Surface-Arathia Basin Region

Town of Aramore

Jacob watched as workers clear trees and build a new wall, the palisade wall was finally coming down, the wood repurposed to build homes and another Shipyard. The population had doubled in the last few weeks in the budding town while a dozen farming villages and hamlets had sprung up. Patrols of the Third Legion were everywhere now within the Arathia Basin and small outposts that would house a Century of soldiers and patrols between Middlebrough and the growing Aramore.

Requests for assistance and growing respect flooded in from the far-flung farming settlements of the basin. The Empire was winning the hearts of most of the people of the basin. Road construction was at a slower pace though, less than 1/4 of the roads that they planned on paving with stone were completed, but the old track between Aramore and the main road was one such site.

"We have a dozen fishing boats, all of them are beached nightly. We don't fish in the bay so that little fishing village over yonder doesn't have any complaints. We bring in about 1,000 to 2,000 units of food a day, and we have started shipping the excess to Middlebrough and Ineford to be sold." The Dwarf stated as he looked at the plans for the new wall.

"So the wall will encompass the town, but not the Shipyards?" Jacob asked.

"No, until we build some docks down there and build a solid foundation, we can't build a wall down there. It would just collapse and damage buildings and kill people." He replied.

Surface- Storm Break Bay Region

Anchorhead- Upper City

The Spring Tide Ball and Celebration was in full swing when Jacob arrived. Fireworks, food, alcohol, and music were everywhere Jacob looked as he and the five ladies in his life made their way through the celebration toward the Sea Lords Fortress. All the Guildies were encouraged to enjoy their time but to never travel alone. Dudrik, Hightower, and Do'und were all present with escorts to meet the Regent of Anchorhead and Governor of Storm Break Bay. The First Legion was out in force watching and making sure nothing went too far.

Jacob had extended invitations to Fred and Jax from the Myrmidons and Anthony from the Gilded Hanz, he did not know if they would come or who their dates would be if the did. Jacob had second-guessed inviting either group, but had eventually eared on the side of caution and extended an invitation to both groups. If they choose to come, they had portal scrolls to Middlebrough, then a Mage would portal them and their guests to Anchorhead. A ring of the Dawn Guard circled him and his party and a squad of Deathwalkers was present as well.

"Nice threads Jacob and my guild wants to thank you for extending an invitation, I appreciate the invitation as well," Anthony said as he strode up extending his hand. His date eyeballed him from his black leather boots to his black silk shirt embroidered with blood-red stitching with the emblem, a dragon eating its tail, in blood-red on his back and over his heart. A simple silver and gold circlet sat upon his head, a gift from Cathrine since he didn't want anything too gaudy.

"Thank you for coming, a lot of important people from the Empire are here tonight, I thought you might like an introduction to the other Governors.' Jacob replied while looking at Anthony and his date. Anthony smiled when he brought up other governors while the women frowned. She was a level 56 High-Elf Sorcerous, beautiful but Jacob did not know her and would not talk too her until Anthony introduced her. 'Dudrik is over there either grabbing food or beer, closer to the fortress is a Drow named Ranyln Do'und, and of course, you know Hightower. Eadwin Saltrake should be entertaining the rich and powerful up at the keep. I am sure you can find some way to introduce yourself." Anthony's date finally lost her patience and stepped on his toes earning her a glare.

"My apologies for being rude, may I present Sophia Lorenzoe of the Golden Destiny. They operate out of the Free Cities Alliance territories and are one of the prominent merchant guilds for those regions. Sophia, this is Jacob Longstrider of the Seekers of the Dawn and other places if you have not guessed." Anthony got out but he was already looking for the various governors and could not care less about her or her aims.

Jacob studied her more openly now, "Welcome Sophia, and what might have brought your interest so far from the Free Cities to the north?" Jacob asked as he pulled a goblet from one of the passing servers. Jacob could sense all his women now serendipitously studying the women while conversing among themselves.

"Oh, we are always looking for new markets and ventures. The fact was we had a couple of trade partners that dealt with another guild from Middlebrough before it fell to this Empire of NIght, Weighted Chance got pretty decimated with that little war they started. All our former trade partners inventory started to dry out and Anthony here told me most if it was stolen goods from their guild. So we have made a couple of trade agreements with them and we might be willing to extend that service toward your guild as well." Sophie offered.

Jacob smiled at her, "Trust is earned dear Sophia and relationships take time to form. I am sure Anthony here can tell you horror stories about how our relationship has formed. You two enjoy your evenings, Anthony I am sure we will be seeing each other sooner rather than later. Sophia...I am certain at one point or another we will be seeing each other again." Jacob bowed slightly to them before turning and leaving.

Sophie waited for him to leave before turning and yanking Anthony away to a more secluded area, "Ok, who the hell was that guy. My skills passively analyzing him did not work, they only thing I got on him was his equipment which boosted his Diplomacy and Charisma stats. He is level 43 god-damn, how did he get an artifact weapon? Who the fuck is that guy?" Anthony seemed perturbed before looking around and spotting two more Seekers who were frowning at her.

Anthony smiled at them before grabbing her and walking away, "Be very careful what you say about Jacob Longstrider, if he is not the leader of the Seekers of the Dawn, he is damn high up there and he somehow got a position within the Empire of Night. I have tried everything I know about getting info on the guy but his guild are pretty close nit and those Legionnaires are damn near fanatics. They said if I really wanted to learn anything, the only way was to join them. So, work cautiously with him, don't try to bulldoze him, you will just piss him off. Now, I have business deals to make, so if you will excuse me..." The party within the Keep was tamer then what was going on outside, but far more extravagant. All the rich and powerful were present as Jacob entered the main entry hall. Legionnaires lined the wall and the Dawn Guard that had ringed him outside quickly moved to join them along the walls and pillars. Jacob could see Governor Saltrake at the far end of the hall with his wife and son close by.

Tonight though Jacob mingled with people he almost despised but had to play at being the King. Kings were expected to mingle and talk to various people in power. Jacob just hoped he could keep the smile on his face. On the bright side, everyone in here was a local, so he wouldn't have to deal with any Immortals asking why so many were trying to meet him.

"Relax Jacob, we only have to be here for another hour, then we can all go home," Cathrine stated while Sosa smiled and pinched his ass. Jacob could hear the others laugh lightly behind him.

Jacob gently pulled Cathrine closer and kissed her cheek before whispering in her ear, "Yes dear, I will behave."

Jacob then turned and pulled Sosa closer before whispering in her ear, "You are going to pay for that later. I think I am going to have to tie you up and have the girls tease you for an hour." Jacob then kissed her ear as she shuddered but smiled.

So Jacob bit the bullet and continued to mingle until he got to the other side of the hall, "My king, I want to thank you for returning my family safely to my side. I can never thank you enough for saving them. Now, let me introduce you to Lord Devenshire of the Free City Alliance. Lord Devenshire this is King Jacob Longstrider of the Empire of Night." Governor Saltrake stated as he introduced a bear of a man. He was nearly 6'5" over 200 lbs, heavily muscled but looking at the grey in his hair and beard past his prime.

"An honor to meet you King Longstrider, associates of the Alliance spoke highly of how your Empire ran the market at Middlebrough. I am surprised you allowed certain people there when their business is outlawed within your Empire." Lord Devenshire

Jacob smiled slightly, "Well it is one thing to evict them from a city when they try to assassinate the leader of the free city, it's another to exclude them from an open market. Then again, time changes all things, what happened at the last Greater Harvest Market, might not happen next time. Time will tell. Then again, the Slavers Union does not openly peddle people on the streets of the Empire, unlike some other governments."

Lord Devenshire frowned while Governor Saltrake paled slightly, "Arrogance, a fault among you Immortals." Lord Devenshire stated.

Before he could continue Jacob interrupted him, "Yes arrogance is common among the Immortals and old men who think just because they are old means they can learn nothing new. I myself have had that fault from time to time, but I am learning to put my arrogance aside. Ideals and morals, however...I cannot and won't put aside. You see, slavery is wrong. Allowing people to be seen as less than what they are is evil. Profiting off of it or doing nothing about it when you have the power to do so...I don't know if its compliance, weakness, or just plain cowardly." Jacob stated as he looked over his goblet as he drank from it.

Lord Devenshire fists balled up as he reddened but then he let his breath out and looked away, in shame, fear, or refusal to cause in incident Jacob did not know. "Sometimes, when a situation is that bad how can you fight it."

Jacob smiled at the man, "Lord Devinshire, you are the leader of the City of Athesas. One of the founding members of leaders of the Free City Alliance. If you lead, I am sure some of the Alliance will follow. As I have told other leaders before you, a time is coming where you will have to choose sides Lord Devenshire, what side will you choose? Governor Saltrake, I am glad you have your family back sound and safe. I hope you all have a good night, now if you all will pardon me I have other duties to take care off tonight." Jacob turned and started heading for the main entrance and signaled the Dawn Guard that he was heading out.