Daniel was there, moving forward.

Apprehension in his mind. During the campaigns, he had established his role as the leader. There had been much competition, between Cleo and Ria, and even sometimes Hollis, all vying for the leadership role. It had been intense, and especially in the earlier days they had fought for control back and forth. What they had discovered was they needed multiple leaders to handle the multiple roles.

Hollis became something of the logistical leader, he organized and scheduled shipments and arrangements for items the Red Circle needed. Cleo had taken a position of leadership when dealing with foreign parties, from small villages to human towns. Ria was the official face of the Circle before foreign leaders and groups.

And Elswith had found his role as battlefield commander.

First, it was just arranging his Circle so they could achieve victory in their campaigns. But it had grown so then he was coordinating with the other Circles. His last campaign before this had seen him in charge of multiple circles of many Lordlings and even a few enforcer squads.

Lordling Elswith had had broad recognition from many people.

But that was a month ago.

Lordling Elswith was gone.

It felt like a year ago now. But just 30 days ago he had been someone important.

And he had traded it all away.

He had earned his name, but now he was suffering. He did it for Witness, he did it to save those children, and he did it for the rural places.

And yet, here he was, about to go into battle with only a servant's name.

First...he would strive for control of the enforcer squad, and soon.

Daniel readied himself, glad that he was wearing his more formal uniform as a doorkeeper instead of his stained and torn clothes that had barely survived the Dungeon. This at least was a more commanding style than the previous set of clothing, although the quality was poor.

He stepped out, and the maid trailed behind him like a standard bearer heading into battle.

No hesitating, Daniel approached, his posture settling into his long habit, strong, confident, able. The squad of enforcers did not see him until he stood almost in their midst. "I am here to offer my service." The squire Branch said. Confident. Able.

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The squad of enforcers stopped their defeatist planning session and gaped at him. The squad appeared frozen. The poor lowling fae almost scattered at his arrival. There were three midlings here, but they also appeared frazzled.

"Do you need some help?" Daniel asked, approaching the apparent de facto leader Marrin.

Marrin was taller than him, broader of shoulder and hulking. And he swallowed nervously.

"Lordling," Marrin said, reflexively. "I mean...Branch." he swallowed nervously. "Did you do this? Did you fix this? Did Lord Fredar...set this up to test us? Did you...plan this? How did..."

Why was he nervous?

Branch had nothing to his name. Yes, the Squire Branch had defeated him in combat, but that was different. As a group, they could easily overpower him. As a group, they had laughed at him and ridiculed him that day.

Daniel considered the different ways he had to spin this...

He felt the gaze of Shelby behind him.

Why?

What did she know that he didn't know?

"You were ordered to enter and deal with the threat. Let me lead you."

Marrin clenched his hat nervously again, the green looking worn and tired in the moonlit night. "Can you promise we will all make it?"

The Law of Fae was in attendance.

Daniel couldn't even promise that he would make it.

"I will promise that I will not abandon you. I can also promise that the Lowlings will not be needed."

"You...seem to be our only hope for survival. I am almost all that remains of the Sky Court's enforcers' original forces. So what do I care if you set this up?"

Daniel had guessed that the doomed enforcers would offer more resistances, but not that he would nearly immediately accept the deal.

"The Law of Fae must be kind to me tonight. Please. Just tell me what price you need."

Daniel hadn't considered what price to charge. What was wrong with him? He wasn't even scheming to get more favors and authority. Must be mental exhaustion. This had been the longest day of his life. The Game was so close to being established. What price could he demand...

Then he felt Shelby's gaze again.

Perhaps he could just count this as a 'freebie'.

"Let me gather whatever authority is created during the battle. I am also a Squire of the Enforcers of the Green Court."

The Law of Fae approved.

The Game did not.

They started flowing and flaring against each other.

He better finish this before they settle that.

"But we must go now. Middlings only. Everyone else can act as support."

Shelby smiled. "And me."

Marrin shifted, just now seeing her. "Who..."

"Did you bargain to ask questions?" Daniel said, feeling a headache coming.

He was feeling more and more powerful all the time, as the Golem was getting closer and closer to being destroyed. But that was the key to victory.

"No. Sir..."

"Then follow me. Everyone must pledge to listen to me." The Game flared increasingly bright. He modified his words. "Everyone must pledge to follow my orders during this engagement, then resume our regularly scheduled hierarchical structure."

The Game went back to fighting the Law of Fae, and Daniel knew he was officially on a deadline.

He needed to take a handful of Middlings, a Wyldfae who had found herself in the Courts for some reason, and go and hold off the shadow warbler while waiting for his...what did Esra call it? His ace in the hole.

"Watch me now." He told the Game, and those watching it. "Watch me dismantle everything you designed against me."