“What the hell was that about?” Viv asked.Varska poured them two glasses of cold tea, taking some time before answering.

“We are being robbed.”

“By the Crown?”

“It takes a lot of money to wage a war and the current king is… tired. Old. His two sons and one daughter are contending for the throne. The second son in particular seems quite eager to prove himself. Surely, you remember his name?”

It only took a moment for Viv to remember the expedition to the Min Goles mines a month before, in particular the fate of the Yiries.

“They were chased, their village destroyed. Oh damn, it was Prince Lancer. He tried to enslave them as well.”

“Indeed. Farren informed me of this, but I did not think that he would have the arrogance to disrupt the good working of Kazar. The church of Neriad is quite powerful here, and you don’t want the god of righteous war against you in a hotly disputed conflict. In any case, we are indeed being robbed. Well, the villagers are, probably. Have you deposited your gold at the bank?”

“Yes, as you suggested.”

“The Manipeleso bank is not one to be trifled with. Even he should know that much and avoid doing anything. We are certainly going to feel some upheaval, however.”

“Should we do anything?”

“My dear, I love you for your kind heart, but you are being a moron. The path to salvation lies in diplomacy when facing an entire kingdom, even one split in two.”

“I just have a bad feeling about it.”

“Let me be prosaic. You wild witch. You no diplomat. You no can solve problem. More tea?”

“Some say that war is the continuation of diplomacy by other means,” Viv replied, massacring Clausewitz for the sake of sounding smart, “and those means include covert actions. It is too early in the game to decide but let’s not just immediately give up on doing anything.”

Viv had forestalled Varska’s protests by postponing a decision as she very well knew that she had much to lose and little to win in this whole affair.

Actually that was not quite right.

“Shit, everyone knows about Solfis. What if they try to take him away?”

“You let them, and one week later he will return covered in blood and, I hope, less uptight.”

“I don’t know, Varska, I really don’t.”

The mage stood up and sat by her side. She smelled nicely of flowers, as always, the familiar perfume soothed Viv.

“If it really scares you we can leave for a while. Go visit those mountain tribe people you mentioned a few times. Live in a hut?”

“Would you?”

“You are asking me if I would exile myself when facing impossible odds?”

“Heh. Alright.”

Varska extended a small hand and took Viv’s. The witch enjoyed its warmth, the thin fingers, and the familiar small calluses that came from constant gardening. It was a hand she knew.

They spent some time together then Viv headed back, picking Marruk from the temple as she went. They had another war council at home.

//This is unexpected, and unwelcome.

“You may be spared on account of being a caster, but they’ll definitely rob me blind,” Marruk grumbled, “everyone knows that I am rich now.”

“How about putting money in the bank?”

“First, I’ll trust those northerners when I’m dead. Second, the Enorians can force me to make a withdrawal by removing a few toes. You think they will care? I’m a Kark. They’ll do whatever they want.”

“We could have some time before… No. They will already be on their way.”

//There is a 97% likelihood that enforcers are close, in the Deadshield Woods.

//And another 56% likelihood that the envoy came with them.

//They used the envoy to establish a veneer of legitimacy.

//But they do not want to leave Kazar time to negotiate for outside help

“Damn. Then we must run, go somewhere else for a while. Solfis, is there anything we can do?” Viv asked.

//This is a surprise attack by one who has violated a treaty, Your Grace.

//You can only weather it and plan your counter-attack.

//Make sure that you keep the black mana core on you, as it is quite valuable.

//I would suggest a plan to pack up and leave in ten minutes.

“Yeah. You’re right. I got comfortable here, huh? Shit was bound to happen.”

//You had no reason to expect this treachery, Your Grace.

“But yes, shit is always bound to happen,” Marruk finished.

“Squee.”

Even Arthur could feel the tension and sadness in the air.

Viv went to bed late that night and had trouble falling asleep. It didn’t help that she was awakened two hours later by a hand on her mouth.

“Mmmflg!”

“Good evening.”

“Ah. FUCK! Irao, what gives? You scared me.”

Two yellow eyes stared at her from the Hadal human’s bald face, glinting silently under the light of Nyil’s single moon. Below the neck, he was pure darkness.

“You must see this. Come with me.”

“Now?”

“Yes. Time is of the essence.”

The pair silently went into the main room and Viv took the time to pet a slightly worried dragon.

//I will come as well.

“We will be covering a lot of ground. You should save your strength. I swear on my entire race that I will bring her back safe and sound or die trying,” Irao replied.

Solfis took a few seconds to reply, which was uncharacteristic enough to worry Viv a bit.

//Your assessment is correct.

//I know that you speak the truth.

//I am taking a small gamble, do not make me regret it.

“We will be careful. I just need to show her.”

And that was that. Viv followed Irao out and towards the edge of the forest at a trot, head still swimming with sleep and the strangeness of the situation. She swallowed a snack and took a gulp of water from her canteen and felt alive again. She missed coffee.

The edge of the forest swallowed them.

“We will go faster now,” Irao said laconically. Then he must have triggered a skill.

Viv felt her entire being balloon with energy. The shadows of the night fell away and everything appeared in sharp relief. Viv could see every bramble, every thorn, feel the loam under her soles and how it would affect the race, and race she did.

Irao was ahead, running and showing the path but she herself could feel it call to her. A secret way drew her in. That exposed root needed her toes, and she had to duck under that branch just right. Those ferns would give way under her body, and there was sure footing beyond. They ran. Viv breathed big gulps of air, fresh and crisp. She just knew how everything should be.

A part of her almost resisted the effects, but she knew it was Irao’s doing and so she let it happen.

Finesse +1