Saying goodbye to Ambrose I leave and head to the mage guild to use their portal. However, with Roddick and Belliza gone the receptionist has to have me wait. It seems things are a little chaotic with the both of them gone, they are probably still in the library.

Chrisoff says "So sorry for the wait! I am Chrisoff, I am in charge until Roddick or Belliza return."

"My condolences!"

Chrisoff says "Thank you. You don't by any chance know when they will be back, do you?"

"No, sorry, I don't."

Chrisoff says "Oh, well."

"Shouldn't you be used to them taking off like this?"

Chirsoff says "Sure, one at a time. They do that all the time, but never at the same time!"

"Well, if there is a need to get ahold of them send a message to my inn, Myria should be able to get it to them. But if you value your skin only contact them for a true emergency."

Chrisoff says "Thank you! That is a relief! If you will follow me, the portal has been made ready for your use."

"Thank you."

Chrisoff says "Oh, I should mention it no longer leads to the forest of fangs, it now leads to Mercy's camp."

"Okay, got it."

Chrisoff leads me to the portal and says "Safe travels!"

"Thanks again!"

Stepping through the portal is as bad as always, but I have gotten used to it enough to not fear losing my breakfast. Once I am on the other side I find myself in a familiar forest but I'm distracted by the two lines of saluting soldiers. With the soldiers flanking me I step forward to greet Mercy and Zamart.

"What's all this?!"

Mercy says "Just showing our respect for the future Beast King."

"Is this why they delayed me in the mage guild?"

Zamart laughs and says "Guilty!"

Mercy says "If you will follow me, we have a lot to talk about."

"Sure."

Following Mercy and Zamart I am led to a large tent located in the center of the camp. Before I can even enter the tent a nearly transparent figure flies out and dives into my chest. I instantly recognize Mericel but she doesn't say anything, she just curls up in my chest and falls asleep.

Mercy says "Please, forgive her. Her separation from you has been taking its toll lately."

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"It's fine. I should have thought of that and visited sooner."

Zamart says "From what I have heard you have been quite busy."

"Oh, did Roddick tell you about the tower?"

Zamart says "No. What tower?"

"The great tower of the ancient empire's mages."

Zamart yells "What?!?"

"I found it and gave them a way to access it."

Zamart says "I'm going to kill him!"

Mercy says "Calm down. He probably didn't tell you because I can't spare you right now."

"Alannis, Alexa, good to see you."

Alannis says "Hello, Ash."

Alexa says "Greetings, Lord Ash."

"So, how do we want to do this?"

Mercy says "How about I tell you the situation here and then you can tell us what you have been up to."

"Alright, but mine is a bit of a long story."

Mercy says "That's no problem, we are having your welcome feast tomorrow."

"Welcome feast? Why?"

Mercy says "For one, it will raise morale. For another, your beastmen have been of immense help to us."

Alexa says "That's an understatement! They are worth three times their number of normal troops!"

Mercy says "Aslo, it is to thank you in advance for your help."

"Alright, so what's the situation here?"

Alexa says "The rest of the country follows Mercy, only the capital remains."

"So we are in the forest around the capital?"

Mercy says "Yes, we control up to the edge of the forest."

Alannis says "The king controls the capital and the mile wide clearing around it."

"The camp seemed pretty full, are you not laying siege?"

Mercy says "Not exactly. The clearing is patrolled by what looks like common people."

Justin walks in and says "They are all possessed, same with every man on the wall I could spot."

"Hello again, Justin."

Koko says "Soft!"

Hearing her voice behind me I turn my head to find her hugging my wings. Even seeing her I still can't sense her, nor did I sense her approach. She is harder to detect than Mericel, who is actually a ghost.

"Ah, I should tell you that there are rumors going around in Illium. A Duke named Sevaris is rumored to be gathering forces and may try for a land grab."

Mercy says "Damn him! Alexa, who can we spare?"

Alexa says "Hm, the 7th and 12th regiments are all we can spare."

Mercy says "Alright, send them and as many scouts as we can."

Alexa says "Understood!"

Alexa and Alannis quickly leave the tent to issue the orders, at the same time the rest of Justin's party enters. As soon as she spots me Silveria comes running over to me wagging her tail.

Silveria 'Ash! It is good to see you again!'

"It is good to see you too, Silveria! Have you been keeping these guys out of trouble?"

Silveria 'As much as I can. My mother sends you her regards and would like to see you when you have time.'

"Alright, I will go see her as soon as I have time."

Giles says "Wait, you can talk to that thing?"

"Giles, she is more intelligent than you are."

Rachel says "That's for sure!"

Mercy says "Ash, are you here just to visit or can I ask for your help?"

"I am here to keep the promises I have made."

Zamart says "Other than those possessed by shadow demons who guard the walls and patrol the clearing, we haven't heard from anyone inside the capital. We have no idea what is going on inside."

"Later, I will fly over and see what I can see."

Mercy says "Fly?!"

Shaking off Koko, who is still hugging my wings, I spread them for all to see. The varying looks of shock and disbelief are quite entertaining, especially among the heroes. As soon as I bring my wings back down, Koko again attaches herself to them.

Emelia says "Can I touch them?"

"Sure, Emmy."

Justin says "How on earth did you get wings?!"

"A reward from the goddesses for completing a quest."

Justin says "Ah, speaking of the goddesses, can we talk later?"

"Yeah, I already planned on it. I remember my promise to introduce you and Rachel to them."

Justin says "Great! I'm hoping they can help us!"

"Why? What's the problem?"

Justin says "Rachel and I have hit level twenty, but we can't go any further. We didn't get any class up options or anything."

"And you think the goddesses are the missing requirement?"

Rachel says "That's the only thing we can think of."

"Okay, we can take care of that later."