Greetings. I hope your journey here was not too troublesome?

Good, good.

Now. Down to business. You must do precisely what I say. Listen carefully. Do you understand?

When you first wake up, you will be in the woods outside of the city. There might be a few animals around. You may have to wait a few minutes before the light shines, but it shouldn’t take too long. Until then, look around carefully but do not approach the bushes.

Hello? Are you listening? Come on, I told you to listen carefully.

In that case, what did I last say?

Not quite. I know this is hard for you. It’s hard for me to keep my focus while meeting in the middle of a kitchen just before lunch, too. But let’s try to keep ourselves from getting distracted. I want you to succeed. We all have had to go through this.

When you see the light, approach it. It will lead you to a path. When on the path, do not look behind you.

Do not look behind you.

Yes, I know you were listening this time, but it bears repeating. In fact, I will say it once more: Keep your eyes ahead. Far too many have failed here. Please, don’t be one of them.

You trust me, don’t you?

I know, I know. But I’m telling you this for your own good. You know that I wouldn’t lie to you. Not on this.

Of course. Now, where was I…

The path will lead you to the lighthouse.

Yes, that lighthouse.

I don’t know how they do it.

Truly, I don’t. I’d tell you. Whatever the case, this is where you will meet The Dragon.

No, of course not! You think we would dare to work with one? It’s just a person wearing a mask. I told you, keep focused.

Touche.

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Regardless. The Dragon will give you a test. The test is chosen at random – one of three. A test of Love, of Justice, or two eggs.

Yes, you can substitute water for the milk but you will get a different consistency… Ahem. Do you hear any more footsteps outside the hall?

Good, good. Thank you for playing along there. Now - oh, put that whisk down!

No, I don’t know how The Dragon will decide which test you shall be given. The current Dragon is known to be rather eccentric, and will sometimes let you choose or force a choice upon you, depending on his mood. But you shouldn’t have much trouble. It’s designed to weed out only those who made it this far out of sheer luck. I have never heard of someone who’d prepared even the slightest amount failing at this point.

Once you have passed the test, you will proceed to the main chamber of the lighthouse. Once you enter, you will be Somewhere Else.

No, not somewhere else. Somewhere Else.

Why are you so distracted tonight?

Did you tell her why we sent you here?

…

That was foolish of you. Very, very foolish. I don’t suggest you tell her anything more. I’d prefer you didn’t ever meet her again, but even I’m not so foolish as to think you’d listen to me for that. Be glad no demons caught wind of it.

What? Dammit. If he breathes a word of this… Too late now, I suppose. We’ll just have to pray.

Here is the most critical portion of the task. If you fail here, this is no returning. If you forget every other thing I have said to you tonight, please remember this.

All the clan leaders will be there, and their highest ranking officers. I will be among them. Do not mention our meetings. Do not pretend you recognize me. We are strangers. If there is even the slightest suspicion of our meetings, neither of us will see the light of day again.

Did I never tell you?

Yes. Yes, I know.

I want to see you succeed.

I am glad you understand.

When the Voice of the Seventh descends he will give you one final question, one final test. Even I have not been told what this will be. It is different for each of us. But if you are pure of heart, if you are pledged to us, the answer will be clear to you. And these last months will not change that, regardless of our private lessons.

Can you repeat back to me what I have told you? Just the main points.

Excellent. Now get out there and kick some ass tonight, my friend. I believe in you. Glory to the Seventh.

…

Hello, Voice of the Seventh.

Things are going according to plan for the most part.

No, nothing like that. The prospect believes the meeting illicit.

No, Voice, the prospect has no idea I will be following. I made it clear that he shall not look behind him.

No, he hasn’t figured out our plans for him.

He seems to be madly in love with a Follower.

I exaggerate. However, after meeting her yesterday he seems far more distracted than on previous meetings. He let his guard down around her as well - he just said he was here on clan business, but I told him to keep details like that to himself.

I don’t know. She apparently has other friends in our organization - one, anyway. I took advantage of that and hopefully scared the misbehavior out of him.

I think he will, yes. He’s an honest one.

No, no, that was not a lie. The prospect is a true friend of mine. I want them to succeed, and I have no doubt they will pass without issue.

Nice touch, by the way, walking outside the hall. It helped me test their ability to ad lib.

I’ll see you again tonight, Voice. Glory to the Seventh.