Day Three. Morning.

“I see,” I said, unsurprised. Given all the trouble Talon had gone to, the least I could do was to hear him out. “Go on.”

The captain did not respond immediately. Placing his hands behind his back, the Dark player paced back and forth. From the length of his laps, I gathered the privacy ward surrounding us was less than two yards in diameter.

Curiously I gazed about, trying to catch a glimpse of the shield itself but failed to spot any sign of it. From beyond the captain, I beheld Ultack, Cecilia, and the other players watching us avidly.

“The Dark is not united.”

I turned back to see that Talon had come to a halt before me, his brown eyes serious.

Seeing he had my attention, the captain went on, “There are many factions within the Dark. Erebus’ faction, the Awakened Dead, is one. My master, the god-emperor, leads another.”

I nodded slowly, beginning to realize where he was going with this.

“This valley was discovered years ago by scouts of a minor Dark faction,” Talon continued. “The Awakened Dead requested rights to the region which, given the rumored remoteness of the valley, the other Powers in the Dark did not hesitate to agree to.”

The captain sighed. “That decision proved shortsighted. Soon after gaining access to the valley, Erebus’ people discovered it held an entrance—the very same dungeon portal you emerged from—to an unexplored region of the Netherworld, one that connects with our other underground sectors.” He snapped his fingers. “That quickly, the importance of this valley was elevated.”

“I’m not sure I understand,” I said slowly.

“This sector has the potential to become one of the Dark’s main arteries into the Netherworld, providing as it does a safe supply route.”

I frowned. “Safe, how?”

“Simply put, this valley is a closed sector, making recapturing it once it is claimed supremely difficult. Even better, the valley’s location is presently hidden. It can’t remain that way forever naturally, but while it is, we need not fear ambush of our supply lines,” Talon explained. “And given how paranoid Ishita is about protecting the valley’s location, it is likely to remain hidden for much longer,” he grimaced. “Currently, the sector’s aether co-ordinates are unknown not just to the Forces of the Light and Shadow, but also to anyone in the Dark not belonging to the Awakened Dead.”

“How can that be?” I interjected. “Didn’t you say another faction found it?”

The captain’s lips turned down. “The original faction that discovered the valley was wiped out soon thereafter—supposedly by a faction of Light, but no evidence of that was ever found, nor incidentally any record of the valley’s coordinates.”

I digested that, suspecting foul play as clearly Talon did. “Why does the Dark need to use the Game’s portals to teleport supplies into the Netherworld anyway? Surely you can create a player portal to do that more efficiently?”

“Ah,” the captain breathed. “That’s where you are wrong. While the aether and nether realms appear to be a singular whole that is the Forever Kingdom, they are in many ways two separate worlds—ones that even the Powers struggle to bridge.”

My face scrunched up in confusion, having difficulty following the captain’s explanation.

Seeing this, the captain tried again. “Let me try putting it another way. Player-made portals cannot be opened between Netherworld and Kingdom sectors. Only game portals provide direct access between the two, the only exception being the conduit merchants used to transport goods to and from the Nexus and its banks—and those are limited in capacity and what they may convey.” He paused. “Do you understand the valley’s importance now?”

I nodded. I thought I did. All along, I’d believed the same set of rules governed the Netherworld and Kingdoms, but the reality seemed more complicated than that.

If this valley really is one of the few connections between the Netherworld and Kingdoms, I see why the Awakened Dead want it so much.

“Needless to say,” Talon continued, “owning one of the Dark’s supply routes into the Netherworld has increased the prestige of the Awakened Dead, and in recent years, Erebus’ power has grown by leaps and bounds. So when it came to the matter of how to claim and secure this sector, it was only natural the Awakened Dead were the ones appointed to head up the task.”

I stared at him. “Let me guess… it was another mistake?”

Talon nodded sadly. “It was Erebus’ idea to use the wild goblin tribes as the mainstay of the forces fortifying the valley. In of itself, this was not a bad idea,” the captain admitted. “But the wild tribes have always been notoriously willful, for which reason they have been largely ignored by the organized armies of Light and Dark. But when the Awakened Dead managed to convince two of the biggest tribes to send delegations to the valley, things looked promising. Sadly though, even after years, negotiations with the Howlers, the Red Rats, and more recently the Long Fangs have come to naught.”

“And you believe what? That Erebus is deliberately stalling the negotiations?” I asked.

The captain nodded slowly, displaying the first signs of uncertainty I’d seen.

“Why?” I asked, frowning. “How would that serve him?”

“That is what I don’t know.”

“But you don’t trust Erebus?” I asked, not that I blamed him, knowing what I knew of the Power.

The captain snorted. “My master does not,” he said bluntly. “Erebus is unscrupulous. Tartar and others amongst the Dark worry that the Awakened Dead plan on betraying them somehow.”

“So, what is stopping you from finding out?” I glanced around the full hall. “It doesn’t seem like your master lacks for power of his own.”

Talon laughed. “Oh, the god-emperor’s legions are vast. The Awakened Dead will not last long against us if it comes to open war. Erebus knows this too.” The captain sighed again. “But matters are rarely so simply resolved. If Tartar moves against Erebus without evidence, there will be consequences.” He glanced at me. “While the threat of my master’s wrath was enough to gain us access to this sector, I can only push so far. Neither I nor my people can investigate this matter as freely as I wish.”

“And that is why you need my help?”

“It is,” the captain agreed. “My company is confined to the safe zone. Erebus will not let us out, and I cannot force him to do so. Yet.”

My gaze flickered to Cecilia and Ultack. They had been outside the safe zone and clearly were under Talon’s command.

Following the direction of my gaze, the captain answered my unvoiced question. “Cecilia’s squad are recruits for the Tartan legion. As yet, they are unsworn and unmarked by the god-emperor. That is the only reason they have been allowed out of the safe zone.”

He grimaced. “I’ve been forced to rely on mere recruits, and you’ve seen for yourself how well that has gone.” He pierced me with his gaze. “You, on the other hand, seem more capable of moving through the wilds and are, shall we say, less restrained in how you can tackle the problem.”

He obviously did not know about my non-aggression Pact with Erebus, and I didn’t see a need to inform him about it. “Tell me what you want from me.” I paused. “And what is in it for me.”

Talon smiled. “I want you to uncover Erebus’ motives. Failing that, I will settle for you securing the allegiance of the Howlers and the Red Rats.”

My brows furrowed. “What about the Long Fangs?”

The captain snorted dismissively. “The Long Fangs are a minor tribe and of little value to the Dark. I have no idea why Erebus brought them here. I do not care about them, nor does my master.”

I nodded. “Assuming by some miracle, I can achieve what you ask for, what do I receive in return?”

Talon’s grin widened. “You want out of the sector, don’t you?”

I just stared at him, neither denying nor agreeing with his statement.

When I failed to respond, the captain went on. “Regretfully, I don’t have the means to smuggle you out, not directly. But I can offer you something better.” He paused. “Will the god-emperor’s protection do?”

“Protection?” I asked sharply. “What need do I have of your master’s protection?”

Talon’s grin faded. “You’ve more need of it than you know,” he said softly. “Ishita is vindicative. She will not stop pursuing you even if you escape the sector. If you wish to survive, you will grasp this opportunity while it exists. Only Tartar can stop Ishita from hunting you. No other possesses that power.”

“And your master will go to all the trouble? For me?”

“You will have to swear yourself to him,” Talon conceded. “But unlike Erebus, Tartar is particular about those he allows to serve him. It’s a great privilege. If you succeed at the task I’ve set you, he will permit you that honor.” He glanced searchingly at me. “Will you do it?”

I said nothing for a moment. I had two tasks already, and this one directly contradicted the dark druid’s mission. Still, there was no upside to rejecting the captain’s offer. Meeting his gaze, I gave him the same noncommittal response I had Mariga. “I can’t promise anything, but I will investigate further.”

“That’s all I ask,” he said. “Thank you.”

Tartar has allocated you a new task: Forging Dark Alliances! The Power has tasked you with assisting his representatives in establishing an alliance with the goblin tribes. Objective one: Conclude an alliance between the Dark and the Howlers. Objective two: Conclude an alliance between the Dark and the Red Rats. Optional objective: Uncover the Awakened Dead’s plans.

I gasped as I read the message’s contents. At my sharp intake of breath, the captain looked at me inquiringly.

“I received a task,” I explained. I paused before going on. “It says it is directly from Tartar...?” I left the question hanging in the air.

“That’s correct,” the captain said, nodding.

“How is that possible?” I exclaimed, my eyes widening. “The only way I could receive a task directly from Tartar is if you were—”

The captain laughed, interrupting me. “Forgive my amusement, but no, I am not Tartar. I am his envoy.”

I blinked. “What’s an envoy?”

Talon smiled. “An envoy is a trusted representative of a Power, one that speaks with their voice. As such, I can grant some tasks and even accept minor Pacts on my master’s behalf.”

“I see,” I said, not knowing what else to say. I turned about. I had wasted enough time in the safe zone, and it was time to leave.

“Oh, one more thing,” the captain said, stopping me. “Two, actually.”

I raised one eyebrow in silent inquiry.

“Cecilia’s squad was not the only one I sent into the valley,” he said. “I dispatched another team north to the Red Rats. They have not returned. If you happen to spot any sign of them on your travels, I will be grateful.”

I nodded. “I will do what I can.”

Talon hesitated, then added. “Please, this is important. The squad leader, Sturm… is my son.”

My brows rose. “Your son? How is that possible?”

The captain chuckled. “What? You don’t think players can have children?”

I shook my head. “No, I mean—”

Talon waved a hand, cutting me off. “I understand what you mean. Sturm is a player too. Not all players enter the Game from elsewhere, you know. Some—albeit very few—are born in this world. Sometimes the offspring of two players will be transformed into a player by the Adjudicator when they reach adulthood. It doesn’t always happen, though. But, when it does, the family considers themselves blessed.”

I nodded thoughtfully. There was more of a future for players in this world than I’d first realized. “I will keep an eye out for him,” I assured the captain.

“Thank you. Sturm is a player, so I am sure he is fine. Still, his absence is… troubling.” Talon shook himself, dismissing his worries. “Now to the last matter. The nature of your reward.”

I stared at him in confusion. “Reward?”

He smiled. For saving Cecilia’s squad.”

“I don’t need—”

I insist,” the captain said. “What will it be? I have knives, swords, weapons aplenty, but sadly no spellbooks. I also have—”

“Money,” I said, cutting him off.

The captain frowned at me. “Money?”

I bobbed my head. “Gold. As much as you’re willing to give.” I smiled. “Or as much as you value the lives of your people.”

Talon’s frown deepened. “Money,” he muttered. “I didn’t take you for a mercenary.” Despite his words, though, the captain reached into his pocket and pulled out a pouch. “Here, take it. It is all I have.” He threw it at me with more force than strictly necessary.

You have acquired a coin pouch.

I caught it deftly and inclined my head gratefully. “Thank you,” I said gravely and without bothering to count the coin, turned about and dashed out of the room.