Camp Hearth teleportation room was much more orderly that the one back in New Flame, a lot of that order being due to just the sheer size difference between the two, Bruce and Lucas having plans to turn Camp Hearth into the heart of teleportation network. But until that moment, the empty space was used to spread out people waiting for the teleportation a bit, allowing people breathing room, a luxury sorely lacking back at New Flame. Lucas, however, was paying minimal attention to his surroundings, his rush starting even before the white light signaling the teleport had just been activated, heading towards Bruce’s office, his party in tow.

“So, this is where taxpayer’s money is spent?” Ted asked teasingly, Larissa still on his back, looking at her surroundings with wide – eye, the sheer size of the hall taking her by surprise.

“Changed your mind about paying taxes?” Lucas asked, chuckling.

“No, thanks. I will keep my money and spend it like a grown man” Ted responded, the whole party sharing a quick chuckle before refocusing on the task ahead. Their enhanced speed managed to take them from the outskirts of the city to Bruce’s office in just a bit more than five minutes. There were already muffled voices inside, Lucas guessing a war council already meeting.

“Let’s not keep them waiting anymore” Lucas softly said to his party, knocking on the door in the process. The voices inside died down, before a tired voice belonging to Bruce bid them to enter.

Inside the room, Lucas found a number of people he would expect to find in situation like this. Bruce was sitting at his usual place behind a large working desk, stacks of reports that were the usual décor now mysteriously absent. On the opposite side of him, Rose Leon was seated, the woman dressed for occasion, as she always was, not a single strand of hair out of place. A little surprising to Lucas was Prince that was seated between the captain of the Town guard and Rose, but after a quick thinking he decided it was not unreasonable for him to be there. On the other side of the captain Lucas spotted the girl Bruce was gushing about recently, the newly minted Chief engineer of Camp Hearth, Maya her name if Lucas recalled correctly. What got his attention, however, were the two people that were seated on the other side of Rose, Lucas recognizing Martyn, the once hermit alchemist who was now permanently resided in Camp Heart, whom probably had something to do with the defense of the city, Lucas vaguely remembering that he was working on something in his briefings with Bruce. On the other hand, a bearded man wearing what looked like an expensive suit styled in pre – System business style was a complete mystery to Lucas, a feeling that was shared between the two judging by the staring of the stranger, both of them studying one another.

“Our esteemed leader decided to cut his adventures short and help his poor subjects. I’m actually surprised” Prince was the first one to break silence, sarcasm clear in his voice. The rest of people in the room rolled their eyes at the chancellor of New Flame, except for Maya, looking extremely alarmed by his words.

“Mr. Prince, I would ask of you to keep your commentary to yourself, we have bigger worries” Bruce responded, starring pointedly at the man, before turning to Lucas “Greetings, Lucas. I trust my message found you” he asked, Lucas nodding his head in response.

“You are right, governor, I stepped out of bounds. But, about those worries, I have to reiterate once again I’m in no position to send any reinforcements through the portal, my position precarious” Prince continued “Families will pounce on the weakness if I open them any” he finished.

“Can someone bring me up to speed, it looks like I missed something” Lucas asked.

“The blue skinned invaders are on their way, as you already know, and should ;land on our shore sometimes tomorrow. Thanks to our brilliant engineer” Bruce spoke, gesturing towards Maya, who suddenly blushed “and her early warning system, they will not be able to surprise us like last time. This meeting here is to gauge our defenses and to see how much are we committed to the cause of defending the Camp Hearth. The results you can see for yourself” finishing his explanation, Bruce sent another frustrated look at Prince, who was sitting there, defiance radiating from him.

“Adventurer’s guild is ready to do our part, although we have our share of obstacles” Rose said

“I have an extensive network of quests planned, utilizing adventurers in a lot of roles, from scouts to shock troops. High rewards, would that be okay?” Bruce asked, Lucas stopping himself from wincing as he remembered how many resources will guild siphon through those quests.

“More than adequate, at least for now. But I have to warn you, governor, that the remnants of isolationists are still at large, trying to spread panic amongst the ranks. If the casualties mount, there might be trouble there” Rose said, Bruce acknowledging her words with a nod.

“The Town guard stand ready, brave boys and girls motivated to protect the settlement that is treating them well” captain simply spoke, a man of duty and honor as always.

“Maya, Martyn, how are our defenses?” Bruce asked

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“Defense matrix is three quarter full, it can last for a week, two if we are careful” Maya said, her voice trembling. Lucas was feeling a tad bit sorry for the young woman, the events still too big for her in her newly appointed role.

“My project is far from ready, the amount of ingredients I need not even half fulfilled” Martyn said, looking accusingly at the head of Adventurer’s guild.

“Low rewards for extreme risk, old man. I already told you so” Rose responded without blinking, her face hard as stone.

“And that bring us to our guest. Everybody, allow me to introduce you to François Beneschent” Bruce said, the suited man extending raising hand. From behind Lucas, Ted, Margaret and Chen looked shell –shocked after hearing the name, Lucas and Margaret looking quizzically at them.

“Greetings to all. I was so glad to hear Camp Hearth was once again in reasonable hands” the man started speaking “some of you might have heard of me, but for those of you didn’t, I’m a travelling merchant specializing in all sorts of trade” the man finished.

“Don’t be so humble, François, it doesn’t suit you. You are also the wealthiest man in post – System Earth and one of the more powerful individuals in our corner of the multiverse” Bruce said, Lucas detecting a small hint of disdain in his voice “anyways, I suggest we get right down to business” Bruce finished.

“Let’s, Loremaster. You called me here to discuss supplies” François opened his negotiations “what kind of supplies?”

“Food, mostly. Activating defense matrix would cut us off from everyone, severing even teleportation link, making us unable to receive food” Bruce responded, Lucas watching in confusion. Noticing he was not the only one, he noticed Prince was twitching nervously, listening to conversation.

“Well, I certainly could provide you with that, depending on the quantity” the business man responded, his eyes cackling in the profit he was about to made. From there onwards, Bruce and François haggled, Prince getting more and more nervous with every passing word, Lucas slowly realizing why. The bulk of Prince’s power came from the food trade between New Flame and Camp Hearth and subverting it, Bruce could defang both New Flame and supply Camp Hearth for incoming siege.

“You sly bastard” Lucas thought, slight grin appearing on his face as he watched Prince squirm more and more as Bruce and François inched ever closer to the agreement.

“I guess that is acceptable, Loremaster. I will go now to get your supplies, I’ll be back by tomorrow morning” François spoke with excitement, Prince finally losing his cool.

“I could do better, governor” he started, offering lower price than the traveling merchant.

“Oh, chancellor, I thought your position didn’t allow you to send anything to Camp Hearth” Bruce said, a menacing smile on his face.

“It will be hard, governor, but I cannot stand and watch as you get ripped off and is my duty as the loyalist to ensure that doesn’t happened” chancellor of New Flame spoke through his teeth, every word causing him pain. Lucas watched in amazement as that declaration turned into a bidding war, adding another thing to list of Bruce’s accomplishments: saving Camp Hearth a lot of money. As the bidding went on and on, Lucas was starting to get a little bit bored, turning to his new Chief engineer and studying her. Noticing his gaze, the girl shrank a bit, awe in her face clear.

“I don’t think we officially meet. I’m Lucas and this is my team” Lucas said, approaching the engineer. One by one, the rest of his party introduced themselves, Maya almost fainting.

“Sir, thank you, sir” the engineer spoke up, sounding like an overexcited six year old.

“Please, just Lucas. Anyways, I just wanted to congratulate you on the early warning system. We are glad to have you onboard here in Camp Hearth” Lucas softly said, turning his attention back towards Bruce who was bringing the auction towards its conclusion, getting extremely favorable deals from both Prince and François. With that matter resolved, there was only one thing remaining to decide.

“What is our strategy once the invaders arrive?” Rose asked “are we going on the offensive or are we playing it safe from the beginning?” she finished, looking at both Lucas and Bruce both.

“Maya, how long until defense matrix fires up after turning it on?” Lucas asked

“Near instantaneous, four seconds delay” the girl responded, still overly excited. Lucas’s party started chuckling behind him, and Lucas managed to caught some talk with the word “fan” in it, but he didn’t dwell on it, instead thinking about his options.

“Will the Town guard be able to repel at least one wave of attackers?” Lucas asked the captain.

“Of course, sir” the man responded, short but on point.

Content, with the answer, Lucas started exposing his plan, which basically consisted of meeting the invaders head on before slowly retreating and luring them further and further inland, hopefully managing to spread them out enough for the defense matrix to split their force into parts while the defenders quickly retreat into the town proper, mopping the split force and reducing the number of attackers. Rose was first to agree with the plan, even suggesting she knew a team or two that were perfect for the role, provided the rewards were adequate, Lucas quickly authorizing the funds, eager to see the progress of the adventurers that were to serve as backbone of Camp Hearth defense. It didn’t take long for the rest of the council to agree with the plan and with that the meeting ended, Lucas waving them all goodbye, eager to get to talk with Bruce alone.

“François, are you willing to stay. We have a bit of catching up to do?” Bruce asked, Lucas immediately getting ready to also leave the room, before noticing Bruce’s signal informing him to stay.

“Gladly” François responded, the tone of his voice indicating he was reluctant to do that, a complete opposite of what he was saying. After everybody left the room, Lucas noticed a movement from one of the corners, Goldilocks losing her stealth and seating herself next to the business man. Sudden flicker from the man suit was the only mark of heightened tensions, Lucas guessing he just activated something, not believing the suit was just for show.

“We have to talk about your unsavory business deals, Mr. Beneschent” Bruce said coldly.