[And so, if we win this Dungeon War, there’s a chance we can get Miradeen back. What do you think?] Mari had just finished explaining everything she knew to the attentive group, and left the question hanging.

Terash stood up. “I think that I can speak for all of us when I say that, while we may have disagreed in the past, Miradeen did right by all of us when she brought us to your dungeon. It’s with your oversight that we managed to survive for so long, especially against the attack from our old home, and we can trust that your patronage will continue to protect us."

Mari blanched at the random praise. [You were the one who basically directed that whole defense,] she protested.

“But you responded to the unexpected variables we encountered!” the rat declared. “I’m told you possessed multiple rats to move them out of danger, thereby saving their lives. You used your tactical oversight to keep in mind where our enemies were gaining the upper hand, and gave the ones in trouble the buff they needed to turn the tables and survive. Without your help, the casualties would be far worse.”

[Okay, fine, I helped. But I find it difficult to imagine I’ll be much help overall. Especially since I have no idea what to expect in this Dungeon War. Do you?]

Terash looked puzzled by her question. “A Dungeon War...” he mused, scratching under his chin with a long claw and admitting, “Aside from our unique combat against Dungeon Cordon, I have never seen two dungeons in direct conflict.”

[So… nothing, then,] Mari stated.

“Yes, nothing except what we observed whilst defending against Cordon.”

Mari perked up. [Yes…] she began tentatively. [What we observed…]

She let the question hang in the air for a moment, but nobody interrupted, apparently waiting for her to finish her musings, or for her to ask something of them.

C’mon, Mari, confidence is key!

[So what did we observe?] she finally asked, unhappy with her own lack of ideas. No matter how Mari thought it over, she could only remember what had happened. The dungeon’s monsters had invaded, and her own had fought them off. Did that… mean anything?

“Well, as you know,” Terash began, rolling a hand in the air and pacing as a professor might. “Dungeon Cordon’s attack arrived after we were already under attack by a group of adventurers.”

She nodded, then remembered that he couldn’t see it. [Right.]

“And those adventurers were neutral members in our conflict, as they both helped and hindered our defenses. It’s impossible to know whether or not this was intentional, as Cordon may have waited for the right moment to strike, or have chosen a coincidental moment to arrive.”

“But why wouldn’t he pull back his forces if high-level adventurers were assaulting us? They would’ve destroyed us on their own if he hadn’t interfered, right?” an inquisitive Trena piped up.

Terash smiled at the apprentice before spreading his clawed hands and shrugging.

“Most likely? He has no way of communicating with his strike teams, and therefore couldn’t stop them if he was even aware of what they were doing. I can only assume the same will be true for you, my lady. If you send minions out, then it’s probable you will be stuck waiting for their return. But--”

“If I may, my lady,” Baruk interrupted, stepping forward and pushing past the strategizing rat. “As the oldest member of this group, I’ve seen our people suffer through starvation, become victims of hunters when we only wished for peace, and have lived under two rulers.” He wrung his hands before continuing. “If what you say is true, that we’ve entered a war without proper preparation, I highly recommend we take immediate action.”

Terash nodded. “Baruk is right, of course. The sooner we test the limits of this 'war', the sooner we’ll be informed enough to win it. And if we’re against Dungeon Cordon, it would be pragmatic of us to learn as much as we can.”

Mari graciously thanked the warrior for his input, asking Terash what he recommended.

He scratched under his chin again before responding, “Well, it’s doubtful we will win a direct conflict against Cordon.”

[What makes you think we have to fight him?]

“Well, I can only assume this will end when one of you is destroyed. Probably best to send out a team of warriors to do some scouting? Hmm… If only we had enough to confidently defend our lady, as well…”

[Don’t worry so much about me,] Mari reassured him. [I’ve still got my unicorn!]

“Ah,” Terash mused. “Yes, that’s true. It’s quite strong. Very well. Keep it here, away from me, and have it guard the dungeon.”

Yeshi spoke out this time, leaning on Baruk’s broad shoulder. “I will lead this scouting party.” He glanced at Terash, but Mari couldn’t read the expression on his face.

The strategic rat looked like he wanted to object, but Baruk voiced his agreement, and the other rats joined in.

“May I suggest a scouting party layout, then?” Terash asked the slim leader, who nodded in response. “I recommend myself, Trena, and Starra. Yeshi, of course, will lead the party.”

Trena cheered while Starra, the younger female Ratman who had been silent up until now spoke up in surprise, “M-me?”

“As a scavenger,” Terash continued, “her eyes are trained to notice finer details that warriors aren’t. That can be an invaluable skill when confronting the unknown.”

“What of me, Terash?” Baruk questioned irritably, eliciting grunts of agreement from the crowd. “You wish for me to sit idly by while you all perform my duties?”

Terash smiled. “Nonsense, brave one. While your contribution would be invaluable, at least one warrior must remain behind to guard our people and our lady. Who better suited to that than our best and bravest?”

The huge Ratman who’d been in opposition of the plan grunted reluctantly, taking a seat without further discussion.

The group further discussed their plans, but Yeshi wrapped it up swiftly and led the party to the dungeon’s entrance.

[Be careful!] Mari cautioned them. [You never know what you’re going to find out there.]

“My lady,” Yeshi said chuckling. “We’ve patrolled around the area many times. We know how to remain hidden.”

The group mostly seemed confident, except Starra, who constantly made fists with her hands and relaxed them again. Mari recognized the nervous gesture.

[Hey,] she said, making the rat jump in surprise. [You’ll do fine! Just remember, confidence is key!]

Starra didn’t respond, but nodded thankfully.

[Yeshi, you take good care of her, and Terash, be careful you don’t run into any of Cordon’s monsters!]

“Yes, my lady.”

[Oh, and--I just thought of this--if you see any thin wires across the ground make sure to step over them! They could be tripwires, triggering some sort of trap. And if the humans--]

Terash sighed. “My lady, why don’t we just try bringing you along?”

[You can do that?] Mari asked, astounded. The rat shrugged.

“Don’t know, to be honest. Haven’t tried it before. But if you’ll donate one of your Overseers to the task, we can find out.”

[Ooh, good idea! You can have Smitty--wait, no. You can have Marvin.]

Everybody waited impatiently as the Overseer slowly flew down the corridor from the main hall intersection. Mari hadn’t wanted to get rid of Smitty, who was right there above the entrance, since he was the first Overseer she’d ever created. She thought of him like she might’ve thought of a dog if ever she owned one.

Trena got tired of waiting, let out a groan, and ran down the hall to grab Marvin, grasping him around his bulbous head and carrying him back to the group. It was disorienting to see Trena look into the viewport before spinning Marvin around to look outwards, almost as though Mari were watching a low-budget internet video.

[Right…] She declared to the party. [Let’s, um… let’s get this show on the road, I guess.]