Fritz, his companions, and a pair of elves were led into the main church by a priest. He shuffled slowly behind the rest of the beastkin as they walked over from the dormitory. His legs felt wooden after hearing the news. Hueryss was going to be attacked. The undead would descend upon the city and kill everything they could. Looming anxiety fired a storm of stress within his nervous system.

Traveling into the main chapel, they made their way behind the altar. Several chambers and offices for ranking clerics were available. Climbing stairs, they made their way to the mother superior's office on the third floor.

"Enter." An elderly female's voice called out from behind the door. The priest opened the door, ushering them inside. The office of the mother superior was somewhat sparse. A large wooden desk dominated her office. A singular cot for sleeping was nestled against a wall behind her. A green stained glass window in the back shed a small amount of the morning's light into her room. Two wooden chairs were in front of her cluttered desk for guests. Fritz ignored them as he approached her desk.

"Ah. The champion. I was wondering when you were going to awaken. I've been eager to become acquainted." The mother superior said with a smile. Her face wrinkled as tea-stained yellow teeth peeked out from between her lips.

"Fritz. Call me Fritz. Mrs....?"

"Please call me Mother Alice, champion." The wizened, wrinkly ratkin responded. Her black robes were plain. Atop her desk, was a litany of letters, books, spilled ink, crumbs and stains from spilt tea. Her small office was crowded as Fritz and his companions piled in with the other two elves. The other priest bowed slightly as he moved to exit. Alice's white rat ears twitched slightly as the door to her office closed. Fritz turned his head to watch the other priest shut the door behind him.

"I see you've met with Princess Mynuru. Good." Alice said. "I was debating on the best way to get you two acquainted."

"Who?" Fritz asked. He looked to his companions. They shrugged. The two cloaked elves stiffened. Alice cleared her throat. Her eyes darted towards the elvish woman. "Her?" Fritz pointed with his thumb. "Never met her. Look, I don't care about any elves. We've got a potential disaster on our hands."

"You don't care?" The elf asked incredulously. "You don't care? Do you even know who I am?"

"No, and I just said I don't care." Fritz snapped.

"I see living amongst these animals has ruined you!"

"Mother Alice what is happening? Why did a little child tell me that this city is coming under attack?" Fritz asked as he turned his back on everyone else.

"Are you ignoring me?!" The elf asked. "I am royalty! The absolute gall of you! Are all champions this rude?! Excuse me. I am talking to you!"

"The city is in danger because the dumb bitch's mother wants revenge." Neva growled out. Her hand reached to scratch her scarred cheek. "Not our fault."

"How dare you speak like that in front of the princess!" The other elf reached for a weapon.

"Oh? You think that's a good idea boy?" Neva scoffed.

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"Neva. Be civil." Fritz chided.

"Don't command me." Neva growled as she crossed her arms. "I'm not the one drawing steel."

"Now, now, let's calm down." Brenn said. "We should all get along. Maybe have one big orgy. Get everyone well and truly acquainted." Both elves blanched at the suggestion.

"Blood. Feed me his blood! Let me feast like an emperor!" The blade screamed in Fritz's mind.

"Ada. Shut it up." Fritz said.

"I know! I know!" Ada slapped the flat of her sword. "Bad sword! Shut up! Stop begging!"

"Throw that damn thing away. It's cursed." Neva growled.

"No! It's not cursed! It's useful! It's enchanted steel."

"Give it to me. I could extract its mana." Marcelle said with a wicked grin. "It's a win-win for everyone."

"Everyone, please. How much danger is this city in?" Fritz asked.

"The Countess von Erwenhest is marching upon the city. Her retinue of blood knights will descend upon the city. They are immortal vampires skilled in warfare. They've practiced their martial crafts for countless lifetimes. Your warriors cannot compare. They are unnatural killers, and trained to an extreme. That is only her direct retinue. Whatever horrors of Gris that follow her banner will destroy this city." The elven princess said confidently. "You stand no chance, regardless of what your leader thinks. You will die if you stay." Fritz was silent as he thought.

"Do you agree with her?" Fritz asked.

"It is our sacred duty to defend these cities, champion. Javert has been our undefeated ruler for nearly a decade. His retinue of warriors are fearsome. The undead are fearsome combatants, the fighting will be tough. Perhaps you can stay and help?"

"Fritz, we should just leave." Neva said.

"What? We can't just leave? We need to save the city and become heroes! There's a lot of vampires to slay! There's more enchanted swords to collect" Ada said while waving her rapier in the air. Marcelle hissed as the onyx blade came uncomfortable close to her face.

"Idiot! Put that thing away!" Marcelle seethed. "Neva is right. Our mission takes priority. Attempting to save the city would invite unnecessary risk. It would be foolish to court death." Marcelle grumbled.

"Aw.... I was hoping for a bit of excitement." Brenn said.

"How long do we have?" Fritz asked.

"Two weeks, at most." Alice replied. Fritz's brows knitted as he leaned into the mother superior's desk.

"The champion's safety cannot be left to these morons... these animals. The elves are more than prepared to "

"Morons?" Marcelle hissed. "Don't you dare lump me in with these dumb fools! I am an unparalleled genius!"

"Hey! I'm not dumb." Brenn objection. "I'll have you know I have a condition that nerfs my intellect."

"See champion? Do you see why these animals are unworthy? Do not waste your time with them! Whatever your mission, the elves will assist! They are worthless beasts! But we are different! We are better! We have the resources! We have the knights! Your mission would be infinitely easier with us!" The elven princess leaned forward waiting on his words.

"Are you trying to poach him?" Ada growled.

"Typical elf. Think they know everything." Neva spat out.

"More than some nameless beast." Mynuru spat back.

"Nameless? Hah!" Neva laughed to herself. Brenn teleported to Neva's side, nudging her.

"Come on! Tell 'em! Tell 'em!" Brenn urged.

"Tell what?" Ada asked. Her gray eyes grew wide. "Spill the beans! Neva! Come on! Tell me your secret!"

"Imbeciles."

"They're annoying. Let's just kill them." Marcelle said. One of the elves immediately drew a set of daggers, going on the defensive.

"Lay a hand on her and you will die!" He yelled. Fritz turned around to see the elf draw a long dagger, as he pulled the princess back.

"Oh shut up. She was joking!" Neva said. "Put that crap away, before you do something stupid."

"The champion should leave with us. I have learned enough to know you are unworthy to accompany him." Mynuru's words were laced with venom.

"Now. Now. Please. Be civil. He is the champion." Mother Alice tried her best to calm the two sides.

"No! I found him first! You're not taking him!" Ada yelled over the mother superior.

The two sides quickly fell into a shouting match over nothing. In such an environment, Fritz couldn't think. Shouldering past his companions he exited the office alone. He quickly moved down the stairs searching for fresh air.