Henry and Heather followed Kenai through the shadowy corridors of the coliseum, the sounds of the excited crowd fading behind them. They arrived at a familiar door, where the Bearkin Players Alliance met. Inside, Henry recognized the high-level Bearkin players, sitting around a dark stained oak table. Scattered across the table were various maps and strategic documents.
Kenai, exuding an air of confidence, addressed Henry. “Thanks for joining, please sit. Brother, we stand at a precipice, and the decisions we make now will not only shape the outcome of this war but also the future of this kingdom and us players.”
Henry frowned but continued to listen. But, he could tell from the way Kenai spoke he was hiding his true intentions.
“Henry, your newly acquired position within one of the major Bearkin clans presents us with a unique opportunity—a chance to gain insight and intelligence from Bearkin clans.”
“You want me to spy for you?” Henry asked dissatisfied.
“No, we’re asking you to share information you learn. The NPCs keep us players at arm’s length! The king and clans hoard information and wealth among themselves. Were treated with suspicion and relegated to second-class citizens. I read; that you own two settlements south of Akkadia and helped the Mythical Guild revolt against the former emperor. All we’re asking is that you do the same. Your access could provide us with the strategic advantage we desperately need to usurp King Ursa VII and beat the Lion Kingdom.”
Henry exchanged a look with Heather, who subtly shrugged her shoulders. Besides the inherent risk of espionage, he wasn’t concerned with the upcoming war, nor did he trust Kenai. All he wanted to do was get to his parents’ apartment and log out.
Kenai, observing Henry's hesitation, added, “When I’m king, I’ll reward you with all the gold and fame you want. If you want, I’ll appoint your Bearington Clan patriarch.”
The high-level players around the room nodded in agreement, their expressions a mix of determination and greed.
Taking a deep breath, “I’ll think about it and get back to you. Listen I’m tired and all I want to do is log out. I’ll give you my answer tomorrow morning,” Henry said acting tired.
The players nodded in understanding, but Kenai looked the most dissatisfied. Kenai shifted his stance, unwilling to give up recruiting Henry. “I understand, but just in case you're hesitant, let me tell you the plan.”
Kenai detailed his grand plan. The first phase involved consolidating the support of key guilds and high-level players within the Bearkin Player Alliance. This phase was complete, evidenced by the presence of the influential players gathered in the room.
“Step two, we’ll spread rumors and misleading information to the refugees about King Ursa’s war plans. After we incite them, it’s on to step three.”
“The crux of step three,” Kenai continued, “is triggering the refugees to riot, giving us the distraction we need to sneak into the palace. The king will no doubt reinforce the soldiers with palatial guards to arrest the rioters. He may also enact a curfew. No matter what the king decides, the palace will be under protected and at its most vulnerable.”
Kenai then unveiled the critical element of his grand plan—a targeted strike on the palace amid the diversions. A select team would infiltrate the palace, secure the king, and compel his abdication. “It's crucial that we execute this with precision to minimize chaos and ensure a smooth transition of power.”
Henry frowned again. Kenai’s plan was a repeat of Mythical Guild’s coup last year. He wondered if such a plan could work twice.
The other players in the room listened in rapt attention as Kenai elaborated on the post-coup phase. “Once we've secured control, we'll immediately address the kingdom's defense and fortify our positions against the Lion Kingdom. Our unity and decisive action will rally the people to our cause.”
Kenai fixed his gaze on Henry and added, “Your role in this is pivotal. We need you to tell us if the five major clans plan to interfere.” His seriousness was tinged with a cold, calculating edge. “There is no neutrality in war! If you're not with us, you're against us. If you refuse to help us that makes you an obstacle to our way.”
The room fell silent, the implications of Kenai's words hanging ominously in the air. Henry felt disappointed at Kenai’s ultimatum.
As the silence stretched uncomfortably in the dimly lit room, Henry finally spoke, breaking the silence, “Have you considered the aftermath? There’s not enough time to fortify the defenses and pacify the clans before the Lion Kingdom arrives.”
Kenai's eyes narrowed, a flicker of irritation passing over his face before he regained his composure. “Don’t worry, that part is already managed.”
Heather leaned closer to Henry, her voice barely a whisper. “Henry, this doesn’t feel right to me.”
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Henry nodded; her words confirmed his thoughts. After spinning Kenai’s word over in his mind, he reached an epiphany. Turning back to Kenai, he said, “After you take over the throne, you’re going to hand the kingdom over to the Lion King, aren’t you? That’s the only way you’ll be able to maintain power in the short term, isn’t it? But, what's to stop him from turning on you?”
A murmur of disbelief rippled through the room. Kenai’s disbelief was clear. “Well done, Henry, But now that you two know our plans you’ve been come a liability. Now what do, with you both?”
The tension in the room spiked as Kenai’s facade cracked, revealing a ruthless tyrant. The high-level players stood up menacingly, brandishing their weapons.
Heather's hand tightened around Henry’s; her earlier subtlety was replaced by an urgent pressure. If this were a PVP Henry knew he’d come out on top. But, in a 6v2 he was unsure.
“Don’t come any closer!” Heather yelled, taking out three glass vials of alchemist’s fire. The alchemic fire was a dangerous substance that would continue to burn until a monster or player was dead. Worse yet, they were inextinguishable.
When Kenai and his co-conspirators saw Heather holding the vitals like grenades, she looked like a suicidal woman ready to unleash hell. With the odds now even, the room became a tinderbox. Neither side was ready to spark a flame that might lead to their death.
Feeling the weight of their predicament, Henry’s mind raced for a solution that could extricate them from this rapidly deteriorating scenario. The only thing Henry knew was that Kenai and his accomplishers had more to lose than them. But, dying for Kenai meant losing his chance to become king.
“Kenai,” Henry began, his voice steady despite the tension, “We can’t continue the stand-off forever, and forcing us into a corner won’t help your cause. Even if we die, when we respawn, we’ll ensure that the entire player community learns of your plans. So, how about we settle? I’ll loan your conspiracy 50 units of iron and 5 gold.”
A few of the players nodded, murmurs of agreement rising. Kenai glanced at the other players, seeing the shift in their demeanor, and realized that pressing too hard could unravel everything he had built. His expression darkened as he calculated the deal. “Why negotiate?”
“If you win, I gain monetarily. And if you lose, I’ll gain favorability with the clan for not participating. It’s a win-win.”
“Fine, but I want 500 units of iron and 500 gold.”
“Fifty gold is five million coppers; don’t you think you’re being a bit too greedy? I have other customers whose orders come first. Not to mention I don’t have that much with me now. At the moment, the most I can loan you is 100 units of iron and 25 gold.”
Kenai sighed, a sign of reluctant concession, “Fine, 100 units of iron and 25 units of gold this week and next week.” Signaling his people to lower their weapons and waving them away.
The other players, now caught in their whirlwind of thoughts and reconsiderations, made no move to stop Henry and Heather as they turned and left the room.
Outside, the cool air of the night felt like a cleansing breath after the stifling atmosphere of political intrigue and sabotage. Heather and Henry exchanged glances, an unspoken agreement passing between them.
The distant sounds of the coliseum, once a source of excitement, now seemed distant and silent. Their steps quickened, eager to return to the simplicity of Woodhaerst.
When they arrived at his parents’ apartment, David and Lindsey were talking around the kitchen table, a mess of emotions and fatigue written across their faces.
“Welcome home, how did your conversation go?” Lindsey asked sitting a cup of coffee in her robe.
Henry sighed, running his hands through his hair. “It when as well as can be expected.”
“Well, I hope you don’t get mixed up in any trouble. You should stay away from that man, he’s been nothing but trouble since he arrived,” Lindsey warned.
Heather nodded in agreement. To her, Kenai was as dangerous as a coiled snake.
Henry shook his head. “It’s fine we agreed to disagree. That’s the last I plan to see of him.”
“Good,” Lindsey smiled hugging her son at the waist.
“Alright, now that everyone’s home let’s get some sleep,” Henry you have a busy day tomorrow at the main house.
After he and Heather retreated to their rooms, Henry lay in bed staring at the ceiling unable to go to sleep. The glow of a single lamp cast shadows across the bedroom. He tried to go to sleep but his mind kept replaying the day’s events.
Despite his tiredness, his mind sought to strategize his next move. He liked Ursa, but he wanted to hurry home to check on his towns, people, and business. He was starting to feel like a long overdue guest. The conversation with Kenai strengthened his despise of intrigue and manipulation.
“What are you thinking about?” Heather asked snuggling up to Henry and resting her head on his chest.
“Home…war”
“Why head home before the war, there is no reason to stay here after tomorrow. I’m sure you miss your craft shop like I do. ”
“I think we should leave too. But I also want to restore Mom's familial status.”
“Why is that so important to you?”
“Because I want another ally! We barely won that last war, what if a much larger army arrives at more doorstep? Will I be able to win again, if this world has taught me one thing, it’s that alliances matter.”
“I understand. No matter what happens with Ordo Raven, planet Xenia, this war, or whatever else…I’ll always be by your side,” Heather said turning off the light and rolling over to sleep.
‘Alfred,’ Henry thought.
“Good Evening, sir.”
‘How are things in Woodhaerst and Ironwood?’
“Sir, things remain in operating condition. Brand and Vakdraen, their respective town councils continue to function optimally. The towns are secure. Again, sir, I’ll alert you if there is a problem.”
‘Ha-ha, is that your way of telling me I check in too often?’
“Is there anything else, I may assist you with?”
‘Alfred, what’s the fastest way to get home and bring someone here?’
“Sir, the fastest way to travel is by airship or flying mount. The second fastest way is via Jump Gates. If you desire, you may purchase speed-enhancing horseshoes to increase the speed through the Jump Gates significantly. Summoning is the quickest way to call forth an entity. Please note, powerful mages are needed to instantly summon items to locations.”
‘Thanks, Alfred,’ Henry complimented, as he analyzed the pieces on a chessboard. Diplomacy and intrigue were like two sides of a coin. If he would participate in this war, he needed to flip the chessboard, so the pieces landed where he needed them.
Henry's thoughts swirled in the darkness, each piece of advice from Alfred embedding itself into his strategic framework. The mention of summoning intrigued him most. As Heather's breathing deepened next to him, a plan began to crystallize in Henry's mind. In the morning, he finds a mage to summon Arachnia.