Word spread throughout town like wildfire. The fervor of Vespera veins being mined had been replaced almost overnight with anticipation and excitement towards the Chalice of the Eternal Nectar and what it offered. Gossip regarding its usage spread quickly among residents. People discussed possible candidates receiving its boon in hushed whispers while passing each other along streets.

Lorne sat atop his mount next to Kaela while trotting through town together on patrol duty. They listened to various snippets exchanged between townsfolk moving about. It seemed as though everyone had their own thoughts on who might be one of the first to drink from the divine chalice...with some voicing quite different opinions than others.

"People are saying there's going to be a town hall meeting tonight," a young woman wearing leathers remarked as she passed them by on foot carrying a bundle wrapped in cloth across her shoulder. "I'm betting Engin will receive it for sure. It'd only make sense given his position."

A burly man in his fifties walking beside her grunted disapprovingly at that comment. "Pfft, you don't know him very well then. He'll refuse any such favoritism towards himself despite the town's approval."

The woman scowled back towards him. "What makes you so sure? Why wouldn't he accept something like this when offered? He's certainly earned the right to live longer than most others here!"

"And those exact reasons are precisely why he'd refuse," the man countered with a dismissive wave towards her. "He cares more about doing what's right rather than taking advantage of special privileges. Don't you forget who built Ebonheim from nothing along with those closest to him either."

"How could I ever forget that? I'm just saying...it would make sense if he received it regardless what anyone else thinks. I don't see how anyone can argue otherwise given all he's done for us over the years."

The man grunted again and rolled his eyes toward the woman. "Oh, I'm sure there'll be plenty of arguments about whether or not he deserves such an honor. Many would say that he's still got plenty of life left in him despite his age. If anything, we'll see Olav or Hilda getting the honor first. They're far older than Engin by comparison and could use its effects more than him at this point."

The woman shrugged and glanced toward Lorne briefly before looking away again. "Maybe so. But my coin's on Engin all the same. Either way though, I'll drink to whoever ends up receiving it."

"Likewise. Though, I'd rather see him continue serving our community for another few decades instead of retiring early because of old age."

"I can't disagree with you there." The woman gave a resigned sigh as they both disappeared into a crowd heading towards a row of stalls selling fresh produce.

Lorne slowed his mount before glancing toward Kaela riding beside him. "What do you think?"

She shrugged and shook her head slightly. "I'm not interested in longevity at this point. I don't mind if others want to receive the nectar though. It'll certainly make our lives easier knowing that we won't lose anyone too important anytime soon."

Lorne nodded in agreement before spurring his mount onward once more while Kaela fell into step alongside him again.

A few days ago, Ebonheim had gathered everyone in town together for a special announcement. While the original inhabitants knew about the chalice's existence beforehand, no one else had ever been told of its presence until now. Certainly caused quite a stir among newer residents.

There had never been an instance where a god or goddess offered extended life without strings attached. He had personally seen how things played out after such boons were given during his early mercenary days. Those who'd accepted them often changed drastically in nature.

The immortal warriors of the god Farokh had been renowned for their valor and skill on the battlefield. However, they had lost their souls during the process—turning into nothing more than empty husks following orders given by their master without any independent thought whatsoever. In essence, becoming slaves to his will rather than individuals with their own free agency.

Lorne doubted Ebonheim would follow a similar path. He'd already seen firsthand how compassionate she could be towards her followers' wellbeing. She never asked anything from anyone unless necessary...even when they offered something freely on their own accord. This seemed to have more to do with her personal philosophy rather than some ulterior motive hidden beneath the surface.

But regardless, he had no intention of receiving this gift regardless of how tempting its allure might prove otherwise. He did not wish to live longer than natural circumstances allowed and had no desire for power either. That meant nothing to him anymore after serving under so many different patrons over the years. If anything, this gesture would serve as an affirmation of his decision-making. He was content with his life and did not require any further reward beyond what he currently possessed.

They continued along their route while listening to various conversations unfolding throughout town during their rounds. It seemed as though everyone had something to say regarding these recent developments. Some expressed concerns towards who might receive its benefits over others...while others expressed fear about what would happen if no one received the chalice's nectar.

What if there wasn't anyone worthy enough?

This last point proved particularly troubling among residents who'd settled here more recently compared towards those who'd first settled here under Engin's leadership. It made sense given the context behind such worries. Those who'd come from wealthier backgrounds would naturally question whether or not they'd ever qualify regardless of their contributions towards Ebonheim's growth since arriving here.

"Twenty people," Kaela mused aloud as she rode alongside Lorne down another street lined with houses built close together amid garden plots and livestock pens lining its borders. "Twenty people every year can receive the blessing and extend their life by two decades. Seems like a small number considering how many have arrived here lately."

"It is," Lorne agreed while scanning ahead for any potential disturbances taking place nearby. "But like us, not everyone here wants to live longer than what's natural for them. They might be content with living out the rest of their lives normally before passing away peacefully at old age without ever receiving this gift from Ebonheim. It's all about what each individual values most when given such an opportunity."

Kaela gave a noncommittal grunt and tugged her cloak tighter around herself before replying quietly, "I can understand that. My main issue is about the limit itself. There aren't enough slots available to accommodate everyone who would like it regardless of what they think now."

Lorne nodded again. He knew what she meant.

Only four hundred people would benefit from this boon throughout the twenty-year period without overlap among those chosen. So unless someone died early on by accident or illness, those four hundred individuals would remain the same throughout the duration.

Then again, that's also assuming that they would keep getting voted in by their peers. They could easily lose their spot due to various reasons—most likely related to how useful they proved to society as a whole—and then have to wait for another opportunity to come up again. It might not even happen during their lifetime if nothing changes between now and when another election takes place.

"Four hundred people is a reasonable limit," Lorne pointed out after thinking about it some more. "Any larger and we risk losing sight of what's important here."

Kaela cocked an eyebrow at him curiously. "And what's that?"

Lorne turned his gaze toward her with a small smile before answering simply. "The quality of life."

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He didn't elaborate further despite seeing confusion cross Kaela's face briefly before understanding dawned upon her features moments later. "Ahh...I get what you mean."

"Good," Lorne said before directing his attention back towards their surroundings once more.

If anything, this limitation would allow Ebonheim to moderate only a few hundred extended lives instead of thousands...if not more than that. This would prevent too many people from living too long and losing touch with reality altogether...or worse yet, becoming another Farokh, who viewed mortals as nothing more than pawns for his own amusement.

They continued patrolling through town while listening to conversations occurring around them. A familiar face caught Lorne's eye among the crowd as he spotted Deneve waving at him from across the street. She wore her crimson armor over a gray shirt with black pants tucked into knee-high leather boots. Her two scimitars hung loosely on either side of her waist along with several pouches dangling from her belt.

"Commander!" she called out while jogging over towards him. "You've heard of the news, I take it?"

Lorne nodded once before replying. "Yes. Word travels fast these days."

Kaela waved back towards Deneve as she approached closer. "Don't tell me you're going to put your name forward for consideration?"

Deneve snorted and shook her head firmly. "Hah! I'm only twenty-seven. My prime years are still ahead of me. I won't consider this chalice's boon until I'm closer towards fifty at least."

"Practical as always," Lorne said approvingly before asking another question. "And what about the other Silverguards? How do they feel about this whole ordeal?"

Deneve shrugged and glanced away briefly before answering, "We've discussed the matter a few times together already. A few expressed interest in trying their luck though I wouldn't get my hopes up if I were them. The competition will be fierce regardless of how you look at things. But that's nothing new for us after all."

Kaela smiled wryly and nodded along with her words. "I suppose not."

Deneve turned back towards Lorne before adding, "Engin wants to speak with you about something later tonight. He said to meet him by the tavern once your shift ends."

Lorne frowned slightly towards her but nodded regardless. "I'll do so. Thank you."

Deneve grinned mischievously and gave a mock salute before taking her leave from them both. "I'll see you both later then!"

Lorne watched her depart before glancing towards Kaela riding beside him. She gave him a knowing look back as they resumed their patrol route throughout town once more. They both had a good idea about what Engin wanted to discuss with him.

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The door opened inward with a creak, revealing the tavern's interior beyond its threshold. Lorne stepped inside and scanned around briefly until spotting Engin seated alone at a corner table near the far wall. A bottle of mead rested between two cups already filled halfway with golden liquid as well as an empty plate lying on its side nearby. Engin gestured for him to take a seat across from him.

"Good evening," Lorne greeted while pulling out a chair opposite Engin before sitting down. "Deneve told me you wished to speak with me."

Engin nodded solemnly and poured another glass of mead for him. "Yes. Thank you for coming on such short notice."

Lorne accepted the offered cup and took a sip from it before setting it back down again. The sweet taste of honey lingered on his tongue afterward as he waited patiently for Engin to continue speaking. He'd grown accustomed towards these informal meetings over the years...especially when they dealt with matters concerning their town's safety.

"I'm sure you already know why I've called you here tonight," Engin said after clearing his throat. "But regardless, let me explain things briefly so we're both on the same page here."

Lorne gave another nod and listened attentively while sipping his drink again.

"A messenger arrived yesterday afternoon carrying word from the Order of the Burning Shield in Dulgaan. Ardeunius intends to pay us a visit next week. It seems as though he has business that cannot wait."

His hunch was right.

Lorne set his glass aside after finishing another swallow from it, already anticipating where this conversation would lead next.

Engin sighed heavily and gazed off towards nothing particular. He almost seemed conflicted by whatever thoughts ran through his mind before finally turning back toward Lorne with a somber expression etched across his features. "I'd like to ask you a favor if possible. I know this isn't part of your job description either but I hope you might indulge me nonetheless."

Lorne raised his brows inquisitively at Engin's request. "Go on..." he encouraged gently when nothing else followed afterward for several moments.

Engin closed his eyes briefly before continuing, "He intends to occupy Old Drakon's Castle and have it serve as a stronghold for the Order while they conduct whatever affairs he plans to do in the Eldergrove. I'm sure there won't be anything nefarious behind his motives but nonetheless...it still warrants some extra attention given whose territory the castle lies within."

This time Lorne couldn't help but stare openly at Engin with bewilderment written plainly across his face. The other man seemed unperturbed by this response and instead leaned forward across the table towards Lorne before speaking again, lowering his voice enough that only those nearby could hear his words clearly.

"I know how this sounds. Believe me when I say I also wish nothing more than to leave Ardeunius with his business and allow him to proceed unimpeded without involving ourselves directly. But I don't trust that their interactions with Elmsworth won't cause unnecessary friction between them both...even with all the good intentions involved here."

It was Lorne's turn now to heave out an exasperated sigh at those last few lines spoken aloud just now. "That's one hell of a favor you're asking me," he muttered under his breath before meeting Engin's gaze again afterward. "You want the Silverguards to act as mediators if tensions rise between him and Elmsworth...don't you?"

Engin smiled tiredly back towards him while nodding slowly. "Correct."

Lorne rubbed his temples with two fingers before shaking his head once more. "You understand that's easier said than done. I've only met that ancient Ent twice, and both times Ebonheim was with me to smooth things over. Wouldn't Hilda or one of the Jixishan druids be better suited to handle such negotiations given their relationship with him?"

"Normally I'd agree," Engin concurred while taking another drink from his cup before adding afterwards, "However...they don't have much experience dealing with an order of warriors either. If anything, Ardeunius' knights might look down upon them due to their more pacifistic nature towards resolving conflicts."

Lorne couldn't argue with that logic either. The Order's reputation for being one of the most disciplined militant organizations on the continent preceded them far and wide...even among those who didn't share similar views towards war as they did. He could already picture how such a meeting might unfold should Hilda or anyone else representing Ebonheim approach Ardeunius directly. It wouldn't end well no matter how well-intentioned both parties might be.

"So what exactly do you expect us to do exactly?" he asked. "We aren't diplomats nor diplomacy specialists by any means."

Engin gave a dismissive wave before responding in an easy tone, "I know. But despite what you may think, there's a certain level of respect shared between your two groups already. As long as you remain on neutral grounds while keeping things civil between them both...I have confidence nothing too drastic will transpire during their interaction regardless any differences they might share."

"That's a lot of assumptions," Lorne pointed out, unable to hide his skepticism towards this plan entirely. "Not to mention, we'll have to leave our duties here behind for an indefinite period while acting as liaisons between Elmsworth and Ardeunius. I doubt the Order would appreciate having us butting into their affairs either."

"No, they wouldn't. But they're reasonable people overall so I don't foresee too many issues arising from this arrangement overall. Besides, I'd rather deal with this matter beforehand than let it fester into something worse down the line if left unaddressed."

"And what does Ebonheim think of this?" Lorne asked.

Engin smiled wryly and shook his head before answering, "She understands my concerns regarding this issue...but disagrees with my approach towards addressing them. She thinks everything will turn out fine as long as the Order keeps their activities within the castle grounds and does not involve themselves directly with Elmsworth."

That didn't surprise him one bit given how laidback Ebonheim normally acted when dealing with the lords of the Eldergrove. At most, she'd offer to resolve any potential conflicts between them both. But unlike Engin's approach towards preventing those issues from arising in the first place...she tended to take things in stride without trying too hard in terms preventing potential problems ahead.

Well, at least during the couple of years she had been more proactive about matters. This time, however, Lorne had a feeling her reasoning might stem more from trusting that Elmsworth would bring his grievances directly to her if anything happened rather than confronting Ardeunius himself.

"I don't envy your position right now," Lorne said sympathetically towards Engin after considering everything said between them both. "But I can't promise you anything either way without consulting my company first. If we are to do this, I'd need at least one of the Jixishan druids to accompany us for this favor."

Engin nodded in understanding before finishing off his drink in one gulp afterward. "That's reasonable enough. Take as much time as you need. But try to have an answer in two days if possible."

Lorne gave another nod before standing up from his seat and pushing it back under the table again afterward. He took one last sip from his cup before bidding Engin goodnight. The other man waved lazily in response while refilling his own glass once more afterwards. He appeared lost in deep thought already...no doubt dwelling over future events still left unresolved.