Day Six. Night.

I found myself alone when I next opened my eyes.

It couldn’t be too late—I trusted Duggar to do as he said—but time was short. I’d lost an entire day to the trial, more than I’d planned, and if I wanted to escape the sector, I needed to get going. First though, I had to attend to my body’s needs.

Sitting up gingerly, I took stock of myself. The debilitating weakness in my limbs was gone, and my body felt rested—if starved. Right on cue, my stomach growled. I suspected that it had been my hunger that had awoken me.

Searching about, I saw my pack resting against one wall. Fetching it, I retrieved some rations and began to chew. While I ate, I turned my attention to the waiting Game messages.

You have fulfilled the first condition of your Pact with the envoy, Mariga. Leave the sector without revealing her identity to satisfy your Pact obligations in their entirety.

You have completed the task: Goblin Wars! As a result of your manipulations, the Howler and Red Rat armies have met in pitched battle.

You have completed the task: Forging Dark Alliances! Shaman Hyek has upheld his end of the bargain you struck with him and, on behalf of his tribe, has pledged allegiance to Tartar.

The Power Tartar has deposited 1,000 gold into your Albion Bank account. Your Pact with Talon is closed!

The Marks on your spirit signature have changed. By fomenting further discord between the sector’s two largest goblin tribes, you made the valley safer for the brethren of House Wolf. However, all the good you accomplished through this has been undone by the alliance you negotiated between the Howlers and Tartar. The danger of the sector falling into the Dark’s hands has increased.

While you have removed one threat to House Wolf’s loyalists, your actions have also served to replace it with another. Wolf is dissatisfied, and your Wolf Mark remains unchanged.

Note, your Force Marks are no longer true Marks and will not shift with your actions.

I stopped chewing.

During my sojourn in the First Trial, two whole quests had been completed… with mixed results. Almost, I could feel the simmering disapproval of Wolf bearing down on me.

I’d known the potential consequences of my actions when I’d acted but had acted anyway. Because quite simply, I had no other choices. To push the Howlers into a pitched battle with the Red Rats, I’d been forced to dangle Talon’s offer before their shaman. Now, matters had played out, and the Howlers had given themselves to Tartar—endangering the sector’s neutrality.

But crucially, the valley was yet unclaimed.

While the Howlers were in the field and their fort remained un-garrisoned, there was still a chance to rectify matters. I already had a few vague plans on how to go about that. First, though, I needed to destroy the shield generator.

I sighed, regretting the lost day. I didn’t think I had enough time remaining anymore, but I was determined to try—even if it meant staying in the sector to face Erebus’ followers’ wrath.

I will set matters right, Wolf. I promise.

And the quicker I get moving, the quicker I can do that.

Setting aside the problem for now, I resumed eating while I turned my attention to my player profile.

Player Profile: Michael

Level: 72. Rank: 7. Current Health: 100%.

Stamina: 100%. Mana: 100%. Psi: 100%.

Species: Human. Lives Remaining: 3.

True Marks (hidden): Wolf-brethren.

False Marks (fabricated): Lesser Shadow, Lesser Light, Lesser Dark.

Attributes

Available: 0 points.

Strength: 2. Constitution: 14. Dexterity: 20. Perception: 20. Mind: 41. Magic: 3. Faith: 2.

Classes

Available: 3 points.

Primary-Secondary Bi-blend: Mindstalker.

Tertiary Class: None.

Traits

psi wolf heritage (hidden): +2 Dexterity, +2 Strength, +4 Mind.

beast tongue: can speak to beastkin.

Marked: can see spirit signatures.

nocturnal: perfect night vision.

anointed scion (hidden): bound to House Wolf.

inscrutable mind: +8 Mind.

secret blood (hidden): conceals your Wolf bloodline.

Skills

Available skill slots: 0.

Dodging (current: 48. max: 200. Dexterity, basic).

Sneaking (current: 59. max: 200. Dexterity, basic).

Shortswords (current: 54. max: 200. Dexterity, basic).

Two weapon fighting (current: 47. max: 200. Dexterity, advanced).

Light armor (current: 40. max: 140. Constitution, basic).

Thieving (current: 39. max: 200. Dexterity, basic).

Chi (current: 45. max: 410. Mind, advanced).

Meditation (current: 67. max: 410. Mind, basic).

Telekinesis (current: 43. max: 410. Mind, advanced).

Telepathy (current: 46. max: 410. Mind, advanced).

Insight (current: 60. max: 200. Perception, basic).

Deception (current: 55. max: 200. Perception, master).

Abilities

Dexterity ability slots used: 13 / 20.

crippling blow (Dexterity, basic, shortswords).

minor piercing strike (5 Dexterity, advanced, shortswords).

lesser backstab (5 Dexterity, advanced, sneaking).

basic trap disarm (Dexterity, basic, thieving).

simple lockpicking (Dexterity, basic, thieving).

Mind ability slots used: 8 / 41.

simple charm (Mind, basic, telepathy).

stunning slap (Mind, basic, chi).

one-step (Mind, basic, telekinesis).

minor reaction buff (Mind, basic, chi).

simple astral blade (Mind, basic, telepathy).

short shadow blink (Mind, basic, telekinesis).

minor chi heal (Mind, basic, chi).

simple mind shield (Mind, basic, meditation).

Perception ability slots used: 14 / 20.

improved analyze (5 Perception, advanced, insight).

lesser trap detect (Perception, basic, thieving).

conceal small weapon (Perception, basic, deception).

facial disguise (Perception, basic, deception).

ventro (Perception, basic, deception).

lesser imitate (5 Perception, advanced, deception).

Other abilities:

simple mindsight (Class, basic, telepathy).

Known Key Points

Sector 14,913 exit portal and safe zone.

Sector 12,560 nether portal and safe zone.

Equipped

spider’s bite shortsword (+15% damage, webbed), concealed.

ebonheart (+30% damage), concealed.

common fighter’s sash (+3 shortswords).

enchanted leather armor set (+20% damage reduction, -4 Dexterity).

slotted-potion belt (2 minor heal, 4 moderate heal, 3 full heal, 1 antitoxin).

common thief’s cloak (+3 sneaking).

apprentice’s ring (+2 Magic).

acolyte’s ring (+2 Faith).

troll’s talisman bracelet (+6% damage reduction).

gift of the unbound ring (immunity to tier 1 and 2 entanglement spells).

band of stillness ring (immunity to tier 1 and 2 Mind spells).

Backpack Contents (Key Items)

Money: 4 gold, 6 silvers, and 0 coppers.

Loot (4 x enchanted rings, 2 x enchanted robes, 3 x spellcasters wands).

2 x iron daggers.

1 x alchemy stone (0 / 150 ingredients).

common mage’s cloak (+3 air magic).

portal scroll.

1 x coil of rope.

shortsword,+1 (+15% damage, +10 shortswords).

1 x rank 5 wyvern poison.

5 x smoke bombs.

5 x fire bombs.

tavern bill of ownership.

Alchemy Stone Contents

None.

Bank Contents

Money: 1,046 gold, 4 silvers, and 9 coppers.

2 x full healing potions.

2 x basic steel shortswords.

Open Tasks

An Alchemist’s Bounty (kill the wyvern mother).

Find the Last Wolf Envoy (hidden) (find Ceruvax).

Stay True to Wolf (hidden) (acquire a mana-based Class).

“Ah,” I murmured, pleased with my growth. I had advanced significantly during my time in the valley and, when I left, would do so with a wealth of abilities.

Now only to make certain I can actually leave. Despite all my planning, I knew that escaping the sector still wouldn’t be easy. Especially with the need to ensure the pack remained safe.

“Do not worry about us. The pack will survive,” a voice intruded. “We have for centuries.”

I turned towards the cave entrance. Duggar stood there.

“You heard me?” I asked.

“Not entirely,” the alpha said. “I caught only the tail end of your thoughts as I walked in.”

“Night has fallen?” I asked.

“It has.”

Popping the last ration cube in my mouth, I rose to my feet. “Where are the others?”

“Still resting,” Duggar answered. He watched me pick up my pack and check my weapons. “You’re leaving?”

I nodded. “I must. My Pact with Erebus is about to expire, and soon his followers will begin hunting me in earnest. Before that happens, there is much I must still do.”

“We will help,” Duggar, sitting down on his haunches.

I shook my head. I had involved the pack too much in my own troubles already, and they had suffered enough grievous losses of their own. I could not imperil them again. “No,” I said. “I have a plan.”

“But you are uncertain if it will work,” Duggar stated.

I looked at the alpha in surprise. He was still reading my thoughts.

“You may have become one of House Wolf’s anointed,” Duggar said, amusement tracing his voice, “but you still have much to learn.” He paused. “Your thoughts are unshielded wolfkin, and for those who know how, they are easy to read.”

Best I did something about that. Recalling what Ceruvax had told me, I constructed a half mind shield about my thoughts.

It was easier than I’d expected, and in the future, I would have to remember to keep it active. “Better?” I asked, looking at Duggar.

“Better,” the alpha agreed. “Now, how can we help?” he asked, serious once more.

His offer was heartfelt, I realized. “Why?” I asked, staring at him searchingly. I was certain he knew better than me the peril under which he would be placing the wolves by aiding me. “You’ve seen my thoughts. You know my actions have endangered your people already. Why help me now?”

“You are pack,” Duggar answered simply. “And the pack is all.”

He had not, I noted, mentioned my new status as a scion of House Wolf. It seemed to mean less to the alpha than it did to Sulan.

“Alright,” I said. “This is the plan…”

~~~

I left the dire wolves’ hideout accompanied only by Duggar and Sulan. Both elders had wanted a larger contingent of wolves to accompany us, but I had refused. It was enough that I was risking two of the pack’s most senior wolves. I would not endanger them further.

The three of us traveled swiftly. Our destination, of course, was the wyvern’s den on the western rim of the valley. Before I could do anything further, I had to find and destroy the shield generator.

But to do that, I first had to deal with the wyvern mother. Somehow.

Despite my growth and even with my companions’ assistance, I was certain that slaying the wyvern was beyond us, and truthfully, I had every intention of trying to avoid a fight if I could help it. It was less risky for me to sneak in and destroy the generator while Sulan and Duggar distracted the beast.

The two wolves set a hard pace, running tirelessly through the forest. Jogging behind the pair, I did my best to keep up. The hours passed quickly, and close to midnight, we neared the center of the valley.

Suddenly, both my companions stopped short.

I slowed to a halt behind them. “What’s wrong?” I asked, using mind speech.

Sulan slunk lower. “Goblins ahead,” she said in a clipped tone.

“Lots of goblins,” Duggar added, his gaze filling with predatory intent. “A few hundred at least.”

“Goblins?” I tilted my head to the side and listened intently. No revealing sound carried to me on the night air, but then again, the wolves’ senses were sharper than my own. “We must be near the site of the battle,” I murmured.

Following the direction of the wolves’ pointing snouts, I gazed northwards and deliberated with myself for a moment before coming to a decision. “Wait here. I’m going to check it out.”

“Why?” Duggar asked, sounding perplexed.

I wasn’t entirely sure myself. I doubted there was anything I could do to manipulate events further—especially if players were present. But knowing how much longer the battle would drag out would be useful. If nothing else, it would tell me how much time I had before the Howlers returned to their fort. “I won’t be long,” I assured the pair.

“We will come with you,” Sulan said.

“No,” I said. “There’s less chance of me being detected alone, and while I may not be as good as you two yet, I’m no slouch when it comes to sneaking.”

The dire wolves were silent for a moment. “Very well,” Duggar said. “We shall wait.”

~~~

Wrapped in shadows, I crept through the forest foliage, following Duggar’s directions to the goblins. It took far longer than I’d expected for me to reach them.

Exiting the tree line, I found myself in a large glade—the same clearing in which I had fought the wyvern hatchling a few days ago, in fact.

Many more corpses littered the clearing today.

The battlefield was quiet and abandoned, but scores of goblins had died here earlier. Their bodies lay where they had fallen. As far as I could tell, there were as many bearing the insignia of the Red Rats as those wearing the garb of the Howlers. I tiptoed through the bloodied grass and tangled limbs. Here and there, I spotted the odd non-goblin.

Players have fought in the battle too.

While the number of dead was high, they did not account for the greater part of the Red Rats and Howler forces. Lifting my head, I studied the surroundings and, through the trees, spotted campfires on my left and right.

The camps of the two opposing armies.

Do they mean to resume battle tomorrow? It seemed that way.

Picking a direction at random, I edged closer.

The camp I ventured towards had been established amongst the trees, and straight away, I could tell it belonged to the Howlers.

The perimeter was too well guarded for me to penetrate easily. Scaling a nearby tree, I perched on a bough to observe the occupants. The goblins sat around their campfires, ten or twenty to a group, eating and talking animatedly. They appeared in good spirits.

That must mean they’re winning.

I spared the goblins little further notice though, as my attention was snatched by a more arresting sight. Strolling at ease between the Howlers’ tents were dozens of black-garbed figures. Each was armored for war and bore items that proudly displayed the insignia of a raging bull.

Tartans.

So, Talon’s people are here, I thought, wondering if the captain himself was close by. As little as I feared the soldiers under Talon’s command, the captain himself was something else altogether. Best I don’t attract his attention.

Deciding to withdraw, I paused when I noticed a concentration of torches and magelights not too far from my present position. What’s going on there?

The temptation to investigate further was too great to resist. Skipping lightly from tree to tree, I edged around the perimeter of the camp.

As I drew nearer, I saw that the ruckus was centered around a crowd of players. Their body language suggested the air was fraught with tension. Curious, I crept closer.

There was not one group of players at the spot in question, I realized, but two. The first was a company of Tartan soldiers. The second was a mob of Awakened Dead players.

And at their fore was Stayne.

I stopped dead, clinging to my treetop perch. What is he doing here? I wondered even as my pulse quickened. I was still too far to hear what was being said, even with my sharp hearing but was in two minds about venturing any closer.

Stayne was in full battle dress, armored from shoulder to foot in sleek, shining, black armor. Only his distinctive skeletal head was uncovered.

Facing off against the undead player was captain Talon. Dressed no different from when I had seen him in the safe zone, the Tartan envoy appeared calm and in control. Stayne, by contrast, leaned forward, red eyes boring into the captain and arms gesticulating wildly while he spoke.

There was no doubt Erebus’ henchman was angry.

I bit my lip. Proceeding any nearer was risky, but I desperately wanted to listen in on the pair’s conversation.

I edged closer.

But I had taken no more than a dozen steps when the captain turned around and—almost idly—ran his gaze along treetops.

I froze, not deceived by the casual manner of Talon’s scrutiny. Even though I was still many yards distant, the captain had sensed something amiss.

It’s not worth it. I couldn’t risk being found out, or worse yet, being detained, not when I was so close to escaping. Retracing my steps carefully, I backed away.

My curiosity would have to remain unsatisfied.