Agent Caliban gazed at Eric for long moments, before passing him a rose-water scented cloth. “Is there somewhere I can escort you?”

Eric grinned, more pleased than he could say with that response, suddenly hopeful that maybe there was a way forward that didn’t depend on them leaving under cover of darkness, desperate to reach a truly safe sanctuary before unexpected enemies could catch up with them. “Actually, there is. But let’s not say anything on it, til we’re well and truly free of this place.”

Caliban nodded, and they wasted no time leaving that trap of bronze, stone, twisted enchantments and even more twisted schemes, Eric was too busy focusing on his madly racing heart and the clammy feel of his palms to worry about the snide comments he overheard regarding stuck-up newbloods getting shown their place from the line of bored-looking adventurers, still waiting in their que.

Because all that mattered was them leaving this awful trap of a bank, Eric all but sobbing with relief when the welcoming sunlight caressed his face. He couldn’t even deny the hot tears of joy streaking down his face, breathing fresh air as he stepped free of that nightmare purgatory and into fresh sunlight again, refusing even to look back at the sneering pair of elite guards making it clear he was to never return.

“If you’d escort us for a bit longer…” Rica asked the agent, who nodded gamely enough as they made their way back to the hotel at a fast clip, Eric now feeling his cheeks blaze at the look his girl was giving him.

“Rica...”

She gave an angry shake of her head, for all that she reassured him with a squeeze of her hand. “Let’s just get back,” she said.

Mutely he nodded, wincing at the way her face tightened with increasing strain no matter how much she picked up her pace until they were flying through the city… darting right through the side door into the inn and up the stairs at a dead sprint, and then Rica was claiming her daughter from her worried-looking grandmother with a grateful sob, showering her child with kisses and silent tears as she held her close.

Eric swallowed the lump in his throat, guts twisting with guilt as he raced up seconds later, after having a quick word with Caliban. “I’m sorry,” he softly said.

“What happened?” Asked grandmother Lightfoot, her gaze filled with growing concern.

Rica flashed a bitter smile. “The bank was a trap,” she softly said. “And the goblins...” she bitterly shook her head. “They hate us, Grandmother, worse than any payday loan shark robbing the poor and desperate. Those assholes are more eager to exploit us than the white man ever was, centuries ago. Only now, there is no ambivalence, no odd mixture of affection, love, and predation as varied as the people that made up the original colonists. With these bastards, every single one of them feel nothing but absolute contempt for humanity as a whole.”

Her grandmother cursed under her breath.

Rica sighed. “They’re no better than the orcs, Granny. More dangerous, in fact, because they’re more organized, understand accounting, and are able to play within established rules. I’m glad we’ll never be allowed inside their bank again, because I have no doubt that their goal isn’t to make interest on people’s money. Its to entice and trick them, so were are handing over our gold one month, and our freedom the next.”

Her eyes flashed with a cold hate that chilled Eric to the quick, and filled him with a fierce sense of pride for his warrior princess as well. “They’re an infection that needs to be cleansed from this land, just as much as all the other invaders who would dare to claim our world as their own.”

Eric nodded in heartfelt agreement. “Damn right.” He then lowered his gaze. “And I was a complete and utter fool. My stupid perks were screaming a warning I was too blind to pay any attention to. And if you wanted me to leave right now...” He swallowed the painful lump in his throat when her gaze grew hard and stony. “I’d completely understand.”

He winced in surprise when a surprisingly powerful fist smacked him in the gut.

“Don’t be an idiot, Eric. You were being set up by slimy little bastards who had been scheming for a payout, probably from the moment we first set foot in this city, just biding their time.” She gave a sad shake of her head. “And our plans to check out the bank today weren’t any big secret. We didn’t think they had to be. Because we’re both idiots, trusting everything to be on the up and up, just like they were when we’d all set up perfectly standard checking accounts in the before time, in the days when calm smiles and meek obedience really were the best way to survive encounters with law enforcement. So that small misunderstandings and petty fines or misdemeanors didn’t turn into massive fights and serving serious time over bullshit charges.” She snorted. “We were so used to acting like sheep, Eric, that we didn’t even think to disobey when we were politely told to ‘please step this way.’”

Eric’s cheeks flushed in remembered shame. “I will never play the fool like that again.” His eyes flashed. “Anyone tries to take you or me anywhere? It’s as good as a declaration of war.”

Rica smiled. “Exactly,” she said, before her hard-eyed gaze turned to pure tenderness as she peered down at her sleeping daughter, rocked gently in her arms. “Now, how about we go see if the Blue Faction, clearly at odds with those goblin assholes, is the sanctuary we so hope that it is, or just another bunch of cutthroats every bit as bad, in which case I think we both know what our next move has to be.”

Eric nodded while Rica put her daughter in her grandmother’s arms before racing to find Nelly and her family, Eric already understanding why. Now that it was clear that there was a target on at least one of their backs, anyone Eric was close to was vulnerable.

If they were going to find a fresh sanctuary, or leave entirely in the dead of night, they’d do it as a group, able to cover for one another, or best not do it at all.

“Hi guys, how did the visit to the bank go? Do we have an account yet?” asked a cheerful Nelly with a certain brightness to her smile and a blush to her cheeks that made it clear what she had been up to. And if not, the smitten look Morgan was giving her made it all too clear.

“I’ll explain everything later. For now, just get everything together, we’ll be leaving momentarily,” Rica said.

Eric just grinned, happy that the two of them were finding sweetness in a world where bitter peril had become the norm for most. Peril they themselves had to do all they could to avoid as a now fully kitted up Eric exchanged nods with his girl before heading downstairs, catching Caliban’s bemused gaze as he made his way to the dining room after exchanging whispered words with an alarmed-looking innkeeper.

Caliban quirked an eyebrow. “Dressed for war?” Eric struck anew by how similar he looked to Commander Drevyn of the Sylvan Alliance, despite the sci-fi edge to his pale blue features, hair cut, and of course, the blaster-like weapon at his hip.

Eric could only hope that implied a sense of honor he could trust, but only one way to find out.

He nodded at the man’s question, shifting grips on his bardiche, glad his essence-infused scale helm had been so expertly designed as to hinder his vision and hearing not at all. “For battle or some jerkoff trying to force a challenge on the street. One can’t be too careful, with the major power of this city gunning for my head.”

The agent’s smile didn’t quite reach his calculating eyes. “I’m aware of no such thing. Only a misunderstanding avoided… and a bank eager enough to make amends that they will be granting you an unlimited charter to invest with any bank or manager you wish.”

Eric bowed his head. “And I’m truly grateful that such is the case.

Caliban’s smile turned strangely pitying. “Then why didn’t you finalize a date?”

Eric blinked. “I’m sorry?”

The agent slowly shook his head. “These are goblins you’re dealing with, Eric. Even with my bearing witness… you effectively gave them infinite leeway as to when, precisely, they’ll grant you this charter.”

Eric’s eyes widened, all too clearly healing the cackles of glee from imaginary goblins, rejoicing in having fucked Eric over quite royally, six ways to Sunday. Now he was stuck with an unspecified fortune in gold fluxuating madly in his soul, and absolutely no safe place to put it.

He was unable to hide the bitterness in his smile. “Well, fuck. I guess they got the best of me twice over, the assholes.”

Agent Caliban flashed a sympathetic smile, the shrug of his shoulders conveying so much without a word being said.

The man gazed thoughtfully at Eric for long moments. “Are you planning on leaving Freetown altogether? If so… you might want to wait a few days. I have it on very good authority that a very… secure caravan will be traveling cross-country at that point.”

Eric dipped in head in thanks of what he understood to be extremely valuable council. Potentially lifesaving advice… if he was on the up and up. And if he was… they might not need to join any caravan after all.

“That is a distinct possibility. But first, there’s one other corner of the city I’d like to visit before I make any final decisions.”

“Oh?” said a curious-looking Caliban. “I thought perhaps you’d wish me to escort you to a more secure hotel… for precisely 46 hours.”

Eric grinned, definitely getting the hint, suddenly sure that a Blue Federation Caravan would be picking up or dropping off cargo or citizenry. Either way, good info to know.

“Actually, now that I think of it, we’re going to have to part ways here, I’m afraid.”

Caliban furrowed his brow. “Have I given you any offense, or reason not to trust my intentions?”

“Far from it,” Eric assured. “It’s more a case of not wanting to feed any rumors that could be used against us later.”

The agent blinked, then slowly smiled. “I think I understand. And it’s not a bad choice, if you have the funds for it. But it must be understood...this is entirely your decision.”

Eric nodded solemnly. “I understand completely,” he said. Because unlike at the bank, where even if he had been a fool, testing the waters, he hadn’t been a complete fool, now he was most definitely bringing his prizes with him, as they were all leaving together. So long as they didn’t mind making change, he could indeed afford whatever steep rates the Blue Quarter might charge. And the fact that the goblins had no idea how wealthy he truly was, having had a care to bring only silver, and yes, 2 of his pile of coins did go missing, showing just how petty the goblins were on so many levels… now he was bringing every ounce of his remaining 150 or so pounds of gold.

Eric was relieved to see a far more tense-looking Nelly and her family bounding down the steps just minutes later, the anxious look in her eyes when she caught his gaze making it clear that Rica had filled her in on all the grizzly details.

“How much trouble are we in?” she softly whispered, neither she nor Rica caring how much they stuck out compared to adventurers geared only with mail shirts and sheathed blades, fully kitted up as they were in armor, with shield and spears at the ready, all of them paying absolutely no mind to the trio of adventurers glaring their way from a nearby table when a cursory glance made it clear that their potency was well below even Nelly’s.

Eric gave her arm a reassuring pat while nodding at her boyfriend who bowed his head a bit too deferentially in turn. Eric could only imagine how helpless and anxious the youth felt, utterly powerless in a world where power truly was everything. “Hopefully, none at all,” he said both for discretion’s sake and because he genuinely hoped it was true. “We’re going to check out some additional accommodations and see if they’re a good fit. If not? I already prepaid our rooms for a week.”

Morgan blinked. “Eric, that’s a lot of silver! We’re not rich… we want to be careful with our money, right?”

Eric grinned. “I appreciate the concern, but no need to worry on my account.” He caught Rica’s subtle nod, after she took a quick look outside. “Just follow my lead, and if all goes well, we’ll be enjoying the poshest spot in the whole city before noon.”

Nelly grinned with excitement. “Oh yes, please! I’d love to see what luxury looks like in this time and place.” Then she squealed when her gaze caught sight of Agent Caliban. “And get a load of that elf. He has a lazer pistol at his hip! Do you think magitech is a thing, here? Like maybe we’ll have computers, internet, even be able jack ourselves into cyber worlds, only we’re calling it magic now?”

Eric chuckled, flashing an apologetic smile Caliban’s way. “Honestly I have no idea, but I’m eager to find out. So let’s go do some exploring!”’

Within moments they were out the door, looking for all the world like excited tourists, still excited to glimpse all that the admittedly gorgeous city had to offer with its tree-lined boulevards rose-trellised cottages, and tasteful blend of steampunk bronze, diodes and gears generating a golden-hued current that seemed to serve as an arcane generator of sorts for at least a few buildings containing smithies and drop forges, Eric as impressed by whatever technology minimized the sound and stink of what otherwise looked like large scale post renaissance industrial centers. Because it was clear that Freetown had its share of industry, and Eric thought it an absolute miracle that it was anything but a steam and smog filled blight gloried as a ‘tribute to industry’.

Really, Eric’s only complaint was the cold glares he had received from a small handful of Professional classers, which truly was as sad change of pace from Junk Town, he thought while keeping a roving eye out for any potential intercepting mobs or over-leveled challengers.

Thankfully, there were none.

“Thank god. Looks like those assholes kept it private, eager to make a score for themselves,” Rica whispered.

Eric nodded his agreement. “And whatever their stranglehold on commerce, they’re certainly not responsible for most of this beautiful city, considering just how fucking ugly their excuse for a temple to commerce is.”

Rica chuckled. “I quite agree,” she said, flashing him a warm smile that belied the fear in her eyes.

A fear she should never have had to feel, were it not for a race of conniving predatory bastards.

Eric squeezed the shaft of his bardiche, for a moment barely able to suppress his killing fury.

“Eric!” his girlfriend’s hiss snapped him out his dark place. He drew a shuddering breath and smiled into her worried gaze.

“It’s been quite a day, hasn’t it?”

“I’ll say,” she whispered. “Now for fuck’s sake, put on your happy face. I think that’s our goal, just up ahead.

Eric’s fast clip stumbled to an awed walk, beholding massive walls of blue tinged material that might have been stone or steel, complete with rampart, battlements, and massive gate the width of the road they were rapidly approaching, with any number of citizens and adventurers also passing through.

Though Eric immediately noted a difference between these well-dressed individuals and so many others his eyes had danced over throughout the day.

They either had the gazes of esteemed professional classers who did not flinch upon catching sight of Eric, but only nodded, respectfully, or they were adventuring classers radiating potency well beyond Conscript Classers.

Eric and his girl exchanged hopeful smiles when the pair of guards posted on each side of the wide boulevard, kitted up in space trooper armor that looked suspiciously like the PVC alloy used by his favorite bad guys in the movies, but that he suspected was many times stronger, with poleaxes held in casual grips and blasters at their hips, did naught but nod and smile pleasantly at the occasional citizen who caught their gazes. And their tolerant smiles remained in place for absolutely everyone, including a pair of wide-eyed freshly minted Conscripts that Eric doubted were even level 3.

“Excuse me, would you mind stepping this way for a moment, sir? We’d like to ask you a few quick questions.”

Eric froze. Rica’s breath in sharp, anxious gasps, eyes wide remembered fear at death so narrowly avoided.

Eric did his best to hold back his bitter smile as the pair of guards, with the most professional of demeanors and hands most certainly not threateningly waving their poleaxes about, had effectively cut Eric off from the others. It seemed everyone got a free pass these days, except for Eric himself.

Eric sighed. “What seems to be the problem, officers?”

The closest flashed him a tight smile, as if well aware of the reference, for all that he was clearly an elf of the same futuristic cut of cloth as the agent Eric had met earlier. “Our hope is nothing, young sir. And should you be willing to swear before our captain that you have nothing but honorable intentions within the Blue Quarter, then you will of course be welcome to take full advantage of all the hospitality that our corporation has to offer.”

Rica paled. “No,” she whispered. “There’s no way we’re letting anyone cart us off to some secluded interrogation room. Hell no!”

The guard eyebrow raised, looking more than a bit surprised by her outburst. “No one’s intending to ‘cart you off’ anywhere. Really, it’s quite simple. If you would like permission to freely come and go within the Blue Quarter, you will wait for Captain Rincile. If not? You are free to leave… so long as it’s understood that you won’t be returning.”

Eric meant the guard’s gaze with a reassuring smile, gently squeezing his girl’s hand.

Social Perception skillcheck successful!

“It’s alright, sweetheart. I think these guys are on the up and up.”

The guard gave the tiniest of nods, stepping back with a nod to his cohort, both of them simultaneously giving the pair space to metaphorically feel at ease, while simultaneously positioning themselves to make it clear that they wouldn’t be permitted to set foot within the quarter until, apparently, the hard-eyed man dressed in cobalt blue space marine armor, as Eric found himself thinking of the glossy composite material rapidly approached, hand absently fingering the hilt of what Eric’s Arcane Perception pinged as an artifact of exceeding power that looked all too much like the hilt of a lightsword for him not to feel a curious thrill of apprehension, and excitement.

“Please tell me those things are for sale,” he said enthusiastically as the captain approached, turning the guardian’s business-like demeanor to a surprised half-smile.

“I’m afraid not, young sir. But rest assured, you will find within the Blue Quarter the absolute best quality arms and armaments permitted by the accords to all newly integrated worlds at prices that always adhere to standard profiteering guidelines, irrespective of your subjugated world status.”

Eric chuckled. “Glad to hear it.” He calmly met the captain’s gaze. “I’d like to formally assure you that I have absolutely no intention of causing deliberate trouble in the Blue Quarter. If anything, I’m hoping to make my home here, while staying at Freetown. I’ve heard good things… and I’d like to see for myself if they’re true.”

The captain quirked a half-smile. “So, no intention of casing any establishment or otherwise involving yourself in any heists?”

Eric solemnly shook his head. “I’m interested in spending my fortune, not stealing anything from those whom I hope to have as allies. Irrespective of whether or not you believe in my virtue, I assure you that you can take comfort in my practicality. The wise man never shits in his backyard, and the Goblin’s quarter, also known as the rest of the damn city, is no place I wish to rest my head.”

Captain Rincile gave a slow nod, emerald green eyes twinkling with unnatural light. “I believe you,” he said at last, giving a curt nod to the pair of now exquisitely polite, bowing guardsmen. “Please enjoy your stay while you’re with us in the Blue Quarter… Eric Silver.”

Eric winced. “Okay, I gotta ask. Is there a sign on my head with my name emblazoned on it or something?”

“You mean you don’t know?” Asked a suddenly curious Rincile.

“Know what?”

“You’re a Contender, with Sylvan Alliance Conquest Map access, for all that you’re officially listed as a ‘Free Agent.’” Rincile chuckled at that. “Of course our interface maps were triggered by your presence, as is the case with all the major players in the area capable of seizing territories, rare as that is for natives to actually accomplish. It was our hope, if anything, that you were here to attend one of our conferences going over the myriad benefits to be had in surrendering the administrative headaches of managing territories to the Blue Alliance. It’s only the unexpected nature of your status that necessitated our… clarifying your intentions.”

Eric blinked. “Wait… you mean adventurer territory conquest is actually a thing?”

The man’s smile grew more puzzled. “Of course! When adventurers with the right perks or classes accrue sufficient power, they sometimes find themselves in the unique position to claim territories, and, should they find the mantel of ruler weighs heavily upon their brow and are enlightened enough to divest themselves of unwanted burdens and the constant risk of conquest and assassination, they know they can trust the Blue Faction to secure them a headache free income stream for centuries to come, no matter who eventually claim's Earth's throne. I had assumed you already knew this.”

The man frowned, eyes going back and forth as if reading lines of text. “In fact, you’re listed as almost single-handedly cleansing Gilton of its orc infestation, and I see you have a pending alliance proposal… why are you covering your ears?”

Eric forced a smile. “What? I’m sorry, were you about to mention something about my unquestioned and absolute freedom in all things?”

Rica gripped Eric’s arm rather fiercely. “And he has no interest in any ‘alliance proposals’ either. He has me.”

Captain Rincile flashed an oddly sympathetic smile. “I see. And please, no need to worry. No geases, quests, or familial oaths can be triggered by any third party noting messages pending. It is for you to open those e-mails, as you put it, or not. As you choose.”

Eric flashed a hard smile. “Hold on while I do my best to visualize a trash bin for any and all malware-loaded messages.”

The captain laughed. “I must say, you’re nothing at all like what I expected, particularly given your status as a Conscript, making your feats all the more impressive.”

Hard eyes abruptly locked with Eric’s own, and for one pulse-pounding moment, he felt he was in the gaze of a hawk, darting down from the skies to snap the neck of a foolish rabbit that thought it could hide under cover… before the deadly gaze became another curious blink.

“And no, you’re no souless abomination hiding under a mask, either,” Rincile noted, Eric only distantly registering Rica’s frightened curse as a Light Blade he hadn’t even seen activate slowly compressed like a bar of liquid gold death before being resheathed once more. “Though your core infusion is nothing sort of legendary.” The man flowed into a bow. “And please, allow me to make amends for my untoward… caution.”

“You nearly cut him in half!” A pale-faced Rica snapped, the pair of guards also looking startled by Rincile’s chillingly fast blade-work.

The Captain flashed a disarming smile. “Well then, please allow me to make amends. An all-expense paid week at the Blue Palace, our premier hotel and full service condominiums where you and your party can refresh yourselves after seeing all that the Blue Quarter has to offer the discerning adventurer with the most luxurious high-end resources and accommodations you’ll find anywhere within five hundred miles. We promise you that.”

Eric’s eyes widened, snatching the glossy black card fast enough that even Rincile’s eyes widened. “We’ll take it! If you’ll be so good as to point the way?”

Bemused, the captain did just that, and Eric couldn’t help but feel a certain sense of awe as he passed through the gate and beheld what truly did seem like a different city entirely, and one from the far future as he beheld grand soaring buildings of glass, chrome, and that ever present blue alloy, along with tree lined boulevards and strategically placed parks filled with apple, chestnut, and pear trees and beds of artfully placed flowers in glorious bloom. The whole felt both futuristic, arboreal, and soothing, like what a high end condominium complex adjoining a city park, with a luxurious shopping plaza nearby, might have looked like in any given city, decades in the future.