With Nick gone for his Heroic Trial, the two armies met in battle in the forest valley clearing. The battle lines on the Noblefrost Army’s side were orderly and well-coordinated, but the bandit and mercenary forces were spread out and chaotic. Many of them used Sneak abilities and similar, disappearing from view.

With the shadows came numerous monstrous beasts, but the Noblefrost Army was ready to deal with the ambush predators. The numerous elemental shamans, led by Agatha, covered the battlefield with a rain of ice shards and freezing winds.

For the Noblefrost Army, the winds and shards had nearly zero effect. A vast majority of the army had at some point or another received a Trait from the first floor in the Path of Kings Ordeal, which granted a small amount of frost resistance. The monsterfolk, especially the Wolfen, often had two or more traits related to frost and ice, and if anything, they were empowered in the freezing cold.

On top of that, their entire army wore Frostiron armor over treated drake scale. This aided in their protection against the frost when they sent essence flowing through their equipment.

But for the enemy army, the cold and rain of shards interrupted their stealthy movements, making their Sneak abilities useless. The shards of ice pierced their flesh, and slowed their march.

The bandits had their own archers, which quickly found spots high in the trees to rain attacks down against their army. However, the Orc scouts, combined with many Scalefolk and Wolfen, had also taken to this role.

Supported by the many shamans, and the fact that their army was well-armored, the archers quickly began to influence the battlefield much more drastically than the enemy’s archers. Their powerful shots enhanced by shamanic magic found vulnerable places on the enemy’s bodies, and dealt devastating blows.

Kaya’s Roar skill stunned a small group of bandits, as she transformed into a large, angry red panda, wielding axes in her three tails, and a large, wicked one in her hands. The drums beat in her mind, sending feral essence throughout her body. She began her dance with her axes, her body swaying and spinning to a tune only she could hear.

Her feral essence pierced their flimsy armor with ease, and with every swing, she dealt a debilitating blow. Their goal was to capture as many of these people as possible, so she focused on wounding and maiming the enemy soldiers rather than dealing the death blow.

Her steps sped up and slowed, interrupting her enemy’s timings, controlling the tempo of battle as she cut through the enemy’s lines. Kaya’s target was the enemy elites in the back, wanting to quickly put an end to the battle.

Because unlike Nick’s other wives, she had very little in ways she could support Nick from afar. Eirwen and Rebecca both had a method to assist him through the Trial he was facing. As always, Kaya was sure that Eirwen was observing Nick, ready to send an Omnibarrier or some other beneficial spell at a critical moment. For Rebecca, the sense of need would come through her ring.

The best Kaya could offer was sending her desire and trust that he would succeed, and trying to bring this battle to a quick conclusion. She could feel her Devotion Core responding, the essence being carted off to their heroic mate. With every swing of her axe and every movement she made, Kaya moved with purpose.

As the shadow beasts began to flank the army, a series of lights rose above the two armies, and scattered away their protective shadows. The ice had revealed many of the panthers, rats, wolves, giant snakes, spiders, and other predator insects, as it was easy to see figures when they’re being struck by falling ice or freezing winds. However, they were still protected by the thick mist-like shadows.

Until now. Seraphara’s elite Clergy drew up nearly a dozen Light of Wisdom orbs, which were then fed by the lower-level clergy, making the orbs grow with their faith essence and mana. The shadows shrunk away from the bright, faith fueled lights of Seraphara’s Wisdom where the two armies met, and now even the sun above them was visible, the darkness of the valley penetrated. Then, beams of light started striking out, damaging mercenaries and shadow-predators alike.

Renzou could be seen, leading his unit of future Town Guard of fifty men and women, and Lothar charged forward, to fight near his many warriors. He was there less as a combatant, and more of a deterrent. The enemy’s elites were strong, and if they were allowed to fight unchecked, they would slay many of their warriors.

Fang led the Wolfen along with Ironclaw, howling as she protected the tribe of warriors. Luna’s new totem pulsed, covering their tribal warriors with a protective sheen of ice. The special spirit inside had several spells and auras, and this one formed a lesser version of Fang’s Frost Guardian armor on all allies within about ten to fifteen meters of Luna.

Sable was sneaking through the shadows, and Jasmine too was cutting through the enemy forces, focused on finding the enemy elite that denounced her master. She covered enemies with webbing, holding her glowing spear above her head and dispelling shadows surrounding her.

Rebecca and Irene were with their clergy, which stood next to the barrier containing those that surrendered or otherwise desired the Noblefrost Kingdom’s protection. Kaya could see Rebecca’s worry, as she knew Nick might end up needing her help in his personal struggles.

As many of the shadow predators were cleaned up, the orcs started getting rowdy, shouting and laughing as they faced off against their enemies. The bandits and mercenaries clearly weren’t their match, most of the bandits unable to pierce their skin or thick armor.

Andross and Zarog threw away their weapons, and started beating up the bandits with their fists. Many of the orcs followed their lead with a laugh, and Kaya realized this was a good method for capturing as many of these mercenaries as possible. Not only that, but this gave the newer forces more opportunities to make a larger impact and be challenged.

As Kaya neared the rear of the enemy lines, a familiar small spirit appeared in her peripheral near her shoulder–Shak’terra.

The troll pointed to shadows in the distance. They were thick and ominous, not pierced by Seraphara’s Wisdom on the outskirts. And Kaya was sure more powerful shadow predators besides the elites were likely waiting.

“Take care here, wild one. They are getting pretty desperate, as they see the writing on the wall. Their leader looks to overwhelm and perhaps ransom one of you wives of the lord, in hopes to buy their freedom.”

Kaya snorted. “Good luck with that. But I’ll be careful, thanks.” She realized that perhaps that could be a good plan, one the enemy might not expect. “Can you gather the rest of the girls, and send them to reinforce me?”

“Baiting them out? I can do it. There are many enemies there, and there also some stronger, stealthy beasts on the way. Be wary.” The spirit disappeared, leaving Kaya.

Finally, Kaya spotted one of the stronger mercenaries. He wore a thick shield, and looked to be a coal-skinned orc. But Andross suddenly arrived, after having his glaive thrown to him. With a laugh, he began his duel with the stronger mercenary.

With a roll of her eyes, Kaya continued her search, until a creature leaped from the nearby shadows. Its gangly, long limbs ended in thick, bone-like claws. The ghoulish appearance combined with the deer-like skull made her quickly remember what it was.

It was a wendigo, and it was already charging up from the death energy from the several handfuls of deaths that did occur across the battlefield. This one was strong and deep in the second stratum, and Kaya had to quickly seize back the tempo of battle from the surprise attack.

Roaring, she swung her axe with enhanced, feral strength to defect its large claws, and countered with her tail axes, before her Feral Strike landed against its face and caused it to become disoriented.

Spinning and sending her tail axes into its chest with a thunk, she brought her larger axe down with her sharpness Concept, cleaving through its defenses and cutting it in half. As it died, she was forced to dodge to the side, her Soul Sense catching a stealthy enemy’s assault.

A shadow mantis chased after her, and swung its scything limbs, forcing Kaya on the back foot. Then, another attacker appeared, one of the elite mercenary warriors, leaping from the tree with two swords of his own.

Kaya chuckled at the challenge, facing the shadow mantis and the mercenary at the same time. It was a barrage made up of the two mantis sickles, and the warrior’s two curved swords that she danced and deflected.

A third and a fourth attacker appeared, one with a net and the other with shackles. Which was why Kaya didn’t hesitate.

Charged Strike had been building for some time, but she used her Convergence Skill: Whirlwind, instead. She spun, sending waves of cutting, feral essence, combined with her sharpness Concept. The attack devastated the Shadow Mantis, and the mercenary barely blocked the attacks with his own Essence Carry, his own Concept fueling his defense.

The net was destroyed, and the man carrying it was killed as he was cut in half. The man with the shackles was wounded, and then two more men leaped out of the shadows.

Shak’terra appeared, shrouded in essence, and sent out a wave of curse energy. As it washed over them, the men appeared to become fatigued, their movements sluggish, and energy started draining toward the troll spirit. Her spell was laced with Concepts, the weight Kaya could feel coming from them surprising.

“Help is on the way, wild one. These guys really want you, I guess these boys must really like redheads? What do you think?”

Eirwen’s arrow glimmered stardust, empowering Kaya’s Traits as it flew over her and struck one of the bandits. Using the opening, Kaya released her Charged Strike as she swung her battleaxe downward, landing her attack on the man with two swords. The essence carried downward, cutting the man deeply, sending blood scattering onto the ground. He groaned, falling to the ground from the wound.

Shak’terra snickered. “Not bad! There’s a lot more, though.”

A dozen monsters came out of hiding and charged her, including giant spiders, insects, tigers and panthers, and a handful of bandits with nets and shackles. Kaya was starting to run out of essence, but she was not worried. Because help had arrived.

Luna’s defensive frost aura from her new totem covered her, and Fang’s shield slammed into an approaching bandit. More powerful bandits jumped out of the surrounding trees, but Fang and Luna were not by themselves.

In formation, numerous Noblefrost monsterfolk women joined Fang, fighting the monsters back. They stabbed and shot elemental spells, knocked enemies back, and controlled the battlefield. In all, they were early in the second stratum, but they were fighting like a well-coordinated team. Their smaller sizes allowed them to crowd the larger enemies with their shields, making them unable to fight back–because they were strong for their size.

Kaya joined them in their assault, finishing off the stronger elite enemies which Shak’terra had cursed.

Suddenly, the power of a Concept appeared, behind Kaya. A man rose from the shadows, but his target wasn’t Kaya–it was Luna. The man was powerful, and Kaya guessed he was in the Third Stratum just from his aura alone. Shadows rushed to grasp and capture Luna, but she just smiled.

Her totem showed a silhouette of some kind of ice beast, its head held high, noble and proud. It looked a bit like a scaled stag, and it blasted the incoming man with a wave of frost. His shadows leaped to protect him, but he grunted in pain–whatever it was the totem used, it bypassed the protection they provided, completely shredding them and blowing him back.

Then, Sable appeared, her monstrous frost shadows taking a bite out of the man, spreading its deadly frost.

He roared, and activated a Convergence Skill, which drew in most of the shadows from the area. Given that the extra shadows had been pooled from the entire valley, the amount of them that were concentrated on him was shocking.

However, a powerful explosion of light erupted above them, like a second sun in the sky. It cast all the shadows away, and was almost blinding not even looking in the same direction, after experiencing the dark for so long. The weight of the Concept was clearly higher, from Kaya’s feeling, and the amount of essence used was superior. The man was completely blinded, but he swung his sword in Luna’s direction, which was easily blocked by her with her spear.

A beam of light shot at him then, which wrapped around his arms and legs. The intensity of the light from it was nearly blinding once again, and his flesh burnt as he howled in pain. Wait…was that a thread of light also around his crotch, too?

Jasmine sounded bored, as she stepped out from behind a nearby tree. “There you are. I was looking all over for you, you cowardly trash.”

“You… How?” He choked. “Please… please don’t kill me. Let me live.” The man sounded resigned, and Kaya noticed that his throat was burnt, probably from the very first attack from Jasmine.

Jasmine walked closer, her large body looming over him. “You’re begging for mercy now? But you seemed so confident, before. That Master was fleeing because he was cowardly, despite is actions being Ordained by Orion. Have you changed your mind? Repented?”

“I was wrong, and I am sorry. Your Master… is clearly not cowardly.”

Jasmine smiled and leaned down, then tapped his cheek twice with her palm, in a condescending way. “Good boy. Not to worry, you poor, pathetic thing. I will not kill you.”

The man was out of breath, and groaning with pain. “That’s…a relief. I’ve never done anything to your… Master, after all. I was just following orders.”

Jasmine’s look was cold as she stood back to her full height. “Oh, but you have done much wrong. You worked for true scum, a trash that works against my Master. Your sins are many, and you will pay for all of them. Your suffering will be endless…and tasty. I cannot wait.”

“No, but…you said!” His voice cut out as Jasmine sprayed him with more webbing, covering his mouth first, then his eyes, and the rest of his body. A cocoon was formed in time, which hardened to near-stone, with light pulsing through it within mere moments.

Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

Kaya noted, “That… almost felt a bit mean.”

Jasmine arched her brow. “What do you mean? He’s a bad guy. He deserves torment and justice. Especially for what he said about Master. He lied in his apology too, didn’t he?”

“You’re right about that first and last part, but… Well, you’re not going to actually like… eat him, right?”

“Of course not.”

Kaya gave a sigh of relief, but Jasmine grinned. “Master will, of course. And I will enjoy it as he does. Oh, Elrash was just. So. Delicious! That I’ve captured this tasty morsel for Master to Judge, fills me with immense joy.” Jasmine looked at the many disarmed and debilitated enemies, her eyes taking on a manic light. “So many are here to be gifted to Master, and are just waiting to be consumed.” She then shivered as she hugged herself with her four arms, and licked her lips.

“Er… right.” Kaya wasn’t sure if she should be thankful or jealous that Jasmine could share Nick’s experiences as he Judged these enemies.

The enemies defeated, Kaya took another look at Fang’s battle partners. All of them were covered in armor and held polearms or shields, some clearly having focused on shamanic magic. One even had totems, much like Luna.

In all, there were nine evolved Noblefrost monsterfolk following Fang around. They fought in a coordinated way, and Kaya was more than a little impressed at how they did. But they followed Fang to battle, and it seemed that they were continuing to follow her, like ducklings. Kinda like… how Luna, Fang, and Sable followed Eirwen and herself around…

Kaya asked, “Who are your friends, Fang?”

Fang beamed. “Oh! These are the girls that want to be Boss’s mates. They’re working hard to earn his favor!”

Jasmine clapped her four hands together, holding them next to her head, framing it. She looked pleased as she addressed them and Fang. “My, that’s wonderful! So many already evolved and doing their best. Master loves smart, loving, and hard-working good girls. Surely, if you devote yourselves to him, he’ll eventually smile upon you with his love.”

Sable chuckled, arriving next to Fang. “Yes, they are a cute bunch. Luna and I have spent some time with all of them as well. I just know our Alpha is going to love to spend time and meet you girls when he gets back.”

Luna nodded. “Such a bunch of sweet, beautiful girls. When Boss returns, I know he’s going to love them.”

The girls all smiled, listening intently. The wolfen girl’s tails were wagging, while the reptilian scalefolk and naga had their tails lashing in excitement. There were three each of the scalefolk, naga, and wolfen.

Kaya frowned. “All of them? But…nine new mates, Fang? Isn’t that…”

Fang’s face fell, her ears going flat on her helmeted head. “Oh. Oh, no. I didn’t realize…”

Kaya patted her shoulder. “It’s fine. These girls haven’t even met him in person or talked to him at all yet. I’m sure they will understand…”

Fang looked sad for a moment, then continued. “You’re right, we’ve failed him. Boss is about to enter the third stratum, and is now Alpha of so many cities and even more folk. Of course, it’s not enough, we need to find way more mates for an Alpha as amazing as him!”

“No, wait–” Kaya should have realized she might get the wrong idea, but Fang’s tail was already wagging faster than before as she turned to the monsterfolk girls, ignoring Kaya’s pleas.

“C’mon, girls! Let’s go catch some more bad guys, and then look for more mates for Boss! There’s gotta be some more here in Shadowvale!” She howled, which the girls copied, and then ran or slithered off together. Luna and Sable left as well, leaving only Kaya and Jasmine standing there, muffled sounds still coming from the rock-like cocoon.

“That’s…too many,” Kaya finally finished, mostly to herself. “That’s not even including the priestesses.”

Jasmine chuckled, and licked her lips. “This should be fun. There’s going to be a lot of little masters running around here soon enough.”

With the final elite was defeated on the battlefield, the remaining forces broke and attempted to flee. However, the dome was still present, which meant none would ultimately be able to get away. As the Conflict had determined, victory meant their surrender into slavery or death was Ordained by Orion.

“Oh! Looks like they are trying to get away, hehe.” Jasmine gave a feral grin. “Can’t have that.” She rushed off, shooting webbing into the many people’s legs, tripping them.

[Conquest Complete. Seraphara’s Inquisition may continue over the next 72 hours. Conquest Closure must be decided by Lord Noblefrost within 24 hours. Shadowvale, and its Ordeal – The Path of the Shadow Predator, is now under his rule and ownership.

Blackthorne’s Altar of Subordination has been purified and sublimated into your kingdom, and a backlash has been caused due to how it was destroyed.

Personal Rewards will be provided based on contribution.]

[Kingdom Reward: Merge Option Available (Free), Purified Altar of Subordination (Altar of Offering), Seraphara’s Holy Wisdom (Defensive Building)]

[Personal Reward, enhanced due to personal risk from Archaen Husband’s Heroic Trial: Minor Enlightenment, Codex: Kenbu of Endless Blades (Ideal, Epic Rarity)]

It seemed this Kenbu was some kind of sword, or blade dance. She had been utilizing a dance to build her body and focus her mind on the tempo of battle, and it seemed that this was like an upgraded version.

Kaya’s mind then drifted into a vision, and numerous people throughout the battlefield were also granted enlightenment or tempering. Time seemed to stop for everyone else except for those being rewarded, enabling only a brief moment to have passed while they received their benefits.

While her first vision appeared to focus on the sharpness of a wandering swordsman’s blade, she received a new vision that drew her eyes to something else entirely.

Various scenes played before her, where warriors of all kinds fought, wielding blades of different varieties. A shield was shattered, an arm was cleaved off, a swung axe landed onto a man’s back with a meaty thunk.

And in many, blows were deflected or parried, or blades scraped off armor and shields rather than causing any damage. The blades were sharp, and the angle of attack was good. But some just didn’t cut.

Kaya started feeling the difference between the attacks that were successful, and the ones that weren’t.

It was the weight. The strength behind the blow. The transfer of momentum. In the final scene, a powerful cultivator with an axe as the focus. He was facing another, one who had barriers surrounding them in protection.

The axe wielder raised an ethereal axe high over his head with both hands, its size larger than the alpha drake they fought, like he was going to chop wood.

The axe fell, containing a heaviness that felt like it contained the weight of the world itself. The barriers of the enemy cultivator shattered, the blade cutting through all their defenses and shredding the enemy in two. The ground beneath buckled under the weight, and a cut line extended into the distance.

The vision completed, she couldn’t help but reflect on her fights, and those she had seen fight. Even her first vision was remembered, of how the heaviness or weight of the attack influenced the blade’s ability to cut. It wasn’t just the speed of a blow and the sharpness of it, but the transfer of momentum to the blade, that increased the cutting and armor-shredding power.

Of course, her axe dance included the transfer of momentum in her movements to deal devastating blows. However, she didn’t make it a part of her, nor did she focus on its importance in her actions and thoughts.

As a red panda beastfolk, she excelled in strength, precision, and speed. If she mastered this, she could greatly increase the cutting power she could bring about against enemies with thick hides.

She would spend some time reflecting on this, and make it hers within her Enlightenment chamber.

Spotting Eirwen, Kaya jogged across the battlefield. Their people had done well, and many were still binding their downed enemies with rope, and their own shackles, separating the defeated from the dead.

Arriving at Eirwen, Rebecca joined them as well. Kaya asked, “Any news on Nick’s fight? I felt…like he really needed us for a moment there.”

“He really did. It’s looking like… he’s gonna make it, Rebecca healed him through her ring. This last fight was tough. Like, Lava Elemental kind of tough. He’s wounded, but mostly fine now. He won, and should complete the Trial after he gets some new allies.”

Rebecca looked a little relieved, and Kaya smiled, her tails lashing behind her. “New allies! Is he going to be back soon?”

Eirwen grimaced. “He and I have my doubts he’s going to be granted a portal back. However, based on what he’s learned, he’s on the other side of the mountain range to the Northwest of Frosthaven. He’ll have to traverse a cave, or it’s a long ways around.”

Eirwen then shared her Map of Frosthaven and the surrounding area, and told her a little about these Star Oni. Then, she also shared the point she believed Nick was, currently.

The mountain range began nearly a hundred miles out from Frosthaven, and went North and South for probably a thousand or more, based on maps they had been granted. Then West for several hundred as well. Nick appeared to be over four to five hundred miles away, to Frosthaven’s Northwest.

“I’m surprised our Control Radius reached that far. And that’s gotta be one long-ass cave.” Kaya noticed. “Probably full of other dangers.”

Eirwen tilted her head. “An ass cave? Interesting choice of words there, Kaya.” She teased, and giggled at Kaya’s blush–somehow, this must be Nick’s fault.

The sheep girl continued, “Apparently, the Devilsaur Matriarch had her nest there, until Orion moved her for the Trial and shifted the entrance. It’s hard to know how it might have been before it was shifted, but the thought is that the Matriarch was too large to go deeper, and might have sent her young through to hunt instead.”

Luna arrived and took a look, and was caught up quickly on their issue. She noted, “How sure is he that it comes out on our side? If he’s right, it means if we find the entrance on our side, we can enter and work to meet them half-way.”

Eirwen sighed. “He’s not a hundred percent. Orion’s logic made it a win condition. The Outlanders wouldn’t actually escape Blackthorne’s clutches without some kind of path home to Frosthaven, or maybe something else. If they had to head South again, it wouldl take months, and then they’d be right back in his territory where they started. They’d have to flee from Blackthorne’s people all over again–if he could scrounge up enough people to stop them, anyway.”

Luna noted, “How will we even find the entrance on our side if such exists? The mountains are massive in height, and stretch for hundreds of miles. That’s a lot of area to search.”

Rebecca nodded. “I do believe there are some Ordeal structures focused on scouting, both enhancing it for those classes, or enabling us to scan areas for resources and more. We should have enough, or maybe Shak’terra can help?”

The spirit reappeared next to Eirwen. “I should be able to speed up your search effort significantly, yes. Bring me over to these mountains and I should be able to find a cave within a few hundred miles, should it exist, within a day or so.”

Sable chuckled, dropping down from the boughs of the trees above them. “It sounds like this is going to be tough, but I got some good news. It turns out we did get a useful building by conquering Shadowvale. Perhaps, it might be useful for our current situation.”

Kaya asked, “What is it?”

“It seems this Elrash was able to use a Shadow Teleport, a power of the monolith, to cross over to a different location of the mountain range too, based on their Control Radius. Since we’re merging the cities, and I’m in tune with the shadows, I could probably use it to join Boss after the merger is completed.”

Kaya said, “That’s definitely better than nothing… But it will take a few days for the merger to complete. Really, I’d feel a lot better if Winny or Jasmine could join him, too, or ideally, all of us.”

Sable shrugged. “You never know. We might get some better options than Elrash did. We’ll have the DP from the Path of the Shadow Predator, and we can even spend that on Heritage stuff.”

“Hey guys! I found ‘em!” Jasmine dumped a cocoon onto the ground in front of them, the shape inside it struggling against his bindings.

Kaya squinted her eyes at the bound prisoner. “Who?”

“The fence sitter! Here. I think his name is Bo-ron or something.” The webbing unraveled, just revealing the man’s head. He looked to be a bear beastfolk man, by the small ears on top of his head.

The man was outraged. “Fence sitter! I’ll have you know—” The bear beastfolk man then shrunk under Jasmine’s glare, sighing before speaking more softly, “It’s Turon, and I wasn’t even going anywhere! I’ll have you know… that I have always done my best to help the people of Shadowvale–to make things… as hospitable as possible under Blackthorne’s rule. I’ve had to make tough choices, but none you meet will say I didn’t do my damnedest to help those that were struggling. I would have loved to join Frosthaven, but my hands were tied. Mayor Nelson and Elrash never would have let me or my family go, even if I wanted to.”

He added, “When Mayor Nelson was killed, I considered trying to escape to Frosthaven. But our new rulers were just as dangerous, if not more so, than Elrash was.”

Kaya saw and felt that his soul matched his words, and he certainly believed what he said.

Eirwen must have noticed this too. She said, “I can see he speaks the truth, Jas. Maybe lay off a bit?”

Jasmine rolled her eyes, and started looking at her nails. “Fine. But I can’t help but penalize him for not bending the knee just after meeting Master, even if it was just the one time. How foolish.” The webbing unraveled, and the bear beastfolk man was revealed. He began dusting himself off, and fixing his clothes.

Rebecca said, “We’re going to begin our inquisition soon. What can you tell us of the people of Shadowvale? We only know what our scouts have told us, and it seems that most of the residents have kept themselves out of the fighting.”

Turon cleared his throat. “From my estimate, only about thirty percent of us chose the asylum choice, being teleported near Seraphara’s Faithful. Nearly twenty percent had joined the fighting, either happy with Elrash’s rule and its benefits… or simply too afraid of the repercussions of not attempting to aid the mercenaries. The rest remain within Shadowvale, unable to fight or too concerned about similar, to make either choice.”

Kaya noted, “It’s looking like we got our work cut out for us, then. There’s likely at least a few opportunists in either group.”

Eirwen added, “Renzou’s men along with the orcs are already headed to Shadowvale establish order, with the monsterfolk backing up Seraphara’s Clergy, like planned. We’ll work through the asylum seekers quickly, then head to the city. That should prevent any looting or riots. Thankfully, Orion’s dome will prevent people from most savagery, as they’ll know they can’t really get away with their crime.”

Turon nodded. “This is true, and I’m thankful for Seraphara’s Faithful taking part in this Conflict. What… is your plan? You don’t plan on… enslaving the three hundred or so that are left in the city, do you?”

Eirwen replied, “We plan on determining guilt and treating criminals like criminals, and mostly law-abiding citizens will be treated as future citizens of Frosthaven. Those who’ve committed the heaviest of crimes will be enslaved or imprisoned. Criminals with forgivable, non-violent sins will work off their transgressions with community service or join the church, and the rest will be granted the opportunities and benefits of Frosthaven right away. ”

Turon frowned. “And…how will you determine guilt? There are few in town who hasn't burnt a few bridges among their neighbors. Their testimonies will be useless, and things will quickly devolve into finger pointing and vengeance seeking. Are you sure this is the correct path?”

Rebecca said, “I’m afraid for us to tell you precisely how, you must become Lord Noblefrost’s Follower. But suffice it to say that few will be able to fault us in our investigation when they reflect upon it. In order for there to be law and order in a kingdom, justice must also be present. Do you not agree?”

Turon looked a little surprised at that line of questioning. “That…of course I agree. I just question… how exactly one might accomplish this so perfectly. One cannot be all knowing of the truth, and not only that, Shadowvale was ruled by a tyrant, a lawless despot. Some people… did what they needed to do to survive, me included.”

Eirwen said, “Let us worry about this for now, and just believe your concerns will be addressed. Among those in the city and of those asylum seekers, we’ll be happy to allow you to look over those that have been sentenced before we carry them out.”

She paused, and then continued, “Now, the Noblefrost Kingdom very much values those like yourself. Those who work hard, have a valuable skill set, display valorous traits, and have such a positive reputation, have chances for important positions. But only if they become Lord Noblefrost’s Follower. Are you willing?”

“Just what does becoming a Follower entail?”

Eirwen smiled. “Well, you see…”

Kaya left Eirwen to it, knowing that Turon was likely to be convinced quickly enough.

Walking away, she decided to take another look at the valley that was now theirs. The place was a bit dark and foreboding even during the day, but the grass, the plants, and the trees were made up of darker colors, with an iridescent sheen to them. They nearly sparkled as the light struck them, giving off a strange glow from some angles.

While there were numerous predators in the valley, there were also many treasures that sparked the growth of these creatures, and drew them into conflict with one another. She knew once the valley was a part of Frosthaven, it would only gain in both beauty and value.

The area around Frosthaven would change once again, the entire city and people becoming more.