Surface- Valley of Origins Region

Empire of Night- City of Eternal Night

Palace of Night- Master Suite

"How long will you be gone this time?" Cathrine asked as Jacob donned his armor.

Jacob grimaced as he rolled his right shoulder, although the De-Buffs were gone, the muscles were still tender. "It is a week's march between the city of Cliphis and Yadpool. Another two weeks between Yadpool and Athesas. Once Yadpool has fallen, you have my word I will return for a few days. Once the siege around Athesas has been lifted, I promise to spend some time with you. I hate being gone all the time, but we committed to this fight." Jacob told her as he put his chest and back plates on.

Cathrine frowned, "I know and I wouldn't change you for anything, but I still miss you." Cathrine responded as her hand caressed the growing bump on her stomach.

Jacob sighed and rolled his shoulders settling the armor on his chest and back before pulling his wife into his arms, "If I could stay and spend time with you, I would in a heartbeat. Once Yadpool is securely in the Empire grasp and Cliphis's army has been crushed, we will have a couple of weeks to ourselves before we have to press the Lost Islands. I have plenty of bureaucracy backed up and will keep me here. Ok?" Jacob asked as he softly kissed Cathrine on the lips.

"Fine, but I expect dinner outside of the palace when you get back at least!!" Cathrine responded causing Jacob to smile and kiss her more fiercely.

"If I wasn't worried that you would make my brain melt if I said the wrong thing, I would bring you as well." Jacob quipped causing Cathrine to frown right before she punched Jacob causing him to laugh.

Surface- Winding Woods Region

Nation of Loren'thia- Aratharia Home Tree

Training Area

Hayley looked at her target, breathing in and out she waited until the moment arrived and she released the arrow. The rabbit died with the arrow through the heart. "Good. Perhaps we will make you a Ranger yet young one." Hayley rolled her eyes as she quickly made her way to the target and pulled the arrow out. She quickly inspected the arrowhead before cleaning it and putting it back in the quiver on her back.

"I am still getting used to this world, but on my world, I studied archery when I was young. That is why I took it up here. Its something I am familiar with and could relate too." Hayley responded to the older Wood-Elf.

Aquila snorted, "What have you missed?" she asked as she gestured at the surrounding forest.

"There was a fox close by, but as soon as I killed the rabbit it fled. You and me...that's it." Hayley responded in confusion as Aquila knelt and started to field dress the rabbit.

"Wrong. You are a Wood-Elf in the woods. Whatever you were before, this is what you are now. Embrace your senses and tell me what you missed." Aquila instructed as she slit the hare's throat to let it bleed out.

Hayley frowned at the other women's words before closing her eyes and taking a deep breath and centering herself before opening her eyes and taking in her surroundings. She slowly looked over the little glade and suddenly noticed two forms that slightly distorted the area around them. Hayley gasped and her hand darted for an arrow but Aquila stopped her immediately.

"No!! They are part of the Guard of Aratharia Home Tree. They help watch over the training area. Sometimes more powerful monsters blunder into the training area despite patrols and precautions that we take. Never forget although the forests are our home, they are still dangerous even to us." Aquila lectured. Hayley nodded as she pulled up the notification that she had minimized.

Alert...

Perception Sub-Stat Unlocked.

Alert...

Note* Sub-Stats can only be increased through use and deed.

Hayley dismissed the information before putting her back to a nearby tree and eliciting a chuckle from the Ranger. "Relax girl, I am here and these woods are heavily patrolled to make sure you young ones are not disturbed.' Aquila stated before putting the rabbit in her inventory. 'Now, that I am sure you will not shoot one of the Sentinals in mistake, let's work on your Stealth." Aquila smiled as she gestured for Hayley to follow her.

Surface- Bronze Rock Ridge Region

Nation of Duran'thia- Village of Traderest

Ava sat and ate, it had been a long couple days between killing demons and the walk too Dera'Kan. Ave was hoping to catch a ride to the city here, but most of the trade was heading east into Dwarven lands or west deeper into the High-Elf kingdom.

The Village of Traderest was one of the smaller trade hubs between the Elven Kingdom and the Dwarves, traffic between the two kingdoms was consistent, but with the growing hostilities between the Dwarves and Orcs, trade was slowing. The Red Herring was cheaper, but the crowd was more boisterous and there were plenty of traders present.

"Come on girl, head East with us. There will be plenty of action and money with the war right on the horizon with those damned green skins." the Dwarf across from her prompted.

Ava rolled her eyes at his latest attempt to recruit her into his caravan, "I am only interested in heading south towards Dera'Kan. I have no wish to head into the lands of the Dark Iron Thiag. Thank you for the invitation, but no." Ava responded before getting up and moving to an empty table.

"I am heading to Dera'Kan, we will be leaving once we finish loading in the morning. Are you looking for work or just passage?" Ava looked up as a human sitting in front of her. He was an Easterner, based on his accent and skin tones.

"I was looking for passage, but if you do not have a room I can earn passage as a guard," Ava responded.

"If you are a passenger, its 15 Gold for the ride, food, and tent. If you work as a guard, its a Silver a day. Up too you, we will be leaving no later than two hours after sun up out of the south gate. My name is Jaime Kar'rim." Jaime stated before bowing slightly and leaving.

Quest Issued: Southbound to Dera'Kan

Description: The trader Jaime Kar'rim has offered to hire you on as a guard for his caravan south to the city of Dera'Kan. Insure its safe passage through the Gullom Hills which is known to harbor both bandits and powerful monsters.

Success: Jaime Kar'rim and his caravan arrives at the city of Dera'Kan safely

Failure: Jaime Kar'rim dies or his caravan is destroyed before it arrives at the city of Dera'Kan

Rewards: 750 Experience, 7 Silver, free passage and food between Traderest and Dera'Kan, Unknown

Will you Accept or Decline? Accept

Ava dismissed the information as she continued to eat her food so she could get some sleep. She hated escort quests, but it would earn her a little coin and some experience.

Surface- Twisted Hills Region

Empire of Night- City of Cliphis

Jacob watched as the Thirteenth and Fifteenth Legion labor with the citizens of Cliphis to repair the damaged city. So much damage for so little gain. "It will take at least a week to clear the rubble. Engineers have already started checking all the damage to access what needs to be done and where. So far, their initial assessment is two months at least until all the repairs are complete." Tiffany WInters stoically reported.

Jacob nodded his head in acknowledgment, "How are the people? How is your investigation going on finding your father?" Jacob asked as he studied the woman in front of him.

Tiffany frowned, "The people are still stunned, but recuperating. As far as my father goes...No I have found nothing conclusive on where he is, alive or dead."

"Did his personal journal that you found in the master suite reveal anything?" Jacob asked as he held her gaze.

Tiffany fidgeted, "No, nothing." She quickly responded.

"Thats suprising, because when my people read it, the writings hinted that the former Lord of Cliphis fled east to seek assistance two days after the army marched out of Ingson. That his daughter warned him of our coming ahead of time, although he already knew of it from his own spies within the city of Ingson. I was going to ask your opinion if his fleeing could be true, but you have proven repeatidly I can not trust you. Governor Tiffany Winters, you are stripped of title and power. You are hearby under arrest under the charge of Treason and will be transported back to the city of Eternal Night to await my judgment." Jacob signaled the two nearby Legionnares who promptly grabbed her as she collapsed as she started crying.

"I warned her, I told her not to contact her father but she ignored me." Lady Conrad lamented causing Jacob to snort in derision.

"Yet you only reported this after the fact and not before. You are now Governor of the Twisted Hills Region and all lands, cities, and people within it. Betray me as Lady Winters has and I will remove your head before you can make an excuse, am I understood Governor Conrad?" Jacob grated out as he strode up to the woman.

Governor Mona Conrad bowed slightly, "I am honored to assume such a position, my Emperor. I will be as loyal to you, as you are too me and mine."

"Thank you for not spouting off any platitudes. Miss Winters daughter will remain in your care. Can I trust that you will keep her healthy and happy?" Jacob inquired as he turned back to look at the damaged city.

"You have my word Jacob, I will treat her as my own kin," Mona stated before bowing and leaving.

Surface- Iron Hills Region

Empire of Night- City of Mabus

Keep

"How is everything going with Cathrine? How is her pregnancy going?" Eiloma asked as they walked the wall around the Keep.

Jacob smiled proudly, "She is doing well, she is only three months along but its starting to show. She hates that she can no longer go on any campaigns with me, but the safety of our daughter is far more important to both of us. How is everything here?"

"Overall, well. All repairs and upgrades have been completed to the city. Trade from the northern nations and the east are starting to trickle in. Raiders occasionally come down from the cities of Niamphis and Yhieburg, but patrols and Immortals cut down on their efforts. I assume you will eventually deal with them?" Eiloma asked about the two cities aligned with the Slavers Union.

Jacob nodded his head in agreement, "Yes, we will eventually deal with those two cities, but I have other priorities currently that I have to deal with."

"So why are you here? It might have been weeks since I have seen you, but I still know you enough to know something is wrong." Eiloma prodded causing Jacob to wince.

"Tiffany Winters committed treason multiple times. She is under arrest and is waiting for my judgment back at Eternal Night." Jacob informed her causing Eiloma to wince.

"What are you going to do?" His former Seneschal asked as they stopped walking.

"I don't know. If she would have been honest with me, I would have stripped her of her titles and authority, kicked her out of the Empire with enough money to start again somewhere else. However, she didn't come clean with me, even with her lies right before her. I don't know what I will do..." Jacob replied