With Val as my guide, I led the way to an inn near the Hunters’ base of operations. It was a long walk, and this part of town was starkly different from Danver proper. Here, wood was used only to accentuate buildings, most of which were made from heavy stonework; some looked nearly monolithic.

The Hunters' base was a monstrous three-story grey brick building. It was rather foreboding, to be honest. The inn we found was built of brick but around a wooden frame, giving it a more comfortable vibe than some of the neighboring buildings.

We caught a break, and each one of us was able to secure our own room. The inn had an adequate bathhouse, and when it was my turn, I relished the water’s heat as an attendant brought in a steaming carafe to top it off.

My muscles were sore, but not as sore as they should be. Old me, the non-player version of me, would barely be able to walk at this point. I was beginning to get a taste of the power this game promised. I liked it. I liked it quite a lot.

While I rested in that warm bath, I wondered about Prajio. It was hard for me to accept that he would abandon his search for me in favor of playing the War Games. If what Delen said was true, then I couldn’t guess at Prajio’s intentions. It worried me, and I prayed I would never find out.

Part of me missed his easy acquaintance. He was a good sort up until that whole ‘trying to kill me’ business. He was gone now, hopefully for good.

After the ladies finished their baths, we all would meet in my room to formulate a plan. I had my own idea of how to handle the Hunters, but I wanted to hear everyone out first.

Ersabet entered first, and she was clothed for the first time since I had met her. Her earlier near-nakedness didn’t seem to bother her one bit, and she seemed more uncomfortable in the athletic-style dress she was wearing. The casual dress was a deep blue and ended in a short skirt, which Ersabet admittedly looked fantastic in.

I knew she preferred to fight with magical abilities, but I felt like I should talk to her about carrying some weapons and armor sometimes.

Tara followed shortly after, looking pleasant as a peach and entirely in contrast with the Tara I had known those weeks ago on the road.

“So, things went well back at Delen’s,” I said. “I think Kitz is going to fit in well there.”

“The child was intrigued by your man’s scientific instruments. That is a good sign for compatibility,” Ersabet said.

“We can always go visit him,” Tara said. “That is if we can’t resolve this mess in the next few days.”

“About that.” I turned to Tara. “I want you to go see your dad first. After that, if you want in on the mission, you’re in. We won’t be ready to act immediately, it could take days or even weeks, so there’s time for you to do this.”

Tara’s face soured. “You just want to get rid of me.”

“No. Never that. If you’re going to be a part of the team, you can’t have all this extra baggage your carrying.”

Tara looked to the ground, confused.

“Emotional baggage,” I said. “Unresolved feelings or problems. You need to let your dad know you're alive. You need to let him forgive you, so you can move on. If he wants you to stay with him, you’re welcome to. But you’re also welcome here, with us.”

She played with a ring on her finger, and I heard her sniffle. “I…I think I can do that.” She looked up at me, her eyes wet with tears. She pulled me into a tight hug. “You’ve always done right by me, so if you think this will be good for me, I’ll do it.”

After the hug, she perked back up. “Can I still help with the plan?”

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“Of course, girl,” Ersabet said. “Let us begin.” She looked pointedly at me.

I sat on the edge of my room’s bed. “Uh, well, I do have a plan, but I thought it would be worthwhile to ask if either of you had an idea in mind.”

“He doesn’t have a plan,” Ersabet said to Tara, who snickered.

“I have a plan,” I said, hands waving in offense. “I’m simply being a good leader and letting you all pitch in, but I guess you don’t have a plan, so maybe we will just stick with mine.”

“I have the perfect plan,” Ersabet said. “We walk in and kill them all.”

“We kill only when necessary. Our objective can be achieved without murdering everyone.”

“Fine, we’ll do it your way,” Ersabet said with a flick of her wrist.

Tara held up her hand. “Maybe we could find some dirt on the leadership and cause them to get shut down. Aren’t they already chancing things by operating as an unsanctioned guild?”

I scratched my chin. “There could be something to that, Tara.”

‘Val, what do you think? Any way we can find a legal loophole to bring down them down?’

‘Since this guild is not registered,’ Val said, appearing next to me on the bed. “It does not have to act in accordance with the city guild laws. It is more of a club, and the city cares little about them as long as they continue to pay taxes. I’ll have to think more on this, but at least Tara’s attempting to use her brain, unlike that blue harlot who just wants to murder everyone.’

‘Yeah, she’s got a cold heart. I’m surprised you two don’t get along.’

“Umm, John,” Tara said.

“Yeah, what?” Damn, I needed to be more careful about interacting with Val in front of others. It was difficult to tell how much time was passing when communicating telepathically. To me, that conversation felt like a second, but to others, it may have seemed like I was checked out for more than a few.

“You went a little distant there,” Tara said. “Oh, I know.” She leaned in conspiratorially, but her words were far from a whisper. “Were you talking to the robot in your brain?”

My eyes went wide. How did she know? Had I told her about Val?

“What are you talking about?” I tried to convey ‘shut up’ and ‘end this conversation now’ with my eyes, but it didn’t seem to work.

“Back in Sabbatha’s lair,” Tara said. “You told her you knew her name because of the advanced alien robot living in your head.” I didn’t understand what you meant then. I still kind of don’t know, but I’m getting there.”

“Oh, that was just a joke,” I said, attempting to fake a laugh.

“John,” Ersabet said. “Look me in the eye.”

‘Don’t!’ Val’s voice reverberated through my mind. "My presence must never be revealed."

My eyes found Ersabet’s. “What?”

“Is there an advanced artificial intelligence living in your head?”

“No.”

She slapped me so hard I saw stars.

‘You deserved that, you idiot.’ Val said helpfully.

“Why do you lie to me?” Ersabet said. “Do you know nothing of the Dalari? Our intuition is strong, and I can see the lie in your eyes.”

I stood from my bed and stepped close to Ersabet. It didn’t matter what she might think. This conversation had to be shut down. “If you ask me this question again, or if I sense you are even broaching the subject, our deal is off, and we will go our separate ways.”

I stepped back. “What does your intuition say about that?”

“It tells me that you are serious.” She crossed her arms. “Very well. I will only say this. If you ever want to speak of this, I would listen."

‘As long as I’m around, that will never happen,’ Val said.

“Well,” I said to Ersabet. “That time won’t come because it was a joke. Now, let’s get back to work.”

I regrouped and laid out my idea. “We don’t know how many hunters there are or how they operate. There’s no way we can make a move until we understand what we’re up against. I say we try to join them. Get ourselves recruited and find a way to bring them down from the inside.”

I looked up to my confidants, awaiting their approval. Tara shrugged. “Seems like it could work.”

The top of a delicate blue hand rested beneath Ersabet’s chin. “I believe the idea has merit. And, if we do have to kill everyone, we will know more of their strengths and weaknesses.”

“Sure. Yeah.” I rubbed my hands together. “Sounds like we got ourselves a plan.”

The girls exited my room, but I still wasn’t alone. I never was. Val’s avatar was still sitting at the end of my bed.

I made sure the door was locked and held out my arms to Val. “Well, do you have something to say?”

‘You already know what I want to say to you.’

“I was tied to a pole in a life-and-death situation. A situation you intentionally put me in, I might add, so I think I deserve a little grace for revealing your existence to a bunch of psychotic witches who were going to sacrifice me.”

Val rested her pale hands on her bare knees, just below where her black skirt ended. ‘Considering your strong response to Ersabet, I agree that some grace is warranted. I forgive you.’

“I didn’t say I was sorry.”

She harumphed.

“So, what do you think of my plan?”

‘I think it’s the least likely to get you killed. However, I would advise abandoning this quest and focusing on something more appropriate to your level. I can double the rate you are currently gaining experience if you simply follow my guidance.’

“After this, Val. After I save Kitz, then I’m all yours.”

‘Then I wish you good luck in your noble quest. Please try not to die, it would be most inconvenient for me.”