Attention All Citizens of Geltheas

Report to your designated shelter locations no later than the 19th hour of Logos 17th. If you do not know the location of your designated shelter, consult the map located at City Hall.

Food and water will be provided free of charge for the duration.

Civilians found to be breaking curfew will be fined and jailed for the duration.

Maximum of one cubic unit of luggage allowed per civilian.

Magical Beasts will not be allowed to enter shelters under any circumstances. The City of Geltheas recommends finding out-of-town stabling for pets.

The City of Geltheas is not responsible for any damages or loss of life that occurs outside of the shelters.

-Notice hung on every major intersection of the City of Geltheas

Prince Cain examined the completed stone pillboxes situated directly in front of the dungeon entrance and frowned.

"Are the fortifications not up to your standards, your majesty?" A bald, slightly hunched figure in an orange robe tottered over to Cain's side. His carefree smile, exposing several missing teeth, betrayed his lack of actual concern on the subject.

Cain glanced momentarily towards his colleague and shook his head, causing his curly red-and-white hair to sway with the motion. "No, if anything they're too finely crafted." The prince rubbed one hand against the smooth stone, still cold from the chill of night. "Wasn't this supposed to be my chance to show to the world my power? Fighting from the safety of a fortification like this doesn't prove anything, except for how rich my father is."

The Great Magician Magnus shook his head and chuckled. "That is not how the people will see it, or how the story will spread. Something like fortifications and tactical position is too complicated and uninteresting for the masses to care about." Magnus raised one gnarled finger and his eyes unfocused. "What they will speak of is the Prince fighting valiantly on the front lines, bringing only a tiny force, a handful of elite warriors, to aid him. They'll speak of the number of beasts you kill, and the power of your blows. Who cares if you were in a little stone box when you did it?" Magnus slapped Cain hard on the back.

Some of the tension left the princes shoulders as he let out a sigh. "I suppose you're right. What's most important is how it looks to the people. I've gotten too caught trying to act out a storybook, when I should be concerned with reality. I need to make the best possible story to lift the hearts of the populous, and these defenses will help with that. Thank, you Magnus. Truly, I don't know what I'd do without you."

The old mage waved his hand dismissively at the compliment.

Out of the corner of his eye, the prince noticed a shifting distortion in the air to his side, rapidly approaching. Although he couldn't make out any details, he knew immediately who it was. Turning quickly, he began walking quickly in the opposite direction, trying to pretend he hadn't seen it.

"Hold it right there, Cain! What do you think you're doing?" An indistinct voice halted his improvised escape before it could begin.

Slowly, the prince turned, an artificial smile on his lips. "Oh, good morning, Sibilia. You're not usually awake this early, are you?"

The hazy figure neared. Although no specific facial features stood out, a feeling of irritation radiated from the form. "So you sneak out while you know I'll be asleep? Honestly, your irresponsibility boggles the mind! Have you no consideration of your own importance?"

Walking up to the pair, Magnus tried to placate the fuming spy. "It's fine, Sibilia, he was with me! No harm would come to him with The Great Magician at this side!"

The blur rounded on the elderly man with renewed hostility. "Don't you 'Great Magician' me! I know you only just got here! You aren't covering for Cain this time!"

Magnus shrugged towards Cain. "Sorry, I tried."

Prince Cain was indeed thankful for the attempt. "Look, we're in the middle of a major city, in the part with the highest security. Let alone an enemy of the kingdom, I would be surprised if anything shady could get near me here."

On the nearby street, unnoticed by anyone present, a demon who despised all Sapient life and a golem who wanted to conquer the world pushed through the early morning crowds towards the dungeon entrance.

Sibilia was unmoved by this argument. "I could easily infiltrate a city like this without being noticed. If somebody of my skill level had targetted you, you would be a corpse right now."

Letting out an exasperated sigh Cain lifted his arms. "And who exactly would want to kill me that badly?"

"Irrelevant. From now on, you go nowhere without informing me first. If you sneak off again, I'll force you to sign a contract."

Cain's face twisted in a combination of horror and disgust. That wasn't just an empty threat; Sibilia would actually do it. As annoying as it was, Cain would just have to do what she said.

Wishing to change the subject to something less depressing, the prince scanned the surroundings. "Everyone else is here, where's Shin?"

A vague arm gestured towards the dungeon. "He's in there, killing things. You know how he is."

Cain placed a hand against his rugged chin. "I like Shin but he's a bit... morbid, isn't he? Why's he always going on about death and killing?"

"I think it has something to do with his Unique Skill." Magnus looked towards the dungeon as well, a somber look on his usually cheery face. "It's twisted his personality. He's a good lad, deep down, I think. But it's hard to be coated in that much blood every day without it getting to you."

"Well," Cain shifted uncomfortably. "He probably has the right idea. It's good to get as much gets cleared out as possible before the wave, get a head start on things. Maybe we should join him."

Magnus nodded his head sagely. "Indeed. And, we can count kills we get today as part of our achievements. Make the story extra juicy."

"What?" A look of shock crossed the prince's face. "That's even more underhanded than the mini-forts!"

Magnus merely shrugged.