With a deal struck and the bare bones of a plan already in place, I had high hopes that matters would proceed swiftly thereafter.

Sadly, it was not to be.

Once the brotherhood officers and I got into the meat of things—the detailed logistics and planning—our progress slowed to a crawl. A whole host of decisions needed to be made: from how many fighters the brotherhood would commit to how we would get them into sector 30,199, from how we would coordinate the twin assaults on either side of the rift to how the weapons deliveries would be handled.

And so on and so on.

The sheer number of decisions needed to be made was mind-numbing. Worse yet, the huntmistress insisted on multiple contingencies for every eventuality and that every decision be exhaustively examined before being finalized down to the very last detail.

This was not to say I disagreed with Kartara’s approach.

It was the correct one, especially with so many lives at stake. Yet, that did not change the nature of the work. It was both drearily tiring and tedious.

But there were bright spots too.

The brotherhood had a wealth of information—about the void trees, the overlords, and the tactics they’d employed against them in the past—all of which they shared unstintingly. I returned the favor, even though my own store of knowledge on the stygians was much smaller.

The hours flew by, lunch came and went, then evening arrived, and ever so slowly, our plans took shape. Finally, close to midnight, the last piece of the puzzle was set in place.

“That’s it,” I said, throwing down my pen. “That’s the final contingency completed.” I glanced around the table at the other drained faces. “Unless someone has something new to raise?”

Senzo groaned. “Hells, no.”

Cait yawned. “I have nothing either.”

A half-snort was Duskar’s only answer.

I glanced at Kartara who shook her head. “No, I think we’re done.” She bestowed everyone around the table with a weary if heartfelt smile. “Well done, people. This is good work.”

I rose to my feet. “I best be going then. See you again in four days.”

“We’ll be ready,” Kartara promised.

✵ ✵ ✵

You have entered the safe zone of sector 12,560.

I stumbled into the Roost already half-asleep, but I retained enough presence of mind to exchange a civil greeting with the two forsworn on duty and ascertain that no emergency had befallen the forerunners while I was away.

Satisfied that the world could do without me for a few more hours, I climbed the stairs to my room, and sinking down onto my bed, fell fast asleep.

✵ ✵ ✵

You have slept 6 hours.

Ghost’s stygian claws have reached rank 15, her ash armor rank 16, her death magic rank 12, and her nether manipulation rank 10.

You and Ghost have reached level 262!

Despite the late night, I awoke early the next morning. Once more, Ghost had gained in level, improving most of her skills in the process.

She’s training hard, I mused. Which was something I needed to do myself over the forthcoming days.

Rising to my feet, I slipped off the bed. I had accomplished more than I had any right to expect yesterday, but spending the entire day in a chair had left me stiff.

While I stretched, I reflected on the previous day’s events. The brotherhood was not what I expected. They were less a mercenary guild of hunters and scavengers, clinging tightly to their monopoly over the stygian trade, and more an enthusiastic band of scholars and adventurers.

Idealists, I would have labeled them, if not for the abundance of cynicism and bitterness I’d sensed in the huntmistress.

Kartara herself was a leader worthy of respect. She was both passionate and astute, and I knew I had not won her over entirely. She had been reluctant to help throughout. And in the end, I suspected it was only because the brotherhood stood much to gain and little to lose that she had finally capitulated. What I asked of them was not much different from dozens of other expeditions they conducted. They would not be facing the void tree.

My people would.

Still, I could not fault the aid the brotherhood was rendering. They had been unstintingly generous when it came to the supplies we requested. And the forces they were committing… I foresaw no issues with them fulfilling their own role.

They will do well in the forerunners.

I smiled. But I was getting ahead of myself again. First, I would have to wait and see if the brotherhood lived up to expectations. If they did, then perhaps it would be time to attempt forging a longer lasting alliance.

Until then, I had a battle to prepare for.

Completing my stretches, I exited my room and descended to the floor below. It was time to return home again.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

✵ ✵ ✵

You have entered sector 18,240.

A familiar grizzled figure greeted me upon my re-entry to the cave. Keros’ poleaxe was already halfway to butting me in the chest, before recognition sparked in his eyes.

“Oh, it’s you again,” he muttered uncharitably.

“Of course it is,” I replied cheerfully, and somewhat loudly, as I clapped a hand down on the windknight’s shoulder. “Who else would it be?”

Ignoring his consternation, I strode past chuckling.

The cave was a hive of activity again. Everywhere I looked there were nagians hurrying back and forth. Their numbers had more than doubled since the last oath-taking ceremony I had performed. Attending to them should be my first priority, I thought.

“It should,” a quiet voice replied.

I missed a step and nearly fell but caught myself in time. “Ghost?” I’d not sensed her, which meant she was shielding herself from me. “Where are you?”

“Here.”

Turning to my left, I spotted a patch of languid darkness—Ghost. She was creeping through the darkness, her movements so slow and controlled that most would miss them. “What are you doing?”

“Stalking Stormdark.”

My gaze drifted further down the cave to the dire wolf in question. He was, to all appearances, sleeping.

“It’s a game,” Ghost added unnecessarily. “Elise has been teaching me.”

I glanced around but failed to spot the werefox. “Where is—”

“Shh!”

I shushed. Resuming my nonchalant walk through the cave, I watched Ghost and her ‘prey’ around the corner of my eye. The pyre wolf was doing much better than I expected given her size and glowing red eyes which she had all but closed to avoid detection.

But even with her sight so impaired, Ghost did not fumble in the darkness. Every paw was delicately placed, and her movements were so sure and steady, she appeared to be gliding through the shadows. Four yards from Stormdark, Ghost drew back on her haunches.

She’s got him, I thought.

But a split-second before Ghost could leap, the dire wolf spun to his feet, stiff and erect. “I see you!” he crowed.

Ghost’s shoulders slumped.

“It was a brave effort,” I told her sympathetically.

“I thought I had him,” she groused.

I nodded. “You nearly did.” Changing course, I made my way to Ghost’s side. “What’s with the stalking?”

The pyre wolf shrugged her massive shoulders. “All dire wolves can stalk. It’s something we all learn young.” She hung her head again. “I never did.”

I swallowed. Because she had lost her body and been forced to exist as pure spirit. Dropping to my knees before her, I ran my hand through her coat. “I wasn’t just being polite before,” I said, baring my thoughts so she could see the truth of my words. “You really were doing remarkably well.”

Raising her head, Ghost stared at me with unblinking eyes. “You think so?”

I nodded.

That seemed to cheer her somewhat, but there was still a despondency to Ghost’s thoughts, a sadness that sat heavy in her mind, and I feared I knew the cause.

Me.

“I’m sorry,” I said, sitting down fully. “I shouldn’t have left you behind.”

“I understand why you did it, Prime. I can’t do what you can. I would only have been a burden to you there.”

Was that why she was training so hard?

“No, Ghost, that wasn’t why I did it.” I blew out a troubled breath. “Leaving you behind was a misguided attempt to protect you.” I held her gaze. “I shouldn’t have done it. And I won’t again. Promise.”

Ghost raised her head, painful hope in her eyes. “Truly?”

“Truly,” I said firmly.

“Then I forgive you.”

I squeezed my eyes shut, my own emotions in turmoil. I’d been thoughtless—no, worse than that, I’d been hurtful—and in the process, Ghost had suffered.

“It’s alright, Prime,” the pyre wolf said, resting her head in my lap. “I understand now. I don’t begrudge what you did.”

I sighed. “Then you’re a more generous spirit than I Ghost.”

“Of course, I am,” she said smugly.

I smiled, gladdened by the renewed brightness of her thoughts.

“You better go,” the pyre wolf said, getting up. “The others are eager to hear your news.” Her gaze drifted to Stormdark. “And it’s my turn to play prey.”

✵ ✵ ✵

I resumed my journey through the cave, my heart lighter. I was glad I’d patched things up with Ghost. I’d taken her for granted, I knew, something I resolved not to do again.

Reaching the campfire, I found it full.

All eyes turned my way as I arrived. They’d been waiting for me, I realized. Rising to her feet, Safyre approached me, the Cloak of the Reach in her hands. “Everything good with Ghost?” she asked quietly.

I nodded, taking the Cloak. “Yes, I begged for her forgiveness, and she was kind enough to give it.”

Safyre smiled. “That’s good news. Just don’t grow too used to that attitude.” She arched one eyebrow. “I may not be so kind.”

“Duly noted,” I murmured. My gaze darted back to the campfire. “What’s going on?”

“Mariam and Deryn told me you were back. I knew you’d have news, and good or bad, I thought it best we discuss it and firm up our plans.”

Mariam and Deryn were the two forsworn who’d been on duty at the Roost last night, I recalled. “Good thinking.” I took in the faces arrayed around the fire. Only one was missing. “Where’s Nyra?”

“Still in the Mind Trials.”

I felt a flicker of concern. “How long has it been?”

“Almost a day, but Sulan is not worried—yet.”

I glanced at the white wolf flopped down beside Aira and Duggar. Her eyes were closing sleepily.

“Oursk is keeping an eye on the Rings,” Safyre said, noticing the direction of my gaze. “Sulan will take over again once we’re done here.”

Nodding, I strode forward. “Then we better hurry things along.”