Nick and Kaya rushed to the ship, and clearing it out of bandits was a somewhat quick affair. The bulk of them had been at the warehouse, and only the captain of the ship himself was a challenge at all. They were able to capture the whole lot of them with ease.

It seemed Sable hadn’t discovered all the enemy caches, and some safe-houses or warehouses likely had hidden stocks. But flushing them out of the city had caused much of the resources to be recovered, a lot of which were in spatial pouches and similar.

After some dream interrogations at the ship, Nick learned their plan. Many of the bandits all over town had moved to clear them out of all valuables, and many were likely planning on fleeing with their riches to the forest originally, thanks to the guard finding so many of their locations.

However, their retreat from Silverbrook wasn’t so easy, thanks to the Pilgrimage. Nick had wolflings throughout the forest hunting, and the orc scouts were watching the camp near the main exits–and this was on top of all the work the town guard actually did.

If someone snuck out in the dead of night, they definitely wouldn’t be allowed to pass. It was abnormal for anyone to travel out of the city without a caravan on the world of Orion, after all.

So Nick had truly created a difficult scenario for them, where they were planning to flee on a ship out the docks instead. Nick even knew a majority of the bandits working for Blackthorne were now accounted for.

Once again, Nick had attempted to learn more about how the people they captured would become slaves, or how specifically the bandits would escape the jail. However, they had no specific knowledge once again.

He was beginning to wonder if the only people who knew were already dead or captured.

The docks eventually wrapped up, Nick, Kaya, and Sable made their way over to the bar, the area a multi-leveled shanty town. Mixed stone and wood buildings with misshapen cuts of wood for roofs were stacked high, with haphazard planks connecting at different levels above. It was a dizzying array of poorly constructed homes, with many less fortunate people living inside.

Thankfully, many of those looking to settle in Frosthaven had already left, making many of the homes empty already.

Rebecca and Eirwen had been waiting in an alley nearby, the latter of which began fussing over him right away when his party joined them to watch the occurrence.

Eirwen sent healing energy into him, her eyes filled with worry. “Just what happened to you, Hubby? There’s wounds all over you!”

“I think something’s going on with those I haven’t made Pacts with yet. I thought something was weird, but… I guess I had hoped the souls had just passed on.”

Eirwen frowned. “Passed on?”

Nick sighed. “Some of the souls I tried to make Pacts to by meeting in the dream, it was like my attempt was rejected–like they had disappeared as a target. I thought they returned to the essence, but it looks like something else might be wrong.”

Kaya asked, “How do you know it’s not with those you made Pacts with already that gave you trouble?”

“My chains still worked–they were driving them. I was kind of surprised it worked, to be honest. Before, it was only our fallen brethren that drove them.”

Rebecca looked worried at him. “So it’s…people like my father and Brutus, that might still struggle within you?”

“That’s right. I think… I could use your help, Becca–to confront them.”

Rebecca nodded, giving him a determined look as her small wings fluttered behind her. “If you need my help, then I will always do my best to be there for you.”

Sable called out from above them, “The fight has begun.”

Andross started his brawl on schedule, a strong group of guardsman eventually getting called as Nick’s party moved to watch from a nearby building in the shadows provided by Sable.

From there, the guard which included Captain Aronde and Eleanor pushed on to find the hidden entryway, and the five of them monitored the progress, with Rebecca just watching over them. Thanks to how much Nick’s Soul Power had grown, he could see a soul from several hundred feet away.

Kaya frowned as she watched and pointed at the souls heading underground. “It looks like they are heading away from the jail here too. Just how is the warden connected?”

Nick groaned. He had hoped that this would reveal the connection–

Just as he had that thought, another soul in retreat changed direction, and started heading off to the side. A hidden path within a hidden path.

“You see that, Sable?”

“On it, Boss. I’ll make sure our guardsman friends find it.” Like before, she leapt into the shadows as she slid down the side of the balcony, and disappeared into the night.

Of course, the guardsman would be on the lookout for anyone sneaking around–but she would be heading up the rear. In addition, the captain was aware of her existence–she would merely call for him and show Nick’s insignia.

The party watched as Sable was joined by a group of guardsmen, and they began their chase into the tunnels.

Kaya grinned. “Those guys aren’t going to be able to get away. She’s got their scent now.”

“Alright, let’s follow along and make sure this is the last of it.”

***

Nick, Kaya, Eirwen and Rebecca had followed the souls from above ground, and it seemed they had arrived near the prison.

And that was when all hell broke loose.

The ground beneath them shook, and an explosion of stone and rubble erupted across the street from them. A man leapt out, followed by the Captain and Eleanor. He looked like a pale man wearing a guardsman’s outfit, his body long and lanky. His dark aura was billowing, making it clear just who was responsible for much of the evil here in Silverbrook for Nick and his family.

At Nick’s nod and glance upward, Eirwen began to climb up the building to the side, getting ready to support in case they engaged.

There were shouts from the guard, as their patrols honed in on the occurrence.

Captain Aronde had his sword drawn, his silver mask lighting up. “To think you were working with Blackthorne’s men. But give it up, Redmond. There’s no escaping for you today. Your allies are beaten, both inside and outside of the city.”

The warden Redmond’s grin was wide, revealing shark-like teeth. “I think you should let me go, or I’ll take many of you down with me. You’ve won today, but if you face me, you’ll suffer losses. None of you are my match.”

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“Not even us, Redmond?”

Nick spotted the magistrate whom he had healed, as well as the other masked elves. All seven were now present, even the two Nick hadn’t yet met.

What Nick had learned was that all of those that wore the mask were male elves, most of which had been a part of Lord Silver’s past–groomed by his Father’s people to take on the role.

With how strong and steady the man’s aura was, Nick was immediately sure which one of the men was Lord Silver himself. However, aside from the mask’s symbols, nothing seemed all that different from the other elves.

“Oh good, you’re all here.” Redmond laughed, before withdrawing something from his pouch. “That’ll make this work even better.”

A terrible noise erupted from what looked like a strange music box, a haunting music playing in the background. Eleanor and several of the silver masked-elves were brought to their knees.

Even Nick and the girls were affected, but Nick’s Trait: Soul Fortress protected them from it influencing their mind. An arrow from Sable shot across from the opposite alley, followed by Eirwen’s from atop the building. Both were deflected by the man’s one-handed gesture, sending ripples of an unseen energy through the air.

Captain Aronde and those Nick healed, along with Lord Silver seemed to fight better against the effect, and two of the elves seemed to almost expire as their eyes and ears bled, and they fell face first onto the ground. The rest could hardly move as they shielded themselves with their essence, but they weren’t fairing well.

From hiding next to the side of the building, Nick drew his Soul Blade, and channeled his Blade Wave with white light and swung with a quick flick of his wrist. The man felt the attack coming and tried to influence the oncoming blade-shaped attack with his vibrations, but it cut right through and cleaved into the odd music-box, destroying it.

Redmond scoffed, before he opened his mouth and sent out a discordant wail that shook the surrounding buildings and stunned everyone, before fleeing toward the docks.

The silver masks lit up, and an energy flowed over to one of the elves–Lord Silver. He took a look at the alley where Nick had sent the helpful attack, drew his rapier as he stood, and dashed after the fleeing Redmond. Eleanor was quick to join him, along with much of the guard–only a few being left behind, including those with the masks.

Instead, those appeared to be channelling their energy into their masks, empowering Lord Silver in some way as they all knelt–the guardsman protecting their vulnerable forms.

“Becca and I will help out the injured. Kaya, Sable, and Winny–follow Lord Silver and aid him from the shadows.”

Nick saw Sable’s soul off in the distance complying with his request, continuing her chase through the shadows. All three of his wives had Camouflage, so he knew they could press the attack without giving away their contributions easily.

At Nick’s exit onto the main street, the guard shouted and formed a defensive wall around the kneeling mask holders. He held up his symbol, and Captain Aronde opened his eyes and glanced at Nick. “Let him through. He will help the Master of Trade and Guild Master. Lord Silver needs them.”

Nick leaned down near the collapsed Master of Trade and Guild Master, while Kaya watched over him. Rebecca grabbed each and flooded them with faith energy, and Nick cast Soul Mend on each one, healing much of the damage done to the mens’ souls.

The two men groaned as they woke up. One asked, “Who are you? Ah, the Arch Priestess. Thank you.”

Nick asked the man, “We’re friends. Any idea what happened? That music box…”

The Master of Trade, who Nick knew acted as the port master sighed. “I recognized the sound–the song. A few years ago, I received a music box much like that one, but clearly not the same. I would often listen to it in my office, and its melody was quite enchanting. I would listen to it while I did my work or relaxed...”

Nick frowned. It sounded like it was some kind of slow tainting of the mind, that over time influenced the others. It was likely powered by the environmental essence, crafted by the banshee-like enemy. Whatever Redmond was, it appeared he had powers over sound.

Captain Aronde was still focusing on his energy, but he opened his eyes and turned to the port master, “Quick, join us if you can. We could use your help.”

Noticing they could all use Nick’s flavor of healing, he went over and used Soul Mend on the others. Once done, he felt exhausted himself.

“Let’s move, Kaya, Becca.”

They ran after Lord Silver and Redmond, but they didn’t have to go too far before they saw them fighting in the distance. Several silver soldiers were facing off against the enemy, holding spears as they encircled him. Eleanor was wounded, but was fighting at Lord Silver’s side with her rapier, along with several guardsman harrying the man from all sides.

The silver soldiers looked like they were made of mercury–a flowing silver substance, apart from their spears. They were thin and short, almost like goblins–and not that strong looking, but Redmond was surrounded. As Nick watched, additional mercury flowed out of Lord Silver and joined the soldiers, bolstering them and increasing their size.

Lord Silver smiled, his powers brightening. “Looks like my people are okay. Your attack was insidious, but it wasn’t enough.”

“You look down on me. I can still take you down with me.”

The odd man started another discordant wail, but the energy seemed to build within him rather than the essence being released outwardly. Essence rushed in from the surrounding area, the man activating a special ability.

Lord Silver’s mask lit up, the icons on it shifting to a sword and shield–it reminded Nick of the sword and shield on Captain Aronde’s mask. The silver warriors’ equipment shifted to holding swords and shields, and they actually merged into a stronger one in front of him. Even the town guard used their shields and got in front of Lord Silver, waves of essence coalescing in front of them.

Redmond punched out, sending a wave of violent energy at the protecting warrior. The barrier was struck, while Eleanor and Lord Silver used the opportunity to rush around the sides and slice into him with their swords from each side, and Sable and Eirwen’s arrows took him in the shoulders.

The man fell to the ground in a pool of blood, and Nick could feel how badly he wanted to judge him. Darkness started to be unleashed into his body, and he had to tamper down on the desire as he drew the darkness in.

Lord Silver sagged, and Eleanor and the guardsman all gathered around him protectively. A new elf appeared, and cast some heals to restore their bodies.

Nick looked off to the side, and noticed something else. A dark soul was running through the alley nearby.

“Look who it is, Kaya.”

“Oh, is it that Jameson guy? Trying to get away, huh. Can’t let that happen.”

Nick and Kaya gave chase, and caught up to the man quickly. The dwarf merchant had a few slaves protecting him while he held a rod as he tried to sneak away to a small boat, but Nick and Kaya defeated the slaves and tied him up with ease.

Handing the man over to the magistrate who had fully recovered, Nick’s explanation was easily accepted. They would interrogate him, and use his escape attempt against him. The circumstantial evidence against him was high, as Nick doubted the slaves he took to escort him away were approved by Dale–which meant the man himself would be against him.

Lord Silver walked down the alley Nick and Kaya were waiting in, with Eleanor and Captain Aronde at his sides.

“It seems like I owe you a lot, Lord Noblefrost. If you hadn’t intervened…”

Nick couldn’t help but smile. “Sable and the followers of Seraphara did all the work, really. But I’ll use every opportunity to take Blackthorne down a peg.”

Lord Silver chuckled. “I’d say you did more than that. Thanks to you, my city will have recovered far beyond what it has been in a hundred years. I’ll finally be able to enter the third stratum soon. Since I know you will be a valuable ally against him in the coming months and years, I will put forth much effort so that I can support you against him soon.”

Captain Aronde added, “We’ll make sure to play up the guard and Lord Silver’s victory. We know we couldn’t have found all these criminals without your people’s help, so we’ll send as much assistance your way as we can in the coming months.”

“But you’re limited in how you can fight Blackthorne, aren’t you?”

Lord Silver nodded. “He made an Oath to my father, that as long as I only fight him within my Control Radius and do not grow it in his direction, he and his third stratum men would stay out–if my father did the same. As much as Father wanted to send one of his climbers to straighten this out, he felt like this was a good challenge for me. Unfortunately, I was not quite up to the task.”

“How can I expect your help?”

Lord Silver smiled. “I’ve seen your interest in settlers and slaves, but strangely you didn’t go after any mercenaries. I take it you wanted to wait until Blackthorne’s men were gone? I will gather many more, and pay to increase our patrols within my control radius, as well as pave the roads within it toward you. We’ll go all-in on our partnership, so do your best to keep the place from becoming yet another den of thieves. I’m counting on you–if you fall, that man just might destroy my people and my city before long.”

“Hm. I appreciate that, and I did plan on meeting with The Ashen Blades soon.”

Lord Silver grimaced. “Those men’s grudges are deep, but unfortunately, they’ve lacked the strength and funds. If you help them find some climbing slots in an Ordeal, that could change.”

It was one of the final things for Nick to accomplish throughout his time here in Silverbrook. But first, Nick had some other evils to purge–within him.