“So, Mr. Talemaker,” High Priest Kaive said, watching him closely. “How is it that you escaped the notice of the dock wardens? That, in itself, is an accomplishment.”

  It only took one look at the High Priest’s face to know he was perfectly aware of how Justin had gotten here. “I came in through the back door, I’m afraid. By the museum.”

  “Ah,” the High Priest said, his eyes twinkling with knowing amusement. “You’ve discovered our little secret, then. You must possess a gate key. A... strange acquisition for one of your standing.”

  “My adventures have taken me many places,” Justin said coolly. “But I think I’m ready to settle down and lay down roots.”

  “I see. And where do you plan to do this, if I may ask? Your accent… it’s almost pure Aranthian. It’s hard to pin down.”

  “Hard to say where I plan on ending up,” Justin said, ignoring the second observation. “Somewhere the call of adventure is never far away.”

  Lila glanced at Justin, a half-smile playing on her lips. It looked like she wanted to say something but was holding back for some reason.

  Kaive hummed thoughtfully. “Well, I approach you because you’re obviously a man of many talents. I could use one of those right now.”

  Justin arched an inquisitive eyebrow, momentarily curious about Lila’s cryptic comment. “How so?”

  “I’ve come to speak to you about Baron Valdrik. Or rather, I should say Count Valdrik.”

  Justin blinked. “The guy has been promoted?”

  “Unfortunately, yes. And while the intelligence shared by Mr. Thornwood and Ms. Fairwind has proven useful—and definitive—it doesn’t make things simpler for us.” Kaive took a brief look around, checking for anyone who might be listening. “Perhaps we can discuss this in my private office?”

  Justin watched him carefully, seeing no hint of a threat in the older man’s demeanor. “Of course.”

  Lila touched Justin’s arm reassuringly. “It’s all right. He’s trustworthy.”

  Justin would have to take her word for it, at least for now.

  The High Priest led them through a series of stone corridors filled with torches illuminating chambers that revealed high views over the Middle Ocean. This place was more a fortress than a palace, but Justin supposed that it made sense. The Templars were clearly a military order, after all.

  They finally arrived at a heavy oak door emblazoned with a war hammer encircled by rays of light. Justin figured it was an emblem denoting Arion.

  Kaive’s office was surprisingly modest given his station. Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with books. A large desk of polished mahogany dominated the room. Behind the desk, tall windows overlooked the churning Middle Ocean.

  “Now,” the High Priest said, settling behind his desk while Justin and Lila took seats before him, “we can speak a bit more freely. I’m afraid not even the Mont is safe from his influence.”

  “It doesn’t surprise me,” Justin said. “So, his becoming a count. Does it expand his territory and influence?”

  “Mightily,” Kaive said, leaning forward with a grave expression. “The Barony of Silverton will remain his seat and is beginning the process of becoming a proper county. Something long overdue, given its outsized influence. Besides this, he’s getting access to further territory in the Western Hinterlands, as far as Pinecrest to the west and Caroway to the north. In short, his domain is expanding by at least ten times, and he is currently well in favor with Queen Eleanor II.”

  Justin could only assume that was the Queen of Aranthia. “So, where do I come in? I would think you have Paladins to take care of this sort of thing.”

  “The Templars of Arion don’t just employ Paladins and Priests, Mr. Talemaker. I’ve learned much about you already, though we have never met. A Socialite is always useful in these situations, but I see now that I’m not dealing with a Socialite, but rather a Level 20 Entrepreneur with an Air Affinity.” He frowned for a moment. “An advanced class? I must admit, the mysteries of the Aetherion grow by the day.”

  Justin resisted the urge to wince. Apparently, Kaive had some sort of ability that allowed him to see both class and level. He was also sensing his Air Affinity from his Elea’s Whisper, something likely very strange for a denizen of Aranthia. “Yes. I’m not sure why the option was presented to me in particular, but perhaps I met some condition. I recognized the uniqueness of the opportunity, so I took it.”

  “Of course,” Kaive said. “Well, my point stands. As much as we’d like to take down the count, with the way currents are moving, it is impossible to act. At least, not immediately.”

  Lila leaned forward, her brow furrowed. “But why? The man is a monster. Surely with what we told you, there’s enough to bring him to justice.”

  Justin nodded in agreement. “This guy is incredibly powerful and dangerous. He needs to be taken down.”

  “He isn’t working alone,” Kaive said, his voice dropping lower. “We could go after him, yes. We have enough evidence to prove it. But we’d only be cutting off one head of the hydra, so to speak. We currently don’t know who he’s allied with. And we believe there are agents of the God of Death in even higher positions. If we go after Valdrik now, we may never get the chance to root them out.”

  Justin supposed it made sense, but it was also disheartening. He exchanged a glance with Lila, seeing his own frustration mirrored in her eyes.

  “Are you the only one who knows about Valdrik?” Justin asked. “If he ever learns about me, then I’m afraid my days are numbered. Lila’s, too, not to mention Eldrin’s. Where did Eldrin go off to, anyway?”

  Lila shifted uncomfortably. “He said he had personal business to attend to. He didn’t want to put us at risk.” She hesitated, as if there was more she wanted to say, but glanced at Kaive and remained silent.

  “He—quite wisely, I must say—didn’t share his destination with anyone,” Kaive added. “If his surname is any clue, he may have gone to the Thornwood. I don’t know if he is from there, but that’s my best guess.”

  Justin had seen it on his map. A small forest about two hundred miles south of Silverton. From Mont Elea, it was a good five to six hundred miles, if not more. And of course, Kaive was just guessing.

  “We are not giving up,” Kaive said firmly. “Instead, I have an offer for you, if you truly want to help bring Valdrik down. An offer of employment with the Templars.”

  Justin’s eyes widened. “Employment? In what capacity?”

  “I need eyes and feet on the ground,” Kaive explained. “And it’s rare I meet someone with your unique capabilities. More than that, such a relationship would be mutually beneficial. For one, you have already proven yourself, surviving in practically unsurvivable situations against a foe that is, in every way, far superior to you.”

  “Thanks,” Justin said a bit wryly.

  Kaive ignored the tone. “Two, we both want the same thing. You want to take care of Valdrik; I want to dismantle the larger conspiracy threatening Aranthia. It will require discretion on your part, but I believe you’re up to the task.”

  Justin saw his point there. Lila nodded slowly beside him, but seemed distracted, watching Justin’s face carefully.

  “And three,” Kaive went on, “if you agree, I can offer protection. You were right to say Valdrik will be looking to end you. And he knows you meant to come here, so if he has a spy in place here, then it’s likely the information about your whereabouts will be passed on within a week or two, if not sooner. We’ve already caught one spy, but thankfully, we managed to turn that situation around.”

  “What kind of protection are you going to offer?” Justin asked, his voice skeptical.

  High Priest Kaive gave a knowing, mysterious smile. “You may come in now.”

  Standing in the doorway was the last person Justin expected. He stood tall, broad-shouldered, with an easy smile beneath his blue eyes. His face looked worn, the bags under his eyes hinting at his trials. But he wore the steel armor and white cloak of his station.

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  It was Alistair of Drakendale.

  Justin leapt out of his seat. “Alistair!”

  Lila remained seated, watching Justin’s reaction with a satisfied smile, clearly enjoying his shock.

  “Good to see you, lad,” Alistair said, his voice warmer than Justin remembered.

  Justin turned to Lila, his eyes wide. “You knew?”

  She nodded, looking slightly guilty. “I was going to tell you earlier—that was my news. But then the High Priest approached us, and I decided...” She gave a small shrug. “I wanted to see your face when you found out.”

  Kaive also stood, placing his hands behind his back. “I see you have questions. I will answer them as best as I can. Alistair was near death when he was brought back to Silverton for Valdrik to inspect him. Valdrik’s pride was greater than his sense. He believed his abilities were powerful enough to create a thrall of mind magic around Alistair. But it was a foolish idea. A Paladin’s training and defense against dark sorceries made this a losing proposition, even if Alistair led him to believe he was winning. Valdrik was even bold enough to send Alistair directly here, thinking that in him he had the perfect spy.”

  Justin took all this in shock. He could only stare, dumbfounded. “You survived?”

  “It wasn’t easy,” Alistair said, his expression darkening. “And to be frank, Justin... a part of me died so that the other part might live. It was the only way to survive the Baron’s magic. But when he believed me wholly his, he ordered me here, to be his eyes and ears. And he would have gotten away with it, aside from that one spark of myself I kept under guard. And it was this spark that the High Priest sensed. The ritual and prayers to Arion and the Six, and even the Creator Supreme, were intense. But in the end, Valdrik’s magic was overcome, and I was myself again. Mostly. There are... things I don’t remember, especially after the darkness overcame me.” He nodded grimly. “But should you say yes to the High Priest, we would be working together.”

  Justin was flabbergasted, near to tears. “That would be great, Alistair.” He turned to Lila. “Does Eldrin know too?”

  “Yes,” she confirmed. “He was here when Alistair arrived. But he still had his personal business to attend to—said it couldn’t wait. He sends his regards, though.”

  “I’m glad you agree,” High Priest Kaive said with a smile. “The salary is generous; for individuals of your skills, one gold crown per month each is not out of the question.”

  “Each?” Lila echoed, her eyebrows rising. “You mean both of us?”

  “Of course,” Kaive said. “Your Bardic talents would be invaluable in this endeavor. Information gathering, persuasion, and diplomatic encounters—these are all areas where your abilities would shine, Ms. Fairwind.”

  “And where would we be going first?” Justin asked.

  “Belmora,” Alistair answered. “It’s the seat of power of Aranthia, and it’s likely that whoever is in charge of Valdrik and the larger conspiracy to the Queendom is operating there. It’s the largest city in Serenthel, aside from Velandia, and we can blend in easily enough. And if Valdrik ever discovers you, he will have my Paladin Sense to deal with.”

  Justin nodded, then glanced at Lila. “What do you think?”

  Lila’s green eyes met his, determination clear in her gaze. “I think it’s time we take the fight to them instead of running. I’m in if you are.”

  Justin turned back to Kaive. “And what about Eldrin, if we find him? Could he work with us too?”

  “Certainly,” Kaive said. “A Ranger of his caliber would be most welcome. The same terms would apply—one gold crown monthly. And knowing Rangers as I do, it probably wouldn’t be too difficult for him to find you if he so wished.”

  “Great,” Justin said, a new sense of purpose filling him. But part of him wondered. Was this the direction he wanted to take?

  If he said yes, he’d be committing to a cause larger than himself. There was still the possibility of outright escape, going somewhere so far that Valdrik couldn’t find him.

  And yet at the same time, like Lila, he was tired of running. It seemed he had allies now, and after what Valdrik had tried to do with Alistair, running was the last thing he wanted to do.

  The only fly in the ointment was his secret. Indeed, High Priest Kaive had raised a few red flags. One, he clearly found his lack of an accent suspect. Justin would definitely need more of a convincing history. And second, he had noted the uniqueness of his Entrepreneur Class. He had written it off as a “mystery of the Aetherion.” Perhaps Justin could use that line in the future. Whether he suspected something deeper remained to be seen.

  Whatever the case, Justin felt as if he had little choice. With Alistair alive and well, the path forward was clear. “All right, I’m in. So when do we start?”

  “Soon,” Alistair said. “The docks have ships to Belmora leaving every few days; it just so happens that one is leaving this afternoon. I suggest we take that one.”

  Justin’s eyes widened. “That’s not long at all.”

  “You know us Paladins,” Alistair chuckled. “Strike while the iron is hot.”

  “Why not use the gate?” Lila asked.

  “There is no need,” Kaive said. “There are dangerous demons who have also been known to use the gateway system, and we’ve had some run-ins with them over the past couple of decades. We avoid it whenever possible.”

  Justin resisted the urge to chuckle. It was rich that this Level 40 High Priest was calling the Fyrspawn, none of which was above Level 20, a dangerous demon. But he hid his reaction well. He definitely didn’t want to reveal that he had taken care of that “issue,” if it could even be called an issue.

  “As for the logistics and how you plan to operate, I will grant you a great deal of latitude,” Kaive said. “You will have Alistair, and I trust him implicitly.”

  Justin nodded, still a bit unsure. “It’s not that we don’t trust Alistair. But how can we be sure that at least some of Valdrik’s magic isn’t alive in him? Alistair defended that one spark; is it possible that there is a small kernel of this ‘dark magic’ left in Alistair?”

  Kaive’s expression turned grave but not offended. He seemed to regard Justin with a newfound respect for asking the difficult question.

  “A fair concern, Mr. Talemaker. Indeed, it would be foolish not to consider it.” The High Priest gestured toward Alistair. “Show him.”

  Alistair nodded and unfastened the collar of his armor, revealing a silver amulet with a golden jewel set in its center. The gem pulsed with golden light.

  “This is an Amulet of Elyndra,” Kaive explained. “It was crafted by the Ilvari Elves specifically to detect and neutralize any remnants of Death Magic. If even a hint of Valdrik’s influence remained within Alistair, this amulet would reject him. Alistair is a pure Life Affinity. But he cannot remove this amulet for any reason, just to be on the safe side, as it has a purifying effect.”

  Justin nodded. “I see.” Indeed, his monocle was already categorizing it as a gold-tier artifact. “I’ll have to take your word for it.”

  Kaive leaned forward, his hands spread on the desk. “But your caution speaks well of you. Even without the amulet, I’ve scoured his mind, his soul, his very core. My level and abilities are greater than Valdrik’s. What remains is purely Alistair.”

  “The darkness leaves traces,” Alistair added quietly. “I can feel where it was, like phantom limb pain upon my core. But that awareness is proof that I am free of it.”

  “Of course, I will, from time to time, send someone to check in on your progress,” Kaive said, moving on. “Perhaps you can start a business? It need not be profitable, just sufficient to provide cover for your wider activities.”

  Justin nodded, a smile playing on his lips. “I’m an Entrepreneur. The idea of running an unprofitable business is reprehensible to me.”

  Kaive chuckled. “I see. Well, whatever you think is best. Picking something normal and not too dangerous is my suggestion.”

  “So, no Vault Running Guild.”

  “That may not be a terrible idea, if you manage your risk,” Kaive said. “It gives you a good reason to leave the city for long lengths of time, if need be. But the same could be said for other businesses. Again, I’ll leave it to you. Vault Running will also see you competing with other guilds, and there are forms of taxation on the proceeds that go beyond a typical business. High risk, high reward. Something to consider.”

  Justin nodded. “Of course. I’ll keep that in mind.”

  He also cleared his throat soberly. “There is one other matter. That of the gate. It is a top secret matter. Please don’t share it or even use it unless it’s a dire emergency.”

  “Of course,” Justin said. “If I meet up with Eldrin again, is he allowed to know if the subject comes up?”

  Kaive clearly didn’t like this. “I have judged him as a man of good character, so I will allow this only. Again, please don’t use the gate except in dire need. The last thing we need is for the Cultists of Morvath to discover a backdoor to our heart.”

  Justin swallowed at this. Indeed, it was safer for Kaive to kill them all on the spot rather than give away this secret.

  “I will respect your wishes,” Justin said.

  “Thank you.”

  Justin smiled, trying to shift the mood. “So, High Priest. This is a long shot, but would you be interested in a business opportunity? I wouldn’t mind having a little seed money to start things up.”

  It was a long shot, but perhaps an opportunity to use his Angel’s Pitch skill.

  Kaive’s smile held no humor. “Well, I’m hardly the man. If you need to secure funding, I’m sure you have your own abilities that can help with that. But please, if you try to start a business, keep a low profile. The business would merely be cover. Valdrik is still after you, so you can’t be foolish.”

  Justin nodded. “Understood. Low profile it is.”

  Lila touched his arm lightly. “So it seems we’re off to Belmora. I’ve heard it’s quite beautiful.”

  “Beautiful and dangerous,” Alistair warned. “A city of three hundred thousand souls, each with their own agenda.”

  “Perfect,” Justin said, his mind already racing with possibilities. “The bigger the city, the easier it is to get lost in it.”

  “Arion guide your way,” Kaive said, watching Justin closely, as if trying to read his inner secrets.

  Justin met the High Priest’s gaze without flinching, a silent understanding passing between them. Here was a man who had seen beyond Justin’s charming exterior, who knew the value of what he was betting on. Even a small bet could pay big dividends if placed in the right investment.

  “Come,” Alistair said. “Let’s meet by the dock in an hour.”

  Alistair headed down the corridor outside the office, Justin still not believing he was alive. It was too good to be true, to the point that he didn’t trust it.

  “I know,” Lila said. “He doesn’t remember much. And he’s… different. Grimmer, in a way. But that’s to be expected after what he went through.”

  Justin nodded. “I have everything I need in my pack already. I have a lot to tell you.”

  For the first time, he called up her information, seeing that she was Level 20 now, too.

  “You’ve been busy too, I see.”

  “There will be time to catch up on the ship,” Lila said. “Are you ready?”

  “Always. I’ve long wanted to go to Belmora. It’s been something of a roundabout journey, but we’re getting there.”

  “I need to go pack up,” Lila said. “Meet you where we met up earlier?”

  Justin nodded. “I’ll be there.”

  As Justin made his way there, he was still reeling from how fast things had changed. He’d woken up that morning on another world, and now he was here on Eyrth. Two months lost in the Nether Realm. Friends thought dead now returned to life. Ancient gates and nation-threatening conspiracies.

  He felt it in his bones: a new chapter beginning. No longer the fugitive, the powerless Earther seeking to escape. He would now fully grow into his purpose.

  However small, he had just taken his first step toward striking back at the man who had long terrorized him.

  And this time, he would be doing so on his terms.