"I think, we think, plan Pillage, Plunder, 'n Save is an excellent idea." We have taken a few steps away from the gorging spiders. Not that we are trying to cut them out of our team meeting. It's more that their eating habits aren't entirely appreciated during our discussion. "The problem is the execution, which is my fault."

I take two whole roasted chickens from my food pocket and hand one to Gene. Our new space has done much to rekindle our appetite… well, at least my appetite. Gene takes a bite from the chicken, not attempting to downsize her bite. I take a more hands-on approach getting my hands soaked in grease. Gene's mouthful leads to a lull, which I bury by asking Gene for her wisdom.

"How do you suggest we go about this more professionally?" I stuff a piece of chicken in my mouth, letting Gene know she will have to answer.

"Well, more subtlety would be my biggest recommendation," she answers with a playful grin.

"Right. More sneaking and shadows and less running. I like that."

"Now that we have the spiders here," Gene continues. "We can have them help us with the saving portion of our plan. That leaves pillage and plunder for us. Depending on how much pillaging we want, we can make this operation very sneaky or destructive."

I overestimate the time Gene needs to suggest a strategy and am caught with a mouthful of food when it is my turn to speak. I try to chew fast while maintaining a level of decorum. "I can go either way on the pillaging. I'm mostly in it for the goods. If there is more chicken like this find, I want us to find it. How much pillaging do you want to get done?"

"I know I should want a lot of death and destruction placed on the horde. The years of isolation have simmered my hate. Then seeing you suffer for my vengeance… I just want my people to be safe. And to eat good food. I missed food so much."

"OK. We delegate saving spiders to our spider sisters among us. Then we operation Shadow and Steal all the food we can. If some pillaging happens on the way, so be it. Any ideas on how to increase the sneakiness of our shadows? And how will we carry all the food."

"I doubt our next base will gift wrap our meals so conveniently for us. Unless you can convince them of another dragon attack." Gene looks at me, questioning.

"I don't think they will give me a chance to speak. Besides, Sil and I have developed a level of trust. We won't be able to replicate that with the other fortifications."

"So, we will have to be extra sneaky. The less the horde sees and knows, the better."

"Right. Keep the mystery of the disappearing food a mystery. I like it."

"I know some rituals we can prepare beforehand that will act as a silencing spell. Another prepared ritual can be used for a shadow fog. There's also more you need to learn about perception manipulation and Gloom. Add our shadow abilities, and we should be able to walk in and out without problems." Gene's shadow operation has me all sorts of pumped. The mystery, stealth, and reward — I'm practically giddy with excitement.

"Makes me wonder why we didn't go with this plan in the first place?" As soon as the question escapes my mouth, I regret it. "Uh… ignore that comment. It's been revoked.

Thankfully Gene is not Bones, and I don't have to argue over the fallacies of walking cultivation.

"Cultivation needs to be done when you're in a safe place." Bones… probably.

"What do you know? You don't cultivate."

"I do now. Also, harsh. Also, this isn't the first time you've walked into trouble."

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

"You don't know. You weren't there."

"I was in your heart the whole time."

"Damn —"

"Liam." Gene pulls me from the argument that I somehow got drawn into. "Can you get the spiders to handle the spider wrangling?"

"Yeah. Let's figure out a few more details, and then I will try to pass the information on to them. It would be nice to present a full plan to them. You know, build some confidence between us." I'm still frustrated that we lost one of the spiders. My past experiences have made me a tad careless. I need to be much more careful when in delicate company.

We finish our chicken and help ourselves to more food. While we feast, Gene draws out a map of the island. I place a marker for the three remaining forts. Gene marks our spot on the map that marks us between the mountains near the northern shore.

Even though we are closer to the bugbear fortification, we choose the kobolds and the goblins to raid first. This keeps us in line with our original plan and should minimize our backtracking when we make our way to our settlement point.

After some discussion and consideration, we decide three days are enough time for us to complete our raids and for the spiders to find more spiders. On the third day, we'll meet back here. Together we'll march to our new home west of the mountains.

The time buffer is more for the spiders than for us. We should be able to complete our tasks within the day. Neither Gene nor I are upset with a couple days to eat and recover from a hard night of raiding. Recovery time is essential in cultivation. Or at least it is crucial for our cultivation.

"The plan's perfect." I end our planning session with a profound platitude. "Now, I just need to convince the spiders that it's so. Gene, you wouldn't know how to wrap words in mana, would you?"

"Like a gift?"

"Could be. I guess it depends on the words."

"Have you considered sending your thoughts out with the pure mana?"

Not really... I think of the words and visualize my mind delivering the message to Gene. She doesn't act like anything is said in her head, so I must have missed it, or the message didn't actually send.

Of course... I gift the thought to Gene. Once again, no reaction. It is starting to get weird between the two of us. I know she is waiting for me to say something. I really should say something.

No… Nothing.

Nope. This time I send my thought and mana straight to Gene's head. In all previous attempts, I aimed at her general direction. Gene stops chewing. Her eyes widen.

"Now that feels invasive."

I know, right? To think that spider had free range in my mind. Holy mother of pearls! I am speaking with my mind. Sure, I have talked to Annette before. And I have spoken with Bones through our connection. And I guess Gene as well. Still, this is different, and I won't let any previous communications diminish the fact that I am a freaking mind wizard.

Hey, spiders! I send my thoughts in their general direction. They don't respond because I am not communicating correctly. Besides that, I don't know how to take their thoughts from their mind yet. Which means I need more practice.

Hey Gene, the shaman's eyes widen once again. How invasive are you willing to let me get with my mind powers? Well, that came out entirely too creepy. I can also tell Gene thinks so by how she backs away from me.

"I didn't mean it like that. I mean, I need to practice pulling your thoughts out of your mind — damn, that doesn't sound good either. I need to extract information… no that's not it either. Oh, hell. Just let me know what you're thinking. Keep your thoughts basic, and it won't get weird." That's perfect. I got my point across and put all the accountability on Gene. Any weirdness that comes from this mind magic is on her.

"Fine, you can have your way with my mind." She definitely didn't need to say it like that. "Just know, this is far beyond a normal ask of any warlock bond. This could even be grounds for termination of our agreement."

"Wait, there's rules?" Gene just laughs at my ignorance. Which is cool, I guess. I get the last laugh as I plunge my mind into hers, except not in a creepy, invasive way. Our conscious conversation is consensual.