Traversing the roads of a country gives you a true sense of how large the country is. The Empire of Brindle was one-third taller and longer than the Kingdom of Argonia. Ean walked for hours before crossing into West Brindle. His boots grew heavier with each step, as if the very land itself sought to impede his progress. Recalling his geographic mistake at the Border Inn days earlier, his rubbery legs felt like he had come 'down' from the north. This was supposed to be an easy office job.

The few travelers he encountered on the road paid him no attention. Farmers and merchants moving merchandise between the two regions. In due time, he reached the town limits of Bridgewater. Approaching the Border Inn near the bridge, he spotted a group of rough men harassing a man they had tied behind a horse cart laden with supplies.

With his head lowered, Ean skirted around the agitated group. He stole a glance at the contents of the cart. Crates of food and alcohol... His blood ran cold. That man must be my spy from the South Brindle tavern. But how can I intervene without becoming a victim myself?

Before Ean could react, a burly figure reeking of sweat and stale booze clamped a meaty arm around his shoulders, yanking him closer with surprising force. Ean tensed, his muscles coiled and ready for combat. Then, a familiar voice cut through the tension. Its mocking tone sent a chill down his spine.

"Well, well. If it ain't our friend the postal inspector," jeered the militia leader.

Ean steeled his nerves. "I've already paid your tax." He nodded at the inn. "Perhaps I can pay your bar tab."

The militia leader threw back his head and laughed. "You're in luck. We ain't collecting tolls or tabs today. We caught us a spy and we're taking him to the capital for a fat re-ward."

Thinking quickly, Ean replied, "Perhaps I could save you the trip and pay you on the emperor's behalf?" As a show of good faith, he took a handful of gold coins from his coin purse. He discreetly flashed the strange two-headed medallion Lila had given him.

"He works for the same organization," Ean added as he handed over the gold coins.

The leader scrutinized Ean. After a tense moment of consideration, he whispered, "I didn't realize he was one of ours. No medallion on him." He handed back Ean's empty coin pouch. "Release him boys. We have our re-ward and a month's worth of booze and victuals."

Ean breathed a sigh of relief as the spy was untied and joined his side. For the moment, a potentially violent confrontation had been avoided.

The militia group pointed the cart east and headed for the camp Ean had stumbled on a few days earlier.

Ean examined the beaten and bloody man. His clothes were torn and dirtied. Deep purple bruises dotted his exposed skin. Though the bandits had released him, it was clear the man could barely stand on his own.

Helping to prop the man up, Ean asked gently, "Can you walk if I support you?"

The man coughed and winced in pain, but managed a small smile. "I thought for certain I was done for back there. Why did you risk your money and your life to help me?"

Ean whispered in his ear, "I recognize a man who thinks watery stew is soup."

Tears flowed down the man's face. "Never did I imagine my savior would be someone I've prayed to hear from. How did you know to come save me?"

"We'll discuss that once we're in Argonia," Ean replied. "For now, lean on me and follow my lead."

The man nodded weakly.

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Ean led him to the guards at the bridge checkpoint. "I need to get this man across the bridge before someone else decides to assault him."

The guard sneered. "The border is closed by order of Emperor Stormfist."

Ean reached into his satchel and pulled out his Diplomatic Papers and a small leather pouch. "As you can see from my Diplomatic Papers, I'm an envoy of Argonia. Your Emperor sent me down here to trade this Argonian spy for one of ours."

Hearing this, the second guard came over. "Argonian, maybe you didn't hear my friend say the border is closed." He looked long and hard at the pouch in Ean's hand.

"Why don't I give both of you my donation to the guard retirement fund."

The guards crowded in close. The heat of their torches uncomfortably warm on his face. With one hand, Ean opened the leather pouch wide. With the other, he pushed the injured spy's head downward.

In a single motion, he tossed the contents of the pouch into the air, yanked on the spy's arm, and shouted, "Run!"

There was an explosion and brilliant flash behind them. The guards stumbled around screaming, followed by the splash of one of them going over the side of the bridge.

Explosive Mushroom Spores removed from Inventory

CLASS RANK INCREASED: Spymaster +1 (12/12)

+ + + CLASS LEVEL UP: Spymaster IV + + +

Ean half-dragged the spy as they ran across the bridge. At the halfway point, he noticed a closed barrier on the Argonian side.

"We're Argonians. Let us through," he shouted. The two guards unsheathed their swords but remained still.

They were nearly to the barrier when Ean recognized one of the guards. "Aaron. It's me. They didn't accept my diplomatic papers," he yelled.

The guards looked at each other and then moved one side of the barrier to let him through.

Both Ean and the spy doubled over as they fought to catch their breath. "I may have upset them slightly." Ean looked back to see pandemonium on the Brindle side. "You should double, no, triple the guard."

"Who's your friend," Royal Guard Blackwood asked.

"This is one of my spies. He was captured and beaten but I asked them nicely to give him back."

Aaron shook his head in disbelief. "I knew I'd come to regret letting you through. I'll wake up the entire garrison. Go. Get him some help."

QUEST COMPLETED: SQ-05 Locate missing spy from South Brindle

REWARD: +1 XP (19/24)

* * *

Ean guided the injured spy through the dark streets of Argonia North. The man's wounds were severe, his clothes were soaked with blood and his breathing ragged. Without immediate medical attention, he would likely die.

His neck hairs stood on end as they neared Lila's shop. Every shadow seemed to conceal a threat, and distant footsteps made his grip tighten on the wounded spy. Had they been followed?

He shoved the door open with his shoulder, half-stumbling into the shop under the spy's dead weight. Lila emerged from the back, a startled gasp escaping her lips as she took in the injured man. Without a word, she gathered medical supplies and tended to the man.

Ean watched, his own hands clenched into helpless fists, as Lila's skilled fingers worked with an eerie calm. Her face was a mask of grim determination, betraying none of the turmoil that must have raged beneath the surface. He admired her skill and composure under pressure.

As she worked, Lila whispered harshly, "You've brought trouble to my doorstep," her gaze locked on him. "Assassins and who knows what else will be heading this way." Her words struck him like a blow, and he felt a pang of guilt. He had endangered her by not considering the implications of his actions. Samuel would surely scold him for putting the spy's life before the mission. So be it. Sacrificing lives is not a decision I'm willing to make.

She finished tending to the spy and stood up, wiping her hands on her trousers. "He'll survive but he needs rest. Before you ask, no you can't leave him here," she declared firmly. "My husband and I... we can't risk staying in Argonia any longer. We're leaving. Tonight." Her voice was resolute, but Ean could see the fear in her eyes.

He nodded solemnly, respecting her decision. He had come to rely on Lila and would miss her dearly. She hugged him tight. "Thank you for giving us the chance to start a new life. Take care of Aria." She gathered some things from her office and disappeared into the back of the shop.

Ean helped the injured spy to his feet and led him out into the night. The streets were quiet now, the city settling down for the evening. Ean kept a watchful eye, expecting assassins to leap out of the shadows at any moment.

They shuffled toward Argonia Central, each step feeling like an eternity. As they neared the castle, he couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding settle over him. The events of the past few days had taken a physical and emotional toll on him. He had saved his spy, but in the process stirred up a hornet's nest at the border. Things were certain to get more difficult from here on out.