William was tired.

He felt like he had been on his feet for a year, and it was only the second day. Kata and some other people had taken a bit of time to clean up the streets, and it was safer now. Aras and Farwa were fighting a string of battles to gain victory.

William got stuck healing people as usual.

All the more because there was almost no resistance. Now and then, he saw signs of scrapes, but they only lasted a minute. And soon, the militia was all over the place as he worked his healing magic and moved to meet Reg Hawkthorne.

It would have been very tense if he had come here before his adventures in Khasmir. But as things stood, it wasn't much more than a mediocre extension of that. Only here, the enemy was all but beaten. It was more like healing after a battle; only the idiots in charge hadn't put the wounded in neat rows. And he was constantly being waylaid to heal even more people.

He always felt obligated to do it, and then some more, and he made comforting words he did not feel at all.

It did not seem this trip to Antion would be very interesting. It had all been so mind-numbingly boring so far. William had expected to be walking through the green fields in the city beyond by now. But Jehair seemed to think it best to walk in the woods to be eaten alive by insects.

Walking through the empty streets. William saw that now that the people were gone. Indeed, the street was still filthy. People had worked at this one repeatedly to try and wash off some of the grime, but only the first layer had come off.

Looking at Jehair, William wondered why none of this interested her.

"How long must we wander this place like witless cattle?" asked Jehair. "Other greater events may be to the east." He didn't blame her.

"Jehair, may I ask something of you?" asked William.

"Of course," said Jehair quickly.

"Who is your god?" William asked. "Is it Laevian or some other natural spirit?

Jehair smiled at him, and there was a sad tinge to it. "You do not know her, but she has known you for some time."

"Really?" asked William.

"You burned a field of her flowers in Seathorius," said Jehair. "She is the Flower Maiden."

William considered whether this might make traveling with Jehair more dangerous. She was likely preferable company to some in this port, at least. "It was trying to devour my companions."

"Of course, it was," laughed Jehair. Why was she laughing at that? She did not seem to regard those dying as worthy of pity. "The Flower Maiden holds no grudge against you for it. It was what drew her attention to you. All creatures desire to survive."

"And who is she?" asked William.

"She dwells within the Ghost Mountains, in the Road of Ancient Stone," said Jehair. She now seemed more herself. "Yet her power stretches far across the land. She bears much of the life that ensures Antion remains perpetually fertile."

"A subordinate of Laevian then?" surmised William.

"In some form," said Jehair. "Though she is not of Laevian. She was brought into existence to fill the hole left by the Incarnation of the Land. Yet she is not like him; she is one with nature and feels all the earth's and sky's pains.

"Those pains have increased a great deal of late.

"I am bound to her as is this land.

"But it is not worship exactly. We should focus on the matter at hand."

William had gotten the location of Reg's main area of operations from Emile. Moving to it, he found it was a large, two-story mansion, much larger than Lord Rius'. At the gates were many Babarassians who were standing guard. All while others were some ways off near a side door.

"So, you're here then. Good," said Emile, standing up. "I was afraid we would come under attack. No one has any idea who the sides are or what. And this is only after my people are leaving.

"If we'd still been there, this city would probably be in flames."

"You'd have burned it?" asked William.

"No," said Emile. "But our opponents were united by hatred of us. Removing us has thrown them into disorder. Tavish created the balance of power to keep us in check.

"I had taken it for a precaution.

"I see now we were set up. All the gates are sealed, and the Paladin and Dust Elves have seized every messenger."

"Is Reg within?" asked William.

"Yes," said Emile. "I told him we are here for his protection. That is more or less true. More than a few gangs of thugs have come by with spears. And several groups of citizens came with torches.

"If we had not doubled his guard, I think he would be dead."

"And his slave girl?" asked William.

"What of her?" asked Emile. "She is within."

"I suspect she is far more than she appears," said William. "Reg does not strike me as one who could have kept even this situation in hand. It may be that someone beneath notice did all his decisions."

"Well, it is a Harlenorian problem now," said Emile. "I am going back to the colonies with my men."

"You don't seem too upset," said William.

"Babarassians do not make permanent dwellings," said Emile. "Our colonies are designed to enforce our rule of the locals. We do not mingle much.

"A few colonies have grown much larger in the Islands of Power. But most are simply trade posts. Although I admit, the ones we set up on Haldren must be well guarded."

"Then why do you leave at all?" asked William.

"A person needs new experiences to wish," said Emile. "What you desire is formed from what you do abroad. Drawing new things into Babarassia is necessary for the realm of Jazra to fade.

"War, terror, pain, and suffering are how one grows. But enough.

"We must get to our ships. Farewell. And mind the side door.

William nodded as he left. "Felix, go to the side entrance and find out if anyone is going out there. Jehair, you are with me."

Jehair adjusted her scythe as William came to the door. It was a large, square, red one that was distinct near the white walls. Here, William opted to knock politely. He waited a moment and heard hurried footsteps ascending a flight of stairs. So William shrugged, drew his sword, and spoke. "Open in the name of Antion!"

Then he smote the door. It cracked and bent on the hinges. Then another blow shattered it as William moved into the main hall. He saw a reasonably humble place with no needless gaudy showings of wealth. There were one or two candlesticks of silver, but it looked humble.

A maid was a little way off, working content while humming to herself. So William guessed that Reg was only abusive in public. Why?

However, she turned and blinked. William saw a staircase leading up to one side, and he saw an open door ahead of him. Moving along it, he was pleased to hear someone being grabbed.

"Jehair, after him," said William. "Give Felix any help he needs."

"Why did you break that door?" asked the woman. "Master Lilas had it carved in Qor'Dana."

"You didn't open it," said William. "How much does it cost?"

"I wouldn't know," said the woman. "I'm just paid to clean up until Reg gets overthrown. Everyone knows it will happen sooner or later though Farah is nice. A pity she's probably dead."

What was wrong with everyone in this city?

William hurried up the stairs, which were very nice wood-paneled ones, turning upward. Beyond, he found himself in a hall. One of the doors was partially open, letting a bit of daylight in. Moving to it, he saw an office with bookcases that were practically spilling. A tinged window was looking out over the street, very wide indeed. And there was Farah on the ground in a puddle of blood. She had several cuts on her, and the side of her top had come off her shoulder. Her throat was cut, and she was gargling.

William kneeled and healed the injuries. He'd healed many bruises in his time, most of which were nasty and vicious. Injuries were not neat and often gave you aches and pains to last a lifetime. His body had several scars, most notably over his eye. So he kneeled and healed her anyway before helping her up.

There was no sense in showing his hand. "Are you alright, Farah?"

"Yes, I am, Master," said the slave girl. "And I am Farah, yes."

"I am not your Master or your owner," said William, hearing sounds of a struggle. "And seeing as one who was both has left you for dead, I imagine you belong to no one."

"I wonder if he would see it that way," said Farah.

"Whether he does or not, I am here, and he is not. So why would he try to kill you?" asked William, leading her from the room.

"I kno a lot," said the girl. "I think he fears my testimony. He tried to burn his finance books and demanded I get them. But, well, I tried to convince him he should give you everything and hope for mercy.

"He didn't take that well.” A slightly haunted look was in her eyes.

William drew off his helm. "My sympathies. Follow me, and I must ask you to stay where I can see you."

She smiled and swayed before him. "You're clever for a paladin, I see."

Then, the girl passed through him as if blown by the wind. William felt something and whirled to see what went beyond. Yet there was only a stark wall of stone.

He found Jehair, Felix, and Reg downstairs, moving down the steps. Reg's outfit was a mess and was covered in many vines from nearby plants on the wall. Felix had a black eye and looked in a foul mood.

"Did he injure you?" asked William.

"Capturing someone alive is a lot harder than killing them," said Felix. "We gagged him to shut his screaming up."

"Felix," said William, healing him. "Don't gag nobility without direct orders in the future, though. Take it off."

"As you wish," said Felix.

Reg got the gag up, released by the vines, and started screaming. "You can't do this! I'm one of the Hawkthornes! We have friends at court, and if you don't back down, they'll-"

Jehair put a knife to his throat. "Shall I dispatch him for you?"

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"Pull the knife away. It not our place to do so, but Lord Rius' place," said William. "It is his city, and he is the one who dispenses justice. Although, he may be more lenient if you provide us with some of what we need.

"Felix, go upstairs and check the records. Find all documents and books and look for everything about this fiasco."

Felix nodded and went up.

Then William turned to Reg, who was rubbing his neck. "Who are you working for, Reg? Who made this plan?"

"I made it myself," said Reg.

"If you had the ability and resources to initiate this plan, you ould not be here," said William. "If you tell me everything you know and more, I may be able to get you lenience. If you don't, then many people will want you dead. You have to make yourself useful."

"You can't touch me!" said Reg. "I'm nobility, and my family have-"

"Lord Rius could hang you in a heartbeat," replied William. "And he might do it at this rate. Your family would be unable to do anything after the sheer scale of what could have happened here.

"They're going to use you as a scapegoat."

"You have no idea who you're dealing with! I work for House Gabriel!" said Reg.

Did he...

William had yet to formally introduce himself, and he and Reg had never met. Reg didn't know. "I am House Gabriel.

"More to the point, I am William Gabriel, and I assure you that this operation was done without our knowledge. Your actions could doom us even if I thought my family would keep secrets.

"I am trying to save you. But I can't do that if you keep spitting defiance for a master who set you up to die."

Reg looked around. "I have the run of this place.

"Or I did before anyone else came by. Nobody else had the guts to take command, and Rius wasn't doing anything."

"Then why has it slipped out of your hands so quickly?" asked William. "Did you honestly think killing a slave girl would save you?

"Your Master, whoever he is, wants you dead before you can reveal information. Who approached you? Arkan? Tavish Kern? The Babarassians? House Marn? Neral Dinis?"

Reg hesitated and looked around. "I took loans from many people to do business ventures in the Islands of Power. With the war in Artarq, I thought Sorn would do good shipping. When the Calishan Wars got bad, Harlenorian merchants traded through Qor'Danas and Sorn. They can still do business.

"They're neutral middlemen.

"But they ended too quick, and the Khasmir Campaign wasn't a sea battle. So I lost almost everything, and I was in debt. Then, um..."

"Who did you take the loans from?" asked William.

Reg looked around. "...A front, nothing official.

"But it's one of the De Chevlon's places. The real De Chevlon's, not the humans, the vampire clan. It was Neral Dinis."

"You made deals with a vampire?" asked Jehair, tone shocked. Why was she shocked? She had to have seen this before. Unless...

Did she have some enmity with Neral Dinis or House De Chevlon? Why would she have contact with Raynald, then? Was it because he was an outcast in his family?

No, Raynald could have arranged it through Rusara.

But why take the job if she was at cross purposes? Unless there was a very real reason, she needed to accompany a noble to Gel Carn. A question for later.

"Business is business!" said Reg. "And you make deals with demons. And who the hell are you to talk? You're an ally of House De Chevlon, too!"

"What was your plan here, exactly?" asked William.

"I thought I'd make a profit, and we'd all profit. They had good rates," said Reg.

"Who set you up with this?" asked William.

"Neral Dinis," said Reg. "He's one of the older ones and handles most of the off-the-books stuff."

"Neral Dinis?" asked Jehair, very cold. "Are you sure it was him?" She was worried.

"Yeah, I met him before. He's a very feared figure in the right circles," said Reg.

William considered things. "And who are these right circles?"

"House Hawkthorne deals in all circles," said Reg, now gaining a bit more confidence. "We give people the services they're too high and mighty to handle themselves. Girls, gamblings, choir boys.

"Hadn't you heard?"

William considered things. "And how did it come to this? How did you go from debt to this?"

"Well, after the failure, they came to me with an offer," said Reg. "They said they wanted me to help them with something. They said Rius was causing problems for House Gabriel and De Chevlon. So they needed someone to take over.

"They said that person could be me."

"And you believed that?" asked Jehair incredulously. “You don't put a failure in a position of power unless you want him to fail. Or, if it doesn't matter if he fails."

William motioned for silence. "Where did you get that slave girl, Farah? How does she fit into this?"

"Why do you think I killed her," said Reg. "She's the one that recommended the investments that got me into this mess! I thought I'd lucked out when I found her on the market, but she was the one who brought in the Barabassians.

"She said...

"She said that if we offered to convert the city to their religion, they could act as a counterforce. We'd play them against the troops Neral set up and grow our strength. But they cut deals with the Healer's Guild and others, and pretty soon, they were ignoring me.

"Most of them, anyhow. And she was the one who went to all the meetings. So I think she hates them and hoped they'd be wiped out."

William had a chance here. "Who leads them?"

"Sultan Suleman, he's not here," said Reg. "He's been running merchant fleets down here for years, though not usually in this harbor. But all his operations are out in Babarassia and on the shores of Dinis. All of the fleets go through individual captains.

"The closest one to being in charge is Omar, who is scheduled to arrive here soon. Mostly, he's been using a go-between named Emile."

"Through who?" asked William.

"House Kern," said Reg. "Tavish is the bastard son of the Lord there. Tavish has been using his finances this whole time."

"I was given to understand that Lord Kern has a legitimate heir, Edward," said William. "Where is he?"

"Back home, running operations in the lands of House Kern," said Reg. "The Lord himself has a lot of jobs doing dirty work for King Gavin. I heard they were planning something recently."

"Convenient," said William. "How many ships do the Babarassians have?"

"A few dozen ships or so," said Reg.

"Do they go inland at all?" asked William.

"They might, now and then. They have auction houses," said Reg.

"Didn't it occur to you that the Barabassians might view you as weak?" asked William. "And see your reign as an opportunity to prepare for mass raiding? Or even a full-scale invasion?"

"What do I care?" asked Reg.

"You set yourself up to die when you struck a bargain with Neral Dinis?!" said Jehair in clear contempt. "It is right that you hang!" Something had gone seriously wrong for Jehair. She must have some investment in all this.

"Jehair, stop," said William. "Can't you see the man is cooperating?"

Jehair stepped back.

Reg and William shared a glance. He looked to Jehair, then William and William understood it at once. "Why this?"

"I couldn't get a loan any other way," said Reg.

"What about your nation?" asked William. "Our customs, our culture, everything it means to be Harlenorian?"

"It doesn't matter to any of these people," said Reg. "The only thing that matters is money and what you can buy with it. Everything else is just lies."

"And how much money has that belief made you?" asked William simply.

Reg was silent.

"What was he transporting? What did Neral Dinis want to be shipped to Haldren?" asked William.

Reg shrugged. "Malas, a lot of it. It's been shipping in through smugglers from Antion for weeks."

William considered this answer and realized how serious it was. "Only a select few organizations are allowed to buy malas. And no one except the Sorcerer's Guild is allowed to transport it. Only Magicora has similar rights in Escor."

"And I guess you think the Sorcerer's Guild are many nice guys?" asked Reg with a sneer. "You don't have a clue, do you, Gabriel? What, do you think, the entire world consists of knights in shining armor? Nobody cares about your rules or regulations so long as you can't enforce them.

"A lot of that malas landed on the Sorcerer's Guild's docks and went straight here. Some of it went out into the streets, too. You should be thanking me for shipping it out, or everybody would see your house's failure."

"Why was it heading to Haldren?" asked William, ignoring the bait. Reg was blustering and didn't know.

"For distribution! Don't you know anything?" said Reg in exasperation. He seemed infuriated at the lack of response. "Why else would somebody send it over there?

"It's an addicting substance; the criminals have lost markets, and they want to send it here."

"Surely, the supply has diminished," said William.

"Yes, but they've got other sources," said Reg. "Malas isn't that rare.

"And it's very profitable; if criminals don't make money, they lose their heads. Bribes and tributes to bosses aren't cheap. The Sornians asked for a piece of the action and got some. House Suvvest. Kaba and Magnious stick to the legal fair."

Jehair looked to William. "Distributing the malas first to Haldren could be done first. Followed by distributing it to Antion.”

"Maybe," said Reg.

"A better question," said Felix, returning with a book. "Is why would Gavin want to hide it from you?"

"Or he may merely believe that we'd sabotage his efforts if he did inform us," noted William. "Either way, it does not matter." He turned back to Reg, who seemed to be listening. "Why were you in communication with Arkan Lantan?"

"I was uh..." Reg halted. "I'd brought in the Babarassians and hoped to call in him for support. I figured if they were wrangling with each other, they couldn't take me out."

"They would kill a noble?" asked William.

"They might," said Reg. "Once they do it and nobody can do anything, the nobility are done. They'd probably do it through one of the nobles in deep. Call it a blood feud or something, though.

"Arkan likes things tidy; nothing can be connected to him. I was offering it as a repayment of a debt."

"How is he connected to Neral Dinis?" asked William.

"Well..." Reg seemed to be thinking and didn't seem to know the answer. "I don't think he is. I mean, uh, Arkan does run with a lot of slavers. So that makes the competition.

"I figured I could play them against each other and create so much chaos that I could get away with it all."

"Well, you did a decent job of that," said William. "Your reign would have lasted until an outside power wiped everyone out.

"How influential is Arkan?"

"Absolute and nonexistent," said Jehair. “Arkan's association with virtually everyone is unofficial, but he has a piece of virtually all the action.

"He's a kind of criminal King."

"Still, Arkan does not outrank Neral Dinis in power or nobility," said William.

"What can you offer me?" asked Reg.

"At present?" asked William. “I can take you to Lord Rius and recommend leniency. Direct him to all your accounts and any relevant records. He can no doubt use that to regain power.

"Other than that, when I journey out of Ascorn, I can suggest leniency."

"Rius is a frontman," said Reg. "I took this place over easily.”

"Yes," said William. "But the Paladin Order is propping up as an alternative to Arkan. I don't think he'll execute you if you fully cooperate. Rius will be as concerned about losing everything as you. Other than that, it's on you."

"Is Farah dead?" asked Reg.

"No," said William. "I healed her, and she is in the room above."

"She knows too much," said Reg.

"No one will listen to a slave," said William. "All of her credibility came through you. You don't have a problem if you reveal everything to Rius and ask pardon.”

Reg halted. "Alright, but when I do after I get out?"

"I would practice with your sword and find some way to restore your name," said William. "There are a lot of out-of-work soldiers. Perhaps you could find some way to get the land."

"That could work," said Reg. "But it'd take a lot of money."

"You could suggest the idea," said William. "And then get a position working at it. Whatever the case, you are free to go. Run to Rius, take your accounts books, and reveal everything to him.

"It's your best shot. If you try to disappear, they'll probably just kill you."

Reg nodded. "Give them to me.

"Is it alright if I don't mention you sent me?"

"I don't care what you mention," said William. And he offered him the books.

"Thanks," said Reg.

Reg headed off right there and then.

Felix paused. "William, if I might speak of matters above my station?"

"Of course," said William.

"Reg Hawkthorne has proved himself to be a contemptible human being," said Felix. "His arrogance and reckless stupidity have endangered all of Antion. In addition, he has demonstrated precisely no remorse for his actions. He only regrets he was caught in the trap of his own making.

"It is likely that after serving his function, he will delude himself into believing he got the better of you. Given how easily manipulated he is, he may be useful as a proxy for your enemies.

"To have him running free would prove that House Gabriel cares nothing for justice.”

William was surprised at the statement; Felix wasn't usually so verbose. He saw where it was going. "What are you suggesting, Felix?"

"I suggest that we need Reg Hawkthorne as a witness," said Felix. We don't need him after that."

"This conversation is over, Felix," said William. "No true noble would ever willingly stoop to simple murder. Is there any other possible option?

"Father hates the very idea of it. We deal with this honorably or not at all."

Felix stared at him with a raised eyebrow. "...You're doing an excellent job with the messiah act."

"I mean it," said William. "And anyway, we are agents of Lord Rius, acting on his behalf. He'll want to decide what to do with Reg anyway. It wouldn't be proper to assassinate someone in that situation.

"It would be akin to murdering a guest on the doorstep.

"If Rius wishes to spare him, that is his business.

"If he wishes to ignore all common decency and go the way of Baltoth?

"Well, that is also his business." William halted. "Felix, give the maid some money in compensation for the scare.

"And we'll also have to arrange compensation for Lilas' door. Perhaps we can ask Rius to pay for that since this was his mission."

"That seems appropriate," said Jehair.

"Let's go," said William. There will undoubtedly be still more sick people to tend to."

"You are a good man," said the maid.

William looked up, oddly touched by the statement. "Thank you."

And he departed without another word. Things were finally going somewhere.