The atmosphere was tense.

While nothing Ade had done yet was strictly illegal, the large gathering of nomads making their way through the streets was certainly eye catching. Scarred men with the appearance of mercenaries or fighters gripped their weapons tightly, anticipating the oncoming violence but unwilling to start it themselves. Rich women pulled their spoiled children inside, and shut the doors tightly, hunkering down in supposed safety. The slaves had the most varied reaction, some looking at the desert dwellers with hope in their eyes, while others shied away, not wanting to draw any attention to themselves, good or bad. There were a few who still had a spark of violence in their eye, and Ade knew that if things devolved into chaos they would be the first to grasp for freedom, whatever it took.

Further away were the individuals trailing the group. The local guards, as well as a few new drinking companions who hadn’t quite caught on to the sudden change in plans for the afternoon. Harder to make out were the rats who somehow kept pace, flitting and flickering from alley to rooftop without revealing their presence to any of the humans. Simple flashes of fur or glints of light off of keen eyes were the only hints that there was another side present in the mounting drama.

Something had to give in this strange scenario, and the catalyst was Ade’s arrival at the Governor's Mansion, the palatial dwelling that Zar had built for himself and used to hold all of his business dealings. Of more immediate concern to Ade than the decorated roofs or the detailed garden were the thick walls surrounding the place and the squad of alert guards out front, alert and ready for trouble.

“Good afternoon!” Ade called out as he drew near, not missing how as one the guards shifted their footing to a more active stance. “I’m afraid I have an urgent piece of news that I need to pass on to Elder Shan. It’s his granddaughter.” Any further explanation or negotiation was cut short by two of their guards leveling their spears at Ade while another two half pulled out their swords from their scabbards. The Pathfinder came to a halt as he desperately searched for a path through this growing disaster that would keep him and his people safe.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“I’ve got a better idea.” The lead guard with a spear sneered at the nomads. “Get down on the ground and beg for your lives, and maybe we won’t just kill you here and now.”

Slowly, with exaggerated movements, Ade followed the guard’s commands. He wasn’t a supreme warrior who could take on the world and win. He was just a Pathfinder, one that was learning to be a leader. And part of learning to lead is knowing when to let experts go about their work. With all eyes drown to Ade, the menacing guard didn’t even notice as Jeb flashed across the distance his sword opening up a throat and stabbing another guard in the chest. There was one last chilled moment of silence as everyone came to terms with what had happened, and then all hell broke loose.

Immediately the nomads were attacked from all sides, but their foes were disorganized, staggered by rebelling slaves and enraged rodents. “Clear us a path out of here!” Ade yelled, before grabbing Jeb and another fighter and rushing into the house.

Despite the general opulence of the place, Zar simply hadn’t had enough time to actually turn his property into a giant mansion. As such it didn’t take long for Ade and his companions to reach the meeting hall, and with the element of surprise on their side they easily dispatched the guards waiting out front in a quick fight that threw the doors wide open. Ade quickly scanned the faces of everyone in the room before turning his attention towards Zar. The man might be vile and reprehensible, but he had earned his rank as an adventurer. It would take everything Ade had to keep him at bay while he got the elders out. Already they were stumbling out of their seats hurrying over towards Ade and the safety he represented even as he moved forwards to interact with Zar. All except for Pathfinder Ahten, who was firmly held in his seat right next to Zar, unable to move due to the muscled hand keeping him still.

“Let’s talk.”