The dungeons were the most miserable spot in all of the King's city. Thanks to stringent Royal Guard patrols, crime within the city limits was rare. So dungeon cells were reserved for the worst of the worst. Nazyr had been confined to the lowest level. While I was sure he wasn't tortured, these accommodations were a far cry from the soft silks and warm beds of the posh palace. I made my way down the winding stairs to the solitary cell, where a once very regal Nazyr was being held captive. An overweight guard followed me, carrying his torch while brass keys jangled with our every step.

"He's not had many visitors," the guard said.

"I'm not here as a friend," I told the guard.

We reached our destination, and my escort took one of his keys and placed it in the lock. He made a quick turn of his wrist, and I heard the doors latch release. The guard pushed the thick slab of wood aside. Then he spoke in a stern voice.

"Orders are not to leave anyone alone with him," he said.

"I'm the last person in the kingdom who would want to help him," I replied.

The guard nodded and ushered me through the door. Then he closed it behind me and waited outside.

"Come to gloat?" Nazyr spoke in a harsh whisper, in fact, he was a pitiful sight. No longer clad in luxurious silks and finery. He now wore dirty rags. His once clean-shaven face streaked with smut and many days beard growth. I took no joy in seeing him this way, but knew in my heart he deserved whatever treatment he got.

"You brought this on yourself," I knelt so that our faces were inches apart. "I have some questions, and I think you're the only one who can help me."

"Ask anything you want," he paused. "I'm an open book."

"What do you know about the Dark Hills?"

"Now why would a white hat like you want to go there," he arched his eyebrows.

"I didn't say I wanted to go," I took a deep breath. "I only asked you what you knew about the place."

"You'll find nothing there but Grymme's hordes and other unsavory types." Nazyr grinned and scratched his unkempt beard.

"So I take it you've been," I pressed him for an answer.

"It was one of the only places I could find a challenging fight," Nazyr gritted his teeth. "Since I hacked myself to have the best equipment and abilities."

"Then that means you are familiar with the place," I leaned closer. "Am it right?"

"Intimately familiar," Nazyr enunciated each word.

"If I needed a guide through the Dark Hills," I paused. "Could I count on you for the job?"

"What do you need me for," Nazyr's interest piqued.

"Some people still believe in you," I lowered my voice.

"You mean that old Wizard Varrick," he leaned back against the wall. "I never trusted that bastard he seemed far too independent for a standard NPC."

"You're the untrustworthy one," I raised my voice. "But right now I have no choice but to put my faith in you."

"This game has become decidedly un-fun," Nazyr took a sip of water from a tin cup. "I think it's time to put an end to all of this and get back to the real world."

"So are you up for the job?" I asked him.

"If you can get me out of this hellhole I promise not to stab you in the back." He sucked air through his teeth. "I'm as ready to get out of here now is the rest of you."

"I need to know more before I'm ready to accept your offer," I told him.

"We do you want," Nazyr leaned forward. "You have my undivided attention."

"How is it you're able to get through the Dark Hills when nobody else can?"

"It's quite simple really," Nazyr continued. "I made a deal with Grymme!"

"You sold us out," I held back the urge to slap him. "I knew it!"

"It's not what you think," he held up his hands. "I know something that Grymme wants to be kept secret. So, I made a deal to stay silent as long as he agreed not to interfere with my plans."

"Quit playing around," I pressed my advantage. "What exactly do you know?"

"There's a tower in the Dark Hills," he spoke in a hushed whisper. "That has a terminal that will allow a player to access emergency exit protocols."

"How did you find that out?"

Nazyr smiled wide, "Because I'm the one that put it there."

"You dirty son of a bitch," I shoved him backward. Losing his balance, Nazyr fell off his stool and hit the dirt floor.

"Hey there butch, don't abuse the prisoner," Nazyr grinned up at me from the ground.

"You knew there was an alternate way out all this time," I tightly balled my fists. "There are five-hundred people in this game, stuck here!"

"I wasn't concerned with them at the time," he stood up and brushed the dirt off his clothes. "Besides I'd say most of you are enjoying yourselves."

"A good time?" I couldn't believe my ears. I knew the guy was selfish. But his arrogance was beyond belief.

"I'll come completely clean," he leaned against the wall and picked his teeth.

"I'm listening," I folded my arms across my chest.

"So when I set myself up as a Royal," he continued. "I also hacked a backdoor escape protocol. Just in case I needed it."

"Okay keep going," Despite my complete disgust I needed to know more.

"It's not hard to activate," he said. "But it's nearly impossible to get to, without my help. I also set up clues to find it— as insurance."

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"That freaky frog in the cave," my jaw dropped in surprise. "You put that there!"

He grinned wide. "I never figured anyone would actually find it."

I let out a deep sigh. "How exactly do we get to this protocol?"

"Well first we have to fight our way through a bunch of brigands," he winked. "But that won't be so bad as there is a contingent that's loyal to me."

"You been hiding your own private army in the Dark Hills?"

"Another one of my insurance policies," he shrugged.

"So why did you poison the King," I pressed him for an answer.

"That's just the thing," he peered directly into my eyes. "I didn't"

"Oh just come clean already," I shook my head side-to-side. "You had the most to gain from King Alaric being poisoned. When things didn't go your way, and Corbin was placed on the throne, you ended up here."

"I'm telling you the honest truth. I didn't poison King Alaric!" His face took on a somber expression. I did my best to read his emotions, it really did seem like he was telling the truth.

"Let's say I believe you and you didn't do it," I paused. "Then who did?"

"Think about it. Who has the most to gain with the King of the way and the entire kingdom left in a weakened position?"

I took some time to think, but there was only one answer, "Grymme!"

"There's a spy in the Royal Castle," Nazyr enunciated each word. "That's the only way someone could have gotten close enough to poison King Alaric. It has to be someone trusted, someone no one would suspect."

My mind raced as I tried to figure out who among the trusted Castle NPCs could be a spy for Grymme. We knew he could mind-nap other characters. But Varrick had placed strong enchantments around King's City to prevent that.

"I don't trust you," I poked his chest with my finger. "But you've offered up some intriguing information."

"So do we have a deal or what?" Nazyr searched my face my answer.

"I'll ask Varrick to pull some strings." I continued. "This will be a completely off the radar operation. I'm still not sure how he plans to pull it off."

"Now that's more like it!" Nazyr didn't bother to hide his excitement.

"Don't get the wrong idea," I told him. "I'm keeping my eye on you the entire time were traveling."

"Then let's agree," he said. "We have a common goal for now."

I nodded and didn't say anything else. With a loud knock on the wooden door, I summoned the guard to let me out. He locked the door securely behind us as we exited. My mind raced as I made my way up the winding staircase. I tried to piece together everything I just learned. At first, there was raw anger that Nazyr was hiding such an important secret. If not for his deviousness we could have been free ages ago. There's also the new realization that there's a dangerous assassin running loose around the palace. Anyone of us could be the next target. I needed to warn Prince Corbin at the very next opportunity. But more than anything, I needed to talk to my friends.

###

"You're kidding me," Yvir slammed her tankard down on the table.

"That bastard had a way out of here the whole time?" Leonidas shook his head.

"How did you stop yourself from killing him," Cairngorm's face darkened.

"I like to believe there's a little good in everybody but that guy takes the cake." Shauna put a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

I did my best to ignore Shauna's touch. Even though I had a huge crush on her. I knew that she and Yvir were very dedicated to one another. Besides we'd grown close over the past months, so no reason to ruin our relationship over a stupid crush.

"On the bright side, we have an alternate way out of the game," I said.

"I think I have a backup plan," Leonidas leaned in and whispered.

"What you have in mind?" I said.

"There's another rumor about the Phoenix gems," he said.

"Spill it!" Yvir leaned in closer.

"A group of adventurers found a treasure cave guarded by a Wyvern," he continued his story. "They were unable to kill the beast. However, the creature appeared to be guarding two magical gems. That has to be them."

"So what do you suggest," I asked.

"I think I should lead a small team to investigate the Wyvern, while you guys accompany Nazyr to the tower."

"You mean to split the party," Shauna shook her head.

"Never split the party," Cairngorm said.

"We aren't really splitting the party. We're creating two new teams." Leonidas continued. "Look there's plenty of damn good adventurers in this game. It's time we start trusting them. I can put a kick-ass group to check out that cave."

"Meanwhile the rest of us will have Kira's back," Yvir said.

"If you're going up against a magical beast, you'll need a Wizard," Cairngorm said. "Or at least a good Necromancer."

"Wouldn't try it without you," Leonidas said. "Kira, what's your vote?"

"As much as I hate to admit it, it's a good idea," I told him.

"Meanwhile Yvir, Kira, and I travel with Nazyr to the Dark Hills," Shauna said.

"I agree it's a solid plan," I nodded my head. "That way we have some insurance. Just in case Nazyr double-crosses us.

"Uh oh!" Yvir perked up. "Angry ex-girlfriend at ten o'clock!"

My face red and I slumped back in my chair wishing I was suddenly invisible. Rachel strolled into the Tavern with her own party in tow. Her healer's green robes flowed almost mystically behind her. To her right stood a very familiar face— Crumley a very belligerent dwarf. I found myself praying that they would just pass our table. But those prayers were not answered the two were making a beeline for us.

"Oh this is not going to be fun," Cairngorm took a long sip of his ale.

"Kira, we have to talk," Rachel's voice was cold and stern.

"Okay," I said. "We need to go somewhere private?"

"No I prefer your friends hear this," she said.

Holy crap, what the heck could she possibly want to talk about? Our relationship didn't exactly go as planned. At first, it seemed like we were as strong as ever. But that was before somebody unexpected showed up in town. Shregun— yeah the crazy half-orc chick and her crew got run out of the wastelands by Grymme's invading forces. So they sought shelter in the city. I did my best to steer clear, but she hunted me down anyway. And let's just say she was quite persistent. Rachel walked in on us at the wrong moment. Truth be told, I was trying to avoid Shregun's advances. But the half-orc jumped in lap and started kissing me. Just as I pushed her away, Rachel burst into the room. I tried my best explain, but there was no reasoning with her. Rachel just walked out and never came back. Now she wanted to team up?

"I think we should join forces," Rachel said.

"Excuse me?" I was in complete shock.

"Crumley here has found information about the possible location of those gems we need."

"So you're the one that found the Wyvern's cave!" Leonidas said.

"We were just talking about that!" Cairngorm's suspicion was obvious. "How unusual that you come in just that moment."

"Okay, we've been spying on you," Rachel shrugged. "I've had a clairvoyance spell on Kira for awhile."

"Are you serious?" Shauna's eyes widened.

"Some of us don't like having our fates completely in your hands." Crumley interrupted.

"And I have a few of Kira's personal belongings," Rachel blushed. "Keeping tabs on her wasn't really that hard.'

"Stalk much?" Yvir's voice raised in pitch.

"I wouldn't call it stalking," Rachel continued. "I was just looking after my own interests."

"We have a proposal," Crumley interrupted.

"Let's hear it!" Leonidas took another swig of his ale.

"Your Paladin, Wizard, and Healer go with my crew to fight the Wyvern." The red-haired healer crossed her arms. "And I'll accompany Kira and Yvir in the Dark Hills."

"I'm not sure what we have to gain from that arrangement," I did my best to hide my anger. I couldn't believe that Rachel had been spying on me.

"It's more a matter of building trust," Rachel said. "You have to know there's some tension building among the players."

I considered what she said. It was true many of the players resented our elevated status. Some even doubted if we could really do what was necessary to free them. Like it or not, while I didn't like her methods, she did indeed make a valid point.

"OK, we'll do it," I nodded. "But only if the rest of my party agrees!"

"Not thrilled," Cairngorm fiddled with his necromancer's ring. "But I see value in forming a more inclusive group."

"Same here," Yvir chimed in. "I don't like being separated from Shauna."

"I can take care of myself," the Cleric said. "Besides Rachel is a combat healer. You'll need someone like her in the Dark Hills."

"Then it's settled?" Crumley searched our faces.

"It is," I answered.

"Then let's have a drink to celebrate!" The Dwarf gestured to one of the bar girls.

Soon a new round of drinks was ordered. Our two groups mingled, and I felt a new sense of cooperation grow in the tavern. However, I couldn't help but think that something wasn't entirely right. It wasn't that I didn't trust Rachel. As much as I feared an outside force was manipulating us.

"Well it could be worse," Yvir leaned close and whispered in my ear. "Shregun could still show up."

My face reddened at the thought of another confrontation with the bad girl She-Orc. That was one woman who didn't take kindly to being told no. And Rachel being here would turn a tense situation into an all-out brawl.

"Let's drink to that," I tapped my tankard against Yvir's. "We've had enough surprises for one night."