“Your mother made it clear that your piece was off the board.”

Eric Froze. There were so many questions he wanted to ask at that moment, but a tiny voice in his mind was screaming at him to be very, very careful with what he said, all too keenly aware of certain gift that could so easily be taken away. A gift that an untold numbers of players would no doubt absolutely love to see taken away, if they even knew he had it. So when he took a deep breath, it was to buy himself time to carefully parse his thoughts, and not choke back fury that his mother thought of him as no more than a piece on some metaphoric gameboard.

“I claim no alliance or faction. I declare myself strictly independent.” Eric clenched his jaw. “And my mother can say whatever she likes, but I sure as hell am not her piece on any board.”

This earned a pair of politely raised brows. “Then why are we even having this conversation?”

Eric smirked. “Because even though I don’t claim any faction or alliance, nothing says I can’t be light blue status with the snappiest dressers in the galaxy, am I right?” Eric winced. “By light blue I mean...”

“I know what you mean,” the man cut him off. “Though if we were in nul-sec, you’d already be podded.”

Eric winced. “Harsh, friend. Very harsh. I don’t suppose I have a backup pod somewhere I don’t know about? You know what? Scratch that. I don’t want to know. Anyway, I have a proposal, if you’re interested. And I didn’t quite catch your name?”

The man’s bemused smile and hard gaze hadn’t shifted, but he gave the tiniest of nods. “Speak, Eric Silver, who has declared himself a free agent, no longer directly tied to the Silver Clan. You may call me Lord Drevyn. What is your proposal?”

Eric blinked. He had so many questions… but he was so afraid of triggering unseen commitments and obligations. He could still recall all too well the visceral clammy feel of golden cages wrapping tightly around his life, back when he was just one of his mother's favorite possessions. Thus he was leery of asking even a single question, lest the answer be one that he would forever regret hearing.

So instead he just made his offer, hoping that the man on the monitor before him would bite.

Lord Drevyn gazed at Eric for long thoughtful moments after he was finished saying his piece. "So, you're effectively offering to assist Commander Valorn’s clan in seizing Gilton city while asking for neither rank nor title for yourself. Merely that we allow the human survivors to continue living there unmolested, and provide safe passage to whichever humans choose to leave, and safe passage for you and your partners and whatever you all managed to scavenge from the ruins of Gilton.

“In return, you’ll do what you can to convince whatever Human Classers you can to flee the city, humans who had dared to claim Orc Classes, and you wish for us to provide them free passage to Freetown as well?"

Eric’s gaze hardened. “It wasn’t that they dared to claim Orc Classes. It was that those who refused to take an oath to obey the king’s commands were tortured to death by their goddamned shaman, and the survivors were forced to watch. Now don’t get me wrong. I have no doubt that there are bad apples among them. I killed a few myself. But I think most of those ‘Orc Champions’ are just people who didn’t want to die, and didn’t want their families to pay if they refused to comply.”

Lord Drevyn rubbed his chin, turning his gaze to something just off-screen, and Eric was almost certain he was studying a map. "As much as any number of our kind would be more than happy to cut down those champions for the very affront of their classes, we're all too aware of just how savage and bloodthirsty orc tribes can be." His gaze hardened. "Allowances can be made, and consideration can indeed be given to the survivors. But for those who have successfully earned a class, I fear they must prove themselves a bit more ardently than simply slinking in the shadows, if they truly wish a full pardon."

Eric frowned. “And what would the nature of this proving themselves be?”

The elf flashed a cool smile. “Why, they must help us fight, of course.”

Eric's gaze hardened. "So you expect them to serve as front-line cannon fodder?"

This earned a bemused chuckle. "Actually, that's just what I'd like to see addressed. Our spies report that the orcs have over half a dozen cannons, thanks to millennia-old concessions that allow orc factions alone to bring extensive quantities of smooth-bore cannon, muskets, and gunpowder, no doubt to make up for their poor class affinities. Regardless, the half-mile clearing between the city's edge and the forest, combined with those cannons and over three hundred musketeers able to fire with impunity from the tops of the closest buildings, makes the area between forest and field a kill zone. However, should an inside force manage to take out those cannons, that would go a long way toward leveling the playing field. And such an act of sacrifice would certainly earn any number of transgressors considerable clemency when the territory is seized and the orcs in this region are well and truly purged out of existence.”

Eric nodded. “Take out at least half a dozen cannons, so they can’t be positioned against your forces, and you’ll treat the humans fairly and give the classers a free pass out of here. Sounds like you’re getting a double win. But sure… we can do that.”

Drevyn dipped his head. “Of course, if that plan is to have any success at all… I fear a certain additional piece must be removed from the board.”

Eric winced. “You’re basically telling me I need to get rid of the Orc Chieftan, aren’t you?”

The elf nodded. “I’m afraid he has to go, if this plan is to have any success at all. Otherwise, a simple shout from that coward, and our hidden card becomes a deadly liability. Of course, if any human Champions join the orcs… you do understand that we’ll be interrogating them all to root out the orc sympathizers.”

Eric Winced. "So the leader needs to go. Fuck. Well, at least that way anyone whose fighting for the bad guys is doing it by choice." He sighed and gave an uncomfortable nod. "You need to question the survivors if any classer javelins are found in Elves? Alright. So long as interrogation doesn’t mean torture, and you have some arcane means of separating truths from falsehood, then that’s more than fair.”

“Good. Now, Eric Silver, what’s your part in all this?”

Eric blinked, “I’m sorry?”

Lord Drevyn's eyes all but crackled. "Come now, Eric. No need to be coy. You've revealed far more of your cards than I suspect even you realize, and you're willing to put your life on the line for the sake of thousands of strangers. For people who owe absolutely no allegiance to your clan… or should I say, former clan?"

Eric felt his cheeks blaze, but didn't say a word as the man shook his head and spoke on.

"Including actually agreeing to the madness of taking out an Orc Chieftain. As a low-level child who apparently has absolutely no idea of his true rank and status.” He smirked and shook his head. “And not once have you taken offense when I implied your clan was just another faction of the Sylvan Alliance. So what on Earth are you getting in return that makes so many concessions and sacrifices worth it?”

Eric shrugged, deliberately not taking any of the juicy bait Drevyn was offering, it being so clear that the man was absolutely chock full of answers to questions Eric didn’t dare ask. “Does it really matter? Those orcs are responsible for so much grief and misery, I'm happy to take out as many as I damn well can. And if I can flip a red tile for a shade of green, one that actually cares about its citizens, and earn a shit-ton of experience in the process? Then yes, count me in!"

The elven lord flashed a hard smile. “I’m sorry, Eric. But unless and until you give me a straight answer, I’m going to have to decline. Though I will be happy to tell Aurelia that her lastborn son is, by some miracle, actually alive. And in return for your scouting report and the death of the shaman, for which you have already earned a significant clan bounty. I would of course be happy to see you safely escorted to your sister's territory as well."

“Wait! Elonia was a contender?” It was all he could do to keep his mouth shut and wipe the startled expression off his features, his mind reeling with how much the man had just revealed with that single sentence.

Eric clenched his jaw, overwhelmed by a riot of unexpected emotions, including awe, relief, and a growing sense of dread.

All that mattered was the answer to a single question. “You said my sister’s territory. You mean my twin sister Elonia, don’t you?”

“I do indeed. And so far as I know, she is in the best of health as the face of your clan. One could almost say she serves as the face of our entire faction, in fact.” He gave a curious frown at the look of heartfelt relief crossing Eric’s features. “You truly didn’t know?”

Eric swallowed and shook his head. "Until this conversation, I thought I was just the spoiled oldest son of an eccentric, power-hungry actress. I had hoped that at least my mother and sister were alive and well. But this?” He pointedly looked around. “This is utterly beyond what I expected.”

This earned him a wry chuckle. “Still so eager to cast off all family ties, then, now that you know that this is far more real than any space strategy game?”

Eric forced a grin, carefully not answering the question.

“Eric?”

“Yes, Lord Drevyn?”

“You still haven’t told me what you’re getting out of all this.”

Eric held the elf’s eyes for long moments. “We keep this between you and me?”

“All tertiary parties will be kept on a need-to-know basis. No party will be given information not pertinent to their mission.”

Eric winked. "I'm just in it for the gold, Lord Drevyn."

The man’s eyes flashed. “Now’s not the time for jests, boy.”

Eric’s hungry smile was almost feral. “An absolute fortune in gold. And one I intend to claim. In return for doing my part to flip this territory, I want carte blanche permission to steel whatever the hell I want from this place.”

This earned a thoughtful frown. “Sheer wealth, free of all strings or obligations? That goal is at least understandable, but so much less than you could otherwise achieve." The man slowly nodded. “But at least it’s acceptable. You have killed the shaman by some miracle, declared yourself a free agent, and now plan on taking out the chieftain as well. Should you actually prove successful, this will have significant repercussions, so let’s make sure we’re both absolutely clear on the boon you're asking for. You would willingly surrender the opportunity to seize and claim Gilton under your sister’s banner, which includes lord’s rights to all assets, in return for the freedom to… steal, as you put it, whatever resources you desire from this city. With an optional escort back to Freetown that avoids all contact with your mother’s clan. Is this correct?”

Eric nodded. “Pretty much, yeah.”

Lord Drevyn’s expression grew even more puzzled. “Is this an attempt to unlock an elite rogue class?”

Eric grinned like a cat who had claimed all the cream. "Who can say?"

And this alone earned an approving smile from Lord Drevyn. “How remarkably resourceful. And unorthodox. Young scions often claim they wish to leave the nest, but when they are given the choice between a safe assured ascension to the majestic heights of Bronze, or the opportunity to become so much more, should they be willing to risk absolutely everything, they almost invariably choose the former.”

Eric couldn’t help laughing at that. “Considering how many times I’ve skirted death already, I don’t blame them a bit.”

Lord Drevyn’s smile grew. “Of course not. That leaves more opportunities on the board for wildcards such as yourself.”

Eric winked. “Funny how that all works out, isn’t it?”

This earned a quiet chuckle. “Very well then, Eric Silver. I agree to your terms. Aid our mission, ‘steal' whatever resources you see fit, so long as you rob no elf, and good luck in your own quest to find a class worthy of your bloodline, heritage, and honor."

Eric bowed his head. “Thank you, Lord Drevyn. Now on to the particulars, I suppose.”

“Indeed.”

The elven lord then split-screened with a hard-eyed elf possessing ebony locks and striking fey features that straddled the line between elegant handsomeness and sensual beauty, leaving Eric more than a bit discomfited by the strange flush to his cheeks that he felt, gazing at the elf who was at that moment rehashing their basic strategy.

“So, once the chieftan has fallen, give three long whistles. Our spies in the city will convey the message. We will then initiate a feint to the northwest. Once our enemy’s cannoneers are exposed, and you, along with whatever Javelineers wish to be accepted as citizens among our people, will begin the assault. Your goal is to disable at least six cannons, if at all possible. And don’t worry about keeping an exact count in the heat of battle. My spies will give the signal when the feat is accomplished,” said Commander Valorn.

Eric nodded. “At that point, the classers and their families are free to slip out via the southeast quadrant with your blessings and guides to lead them all to Freetown, or continue to prove themselves in the fighting and earn accolades and citizenship within your clan’s territories, even if their unfortunate choices of class would make them a pariah within any other Sylvan Alliance territory."

Commander Valorn dipped her head. “And you are free to take whatever... trinkets or prizes you like.”

“Of any value, so long as they were not stolen from our own kin,” qualified Drevyn, earning a hard smile from Valorn.

“Of course," Valorn said, before tilting her head curiously. "I do find it quite curious that the Winter Queen truly has no hand in this play, after all she has invested with her agents in her Earthly dealings. How does she profit with this boy?"

Drevyn flashed a bemused smile. “According to the accord struck by young Eric Silver and ourselves… she doesn’t.”

“Then how...” Valorn shook her head. “But I suppose it doesn’t matter. So long as oaths are kept, I can only wish you a profitable heist, young scion.”

Eric cleared his throat with a cough. “Hardly anyone’s scion. Please, consider me a free agent seeking light blue status with all ethical players on the board. But thanks for the kind words. May this territory prove a fruitful acquisition with Elves and Humans both living together in prosperity and harmony.”

“Indeed. Fair thee well, Free Agent Eric Silver. May your hunt prove fruitful, and may your reputation always proceed you.”

Eric smirked as he dipped his head, well aware that was a double-edged blessing for unorthodox rogues like he almost was. He didn’t hesitate to say the same, however, raising fist to chest as the signal cut out.

He then turned to his stunned-looking friends. "So, who's up for securing an absolute fucking fortune in gold?"