Surface- Twisting Hills Region

Empire of Night- City of Salinda

"The Legions have seized over a dozen homes, and fifteen businesses that were owned or associated by the Slavers Union, we confiscated over one-hundred thousand gold at those locations. Fifty thousand gold has been transferred to the cities of Gahlin and Oblivion each, the rest will stay here." Tiffany stated as the Strategic Map highlighted the various cities.

"Good, now why is or was Salinda broke and in debt to the Slavers Union?" Jacob asked her causing her to frown.

"Salinda is known for her woodworking and weapons, but someone was undercutting her prices for a couple of years. This devastated the cities income and Lord Tupperwine borrowed money from the Slavers Union before the city went completely bankrupt. Surprisingly their competition disappeared shortly after that." Lady WInters replied as the various northern kingdoms were highlighted where the products were sold off.

"Well, I can happily say that Salinda will not be paying back those loans. Now Lady Winters, I know I have placed more and more responsibility on your shoulders, I want you to consider taking the position of Governor of Twisting Hills Region. Eventually, the whole Region will fall under the Empire of Night, I am sure the locals would prefer you to some outsider. Take your time and think about it, I do not expect an answer right now." Jacob told her as he shut down the Strategic Map.

Tiffany studied him before nodding, "I will consider your request and let you know as soon as I make a decision." She said while studying him and he nodded.

"No, this has nothing to do with the other night. I am offering this to you because you are a local to the Region and you did a very good job of acclimating Uldon too the Empire.' Jacob informed her causing her to blush. 'If there is a next time we end up in bed together, I would prefer to know about the occasion beforehand." Jacob whispered in her ear before he left the room.

Surface- Twisting Hills Region

Free Lands- City of Ingson

Jacob looked at the distant walls of the city of Ingson. They were large and wide compared to any other city Jacob had attacked before. The outer wall was twenty feet tall and fifteen feet wide with both Mangonels and Ballista mounted on the outer wall. The outer wall only had two gates, on the north and south side facing walls. The Second, Seventh, Eighth, and Tenth Legions surrounded the city and siege emplacements were being constructed all around the city. "If we cannot get Lady Conrad to capitulate, this siege will take weeks if not longer. Their defenses are as formidable as any I have ever seen." Nadal stated frustrated as they looked at the glowing tactical map.

"Do we have any Battle Miners within the Legions here?" Jacob asked the Drow who nodded his head.

"Yes, but those tactics will take time and yes we have already started them," Nadal responded and Jacob nodded.

"Recommendations?" Jacob asked the man he had grown to trust almost more than anyone in the Empire.

"If you want to take this city, this is the only way unless they surrender." Nadal Despval replied as he stepped back from the table.

"Did they even try to parley?" Jacob asked and Nadal just snorted and shook his head.

"I will ask around the Seekers and see if we have any Battle Miners within the guild to see if we can speed up their efforts," Jacob said as he left the tent.

Unknown

Ava glared at Alexi as he walked back and forth in front of her. She was no longer hanging from the hook by chains, but she was still shackled and collared. "What do you want?" Ava asked tiredly. She was tired of the questions, she had no idea how long she had been here or even where 'here' was. Her in-game friends were worried and a huge bounty had been put on her head by the Dark Iron Thiag.

"You are holding back, why I don't know. I need an edge to entrap Jacob Longstrider and you have not given it too me yet.' Alexi responded before grabbing her by her head and started squeezing. 'You will stop holding back. Start talking about your life together, leave nothing out. My friend over there will know if you are lying and you will be punished again for it." Alexi responded as he threw her against a nearby wall.

Ava sighed, he wasn't lying. Alexi had chocked her to death and two of his guards had killed her as well. She had lost weeks of work. The Mind Flayer had been the worse way to die though. The thing was creepy as hell and could tell when she lied or held back facts.

"You realize by forcing Jacob to join your side you are making a life long enemy. He will never work for you willingly, he has no problem working in the morally grey areas. Working for the 'bad guys' though, he will hate you and bide his time. When you give him an opening he will strike back and fuck you over. He is ruthless in protecting what is his and has no problem crossing the line to protect his people. He will do GAHK!!!" Ava stopped talking as soon as Alexi grabbed her throat.

"Stop and go back, what did you say about protecting what is his?" Alexi asked before releasing her again.

Avas' eyes bulged as she realized she had given him something to use against Jacob. Alexi frowned and gestured for her to elaborate but when Ava stubbornly refused to talk he gestured for the Illithid to come forward. Ava tried to crawl backwards but the wall stopped her as the Illithid reached her.

Surface- Valley of Origins Region

Empire of Night- City of Eternal Night

The portal closing with a snap announced his arrival home, the Heart Guard and Dawn Guard were heading for the nearby barracks to put away their equipment and rest as a messenger ran up. Jacob immediately started reading the message and dismissed the servant with a thankyou. Jacob was exhausted and hungry with the De-Buffs to back it up, but he still had sword training today and he wanted to get some smithing in if he had time. Jacob quickly pulled an apple and flask of juice from his inventory and finished off both before shoving the empty flask back in his inventory and discarded the apple core. It would disappear within five minutes. The De-Buffs related to eating and drinking disappeared quickly and Buffs replaced them.

Battle Alert...

Buff recieved Red Apple: Increase Intelligence and Wisdom by 2 (Duration 1 Hour)

Buff recieved Melon Punch: Increase Health/Mana Regeneration by 10% (Duration 30 Minutes)

Battle Alert...

Jacob started shoving his armor into his inventory as he made his way over to the sparring area. He went to the weapons rack and pulled a weighted training sword from the rack before jumping the fence. Jacob started his stretches as soon as all his armor was in his inventory, James and Thorgron would be here shortly with whoever they had managed to get to volunteer for sparring. Suddenly one of the Civil Legionnaires came running up and his message surprised him but he told the man to let her in and escort her up to the palace if she wanted to come in.

The burly Duergar and sword-wielding Vampire hopped into the ring soon after with two other Vampires, all of them were stripped of armor and all were wielding practice weapons. Jacob gave them a feral smile that was returned by his two commanders as the attacked him. Fifteen minutes later Jacob had managed to down one of the guards, while the other and the two captains had Jacob on the ropes. James' eyes were glowing blood-red as was the guard, they were stalking him slowly while Thorgron was the main instigator of their assault. If he wanted to survive their next assault, he was going to have to take one of them out quickly before facing the two captains that were by and far more deadly then anyone else he had gone against.

"Come on!! Put a scar on the pretty boy already!!" Jacob flinched slightly at the comment and it was enough to distract him. Thorgron rushed him, his double-bladed ax leading the way. Where the Duergar lacked speed, he more than made up in sheer power. Jacob immediately stepped back out of the path of the ax his blade going under the sweep of the blade as the Heart Guard followed the attack quickly.

Jacob managed to deflect his attack and plant his elbow in the guards' temple right before James sword slammed into the back of his knees. Before Jacob recovered Thorgrons' ax slammed into his face and sent Jacob spinning into the dirt to the roar of the guards and friends watching.

Battle Alert...

De-Buff Broken Nose: Accuracy decreased by 25% (Duration 30 Seconds), 10 DPS (1 Minute), Charisma Decreased by 50% (Duration until healed)

Battle Alert...

Jacob hacked and spit out the blood from his mouth as he stood up. Jacob immediately shook the guard's hands before moving over to the two Captains and talking to them for a minute before heading over to Cathrine and Alana who whistled and laughed at his broken nose. Jacob made his way over to the two women and crooked his finger at Alana to enter the makeshift sparring arena. She smiled at Jacob before jumping the fence causing the shirt Jacob to her long ago to flutter and more than one of the nearby men and women to whistle at the show. At least she had buttoned up the front Jacob thought as she approached.

Jacob considered how to deal with that as she approached with a smile, Jacob gestured at his nose and she nodded. With a small crack, the last De-Buff disappeared. "Thank you Alana Swiftfeet, Envoy of the Blackstone Pack.' Jacob said loud enough for everyone to hear while letting his eyes rest on those who had been loudest and the men and women quickly nodded in understanding. 'I am sorry if that embarrassed you. I do not blame them though for admiring the view though. It's good to see you, Alana." Jacob told her softly before hugging her.

Jacob noticed she was blushing softly when he stepped back but was smiling. "Why aren't you wearing pants? You have told me that your people wear leather clothing and armor." Jacob told her as he moved over to Cathrine and jumping the fence and joining her. The Banshee gave him a big smile, kiss, and hug.

"Yes we do, but you gave me this shirt and its tradition to wear or display a gift of the people that gave it while visiting them." Alana supplied and Jacob nodded.

"Shopping trip got it. Cathrine, do you feel like taking her on a short shopping trip? I will pay for it. Go to McGregors, they have the best Leather Armor in the city." Jacob asked he produced a small sack with five hundred Gold.

"Plus it fits me like a second skin and you love the view." Cathrine quipped causing Jacob to blush but nod.

"You have a killer ass my heart. I love watching it." Jacob replied with a wink as she grabbed a small purse before dragging Alana off with six of the Heart Guard trailing them.