“Leadership Classes are quite possibly the strongest kind of Class in all of Esun. I am debated, oftentimes-- what of the foe-slaying war arts, or the mighty spells, or even the vast troves of knowledge? All good points, but none of those, in the heat of the moment, when clear heads are needed, stand up to the potency of a simple Talent from an half their Level.”

Oreanen Vainen, Emerald Sage, on the strength of Leadership Classes

Sharron was crying and screaming in bouts, eyes empty, as notifications rolled over her.

Class Lost — Conditions No Longer Met

Class downgraded

🠊 Level 4!

Talent — lost!

Talent — lost!

Talent — lost!

Talents Retained:

🠊

“Why? Whywhywhywhywhy? Please, please, no. Archons, please! No, no no no no. Please. No.”

Bim and Zara and the rest of the medical team, as well as some longtime friends of the Mayors, all gathered around her, trying to help in any way they could, confused all the same.

“Marvin’s dead! Marvin’s dead!” Sharron surged to her feet suddenly, tears still cascading down her face. “That-- that nefarious man must have killed him!”

Immediately, Zara nodded to Bim, and sprinted out the door in the direction that Marvin and Jules had walked off.

“Hey, hey, it’s okay.” Bim walked closer, squeezing past a couple people, and looked Sharron in the eyes. “I know you’re grieving. But these people are scared, and confused, and they need a leader.”

Sharron just shook her head back and forth, trying to curl into the fetal position. “Can’t-- I can’t. You do it.”

Bim’s ears popped, as if the air pressure around him had just changed.

New Class gained!

Level 1!

Scavenger Class lost!

Talent — absorbed by Class!

Talent — gained!

Talent Advancement!

🠊

“Alright, everyone!” Bim was unfamiliar with holding the reins of power, but knew people needed to get organized. “Dannek, take your five best and find Marvin’s…” He hesitated, filled with grief, before pushing it away. “Find Marvin’s body. Find Jules. We don’t want him running around loose.”

Chatter exploded, until Coll took a deep breath and bellowed. “! I’ve got an to make!” Everyone’s focus turned to him. He pointed to Bim. “Everybody, shut up and !” He sat back down and listened as Bim continued, elbowing Forana. “Toldja it was a useful Class.”

“Forana, dispense any Rest Potions you have among the populace, to those who can’t sleep. Zara!” He pointed to her, and she stood at attention by instinct, before untensing somewhat. “Assemble a group of the dozen or so best warriors in this town, and go on patrol. I know it’s late, but people need to be protected.” She nodded firmly before getting to work.

“Everyone who doesn’t have a job right now, move out in groups of four or more, retrieve basic supplies from your homes, and sleep here in the food hall tonight! We need to be as together as possible until Jules is caught! Safety in numbers! Now get to it.”

Bim assigned someone to watch Sharron, gave her a personal Potion of Calming he kept on himself for emergencies, and strode over to Coll, speaking in a low tone. “Thanks for helping me out there. I didn’t know how to get everyone’s cohesive attention. I’ll need you to stay next to me for a bit, use your Talents when I need them. Would that work?”

Coll nodded seriously, a rarity for him. “Whatever you need, sir.”

Bim shook his head. “Don’t call me that, Coll. We’re friends, and you’re three times my age. It just seems silly. Besides, this Class will be gone before week’s end, trust me.”

Coll chuckled. “I don’t know, sir. You take to it with a verve.”

Bim punched him in the shoulder. “I can’t be that good at it if you won’t follow a simple request.”

They went off together, Bim occasionally stopping to give an order or make a suggestion.

Meanwhile, in the dark of night, a man sprinted away from approaching torchlight.