The fire burned exceptionally bright in the tavern that evening and the air was fresh outside.

Many drinks were had, not overindulgent, and men boasted of their deeds in battle and drank. It was a crowded and merry scene, but William sat in a corner and watched. Urus was meditating on the floor while Oresa, Isamu, and Cadas were by the fire.

They were by the door; everyone else had come in first, and Jehair was elsewhere. Urus stood up suddenly and adjusted his long, dark hair, tying it into another braid. "That was too easy."

"What do you mean, Urus?" asked Isamu. The big man was sitting in a chair by the corner, drinking. Vow and Felix were playing cards.

"The undead in Blackfear have many far more dangerous agents than we have faced," said Urus. "Why have we heard nothing of them yet? We ought to have vampires or werewolves or something. We'd heard the wolf calls for it."

"Maybe they've gone home," said Oresa hopefully.

"Unlikely," said Urus. "It seems that the undead is either occupied with some other enemy or have chosen to humor us."

"What then do you advise, good masters?" said Fenus, polishing a glass. He put it down to pour a drink for Red, who was in a stupor at the bar. Her left hand clutched her sheathed sword in a vicelike grip as she mumbled drunk.

"Nothing, for my part," said Felix, laying a card on the table. "You've shown you're not weak, and they won't come after you in a hurry now."

"It doesn't work like that, Felix, and you know it," said William. "Father's strategy worked because he could consistently threaten Baltoth. If he'd been down to his last throw, Baltoth would have called his bluff. Assuming he'd known it.

"The other villages have not had such an uprising.

"If Sylvar decides to destroy us, she'd need only attack this place in isolation. We won't be here in a bit."

"Perhaps we could appease the spirit of Sylvar?" suggested Jehair. "She was not always so enraged and twisted."

That sounded like a good idea. Or it would if William were not a Paladin and human. And if Sylvar did not have a reputation for backstabbing. "You would have us sin against Elranor when we need him most?

"That would be madness."

"He has a point," said Fenus. "I shall call for a round of prayers among the villagers. Then, perhaps if we show our devotion, Elranor might intercede to her on our behalf.

"That would be appropriate."

"I see your point," said Jehair, looking away. She was really trying to push a dialogue with the elven gods. First, she had spoken at length about the loss of sacred days. Then she had tried to spin things for this elven pantheon.

Given what William had seen of the church, Jehair must have been trying to gain converts for her gods.

"Is Sylvar an enemy of Elranor?" asked Oresa, a little ways off, brushing her long hair.

"Blackfear is in the domain of the God Triumvirate," said William. "Any being that presents itself as a god in these kingdoms is contrary to his will. And, certainly, she is not the sort of person I would want to worship.

"For reasons which by this point must seem obvious." Several laughs. "Speaking to her directly to appease her would be breaking ranks. Elranor can handle such discussions."

"Sylvar has never been fond of humans," conceded Jehair, as though in a warning. "A quest into her domain would be dangerous, nearly futile." It was odd how she said it like she was responding to a different scene in an alternate version of the same play.

"There's always a first time," said Isamu.

"Yes, but since I'm the only one who could break the enchantments. I think you gentlemen should devise a better plan," said William. "Or decide not to go at all.

"I will not undertake a mission to appease Sylvar unless the entire village votes against me. We've had trouble enough on the defensive."

"What makes you so special?" asked Jaina, who had been drinking with Red. She'd stopped early, though, while Red kept going.

"I am a Paladin, and I'm experienced in breaking enchantments," said William. "I have the rank to negotiate. And I have a companion who is familiar with this territory. Everyone else here is either in command of a large force or only has some of those.

"Jaina, you might manage it, but you were not in the Khasmir Campaign, to my knowledge. That was where I got my practice."

"You do have a head start," said Jaina with a slight smile.

"Makes sense," said Isamu. Urus could handle it in a pinch, though.

"A pinch perhaps," said Urus. "But I agree with Sir Gabriel.

"Appeasement is not a good option. These people are already in the power of the undead. Their goal should be to weaken their hold and gain outside support. A return to normalcy will only see the undead strike again later.

"And then they will be better prepared. Our advantage will decrease as time passes, and a war is inevitable." A war with whom? Urus was a Medi from Calisha, and William wondered if he would be writing reports on what he saw.

"What about the other villages?" asked Fenus suddenly. "We might convince them to stand up and be counted as we are. We are not as weak as we once were. And if all of us were to stand at once, we could make a great deal of trouble."

"Yes, but what if Neral Dinis or Sylvar has decided to let the matter pass?" asked Jaina. "They might have simply noted your defiance and adjusted you to be worthy of note. You've said to yourself there needs to be more communication with him.

"If we become a persistent threat, they might wage a full-scale war."

"I think that any military operations must be limited to preparation. At least until we know the mind of your master," said Arkan, polishing his spearhead to one side. It was the first time he had spoken during the merriment. He had sat quietly in a corner, contemplating events. "...William, would you like to take my place in Blackfear? I have a meeting there, and I will be missing."

William looked up. "What do you mean?"

"A large number of distinguished people are meeting to discuss how to solve the crisis," said Arkan. "Not this one, the one you created for our business interests. Since I am playing the role of undead rebel hunter, I can hardly attend.

"Even so, you could find the meeting most useful."

Then, there was a horn call.

William looked out. "That's a wood elf horn."

Everyone rushed out, grasping the weapons they had near them. These days, everyone had taken to keeping them near at hand.

And they saw Tyrasa and her group coming toward them. They wore armor, leather, and furs that hid their curves. The cry of wolves was about, and they wore heavy scarves.

"Tyrasa," said William, coming to meet her. "Your timing could not have been better."

"So it seems," said Tyrasa, seeming a bit awkward. "We have witnessed the battles of these people, and I have chosen to lead a force to aid them. Our archers shall supplement their axe work well."

"Now we have a real chance, then," said William. "You speak to Master Ferus in this. He is the leader of these people and has been coordinating with Arkan Lantan for the defense.

"Have you encountered a man named Lamech?

"He was part of the same organization as Tavish Kern."

"No," said Tyrasa. "My sisters and I have spoken to no one. However, we did see an armored figure entering yonder barrow up there."

William looked and sat only a line of nondescript hills. "I don't see anything."

"They are well hidden to your eyes," said Tyrasa. "But you can find them almost any way.

"You should also know that High Priest Cirithil is on his way to Blackfear. His party is well-armored but of foreign mercenaries. I believe that we could head him off soon and-"

"Do not finish that sentence, Tyrasa," said William. "That is the kind of thought that befits a friend of another nation. Cirithil is the High Priest, and that renders him untouchable. He has used my faith as a shield, but to harm him would harm that.

"The church must be rescued from him. Not destroyed with him." Jehair looked outright panicked at that.

Had Jehair been trying to convert him over to her side? It made sense. What about Isriath and the Goddesses of Themious? Why make their appearances to him?

What if William had come here without being hardened in Khasmir and Seathorius? He might have listened. Much of what she said had merit; it contradicted his beliefs. Many people on this journey expected him to be his old self.

Rius.

Jehair.

Tef.

The Goddesses of Themious.

All had believed he would be like he had been in Gel Carn. Ill-disciplined and weak. They had been banking on it, and each paid for it when he didn't act as expected. Well, not Tef, but she was essentially just a victim in all of this, anyway.

"The High Priest?" asked Fenus. "A messenger was here before. He spoke to many of us about our numbers before Ham Hawkthorne killed his company."

"Why?!" said Isamu.

"As far as I can tell," said Fenus. "Cutting him off in traffic."

"Joffrey deserved it," said William. "He was half the reason Ascorn was as bad off as it was."

"What is your quarrel with Cirithil," said Fenus. "I must know."

William looked to Tyrasa. "Tyrasa...

"I will need your permission for this."

Tyrasa nodded. "Tell him."

"I shall," said William. "What I tell I kept only because there was no time."

Fenus heard the story in full and looked shocked. "If this is so, he must only be allowed to meet Neral Dinis with a representative of our people.

"Sir Gabriel, will you go?"

"I will," said William. "But I will not do so in Cirithil's company. Is there some way I could fight my way in? So I would not appear to Neral as a beggar at the door. Especially since Cirithil already has his ear."

"Um, don't usually beggars not wear expensive armor?" asked Oresa. "I mean, maybe you could have some beggar knights. People who fight for justice while asking for handouts on the side."

Red laughed uproariously, raising her head upwards before falling back onto the counter. She began to snore.

"Lady Oresa, I was speaking figuratively. Jaina, will you attend?" asked William.

"Actually, I have to leave now," said Jaina ruefully. "I'm here as an observer, but I've got to see other villages. Ferus' idea of gathering support from those villages is a good one. And I can be helpful there in negotiations. With a general rising, the undead will have a harder time surrounding you."

Then, there was another horn call and a heroic triumph to it.

A sense of joy and wonder, of sudden salvation, long prepared. Yet it was weakened by the grim fights that had been had before. Golden-armored elves arrived in armor with shining swords and spears. Yet William did not know them, and Tyrasa's coming had relieved him.

So the arrival of these newcomers was blunted. A sense of eucatastrophe was around them as though meant for someone else.

What were they doing here? How had they gotten here in such convenient timing, and why had no word been sent ahead? This was like something out of a story, almost... custom-tailored.

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

It was all for a different William Gabriel. The William Gabriel who hadn't taken that boat with Raynald and Rusara, which seemed so long ago.

"Hail and well met. We are a mercenary company from Qur'Danas; we've come to aid these people in their time of need," said a familiar figure. "We desire to restore this land to its former power and beauty and would offer our services."

William moved forward. "Farwa, what are you doing here?"

Farwa took off her helm to let her dark hair fall. "William, well met. Cirithil relieved me of my position and came here instead, as is the custom in the Paladin Order when you have no options. One of his favorites is now in charge of Ascorn, I gather.

"But I sent letters to House Telus, and I do not think he will survive long. We've become quite popular, you know."

"Ha! Now we have an army!" said Vow, playing her own card triumphantly. "Take that, Sylvar."

Jaina was packing her bags.

"Elves?" asked Urus. "You are of Jehair's people."

"Why is there a convenient squad of elven warriors within a day's march of this town?" asked Isamu. "And why have the undead not eaten them?

"This is too convenient?"

"Isamu, that is not the kind of observation you make in public!" said Urus in the tone of someone who has said it before.

"We shall need you, I am sure," said Arkan, quickly coming forward and shooting a deadly glance at Isamu. Obviously, he began to think that they were more trouble than they were worth. Such words could have gotten them all killed. "Gentlemen, soon we must begin a council of war to plan how best to confront this undead. For now, however, we must send a mission to Blackfear. The fastest way would be through the barrow, on a hill north of here.

"There is a passage there that leads into the labyrinth. Jehair has walked it before."

"I have," said Jehair.

"Then you must escort Sir Gabriel's party to Blackfear and ensure he arrives safely," said Fenus. "The rest of us must go at once and secure the remaining villages. This place is prepared to resist an attack, but the others are not. Some may have to be wholly abandoned for more defensible territories.

"It will be hard labor.

"Yet we shall leave this land a safer place."

"To arms!" cried a lookout. "An army descends on us in great force from the barrows! It is larger than all the rest, and vampires and werewolves are among them! It numbers greater than all the others!"

"Then prepare for battle and man your posts," said Fenus. "General Arkan, you are in command."

"Lady Jaina," said Arkan. "Sir Gabriel, I ask that you secure the fort and hold it against any that try to take it from us. If undead archers take it, it will be impossible to maneuver."

William nodded and drew his sword. "Come, Felix, let's go."

"We'll go too," said Isamu.

"No, you will be needed to defend the village," said Arkan. "The fort requires only a smaller force."

"Who the hell do you think you are?" asked Isamu in disgust. "Last time I checked, Lamech was your son. So you're selling William out!"

"There's no time to argue," said William quickly. If Isamu sabotaged the command structure, they wouldn't have a chance. Whatever was going on, the battle against these undead was important. "I have an alliance with House De Chevlon. We should be taken alive if captured. And the fort does have to be held. These people must be protected."

He did not say that if Jehair had a connection to this, they had no problem. William suspected Arkan had only listened to him because Jehair was present. So William had been taken for a puppet. What, however, was the end goal for all this?

Isamu looked to William, then Arkan. Finally, he shrugged. "Fine then," said Isamu. "But if you sell these people up the river Arkan, we'll have a problem."

"Gods favor you, William," said Tyrasa, bowing.

And they hurried down the hill, watching as the light they had been accustomed to faded. Finally, arriving at the old outpost, they found the shattered remnants of the barricade. Bits and pieces that had never been recovered.

"I'll light some torches for you," said Jaina. "But after that, I can't stay with you. Arkan is setting us up to die with deniability. That's why he asked you to go in his stead."

"I know," said William. "Felix, help me with this. Jehair, do what you can."

"Don't light any torches on the walls," said Jehair. "And stay out of sight until the last possible moment. Our best hope is to be unnoticed and ignored."

Hurried preparations saw the barricade restored across the gate. Jaina set up several torches and then hurried off.

In came a great horde of undead. Yet the bulk of it was heading toward the village as predicted. Arrows rained down upon them from on high, and light and music flamed high in the windows. Up the hill went the undead but found a fortified wall with armed men. Vampires, pale-skinned and savage with bald heads, leaped over it and scaled. But they found elven swordsmen waiting. Their blades sang as the battle was joined, and many undead fell in mere moments.

At the same time, just as Arkan guessed, a contingent broke off to seize the fort. Yet it was not of undead but werewolves. Wild-eyed and with red, they moved forward snarling and savage, and at their head was that blonde woman. William could see her through the slit in the wagon. She wore dark robes and had blue eyes and an angelic elf face, though her ears were normal. Two locks of hair were tied up above her face as she ran toward the gate at the head of the pack.

The other wolves, however, had limbs like men but with fur and had a savage look. They were hunched, with huge claws on their hands.

"Aw, how cute," said the woman. "These pathetic foods think some broken wood will keep us out. Find anyone inside and capture each of them. Then hold the fort while Sylvar' forces get smashed to bits.

"We can watch the show."

William looked at Felix, Jehair, and Massacre behind the wall.

One of the wolves leaped over the wagon, then another. Then, they rose up as one to meet the others. William saw a werewolf coming at him, jaws opening. Bringing down the Black Sword, he tried to smite it, yet it darted aside and charged. Then, turning his blade to catch it, they were born down.

Hitting the ground hard, William felt it biting his hand, only to hit his gauntlet. Bashing it with his shield, he tried to get free. Again and again, he hit it, yet it would not lose the mouthful, and his sword could not move. The armor was starting to shudder, even as he bloodied it. Massacre was roaring now as he tried to get free. Again, the creature's claws scraped over his armor, but finally, he managed to get his blade in an underhand grip.

Thrashing to one side, the blade sank into the neck, howling as it loosed him. Shoving it off, William brought down his shield to bash it. From there, he drew his blade and struck it down. Even as he did, however, another threw him off his feet, and he slammed to the ground. In the air, he heard the sound of battle everywhere.

Cries of 'for Harlenor' and 'for Elranor' were everywhere.

Pushing the creature back, he hit it across the shoulder. Yet the blow was weak, and it fell back only a little before lunging again. Even as it did, he threw his full weight forward with a shield. Feral muscle met steel, and the wolf was thrown back to the ground. William raised his sword to kill it, but another came at him.

Bringing his blade down toward it, he caught it in the leg and slowed it. However, it smashed him with a paw, and he hit the wall. Felix and Jehair were fighting as well but were overwhelmed. The blonde woman watched with obvious enjoyment and approval. Now, two werewolves were coming while those he'd beaten were standing up. Seeing one of the torches Jaina made by the wall, William dropped his shield and snatched it.

Driving it forward, he caught one in the face, and it whimpered and backed up. His blade he brought down to cut the skull of the next. It didn't break, but it screeched while the other two came at him. One got a torch to the shoulder, and the other was jabbed in the stomach and fell back. Soon, all of them circled before him, their back to the wall.

The woman laughed. "Oh, this is hilarious. You, idiots, are all being outdone by some random human. Some werewolves you'll be." Then she became enraged, and her face twisted into a feral scowl. "I've had it."

And rushing forward in a blur, she slammed one with a fist against the wall. The next, she dealt an uppercut that sent them away. So she went, kicking and striking them in a rage. "Idiots! You've made fools of us! I ought to rip your souls out!" Then she turned to William and raised a hand as the others withdrew. "You are cordially invited to meet with the Baroness Saphra De Chevlon while the people up there all die."

So far as William could guess, the fighting was still going strong.

"I think you underestimate the men of this place," said William. "You would Larxe, the reincarnation of Malice and chosen of the Alpha?"

"So you noticed?" asked the woman. Her hair was slicked back, and her robes were designed to hide her movements. Even so, her activities were so chaotic that it was impossible to hide them. She was constantly shifting her neck and was now pacing.

"Well, they give better sport than expected," said the woman. "I decided to try to test some of my younger broods up there.

"Still, their time has come and gone. We don't need them now; they will only survive for a while. Their fate is of no concern to Neral Dinis."

"Arkan is your contact then?" guessed William.

"Yes," said the woman. "He's quite annoyed at how you forced him into hero work.

"I find it hilarious. I've wanted to drink his blood for some time." She flexed a hand and drew out a knife. "I drink everyone's blood.

"Where is Jaina Atravain?"

"Who?" asked William.

"The girl who went here with you," said Larxe. "Where is she?

"I'm to get her as a hostage to keep Atravain in line."

"There is no one here by that name," said William. "I will go back with you now. But if you decide to start conducting searches, I will fight you. And I might just get some help from them."

Larxe nodded. "Smart." Then she surged forward and pinned him against the wall, drawing very near with her eyes mad. Her strength was immense, and her grip was like iron. The stonework shuddered, and his breath was knocked out of him. "Try to manipulate me, you brat! I'll wring your neck and..." She stepped back. "Only joking.

"Let's get going." She released him.

"I would not presume to question your judgment," said Willam, falling to one knee. "However, Felix and Jehair will not be in my company. Or we will kill some of you before we are taken."

"I'm looking forward to it," said Larxe. "Now, all of you shut up and stop being such violent brutes! Take Gabriel and go, and don't bind him!

"He's Neral Dinis' guest."

Wonderful.

Because the only thing this situation needed was more psychopaths.

Still, Jehair needed to be fixed with Neral Dinis, which narrowed the possibilities a great deal.

Now, he needed only a few more pieces. And to survive being Neral Dinis' guest.