The final decision from the gathered representatives was delivered by none other than Eobard Desentes himself. He walked into the sitting room dressed in his finery with all the swagger of a prince that had just won a war. Eobard insisted everyone gather around to here the pronouncement of the message.

“Brother just get on with it.” Armand spoke.

“This is an official diplomatic decision. I Eobard Desentes have successfully negotiated an agreement between the Deep Dweller contingent and the Griffin Kingdom on behalf of his majesty King Edric Reagan. Representing the King was his Minister of the Interior Lord Everly Pentecost of House Pentecost. Representing the Dwellers was Lord Daskus Bloodbeard of House Bloodbeard. They have agreed to accompany the Champion of Chimera, Duke Deacon no family name, to the Crystal Cascade wherein they will attend the King’s proclamation as honored guests before departing with the Champion for the Shattered Sky.” Said Eobard after glaring at his younger brother.

“That’s your official message? It boils down to you telling us we are going to the capital before making our way to the Dweller homeland. One sentence. It could have been one sentence. Don’t think I didn’t notice that little dig you made at my expense as well. I have a family name.” Deacon remarked looking very cross.

“Your carriages are being gathered out in the courtyard. Safe travels brother.” Eobard said before making his way back into the halls of the keep.

“Is that his job? Like he’s responsible for declarations or something?” Ralph asked.

“No I think its just the stick up his ass.” Deacon replied.

“Gentlemen, he’s my older brother and heir to this house. Please don’t speak ill of him without including me.” Armand said with a smirk.

“This is unfortunate. Will there be any issues with Daskus?” Elle asked Typhus eyeing his mood.

“No, not really. Daskus has always wanted to see the Cascade although he won’t admit it.” Typhus answered.

“Well I guess the mystery of what happened at the beginning of the war will have to wait a little while longer.” Deacon said.

“Unfortunately. Since the Bloodbeards will get another chance to petition for change, it should all be worth it in the end.” Typhus said while stroking his beard in contemplation.

“Ok we should probably get going. I’m sure Daskus will give you a full briefing on Deep Dweller politics as we travel.” Armand said getting to his feet.

With that they all made their way out to the courtyard. Armand said goodbye to his family while the rest of the Cardinal Unit and Deacon’s team loaded up in the carriages brought by House Bloodbeard. In the carriage with Deacon there is Amanda, Ralph, Tantus and Typhus. There were three other carriages and a series of wagons. Lord Pentecost had his own carriage along with his personal knight contingent heading back to the capital. The prevailing wisdom was that only a fool would try to rob this wagon train.

The agreed upon route would take them northwest around Mobius Lake. An alternate route was proposed in the meeting that would cut four days of travel off the trip by taking the floating town of Clearfog across the lake. The Minister deemed Clearfog a security risk considering it just a tourist trap owned by a noble house in the capital. If it didn’t pay well into the Kingdom’s coffers it would just be a floating garrison for the Knights. Lord Pentecost has petitioned several times for just that outcome.

“How does a floating town work?” Deacon asked Typhus.

“Well a Magus from the old era enchanted a town that was under threat of a goblin horde, to float on a cloud. Well it worked for the first few days as the goblins couldn’t reach the town anymore. Problem was a storm was on the horizon and the Magus had left after everything was ok. A tornado hit the air lifting the town and all its inhabitants into the air. By the time the Magus returned to check on the town it was lost. Years later a town appeared out of nowhere hovering on surface of Mobius Lake. Not even why the lake is famous.” Typhus answered.

“Seems like a lot of holes in that story. Where were the people? What is a Magus?” Deacon asked.

“Very high-level mage. Think uncle Verus but more powerful. They often get lost in magical research once they get that strong. Or ascend. One or the other.” Tantus answered.

“They employ air mages now to anchor it to the lake. I’m sure if the noble wanted too, he could move the whole thing somewhere else. Probably just likes the view.” Typhus continued.

“That didn’t answer my question about the people though.” Deacon said.

“I don’t know, that’s the story. Ask someone else if you don’t like it.” Typhus scoffed.

“So what is Mobius Lake famous for, if not a magic floating tourist attraction?” Deacon asked.

“You really don’t know?” Tantus asked.

“Six months old, remember.” Deacon said pointing to himself.

“I’ve got this one, you two take a break. It’s always the same water level. No mater how much it rains or how many irrigation ditches are dug. The lake itself is always the same water level. Most people think it’s a miracle from Vatten the God of Sailing and water.” Ralph said joining the conversation.

“That explains the temple in the middle of the lake I saw on the Minister’s map.” Deacon said.

“Then I agree we shouldn’t use Clearfog as a shortcut. Especially if there is an old temple in the middle of the lake. That screams Deactastrophe.” Amanda said without opening her eyes or sitting up to look at anyone.

“Stop saying that.” Deacon said.

“She’s not wrong. You know what happens around you. It’s amazing you found a team of people to join you.” Typhus said smirking. He now knew even without him around Deacon would be getting it anyway.

“I’m actually just traveling with them to collaborate with the Gnomes at Shattered Sky.” Tantus said sheepishly.

“Going to train with the Jinkbons are ya. Good luck with that. They’ve been interbreeding with the Deep Dwellers for years. You’ve never seen a more hearty lot than the Half-Gnome Half-Dweller family line. Think crazy smart Dwellers. They are always at the forefront of all our runic innovations.” Typhus said now paying more attention than before to the young mage.

“I heard that was a rumor.” Ralph said.

“No its true. Very proud of their gnomish patriarch. Even have ties back to our guild founder Molok.” Typhus said as the carriage hit a bump on the road. There was loud commotion from outside that accompanied a stop in forward momentum. Then a cry of alarm came from the front of the wagon train.

They all piled out of the carriage to see an enormous rock troll grasping one of the horses in the lead in one hand. It was lifting it to its mouth as arrows bounced off its hide. Deacon stood there in awe of the size of it. Amanda elbowed him and he sent out party invitations to everyone he could see including the knights and Dwellers. Then a glowing green arrow slammed into its elbow joint forcing it to drop the horse. Deacon took that opportunity to inspect it.

Rock Troll- These large monsters are often found in mountainous regions. They are territorial and have a voracious appetite. While they are dumb and slow, they make up for it with strength and a thick hide instead of regeneration. It is often better to fight them with enchanted weapons or spells. Level 18 Rock Troll, Large/ Monster.

Party Skill, Advanced is now Level three- This skill allows the user to share pertinent information about each other’s status as well as an auto Inspect ability for targets your level or highest party member level. The party can now include anyone. No cost.

This was a well-timed slate notification. Deacon thought it was odd he could now include the knights and Dwellers forces. This also explained why he got so much information on a monster one level higher than him. It looks like his Triage perk was working on them too. He thought that might be broken. The perk was originally only for his party but that might be an umbrella statement now that he has the party skill. Switching his focus back to the monster he could see that a tree uprooted itself and has begun smacking the back of the Troll. It doesn’t seem to notice.

“Ok what’s the plan here?” Deacon asked Typhus but before he even finished a slash of white energy flew threw the air directly at the monster cutting a two-foot-deep cash in its rocky exterior.

“This is the plan, we fight.” Ralph said sheathing his weapon again to get the bonus damage on his next strike.

“There shouldn’t be a rock troll this close to the road. We aren’t even near the foothills.” Tantus said looking both shocked and confused at the same time.

“Maybe more lighting and less questioning?” Deacon said.

“No lighting. There are fully armored knights in the front. You should let my people manage the rock troll.” Daskus shouted coming up behind them. Just then several hammer wielding Deep Dwellers raced past their position toward the rock troll. Skills were triggered and crushing blows tore large chunks out of the monster. The troll realized it was outmatched and tried to run but the Dwellers weren’t having it. Elle tripped it with vines and used the animated tree to hold block its path while the Daskus’s troops continued to reduce it to rubble.

“Made short work of him.” Typhus said.

“Yea but I didn’t get to do anything.” Deacon whined.

“You kept those knights health topped off until we got there.” Daskus said.

“The real question is, how the hell did that thing make it to the King’s Road without being noticed?” Typhus asked out loud.

“Captain Daskus, sir.” Said a young dweller running up from the front.

“What is it?” Daskus asked puzzled.

“The human…The Minister of the Interior is requesting a detour to the nearest fort to find out what’s happening in the area before we continue on to the capital, sir.” He reported.

“I think that might be a good idea. Tell them we agree.” Daskus ordered and waved him back toward the front of the pack. Typhus made eye contact with Amanda, and they shared a conspiratorial look.

“Don’t fuckin say it.” Said Deacon.