Virgil shifted uncomfortably against the frigid stone wall. He’d taken shelter against the mountain winds in a rocky nook. He could see a group of women standing a short distance away, almost glowing in the light of the moon. They had pale white hair and silver eyes. They were also dressed like they hadn’t left their desert home.

“How can they stand to wear that,” Virgil said. “They’re practically naked.” He shivered. He was wearing a heavy coat, with a fur lined hood that obstructed most of his face. “A high metabolism is one thing, but that’s freak of nature levels.”

He laughed and rolled his eyes. “I’d better check on the boss.” He started walking, as fast as he could without running. The group of white haired women ignored him as he passed, chatting amongst themselves in Bachijan, the language of the Northern continent.

He found Reaper standing over a sheer drop in the mountain, atop a rocky pile jutting out from the side. His boss was in a huddled conversation with a massive bird sitting on his arm, a creature known as a Rokh. They spoke together in mixture of low trills and chirps, and finished as Virgil approached. The bird took off, disappearing into the night sky.

“What news from the birds?” Virgil asked.

“He’s here,” Reaper said.

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“That’s confident. Did they see him, do we know where he is now?”

“Not exactly. Thanks to Nova there’s no shortage of Seitojins around, and we don’t know enough about the vessel to pick him out.”

“Then why are we sure he’s here now?”

“The trees have come alive,” Reaper said, pointing to the cliffs on the other side of the village of Monte Aldé.

“Ah, yes, the vine trick, that would do it,” Virgil said. “But doesn’t that mean he’s got the Reaping Stone?”

“No, he wouldn’t bother with the vines if he already grabbed the stone. It must be locked up. Somewhere he could get close enough to grab the latest key, but too well secured to take the stone itself.”

“Well, alright, what’s the plan? Are we going to sneak in and snatch it before Morgan can get to it?”

“No, thanks to the friends of your other half, the village is crawling with Paladins right now. We can’t risk being exposed.”

Virgil scoffed. “You give that old temple too much credit. They haven’t fought an honest war in centuries.”

“You give them too little,” Reaper said. “The White Temple may have cast aside the ways of battle, but they have no shortage of ruthlessness. Plus, they’re well connected. I have no desire to wage war against the whole Bachijan army, and even less with Nova.”

“So, we’re just going to wait it out?”

“Yes. The village is doomed and they know it. We’ll be able to slip in after the evacuation, and since Morgan is alone, we won’t have any problems beating him to the stone.” Reaper turned to walk further into the mountains. “Let’s take cover a little further back, I’d like to avoid being seen at all if possible.”

Virgil peered into the village. “Wouldn’t it be funny if he was down there right now?” He laughed.