Surface- Arathia Basin Region

Empire of Night- Middlebrough

Administration Building- Governors Office

Jacob looked at the two men before him, technically Hightower should be taking care of this, but Jacob wanted to make sure that the men understood this was an Imperial decision and not just the local Governor. "Gentlemen, you made it not even 24 hours before conspiring to buy and sell food. You both know what the price for that is, correct?" Jacob asked them.

Regir Seg of the Slaver Union and Sarel Bersk of the Free City of Ordgan stood before him. Ordgan was not part of the Free City Alliance, so Jacob was not too worried about the repercussions about what he was about to do. "Well, gentlemen?"

"We didn't actually do anything though, so we cannot be fined for anything." Regir Seg stated.

Jacob smiled, "Very true. I cannot fine you or your friend from Ordgan, but I can ban you both from the Market and escort you both to the Imperial border for your actions. Your city and your guild may send new representatives, but you two are banned. Guards, escort them back to their campsites and make sure they pack everything back up. General Riptide, please organize an escort for these people to the border. They are not too be harmed though." Jacob stated.

The two men were quickly escorted out by some Legionnaires, the General following quickly on their heels. "Well, that could have gone better." Hightower lamented.

"No, it was the first move in a new game. Relax Governor, no one died and most of the representatives and merchants are still here. Everything will be fine." Jacob told the man as he stood. The late afternoon light was almost gone but the Curses effects were in full play as Jacob made his way out of Middlebrough and too the open Market. An escort of the Dawn Guard was close by with even more Legionnaires.

Today Jacob was in his king clothing, black silk, blood red, and a little silver embroidery. The little silver circlet on his head signifying who he was and Moonlight on his hip. Most of the Locals gave him a wide berth while the Immortals studied him openly. "I knew there was something more too you and then that crappy adventuring gear." Someone stated nearby causing Jacob to turn and smile at Mistress Shim.

"How is your day going Mistress Shim? Find any new treasures to boast about?" Jacob asked the High-Elf who was studying Jacob from his polished black leather boots to the small circlet on his head.

Mistress Shims snorted, "I knew you were trouble, I just had no idea. You are hiding what you are, yet shouting what and who you are in many different ways."

Jacob smiled, "Let's just say we are getting to the point where the cat will be out of the bag soon enough. Very soon, their won't be any point at hiding who I am anymore. I expect you back here though for every Greater Harvest Market though." Jacob smiled at her impishly which earned him a smile from the older High-Elf.

"Boy, you couldn't beat me off with a stick. I live for these southern markets, and this week I enjoy the most. Something tells me though, this is the calm before the storm." Mistress Shims responded cryptically.

Jacob lost most of his amusement, "Change requires sacrifice and it is never easy. However, I just might be the butterfly."

The High-Elf frowned in confusion, "It is a saying from my world. A butterfly flaps its wings in one place and a hurricane starts somewhere else. My point is, so many people are worried about the threat from one place, they completely ignore the real problem. The threat that could kill us all."

Suddenly all amusement was gone from her eyes. A cold calculating intelligence was there now. One Jacob had only seen a few times Ezekial and Darren were two such individuals. with such intelligence, "What threat could that be Vampire?" Mistress Shims softly asked as she leaned closer to Jacob.

Jacob reevaluated the women, she was old, maybe even ancient. She very well might have been alive during the end of the War of Survival or born just after. Jacob studied her and looked deeper and fading scar on her hand caught his eye. Not the fact that she had a scar, but its shape. Twin Ravens and the all-seeing eye, "Feel free to pass this information on to your High-King and Queen. Chaos is coming, it might be years away, but she is coming." Jacob whispered back before stepping away.

Suddenly her mask of a carefree merchant was back, "Take care, Jacob. If I do not see you again before the Market ends, I will see you at the next Greater Harvest Market." Jacob smiled and dipped his head at her as he walked away. He had never told her his name, but it gave him some insight on how smart she was and a spy for the High-Elf Kingdom to the north. The better question was why the High-Elves were not marching on the Empire. The Empire would put up a good fight, but the High-Elves with the support of the Council of Light would gut the Empire right now. Jacob would tell Darren and Ezekial, maybe they could make sense out of it.

Surface- Valley of Origins

Empire of Night- City of Eternal Night

Palace of Night- Control Room

Jacob, Nadal, and Brox looked at the Strategic Map of the Plunging Depths Region. The last bastion of the Sisters of the Damned and the scout reports was finally in. The Stronghold of Oblivion still stood proud and unconquered, of the remaining four fortresses within the Region, one had fallen to the Duergar Clans too the north. Another fortress was currently under siege. The two remaining fortresses have skeleton crews at both and only one was between them and the Stronghold.

"Our scouts believe they only have 500 War Slaves and Drow Warriors at the Fortress of the End. Once it has fallen, we will have a straight shot against the Stronghold of Oblivion. We can take the fortress with the First, but we don't have a chance at taking the Stronghold with only one Legion." The Orc stated.

Jacob smiled at him, "Don't worry you will not be alone. I plan on extending an invitation to the Bloodfangs and Earth Splitters. Clan Darguun will also be invited, plus I got a surprise for them and you once the fortress is taken. Just make sure we have a secure Portal Pad, otherwise, we will look very foolish. Make sure you take some portal anchors as well incase they sabotage the Portal Pad there." Jacob stated.

"When do you want us to launch the attack?" Brox asked.

Jacob studied the map and brought up his calendar that had more, and more information in it every time he looked at it. "The Greater Harvest Market is going on for the remainder of this week. If anything starts there, I want the First and my guild on call for that. If nothing happens there, in 5 days we will launch the attack." Jacob replied.

Surface- Twin Rivers Region

Nation of Ebron

City of Easthaven- Main Plaza

Jacob let the portal close behind them as they entered the central square of the city. All around people, Locals, and Immortals alike, were busy finishing up any last-minute business before shops closed. Jacob checked the clock and they had about 20 minutes before the Mercenary Guild building shut down for the night.

So Jacob and Darren hoofed it with another half dozen Rogues either ahead or trailing behind them. They were the ones that noticed the tail immediately, "We got a shadow. Don't look back just keep moving. Max and Jason are watching him, if he does anything or calls anyone, you Teleport out of here and bring the cavalry." Darren stated.

"Not going to happen, buddy. If something happens, we are all in this together." Jacob replied. Jacob nearly laughed when Darren started cursing as Jacob weaved through the crowds. Jax knew they were coming and was waiting, but the Dwarf was grumpy and ready to Log off and head home.

"Ok, the pinned down that the person is level 46 Rogue, nothing beyond that. The Rogue is wearing a heavy-duty cloak and is using a couple of abilities to obscure any Analyze they throw the Rogues way." Darren informed Jacob.

"Yet they got the persons Class and Level." Jacob quipped as he moved his hand to the Longsword on his hip.

Darren smirked, "What can I say, I train my guys very well. The Rogue is closing 5...4."

Jacob drew his blade as he turned into the attack and stopped immediately. "What do you want Ailis O'Conner?" Jacob asked as he put his sword back in its sheath. He looked at the nearest City Guards and showed his empty hands. They gave him a hard look but moved off.

Darren was cursing the moment he heard the name. "Why did you break my sisters' jaw, I know she broke up with you, but you don't have to be a dick about it." Ailis hissed out.

Jacob gave her a smile, "I always liked you Ailis. You always seemed smarter and better than your sister. Don't let her sucker you in with a sob story. She owes me a lot of money. Now if you will excuse me, I have some business I have to get too." With that Jacob turned and started to walk away.

"Watch your back Jacob, the Children put you on their KoS list," Ailis told him.

Jacob looked back, "Considering I could seriously hurt that guild with a few words, I am not too worried. Remind your sister she still owes me 500,000 Gold the next time you see here. Take care Ailis, don't let her suck you into her problems. You are better than that and deserve better." Jacob called out over his shoulder as she disappeared from view.

Jacob and Darren sat across from Jax who grumbled as he signed the contract that floated away and disappeared as soon as he dropped one little drop of blood on it. Binding himself to its terms and conditions. "So as you know, if your request is too insane, I will have to kick this up the ladder. Yes, it will still be covered by the NDA, but more people will know about it. So, what do you need or want?" Jax asked as he sat back and waited, clearly expecting the worst.

Jacob laughed a little, "Compared to the first contract, this request will be almost mundane, but will definitely include far more combat. Your guild will get 5% of the loot, Gold, and Gems only. No materials or items will be a part of your cut."

Jax frowned, "Just 5% of what gold is there, we got to have some assurances. With assured combat, we are going to have to pay out for repairs for items, so the guild will need to see a positive income. 15%."

Jacob frowned but checked his treasury, the Empire of Nights war chest had grown leaps and bounds from where it had been, but Jacob needed to think long-term. "10,000 Gold upfront, 7% of the Gold and Gems worth found onsite, and all items of Rare and below that your people take from your kills, including money. Anything above Rare, you have three choices and we can only Veto 1. However, you have to show everything that is above Rare level when it comes to taking items if you try to hide anything...it would be a black mark on your record with the Empire."

Jax frowned but nodded, "How many people do you want and for how long?"

"300, level 100+ and for half a day to two days. I will message you when I need you, but it will be at least 6 days before I contact you. Finally, we will have a list of nine names we need confirmed kills, if guys get any of those names, you get an automatic bonus of 500 Gold per name. 1,000 for the red-listed person. I will require logs and screenshots to confirm the kill and claim any bounty." Jacob replied.

Jax whistled before he nodded in response, "I will send your terms up to the officers. I will let you know what they decide in the next 24 hours. If they agree, you will have 24 hours to deposit the money in the account we send to you." Jacob nodded his head in acknowledgment and he noticed Darren freeze next too him.

"What?" Jacob asked.

"We got four Children of the Light outside that keep walking in front of the guild house. All of them 75+. You should have stabbed her ass, she sold us out." Darren responded.

"So, they can't do anything here while we are in the city. We head back to the main plaza and Teleport out. No mess, no fuss. No bounty on our heads from the City Guard. Have our escort shadow and keep an eye out and we should be good." Jacob replied but Darren was worried. 10 Minutes later Jacob and Darren entered the main square of the city, although the Children of the Light had followed them, they had not done anything physical. They had certainly been verbally abusive until Jacob told them he was recording everything and would gladly post it to the forums to show how the Children of the Light really acted. After that, they shut up for the most part and started accidentally bumping into Jacob and Darren multiple times until a squad of Guards had shown up and told them to leave or be arrested for creating a public disturbance.

Jacob had waved at them as they stalked off, Darren had checked to make sure they had not planted any beacons on them while they 'accidentally' bumped into them. They were clear though, so the Teleported home free and clear.