King Tobyn Salae loved soft boiled eggs. To him, there were very few prim and proper breakfast items that could compare to that of an egg. From delicately cracking open the shell with a spoon, to frosting slices of toast with the perfectly set yolk, the King loved eggs. His son, however, did not.

“Father, could we perhaps have something other than eggs? We’ve eaten the same breakfast for a week now.” Eden Salae swirled the mushy egg around, a slight pout on his face.

“What’s wrong with eggs?” Tobyn asked, glancing to his daughter Alia for help.

“It’s not so much that eggs are bad, it’s just becoming… Tired.” She said with a sigh. She hated to agree with her brother, but even she was having a hard time eating the same thing over and over again.

Before the King could respond, the tent entrance opened, a [Steward] entered. “Announcing Madam Veline of Les-“

“Stop that. They know who I am, they sent for me after all.”

King Tobyn recognized the grouchy voice in an instant. With a bright smile, he stood as the voice entered. “Veline, please enjoy breakfast with us. We are having eggs and toast.”

Veline looked around the tent, she made note of how much larger it was than hers. Hers could only hold a cot and desk, but the King of Salae’s could house a small army. Her gaze fell upon the dining table. Tobyn sat at the head of the table, his skin was wrinkled and gray, but he still managed to command the room. Flanking him was his eldest son and daughter. The son wasn’t much to look at, his clothes were fashionably too much which only caused Veline to disregard him almost instantly. The eldest daughter seemed much more reasonable with her choice of attire. Simple dress shirt with form fitting pants, the kind that wouldn’t be caught on the high grasses of the Plains.

“Thank you, I love eggs.” Veline said. She didn’t miss the proud look Tobyn gave his children at her words. Taking her seat, she was given two eggs served in a small porcelain chalice. It was a bit much for her, but she conceded the friendly gesture.

“So, I thought it would be best we discussed matters before our noon meeting.”

“You want to know about Lesterwood’s newest Lost Lord, don’t you?” Veline met the [King]’s eyes.

“While that may have been part of my agenda for this morning, not fully. Let’s start with something else, shall we?”

“Very well.” Veline cracked her spoon into the eggshell, finding a perfectly broken ring. She turned over the utensil, a neatly carved rune was plastered in the handle. She rolled her eyes.

“Let’s talk about The Mountain. I think your apprentice’s gift was too much.” Tobyn shuffled his eyes to his son, who promptly took notes in a small journal.

“Returning a priceless artifact back to the rightful owners? How can you ever think that is too much?” Eden scowled at the elderly guest, she glared back.

“Not my meaning. Let me phrase it as such; I think how you presented the gift was too much. Before the eyes of the Coalition, before the eyes of the continent. You used the gift as an endorsement for this young Lost Lord.”

“Correct.” Veline nodded.

This time, Alia glared at her father, who didn’t look back. Eden scribbled more notes.

“You do understand the ramifications?”

“That someone besides Lester will eventually have enough standing with the other powers to potentially have them turn on you?” Veline took a small bite. “Just kidding.”

Eden turned red; his grip clenched. Tobyn continued. “Maybe not to such an extreme, but that is what I was getting at, yes. Your Lost Lord is already losing distinction with me for his little stunt, does he know that?”

This time Veline reddened. “No, he does not know. That was my plan.”

“And was it your plan to tell us this? Smooth everything over for him?” Alia asked.

“Did I foresee this conversation over breakfast that I was invited to? No, I did not.”

The King touched his daughter’s hand, signaling for her silence. Eden had stopped writing. “I see. Let’s move on. Talk to me about Esmel’s standings.”

“Esmel? Why so you can prepare for the economic windfall that will happen when their borders open?”

“Yes.” The King said simply.

Veline sighed, long and deep. “I do not know. I’ve had no contact with any of their leaders since they enacted their defenses.”

“I see. What about this captain from Renloc? Did you believe his story?”

“A shrouded woman that could float above water that caused terrible fear and torture. Let alone for killing an entire outer Marsh unit?” Veline sipped a glass of water. She chilled the water subtly, before drinking. “Yes, I do. I believe you know who he described.”

“You would be correct. Serana of Cresthill.”

“[Queen] of Cresthill, I think you mean. Or Blood [Queen]. I’ve always liked that one.”

“Be serious!” Eden snapped. “You disrespect the crown too m-“

“Eden!” The tent went silent at the [King]’s word. “Your time will come, boy, but for now you need to learn respect yourself. Veline is an old friend. Perhaps one of my oldest. She already has my respect, and I know I have hers.”

Eden gritted his teeth, holding in a response. Veline, however, didn’t, “I vaguely remember you, child. I think it was at the Solstice Ball. Ah, yes, I remember now. You had just been found sleeping with a Duke’s wife…”

Eden’s heart rate quickened as his teeth strained with enough force to snap a finger. His hands were becoming sweaty, smearing the still wet ink on his journal. He fought back his temper, knowing his father would lecture him if he said or did anything. The King, on the other hand, watched his son not with embarrassment but rather interest. He wanted to see how his son would take to a particularly rude memory, and he was privately impressed with the lack of reaction. Alia simply watched with a hand covering her mouth and sly smirk.

“Veline, I think you own Eden an apology. That comment was unnecessary.” Tobyn said after a few moments.

“Of course.” Veline turned to the future King, “I apologize for my statement. It was made in a lapse of judgment.” She spoke in an unapologetic but structured way, a way that conveyed her true feelings while also hiding behind the veil of proper conversation.

Eden only nodded. Tobyn sighed, “Might as well move on to the Lost Lord topic. Any idea how you have come across two Lost Lords during your life? Seems… Unlikely.”

As is finding a runaway princess, Veline thought, but said, “The Gods. They like to meddle, as you know. I can only guess at their wills; but I would say they chose Lesterwood as a starting location because of its location. Being between Salae and Esmel severely limits the travels between cities, as well as allows Legendary Beast Seetrin ample opportunity to give a quest.”

Seetrin’s territory is marked by the start of the Yepu Plains. The northern forests that contain Esmel and Lesterwood are all considered to be only Seetrin’s. Other Legendary Beasts have small or larger jurisdictions, but all fall into similar conditions.

“You allowed your apprentice to accept a quest from a Divine being? You? Does he know about your record with Divine quests?”

Veline waved a hand, “Yes, I told him, and he and the others didn’t seem to care. I can’t blame them; they are all so young.”

“What was the reward?” Alia asked, her eyes fluttering with interest.

“Gold.”

“Pity.”

“I don’t understand how a Divine quest was sanctioned for Esmel. I wouldn’t wish their demise, but a single city seems a little much for a quest of such potency.”

“I Think it was an excuse for him to meet the leaders of an Elven city.” Veline lied. “They are known to be experts in their fields of magic.”

By now, the King knew she was playing him. She kept giving crumbs of information about the Lost Lord, but none that truly helped limit the search. Of course, it would only be a matter of time before Salae’s [Investigators] found the Lord but the flaunt of secrets was an embarrassment to the kingdom. At least Eden hasn’t realized it, Tobyn thought, less we want another temper tantrum.

“And what magic is that?”

“Space.” Veline’s posture was casual, almost comical. She knew that the King would hesitate at her words. Space mages were rare. How likely was it a newborn found secrets to a world of seldom magic? She was playing with fire, as Max’s identity would be found out quicker, but she couldn’t help herself. The King’s face was simply priceless. She also didn’t think Max would care very much, it’s not like he tries to hide is magic very much. Teleporting around the city or in front of guard units can only be explained away a few times.

“Space… Right…”

“Space and water? A dull combination, don’t you think Alia?” Eden smirked with a mirth befitting of a first-born prince.

“Not at all,” Alia said with the charm of a first-born princess, “I think it quite admiral. Can you imagine a mage that is able to teleport and bring upon rain? He could potentially end droughts our disrupt floods!

“Alia, while I think reading about my failures as [King] is important, it is best not to bring it up in company.”

She reddened as she realized her mistake. She did not mean to insult her father’s past decisions, only wanting to express the novelty of the class combination.

“Don’t be so hard on the girl, Tobyn. I’ll have to let my young apprentice know he has his first fan.” Veline smiled, which was mimicked by the King, although his smile was only outward for appearances’ sake. He did not find the joke funny whatsoever and made a mental note to explain that to Eden, later.

“See, what my young daughter doesn’t understand is that teleporting is incredibly rare. So much so that the prospect of being a [Space Mage] is entirely plausible.”

Veline couldn’t help it, the irony of the conversation bubbled into uncontrollable laughter.

Reep had been asleep when the warning bells went off. She woke in a panicked rush, rolling out of bed and drawing her bow to defend herself. Her room was empty, other than a half-finished canvas of muted colors. The moment of adrenaline fell away like a distant memory. Her magic disappeared and, in that moment, she just breathed. Her ‘mind healer’ had taught her a few tricks about dealing with panic.

“One… Two… Three…” She counted aloud but barely audible. The seconds ticked past, and she found herself. She had been painting last night. Her clothes were covered in grey and blue streaks of paint, a reflection of how she felt most of the time. Lackluster. Reep enjoyed painting, though. It reminded her of her mother, of her life before slavery.

The distant bells finally registered, causing her to change into battle armaments. Normally, she wore some sort of protection to bed, but removing paint from padded armor was a pain. It only took her a few minutes to get ready, but she stopped just as she was about to leave. She had never finished a painting and this time would be no different. It took three strokes from her largest brush to fully cover the canvas in white paint. She would try again later.

As Reep walked through the hallways, she could hear talking. A lot of talking. The lower floors of the mansion were crowded. Dozens of unknown people sat around fires or covered in layers of blankets. They all looked distant, a look Reep was ever familiar with. In the kitchen, she found Belopi stirring a cauldron of porridge.

“Ah! Reep, Max already went to the wall!” The motherly Elf spoke.

“Who are all these people?”

“Max brought them. They are the villagers he was protecting. Icarus said he can teleport others now? I’m not really sure.”

“Can he now? Hmm…” Reep began to think about the utilities such an advancement could have for battle.

“You should probably hurry, Icarus is panicked.” Belopi gestured out a window.

A dome of yellow light crested the morning sky. Words flickered with surges of power, oscillating reminders to remain calm in vibrant lights that seemed to beg for one’s attention. Just past the walls, Reep could see sparks of magic. They were already fighting. She nodded to Belopi, rushing out of the house and across the bridge.

Her muscles flexed as electrical currents of mana flooded her legs, boosting her speed and increasing her reflexes. She wove in and out of the streets, dodging civilians and jumping over small hazards. She was late. “One… Two… Three…” Her nerves calmed as she reached the upper limits of single digits, and by the lower twenties she had made it to the wall.

The northern gate had the largest bulk of combatants lining the surrounding walls, as well as the only nearby section of Icarus’s dome that was removed. Below, a small caravan of people where hastily pushing through, trying to find safe haven inside the city. Covering fire rained down, killing a wide variety of monsters. Most of the guard were confused, it was common knowledge that monsters didn’t work together.

Reep watched as an armored racoon monster dove in front of an arrow, guarding a smaller porcupine type of beast. “What’s going on?” She asked a nearby combatant.

“Monster wave.” The man replied as if Reep was dumb for asking. He moved on, sending spells down with a blaze of brown light.

She needed to find Max; he would know. Activating an [Archer] ability, Reep’s eyes empowered. She looked through the sky, trying to find any oddities… Like a man standing on air with a small water bond clamped to his shoulder. He was standing beyond the dome, looking further into the forest. She fired off three arrows of overloaded lightning. Acting as a signal flare, the arrows streamed into the air, and slowly fell back to the ground. Hopefully Max or Emi would notice and-

“Reep!” Max said appearing out of nowhere. “I hope you are ready to defend the city from destruction.”

“Of course. But… What’s going on? Why are there so many monsters?”

Emi scowled, “[Druids].”

Max nodded, “Dreamstem said she had a trial for the mushrooms, I guess she pissed it off.” He gestured below the walls, “These must be all of the drones the fungus took over.”

An arrow formed in Reep’s hand and was promptly fired into the jaw of a deer that was about to snap at a guard, “What do we do? Anyway, to stop it?”

“A Lycan rid itself of the infection after I almost killed it. But I don’t see any reason to do that now, these monsters aren’t intelligent. What we really need to worry about is the four massive bears that are making their way here.”

“Massive bears?”

“Icarus called them Brown Colossal Bears. They are too far for Inspect, but they are massive, brown, and bears, so it’s pretty safe to assume they are the ones he spoke of.”

Reep paled, “Brown Colossal Bears, are you sure?”

“Pretty sure, why?”

“Those are Magestone ranked monsters. The guard knows there is a den nearby, but they hardly ever leave their territory. Does anyone else know?”

“No, we just saw them.” Emi answered.

“We’ve got to tell the captains, is the raid group back?” Reep asked.

“Not that we know o-“ Max cut himself off, looking to the sky. Inside the barrier a silver giant spider with human hands for legs scurried across the air making use of massive wings. It shot sparkling webs as it ran, seemingly in random patterns. On the spider’s back, a young Human girl rode. She looked sickly green, but she held her stomach as the two rode on. “Is that Clair?”

“Unlotous?” Emi asked.

A web hit its target, quickly wrapping its target in a cocoon of fibrous string. The spider, Unlotous, gathered the cocoon, attaching a thin thread to the air. The creature in the webbing fought for its freedom, but it proved to be too weak. The cocoon deflated a moment later as if the creature inside teleported out. Unlotous changed trajectories, hurdling itself and Clair down. He landed besides Max, Emi, and Reep, scaring a group of nearby guards.

“Stalkers?” Max asked the duo. Clair was dry heaving, so Unlotous answered.

“I counted eighty-one. We’ve already taken care of fourteen, but progression is slow with the dome in the way. They others are doing what they can, but… Can you help?”

“Of course, but we may have more pressing issues. A den of Brown Colossal Bears is approaching.”

“I see. Unfortunately, this body does not do well against real beings. I can spread the word, however.”

“Thank you. I’ll take care of any Stalkers I see. Hang in there Clair, we’ll have another tea party soon.” Clair brightened at Max’s words, a bright smile lightening her sickly face.

Unlotous leaped, his odd wings flapping to gain traction. Webs were already forming but Max spoke again. “Reep, we’ll teleport around alerting every one of the bears. Look out for Celenia or Dreamstem, okay? We’ll be back when we can.”

“Alright, stay safe.” Reep said with confidence.

“You too!” Emi replied with a smile. The Lost Lord and his bond disappeared.