Surface- Crecents Plains Region

Free Lands- Outside City of Yadpool

Jacob looked at the city, it was a poor description of the place and brought a snort of disgust to Jacob. It was half again the size of Middlebrough and almost one-third of the 'city' was outside the main walls which were only about eight feet tall. Yet the Legions were deployed to envelop the city and no one could get in or out. The Keep in the center of the city was a different story. Walls of granite easily twenty feet high and if their spies were correct, ten feet thick as well. Siege weapons dotted the wall surrounding the central keep, but if their intel was correct, most of the city guard was too the north.

"Gentlemen, thank you for coming.' Jacob told the envoys from the city who nervously looked at the surrounding Legionnaires. 'I will make an offer, its a one time deal. If you disregard it, we will not stop until your forces are defeated. Surrender unconditionally, your lives will be spared and you can join the Empire of your own free will. Fight, you will still join the Empire, but the cost will be that much greater." Jacob stated.

The men looked at each other before turning back to him, "We are not empowered to make that decision. We will convey your generous offer to Lord Berkley, can we have an hour?"

Jacob grit his teeth, "You have one hour, at which point we will consider that you are denying the offer." Jacob waved them away and the Legionnaires escorted them away.

Nadal chuckled beside him, "Is it going to be this tough as time goes on?" Jacob asked the Drow.

"War is fluid at best and does not make much sense except for what is behind it some of the time. Your war is ongoing because you want to destroy the Slavers Union and those that support them. I assume that Yadpool was intimidated in supporting the Slavers Union based on the state of their city." Nadal replied.

Surface- Winding Woods Region

Nation of Loren'thia- Aratharia Home Tree

Training Area

Hayley jumped from the limb and ducked into a forward tumble so she could come to her feet draw an arrow and lose at her target before she continued to sprint around the range. Each time a target came into view she would slow only momentarily to target it and fire an arrow before continuing onward. Ten minutes later she was gasping for breath as her Stamina bar stobbed brightly as she cleared the finish line.

"Better!! Still not the best time, but you finished the course this time at full speed at least.' Aquila congratulated her before she tossed her a stamina potion and a small canteen of water. 'It does not matter what Primary Class you choose, for a Rogue speed and endurance is life and death. Never forget it. Now go to the range and shoot two quivers full of arrows, I expect at least half to hit the inner circle before you head into the city. GO!!" The older Wood-Elf ordered before she turned and disappeared into the underbrush.

Hayley glared after her, but grabbed her bow and started jogging towards the archery range. She let herself smile, she had not had this much fun or challenged herself this much in years. Hayley could see why people had become addicted to this game and why they liked it soo much.

She had met several other 'newbies' since she had started playing. They were interesting but for the most part nice, open, and honest. They had not taken her seriously at first when she had said she had never played online games before, but after they had gotten over their good-natured laughter, they had helped her. They started teaching her various things about what to expect, quirks of gamers, and the darker side of the gaming world. PKers, griefers, and even slavers. The last had surprised her, but apparently, it was a real thing in Fate Online.

"Hey, Hayley!! How was the Agility Course?" Bridgett called out as she walked up to the Archery Range.

Hayley tried to smile, but her legs still burned from running the Agility Course a half-dozen times over the day. "Long, Aquila is a stubborn teacher. However she challenges me like I need to be challenged, so I respect her." Hayley responded as she got two quivers of arrows from the range manager.

"So what did the old Ranger give you today?" Bridgett asked as she shot a Firebolt at a distant target.

"Two quivers and she wants half to hit the inner circles.' Hayley responded causing the other women to stop and gape at her. 'Believe me, I know." Hayley responded as she aimed her first arrow.

Surface- Bronze Rock Ridge Region

Nation of Duran'thia- On the road between Traderest and Dera'Kan

Ava watched as the miles passed slowly but steadily as Jaime Kar'rim's caravan traveled through the barren region. It was rich with natural resources, but few villages, towns, or cities until they got closer to the southern border. Due to this both monsters and bandits were more widespread. Only the constant patrols of soldiers kept the road between Traderest and the southern border kept the road somewhat safe.

The guards had a Scout deployed ahead of them that was supposed to keep an eye out for any monsters or bandits, but the further they traveled from Traderest, the wearier they had become. Two other Immortals were traveling with the caravan and had made a hasty War Party for the duration of the trip, but even that was not assurance that the caravan would remain safe.

The winding road that constantly moved through the hills and constantly provided blind turns did not help. "So why are you heading to Dera'Kan?" the Driver sitting next to her asked.

"I have a Quest there, nothing too important, but I have never been to Dera'Kan," Ava responded as her eyes scanned the nearby hills.

"Ok, well we are on our way home back east. Master Kar'rim was hired to drop off some cargo to some High-Elf lord. Now we can finally head back to the desert. No offense, but your people have too many trees and rocks for my taste." The driver lamented.

Ava turned and considered telling the driver to shut up and concentrate on his job when she noticed a slight distortion in the air behind the driver's shoulder. It was moving slowly towards the caravan which was made up of six wagons. Ava immediately sent off a message to the head guard and the other Immortals. After a short moment, the guard Captain sent a message back.

Ava stood and through both hands forward as she Dual Cast Arcane Bolt. The small orb slammed into the Stealthed figure and exploded eliciting a scream of pain from the Rogue. Shouts, screams, explosions, and the clash of arms exploded around her. Ave whirled around and brought up her Arcane Shield intercepting two Firebolts before dropping it and casting Arcane Blast and sending the globe into a half dozen running bandits.

The explosion tore apart two and wounded four more causing Ava to chuckle darkly as she launched Pestilence at an archer that was launching arrows at another wagon. Ava looked back to see the Immortal Dwarf battling three bandits as a nearby Cleric healed him. Ave quickly entered the fight and launched Arcane Barrage at the nearest one. The bandit screamed as a half dozen small bolts of energy slammed into him and sent him hurtling into the side of the wagon with bone-crushing force.

"LOOK OUT!!" the driver beside her screamed as two arrowheads slammed into her. Ava grunted as they impacted her and sent her tumbling off the wagon and into the nearby dirt. Ava whimpered as she pulled one arrow out, but an approaching bandit stopped her administrating a healing potion.

Battle Alert...

De-Buff Open Wound: 50 DPS (10 Seconds)

De-Buff Bleeding: 10 DPS (15 Seconds)

De-Buff Punctured Lung: Stamina Regeneration Decreased by 50% (Duration 5 Minutes)

Battle Alert...

Ava dismissed the alerts and launched a Death Bolt at the approaching Bandit. The bandit tried to duck and took the blast on the shoulder eliciting a scream of pain. Ave coughed blood as she steadied her aim and launched Arcane Bolt after bolt at the bandit until he collapsed dead.

Ava quickly pulled out a Minor Healing Potion and downed it before ripping out the other arrow and screaming in pain. Suddenly the bandits started fleeing away, either they had lost too many or they had acquired something they wanted. Ava just continued to sit there and watched the driver jump down and join here. "Are you ok?" the driver asked.

"Yeah, just need a few moments to heal. Thank you for asking." Ava responded as she watched the few remaining bandits run over the hilltops and disappeared from view. The other guards were checking wounded and dolling out healing potions or having one of the healers see to their wounds. Within fifteen minutes they were back on the road as if nothing had happened.

Surface- Crecents Plains Region

Free Lands- Outside the City of Yadpool

Jacob watched as the party approached, a portly older man led them this time. Hopefully, this would be Lord Berkley that they had begged off about. A squad of the Dawn Guard were nearby even though only a small handful were approaching. "What do you think they have decided?" Nadal asked as the men dismounted and approached closer on foot.

"We are about to find out." Jacob shot back as he approached the envoys.

The portly man bowed to Jacob, "I am Lord Thomas Berkley of Yadpool. My Envoys have advised me of your offer. Can you expand upon what our surrender would mean for my people?" the man asked.

"You and your people would become a part of the Empire of Night, including all the benefits and responsibilities. Any military forces you would have would be dissolved, anyone who wished to join the Legions can enroll. Your forces currently assisting in besieging Athesas would have to be recalled. We have no export taxes, but we have a five percent tax on everything else. Of course, the Slavers Union is an illegal organization, any holding would be confiscated. Their personnel arrested and face judgment for their actions. You would not be executed and your people day-to-day life would remain widely unchanged." Jacob informed the man and placating his worries.

"You would remain in power as Regent of the city of Yadpool. I see no reason to change the leadership of this city. A Legion would be stationed here to garrison your city and assure your safety during these turbulent times." Jacob continued to inform the Lord of Yadpool.

"Yadpool is not the richest city and the only reason it exists is that it sits on a crossroads of trade between the northern and southern Free Cities Alliance. We produce just enough food to feed our citizens so we do not have to import food, but we produce little that can be exported. However, if you will accept us, we will gladly join the Empire." Lord Thomas Berkley said as he went down to one knee and swore his allegiance to Jacob and the Empire.

Jacob stood stoically accepting the oath of allegiance, but inside he relaxed. If they would have had to fight, the city would have quickly turned into a graveyard with hundreds if not thousands of dead on both sides.