. Halrac did not arm himself.<\/p>\n

But neither did he smile as he stopped across from Ulvama.<\/p>\n

He did not like the female [Shaman]. She did not like him. Halrac\u2026had some feelings for Pebblesnatch, who had practically clung to him. But Ulvama? He and she were the kind who\u2019d killed each other over the years.<\/p>\n

As if sensing his thoughts, Ulvama bared her teeth.<\/p>\n

\u201cHuman. Afraid of more Goblins?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHis Majesty, Emperor Godart, wants to know where they came from and why they\u2019re here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laken had asked Griffon Hunt to intercede since they knew Pebblesnatch. Also\u2014the Redfangs tended to respect the Gold-rank adventurers, albeit grudgingly. Ulvama bared her teeth.<\/p>\n

\u201cFar away. Goblins hear of safe place for Goblins. Goblins come. Smart-[Emperor] surely thought of this?\u201d<\/p>\n

She spoke with that halting awkwardness of Goblins. Or at least, pretended to. Halrac\u2019s eyes narrowed.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow did they hear about the Goblin\u2019s encampment here? His Majesty was sure no Goblins had left or entered the area until now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ulvama scratched at the ground with the butt of her staff, drawing something. Halrac was unmoved; Typhenous or Revi would call out if she was casting something. The [Shaman] peeked up, then scowled as she saw Halrac was unmoved.<\/p>\n

\u201cGoblins hear things. [Emperor]\u2026[Emperor] sees everything<\/em> around Goblinlands? And in Goblinlands?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho knows?\u201d<\/p>\n

She scowled at him. Halrac saw her flick a claw dismissively\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201c[Hex Eater]! Halrac!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Typhenous pointed his staff. Halrac dove<\/em> to the side as Revi pointed her wand and shouted.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Wind Orb]!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ulvama\u2019s eyes widened. She raised her staff and the orb of wind burst<\/em> in midair. The Goblins behind her shouted and raised their weapons. One reached for a horn as Halrac lifted his bow, coming out of his roll.<\/p>\n

\u201cStop! Do not blow a horn, idiots!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Shaman] shrieked at the Goblins. One choked, lips pursed as he tried to suck the breath back in. At the same time, Typhenous was shouting Halrac down.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t a mind-hex, Halrac! Hold! Hold!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Scout] lowered his bow slightly so he was aiming at Ulvama\u2019s leg. The [Shaman] was tensed\u2014her eyes flicked upwards at the old [Mage].<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was it, Typhenous?\u201d<\/p>\n

Briganda was tensed, ready to leap down there. The Goblins were muttering too. The [Plague Mage] chuckled, and in a carrying voice, informed Halrac and the Goblins what the spell had been.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was\u2026a flea hex. A minor spell as they go. The [Shaman]\u2014Ulvama?\u2014was trying to attract some onto Halrac.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, dead gods.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Revi sighed. Halrac stared at Ulvama. The Goblin pursed her lips, looking peeved.<\/p>\n

\u201cWasn\u2019t there a flea outbreak the last time a Goblin thief was caught and the Goblins had to pay a fine?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think there was indeed. Well, it was slickly-done. And it would have worn off after twenty minutes. Hard to pin on Miss Goblin.\u201d<\/p>\n

She bared her teeth at Typhenous, then Halrac.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle prank.\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Scout]\u2019s eyes narrowed. He put down his bow and the Goblins relaxed, including Ulvama. But Halrac\u2019s scowl was warningly dour.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve had enough games. You\u2019re quite well-spoken for a Goblin. Why are the Goblins here? Give me a straight answer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ulvama chewed this over. At last, she spat.<\/p>\n

\u201cFine. Goblins came because they heard about \u2018Goblinlands.\u2019 Too many Humans hunt them to the east. These Goblins are [Miners]. [Smiths]. <\/em>They will make more ore and iron for your Humans. Happy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. But I\u2019ll carry your words to Emperor Godart. How many Goblins are there? How many Hobs? And how armed are they?\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Shaman] spat answers and then stomped away. Revi was impressed as Halrac walked away.<\/p>\n

\u201cWow, you actually got her to speak. Apparently that\u2019s Ulvama. She hates Humans more than most.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m aware.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pebblesnatch had pointed her out on Griffon Hunt\u2019s one tour of the Goblinlands. Not far in; just around the outside so she could show them some things from afar. Halrac climbed up the walls and for a moment, stood with his team.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo? I guess it\u2019s up for the [Emperor] to decide if he wants more Goblins. Let\u2019s tell him. And about the fleas?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTactfully, Revi. No doubt the [Shaman] will stop now her bluff has been called. We\u2019ll bring it up in the throne room.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHah. Nice throne.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t laugh. He\u2019s an important client, Revi.\u201d<\/p>\n

She ducked her head silently. Halrac looked back at the distant Pebblesnatch which he had seen while on Briganda\u2019s shoulders.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe looks happy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Briganda offered cautiously. Halrac nodded after a moment.<\/p>\n

\u201cHappier than I thought a Goblin would be. They\u2019re fed, no one\u2019s actually attacking them\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

He trailed off. And then there was Ulvama.<\/em> Typhenous stroked at his beard and Revi bit her tongue.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, do you think it\u2019s okay? To leave them like this? Just\u2026for a while?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Gold-rank Captain folded his arms. Revi went on.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll just monitor them until we can get a break. In a month, or if another team shows up. And then\u2026we ask to take Pebblesnatch<\/em> back to Invrisil. Go through the door, Erin\u2019s happy, and we can let her know there are more Goblins here that don\u2019t<\/em> need rescuing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Typhenous nodded. So did Briganda\u2014the issue was Halrac. He stared ahead.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s lying by omission. She would want to know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHalrac! She\u2019ll come here, punch everyone, and cause a riot! You know<\/em> Erin! She\u2019ll find the Goblins, hear [Emperor] Godart out, and then go, \u2018I\u2019m the Face-Punching Consequences girl\u2019 and hit him!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe face-punching\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Typhenous chuckled at the look on Halrac\u2019s face. Revi blushed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know what I mean! She says stuff like that! Look\u2014we\u2019re here. Let\u2019s just watch the Goblins. It\u2019s not like there\u2019s more space back at Liscor, is there? Or that Watch Captain Zevara is keen on having more?\u201d<\/p>\n

All valid points. Halrac rubbed at his hair. Was it really okay? He saw Typhenous nodding, and Briganda\u2019s shrug of amiable indifference. Revi looked at the guarded Goblinlands and her face went sober.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnyways. It\u2019s not just Erin we\u2019d have to watch for. It\u2019s Numbtongue.\u201d<\/p>\n

That was the closing argument. And a good one. If Erin Solstice could accept the Goblins were in a better place\u2014Numbtongue had lost his friends, his tribe\u2014his team at the Siege of Liscor. And the person behind part of that army was here. Halrac wondered what he might do.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026Fine. Let\u2019s go tell this [Emperor]. And\u2014not a word about Erin Solstice. We don\u2019t tell her, we don\u2019t tell him. If we\u2019re keeping confidences, we do it both ways.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFair enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

The others sighed as Halrac led the way back to Riverfarm. That was an adventurer\u2019s brand of honesty for you\u2014as honest as it got, anyways. Revi stretched.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow much loot do you think\u2019s buried around here, anyways?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe got that [Thief]\u2019s Chest of Holding opened. It was trapped. Apparently it\u2019s got scrolls. We\u2019re entitled to a pick\u2014no doubt General Wiskeria will want some, but there is apparently an intact [Firestorm] scroll in there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo way. Really?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Briganda turned to Typhenous eagerly. The [Plague Mage] saw Halrac turn his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cTyphenous, we\u2019ll aim for that. You\u2019ll be in charge of it. Not Briganda. Don\u2019t let her touch one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHalrac!<\/em> I was young!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was before your time, Revi. Briganda burned down our camp and half a forest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2014didn\u2019t know you could activate them by speaking while holding it! I didn\u2019t open it or anything!\u201d<\/p>\n

And now they were going to get a scroll and more loot they\u2019d hopefully dig up. The Gold-rank team thought about that.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, Lady Valerund told me that if we could pull in another Gold-rank team she\u2019d make it worth our while. Think we could get any more? Or do we not want to share?\u201d<\/p>\n

Revi glanced at the others. Halrac thoughtfully watched a bunch of birds flitting from branch to branch. Now, if this was Liscor, they\u2019d be too terrified to sing\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cCertainly, at some point it would be refreshing to have another Gold-rank team here, in case we run into another Creler nest or a considerable threat. Riverfarm is growing and where there\u2019s this much industry, threats tend to pop up\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Typhenous comment elicited a wary nod from Briganda. She gestured at her belt.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2014loot, Typhenous. We\u2019re pulling it in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cObviously, we can wait. But if we were<\/em> to tell another team\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Shield Maiden] blinked and then smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026They\u2019d owe us a favor. Smart. <\/em>A big one too, for a plush job like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

All the Gold-ranks nodded. Oh yes. There was such a thing as debts and this\u2014far from being the no-pay, grunt-work job they\u2019d assumed\u2014was a wealthy<\/em> job with minimal danger and high reward. A team might owe them a lot of favor for something like this.<\/p>\n

Like\u2026enough favor to join them on a quest to investigate a Dragon. Not that a Belt of Strength and some Boots of Stability were enough for that.<\/em> Halrac was trying to figure out how you blocked dragonbreath when you didn\u2019t even know which type.<\/em> Fire was presumable from what a certain [Innkeeper] had said, but did you want to take that risk?<\/p>\n

\u201cFavors, right. Who might we tell? The Horns? The Halfseekers?\u201d<\/p>\n

Revi rubbed her hands together eagerly. Halrac made a sound.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re hardly the only teams we know. And they\u2019re not the most professional. We could reach out to some established teams.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf it\u2019s Todi, I\u2019ll take off my ears before I have to listen to him on shared duty\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTodi\u2019s at the bottom of the list, Revi. I\u2019d rather take a good Silver-rank team first. Or a new Gold-rank team.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood. So\u2026? Briganda?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Onyx Bucklers. Um, who\u2019s professional? Damn\u2014I heard Kerimane disbanded his team\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll talk about it. I doubt any team off Izril would want to come all the way here\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHalrac, Halrac. With the kind of loot we\u2019ve been getting? If we dig up even another medium-grade artifact we can claim in the next month, I know Chandrarian<\/em> teams who\u2019ll rush over here and owe us a major favor. Let\u2019s just see what that dig site holds, hmm? The [Emperor] says it looks big. Treasure vault?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKeep your expectations low and be careful, Revi.\u201d<\/p>\n

But even Halrac couldn\u2019t keep a smile from his lips. Artifacts and loot and egg-drop soup. Everything was looking up for their team. For the Unseen Empire? The Gold-rank team returned to Riverfarm proper just to find a second group had arrived.<\/p>\n

Bringing\u2026trouble. Although not necessarily for Griffon Hunt.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a lot Wistram doesn\u2019t know, I think. Or most of them don\u2019t. They pretend to, but you just have to ask multiple people. Play on their egos. And they\u2019ll wink or reveal\u2026the point is, I\u2019m almost positive they don\u2019t<\/em> know what brought us here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo they have any theories?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLots.\u201d<\/p>\n

Elena was sitting down this time, which was helpful. And also not surrounded in whatever black abyss the Elusive Lot had conjured. She had a notepad, a seat, and even some snacks and a drink while she talked.<\/p>\n

She did not<\/em> have anyone else from Earth with her, unlike the mysterious \u2018batman\u2019, who had told her others were listening in. If Elena revealed anything\u2014and it was probably not going to be to Aaron\u2014she\u2019d do it afterwards. Anyways, this was mainly her telling her new ally abroad important information.<\/p>\n

Elena consulted her notes. She\u2019d been hard at work trying to figure out what was most important to say. Firstly, how they\u2019d all got here.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are lots of theories. <\/em>The biggest ones are that there\u2019s some kind of interdimensional rift that opened and sucked us through. A naturally reoccurring phenomenon or some huge ritual-level spell. What caused it? Well\u2026it might have come from Wistram, actually. But not the [Mages] on the lower floors\u2026have you heard about the Golems?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe entrance exam? Yeah.\u201d<\/p>\n

Palt shuddered. Erin remembered Ceria telling her about it as well. Elena gulped and went on.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have? Well\u2026people have always said they think [Mages], even [Archmages], could still be living up there. Like Archmage Zelkyr. If there was<\/em> a grand spell that could have teleported us here\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut it\u2019s not confirmed? There are no traces?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNope. There are other theories too. But the other real<\/em> threat is um, the second thing I wanted to bring up. How much do you know about Rhir?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know there are some Earthers there. Has something happened to them?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2026could say that. Blackmage\u2014Aaron\u2014isn\u2019t in direct contact with them. The Blighted Kingdom keeps everything locked down, and even Wistram isn\u2019t able to just waltz in. But there\u2019s bad news coming from Rhir. One of the Demon\u2019s biggest threats apparently healed\u2014or came back to life and Wistram was freaking out about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard about that\u2026they think this person could have done it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey call her the Death of Magic. She was on a short list of names of people they thought could cast a spell of that magnitude. She\u2019s\u2026at least Level 70. Probably Level 80? They say she learned magic from Dragons. An [Archmage] of Wistram\u2014a rebel who joined the Demons when the Demon Kingdom was founded\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka sat back. But Valeterisa had intimated\u2026she lifted the stone up and spoke urgently.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a living <\/em>[Archmage]?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYep. That\u2019s the stuff Wistram likes to keep quiet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Well, so much for the Archmages being dead. With Az\u2019kerash, that made two. Ryoka drummed her fingers on the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay. Thanks for letting us know. But there\u2019s not much we can do to investigate. And no one here\u2019s going to Rhir.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight. And if I learn anything\u2026but Wistram doesn\u2019t know. Moving on\u2014well, if we\u2019re talking big secrets Wistram has, in general, the scrying orb was the huge one. But I wanted to tell you\u2014they\u2019re almost certain the King of Destruction has an Earther.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin waved her arms frantically. Ryoka nodded. Gazi. <\/em>Oh no.<\/p>\n

\u201cGot it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou do know about the King of Destruction, right? Because they\u2019re really<\/em> nervous of him, even if all these nations are declaring war.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re aware. But he\u2019s far away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026Okay, moving on. About the Antinium\u2014Wistram thinks they\u2019re like, the biggest threat Izril has to face. They\u2019re weak, but Wistram keeps putting them high on their list. It\u2019s like\u2014King of Destruction, Death of Magic, Antinium in that order. The Antinium aren\u2019t that<\/em> bad compared to the ones on Rhir\u2014if they\u2019re still around. Ever since Wistram helped wipe them out at sea\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka looked up. Palt stared ahead, avoiding her gaze. And especially Erin\u2019s.<\/p>\n

\u201cElena, how do you know this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI asked. The [Mages] let things slip when they\u2019re quizzing us about Earth. By the way\u2014someone\u2019s buying sulfur. A bunch of it from the big markets. Wistram is tracing it\u2014but all they knew is that it went to Chandrar.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFuck.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, right? Anyways, listen. Not everyone here is on the same page about\u2026secrets from Earth. I think six people know how to make gunpowder\u2014although two might be talking out their asses. But\u2026we\u2019re not united. I\u2019m trying to get them to agree to keep quiet, but a lot are from other nations or they\u2019re frightened kids and Wistram is bribing them\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre we on the same page that giving Wistram firearms is bad? Is the Elusive Lot?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re thinking about it. Miss Elena has been arguing with the Council and Archmages. She\u2019s quite persuasive.\u201d<\/p>\n

A sly voice. Not Galei or Taxiela. Palt was listening, shuffling his hooves too quietly to be heard. Elena paused and then went on.<\/p>\n

\u201cCara\u2019s on the same page. Look\u2014if you could reach out to her, she\u2019d be a valuable ally. I could give you one of my code signs. And\u2026could we really leave Wistram?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Elusive Lot\u2026seems to be on board?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUllsinoi<\/em> is on board, Miss Elena. Not because we\u2019d like to get rid of you. Far from it. We just believe\u2014oh, what\u2019s that saying? Don\u2019t put all your potions in the same basket. Especially the explosive ones. We\u2019ll talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

Elena\u2019s voice didn\u2019t immediately take over after that. Ryoka was fiddling with a quill. What to ask? What to ask?<\/em> There was a lot that was so specific. How much did they know about the Antinium? But the Elusive Lot were listening.<\/p>\n

They couldn\u2019t know\u2014even if they knew Ryoka and Erin were in Liscor\u2014how close the Antinium were to them. Even Palt probably couldn\u2019t explain that, if his look of guilt said anything either way.<\/p>\n

Not total trust. And too many questions for answers. At last, Elena sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry. I was trying to look up magic spells or\u2014secrets I could tell you. But we\u2019re just\u2026they\u2019re having some of us take classes as students. Most, actually. Some are inventing things\u2014I think they want us to feel like we\u2019re part of Wistram.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds like classic indoctrination.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2026yeah, but it\u2019s working. Lots of kids\u2014I told you some survived horrible, things, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTell me about them. What\u2019s it like at Wistram? Let\u2019s start there, if we can\u2019t think of anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka heard a short intake of breath from the other end. Elena hesitated.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not bad here. Really. We\u2019re all divided up into factions, but we see each other regularly. Wistram\u2014it\u2019s like a bunch of different groups, all fighting over how to do the same thing. Aaron was the first. Aaron Vanwell. He\u2019s Blackmage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s he like?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026He\u2019s never left Wistram. I don\u2019t think he gets it when we talk about monsters. But he\u2019s a good guy. Younger than I thought, Cara too. He\u2019s about, oh, nineteen? I think the last count was that there were around forty one of us\u2014about half are over eighteen, the rest under. It\u2019s really split. We have a girl\u2014a kid. She popped into\u2014we have this therapy session because when she arrived\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka listened with Erin as Elena spoke. Sending a message to the first person she could chat to on the outside world. Erin looked at Ryoka and unspoken\u2014the thought flashed between the two.<\/p>\n

They had to do something.<\/em> Even if it was only to help. And that was because Erin was Erin and\u2026Palt thought the exposure to the outside was good for the Earthers trapped in Wistram. Only\u2014was it Elena being drawn to the outside, or the outside being drawn into Wistram?<\/p>\n

Palt wondered what the Elusive Lot\u2019s game was. He had told Ryoka and Erin you could trust them, and you could! They were practical, loyal to some degree, and intelligent. But they were still a faction of Wistram. He wondered if their end goal was to really get Elena out\u2026or reel someone else in.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A snuffing, panting thing comes up to me to investigate. I hold still.<\/p>\n

What do blind men and Runners have in common? We don\u2019t like strange dogs off their leashes. But then again\u2026I scratch at the huge Aldasian warhound\u2019s head and it makes a happy noise.<\/p>\n

I do like dogs. And guide dogs are a wonderful companion for some of my friends. Anyways, the [Lord] who brought this pack here gave me some of his love of animals.<\/p>\n

Lord Gralton Radivaek, surly and even oafish to anyone that walks on two legs\u2014friends to furry, four-legged animals everywhere. Even cats. But he doesn\u2019t breed cats.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere you go. Good fellow. He\u2019s blind so don\u2019t run about. That\u2019s Draugmot. Named him after a Draug his mother brought down.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDead gods, he\u2019s huge, Gralton! His Majesty should not be in\u2014would you call off this\u2014this chaos?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Lady Rie sounds exasperated and put upon; she\u2019s trying to hold her ground as a dozen dogs mill around her.<\/p>\n

Some of my subjects are watching from far, far away. And I can understand why.<\/p>\n

Packs of dogs can be a terrifying thing if they turn on you. And these dogs? Some are smaller, like smart terriers or, well, a griffon<\/em>-dog that Gralton brought who\u2019s currently surrounded by Griffon Hunt. But some are Aldasian warhounds, or part-wolf mixes that are probably as big as actual wolves from my world due to magic and the variance in dog breeds.<\/p>\n

\u201cStop barking at me, Rie. His Majesty told me to come over whenever I felt like it. We\u2019re allies. And I\u2019ve brought him a gift.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gralton growls back; I hear muffled laughter from the side.<\/p>\n

\u201cLord\u2014Lord Gralton! This one won\u2019t stop climbing on me!\u201d<\/p>\n

Durene is gently trying to remove a huge puppy trying to lick at her face. Gralton laughs and it\u2019s a pleasant thing to hear.<\/p>\n

Dogs. Nearly four dozen<\/em> dogs, of many different breeds. Gralton stormed into Riverfarm an hour ago, as I was waiting for Griffon Hunt to investigate the Goblin situation. And guess what?<\/p>\n

\u201cSo they\u2019re all for Riverfarm, Lord Gralton? To what do I owe this pleasure? And I\u2019ll happily accept this gift. But why exactly?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe kennels are filling up. Most\u2019ve the breeds we had enough to repopulate. Thought your Unseen Empire needed dogs. They\u2019ll be good ratters instead of that crow-[Witch], herders, guards\u2026anyways, there wouldn\u2019t be any dogs to give if you hadn\u2019t sent the [Witches].\u201d<\/p>\n

The man clears his throat, awkwardly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, your Majesty.\u201d<\/p>\n

I smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re welcome. And we are allies, Lord Gralton. About time it paid off after that long ride north, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrue!\u201d<\/p>\n

He even laughs like a dog barking. And then Lord Gralton\u2019s striding about, keen to introduce me to all the dogs he\u2019s brought.<\/p>\n

No poodles or Chihuahuas I\u2019m glad to note. They don\u2019t exist for Lord Gralton\u2014he was offended I even asked if he had them.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat, lapdogs? Damned sorry things. They can\u2019t live except to be fed and pampered. I\u2019ll keep them, but not raise them. Closest I\u2019ll get is a thinking-pug. One of the Melull breeds.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMelull?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSmart dogs. Close<\/em> to lapdogs\u2014but let \u2018em loose in the wild and they\u2019ll survive. Smarter than any other dog in the world. They can draw, understand you perfectly\u2014[Mages] loved to have them.\u201d<\/p>\n

An entire world of dogs unbeknownst to me is Gralton\u2019s kingdom. Myself, I\u2019m just pleased to have his gift. Certainly, animals are welcome to the Unseen Empire. And Radivaek-dogs are like Walcha\u00eds horses, apparently. Famous across Izril, even the world.<\/p>\n

\u201cLord Gralton, this is a magnificent little Griffon!\u201d<\/p>\n

Revi calls out from where she\u2019s petting the dog her team was named after. Fun fact\u2014since I only heard it, I always thought it was \u2018Griffin Hunt\u2019. But apparently it\u2019s a play-on-words.<\/p>\n

\u201cGriffon Hunt. Didn\u2019t your team buy some dogs from me years back? What happened to them?\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Lord] clasps Halrac\u2019s hand and the [Scout] nods.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe let them go to a [Hunter]\u2019s team, Lord Radivaek, after the incident in the north. We wouldn\u2019t have let them die or abandon them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, the plague thing. Well\u2014good. I\u2019d have to kill you if they got eaten by a Griffin!\u201d<\/p>\n

Gralton laughs and only Briganda, the mother-warrior, joins him. I\u2019ve heard of the team\u2019s past\u2014the old man, Typhenous, is shifting his feet and looking down.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour team used to use griffons to hunt\u2026Griffins, Captain Halrac?\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Scout] turns to me and nods\u2014then remembers I can\u2019t see. Perhaps because I\u2019m so able to \u2018look\u2019 at people because of my landsense. Well\u2014I caught the nod so yes, I can see as well as any person! Just don\u2019t ask me to read your features. Or tell you what color anything is.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s better than nothing.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, your Majesty. Griffons are excellent hunters and guide-animals. More than that\u2014they\u2019re good at sniffing out Griffin nests and provoking them into attacking.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s how we used to ambush Griffins, your majesty. A griffon runs out and barks and the flying monster goes after it. They\u2019re too small for a meal, but they can taunt monsters.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSmart dogs. Smart team. You freelancing or does Laken have you working for him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re on a contract, Gralton. Digging up artifacts.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSpeaking of which\u2026we should get to the next site. Your Majesty.\u201d<\/p>\n

Halrac bows. I assume he\u2019s delivered the report to Prost about the Goblins. It must not be dire and Gralton\u2019s here, so I bid them farewell.<\/p>\n

\u201cGold-rank team. And they\u2019re working for you for a song or do you have more gold than I thought?\u201d<\/p>\n

Gralton grunts. I walk with him, surrounded by a furry, panting horde.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, they\u2019re working practically for free, Gralton. I think we pay them a few gold per week.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow? <\/em>Did you rescue them from the snow as well?\u201d<\/p>\n

I smile as he twists to stare at me.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, they\u2019re content to work for cheap so long as I give them half of what they dig up. Secrets in the ground.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gralton listens as I explain about the landsense and then he exhales and swears.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve had dogs sniff out buried monsters and treasure before, but every<\/em> damn seam and passageway? You\u2019ll leave Izril without any secrets left to find!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t go deep, Gralton. Anything long-buried stays there and I hope<\/em> there\u2019s nothing like a monster down there. An [Emperor] has to improvise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure enough. Sure enough. Listen, Godart. I came here for two reasons. Why don\u2019t you and I feed the hounds and we\u2019ll discuss it privately? How\u2019re the Goblins doing, by the way? Still building damn walls?\u201d<\/p>\n

That\u2019s Gralton for you. Better than Rie? Well, I don\u2019t suspect Gralton of trying to poison Lady Bethal Walcha\u00eds or ordering Wiskeria to attack the Goblins. I know it\u2019s only Ryoka\u2019s supposition\u2014but I\u2019m beginning to believe it if only because Rie\u2019s the only person who\u2019s ever given me the impression she\u2019s got more yet to hide. [Witches] are different and besides\u2014they weren\u2019t here when it all went down.<\/p>\n

Which begs the question of course: why? Well, one thought springs to mind. And that\u2019s a name I\u2019ve been hearing on a lot of people\u2019s tongues.<\/p>\n

Interesting. I just had a thought. I have never heard Lady Rie mention them.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe Circle of Thorns. They\u2019re popping up on everyone\u2019s tongues. You heard about Lord Tyrion\u2019s boys?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lord Gralton turns to stare at me. I sit there, feeling like this is another \u2018obvious thing\u2019 I should know about. But\u2026don\u2019t.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one told you? Not Lady Valerund or\u2026no, she\u2019d be the only one, wouldn\u2019t she?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe hasn\u2019t brought it up. Perhaps she thinks it\u2019s not important? I heard about Lady Reinhart surviving an assassination attempt, but I\u2019m not looking outwards.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou should on this. I came to ask about it myself. Veltras is getting desperate. He asked me to get a message to you\u2014I don\u2019t think he knows you\u2019ve got [Mages] with [Message] spells of your own.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

We\u2019re sitting together in my private chambers\u2014in Riverfarm. Durene\u2019s cottage is still a place of residence\u2014but more seldom do each of us stay there. We have a rather large home in Riverfarm, as close to a mansion as there is, despite me objecting to the unnecessary space.<\/p>\n

As it turns out, it\u2019s necessary to let Bismarck and Frostwing have the freedom to move about. Not that Bismarck gets to roam around indoors all the time; he\u2019s generally \u2018helping\u2019 by the fields. The [Farmers] can actually get him to pull a plough if they guide him with food, but he\u2019s mostly there just as a mascot. Who eats too much.<\/p>\n

Frostwing is shrieking at the dogs milling about the backyard. I tell her to quiet down so we can talk and she moodily flies to the roof. Frostwing is another way I can monitor the Goblins, by the way. Although she never actually flies over the Goblinlands\u2014they\u2019re aware she\u2019s my bird, but I\u2019m not going to risk a Goblin with a bow shooting at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cTell me about this, Gralton. What about Lord Tyrion\u2019s sons? I know he saved Magnolia Reinhart\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom the Circle of Thorns.\u201d<\/p>\n

My eyes don\u2019t narrow since they\u2019re closed. But my brow definitely creases. Lady Rie did not mention that.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cHmm. I only heard it was an assassination attempt.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess my ears are sharper.\u201d<\/p>\n

Radivaek takes a huge bite of the mutton he\u2019s sharing with his dogs. I motion for him to go on as I turn in my seat.<\/p>\n

\u201cDurene? Can you find Lady Rie? Tell her I\u2019d like her to come here to consult on Lord Gralton\u2019s issue. And tell\u2026oh, Prost to come too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnyone else?\u201d<\/p>\n

She\u2019s out, feeding Frostwing and Bismarck in the yard. I think. Rie and Prost are my go-to confidants. Then I have a thought and call back.<\/p>\n

\u201cEloise and Hedag, of course. Wiskeria too. And if she\u2019s here\u2014summon Witch Mavika. Tell her it\u2019s about [Witches].\u201d<\/p>\n

Gralton is looking at me as I turn back towards him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou really did embrace the [Witches]. You know\u2014in some parts adventurers are paid to chase them off.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd do villages drown [Witches]? Burn them at stakes?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes. And if you\u2019re going to lecture me about Goblins\u2026huh. Sounds about damned right. People always say [Witches] bring plague, bad luck, stillborns\u2026wonder how true that is.\u201d<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t have much of a smile, but I\u2019m glad he sees it my way. And while we wait for the others to arrive, Gralton catches me up on what no one\u2019s told me. Then he gives me Tyrion\u2019s plea.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

By the time they arrived, Laken Godart was unable to sit still. He was pacing. And\u2014angry. Furious.<\/p>\n

Enraged.<\/p>\n

\u201cThose cowardly\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

The next part was a stream of invectives in a language no one knew. Durene might have recognized a few words at best, and the language since Laken had been teaching her.<\/p>\n

But Lady Rie? She stopped in the doorway, listening hard. That wasn\u2019t made-up. Nor was it Drathian. She\u2019d asked for a sample and it wasn\u2019t even close.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour Majesty? What is\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEnter! <\/em>No questions, Rie!\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Emperor] whirled and snapped. He was angrier than Rie had ever seen him in recent memory. Only a few times had she ever seen him this furious. Catching the edges of his mood, she sat. Suddenly\u2014Lady Valerund was worried.<\/p>\n

The rest entered. Prost sat alert, Durene sidling in after Hedag. The [Witches] sensed the [Emperor]\u2019s mood; how could they not? They were watchful.<\/p>\n

Mavika came last. She wouldn\u2019t have except for how Laken had phrased his request.<\/p>\n

The bird-like woman was, in her way, as much changed by her class as Radivaek. More so, in fact. A huge raven perched on her shoulder and Rie sidled away from her. It was Mavika who spoke in her sibilant voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy did you call me, [Emperor] of <\/em>men?\u201d<\/p>\n

A reminder. Laken Godart turned. For once, he wasn\u2019t about to play even-handed, calm counterpart of Mavika.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I want you to listen, Witch Mavika. Gralton\u2014please\u2014tell the others what you just told me.\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Lord] was only too willing. In silence, the others listened. And Lady Rie felt the uneasiness in her stomach turn to\u2014well, something like fear.<\/p>\n

\u201cLord Tyrion\u2019s sons are poisoned. The Circle of Thorns is holding \u2018em hostage unless Lord Tyrion bows to their demands. He doesn\u2019t say what. But he asked me to appeal to Emperor Godart. His words are\u2026let me check.\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Dog Lord] found a folded piece of paper, carelessly crammed into his vest. He stared at it, and then read it out loud slowly.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026hope Emperor Godart will recall any debts and the goodwill of House Veltras in this hour of need. If there is any [Alchemist] or [Healer] of such Skill as to be able to assist\u2026he wants you to help find the cure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rie stirred. This\u2014was not good. The look on Laken\u2019s face was murderous. She had feared this would happen. She hadn\u2019t imagined Tyrion would reach out to Laken himself. It proved how desperate he truly was.<\/em><\/p>\n

Damn Gralton. This was why Rie had omitted the Circle of Thorns as much as possible around Laken! It was not\u2026<\/p>\n

Not a good look. To put it mildly. Not all of the Circle\u2019s highest members moved alike. Someone had ordered Magnolia\u2019s death. Someone else\u2014not the same person who\u2019d ordered the assassination\u2014had ordered the poisoning. That much Rie knew.<\/p>\n

There were reasons. Good ones. The Circle\u2026but Laken Godart had been introduced to them in the worst way possible. Rie covered all this with genuine distress for the two boys.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour Majesty\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou knew about this Lady Rie? And neglected to mention it in your daily briefings?\u201d<\/p>\n

All eyes turned to Rie. The [Lady] answered, as if bound by truth spell.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026apologize, your Majesty. I did not think it was pertinent. I assumed whatever one of the Five Families were to deal with was removed from Riverfarm\u2019s affairs and that of the Unseen Empire.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see. In the future, anything of note in Izril should be directed towards me, Lady Valerund.\u201d<\/p>\n

She inclined her head humbly. But it did not escape her notice; Laken Godart had been genuinely surprised by the news. So did he have sources of information outside of Riverfarm that were so specific? Or had he really<\/em> known how to make trebuchets all by himself? Or was it so sporadic?<\/p>\n

Intrigue was a game of learning and watching what you gave away. However\u2014it was different depending on who you played against. And right now, the [Emperor] was too furious to be subtle.<\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t mean the game wasn\u2019t going on. But Rie had a sinking feeling. She told herself that there was little he could do.<\/p>\n

\u201cPoison. Terrible things. Many a Terandrian dynasty has suffered from that sort of thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

As if you wouldn\u2019t know. You come from those very houses on Terandria.<\/em> Rie saw Eloise innocently sipping her tea. As if a pointed hat took away her past.<\/p>\n

\u201cPoison, your Majesty? And Tyrion Veltras is appealing to the Unseen Empire? But surely he has [Healers]. [Alchemists]. All of the Five Families could cure most poisons.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wiskeria looked uncomfortable. Laken shook his head. Radivaek bared his teeth as he tore another strip of meat off to feed to a waiting dog.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey tried. Last count over forty dead [Healers] and [Alchemists] ran afoul of [Assassins]. No one\u2019s even identified what\u2019s making the boys sick before they<\/em> get knifed in the back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c[Assassins]. And they\u2019re actually threatening the Five Families?\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Paladin] was incredulous. Rie shook her head. A half-Troll [Paladin].<\/em> Well, that might explain why she had so much trouble charming Laken Godart if that was his\u2026taste. Almost as bad as Wuvren\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201cThreatening the families of [Alchemists] and so on, Miss Durene. And your Majesty, I caution<\/em> you. Even the Five Families have been affected by the assassinations. Riverfarm is\u2026vulnerable. Despite your protections.\u201d<\/p>\n

The totems couldn\u2019t stop one of the Guild\u2019s finest. They could walk across the ground invisible, or teleport in, or fly.<\/em> Rie\u2014didn\u2019t want Laken Godart to incur the Circle\u2019s wrath.<\/p>\n

Beyond her fears of him doing something rash, though, Rie was still a bit confident. And that was because\u2014she explained the issue.<\/p>\n

\u201cReaching Lord Veltras\u2019 manor is a long trip, your Majesty. Doable in any other time with speed\u2014even overnight! Especially with a carriage, or dedicated travel-specialist. Lord Veltras himself could make the journey in\u2014but these are not safe times. Any [Healer] or [Alchemist]\u2026or [Witch]\u2026would be exposed.\u201d<\/p>\n

She nodded to the four [Witches] in the room and saw three pointed hats turn in affront. Mavika\u2019s didn\u2019t. She just narrowed her eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that so, Lady Rie?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf Lord Veltras cannot do it\u2014as I said, the situation is horrific, your Majesty. But I do not think this is Riverfarm\u2019s time to strike at a foe like this\u2026Circle of Thorns? They\u2019re unknown, perhaps not even Izrilian\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t overplay your hand. <\/em>Rie shut up. Gralton rumbled as he sat back and tossed the bone to the fighting pack of dogs, who raced outside after it. Rie was grateful that Prost closed the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Circle of Thorns. Well, that\u2019s the second time they\u2019ve intersected with Riverfarm in a meaningful way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rie felt perspiration begin to touch at her neck and back. Did he mean\u2026?<\/p>\n

\u201cWitch Mavika, is this the same group that attacked your coven? Wiskeria\u2019s?\u201d<\/p>\n

Oh. <\/em>Rie relaxed a bit. Mavika nodded. Her voice wasn\u2019t a hiss, but it was low, intent, as was her posture. Like a bird eying a rival.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey named themselves that. As if it were to strike fear into the coven. So they said. The ones I hunted said little of value. They were tools.\u201d<\/p>\n

She killed the Ranks.<\/em> Low-grade [Assassins] which the Guild could replace. At very little cost. No doubt they\u2019d swarmed the poor [Witches] of Wiskeria and Mavika\u2019s coven. Rie bit her lip.<\/p>\n

When she<\/em> was one of the Petals, the highest position on the Circle\u2019s inner council, she\u2019d apply more finesse and grace to how they handled things. Sometimes the Circle was a delicate kiss, other times all the elegance of a sledgehammer on a hand. The inner members were a varied lot in styles.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen it seems the [Witches] owe the Circle a grudge. As for Riverfarm? The Unseen Empire has no personal issue with any particular noble\u2014and few favors as well. House Radivaek and House Byres are our allies. Lord Tyrion\u2019s house is\u2026affiliated. But I don\u2019t know if I owe him any favors. That\u2019s my stance.\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Emperor] calmed down a bit. Lady Valerund exhaled silently. Good, he was being logical. That was wh\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever.<\/em> Anyone who stoops to poisoning children and hostage-taking is as good as an enemy. How would you trust someone like that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Damn!<\/em> And everyone was nodding along, including Rie. Prost, Durene\u2014well, they were righteous [Farmers]. Wiskeria believed in law, which was commendable, but foolish, Eloise was smiling and doing that obnoxious tip of the hat.<\/p>\n

And Hedag? Oh, Rie rolled her eyes as the [Witch] with the axe laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell said, Emperor! But if words were deeds, we\u2019d not need for the Hedag. Do you intend to swing at this Circle? For you\u2019ve surely seen what happens when the axe comes the other way. The Drake\u2019s fires are louder than the [Assassin]\u2019s blade. But the other will come for Riverfarm.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell put, Witch Hedag. Emperor Godart, I encourage you to think over this matter. I would not wish to endanger Riverfarm\u2014or put one of our [Witch] allies to undue risk! Which I assure<\/em> you will come if we enter this situation unguarded!\u201d<\/p>\n

Rie jumped in a touch breathily. Laken\u2019s head swung towards her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m well aware that the Drake [Infiltrators] were a direct result of our attack on Liscor, Lady Rie. Neither am I ignorant of the dangers of [Assassins].\u201d<\/p>\n

Oh, but you are! You have no idea how the Guild\u2019s best can operate!<\/em> Rie wished she\u2019d told Laken more, now. A Level 50 [Assassin] could walk<\/em> into Riverfarm and leave nothing living. Perhaps one of the [Witches] could fight someone like that. But this was not how it was supposed to go!<\/p>\n

\u201cLord Veltras is calling for any favor he can, your Majesty. However, the fact remains that in order to cure his sons, an antidote for a poison that is unknown is needed! Someone must go to House Veltras, to the west. And the only specialist I could name in Riverfarm with that level of knowledge would be\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

She glanced to one side. And everyone looked at the old [Lady] with the cup of tea. Rie nodded at Eloise. But what she was really thinking was\u2014<\/p>\n

If I have to, I\u2019ll let you ride to House Veltras, Eloise. And you will not make it. <\/em><\/p>\n

That was the best solution she could imagine. Laken made an effort which Rie would publicize, and the Circle wouldn\u2019t be interfered with. Laken\u2019s fingers drummed on the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that your belief, Witch Eloise? Who among the [Witches] in Riverfarm are good with poisons? In Izril?\u201d<\/p>\n

Eloise\u2019s eyes flicked towards Laken and then at Hedag and Mavika. The two gave her silent looks Rie tried to interpret.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn Riverfarm? I believe you mean, cures, your Majesty. Wiskeria, for instance, knows poisons. Cures are much harder. You can mix swamp water into a cup and hope it makes someone sick, but neutralizing a poison\u2026if it were simple, I\u2019d name Agratha, and half a dozen other [Witches].\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd for this case?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably myself. In Izril, there are oh, a number of experts. I know of someone as accomplished as I am in both poisoning and curing. But\u2014I doubt she would consent. Among the healers, then, I\u2019d be most suited in this region.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eloise\u2019s eyes slid sideways to Mavika and the older [Witch] shook her head slightly. Rie\u2019s eyes narrowed.<\/p>\n

Another<\/em> expert? Well, it didn\u2019t matter. She\u2019d have to arrive at the mansion and there was at least one of the Faces there ready to halt anyone.<\/p>\n

\u201cReally? Then, Witch Eloise, do you think you could cure a poisoned [Lord]? Two of them?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

What a fast answer! Eloise sipped her tea with the unshakable confidence that made Rie very<\/em> nervous. She went on.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn time, certainly. But as Lady Valerund says\u2014the issue is not merely me attending to these two poor children, but arriving there in one piece. And I fear, your Majesty, that the journey is too dangerous for me to undertake.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rie exhaled. Laken frowned.<\/p>\n

\u201cReally, Witch Eloise? What if I were to offer Witch Mavika the chance to oppose her foes and her price? Certainly\u2014if I couldn\u2019t name it myself, House Veltras can. And an escort? Beniar, Griffon Hunt\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, your Majesty. Please, hear Witch Mavika out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eloise gestured to Mavika. The [Emperor] stopped and Rie was rewarded with a look of genuine frustration.<\/p>\n

\u201cSurely, Witch Mavika, you could escort Eloise that far?\u201d<\/p>\n

The bird-[Witch] looked uncomfortable. She folded her arms as her raven glared around the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cEach one to their task, Emperor Godart. If you ask me to kill one of this Circle\u2019s agents, this I may consider, with spell and malice and wing and claw. But if you ask me to protect<\/em>\u2014it is not my craft, and not what I do. An [Assassin] is honed to kill. That is not my craft or will.\u201d<\/p>\n

So she\u2019d fail. Everyone interpreted this after a moment. Laken emitted a frustrated sigh. Eloise adjusted her hat again. And Rie was\u2026<\/p>\n

Impressed, really. Look at these two [Witches], being practical.<\/em> They didn\u2019t outright say they understood how dangerous the Circle of Thorns was, but they were refusing all the same. Well, she had heard [Witches] were a sensible lot.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven if it\u2019s not your specialty, Witch Mavika, what about\u2026an army? Let\u2019s say you, a Gold-ranked team, Lord Radivaek?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have dogs. Not that I\u2019d pit them against poison-wielding bastards. But go on, Godart.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWitch Hedag, your role strikes me as protection. What about you? Other [Witches]?\u201d<\/p>\n

A booming laugh from Hedag, but she shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mistake me, Godart-boy, although I see how you came to the conclusion! But think of a Hedag. A Hedag comes once there\u2019s rot to be found and hacks it away. If I protect\u2014it\u2019s those that cry out for help, from small evil. Small men and women. Not flashing blades. Not a hero\u2019s lot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGold-ranks as well, your Majesty. Griffon Hunt is certainly capable, but Captain Halrac and his team are specialized for monster-slaying. It is not impossible,<\/em> but I caution you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Rie trailed off delicately. She was waiting, and rewarded as Laken sighed. He was losing his temper. Durene looked just as angry\u2014but Laken shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cI begin to see why even the Five Families are having trouble. Safeguard someone all the way there to try to cure them, eh? I\u2026understand, Witch Eloise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, your Majesty.\u201d<\/p>\n

She stopped fidgeting and adjusting her hat. The [Emperor] shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cGralton, thank you for bringing this to me. I don\u2019t know\u2026I\u2019ll see what can be done. Why don\u2019t we break? It\u2019s about lunch anyways and I need to clear my head.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI could punch something. Is that tree still needing to be uprooted?\u201d<\/p>\n

Durene growled. And like that, the meeting ended. Mavika stalked out of the house\u2014her raven left her shoulder with an angry caw<\/em>, no doubt reflecting her emotions. The [Witches] were silent as they left.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2014shall attend to my duties, your Majesty. Mister Prost?\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Farmer] walked out with Rie, shaking his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cA terrible thing, poison. And to those two boys, Lady Valerund.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTerrible indeed, Mister Prost.\u201d<\/p>\n

He really meant it. He was an honest man, as far as Rie could tell. It was one of the reasons why she liked Riverfarm. An honest [Emperor], people who were hardworking, able to rebuild time and time again\u2014this was what Izril needed.<\/p>\n

The Circle was there to do what honest, hardworking people never thought of. Rie exhaled. She\u2019d have to monitor Laken Godart closely to make sure he didn\u2019t take it in his head to do something stupid. The Circle was aware people would come to Tyrion\u2019s aid.<\/p>\n

By land, by sea, by magic\u2014nothing was going to reach him save as the Circle<\/em> willed it. Rie knew some of the plan and she had no desire to watch the Unseen Empire suffer. It was very, very good that the [Witches] were sensible.<\/p>\n

She hurried off to communicate with the Circle and get updates. And that was Rie Valerund\u2019s big mistake. She should have been watching more carefully.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Lady Rie is gone, I sit back down. Gralton\u2019s left, Durene\u2019s gone off to vent her fury, and so is everyone else.<\/p>\n

I think that confirms it. Lady Rie seemed passionately concerned for Riverfarm\u2014but she leaned a bit too<\/em> hard on the \u2018let\u2019s not anger the Circle, shall we?\u2019 angle. A bit too little shock and concern for two children dying of poison, or so I feel.<\/p>\n

Or maybe I\u2019m just biased because I think I\u2019m right. Time to find out. I stretch and, just in case someone\u2019s listening via spell or in person, remark to myself.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I shall go for a walk. Gamel?<\/em> I\u2019m going to have a walk in the forest. Have a horse readied for me, please?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, your Majesty.\u201d<\/p>\n

My [Knight] appears and after a few minutes, I\u2019m off. Let\u2019s see\u2026along the Goblinlands is probably good. Few people go that way, and there\u2019s a nice forest we cut in half with those damned walls.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pebblesnatch stared down at the [Emperor] of Riverfarm from the wall. She was in one of the towers, hiding from Ulvama. Pebblesnatch had stolen her magical dyes as food coloring for her pot and Ulvama was ready to smack her silly.<\/p>\n

She\u2019d come across the [Emperor] quite by chance. He was busy discussing some Human-problem with Gamel, the young man who was keeping him company. They had another escort of [Riders] keeping a great distance. Pebblesnatch had keen ears though, so she heard Laken and Gamel talking.<\/p>\n

Someone was sick? Oh no! But they could cure them\u2014but they couldn\u2019t because of [Assassins], whatever that was. Some kind of\u2026of\u2026monster? Evil Humans?<\/p>\n

Pebblesnatch listened to Ulvama shouting furiously behind her. You know, if she was more kindly disposed towards this [Emperor], and if Ulvama was less irate\u2014and if Pebblesnatch had the lexicon to express herself\u2014she would have told Laken that Ulvama<\/em> was great at healing stuff.<\/p>\n

She could cure Pebblesnatch-induced food poisoning, Goblins who got sick from mushrooms\u2014she was really good at it! Too bad Laken Godart wasn\u2019t able to order Ulvama around like his subjects.<\/p>\n

Still\u2026maybe this was Pebblesnatch\u2019s big chance? Ulvama could cure this person, everyone would be happy, and Pebblesnatch, after taking her due credit, would be so beloved she\u2019d get enough ingredients to make anything she wanted! The Humans would let the Goblins go into the empire and there\u2019d be no need for all these walls!<\/p>\n

Then maybe the sad little [Witch] and Pebblesnatch could be friends. The Cave Goblin began to slither out of her tower to begin this chain of events. She\u2019d learned this kind of optimism from Erin Solstice, incidentally. Cave Goblins didn\u2019t usually have such convoluted plans of things going right.<\/em><\/p>\n

As Pebblesnatch hopped along the Goblin\u2019s wall, waving and shouting at the oblivious [Emperor] in the distance, she saw someone picking her way towards the duo, having bypassed the escort waiting politely behind. Laken Godart held up a hand and there\u2026Pebblesnatch saw an old Human woman with a hat walking towards him, with a basket in one arm.<\/p>\n

Oh. One of the [Witches]. The tea-[Witch]. Pebblesnatch began to climb down, undeterred. Then\u2014something swooped out of the skies, making her duck.<\/p>\n

A raven alighted on a branch over the [Emperor]\u2019s head, cawed once, and turned into Mavika. Pebblesnatch froze.<\/em> What\u2019s this, now? The [Emperor] motioned Gamel away. He turned\u2014and Pebblesnatch watched in fascination.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It doesn\u2019t take them long to get to me. Well, we walk for about twenty minutes and Gamel\u2019s mandatory escort of some of the Blacksky Riders is shadowing us\u2014but they wouldn\u2019t stop a fellow member of the Unseen Empire, would they?<\/p>\n

Witch Eloise is gathering herbs. Mavika\u2019s appearance is more dramatic.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour Majesty?\u201d<\/p>\n

Gamel\u2019s caught off-guard, but I just nod.<\/p>\n

\u201cGamel, I\u2019ve been expecting them. Keep the Blacksky Riders from noticing them. Say I\u2019m\u2026meditating. Collecting my thoughts. I\u2019ll signal you when it\u2019s time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, your Majesty.\u201d<\/p>\n

He hurries off. Good man, Gamel. He doesn\u2019t ask questions. I sigh, and turn to Witch Eloise.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo what do we call that? Tug up for \u2018smile\u2019 or \u2018yes\u2019, tug down for \u2018no\u2019, and spin your hat around for\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI had to be obvious, your Majesty. I do apologize.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eloise actually blushes a bit. She was making all kinds of mad signs while she told me to my face that she wouldn\u2019t risk her neck. I nod.<\/p>\n

\u201cWitch Mavika. Are Wiskeria and Hedag not coming?\u201d<\/p>\n

The two older [Witches] look at each other and shrug.<\/p>\n

\u201cNeither one need participate. We are the [Witches] who matter here, Emperor Godart. Did you notice the malice coming from your [Lady] sworn?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mavika\u2019s tone is brusque. I nod.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh. I wondered if you could sense that. Lady Rie\u2026is not all she seems, is she?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFew people are. I\u2019m quite glad your Majesty did not need to be told. Well, better the [Spy] you know. I was reluctant to speak more in that place, Emperor Godart. Not that our intuition proves anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mavika jerked her head, clearly of a different mind. Eloise shot her a quick glance.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2014She was simply disturbed by the idea of opposing this Circle. We would not like to make pronouncements, would we<\/em>, Mavika?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell understood, Witch Eloise. My conclusions are my own. And I have been aware of this issue for a while. Let\u2019s put that aside for one moment. What else would you like to say?\u201d<\/p>\n

Durene is going to <\/em>beg to be the one to thump Rie on the head.<\/em> Or\u2026what will I do? Argh. But I was warned. He told me there would be at least one, and\u2026<\/p>\n

Well, enough of that for now. Eloise looks around and to my surprise both she and Mavika sit along the forest trail. I end up sitting too.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrankly, your Majesty, we spoke no untruths. It\u2019s unwise to lie as [Witches], let alone in the presence of truth spells if there are any about. Mavika would fail to guard me against what I assume the Guild of Assassins could send, especially if they were forewarned\u2026even if not, the roads are certainly watched and each person who could help Lord Veltras screened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally. So\u2014is the answer more [Witches]? Or one you don\u2019t see coming?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mavika grinned.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe other [Witch] who could certainly cure any ills would die ere she reached House Veltras\u2019 manor\u2014without<\/em> the need for [Assassins]. And that was if she deigned to leave her home. Which she will not. Not for all of Riverfarm\u2019s riches.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026Well then. I assume you have some answer?\u201d<\/p>\n

Brightly, Eloise smiles at me. Oh, it was wise to put her on my inner council. I shuffle the order around in my head. Let\u2019s say\u2014Prost for commonsense things, Wiskeria for intelligent matters, Rie for possibly untrustworthy advice\u2026but I\u2019ll say that Eloise is now my most knowledgeable, trustworthy<\/em> advisor.<\/p>\n

Shame.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs I said, your Majesty. The journey is too dangerous. I would never, ever risk it, even if I had House Veltras\u2019 army riding to escort me. That is\u2026such a bold move it would simply escalate the matter. Lead to open conflict.\u201d<\/p>\n

I nod, slowly. Yes. The Circle wouldn\u2019t back down. It\u2019d be a running battle with damned armies of [Assassins] and far more danger, even with the Five Families\u2019 support. Not a smart move.<\/p>\n

And [Witches] love to have smart answers. Straightforward ones. I almost smile myself. Some commonality between [Emperor] and [Witches] there.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd how would you solve this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWitch Mavika has sent her crow familiar to fly to House Veltras. In the meantime, with your\u2026permission and at your request, I am willing to decipher the poison that afflicts Lord Hethon and Lord Sammial.\u201d<\/p>\n

I blink.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is the airspeed velocity of\u2014no, never mind. House Veltras is to the west, not the north, isn\u2019t that right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot nearly as far as First Landing is from here, no, your Majesty. But I may begin solving the riddle of poison at once. If\u2014it is your will. Because as I am sure you know, Emperor Godart, there will be reprisals.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now Eloise looks at me and I catch the full implications of her warning. I sit back, thinking.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have two questions. What will you ask, [Witches]? And will you accept your risk if I accept mine?\u201d<\/p>\n

Eloise and Mavika smiled. For answer, Mavika tips her hat up and gives me a direct, disconcerting stare. I can\u2019t see her face, but I\u2019ve had Durene describe her eyes to me and I can feel them on me now. Bird\u2019s eyes, overly large in her face.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Circle has made enemies of [Witches], Emperor Godart. For that alone<\/em>, we would dare it. But also because we have made a pact, here, and if [Witches] die, it is only because an [Emperor]\u2019s will is thwarted. Is that not so?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one will be killed on my lands, Witch Mavika, without me doing everything to stop it.\u201d<\/p>\n

She nods, quite pleased. Eloise is next.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs for the price, your Majesty? Well, as we said, it could be an act of [Witches]. However\u2026if the Unseen Empire would like to involve itself in our action\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTake credit, you mean.\u201d<\/p>\n

Perhaps a little too direct, there.<\/em> Eloise looks a bit offended.<\/p>\n

\u201cDeclare itself the beneficiary of [Witches], and my work at your request as an example of that pact, your Majesty. We would accept that. And\u2026some land.\u201d<\/p>\n

I\u2019m sure if I could see them, both Mavika and Eloise\u2019s eyes would do that \u2018glinting\u2019 thing I\u2019ve read about. I always wanted to know if it was actually a physical motion or just an impression.<\/p>\n

\u201cLand, Witch Eloise?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLand, your Majesty. In perpetuity. A place for [Witches].\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026You don\u2019t just mean, Witching Street, [Witch] Eloise. Do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiles. I know she does.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe may discuss the issue. But if we were given a\u2026small forest? We would consider ourselves in your<\/em> debt.\u201d<\/p>\n

I sit back. [Witches] want to practice witchery more witchily than before. Okay\u2026but if it\u2019s between Lady Rie and Eloise, I know which one to pick. So I smile back.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can discuss forests, [Witch] Eloise. Or other locations. We have an agreement in either case. Now\u2014how can you safely<\/em> uncover the illness? And what might you suggest we do when the cure is found?\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Tea Witch]\u2014if that is her class\u2014chuckles. Mavika makes a sound like a bird.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is struck, [Emperor]! Let it be that neither [Witch] nor ruler regret this.\u201d<\/p>\n

She takes off. Is she literally flying?<\/em> I hear Gamel and the [Riders] exclaim in alarm. I\u2019ll have to ask. Eloise is slower to rise.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, it won\u2019t take too long, hopefully, your Majesty. You see, the Circle might be aware of [Witch]\u2019s unique talents, but I doubt they know all of our tricks. Finding what ails the young [Lords] Veltras is not easy.<\/em> But I am very good. I\u2019ll need help. But I don\u2019t need to be there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat then?\u201d<\/p>\n

She laughs as I offer her an arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cDivination.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Divination. Not [Scrying]. Nor is it like the class [Diviner]. It was something partly lost in this day and age. A different kind of magic. A different technique and way of looking at things.<\/p>\n

It looked\u2014<\/p>\n

Well, it sounded<\/em> like cheating to Laken Godart. But that was also very witch-y.<\/p>\n

At first\u2014it had all the hallmarks of a true ritual straight out of the fairytales. Eloise did not waste time. Nor\u2014it seemed\u2014had she thought Laken would refuse her.<\/p>\n

Multiple covens had come to Riverfarm. Even if not all the members were here and there were more young [Witches]-in-training than before\u2014there were any number of adult [Witches].<\/p>\n

Almost all of them were here. Mavika, Oliyaya, Agratha, Devay, Rebeca, Eloise, and more. Wiskeria was admitted into their number; only a handful had been excluded like Hedag.<\/p>\n

The others were watching. Apprentice [Witches], a small sea of pointed hats, sat around an inner circle. There was Eloise, with a small magical fire, a pot\u2014multiple pots with ingredients simmering away, emitting noxious fumes\u2014<\/p>\n

It was why they were outside. The [Witches] had found a perfect glade. It was, in fact, the forest they would rather like to have. So they worked their magic here.<\/p>\n

Laken Godart was one of the onlookers. Durene had come too, and was nervously watching while linking arms with him; just in case she squeezed his hand too tightly.<\/p>\n

It began with a chant. The young [Witches] took it up first. It was a whisper. Two names, echoing around the ground in uneven harmony\u2014but it was a harmony.<\/p>\n

\u201cVeltras. Veltras. Sammial Veltras. Hethon Veltras. Veltras, Veltras\u2026<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

A susurration of sound. Laken\u2019s skin began to prick with nerves. As far as he knew\u2014Lady Rie was occupied. Prost had that job. And this area was being watched. He\u2019d deployed the Blacksky Riders to keep everyone five miles away from the forest.<\/p>\n

But this\u2014the air felt thick. It was only late noon, but the shadows of the canopy seemed to thicken.<\/p>\n

The glade had been breezeless. Now, a low wind blew up around the sitting [Witches]. Laken spotted Nanette\u2019s figure, whispering with the others. He could not see her face and he didn\u2019t want to interrupt Durene to tell him what his landsense couldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

\u201cVeltras, Veltras. Poisoned be, reveal to me.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Now, the inner circle moved. Eloise sat in the center. She raised something and gazed into it.<\/p>\n

A tea cup. Of course. But the contents were swirling. And Laken saw tea leaves moving about, forming shapes, as he walked along the edge of the ritual. Durene hurried after him.<\/p>\n

[Tea Omens]. Whatever Eloise saw made her grimace.<\/p>\n

\u201cFennel root.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her voice was normal\u2014the whispering in the background died down. Mavika handed it to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see sweat and labored breath. Coughing which does not cease. Paleness about the lips. Blood on the cloth.\u201d<\/p>\n

She announced the first symptoms. Eloise nodded. Wiskeria\u2019s eyes flickered.<\/p>\n

\u201cFever. But the coughing\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will fight it. Sage\u2019s Grass. A brew to eat away at anything made of arsenic, first.\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Witches] murmured their acknowledgement. Laken heard voices, speculating.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026Basilisk\u2019s root, perhaps\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do they smell of, Mavika?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIncontinence and foulness, like the gas from swamps.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Crow Witch] was watching elsewhere. Eloise was\u2014half-listening. She shook her head. Turned up the heat by putting one of the small pots on a burner. She made tea<\/em> in the second. Or so Durene whispered to Laken, and that was one of the smells he caught.<\/p>\n

\u201cA cure all?\u201d<\/p>\n

Oliyaya\u2019s voice was surprisingly normal for when it wasn\u2019t cackling. Laken asked Durene to describe what\u2014if anything was unusual<\/em> about Oliyaya.<\/p>\n

\u201cHer\u2014hands.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo see what magnitude of poison we are working with. It should narrow it down\u2026now, to test it. Witch Oliyaya, to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eloise\u2019s voice was quiet. She turned and handed the first of three brews to Oliyaya. Laken frowned. Had she made the cure already?<\/em><\/p>\n

No\u2014this was the essence of divination Eloise had meant. The whispering began again.<\/p>\n

\u201cVeltras, a cure for Veltras\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShow me your fate.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Witch] spoke. Then she laughed. It was sudden\u2014high-pitched, mad laughter. Durene jumped and grabbed<\/em> Laken.<\/p>\n

\u201cDeath! No chance at all!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

She tossed the pot\u2019s contents to the ground. Laken heard the sizzle<\/em> as whatever it was met the flames. The other [Witches] murmured.<\/p>\n

\u201cNext!\u201d<\/p>\n

The second brew made Oliyaya hesitate.<\/p>\n

\u201cA flicker of life among the weeds. A single moment in a hundred.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that was the cure-all. More potent than we thought.\u201d<\/p>\n

A [Witch] sitting next to Wiskeria murmured. Laken was fascinated. The third brew?<\/p>\n

\u201cDeath, again!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Oliyaya discarded the contents. The apprentice-[Witches] murmured as Eloise began to prepare her brews anew. Oliyaya sat back.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne more chance I have yet to see.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen take this. A bezoar\u2019s gift. It will surely fail if the [Assassins] know their craft. But how do they die?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mavika handed her something. Oliyaya took it and shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe bezoar\u2019s gift in vain. Even with it\u2014the [Lords] wane.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laken Godart was fascinated.<\/em> So this was divination. But how did it work? He heard some of the younger [Witches] asking that very question, witnessing the true Skill and skill of their elders.<\/p>\n

\u201cI sense a Skill amid this. Break the chains, Eloise.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mavika hissed at Eloise. The [Tea Witch] paused, then nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI require a gift. Witch Rebeca.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will break the [Assassin]\u2019s hold, Witch Eloise. Give me your brew.\u201d<\/p>\n

The audience watched, spellbound as the pot changed hands. The second [Witch] murmured. And Laken was beginning to understand. He leaned forwards, and even Durene forgot her nerves\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd we can see, young [Witches], how each [Witch] is performing the divination using a combination of Skills! Witch Oliyaya is using her [Prediction of Success] Skill in combination with Witch Eloise\u2019s herb craft.\u201d<\/p>\n

Witch Agratha clapped her hands together as she decided to take this moment<\/em> to lecture the audience. Half of the [Witches] sitting there turned and gave her dark looks.<\/p>\n

Rather like someone who decided to explain every trick<\/em> as a stage magician performed it, Agratha went on as Witch Oliyaya glowered at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou see, Witch Oliyaya can only use her Skill so many times, but I will be using [Renew Skill]\u2014a very useful Skill if put in conjunction with other Skills. This way, Witch Eloise will be able to test out numerous brews and see how effective they are. We are isolating the poison by the cure\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWitch Agratha. The ritual is ongoing.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Mavika hissed at her. The [Witch]-[Teacher] hesitated. She made a sound of discontent.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh\u2026yes, Witch Mavika. I just thought it was ideal to teach in the moment. We\u2019ll review this later!\u201d<\/p>\n

She beamed at her pupils. Laken was informed by Durene that the other [Witches] were rolling their eyes at this point.<\/p>\n

\u201cDifferent kinds of craft, I suppose.\u201d<\/p>\n

He saw why Eloise wasn\u2019t a fan of Agratha. And also\u2014why Agratha had not been invited to the same gathering as Belavierr. Totally different style. Also\u2014Laken wondered what Belavierr<\/em> would have done if Agratha had decided to explain her magic.<\/p>\n

He wondered if Agratha could.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh.<\/em> Skillbreaking works. But\u2014there\u2019s some magic in it! The cure needs more. More! The children have a fly\u2019s chance caught by deadly web, but it grows!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWould you say that\u2019s a one-in-ten chance, or one in a hundred still?\u201d<\/p>\n

Agratha got another dirty look from Oliyaya and the others. The [Witches] murmured. Eloise looked around.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have none of the rarest materials. Witch Devay? I seek your aid.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have seen some of what you seek, Witch Eloise. What do you wish?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMithril dust. And\u2014have you witnessed Darcaw\u2019s Pearl?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Witch Eloise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Laken saw through Durene, a phantom substance appearing in Devay\u2019s empty bowl. This was where the magic began working with Skill. The other [Witches] had to help Devay.<\/p>\n

\u201cA half-cure for a half-sickness. We must account for that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another [Witch] murmured. And Laken got it again, before Agratha whispered her explanations. The [Witches] were supplementing any lack of Eloise\u2019s ingredients.<\/p>\n

On it went. After the third pass, Oliyaya had to take a break. Another [Witch] took over from her. Not with the same Skill\u2014she used another Skill as Eloise did. [Tea Omens] provided more enigmatic answers than Oliyaya, who was using Mavika\u2019s proximity to the children to ascertain the odds of success.<\/p>\n

Oliyaya wouldn\u2019t have been able to divine at the range without a physical link with Mavika, who could share Skills with her raven. And the [Tea Omens] Skill could be vague. The other [Witches] began producing their own means of divination. Frustratingly, Agratha\u2019s medium was a clacking abacus.<\/p>\n

But it was Eloise who worked. And her knowledge of herbs craft and\u2014Laken realized\u2014poison<\/em> was what was leading her to identify the increasingly narrow set of poisons that could produce the effects in Hethon and Sammial.<\/p>\n

Both in cure and symptom. Laken Godart had to leave after the eleventh try\u2014already an hour and a half had passed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think they\u2019re narrowing it down. Tell me at once when they\u2019re certain, Durene. No matter where.\u201d<\/p>\n

Oliyaya had gone from predicting \u2018certain death\u2019 to \u2018a young man\u2019s chance of taking a mortal wound\u2019, to \u2018the toss of a coin\u2019. Of course, the [Witches] wouldn\u2019t be satisfied until the cure was close to 100%…<\/p>\n

\u2026Although if the two boys were too sick, it might never be a certain thing. They\u2019d find out. Meanwhile, Laken Godart decided to put the next part of the plan into motion.<\/p>\n

\u201cLady Rie, thank you for coming on such short notice.\u201d<\/p>\n

She sat across from him warily, watching Laken Godart\u2019s smile. The [Emperor] had summoned her and so Rie had come.<\/p>\n

She was no fool, however. The sudden absence of every<\/em> [Witch] in Riverfarm and Laken himself giving orders she was not privy to?<\/p>\n

\u201cHas something come up, your Majesty?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust now. Excellent news, Lady Rie. I actually went after Witch Eloise to ask if there was anything more that could be done. She had no idea\u2014but it was Witch Mavika who recalled an old magical ritual that might<\/em> actually isolate the poison from afar.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAn\u2026old ritual, you say? Well, your Majesty. That is splendid news.\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Lady] smiled. So did the [Emperor].<\/p>\n

\u201cI asked them to begin at once, naturally. Eloise seems to believe there\u2019s a chance. And this is so much less involved than risking life and limb, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026Absolutely, your Majesty. What a splendid idea. I am so glad Witch Mavika recalled a powerful magic such as this.\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Emperor] sighed. He stood up and, with casual certainty despite his closed eyes, turned his back to Rie to face the window in the room where they were sitting.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is. It is. And it is the right<\/em> thing to do. Children should not be poisoned. That is despicable and heinous. We can all agree on that, despite the risks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, your Majesty.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rie Valerund watched the [Emperor]\u2019s back. Grimly, he waited. He sensed, after a moment\u2019s delay, an old [Mage] sitting outside tug once at his beard. Laken sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad you agree, Lady Rie. I truly am.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWas that a test, your Majesty?\u201d<\/p>\n

Lady Rie smiled, or at least put a smile into her voice. Laken laughed, a bit guiltily.<\/p>\n

\u201cWould you believe me if I said that sometimes I do have to check? After Sacra, you know, I gained a few Skills that help me learn how to hold my own in regards to truthfulness.\u201d<\/p>\n

A small sigh. Of relief?<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought so, your Majesty.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I was hardly uncertain of you, Rie. I was just unsure if you thought it was wise to test the Circle of Thorns in this way?\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Lady] hesitated. She bit her lip and went on after a delicate pause.<\/p>\n

\u201cTruthfully,<\/em> your Majesty? I fear what they might do if Witch Eloise aids Tyrion Veltras. The Circle of Thorns attacking the Unseen Empire\u2014the thought of it terrifies me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tug.<\/em> Laken decided that while he\u2019d keep a mental eye on Typhenous, Rie was too smart not to tell the truth. She went on as he nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile I am completely in favor of the sick children living if at all possible, I fear the reprisals. Riverfarm is not yet able to engage with this\u2026Circle of Thorns, your Majesty. Or to move Izril at large.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nice way of putting it.<\/em> Laken nodded a few times.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is tricky. However, as [Emperor], I had no choice at all, really, Lady Rie. If I could help and I did not? If I were Tyrion Veltras, I would never forgive such a thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026can see that. Not that he would find out, surely?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSecrets, Lady Rie! Secrets have a tendency to get out. I only hope the Circle of Thorns will\u2026direct their ire elsewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour Majesty?\u201d<\/p>\n

She blinked a few times. Not that Laken could know this. The [Emperor] sighed as he turned back to face Lady Rie.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, as soon as Eloise reveals the cure\u2014if she can, rather\u2014I intend to tell Lord Veltras. But it stops there. Eloise has told me herself that she probably lacks the ingredients to manufacture the cure. And even if she made it\u2014who would pick it up?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2014I see.<\/em> So you intend to provide Lord Veltras with knowledge of the antidote\u2014this is<\/em> clever, your Majesty! And well thought-out! I believe it may work!\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Lady] grew excited again; audible relief in her voice. Laken nodded solemnly.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all Riverfarm can do. As you said, there\u2019s no point in making the Circle of Thorns my enemy yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Truth and truth. Smile. The [Emperor] paused.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wonder if the Circle will think of it that way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lady Rie Valerund sat there. That she did not reply was due to many thoughts running through her head. Chief among them was that she<\/em> was the only person whom Laken Godart was speaking to about his plans regarding the Circle of Thorns. Then again\u2014she was the only really qualified person here besides perhaps Eloise, and the [Witch] was busy.<\/p>\n

Then again\u2014was it a ploy, or genuine, or\u2026? But Lady Rie\u2019s indecision only lasted a moment. After all, you had to tell the truth. So she sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI cannot imagine, Emperor Laken. Truly, one can\u2019t predict what the Circle of Thorns might do as a whole. But\u2014I should imagine that this is the most Riverfarm can do without arousing their full wrath.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was what I thought, Lady Rie. We\u2019ll have to see, of course. I\u2019ll put the Unseen Empire on alert. But I thought you should know first. I value your counsel.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, your Majesty. As you know, I have every wish that the Unseen Empire prosper\u2014with my help, small as it may be.\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Emperor] smiled again. Then, Durene crashed through the front door.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey found it! <\/em>Oh, hullo, Rie.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Later that day, Tyrion Veltras, disheveled, unkempt, rose as his [Majordomo] burst into the bedroom unannounced. The [Lord] rose from the bedsides where he had kept watch and Ullim whispered to him.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2014Certain?<\/em> Can he\u2014no.\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Lord] found a second wind just as the Circle of Thorns received a message that someone<\/em> had complicated their plans. But\u2014as their informant tried to assure them\u2014not significantly!<\/p>\n

The [Witch]\u2019s recipe was a very complicated alchemical brew. Not unheard of\u2014but meant to neutralize a five-poison blend. And it called for either Skills or alchemical ingredients so rare that she herself didn\u2019t have them, mithril dust being the least<\/em> rare by far.<\/p>\n

And that was as far as it went. It was already more than enough. Tyrion Veltras rose from his vigil. One last chance. No longer did he need someone to come here.<\/p>\n

The [Assassin] with the mask ducked back into her rooms as he bellowed an order.<\/p>\n

\u201cSend to First Landing! <\/em>Send to other cities! Bring it here! By spell or beast or by horse or on foot!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

His private, desperate appeal between the noble houses of Izril became a public [Message]. Wistram picked it up.<\/p>\n

A cure for House Veltras.<\/em> Poison and treachery and two children\u2019s lives. Who would hear it and dare the Guild of Assassins? Within the hour, Tyrion Veltras, who had waited so long and tried so much to no avail got his answer.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To Tyrion Veltras from First Landing, regarding Delivery of Cure request:<\/em><\/p>\n

Your delivery has been accepted.<\/em><\/p>\n

Couriers outbound.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Author\u2019s Note: <\/strong>I\u2019m on break! Also, I hate bugs. I really hate bugs. I see one larvae-thing inchworming around and I think I have an infestation.<\/p>\n

I\u2026don\u2019t think I do. But you never know! <\/em>It\u2019s like [Assassins], always hiding in the last place you expect!<\/p>\n

Anyways, that was why this chapter was hard. Me taking time to check cupboards and stuff\u2026I\u2019m still paranoid. But there\u2019s no obvious [Assassin] squeezed into my saltshaker, so I might be good.<\/p>\n

Ahem. I\u2019m on break until the 3rd<\/sup> of November! But don\u2019t fret! The Patreon poll for the next side story should be up right before this chapter goes live! So if all went well, you can vote on what you read next!<\/p>\n

See you then. Until later, I\u2019ll be relaxing and resting my very tired mind and hands so I can deliver more good chapters! And\u2026staring around for bugses. And [Assassins]. See you in a week!<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s art is brought to you by ArtsyNada, who I\u2019ve commissioned to do Rasea Zecrew in her poster-recruitment pose! (Artsy has also done other arts, like a kiss between Elirr and Hexel for free! Free!<\/em>) Also, images of the Walled City and more by mg, and a picture of Laken and Durene by GridCube, among others! Give it appreciation!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Kiss and Rasea by ArtsyNada!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Instagram: <\/strong>https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/illudanajohns\/<\/a>
\nKo-fi: <\/strong>https:\/\/ko-fi.com\/illudanajohns<\/a>
\nCommission info: <\/strong>https:\/\/i.imgur.com\/OmNDuK8.jpg<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Walled Cities, Crelers, Wyvern Lords, Cognita and more by Mg!<\/strong><\/p>\n

DeviantArt:<\/strong> https:\/\/www.deviantart.com\/henodus2<\/a><\/p>\n

Ko-Fi:<\/strong> https:\/\/ko-fi.com\/henodus2<\/a><\/p>\n

\"NoBedtime <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Skate2 <\/a> <\/div>
\"Skateboard <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Numbtongue1 <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Numbtongue2 <\/a> <\/div>
\"Mind <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Manus <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Salaszar <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Chariot <\/a> <\/div>
\"Selfie <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Trey <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Hawk <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Calruz <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Falene <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Rhir <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Ylawes <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Creler <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Zel <\/a> <\/div>
\"Grimalkin <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Off <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Tom <\/a> <\/div>
\"Beaver <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Griffon <\/a> <\/div>
\"Grimalkin <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Knights <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Rose <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Ylawes <\/a> <\/div>
\"Cognita <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Frosty <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Saliss <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Combo <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Combo2 <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Romance <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"A'ctelios3 <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"A'ctelios <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"A'ctelios2 <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Therrium <\/a> <\/div>
\"Oteslia <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Pallass <\/a> <\/div>
\"Pallass2 <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Goat <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"KingvsShip <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"BirdBallista <\/a> <\/div>
\"Erin <\/a> <\/div>
\"GoblinArmy <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Cards <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Giants <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Minotaur <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Fast Food, Laken and Durene, Honor, Skateboards and more by GridCube!<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Domehead <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Stitchworks <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Erin <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Relc <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Pawn <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Yellow <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"KsmvrTree <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Saliss <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Shield <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"ErinMrshaLyonette <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Durene <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Bird <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Ossky <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Bandits <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Calruz <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Skateboard <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"McErin <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Alrric <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"War <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Meeting <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Belavierr <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Klbkch's <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Previous Chapter<\/a> Next Chapter<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(The Wandering Inn is on break until November 3rd for the author\u2019s hands! November 7th for non-Patreon readers. See you then!) \u00a0 Here\u2019s a fun fact for you that I learned today: people are really scared of little girls. Okay, I was aware of this. There\u2019s\u2026commonalities between worlds. 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