A week quickly passed by, with Nick completing his quest several times over, minus freeing the slaves. The pilgrimage was already a resounding success, with gathering hundreds of settlers for Frosthaven, and adherents of Seraphara. Even a few handfuls of clergy, including several potential paladins that would begin training.

Nick had even met with the more neutral mercenary captain. He wasn’t really what Nick wanted, as it didn’t appear that he would be willing to join as a Follower, in the end. When the going got tough against Blackthorne, Nick knew the guy would buckle and flee–or turn on Nick for the money.

Still, Nick was doing his best to muddy the waters by meeting with him–he didn’t want there to be a rumor that he went to meet the anti-Blackthorne mercenary leader first when he arrived. This one was available in the Merchant’s Guild, as many would often use him for caravans heading East.

Nick would wait a little longer before meeting the person who had a bone to pick with Blackthorne, likely after he had the full lay of the land. Sable had been working hard in mapping everything out at night, and following the negative elements around Silverbrook in the evenings. During the day, she often slept, so she wasn’t much present for their pilgrimage activities.

And of course, Nick did his best to reward her every chance he got–usually in the mornings just before she headed to bed, after a full night of reconnaissance. Her capabilities in the night appeared to be nearly unmatched, thanks to her nose and ears, small stature, and her slightly-monstrous instinctual control over magical shadows.

The orcish scouts, even from their enhanced watch towers, were unable to detect her when she pushed her sneaking capability to the limits. She now had the Sneak skill, but often didn’t use it thanks to the effectiveness of her Camouflage ability when combined with her control over magical shadows.

He was still deciding on what to do to handle the threats that she’d outlined, and he thought he was close to making his first moves.

Gathering food supplies for their trip to Frosthaven and once they arrived became a challenge, so Nick sent the orc scouts into the wilderness to begin hunting and gathering it. The cost of food in the crowded city was high for such a large expedition, so he would use them where he could.

Some wolflings would be arriving with the first set of wagons soon, so he would gladly assign most of them to this task continuously. Silverbrook did have hunters, but thanks to the threat of bandit attacks, they did not travel that deep into the forest.

Much of the food for the city came from the Ordeal, caravans from the East, or the many ships that arrived. Feeding over ten thousand people was difficult, but Lord Silver had numerous climbing slots and the loot focus set to food.

Nick and his current bodyguard, Kaya, were now heading to the city hall to meet with the mayor–because a message from Lothar had arrived, from Crown Sanctum to Crown Sanctum.

Kaya was dutiful in her job, keeping her eyes wary.

“Haven’t you been bored this past week, Kaya? Nobody wants to start something with me yet. This place has been pretty safe.”

“No, that’s when it’s all the more important to protect you. That’s the time people attack–when you least expect it. As for protecting you, I like it. It’s an important, honorable duty, and it keeps me focused.”

“Careful there, Kaya. You’re saying protecting me is honorable, but you’re always teasing me for being a lazy lord, or full of myself. That sounds contradictory.”

Kaya sighed. “Such is the tragedy of being an honorable warrior–never finding a lord truly worthy of serving. Pitiful as some lords might be, serving them is still a sacred responsibility I must suffer through.”

She brushed her tail against his cheek and grabbed his hand for a moment, letting him know she was just teasing. He knew she did have profound respect for him and what he’d already achieved, and she admired him both from the perspective of a warrior and as a woman.

Walking through the city hall, it was a well-constructed building with marble floors and arched ceilings. Knowing it was a special building of the Ordeal helped feed into what Lothar had said about Lord Silver’s Path. That it was related to governance and administration.

A receptionist sent them down a long corridor, down to Mayor Allen’s office. A secretary sitting outside his room let them in, announcing them before leaving and closing the door.

Mayor Allen was dressed much as the gentleman elf like the first time they met him. He stood up, and walked over to meet with them near the door. “Ah, Lord Noblefrost and Lady Kaya, I’m glad to see you both! While I called you due to the message, I did think it was high time we met again.” He shook Nick’s hand again.

“Likewise. The people of Silverbrook have been treating us quite well.”

“Ah yes, and thank your wife Lady Eirwen for me regarding her reports. It’s been wonderful to know what we could expect from your caravans. With how many things are going to improve as a result, Lord Silver already feels he’s in your debt.”

Nick smiled. “No problem, we have gained a lot, and we thank you for the opportunity. You had a message from Lothar?”

“I did. Please, sit.” He walked back to sit behind his desk, and Nick sat with Kaya at his side on their own comfy chairs across from the mayor.

“When Lothar originally came here, he said you were some species of half-elf, but I can…feel this is not the case–to the point I wonder how he made this mistake. You are a… Frostalf?”

Nick nodded. “That’s right. My family sent me to this shard recently, in hopes I could claim an Ordeal. I arrived close to Havendale, and formed a team to claim it.”

Everything Nick just said was technically true, so he didn’t even need to lie–he just allowed the mayor to form his own conclusions about what he meant. Even if he had to lie, it wouldn’t be a problem–lies about his race and origins were necessary to protect himself and his people.

Mayor Allen gasped in surprise. “Close to Havendale? How odd. But being that you were by yourself…who can understand Orion’s Will? I’d like to hear more when we have time. I’m sure your triumph was exciting! Here is the message.”

Mayor Allen placed an envelope on the desk, and Nick opened it.

It was a simple message, that a merchant from Shadowvale had arrived. It was a slightly coded message, where it described what was paid, though not exactly. Nick understood it was outlining the blood price that Turon from Shadowvale had outlined: twenty gold per bandit slain and a hundred per slave recovered. It didn’t say this, but listed out a few other items or purchases and sales.

All told, the butcher’s bill was nearly ten thousand gold, an infuriating amount.

But it also had a short message from Jasmine, to not worry–she’d go on a trip south and see if she can get more seed–the coded item for dead bandits from the sale.

Which made him very worried. It sounded like she was going to kill the merchant and get their blood price back, probably after they left Shadowvale and reported payment to the Mayor there. His maid was more than smart enough to understand the implications, so perhaps she would make it appear like a monster assault, or something.

Closing his eyes for a moment, he did briefly check in on what she was doing. It was a little vague, but he definitely felt her trudging through the wilderness–and Jasper was nearby. And…a large number of wolves. That would…probably work.

The letter also described details about the caravan of wagons and horses soon to arrive at Silverbrook, and requested numbers so they could properly prepare for the return trips. Nick already knew it, but Lothar also mentioned that Fang and Luna had not yet emerged from the Ordeal with their parties.

On the other hand, Jasmine had already done a speed run with the beetlefolk. They had all evolved, and he was seriously curious about how and what she had accomplished.

His Wolfen Wives’ Ordeal run had prevented Nick from meeting them in the dreams this past week, and he knew that most likely, they had pushed for the ninth floor–at a minimum. Nick asked for paper and he penned in his reply to Lothar, handing Mayor Allen the Return message. He also included a request for the wolflings to hunt on the path during the trip.

“Thanks for passing the message on, Mayor Allen. Hopefully, it’s not too much of a bother for Lord Silver.”

“It’s no problem at all, and he was fine with passing along the message through the Crown Sanctum. I’m sorry, but I must ask. These… settlers, they will be safe living in Frosthaven, right?”

Kaya bristled at this, but Nick held out his hand to calm her. “Of course. We’ll make sure they arrive safely, and after that, they will be under my protection. What concerns you?”

Mayor Allen hesitated, looking at Kaya, “It’s just…we know about Shadowvale, and that Blackthorne has likely reached out to you. We do wonder how you can bring so many people, when they prevent people from moving there instead. We know you are a lawful kingdom, but we still worry. Your city is new to this Shard, after all.”

Nick understood Lord Silver’s concerns. Even if he was willing to part with these people as his place was overcrowded, he wasn’t so callous as to not care for them at all. This concern for the people put Lord Silver in a higher place within Nick’s mind, as he was loyal to his duty, to his people.

The man did not just want to hand these people over to be slain, and his fight for their safety was proof of that.

Nick’s voice was laced with his Soul Magic, a spoken promise of his future actions. “These people will be protected like my own. When Blackthorne makes his rounds, I will pay whatever price necessary to shield my people from his greed.”

“That…was interesting. It felt like an Oath, but I know it’s different. Yet, I can tell that was a promise–that you mean your words.”

“It’s Soul Magic. My people are masters of it. I just gave a promise where if the spirit of it is not kept, it will impact me and my cultivation. It feels like the truth because it is.”

“Frostalfs–no, your family, I guess. Interesting. Thank you for alleviating our worries. With that out of the way, we have heard rumors of your talents. You and the Clergy of Seraphara are impressive, having healed most of those that entered the tent, far more rapidly than any specialists we have ever seen. Even many who were rumored to be…unhealable.”

Nick nodded. “That’s right, those that follow Seraphara’s Wisdom are exceptional, and I have a unique skill set too with my mastery of Soul Magic. Is someone you know in need of healing?”

“Lord Silver and a few of his Climbers…have a difficult condition. They are not sure what has caused it, but their progression has slowed. They have tried hard to push deeper into their Ordeal, but now floors that were easy before have become challenging for them.”

“We’d be happy to help. Between Rebecca and I, we should be able to heal most ailments. I take it I should ask… the Climbers, to know more about their problem?”

“That’s right, they will be more knowledgeable about the situation. We would be in your debt if you can help, and if not, we are still thankful for you trying. We will allow you to meet with the climbers first, but we understand that you might need access to Lord Silver himself to fully impact them.”

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Nick frowned, surprised. “Why’s that?”

“Those who wear the silver masks are connected to him. It’s a part of his power. We keep it mostly private from others, and it’s a part of the reason for Lord Silver’s seclusion. But he does appear occasionally, and a few have been able to detect this–it’s a somewhat open secret, that I’m sure you’d learn when you met them, anyway.”

Kaya asked, “What about the bronze masks? We have seen a few of these in town.”

“Those are the first stratum climbers, they are a bit less connected. Lord Silver’s Second Stratum team are full-up, until he can progress further.”

Nick knew that meant the man had not even conquered the fifteenth floor, though his limitations could be different. It was a little odd, but Eirwen had told him that Lord Silver had taken over at a time after Blackthorne had caused so many problems for the city already, before he had truly come to power. This whole difficult situation had been going on for a long time.

They worked out the details for the meeting of the climbers, and they would be visiting one of them as early as tomorrow, and several more throughout the week.

Mayor Allen looked satisfied with their plans. “Was there anything else we could help with? Have you been getting the contacts you’ve needed at the Merchant’s Guild?”

“No problem with the Merchant’s Guild, things have gone smoothly in there. But I was wondering if we could get some help with…issues with the law.”

“The law? I was not aware of any troubles… though I did hear a few rumors from just today…”

Kaya said, “We have found some evidence of some…criminal elements in the city. We want to talk to or meet with those involved with upholding the law, to see if we can get help with dealing with these.”

“You’re sure of this?” Mayor Allen looked back and forth between the two of them.

Nick nodded. “We’re sure, we’ve found evidence of various underground tunnels. We worry about what the criminal elements can accomplish here with those.”

Mayor Allen frowned. “That is not good. But, you already have a meeting lined up with someone that can help. The Captain of the Town Guard is in fact one of the Climbers. You will be meeting with him first thing tomorrow, if that works for you.”

“That sounds great. We would like to work together with him, if at all possible. As you might understand, it’s really best that my people and I are not seen as the ones standing against Blackthorne’s men, or anyone that might be affiliated with him.”

“I’m sure he hopes to clear out the criminal element just as much as you, but we will keep this in mind in case you end up in conflict with them. I understand your reluctance to face off against the criminals yourself. It’s not really your duty to maintain the order of Silverbrook–it is ours. Still, if you discovered proof of criminal behavior, it seems you must be quite capable to succeed where we have failed. I appreciate your willingness to help us with your many talents.”

Nick eventually said his goodbye, and headed back to the Pilgrimage in the town square. It was sunset now, and much of the crowds had died down. But as he stepped inside the skill testing and recruitment tent, he could immediately tell something was wrong by the mood inside.

The priestesses had worry marring their faces, a pained look on their expressions. Several were gripping their habits tightly, and Rebecca was clearly frustrated, her wings fluttering.

“What happened, Becca?”

“Just…a series of unfortunate events, it appears. A bunch of nasty rumors have started, and it has all the ladies and new adherents worried. The guard showed up, as well.”

Kaya growled. “What rumors? And the guard? Where’s Winny?”

Eirwen entered the tent from behind them. “Right here. I was just speaking with the guard for a bit. It seems they are taking our side on this, but want us to be careful and be on the lookout.”

“On the lookout for what?” Nick asked.

Rebecca sighed, gripping her staff tightly. “Thanks to your advice, we started going door to door. It was a wonderful idea, and it was working quite well.”

Nick chuckled internally. He told them about how the Mormons on Earth operated, and with their bikes, they were going to go around door to door to spread their word with their pamphlets and polite smiles. The main difference is they included actual healing, but also offerings of food and more.

Not everyone had time to come to the central plaza each day, and this way their people would be seen by the people around town more frequently.

She continued, “But today we received some threats that if we continued, they would hurt our girls. Then, it appears some people dressed up like our male adherents, and robbed someone. They were…unsuspecting because of our peaceful demeanor and appearance. But once again…”

Marissa’s eyes were watering up, and she continued somewhat distraught, “Once again, people are using us to commit evil. Then, a note was left–a threat. It says if we continue our work here, they will hurt us, and will make things even worse for the people of Silverbrook. The rumors are starting to spread, and some people are even blaming us for the person being attacked!”

Rebecca looked like she had swallowed a bug, and the rest of the priestess’s faces were filled with worry.

Nick gave them a reassuring smile. “I wouldn’t worry much about those threats–there’s no way they can get away with hurting your girls–they’re not defenseless. Then, I don’t think anyone believes you would commit these evils, and these guys would be robbing people with or without their disguises. They don’t like what we’re accomplishing in helping the poor, so they are lashing out, Becca.”

Rebecca hesitated, “I know, but… I feel so helpless. We came here to help people, to do no harm. Are we truly powerless once again? Is evil just…going to walk all over us, and use us to harm even more innocent people?”

Nick could see how distraught she was, with how she gripped her staff tightly, and how her face was scrunched up in pain. The Bishop had used the people of Zura for his evil goals for years, and the news of it brought their entire clergy into a pit of despair. It was only thanks to Nick and his family’s heroism that they had brought the people of Zura out of it.

But now, it was just like that all over again, even if the stakes were a lot lower. Her feelings were matched by the other priestesses.

In truth, Nick had been worried about dealing with too many threats in the city, as it could easily come back to haunt him if Blackthorne or his subordinates ever found out.

Sable could lead him through all the bad guy’s dens, and Nick could safely clean house with any number of bandits. Their abilities were completely overpowered for finding and spotting evil, and with his new Concept, he could crush any scrub in just mere moments, with or without Judgement.

But if he did that, the rumor would be that Nick showed up in town, then all the bad guys died before he left. Nobody would believe he wasn’t related. He needed to have a shield, and at first, he was just going to try to work with the guard and hand over all the victories to them.

Then Nick had what he thought was a much better idea.

The Bishop had used the peaceful people of Zura as a shield to commit evil, and so did Blackthorne’s bandits here in Silverbrook. Thus, Nick thought it was more than appropriate to use them as a shield to destroy it.

He could not just do nothing. Not only would his heroic spirit he was cultivating reject this notion, but his Archaen blood boiled with rage at the idea that he would take these bandit’s threats lying down, and let them commit evil near him.

When Nick made his Oath to walk the Hero’s Path, that didn’t just mean when it was convenient. He would have to try to help, even if it was hard and dangerous. Even with this method, it could still get back to Blackthorne. But he thought he had a lot to gain from trying, and that Rebecca and her priestesses would gain the most.

And Orion agreed. Nick nearly groaned as Orion descended as a result of his thoughts, and granted him a new quest from his Hero’s Ordeal.

[Heroic Quest received: Secret Hero of Silverbrook]

[A bandit warlord rules from the shadows, his power far beyond you and your kingdom’s. But a Hero cannot just back down and give up while the weak and innocent suffer. A hero may retreat and regroup, but he should take his pound of flesh before fighting another day.

From the shadows, secretly aid the city of Silverbrook in weakening Blackthorne’s Bandits and other evil throughout the city.

Objectives:

* Disturb Blackthorne’s operations in the city, weakening his resources and increasing yours.

* Hide your involvement from the populace, and keep any of Blackthorne’s witnesses from reporting your people’s direct involvement to Blackthorne before the end of three months.

Reward: Based on levels of completion of the objectives. To be granted on Pilgrimage’s return to Frosthaven.]

Nick frowned at the prompt. Why three months? And his plan was to return in under a month. He supposed Orion was all-knowing, was it going to look into the future? The whole thing was confusing, to him.

However, there was already a timeline in his mind–that he wanted to be ready to make his assault on Shadowvale in under three months, just in case. Did it somehow know that?

Eirwen was looking over the prompt, a small, proud smile on her face. Kaya looked just as confused as Nick felt.

Rebecca, Marissa, and the other priestesses were looking at him, hoping that he could help, or provide some kind of reassurance.

Nick smiled, as he strode to the center of the room at Rebecca’s side, and addressed the priestesses around the room. “I can see your frustration. But me? I’m not worried at all. Because I believe in Seraphara’s Wisdom. You girls are smart, and your path to peace and power is truly worthy of respect. It is far more powerful than some scrub bandits can ever comprehend, and I believe that from the bottom of my heart. How would you ladies like to be used for good, for once?”

Ultimately, Nick’s plan could backfire, and maybe it was pointless for him to try this path. After all, the moment Blackthorne’s men suffered a setback from the priestesses of Seraphara, they could decide, no matter what happened or how, it was Nick’s fault and they would send word to Blackthorne.

But Nick thought it was important to try–for Rebecca and her clergy to truly redeem themselves. If Nick just swooped in and killed all the bandits from the dark, they would never feel like they could accomplish anything on their own. That the next threat would come, and all they could do was just pray that Seraphara or Nick would save them.

And that was bullshit. These girls are strong, and he believed every word he just said.

Rebecca frowned. “Used? What do you mean?”

“You ladies have all grown. You have seen the many evils of the world. You are no longer the weak, naive priestesses that the Bishop exploited–you have survived the tribulations, formed your cores, and have become more. I believe you are all capable of being the heroes Silverbrook needs. Seraphara provided you the strength through her wisdom, and I protect your lives as Lord Noblefrost. Is there any reason for you to fear evil at all?”

Rebecca’s eyes widened. “What are you…proposing we do?”

“I say we double down. Sable will give you a few areas for you to be…extra aggressive with, and we knock on even more doors. We lure them to attack you, and then we let nature take its course. They won’t be able to touch you, and if they do, they will still be the ones to pay the price, not us.”

Recognition started to fill the several priestess’s features, as they started to understand Nick’s plan. Rebecca said, “I don’t know, I like the spirit of your plan. But that sounds like you want us to deceive people? We are…not used to this.”

Nick smiled. “It’s a light deception, that will do a lot of good. I want you ladies to take the lead on this. To come up with a system to accomplish your goals to spread Seraphara’s Wisdom, prevent crime, and capture criminals up to no good. I believe you can do it, and I need your help.”

Rebecca said, “You do? You need our help?”

Nick nodded. “I might be able to defeat all these bandits myself, but I can’t let it get back to Blackthorne that I stand against him. With the help of you ladies, I might have some plausible deniability. It will be Blackthorne’s subordinate’s failures for outing themselves and getting caught by the guard, and if you do it right, everyone in Silverbrook will think so too. Just who would believe a Clergy of Seraphara on Pilgrimage was chasing down criminal elements?”

Rebecca began to tremble. “You really…believe in us so? In Seraphara’s Wisdom?”

“You know I do. I said it, and I say what I mean.”

Rebecca dropped her staff, and embraced Nick in a hug tightly. Kaya caught the staff quickly before it hit the ground with a chuckle as Rebecca kissed him fiercely. A large amount of the faith essence flooded into him, its warmth in his chest surprising him.

The priestesses all blushed and made surprised gasps, murmuring about the kiss.

Rebecca backed off after a moment, her own blush covering her face as she looked embarrassed at all the witnesses, her wings fluttering in distress. “S-Sorry. I just couldn’t help it. I know–”

Marissa interrupted, “That was wonderful. We all wanted to kiss Lord Noblefrost, too. Just, on the cheek instead, since we’re not courting. His words have given us all the strength we need!”

The other priestesses nodded, fidgeting with their habits with a blush. Rebecca cleared her throat. “Now, do you have a map of the city, with those known locations? We would like to begin–to start our plan.”

Eirwen smiled, as she retrieved a map from the pouch at her waist. “Sure do. Sable is out and might be gathering more info, but here’s the map from last night.”

The other priestesses fervently nodded, and they started gathering their clipboards and arranging the desks in the room. They all had determined looks, and it seemed they were ready to work hard for their new goal.

Rebecca quickly began organizing them on different tasks, assigning individual priestesses to certain goals. Nick only reminded them that it was important that for each thief or bad guy captured, they really need to sell it–that they were just as surprised at the attack and their successful defense as the bad guy would be.

Nick rejoined his wives at the entrance to the tent, where they watched the nuns in action.

Kaya noted, “These nuns are kinda scary when they get like this.”

Eirwen giggled. “You said it! That was a great idea, Hubby. You’re really going to let them handle this?”

Nick nodded. “As much as they can. There’s a few areas that I think might be best to leave to Sable, Kaya, and I, but otherwise I want them to handle the bulk of this. I know they can do it.”