You might imagine that after having a building pulled down on us by the Kathaldi we would get a few days to recover. Especially since we had travelled all the way from Ansdron to Aandarvi being chased by those same Kathaldi people. Particularly since the Kathaldi had killed so many of our friends and family along the way.

You would be wrong though. Since Pleneth was the only surviving member of the High Mages’ Council, and because none of the highest top leaders of the Knights of Anathar or the Kings’ Warders still lived, he wanted to immediately get to work saving the world. I guess he forget that the four of us had already been doing that for weeks and weeks. Mages, right? Especially powerful ones.

He did let us have breakfast before he came to talk to us. We were still at the breakfast table when he barged in. Okay, it was his house so maybe he didn’t quite barge in. Thilos and Imprid had been making eyes at each other. He had fed her since she had that broken left arm. She still had that unbroken, completely healthy right arm, though, and she’s right-handed. So, it was just weird and creepy. I was doing my best to ignore it and Padral seemed pretty focused on his own thoughts throughout the meal. That made it one of the better breakfasts I’d had recently.

When Pleneth first joined us in the small dining room we were in I was happy for the interruption because it meant that Thilos and Imprid finally stopped staring meaningfully into each other’s eyes. I also thought he might have news about Delik Slin’s body, our friend and companion that we had last seen when the Kathaldi had ambushed us on the way to the chambers of the High Mages’ Council. Unfortunately, he was just there to assign tasks to each of us. Before that happened, there was a lot of bowing, of course. It was Pleneth and he didn’t stop bowing just because he was in his own house. That old elf really loves to bow.

“I hope you are all well rested because we have a lot to do today.” He announced.

“We do? I thought we’d just be resting and recovering.” I said.

Pleneth shook his head sadly. “I wish we had time for that. I really do. I know you have had a rough couple of months.” He looked at each of us in turn as he joined us at the breakfast table. “Sadly, if we do not want the gods to take matters into their own hands regarding the Kathaldi we cannot afford that luxury.”

Padral nodded. “I would prefer not to die in a second cataclysm, so I am at your disposal.” What a kiss ass.

Thilos was also nodding as he reached out to take Imprid’s good hand. “I find that I have much to live for, Pleneth, so I am also yours to command.” Ugh.

Imprid smiled at Thilos before turning her attention to our High Mage host. “Me too, of course.”

Pleneth turned his eyes to me. I was thinking that this hero business doesn’t seem to leave a lot of time for relaxing. “I’m in.” I finally said. Stupid peer pressure. “What do you need me, and us, to do?”

Pleneth sat back with a smile. “Your willingness to help is very much appreciated, and sorely needed, as well. Outside of elves and dwarves we do not know who we can trust.” He gestured to one of his staff and asked for more tea to be brought in. “Also, we need to do many things, of course. My plans for you four are to return you to Ansdron.”

I couldn’t help it. I groaned at the thought of another journey like the one we had just suffered through. “Ansdron? We just came from there! Well, except for Imprid. And you should know that the journey wasn’t much fun, either.”

Pleneth smiled as he raised a hand to shush me. His wise old elf act was quickly getting old. I repressed an urge to bow again, just to be a jerk. “I know, Dirk. I believe this voyage will be much quicker and less unpleasant. I would like to send you from Baneltek with Aandarvi’s entire fleet. It’s not large but it should be more than adequate. You can stop at the major cities and drop off messengers and such who can spread the word about the Kathaldi, as well as the drants, on your way to Ansdron. It will be quicker and safer than having you travel overland again.” He turned to Thilos. “I would like to appoint you as the new commander of the Warders in Ansdron.” At Thilos’ shocked look Pleneth smiled again. “I will send you with plenty of help and support, but we need some good people there to start rooting out the Kathaldi and also to prepare for the drants. Ansdron is always hit hard in drant wars. I am sure it will be no different this time so I will also be sending a highly competent general and his staff with you so he can organize the city’s defense, but he will need a commander of the King’s Warders that he can count on, and trust.” He paused dramatically. “One that we know for certain is not Kathaldi. The Warders are the best scouts we have and they know the wilderness around Ansdron better than anyone else. It is an advantage for us against the drants,” he said with a small sigh, “and we do not have many.”