The three of us walked quietly up the wide tunnel. There was some slight foot traffic, including a couple of Flyers who were most likely delivering messages to the Bastards below, meaning we had no security to discuss our trip before we arrived at our destination.

When we reached the mouth of the tunnel, I couldn’t help but momentarily appreciate the detailed work of people long dead. Each column displaying lifelike scenes of wildlife. The left shows a scene of deer running through bushes. The right highlighted a wolf defending its den. The overhead supports showed birds flying free through the clouds looking at the countryside below. One could almost imagine the tunnel’s ornate mouth as a picture frame for the vista below, a large valley surrounded by mountains.

My favorite view.

The sun was setting between the mountains, casting dappled light upon the main dirt path leading through the valley up to our position. Plots of growing food line the walkway down the entirety of the valley, ensuring that they get the most amount of sunlight possible. Off the main pathway, there were small footpaths that led to several small wooden houses throughout the valley’s walls.

As we walk out of the tunnel, more architecture that makes up Tavern Life began to come into view. To the immediate right of the tunnel mouth is a two-story pub, built into the side of the mountain. It contained a tunnel that wound through the mountain itself and led to a similar building that does decent business as an inn, though Guildsmen across the country refer to it as Outer Tavern. It’s one of the two points of entry points into the main complex.

To the left of the tunnel is a longhouse, where most of the official Guild business is handled. It’s where Chief Eurus spends most of his day, and thus our destination. We walk towards and into the main longhouse. Strong doors opened to reveal tables lined on both sides of the longhouse with a stone fireplace running the center. At the end of the longhouse was a low dais that held up a long table, enough to fit the Chief and his Advisors. Chief Eurus was sitting center in the table, with our brother Torin already there, sitting to father’s right.

Behind the table was a detailed carving of our history. Each plank, starting from the top, displayed the various important events that make up the Guild’s history. battle scenes, coronations, anomalies in the skies above, and moments of peace. The Crown has always lost sight of their past mistakes. But not the Guild.

The Guild remembers and protects all.

At our entrance, Father looked and a large smile crossed his face. “Thank Highest Above, you are both alright,” he said looking to Jonah and me.

Chief Eurus from the head table and came to meet us as we walked down the center of the longhouse to the table. Chief Eurus Stone walked towards us carrying with him a presence that commanded respect. His dark, shoulder-length hair was pulled back, with streams of grey shining like beacons of wisdom in the firelight. He embraced Jonah first, his second eldest. Then Chief Eurus turned to me, a warm smile already placed across his mostly stoic features. He enveloped me in a fierce and loving hug. “I was worried for you,” he said before placing a light peck on my forehead. His only girl, his youngest.

His niece.

Chief Eurus Stone was the eldest son of Lord Kamon Moor, and as such, should have inherited his father’s lands and titles upon his death. But his mother was a Guild tavern wench, making him a Bastard, lesser in the eyes of the Crown. Purity of blood was something that the Crown never could get over, and was something the Guild cared very little about; which is why the men and women at arms within the Guild are referred to as Bastards. What the Crown sees as a term for lesser is used by the Guild to show off those with the ability and dedication to be a member of the Guild.

Because of the Crown’s outlook on legitimacy, Lord Kamon’s inheritance went to his second son or his eldest legitimate son, Leon Moor, my birth father. The two brothers grew up together despite their mothers being of different standings with their bond being one of the first between the Crown and the Guild in decades. Eurus could have been bitter about the fact that his younger brother would have everything he deserved simply because of the crown’s outlook on what legitimacy was, but Eurus was better than that; mostly because of his Guild mother. She instilled within her son the values of the Guild. Lord Kamon provided the best for his sons, even if one was illegitimate, which provided Eurus with an understanding of the rules his father’s society lives by, a unique quality amongst members of the Guild.

Keeping a comforting arm around me, almost ensuring himself that I’m really here, he guides us to the table where three men and one woman pretended to not be staring at our reunion. These Advisors stood around the table, looking over reports and numbers, helping to guide the future of the Guild. Each member around the table, save for Torin, served as a Bastard with Eurus at some point in their lives. As such, each had a bond born in blood and real-life experiences that connected them to their Chief.

Anon, who was seated opposite of Torin is father’s closest friend. They’ve been together since childhood, as Anon was a Guild orphan brought in from one of the cities. He came to the Tavern at such a young age that it’s all he has truly known. Eurus and Anon grew up, trained, and traveled the country. Eventually when they became Bastards, Anon was Eurus’ navigator within their Bastard sect, giving him a keen mind for logistics.

Torin, who was seated to the right of Father’s seat, flashed an unabashed smile as we came to the table. Torin is built like Jonah, but with a softer and boyish face. Despite being the eldest of Chief Eurus’s children, he didn’t look the part in comparison to his brother. Jonah was in too many fights as a kid to come out without a slightly crooked nose. Ever since Torin had left the Bastards, he had served as a full-time Advisor for father, unlike Jonah and I who advise when not dealing with our Bastard duties.

Beside Torin was Nilsa. Her beautiful thick hair was pulled back with multiple braids, colorful beads peeking through her tresses. When our eyes met, she gave me a warm smile in greeting. Father has said on more than one occasion that Nilsa was his best advisor; she’s a fighter with a kind heart, thus she always advocates for the weak and trains anyone interested, but has a special place in her heart for the Flyers. Her outlook on the world was refreshing and helped Chief Eurus remember what truly matters. She was an orphan, like Anon, but from a settlement in the Farm’s territory in the east and joined us at a later age. In her eyes, the Guild gave her the will to push on long before she called it home. While begging for table scraps, Nilsa overheard whispers of the Guild and their efforts through the country. It gave her the hope and the strength she needed to survive. When a Guild smuggler finally came to the settlement, she walked straight up to them and asked them to take her away. When she came to the Farm, she trained as a Flyer at the Farm the same time as Eurus and Anon, who were traveling the sects together, and have been the closest of friends ever since.

To Anon’s left was Remy, an elder Bastard who was Lead Bastard of Eurus, Anon, and Nilsa when they were young Bastards. Remy was the closest thing to a grandfather I have ever had, as Lord Kamon Moor died long before I was born. Some of my fondest and sometimes painful memories included Remy. When I was younger, there many were the late evenings of Remy coaching me through martial drills over and over again.

Upon the table, itself were multiple stacks of papers and flat stones across the periphery of the table. Around the border of the table were miniaturized images of the scenes displayed on the wall behind the Advisors. As I came to stand in front of the table my eyes were particularly drawn to a scene on the border depicting the night sky with a ball of fire streaking through the scene. In the center of the table was one of the most beautiful maps I have ever seen, the master map of The Tavern territory.

Artistically detailed but accurate representation of rivers and mountains marked with depictions of animals to highlight good hunting and fishing locations. Every settlement marked with a note of Guild connection held down by a small black stone beside it. There were three settlements with stark white rocks. These are the three settlements that have been attacked within the Tavern’s territory. Beneath each white stone was a small blank note, highlighting the loss of the Guild.

Beside Father was a stack of flat stones, some matching the stones used to distribute tasks and others matching the stones on the map. Father reached over and retrieved one that was pure white. He handed the stone to me and motioned to the map before us.

I held the stone in the palm of my hand, taking it in. Though the stone was light in weight and color, it represented a heavy and dark truth, the Guild failed these people. I reached over the map and exchanged the black stone with its white replacement. When I stood back up, each person’s head was down in remembrance for our lost charges. I waited a few respectful moments before breaking the silence. I cleared my throat, calling for the group's attention. Their attention quickly turned away from grieve and back to business.

“We had stopped for morning meal and were packing up when we spotted a column of smoke in the distance,” I started. “Jonah consulted the map and determined that it was coming from the settlement near Frigga’s. We voted as a sect to investigate and send word when we got to Frigga’s.” I looked from each member around the table, including them in my detailed account of our sect’s investigation.

“When we got to Frigga’s,” I continued “ there wasn’t a body in sight, but death was everywhere. There were drag marks and pools of blood and abandoned items across the courtyard and down the path that led to the settlement.” I stopped for a moment, I couldn’t help but think of the bloodied doll left along the side of the path. Focus.

Roy picked up where I stopped, flawlessly covering for my momentary blunder. “I followed several drag marks back into the treeline. They each led to a scorch mark, then stops,” Roy said as I pulled out Tarik’s drawing from my chest pocket and handed it to Father. “Between Tarik and I, we found all ten.”

“The boy helped?” Remy asked incredulously as he accepted and looked over Tarik's drawing.

“A miscommunication,” I said. Nods and a mild chuckle were the group’s response.

“When we entered Frigga’s it was obvious Freyda tried to make a final stand,” I continued. “But it was unsuccessful. We investigated the Guild’s hole and found Lorelle and Ella, two girls from the settlement that Freyda was able to save. After securing them and sending word to the Tavern, we investigated the settlement.”

Roy and I pull out our journals and show the markings we found. “Ten scorch marks surrounded the settlement. Once we were inside, the settlement was too badly burned to find much.”

Father turned to Remy. “Send a sect to process. If there is anything worth salvaging, or more we can piece together, we need it.”

“Understood” Remy replied.

“And the girls?” Nilsa asked. “They are the first survivors, to my knowledge.”

“Ella was too traumatized at the time to give much. But Lorelle was able to answer some questions. She saw the creatures and saw how they move. These scorch marks,” I pointed back towards the various drawings we provided from our task, “they are doors, doors of light that open and the creatures come pouring out. But she has no idea how they work.”

“Once question answered and another takes its place,” Father noted.

“Where are they now?” Torin asked.

“Tamara helped me get them set up with Madge,” I said.

“Poor girls, they have lost everything,” Nilsa said.

“Make sure they are well taken care of,” Father said. “They may have lost everything they have known, but they have a place here for as long as they would like,” Father finished.

“Lorelle is interested in learning how to fight,” I added.

“Good, I will offer my services then,” Nilsa said. She often works with the orphans to give them an overview of survival and fighting but can train more in-depth with those interested.

“I suspect we might be having an influx of orphans before the end,” Remy said, pointing out a sad truth. “Might want to build another barracks before we run out of beds.”

“It’s unfortunate, but you’re right,” Father said, rubbing his temple. Most likely a growing headache to accompany the growing problem. “Torin?” He asked, directing the task to his eldest.

“I’ll see to it,” Torin said, nodding as he took on the task. “There's a parcel out by the corn fields. It could be built within the next moon cycle.”

“Will we lose any plots with the barracks?” I asked.

The last thing we need is to lose food in preparation for more mouths.

“Not if we build it right,” Roy said. He looked to Torin, who nodded in acceptance of the help.

“I always have such high hopes for our free time before we come to this table” Jonah sighed, attempting to cut the building tension with his half-hearted whinging. The responding chuckle was a bit deflated.

“How did Tarik do while on task with you?” Nilsa asked me, directing the group’s thoughts in another productive direction.

“He did well,” I reported. “Tarik is quick on his feet and silent in the trees. He will need some lessons in following directions though.” I admitted, thinking back to his inability to follow my orders to the letter.

“So did you at that age,” Father said. True chuckles sounded around the table in response. I smiled, looking to each person. They know better than most the struggles I overcame to get to where I am today. Each has helped me become a better person.

“He’s got potential,” I admitted. “ He even said he wanted to be a Bastard someday. Once he gets over his nerves and gets some proper training, he will be a strong addition.”

“High praise, coming from one of the youngest Bastards ever inducted,” Remy stated, nodding approvingly. I smiled at his compliment.

“I have been corresponding with Duff up in the Mine,” Nilsa said, Duff, being her respective counterpart within the Mine in the northern mountains. “They are in need of Flyers interested in Bastard training. Theirs have trained and moved on to other sects,” she said. A consistent Guild problem. It was too cold in the mountains for most and it took a certain type of person to want to stay there after their training. Torin, Jonah and I spent two cycles there and Torin was miserable the entire time. Partially because Jonah and I were far too entertained at surprising him in impromptu snow fights, and others because he simply missed the sunlight.

“I will ask the boy if he is interested,” I said. If he went to the Mine he would be able to get the Bastard training available to him through the Guild. Training with me was one thing, but the Mine? The best bastards in the Guild train in the Mine.

“Good. Perhaps with your continued interest, Tarik will be an invaluable asset for the Guild with whatever is to come,” Father said, stoic in the face of whatever fight another attack symbolizes.

Continued interest? Should I take the boy on as an apprentice? Have him fill our empty spot within our Bastard sect? No, he’s still too young. But perhaps we could use him as a Flyer more often, help train him when we can. At least until he goes to the Mine if he decided to.

“Whatever is to come?” Nilsa asked. “You sound like a war is inevitable.”

“It is,” Anon declared. “ This is the fourth attack on Tavern grounds. We have to act. It’s our responsibility.”

“How?” Remy asked, throwing his hands up in frustration. It’s a question we have asked ourselves over and over again over the last few cycles. “If what the girl, Lorelle, says is true then we have little defense for this enemy,” Remy said. “Creatures descending on defenseless settlements in the night, and using doors of light to move?” He said suspiciously of the words as he spoke them.

“That is why we are here,” Father said, he paused a moment to ensure that he had our full attention. “Chiefs across the Guild are meeting with their Advisors asking themselves this question. How do we fight this enemy?” Silence met his question.

“Perhaps there was something the girls saw that could shed light on the situation,” Nilsa said.

“I would suggest being gentle with your questions,” I said. “Lorelle has lost everything and is trying to be a pillar of strength for her sister. But she is still a child herself”

“And Ella is far too young to answer a Tribunal,” Torin said. “Perhaps Madge can talk to the little one and report back to us. I can tell her what questions she should ask.”

Father nodded, “I also want a complete recounting of everything we have. People, food, weapons, and animals within The Tavern proper. As well as a report highlighting the same for the reaches of the Outer Tavern. Include a summation of the same for each settlement within a day’s ride of here. Better to have an updated understanding of the resources at our disposal for whenever this comes to a head.” There was a wisp of disappointment in his voice. He’s starting to accept the inevitability of this.

Remy raises his hand slightly and nodded, taking up the task of leading the counting. “I’ll have messenger birds flown within the day to each of our Guild contacts within the local settlement. “

“Has a word of the attack at Frigga’s been sent to the other sects?” I asked.

“I wanted to wait until I heard your report,” Father said, shaking his head and motioning to the table between us. “Wanted to see if we could make more sense of this mess.” He made a tight fight with his hand and rested his knuckles atop the table. “Messenger birds will be flown at dawn with the news of Frigga’s and the fact that there were survivors,” Father declared, his face scrunched into a scornful glare. He stared down the map as if staring long enough will make the answers come to light. “Thank you all for your time and advice today. But if you will excuse us, I would like to speak to my children, alone,” he said dismissing the group.

Everyone looked around to each other, noting the suddenness of the dismissal. I looked to Torin, who shrugged. Father has been getting more temperamental in recent months. This is the third attack to happen across the country this cycle and is the fourth attack within the Tavern’s territory. Not being able to protect those he was charged with was affecting him.

As everyone gathered their things, Father called out for Roy’s attention. “Roy? Thank you,” Father said, extending his forearm out in Roy’s direction, thanking his young friend for keeping his children safe. Roy stepped forward, embracing Father’s forearm with his own. After a nod towards each other in solidarity, Roy turned on his heels and moved towards the exit that the Advisors took before him.

As Roy walked passed me, he leaned in “See you at meal,” he whispered.

Roy was on the other end of the longhouse when Father redirected our attention by reaching towards one of the images carved into the wall. It was a decorated throne room, with large pillars lining a walkway to a large dais. There were two figures standing on top of the dais. Etched into the floor was an infinity design of four teardrops, each pointing in the cardinal directions. In the center of the teardrop knot was a prominent diamond shape. Father pressed the knot and the symbol sunk into the wall. Following a series of small clicks, a door slid open from the wall.

“Come,” Father said as he motioned to the secret door with a slightly ruffled envelope pulled from a hidden pocket. “There is something that I need to you.”