Surface- Twisting Hills Region

Empire of Night- City of Cliphis

Keep

"How are you doing?" Jacob asked Tiffany Winters as they walked through the damaged Keep.

Tiffany looked around at all the damage that surrounded them. "I am...I...What happened?"

"They refused to surrender. Even after we breached the Inner Wall, they refused to surrender even though we all knew they had no hope of defeating us, they still fought. I have no idea why." Jacob stated as they entered the heart of the keep through wrecked doors.

"My father?" Tiffany asked as she looked around her childhood home.

"No idea. I hope he is with the bulk of the city guards north laying siege to Athesas, but I cannot confirm it. I can only confirm that he was not here during the siege. Until the city is repaired, I would recommend that you stay at Ingson, it will provide you a safe and secure location to oversee the Region." Jacob stated as the entered the main hall of the keep.

"Is that an order my Emperor?" Tiffany said with some ire.

Jacob turned and stared at her until she averted her eyes, "I understand this is difficult for you Governor Winters. Their desperate fight to keep us out was pointless. If I could have done this any other way I would have, but there was no central leadership in the city. The highest-ranked civil servant was being held under guard by the Slavers Union. Agents of mine freed him and kept him from being killed by them. So show some respect." Jacob grated out as he loomed over the women.

Tiffany quickly bowed low to him and apologized, "I am sorry Jacob, I was just stunned by what happened here. I am assuming you executed all the mercenaries and guards?"

"Any Slavers Union and Guard were executed for leading to this. The coffers of Cliphis are deep though, so I am sure this city can afford to pay for the repairs. Make sure the city saves enough to pay for reparations to Athesas, I am sure they will request that the city of Cliphis pay for any repairs for any damage sustained during the siege. I will uphold this request Governor." Jacob told her and Tiffany bowed again before turning and leaving.

Jacob's eyes followed her, "I want her watched, this might have broken her loyalty to the Empire." Darren nodded his head as he took off.

"Nadal, we are going to shuffle the Legions around and rest the ones that took part in the battle outside the Wall and the Siege of Cliphis." Jacob told the Drow who nodded.

"Agreed, I don't want them to get overly exhausted and they need time to recover and recoup their losses. Which Legions do you want to switch out?" Nadal asked as Jacob brought up his kingdom tab and sifted through the military assets.

"Shift the Seventeenth Legion to Oblivion and the Sixteenth Legion to Gahlin over the next twenty-four hours, the Legions at those two locations will port here. After that send the Fourth Legion to the Arathia Basin, the Fifth Legion will go to Anchorhead, and finally, the Tenth Legion will go to Salinda." Jacob told the Drow as he closed out his screen.

"All five of those Legions are green, disciplined, but green." Nadal pointed out.

Jacob nodded his head, "I know, but I would rather bloody them against the Slavers Union and not Chaos Warped." Jacob explained as Nadal saluted and walked off. The Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Thirteenth, and Fifteenth Legions would get some experience one way or another Jacob mused as he walked out of the damaged Keep.

Ailis dropped out of Stealth as she approached the meeting point. Three others were already there including Darren. "You have all done a wonderful job and have earned time off. I have a job for one of you though for anyone willing to stay for a couple of days until relief gets here. Can I get a volunteer?" Darren asked the three Emperors Fangs. All three, including Ailis, stepped forward causing Darren to smile. Darren didn't say the name just pointed to one of Ailis's compatriots and signaling for Ailis and the other to leave.

Ailis frowned but nodded her head as she heard a 'ding' of a message received. More than likely it was payment for this job and the last one. If not, she would tell Master Ezekial he needed to pay her for her work next time he came calling.

Surface- Valley of Origins

Empire of Night- Outside the City of Eternal Night

"Annoying...FUCKING...BULLSHIT!!!" Jacob punctuated each word by punching Big John while Cathrine, Alana, and Nila studied him.

"Why are you frustrated Jacob?" Cathrine asked as she studied her pissed off husband.

Jacob stopped hitting the oversized tree and leaned against it, "Lord Winters was not in the city when we captured it. From when we can tell, he is not with those besieging the city of Athesas. I do not like loose ends, and this one feels like it is going to come back and bite me on the ass." Jacob stated causing Alana to chuckle. Jacob mock glared at the werewolf but said nothing to her reaction.

"You can only do, what you can do. Nothing more." Nila stated as she carved up an apple and handed slices to the two other women.

Jacob snorted, "I understand that, but I would think a leader would either be at his city or the army in the field. He apparently is in neither place." Jacob replied as he sat down and snagged a pear.

"Where else could he be?" Cathrine asked as she ate the apple slice.

Jacob just shrugged his shoulders, "I thought he might be with a relief army, but no army ever showed. So he might be at another Slavers Union affiliated city or one of the hidden Chaos fortresses." Jacob stated as he continued to eat the pear.

"I am certain we will find out where he is sooner rather than later. What about Tiffany, how is she taking everything?" Cathrine asked as she moved closer to Jacob.

Jacob frowned and shook his head as he grabbed a cup of water and downed it before refilling it and offering it to Cathrine, "Bad, I ordered that she be watched for now. I don't think she ever expected us to have too actually fight to take her home city. Now that we did, her loyalty is...iffy." Jacob replied as he handed over the cup.

"Smart...and dangerous. It might alienate her further." Alana said putting her opinion in. Jacob nodded his head in understanding, but not agreement.

Real World...

North American Alliance- Greater New York Conglomerate

Black Spire-Recreational Area

Kevin flipped the racks of ribs and turned the chicken before closing the grill again. They were taking a half-day off enjoying a day at the local park with a bunch of guildmates. "So, what's next in the campaign?" Jared asked as he walked up.

Kevin frowned, "No Fate talk, we are enjoying a day out and about in the real world. ENJOY!!" Kevin yelled the last as he waved the tongs in his hands around at all the people. More than one person chuckled at Kevin's antics. Jared chuckled and nodded his head as someone hit his head with a frisbee causing more laughter from the surrounding people.

"So this is what you do with your off time?" Hayley asked as she walked up.

Jacob looked up from the grill and nodded his head in acknowledgment, "Yes. We all need some downtime and relaxation from work. You see it as just a game, but it's far more for us. It's our livelihood. Without it...I don't know where we all would be." Jacob replied as he started taking some of the burgers off the grill and putting new ones on.

"You could have invited me, I would have come." Hayley pointed out and earning a snort and smirk from Kevin.

"I assumed you would be busy with one thing or another. Its the middle of the day in the middle of the week, most people are working or going to school. For us...its mandatory and needed downtime. I didn't invite you because I honestly didn't think you would accept." Kevin stated as he grabbed a beer from a nearby cooler.

"Be nice you two, keep your claws retracted. Today is supposed to be about relaxing and having fun." Bree stated as she gave Kevin a hard look.

"Women, I speak the truth. That's it. If you got a problem with it, I will leave." Kevin told Bree before she walked off shaking her head.

Hayley cleared her throat, "I am fine, I understand why you didn't invite me. I would have come if you would have invited me though. Now if you will excuse me, I will go mingle if you don't mind."

Kevin just shrugged his shoulders, "Up too you. You don't owe me anything." Kevin stated before going back to the grill and ignoring the people around him.

"So...Hayley is here." Matt prompted as he walked up earning a flat stare from Kevin.

"Don't start, Bree was already up my ass about her, I don't need you to do it also," Kevin told him causing Matt to chuckle.

"Mhhm also heard through the grapevine you two had dinner," Matt said with a smug smile.

Kevin glared at him, "Fuck off ass hole. We both know she won't change her spots no matter what. Like I said before, I went through this with Ava. Not going back." Kevin stated as he went back to the grill while Matt sauntered off with a smug smile.

"COME GET THEM WHILE THEY ARE HOT!!" Kevin called out. Ailis watched as the various members of the Seekers of the Dawn play, eat, drink, and enjoy themselves throughout the park. One of the smallest Guilds in Fate Online, yet they held more power than most all because their guild leaders were Emperor.

"Why are you here?" Jarred asked as he walked up.

"I heard through the grapevine that you all would be here, I thought I would check on everyone and see how everything was going," Ailis stated in reply.

Jarred frowned, "This is a guild event, it's not an open invitation."

Ailis sniffed as she pointed to Hayley, "That girl is not guild by any measure of the word."

Jarred smirked, "Nope she isn't but she is a friend. Bree thinks she will be good for Kevin and get him out of his shell after everything you and your sister did. Either way, she was invited to today's events."

"Can't I just..." Ailis prompted and Jarred cut her off.

"No. You might be a Fang of the Emperor, but that does not make you a friend. We both know if he knew you were one, he would demand your dismissal. Go Ailis, that's what you can do to help him." Jarred told her before turning and leaving.