Saya spoke for hours, detailing everything she knew about the armies in the valley.

It turned out Captain Talon was still present in the region. He and his legion were entrenched in the valley’s center, allowing the tartans to respond to threats to the village in the south and strike at the dungeon to the north.

For now, the Awakened Dead retained enough strength to bar any of the other forces in the valley from entering the nether portal, although rumor had it that Tartar had also launched a secondary attack against Erebus from the Nethersphere itself. The news made me smile. The Awakened Dead seemed to be in all sorts of trouble, and I dearly hoped they failed to survive.

The Dark’s main opposition in the sector was Muriel. Cara and Shael described her as a major player in the Game. For reasons I didn’t understand, the Unity Council—Light’s governing body—had assigned her responsibility for capturing sector 12,560.

Despite being the newest entrant in the valley, Muriel had brought the largest force to bear. Her army grew daily and already outnumbered the combined might of Tartar and Loken. She, too, had encamped her people in the valley’s center and, other than for the occasional foray north or south, seemed content to wait until she was strong enough to overwhelm her foes with numbers alone.

Loken’s army was the smallest of the trio and, as far as anyone could tell, was made up entirely of archers and light infantry. Shadow frequently raided the armies of Dark and Light, but the attacks amounted to little more than probes and feints. For now, at least, Loken seemed unwilling to commit to a pitched battle.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, given the size of Loken’s army, his envoy had eschewed the valley’s center for the western mountain slopes. In fact, my first thought upon hearing of it was that they were using the dead wyvern mother’s cave network as their hideout.

The most interesting bit of information Saya shared, though, concerned Loken’s envoy. Unlike her Light and Dark counterparts, the trickster’s commander did not walk openly, and no one knew her true identity. Misdirection, guile, and illusions seemed to be her modus operandi.

The envoy did not appear averse to taking the field herself. She often struck without forewarning and disappeared before reinforcements could arrive. And while her attacks were little more than pinpricks, she was a definite thorn in the side of Light and Dark. Intrigued, I made a mental note to learn more about the mysterious envoy if I could.

It might have seemed passing strange that none of the three armies had chosen to entrench themselves around the village—it was the key to owning the sector, after all—but until the sector was claimed, the village was as much a threat to an occupying force as it was a safe haven.

Anyone could portal into the safe zone and in whatever numbers they wished, which meant an army encamped near the village would be exposed to attacks from the rear—the safe zone—and from the other forces already in the valley. It made claiming the sector a strategic nightmare.

Eventually, of course, someone would move in to control the village, but that would likely only occur after they’d dealt with the other threats in the valley.

The three armies—four if you counted the Awakened Dead in the dungeon—complicated matters in the valley enough on their own, but unfortunately, there were other forces to contend with, too.

Rumors of the purported wealth of the sector and its dungeons had spread far, attracting the Game’s worst elements, and a host of smaller factions—the Marauders included—had entered the valley, seeking to eke out what advantage they could.

As Saya relayed her tale, my worry grew exponentially. As ugly a picture as the gnome painted, she was shielded from much of the chaos in the safe zone. It was the wolves who’d bear the brunt of the danger.

Damnation, I must check on them—and soon.

I was sure Duggar would’ve taken the pack into hiding again, but the risk of discovery was high with so many players in the valley.

“What of the goblin tribes?” I asked as Saya finally ran down.

“The Red Rats have retreated into the dungeon with Erebus’ people. The Howlers remain with Talon, supplementing his legion. The last I heard, they’ve increased their numbers in the valley, bringing in more troops from their home sector.”

I wondered if Hyek was still alive and what he’d make of me now, but it was only a bit of idle speculation; I had no intention of tangling with the goblins or Talon’s legions again.

“You said the Marauders’ camp is nearby,” I said, turning to the next matter. According to Saya’s sources, the Marauders showed no interest in the dungeon to the north and didn’t stray far from the village. “Why are the other factions letting them remain so close?”

“I don’t think they see the Marauders as a threat,” Saya said. “Mostly, I believe that’s because the Marauders don’t have the numbers to retain control of the safe zone.”

“How many players did the Marauders bring into the sector?” Cara asked, voicing a rare question.

Saya shrugged. “I’m not sure. But at a guess, five hundred.”

Cara glanced at me. “That will not be enough. To claim a sector requires a controlling force of at least one thousand.”

I nodded. Captain Talon had told me much the same on my previous visit to the sector. “Then confirming the Marauders’ numbers will be one of our priorities.” Before anyone could ask how I proposed doing that, I moved the conversation along. “In your last letter to Kesh,” I said, looking at Saya, “you mentioned ‘taking steps’ to protect the tavern. What did you do?”

“I hired mercenaries to escort customers into and out of the safe zone.” She grimaced. “That did not pan out so well.”

“What happened?” I asked.

“The Marauders bribed them,” she said. “And those that couldn’t be bribed, they killed.”

“I see,” I muttered. “And that merchant you mentioned earlier, am I correct in assuming he is the one Kesh appointed to relay your messages?”

After a sideways glance at Cara, Saya nodded.

“When last did you speak to him?” I asked.

“Three days ago,” Saya replied in a clipped tone. “He assured me Kesh was receiving my missives and claimed to have no idea why she wasn’t responding.” She growled unhappily. “Obviously, he lied on both accounts. I plan on paying him a visit tonight.”

I didn’t think that would be a good idea and turned to Cara, believing her to be the better choice, but Shael spoke before I could.

“Let me talk to him,” he said.

Saya and I shot the bard curious glances.

Seeing our expressions, Shael grinned. “You want to know why the merchant betrayed Kesh, who paid him, and how much, right?”

I rubbed my lips. “Hmm… yes.”

“Then leave it to me to find out,” he replied. “No offense to the ladies, but gathering information is part of what I do best.” His grin widened. “And besides, I have a few tricks up my sleeve for winning over a mark’s confidence.”

He was talking about his deception abilities, I realized. Had he ever used them on me?

“Alright,” I said before I could ponder the question too deeply—I didn’t want to know. “The merchant is all yours.”

Saya opened her mouth, but I waved aside her impending objection. “You have enough to worry about here. Let Shael handle the merchant.”

Closing her mouth, she nodded reluctantly. “You have a plan?”

“Maybe,” I said. “Getting the tavern’s customers back is another priority.” I bowed my head to think for a moment. “I want you to hire more mercenaries.”

Saya stared at me. “Why? Because it worked so well last time?”

I shook my head, ignoring her sarcasm. “No, this time, keep them in the safe zone. The Marauders are using the blockades as a show of force. Nothing is stopping us from doing the same. Have the mercenaries wear badges bearing the Sleepy Inn’s insignia and instruct them to gather everywhere in the village that the Marauders do. At the very least, it will show Yzark’s people we aren’t intimidated. And if we are lucky, the mercenaries’ presence will comfort the tavern’s patrons enough that they will overlook the Marauders’ threats.”

“That makes sense,” Saya conceded. “But what about the ambushes outside the village?”

“I’ll put a stop to that,” I replied grimly.

Wisely, she didn’t ask how.

“Another thing,” I said after reflecting on the matter further, “make sure to source the mercenaries from the bounty hunters guild.”

“The guild?” Saya asked dubiously. “I don’t think they have many members in the sector. It might be better to use one of the smaller factions.”

“No, it has to be the guild,” I said, growing more enamored of the idea the longer I considered it. This would be an ideal test of their trustworthiness. “Reach out to the guild’s headquarters in Nexus if you have to. Kesh can help with that.” I glanced at Cara, and she nodded in confirmation. “Liaise directly with a player named Hannah. She is the guild’s customer liaison and will help with the necessary arrangements.”

“I’ll do so,” Saya said, “but, on its own, a display of strength will not be enough to bring back the customers.” She stared directly at Shael. “We will need something more.”

The bard took the hint. “I’m at your service, good lady,” he said, flourishing his flute. “Fortunately, music is the other part of what I do best.”

“Thank you, Shael,” Saya said warmly.

“Perfect,” I said. That took care of one of my companions. I turned to Cara, but she seemed to divine my thoughts before I could speak.

“I can delay securing a premise for the emporium for a few days,” she said. “That is assuming I can even find one.” She glanced at Saya. “In the meantime, do I have your permission to begin trading from the tavern?”

Saya brightened considerably as she realized what Cara was suggesting. “Of course! And I’ll make sure everyone knows that the Sleepy Inn not only has a bard again, but it’s also playing host to Nexus’ most famous merchant.” She grinned. “If those two things don’t bring the tavern’s patrons back, nothing will!”

✵ ✵ ✵

With Cara and Shael’s immediate plans decided upon, Saya waved Terence and Teresa over to show the pair to their rooms. After the four left, Saya and I sat alone at the table in companionable silence.

“Thank you,” the gnome said softly.

I looked up at her in surprise. “What for?”

“This,” she said, spreading her hands to encompass me, the tavern, and the departing Shael and Cara. “I was at a loss about what to do. I had no one to turn to. Oh, Teresa and Terence helped as much as they could, but the pair are young and in desperate need of help themselves. On top of that, Kesh wasn’t answering my letters, the mercenaries I recruited betrayed me, and customers were dying.” She sighed. “It felt as if it was all spinning out of control.” She looked at me through bright eyes. “But now, I feel as if there is hope for the tavern again.”

“It’s not your fault, you know,” I said quietly, responding to the underlying emotion behind her words. “You were alone and without resources.”

“I should have done better,” Saya replied, hanging her head.

I shrugged. “So should have I.”

She raised her head to stare at me mutely.

“I left you here alone.” And the wolves too. “I should’ve planned better, anticipated, if not this, then something like it.” I shook my head. “The war was inevitable. I should have foreseen the consequences.”

“It’s not—” Saya began.

“—my fault,” I finished for her. I held her gaze. “Nor is it yours.”

Saya smiled tremulously, getting what I was driving at, and we lapsed into silence again, each lost in our thoughts.

“You know you haven’t said what your own plans are,” she said eventually.

I looked up at her. “I plan on paying the Marauders a visit,” I said, not elaborating further.

“I thought as much,” Saya said before glancing out the open door. The day was still young. “You will wait for nightfall?”

I nodded.

“Be careful, Michael. The Marauders may be brutes, but they are not stupid. Their camp will be well-guarded.”

“I won’t underestimate them,” I promised. Motion at the stairs drew my eye; the young waiters were returning. Seeking an opportunity to change the topic, I jerked my head towards the pair.  “What’s their story?”

Saya followed my gaze. “Teresa and Terence are twins. They arrived in the valley as part of a larger group. Treasure hunters, no less. Somehow, the pair convinced the company leader to take them on as apprentices. Sadly, the entire group was killed.” She smiled grimly. “Not once, but multiple times. To no one’s surprise, the company disbanded after that, and those that could fled the sector. The twins were not amongst them.”

I winced. “They couldn’t leave?”

“They had no money and nowhere to go.” Saya sighed. “Their story, so like mine, spoke to me, so I gave them a place to stay. They’ve been grateful for the work—and coin—and even though they’re not civilians, they’ve done their best to help.”

“You trust them?” I asked.

“Completely,” she replied.

“That’s good,” I said, studying the twins thoughtfully as they moved about the tables, checking on the other patrons. The pair’s gear was basic, and they had no levels to speak of. But that was not necessarily a bad thing.

They likely haven’t acquired their third or even second Class yet.

It was food for thought, but I had more important things on my mind right now.

I rose to my feet. “You had best show me to my room, Saya. I have a long night ahead of me, and I should get what rest I can before then.”