"How have you been doing?" Elle asks when you're seated. "I had quite a workout with Diana. I didn't realize someone made of stone can be this quick! I wouldn't like to receive a punch from her."

"Animated stone is not quite as solid as the regular one. I do prefer to use my spear in a fight." Diana interjects.

"I see... so, Mouse?" courier directs attention back at you.

You take turns in sharing what you learned. In your case, some arcane vocabulary and what you took as confirmation that the taint extends to magical practice. Although the introductory booklet didn't seem to put a name on the phenomenon, perhaps it being observable would be reflected in one of the more complex texts. For now though, you too are interested in what your companions found.

Phineous, it turned out, did not skip straight to the exotic eastern culture as he found the dwarven one intriguing in its own right. It appears the dwarves and halflings are offshoots of the same people as they split between living in subterranean halls and in surface gardens and orchards, respectively, both united in pursuit of knowledge of principles that govern the natural world. They appear to consider the goddess less as a person as the humans do, and more as a force connected to the very earth. Additionally, both dwarves and halflings, though differing and disagreeing with each other in many things, maintain firm bond of affection for each other, manifested in tight political union and in shared passion in academical pursuits, with halflings gravitating towards life and living nature while dwarves are intrigued by bones of the earth and machinery; and both together practice alchemy.

Smutkin, who skimmed through quite a lot of storybooks, claimed to have broadened his horizon in this study but did not manage to pinpoint any single interesting tale that could provide a useful clue - yet. He did however find an entire category of tales with recurring theme of what the big bad wolf does to naughty girls (sometimes also boys), and only some of them included eating. Many of the sanitized variants only hinted at something terrible, others varied in how horrid they were but tended to feature some manner of domination and enslavement. Smutkin expressed intention to look further into these stories to figure out if there was a pattern to them, such as time period, location or some other clue.

Minerva who was going through the historical records shared that she was trying to put together a comprehensive picture of the history. She was having some difficulties with contradictory accounts, but on the whole she found that the current view of the timeline seemed largely consistent up to the point where the alliance against the forces of darkness has been formed, where the few obscure texts she had so far went through seemed to support what Abbess told you - in both the extant canon and the forbidden history.

By the time you finished exchanging stories you have long finished eating and the other soldiers as well as the cooks have departed the hall, leaving you alone and embers in firepits only barely keeping leftover rations warm for anyone who would come at this unusual hour. Phineous and Smutkin headed back towards library, but you decided to give the information you learned a little bit more time to settle with some recreational violence and accompany Elle and the two golems to the training yard, intending to find someone to spar with.

There are actually some soldiers practicing there. You look around in event you would find Claudia there, but no such luck. Your wandering gaze is however met with some more glares, including that of an elderly balding man moving among practicing pairs, occasionally issuing stern rebukes. Upon noticing you however he stops and approaches you.

Elle freezes and snaps into attention, saluting.

"Lord Levantine!"

The old man waves her off. "You're not one of my men." He tells her. The courier relaxes somewhat, probably just to show she acknowledged his words, but the tension remains. "You, ogre. You're the one her highness mentioned, right?"

"That's correct." You answer as the old man sizes you up.

"I challenge you." He says simply.

"I accept." You shrug mentally, suppressing the gesture, not wanting to antagonize the stranger. It was probably the lord emeritus, father of Klaus if memory served, a martial minded man.

The man grunted and indicated a free space in the training yard.

You put down your knapsack for the golems to guard and grabbed your mace and went to take your position, with the old man following behind you.

The sparring pairs briefly slowed their pace, but quickly picked up, presumably under the old lord's gaze, while other soldiers around the yard that were not currently practicing all diverted their attention to the spectacle about to develop.

You had scarcely enough time to notice all this however as almost before you turned to face him the old man was already charging you with his greatsword. Scrambling to intercept you only narrowly managed to parry the blow with clang that you felt in your bones as the man struck with surprising amount of strength.

He was quick, too, not wasting the momentum reversed by parry in bringing his weapon for another slash which you evaded. The old lord gave you brief respite as he himself returned into a more cautious stance with his initial attack repelled, gauging your next moves even as yourself sized the man up again with newfound appreciation. Despite apparent age the man was all but decrepit as his strength and agility showed. Even so, you were sure he'd be even more dangerous when at his prime.

Of course, that last attack reminded you a lesson of common sense - martial men don't grow old without growing vicious to make up for what the age takes from them.

Possibly uninterested in continuing to stall, the man takes several swipes, some of them feints, though with your newfound wariness you're able to keep him at bay with relative ease. Once you get a feel for his style, you make several probing attacks of your own, which the man easily deflects or evades.

The last one almost costs you dearly as the old lord cleverly abuses momentum of his weapon to transition into a savage flurry or attacks that you are only able to deflect and dodge thanks to your own previous practice and cautious approach after you realized how dangerous this man would be.

Still, at the end of the day, you were an ogre and he was a man. You were bigger, stronger, and for all his experience his age was a burden for him. You grunt as you bat off last of his attacks and note they were growing marginally slower, give a roar, swing your mace back for a heavy blow -

-and deftly sidestep old lord's lunge aimed for your gut. Your mace comes down. Another clang reverberates through the courtyard, followed quickly by another as the greatsword falls onto the pavement and the lord grunts in pain as he drops on the ground and rolls away for you. All other sound stops as the man slowly picks himself up, his eyes on you.

"Did I give my leave to stop?" He snaps at the knights who momentarily stopped their practice but now quickly resumed it with redoubled vigour. Meanwhile, the old man turns back at you. "You don't fight like an ogre." He tells you. "Well fought."

The old man picks up his blade.

"I don't know how you convinced the Arcturus whelp, ogre, but if you threaten my house, I will end you."

"I have no -"

"Save your words for my son." He shakes his head. "Your weapon has told me enough. I will be watching you."

With that the man turned around and left. You wondered what that was about, and if you'd encounter him again.

Not for long, though. You still had a lot of work and the day was growing shorter. You figured you could still squeeze some use out of remaining daylight so you parted way with the awestruck Elle and Diana and headed back to the library with Minerva at your side.

When you arrived you found Phineous and Smutkin hard at work, but on top of that Klaus and Claudia were both in attendance, leaning over an unfurled map.

"Ah, Mouse! I'm terribly sorry for abandoning you like that in the morning. I had, er, urgent affair to attend to." Klaus welcomed you when you stepped in.

"Mr. Mouse." Claudia nods with a small smile. You note her hairdo is simpler than before and there's a slight flush to her face. "I came," She begins, hesitates slightly, then continues "...to tell you that Klaus shared with me what you told him."

"Of course. I wouldn't expect him to keep such information from his most loved one, except maybe to shield them." You nodded and Claudia smiles with warmth you haven't yet seen from her.

"I can see now what Alicia meant." She said. "You really appear to have a good heart." She paused briefly and her expression returned to more serious one again. "At any rate, be assured that I'm committed to support your quest to full extent of my power and ability." She turns to Klaus. "If you find a way, a clue for us to pursue, just say the word." She looks back at you. "We will succeed."

You can't help but smile. "Yes, your highness. We will."

"Just call me Claudia, Mouse." She inclines her head and smiles kindly. "But for now we must part. I have to check on the men and handle some administration." She turns to Klaus. "Don't be too long, dear. I'll be waiting for you."

"Oh, of, of course, my love." Klaus says hurriedly.

With that the princess departs, and you look back towards the books. It was time to get to work.

>go back to looking at the magery books. You have some flimsy theoretical basis now, maybe enough to at least be able to notice something pertaining to your quest
>ask Klaus about heretical and apocryphal texts
>ask Klaus about something else
>look at dwarves or the eastern realms with Phineous
>look at the tales with Smutkin
>look at a different topic (what?)

>>5427132
>>go back to looking at the magery books. You have some flimsy theoretical basis now, maybe enough to at least be able to notice something pertaining to your quest
>>ask Klaus about heretical and apocryphal texts

>>5427132
>go back to looking at the magery books. You have some flimsy theoretical basis now, maybe enough to at least be able to notice something pertaining to your quest

>>5427287
>support
did you archive the last one.

>>5427412
He did and I reading the start made me remember the og OP disappeared and the new one took it's place. Kinda crazy, isnt it ?
>>5427123
Btw what made you change the title ?

>>5427436
>>5427412
I archived it since Usurper said he couldn't bring himself to do it.

>>5427132
>go back to looking at the magery books. You have some flimsy theoretical basis now, maybe enough to at least be able to notice something pertaining to your quest
>ask Klaus about heretical and apocryphal texts

>>5427132
>go back to looking at the magery books. You have some flimsy theoretical basis now, maybe enough to at least be able to notice something pertaining to your quest

Deciding that it would be a shame not to make use of the vocabulary you've just painstakingly learned you move to give the magical tomes another try.

Before you do, however, you address the young lord as something occurs to you. "Klaus, I believe you mentioned something about order. Do you have more texts that would go into that in more detail? Or some other questionable, heretical or apocryphal sources?"

"I do! I was planning on looking for them in the vault. Can't have this sort of texts out in the open. I'll have them available for tomorrow."

So reassured you thank the man and turn to your own stack of study materials.

If having read the booklet left you with hope you'd be able to delve into complexities of the hermetic studies your misconception was quickly corrected. Although you were capable of reading individual words despite script already showing some drift away from what you were accustomed to, their meaning eluded you and left your mind scrambling and slipping in effort to find any purchase, which it found to some extent on randomly scattered parts of each paragraph.

That's not to say you're entirely without success. Even though you end up flipping through the pages between finding blocks of suitably intelligible text, at the end of the day - in this case almost literally, as the daylight shifts in tint by the time you decide you've had enough - you managed to discover several potentially interesting pieces of information.

Firstly, magic as means of pinpointing and reversing the taint seemed simultaneously viable and impossible. Viable, because the magicians were describing very varied ways of how they imagined world could be changed on fundamental level and no functional limitations are put forward.

You're not sure if you could genuinely call that a good thing. Some of the ideas the wizards presented almost made you return the porridge, and you were reminded of your encounter at the isle in the river few days back. Was this line of thinking also due to the taint?

Nevertheless, as far as your immediate task was concerned, magic remained a possible tool, one queen Olga could wield. And if your quest already persuaded multiple princess knights, perhaps you could in time count on support from lady Celestine as well?

There was, however, a snag. Each change to the world took toll from the caster, requiring them to expend power that grew with both how profondity of the intended effect, area over which it was meant to be applied and perhaps most importantly its permanence. With all these factors in consideration, idea of creating an effect such as what the taint appeared to have would require more magical energy that was available in entirety of the creation several times over.

You kept yourself from being disheartened, reasoning that if the tale as you understood it was accurate, there had to be a different way. After all, the taint came into existence somehow in the first place so there'd have to be another way.

Finding it would have to wait, however. The sun has already set and although physically you could easily go without sleep or rest for now, mentally you felt spent. You'd need to retire if you wanted to make good use of tomorrow. Raising the issue with others, Phineous and Smutkin echoed your sentiment and although Klaus seemed a bit torn between continuing in the end he nodded to himself and smiled as if resolving some inner dilemma. He bid you good night and each of you headed to your lodgings.

When you arrived you found Chloe, Elle and Diana already there, seated around the table and chatting.

"...so it is her strength that protects us from the cruelty of man."

"I see. Oh, Mouse! I was just asking Chloe about your queen as she seems to inspire much loyalty in you."

"Well of course she does. She is the strongest in a merciless world and she looks out for us." Chloe asserts.

There's a pause and Elle looks conflicted, but after brief hesitations she speaks:

"But... if queen Olga really uses her power to unite and protect the monsters, wouldn't it be possible to... to not raid villages and towns? To live in peace between our peoples?"

"You tell me." Chloe snorts. "Didn't you humans make an alliance just to wipe us out and enslave us?"

"Well, the alliance exists to fight monsters, yes... but that's because they keep attacking." Elle navigates the conversation.

"And if we didn't, what would become of us?" Chloe points at you. "Did you know it was during one such attack Mouse was saved from death at hands of your people? They consider us vermin."

"Oh... Mouse, is that true?" The courier asks you.

"It is." You might have omitted that detail so she must have assumed you were simply found in the ruins after a raid or something like that. She didn't press these circumstances at the time.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. But... you don't seem to hate people?" Elle asks.

"I don't. As I said, I've known nothing but kindness from my parents." You shrug. "I suppose I've learned that monstrous deeds can be carried out by anyone, no matter what they are. After all, we've seen plenty not long ago."

Elle blushes at that, embarrassed for her compatriots.

"See? Humans think themselves better than us, but in reality they're just better at hiding it." Chloe rubs it in mercilessly.

"That's, that's not true!" Elle opposes. "I mean, there are scum among us, sure. And even good people can make a mistake, or show weakness. But we're trying our best! Isn't it better to try and be good than just to give up on it? Mouse, do you think it would be possible for other subjects of queen Olga feel and act as you do?"

"I don't know." is your answer. "I do sometimes find myself wondering how much of the cruelty can be attributed to the Taint."

"The Taint?" Chloe asks. "Do you really think it's that easy?"

You prepare to repeat that you don't know but Chloe hops out of her seat and heads for the door. "I'll go get some fresh air." She announces and then she's gone.

Tithe, who was watching in silence, gives you a questioning look which you take to mean if you want him to follow her. But seeing as you wanted to talk to her anyway you shake your head. "I'll go after her. I will see you later. Rest up, we still have much work before us."

With that you head out through the corridors and realize your chances of tracking the Shadow down are essentially nil. Most you could do is asking random people if they saw a distraught half elf rush past, though with how good she became at escaping attention that would likely lead you nowhere fast. So instead you decided to trust your sizeable gut and head up on the battlements. There's be hardly a better place to get some fresh air unless she wanted to go all the way out to the gardens in the other district.

"Halt! Who goes there?" A soldier challenges you as you emerge.

"It's just me, Mouse." You answer, hoping the soldiers got your name along with the description.

"Oh. The ogre that beat lord Graves." The soldier relaxes "Um... don't spread around that I said that, please." He adds quickly.

"Don't worry about it. Mind if I catch some air up here?" You ask.

"Go ahead. As long as you don't plan on, uh, helping us get invaded."

"I will not." you pledge and part ways, looking for a more remote spot.

Eventually you find it, a terrace lodged between two towers, facing approximately southwards with a steep drop into a moat below. You find Chloe sitting on the edge, leaning her side against the wall, apparently watching the clear night sky.

"Mouse." She acknowledges you with a nod you can see because of bob of her ponytail. "Did you want something?"

>No. You wanted to make sure she's alright. Leave her to her stargazing.
>No. You wanted to make sure she's alright. Watch the skies with her.
>Yes, ask her what she thinks about what you were talking just now.
>Yes, ask her about what she saw in the city.
>Yes, ask her about the dark elves, you have only ever seen two.
>other

>>5428938
>No. You wanted to make sure she's alright. Watch the skies with her.

>>5427436
> Btw what made you change the title ?
Almost forgot.
I just didn’t feel the original title representative so I came up with something that felt funnier at the time.
>>5427465
Thank you friend

>>5428938
>No. You wanted to make sure she's alright. Watch the skies with her.

>>5428938
>Yes, ask her about what she saw in the city.

>>5428938
>No. You wanted to make sure she's alright. Watch the skies with her.

>>5428976
I guess I'll briefly come out of my lurking to congratulate you on a good first thread and ask why you didn't want to archive it.
>No. You wanted to make sure she's alright. Watch the skies with her.

>>5428938
>Yes, ask her about what she saw in the city.

"Not really. Would you mind if I stick around?"

There's a pause.

"Suit yourself." She shrugs and you seat yourself at the ledge some distance off her. Comfortable talking distance, not too close.

You figured if she wanted to say something, she would. In the meantime, she could probably use some silent company.

The moon was a slim waxing crescent and did little to hide the sparkling blanket of radiant dots spread across the boundless blackness above. Your mind drifted back to your childhood, to the rare moments where your father would sneak you outside and you'd go on a hike under cover of darkness, out through the woods and glades. Sometimes you would return with a felled deer, but sometimes you would merely sit on the glade and father would tell you about the constellations, how they have different names in different lands, how their position changes with seasons and how some people believed that their position at time of birth would determine their fate.

He would laugh it off and tell you that the only light that would determine your destiny was the one behind your own eyes.

"I envy you."

Chloe's voice broke you out of your reverie and almost surprised you. You turned to regard her but let her talk at her own pace.

"That time before Queen took you in..." She said and trailed off, eventually though decided to continue. "I can tell that it's a source of strength for you, somehow."

There's again a brief pause and you wonder if you should comment on that, but Chloe picks up again before you do.

"But it also bothers me." Now she's looking straight at you. "I know you always treated her majesty with deference. But..." She hesitates, then again locks gazes with you withe renewed resolve. "Tell me. If you could choose whether to go back and continue your life amongst humans, but it would mean abandoning her majesty. Would you do it?"

>Yes (truth)
>Yes (lie)
>No (truth)
>No (lie)
>you don't know how you would choose
>it would depend on what that would entail for everyone involved
>that's impossible, there is nothing to go back to.
>other

>>5429191
thanks and I don't really know. Just seemed improper. Was it because of its origin as a troll thread? or because of what it's based on? Just a feeling.

>>5430578
>it would depend on what that would entail for everyone involved
While it would be nice, unless we can actually change the way things are we would always be an outcast due to generations of bad blood. She’s probably worried we’ll defect since we’ve seen humanity at its best while Chole saw the worst of the worst.

>>5430578
>it would depend on what that would entail for everyone involved

>>5430578
>it would depend on what that would entail for everyone involved
>I wouldn't betray her majesty, but if the wars are over, there are peace between our two kingdoms, and she gives me the choice to leave her service, perhaps I would take the offer to live peacefully. I know me and my troop are exceptions in our land, and other than them, only you and her have treated me right.
>But I would always be ready to serve again if called, and if I was needed to help teach others how to live without violence, I would stay.
>We are working towards a future that won't be her majesty against humans, but the good against evil Chloe.

>>5430578
>No (truth)

>>5430578
>it would depend on what that would entail for everyone involved

>after all if I wasn't in the queens service I wouldn't be on a quest to save the world... I still wish my parents were alive though, even if I could never see them again.

>>5430578
>No (truth)

It was not something you had contemplated before. You've come to accept that your place as the monster was under the queen of monsters.

Now, though, you had made some friends among humans. Could you consider it that way? Obviously, you could not go to the way things were in your childhood. But perhaps you could join their society? Could you abandon the queen who, whatever her motives might have been, did save your life and offer you a place in her service?

"It would depend-"

"There you have it." Chloe doesn't let you finish. "You and your considerations. Weighing and deciding. But this is something you should feel to be clear about." The half elf turns back to the sky. "At least, it is for me."

"Chloe", you say after giving her a moment to pick up. "I think I understand what you mean. I have no intention of betraying her majesty, I know what I owe her and what I am. What I was going to say was that my choices would depend on what consequences would be for those I care for." You pause for a moment, considering how to continue. "That includes her majesty, all my companions and yourself." She turns to you at that, inclining her head. Meanwhile, you sigh. "It is a pleasant idea, to return to those days... but it's not possible. What I hope to be possible, however, is to work towards a world, where anyone, man or monster, can experience something like this... and not have it end like it did for me."

Chloe's features softened somewhat, but not entirely.

You both spent a few moment stargazing in silence.

"I don't like it." She says at one point.

You turn to face her with confused look.

"This idea that this Taint is the reason for all the cruelty." She pauses. "That anyone that hurt... someone... can just say: it's the taint! Or that... that you can't fight back, because taint."

She turns to face you again and there's fire in her eyes. "This can't be right."

You're not sure how to answer to this, so you say the first that come to mind.

"We'll set things right."

Once again, her expression softens. This time, you think you can even see a hint of a smile, though it doesn't quite meet her eyes.

"You know, I still don't believe it. But I believe that you do. For now, that will have to do."

With that she nimbly gets up and before you can bring yourself to follow in kind she is nowhere to be seen. Pensive and processing how this encounter went you slowly make it back to the bunk hall and let yourself get carried into the dark realm of the dreams.

After a restful sleep spend with the strangely melancholic dream you breakfast with your companions and catch up on previous day's events. You learn that Minerva assisted Smutkin with his research and found out something remarkable - it appears the manifestation of the Taint were not entirely homogenous throughout the lands. Although it was much too early to see the whole picture, there was a chance a pattern would emerge that could give you further insight where the Taint could be better studied - or fought.

Phineous, for his part, moved on to studying the eastern realm's theology and found another potential lead - their variant of faith viewed goddess less as a person and more as a cosmic force, and their church put more emphasis on rituals and enchantments than clergy under Celestine. Their ideas could provide further clues into research on nature of the Taint and options for dealing with it.

Chloe spent the previous day observing goings on in the city, but did not spot anything out of place. She determined there was no public slave market in the city and for the most part the citizens went after their daily tasks. The half-elf then admitted there was actually some excitement - she thwarted an attempt of two men to assault a girl in the gardens shortly after dusk. She expressed her desire to kill them but Tithe convinced her doing so could imperil your mission and she relented, satisfying herself with injuring the assailants.

You commended them for their work.

Now, though, it was time to decide on plan for the next day.

>Klaus had some heretical samizdats retrieve, dig into them.
>continue looking into the magical matters
>look for something else
>other plan

also feel free to rearrange party if you feel so inclined.

>quest goal progress:
>where: unknown (Effects of the Taint seem to be spread unevenly across the land and your companions are looking for patterns. Additionally, Celestine, the reincarnation, might know more.)
>what: unknown (what exactly is the nature of the taint? all you know is that nameless god apparently ravaged her, but what does that even mean in context of a deity? Additionally, dwarves may have some insight, or not.)
>means: unknown (magic may be able to affect the world on required level; eastern realms and Celestine's followers have different approaches to holy magic and/or miracles)

>>5432953
>Klaus had some heretical samizdats retrieve, dig into them.

>>5432953
>Klaus had some heretical samizdats retrieve, dig into them.

>>5432953
>Klaus had some heretical samizdats retrieve, dig into them.

>>5432953
>Klaus had some heretical samizdats retrieve, dig into them.
QM I have a question. Is Mouse the usual baldie potbellied UB ogre? Because I have been imagining him as a brown-ish Hellboy since he works out and all.

When you entered the library you found Klaus already at work, poring over what looked like a manuscript with several others laid out on a different table, a large, bound, lock-fitted chest lying next to the table.

"Good morning, good morning." The young lord greeted you all. "I'm just going through the heretical texts. It's... not easy lecture. Feel free to help yourself to other specimens I had retrieved."

While rest of your group headed out to continue their work you decided you have had enough with the arcane stuff now that something that promised more directly useful information was on the table; so, without further encouragement you picked up one of the... well, stacks of parchment was maybe better term than book. Klaus explained to you that it was text seized by the guard when a heretic cult has been busted in the city some time ago. The lord exercised his authority to have some of the texts preserved, on condition that it would be kept secure from public.

Thanks to the nature of the text it was written in script contemporary enough for you to understand without having to rely on Smutkin translating for you. Unfortunately, handwriting also made it more difficult to decipher in its own right and on top of that there was the content.

Much of it was either rants against the church diverting from the true ways or very graphic description of how the goddess should be revered. Somewhere in the back of your mind you had to suppress cackling and hooting with every paragraph you covered. Still, the mission is too important so you grit your teeth and soldier on, focusing on looking for any admission of weakness, any historical or geographic clue or any potentially actionable piece of information you could extract from the ravings.

After several gruelling hours you put the stack away and look at your notes. It might have been nothing, but you took note of two things.

First was vicious contempt authors of those texts held for any expression of selflessness, care or trust. Other than domination, humiliation and defilement the major recurring theme in any account where men and/or monsters interacted was mockery of any expression of one person, or monster, showing kindness or faith to another. Without error every such act would result in betrayal, abuse and suffering of the one that would show such weakness. Where two brothers would pursue a common goal, one would inevitably betray the other. Where a relationship would be described (in a most condescending way) in which one was not entirely subordinated to the other, a stronger follower of the true way would emerge and seize their (mostly his) prize from the pathetic weakling.

Perhaps that should not be too surprising given the nature of the Taint. But ferocity with which the concepts of affection or respect for another's dignity were mocked made you wonder if there is not an ulterior motive to this portrayal. After all, for years your sanity has been preserved by memory of your parents' final act alone. Perhaps it was a possible avenue for further study.

For now you wouldn't know where to experiment with such concepts, even if they were not mere wishful thinking on your part. And so you moved on to the second outcome of your research.

"Smutkin, would you come over here for a moment?" You ask the bard. He hands a booklet he was reading to Minerva and comes over. "Does this word mean anything?" You show him a term that you carefully transcribed that was appearing in multiple stories. Initially, from context you took it as some metaphysical term or perhaps state of mind. But it might have also stood for a geographical location.

"Atlassia." The bard speaks to himself. "No. Although... it sounds vaguely familiar somehow. As if I've seen or heard it before. Can I see how it's used?"

With a nod you begin to browse in the texts, looking for the reference, but Klaus speaks up, having overheard you talk.

"It does sound familiar indeed! And I think I know from where. I believe I saw it in index."

The three of you come over to the index and through a stroke of luck find the title very quickly.

"Atlassia: The Founding." You read aloud when Klaus points out a line in the fiction section. "by Terencius Rose."

"I remember now where I heard it." Smutkin says. "It was touted as an epic tale of a young prince's rise to greatness, written with much attention to amorous pursuit of himself and, more often, his enemies. I read a few chapters before I had to, er, skip town."

"Well, either way here is the term. Do you think the author was a cultist?" Klaus offered.

"It would be a very strange coincidence if there was no connection." You say. "I suppose we will have to look into it."

"I'll handle it." Smutkin says. "It might actually even be relevant to what I was doing with Minerva."

"Thank you." You nod. With that matter settled you could return to work - or...

"Of course you're still here." New voice came in from the doors. "Did you forget already? We were supposed to eat lunch together." princess Claudia asks Klaus.

"Oh! Terribly sorry, my love. You know how I lose track of time. How can I make it up to you?"

"I'll think of something." She says with a smile. Her expression darkens quickly. "But that will have to wait. The scout troop I've dispatched to check on the Black Dog encampent is overdue their report. I'm taking some knights to look for them."

"Very well, I'll suit up and join you."

"What? No! If we end up fighting you could get hurt."

"I won't. Did you already remember our vow, dear?"

"Of, of course not, but..."

"No buts. I'm not entirely toothless. I've been practicing." The lord says and flicks with his fingers. A tiny flame appears above his fingertips.

"For one day in the morning. You're not prepared."

"Not prepared to lose you out of my sight outside the castle's walls."

Was there something you could do in this awkward situation? Was it even your place to step in at all? You could relate with Klaus's sentiment, but was him going really a good idea?

>Offer to accompany them (or with other(s) from your group)
>Offer to take your group and go on their behalf. They probably trust you enough for this by now.
>stay silent, they can settle this for themselves.
>other suggestion


>>5433555
well, this is still hentai logic so he's mostly stereotypical ogre in looks. You can imagine him slightly smaller, with slightly more dignified posture and with resting expression not appearing immediately lecherous

>>5434647
>Offer to accompany them (or with other(s) from your group)
Diana, Elle and Sparky. They have been training, so time to put it into practice.
Let Chloe and Tithe know we will be mioing out. If there is a time for cultist forces to move, it will be when the princess and the lord are out of town

>>5434648
>support
>we also go.

>>5434648
>+1

>>5434648
>Support
let us be backup from the sidelines if things go wrong since we suspect them of being cultists
>>5434647
We gotta work more on that gigachad body then starting with extra situps

>>5434648
+1

"If you would have me, I'd like to join you along with some of my companions."

The two nobles look at you, their dispute momentarily forgotten.

"Why would you want to?" Claudia asks, curious.

"For one, I feel I could be useful if you ended up in a fight."

"Our house's knights are quite capable, but I appreciate the sentiment." Claudia nods with a small smile.

"...but additionally, the Black Dog seems to be related to the Nameless Beast somehow. If we do end up in confrontation with them, we could stand to gain some clues to their motives."

"I see. Very well, if that is what you choose, you are welcome to meet with my men at the southern gate in two hours. I'll see you then."

With that, and another look filled with mixed emotions at her husband, the beautiful princess knight turned and left.

"I better get myself ready so she doesn't leave without me. See you later, Mouse." Klaus adds and leaves to follow his wife.

"So... who are you taking?" Smutkin asks. "Should we drop the study for now?"

"No, keep going. Elle and Diana were practicing so they'll be best prepared if something goes wrong."

"You wish to separate us again?" Minerva inclined her head.

"I'm sorry, Minerva, but I think you do more good here right now."

"Very well, leader." The golem sighed and turned back to the book she was reading.

"You sure you don't want me with you? If you walk into a large force a tune could easily make a difference." Smutkin asked.

"I know, but as I said. We don't know how much time we have with the Black Dog no doubt also plotting something. Besides, Chloe may need some backup if the enemy makes a move while the lords are away."

"You think there's another conspiracy here?" Phineous asks.

"Who knows. Still, better be vigilant."

With that you leave the three to their work and head out to collect your companions.

Funny how quickly you started to consider Elle one of them. Probably because how friendly she was and how eagerly she adopted your quest as her own, something you also appreciated in the princesses you've met so far. It did help lift your hopes a little bit.

You made it to the south gate fitted for travel, with Elle, Diana (who was similarly distraught at idea of being separated from ther twin, but likewise acknowledged your justification) and Sparky who seemed excited at possibility of putting what he learned from the acolyte's primer to practice.

In the end, Chloe flat out refused to stay behind while you rode off to likely battle. You bemoaned her absence in the city's shadows should something go down, but at least you had Tithe monitor the situation.

"Miss Elle? So you consider yourself part of Mouse's party after all?" Klaus asked the courier who blushed faintly.

"I do. I think his mission is worth it. If there's something I can do to see it through, I will!"

"Splendid!" The lord nodded cheerfully. "And there comes Claudia."

You ended up being at the gates ahead ahead of time, with Klaus already waiting. He sat astride a white steed, wearing a cuirass that allowed him relatively unrestricted movement, presumably for any spellcasting he'd be doing and couldn't wait for his wife to show up.

Now that she did she did so in company of eight mounted knights, fitted with shields and lances and... rather light on armour. Immediate concern, however, is their mounted status. You should be able to keep up with the group as long as they don't break into gallop, and you were quite certain Diana had endurance to do the same. You were worried about Chloe, though. Luckily Claudia decided to lend her a mount for this trip at least and so before long you were on your way through the bleak valley terrain, travelling along the river.

It was almost sunset by the time you stopped looked for a place to set up camp. Apparently there was a spot patrols liked to use for that purpose nearby and Claudia decided to also take this chance to check if the scouts she sent earlier left a message or a clue in the place.

You found more than that.

"Oh, goddess..." Klaus said aghast.

The campsite showed not only signs of recent use but also of battle. There were two dead, mutilated bodies, blood stains, damaged equipment and tracks.

"Those are two from the scout patrol. Melissa and James." Claudia said.

The remains are covered to protect them from further exposure to elements and wildlife until the bodies can be recovered and interred properly. Chloe and two of the knights look around for clues and tracks and arrive at the same conclusion that attackers moved away in direction where you expected the Black Dog camp to be located and seemed to be dragging two still struggling people with them - presumably the other two scouts.

You decide to not camp in this location that night.

Still, the night has fallen and you are somewhat worn from travel...

>Look for another suitable spot to camp and rest for the night, approach the mercenary camp during day.
>Head out immediately, appraoch the mercenary camp before the sunrise.
>Look for a spot to camp and rest until next sundown, approach the mercenary camp then.
>other plan

>(optional) discuss something with someone before resting

>>5436356
>Head out immediately, approach the mercenary camp before the sunrise.
>Ask Chloe to scout ahead, we need to ditch the horses to mask our movement.

>>5436356
>Look for another suitable spot to camp and rest for the night, approach the mercenary camp during day.

>>5436356
I’ll support >>5436359 Two people have been captured, we need to be quick.

>>5436356
>Head out immediately, appraoch the mercenary camp before the sunrise.

Claudia seems to be looking over the signs of battle and at the place where you placed the mutilated remains with inner turmoil behind her blue eyes, face twisted in a grimace. You decide to make it easier for her.

"There is no time to waste." You announce. "They have prisoners, and daylight would work to our disadvantage. We should press onward."

"You are right, Mouse." She sighs with some relief as she allows resolve to take over. "Knights, be ready for combat. We'll be approaching the mercenary camp tonight.

With that your group sets out into motion towards estimated location of the camp. The trip took no more than an hour and your sense of direction was validated when darkness thinned by light of distant bonfires. Your group came to a stop before risking coming into direct sight of the camp.

"Chloe, I'd like you to scout out the camp. Only the most shallow recon, figure out their defences. Don't take any risks." You tell the half elf, worrying if you're not being too patronizing. But thankfully the queen's shadow only gives you a smirk before vanishing from sight.

You spend some time waiting and are beginning to consider heading out after Chloe in case she ran into trouble when she returns.

"I'm back." She announces, startling some of the knights. "It doesn't look very good. The camp is laid oud against the river with a palisade protecting it from three other sides. The palisade's being actively patrolled. I didn't want to risk" she looks you in the eye when saying that. "sneaking inside so I can't with confidence say what it's like inside. Judging by the size I estimate the camp is made for maybe a hundred people. On the palisade I could count six patrols, two man each. I may have missed one or two though, if they were being swapped out. Also, I saw no signs of traitors, only men."

Well, those were not very good odds. Although depending on how disciplined and organized the mercenaries were, you were unlikely to have to be fighting them all at once, if it came to that. Still, you could not just abandon the scouts to their fate, could you?

"So you don't have any idea where they may be keeping prisoners?" Claudia asks.

"I did try to find a vantage point that would allow me to peek past the palisade, but it was not enough to get a good picture. There's a larger pavilion that can be seen towards the eastern side of the camp, maybe the prisoners will be kept nearby?"

"We need to free the prisoners before they have chance to use them as hostages against us." Claudia thought aloud. "But that would mean we have to enter undetected. You found no way to bypass their patrols?"

"I could sneak between them and take a look inside. I could also take a patrol out, but they'd find that out sooner or later. If you're concerned with entering, I could open the gate for you."

"Maybe we could try talking?" Klaus offers.

"You saw what they did to James and Melissa. Goddess knows what are they doing to Harriet and Janet." Claudia said darkly. "I think we're past talking."

Klaus sighs. "We don't know the whole picture, love. The culprits may not have even come to this camp."

"I appreciate how you're trying to look for the good in people, dear, but that's extremely far fetched and we already know Black Dog are not our allies from what they tried to do to Alicia and Prim."

"I suppose you're right, love."

"Alright, with that said back to our options... are they watching the river, did you see?" Claudia asked Chloe

"For boats, no doubt, and the opposite bank." Chloe says. "It might be possible to sneak by water, but not in large numbers."

"And they'd be trapped if found out." Claudia shook her head. "No good. We may need to withdraw and return with greater force." She said bitterly.

"If we do that, we'll be weakening the keep's defences." Klaus points out.

"Do we even need to take them all on?" Elle asks. "Maybe we could just sneak in, grab the scouts and escape?"

"We could try, but if something goes wrong, we'll be at serious disadvantage." Claudia says.

Silence descended on you as you all mulled over the possibilities... which one would you advocate?

>Withdraw and return to keep, leaving the remaining scouts to their fate, at least for now.
>Maybe you could try to parley after all. These are mercenaries. Maybe they could be intimidated or bargained into setting the scouts free?
>Have Chloe eliminate patrols around a gate and let you in, then charge in. Element of surprise should give you chance to inflict enough damage to turn the odds in your favour.
>With Chloe's help, sneak in to look around the camp while Claudia and her knights wait for your signal to charge in.
>With Chloe's help, sneak in to look around the camp while Claudia and her knights wait for your signal to make a distraction so you can flee.
>other plan

Also because I forgot to ask this earlier
>Elle has gained a level for her training and participation in combat! Choose one: [harsh truths] (combat path) / [whispered words] (scouting and evasion)
>Tithe has gained a level for his tireless overwatch and valour in combat! Choose one: [Interdiction] (better combat) / [Vigilance] (better perception)
>Sparky has gained a level for his diligent study! Choose one: [Charity] (healing), [Retribution] (smiting), [Temperance] (protection)

>>5438142
>With Chloe's help, sneak in to look around the camp while Claudia and her knights wait for your signal to make a distraction so you can flee.
>[harsh truths] (combat path)
>[Vigilance] (better perception)
>[Charity] (healing)

>>5438145
>support

>>5438145
>supporting

>>5438142
>With Chloe's help, sneak in to look around the camp while Claudia and her knights wait for your signal to make a distraction so you can flee.
>Harsh Truths
>Vigilance
>Temperance

"Chloe, do you think you could navigate us through the camp, just our squad?"

"What, you mean to infiltrate? Are you serious?" The half elf looked genuinely confused by your question.

"I'm not letting you wander in there without support. Yes, or no?"

"Well, as long as I can take out patrols before they raise an alarm, it should be possible."

"What do you have in mind, mr. Mouse?" Claudia asks.

"I want to sneak into the camp, get the prisoners out and escape. With Sparky and Diana."

"Don't you dare leave me out!" Elle says.

"You will be in a hopeless situation if you're caught." Klaus points out.

"Not if I can count on you to provide a distraction when we signal for it."

"I see. What sort of signal do you have in mind?"

"I'll blow my horn." Elle spares you from having to think one up.

"That will definitely cause an alarm among the troops." Claudia is unsure.

"So you'll have to be quick in giving them something more interesting to deal with!"

"I think I know just the thing. Leave it to me." Klaus says with a smile, and a flick of his fingers again conjures a small flame. You think you have an idea what form this distraction will take.

"Very well, if you're confident in your plan, we will support you." Claudia agrees.

So resolved you take your companions away from the group and creep cautiously towards the camp. Chloe stays ahead of you and you allow moonlight reflecting off her ponytail be your guide as she leads you out of sight. After a while she turns around and commands you to wait.

Luckily you don't have to wait for long before the slim silhouette reappears and gestures for you to follow. After few steps you are able to identify the lightless shape ahead as the palisade with a gate in it and as you draw nearer you're able to make out two crumpled shapes lying on top of each other.

"I unbarred the gate, but you need to open it quietly and move through quickly." Chloe whispers and with a nod you move to do as she suggested.

The gate lets out a creak and you freeze, hoping that the sound won't alert anyone nearby. Still, you managed to make an opening wide enough to let you (and obviously rest of your companions) through. After some inner conflict whether to risk the sound again you decide to close the gate after you, hoping the noise will be disregarded as the first one; and for the time being, that appears to be the case.

"Let's move away from the patrol routes." Chloe urges you to move and you comply, taking strides measured to be as silent as you can muster into the rows of tents making up most of the camp.

As deafening as your footfalls feel to you, they seem to be drowned out by sound of snoring.

"I don't know how much time we have. They are going to notice the missing guards eventually." Chloe warned you. "Wait for me here, I'll check out layout of the place so we don't run into some guards."

You just nod and steel yourself for a wait. Still, rather than just sit idly you try to strain your eyes and look around from your position.

The camp was mostly dark, but several bonfires did stand out. One of them illuminated the most obvious landmark, the large pavilion that likely doubled as a common area and a command tent. If you wanted to take out whoever was in charge of the camp, this would be the place to do it. However, it was also likely the place Klaus intended to set alight as part of the diversion; it was also likely to be guarded at all times.
Next source of light was at maybe halfway to the pavilion and marked a clearing among the tents you could not make out purpose of.
Two more fires were off to the side, both apart from each other, both presumably close to different section of the palisade and cast some light onto two distinct canvas structures. Hopefully Chloe would be able to provide additional context.

And that's exactly what happens when the half elven girl once again makes an appearance.
The bonfire that's halfway between you and the pavilion is in fact a shallow pit where the two scouts are tied up, naked, dirty and bruised. The pit is guarded by a couple of mercenaries who are apparently disciplined enough to look out. Taking them out should not be difficult but given the light their absence would likely be quickly discovered.
The pavilion indeed seems to hold some importance as several guards are posted on either side of it with another pair making rounds nearby. Still it should be possible, if risky, to sneak inside through the side.
The two bonfires off to the side are one a field kitchen with stockpile of crates and kegs, second a corral for a few oxen, most likely intended for the carts. Both lightly guarded, but with similar caveats as the prisoner pit - absent guard could be spotted by just looking in the general direction.

>Do only as planned, release the prisoners and escort them out. Maybe with luck you won't even have to call for the diversion?
>You're already here and not yet detected, maybe you could sabotage the enemy somehow... (suggestions encouraged)
>You're already here and not yet detected, maybe you could try to sneak to the command tent and look for clues.
>other idea

>>5439532
>You're already here and not yet detected, maybe you could sabotage the enemy somehow... (suggestions encouraged)
Cut a hole on the kegs to let the alcohol spill, drop a torch and open the pens for the oxen.
That way their supplies will be ruined and they won't be able to relocate quickly.

>>5439539
>support

>>5439539
>+1

>>5439539
Supporting, operation drunken Ox is go

>>5439539
Focusing on less visible sabotage sounds good. With any luck, we can then move on to the pit. The command tent feels like a trap. Wish we had brought Tithe to see what the bring out of it when they decide to move camp, which they probably will do once they realize they've been infiltrated.

You decide to take advantage of not having been found out yet and do some sabotage. With any luck, there are things you might do without rousing alarm while still meaningfully undermining the mercenaries.

First you have Chloe lead you towards the food stockpile. After a while of not seeing any effect you grow slightly more comfortable walking forward, though you still keep alert and stop whenever you notice what might be enemy movement. Eventually, though, you reach edge of the area illuminated by the bonfire, with clear sight of the two guards leaning against the palisade. The murmur that carries across the clearing tells you they're killing time by chatting but you can't make out the contents of the exchange.

"They're discussing which princess has better breasts." Chloe informs you, the harsh undertone of her whisper telling you what she thinks about the debate. You don't think she spends much time hanging out with the orcs or she'd have been desensitized to this manner of pastime.

"Can you take them out quietly?"

"Not while they're paying attention to each other. I'd need to distract them somehow."

"Alright, get into position then. I'll give them something to be concerned about."

The half elf nods and vanishes into the night while you bid Diana, Elle and Sparky to wait and circle around towards where the crates and kegs have been stacked. Once there, you get to work prying the kegs open. You take care to not be too loud but suspect the noise and movement will be enough to rouse the guards to investigate - and are proven right when the distant murmur stops, followed by a few steps, and then - silence.

You drag the bodies towards the now emptied kegs. It would not fool anyone intelligent, but perhaps it could delay the alarm at least by a short while if the guards are found soaked in alcohol.

Not wanting to stick around to see how effective the ruse would be you head over to the other guard post - the oxen corral. The guards there are leaning against the fence and apparently aleady asleep, saving you some trouble. Elle does not seem happy but does not protest when she sees Chloe expertly ensure the guards would not be awakening again. You attempt to place the guards into the same position you found them in, with vague hope that if their negligence was not spotted earlier, this state of affairs could continue for a while longer, and move on to the sabotage proper.

This time your success is limited. Although you open the corral, the oxen seem perfectly satisfied staying where they are. Besides, wandering around inside the camp would at most prove a nuisance to the mercenaries before they were herded back in. If you wanted to deny their use, you'd have to lead them out, or kill them.

>Leave the oxen as they are and go retrieve the prisoners while you're still not detected. Any time now a missing guard was bound to cause an alarm.
>Go retrieve the prisoners, then you can return here and lead the beasts out. However that carries the risk of having to fight your way out.
>Kill the beasts, it's the surest and safest way to deny them to the mercs. Then go retrieve the prisoners and leave.
>other plan

>>5441526
>Go retrieve the prisoners, then you can return here and lead the beasts out. However that carries the risk of having to fight your way out.
And instead of lead the beast out, make sure some of the fire spreads to the corral, it's the surest way to get them to rampage and add even more chaos in the middle of the camp.

>>5441546
Add this was the intent of my plan, for them to stampede, not just walk around.
Though if it's not possible, and not just a misunderstanding then just
>Kill the beasts, it's the surest and safest way to deny them to the mercs. Then go retrieve the prisoners and leave.

>>5441549
Actually, since you skip over the part of dropping a torch on the alcohol, I think it means it's either not a good idea or not possible.
So just kill the oxen since there will be no fire to spread.

>>5441526
>Kill the beasts, it's the surest and safest way to deny them to the mercs. Then go retrieve the prisoners and leave.

>>5441556
Well, starting a fire means 'going loud', so to speak. You might want to do something else before that. But starting a fire on your way out should be doable, unless you need to leave in a hurry.

>>5441580
That was my idea, prepare everything so start a fire while going a away.
It was to put alcohol over the supplies, and at the pen, then get the prisoners and start the fire, so we would have a distraction and make them starve at the same time.
Actually, killing the animals might draw attention. Do we know how to butcher the oxen without them getting agitated or mooing Is that even a word?

>>5441527
>Leave the oxen as they are and go retrieve the prisoners while you're still not detected. Any time now a missing guard was bound to cause an alarm.
>Set fire to the alcohol on your way out

If the fire gets near the animals, they’ll panic. If not, oh well.

>>5441527
>Go retrieve the prisoners, then you can return here and lead the beasts out. However that carries the risk of having to fight your way out.

With a sigh you briefly consider killing the beasts to deny their use to the mercenaries. You were quite confident you'd be able to kill an ox quietly with just your bare hands, the problem was you were unsure how the rest of the animals would respond.

It was a risk you didn't wish to undertake just yet, at least not until you've secured your priority for this mission.

"Let's go to the prisoner pit." You told Chloe. The half elf nodded quietly and took the point, with rest of you following. Together you navigate the camp once more, growing sense of urgency overriding your caution ever so slightly. Even so you took the time to give wide berth to a tent from which sounds of intense physical activity were heard.

Just before you arrived at your objective Chloe stopped abruptly and pulled you down. You followed her wordless instruction without question and soon saw the need for it - a duo of mercenary fighters walked past, their movements still a bit groggy. Could they be taking over another patrol? You really were running out of time.

And so you waste none of it. You barely waited for Chloe to sneak up and dispose of the guards as you entered the pit to check on the prisoners. To your slight surprise, one of them turned out to be a man, if uncharacteristically lean and delicate in appearance. It seemed the mercenaries extended to him the same courtesy as they did to the female scout. But now was not time to contemplate this.

"Elle, come over here. Sparky, can you heal them?"

"Of course, boss." The imp whispered loudly enough that you were grateful he chose not to speak before now. Even more so, however, you were grateful for the wave of power that even you could feel wash over you even though you were not the intended recipient, as you saw the bruises, cuts and rope burns mend before your eyes and the captives awakened.

And then you were more grateful still for having brought Elle with you. For as the captured woman spotted you, her eyes widened with panic and she began to struggle against her bonds.

"Shhhh, calm down. We're here with the princess. You'll be safe soon." The courier soothed the prisoners, and though they kept giving you wary looks, presence of the armed woman brought them comfort.

However, you did not have time to be too coddling.

"Can you walk?" You asked as you moved to unmake their bindings. The prisoners recoiled until Elle's touch calmed them down again.

"Y-yes." The man said weakly. "W-what..."

"Not now, please. You'll be with your kind soon." You tell them. "First, though, we need to get out."

"Do we go back to the gate we took in?" Chloe asks.

"No. Let's leave the mercs a parting gift." You shake your head. There was another gate not far from the ox pen. It was maybe a bit far fetched, but it might just work...

You didn't bother covering your tracks outside of dragging the guard bodies into the pit so they were not immediately in plain sight. Rather you made beeline for the stockpile again.

Around half way there, a cry pierced the night. As soon you would find yourself surrounded by hostiles; now it would be up to Claudia and Klaus to deliver the distraction. You briefly wondered if the mercenary alarm would be enough to spur them to action but Chloe resolves the question.

"Elle, lend me the horn."

The courier looks at you, at which you nod. Chloe doesn't betray any emotion at the exchange, just accepts the instrument and vanishes.

A moment later the clear tone rings into the night. Before you can react Chloe reappears and gestures for you to move, which you eagerly follow as around you the camp is waking up, men emerging from tents.

You're not sure how many notice them you run past, but for the time being you don't notice any sign of pursuit. The one case where a mercenary emerges from a tent as you pass by and briefly locks eyes with you you send him reeling back in with a strike of your hand. You don't slow down to check if he's incapacitated or dead, you just run.

As you once again reach the food stockpile, you only have scant seconds to contemplate whether to step into the light and reveal your silhouette far and wide when Elle speaks:

"Look up!"

It's almost like watching a shooting star in slow motion, except it's much lower and the colour is off. A luminous projectile streaks from over the palisade and directly at the command pavilion; and when it makes contact, the night is briefly bathed in light that only partially subsides and the camp breaks further into chaos, as conflicting alarms are raised between the command tent and the gate at the opposite side of camp.

You decide to make most of it.

Making the few strides you grab a chunk of wood from edge of the fire and chuck it at the stockpile. Normally you wouldn't expect it to do much before it is extinguished, unless there was a barrel of something stronger among the drinks, but with the disarray the flames might find some purchase.

Still, there's no time to wait and watch. Your hurry towards the corral and the other gate. The decision on the course is made easier for you since most of the commotion is focused inwards, where the flames rage, and to some extent on top of the palisade, where mercenaries are beginning to look out for outside threats, allowing you a corner of safe passage on the palisade's inner side.

When you arrive, you are actually met for some serious opposition for the first time. A small group of mercenaries is gathered around the dead guards, with one of them barking instructions at them. They quickly spot your approach and draw their blades to confront you. It's not enough. First swing of your mace crushes the leader and swats him aside, second sends them scrambling straight into Diana's spear and Elle's blade while Chloe takes out the one that almost manages to escape. Still, knowing that commotion of combat was likely to attract attention you don't waste any time.

"Diana, get that gate open." You tell the golem as you move towards the bonfire. The beasts seemed docile enough, but perhaps some fire would make them reconsider?

This time you are not disappointed. Some of the primal fear all living creatures share gets through their domestication and the beasts scramble and break into a small stampede as you chase them short distance, headed mostly out and through the gate into the open.

Something flies next to your head and you're reminded that you've outstayed your welcome. Throwing your impromptu torch in the general direction of where the arrow or the bolt came from you make to follow the beasts, trusting your companions to do likewise as your eyes adapt again to the deepening darkness. You can hear one more "thunk" of a projectile striking wood nearby before a shout reprimands the archer:

"Don't waste arrows, idiot! You'll hit one of ours."

You won't question your good fortune, though you do briefly consider how many orc officers would have made this call, and soon enough you are clear of the camp. Looking around you spot the two prisoners as they follow Elle closely, There's Sparky, flapping around, there's Diana and finally Chloe. Everyone's accounted for.

Your mission was a success!

But was it enough? You are reasonably certain you dealt quite a blow to the force in this camp, but was it enough to neutralize it entirely? Could you even do more?

The mercenaries that saw you leave were probably considering whether to prioritize your pursuit or securing their own camp so you could pause and think for a brief moment...

>Better play it safe. Reunite with Claudia and her knights, disengage and make for the city. You saved remaining scouts and did what you could with what forces you had.
>Your incursion was more successful than you dared hope, with the camp in such chaos you might be able to actually inflict some damage on the mercenaries. Turn and fight.
>Disengage, but don't return to city yet. Try to find a concealed enough place to rest and try to learn what the mercenaries will do next...
>other idea

>>5441846
>Better play it safe. Reunite with Claudia and her knights, disengage and make for the city. You saved remaining scouts and did what you could with what forces you had.
Overconfidence is a slow and insidious killer

>>5441846
>Better play it safe. Reunite with Claudia and her knights, disengage and make for the city. You saved remaining scouts and did what you could with what forces you had.

>>5441846
>Better play it safe. Reunite with Claudia and her knights, disengage and make for the city. You saved remaining scouts and did what you could with what forces you had.
Good enough, let’s go.

>>5441846
>Better play it safe. Reunite with Claudia and her knights, disengage and make for the city. You saved remaining scouts and did what you could with what forces you had.
Can't fight while we have prisoners following

>>5441846
>Better play it safe. Reunite with Claudia and her knights, disengage and make for the city. You saved remaining scouts and did what you could with what forces you had.

File: imgs_touch(6).jpg (55 KB, 1276x718)

55 KB JPG

LORD OF TAINT! IM COMING TO KILL YOU! IN THE DREAMLANDS! AT YOUR BASTION OF TORMENT!

You were safe, for the time being. The thrill of the fight, and exhilaration of success, kept your spirits high as you turned around to look at the sky split by roaring flames and shouts of anger, panic and confusion. Your body, your muscles, your weapon were all confident you could take more of them out should you turn and fight.

However, you knew better.

Your gaze slid towards the dirty, still naked pair retrieved from mercenary clutches, in their eyes a mix of relief, joy, confusion and fear all mixed together at their unlikely rescue and healing at hands of an imp. Perhaps they thought it was just some strange dream?

In either case, you could not risk them coming to harm in some silly adrenaline fuelled adventure. You did about as much as you could, it was time to reunite with the princess and the lord. If she wanted to deal with these mercenaries for good, she'd have to find some more forces to commit to the task.

At least there was no longer a doubt. The Black Dog mercenaries have burned all bridges and turned against the alliance.

You saw the riders before they saw you, but Chloe saw them even before that.

"Claudia's knights." She informed you.

"Over here!" you whisper-shouted, unsure how loud you could afford to be. It was enough.

"Mouse! You made it. Did you...?" Claudia came forward, emerging from the dark. Shadowy forms of her knights came to a stop behind and on either side of her.

"Y-Your highness!" The liberated woman spoke with a shaking voice. Then she shrunk and made some vain effort to cover herself. "P-please for... forgive me my state."; her male companion shrunk back similarly though he kept silent.

"Don't worry. You're safe now." Claudia said softly, then turned to her knights. "Pick them up. We can't stay here."

Two of the knights step forward and pull the prisoners up on their own mounts; another one steps forward leading two spare beasts - Elle's, and the one Chloe has borrowed - letting your companions mount up. And with that your party departed into the receding night, leaving the mercenary camp behind.

You travel to the city throughout rest of the night and through the morning, only stopping once in the beginning after you've put some distance between yourselves and the mercenary camp for the knights to give the scouts some spare clothing from your travelling supplies.

On the way, you take some time to commend your companions for their performance during your adventure. Chloe has been particularly invaluable and you think her skin darkened ever so slightly when you told her so, against a backdrop of her small smug smile. Sparky was overjoyed he got his healing spell right on the first try and Diana simply nodded with satisfaction at having her contribution recognized. Elle gave you a weary, heartfelt smile.

At some point, Claudia and Klaus come up to you and express their appreciation for your deeds at the camp.

"Thank you, Mouse. You did more than I could ask of my own men and brought my people back safely, at great risk to yourself and your companions. If I had any doubts left about you, I don't have any now." Princess says, smiling softly.

"I told you, love. He takes his quest seriously, I can tell. He's a good person. He's like a character from the children's books."

"I suppose you have, dear." Claudia chuckles.

You're not sure how to feel about the description as the ogres were usually, well, honestly sort of true to real life in those stories. Your parents sheltered you from these particular stories so you only learned of them when a book accidentally made its way with loot and you happened to spot it in the discarded pile.

"I'm glad I could have been of help." You say simply.

"I can see now what Alicia saw in you." Claudia nods. "I've said it before, but let me reiterate, Mouse, that we will do whatever it takes to help you in your quest. Tell me when you're ready to go and face the Goddess reborn and I'll give you another letter of recommendation."

"We both will!" Klaus adds.

"Although it will probably not be needed. Lady Celestine's foresight will assure that she'll be quick to see your earnest intentions."

"I appreciate it." You say, and you mean it. And with that the two drift away once more and you spend rest of the trip mostly in quiet.

By the time you reach the castle gate you're all quite exhausted, with possible exception of the golem. The guards at the gate salute and open the gate for the lord and his consort without question. Your group, accompanied by Tithe who swoops down to you after you're waved through, makes it to the citadel where you part ways with the royal couple and the knights who take the rescued scouts to the infirmary while you head to the bunk hall assigned to you. Smutkin and Phineous are not present, probably at work in the library; you're too weary to catch up with them so you just dig into some rations, together with Chloe, Elle and Sparky, and hear Tithe's update on the goings on in city while Diana assumes her resting watchful stance.

Although you were worried the enemy - be it some conspirators, cultists or some other force that seems to manifest to oppose you wherever you go - would make a move while the lords were gone, the things seemed to have gone as usual. There were no attacks from your queen's forces, nor were there any activities that would suggest Black Dog presence in the city proper.

Tithe did manage to spot one oddity, though - A hidden entrance into the city near where the river left it, used by smugglers to move contraband past the guards. You're sort of impressed Tithe managed to pick it up since apparently he saw only two instances of the passage being used. Perhaps you can bring it up with Claudia and Klaus next time you see one of them.

Which might well be next morning as you head into your corner of the hall to have a nap. Perhaps you can salvage the evening but for now you need to rest before returning to your intellectually taxing mission.

As it turns out, though, the sleep does not come easy. Although you don't recall having issues with taking rest when you could, regardless of the time of day, amount of light or the noise, something was bothering you. You tried to narrow the sensation down - and it surfaced without much prodding.

"You felt it, have you not?" says the manifestation that took residence in your mind for no monetary compensation. "The joy of triumph over your enemies. Of seeing the weak crumble before your might."

"Go away." You mumble.

"Leader?" Diana, who positioned herself nearby asks, confused.

"Not you. Thank you for your vigilance." You reassure the golem. She smiled and resumed her guard stance.

"Have you thought what it would be like to take her? She was literally built for it." The voice was noisy today. Was it because you were tired, or because you were in a fight? Or was there some other reason? "But you already know that. Still you are not satisfied."

There's a brief moment of silence which you hope means the voice gave up but are promptly proven wrong.

"The thrill and joy of domination that you felt is but a shadow of what I can give you." The voice says. "With my help, you would not have had to sneak around like a mouse. You could have strode among them like a god. You have what it takes. You could have it all. The dark queen. The halfbreed. All the human princesses. All of them would grovel at your feet and beg for your touch. Especially this last one. Do you think her pet boy can break her down like she is intended to? You could."

The voice was uncharacteristically chatty. Was it strengthened somehow, or was it more desperate? Should you try to reason with it? Would it even be a good idea? Maybe you could try to trick it somehow, but wouldn't it be able to tell?

>Try to goad some information about the cult from the voice.
>Argue with the voice. (how?)
>Banish the voice and rest. You have still much work to do and arguing with this entity is a waste of effort.
>other

>>5443790
>Banish the voice and rest. You have still much work to do and arguing with this entity is a waste of effort.
>Shut up you faggot, I've seen what you followers did to the boy.

>>5443790
>Try to goad some information about the cult from the voice.
Play to its ego

>>5443828
+1

>>5443828
>+1
altough the faggot is optional

>>5443790
>Banish the voice and rest. You have still much work to do and arguing with this entity is a waste of effort.

A memory surfaces before your eyes as the voice delivers his temptation. Memory of the two scouts, beaten, broken and pained, as you found them in the mercenary camp. You don't dredge up further memories - like Anna, Elle, or your mother's tears. Was that what the voice has to offer? To see the expression of torment and despair etched into face of Chloe, or queen Olga, or that of the princesses you've met - and who showed nothing but care and concern for their people?

With the initial burst of emotion weathered you briefly contemplate your options. The voice seemed pretty consistent and straightforward in what it wanted to see. Could you be able to trick it somehow, goad some useful information out of it?

No. You reminded yourself that this voice is likely not some stray shade you could banish with a candle. It was manifestation of something fundamentally wrong with the world itself. Whatever it would tell you could not be trusted to be to your benefit.

BEGONE

You don't vocalize the thought, but you mentally shout it to the edges of your consciousness where you imagine your unwated headmate would be lurking.

At least, that's how you imagine it, wondering to yourself if it worked. But the voice makes no further suggestions and you feel a sense of peace descend on you as you drift away into land of dreams.

You are already getting somewhat accustomed to more variety in your dreams since you've embarked on your quest, but this one still takes you by surprise. Or maybe it was going to after you awoke, things tend to feel natural in the dream...

...this one sees you travel downwards through the darkness. You were not alone, but you couldn't tell who else was with you. You held a weapon in your hand. You could not tell what it was, you could only tell it radiated light; at the same time, there was a thin webbing of darkness permeating it; still, holding it filled you with confidence.

You awaken refreshed and see there's still some light outside, though you can tell the dusk drawing near by the length of the shadows. Diana and Tithe stood watch where you saw them before and subtle shifts in the pile of pillows in a nearby corner showed Sparky was still asleep. You couldn't see anyone else around. At least, that is, until the door opens and Elle and Chloe enter together.

"Slept well?" Elle asks.

"As a matter of fact, I have." You nod. "What have you been up to?"

"I asked Chloe if we could spar a bit and she agreed. That was maybe an hour ago."

"She's an alright partner, for a human." Chloe says.

"Hey, I almost had you that last time!" Elle protests.

"As I said. And 'almost' is never enough." Chloe nods smugly.

"Good to hear you're making good use of time. Have you seen others?"

"Not yet. I think they're still in the library." Elle shook her head.

"Not anymore." Smutkin announces as he enteres, with Phineous and Minerva in tow. The golem moves immediately to take position next to her sister. You think differences in their stances are becoming slightly more pronounced.

"Welcome back, boss." Phineous greets you. "Heard you got into a scuffle?"

"You could say that." You grin at him.

You spend some time bringing each other up to speed. Smutkin comments that it seems somewhat strange that the mercenaries would move against Princess's scouts so brazenly, although that could be explained by them knowing that their involvement in coup against princess Alicia has become common knowledge and the alliance would treat them as hostile. There could be no doubt about that now, the mercenaries, who have previously benefitted from access to princess' alliance resources would have to respond to their outlaw status somehow, and soon.

Meanwhile, the bard, the orc and the golem continued with their tasks and had some more findings to show for it - though still somewhat vague for your tastes. Smutkin and Minerva have determined that Atlassia is most likely a real place with direct ties to the cult of the nameless, though unfortnately they were unable to pinpoint its location. Smutkin opined that perhaps some texts of the old order, if you could call the arrangement from before humans banded up against monsters, may help with that task, though you'd need to find a veritable cache of forbidden texts in original.

Phineous, on the other hand, found quite a particular, if dubious and peculiar, kind of clue while going through the alien cultures section. In some obscure, though very recently authored and contributed to Klaus's library, text a dwarven scholar was making some outlandish claims. The article was labelled "the goddess plays dice, and they are loaded". Unfortunately, the article looked to be written in a rather simplistic format; you'd have to learn more elsewhere if you wish to pursue this clue.

You complimented your men for their findings and pondered carefully what to do with sun's final rays.

>You could spend some time with magical theory. You may find something useful and in worst case it will make it even easier to fall asleep before the dawn.
>Try to look up the Levantine couple, maybe to discuss the mercenaries
>Maybe you could contact the queen again, share with her what you've learned
>Talk to someone about something (what and who?)
>As a military adage goes, rest when you can for you don't know what next day brings for you. Go to sleep.
>other

>>5445840
>Try to look up the Levantine couple, maybe to discuss the mercenaries
>Warn them of the hidden entrance

>>5445847
>support

>>5445847
>+1

>>5445840
>Try to look up the Levantine couple, maybe to discuss the mercenaries

As the rest of your crew winds down after the day, you decide to find Klaus and Claudia and see if they'd like to discuss the mercenary issue with them. When you tell your crew of your plans, Chloe invites herself to go with you, to which you see no reason to deny her. The two of you head out through the citadel corridors in vague direction of the audience chamber until you meet a servant you can ask for direction and they show you the way to Claudia's study.

It turns out to be rather close to the audience chamber and technically it's shared and large enough to be called a war room, though the chatty servant mentioned Klaus spent most of his time cooped up in the library tower until recently and how it's nice to see the two together more often.

There's a guard posted outside the room and when she sees you approach, she knocks on the door before you even have time to explain your intentions.

You greet the guard; she gives you a salute in return, her face slightly aflush. You briefly wonder if you should now wait for the lords to respond to your knocking or knock again when the door opens revealing Klaus in his formal outfit.

"Mouse! And lady Chloe! To what do we owe your visit at this hour?" The lord asked, adjusting his spectacles.

"I was thinking if you'd like to discuss the mercenary problem with us. Also, there was something Tithe found out and I wanted to share."

"I see..." Klaus turned to look outside your field of view, presumably to confirm something with his wife. Apparently satisfied he turned back. "Alright, please come in."

You enter the room and confirm that it indeed looks more like a war room than a study. There are bookshelves and several maps lining the walls, two desks, one with a tidy stack of papers, the other empty, set on either side of balcony door that was wide open and letting fresh evening air in. Claudia was standing there, wrapped in a flowing gown, which was probably most cloth you have seen on her so far, her brown hair let down freely.

"Mouse, Chloe. Good evening. We did not expect to see you before morning."

"I hope we aren't intruding." You say.

"It's alright. I think we could use your input, actually." The princess says and walks towards the dominant feature of the room, a large table in the middle of the room, gesturing for you to do the same.

There were some papers and parchments scattered on the table when you entered, Klaus was organizing them now as you gathered around the table.

"I have already arranged for a more robust force to carry out patrols in the area." Claudia says as she pulls a tube from one of the shelves. She pulls out a map and spreads it on the table. It shows the lands under responsibility of house Levantine and you can clearly make out the valley, the citadel, the river and with some effort also the approach you took from Alicia's castle.

"The camp is located here." Princess leans forward and indicates a spot downstream of the citadel. "With the damage you and Klaus inflicted on it we expect them to make a move soon, though question remains whether it would be to leave or to raid to replenish their supplies."

"If they decide to cut their losses and leave, they are most likely to take this mountain pass which they took on their way in." Klaus points to a highlighted section of the ridge to the south of where the river turned into an inhospitable marsh. "That would take them into the unclaimed territory where they could hide."

"That is the optimistic scenario." Claudia says. "As I'm sure you know, two other realms border the wilds in that direction." Princess said.

You nod. "There is a dwarven mountainhome to the south, and a trading port further east."

"Precisely." Claudia says. "Both the dwarves and the knights in service of the eastern kingdom that patrol the land should be secure against what's left of this particular force." The princess sighs. "At least assuming they recognize them as hostiles and criminals."

"Messengers will reach both fortresses in time, dear, I'm sure. The route they take is faster and less arduous than the wildland bypass." Klaus says.

"Of course. But that's not what I'm worried about. Keep in mind that Black Dog was contracted to fight the war against the dark queen. That's only fraction of their forces and we don't know their distribution elsewhere. We were so certain we know where our enemy is that we blinded ourselves to other dangers."

You briefly look in Chloe's direction to see her stand to the side, looking towards the window with arms crossed under her breasts and thoughtful expression. If she was offended by Claudia mentioning the enemy, she didn't let it show.

"The other possibility I mentioned... I actually think it more likely. You have seen their malice, so you can imagine why." Claudia points at the part of the Levantine domain outside the barren valley. "The mercenaries may choose to raid settlements here, here or, if they're particularly daring, here." She singles out three hamlets that might be accessible for the mercenary forces. "The reinforced patrols should deter from raids, but they won't be enough to take the fight to the mercenaries and they will already mean weakening of our garrison below the alliance mandate. If I wanted to take enough men to actually wipe the mercenaries out, we'd be leaving the citadel almost defenceless. And that's not all. Love, where's the message?"

Klaus begins to leaf through the papers in the stacks he made. "I'm sure it was on top here somewhere..."

"This one?" Chloe produces a paper. "I'm sorry, it was on the floor here."

"Oh dear. How did it end down there." Klaus says. Claudia turns around so you can't see her face. "Thank you." Klaus adds as the half elf hands the paper over. "Yes, that's the one. Did you read it?"

Chloe raises an eyebrow, but kept silent.

"Well, it's fine I suppose. It's from the Cathedral Keep, request for testimony on Havel's integrity, in connection with his report regarding Black Dog operations in Arcturus' keep. I imagine Alicia received similar request."

"And I can imagine her expression when she read it." Klaus comments with a bitter smile.

"What it means is that Black Dog is actively working to hinder Alliance response by using the due process against us."

"Are you serious? Your own 'justice' can protect these monsters after what they did?" Chloe raises her voice.

"No, it won't. But it can give them time to prepare their defenses. As is its purpose."

"To protect monsters from punishment?"

"No, lady Chloe," Klaus says softly. "It's to protect the innocents from wrongful accusations."

"Well that scum is not innocent."

"Which is why the outcome will be the same." Claudia says. "But it is going to take time which I'm not sure we have. There are ways to expedite the process but they will require me to travel to the Cathedral Keep in person, and that means escorts and leaving both defense and operations on shoulders of lord Graves. Furthermore, Celestine's own forces could need our help if it comes to worst."

There's a moment of silence before Claudia continues.

"Frankly, I'm worried. We may have won the moment, but we did not come prepared to fight on two fronts. If the Black Dog's main force makes a move, the alliance will fall."

"So that's what you meant... before..."

"Yes." She looks at you. "Mr. Mouse. You've made your loyalties and your intentions clear. What would you tell us in this situation?"

>Suggest committing to neutralizing the leftover mercenaries. It will momentarily weaken the defences against Olga's forces, but if done quickly enough will leave more forces available to guard the keep later on, or to provide assistance to allies.
>Suggest traveling to the Cathedral Keep as soon as possible, consolidating forces against the mercenary army seems like the priority.
>Volunteer to travel to the Cathedral Keep yourself to present your case. You did as much as you could here, it's time to move on.
>Maybe you could travel back to Alicia's keep and see how she's faring with her bandit problem. Maybe Havel and his reinforcements can be recalled by now?
>other idea

>>5447922
>Suggest committing to neutralizing the leftover mercenaries. It will momentarily weaken the defences against Olga's forces, but if done quickly enough will leave more forces available to guard the keep later on, or to provide assistance to allies.
>"Do not worry about my queen's forces, it would be a foolish move to send me on a quest, and then actively hinder it."
We can warn the Queen and ask to avoid pushing thprugh the medallion. And attack on the castle risks damage to the libray risks. If any forces decide to go against her orders, then we know they were traitors.

Just remember to tell Chloe before calling Olga, she said she wanted to be present next time we did it.

>>5447922
>Suggest traveling to the Cathedral Keep as soon as possible, consolidating forces against the mercenary army seems like the priority.

>>5447922
>Suggest committing to neutralizing the leftover mercenaries. It will momentarily weaken the defences against Olga's forces, but if done quickly enough will leave more forces available to guard the keep later on, or to provide assistance to allies.

"I'd say that the mercenaries tying up your forces like this leave you in worse situation than you would be by taking action now to neutralize them, even if it meant exposing yourselves briefly." You tell the princess, considering the situation.

"I see. I'm of similar mind. However..." There's a pause as Claudia locks eyes with you while sporting a somewhat inscrutable expression. "...the risk only seems acceptable if other parties remain unaware of the momentary weakness."

The realization dawns on you, but Claudia continues before you can respond to the insinuation.

"I don't intend to accuse you of spying, Mouse. As I said, I am convinced of your intentions." She sighs. "But I need to be clear on this. Would queen Olga have a way of learning that we are momentarily weakened?"

"I do have means to reach her majesty with pertinent information." You admit after brief hesitation. The revelation prompts a brief grimace of dismay on Chloe's face you hope the couple missed.

"I see..." Claudia said.

"Would you like me to ask her majesty for assurance she would not launch an assault on the keep?"

The princess's gaze darts to Chloe, then back to you. "How confident are you she'd acquiesce to such request?"

"The Queen did send me on this quest; it would go against her interest to sabotage it."

"I certainly hope that she is of the same mind on the subject. I hope you understand that a lot of lives may depend on accuracy of your assessment." Claudia says, her expression softening in response to your earnest replies.

You, on the other hand, frown at the implications. What would her majesty actually do? She was well aware and serious about the Taint. But you could not forget she was still a sovereign of the monstrous forces. Could you genuinely rule out that she'd take the chance to cripple Alliance with an attack while it is occupied with the Black Dog mercenaries, even though they appear clearly aligned with the Nameless? She'd be attacking people who are helping you, but politically are her enemies and potentially improving her own station within her forces.

Some of your musings must have been reflected in your expression as the princess nodded to herself and said:

"I'll trust you to do what you feel best, Mouse. Meanwhile," She turns to Klaus. "we'll make preparations to deal with the mercenaries. My husband seems determined to spurn my care for his safety so we'll ride together."

"As it should be." Klaus nods. "Death is nowhere as scary as possibility of letting you go from my side, my love."

Claudia blushed and offered no resistance when the lord took her into an embrace.

"Ahem." You remind them you're still there. "There was one more thing I wanted to mention." You tell them about the smuggler passage Tithe had uncovered.

"Oh! Thank you so very much for this. I'll see to it that the guard ensures the hole is not a security hazard. We'll see if we need to plug it, though if we do they will likely find a new one. It may be more preferable to simply keep an eye on it." Claudia was grateful for the information and had her signature kind smile on once again. "Was there anything else?"

>Yes, actually... (what?)
>No, head back to bed. You'd be well rested before you resume your studies tomorrow (although it seemed you ran out of low hanging fruits)
>No, head back to bed. You'd ride out with the lords and fight with them against the mercenaries.
>No, head back to bed. You intended to head to the Cathedral City as soon as possible, you did most of what you could here.
>No, head to some isolated room where you could contact the Queen with Chloe (optional: tell her about the action against the mercenaries?)
>other idea

>>5450381
>>No, head to some isolated room where you could contact the Queen with Chloe (optional: tell her about the action against the mercenaries?)
Yes, we need to tell her to not push. The Nameless will probably try to attack to ruin the goodwill we built so far, so it's a good opportunity to root out traitors.
Also mention all the leads we found so far and her thoughts on which one might be the best chance for a solution.

>>5450386
supporting

>>5450386
>+1

The path forward was clear. You bid the couple goodnight and headed out towards your lodgings. On your way you shared with Chloe your plan to contact the Queen, at which she visibly perked up and helped you look for a disused room where you could activate the amulet Olga gave you without risk of being disturbed.

You end up disturbed in a different sense of the word as the artifact again jolts and grips you with a chilling touch, though the sensation seems less jarring now that it was the first time around. Perhaps it was because you now had an idea to expect it, or perhaps because you were not alone this time - you could make out goosebumps forming on Chloe's tan skin but she made no sign of protest, resolved to endure whatever was necessary for the connection to her liege to be formed.

Once again the statuesque form of your queen emerges among the soft purplish mists that illuminated the room with their eerie inner light.

"Mouse." The queen acknowledges you. "Chloe." She notices the half elf next to you, dropped on her knee before the image of the queen.

"My queen." Chloe speaks.

"You are elsewhere this time. Levantine keep?"

"Indeed, my queen. I have developments to report."

"Proceed then. Be concise."

You give the queen a brief account of your adventures and achievements since last you contacted her in Alicia's keep. She nods in acknowledgment as you tell her how you earned trust and cooperation of the Levantine couple and the information you managed to glean from Klaus's stockpile.

"Although you have made remarkable progress in understanding of arcane matters and your conclusions so far appear correct, I may have told you as much without you expending time and effort in this manner." The queen delivers a compliment along with scathing judgment. "The Taint is a fundamental corruption in fabric of the world itself. Magic may offer a mean of remedying it, but it would entail a world altering ritual that would require unimaginable amount of power, only conceivably achievable by someone that would ascend to godhood themselves."

"Do you mean to say that magic is a dead end for my mission, your majesty?"

"No. Possibly." She shakes her head. "However, it would require to find a font of power you could control, something surely sought after by followers of the Nameless as well, or a solution clever and unexpected. I dare say, your... unique frame of mind renders this pathway not entirely unthinkable."

"Thank you, my queen."

"Now, as for the Atlassia, that is not a name I'd be familiar with. Perhaps it was known under different name previously. If it is indeed a locus of power of the Nameless it will without a doubt be of interest for your quest - and exceedingly dangerous for you and your... friends... to navigate. I don't recommend investigating it without learning more about it first, and ideally not without having an idea of what you seek to achieve."

"I will keep your advice, majesty." You tell her.

"Good. Was there anything else you wished to discuss?"

"Indeed. The mercenaries, which I believe to be followers of the Nameless."

You tell the queen of your encounter with the Black dog forces and Claudia's plan to clean them out.

"I see. That offers a valuable chance for our forces to advance and push the Alliance out of the blighted vale."

"Your majesty, I'd like to ask you to refrain from doing so." You say quickly, prompting the queen to fold her arms on her chest and look at you with a mixture of bemusement and surprise.

"Are you forgetting your place, Mouse?" She asks. "Did your stay among men make you forget that they are our enemies?"

>Argue that an attack from Queen's forces, especially prompted by information you offered, would unmake the work you've done to gain support of the princesses in your quest.
>Argue that the alliance is not the more dangerous enemy here, the followers of Nameless are and especially the Black Dog mercenary company and pressing the attack against alliance would strengthen them.
>Argue that the circumstance might be used to bait forces disloyal to the queen into revealing their true allegiances.
>other idea

>>5452007
>As long as the taint still exist, most of the our forces will never truly be loyal to you my Queen, only outliers like me, Chloe and the rest of my troop cares about all the effort and thought you give to our kind. Any support you would gain by this victory would be immediately ignored if given the chance to betray you. The shard of the Nameless in the relic constantly makes it very clear what position it would rather see you in.

>Any traitors would use this opportunity to strengthen the Black Dogs, and at the same time undoing the support I have gained in the alliance, since only I could inform you of this development. By ordering that no attacks happen in Levantine during this period, we will ensure that either they become weakened by abandoning allies and causing division, or force them to go against your orders and reveal their true allegiance.

>>5452016
Actually, using this as bait risk weakening the monster forces, makes her lose prestige and to unmake the trurst we built.
The Queen wouldn't even be able to go against these traitors since they would use the excuse that she is protecting humans or going soft, prompting more to join them
So just this two
>Argue that an attack from Queen's forces, especially prompted by information you offered, would unmake the work you've done to gain support of the princesses in your quest.
>Argue that the alliance is not the more dangerous enemy here, the followers of Nameless are and especially the Black Dog mercenary company and pressing the attack against alliance would strengthen them.
And the first part of what I wrote I guess

>>5452007
>Argue that the alliance is not the more dangerous enemy here, the followers of Nameless are and especially the Black Dog mercenary company and pressing the attack against alliance would strengthen them.

>>5452007
>Argue that the alliance is not the more dangerous enemy here, the followers of Nameless are and especially the Black Dog mercenary company and pressing the attack against alliance would strengthen them.

>>5452007
>Argue that an attack from Queen's forces, especially prompted by information you offered, would unmake the work you've done to gain support of the princesses in your quest.

"My queen, I have not forgotten the debt of loyalty I owe you. Neither do I contest the fact of war between man and monster. But the true enemy and the true threat is the Nameless and his Taint, from within as well as from without. Victory here may slake the lust for violence of our kin for a time, but any gains would be made hollow by strengthening the cultists. Furthermore, since I'd be the obvious source of information prompting such assault, resulting sense of betrayal would pose great risk to my own mission."

The queen's image stares you down with a judgmental gaze for a few moments, considering your words.

"My queen, please forgive my insolence, but please, consider Mouse's request."

Olga raises her eyebrows.

"Oh? Even you, my shadow?"

"I-I don't understand?"

"I'm simply surprised to hear you asking me not to visit the men with the wrath they deserve."

"It, It's not like that." The half elf stammers, looking into the ground. "But, it's the truth what Mouse said. I don't know about Taint, but what we've seen of the Black Dog, they're the vilest the humans have to offer. And they ally with those who betrayed you. I beg you, my queen, don't act to their benefit."

The queen's posture shifts slightly, and so does her expression. You think you can make barest hint of smile and softness in her face as she looks down at her retainer.

"Very well, Chloe. Mouse." She looks back at you, her expression shifting into more serious again as she does. "I can tell you understand what you're asking of me, and your reasoning is not lost on me." She turns sideways. "It's not a good situation. But I will do as you request and refrain from exploiting this blatant opening and take measures against treacherous overzealousness." She looks back at you. "Mouse. Boons such as this do not come cheaply. Do not disappoint me."

Before you have opportunity to discuss the matter further, the connection is dismissed from Olga's end. The eerie glow is cut off and you're left with Chloe in the darkness and silence.

"Thank you, Chloe."

"I didn't do it for you!" She hisses. "If this was a mistake..." She trails off.

"Chloe?" You ask into the darkness but there is no response. You were alone.

With a sigh as the gravity of the circumstance makes itself known to you in a vague sense of anxiety you relieve yourself by sighing and bringing up memories of reassurances your parents would share with you at times.

For all the good it did them.

Shaking off the unpleasant direction your thoughts were taking you headed out towards your bunk. Whichever course tomorrow would take it was sure to bring its own share of new obstacles to overcome. But you have to. Your queen, and your friends, deserved nothing less.

>You'll join Claudia and Klaus in dealing with the mercenaries. This should allow you to accompany them to the Cathedral City after it's done.
>The Queen said she'd ensure no attack would come, but you could stay in the citadel, just to be sure.
>Your work here is done, you should travel to the Cathedral City and seek audience with Celestine
>other plan

>>5453123
>You'll join Claudia and Klaus in dealing with the mercenaries. This should allow you to accompany them to the Cathedral City after it's done.

>>5453122
>You'll join Claudia and Klaus in dealing with the mercenaries. This should allow you to accompany them to the Cathedral City after it's done.

>>5453123
>You'll join Claudia and Klaus in dealing with the mercenaries. This should allow you to accompany them to the Cathedral City after it's done.

>>5453123
>You'll join Claudia and Klaus in dealing with the mercenaries. This should allow you to accompany them to the Cathedral City after it's done

Next day you awaken from dreamless sleep refreshed, shortly before sunrise. As you contemplate your next course of action, there's a knock on the door which when you inspect you find some meals have been delivered. You take them inside and before long you breakfast along with your companions.

"Gear up." You announce as you finish up. "We are going to fight our queen's enemies."

Your statement is met with nods, murmurs of acknowledgment and expressions of resolve. Phineous takes a solemn one, Smutkin's is slightly more predatory, with a dangerous glint behind bard's eyes. One exception standing out being a hesitant and worried Elle.

"The Black Dog." You reassure her.

"Oh, I'm sorry, it's just..."

"I understand." You shake your head and briefly contemplate the circumstances. You've come to appreciate Elle as one of your companions, she fought at your side during your venture into the mercenary encampent. What would you do if you found yourself in a confrontation where your loyalty to your queen would be tested against your comradery?

No, you'd have to find another way. There's always a choice, and if a way forward is not immediately apparent, you just need to open it yourself. The Taint shall be purged.

Once you're done eating you head out to seek out Claudia and Klaus to tell them of your decision. You are directed to same war room you've been to previous evening. Klaus and Claudia are there, both in their martial garb, also in attendance is Klaus's father and two uniformed officers you're not familiar with - a tall, grizzled man and a raven haired woman of slim, athletic build. The couple greet you with subdued warmth, the old lord with a wary scowl. The two officers maintain neutral expressions.

"We are busy. Come along some other time if you wish to talk about your fool's errand, ogre." lord Grave says.

"It's alright, father. He knows we're planning to make a move anyway." Klaus says.

"You would share that with an enemy agent just because he shares your fantasies? You foolish boy."

"He already fought alongside us and proved himself. Our goals are aligned." Klaus defends you.

"For now, perhaps." The old man glares at you before going back to his son. "Do not underestimate him. You will not meet a more dangerous adversary than the one you think you can trust."

"Duly noted." The young man nods. "For now, Mouse, was there something you wanted?"

"Yes. To volunteer myself and my companions. We will help you deal with the mercenaries."

"Are you sure? It could be dangerous and does not seem directly related to your quest."

"I believe the enemy is in direct service of the Taint. Thwarting them can not be detrimental to my mission."

"Very well. We welcome your assistance." Claudia says with a smile. "Come. We were discussing our strategy." She beckons you towards the table with map. Grave huffs with disdain, but steps aside.

The map shows the Levantine domain as you saw it yesterday, except several points have been highlighted with tokens. A tent-shaped one was placed where you knew the mercenary camp to be located and there were several pieces with a flag on it placed on hamlets that were probably at risk of being targeted, and a few landscape features such as mountain pass to the east and a foothill that was about two thirds of the way towards a hamlet nearest to the mercenary camp.

"This is commander Alexander Blanc, and this is captain Emilia Argent, senior officers of the forces dedicated for this operation." Claudia introduces the two officers who acknowledge this by saluting. The princess immediately moves on to the map. "Situation is such: we've had some mercenary deserters surrender to patrols during the night. Early interrogation suggests that mercenaries are indeed breaking the camp in response to our actions."

"I wonder what their original plan was." Klaus mused. "They would have had to do something to replenish their stocks anyway within few days."

"Maybe we'll find some clues on them. For now though that's immaterial. Back on point: the deserters' tale suggests that the mercenaries intend to punch through and resupply by raiding the villages." Claudia points at the hamlets at risk. "Commander Blanc put forward that the mercenaries are likely to take the path here to minimize risk of encountering our patrols -" Princess indicates the gap between ridge and the highlighted foothill "-or if they do meet a patrol there, it will be an isolated one."

"Indeed. We could set an ambush along this route and surprise their forward elements with overwhelming force. Terrain would keep them from being able to effectively use their entire force."

"That's of course assuming that they are indeed taking this route. If they push forward through the open here," captain Argent pointed on the other side of the hill "they'll be able to break through with little opposition if we commit our forces into this particular path."

"Yes, and that is why I'm advocating to push an assault on the camp before they begin to move, or to intercept them before they reach this far." Claudia picks up.

"It's a bold approach, highness, but the battle will be bloodier if we don't take advantage of the terrain." Blanc comments.

"Bah. A bold, decisive move is exactly how you deliver crushing defeats on your enemies. Timid slinking around only gives the enemy more opportunities to reinforce or bleed you with trickery of their own." Grave says. "On that note, I have a suggestion for how the ogre could show his willingness to aid you." The old lord locks gazes with you. "I understand you thrashed their camp and they know it. What do you think they'll do, ogre, if you challenge them?"

"Father?" Klaus asks.

"I want you to go in there and piss them off so much they forget their mothers' names. Then Claudia's cavalry can run them down. You wanted to help, yes? Think how many soldiers you can save if the mercenaries want to kill you first."

"Don't be absurd, father. They'll just pelt Mouse with ranged weapons. It would be a vain sacrifice."

"Thank you for the suggestion, father, but I have another idea in mind." Claudia steps in. "I don't intend to just charge in blindly. I'd like to attach you to captain Argent's mounted archers and support them in harassing the enemy in case they launched a counter attack. Our infantry and cavalry will handle the rest if we restrict mercenary's ability to react and maneuver."

The soldier woman darts with her gaze from Claudia to you and back, perhaps considering whether to protest. You realized that if you had an opinion or input to share, now would be a good time...

>Go with Claudia's idea and have your team accompany the skirmishers.
>Go with Grave's idea and be the bait, likely taking a lot of heat off Claudia's forces.
>You'd rather have your team stick close to the lords and help protect them.
>You could take your team and strike from a new direction once the battle is joined.
>other idea

>>5457565
>You could take your team and strike from a new direction once the battle is joined

>>5457565
>You could take your team and strike from a new direction once the battle is joined.

>>5457565
>You could take your team and strike from a new direction once the battle is joined.

>>5457565
>You could take your team and strike from a new direction once the battle is joined.

"Although I appreciate your willingness to integrate my team into your forces," You shake your head "I think we'd be more useful if we pick our attack separately to maximize the damage we can inflict." You decline Claudia's request. You think you can make out some subdued relief on the face of the skirmisher captain. Grave frowns at you, which you're remarkably able to discern despite the man's resting expression. The princess inclines her head, but nods.

"Very well. We'll be glad to have you at your discretion." She glances at the others gathered. "In that case I believe we are set. Rally your men, we depart within the hour."

The two officers salute and head out. You take that as cue and follow them.

"Remember my advice, Claudia. Do not offer an opening to the enemy." You can hear Grave say as you leave.

You return to your men to find them mostly suited up. The golems and Tithe stand in their vigilant poses, Chloe is leaning against the wall, observing the room, Phineous is sketching something; Sparky was flipping through the borrowed book. Elle and Smutkin were chatting (well, Elle was doing most of it). When you entered, they all looked at you.

"We'll be accompanying the alliance force departing soon. We'll engage on our own terms, so be ready to look out for each other, as we're used to." There's some acknowledging nods in response. "We're likely going to attract more heat this time. Sparky, I'll be counting on your new skills."

"You got it, boss! I'll say when I'm growing too weak." The imp hovers enthusiastically, and to emphasize his words a sphere of a translucent golden flicker blinks briefly into existence around him.

"Elle," You turn to the courier. "You did great in the night raid, but your uniform makes you vulnerable. I'd like you to stay close to Smutkin and make sure he can keep focused when necessary. Let me and the twins take the enemy attention."

"Will do, Mouse."

"Good. Phineous, I guess we're about to find out if your aim has improved any."

"No worries, boss."

"Alright, next-"

There's a knock on the door behind you. Turning around you open and are met with a sight that's both familiar and unexpected.

"Sir Mouse?" It was... Harriet, you think, was the girl?

The boy, Janet, was next to her. The two scouts you've retrieved from mercenary captivity. They were clad in the military garb and in the light of day you could get better look at them, they were of similar slim build with short dark hair and gray eyes. In fact they were similar enough that there might have been familial relation.

"Yes, what do you require?"

"Her highness told us about you." Harriet says.

"About your quest." Janet clarifies.

"We want to join you!"

"We thought we know where the evil is. That's why we signed up in the first place. But maybe we were going about it wrong."

"Princess already released us from service so we can help you!" Harriet says.

"Princess sent you to accompany us?" You scratch the back of your head trying to work this situation out. Sparky may have healed them, but wasn't it too soon for these two to be thrown into the grinder again?

"Well, not in those exact words." Harriet admits. "But we can't just lie around!"

"Sister's right. We want to help." Janet says, confirming the two as siblings.

"Alright." You say. "I see. I appreciate it, but we're just about to head out and we don't have time to bring you up to speed. It would not be a good idea for you to join us now."

The two are visibly crestfallen at being rejected, provisionally or not. The girl is quicker to recover. "Alright, we'll seek you out after you return. We really want to help! Come Janet, let's allow them to prepare."

With that the two depart, leaving you contemplate this unexpected encounter. Though not for long - you really had to make sure your group was ready to depart alongside Princess's forces.

"Those two are so adorable." Phineous comments.

"Admirable, more like." Elle says. "I've seen people who were captured by, er, monsters. Not all recovered."

"Well, these were captured just by their own kind." Chloe says with a not so concealed bitter edge.

"That may be even worse. These people were supposed to be our allies." Elle shakes her head.

You see Chloe turn to make another retort and decide to direct attention back to the task at hand.

"We can continue this debate later. For now, we should get going to the rally point."

Your companions agree and soon enough you are joining the alliance troops and not long after a punitive force of a some one hundred footmen and mounted riders departs from the castle, with princess and lord Levantine at the head and your diverse company alongside them.

The trip was quick and you spent it traveling at relaxed pace set by the infantry element next to the Levantines, mostly in silence. You did confirm that the two scouts were given leave of service though it was for them to rest and recover from their ordeal. Claudia was surprised to learn they planned to accompany you and she expressed concern over their wellbeing, though she said that she wouldn't deny them if that's the path they insisted on pursuing.

After that, the silence was next broken by captain Argent coming up some time before you reached where the mercenary camp had originally been.

"Your highness, the gargoyle was right. We've come across mercenary pickets. They spotted us, but we were able to take them out."

"I see." Claudia nodded. "Then the battle is upon us. Take your men into position and move on the agreed signal."

"Yes, your highness." The skirmisher saluted and rode off. Princess turned to you as Tithe descended to your side.

"Thank you for your serivce, mr Tithe."

"It has been a pleasure, princess." The gargoyle said. "I meanwhile managed to take a look further. Enemy is traveling in a loose formation slightly denser around the provision carts. Vanguard elements appear to be wielding spears."

"Very good, thank you." Claudia acknowledges the report and addresses you. "Mouse, if you wish to pick your angle independently, now is the time for us to part. You'll know the battle is joined when you hear our horn."

"Thank you, your highness." You say. "Please, take care."

"I was just about to say the same. However, if at all possible and you get the chance, I'd appreciate if you could capture the mercenary leader alive for questioning - and perhaps testimony."

"I'll see what I can do." You offered.

"Good. Good hunting, friend."

Claudia and Klaus both smiled at you, which you couldn't help but return. Still, there was grim work ahead of you so your expressions soured quickly enough as you gestured at your companions to follow and hurried forward in the direction where Tithe suggested you'd be able to intercept flank of the approaching mercenaries.

The question left to decide was where exactly you'd endeavour to drive your attack...

>Go for the forward elements that would be locked in battle with Claudia's forces. This should allow you to help her overwhelm them quickly and with minimal casualties, but rest of the enemy forces might either consolidate or retreat with greater ease.
>Cut straight towards the heart of enemy formation in hope of taking out their leader and causing the enemy to fall apart and panic. That's likely where the enemy is stronger, though.
>Attack enemy's rear, cutting off their retreat. This option is likely least risky for you but places most of the burden on Claudia's forces.
>other plan

>>5462614
>Cut straight towards the heart of enemy formation in hope of taking out their leader and causing the enemy to fall apart and panic. That's likely where the enemy is stronger, though.
Let's do this

>>5462614
>Cut straight towards the heart of enemy formation in hope of taking out their leader and causing the enemy to fall apart and panic. That's likely where the enemy is stronger, though.
Was starting to get worried there Usurper.

>5462614
>>Cut straight towards the heart of enemy formation in hope of taking out their leader and causing the enemy to fall apart and panic. That's likely where the enemy is stronger, though.
We have chosen Ultra-Violence.

>>5462614
>Cut straight towards the heart of enemy formation in hope of taking out their leader and causing the enemy to fall apart and panic. That's likely where the enemy is stronger, though.
we devour

Making your way through the uneven terrain and shrubbery you are directed several times by Chloe's gestures to presumably avoid exposing yourselves and only barely have time to gather your bearings when a sound of horn rings out short distance away and you know that the fighting has begun in earnest.

Chloe, crouched a few steps upslope of you beckons you over. As you do, you reach a small crest from which a sight of battle unfolds before you.

Or maybe it would be more accurate to say, response of part of enemy force to it. You could not from your position see Claudia's engagement - what you could see was several wagons being hastily navigated into a circular formation while groups of archers were nocking arrows while other mercenaries hurried along after their squad leaders in attempt into some semblance of formation.

At the heart of enemy force, more or less among the clusters of archers, a group stood out of several mercenaries whose armour and outfits looked marginally cleaner than those of their compatriots surrounding a man that felt vaguely familiar for some reason. As if you've seen him before.

In either case it seemed obvious the distinctive fighters were protecting him, making him likely leader of this operation - and an objective for you to seize.

There was no going around the matter anymore, and frankly you didn't feel particular urge to avoid it. The time for stealth and politeness was over. Now was time for violence.

"Form up. Minerva, Diana, with me. Phineous, cover us. Everyone, look sharp."

With the commands issued you set yourself in motion.

You were prepared for pain. This was not your first fight, and especially since taking your companions under your command you've made sure to make the most of your thick skin and imposing presence while your comrades made use of their own talents best fitting with their skillset.

This time, however, things were different.

One difference was a golden haze that briefly flickered as you picked up speed. You barely registered the pair of golems matching your speed at either side as the warmth of Sparky's spell washed over your skin.

The other difference was in your own mind. Where previously you've, knowingly or not, tried to distance yourself from the imminent bouts of brutality, regarding them as your duty to the Queen which saved your life. This time that was not the case. This time there was part of you that looked at the enemy before you with glee.

You were about halfway to the nearest group when someone noticed you. You got two more strides in before the mercenary assured himself his vision is not playing tricks on him.

"It's ogre!" A cry joins the unintelligible shouts in the background. "Ogre with naked statues!"

The shout actually won you some more confusion as you closed in. Next mercenary to look your way received a bolt through the throat from Phineous's crossbow. By the time the troop you were charging began to act with some semblance of concert you were already upon them, your mace sending the nearest one into spear of another. And the music began to play.

Step, swing, dodge, swing. Step, swing, step. Step, swing, swing, step. Step, dodge, swing, step.

This time, you moved to the rhythm of the beat of your heart and the tune. Or maybe it was the other way around. You were vaguely aware of the spear work of the golems at your side. You took note of the shadow cast by Smutkin's cap and the crooked grin, you're not sure if you could see his eyes.

There was no pain this time, your enemies fell before they could enter your range. It tooks a full minute before an arrow found its way in your direction only to shatter in a glint of golden light. You knew that a man crumpled helplessly to the ground short way ahead, a dark shape only barely flitting between him and another that dropped shortly afterwards. You knew there's a human woman a few steps behind you fending off attacks of her own kin - you paid it little heed as she was doing well enough, especially with the orc standing behind her, reloading his crossbow.

For once, you allowed your consciousness, your training and your monstrous blood act in harmony.

Step, swing, stomp. Step, dodge, swing.

Even so, and to your own mild surprise, you did not allow yourself to entirely abandon yourself to the trance of battle. You felt a trace of anxiety, of resentful restraint in the back of your mind as you let your instincts and your intellect analyze the field of battle.

Perhaps that's what allowed you to sidestep a particularly vicious lunge by one of the commander's guards. It certainly allowed you to remain aware that your advent has thrown mercenary forces into turmoil. The archers may have let loose a salvo before you arrived but now their troops have scattered to distance yourself from the raging ogre. The golden shield Sparky placed around you lit up as some of them risked taking shots at you even though you were locked in melee fight with their compatriots.

Some of them recognized the radiant glow for what it was and were momentarily struck with confusion before getting struck with a spear or a bolt or a dagger.

You were an eye of the storm and you knew that some part of you reveled in it.

Should you be reveling in this? Perhaps it felt right. Like this was what you were meant for. But didn't you set out in the first place because you found the will of the world to be broken?

You did not allow the realization to slow down your movements. You knew that if you would stop, you would die. There was only one way out of this fight and it was through.

Fortunately, your companions did not let you down, nor did you them. The tune reached peak of its crescendo as another bodyguard fell, leaving you face to face with the mercenary leader flanked by his two remaining guards.

"It's ogre for you, now." The man finds time to address you smugly as you nonchalantly clobber a mercenary with a backhanded blow, pushing him right into Diana's spear. Perhaps hoping he would use that as a distraction the mercenary boss slashes at you as the guards step to the side both to give him room and maybe try to flank your group... on top of the other maybe dozen mercenaries closing in from either side. You'd have to be decisive and end this quickly.

In evading the attack you adjust your momentum for a counterattack of your own - taking one of the bodyguards out of the fight with a powerful thrust of your weapon, knocking him back and parrying another anticipated lunge of the mercenary boss while Diana fended off the other bodyguard.

Force of the blow was sufficient that you could see the man's face warp with strain and pain, although he retained hold of his weapon you earned a hateful glare from him. He began to take a step back, perhaps to win a moment's respite to recover his strength - a luxury you couldn't allow him. Pursuing him you made a shallow swing he easily dodged but it was enough for you to take a stride forward and make another attack an earnest one.

The merc boss was a skilled fighter, you had to give him that much credit. Although his technique was considerably sloppier than that of Klaus's father, he made up for some of that with his strength. That, however, was still nowhere near yours. If you could land a solid hit on him, he'd be done.

To your dismay, however, your opponent managed to evade your strike this time; what was worse, his dodge allowed the warrior inside your guard, forcing you to briefly yield initiative as you narrowly defended yourself from a nasty cut.

And that is where your adversary's fortune ends. His next attempt at thrust puts himself just slightly enough off balance to allow you to grasp his sword arm with your free hand.

He tries to kick, squirm and reach for a dagger with his other hand, but to no avail and his expression shifts from smug grin into one of terror as his mind catches up with the abrupt shift in his circumstances.

"Wait, wait, don't hurt me!" He pleads.

As if to accentuate, another voice rises above the rumour of the battle: "Where the hell is our support? Lines are breaking, everyone's running away!"

Looking around you confirm that indeed your companions - everyone is standing and accounted for - could shift into slightly more relaxed poses as the opposing forces have thinned and the rest still standing was either reluctant to move or increasingly eager to leave. Further out, the mercenaries were routing. Some threw down their weapons and were surrendering.

The fight was over.

>Knock the leader out and bind him and pursue the escapees. The less mercenaries are allowed to leave, the better.
>You have shed enough blood today. Take the captured leader to Claudia and let her choose how she wants to deal with the leftovers.
>Ask the leader something right now.
>other plan

>>5464433
>You have shed enough blood today. Take the captured leader to Claudia and let her choose how she wants to deal with the leftovers.

>>5464433
>You have shed enough blood today. Take the captured leader to Claudia and let her choose how she wants to deal with the leftovers.

>>5464433
>You have shed enough blood today. Take the captured leader to Claudia and let her choose how she wants to deal with the leftovers.

>>5464432
>Ask the leader something right now.
>who are your agents on the inside

Enough.

As you gazed into the eyes of the mercenary who found himself at your mercy, you decided that enough blood has been shed this day, at least by you. You wondered what the princess would have in store for this man. Well, there was only one way to find out.

"Tithe, maintain watch. Smutkin, Sparky, see if you can help the wounded. Everyone else secure the surrendered. Watch yourselves and each other." You issue some commands, then focus back on the merc in your hands. You give him a gentle squeeze to dissuade him from reaching for a hidden knife. Chloe helpfully materializes next to him and relieves him of the weapon.

"Try something like this once more and we'll show you why your kind is right to fear us." Chloe tells the man softly, with a smile, running point of his own blade along his cheek.

If the mercenary had a retort, for now he chose to swallow it and kept his peace.

"Thank you." You tell the half elf, she acknowledges with a quiet nod and steps away.

You look around, surveying the field littered by dead and wounded mercenaries. Abandoned wagons on one side, advancing alliance soldiers approaching from the other, rounding up surrendered mercenaries. You grab the captive and head towards the soldiers. When they meet your gaze they give you appreciative nods or salutes. You maintain a stone face save for nodding back in return, reminding yourself how different circumstances of meeting these people on field of battle could have been. The grim thoughts distract you as you make your way through where the alliance forces clashed with mercenary vanguard. It's not just mercenary bodies laying around.

Eventually you reach edge of the battlefield and a clearing where Claudia and Klaus have personally taken to assist the wounded.

"Mr. Mouse!" The princess notices you quickly enough. She quietly says something to a soldier with bandaged side and strokes her hair before moving towards you. "I'm delighted that you made it through this battle unscathed. I understand you did a lot to end the fight decisively, sparing us a lot of lives." She narrows her vision on the man in your grasp. "Is this...?"

"Commander of this troop, yes." You confirm and notice Klaus is also making his way over.

"Excellent work. Thank you for your consideration, mr Mouse." Claudia says and turns to the mercenary. "What is your name and who do you report to?"

The thug, although still firmly within your grasp, smiles smugly. "My name is Hicks and I'm member of the Black Dog mercenary army. I invoke my rights granted to me by the contract between the Church of the Goddess and the Black Dog mercenary army to fair redress of my grievances with the Alliance."

You glare incredulously at the grinning man but his attention is entirely on the princess, though not necessarily looking her in the eye.

"Is that so? What manner of grievance would that be?" Claudia asks, frowning.

"Obviously it's the unjust, treacherous aggression against the men who came all the way over here to fight monsters."

Almost involuntarily your grip tightens around the mercenary's arm, eliciting a grunt of pain.

"I'd also appreciate if you could tell your pet ogre to unhand me, I'm a cooperative surrendered combatant and use of violence against me constitutes a crime."

Claudia's expression eased from a surprised and outraged frown into a cold glare. "I see now how this is going to go. Very well. Mouse, please, release him."

"Are you certain?" You ask, unsure. Was she going to play along with this farce?

"Indeed. Don't worry, I've anticipated something like this may happen." She turns to a nearby soldier. "Sergeant, fetch some manacles for the gentleman in our custody." She turns back to the mercenary. "You can try to play the law, but you're only making it harder for yourself when it eventually comes down on you."

"The law is on the side with stronger 'right', highness." Mercenary replied as you with some reluctance released him towards a pair of soldiers arriving with some irons to restrain him.

"Take him away." Claudia commanded. As the soldiers obeyed she shook her head. "I was hoping we'd be able to use him for testimony, but it seems more likely his only benefit would be as body of evidence."

"Does he need to be alive for that?"

"Klaus!?" Claudia exclaims, as you both look at the lord, gazing at the mercenary being carried away.

"I'm sorry, love. I know you hold me to higher standard than this," He says "But as I understand our circumstances, he may be correct. We place great value in our law, but ultimately when the foundation is corrupt, what manner of outcome can we expect? If the world itself conspires to humour this man's stance?"

"Oh, Klaus, my love..." The princess closes the gap between her and her husband and pulls him into an embrace. "I don't want you, of all people, to resign yourself to despair."

"I won't." The lord said, reciprocating the embrace eagerly. "I promise to you."

"I'll, go collect my team." You announce quietly and turn to leave the couple to their moment.

"Mouse, wait." You turn around. "Thank you. You saved many of our men with your help, at risk to your own. We will not forget it."

You acknowledge her words with a slight bow, then return to your men in earnest.

You return to a curious and diverse gathering of uniforms. Most of them were Alliance soldiers with Levantine colours, but there were several of the surrendered mercenaries, all under watchful eye of a soldier. The gathering was focused on the twin golems, if glimpses of the alabaster white you could glean were of any indication.

"Please, maintain orderly approach. The healer needs some time to recuperate." You hear one say, most likely Diana, which is confirmed once you reach the middle, a small clearing has been set aside with Minerva holding Sparky in some sort of improvised seat made of a breastplate cushioned with a folded cloak. The imp was relaxing with a serene expression, with Smutkin tooting a relaxing tune that somehow made you think of a babbling brook flowing through a meadow in morning mists with birds singing in the background.

As you looked over the scene, Sparky opened his eyes and you felt a tension in the air tingle with discharge of magical energy and the soldier closest to the imp sighed with relief and relax grip she had on a piece of cloth clutched against her side.

"Thank you, redeemed one." She said with a deferential bow and left the group in the direction Diana has indicated.

Phineous was busy committing the scene to his scrapbook, with Elle watching over his shoulder.

"Boss! Just doing as you asked." Sparky says as he catches your perhaps slightly surprised look. "Miss Elle suggested organizing a bit."

"Um, actually, I just asked when I saw Sparky exhausted if it could be made easier for him. Smutkin came up with the idea." Elle speaks up at being mentioned. Smutkin just grimaces in direction of a smile and nods without interrupting his performance.

"Good thinking, and good job, everyone. Please, continue, Sparky." You gesture at the imp to continue his efforts. "And great work in the fight. I'm proud to have you for companions."

You take in the diverse acknowledgments of your praise from the crew and find a way for yourself to settle down next to Smutkin and Elle and contemplate your next move...

>Claudia is likely to head to the cathedral fortress soon, perhaps with the prisoner as evidence. Offer to accompany them. That should eliminate any issues you may have with Alliance bureaucracy regardless of any recommendations.
>You're essentially ready to depart for the cathedral fortress immediately, shaving maybe even two days off travel time... but doing so would mean leaving the two scout volunteers behind. And although you're confident in Olga's word, you would not see for yourself that Claudia's citadel remains unharmed.
>You could return to the citadel and pick up the scouts, then head out as soon as possible, saving maybe a day of travel compared to where you estimate Claudia would arrive.
>You could also decide to head somewhere else entirely, pursue a different avenue... (which?)
>other plan

"Mouse." Chloe interrupts your thoughts from your side. "Are you going to let the two travel with us? The scouts we freed."

"What do you think?" You ask the half elf.

"I... I'm not sure." She answers. "I think they'd like to help. They... But, then again, it's two more humans..." She trails off, looking in front of her.

>Take the scouts. They come with their own mounts and bows.
>Don't.

>>5468392
>Claudia is likely to head to the cathedral fortress soon, perhaps with the prisoner as evidence. Offer to accompany them. That should eliminate any issues you may have with Alliance bureaucracy regardless of any recommendations.

>>Take the scouts. They come with their own mounts and bows.
>You seen the state they were in, didn't you Chloe? I don't think they are the bad kind of humans. The ones that are wolves in sheep clothing.

>>5468392
>You could return to the citadel and pick up the scouts, then head out as soon as possible, saving maybe a day of travel compared to where you estimate Claudia would arrive.
>Take the scouts. They come with their own mounts and bows.

>>5468392
>Claudia is likely to head to the cathedral fortress soon, perhaps with the prisoner as evidence. Offer to accompany them. That should eliminate any issues you may have with Alliance bureaucracy regardless of any recommendations.
>Take the scouts. They come with their own mounts and bows.
Go without Claudia and we might lose a day trying to convince people to let us in.

"I also think they're genuine. You saw them. I don't think you need to worry about them turning on us."

"..." Chloe says with a sigh. "Indeed. So we're taking them?"

"Yes."

"Mouse..."

"Yes?" You turn just in time to see Chloe rise to her feet, conflicted expression resolving itself into a small, almost gentle, smile.

"Oh, it's nothing. It's only fair, I suppose." She says and nimbly slips out of your field of view.

With a shrug you turn back to watch Sparky tend to the queue of wounded which was growing shorter by the moment. Some of the healed soldiers, aside from expressing their gratitude to the remarkably strange imp Sparky turned out to be, offered a salute or a respectful bow to you before departing. The word of your previous actions, on top of very presence of an ogre friendly to the princess, must have been a topic of many a mess hall conversations. Your duel with the lord emeritus probably helped, too.

Looking at the earnest faces of many of the soldiers made you humour a thought that could be classifiable as treacherous - hoping that whatever they felt towards you would not prove a detriment were they ever to face one of your kinsmen.

Of course there were many who took Sparky's healing but were eyeing you and your companions with suspicion and fear. And the few wounded mercenaries that were brought, glared at you almost exclusively with confusion and fear.

What drove them to stay with the Black Dog? To be a party in what was done to Claudia's scouts? Was it corruption of the taint that caused them to abet cruelty, or were they merely afraid to contest this state of affair? You find yourself once again wondering how far Taint's influence goes and how directly can it express itself.

You find no detailed answers by the time Claudia's forces organize to return to the castle, seizing the abandoned wagons to help with wounded and bodies. Your group once more assumes formation within the column and you set out back towards the citadel.

Atmosphere is that of a subdued joy, the troops seem filled with pride and resolve at having triumphed over the mercenaries that killed and hurt some of their number, the spirits somewhat dampened by the losses of friends fallen in battle and possibly even more by knowledge that the fight really drove home the point of conflict and strife looming over the alliance - common man may not have been privy in too much depth about numbers or relationship between the house armies and the mercenary one that was supposed to carry brunt of the war against the monsters', but everyone realized the mercenaries did not emerge out of thin air just to be another enemy.

On the topic of morale, but mostly regarding your plans for near future, you take the chance to approach the lordly couple.

"Your highness?" You address, well probably Claudia as she seems to be the one more hands on with managing the affairs.

"Yes, Mouse?" The princess turns to you with her gentle visage.

"Do I understand correctly that you intend to travel to the Cathedral City soon?"

"That is correct. Now that the immediate threat to our rear is resolved, I can do most work in attempting to coordinate directly with lady Celestine and thwarting whatever legalist acrobacy mercenary representatives should attempt. We will also bring some forces to reinforce lady's seat against an attack. But I apologize, you are asking for a reason. Would you like to travel with us?"

"Indeed that would be preferable. I do not doubt your recommendations, but I imagine others might."

Claudia's face darkens with a frown. "A valid concern, given circumstances." She relaxes again. "But of course, we'd be delighted to have you and vouch for you personally." She adds, speaking for both herself and Klaus, who nods with a smile, apparently feeling comfortable with Claudia speaking for him. "We'll be likely departing day after tomorrow. We need to make some preparations but will send for you when we know exact time."

"Thank you, I appreciate that."

"Don't be ridiculous. We share a quest, my friend." Klaus does speak up now. "In fact I'd be of half mind to join you myself if that didn't necessitate separation from my love. Speaking of which, dear, what do you say about an extended leave of absence?"

Princess looks at him with pained grimace. "We've talked about this already. I wish I could, but I can't push that much responsibility onto your father. He deserves his peace, whatever he does with it."

"Ah, fair enough. Then I'll stay at your side." Klaus sighs and turns to you. "If I find something interesting after we eventually head our separate ways, I'll be sure to have a courier track you down." He promises to you which you accept with a grateful bow.

"Thank you, Klaus." You say, then, after a brief pause: "There was one more thing. It may seem mundane but I'd much appreciate if I could requisition some additional food from castle kitchens for my men. I feel they deserve it for their performance today."

"Oh... oh!" Claudia exclaims in surprise, then her hallmark kind smile widens into something downright matronly. "But of course, it's the least we can do for your help. I'll make sure to send word to the kitchens as soon as we arrive."

You begin to wonder if the request was a good idea.

"I didn't mean-"

"No, no, don't mention it again. Just trust me."

"Don't argue with her when she's like that. It would only make her sad. You don't want to see her sad." Klaus advises.

"Very well, thank you, your highnesses." You bow and excuse yourself to rejoin your team.

The trip back goes quickly and you make it back to the citadel - which to your relief shows no signs of having been attacked in your absence, though the train of thought leads you back to worry about queen Olga's situation. Your team splits away from the alliance force and makes a beeline for your lodgings.

You're almost not surprised to see the two scouts, in their military outfits, waiting for you before it.

"Sir Mouse. We've been awaiting your return." Harriet addresses you as you come into view.

"We stand ready to join you whenever and wherever you go." Janet adds.

"I hope you were not standing around here all this time." You half joke.

"No, sir, but we were taking turns on lookout." Janet says with serious expression.

"I see you're resolved to help." You comment.

"That's right!" Harriet says. "Whatever it takes and wherever you go! Until you've succeeded in your quest, sir!"

"You'll let us help, right?" Janet asks, his stone expression cracking a bit as the twins look at you pleadingly.

How could you say no to that? "Very well, welcome aboard."

The two force themselves not to grin and salute as one. "Thank you, sir!"

"Don't thank me yet." You raise hands in a pacifying gesture. "We don't know how long or difficult our mission may yet get."

"Whatever it takes, we can make it. I know that now. Sir Mouse." Harriet says darkly. You choose not to press the subject, although your recollections from end of your childhood to memories of screams coming from vague direction of dungeons in Olga's citadel suggested this resolve would be tested. Well, not if you had a say in it, as you looked into two pairs of grey eyes.

"Also, it's just Mouse. Since you volunteer to join my companions, you'd address me as 'boss' or 'leader', as you prefer."

"Yes, boss." They say together.

"Uh, boss, someone's coming." Phineous says to you. You follow his gaze down the corridor and see a woman in civilian garb of the kind servants use approach.

"Um, are you mr. Mouse?" She asks you, presumably having been instructed to talk to the ogre. When you confirm your identity, she continues: "I've been instructed to take requests for your dinner. Citadel is reasonably stocked so we should be accommodate most possible requests.

"Alright, we-"

"Chocolate!" Sparky's head emerges from a bundle of spare cloaks Minerva has been carrying. "And cocoa!"

The maid dutifully writes something into a notebook she pulled out in the meantime.

"Do you do Crownvale steaks?" Smutkin inquires. "A known dish from Levantine heartland." He explains in response to your questioning look.

"Of course!" The servant gives him a smile and jots it down.

"Oooh, I want some, too!" Elle says.

Well, it appears your plans for tonight were being settled. Your gaze fell on the scouts who were standing quietly to the side. "Go ahead, state your preference, too. You're with us now." You prompted them while letting your mind occupy itself with a plan for tomorrow...

>You could spar and train. Although you won against the old Levantine and the mercenary captain both, they both posed some measure of threat.
>You could squeeze whatever was left from the low hanging fruits in the library, though you suspect learning anything substantial at this point would require a lot of time dedicated to research.
>You could kick back and rest. Although you felt slightly guilty at the thought, perhaps some relaxation would do you good?
>Perhaps you could spend some time with some particular companion(s) (who?)
>other plan


>feel free to assign tasks to crew members as well.

>>5472325
>You could spar and train. Although you won against the old Levantine and the mercenary captain both, they both posed some measure of threat.

>against chole.

>>5472327
>You could spar and train. Although you won against the old Levantine and the mercenary captain both, they both posed some measure of threat.
>Perhaps you could spend some time with some particular companion(s) (who?)
Chloe, we need to know what's troubling her. Also maybe discuss the thoughts we had about the mercenaries and the taint? Not all of them were completely evil, so what drives a person to work for those that are?

Get everyone training again.
Elle should drill the two new scouts.
Phineous and Smutkin have a bit of catching up to do
Minerva and Diana training side by side
Tithe and Sparky training maneuvers on how to best support the rest.

>>5472327
>You could spar and train. Although you won against the old Levantine and the mercenary captain both, they both posed some measure of threat.

>>5472345
Supporting

It was delicious.

The meat was tender, with virtually no seasoning, letting its taste excel fully against the backdrop of tuber salad, washed down with ale that struck just right balance between sweet and bitter. You don't think you've eaten a better meal, certainly not from technical standpoint. Although to some extent you had to entertain the thought that recent battle may have whetted your appetite.

In the end you decided to jump the bandwagon launched by Smutkin and request the same steak, as did everyone else with exception of Phineous who has been somewhat disappointed by unavailability of fresh fish - he ended up settling for some dish made of preserved fish instead. He characterized it as "good enough". Sparky, for his part, was quite content digging through the pile of sweets brought for him. You were somewhat worried if he'd be capable of flight after he ate all this, even though you knew from experience he could devour surprising amount of mass without it showing on his maneuverability. As for remainder of your team, they seemed to share your sentiment to varying degrees, with the trio of humans being perhaps marginally less ecstatic on account of perhaps having fresher recollection of a good meal from their downtime.

Be that as it may, you welcomed the opportunity to wind down, and to introduce the new recruits with your current team. If they had any misgivings in working with monsters, they didn't show any. If anything, they showed considerable amount of deference to Sparky, an image that may have looked comical to an onlooker with the two scouts expressing their gratitude to the sticky, chocolate stained imp. Unsurprisingly, though, they seemed most comfortable around Elle.

You took note of their interaction with Chloe. You suspected she might be wary of more humans, especially with one of them being a man, regardless of circumstances, but that didn't seem to be the case. In fact, you saw a hint of something you couldn't quite put a finger on in watching her look at the twins. That, along what you recall from your previous interactions with the half elf, tells you that you still don't know the Queen's Shadow quite as well as you'd like and resolve to do something about it.

In the meantime, your small impromptu victory celebration winds down with Smutkin taking out his flute and Phineous his drawing utensils. The light of day recedes, leaving the flickering flames of hearth and torches sole source of illumination. Before retiring you gather attention of your companions.

"You have fought well today, and I'm pleased that we could benefit from this bit of luxury in recognition of that." You tell them. "However, the future is likely to hold more strife and more violence for us. Therefore I ask you to rest well tonight for tomorrow will be spent with drill, exercise and sparring. Detailed assignments we'll handle over breakfast. That is all. Good night, everyone."

The team expresses its acknowledgment in their own diverse ways. Stoic nods from the golems and Tithe, resolved grins from Smutkin and Elle, serious nods from the scouts and Chloe, an excited chirp from Sparky and a slightly annoyed grimace from Phineous.

With the outline of a plan in mind you withdraw into the realm of dreams for the night.

You find yourself once again on the field of battle. This time, you don't have your mace; instead, you wield the luminous sword from before. Monsters throw themselves at you and you smite and cleave them without much of a thought or effort. Tides of - actually, you can't properly identify features of the monsters charging you, though their hostile intent is obvious enough even as their tide breaks itself on you.

"My child, I am so proud of you." Comes a thundering proclamation and what you may have took for a landscape feature emerges before you as a colossal figure you identify as an ogre despite the absurd size.

"You are not my father." You hear yourself say and the blade in your hand stirs from its momentary rest back into action -

- only to break and shatter into countless pieces, along the shadowy webbing pattern you remembered was there all along. A contemptuous cackle shakes the air and the ground. Did it start before, or after your weapon broke?

"Your defiance ends here, my wayward son." The voice shakes you down to the marrow of your bones. Yet something is strange. You feel no fear. The loss of weapon seems to have left you unfazed, and the ogre before you looks at you with its expression warping from smug grin into a grimace of confusion.

You can't make sense of it, or the gentle, almost brushing, sensation of touch on your shoulder.

You awaken well rested and full of vigour. You are prepared to tackle the next day.

True to your announcement from the day before you split your companions into several teams for practice. The scouts seemed to be understandably most comfortable around Elle so you have them practice together. The golems, though they seemed to have taken slightly divergent paths in their specialization, retained affinity for each other and you decided to have them lean on that in looking for synergies between Diana's martial path and Minerva's more contemplative one. Smutkin and Phineous have been spending much of last few days cooped up in the library and honestly it may have shown a little bit during the fight, even though both performed admirably within their roles. For today, though, you had them get through some routines to refresh the combat training done in the Dark Citadel. Finally, there was Sparky and Tithe, your fliers. Sparky's growth in control over light was impressive, but you figured it might become truly devastating with some more emphasis on maneuverability, similarly for Tithe's ever improving perception so you had them practice some airborne maneuvers and teamwork.

That left Chloe.

"Let us spar." You tell her.

"You could have just said you wanted to talk." She gives you a somewhat unamused pout. "Very well. If you wish for a side of humiliation this time, I'll gladly oblige."

If you didn't know better, you'd almost think she's eager for a rematch after your previous spars.

You head alongside your troop to the training grounds where it splits along the lines of your assignments, leaving you facing off against the lithe half elf, her smug smile inviting you to make a move.

Of course, you know that the moment you commit she'll be quick to respond and so you keep your movements curt and your options open as your dance of violence and deception begins.

It becomes immediately apparent that your travel together was an opportunity for her to grow and she made most she could out of it. She was considerably more cautious, conservative and judicious in her probing attacks and more careful and precise in her strikes than what you remember from the cases where you sparred with her before. Back then, her fighting style, though otherwise lethal in its own right, would eventually have her wear down her patience or stamina offering an opening where you could penetrate her defence even with a relatively slow attack with proper timing and at that point your overwhelming force meant the fight was over.

No such scenario was playing out now. You found yourself strained, taxing your awareness to its limits and keeping you on your feet as you struggled to deflect her attacks, probing and serious alike, with success rate none too perfect, as occasional taps and brushes with her blades - she was considerate enough to not actually inflict injuries - kept slipping past your guard. There was no way for you to actually have a conversation you were hoping for.

It was probably for the best, though, as your fight has attracted quite a following of spectators. Maybe it was not the best setting for a heart to heart after all.

Well, you'd have a chance to talk after you were done sparring. You were already getting tired, and from the heave of her chest, even though she did her best to maintain a stoic expression, you could tell so is Chloe. You kept the exchange up for some time younger, incurring more hits though also dispensing some yourself. You too were pulling your punches to avoid bruising the girl too badly when you did hit but even so some of the parries ended with her being thrown back and out of the fight, though she was quick to hop on her feet again.

Eventually, as the sun above reaches zenith, you decide this has been going on long enough.

"Alright, I think that's enough for now." You say, easing out of combat stance. In response, Chloe similarly relaxes and allows herself to breathe more freely, her ponytail bobbing as she stretches herself.

"Did you notice I was holding back?" She asks.

"I have." You look around, some of the soldiers that have been observing began to scatter, some kept gawking in case there was a bonus round. "Let's go grab something to eat, preferably somewhere more private." You suggest. She nods and the remaining soldiers take a hint, although some of them begin to murmur and one of them does a wolf whistle, prompting Chloe's expression to sour into a disgusted grimace. Still, she lets it go as she accompanies you into the citadel.

The two of you end up picking up some meals in the mess hall, which is quite filled at this time of day, and take it back to your bunk hall.

"Chloe," You're the first to breach silence. "How do you really feel about our new companions?" You ask bluntly.

She takes a while answering. "What do you mean?" She says eventually.

"I don't want this to come out wrong, but..." You hesitate. "I felt like there's a sense of warmth in your look when you talk to them. More than I'd expect, given how suspicious you're usually of the men."

Chloe eats in silence and you begin to wonder if you were right to put her on the spot like this.

"Is that what you see?" She asks silently, as if to herself. "I suppose..." She looks up and into your eyes. "I suppose you're not wrong." Another pause as she resumes eating again.

You give her time. Was it something she was not even aware of herself?

"Do you know..." She hesitated, as if struggling with the notion of completing the question. "Do you know, how I entered her Majesty's service?"

"Well... I always assumed you were at her side since birth. I mean, you're the only dark elf I've ever known or heard about aside from her majesty."

"I see..." Again, the struggle. You give her time. She seemed already committed to telling you. "I wish I never knew anything but her majesty's grace." Chloe says eventually. "But that is not the case. My circumstances were in that respect, not entirely unlike yours. Her majesty rescued me from hands of the humans when I was just a child." She says with expression so gloomy and solemn that you don't even think of contesting details of your own background. "You know how rare elves are, especially dark elves. In truth, I don't know any other except for her majesty, the Queen." Her expression warps with rage and disgust at recollections she's recovering. "Apparently, neither did my owners. And they certainly did their utmost to explore my limits by their... experimentation."

You begin to form a better picture now, and it's not a pleasant one to contemplate.

"I was a slave, Mouse. I know what the humans are really like under their sanctimonious facades. I heard them praise their goddess with the same mouth that later commanded me to..., to..." She falters, leaving the rest to your imagination and the Voice's amused hollering. "A-anyway, at that time, I didn't really understand the extent of their hypocrisy. I only knew I hated what they were doing. And them."

"Chloe..." You allow yourself to say.

"I was rescued when the town fell to her majesty's forces. The warrior who slaughtered my owner and ravaged his wife and daughter chose to bring me before her majesty. And her majesty gave me what I never knew I could have - dignity." She looks to the side, and her features softened, as the memory she was recalling was finally a pleasant one. "She taught me, both the ways of the world, and she had me learn how to fight. When you mention her family, she is the one that I have as a point of reference... because I have no idea what happened to my real one." She looks down again. "Most likely my mother's fate was the same that awaited me. I don't think you can imagine what I felt when my queen explained my new circumstances to me. It was waking up from a nightmare. Except," She looks around. "...the nightmare is still lurking, just out of sight."

She looked you in the eye. "I suppose that's why..." She hesitates, looking for words. "I suppose I find some of my own despair being lifted in how we rescued those two. Or, I suppose, that nun from castle of Arcturus." She shook her head. "Does this satisfy you as an answer?"

It did more than that. It also explained her distrust and aversion towards the alliance. In fact, her experience made her seem downright restrained in her feelings. And, as you considered, it must have given her quite a bothersome matter to think through when you came up with your quest, telling her that there's a tangible force of evil corrupting the very foundation of the world with everyone in it. The implications that perhaps some of what she had suffered was not result of simple choice to be cruel but some sort of cosmic force. It raised a question you yourself found to be a tricky one to tackle - where does one's responsibility and choice end, and Taint's work begin? Is it possible to make a clear cut distinction? You did meet people who seemed to reject the Taint's influence.

"Thank you, Chloe, for confiding this in me." You say softly. How many people know this story? The queen would, obviously. Is the soldier who rescued her still alive? Regardless, she clearly placed a great deal of trust in you to have exposed herself like this for you instead of refusing to answer. You can't help but feel moved by this expression of faith from the half elf, especially with the new knowledge of her background.

Without thinking, you reach forward and take her hand in yours. A gentle gesture you remember from your childhood, but don't know if she does from hers. Probably better she wouldn't given circumstances. Still, she responds. She frowns, her ears perking up and she looks at your hand, then in your eyes. Is she looking for treason? For malice? Whatever she is concerned for, she clearly doesn't find as her posture relaxes again.

"Mouse..." She shakes her head. "You're impossible."

"Sounds like a good fit for our mission." You quip, conjuring a small smile in the half elf.

"At least you remember what I tell you." She says. "Alright, you can let go now."

"Wait." You tell her, taking serious tone once more. "One more thing."

"Yes?"

"The promise I made to her majesty, it extends to you as well. We will succeed. I know I can't reverse what has been done to you. But I will not stop until we've unmade whatever force or entity is at the root of all this senseless cruelty."

With that, you release her. But she doesn't move, instead her crimson eyes dig into yours.

"It's absurd..." She says, not breaking eye contact. "...but I can believe at least in your conviction." She shakes her head with a smile. "You better... you better not break your word. To her majesty."

With that she gets up and makes a quit exit before you can hold her up any longer... only stopping up at the door. "Well, what are you waiting for? The day's not ended yet, has it? We still have work to do."

"Of course." You say, with a smile and rise to follow her.

>Mouse and his motley band of fools will return in the next thread

>For his valour in combat and diligent training, Mouse has advanced a level; select one: [The arch] (???), [The dawn] (???), [The heart] (???)
>For her valour in combat and diligent training, Chloe has advanced a level; select one: [Sharpness] (lethality), [Blur] (elusion)
>For his valour in combat and diligent training, Smutkin has advanced a level; select one: [Epic] (???), [Lyric] (???)
>For his valour in combat and diligent training, Phineous has advanced a level; select one: [The Artist] (???), [The Protagonist] (???)
>For his valour in combat and diligent study and training, Sparky has advanced a level; select one: [Acolyte] (Light focus), [Initiate] (Martial hybrid)
>For his valour in combat and diligent training, Tithe has advanced a level; select one: [Silence] (stealth), [Dive] (speed)
>For her valour in combat and diligent training, Elle has advanced a level; select one: [Cavalier] (mounted combat), [Champion] (combat on foot)
>For her valour in combat and diligent training, Diana has advanced a level; select one: [Protection] (defence), [Chastisement] (offence)
>For her valour in combat and diligent training, Minerva has advanced a level; select one: [Inspiration] (support), [Mercy] (healing)
>For her valour in catching up with the team, Harriet has advanced a level; select one: [evasion] (skirmish), [focus] (archery)
>For his valour in catching up with the team, Janet has advanced a level; select one: [evasion] (skirmish), [focus] (archery)
>implying I'm keeping track of any of this

>Also, feel free to express your opinions on who is the best girl (for Mouse, or otherwise)

>>5474789
>[The heart]
The most protagonist power
>[Blur] (elusion)
Dodge
>[Epic]
Skald Smutkin
>[The Artist]
I want for Phineous to show how cultured he is
>[Acolyte] (Light focus)
Sparky as a full time cleric, he is a good boy
>[Dive] (speed)
Tithe being quick saved our hide before
>[Cavalier] (mounted combat)
Lady Knight
>[Protection] (defence)
>[Mercy] (healing)
I think this would make the duo a force to behold
>[evasion] (skirmish)
Get in and out, quickly
>[focus] (archery)
Long range support

Claudia and Klaus are the best couple

>>5474815
>support except replace Tithe's dive for [Silence] (stealth)

>>5474815
I'm going to cahnge from [The heart] to [The dawn].
Just because if the taint is the darkness covering the land, than we will be the one bringing light to banish it.
It's like pottery

>>5474789
>The heart
>Blur
>Epic
>The Protagonist
>Initiate
>Dive
>Cavalier
>Protection
>Mercy
>Focus
>Focus

>implying I'm keeping track of any of this
Bruh
Elle seems to be one, I was deciding between her and Chloe, but we are better as friends with the elf

>>5474789
>The Heart
>Blur
>Epic
>The Protagonist
>Initiate
>Dives
>Protection
>Mercy
>Evasion
>Focus
Happy Thanksgiving if you celebrate Usurper and thanks for running. What’s been your favorite part to write so far? As for the girls, Chloe is my favorite to interact with, but Elle and Alicia are nice too. Sparky best boy, no contest. Unrelated, but we’ve done a good job at stopping the events of the original story so far.

>>5475393
I do not, but thanks for the thought - that is what counts; and hope those of you who do have had a pleasant celebration, friends.
>What’s been your favorite part to write so far?
I honestly can't single out a particular part like that. I think I will especially enjoy writing the conclusion, assuming we reach a good one together.

new thread
>>5478252