“I know what is to be done. I got the plan worked out.” proclaimed Arlene. Her voice sounded assertive and determined.

“You take the goblins and run in one direction. I go to Merrick and lead them on a wild goose chase the other way. Maybe to make it believable, the Provost can lead some false trails. Everyone is happy. Rylon and the goblins can escape to a new life. I get paid and Provost can train me later. We all win. We all survive. “ exclaimed Arlene.

“Thanks for sharing your plan with us, Arlene.” Vitalia uttered in a calm resolute manner. The sort of calm you expect before a tempest. “ I see now, I will have to add short-sightedness to your list of quirks that we need to improve upon.”

“What Provost Vitalia meant to say was that the plan would only allow a brief moment of peace and quiet,” I interjected. My fears that our current flimsy alliance would break, guided my words.

I choose my next word carefully.

“Overall, it is not a bad plan. Taking into account, that you have come up with it at a short notice. But it does have major flaws. Have you ever pondered to consider what would happen when Merrick fails to find us? or when we are sighted in other territories? What do you think would happen when such reports reach Lord Korvanor? “

I spoke while still accessing my current stance. I am actually siding with Arlene. It was only a few moments ago that I could hardly stand her attitude.

“He would start a new hunting party and you could run again. Should not be difficult. You did it once, you can do it again?” reckoned Arlene.

The naivety of youth or overestimation of prowess. Maybe even a combination of both. I could not infer the guiding factor for Arlene’s thinking process. A look at Vitalia revealed that she too was wrestling with a similar question.

“Young Arlene, here is something you should know about nobles. They always have friends. They always have people in high places who owe them favours. The vengeful Lord will not send Merrick the next time. At least not alone. If news of Magistra Rylonvirah’s presence in another province or country, reaches his ears, he would most likely dispatch an ally, a vassal or another Lord on good terms to pursue. He might even decide to extend his hand of friendship or economic sanctions with the Noble governing the province. That would make eluding far more difficult.”

“Well, in that case, let us just put an arrow in Merrick and be done with it. I know where he resides in Meranvale. We can sneak in. When Korvanor comes personally, we can deal with him. Quick and efficient.” remarked Arlene.

Theko who was busy with his Pebbles halted and looked at Arlene in awe. Meanwhile, Maapu appeared from nowhere and declared, “Mistress, Come with you. Help you. All goblins follow to help Mistress.”

“Impulsive and hubristic. You got the worst characteristics of both your heritage. The foolhardiness of a human and insolence of an elf. “ Vitalia’s lashed out, with her tongue.

At the mention of her racial heritage, Arlene stiffened and her knuckles paled as she grasped her sash tightly.

“Don’t bare your fangs at me. Don’t like your ancestry mentioned? Then learn to correct your own shortcomings. It is your own recklessness that set the events in motion.” Vitalia’s verbal onslaught continued.

I felt a bit of pity for Arlene now. Her eyes were almost moist and on the brink of tears.

“Provost Vitalia, to answer your original question, if I did not have my current company of followers, I could have tried to meet with Merrick and explained the events as they transpired.” I offered my answer. Even though it was only part of an answer, I hoped that this would bring the conversation back to its focal point.

“Regrettably, that would bring my Ward in harm’s way. Not an acceptable answer, Magistra.”

“I agree and hence I would not have gone with it myself. But it was one of the multiple possible paths.” I mentioned. At least now, Vitalia took a protective stance for Arlene. I felt smug that my plan worked.

“If I weren’t hunted down, then I might have worked as a hired blade. Though not many would willingly hire a drow, and a disgraced one at that. But I could list my skills for a cheaper price.” I verbalised my thoughts.

An astute smirk surfaced on Vitalia’s face as if she knew how this is about to flow.

“A Mercenary Company!!!” I announced loudly for all to hear.

“This would work. I have experience and skills to lead campaigns, and the goblins could be used for scouting, logistics and simply to fill the numbers. Arlene, tell me about the relationships of Lord Korvanor’s house. especially, their standing with other Nobles?” I demanded more information.

“It would help to be precise with your question, Magistra Rylonvirah.” The fae needs to have her presence felt.”Arlene, Noble houses always have enemies, however minor or peaceful they are. There is always another Noble, eyeing their lands or hoping to usurp their status.”

“Brilliant, so we enter the service of the other Noble house as a mercenary company and gain protection. Rylon, You are a mastermind.” praised Arlene. But she was wrong.

Vitalia gazed in my direction and after a nod from me, she interrupted, “Not exactly. That would again be a temporary resolution. What if Korvanor decides to prioritize his need for vengeance to a long-standing rivalry? Expecting protection from another Noble additionally puts you in their debts. You don't want to be in that situation. That would be trading one problem for another.”

“So what are you two planning then?” Arlene sounded anxious.

“We are going to become a legal entity.” We both answered simultaneously.

“Provost Vitalia, What would be the nearest city? possibly under High-Elf authority but still ethnically diverse.”

“That would be Sarenthill, though it is not directly under any High-Elf principality, it does have a huge Justicar presence. Naturally, the administration is filled with High-Elf bureaucrats.”

“Much better,” I uttered with a huge grin. I might be able to get out of this ordeal. escape Lord Korvanor’s pursuit and in fact, even become untouchable in the process. Not to mention, a place for my followers and the means to seek Lyria again.

“This is far beyond my capabilities.” resigned Arlene. She looked to Theko on her side, who was oblivious to the ongoing conversation. But Theko nevertheless grinned when he realised that Arlene gave him attention.

“As a Noble, Korvanor might easily get away with hanging a commoner for his son’s death. But not so simple when a legal entity is involved. Let for the sake of argument agree that your actions caused the death of his son and let us also assume, again hypothetically, that you were acting on behalf of a legally registered mercenary unit. Your actions are responsible for the death of a said individual but who is accountable for your actions?” Vitalia had the eloquence of a well practised Orator.

“Aren’t they the same? Responsible, accountable. Both mean the same, just different words.” professed Arlene.

“Not in the High-elven legal system. Let us add another layer of complication. Let us say if the company was acting under a contract from an employer. The employer may or may not have fully acknowledged the action of the mercenary unit while acting under the contract. Again this will depend on the contract clause. The whole issue can get muddled real fast.”

“So being a legal entity absolves you from even murder trials?”

“No. You will still be judged. It only makes it harder for Lord Korvanor to bring charges against you. Especially if the region is under High-elven Justicar control. Just as how we would be expected to provide details of the mission, Korvanor would be expected to explain his son’s presence.” I concluded.

“In effect, Korvanor would be forced to prove his son’s innocence. If there is one thing that the Justicars hate more than undead and demons, it is cultists.” Vitalia completed.

Arlene still looked like a sylvan in a high alchemist lab. There were moments where she had the knowing gaze and others where she did not hide her oblivious nature.

“This might be a good time to introduce you to Altmer way of thinking.” Vitalia took a deep breath, and started, “So if, assuming that Lord Korvanor decides to initiate charges against us, the Justicars and maybe even Sapiarchs would first go through the terms of the contract and the rules of engagement defined in the contract clause. When they are satisfied with the terms dictated by the contract, they would conduct an investigative interview to infer if the company adhered strictly to the rules of engagement.”

I stole a glance in the direction of Theko and mentally pictured a high-nosed Altmer inspector or notary questioning Theko. Would be fun to watch them explain their vocabulary to Theko.

“Finally, the court would decide if the death occurred within the defined campaign parameters. At which point, Lord Korvanor would be forced to explain the exact manner of his son’s death. In effect, if the matter of his house’s involvement with cultists sees the daylight, the Justicars would delightfully hunt down any remnants of his house. Even if the Justicars suspect of cultists involvement, they would try to force Lord Korvanor’s hand by imposing trade sanctions on his house and his allies.“ Vitalia levitated down to see eye to eye with Arlene as she finished her explanation.

“And the best part, Lord Korvanor knows this too. Hence, he will not try to pursue us, at least not directly. Phrase it however you want, the High-Elven legal system might be slow and nerve-wracking, but it is also meticulously crafted and difficult to circumnavigate.” I completed voicing my stance.

Arlene still had the look as if she had more important questions to ask. I, for my part, let it slid by. Partly for the fact that Vitalia had taken the opportunity to educate Arlene on High-elf customs and society and partly because I felt that it would be a grave mistake to interrupt Vitalia. For being a fae, she has a tongue like a whip.

“Why no just directly approach the Justicars? If they so hate cultists, we should seek safe haven with them, Justicars.” Arlene exposed her naivety once again.

“Because the process for bringing up charges are different for individuals and registered legal entities under the Altmer court. If we go as individuals, Korvanor does not even have to press charges in Sarenthill. We can be indicted in any other province and notice for deportation can be sent to Sarenthill. And Sarenthill will oblige. Not the same if we are a registered legal entity in Sarenthill. That way, the High-elves in fact protect their own interest. Imagine, if this weren’t the situation, then anyone can request deportation of Altmer traders, bankers or skilled craftsmen of higher standing, on the sole fact that they violated some regional law. So Young Arlene, do not presume even for a second that the High-elves, contrary to what they like to portray themselves as, to be Altruistic. They serve their own. Their laws are meant to protect their own interests.” Finally, Vitalia seemed pleased with her teaching effort and the impact it had on Arlene.

“We are just going to use it for our benefit. Think of it like joining the caravan for a ride.” I added for my part.

“But we are not a legal mercenary company? or at least a few days back? and there is no contract with any employer.” Arlene, at last, asked the important question.

“That is where we will use the Valteburg Protocol.” I started educating Arlene this time.

“In case of emergencies or dire situations where the formal registration of a mercenary unit is not always possible or even detrimental, the High-Elves came up with a workaround. It is called the Valteburg protocol. Its exact origin escapes my memory but it allows for the quick formation of a mercenary company to sign temporary contracts. “ Vitalia gave me a look, a look that suggested that I should pause for the moment.

Vitalia elaborated further, “Obviously, not anyone could form or sign such a contract. The involved parties or at least one of the party has to be of some political standing.”

“And as fortune may favour us, we do have someone who holds a court title of a Provost. So the contract could be put in effect immediately.” I cut in.

Vitalia has a serene expression on her fact but everything that I learned about her in the short time span says that she has been waiting for this grand moment.

“Now all that is left for us to do is to evade Merrick, reach Sarenthill, register our company and convince some Notary to verify the contract.” I laid out our strategy to Arlene.

"So what are we calling ourselves?" Arlene jumped the question.

"The Aberrant Irregulars", I answered, "for there is no other fitting name for our bunch."

Vitalia was about to start another lecture on the registration and notarization process before I decided to interrupt.

“Provost Vitalia, may I have a word with you regarding the contract. I believe it would be beneficial if we go through the contract without distractions.” That was my cue to have a private word with Vitalia.

Once we were separated from Arlene and Theko, Vitalia raised the obvious question, “Magistra Rylonvirah, why did you not reveal to Arlene about the huge capital requirement for registration? and that the registration will not be an easy process even with the investment? We still would need someone to sponsor our registration process.”

“We do not have to register immediately. Korvanor just needs to believe that we are registered.” I said with a wicked grin.

“Ah, the famed Drow diplomacy. Never reveal all your cards, even to your allies.” Vitalia’s words were one of contempt.

“However, in the future Magistra,” she said, “I would implore you to practice transparency with us.”

Obviously, She was not impressed with my exploit.