Despite the crow’s worried mutterings, both the second and third stops for the night had gone off without a hitch. There were now four massive cannons in the sewers of Gilton, and a pair in Eric's personal storage, giving him thirteen working cannons, two absolutely massive, that he now had at his disposal. He found himself visualizing all sorts of interesting configurations as he took his ease after a hot shower when he and Morlekai finally got back to their base, their friends giving the pair increasingly incredulous looks as Morlekai finished his tale.

“So boy scout here claimed another six cannons, four of which are now in the sewers.”

Drake whistled. “Damn impressive. But what if the orcs manage to fish them out?”

Morlekai laughed. "They'd need to set up a major excavation if they expect to reclaim them any time soon. You didn't see how massive they were, Drake. They weren't made for mobile defense like the bronze ones. They were designed to sit on top of those reinforced keeps, pretty much forever.”

Eric nodded. "They could have sent cannonballs a pretty damn far distance out, well over a mile, maybe two, if they didn't want to give away the element of surprise, or if they actually knew where any elf villages were in those forests.”

Drake's eyes widened. "And you were actually able to store those fuckers in your ESS? Damn, I don’t care how much you all advise against it, I'm getting that perk first thing, once I get a decent class and can open up one of my nodes!"

Eric smirked. "Well, there are limitations. For example, I can't claim any object that's fixed to a larger target, like a brick out of a wall. And I can't plop in anything that I couldn't otherwise move."

Drake frowned. “Then how...”

Eric’s smile grew. “Well-oiled tracks, ball bearings, and prudent use of Burst of Strength were all I needed to budge all six cannons a few inches which, as far as the system is concerned, established them as mine by Right of Conquest.”

Drake snorted. “So what, this Right of Conquest thing lets you claim things just by being able to take them?”

Eric chuckled. “Of course. If it were otherwise, how the hell would there even be System acknowledged Rogue classes?”

Drake blinked. “I hadn’t thought of that.”

Louie laughed. “He has a point, buddy.”

Alice nodded, flashing Eric a teasing smile. “Boy scout's right. There are all sorts of ways you can achieve Rights of Conquest. Direct force is one path," she said, before a crimson lacquered fingernail sent shudders through Louie when she brushed the back of his neck. "Conquest by Seduction, or stealing the heart of the man you love, is another. And all of them are… how should we say? System approved."

She grinned at her man’s guttural growl, chuckling throatily when Louie carried her off to the rear of the bunker and back to the quarters they had long ago claimed as their own.

But Eric had long ago learned to tune out their antics, all his attention now on the monitor showing both Commander Valorn and Lord Drevyn kitted up in battle dress.

As if they already knew.

“Eric Silver, what news?” asked Lord Drevyn, wasting no time on small talk.

“The orcs were a bit smarter than we gave them credit for.”

The powerfully built elf furrowed imposing brows. “Please explain.”

“The orcs were armed with more than a dozen mobile cannons,” Eric said, flashing a bleak smile at their shocked expressions. “And that’s not all. Hell, that’s not even the best part! They had an additional pair of cast iron long guns that come damn close to being serious artillery on each of their forts, with a range that's got to be well over a mile. 24-pounders, if I'm not mistaken. Grapeshot from those bad-boys would have turned your best archers to bloody paste, long before you even got into range of all the bronze 12-pounders. And as you probably already know, the land is broken rubble for a good 300 yards before the forts and the city walls. That means you sure as hell aren't charging over that terrain, or doing anything but walking slowly. So… yeah. If the orcs caught you with your pants down there, your crack troops would be slaughtered within seconds, no matter how well sylvan shields might otherwise protect against small arms fire."

Eric couldn’t help but note their alarmed expressions growing ever more bleak as he gave his full report.

"And this is why we've played such a cautious waiting game," said Lady Valorn. "They never once dared to enter our forest. Only sending their human pets, once or twice. And even that stopped, when not a single one came back." She sighed. "It seems they were trying to goad us as well, and almost succeeded, if what you're telling us is accurate."

Eric flashed a cold smile. "Which is why, feint or no, you need to hit them at the Northwest corner of the city. Regardless of any other consideration… it's the only area now totally free of artillery."

Lord Drevyn cracked a hard smile. “Yet they still have several hundred musketeers who will be able to fire at us from cover and elevation. And the chieftain, I don't even have to point out, is still very much among the living."

Eric nodded. “Correct. Several hundred musketeers who will be concentrating a withering hail of fire from one of three keep battlements, since the wall itself is free of any parapet. It’s just an impressive wall that circles the city.”

Lady Valorn gave Eric a puzzled nod. “Exactly our point, Eric.”

Eric’s smile grew.

Lady Valorn blinked, tilting her head, favoring Eric with a curious smile. “Eric, is there something you’re not telling us?”

Eric stretched back in his gamer's chair and grinned, hands behind his head. “You ever see a good fireworks display, wherever home is for you, Lady Valorn?”

She solemnly shook her head. “Not at all. Black powder is forbidden in my homeworld.”

Eric's smile was all teeth. "Well, you just might see one tonight, if we can get enough guests to attend the celebration."

Lord Drevyn gazed at Eric for long moments. “You weren’t just sabotaging the cannons in those keeps, were you, Eric?”

“Of course not.”

“Good. So, what’s the next step of your plan?”

“Next, I challenge a certain orc to a little 1 on 1. If things go as planned? Then it will be your turn.”

Drevyn frowned. “And how are we supposed to coordinate this when we have no signal?”

“Oh, believe me, you’ll know,” Eric said with a chuckle, saluting them with a can of soda he knew had no right even existing, letting alone being so cold and delicious. “As far as entrance points go, I actually have a solution for that.”

“And what would that be?” Lord Drevyn asked.

“An explosive entrance, and maybe a little red carpet treatment as well." Eric took a thoughtful sip of his soda, enjoying the elves' puzzled expressions. "And by red carpet, I of course mean one made of dead green lizard hide."

Lord Drevyn’s formerly tolerant gaze flashed with something hard and cold. “You’d better not be playing us for fools, Eric Silver.”

Eric paused, staring into brilliant silver orbs for long moments. “I meant every damn word I said. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some fireworks to prepare.”

Eric closed his monitor and turned to beam up at a scowling Morlekai.

“Care to tell me why you were goading our supposed allies?”

Eric laughed. “Just for the thrill of it. Why else? Tell me that wasn’t fun, flashing all the cards, Morlekai.”

His friend smirked and shook his head. “Personally, I think you’re playing the fool. But Lady Valorn was definitely intrigued.”

“Practically drooling over boy scout here, while he was busy sassing Elven command,” Drake agreed. “If she had wanted to jump his bones before...”

Morlekai smirked. “Careful, Eric, or you might not be going to Freetown at all.”

“Wobble to Freetown, maybe, but certainly not walking,” Drake teased.

Eric snorted. “Yeah, that’s not happening. Anyway, assuming Alice and Louie aren’t out for the night, now might be the perfect time for a little safe cracking. And by now, I mean maybe an hour after the fireworks start.”

Morlekai gazed at Eric for long moments. “So. You’re really going to do this.”

Eric nodded, the lighthearted jocularity of just moments before fading to ice hold intent. “You’re damn right I am. And on the off chance he’s smart enough not to accept, do you still have my back?”

Morlekai sighed, diminishing so slighly that Eric only sensed it because he was looking right at the man, when a crimson crow sprouted from his shoulder and hopped onto Eric's own. "You do what you have to. My scout here will tell us whatever we need to know if he fails to show.”