Surface- Crecents Plains Region

Empire of Night- City of Stormsurge

Jacob looked at the huge harbor and the dozens of ships that sat at anchor or at the dock. Dozens of carts and wagons wound their way down to the dock as the various transport ships were loaded with cargo for the trip and siege of the Lost Islands Region. Food, spare weapons, armor, smithies, siege weapons, cloathing, medical supplies, anything and everything a Legion would need in the field was being loaded onto the ships. The Second Legion was quartered in the city and would begin loading onto transport ships within twenty-four hours. "As you can see, everything is running smoothly." Lord Draden stated flatley.

Jacob smiled soothingly at the man, "I never doubted your word, but to see it. It's contained chaos, to say the least, and I am glad I am not the Quartermaster of the Second Legion or the Dock Master Lord Draden." Jacob replied causing the other man to snort in amusement.

"Yes, my Dock Master was not amused that we were shutting down half the docks for Imperial operations for a couple of days. When he saw all the ships arrive though he nearly had a fit." Lord Draden smiled at the memory.

Jacob smiled as he headed straight for the docks over the shouts of his guards as he placed his armor and weapon in his inventory and donned his newbie clothing. With it, he could easily blend in with the dockworkers and assist with the work despite the objections of his guards. They did get him to agree to leave in a couple of hours, but he planned on heading to Anchorhead next to check in there and help there as well. The scream drew Jacob's attention and the attention of every man and woman loading the cargo ship. A man was standing over someone else, a bloody fist raised to hit again when Jacob grabbed the arm and stopped the large man cold. "What is the problem?" Jacob asked as he met the man's glare.

"This little shit was stealing." The dock worker spat out while glaring at the person behind Jacob.

"Say something then. The guards are there for a reason." Jacob replied as he signaled for two of his escorts to grab the thief and escort him off the ship. 'Thank you for your vigilance, we will take it from here." Jacob told the man as he followed them up the ladder and onto the deck.

"Well, what did our little thief steal that was worth so much?" Jacob asked them.

One of the guards snorted in amusement, "Food, some clothing, and blankets as well. Nothing critical though."

Jacob nodded his head, "Why did you steal these things, lad? You know if you get caught stealing its a week in jail. Do you want to go to jail?" Jacob asked

"I am not a boy!! I stole those things because...I just need them and there is so much here, they wouldn't miss what I had taken." the girl responded.

"Explain or we will turn you over to the guards," Jacob told the girl.

The girl refused to look at him, "What do you care? You are probably going to turn me over to the City Guard anyway. No one cares."

"First off, when you are talking to someone, look them in the eye as a sign of respect. Second, if I did not care I would not ask the question. Now, tell me why you were stealing all these items." Jacob told her and the girl who was no older than ten or eleven years turned and looked at him. She studied him for a few moments and nodded her head.

"I am an orphan ok...My dad ran off before I was born and my mom was enslaved after she failed to pay a debt. The orphanage I was placed in doesn't care about us and before the Empire went to war with the Slavers Union, we would sometimes be sold off to the Slavers Union. I was one of the lucky ones and escaped, but we are only scraping by. We need food, blankets, healing, protection from anyone who would use us or enslave us. No one cares and I am trying to help." the girl replied and Jacob could see the tears forming in her eyes. Jacob looked at James who nodded his head indicating the girl had not lied. FUCK!!

"Well then girl, first off what is your name and where are your friends?" Jacob asked her.

"My name is Abigale or Abby. Why do you want to know where my friends are?" Abby asked as she guardedly looked at him.

"I want to help them and I cannot do that unless I know where they are. You have my word Abby, if your friends need help, I will help them." Jacob told the little girl.

Abby continued to consider his words before nodding her head, "They are over in one of the abandoned warehouses on Scrimshaw Street in the Warehouse District. Please don't take them back to that horrible orphanage, please.." the last came out as a whisper. Jacob smiled at her and winked before turning to James who looked two seconds from ripping someone apart.

"Get two squads of Legionnaires from the Second to join us down there now. Next, get the city clerk, I want to know everything about the industrious orphanage. Actually, we are going to check all the orphanages in the city and all the people associate with them.' Jacob whispered to the irate Captain who immediately manipulated his interface as Jacob turned to look back at Abby and offered her his hand. 'Will you please take me too this warehouse, some of my friends are coming to join us and we will take you all somewhere safe. You will not be going back to that orphanage I promise." Jacob told Abby who after a moment took his hand and started pulling him away from the docks.

Thirty minutes later a Sergeant and two squads from the Second Legion were helping Jacob and his guards pull twenty-four orphans from a half-collapsed warehouse. A small gang of street toughs had tried to intimidate Jacob and his smaller group when they had first arrived but Jacob described exactly what he would do to them if they pressed him, they had quickly decided that they had more important things to do then mess with some dock rats and an orphan.

The three healers from the two squads did what they could, but the kids were showing signs of malnourishment, abuse both physical and emotional, and other injuries. Anything minor was quickly repaired but the Cleric made sure Jacob knew that they would all require long-tern care beyond their skill to repair. Jacob calmed the man's worries and told him that the kids would receive all the aid he could provide. Jacob considered giving them some Vampire blood to help with the healing but in their current state, it would probably be detrimental.

"Get them on the carts. James, Anchorhead is going to have to wait, we are going home for the moment. Send a message to Governor Saltrake and inform him of our delay please." Jacob told James as he moved on shadowing Abby as they moved to the amusement of the guards and Legionnaires around him.

Surface- Valley of Origins Region

Empire of Night- City of Eternal Night

Palace of Night- Medical Wing

"I am not asking you to kill or destroy Rose, I am asking you to put up an illusion that you are Human, Elf, Orc, I don't care what it is, just not Angel. These kids need your help but being exposed to an Angel might be overwhelming at the moment. So please put up this simple illusion so you don't scare them." Jacob told the Celestial that frowned while Lilly giggled behind her.

"It's not that she doesn't want too, its that Angels are not very good at illusion magic," Lilly said as she continued to laugh while Rose blushed before glaring at the Demoness.

Jacob studied the Lilly for a moment considering his option, "I assume you can do this Lilly? Put up some illusion magic around her?" Jacob prodded at the Demoness who nodded with a smile before snapping her fingers. Rose jerked for a moment as the illusion settled around her. When done, her features were hardly changed but her wings, armor, and weapons were hidden.

"That was just a little bit of magic so you owe me just a small debt Jacob Longstrider. I am sure I can think of ways you can repay it." Lilly said as she licked her lips causing Jacob to smirk and Rose to roll her eyes as she entered the Medical Wing. Of the twenty-five orphans they had brought back, sixteen were located in the Medical Wing and would be here for the foreseeable future. The others would live here as well because Jacob didn't want to break them up.

"So is it true that you are a Vampire?" Abby asked as she walked up.

"Yes, but you and your friends do not have to worry I do not eat children. Unless they annoy me, then I might take a bite or two." Jacob told her before winking causing the girl to smirk and giggle at him.

"So is this the one that is taking my place?" Cathrine asked as she walked up. Abbie's eye bulged slightly as she took in Cathrine's clothing as well as the two Heart Guards shadowing here nearby.

"You know very well no one could ever replace you my heart. Dear Abby, I proudly present my better and prettier half, Cathrine. For some reason, she puts up with me and has not kicked me out yet, if she ever tells you why please let me know." Jacob introduced the two.

Abby laughed a little as she shook Cathrine's extended hand. "So you know my name, but you never told me yours or how you got us into this place. Who are you?" Abby asked causing Cathrine to laugh a little bit.

Jacob shifted uncomfortably with the girls suddenly intense scrutiny, "Well I am Jacob and how I got you in here...Does it matter. It's safe and no one will hurt you here and you can stay as long as you need to.' Jacob told her as James walked up. 'Excuse me, ladies." Jacob said before bowing slightly to intercept the man.

"Well, what is the word?" Jacob prompted from the Captain.

"Of the six orphanages in Stormsurge, we found concrete evidence of corruption in three of them. All of those involved have been arrested. Lord Draden was furious with us at first, but once he learned why we made the arrests we had to work quickly so he wouldn't execute all those involved himself. I am not sure he is mad because of what they did or because they were sponsored by the city and stole from him. Either way, others are now in place at those orphanages and they are well aware that they will be inspected randomly and the kids will be questioned and any abuse will be dealt with swiftly and harshly." James reported.

"How did Lord Draden punish them?" Jacob asked as he studied Abby and Cathrine.

"All their property and wealth have been confiscated. Exile for most and the ring-leaders were turned over to us for sentencing. They are in the holding cells below currently." James finished before bowing and leaving.

Jacob smiled a little before turning back to Cathrine and Abby, "So are you a Vampire too?" Jacob heard Abby ask his wife causing her to laugh.

"What's wrong with being a Vampire?" Jacob asked Cathrine eliciting another giggle from her and a smirk from Abby.

"Besides the diet, never having a suntan, having all the gods wanting you dead..." Abby responded quickly.

"Hey, not all of them want us dead, just most," Jacob replied with a wink.