Tomb of Eternal Night

Palace of Night- Council Room

Jacob walked out of the council chambers after updating his advisors on everything that had changed in the last 24 hours. They had been surprised in the sheer amount of slaves Jacob had freed from the Fortress of Baereghel. The captive Drow were working under the guidance and watchful eyes of the Tomb Guards in the middle city and the former Lady Ilmdra Do'und was contained in one of the cells in the bowels of the Palace of Night. The Council had authorized the funding of both food, arms, and armor for anyone who signed up for the Legions. They really liked the fact they now had another 700 workers they did not have to pay for, just feed and house.

Eiloma was waiting outside the council chambers patiently, "The council agreed to feed, arm, and armor any of the freed slaves that decide to enlist in the Legions. In a couple of days, we should have a confirmed headcount of who wants to join our military. For now, dispatch someone to Ineford to arrange the purchase of food from Ineford's markets and for transportation of those goods to the Fortresses of Midnight and New Dawn. I am sure we have enough wagons and carts at both locations. Also send a message to Dudrik, his eyes only, that I will be reinforcing new outpost on the surface within the next couple days. Have the messengers come back from Bloodfang Hold and Kiera'tan come back yet?"

Eiloma nodded before responding, "Yes, both responded favorably and thanked you for adding their locations to your trade agreement with the Gilded Handz. They both said they will dispatch their troops within the next 24 hours. I will authorize 100 Gold in purchase food, it should be enough to buy food for all those new mouths for the next couple weeks at least. Can you let your guild know we will be making escort quests for the supply runs between Ineford and the Fortresses of Midnight and New Dawn? A minimum of 4 War Parties for each location." Eiloma told Jacob before turning and walking away. Jacob immediately sent out the message in guild chat and he knew after what they saw yesterday that they wouldn't lack for volunteers.

Arathia Basin

Captain Arlan Strongarm watched as his troops labored under the hot sun beating down on them as the worked furiously to build the new outpost. The Combat Engineers had promised that the outpost would be completed within 6 days and would be able to comfortably house up to 1000 troops. The Reagent had promised a relief force would be coming before the outpost was even complete, but Arlan doubted him.

The had orders to be on their guard against any incursions from the north and to not trust anyone from Middlebrough. If any of their soldiers showed up, they were supposed to firmly turn them away. If they pressed they were authorized to use any means to drive them off.

Only half of his command was present though, the other half was in the process of escorting supplies and resources to their location. The supply trains would arrive over the next couple days though and with them all the resources they would need to construct the large outpost. Middlebrough

Governor Parris looked at the Immortal in front of him and nearly spit in disgust. "I have done everything you asked, I increased the tariffs and taxes on the Gilded Handz. I helped fund those so-called bandits to the south. When can I expect you to start holding up your end of the bargain?"

Aaron Swiftdeath smiled at the towering human, "My people are the ones that assassinated the previous Governor so you could assume power here. We took all the risk for your ascension. As far as the bandits go, they were wiped out. My people have told me that Ineford is now on guard and other Immortals, other than the Guilded Handz, have taken an interest in matters. I have dispatched some of my people south, but it is unlikely that they will be allowed into Ineford without being flagged by the local guards. That means we will have to hire mercs to fulfill our part of the deal. That means our price tag will go up."

Governor Parris snarled at the shorter man, "You made promises boy if you cannot fulfill them I can make your stay here difficult for you and your allies. I expect you too make good on your promises within the next two weeks, understand?"

Aaron considered what to say as he drummed his fingers on the hilts of the two daggers in his belt, Weighted Chance needed this safe haven for now and could not afford to lose Middlebrough, yet. "It will be as you say, Governor," Aaron told him before bowing and leaving. He immediately sent out a Guild Message to keep an eye out for any independent Rogues or Rangers that were willing to make some money for a single job. While he also sent a message to his officers that they needed to prepare to move the guild in case they were no longer welcome here. Tomb of Eternal Night

Palace of Night- Royal Study

"So it won't be a problem if we build the another Chapter House of Balance here?" Jacob asked Thelgrum as he reviewed the work orders, food orders, authorizations for money withdrawls for food purchases, construction orders to begin building in the middle city for Long Houses, Cabins, a Market, a new Smithy, and the list went on.

"No, I have no problem with another Chapter House being built here in the Tomb, I am sure the old man will let me know if he objects. I am suprised you have not commisioned the construction of a Chapter House for your own Order of knights." Thelgrum responded while he studied the Vampire.

Jacob shifted uncomfortably with the Dwarfs statement. Being the only Blood Knight made him unique but it was his responsibility to re-found the Order and help it grow again. He had not felt any calling or guidance what-so-ever though to do so, so he had put it off. Perhaps it was time for him to go to the House of Remembrance and seek guidance from past Blood Knights about the subject, "I will consider your words my friend. I will make sure you are notified when the new Chapter House is built so you can bless it like you did the last one." Thelgrum nodded before leaving.

Jacob ignored the smirking Chalxae, "Nothing from you, I can and will turn you over my knee for a spanking." Jacob told her causing her eyes to light up.

"Don't threaten me with a good time if you are not going to follow through with it. When are we going to head to the surface again?" Chalxae as she sat back and studied Jacob over her steepled fingers.

Jacob looked up from his paperwork and smiled, "The four centuries that came with us should be leaving for Ineford later today, we will be dealing with the threat of Middlebrough once the training of all the new Legion men had been completed. So a months time if we are lucky." Jacob responded with a smile on his face.

Chalxae returned the smile while slowly standing and sauntered over to Jacob, "Now if you were in your enemies position, what would you do?"

Jacob considered her words as she sat on his desk, "Issue a two-pronged attack, one a military attack at against Ineford and a covert attack against the leadership of Ineford. Once the outpost to the north is complete we will be able to blunt any conventional attack, the only thing we can do for a covert attack is warn the Council of Merchants and hopefully, they will increase security. Maybe even an attempt to sabotage the lift between the Underdark and the surface." Honestly, if any of those actions succeded, it might cripple Ineford and Jacob's long-term plans. So more messages for Dudrik to be sent out today.

Chalxae nodded while smiling down at Jacob from her perch on the table, "All good points and valid worries. You do have to warn your Regeant in Ineford or the possible threats to his city." She responded before plopping down into his lap.

Jacob looked at Chalxae in amusement, "What are you doing little shadow?"

"Distracting you from your worries." She said as she leaned in for a kiss. City of Ineford

Great Lift

Lieutenant-Commander Ironbark watched as his second century ascended on the lift, all that remained below was his last two and his supply train of 4 wagons and 8 carts. Enough supplies for all his ment for 2 weeks, reports stated by that time the Portal Pad at the outpost they were going to would be active.

The lift operators assured him it would take them 4 more trips using both elevators to get everything top side and they would be on the road north within 2 hours. The Ineford Captain would be in overall command, which rankled him considering that Ineford was a Client-State, but Commander Brox was adamant that they were there first, it was their operation until the King said otherwise. Time would tell if that was a wise choice or not, as long as the Ineford Captain did not waste his men's lives, he would obey his commands. Middlebrough

Garen looked at the drunk idiots around him, these fools would have never been in a serious guild. That is why they were part of Weighted Chance and why they were stuck in this backwater even further than the Free Cities. Garen had been hired to come down here by the Shadow Daggers to get a feel for the place and collect any intel on the locals and the guilds here. He would spend the next couple days here before heading even further south toward Ineford to meet up with his contact.

Once he handed over all his intel he would get the second half of his payment, what bothered him was why the Shadow Daggers were interested in this place. It was far from any of bigger nations and the Free Cities, was a week hard ride north of this back-assed town. If it didn't sit on a crossroads, it would be completely useless. Yet the Shadow Daggers were paying him 100 Gold for all the Intel he could gather over no more than a week, but the job would take less then that and he had been here for 3 days already. Garen considered selling the fact that the Shadow Daggers were interested in this place to another one of the top 10, but if he did he would end up on their KoS list and he didn't need the heat. So he kept his head down and the drinks flowing.