Can you feel it? Sense it in the air?<\/p>\n
The Fraerling hummed as he adjusted the doublet in the morning. He checked his reflection in the full-length mirror, barely more than a compact for anyone else.<\/p>\n
He was the most famous Fraerling in the world. The only<\/em> one with a name, really. One that remained.<\/p>\n Niers Astoragon. The Titan of Baleros.<\/p>\n The other species knew so little of his kind. Fraerlings were as reclusive as Gazers. As mysterious as Demons, if not so feared.<\/p>\n One foot high, and still athletic. Far stronger than he looked, although that was strong for his size. And\u2026the [Grandmaster Strategist] checked his hair.<\/p>\n \u201cGreying. Should I dye my hair, do you think, Perorn?\u201d<\/p>\n The Centaur [Strategist] sighed. Another famous member of her species in her own right. She eyed Niers\u2019 clothes critically. This was the third outfit.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. And the doublet\u2019s too much.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDamn. You think so?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTry this one.\u201d<\/p>\n She handed him another outfit, one less flashy. It wasn\u2019t the style of the doublet, it was the eye-catching color.<\/em> Niers Astoragon had clothes that could put a [Troubadour] to shame. Good-naturedly, he tried on the other suit, a more restrained Chandrarian-style outfit for semi-formal occasions.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you. I think this might do?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not sure why you asked me<\/em> to help you choose clothes. I\u2019ve never even worn pants.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh, but it was you, Peclir, Foliana, or a few others. And you\u2019re known for having a sense of fashion. The others? Not so much.\u201d<\/p>\n Perorn preened a bit at the rare compliment.<\/p>\n \u201cI suppose that\u2019s true.\u201d<\/p>\n She herself had a light cardigan on\u2014something for teaching. And true to her comment\u2014Centaurs wore kilts, or long dresses, rather than anything so form-fitting as pants. Niers shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cFashion sense matters across species. I think it\u2019s a talent. Even if there are no Centaur pants.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo doubt. And I didn\u2019t say there aren\u2019t pants for Centaurs. I saw a Centaur wearing them. Once.\u201d<\/p>\n The Titan was sufficiently thrown by the comment, enough to stop putting on his boots.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Say what now?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPants. I saw a female Centaur wearing them, once. The most unattractive thing ever. I nearly found the [Tailor] so I could kick him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat did it look like?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cImagine\u2026pajama pants, but all four legs. Ran all the way up to here.\u201d<\/p>\n Perorn indicated her midsection. Niers hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cThat cannot be comfy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, it wasn\u2019t. She wore it to put off her suitors. It worked.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDead gods. I wish I could have seen that. Pants on a Centaur.\u201d<\/p>\n Niers sighed. But then he resumed putting on his boots, humming under his breath. A marching song, a tune from Baleros. It meant he really was in a good mood. Perorn eyed him.<\/p>\n She was a bit confused. The Titan could be jolly as you liked at times. Expansive, excited, keen<\/em>\u2014or sourly annoyed. His students had long learned to watch out for his mood, as had his enemies in battle.<\/p>\n But she wouldn\u2019t have expected him to be so\u2026chipper today. Especially since she felt like the news wasn\u2019t calculated to make the Titan smile.<\/p>\n The news. It wasn\u2019t just informant reports, or gossip anymore. It was\u2026a thing. The scrying orb on Niers\u2019 table-room aside, Perorn saw the \u2018news\u2019 lying there, freshly printed from the Mage\u2019s Guild by a [Scribe] in ink.<\/p>\n Chess Weekly, <\/em>delivered just this morning. She had a subscription herself and after reading the front page and the big font next to the stylized cover of the magazine (a giant rook piece on a chess board, outlined since the [Scribe] had to draw it for each edition), she\u2019d been dreading Niers\u2019 mood.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Eight of the best games you\u2019ve ever seen! An exclusive interview on weather-based combat with the [Knight Marshal of the Rains] himself!<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The writer of the magazine, this Olesm Swifttail, had begun to learn the art of selling each magazine. Headlines designed to attract attention. The subheading was the one that Perorn had winced at, though.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Earl Altestiel\u2019s battle with Grand Strategist Chaldion! Best of 5! Down to the final game!<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Earl Altestiel. If you didn\u2019t understand why<\/em> it mattered that he was in the same place as Chaldion of Pallass, you didn\u2019t know geography or politics. But more than that\u2026for them to be in the same place, they were in a certain building.<\/p>\n An inn.<\/p>\n Which meant the famous Earl was there. And as Perorn had thought she understood it\u2014Niers Astoragon should have been spitting fire. Certainly, he had been three days ago when the news had come to the academy. He\u2019d had the students hiding under the desks.<\/p>\n But today he was humming. It boded. What, exactly, Perorn didn\u2019t know. She studied the other pieces of paper on the table.<\/p>\n Next to the chess magazine was another sheaf of papers, this one copied out and harder to get ahold of\u2014although it was offered at a pittance.<\/p>\n The Liscorian Gazette. <\/em>Not as widely circulated as, say, The Pallassian Times<\/em> or the other newspapers now competing for attention. This one was a local paper.<\/p>\n No less important to those who read it, though. It had memorable events, news for [Traders], adventuring opportunities\u2014<\/p>\n It was going to change the world. Assuming of course, you had a supply of parchment or paper and the infrastructure to support this industry. Certainly, you wouldn\u2019t get this in a nation newly impoverished due to war or catastrophe. But most decent nations?<\/p>\n Perorn could already see how it was changing things, let alone the scrying orb. It was exciting times for the [Strategist]. After all\u2014she didn\u2019t just specialize in war. The business of empire was her job.<\/p>\n The Forgotten Wing Company was a nation unto itself. One of the Four Great Companies of Baleros\u2014and she was near the top.<\/p>\n She read with a practiced eye, catching headlines as she paged through the newspaper. Niers was busy shaving, assembling his morning kit\u2014she opened the folded newspaper. Niers had to buy the large-print editions used by the \u2018tall people\u2019.<\/p>\n Few Fraerlings were employed in cities and he would have had to have the newspaper copied by a second, <\/em>Fraerling [Scribe] to read it in miniature. He only did that for reports he wanted made permanent.<\/p>\n Well, that was his prerogative. Perorn read the first sidebar\u2014for quests around Liscor.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Wanted: Adventurer to kill rats. Not a joke. Hundreds. Big as dogs, some of them. 2 CP per Tail, again, a bargain since there are HUNDREDS. Please hurry, inquire at Adventurer\u2019s Guild.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNasty infestation of rats. Have you seen anything in the Fraerling-ways?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot a one. Damned things. I\u2019ve been thinking about finding a [Beast Master] who specializes in attack-mice. Fraerlings buy them for the villages sometimes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAttack\u2026? Okay.\u201d<\/p>\n Even after having been comrades for so long, there were things you learned about the other. Perorn shook her head. A section on trade news\u2026<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2026Prices up on Sage\u2019s Grass nearly 17%, expected to rise further, according to local expert, Wailant Strongheart. \u2018Business has never been better, so you should buy my stocks while it\u2019s still cheap!\u2019 says the former [Pirate], now successful [Farmer], and Strongheart Farms outside of Celum has indeed\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n She passed by the \u2018Business\u2019 section. She knew the writer of that section, Drassi the [Reporter]. Ah, here was the main news. The first headline stood out to her as Niers muttered about cats.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [Farmers] Returning to Floodplains?<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n The article was speculating about the future of Liscor. Perorn had to remember the unique geography of that place. She read down\u2026something about a crazy [Druid]\u2026yearly floods, but\u2026aha!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Now the Shield Spider population is so reduced, I\u2019m really thinking about putting down some roots there. Rock Crabs\u2014well, they\u2019re nasty, but I have it on good authority you can scare \u2018em off with some seed cores. Freaks them out. And why not? That\u2019s perfect grazing land. Farming too, if you can find a big enough hill for the spring\u2026\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n A [Farmer]\u2019s take on it. Celum, Pallass, even as far as Invrisil, prospective [Farmers] and [Herders] were thinking of acquiring a lot of cheap real estate.<\/p>\n \u201cGood for them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood for whom?\u201d<\/p>\n The Titan of Baleros emerged, boots on, freshly-pressed outfit straight and gleaming. Hair combed, and as always, artifacts on. Perorn nodded to the newspaper.<\/p>\n \u201cHave you, ah, read the latest news, Niers?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have, Perorn. Would you mind helping me towards the dining room? I don\u2019t feel like walking.\u201d<\/p>\n What was a 30-second stroll was a few minutes\u2019 walk if Niers used the Fraerling-ways. Perorn blinked.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Of course.\u201d<\/p>\n So he\u2019d read the magazine. The Centauress frowned as she picked him up, set him on her shoulder, and trotted towards the dining hall.<\/p>\n Foliana was there. Eating beets. Cooked beets.<\/p>\n No one so much as bat an eyebrow. The Squirrel Beastkin, leader of the Forgotten Wing Company, was not alone.<\/p>\n Unusually today, Niers Astoragon had invited a number of people. He preferred to dine with only Foliana or Perorn, or his closest confidants. But now all<\/em> of the top brass of the Forgotten Wing Company was present, eating, chatting\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cAha! Peclir!\u201d<\/p>\n The [Chamberlain] was eating uncomfortably with the others. Niers had insisted. Perorn recognized the six top-strategists Niers had recalled from their posts. Foliana, every senior instructor\u2014who were also [Generals], [Commanders], and the best of the Forgotten Wing Company in times of war in their own right.<\/p>\n The citadel that had been converted into part-academy, part-base of the Forgotten Wing Company was the only real home Perorn had had for two decades. She forgot, sometimes, that it had been a base of royalty until the Titan had bought it for them. The exquisite private dining room was still far from filled. And the private [Chef] had laid out a sumptuous meal, even for breakfast.<\/p>\n \u201cLord Astoragon. Good morning. May I ask what this is all in aid of?\u201d<\/p>\n One of the Dullahan [Strategists] stood up at once, more formal than the others. Some just waved, or called greetings. Foliana twitched her tail, looking ready to vanish at all the unwanted company.<\/p>\n \u201cWould you put me down, Perorn? Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n Niers had a little dais and tray that allowed him to eat closer to head-height at occasions such as this. He regarded his meal, perfectly arranged in miniature. Then he took his glass, and tapped it with a fork.<\/p>\n The sound was tiny. Half the diners looked up, but some didn\u2019t notice. Niers sighed. He lifted the glass, downed the magical, flavored water, smacked his lips, and threw<\/em> the glass onto the table.<\/p>\n The shattering<\/em> sound made all conversation stop abruptly. Foliana vanished and reappeared a heartbeat later. She stared reproachfully with her tricolor eyes at Niers.<\/p>\n \u201cYour attention, please.\u201d<\/p>\n Perorn rolled her eyes as she reclined into some cushions. Even here he had to steal the spotlight in the most dramatic way possible. A [Servant] delicately swept up the powdered glass as Niers looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cFriends. Comrades of the Forgotten Wing Company. Foliana.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMorning.\u201d<\/p>\n The Titan looked around the table.<\/p>\n \u201cI see a number of faces that haven\u2019t been here in a while. Strategists\u2014thank you for making the long trip.\u201d<\/p>\n The six nodded to Niers. He went on.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd congratulations\u2014our interference in the battle with Maelstrom\u2019s Howling and the Iron Vanguard was effective, unexpected, and eye-catching.<\/em> Not what I would have done, but just as effective. Tulm was very upset. He nearly threw his head at us!\u201d<\/p>\n The others chuckled. Perorn just listened. The six [Strategists] had formed a think-tank to come up with that maneuver, and facilitated the diplomatic agreements that led to the Bannermare getting her surprise reinforcements. Niers had ordered them to do it. He had not taken part in the planning, only execution.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure you\u2019ve all speculated why I asked for that little maneuver. And why indeed I\u2019ve been moving our top people about. Concentrating them here when we have so many holdings.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have to ask. Is it war?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n A Lamia grinned from her seat at the table. Niers threw a fork at her. It bounced off the scales of her arm.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t devalue the saying, Zecila! Too many people use it and it loses what makes it so great to begin with.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, is<\/em> it a war we\u2019re preparing for, Niers? There\u2019s few other reasons to call more [Strategists] here.\u201d<\/p>\n If they let him dance about, he\u2019d do it for an hour. Perorn raised one brow and the others murmured. The expectation in the air heightened.<\/p>\n Was it war with another of the Four Great Companies?<\/em> Niers shook his head after a moment, almost regretfully.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. The truth is, friends, Foliana\u2014the truth is that I called the [Strategists] here to see if they could manage the Forgotten Wing\u2019s affairs. They can. So\u2014in my absence, they will take over. For a while.\u201d<\/p>\n He let that sink in. The others blinked. Foliana chewed down another beet. Perorn started.<\/p>\n \u201cNiers. Are you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI. Am going on a vacation. Don\u2019t worry. I have a double set up. The Forgotten Wing company does not lack for intelligence or capable minds in my absence. But I will be gone for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n Silence. Stunned silence. Niers Astoragon had not taken a vacation\u2026ever.<\/em> He, like Foliana, embodied the newest of the Four Great Companies. They had any number of powerful, talented individuals like Perorn.<\/p>\n But the Titan was<\/em> one of the reasons why the other Four Great Companies took theirs so seriously. And unlike Foliana, Niers was the most responsible, most\u2026<\/p>\n It was the infatuation.<\/em> Perorn had seen all the signs. The Titan growing distracted, moody\u2014she\u2019d seen it with the Lord of the Dance fiasco. She just hadn\u2019t expected it to get this far. It had only gotten this far twice.<\/p>\n She and the others had questions. But the Titan just held up a hand. And there was silence. He spoke, looking from face to face.<\/p>\n \u201cFriends. It won\u2019t be long. But listen to me. I\u2019ve realized something of late.\u201d<\/p>\n He glanced at his reflection in a tiny spoon, at the others. All far older than when they\u2019d first met. He chuckled, almost ruefully.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have grown complacent. All of us. Look at what we are. The Forgotten Wing Company. One of the Four Companies of Baleros and all that. But do you remember how we started? We were adventurers.<\/em> A mercenary group, fighting for gold\u2014running, negotiating\u2014look at us now. Growing fat and complacent in our success. Our old age.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not fat.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShut up, Foliana. I\u2019ve been thinking, and it seems to me that in Baleros at least, age is, if not complacency, then preservation. The old excel at keeping things running. At creating nations. Building and managing and maintaining things the way they are.<\/em> The young are good at, well, destroying things. Growing fast. Not so much building.\u201d<\/p>\n Fair statements, if general. There were murmurs, agreeing and dissenting. Niers sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we were young\u2014and I feel like it was yesterday\u2014we fought like we were invincible. We won battles we could have never won with sense.<\/em> In our old age, we\u2019re cannier. We fight battles we know we can win.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s just good strategy.\u201d<\/p>\n Someone snorted. Niers nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cBut it was that spark<\/em> of youth, Juste, that let us beat the old guard. The old [Generals] and leaders who thought they had us cornered. When did we lose that? Have <\/em>we lost that? Because if we have\u2014it\u2019s time to retire. Get out before we end up like the very same people we defeated. But if we\u2019re still young\u2014let\u2019s continue. Which is it?\u201d<\/p>\n Silence for a moment. It wasn\u2019t something the Titan wanted an answer to, anyways. Perorn listened. Niers looked around, eyes glittering with excitement.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026I\u2019m going. I\u2019ll be back. But I want to reclaim that youth, if it\u2019s even slipped a bit. Friends. I leave the company in your hands. Peclir, Perorn, all of you\u2014take care of Foliana.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMm.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Rogue] rolled her eyes. Niers laughed. He accepted a tiny glass and raised it. The others did likewise, staring at him. He was serious.<\/p>\n \u201cLet us never grow old!\u201d<\/p>\n He drank, and they toasted him. Perorn rose, as the others ate or asked questions. Niers looked\u2026excited. Eating his food quickly, chattering, trading jabs with Foliana\u2014<\/p>\n \u201cNo, you can\u2019t come. One of us gets to go. You\u2019ve<\/em> had your vacations. Try and sneak along and I\u2019ll burn your t\u2014well, actually, you can\u2019t. So suck it up and eat your beets.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen are you leaving, Niers?\u201d<\/p>\n Perorn saw the Fraerling turn. She expected him to say tomorrow, or in a week. Yet his smile was answer enough.<\/p>\n \u201cNow.\u201d<\/p>\n The Titan looked at Peclir Im. The [Chamberlain] bowed, shock on his face.<\/p>\n \u201cNow? Then\u2014which mode of transport should I prepare, Lord Astoragon?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo need. I have that set up. I just need you to do something for me to help me on my way, Peclir. You\u2019re about to learn one of my secrets. Quickly now\u2014I need to be on my way in five minutes. You just need to\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He stood up. The others stirred, knowing which trick this was. And their speculation intensified. He really was<\/em> leaving. The Titan rose. He turned, beaming, and swept off his hat.<\/p>\n Then\u2014<\/p>\n He was gone.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Earl Altestiel of Desonis left The Wandering Inn in the early morning. It was raining in Invrisil, as he began his journey home.<\/p>\n \u2026Mostly over the carriage his people were bundling him into. Nowhere else, really. Just a storm cloud in the air. Erin thought it looked really cool. And silly.<\/p>\n And it was bundling<\/em> the Earl, not escorting him.<\/em> Erin Solstice had never seen an Earl being practically tied up and carted off, but the Queen of Desonis had apparently given an order no one but Altestiel dared to disobey.<\/p>\n \u201cI could delay another day! Say there\u2019s a damn Creler infestation on the roads!\u201d<\/p>\n Altestiel was sulking as Kiish and two others tried to push<\/em> him into the carriage without actually doing so. He turned to Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Solstice. I hope I can prevail on you for at least a few games? Keep in [Message] contact? And my invitation stands\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, Altestiel.\u201d<\/p>\n She was trying not to laugh, but he took her hand meaningfully.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I could just say that\u2014Kiish, I will fire you!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The [Strategist] pulled<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cMilord, the Queen is threatening to remove your estates!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have too many to begin with! Miss Solstice\u2014it has been an honor. And if you should ever find yourself by way of Terandria\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The Earl hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026I could stay for that gala you mentioned. Kiish! Tell her Majesty that it\u2019s a social event.<\/em> Building ties with Izril. It won\u2019t be longer than a week. Maybe a month to\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry about this, Sire.\u201d<\/p>\n Kiish and two [Knights] tossed<\/em> the Earl into the carriage, slammed the door, and then jammed a piece of wood in the rattling handle. The [Strategist] turned to Erin as the coach began moving and an angry voice began to echo from inside.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Solstice, allow us to convey our gratitude on behalf of Desonis. I\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at Erin. The [Innkeeper] stuck out a hand, smiling.<\/p>\n \u201cTake care of him, would you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n Kiish shook Erin\u2019s hand. She smiled faintly. Then she hopped on the carriage. The Earl shouted and waved at Erin as he left. Then he sighed and, looking forlorn, disappeared.<\/p>\n So they left. But they would meet again. Erin shook her head over the silly Earl of Rain. She had rather liked him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n She returned to Liscor just in time. Wilovan and Ratici, who had escorted her as she said goodbye to Altestiel in Invrisil, paused by The Player\u2019s Retreat<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Solstice. Just to clarify, as a man must do, but the door will be offline<\/em> for an hour or two, is that so?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? Oh yeah, Ratici.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin paused. On the other side, Hexel was chivvying about a group of Lizardfolk and Antinium. The hallway was busy and everyone was waiting on her. The Drake nodded and sighed as he adjusted his hat.<\/p>\n \u201cIn that case, we might take ourselves off for a bit of a break. Just in that the door being offline might reduce the incidents<\/em> if you catch my drift. Never fear, we\u2019ve got two good folk on your side.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, Ratici, Wilovan. If you want to! Hexel should have it installed and done in\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFour hours or less. Longer if Miss Solstice stays there.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The [Architect] called through the door. Erin scowled and shook her fist at the Lamia.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m coming! I\u2019m coming! Sheesh\u2014I\u2019ll see you tonight, you two!\u201d<\/p>\n She waved at the two Gentlemen Callers. They tipped their hats at her, then sighed and stretched when she was gone. Finally, a break. <\/em>They\u2019d been watching incoming visitors like hawks<\/em> ever since the Invrisil incident. But they\u2019d be free to relax soon enough\u2026<\/p>\n On the other side of the door, Erin saw Hexel disengage the door from its temporary frame the instant she was through.<\/p>\n \u201cVery well. Let\u2019s begin the transfer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIsn\u2019t it as easy as just, I dunno, plopping it into another room and then building around it, Hexel?\u201d<\/p>\n The Lamia slowly<\/em> rotated on his serpentine body and looked at Erin under the reading spectacles he\u2019d donned.<\/p>\n \u201cExcuse me, Miss Solstice? Do you mean, put the door in any random spot in the inn? Not<\/em>, as I had understood it, perfectly calibrating the door\u2019s position to take advantage of the mana flow in the inn, the natural synergy of room design to begin with, even shaping<\/em> the natural currents of mana to gather more strongly in that room? Well, if it\u2019s just \u2018plopping it down\u2019, why don\u2019t we just\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlright, alright! I\u2019m sorry!<\/em> I didn\u2019t know it was all feng shui <\/em>and stuff. No need to bite my head off.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen stop belittling my craft. If anyone could just put up a wall and have it as good as any other wall, then Antinium would rule this world. You\u2019ll see results as well. Now\u2014building team, with me. We\u2019ll have to lay down temporary tiles once we see how the door fits\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The Lamia slithered off. Erin stuck out her tongue at him. Then her eyes went round.<\/p>\n \u201cOh no. Wait. Is this a Wednesday?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA what?\u201d<\/p>\n The Lamia turned around. Erin hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cThe\u2026third day in the week?\u201d<\/p>\n He stared at her.<\/p>\n \u201cYes. By that, you mean\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI need to use the door!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Erin threw up her hands. The discussion of applying a seven-day week naming convention to this world\u2019s longer week was put to one side. Hexel grabbed her foot with his tail as she ran for the door.<\/p>\n \u201cAbsolutely not! Miss Solstice, I told<\/em> you to make time for this! All your guests were aware I needed the door! If you keep using it\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know.<\/em> But Hexel, this is really important! Belgrade! Belgrade\u2014can you change the door to the beige one? Please?\u201d<\/p>\n The Antinium did so as the two Soldiers put down their burden, but his fingers slipped. He peered at the red stone marked with a \u2018???\u2019.<\/p>\n Hexel and Erin stopped arguing as the Lamia threatened to choke Erin into unconsciousness and Erin tried to explain. Both blinked.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014What was that?\u201d<\/p>\n Flicker.<\/em> For a second, Erin saw\u2026a hut? Beyond, some dirt, tamped down. She thought she saw someone jerk\u2014<\/em><\/p>\n The light went out. Hexel frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat was that? The door just\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Frowning, he slithered over. Erin stared at the red stone. She thought that had been\u2014<\/p>\n \u201cWait, turn it back, Belgrade! Turn it back!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The [Tactician] did so. But the door failed to activate the portal. Erin put her hand on it.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought\u2026what happened, Hexel?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt must be out of range. The door just drained all <\/em>of its mana.\u201d<\/p>\n The Lamia frowned, inspecting the wood. He looked at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere does that stone lead?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t\u2026know. I\u2014how can it run out of mana?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAt a guess? The connection was boosted for a moment. Perhaps your Skill is stronger or\u2026something on the other end gave it the power to link. But it clearly ran out in less than a moment. Hm. Well\u2014another reason to let me install the door in a specialized room. It might improve the connection and range of the spell. Which is why you will not<\/em> be travelling\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have to. It\u2019s really important, Hexel.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat could be\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The Lamia was ready to strangle Erin. But she looked at him and explained. And his wrath faded.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Very well. It may delay the door, but go. We\u2019ll have it set to your destination. The orange one?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you. Let me just get\u2026um\u2026I\u2019ll be five minutes!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin ran off. Hexel\u2019s fingers twitched towards the wand he carried.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I hex her\u2014will anyone object?\u201d<\/p>\n The Antinium hesitated. Silveran looked at Belgrade. The [Tactician] rubbed at his head.<\/p>\n \u201cSometimes it may be warranted. But not in this case, I think, Master Hexel. Let us talk more about traps.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, very well. Maybe we can test them out on her.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Architect] grumbled. The building team took five. Which turned out to be eight. Erin had to change clothes. But no one stopped her or complained beyond that.<\/p>\n It mattered.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It was the second funeral she\u2019d been to this week. She had asked\u2014and the Brothers of Serendipitous Meetings had seen off Teor by themselves. They thanked her. But they laid him to rest. She had seen him once.<\/p>\n The same with Redit. This funeral was grander than both combined. A procession of honor guards. [Lords] and [Ladies] in attendance. The people of House Everight.<\/p>\n A parade of thousands. Weeping, or silent, hats off. Kneeling or reaching out to touch the platform he was being carried on.<\/p>\n A bier. That was the word for it. The old man lay there. Much like in life.<\/p>\n No\u2014better than he had been in life, in truth. The [Mortician] had brought some color into the cheeks, preserved his body. Concealed the wounds that had ended the brave old man\u2019s life.<\/p>\n Erin saw it as she wiped her eyes again. She stood, near the end.<\/p>\n He would be cremated, as per his will. No coffin for him. Even in his family\u2019s cemeteries, Lord Toldos had written, he did not want to risk his remains being despoiled by necromancy or death magic.<\/p>\n Cremation was, apparently, the most common practice. Sometimes the ashes were buried afterwards.<\/p>\n They lit the flame as the [Lords] and [Ladies] spoke. Then the retainers, one of whom was old enough to have known Toldos as a boy. The woman was in her eighties. And she shook as she looked at the burning light.<\/p>\n Erin wiped her eyes again. People stared at her. Some\u2014some accusatorially. She had come, with flowers, in black.<\/p>\n The mourners wore white, mostly. Erin hadn\u2019t known that. The colors of death changed. The meaning did not.<\/p>\n It was a bit too long. A bit too drawn out. It was sad to say\u2014but each of the [Lords] had prepared a lengthy speech and not realized their counterparts would do the same. Erin listened, sensing the mourners fidgeting. A baby wailed\u2014multiple ones.<\/p>\n Did it take away from the moment? Erin didn\u2019t know. All she knew was that they had every right to hate her.<\/p>\n He died because of me.<\/em> She did not say that out loud. But she thought it.<\/p>\n Redit, Teor\u2014and more that she hadn\u2019t known. She had seen the new markings on the wall of the Antinium\u2019s barracks and asked Pawn about each one. Even if it had been less than she could have hoped for.<\/p>\n I asked him to fight for an idea. For what was right and good. I asked him if he would die. And he never hesitated.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Lord Toldos Everight was a true [Lord] of Izril. We will never see his like again.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin Solstice looked up. Lord Alman Sanito was delivering the last lines of his farewell. They were the same words she\u2019d heard others say.<\/p>\n We will never see his like again. He will be dearly missed. He was taken too soon. He died well.<\/em><\/p>\n If you were uncharitable, you could call them trite words. Too often repeated, until the meaning was taken away. Insufficient for a life.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Solstice? Will you speak?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked sideways. Edere Sanito was holding a child, one of the ones who\u2019d been complaining with more insistency as the funeral went on. The [Lady] stared at Erin uncertainly, like many here.<\/p>\n No hostility here. Just\u2026confusion.<\/p>\n Who was this young woman? Why had the retainers given her a place of honor? Why\u2014her?<\/p>\n Give meaning to his death.<\/em> They wanted that. Erin shook her head.<\/p>\n Lord Alman left the pyre. Now\u2014all those who wanted to could file by. And there were many. But the nobles of Izril were first. They went, one after another, paying their respect. Saluting the man with blade, swearing to hunt down the last of the Circle of Thorns, or the Guild of Assassins.<\/p>\n Children, holding onto their parent\u2019s hands. Not comprehending the entirety of it.<\/p>\n A baby crying again. Shuffling people, moving into a long procession line. Erin saw Edere tugging her son along. The [Lords] looked back. The waiting retainers, the closest of the servants to the last [Lord] of House Everight looked ahead.<\/p>\n Hostility, not given voice here. Erin Solstice saw the smoldering embers, reduced to ash by the furious blaze. At least they knew how to burn a body properly in Izril. She had been afraid when she went to Redit\u2019s funeral\u2026<\/p>\n House Everight ends with me.<\/em> It was one of the last things he had said. Then he had charged towards the Runner\u2019s Guild.<\/p>\n He could have fallen back. He should have. He had plunged ahead, practically inviting his death. Vainglorious. Stupid.<\/p>\n The wrong thoughts for a funeral. Erin didn\u2019t exactly think them. She\u2019d just heard it said. She stopped by the embers, felt their dying heat.<\/p>\n She tried to remember the old man\u2019s face in every detail. And it was hard. She had looked at the portraits of him, which captured a younger man.<\/p>\n But the truth was? She did not know him well. She had met him twice at length, other times to help bring through food for Everight, talk about the door. Reassure him that Bird wouldn\u2019t go through, he was just looking.<\/p>\n He had fought for an ideal without knowing her well. And that spoke to more of Toldos than Erin knew.<\/p>\n She didn\u2019t belong here.<\/em> The gazes pricked at the young woman as she stopped there. How dare she? He was dead<\/em>. Lord Toldos died for what? An arrogant young woman from\u2026<\/p>\n \u2026from\u2026<\/p>\n The [Innkeeper] slowed, bending slightly, standing before the pyre. The wind stilled. The baby\u2019s shrill cry, stifled once, breaking the somber mood\u2014<\/p>\n \u2014faded away. The biting flies, attracted to the crowd, stopped buzzing their wings. A noisy cough in the crowd seemed removed. Then stopped.<\/p>\n There she stood. The hostility in the crowd stopped. They saw\u2026a young woman standing there. Dressed in dark clothing, teary-eyed. Not weeping, for she had not known him well. And she had wept enough.<\/p>\n She was here to pay her respects. She looked past the remains of the fire. Towards the venerable mansion. Over the heads of the crowd.<\/p>\n This was Lord Toldos Everight. This was his legacy. The worth of a man was more than how he died, or his funeral. It was in how he was remembered.<\/p>\n The Flowers of Izril, stopped in the street, looked back, sensing\u2026something. The air was still, devoid of mortal irritations. Something more than silence stole the sound away.<\/p>\n There she stood. Erin looked past the fire. And knew\u2014she did not remember his face. Not perfectly. But every line of it, every stern facet carved by age, every mark laughter had given him would be there.<\/p>\n In the garden. On a statue on a hill. Never forgotten. Nor would any of them.<\/p>\n He had not been her lover. Her dear friend. He had not ruled her, and she had so few words with him.<\/p>\n But he had died, fighting for what he believed was just and true. He had been her guest.<\/p>\n That was all. Slowly, the [Innkeeper] spoke. What she said, not even the closest to her could hear. Just a bit\u2014perhaps minutes. Perhaps hours.<\/p>\n A moment. Then she stepped past him. Stopped.<\/p>\n Erin raised a hand in farewell. She shed more tears.<\/p>\n Then she was gone.<\/p>\n But the [Immortal Moment] remained. The next man to stand there spoke, and time dared not touch him. He walked past the pyre, and the next came.<\/p>\n It took a lifetime.<\/p>\n It took a moment. It was almost enough time to say goodbye.<\/p>\n The thousands filed past the pyre. In the time it took the embers to cool. Between the moment of a baby\u2019s cry.<\/p>\n Then the moment ended. The baby drew breath to wail\u2014and stopped, perplexed. A fly bit again. A hand slapped it.<\/p>\n The eyes followed the [Innkeeper] as she joined the wake. Then came sound, grieving by a different mood. Laughter, jokes. Reminiscences. Food and conversation.<\/p>\n It was a poor thing to let the dead lie too long in silence. Remember their names.<\/em> The people of Izril knew that much.<\/p>\n It was a fast moment between funeral and wake. But a long time had passed, or so it felt. And the hostility? The first person to approach Erin was one of the [Soldiers] who had ridden for House Everight that day. Erin transferred the drink to her other hand and shook his.<\/p>\n There was nothing immortal here. But it was enough. She had given the one thing she had to the old [Lord].<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Thank you. I\u2019m so sorry\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He nodded, teary-eyed.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2014he always swore he\u2019d rather die in the saddle than alone. Mind you, I don\u2019t think he\u2019d have desired it too much. But it was something.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin nodded. Half-shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cHe would never have died alone.\u201d<\/p>\n The man paused. She was looking at him. His grip weakened.<\/p>\n \u201cTrue enough, milady.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not a [Lady].\u201d<\/p>\n Erin shook her head. The retainer looked at her oddly. But then he bowed slightly and stepped back.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Erin Solstice. Was that\u2026your Skill?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. I\u2019m sorry if it\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Erin found herself speaking to a [Lord]. Not one she remembered directly. He had been at the riots too. He shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was\u2014appropriate. Momentous. I thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m glad. Lord Ranga, right?\u201d<\/p>\n He nodded. Erin heard laughter. She turned. Someone was telling a story of Lord Toldos. They left his remains behind. Trying to capture the man, explain him with words.<\/p>\n His mansion would be filled. The streets of his town filled with people from the wake, celebrating it in their own way.<\/p>\n Erin wiped her eyes again. Lord Ranga looked away, as if they were something to be ashamed of.<\/p>\n She hadn\u2019t known she could use [Immortal Moment] like that. She\u2019d just\u2026felt it. And it wasn\u2019t as if she had used it on every person there.<\/p>\n Just on one man. One moment.<\/p>\n She was getting stronger. What a way to find it out. What a\u2026<\/p>\n Useless Skill?<\/em> No. The most important Skill in the world. Just not one that fit battlefields or fantastical scenes.<\/p>\n A Skill for a funeral. The [Mortician] had shaken Erin\u2019s hand and thanked her for it. She thought of that class with more respect than she ever had before\u2014not that she had thought of someone whose job it was to tend to the dead.<\/p>\n What an important job. Erin took another breath. She let it out. And realized Lord Ranga had said something.<\/p>\n Goodbye, Lord Toldos.<\/em> I will see you again. And never.<\/em> I wish\u2014<\/em><\/p>\n Then Erin looked up.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat was that, Lord Ranga?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026I said, I should be delighted if you visited House Owe. I believe Alman has tendered the same invitation? Certainly, it would be an honor. Have you met my son?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin recognized the impetuous young [Lord]. She eyed Lord Ranga. Then she shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe in a bit, Lord Ranga. But there\u2019s somewhere I have to be.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I didn\u2019t mean directly<\/em> after this\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The [Lord] looked slightly affronted. Erin clarified.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I\u2019m grateful for the invitation. It\u2019s just\u2014I have somewhere to be<\/em> soon. Very soon. Actually\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n It was time. She looked up at Lord Ranga.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014Have you heard about what\u2019s happening on the Summer Solstice?\u201d<\/p>\n He blinked.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Summer\u2026ah. Do you mean the event in\u2026where was it\u2026Riverfarm?<\/em> I did receive an invitation, but I thought it was far too late\u2014and far.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMm. What about with a magic door?\u201d<\/p>\n The man looked struck for a moment.<\/p>\n \u201cI hadn\u2019t considered it\u2014mind you, I hadn\u2019t any desire to return to Invrisil. Say. Could I just walk through to visit House Sanito?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Yeah? Wait, how did you get here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe rode. It took two\u2014and that door would have brought us through?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin eyed Lord Ranga and took a long slurp from her drink. The man colored slightly in the meaningful silence. She threw him a bone.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry, I made the same mistake before I realized how to use it. Yes! Lyonette mostly sends through goods, doesn\u2019t she?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe young woman? Er\u2014yes. We have a shipment of nails from Esthelm, very cheap\u2014very convenient! Lord Alman! Alman, Edere! Listen to this\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Ranga practically dragged Erin over. Alman\u2019s expression was much like Erin\u2019s own.<\/p>\n \u201cYou rode<\/em> here, Ranga?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I\u2014wait. How did you get here, Alman?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Lord] slowly raised his cup to his face. Edere hid her expression behind a fan and waved it delicately.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s this about that event in Riverfarm? We received an invitation, but it seemed quite far. Are you planning on attending, Miss Solstice?\u201d<\/p>\n More of the nobility looked around. They drifted over as Erin nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cYep. I\u2019m told it\u2019s\u2026really important. Well, my friend will be there. She had better be there. I\u2019m going.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI hear<\/em> that rumored [Emperor] lives there. Although I heard it was just a [Baron]. Not an actual [Emperor].\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI heard he\u2019s called the Unseen Emperor. Who told you he was a [Baron]?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEr\u2026well, he couldn\u2019t be an actual<\/em> [Emperor]. Could he?\u201d<\/p>\n The nobles murmured. Some of them eyed Erin Solstice. They knew. The [Innkeeper] of The Wandering Inn. And the name of the inn\u2014and she herself was enough that she was part of this aristocratic gathering amid the wake.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s an [Emperor] there.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin told them. They blinked. But they looked at her and believed.<\/em> The [Innkeeper] took a breath.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going to be there. If you want, you can use my door from Invrisil. We have to leave soon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo you are going?\u201d<\/p>\n Edere glanced at her husband. Erin nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cMe. And some of my\u2026family. We\u2019ll probably need like, an escort. But apparently there\u2019s this coach service that can take us pretty cheap and fast.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAn overnight carriage? Well\u2014I did<\/em> hear Lady Imarris was attending herself. And a number of the nobility. Lady Walcha\u00eds\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLady Imarris and<\/em> Bethal Walcha\u00eds? That can\u2019t be right. They\u2019d skewer each other with the dinner forks before attending the same event.\u201d<\/p>\n Edere shook her head, looking as mystified as her husband.<\/p>\n \u201cI know what I heard, Alman. It may be expedient to attend.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo you know if Magnolia Reinhart is back on Izril? She promised to attend.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked around. The moment she mentioned Magnolia\u2019s name, the other nobles rustled like a breeze had run through them.<\/p>\n \u201cMagnolia Reinhart<\/em> was going to attend?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I\u2019m a bit worried about\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Erin saw significant glances and listened to the whispers. She wondered if she shouldn\u2019t have said that. But suddenly\u2014Edere was asking her when<\/em> she planned on going, and was a RSVP too late?<\/p>\n Well, it seemed like she had some work to do. Erin began talking up her door. And the party. Definitely an [Emperor]. Maybe even two!<\/em> I mean, how would you know if you didn\u2019t\u2026?<\/p>\n Then she went and looked at the portrait of Lord Toldos. His family. She listened\u2014and realized he had been at the Sacrifice of Roses.<\/p>\n House Everight ends with\u2026<\/em>it had died there. She listened. She wept. She shook hands and talked to people.<\/p>\n Then she went back home. She left those who knew him better time to grieve. And plan for the future amid death.<\/p>\n It seemed callous. But what else did you do?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Erin came back and upset Hexel\u2019s calibrations. He swore as she walked through, but only sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay. Let\u2019s all ignore that spike in the mana flow and recalibrate. Two more hours, Miss Solstice.\u201d<\/p>\n She\u2019d only been two hours? It felt\u2026far longer. Belgrade was equally impressed.<\/p>\n \u201cThe last funeral took six hours to attend, Miss Solstice. I am pleased that the efficiency of funeral services has increased nearly 250%…\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Belgrade. And that\u2019s not the point. I think it was my fault.\u201d<\/p>\n How long would the paying of respects have taken without her Skill? Erin hoped it had been something Lord Toldos would have wanted. But everyone had had time to\u2026she walked past Belgrade.<\/p>\n \u201cI need to talk with Lyonette. Sorry, Hexel.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust don\u2019t go back through the door! And don\u2019t step on those tiles! They\u2019re monitoring the mana\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Erin heard too late. She heard a sound from the Lizardman and looked down.<\/p>\n Little marked tiles, with arrows and lines indicating some kind of mana flow\u2014and other invisible currents in the inn spun<\/em>, destroying the delicate pattern Hexel had been monitoring around the door to place it just<\/em> so. Now they were all pointing at her. Hexel closed his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Brunch break. I need a drink.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin slowly backed into the common room. By the time she\u2019d changed into her typical dress, Hexel was making good use of his \u2018free drink\u2019 policy.<\/p>\n \u201cErin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry! But I had to go\u2014the stepping on the tiles was a mistake. Lyonette, by the way, we might get a bunch of nobles who want to go to the solstice party.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Princess] put her hands on her hips and blew out her cheeks.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you didn\u2019t discuss teleportation fees? The mana issue?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Lyonette, you know I super<\/em> appreciate you and everything you do, right, right? Have we given you a raise recently?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSave it. Erin\u2014the party. Is Ryoka awake?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin\u2019s face fell. She rallied after a second.<\/p>\n \u201cBut she\u2019s got time! And I\u2019m helping!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure that would fill her with nothing but delight and confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Princess] relented at Erin\u2019s hurt look.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, very well. But I\u2019m worried about the party. We know where<\/em> it is, and this\u2026Lady Rie sent word that we had a free ride to the party. But should we go now?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. I think. Maybe. And you\u2019re coming, right?\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette du Marquin folded her arms.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is all something we should have discussed at the time<\/em> with Ryoka. I\u2019m beginning to think she\u2019s worse at planning than you are, Erin. Who\u2019ll manage the inn?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Ishkr?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, he could hardly make a mess of it. Fine! But there\u2019s more that needs to be done!\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette waved a finger, conceding that point. Erin chewed on her lip.<\/p>\n \u201cRight. And if Ryoka\u2019s asleep\u2026Maviola needs to come. I know that. She should be here soon. Didn\u2019t Olesm say she\u2019d arrive today or tomorrow at the absolute latest? In that case\u2014I\u2019ll make sure we\u2019re good to go now. Then we\u2019ll leave at the end of the week with Maviola. Sound good?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWh\u2014whuh?\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette looked at Erin, blinking. The [Innkeeper] smacked her palm with her fist.<\/p>\n \u201cEnd of the week gives us like, two days! Maybe a day or two earlier? Just to be safe. I\u2019ll tell the nobles to come tonight. Assuming they go back to their homes. Actually\u2014they\u2019re coming through the inn, even Lord Ranga. I\u2019ll get them then. Let me just tell Mrsha, Numbtongue\u2026do we take Bird?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat seems like\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014A bad idea. Right. Darn. Too bad. But it\u2019s just too dangerous. Numbtongue? Maybe if he wears his armor. I\u2019ll have to make sure.\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette\u2019s eyes were bugging out. She was opening and closing her mouth. Then she burst out.<\/p>\n \u201cProtection! You haven\u2019t thought of\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExactly.<\/em> We should be careful, right? I was thinking the Halfseekers. And maybe<\/em> Todi\u2019s Jerks. If we invite Selys, she might pay for it. Do<\/em> we take Olesm, and like\u2014others? Wait! We\u2019ll get the Silver Swords to come. And Fierre of course<\/em>. I\u2019ll talk to all of them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho are you? Are you really<\/em> making plans? Albeit late?\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette stared at Erin as if the [Innkeeper] had turned into a Creler. Erin looked at Lyonette.<\/p>\n \u201cHey! I\u2019m just being responsible. You should try it, Lyonette. Speaking of which! The others! There\u2019s someone from E\u2014okay, let\u2019s get to work.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Princess] was so offended she didn\u2019t even have the breath to reply. She stared after Erin as the young woman strode off.<\/p>\n \u201cFierre! We\u2019re going to the solstice party! You should pack!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The Vampire glanced up.<\/p>\n \u201cIn Riverfarm? Ryoka\u2019s party?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYup. Ryoka should<\/em> be there. No, she will be. I\u2019m telling you since we might leave tomorrow\u2014two more days at max.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDead gods. I forgot it was Riverfarm. I\u2014I need to buy some protective charms.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWait, is there danger there? Ylawes! Do you want to go on an adventure to Riverfarm?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The [Knight] glanced up, slurping up some spaghetti. He patted at his mouth.<\/p>\n \u201cEr\u2014say what?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe need protection! Here, come over and I can explain. Fierre\u2014is there danger?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNeedles.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The Vampire girl shuddered. Erin nodded a few times.<\/p>\n \u201cNeedles, Ylawes! Evil needles, probably! We need your help! And\u2014Kevin, Rose, Joseph\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The three looked up. Erin hollered.<\/p>\n \u201cYou want to go to a party?<\/em> Meet someone like us?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n They stared. Rose pumped her fist into the air.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, heck yes! You mean the super-party with the [Emperor]?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right. Ylawes, Fierre will explain all<\/em> about the\u2026evil needles. Joseph, you find Troy and Leon. Rose, Galina. Kevin, I think Moore\u2019s in the garden with Mrsha? Can you get him to send a [Message] to Jelaqua in Pallass asking if she can go? What\u2019s her rates?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOn it.\u201d<\/p>\n The others scrambled about as Fierre edged back from Ylawes and he gave Erin a pained look. Erin looked about.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Fierre? Okay, tell Dawil or something\u2014now, I need to talk to Selys. And Mrsha and Numbtongue. Where\u2019s\u2014what\u2019s up, Lyonette! Hey! Your hand is cold!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The [Princess] was feeling at Erin\u2019s forehead for a fever. Erin slapped away her hands.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t be weird, Lyonette.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMe?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, you. Go send a [Message] to\u2014actually, Temile! Temile! <\/em>Lyonette has a job for you and the Players of Celum! Maybe Liscor too! We\u2019ve got to get them<\/em> to the party! Dead gods!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin slapped her own forehead. Now she was thinking of everything\u2014<\/p>\n But she had risen to greater challenges before. She\u2019d organized a battle<\/em> in less time. The trick was just\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cThe Players of Celum performing for an [Emperor]? We\u2019ll all <\/em>level! I\u2019ll tell Emme right away! She\u2019ll rush everyone to\u2014where is it? Riverfarm? Wait a second, I think she did get an invitation, but she turned it down\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, unturn it!<\/em> Okay! Players done!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin spun. Lyonette\u2019s jaw was hanging there.<\/p>\n \u201cJust like that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s how you do it, Lyonette. Temile and Emme will handle it. So it\u2019s like\u2014check!<\/em> Next on the list!\u201d<\/p>\n The [Innkeeper]\u2019s style of management was different from Lyonette\u2019s. And the [Princess] was taking notes\u2014Erin was a master-delegator. She poked someone, told them what to do, and let them do it. Wait\u2014had she been doing this with Lyonette the entire time<\/em> and was only working hard because she needed to now?<\/p>\n There were some similarities with the Goblin Chieftain\u2019s ethos right there. Snapjaw saw Erin march into the Earth-rooms a moment later. She was overseeing a competition between Badarrow and Numbtongue. They were playing on Kevin\u2019s laptop.<\/p>\n \u201cYou die. My turn.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot fair!\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue pounded a fist on the table. Badarrow was smug. He was winning<\/em>, thanks to the most unfair of things<\/em>\u2014his aiming Skills let him hit his targets in the FPS-game better than Numbtongue, even with less experience.<\/p>\n \u201cNumbtongue! We\u2019re going to a party in two days or less! Not sure if you\u2019re able to come. I\u2019m gonna ask, but either way, Mrsha is coming. Yes, Mrsha! You can take Moore!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Erin shouted back into the garden. A little furry ball raced into the inn. She got to take her Moore? Huzzah! She did a dance in celebration. But what about her Numbtongue?<\/p>\n \u201cRyoka party? With [Emperor]?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes! I\u2019m going to ask but\u2014Badarrow, Snapjaw, if<\/em> I can get Goblins, do you want to show up incognito?\u201d<\/p>\n The two Hobgoblins looked at each other. Erin\u2019s finger wavered from Goblin to Goblin. Snapjaw raised a claw.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Party? Will there be lots of food?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYup. Lots of nobles too. But lots of food\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay. Badarrow, we go. Tell Chieftain.\u201d<\/p>\n Now that<\/em> was the kind of decisive Goblin decision-making she liked to see! Numbtongue grumbled as he watched Badarrow turn back to his game.<\/p>\n \u201cYou cheater.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAm not.\u201d<\/p>\n The two brothers glared at each other as Erin checked things off her list. They could bring the laptop, maybe. Well, should they bring Palt? Montressa? Beza? You always needed a utility-[Mage]. Why not?<\/p>\n Drat! <\/em>She kept forgetting Imani!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Within an hour, Erin had it set<\/em>. Players? Check. Earthers? Check! Especially since Kevin was going to bring a bike prototype out and make some sales.<\/em> Same with Joseph and the soccer ball. Imani would go, and Palt had asked even as Erin explained.<\/p>\n So that meant Montressa and Beza would also come. Which meant they needed more carriages. Especially since the Halfseekers and <\/em>the Silver Swords were coming. Which meant Todi\u2019s Jerks didn\u2019t need<\/em> to come, but maybe? It was a Ryoka-party which meant anything<\/em> could happen and some meat shields would be great if it came to bad stuff.<\/p>\n Erin made a note to find out how much food<\/em> they should take. Not that there wouldn\u2019t be food there already\u2026but she didn\u2019t know.<\/p>\n She didn\u2019t know. Ryoka had been in charge of the plans and she\u2019d been preparing with Maviola\u2019s help. But since Ryoka was out of action\u2014it was up to Erin. And she regretted not getting on this a month ago. Honestly, she could have gotten\u2026Grimalkin? Chaldion? Saliss?<\/p>\n Eh. That wasn\u2019t exactly a smart move. Erin wouldn\u2019t consider getting Ilvriss even if she could. Selys might be okay\u2014not a Wall Lord of Salazsar.<\/p>\n No Antinium, and no super-important Drakes. Goblins now? She marched out of her inn. It was time to do what she\u2019d been putting off.<\/p>\n It was time. She walked into the Mage\u2019s Guild. The [Scribe] at an empty desk looked up, remembered yesterday, and hurriedly cleared his workload. Erin leaned on the counter with a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cHey. Can someone send a [Message] to\u2026let\u2019s see. The [Emperor] of Riverfarm? Tell him it\u2019s Ryoka Griffin\u2019s friend.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin waited. The [Scribe] blinked as she waved a hand in front of his face.<\/p>\n \u201cHello?<\/em> I\u2019m sort of in a hurry. Why are you looking at me like that?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Mage\u2019s Guild in Invrisil was not the Mage\u2019s Guild in Liscor, where some Human could walk in and bring it all to a standstill. One was a small city, at least compared to the metropolis of the City of Adventurers.<\/p>\n In Invrisil\u2019s Mage\u2019s Guild, what brought the Guild to a halt was this:<\/p>\n \u201cIncoming delivery!<\/em> Long-ranged teleportation! I need a link!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOrigin?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBaleros! Recipient: Master Merxel\u2014of course. It\u2019s that time of the month again.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Mage] on duty sighed. She knew what the delivery was. Heck\u2014most people in Invrisil did who were in the know.<\/p>\n The best [Spymaster]\u2014or perhaps \u2018information broker\u2019 in all of Invrisil was Master Merxel. It was unwise, generally, for someone to have their class so openly advertised in his line of work. So rather than [Spymaster], call him a retired one who essentially distilled all the information worth knowing in his area of Invrisil and sold it to\u2026everyone.<\/p>\n Master Merxel was one of those sorts who had cultivated a reputation like Drassi\u2019s. Quick, informative, and never unfactual information. If it was a rumor, he tried to get to the source of it. He dealt in numbers, locations. As a consequence, his work was prized and he didn\u2019t really cultivate enemies since he stuck to what was known\u2014he just reported all<\/em> of it.<\/p>\n It was a fact that he had clients as famous as the Titan of Baleros, Queen Yisame\u2014or at least her representatives\u2014the Iron Vanguard\u2019s top [Strategist], Tulm the Mithril, and so on. They all relied on him to be their eyes in Izril. Of course, they probably had other sources of information\u2026<\/p>\n But Master Merxel had a special relationship with the Titan of Baleros. Not only did he do the most work, it was a known fact that Niers Astoragon was generous to those who helped him.<\/p>\n Hence, Merxel being delivered exceptionally<\/em> expensive vintages of wine each month. Wine, spirits\u2014boxes of Balerosian grapes minutes after being plucked\u2014thousands of gold pieces. Tens of thousands! Each month, on the dot.<\/p>\n It was facilitated by teleportation. The [Mages] linked as their counterparts had to do the same.<\/p>\n Teleportation was only easy in bulk with Fissival\u2014or powerful Mage\u2019s Guilds. And even for a bottle or two of wine\u2014the [Mages] had to strain<\/em> to manage it.<\/p>\n Gone were the times when an [Archmage] of Wistram would teleport over for a cup of tea. That was Zelkyr\u2019s era and before.<\/p>\n Nevertheless\u2014pop!<\/em> Three bottles of wine appeared in the summoning circle as an equivalent amount of air was exchanged. The [Mages] gasped, wiping at their brows.<\/p>\n \u201cStatus of cargo?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIntact. Dead gods!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Mage] in charge of the delivery service looked up anxiously as a [Mage] exclaimed over one. The man shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cNothing\u2019s wrong. It\u2019s just\u2014this is a six hundred year old vintage! Enchanted<\/em>! You could send five dozen deliveries like this just for the bottle alone! Just a sip\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh no you don\u2019t. Someone get a City Runner with a high credibility rating to run this to Master Merxel, with our compliments. Dead gods. Stop fondling that wine bottle!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut it\u2019s what Dragons<\/em> used to drink! Six hundred years old! Distilled from half-Elven vineyards thousands of\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShut up! <\/em>Stop tempting us!\u201d<\/p>\n The [Mage] snapped. She was<\/em> tempted, hearing that. She was glad enough when they handed it over to a City Runner.<\/p>\n \u201cNot in the bag of holding. Instructions are clear. Must conflict with the holding spells.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Mage] repeated the order. The City Runner rolled his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve done this before. And rest assured\u2014by my House, it will get there. All half a mile.\u201d<\/p>\n Delanay d\u2019Artien saluted with his hat and rolled his eyes. But it was paid work. He jogged, making sure not to slosh<\/em> the bottles of wine and he was soon at the rather fancy estates that belonged to Master Merxel.<\/p>\n \u201cPriority from the Mage\u2019s Guild. Delivery for Master Merxel?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Bodyguards] checked him thoroughly before entering, but then let him in. Inside the estate, Delanay only had to wait a moment.<\/p>\n The [Spymaster] had known he was coming, perhaps even before Delanay had arrived at the Mage\u2019s Guild. Delanay was waved in, and a rich Runner\u2019s Seal was produced and handed over.<\/p>\n \u201cAh, the usual wine. Dead gods, is that an Iremmien Bottle? What have I done to\u2026? Well, I can think of a few things!\u201d<\/p>\n The [Spymaster] chortled, looking delighted<\/em> at the gift. Delanay himself did a double-take, noting the vintage at last.<\/p>\n