“The invasion started?” Asked Anry.

“Well the first phase I’d guess. There are scattered pockets of fighting all over the city. I almost died out on the street myself.” Deacon replied.

“We're safe in here right?” Anry asked as he watches several jars of ingredients and tools moving around the room on their own lining up on tables the exact way Deacon sets up before he starts brewing.

“Yes, but we need your potions downstairs. I’m excited you figured out a refinement recipe. I want to hear all about it just not now. What’s that?” Deacon asked.

“Oh someone brought in that box earlier today. Said you had quest for those ingredients. How are you doing that? Never mind, they were very angry about it. Then I saw them get the quest update notification and practically jump through the ceiling. What did you ask for?” Anry queried.

“Let’s take a look.” Deacon said walking over to the box and opening it. Inside were all the ingredients for the steel solvent potion and the shrink potion. For the steel solvent potion he asked for a rust monsters heart, some mercury, and some magma rock. For the shrink potion he needed red and green spotted mushrooms, fox blood, and aged pine wood.

“Strange sets of ingredients.” Said Anry.

“Well they are for some more specialized potions I’ll teach you another day. Get those potions downstairs. I think Jacob is setting up a field hospital in the courtyard.” Deacon said preparing.

Anry took his stacks of potions downstairs leaving Deacon to his work. He thought these might come in useful if he could stretch the ingredients. Everything less than six pounds was manipulated by his new Polterheist skill. That left his hands to focus on the requirements for the potions. These two can be made with the equipment here, some of the others needed more specialized equipment. Two potions in and there was a banging on the door. It startled him and he had to quickly balance a set of test tubes he was floating off the table.

“Come in.” Deacon yelled. The door opened revealing Ralph in his full kit panting.

“They’re back. Cullep Manor is abandoned, and the bodies of their servants were strewn all over. Drained dry. They have to be down in the mines. Jacob is sending us to the temple to cure Amanda. She might be able to tell us more.” Ralph said.

“Ok I need five minutes to finish this potion. Did you get one of the new ones from Anry?” Deacon asked.

“Yes, why?” asked Ralph.

“He improved the formula, but I doubt it will last long. Better get him back here making more before this night is over.” Deacon said.

“Are you done yet. We should really hurry.” Ralph said extending a party invite to Deacon who accepted it quickly.

Deacon checked his soul energy bar. He was only up to fifty percent since his fight with Amanda. That ritual really did a number on him. Another thing he’ll have to ask the dragon about another time. He really didn’t like Ruby knowing even more ways to harm him. He also couldn’t get the look on Amanda’s face out of his head. She seemed in pain and sad. Hopefully Genevieve can help her.

“Are we just going to carry her kicking and screaming? Do we have some kind of manacles or something?” Deacon asked pocketing the two of the new potions and closing the door to the alchemy lab behind them.

“I’ve taken care of that. While she was out, I removed that rug you tied her up in and bound her correctly, using rope. What were you thinking? I also got a cart we could use so we don’t need to carry her.” Replied Ralph.

“That’s a good plan.” Deacon said taking his suit jacket off and pulling out his new hoody.

“What are you wearing now?” Ralph asked as they walked down the single flight of stairs to the ground level.

“Oh this old thing? Back home they call it a hoody. Its got a hood if your head gets cold and pouch in the front for carrying odd things.” Deacon answered.

“Is it a magic pouch?” Ralph asked.

“No.” Deacon replied sensing a pithy comeback about to burst.

“Then why do you need it. I’ve seen you pull all manner of things out of that bag of yours.” Ralph shot back.

“Maybe I want to put some nuts or fruit in it. I don’t ask you about your pouch.” Deacon said.

“I don’t have a pouch you…” Ralph stopped talking as he could see Deacon grinning under his hood, he just flipped up stopping in front of Jacob.

“The Cardinal Unit returned; I assume you’ve heard since you are here with Ralph. You understand why I’m sending you to the church now instead of when this all blows over right?” Jacob asked.

“So we don’t have a potential enemy in the backroom?” Deacon asked.

“No, because we will need all the help we can get, and Amanda is an accomplished sneak.” Jacob responded.

“We’ll be leaving now. Any news about the path between here and the temple of Astrael?” Ralph asked.

“Only bad news I’m afraid. The north bridge has been destroyed. Someone playing with their new spell blew it up. You’ll have to travel south then cut west using the smith road. That should get you there but I’m not getting any messages from the Captain of the Guard about that area. He may not have eyes in the southern half of the city.” Jacob answered with a worried look on his face.

“Relax fellas, what could possibly go wrong?” Deacon asked with a shrug.

Jacob turned to leave shaking his head as Deacon started off down the hall toward the Teller. Ralph turned around to find Deacon headed that way and started off after him. Deacon made it to the Teller’s window and was shocked to see a much younger version of Finley the Teller. He now sported a long red beard and green tunic. His hat now had buckle on it and Deacon could have sworn he used to be taller.

“Deacon! My friend. I was hoping you’d show up. Would you like to check you statement?” he asked.

“Actually I would. You are looking much more spry these days Finley. What’s your secret?” Deacon questioned as he leaned into the window.

“Gold.” He said with a grin.

“Ha, funny.” Deacon replied smirking at him. Finley then hopped off his stool and scrabbled around behind the counter for a few minutes before hopping back up on the stool.

“Less expenses and quest payouts the total comes to twenty-thousand and five hundred gold. Need to withdraw?” Finley asked.

“Not right now, thanks. How are you doing?” Deacon asked.

“Just fine. Haven’t felt this good in a hundred years.” Finley replied.

“How much?!” Ralph asked shocked at what he thought he just heard.

“Oh right, Ralph this is Finley, Finley this is Ralph.” Deacon introduced them.

“That can’t be right. You have more gold than most lords. Sure their gold is tied up in land, but I doubt any one of them could come up with that much just by visiting The Teller.” Ralph replied.

“It’s all about investing my friend. I invested in my two alchemy apprentices, I invested in a clothing line, and I now need one more to diversify. Right now I’m getting the most from potions, I’m sure.” Deacon said looking over to The Teller and getting a nod of confirmation.

“We should go.” Ralph said counting out some coins in his hand with a dejected look on his face.

“We can circle back to this after the war, I guess. By the way did you get any spells?” Deacon asked.

“Yea some electric net thing. Not a spell caster so I doubt it’ll be any good.” Ralph replied as they reached the room Amanda was being held in. She was rolling around on the floor hog tied. The scraps of rug Deacon used to bind her earlier lay in a pile against the wall. Ralph unceremoniously hoisted her off the ground and they both started to head out.

Once outside there was an overturned two-wheel cart that Ralph gestured toward with his chin. Getting the hint Deacon went over and flipped the cart. Over the next five minutes Deacon watched as Ralph tied his friend into the cart. Amanda attempted to kick and wail at him, but her feet were already secured and there was gag in her mouth.

“I’ll pull her. I don’t get tired.” Deacon said.

“Ok thanks. Its been a long night already.” Ralph replied.

They burst into the public street at a jog. The sounds of battle coming from one block over. As they began heading south, they saw a squad of the King’s Knights fighting off several Sanguine Vessels. Deacon looked at Ralph who gestured to go around. This path took them closer to the southern cliffs of Iron Mountain Plateau. Deacon could see over the wheat fields and cattle pastures. He noticed a strange light in the forest and pointed it out Ralph.

“Must be the Vasilly troops. If they are expecting to walk up the Ascent Road to a leaderless city ready to surrender, they have another thing coming.” Said Ralph.

“It’s not a great plan. The knights could hold the road, right? I mean if they all lined up across it.” Deacon asked as they continued on.

“They’d have the high ground and the backing of the mages from the Tower to take care of any war magics. I suppose they could.” Ralph mused.

“Then the whole plan hinged on that vampires coup attempt. We are definitely missing something.” Deacon replied hurrying down the street. It was eerily quiet this far south. Amanda began to jerk and shudder, so Ralph poured on the speed. It wasn’t until they reached the intersection that they saw lines of people entering an above ground cemetery. There were at least fifty to a hundred calmly lined up waiting until they could enter. They all had blank expressions on their faces like nobody was home.

“What in the ten hells is this?” Ralph asked.

“Something we don’t have time for, keep moving.” Deacon whispered.

“Don’t have time for? Are you kidding me?” Ralph asked waving his hand in front of one of the citizens faces and getting no response.

“Look we can secure the package or intervene here. We can’t do both.” Deacon said in hushed tones.

“With everything that is going on tonight, do you think anyone else is going to help these people?” Ralph hissed back.

“I can see the light coming off of the temple from here. It can’t be more than five or six blocks west of here. How about we drop her off with Genevieve, you and I will come back here.” Deacon pleaded noting the line hadn’t moved since they arrived.

“Deal, but we are coming right back here.” Ralph replied.