Tala leaned back, wiping her mouth with a napkin as she looked at those around her in the lunch meeting.

I am so glad that I ate before coming. Because of that, she’d finished first, as opposed to usual, where she was used to eating way more, and for way longer, than those around her.

She didn’t really mind, but it was an interesting contrast, now that things were reversed.

While waiting for the others to finish, she pulled out a simple ledger, and Alat projected one of the texts on the Doman-Imithe overtop of it.

Some light reading after lunch.

It had been a few days since the raid on the hold of the House of the Rising Sun, and the city had been abuzz with gossip and rumors about the attack.

The House of the Rising Sun was reeling.

They’d lost quite a few key members and servants, and a large number of their lesser affiliates had scaled back their relationships with the House, or sought work or trading partners elsewhere.

The House of the Rising Sun was balancing on the edge of total collapse in the city of Platoiri, and Tala was being hailed, internally, as a hero of the House of Blood, because it was her suggestion that had fostered the raid, and she had been one of the principal instruments in its success.

Meallain had taken her aside after the fact and asked about Tala’s siege orbs. They took a lot of preparation and weren’t universally usable, but they hit way above her rank.

Apparently the City Lord had left his manor to personally inspect the damage done to the District of Doors and even refused to levy a fine against the House of Blood for ‘excessive use of force.’

In truth, the very fact that the House of the Rising Sun had acknowledged the crushing power of Tala’s assault on their entrance was a major win for the House of Blood.

With regard to the City Lord, word was, he spent five minutes walking around the broken wall and shattered entrance to the House of the Rising Sun’s hold, then simply grunted, then said, ‘That girl.’ with a shake of his head, and departed.

The House of the Rising Sun received the denial to their request for punitive action against the House of Blood shortly after.

Now, every time Tala came out of her sanctum, she was greeted by well-wishes and raucous shouts from members and servants of the House of Blood.

“Hey, it’s ‘That girl!’” Followed by a jovial, laugh, was the most common among those.

She bore it with good cheer. Part of the point of her participation in the raid had been to foster exactly that type of response. She wanted to be seen as a valuable asset. Banishment, not death. I need banishment, not execution.

Even so, she was still investigating other options.

She’d contemplated some truly insane options.

Tala had even briefly considered disabling the scripts that kept her body at its current size and shape.

Maybe if I balloon up sufficiently, my neck will get bigger than my head, and I can just pull the collar off?

They’d been able to determine that the collar wouldn’t resize, and they both knew that the City Lord wouldn’t give her a bigger collar just because she got fat.

Needless to say, the long-shot of Be-thric’s death without her implication, ideally without her involvement, was still her best bet at freedom.

Sooner would actually be better at that point, because right then? If the House of Blood were to order her execution, it would turn all the honor and prestige she’d earned for the House into shame, her fame becoming notoriety overnight.

Banishment would do that to a degree, depending on how it was handled, but not nearly to the same extent.

She returned her mind to the book in hand, and only a few minutes later, everyone was sufficiently done for the discussion to begin.

Sanguis stood. “As you all know, Pillar Be-thric will be leaving for the human lands within the month. After all, with Eskau Tali by his side, the final protian weapon is as good as acquired.”

There were nods and laughter around the table, and quite a few smiling faces briefly turned her way in acknowledgement.

Drawing their attention back, Sanguis continued, “We need to determine the best city for him to enter.”

Makinaven would be hilarious. Jevin would obliterate him, outranked or not.

Gallof stood. “In my research, I’ve found a few human cities with good intelligence about their defenses and defenders. Pillar Be-thric himself was able to confirm roughly at what point they are in their great cycle, so we have a good idea which cities will be occupied at this time.”

Appreciative murmurs went around the large room.

“Now, the Forest Cities are problematic, as each is known to have at least one powerful protector.”

Thron cleared his throat. “Pardon, Honored Gallof, but doesn’t every human city have powerful protectors?”

“Ahh, yes. But the Forest Cities have something more. It is estimated that each of those cities are watched over by someone equivalent to a City Lord, at least while fighting within the human settlement, itself.”

There were widened eyes and a few startled intakes of breath.

Way to go Master Jevin. I knew you were powerful, but on par with the City Lord? She kept her smile suppressed, shaking her head instead.

Gallof frowned when he looked her way, clearly misinterpreting her feelings exactly as she’d intended. “We are aware of your feelings, Eskau Tali. But we hope that you will put them aside to help us ensure your Pillar against a deadly fate.”

“His fate would be better ensured by my presence.”

Pallaun huffed a laugh. “She’s right, but we aren’t going to change the council’s mind soon enough for it to matter.”

Meallain stood. “To get back on topic, I would recommend the city site currently called Clevenhold. It is on the fringe, hard up against the sea, and in past cycles it has been less well protected from land-based threats and infiltration. After all, they have to devote a great portion of their magics towards warding away the beasts of the ocean.”

She sat back down, and once again, mutters of agreement rippled around the room.

Clevenhold? Never been there. It was on my interrupted route, but so was every other city so that isn’t saying much.

-Hey! We can tour the cities when we get back. That would be a good way to level-set, a good way to get back into the feel of human society.-

Yeah, that sounds nice. She thought for a moment. I wonder what they’ll do about my contract with the caravan guild. I suppose I’m technically in violation, but I can’t imagine them being a stickler about it, when I was magenapped.

Gallof snorted, drawing Tala back to the conversation at hand. “Clevenhold. As in Cleave-and-hold? Really? Who names these cities?”

Meallain gave a half-smile. “They have a set of names that they use. It seems that the old ones in power got tired of coming up with names, so they stopped even trying.”

Thron grunted. “Efficient.”

Be-thric chuckled. “Leave it to the dwarf to focus on that aspect.”

The dwarf gave a seated bow. “Why do the work any way but the best way? Efficiency makes everything better.”

The Pillar smiled in return.

Sanguis tapped the table firmly, sending reverberations through the room. “So, do we agree?”

Those around the table gave a chorus of agreement.

“Alright. Then, let’s get down to the specifics.”

Tala added her thoughts here and there to the planning, keeping her insights and statements to things that Tali would have knowledge of.

For the arcanes’ part, the older members of the planning group seemed to have a concerning level of knowledge about the methodologies and practices of human Mages and city defenses.

We’re going to want to make sure they know about this…

-I suppose this was bound to happen when we keep doing ‘what works’ and don’t really have any feedback from our dormant enemies.-

I guess so.

Suddenly, the light in the hold flipped to a vibrant purple, casting everything in amethyst hues. Tala got the distinct feel of the City Lord from the light.

Tala felt a power seize everyone and everything within the entire hold, locking them into immobility.

Palluan quirked a smile and took a drink, and while Tala didn’t see Sanguis move, she got the feeling that he could have. He was just respectful enough to maintain the fiction.

The City Lord’s own voice followed, seeming to come from right beside her ear, not too loud while still being easy to understand, “Attention, House of Blood. A hold-breach dispensation has been paid against this dimensional dwelling.” There was an almost malicious mirth behind the words. “You have one hour.”

The City Lord’s grip, along with the odd lighting, vanished without a trace.

Tala blinked, looking around. “What?”

All around the room, and indeed throughout the hold if Tala’s enhanced hearing was any indication, people were on the verge of panic.

Thankfully, cooler, older, wiser heads prevailed.

Thron leaned over. “Another major House wished to attack us, but didn’t feel confident in breaking through the defenses on our entrance. So, they’ve paid the City Lord to breach our defenses. The City Lord seems to have included our forewarning as part of whatever ludicrous sum was paid for the action.”

“That’s possible?”

“Oh, of course. He won’t kill anyone without cause, but kicking in a door, so to speak? Sure. It’s good revenue, though it usually involves his underlings and only involves minor houses.”

Similar conversations were happening all throughout the room, and likely throughout the hold, as those who knew of this part of the law conveyed it to those who didn’t.

The dwarf grinned. “I think he was laughing because you kicked their teeth in, and they don’t have any confidence in returning the favor on their own.”

She frowned. “Or they don’t want to waste themselves on the opening attack.”

Thron shook his head. “Doubtful. The amount they would have gained by a surprise attack would greatly outweigh the cost, if they could have managed it.”

Sanguis stood back up, commanding the attention of everyone present. “As you all heard, we have an attack to prepare for. Common law dictates that any defense within thirty feet of the entrance is subject to breach by the City Lord, along with any bottleneck or dead-end within a further hundred yards. Let’s get the appropriate defenses online and clear out those that won’t be useful in this action. Move non-combatants to the fortified positions at the rear of the hold along with any valuables.”

Tala fought down a grin. If I get the chance in the chaos, I can raid some stuff from here, too…if I’m careful.

Nods went around the room, and people began dispersing.

Tala looked around, incredulous. “Really? That’s it?”

Meallain clapped Tala on the shoulder. “We know what we’re about. Your adjunct will have been informed on protocols for an imminent breach. You should follow those. The name of the action will be fighting retreat. We won’t be able to hold them, so we make them bleed for every inch until they cut their losses and leave.”

“Can’t hold them? But you’re here and Eskau Pallaun.”

She gave Tala a serious look. “My presence here is no secret, Eskau Tali. They wouldn’t have gone to this expense if they didn’t have a plan for each of us. They’ll be under-prepared as we’re not idiotic enough to let our true capabilities be known, but we’d be foolish to assume that our most famous combatants can keep them back.”

“I…I didn’t consider that.”

The elf smiled. “Go.”

Thron motioned for Tala to follow him, and she did. “See you in the fray.”

Meallain called after her, making sure that everyone still nearby could hear her clearly. “We are the House of Blood, and today? Today, their blood will flow through our house.”

Tala nodded once in acknowledgement before following Thron once more.

She is a scary lady.

-Yeah…The City Lord wouldn’t send her after us…right?-

I can’t imagine they’d send members of a House after their own banished.

-Yeah. That makes sense.- Alat only sounded somewhat mollified.

Servants were already carrying various valuables away. Well, there goes that idea…But it’s possible some stuff will be missed.

The dwarf began speaking as Tala joined him, walking quickly through the hallways, “Since the action has been declared, it can’t be changed, and they knew that we’d know. They are going to be coming in, hard. It really seems like you rusting kicked a hornets’ nest, Eskau Tali.”

She frowned, considering. “Do we know that it’s the House of the Rising Sun?”

“No. But I would bet my teeth that they're involved. They likely called in members from other cities. In fact, I’d be surprised if it was only that one House. Whoever they are, they’re attacking us, knowing we’ll be forewarned. As Eskau Meallain said, they likely know we have Eskau Pallaun and her in residence. That’s either rusting stupid, or we have an army coming through our gates.”

“It seems so… Where are we going?”

“To move your sanctum, of course. It’s within the range of violability.”

“Ahh, yes. Moving the sanctum would be wise, then.” Kit will also be useful to have with me.

“I’d recommend keeping it with you.”

“I was just thinking that.”

He smiled and continued, “Your siege orbs could be useful.”

Tala blanched. “In our own hold? Isn’t that…unwise?”

“Not at all. Anything destroyed can be rebuilt easily enough. We’ll make them bleed, and that is all that matters in the end.” He hesitated. “You likely know this, but expect them to have someone specifically to counter you. I’d count on a few, if not a few teams, specifically chosen to capture or kill you.”

“Capture?”

“Of course. The ransom they could get for you would go a long way to flipping the trajectory of power that your raid set into motion.”

She hesitated. “What do you think the chances are that they have someone watching our entrance?”

“Their assault force is probably already outside, awaiting the City Lord.”

She sighed. “Then no sneaking out to counterstrike their hold?”

He laughed. “Sadly, no. I’d bet that there will be a few squads hidden near the entrance to try to get out behind the assault force, but they probably won’t succeed.”

Tala grunted. “Understood.”

They arrived at where she’d left Kit, and she grabbed the doorframe.

It came away from the wall easily, the entire doorway distorting and reforming into a pouch that she hung from her belt.

Thron scrunched up his face in a grimace, seeming to be working himself up to mention something difficult. “Eskau Tali…The concept sword—”

Tala turned on him with fervor, cutting him off. “Is for when Pillar Be-thric’s venture is over. Not before.”

“But the assault—”

“I will not let my enemies force my hand. It stays our secret.”

“Yes, Eskau.” His tone was stiff and perfectly formal.

She softened her own tone and placed a hand on his shoulder. “We won’t need it, and I won’t have such a perfect surprise wasted.”

Thron relaxed slightly and nodded. “As you say, Tali.”

She quirked a smile. “Now, where can we set up?”

The next three-quarters of an hour passed in a blur as Tala used her prodigious strength to help move mobile defenses around within the hold.

Aside from the bit of manual labor, Tala reviewed a list that had been given to her by Thron. He told her it was a list of ‘who I’d hire if I needed to kill you.’

She was torn between being impressed by his due diligence and a bit concerned that he had such a thing ready to hand.

In either case, she flipped through and let Alat take in their descriptions and powersets.

By that point, Tala was in her position, standing behind a weighed-down, reinforced barricade.

The hold had been radically changed in a short time.

A large swath had been cleared around the entrance, and only a few walls and other defensive emplacements left standing.

No traps or other similar defenses would survive the City Lord’s incursion, so they weren’t wasted.

Finally, all there was to do was wait.

One hour on the dot from the beginning of the City Lord’s warning, the hold entrance opened, the gates swinging wide without any resistance.

The City Lord’s voice carried through. “I thank the House of Blood for making my duties light. Those of you who survive, come to my manor, and I may have something for you.”

He stood in the center of the now open gates, and Tala could see armed and armored warriors pressing close behind him, without daring to pass him by. Even so, his eyes swept across their preparations and settled on her.

“You become more interesting, girl. Should you survive, make your request again.”

Tala froze. What? Is he saying…?

-I think he might be.-

He smiled ruefully. “I’ll still probably say ‘No,’ but I think the conversation might be more…entertaining than last time.”

Even with the probably ‘No,’ there was a new candle of hope lit within her.

-Tala, he’s playing with you.-

She grimaced in return. You’re right. I know you are.

-I think he doesn’t know what to make of you. He’s trying to suss out what makes you tick.-

Great…

Someone behind the City Lord cleared their throat. “Pardon, City Lord, but…?”

The City Lord glanced back as if just noticing the horde of arcanes, ready for the assault. He then looked back into the hold at the defensive positions and battlelines. “Hmm? Oh, by all means.”

With the barest wisps of power, he was gone.

Tala thought that she caught something, though she didn’t think it was magic, at least not mostly. Is he just that fast?

Regardless, she didn’t have time to contemplate.

The assaulting force charged.