The clouds stood overhead, ready to burst forth in a downpour. It was like a storm William had seen earlier, but stronger and worse. As he walked, he mulled over events, trying to think of how Jehair fit into all this. What was her connection to the elves who acted as Lady Atravain's servants?

Was there a connection? Or was he only imagining events, and Jehair truly was only a mercenary?

It did not matter.

William had done his duty, and that was the important thing.

Along the path, they'd see Vorn's men clearing away parts of the road, cutting at thorns or bushes. Others were checking damages and taking notes on stones in need of replacement. Or setting them back into place, when they could find them. These were well-armed, and it seemed to he was setting things to rights already.

William thought it would only be right for this land to be given new Lords and soldiers from the wars. Vorn seemed to him an excellent choice. But such thoughts did not keep him from moving as quickly as he could. William was now deadly afraid that some great event would happen while he was late.

So for a few days, they went over the roads at a rapid pace. Vorn told William a great deal about it. The cobblestones here had been stolen over the years. Now all that remained was dirt and gravel. They also passed several stone quarries. In these places, worked by crews of dwarves, stones were being set out over the roads.

They had reddish-tinged hair and wielded spears and short swords. Some had bows, like the Nakmar. On that very spot, blocks of stone were drawn up, broken, shaped, and put down with great efficiency. It was obvious they were practiced people at this.

"Who are these?" asked William.

"Naker dwarves," said Jehair. "One of the northern tribes. They live at the foot of the Black Mountain and in the Border Hills north of Gel Carn.

"This tribe seems to be doing good business."

One of them nodded to him, and William halted briefly by the partially paved road to offer prayers to Barden. Massacre brought rabbits and sacrificed them on the altar to burn there. The feeling made him glad, and William stood to continue on, and their pace sped. Behind, they saw dwarves making the offering as well, as though they had only remembered to do so.

Yet William could not forget that the Naker Dwarves also had fields. These were being tilled by halfling slaves. Dressed in rags, they worked beneath the overcast sky with plows as watchmen kept an eye on them. They looked exhausted, and put hard to it and he wondered how they had come to be here.

At last, they came to the village.

It was a run-down, miserable affair, with falling in walls and people who were healthy. The buildings were raised off the ground with old nets underneath them. There was a brook where people were fishing as the water flowed into the woods. The road went to the side here, not daring to enter the foreboding and dark forest ahead. But to William's surprise, Luke Atravain was sitting on a rock, putting together a crossbow.

"Is it done yet?" asked a brown-haired girl with freckles.

"Almost Edara," said Luke. "I'll be there in a few minutes. Crossbows aren't easy to make, you know." Then he looked up. "Give me a moment.

"William, where have you been? After we heard you were in Brisgald, we thought you'd get here before us."

William sighed. "I took my time on the road."

"What?" said Luke. "You took your time? But look around you, you can see what has happened-"

"Fighting off multiple plagues and unraveling conspiracies is not easy work, Sir Atravain!" said William. "If I drive myself to my death, I will be of no use to anyone. There were many pressing matters along the way!"

Silence.

"Sorry," said Luke. "We've had our share of problems as well.

"We've rounded up some local priests, and I've had them healing people in the villages the Paladins can't get to. Of course, I had to take them off the plantations, but by now, we've lost most of the slaves.

"Peter is dead."

William halted as he remembered Peter Atravain, filled with fire. Without him, William would be in a social ice age. "I see. I remember he took my part against Rundas.

"Did he die well?"

"Saved all our necks," said Luke. "He drove an entire force of satyrs away. If Rutger and he hadn't gone to Khasmir over their parent's advice, we'd be finished. But, when it came time to withdraw, he was caught by a spear.

"They wanted revenge for the ones we killed. And we've had several more fights like that since. No one else died; nobody we knew, but it has not been fun.

"I wish I'd known him better."

"Well, all we can do is honor his memory and ensure that the task you and he set out for is completed," said William. "I regret I did not know him well."

William looked to see that the gallows were raised high and bleak in the mist. And from them were two elven men. Their necks were broken, and one of them had violet skin. William stared, watching them dangle, and wondered what had led to this. At their feet was a sign;

"Bandits, ye be warned."

"Why were those men hung?" asked William.

"I know these men," said Jehair, voice grim. "These are Druids of Laevian. Why have they been hung like bandits?"

"Sir Joseph Korlac did it," said Edara sadly. "He and his men caught them and a large contingent squatting in an abandoned castle. He placed them under arrest, but they fled out a back door.

"But his men were waiting there and seized them.

"Once done, he came here and had them hung in sight of the wood. He specifically hung the elves."

"Korlac isn't a racist," said Luke in surprise. "I don't understand why he'd do that."

"He's sending a message," said Jehair. "He wants to punish King Faras and us.

"If I had a guess, Korlac believes that the Druids are involved in this crisis. And he also believes that the elves may have engineered it. But, unable to prove it, he has specifically chosen to hang two elves as an example.

"While releasing the others."

"That is common law when dealing with such incidents," said Saul. The tawny-haired, sharp-eyed noble had gotten more toned. He was polishing his armor.

"If he believed they were elven agents, executing the elves would sever that," said Rutger. "And it would take decades to repair. But, it would also send a clear message; Back off."

"...Well," said William, desiring to turn people away from a blood feud. "I'll pay him back for it in the Tournament of Kings when I get the chance. Though I certainly won't take his life.

"Luke, what are you doing down here?

"You must have some mission." These hanging people were Jehair's compatriots. Why would Korlac feel the need to kill them?

"I was planning on hiring some hands to work the fields," said Luke. "And I've already managed to get a decent deal for it."

"Discuss it with Vorn when he gets here," said William. "He should be coming by here.

"He knows how all this operates better than I do. I have only a loose grasp of economics. And this place seems to accept his authority, technically. And his wife will need to be told what happened to Peter Bailey."

"Yes, I'll handle it myself when I can," said Luke. "Follow me; we've been patrolling this place trying to fend off satyrs and deter bandits.

"Have you lost any friends?"

"Too many," said William. "The first friend I lost was Kusher during the Khasmir Campaign. He was a satyr but a great warrior. He saved my life more than once, and his advice helped me become my own. And we lost quite a few of our group whose names do not come to mind.

"The plague is handled?"

"Yes," said Luke. "We've already covered most of the villages in this region. But the locals still have their children gone."

"Are they dead?" asked William.

"I don't think so," said Luke. "Apparently, Isriath played her harp and drew them all into the swamp. Then, she said they wouldn't be returned until she was appeased.

"I'd go myself, but...

"I don't have the power to fight a Goddess. Korlac might have been sending the message to Isriath as well." Birds descended toward the gallows, and William moved to get them.

"Back, you wretched creatures," said Jehair. "Back!" And William wondered who she was talking to. "Leave the dead in peace!

"William, let me cut them down. This kind of end does not before anyone, hanging out here for the crows."

William looked at her. "Very well.

"Felix, get them down. We'll give them a proper burial under Jehair's instructions. Any message that could have been sent here is long since sent. Luke, find them a priest."

They buried them just as William had said.

William went to the village. And meeting the Chief, Hasmond, who spoke at length with him. It turned out that the druids had been taking in criminals and escaped slaves. The villagers had made a good profit by taking them in until recently.

Apparently, they often helped in transporting materials as a waystation. And many of those materials were illegal in nature.

"You mean to say that you've been knowing helping thieves," said William.

"It's better to profit by them than be forced out," said the man. "They've used this place either way. We're very distant from the law, and if we don't cooperate, they'll wipe us out.

"All our neighbors deal with them. So we either have to leave, die, or play alone."

"That's why Korlac did it," said Edara. "House Korlac hates unlawful activity of any kind.

"He is effectively sending to message to everyone;

"Give up your evil ways or suffer the consequences. Or something like that."

"It might be an effective deterrent," said Saul. "If House Korlac was credible.

"But they've been completely shut out for years. No one takes them at all seriously."

"I wouldn't discount Korlac," said Luke. "He's smart, and his Father is ruthless. And things are changing right now. If we're not careful, John might decide to use the chaos to hang everyone here.

"It would cause problems for the weakened gangs. And it would be technically legal."

"He wouldn't, really," said Edara.

"I'm not saying he would," said Luke. "But it is possible House Korlac could see this as their opportunity to pursue their vendetta. And the best targets to take would be people who cooperate with them." He looked to Hasmond. "You have to stop breaking the law and have nothing more to do with these people.

"Don't fight, but don't cooperate or help. John Korlac is coming one way or another."

Murmurs of fear came from the people. There were dwarves, humans, halflings, and even a few satyrs, though no elves. But no children and William remembered with a chill what had happened.

"Cooperating was how we got into this mess anyway," said Hasmond. "That's why all the children were taken."

"Hasmond, you'd better explain in-depth," said Saul.

William noticed Alasa taking notes. Her garments were white and fine, and she looked very beautiful. He decided that it would be best for this to be well known. "Is she in your company, Luke?"

"Alasa is with us, yes," said Luke.

An elven agent with Luke and an elven agent with William. They were keeping on the nobility and their actions. This in itself was not unreasonable, but that they were able to do so effortlessly was concerning. All the more so because Luke seemed to regard it as nothing odd.

If the elves were connected to events, what could they hope to gain? Es[ecially seem to be everywhere.

Jehair had mentioned several times Neral Dinis and tried to focus their vendetta on him. But thus far, Neral Dinis did not seem involved at all. Save for putting Reg up to taking over Ascorn. Jehair had a vendetta with him, of course.

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It was too soon to say.

Hasmond was silent, looking from face to face.

"Hasmond," said William.

Hasmond nodded. "I'll explain.

"As you wish. Since coming here from the Border Hills, our people have dwelled here for hundreds of years. During those days, the demons of hell had emerged from the lands of Adrianeth. Many of us were forced away. Blood soaked the stones, and they are red to this day from the great conflict.

"When the dust settled, not all of us returned.

"We sheltered with the ancestors of Duke Borinius. And from there, we created villages and acted as smith workers and others. People came to dwell with us over time, and we became a diverse sort. Humans, elves, dwarves, and even some satyrs.

"But..."

"What happened to the children?" asked William.

"Isriath happened," said Hasmond.

"Isriath?" asked Edara. "The Lady of Music has been in several other places. I've seen someone like her."

"Yes, she played upon her harp against us and drew all of them away from us," said Hasmond. "They followed her into the swamps and never returned. We could not even raise ourselves to follow her.

"Although, the satyrs have avoided us thus far, drawn away by music."

"But why?" asked William. "What was her motivation?"

"There..." Hasmond halted. "We had a contract of sorts. You see, we'd been suffering from a plague of rats-"

"A plague of rats, too?" said Felix in a low tone. "There is no way all of this could be a coincidence. Someone has engineered this."

"Is it the nature of servants to speak among their betters in House Gabriel," said Saul, an edge in his tone. The tone was biting and had an edge of authority to it. The others looked to him and thought some power play was underway.

"Felix is well-accustomed to making vital observations," said William. He remembered being put on display before. "Though no observations about your Father come to mind at the moment, Saul. Other than having a seat at every table."

A murmur came between them.

Silence and the silence became worse. They were all looking to one another, caught between the two. Neither wanted to be an enemy of either House, and Letan was the more prestigious, technically. But House Gabriel was the stronger. Finally, William and Saul's eyes met.

William had not forgotten his treatment by Letan.

"Can we settle your vendetta later?" asked Edara. "When the Kingdom is not falling apart. We can't afford to have a vendetta."

William shrugged. "As you wish."

"We'll let the matter pass," said Saul. "Go on, Hasmond."

"Well, Isriath appeared with a great display of wonder and lots of light," said Hasmond. "She came before us, said she was from the Sorcerer's Guild, where she often stays. She offered to get rid of the rats for us if we did her a favor in return."

"What favor?" asked William.

"They simply wanted us to look the other way for a series of shipments from the Sorcerer's Guild," said Hasmond. "Most of the time, they go through Brisgald, and there are patrols to ensure it. But, with all the banditry, things have been creeping out.

"We had no choice; the rats were spreading plague and devouring all the food."

"Understandable," said William. "Did it work?"

"...Yes," said Hasmond.

"Well then, the first step is to find out how it happened. Find out if any wrongdoing was done by the villages," said William. "Once that is done, we initiate any necessary reprisals.

"Last of all, we convince the Fairy Queen to give the children back. Now, we'll have to find her for that and then convince her to do things our way. Preferably without trading anything of value in return."

"You're a good harper, aren't you?" asked Luke. "I heard you battled a plague demon using music."

"My harp is destroyed," said William. "It was broken during the journey. I don't know why I kept the pieces, but I suppose I hoped I could put them back together. Perhaps I could ask her before she turns me into a snake or something." He paused. "Hasmond, you need to start growing as much food as possible and stockpiling it. We're likely to have a bad harvest with all this chaos.

"You might make a very good profit selling food."

"Don't I know it," said Luke. "You know, Rius' lax hand is causing my Mother a lot of trouble."

"William?!" said a voice. "William over here!"

William turned and saw Vorn hurrying forward with troops. Turning, he saw him. Then he looked to Luke. "Excuse me."

He hurried off. "Vorn, I didn't think you'd arrive so soon."

"Had to come here through a rainstorm," said Vorn. "I wanted to catch you to get your thoughts on a plan to fix all this." He looked to Luke as he came. "Luke, good to see you, but I gotta talk to my kid cousin here."

"So, what's your plan?" asked William.

Vorn led him to one side, and William looked to see Saul observing them while the others talked.

"I have a plan that can annihilate all our enemies without striking a blow, William," said Vorn.

"Tell me what it is," said William. "And don't speak too loudly."

"All you'd have to do is open up the trade lanes," said Vorn. "Marn can give anyone easy access using his private ships, and that can get people all over the place.

"But he gets to pick and choose his clients and chooses the order. Outside of royal commands and reinforcements. As a result, he's always making a killing, and everybody wants to use his ships. It guarantees you won't lose the cargo, and it'll get there way faster. So virtually every noble house that isn't House Marn's enemy is invested in it big.

"Now what happens if Savior's Run is opened?"

"All of the people invested heavily in House Marn will lose a fortune," said William.

"Exactly," said Vorn. "What if we negotiate directly with Arraxia? She's good at keeping her minions in line, and she's got power. Kiyora is the other major power, and Queen Dawn will be only too happy to get the extra tax revenue.

"House Gabriel has no investments in Marn because of our long-term rivalry. We can wipe them all out. All of them in one strike, and it'll happen anytime we want."

"What about the people, Vorn?" asked William.

"We can buy them out," said Vorn. "Remember, we'll have access to the means to help them."

"We'll be enslaving them, Vorn," said William. "It might get us some short-term benefits, but it will discredit us. Take this opportunity, and you'll damn us for good."

"Well, we gotta open the river sometime," said Vorn. "It'll be good for us in the long term, good for everyone. More trade means more money and business."

"More money and business means it will be more difficult to regulate. We're already having trouble," said William. "And if we alienate our fellow nobles, it will be impossible. Everyone will try to seize every advantage they can get, and it'll fall apart." Looking up, he saw Saul speaking with the others.

This was bad.

"So what do you suggest?" asked Vorn.

"Can't we just tell them we want to open it?" asked William. "Luke is over there, and several other nobles, including Saul Marn. Do that, and everyone can prepare for what's coming.

"Then we'll have a better reputation, and it will be clear that Father is a principled individual. We'll no longer just be social climbers.

"...I should probably not publish this book for a couple years after I finish it."

"What do you mean?" asked Vorn.

"If we publish a book detailing our economic strategy, our enemies will adapt," said William. "If we are going to do economic warfare, we've got to take them unawares. Chip away at their profits and holdings little by little, or get them to take stupid risks with their money.

"Risks that we know won't pay off."

"Probably not," said Vorn. "I'm gonna run the idea over by them now."

William paused. "There is something you ought to know about this village."

He told Vorn what he had learned, and Vorn listened carefully.

"Well," said Vorn. "Lilas has a lot of control out there. He set up his tendrils out in this place, even if he never really began operations.

"He must have known what his people were doing. Alright, yeah, I'll buy him out. I should have been let in on this. I'm the one taking care of everything out here."

And he hurried over.

"Hey Will, what's going on?" asked Luke. "Saul is worried, and I get the feeling you aren't talking about the weather."

"Vorn has a proposition he wants to run by all of you," said William.

Silence as it was explained again.

"...I don't see how this is going to shut down the criminal operations, Sir Vorn," said Edara.

"Saul could probably tell you," said William.

"Saul?" asked Luke.

"If you are a money lender, you loan people the coin they need to start businesses or buy farmland," said Saul. "Now, ordinarily, when you give a loan, you want to wait until they pay it back. But, if you get hit by unexpected costs and you don't have the reserves to pay, what do you do, Edara?"

"You call in your loans," said Edara.

"Exactly," said Saul. "So what happens if you can't call in your loans?"

"Isn't that a contradiction?" asked Rutler.

"Technically," said Saul. "Theoretically, anyone can call in a loan. But, let's say you are a moneylender to a powerful king? If you try to call in a loan on him, he could just chop your head off or laugh in your face.

"When you get in that position, you have a lot of debt. And you can't access the coin to pay off the debt. So what do you do?"

"Bargain for time," said Luke.

"And if that doesn't work?" asked Saul.

"Take out a loan," said Edara.

"So, what kind of person would give you such a loan?" asked Saul.

"It'd have to be someone rich and powerful enough to expect a return," said Luke. "Or someone who cannot afford to see you go down."

"Right," said Saul. "These criminals are very rich and hoping to get richer. However, their recent losses will have damaged confidence in them."

"A lot of people have lost confidence in the nobility," said Rutler. Judging from his tone, William had a feeling he was one of them. He prayed that Rutler was not suffering too badly from the loss of Peter.

But he didn't know Peter or Rutler well enough to say anything.

"True," said Vorn. "But we are making a public effort to correct that error.

"Criminal organizations aren't like noble families. Your faithful retainers will kill you in a heartbeat if you lose money. So chances are, there are already heads rolling. And with a lot of their minions cut down, they won't be able to expand.

"But they are going to come back. Too many people are invested in what they provide."

"The first blow struck against them will send them reeling. Then they will get more foreign money," said Saul. "There will be assassinations and favors and blackmail, and they will return. So, we should set up our second blow to strike when they begin to recover."

"So what if we annihilate their holdings at the precise moment they receive an influx of coin?" asked Rutler.

"We break them and their supporters," realized Luke. "Everyone loses everything."

"So what do you suggest, Sir Vorn," said Saul.

"Harlenor has always been a warrior culture," said Vorn. "There are many kinds of warfare. Now, the old ways were always burning villages and such, but that is passing by.

"I choose to call this;

"Economic warfare.

"We have to do three things to destroy the enemy. First, it is a form of attack that does not utilize raw, physical violence. More sophisticated but potentially devastating.

"First, we have to bankrupt them, make them lose all their money or most of it. A noble family without money can survive for a bit by name and deed. But a criminal organization with no money can't pay its soldiers; it can't buy merchandise.

"The problem is that criminals don't disappear because their organization goes under. They go into business for themselves. So the other thing we need to do is stop them from getting any more recruits.

"So far, we have done this.

"Many of their fewer pawns have flown the coup. Others are jumping ship or have been killed or fled. Of these, some will return.

"But as long as there are huge numbers of restless fighting men with no income, they've got recruits."

"My Father has said something similar," said Saul. "Give these men land and a prospect of advancement and retirement. Then thousands of recruits will become hundreds. Then hundreds will become dozens. Once the criminal operations start to recede, they can't force the law to cooperate."

"Gel Carn has huge swaths of unoccupied land to the south, you know," said Rutler. "Peter and I went there. It's rolling fertile lands that got depopulated in a series of demonic invasions."

"It's true," said Edara. "I'm from that region. The population dropped dramatically during an invasion by Adrianeth and has never recovered. Much of it is verdant farmland, just with demons."

"The problem is that we need someone to loan them money," said Saul. "It can't be any of us; we'd be accused of trying to buy their loyalty."

"Why not Adrian Wrynncurth?" asked William. "I'm heading there already, and Benarus rules in the name of the Heir of Kings, who has no real power as of yet. I could discuss it with him when I get there."

"So we stockpile coin and warn of the honest people, in one way or another," said Korlac. "If every single noble house pulls strings to get them to pull out when the time is right, we can get most of them out. And we can put aside a fund to pay for any damages to legal property."

"Which means Korlac could investigate each business for how much they are owed," said Luke. "And if they refuse, they have to explain why and forfeit the bailout. That should keep him off the people out here.

"And once we have all those investigations, we can strip them of their ill-gotten gains. Then use them to compensate victims. Or fund public works that have been falling apart. The King's Road is almost a dirt path in some places."

"What about the other nations?" asked William, who was from Artarq and Haldren. "They will have an opinion."

"Haldren isn't involved in it, and neither is Escor," said Vorn. "Calisha is our enemy, and Baltoth is notoriously difficult to corrupt. Sorn might be a problem, but Sorn is about to engage in a very expensive war, win or lose. Even if it is a swift victory, they will be setting up new plantations.

"So, we could probably just get them to sign off on wiping out their rivals. If we give them a reasonable price, they'll probably take the money and the benefits and let it happen."

"But can we actually negotiate with Arraxia?" asked Rutger. "She's a demon."

Saul considered it. "...It has to be House Gabriel or no one."

"What do you mean?" asked Edara.

"I've read the accounts of Arraxia," said Saul. "She is petty and vindictive and is not a rational actor. On the other hand, William and her interactions seem to be that of a girl and her beloved pet."

"Excuse me?" asked William choking.

Saul smiled. "It was a mere metaphor. Arraxia seems to hold you in some respect and twisted affection. At least, insofar as you resist her attempts to put you down."

"More or less," admitted William. At least someone had read his book. He had no intention of rising to this fool's bait.

"If Vanion Gabriel can get her to agree with this, Queen Dawn can easily be brought in," said Saul. "She's reasonable, and nobody else is in a position to stop us. Father has good relations with her."

"Calisha could have the money to bail them out. Theoretically speaking," said Luke.

Silence.

"It could," said Luke.

"I doubt Baltoth would use such tactics," said William.

"May I ask a question, Sir Gabriel?" asked Saul.

"Yes," said William.

"Why did you two decide to bring this plan to us?" asked Saul.

William looked to Vorn, who shrugged. "Go ahead, Will."

"I have no desire to bankrupt innocent people for the sake of revenge on men I have never even met," said William. "Vorn's plan is brilliant, so far as I can tell. He is a master of economics.

"I just didn't want innocent people to get hurt."

"That makes sense to me," said Luke.

"Such a policy is humane," said Saul. "But can it not be taken too far."

"If you make sacrifices without looking for alternatives, you lose everything," said William.

"It is a question of what you sacrifice," said Saul.

"War should be conducted with as little violence as possible," said Vorn. "It's wrong for the strong to prey on the weak."

"We are Harlenorians, Vorn," said William. "To prey on the weak is nature. It is the innocent we do not prey on. Weakness is a form of sin."

"That's a bit harsh," said Luke. "Not everyone can take care of themselves. What about someone born a cripple."

"Raynald De Chevlon has a withered arm and many disadvantages, and he has beaten them," said William. "One should be judged by what one does with the gifts they are given."

"Weak men do what they like," said Rutler. "Normal men do what they must. Heroes do what they can."

"I didn't know you were a poet," said Edara.

"A personal philosophy," said Rutler. "Peter believed it and so do I."

"Luke," said William. "I have to go at once. I can't delay any longer. Isriath might lose interest, and that could be very bad."

"Then we will not detain you," said Saul. "Sir Vorn, I will speak with you.

"Sir Gabriel, I believe, has the business of his own."

"Thank you, Saul," said William. "Give your regards to my Father, and tell him I hope this crisis has not left him in ill health."

"I will," said Saul.

"Do you really mean to confront two goddesses?" asked Jehair.

"I have to make an attempt," said William. "Let's just get this over with."

And they ventured into the darkness of the wood to face two goddesses. At least now they had a method to strike back at the criminal organizations. William could only hope they lost everything once they opened Savior's Run.