It was not the girl, and William wondered if he'd ever seen her.

In the door, William saw a slim, almost effeminate boy with long blue hair. It fell around his shoulders, and he wore dark robes. Bangs fell before his face; he wore leather and a long knife. With him was someone about his age in black armor, wearing a massive sword on his back. The two sat before one of the dancing girls, the green-skinned one. Meanwhile, the blue-haired man fingered a knife.

Jehair motioned with a hand, and the flowers near their seats shifted slightly. She brushed her hair back as the two moved on to a seat in the corner.

"These flowers absorb sound and limit how far it can spread," said Jehair. "So this place is a good place to meet for those who do not want to be heard. Those two men are Tavish Kern and a longtime partner whose name escapes me. They have been setting up new slave-trading lanes."

"You projected your conversation with Amenos onto me," William realized. "You wanted to see how I'd react."

"It is best to take the measure of the power quickly," said Jehair. "Now hush, child, we may learn something to our advantage."

Had he seen her? And why, if he had, had the others missed her?

William took offense at being called child, but he was young, so he let it pass. Instead, he listened to them.

"Look, Lamech; there will be a disruption here soon if you ask me. Tides are coming in; time to get inland," The blue-haired man said, admiring the dancer. His voice was easy and casual, while his opposite friend looked William's way. "You see Gabriel over there; he's not the kind of person to walk through unnoticed. I think he will start a fire, and it won't turn out in our favor if we're here."

"What makes you so sure?" asked Lamech, or so William presumed. He had a thick baritone with a slight echo to his voice.

"You've seen some of the pieces on that chessboard Arkan is playing long distance," said Tavish. "Sooner or later, they'll make a move, and this is the first place they'll move on. Time you and I cash out. No need to leave any trails."

"Are you sure they will be gone?" asked Lamech. "Dunmoore gets ruthless."

"Dunmoore is a Paladin," said Tavish. "They don't care about anything so long as it doesn't mess up the shine on their armor. Dunmoore will come and go, sweep up, and we sweep back in."

"We've already made quite a bit here," said Lamech. "If we roll things up inland, we can be in an excellent position."

"What do you have in mind?" asked Tavish.

"If supply dries up here, there will be more demand from the Sea of Power and Blackfear," said Lamech. "If we get a supply of our own, we can position ourselves as a reasonable alternative."

"I guess you have some ideas already," said Tavish.

"Yes," said Lamech as their food arrived. "But not here. Let's eat, Tavish. I am hungry."

"I have your ale," said the blue-skinned dancer from before. She held a large plate with three cups and her movements drew the eyes. "Hey there, what can I get for you?"

"Thank you," said William, looking at her. "I'll have what they are."

The barmaid brought the drinks, and William turned to Amenos. "So, this Healer's Guild, when did it originate?"

"It was a creation in Antion at first," said Amenos. "Originally, it was developed as a group of freelance healers. They did good work for a price and usually operated among people who didn't want to be among the gods.

"They were not, so far as we know, bad people."

"Who is their patron now? I can't imagine Elranor continues any support," said Felix.

"Coinfurth, for the most part. Though some also pay homage to Zigildrazia or other demonic archons," said Jehair. "Many priests have been trained in Sorn under the view of House Suvvest. They are sent to seek employment in the Healer's Guild. A few worship more... distant deities like the Fish King or the Shark Queen—ones with little concern for morality.

"But many of them come from foreign parts, from off-world. The leader went into business with Sen Kaba."

"I've heard of him," said William. "He is a merchant Lord with whom Father has a personal enmity. Our business interests and morality cross often."

"Yes, and he is the most feared non-noble in Antion, perhaps more so," said Jehair. "They changed their business strategies after the Healer's Guild became his partner.

"They began aggressively killing anyone who tried to heal anyone besides themselves. Hired thugs would murder priests as they came down. If they came down under guard, they'd be murdered later when the priests weren't around. People who went to the Temple to be healed would usually have the injury inflicted on them again.

"Pretty soon, the High Priest of Elranor, Cirithil, called off all healers and sent them to other areas, places where the Healer's Guild wasn't operating.

"But that made everything worse. Without any competition, they forced everyone not associated with the Temple. Then they moved out of Antion and started taking over the town, and people who stand up to them get crushed."

"Has the Paladin Order done nothing about this?" asked William, surprised.

"Truthfully, the Paladin Order has been sending most of its members to the Islands of Power. That or Gel Carn," said Amenos. "Although they are based in Antion, they have been less involved in Antion's affairs. There has been a war, and they've been mobilizing to fight Baltoth for some time.

"Though, happily, they are becoming more involved with the truce."

"I suspect they believe their presence would corrupt them," said Jehair. "They fight Antion's wars but refuse to involve themselves in internal matters. And the scope of what qualifies as internal can be wide indeed."

"That is not entirely true," said Amenos. "Lord Dunmoore has several times purged the more violent and evil gangs. When they become a problem, his Paladins prevent things from becoming too violent."

"I remember hearing about this now," said William. "At the time, I was in the Khasmir campaign. But Father told me in a letter about a group that did this. The Fists of Baltoth gang protected them. I cut their profits by healing for free and accidentally bankrupting them."

"I think that was why Rusara chose that method of training you in the first place," said Felix.

"Everyone won, so I see no reason to object, Felix. Still, why wouldn't the Paladins do as I did?" asked William. "All paladins have healing abilities. If they healed anyone who needed it, they'd undercut the whole business in a few afternoons."

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

"Well, you have a rare gift for it," said Amenos.

"I suspect that they have other things to concern themselves with. Dunmoore needs to gain more appreciation for concepts such as economic warfare. He prefers to limit his operations to the physical and spiritual."

"...Is not healing the sick and injured the domain of the spiritual?" asked William.

"Traditionally," said Amenos. "Paladins are a military order, while the church deals with healing the sick and injured."

"But they aren't," said William.

"That seems to be the crux of the issue, William," said Felix. "What worries me is that Rusara didn't tell you about it. Why keep it a secret?"

"I had many things to deal with," said William. "She probably didn't want to trouble me with it. Remember what happened in Khasmir?"

"That was before the information came to light, William," Felix reminded him.

William shook his head. This conversation was going to a different place than he wanted to talk about. "We shouldn't discuss this here."

"I see," said Amenos. "It is a good notion, but I fear it would be ineffective here. Duke Vanion is a powerful man with a great army and many followers.

"Unfortunately, it is well into the advanced stages in this place. Worse still, there are operations in the countryside and neighboring cities. Many people here would come out in support of them, whether for fear or personal gain."

"How?" asked William, surprised at these criminals' freedom. How could they intimidate Lords with armies? "The militia system was designed for this very purpose. Anoa the Bright created it so that no man could abuse his power. If everyone can and will fight for themselves, then tyrants cannot thrive."

"The militia system is less effective when the nobility is on your enemy's side," said Jehair. "Without organization, nobles who were bribed could run interference. And there were other elements.

"Outlaws became thick as thieves in places where the Healer's Guild was resisted. The roads dried up." William wondered if that woman had been planted there. She'd left just as Tavish came in.

"Why would King Andoa tolerate such a thing?" asked William, becoming more concerned. The tales he'd been told of Antion's golden spires began to dim a bit in his mind, and he fought against it. "Why would the Paladins? They had no role in Khasmir until after I left. Only after the battle of Kynn, they became involved in anything."

"King Andoa has become far less active with age," said Jehair. "And he is surrounded by serpents; I wonder if he even knows there is a problem.

"Although the Korlac family has done quite well. They crushed attempts at lawlessness within their domain mercilessly."

"And what of Lord Rius? Where does he stand?" asked William. "He has long been in correspondence with my Father, and Rusara knows him."

"He is," said Jehair. "But I have not been able to get a meeting with him. He has come under pressure from Adrian Wrynncurth, and my time with Tanith Telus put him at length."

William paused and considered his original mission. "How does Wrynncurth fit into this?"

"From what I gather, he sought to have Tanith arrested as she tried to make for Artarq here," said Jehair.

William considered the best solution. "...If what you say is true, this is not a criminal organization. It is an invasion, subverting lawful authority."

"Lawful authority seems an arbitrary concept," said Jehair.

"If Harlenor is to be overthrown, I'd rather it be in a glorious final battle—not being subverted by a collection of glorified footpads," said William.

"In that, at least, I shall grant, your vision would be preferable," said Jehair. So there was some respect there. Unless she was plotting the downfall of Harlenor herself, but that was unlikely. Rusara had vouched for her.

Felix paused. "...So, what is our course, William?"

"Let me think," said William, considering things. "We have, at present, three possible ways to rally against these criminals.

"First, I can undercut their profits by healing everyone I can."

"I know of these men," said Amenos. "Without being checked by an outside power, the Healer's Guild would break the legs of those you heal."

"Perhaps," said William. "The second option is simply resorting to violence. A massacre should be coming shortly; I am nobility. We could find their strong places and pick a fight. People can't commit crimes when they are dead."

Jehair blinked in surprise while Amenos looked to Felix and then back. "That strategy employs a level of brutality I doubt Duke Vanion would approve of."

"It would work," noted Felix. "Do that, and then heal everyone for a few days."

"Yes, but it would cause only moderate damage, and they could return," said Jehair. "This is an important location for them; they can ship people everywhere. Arkan has many contacts in virtually every village.

"You could wipe everyone out; might see them and their ilk return before the day was out."

"Which leads me to the third possible response," mused William. "We make it so there is an organized response."

Amenos looked to Jehair, and she back. After a moment, he clasped his hands and leaned forward. "Dunmoore is already en route, truthfully. I received a request to arrange a list of targets to remove.

"We had planned to wait for his arrival and coordinate with him."

"Why didn't you say so in the first place?" asked William.

"Dust Elves operate on a need-to-know basis," said Amenos, ever the professional. "So long as I thought you'd just be passing through, there wasn't any reason to trouble you. I intended to follow the orders from Rusara and your Father and speed you on your way.

"If you intend to become involved, however, you need the information. If you were not involved, telling you could tip off our enemies."

William sighed. "That is not good enough.

"The situation may worsen, or Dunmoore may be delayed or called off."

"You weren't nearly this ruthless when dealing with Karasush," noted Felix.

"Yes, but Karasush had a legitimate goal he was working to, the preservation of his people," said William. "And by all accounts, he served his god loyally. These people seem to be just doing it for personal gain."

"How many have you met?" asked Jehair, smiling as if remembering some far-off memory.

"Some may have no other alternative. Others could be persuaded to join our side. If we can undermine them from within, we could grow stronger from their weaknesses."

"Or leave behind little pieces of festering rot. From which new cancers will grow," noted William. He began to think that his presence had already been noted, and a response was being prepared.

"You are dedicated to taking the place of Tanith, aren't you?" asked Felix.

"Well, I am acting in her stead," said William with a smile. "What would you say, Jehair?"

"This Massacre you speak of, who is he?" asked Jehair.

"She is an illusion, which is a longtime companion of mine. She chose to go through Seathorius on foot," said William, noting Jehair had not read his book. He felt slightly offended, though he knew he shouldn't. "I believe we should seek information and gather support until such a time as she arrives."

"Very well," said Jehair. "This seems as good a plan as any we could set up. How will we go about it?"

"For a start, Felix and I will meet with Lord Rius and speak to him," said William. "We'll raise the subject, learn his perspective, and try to make arrangements. Amenos, go to Tanith and tell her we'll need her and her men.

"I also advise her to be wary of merchants in this place and wait to cut any deals until I can meet with him. And inform her and the girl, Kata, of the situation. Tell her that many of her people may be being held here."

"I have some friends in this city, and some of my people are due to meet me here on other business," said Amenos. "Making contact with them could help us prepare for a rising. And Tanith could be of great help.

"Certainly, such a thing may be necessary if our enemy is strong enough. Though Dunmoore may be annoyed at having his glory stolen."

"The man is the Grandmaster of the Paladin Order," said William with a shrug. "Paladins don't fight for our glory, but the glory of Elranor. I expect he will be overjoyed to know that men are fighting against injustice alongside him.

"I would be. I could focus on healing the sick and injured and saving the realm.

"...Do so, Amenos."

Jehair shifted. "Oh?

"And what role do you have in mind for me in this omnipresent and benevolent conspiracy?"

William considered options and came up with a role that benefited his allies. "...Investigate the slave trade. And find any evidence of Furbearers being held captive.

"You could coordinate with Tanith on that."

"Then how do you account for Tanith Telus?" asked Jehair. "If you have such a problem with slavery?"

"I don't have a problem with the institution," said William. "Selling captured plunder is one thing. Making a living in trafficking in living plunder is... distasteful."

"Do you not benefit from it?" asked Jehair.

"No, I do not," said William. "Anyway, it doesn't matter. Tanith only told me he kept a Priestess of Baltoth as a slave; that doesn't mean she sold them."

"Is that supposed to make it better?" asked Felix.

"Judge the matter for yourself," said William. "Taking an enemy as a slave is one thing; doing so to an ally is quite another."

"Well, that is as good a justification as any," said Jehair.

"Then let's get going at once," said William, sipping his drink. "Where is Lord Rius' castle?"

"He does not have one," said Felix. "He lives in a manor near the city's west side; I can lead you there."

"How?" asked William. "I doubt you sat as his guest."

"Duke Vanion went after that; he bought me," said Felix. "There were some trade disputes to discuss, and he told me to watch and learn."

"Ah," said William. "And what did you think of Lord Rius?"

"Duke Vanion was very reasonable," said Felix. "And Rius did not make any demands."

Thus began the first instance of getting sidetracked on their quest to go from one place to another. William had the feeling he'd be doing this a lot.