Justin strolled down the hallway, cane tapping against the wooden floor, punctuating the rhythm of his newfound confidence. He nearly bumped into Lila, who was coming up the steps.

She stopped dead in her tracks, her green eyes widening as she took in his transformation. “Justin! Is that really you?”

Justin couldn’t help but grin. “Yes, of course it’s me.” He gave a small, playful bow. “Just a bit more…polished.”

Lila laughed, the sound filling Justin with warmth. “Polished? You look like you’ve stepped out of a bard’s tale!” She blinked, seeming to remember herself. “I mean, compared to before.”

As Justin struck a pose, her gaze lingered on his clean-shaven face and styled hair, her smile brightening.

It was almost as if she was checking him out, of all things.

“Lila…are you okay?”

She blinked, seeming to come out of a haze before giving a nervous laugh. “Yes, of course! I’m just glad you woke up. I was getting bored. Did you level up?”

“Yep,” he said. “Level 3, baby!”

“Same here!” She frowned in confusion. “Though I’m no babe.”

“Oh, you’re not?” Justin asked with a wink.

She giggled. “So, what skill did you take?”

Justin took a step back. “Watch this!”

Before she could react, he activated Dandy’s Swagger. With a flourish of his cane, he began an eye-catching strut, his movements exaggerated yet elegant. His entire body glowed with yellow light, and he moved like a panther on the prowl. The mere movement filled him with unbridled confidence.

Lila’s eyes sparkled as she watched, and as if in reaction to the move, she joined in, mimicking his movements, even her steps syncing with his in a spontaneous, playful dance that echoed through the hallway.

Their laughter and footfalls attracted attention. Eldrin and Alistair emerged from their rooms, likely to see what the commotion was, their expressions a study in contrast. Eldrin’s face broke into an amused grin, while Alistair remained unsmiling, his brows furrowing slightly as he watched the impromptu performance.

“Quite the moves, Justin,” he remarked dryly. “I trust this new… energy… will serve us well on the road ahead?”

Justin and Lila slowed to a stop, their smiles lingering.

“Absolutely!” Justin said. “A little flair can only help, right?”

Eldrin laughed. “That’s the spirit! We could use a bit of lightness in our step, especially with what lies ahead.”

Alistair merely nodded, his skepticism clear but not voiced further. Justin knew the Paladin had a lot on his mind. Indeed, Alistair seemed far more somber of late than their initial meeting on the road. The stress of protecting them from Baron Valdrik was weighing on him heavily, and he saw Justin’s shenanigans as a needless risk that could get them all killed.

Justin realized he might have never had this insight without the recent Charisma Attribute boost. He was far more able to read the room and expressions around him in a way he never had before. He assumed a properly modest expression.

Alistair nodded toward the stairs. “Dinner should be served soon. It would be a good chance to discuss our plans for the road. And please, for all our sakes, try to keep the dancing to a minimum.”

“Yes, Sir Paladin,” Justin said respectfully. “After you. Respectfully.”

The Paladin watched him grimly before heading down the stone steps. Eldrin gave him a neutral look and a shrug, while Lila just winked, her steps light and teasing.

Justin let out a breath, following with his head held high.

The large oak table of the private dining room was set with a hearty meal: roasted venison, herbed potatoes, fresh bread, a variety of cheeses, and a bowl of cool, watered wine. Alistair, Eldrin, Lila, and Justin settled into their seats, the earlier mirth replaced by a more serious air as they prepared to discuss the road ahead. They ate quickly, sensing that Alistair wanted to get started as soon as possible.

Once the dishes were cleared, Alistair waited for the door to close before reaching into his pocket, producing a rolled map, which he spread out on the table. Justin’s eyes widened at the sight. This map looked far more complete than his, seeming to have dynamic capabilities over all of Serenthel, the continent they were on. Alistair, with a tap of his hands, zoomed in the map, with Highcliff in the bottom left corner and the Golden Gulf on the right. Along that coast were three points of interest: Belmora in the south, Mont Elea in the center, seemingly on a peninsula jutting into the sea, and Draegor’s Keep, a fortress town bordering both the ocean and the Seraphim Range, a large mountain range running along the northern edge of the map. All three were connected by a single road running along the coast, appropriately named the Gulfway. There were also many other cities, towns, and landmarks, all clearly labeled, but it was far too much to take in at the moment.

“We have two choices before us to reach Mont Elea,” Alistair began, his voice low and steady. “Each holds its own set of advantages and perils.” His hand traced a solid line, extending from Highcliff across the Aranthian Plain, along which there were several modestly sized towns, toward Belmora. “The Queensroad is the fastest route, patrolled and relatively safe, but it’s also where Valdrik’s men will expect us to travel. They could ambush us, despite the Queen’s regular patrols. Eldrin and I suspect he’s desperate.” Alistair’s brow furrowed as he ran a hand along a thinner road snaking its way northeast from Highcliff. “The Plainsway, though less traveled, will take us to Draegor’s Keep, if we take this old trader's road that breaks off from it. And from there, the Gulfway goes south to Mont Elea. The road is rough. It’s dirt in most places, and there are fewer chances to resupply. And of course, patrols are rare. This course would take at least a month longer than going to Belmora and then north along the Gulfway.”

“Why not go up the Plainsway a bit and cut across?” Lila asked. “Seems that’s the most direct route, and we have Eldrin’s Pathfinder’s Pace.”

Eldrin came out of his silence. “That would take us through the Wilderlands of Balor. Any settlements there are not on a map, and it’s rife with bandits and other dangers. The forests are thick, the hills unforgiving, the streams many. I’ve been there a few times, but I spend most of my time in the Hinterlands. Some of this ground would be new even to me. Pathfinder’s Pace will help, but it is no substitute for a well-established road.”

Lila frowned as she considered this.

Alistair watched her, and her eyes rose to meet his gaze. “Lila, there is something we must discuss.”

“What?” she asked, her voice thin.

“Whatever path we choose, it will be fraught with hardship. You’ve been invaluable, and while the Baron has seen you with Justin, he is not after you in particular. Eldrin and I have judged that the Baron will put most of his resources into pursuing us to Mont Elea. If you wish to go your own way, this might be your last chance. Of course, you would be wise to never tread in the County of Silverton for the rest of your days. If we take the Queensroad, I suggest you take the Plainsway. If we take the Plainsway, you could find a hamlet near here and lie low for a few weeks before deciding where to go next. If you decide to leave, no one here will think less of you. I’m ready and able to supply you with a modest amount of silver to ensure your safety.”

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

Justin tried not to look at her, so as not to influence her decision. He saw Alistair’s point, but Lila was the one he was closest to. And she was his friend—and perhaps with the chance for something more.

It would sadden him greatly to lose that, but perhaps it was for the best.

Lila’s eyes narrowed in thought, then she shook her head. “I’ll stay with the group.” Her tone left no room for doubt. “I’m aiming for Draegor’s Keep, and no matter which way the party goes, it’s on the way. If you choose the Queensroad, and I go to the Plainsway, as you suggest, that is dangerous for a woman traveling alone. I’d rather travel in the company of warriors such as you. After Mont Elea, I might take a couple of days’ rest. They say the mountain is beautiful, and the Blessing of Arion is not to be missed by anyone who is faithful to the Six.”

Alistair nodded, respect clear in his eyes. “Very well. We would welcome your company, Lila.”

Justin felt a palpable sense of relief. He wondered what “the Six” was, but he could only assume it was a pantheon of gods, of which Arion was one.

“With that settled, which way should we go?” Justin asked. “What are the risks of both?”

Eldrin gave a coy smile. “You should know that as well as us, Justin.”

From the stares he and Alistair were giving him, he had not been as stealthy as he thought.

“What are they talking about, Justin?” Lila asked.

“All right, I’ll admit it. After my bath, I heard them talking, and I got a little nosy and eavesdropped. What of it?”

“Never underestimate a Ranger’s senses,” Eldrin said. “Even the quietest eavesdropper leaves a trail.”

Justin nodded. “Okay, point taken. It seems from what you guys talked about, the Baron is sure to ambush us somewhere on the Queensroad, despite the regular patrols of the Queensguard. The Plainsway, and then cutting across this Wilderlands place, would be rough going. And I heard something about a bog that’s sure to kill us. It seems there’s a third way now, going all the way to Draegor’s Keep via the Plainsway, and then south on the Gulfway. This way would take the longest, and I assume, might be hard to travel with winter coming on.”

“An accurate assessment,” Eldrin said.

“Queensroad all the way,” Lila said. “It’s hard to see the Baron trying to attack us with so much security there.”

“Simple Queensguards will be nothing to the soldiers he is sending after us,” Alistair said grimly. “As long as there is nothing to tie them back to Valdrik, we will be ambushed.”

“You can just take them out, right?” Justin asked. “I saw how you fought in that battle! Plus, you took care of their men easily enough at the alehouse.”

“Nay,” Alistair said. “Lieutenant Gareth—that’s Valdrik’s pasty lieutenant you saw at the Silverton alehouse—escaped our fight. There’s no doubt he’s in charge of the expedition hunting his down.”

“How did he escape?” Lila asked.

Alistair paused, seeming to weigh his next words carefully, as if he was wondering whether he should even say them. “Lieutenant Gareth is a Shadowblade. One of their key skills makes escaping a prickly situation quite easy.”

Justin felt his blood run cold. “Shadowblade? Sounds dangerous!”

“I kept it from you—didn’t want to scare you out of your wits. But maybe it’s good that I say as much, just to show you what we’re up against. It’s an advanced class, meaning that Gareth is at a minimum of Level 20, but he is not more than me. I could sense the stain of Death Magic upon him, which means he is at most equal to my level, which is 25.”

“Death Magic,” Justin said. “That would mean he’s undead, too.”

“Valdrik’s most trusted soldiers are,” Alistair said. “Normally, Valdrik would keep such men behind the scenes. He wouldn't want to risk a Paladin or mage detecting Gareth’s undead status. So, that he’s bringing him into the open only proves his dedication to taking us out.”

“Shadowblade,” Lila said. “I’ve never heard of that class.”

“It’s the combination of Warrior Core and a Thief Core,” Eldrin said. “Shadowblades are favored as assassins, masters of both open combat and covert operations. They combine the raw strength and combat techniques of a Warrior with the stealth, agility, and cunning of a Thief. They excel in hit-and-run tactics, infiltration, and striking from the shadows, making them versatile fighters capable of adapting to any battlefield situation.”

“Dear Gods,” Lila said. “And if Alistair hadn’t come along at the right time, we’d have been murdered in our sleep!”

“That, or worse,” Alistair said. “I had him cornered, but he doesn’t fight fair. Shadowblades get an ability called Cloak of Shadows. They can become invisible once a day, and he used the invisibility to get reinforcements. And you can bet those reinforcements are a well-honed team. While Lieutenant Gareth’s retinue won’t be Level 20 or above, each has a class and is highly capable.”

The following silence was palpable, and to Justin, he almost wished Alistair had kept his mouth shut. Even now, all he could think about was where this Lieutenant Gareth was. Perhaps he was sneaking in the shadows of the city even now, looking for an opening.

“You should take heart,” Eldrin said. “In a way, a Paladin is the perfect counter to an undead Shadowblade. Their chief ability is striking from the shadows, something they can’t do if Alistair can sense the Mark of Death upon them. At best, Gareth can use his invisibility to escape. However, that means you can’t stray too far from Alistair. He can detect Death Magic within half a mile or so, and that feeling only becomes stronger the closer an undead gets to him. Just stay close and you’ll be safe.”

Justin nodded shakily. Despite Eldrin’s words, it certainly didn’t feel as if he was safe.

“So, what are we deciding?” Justin decided. “Is it not possible they try to block both the Queensroad and the Plainsway?”

“That’s fully possible,” Eldrin said. “Whatever the case, they are probably watching the city closely and will know what choice we make, no matter what. But the fact remains, they must position their forces somewhere well away from Highcliff, somewhere with shelter from the sun.” Eldrin pointed to Alistair’s map, at a small forest south of the Queensroad. “My best guess is they’re lying in wait there, while they’ve taken a few of their human soldiers to keep watch over the city for any sign of us leaving. There are three ways into Highcliff: the North Gate, the East Gate, and the West Gate.”

“Will they be watching all three?” Lila asked.

“Possibly. Perhaps even probably. But the West Gate is least likely to be watched.”

“That’s the one we came in from, right?” Justin asked.

Alistair nodded. “Could be our best move to leave from there. It would be unexpected.”

“Of course, it doesn’t matter if we’re tailed trying to buy supplies tomorrow,” Eldrin said. “But if there’s any sort of trouble, I’ll root it out. A Ranger has a keen sense of observation.”

That was something Justin could attest to personally.

“Well, that’s our plan, unless otherwise stated,” Alistair said. “Leave by the West Gate, and head for the Plainsway.”

“As sound a plan as any,” Eldrin said. “We could even cut across the woods north of town to hit the Plainsway, so that we’re not so obvious. It’ll take longer, and of course, there’s the risk the Baron’s men are actually camping there. But if we suppose right about the Queensroad, the woods to the north should be clear.”

“Shadowflight can watch our backs,” Justin added. “Right?”

“Aye. His eyes are sharper than any of ours. We can adjust as needed. Good plans are like rivers; they bend and flow as needed.”

“Given the potential dangers of being watched,” Alistair said, “I must insist that we retire early this evening. Highcliff, while bustling and seemingly safe, could harbor spies or worse. I don’t believe Gareth would risk himself, owing to my skills, but that doesn’t mean he won’t contract someone to do the watching or killing for him.”

Justin’s shoulders slumped a bit. He’d hoped to relax a bit this evening, have a bit of a talk with Lila, maybe even go out with her. There would be no chance to for quite a while, and if she intended to go onto Draegor’s Keep without him, there might never be a chance again.

Alistair seemed to read his intent, his normally stony features softening somewhat. “As a small concession…the common room downstairs will remain available to you. It should be safe enough. If Gregory sees anything suspicious, I’ll be the first to know. And for Arion's sake, stay inside and don’t stay up too late. We have an early day tomorrow.”

Eldrin grunted in agreement. “It’s settled then. We’ll dine, rest, and at first light, we venture to the market for supplies. We’ll keep a low profile, purchase what’s necessary, and prepare for the longer journey along the Plainsway.”

“Just to be clear,” Lila asked. “Are we going to Draegor’s Keep first, or cutting across the Wilderlands of Balor?”

“The former, if possible,” Alistair said. “I’ll take the early snows of the Seraphim over the unknown dangers of the Wilderlands and Brackenbog.” The Paladin gave a firm nod. “Good night.”

As the strategy meeting adjourned, Justin felt a mix of anticipation and apprehension. The weight of the journey was palpable, yet the resolve within the group, strengthened by Lila’s decision to stay, gave him a cautious hope.

Alistair and Eldrin rose from the table, heading to the door that would lead to the stairway. Clearly, both had a mind to retire early.

Lila caught Justin’s eye. She nodded to the opposite door, the one that led into the common room. “I’d say we’ve earned a drink or two.”

Justin nodded his agreement. It would be their last chance to relax in a long time, and he meant to take advantage.

He followed her out the door and into the common room of The Silver Stag.