William had a bad feeling about this.

Having taken a long tunnel out, he sat outside the cave and found guards who had fled with their weapons. That meant someone would be coming by soon enough, so he posted guards to watch. But, for now, he and Felix were playing cards while looking at a rocky and beaten path. On either side were dark woods with many stones and loose earth.

They led up into highlands south and west toward the Black Mountain. West was Magicora, and you could see the white walls shimmering distantly. It looked much more beautiful than Ascorn, with hedges and a radiant aura. It was a shame they wouldn't be going there. It loomed high, casting a vast shadow over them.

Felix had gotten the deck from a girl in Ascorn, that dancer they'd seen.

"Did you know what an unwinnable hand is?" asked Felix.

"What do you mean?" asked William.

"In cards," said Felix. "It is possible to get a totally unwinnable hand. No matter what move you make or the cards you draw, you cannot win.

"See, the starting conditions of the deck determine the game.

"If you get the wrong starting conditions at the wrong time, you are defeated. What do you do then?"

"Your enemy might make a mistake," noted William. "Appear weak and foolish and offer an easy victory. Then, kill them. Father did that at Desora and Raynald at Savior's Run."

"Yes," said Felix. "But what if no negotiation were possible? How long could he have held? And if he had held, what matters would have slipped his notice?"

William looked around at the forest that came to an end near a city that had nearly been destroyed. How much worse was everything around him. "Baltoth must have known this was happening.

"So he must have a use for Harlenor."

"Which is?" asked Felix.

"His empire may be more fragile than I thought," said William. "Perhaps he believes Father's offer was better than what he would get by conquest. Malas is a resource, and we have little love for it.

"It is not impossible that it could be destroyed."

"Does that make Baltoth your friend?" asked Felix.

"No," said William.

"Why not?" asked Felix.

"Nations don't have friends," said William. "They have interests.

"Individual people can love one another as brothers. But a nation is not a person. A man can be a 'good' King and yet be a monster. Politics is not personal."

"Does that not apply to you, too?" asked Felix.

William was silent for a moment, unsure of where this was going. He wondered if he should just ask Felix to elaborate.

"What are you getting at Felix?" asked William.

"You have had more than one enemy in your company, and there will be more," said Felix.

"I know," said William. "I have no intention of saving the world. I plan to help as many people as possible while getting to Gel Carn. This is all far too large for me to deal with me.

"It would be pure vanity to try."

"You might have no choice," said Felix. "Farasa has the power to make sure people are in the right place and time. You've gotten her attention."

William looked to see Jehair coming back, scythe in hand. Her hair was a bit messy, and she was combing it. Her clothes had been soaked in mud and dirt. "Jehair, what news? Do you need healing?"

"A number of our enemies came on me while I was out," said Jehair. "I sent them off with a few bruises. But it was a near thing, and I had to hide in a ditch to keep them off."

"Find anything?" asked William.

"I've found a path," said Jehair. "There are tracks of recent comings and goings all throughout this way. Some go off into villages that are better documented. Others go to less-known villages that are not official.

"And a few heads off toward the Black Mountain. Those ones have a lot of wagon wheels. Someone has been shipping good up a path in that area. We could create an outpost on the upper slopes.

"This side of the mountain is comparatively level. Therefore, if one could arrange for safe passage through the giants, it could make a good trade route."

"You could not hold this operation without a supply source," said Felix. "Ships arrive unpredictably, and you would need a constant watch. Not to mention someone to pay off officials.

"The villages around here would need to be on the take.

"And the Lords must have at least some idea this is here. So there must be some purpose."

"We'll follow these tracks as far as we can," said William, looking to Jehair. He contemplated whether she would lead them into an ambush. "We'll see what we can find out there. If we can locate this place, it may be of use.

"You may take some time to wash, of course."

"Very well," said Jehair. "I will go to a stream near here."

William had already done so. Looking up at the skies, he reflected that this was the part in the fantasy where he went to find her. There he'd find her naked and waist-deep in water, her hair around her nubile form. The fantasy played across his mind several times.

It was only a fantasy, so he remained silent.

And Jehair returned, looking a little irritated at one thing or another. William guessed that she hoped to use him for some purpose. Given an elven lifespan, she would outlive him by far. Getting him to be infatuated with her could be useful.

"Let's go," said William. "To find this village."

Jehair nodded. "I had often walked these lands and intended to go around here when I guided you. There are several villages here, just north of the Black Mountain. The land here is of no use for planting, and the people of this land are woodsmen.

"Few indeed march to war often and have provided shelter and protection for many in bad times."

"Do you think they are involved in these bandit attacks?" asked William.

"There are good and bad people among all factions and races, and usually far more bad than good," said Jehair. "I am certain that at least some of them are involved."

"Wasn't there something you could do?" asked William.

"I am a Druid of Laevian, not a Knight of Harlenor," said Jehair hotly. "If the people who fell trees and dry up rivers wish to kill one another, so much the better. Their races will be less of a burden on the land, and those that remain will have better lives.

"If mortals are so determined to slaughter one another, let them do so. It will reduce the surplus population."

"Will you help me with this?" asked William.

"I was enlisted as a guide until you reach Gel Carn," said Jehair, looking away. "If you wish to detour, I shall guide you." This was too obvious; she was obviously trying to give an appearance.

"Thank you," said William. "Take me to the nearest of these towns. I would speak with those who lead them."

"No doubt they've already seen us," said Jehair. "I spoke to several of them outside the cave and explained the situation."

"You should have had them seized and hung," said Felix suddenly. "They are surely fully aware of this situation. An example ought to have been made with their corpses."

"There may be mitigating circumstances," said William.

"There is no mitigating this," said Felix.

"I am a guide, not an officer," said Jehair. "I had no notion you had plans to purge the world of crime, and I hadn't much interest. And killing six people did not appeal to me, whether they were criminals or not. Besides, in doing so, I should make many dangerous enemies for you and me."

"Very well then," said William. "If there is to be a bloodletting, however, wouldn't you prefer the people killed off to be the evil ones?"

"Good and evil are merely different sides of the scale," said Jehair. "If one becomes too heavy, all worlds will fall out of balance. The world will be in harmony only when both are kept in check in proper amounts." She halted and saw their gaze. "What is it? You look at me as though I have grown a second head?"

William wanted to say, 'don't talk damned nonsense.' But it didn't seem appropriate.

"It's nothing," said William. "Lead on."

Whether she believed that or not, Jehair was involved in this. William does not suspect she was using him as cover to escape complicity in events. She seemed to have been expecting someone else. Unfortunately, William had not lived up or down to those expectations. It is best to appear less confident and powerful now, for a time.

"They should be waiting for us, I think," said Jehair after a moment. "Let us hope things will continue smoothly."

"You set up a meeting?" asked Felix.

"I told them I had a powerful healer who could aid their sick and injured," said Jehair. "There seems to have been a sickness among them of late. Such things happen now and then."

"Let it pass, Felix," said William. "I just want to help people."

"With respect, William," said Felix. "This is completely outside of her-" He saw William's gaze. "Fine, do what you want."

"...That seems to be a common occurrence," said Jehair with a smile. "I also assured them that Rius cannot attack them so long as you are with them. While your presence allows me to observe things."

"Very clever," said William. "Why the short-term arrangements?"

"I had very little time, and the plan seemed the only reasonable one to start with," said Jehair.

And so the journey began.

The going was rough, and William's heavy armor made it miserable. His strength was enough to keep at it, of course. But Felix and Jehair seemed to go lighter of the foot, so he had to strain to keep at the head. The sun beat down from above, yet William often thought he saw flashes of pink in the air. As though some magic was around them.

They halted by a fast-flowing stream that came from the mountains. The tree branches hung low over it like trying to drink from the clear waters. Here, he washed himself of sweat with Felix. He did so separately from Jehair and had Felix keep watch. When he returned, he found Jehair cooking a rabbit meal over a stake.

"Why a scythe?" asked William. "I've never heard of any fighting techniques like that."

"Most of my work has been done elsewhere," said Jehair. "I, much like Lamech, received my training in foreign parts."

"Do you know Lamech?" asked William.

"I've encountered him several times," said Jehair. "He killed a very dear friend of mine. "In fact, he was a very dear friend of mine. Though it was long ago in a different life, and it's bad form to hold grudges against reincarnations."

"Why?" asked William.

"Sometimes, someone in one life is terrible," said Jahair. "But then in the next, they become a saint. So, the first life is a kind of learning curve.

"You're only allowed to pursue vendettas against people for their lives in this life."

"The art of revenge?" asked William.

"Yes," said Jahair. "What of your own view?"

"Revenge is an obligation," said William. "A crime must be avenged in some form, whether by law or steel. However, vengeance must be achieved solely through good deeds. And you should pursue it in such a way as to end the grievance, not perpetuate it.

"It is an art form."

"Ridiculous," said Felix. "Revenge is never a justifiable decision. Justice must be carried out impartially by authority figures.

"A King who would not burn his wife at stake for adultery could never be a real King."

"It might be the end of the Kingdom," said Jahair.

"I was not saying that it was an attainable concept," said Felix. "Of course, personal motivation is important. House Gabriel uses it to great effect.

"But personal politics are something that should be avoided.

"For reasons which by this point must seem all too obvious."

"Hey Jehair!" came a call. "It's me, Imogen!"

Jehair closed her eyes sadly. "Not her again."

William looked up and saw Imogen waiting by the village. She was waving and clad in formfitting violet clothes with a knife at her hip and a bow over one shoulder. Her body was very slim, with slight breasts. Though her hips were quite wide to compensate. Her face was fair and almost elven in appearance, but she had bright pink eyes with a mischievous gleam.

"Farwa's agent?" asked William.

"Oh yeah, you," said Imogen. "Your name this time is uh..."

"This time?" asked William.

"Reincarnation thing," said Imogen. "I'm talking to the person behind your eyes."

"William," said William.

"Oh, okay," said Imogen. "So, uh, took a bit long with the healing out there. But I think we can use you."

"His presence should buy us some time against Rius," said Jehair. "Or more."

William said nothing, just pretended not to react. He wanted to observe events.

"That depends," said Imogen. "Are you here by choice?"

"I wear armor and a sword, do I not?" asked William.

"That doesn't mean you have a choice," said Imogen. "Lots of people think they have a choice until they want to do something their handler doesn't want them to. Then they find out who owns them, the buffalo-headed morons.

"Follow me; we've got a lot more people to heal here. Though I have to admit, you've got some seriously odd choices.

"Last time, you were way more vicious.

"I've never seen you so focused on healing people. Sometimes, you do it to show how kind and good you are. But this is way more extreme."

"I am a Paladin," said William, bemused. "And do you know one another? And me?"

"Yes," said Jehair. "I knew Imogen before she became a Goddess.

"We have been longtime associates. And both of us have met you on several occasions."

"I see," said William, not feeling particularly warm at this reunion. "My purpose is to defend people from evil. That includes diseases. And most Paladins don't do it, so I use my powers to heal others wherever I can."

"It's also good tactics," said Felix. "Armies with William attached have a much higher survival rate. Both from diseases and wounds. So they do better on the battlefield."

"That's cleric talk if I've ever heard it," said Imogen, spinning a knife into the air and catching it. Then she turned toward the village. William wondered how such formfitting pants did not chafe her. Or how their violet color was not drenched in mud?

Oh, right, Goddess. "Let's go."

They followed her. William knew he could not allow injured and sick people to go untreated. They were in the middle of a plague, after all.

"What are you doing here, Imogen?" asked William, feeling an odd sense of familiarity.

"Playing the game," said Imogen, balancing her knife on one finger. "Broke off from you a while ago because you got a little ruthless for my tastes. Hung out with some different heroes and came back here.

"I show up for most heroes at some point, provided they're my type."

"And what is your connection with these events?" asked William.

"I'm the Goddess of Thieves," said Imogen. "And right now, I'm stealing you."

"Why is a Goddess of Thieves helping to destroy criminals?" asked William.

"Thieves don't like organized crime," said Imogen. "Organized crime takes all the fun out of things. You can't make any daring escapes when everything is controlled.

"It's all the brutality of evil without any of the fun.

"So I generally sew chaos for the greater good while stealing the Paladin's wallets."

They entered a town with stone structures and no surrounding wall. Many here seemed to be herding pigs. Imogen showed them to the sick and injured, and there were a lot of sick. People William asked about things told him stories of armed men heading up to the mountains. Others spoke of armed men moving up through the port for some time.

"We often get escaped slaves from the plantations," said a man. "Sometimes they carry diseases our healers are unable to cure effectively."

"And what use do you put them to?"

"We have any number of tasks we assign them. Every man in this place must pull his weight," said the man.

More news came in.

People reacted with indifference that Rius had been restored. Things had been getting bad long before Reg took power. Many doubted things would get any better.

There had been several revelations of major corruption by numerous officials by Rius. In addition, a great deal more illegal goods have been found by Tanith and piled in front of the keep. She had someone explain where it was found and who their business associates were.

"Why?" asked Imogen.

"If I had a guess, Tanith has decided Rius will not make enough killing of the guilty for her tastes," said William. "So she's blowing the lid on how corrupt everything had gotten under Reg to force his hand.

"Frankly, I know that Rius knew of some of this long before Reg. But I expect he'll hang Arkan's officials and leave his own in place. Or he may let them escape into the night.

"In any case, there is likely to be a complete breakdown in the slave trade for a while. With all the normal facilities seized, the next shipment has nowhere to arrive. Their business partners are gone, possibly hanging even now. Especially since Kata seems to be making common cause with Rius."

"So they'll have to sell to alternative markets at a loss," noted Imogen. "What about the shipment after?"

"It will be much smaller, should the truce between House Gabriel and Calisha hold," said Felix. "Without a war, there is little opportunity to take slaves."

William considered this. "If the slave trade in this region breaks down, the new plantations will have no means to till their fields. The land will simply sit there, lying fallow and growing into wildlands. And the longer it goes on, the more expensive it will be."

"Even if they can get new slaves, they must repair and maintain the property. And while the land stands empty, others will move into it."

"So, what are we going to do?" asked Imogen.

"I'm going to go to every village in these places by the fastest route and heal everyone," said William. "Once done, I will suggest that they release their slaves to do as they will."

"I think this is an opportunity to get some treasure," said Imogen with a smile.

"What does money have to do with anything?" asked William.

"Treasure to a heavenly being can mean many things," said Imogen.

"You have larger problems," said William. "I've seen these sicknesses before; I treated some of them in Artarq. How villagers are there like this one, and how many others need healing?"

"Other villages need it," said Jahair. "Not all of them are with us, and the satyrs may also have need."

"There are satyr clans?" asked William, raising an eyebrow.

"Many satyrs who escape have no interest in this place," said Imogen. "They prefer to raid and plunder and often carry out operations to free slaves or kill guards. Some of the villages sell them wine purchased from Tavish. He relays it from Khasmir, and we trade it for satyr slaves taken in battle by the clans.

"Others simply transport it along trade routes to bypass the normal customs."

"You have a population of escaped slaves, and you sell slaves," said William.

"We used to," said Uther, who had moved out to this place since Ascorn. In fact, he seemed to be the one running it. However, he was now holding a hammer and had slightly trimmed his beard. "It provided a reason for Atravain and the nobility to not wipe us out. For my part, I find the practice abhorrent and do not allows it. But some do not.

"Though in recent times, they have stopped buying it as much. Someone seems to have organized these satyrs who aren't selling their own as much. We'd had to fight off several attacks, probing strikes."

"Why not farm in the first place?" asked William.

"That land in this region is no good for crops for the most part," said Uther. "The rough ground does not yield much. Otherwise, Lady Atravain should have expanded her plantation here.

"We know of crops and roots that can grow to avoid starving. But our chief business has always been a refuge for those with nowhere else to go.

"We had done some great business with the Babarassians, actually. Though we had a skirmish with some crews that tried throwing their weight around."

William thought about his next question carefully. "How long have they been associated with Tavish Kern?"

"Some five years now," said Uther. "He came initially as a representative of Arkan Lantan, with support from the Body Runners. Arkan is the person we rely on, as his influence prevents Atravain and others from going after us."

"And in return, you supply his agents?" asked William.

"Supplying is most of our business," said Uther. "You see, Arkan Lantan has promised the people here funding and lets us continue as we are. In return, we don't question anything that happens. Sometimes Tavish takes shipments through here; other times, it's Lamech. We take the money and look the other way.

"They ship wine from Seathorius, steel from the Nakmar. Also, textiles and runestones from Gel Carn and many other things. All of those operations are headed by former slaves whom Arkan employs. They have an outpost here and set things up.

"In addition, they give...

"Protection."

"Protection?" asked William, having a feeling he knew the answer.

"Yes, from the bandits and outlaws who forced so many towns into selling," said Uther. "Though they are very well-trained bandits. Satyrs, bowmen, and even a few former nobles.

"It's gotten even worse these days, though."

"Why?" asked William.

"The bandits used to do good sport in the Wolven Forest of Gel Carn," said Uther. "However, Adrian Wrynncurth, who has authority, gave the land to Telix, a wolf demon. Telix terrorized the bandits into fleeing. Many died or were forced into the plains. Sir Frederick and the halflings rode them down.

"The rest fled into other parts and swelled the numbers of those in the north. And, as more villages were forced outlands, there was a ready supply of armed, dangerous men."

"Many of those in these villagers were among them. We just want to be left alone to mind our affairs, and Arkan lets us do that. Others took up with Reg, but there are some...

"They were bad from the start and only got worse after losing what they had. And every time they do a raid, they make others worse. See, bandits go after people who can't defend themselves, and Atravain and her friends buy them out."

William paused. "When did you begin working here?"

"Well, I was working out here for a time but went into Ascorn," said Uther. "Caught a disease, got robbed blind. Then I got healed and came back here to finish things up."

"And why has this disease gone unchecked?" asked William.

"The Healer's Guilds," said Uther. "Diseases get worse the more they spread, and the more they spread, the worse they get. Before the Healer's Guild arrived, this disease would have been stopped cold. Or at least slowed down.

"Now, though, it's everywhere."

William nodded. "Well then.

"We have a crisis. Could you send word to all the surrounding places that I will heal anyone who needs it for free? Just get them to me.

"Jehair, what of the Healer's Guild itself.

"I wonder if they did not introduce this plague deliberately. Think about it; they can heal themselves and their families. If they shut down all the healers and make themselves the only option..."

"They could tyrannize over us completely," said Uther. "I've seen a lot of that already in this life."

"No, they couldn't," said Felix. "If the disease got bad enough, it would completely destroy all business. Once that happened, you'd see a general collapse. Or at least chaos breaks out, and communications fall apart."

"To what end?" asked William. "Someone must have known the results of this kind of pandemic?"

"Perhaps they wish to take advantage of the chaos to advance their plans," said Felix.

"Wouldn't the disease kill them?" asked William.

"Diseases do not harm elves," said Jehair. "We do not suffer them as mortals do.

"And many elven nations would be only too happy to see such death as a means of revenge. King Faras of the Wood Elves has long been bitter. You must also consider that demons are not weakened.

"Dragons, too, might cause such a thing."

"There's no proof of that," said William. "The Healer's Guild could not have cared what happened as long as they made a short-term profit. I find it more likely the person who initiated this plan expects to live in luxury.

"And dragons, I assure you, have better things to do with their time. Adrian Wrynncurth is one of the richest men in the world. His relatives have comparable wealth. He keeps it by having good relations with the nobility.

"This kind of tactic is beneath him and makes no sense."

"What do you intend to do, William?" asked Uther.

"For a start, we must find every potential source of healing that is being restricted," said William. "Once we have all of them, we can plan to use them.

"The Guild itself, however, should be destroyed. We have more than enough justification."

"We do know many of their locations," said Uther.

"We can't destroy the Guild," said Jehair quickly.

"Why not?" asked Imogen with a smile.

"It will take time to get all those healers back to work. Some of them won't be able to treat the disease," said Jehair quickly. "Some are probably dead or gone from the Healer's Guild, and some are likely part of it.

"We have to use them before we destroy them.

"Who is their support? Even if they have funding from Antion, they must work with local elites. Find the Lords who support them, and you can use them as a channel to destroy your real enemy."

"We'd never be allowed a meeting with them," said Uther. "We're just uneducated commoners to them."

"Not all of us," said William. "Jehair, after we're done here, I want you to lead me to some regional castles, and along the way, I will heal everyone you can. Once I arrive, I will arrange for them to take our side."

"And how does the serpent intend to take over the entire country of Antion?" asked Jehair. "By asking nicely?"

"Why not?" asked William. "And who says anything about taking place over. I've no ambitions in that direction at all.

"Uther, if I were you, I would start planning to break from these criminals. Talk to all your friends and contacts. You have to come up with a means to separate yourself from them. Otherwise, you'll be cut loose and made a scapegoat by someone else.

"You need to save yourselves."

Uther nodded.

"Where's Imogen?" asked Felix.

No one knew or could say when she'd left. William had a bad feeling about this.