Captain Ism was having a rough day. Since the start of the attacks, he hadn’t gotten much sleep. Between meetings and giving orders, Ism had been working ragged. But it was expected, and he knew he was invaluable. There were only 4 captains in Esmel’s guard. Only 4 who could talk with the [Arbors] and who could navigate their plans and maintain nearly a thousand guards and soldiers.

Ism was stationed inside of Honeygreen. It was his fortress to defend and manage, but in all honesty Honeygreen didn’t need support. Honeygreen was more than capable of keeping his trunk safe. Ism’s orders weren't so much to defend Honeygreen, but more of a medium for the citizens. Honeygreen did not have the time to speak to the citizens. He, after all, was a king in the middle of a war, one without the means of widespread communication.

Crowds gathered around Honeygreen. He was one of the few places left in the city that held groupings of citizens. Ism thought them all to be fools. If there was an attack in the city, this would be the most prime location. But he understood why they gathered. They were afraid. They looked to Honeygreen for some sort of refuge. Some sort of hope. It was a shame that Honeygreen couldn’t give it.

Honeygreen was scared. After the burning of Salvia, Honeygreen had locked himself in the war room. People would come and go, but he would remain. He gave orders, read reports, even grieved for the soldiers that died defending the perimeter.

Ism sighed and stood from his small desk. It was time for another speech. Another update. He hated doing this. He hated speaking false hopes and comforting lies. He hated this part of his job, but he knew it had to be done. Ism walked through the long hallways that led outside. He walked before a crowd, who quieted as he approached. That was odd. They normally yelled questions and demanded answers from him.

He stepped up to the makeshift podium. Here he could see everyone. He could see the faces of the ones he was going to lie to. He would see their hopes rise, and subsequently fall the next time they gathered.

“Before I continue with what I have to say, I would like to encourage you all to stay home. Stay indoors, only go out when absolutely necessary.” Ism closed his eyes, waiting for the rebuttal. It always came. Cries of why, and outrage. But it didn’t happen. The crowd remained silent. Ism looked around, confused.

“These attacks have been going on for nearly a week. I am sorry to say, I do not know when they will end.” The crowd remained silent. “But we are looking for the source. Day and night, the city's best are out there, searching. We will find the [Reanimator] and we will end him.”

“As to why [Arbor] Salvia was destroyed. I cannot say. Not yet, it is a matter of Esmel’s security, and I hope you all can understand.” Ism waited again. No outrage came. Ism was starting to worry.

Something is different. He thought.

“We will be having guards go door to door to check on citizens. They will do a quick series of wellness checks and provide rations. The wellness checks will be simple. A check behind each ear. A few citizens have been found to have strange black dots behind their ears. We do not know what it means. It could be nothing, but we just want to be cautious. Please report anyone with the black dots if you see them.”

This statement was what Ism had feared saying the most. Black dots? Who was he kidding? Every citizen must have known he was lying. Who in their right mind would believe that the [Arbors] had no idea what the dots meant, especially since the enemy was Vast Empire? Plague would be what most assumed. The dots were the starting of a plague. One that would destroy the city.

There were some quiet murmurs, but nothing past that. Normally these update speeches would take an hour. But this time, he finished within a few minutes. Granted that most of that time was listening to concerned citizens. Ones who had nothing and felt everything. Ism would listen to most of them but would leave after the questions became repetitive or degrading. This time this crowd was silent causing him to turn to leave.

“That’s it?” Someone in the crowd yelled.

Ism sighed and returned to the podium.

“Can you repeat your question?” he asked the crowd, mainly to find the individual.

“I said, that’s it. That’s your speech to the citizens? That's what they gathered for? A three-minute update with nothing of substance?”

Ism searched for the voice. It came from a young human male that was unkempt. His beard looked like it hadn't been shaved in a week, maybe longer. His hair was long and unkept, the greasy mess covered his eyes slightly. His clothes were torn and stained. He walked barefooted but he didn’t seem to mind. He was missing his right arm and had a small… Dragon lizard snake companion. Ism recognized him.

“Max? You’re awake?”

Max kept his cold glare. “You didn’t answer my question.”

“What is there to answer? I give updates to-”

“No, you don’t.” Max interrupted. “You are the PR guy. The guy who is supposed to imbue confidence into his citizens. The guy who is supposed to be a symbol of hope for his community. You don’t simply give updates. You listen to the concerns of the citizens and work to better their situation. You stand before this crowd of scared, hopeless, and downcast citizens and ask them to search their family and friends for dots?”

“I wo-” Ism started.

“You should be standing before them bringing hope. Bringing news of Esmel’s triumphs and their way forward. Sure, you need to add the important stuff but not like how you said. Monotone and with self-hatred. The crowd can feel that they know you don’t want to talk to them. But damn it! That is your job! Why else would you even speak to them? Why not call in the guard and break up the crowd? That would be safer than this.” Max gestured around.

The crowd seemed to agree. They started shouting in favor of the Human. The crowd roared with demands and calls for help. The people needed a symbol, and it was obvious captain Ism wasn’t going to be it. After the second piece of fruit was thrown at Ism, Max stepped in. He enveloped the crowd with his aura, causing them to go silent.

Max walked through the Elves. A path was made for him straight up to the stage and podium. People looked at him, they watched him, in silent pondering. They asked themselves who this man was. Why did he understand their city better than an Elven guard captain? They had so many questions.

Max stood before the podium. He stood before Esmel. Hundreds of brave or lost citizens made up the crowd. A fraction of the city, but the most important. They were the ones who would spread news, they were the ones who would spread the city's triumph of its downfall.

In perfect Elvish, Max spoke:

“I am Max Fowler. I was requested by Seetrin, The Unicorn Queen, to find the source of the dark magics around Esmel. My team and I found it. It belonged to Mallor Henbar, an ex-noble of Salae. He is also a member of Vast Empire. It may seem like the city is going to fall, but that is simply not the case. Mallor may be a [Reanimator] but we are an Elven city. We have the protection of five [Arbors] behind us, as well as Veline the Shadow’s Deluge and Arc Flash Bishop. Members of Lost Lord Lester Tayler’s team.”

Max regarded the surprised faces.

“That’s right. Two members of the most famous adventuring team of the last millennia are in Esmel. In fact, Bishop killed Mallor’s bond, Buzluc. Buzluc was a Blight Wight and was responsible for the deaths of the scouting party in the forest as well as the massacre in the warehouse district.”

“How do we know that he is truly dead? I heard that he sprouted wings and flew out of the warehouse district!” A dusty Elven woman yelled from the crowd.

Max smiled and brought up the notification for Buzluc’s death. He sent it to everyone in the crowd. Gasps and murmurs of chatter ran rampant through the crowd. Smiles and laughs resonated with Max. This is what he loved. Seeing hope be brought back into lost souls. Max held up his left arm, gathering everyone's attention back to him.

“I will be honest with you. Mallor has an army, is he a [Reanimator], after all. But we do too. We have guards, soldiers, mages, and adventures within this forest ready to protect their home. Who do you think would win? A random undead minion or an arrow from our best archer? Or a fireball from a mage? Or the spears of the guard? Mallor is scared. He reacted to his bond's death before his preparations were complete. He is a reckless fool but that is not why we are going to triumph. We are going to triumph because we have pride. Pride in the city and it’s leaders. Pride in the protectors and healers! Pride in the smiths, the tailors, the chefs, the merchants! Pride in every citizen. Esmel will triumph!”

The crowd was yelling, hollering, hooting, and cheering. Pride, Max knew, was a powerful thing. The crowd fed on its own positive energy. Everyone was tired of being scared. Of being weak. They believed in Max’s words, some even scolded themselves for not seeing his vision earlier.

How could I have been so foolish? They thought.

Max smiled at the wide-eyed captain Ism. Ism watched the crowd bask in lost emotion, utterly stunned. A hand landed on his shoulder. It connected to a smiling Human boy.

“Morale is important for a city and its longevity. Think of the crowd as one of your squads. Would you give them a boring, forced speech right before combat? Or would you raise their spirits and morale?”

Max let go of his shoulder and walked past. He entered the Honeygreen’s trunk and made his way to the war room. Guards tried to stop him at several checkpoints, but something in the back of their minds told them he was safe. That he was there to help. They understood who he was, and what he had done already. They knew his name and why he was here.

The war room was an unorganized mess. Papers and files were thrown around in random spots. People rushed in and out, completely ignoring Max other than that he was an obstacle to dodge. Honeygreen sat on his elegant chair. He was reading a report, but something was bothering him.

“[Arbor] Honeygreen.” Max announced. “Do you know where my team is?”

Honeygreen looked up. Old age was seen in his eyes. He was exhausted. There was no other way to put it.

“Max?” He said shocked. “You're awake? Since when?”

“A few hours maybe?”

“Max… I am sorry about your arm… It’s my fault. I should have been able to defend the city without your help.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Max waved him off. “Do you know where my team is?”

“Your team? Sure, they have been training. A lot, might I add. As I understand it, the battle between Bishop and Buzluc was close.”

“He had a death bomb or something. Bishop would have killed him earlier if I wasn’t there. But that's in the past now, I’m going to go find the others.” Max said and turned to the door.

Honeygreen scrambled to stand. “Wait, I’ll go with you. I haven’t had a good stretch in a while anyways…” Max smiled.

They walked through the narrow hallways. Max could hear the fighting before they reached the doors. Splashes of water and whining arrows. Familiar sounds, ones that Max drew comfort from. Vel was sparring against Reep. Reep was now using a bow made entirely out of lighting. Arrows were created and fired at Vel, who was dodging and returning fire with water bolts. Reep would dodge and counter fire.

Her movement got better! Max thought.

The sparring ended when Clammy eked with delight. She jumped up from her sitting position and tackle hugged Max. They fell to the floor and remained like that for a few minutes. Tears wet Max’s shoulder as Clammy cried. He tightened his one arm around her, hoping she would understand that he wouldn’t leave her like that again.

`They eventually stood up, and Reep quickly rushed into a hug. They didn’t fall, but it was stronger and more personal than Max was used to from Reep.

“Don’t scare us like that again.” She whispered into his ear, fighting to hold back tears.

“I won’t don’t worry.”

She nodded and stepped back.

Vel was next and her mask of ruthlessness slipped for a few brief moments. During their hug, she wasn’t Veline, the hardened veteran adventurer, but Vel the caring teacher. Her mask slipped back on, and she stepped back.

Bishop was last, and he was hesitant. He didn’t know how to look at the boy. He couldn’t face him; the guilt was too much. Max lost his arm, and almost bled out because he couldn't protect him. Not only that, but Max also saved his life after the death bomb went off. Max saw that Bishop wasn’t making eye contact. He stepped forward and hugged the big lizard.

“Glad to see that you are alright.” Max said.

“Max… I’m sor-”

“I know. It’s okay. I’m fine and Buzluc is dead. It’s a win. Let’s just accept it and move on. I think that will be better for both of us.”

“Max… But you almost died! Because I couldn’t protect you.”

“Not true. You saved me multiple times Bishop. Think about it. Buzluc was waiting for me. He wanted me. He was going to take me and torture me… or worse. If you weren't there, who knows where I would be. Sure, I lost an arm, but the outcome was the best-case scenario.”

Bishop was speechless.

“When did you learn to speak, boy?” Vel nudged.

Honeygreen laughed. “You should see what he did outside, nearly started a riot.”

Max scratched the back of his head. “You saw that huh?”

“Not what you said or what you did, no. I was too focused in the blasted war room to even notice the crowd. When we started walking here, I took a look around and saw the guards setting up a perimeter around my trunk and that the crowd was chanting, Max! Max! Max!”

Max turned red. “Ah, sorry about that. I just wanted to raise the morale a bit.”

“I think you achieved that.” He said with a smile.

The others looked on, confused. They had no idea what they two were talking about.

“What are you talking about?” Clammy finally asked.

“Oh!” Honeygreen said a little too chippy. “Would you like to see?”

“Please no. It’s embarrassing.” Max said, suddenly realizing what he had just did. He talked in front of a crowd and didn’t stutter. In fact, they accepted what he said.

“Well now we have got to see.” Vel said, moving to the door.

The crowd had grown. Before it was a hundred or so, but now it was at least 5 times that. Max and the others peered through the door. Vel had a sadistic smile, and the others looked at Max uncertainty.

Honeygreen looked sour. He looked afraid. The leader of an entire city, listening to his people chant the name of someone else, and a kid for that matter. It hurt him. A pit opened in his heart, one that hadn’t opened in centuries. He saw his people; he saw how he failed them. He used to care, he used to partake. It all went back to his wife. Her death caused him to spiral down. He went to less meetings, he became more reclusive.

“Do you want to speak to them?” Max asked, seeing Honeygreen’s odd behavior.

He slowly nodded his head.

“Do you want me to introduce you?”

Again, he nodded. Max smiled and walked out to the stage. The crowd erupted with his presence. He found it harder to spread his aura now. He also felt queasy when he looked out over the crowd. He waited for the crowd to silence.

My aura added to my confidence. Does that even make sense?

He took a deep breath.

“For the newcomers, I am Max Fowler. I stood here a little while ago and spoke from my heart. It looks like it was well received. There is someone who also would like to speak to you.” Max turned to the doorway. “[Arbor] Honeygreen.”

A murmur shot through the crowd. Honeygreen? When was the last time he was seen? My great grandma used to tell stories about him. He’s worthless, he won’t even help his people! He burned down [Arbor] Saliva! Why!

They watched as he crossed the stage and up to the podium. All eyes were on him, even the guards who were supposed to be on watch.

“I am [Arbor] Denitum Honeygreen. As of the last few centuries I have been away. Not physically, but in a mental since. I let others do my bidding and solve the problems I should have stood in front of. I am a weak man, one who let the loss of a loved one control his life. I ignored the pain and wellbeing of my citizens. I wallowed in self pity and forgot who I was.”

He slowed for a moment.

“I used to be proud. I used to walk around the city, greeting shopkeepers and children. I used to care, and I used to be loved. I failed myself. I failed my wife. And most importantly, I failed you. It wasn’t until I met this young boy and his team of extraordinary people, that I realized I was blind.” He gestured behind him to Max. The others took this as a cue to join them.

“They have helped this city more than any of you know. They have suffered and they have had losses. Losses that I should have been able to prevent. The city has had losses. Guards and soldiers among the most. Let me be clear when I say this. All of their deaths were my fault. Every single one of them. I could have sought better allies, or defensive pacts. I could have added to the city's defenses. I could have simply been there. But I wasn’t.”

“The city is in peril, that much is true. Undead knock at our doors, and the the threat of bombings or plague is still high. I wish I had more to say to you. More hope to give, or lives to touch. But, over the last few weeks, I have learned that I am just a man. I may live for a long time, but I have the same weaknesses as I did when I was flesh. For that, I am sorry.” He moved from the podium and bowed.

The crowd remained silent.

“I stand before you today, to make a promise. A promise to better myself. A promise to listen. A promise to respond. A promise to protect, and a promise to become the man I used to be. A man who could rival a king. A man who protected his city from war, from famine, from invaders and from the unknown. I have been silent for too long and for that I will serve my penance.”

“But for that to happen, I need a city. I need citizens, and I need people who believe in me. War has started, and the enemy is an undead army. One that should rival the Royal Army of Salae. I need your help, everyone's help. Please remain inside, for the time being. We have evidence that bombs or worse are within the city. They will be targeted on places of interest and places that serve the longevity of the city. Evidence of a latent plague has been found on citizens with black dots behind their ears. Please, it is critical that these people be quarantined. If you find someone with the dots, every guard has been taught how to deal with the situation.”

The crowd began to murmur again.

“Please. I don’t want any more deaths on m-y hands.” His voice faltered slightly. “Thank you.”

With that, he turned and walked back to his trunk. He had work to do, a city to run, and people to protect. Max nodded as he walked by, giving him some comfort of reassurance. He walked past his guards who saluted with greater vigor. He walked by the rest of the team, who gave him varying levels of smiles and nods. But the crowd remained silent, their faces blank and eyes confused.

I have failed them yet again… Honeygreen thought, but just before he returned inside, he heard a clap. The single person clapping turned into several, then many, and finally the whole of the crowd. Honeygreen turned to the source of the first clap, a young girl. She had bright blonde hair, she wore adventuring clothing with a large overweight hammer strapped to her back.

Honeygreen nodded in thanks to Clammy, who returned a nod back.

Honeygreen left the stage, the crowd clapping behind him.