The early hours of the morning passed with much prayer for Lucullus and Aela. Soon after, they went to the common area of the inn to get food and ale. It wasn’t long after they got their food and ale when the inn began to be crowded. The drunken patrons increased in number as the morning passed by. The innkeeper’s assistants ran around taking orders and stoking the central fire in the common area. Lucullus and Aela eventually moved to a quiet corner away from the more obnoxious patrons. Though they enjoyed the bard’s musical performances, the wild and unbalanced dancing, which occasionally spilled over into their otherwise quiet corner, was irritating to even the most patient listener. When some of the drunkards started singing along with the bard, Aela put her hands over her ears, hoping in vain that she could be spared from the horrid noise of their dissonant voices.

Lucullus took gulped the last bit of his ale, and rolled out one of his maps on the table. “Even on this island, I can see there’s a hideout we could try. I doubt she’s still there, but we should at least be able to find out where their central location is in Immergrun.”

“But wouldn’t it make more sense to just search the ones on the main island? What would this one tell us that the others can’t? Besides, it’s more likely that we’ll find the real prize on the main island. If there’s one thing we know about Chaodites, it’s their love for being close to the seat of power in a region.”

“I get what you’re saying, but remember our lack of funds. If we can pinpoint the exact place to strike without having to leave this island, that would be ideal. That way, we could plan an efficient route from this island to the next. And on top of that, if we make a mess of things in the place on this island, we have a chance at outpacing it to our destination.”

She shook her head. “I don’t know about that last part, but you do make a fair point about our funds.”

“I guess it’s settled. We should probably gather our things, and leave as soon as we can.” Lucullus got up from his chair, and went back toward their room.

As Aela was getting up, a group of robed men approached her. At first, she took a defensive stance, and prepared a fire blast. But as they came closer, she saw the insignia of the ruling house on the guards next to them, and relaxed a little. “Who are you?”

One of the robed men came forward, and spoke thus, “We are humble servants of the temple. With us are the men of Duchess Matilda.”

She remained mindful of her surroundings, and suspicious of these strange men. “What do you want with me?”

“We heard that you were traveling with an Altum, the one who arrived on a ferry recently.”

She once again readied her hands for a fire blast. “And what do you want with him?”

“It’s not what we want, rather what she wants.”

“What she wants?”

He nodded. “The Good Duchess has requested his presence in her court.”

At that time, Lucullus reemerged, and kept his hand on his sword as he approached. “Aela, who are they?”

“Apparently, some men from the local temples and some from the Duchess’s army are here to bring you to her court.”

He turned to face them. “What does this duchess want with me?” He drew his sword from his sheath part of the way.

The robed men all looked at each other, then one spoke up while shaking his head. “Nicht ein schlacht, Altum.” All the robed men genuflected toward Lucullus. “Treffen mit Matilda.”

Lucullus looked at Aela.

She sighed and translated, “They, nor Matilda, seek a battle, but to talk.” She spoke to the robed men after that.

“If Northern Dasosan is what he understands, then we shall speak it.” They turned their attention back to Lucullus. “Please, come with us, Chosen. The Duchess has much to discuss with you.”

Aela looked at Lucullus, and he knew that she sensed no dark Chaodite energy in them. He sighed, and addressed them, “Give us time to pack our things, and we shall meet you outside.”

The robed men bowed, and exited the inn.

Tullius made haste to answer Duke Ignatius’s summons. He crossed the countryside on his horse as fast as he could manage, and dashed through the city streets, leaving a trail of dust in his wake. He maintained his court manners as best he could while rushing to the Duke. All of the Duke’s guests were startled as they looked to see who was blazing through the court. All eyes were on him as he approached Duke Ignatius.

Ignatius stood up from his throne, and greeted Tullius with a handshake. “Sir Tullius of Agros, it warms my heart to see you in such good shape.”

“Thank you, my liege. I try to keep my stamina as high as I can.”

Ignatius cackled in a fit of laughter. “I see your travels have done little to dull your sense of humor.” He gave Tullius a forceful pat on the shoulder. “O Tullius, I’m just glad you’re still in one piece. Though I do admit, your stamina seems excellent indeed.”

“I came as soon as I could. You mentioned an urgent matter.”

“That I did, Tullius.” He guided Tullius through the court. “I know you’re quite busy putting out the fires already plaguing this province, but something potentially more dangerous lurks on our borders, and I fear it may already be sweeping across the western countryside as we speak. I’ll show you what I mean in the war room.”

As they came into the war room, Tullius looked in awe at the enormous map on the wall. “Who exactly is amassing at our borders?”

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Ignatius pointed at Lucium’s western border. “There’s a rogue band of sorcerers amassing here. I sent scouts when I sent my letters to you. They have not returned, and I fear the worst. Even in the short time it took you to get here, I worry that these fiends have already crossed the river. I need you to take whatever men you need from my army, and deal with these beasts. They could very well pass through Agros on their warpath to Multa.”

Tullius’s heart sank. “How many sorcerers are there?”

Ignatius shrugged. “Could be a hundred or more.”

“Then, if you can spare it, I need a hundred good men on horseback to accompany me.”

He nodded. “It shall be so, my dear Tullius. I pray that Iram and Sophia watch over you in your battles.”

“That reminds me,” He started toward the door, “I believe I shall make a stop to the Temple of Sophia in the city and pray. I will certainly need her wisdom.”

“That is a good move, but I ask that you do not tarry about too long in the temple. Wisdom does no good if the enemy has already passed you by.”

Tullius and Ignatius made their way out to the stables where the Duke called together a hundred valiant men. They saddled up, and Ignatius waved farewell to Tullius as he and his men rode off.

Tullius and his men made their stop by the temple, just as he said, and prayed for wisdom at the altar. He took some gold from his coin purse, and laid it upon the altar; he ordered each of his men to do in like manner. As each of them laid up their offering, Tullius led them in a great prayer. After their prayer, he asked one of the temple’s Magisters to offer an animal sacrifice on their behalf; he told the Magister of the mission that he and his men were about to embark on, and the Magister made haste to start a sacrifice.

After spending all the time they could spare in the temple, Tullius and his men departed from the temple, and rode west toward the Lucium-Emporikos border.

Matilda held out her arms, and called on all of her court to welcome Lucullus and Aela with great honor. She spoke to the prophets, and after some time they departed.

Lucullus stepped forward, and took in all of the cheering. He spoke to Matilda in Dasosan, “Why have you called us here? We have very important matters to attend to; they could mean the difference between life and death for the whole world.”

Aela went to stop him, but Matilda motioned for her to remain let him continue.

“I don’t know who these robed men are, but where I come from, sending an armed guard to fetch someone will only end with bloodshed.”

Matilda laughed, and made some remarks in her own language.

Aela started to whisper into Lucullus’s ear.

“If you’re going to translate for him, don’t bother. I know both dialects of Dasosan. It’s clear that he doesn’t understand my native tongue in any capacity. I don’t particularly enjoy speaking the Dasosan tongue, but I will for this occasion.” She walked to Lucullus, and looked up at him. “I never imagined the men of Lucium to be large like the giants of Thalassa. Certainly, he does fit the warrior. And I must say, it is impressive for a lowborn of Lucium to know Dasosan. I’m not certain he fits the king, but I trust those robed men, even though most of them aren’t deserving of being called men.”

Lucullus sighed. “What is it that you brought me here for?”

She smirked. “I wish to help you on your mission, young Altum.”

Lucullus looked at Aela, then back to Matilda. “You don’t even know what my mission is. How can you say that you want to help?”

“Those prophets of the temple, or ‘robed men’ as you call them, told me everything. They believe that you are the one of prophecy.”

“What prophecy?”

She chuckled. “There’s an old prophecy that details the coming of a great deliverer, one who will usher in a new era for Savronism; it will be an age of unity, and it will mark the beginning of the spread of Savronism far beyond its limited reach of today.”

“And you think that ‘great deliverer’ is me?” Lucullus questioned as he pointed to himself.

She nodded. “I rarely get such prophetic visits from those reclusive old men. If they’ve come to tell me about some prophecy being fulfilled, then I assume they’re not doing it in jest. And if they feel the need to leave the temple and personally visit me, then it must truly be important.”

“Did this prophecy reveal anything specific about what I’m actually doing?”

“Since the prophecy involves a golden age of Savronism, I know that you are likely here to destroy the Chaodites, wherever they may hide.”

Aela replied, “Then you must help us find where they hide, and send us aid in destroying them.”

Matilda returned to her seat. “As much as I would love to parade my men around all of Immergrun, I can only help in that way within my realm. If I sent an army, or even a small strike force, into the heart of the main island… oh what chaos that would be. It must not be so.”

Lucullus, unable to talk around his true mission, spoke, “We seek a specific place where the Chaodites gather. They hold there a very important person; and if we do not succeed, then a great darkness shall overshadow the whole world, starting in Lucium it will spread quickly through all nations until no one is left to oppose it. Emporikos is already in great danger of succumbing to its grasp.”

Matilda scoffed. “I care little for Lucium, and even less for Emporikos. What does any of that have to do with Immergrun, or Savronism?”

Lucullus stomped forward toward Matilda, ignoring Aela’s attempt to stop him. “The Chaodites are already in your people’s lands. They operate in the shadows, not because they are weak, but because no one can see them coming when they strike from the darkness. If Lucium and Emporikos fall to them, they will be nearly unstoppable as is. Immergrun will crumble easily. I would even say they’ve already infiltrated this nation’s political structure.”

Matilda pondered in silence for a moment. “I will help you find this Chaodite gathering place. But first, I must ask something of you.”

Lucullus felt his anger rise within, and was barely able to keep from shouting as he spoke, “You called me to your court, and think my mission will bring about the golden age of Savronism, yet you demand I do something for you?”

She stood up, and walked over to him and put her hand on his shoulder. “Make no mistake about it; I know your mission will bring about great things. But I would not ask you a favor if it wasn’t important. It is something that must be dealt with before I am able to help you.”

Lucullus forced himself to calm down, though only a little. “What could possibly prevent you from helping us?”

She released his shoulder. “It’s the Count of Einsam. You could say that he’s been trying to undermine my authority, and bring my house to ruin.”

“How so?”

“He has been spreading these ridiculous accusations and rumors against me; slander is what it is. The Queen wishes to unify Immergrun, and strengthen it. But this Worm of Einsam seeks to turn the other houses and nobility against me. Even the Queen is growing suspicious of me because of his rumors. I represent Immergrun’s maritime trade, and if I go down, the Fahrmanner will also go down. They rely on my influence and power to operate.”

Lucullus sighed. “What is it that you want us to do about it?”

She smirked. “I need help in gaining evidence of the Count’s misdeeds, something that will… even the odds.”

Aela folded her arms, and asked in a suspicious tone, “And what exactly would that be?”

“The Count is a loose man. If I can have a word with his wife, then maybe he will hold his peace. And he will be reminded that he is my vassal.”

Lucullus shook his head. “That’s no better than what the Count has done.”

“I am simply using the truth. He leverages lies. Besides, I needn’t spread this information around. The swine will follow me as long as I keep the food just beyond its reach. He knows how fragile his marriage is. One more mistake, and his dreams shall be nightmares.”

Lucullus grumbled to himself. “Fine. We shall help you with this. But if you don’t uphold your end of the deal, we will all regret it.”

She beamed from ear to ear. “Don’t worry about that, my Altum friend. I always keep my promises.”