*knock knock knock* The door to Ajax’s quarters opened slightly. “Emissary, sorry to disturb you, but I need you to get dressed and come with me sir.” A Dwarf Ajax half recognized as a member of the embassy security detail stood in his doorway. “The Ambassador is being woken by Chief Shadowdreamer as we speak. I have ten minutes to get you to the security office, so please dress quickly sir.”

“What time is it, Sergeant?” Ajax asked as he threw on clothes as fast as he could.

“Oh five-thirty. The sun will be up in about an hour.” She responded.

Ajax finished putting his boots on, stood up, then said “Lead the way.”

She led him into hallways of the embassy he was unfamiliar with, then down a flight of stairs. She opened a nondescript door. A Tiefling stood from behind a desk and raised a wand at the two of them. “Passcode.” He demanded, keeping his arm steady.

“Red. Twelve. Frog. Oddly.” Ajax’s escort recited.

“Proceed.” He lowered the wand and sat back down. He made a gesture with his hand. An audible click came from a door opposite the one they had just come through.

They hurried through and passed into a hallway that doubled back along its length before coming to a heavy door standing ajar. Two voices were speaking within. They entered and Ajax saw Ambassador Slate speaking with an Elf he assumed must be Chief Shadowdreamer.

The Chief looked over as they entered. “Ah, Emissary, apologies for waking you, but She asked for you, specifically.” Then, looking at his subordinate. “Thank you Sergeant Loudfist, please wait in the antechamber.” She saluted, then took her leave. The Chief went and closed the door behind her.

“Gentlemen. Welcome to my office, it cost more than the entirety of the rest of the Embassy. It, and the hallway, are lined with Argonite, which makes this a divination proof room.” Ajax looked around to see if he could notice anything odd, but no. Wood paneling hidden behind shelves crammed with books and papers. A desk and a few chairs. All good quality for sure, but his mind boggled at how much gold had been spent in the construction of this room.

“So you’re telling me that the room down the hall from my chambers is not your office?” Ambassador Slate asked. “Why did I not know that this room existed?”

“You did not need to know about this room, until now.” Chief Shadowdreamer said. “The upstairs office is a diversion, nothing in that room is considered sensitive information.” Slate seemed peeved, but let the matter drop.

“So what precisely did She want us woken up and informed about, Chief?” Ajax asked as nicely as he could.

“Four hours ago, the Tenkan Autarchy began an invasion of the Republic of Phyldraste. Teteau has already been encircled, and the Tenkans are advancing towards Raxiredow and Phyldraste City.” Chief Shadowdreamer said.

Ajax interrupted. “Excuse me, these cities sound familiar, but I’m not sharp on my geography of that corner of Gomarche.”

Chief Shadowdreamer held up a finger, then turned and found a scroll that he unraveled on his desk, weighing down the corners. “Teteau is here, at the western edge of the Republic.” He pointed to a mark on the map. “The Tenkans will reach Raxiredow in five days.” He pointed to a different mark south-west. “And they will reach Phyldraste City in a week.” He moved his finger to the capital, situated slightly off center towards the east of the country. “The Autarch himself is leading the group heading towards the capital.”

“What do they want? Territory? Concessions?” Slate asked, to no one in particular.

“Unknown.” Chief Shadowdreamer replied. “Chancellor Melk has asked for aid from Nars and Makarett, ships specifically. They are evacuating non combatant capables, children, elderly, the sick, to Duskwater Anchorage and are requesting help moving them to safety in the Kingdom and the Empire until they can stop the Tenkans. Sending scrolls have been flying off the shelves for hours trying to coordinate.”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“This is all very concerning, but what exactly is She wanting us to do with this information.” Ajax asked.

“I’m getting to that.” the Chief said, with only a modicum of annoyance in his voice.

“Apologies, Chief. I know you likely got even less sleep than we did. Please continue.” Ajax said contritely.

“Emissary, She wants you to go to Makarett and act as an intermediary. I’ve got a satchel filled with Sending scrolls for you.” He reached down from under his desk and handed a hefty shoulder bag to Ajax. “Captain Amberscale is preparing the fleet out of Dinnzhe. You met her a few years ago.”

Ajax remembered the Brass Dragonborn from her officer commissioning ceremony. “Ok, I see one major problem, however. Makarett is three thousand miles south. It took me months of travel to get here from Nars. I have a feeling I know what you’re going to say, and I’m telling you right now that I’m not going to like it.” Ajax said stubbornly.

“Yes, I’m aware of the aversion to teleportation spells that is common across the Empire. They are discouraged, because they give false positives to the Faller net. But when done under controlled circumstances, such as in the embassies, that doesn’t happen.” Chief Shadowdreamer said with a tone of voice that made Ajax’s concern sound foolish.

Ajax was not happy with the idea of being teleported, but he was not going to argue Her decree. “I have one request. I have befriended Farsan Bartino Elshenar IV. If I’m going to be teleported to Makarett, at least let us give the young man a lift home.” Ajax said.

“I anticipated your request, Emissary. The boy was being woken when you were. He’ll be here shortly.” Chief Shadowdreamer gave the first smile Ajax had seen from him. “Ambassador, if you could be so kind as to request an audience with President Eto’moa, please share everything you’ve heard here with our allies in the Confederacy.” Slate nodded. “Emissary, Sergeant Loudfist will take you to the teleportation circle. The young noble will meet you there.”

“Thank you Chief. Your service to the Empire is exemplary.” Ajax said with all the sincerity he could muster.

They all left the office and Ajax fell into step behind Sergeant Loudfist after making eye contact with her and nodding. She led him down a long hallway to another unmarked door. This one had the guard sitting facing the opposing door this time. “Your guest beat you here, he’s already inside.” He said.

“Fernberry will take care of you. He’s got a steady hand. Joolushko guide you, Emissary.” She bowed as she invoked the Dwarven patron and god of shadows. A fitting aspect for her profession, Ajax thought.

He went to open the door and several glyphs glowed briefly at his touch before fading as the door swung inward. He caught a snippet of an interrupted conversation as the two occupants looked to see who entered. “Ajax! What’s going on?” Farsan blurted out and rushed over. “They haven’t told me anything except that you were taking me home, the fast way apparently.” He gestured to the symbols made of silver laid out in a circle on the stone floor.

“I promise to make your trip a smooth one.” An old furry man with long upright ears said as he gave a smile. “Emissary, it’s good to finally meet you. You’re quite famous among us Fallers.”

“My reputation precedes me. As does yours. You must be Fernberry. Sergeant Loudfist thinks highly of you, good sir.” Ajax said, forwarding the compliment. “How long since you Fell? You seem to have done well for yourself.”

“I’ve done well for myself!? Says the Emissary of the Empress.” His nose twitched as he chuckled. “Oh, I was but a young kit of a dozen years. I’ll be seventy-four in a few months, Ko’Vum’s eleventh.” Fernberry eased himself down into a squat on his powerful looking legs. “I got interested in teleportation in order to try and find a way home, but this world grew on me over the years. And it’s not like climbing up from a Fall is easy. A strange little world we found ourselves on.”

“Indeed. It has been good to meet you sir, but let’s get this over with.” Ajax said, making motions with his hands indicating haste. “Farsan, I’ll explain on the other side. If we don’t do this quickly, the modicum of courage I have is going to flee.”

“Step inside the circle please. Face south.” Fernberry stood again with a slight groan. “As I cast the spell, a portal will appear. Some people see it as a pale blue, others see it as a fiery orange. It looks lavender to me.” He seemed to be lost in thought for a moment, then gathered himself. “Whichever color you see it as, all you need to do is step into it, despite it looking solid and opaque.” He began rhythmically moving his hands. “I’m sending you to the Narisan Embassy in Makarett. They’ll get you where you need to go.” Fernberry said, then began chanting words Ajax did not recognize.

A portal appeared in front of Ajax and Farsan. The swirling energy looked grey to Ajax, with a streak of orange spiraling out from the center to the edge almost too fast to follow, then reversing and journeying back to the center. Ajax looked at Farsan, and gave him a nod. Farsan smiled and returned the nod, and they both stepped into the portal.