Tomb of Eternal Night

Palace of Night- Control Room

Jacob looked at the detailed map of Anchorhead, every wall, the garrison, patrol routes, all very valuable information. "Good job, did you get everything we talked about?" Jacob asked Darren.

"Yes, we got the details you asked about. The Southwest corner of the city is where all the Slave Pens and the Slave Market are located. Opposite of them to the north is where all the Warehouses and Storage Yards are located. The Slavers Union has its offices in both the Lower and Upper City, we had to check both." Darren reported while Chalxae snorted.

"We almost got caught getting the information from their offices in the Upper City. They employ some very vicious enforcers, I hope we can continue the discussion we started." Chalxae put in while she drummed her fingers along the hilts of her daggers, her eyes had started bleed over to bright red. Was it because of anger or excitement though?

Darren just shook his head at her comment, "At any one time they have nearly three dozen ships docked with nearly double that just resupplying while anchored or waiting their turn to dock. They can probably field 4,000 to 6,000 guards, the guards in the Lower City average 75, Upper is 100, and the Fortress is 125, that's all with the City Buffs."

"Ok, did you ask the local Assassins Guild who took the contract to kill Eadwin Saltrake?" Jacob asked as he continued to study the map and all its information.

Darren snorted, "The Lord is popular with the people. If the local Assassins Guild took the contract they might as well slit their own throats because the guild would be destroyed. I let the local Guild head know about the Slavers Union plans against Eadwin Saltrake, they are trying to track down any heavy hitters coming into town and they will get word to me when they find out. Right now though it's planned for in four weeks."

"I am not entirely convinced this Eadwin Saltrake, deserves our help.' Chalxae stated and at Jacob urging she continued, 'Some of the correspondence I read hinted one of the reasons the Slavers Union is targeting him is that he wants a bigger cut of the profits that they take in from the sale of slaves."

Jacob nodded his head, in four weeks all the training would be completed for the next group of Legionnaires and he would commission the Fourth Legion. If they took Anchorhead by force they would be the bad guys, if they played politics though they could be the lesser of two evils though. "Is Lord Eadwin Saltrake aware that the Slavers Union is preparing to move against him?"

Darren nodded his head, "Yes from the impression I got while I was there, the man is far from stupid, but it doesn't matter if we do not know how they will get too him. It could be poison, a knife in the dark, or a small assault force like the one that tried to take you."

"What about his family? Does he face any threat from them?' Jacob asked and Darren shook his head, 'Ok that's good. Can we fake avassassination and lay the blame at the Slavers Union? Or fake a assassination and make the man disappear for 24 hours? Anything like that? I also want bread crumbs ready to lead back to the Union if we decide to do nothing."

Darren thought about that, "Both of those are possible, but let me have a couple of days to think about it and contact some people to see which or both plans are viable."

Jacob nodded and turned and studied Chalxae who was still tightly wound up from the last mission. Jacob motioned her over and once she was within reach Jacob grabbed her quickly and kissed her hard while digging his hands under her armor and grabbing her bare ass causing her to moan. "Better?" Jacob asked her as he pulled away.

A new kind of fire had filled her eyes, "I expect you to finish what you started!! I am going to your rooms, I do not expect to be waiting long." Chalxae demanded before turning and leaving the control room.

Jacob smiled and followed her ass out the door before turning toward Nadal who continued to study the map and all the information included and ignoring the byplay. "General, get some rest the information is not going anywhere. I do want your impression and a plan drawn up.' Jacob told the Drow who absently nodded before manipulating the display. Jacob turned to the Heart Guards that were stationed there to secure the room from external and internal threats, 'Give him an hour then kick him out." The quickly saluted as Jacob left. A low rumble filled the air as the palace shook for the unknown time in the last couple weeks but everyone ignored it for it had become a common occurrence.

Nation of Arang'mor

City of Arkburn- Citidal of the Light

The Commanders of both the Inquisition and the Silver Guard stood before him with no new news, "We had a promising lead but it dead-ended in the Free Cities. If it had been true, we would have found something but all the local clergy report nothing at all." The Inquisition Commander informed

"So the most powerful Artifact the Light has is missing and we have no idea where it is?" King Othgad Lightbringer asked as he continued to look out over the fabled city of humanity and its greatest bastion.

"No my king. We even tried Divination, but the Mages said it was if the item didn't even exist. If this is the protection of the Artifact itself or because of where it is now, is unknown." The Silver Guard Commander replied.

"I know for a fact it still does gentlemen. You said you had leads indicating that the book went south into the Free Cities there, send agents to confirm or deny this again. An Artifact that powerful does not disappear gentlemen and I want it back." King Othgad Lightbringer ordered before dismissing them.

"Dude you need to relax a little, they are on your side you know. Now we have a raid lined up for tomorrow, the Swords of the Light need their number one Tank on the job and it will get you out of this fortress for a little while." Grongbeard stated as he walked into the office.

Othgad glowered at him, "Dude you might be king of this country but I was there when you found that stupid book and started on the path to becoming what you are now so don't look at me like that. Get your head out of your ass, you are losing some major points with the guild being all broody. Unless you decide to go all evil-overlord, you need to get out there and be seen by the masses. That applies to both the locals and your guildmates." Grongbeard stated unfazed by the look.

Othgad took a deep breath before letting it out, "You are right, sorry it just a very frustrating situation. I will be there for the raid and I will do a short tour around the city before that. Thanks for bringing me back down to earth."

Tomb of Eternal Night

Palace of Night- Master Suite

Jacob and Chalxae collapsed in a sweaty mess, "Is that all you got?' Chalxae rasped out between breaths, 'I thought you said you were finally going to fuck me into submission." She asked while biting her lip and wiggling her ass back-and-forth.

Jacob chuckled as he got up and smacked her ass before moving toward a nearby table and pouring two cups of water, "I am pacing myself and I don't want to wear you out and leave you completely useless."

Chalxae narrowed her eyes and studied him before rolling out of bed and joining him, "I will not break, I promise you that. I prefer it when you are rough, I enjoy the feel of your power. Cathrine and June are the more gentle lovers, Sosa loves it when you completely dominate her, and Eiloma likes a mix between what I enjoy and soft loving. You have very complicated relationship Jacob and you need us all, not just for sex, but for our varied talents on and off the battlefield. Sosa is a great commander in the field, Cathrine prefered battlefield is politics, Eiloma knows how to run a city like no other, while June and I watch for the unseen enemies in your life. None of us will change anything about you except your sheer stubbornness about your own safety, you constantly underestimate your worth to the Empire of Night and your Guild. It leaves you vulnerable. Take care before it proves to be lethal."

Jacob studied her before nodding his head and gently kissing her, "What is your impression about Anchorhead? Should I save the current government or burn it down and start over?"

Chalxae studied him before shaking her head, "I told you Cathrine is the politician, not me." The Drow-Vampire stated before sitting in the nearby chair.

"She is not currently here, she is out in the city. I am asking you. You were there breaking into the Slavers Union offices, you saw the correspondence and ledger books. So I am asking someone I deeply care for and trust, save it or burn it down?" Jacob asked as he motioned her to stand up before having her sit in his lap.

"Honestly, it could go both ways. The leader there is popular but is corrupt like every other politician there. The question is, can his government be saved or not...If you do destroy most of his government, you will probably have to go with a military option when taking over, if you salvage the government though you have a small chance at taking over with little or no bloodshed." Chalxae responded as she leaned back into him.

Suddenly the door opened and they smelled her as she entered, "Been working at the Tannery today?" Jacob asked Cathrine as she started stripping her clothes. She made a face of disgust but nodded.

"Yes, with all the armor you need, they have increased their production tenfold in the last couple months and I had the basics down before coming here. I offered to assist and they accepted. You two smell like a cat house, how has your day?" Cathrine asked as she made her way into the bath.

Chalxae jumped up and followed her into the bath, Jacob downed the remainder of his water and followed the two women. TIme for another opinion on the matter.