At first reports came from the fringe cities in Tarna, near the borderline of the Expanse. People vanishing without a trace, then being seen two or three weeks later claiming to have found new glory, and peace. If peace was trying to endanger the lives of others, then certainly they had found it. The converted engaged in masochistic rituals, and more importantly were beginning to flood the streets with powerful and chaotic magic once thought long forgotten. That magic was the reason Jesar and his partner had been conscripted by Lady Valtress to investigate what was going on. There were few sources that could lay hands on such ancient power, and since he had a wide knowledge of such things he was the most natural candidate for the task.

Klas’s daughter, Kelma, also happened to be Jesar’s long time friend, and since they both shared a common bond from the Charr invasion they bonded deeply. On the practice field they both rose to the top of their ranks, easily securing high positions.

“Do you think that the cabalists will put up a decent fight Jesar?” Kelma said off-handedly while plodding along on her horse next to him in the early evening hours just outside of Cansarr Forest. Darkness is when Jesar worked best though, so they traveled then.

“I do not know for sure. I can sense that someone is pulling their strings, but I do not know who. They are training the lower classes of society with things that no man or woman should know. Its almost as if the cabalists have no goal, but to cause anarchy. Even their organizational system is aimless.” he stated perplexed as any sane person.

“Well, the attacks are more concentrated at the wealthy guild leaders at the moment. Protecting them all is impossible, but perhaps they could be under the banner of one guild or another?” she proposed.

“No, if that was the case they would have made the most logical move. That would have been to go for the council. A skilled caster could have easily killed them all in one spell with the power they control. I do not understand why they have not yet.” Jesar countered. There was not any evidence to conclude that the cabalists had fell in with anyone on the high council either. All of them were locking their doors, and investing fortunes in protection. The council members were not ones to waste money, much less show cowardice. They had good reason to fear their houses destroyed, and their lives taken.

“I don’t get what they are after Jesar” she said frustratingly “, and I know we are new to this but…I can’t see why this big of a problem would be our first mission either!”

“We should not question our ruler. If it was not for her, our families would have no where to go. You know as well as I that it could be generations before that debt is repaid.” he lectured with as much compassion as any man could.

“I venture so. Something just does not feel right about it at all Jesar. I do not like feeling …”she sighed.

“Afraid?” Jesar replied.

“Yes. I don’t want to see all of our hard work gone to waste on some lunatic band of insurgents. We could be spending our time protecting our city, rather than worrying about this Empire’s problems. My father told me to let no ruler drive our spirits into the grou-“

“Shh. Someone is tailing us.” he said twitching his fingers up and down casting a minor cantrip. His eyes began to glow dull red then fade to black as he looked around. “Two groups of three. One to our left, and the other to our right. We can take them easily, but I’ll need some time to summon up a treat for them,”

He whispered delicately as he reached into his saddlebag for the hilt of his sword, and the components he would need. Kelma dismounted and started unfolding a tent while setting up a minor campfire. She made it look like they were going to camp, and slowly began activating the Runemesh Armor she wore. Each piece was enchanted with a different ability, and her breast plate would set any wound she had on the mend instantly. The price of all this was that she could only activate each of these powers once a day.

“Oh, what a starry night it is Jesar!” she said as helplessly as she could “To think that we’d be partners all alone out here in the woods.”

“Ah, yes my dear, finally we get some time away from our cruel chaperones! I can show some of my REAL power tonight!” he said boisterously.

“Jesar you fiend you!” she squealed as the tent was finally up and prepared “I’ll be in here waiting for you to show me your best trick, or perhaps that beautiful, long sword of yours. Hee. Hee.” And with that she vanished into the tent touching her self in three spots. Her gauntlet summoned forth a dagger of accuracy, her armguards made a shield on her left arm, and her helm activated Mastervision over her eyes. Her broadsword Swathkiller was still in its sheath on her back, but she would not need it if Jesar had already decided to do what she thought he was doing.

“Ah, the great outdoors Kelma! Such beauty can be inspiring!” he exclaimed as he threw a piece of mushroom into the air and made a symbol over it. He bent over his pack, mouthed a few words, and grabbed the hilt of his enchanted long sword. The ambush parties moved in on the opportunity just as he thought they would. He lipped the last part of the spell and from where the mushroom landed appeared three Fungus Elementals. All with razor sharp claws, rows of jagged teeth, and glowing flecks of green upon their backs. The spots glowed brightest when they were angry, and their master had given them permission to satiate themselves as they saw fit.

“Oh my Kelma! We have guests! Put on some clothes dear and let us welcome them!” he coyly stated.

“But of course my love! Let us enjoy their good company!” Kelma barked as she popped out of the tent and threw her dagger square at the closest raider’s chest. As soon as the dagger killed its target it vanished, and Kelma started her charge. She growled as the next man in line was igniting his hands with some spell that he would never get to finish. She landed a solid blow to his face with her shield, touched her leg plates, and ripped his torso open with the newly formed spike jutting from her knee. The third turned and fled, and one of the Fungus Elementals gave chase wanting to eat its fill before its master dismissed them.

Jesar charged the left most raider with his long sword in hand and said three words. The man’s body was immolated in black light, and blue flame, which seemed to freeze him in place instead of burn him alive. Jesar ran him through with a quick forward thrust of his black bladed long sword. The life drained instantly from the raider into Jesar, giving him a boost of adrenaline that would come in handy on the other two raiders. That is if the other two raiders were still standing. The Fungus Elementals had set in on them and started clawing and biting at them with reckless abandon. Despite the raiders solid blows, the beasts did not slow. They quickly regenerated as if not even damaged, and gained the upper hand from their enemies’ broad swings. Jesar let them have their fun as he cast a simple force spell on both of them making them lose their footing. The elementals did feed in such a manner that made Jesar turn his head and gaze upon his beautiful partner. She was using a rag to wipe off her knee as she dismissed the spike from it.

“Seriously, I thought our opposition would have at least given us the credit and sent someone with more zeal to attack us.” Jesar stated, obviously offended. “The symbols around their necks indicate they are cabalists, and that makes me think that someone is informing them of our movements.” he said plainly.

“I was right in my feelings about this mission Jesar.” She said pessimistically.

“I concur with you my dear. Information leaks on secret missions mean that someone higher up has had privy to what we are doing, which means they will be ready for us by the time we get to he city.” And with that Jesar dismissed his elementals. The third that had given chase vanished into thin air, and causing the arm it had in its mouth to drop to the ground. Jesar knelt next to it and looked at the tattoos on it.

“Life bind spells. I should have guessed. These were not willing converts. These were thralls.” Jesar calculated as he looked at the signet ring on the hand “And this ring means that someone from Guild Panfarak either lost them, or sent them.”

“Or the mastermind would like us to believe that.” Kelma added.

“Either way, I think that’s where we should start our search. Its as good a place as any given that we have no strong leads.” Jesar said disappointedly.

Laurna did not like the idea of her son being a dog of the military, but had no choice as it was his wish. All she could do was show him the swordsmanship skills she had gained from generations of her guild’s most famous warriors, and let Leolen advise him on his casting capacities. She was proud of him, but very worried at the same time. She was a warrior at heart, but kept feeling the pangs that mothers often felt when watching their children grow up. She stood on her balcony staring at the full moon.

“He’ll get hurt out there Leolen. Why couldn’t we go with him? I could have protected him better than that two bit wench he has running with him!” she said angrily.

“Laurna you’d be wise to realize that he is almost a man now. He has to be able to make his own choices. Besides, its not as if he chose his partner. They just happened to work well together, much like you and Victo.” he logically stated.

“That’s what worries me the most Leolen. It feels as if history is repeating itself in reverse. I do not want him to lose someone that dear to him on the battlefield as I did. A loss of that caliber this early in life could damage him permanently.” She said with tears welling in her eyes. Leolen moved closer to bring her comfort, and whispered in her ear.

“We have done the best that any parents could have done Laurna. You gave him love, and taught him well. You gave him a great place to live, and wisdom to fill his mind. He’ll make the right choices out there, and he’ll know when to back down if it gets too dangerous.” He said in a soothing tone.

“He will not! He has my hard head!” she said as tears strolled down her cheeks. She buried her face into Leolen’s chest and began to sob. “He just won’t quit. I told him to become a teacher, or even an adventurer outside this land, but no…he just had to be like his father!”

“Ahhh, I know. We served too though, and now we live happy lives Laurna. The insurgents will be found, and punished. This rioting that goes on is but a small civil unrest. When it’s all said and done he’ll come out a hero, and you’ll feel much better. We can only hope for no less. We have an important duty to oversee Khylo, and could have gone with him, but that would leave this place in shambles.” He said markedly.

“I know. I don’t care. I want my child’s safety, and happiness.” She sighed, and cleared her throat. “I guess I have to leave it to him to make the final choices in his life.”

“Thattagirl, know he means well, and will do well. Come back to bed now, we have a busy agenda, and are meeting with Advisor Skrane tomorrow about the defense inspection.” With that they turned and went back to sleep in their palatial bedroom.

Skrane had set the ball in motion for his final set of movements. The boy would be on his terrain, the mother would be isolated, and victory lay a stone’s throw away. Lady Valtress was still wrapped around his little finger, and he had even shown her a few youth spells so she would not age as normal people would. She was too blind to notice the similarities between that spell line and the one’s the cabalists were using. Thankfully her mind lay elsewhere in trying to setup trade relations with the newly “calmed” Charr Empire. Already the first envoys of goods were arriving into the capital city of Tarn and he had safely dispensed some of their ingenious plague throughout the city, to be spread when he gave them proper notice. The cabalists were just the distraction he was looking for, and now that he was surveying the defenses of Khylo, he would not have to worry about any allies coming to aid Tarn when the time came.

“This Northern Wall you are constructing is very impressive! It should be able to repel any invaders should they get this far into Tarna. When do you think it will be finished?” Skrane asked with awe in his voice.

“Soon. Within the next month or so it will be open for travelers to pass through, and with that we’ll surely see a market improvement for the whole Empire. Our flamecrystal cache seems to be never ending, and continuously renews itself every two years as long as we do not overmine it.” Leloen responded.

“I still cannot believe we’re letting Charr scum into our Empire though Skrane.” Laurna added. “But a few years ago we were at each other’s throats, and worried that they would set upon this land as well. Now we trust them whole heartedly to make profits with us. It seems a farce!” she scoffed.

“Yes, Lady Laurna, it may be that they were once enemies, but now have calmed much. They have their lands to their liking, and will not be greedy as they once were.” Skrane lied. It took years of coaxing and careful manipulation of a few genetic traits to create a breed of Charr that was capable of interacting with humans on a social level. Of course they would be dog meat by the time his plans were set in motion, but any mutation was always usually a short lived one.

“Skrane, I did not expect you to be an admirer of our city.” Leolen added positively to change the mood. “Quite frankly I took you as another noble out to hole up in Tarn City as the rest of the fretful band were.”

“Ah, but you see I am not one of them Lord Leolen. I have nothing to fear because I accept my fate, and do not do injustice to the lower people. I say live and let live, and what will be will be. I stand by Lady Valtress, and I have the utmost faith that things will be for the better!” he stated smiling as he overlooked the gorgeous vista.

“You see Laurna? Even someone caught in the midst of the chaos feels good about what is to come. Surely things will be fine.” Leolen placated.

“Enough for now Lord Skrane. We have some other matters to attend to, please tour the facilities as you like with our Chief of Security Pansama.” And motioned for her most trusted warrior to come forth and give Skrane the usual tour. Laurna and Leolen walked off debating back and forth about their recent interaction, and Skrane let it be at that. Pansama would make a fine new agent he thought. A few moments alone in a dark corner with her and she would be in the throes of lust as was Valtress. After that Skrane could get updates periodically from her as he commanded…and perhaps enjoy a younger variety of womanflesh.

Jesar had finally caught up with Kelma at the Bazaar, and decided to check in with her about what he had found out. The whole of their day had been spent searching for the leader of Guild Panfarak but to no avail, they could not locate him. Word on the street is that they were dealing with the Charr heavily, and looking for their weaponry to add to their increasingly odd and exotic collection.

“That leader is most likely dead.” Jesar stated bluntly, “I do not venture there to be anyone in that guild who is not a thrall, or otherwise in league with the cabalists”

“I don’t know Jesar. I met a woman by the name of Bethansa, and she stated that the guild was doing plenty of good for the community. They had even given her and her whole city sector free grain to use for the their winter provisions.” She said with a bit of curiousness.

“That seems a bit fishy. I heard their reputation was as ruthless as any Guild’s, and becoming kind hearted samaritans does not seem becoming of them. Despite all of that, I sensed a taint on their guards, and upon their house. It’s old, very old. I’ve never felt something that wretched since Leolen let me commune with the Netherwhere plane.” He postulated as he bought a flagon of ale from the bar they decided to rest in.

“I say trust your instincts, and if that is what you sense, then that is what we’ll go on. You know the ways of the Dark Arts better than any, and I am sure that you are correct.” Kelma adjusted her breastplate. The thing was itchy in the late summer heat, and she was used to being in the mountain highlands, not a plains metropolis. “Besides, I haven’t drawn any stronger leads anyways. The people all are infatuated with the officials, and seem to think Guild Panfarak will help the city make the power Guilds see the error in their ways.”

“You’d think the people were in league with the Cabalists.” And with that statement they both stared at each other.

“You don’t think that…maybe…” Kelma pondered.

“If they are planning a full blown insurrection, Lady Valtress would have surely found out about it by now right?” Jesar supposed.

“Well, if she was not so obsessed in building her trade empire perhaps she would take notice to her people a bit more. It doesn’t seem she is doing a whole lot for them at this juncture. Her advisor Skrane seems to be more in contact with them than she does. Everyone states that his appeal as a ruler seems more …” and she did a full stop.

“I do not like the sounds of this Kelma. If this was the case then why on earth are we even here. Skrane should have most definitely thwarted any involvement into the investigation of the matter entirely, it does not make sense to send two of the best warriors of Khylo to poke their noses around a matter so horrid!” he said exhaustedly.

“Unless that bastard wants us here. Whatever he has planned obviously involves me or you, or both of us in some way. What is worse that I know for the next week he is in Khylo assessing our defenses! He was going one way…”she started.

“…while we were going the other. That means he has the whole board set just right for whatever he feels…Valtress is no longer the ruler that much is now obvious. She was far too quick-witted to have someone pull the wool over her eyes. With the aid of some ancient magic though, I am sure she would become more submissive.” He finally figured.

They didn’t need to think any longer. They knew what was happening and with all of the recent events things seemed impossible to mend. Accusations would not go over well with Lady Valtress, and finger pointing to her romantically favored advisor would surely lead to their dooms.

“What’s the plan Jesar. This is the where you shine, not me. We don’t have an army, we don’t know who to attack first, and we certainly do not have the authority to start rampaging through a major guild house, or for that matter the palace. Skrane will not return for a while to come, and by that time, it may be too late.” She added.

“We need to get back to Khylo in a hurry. My parents can lend some aid if Skrane has not shut down our defenses completely there. We should avoid any contact with officials, and start keeping a low profile. I’ll get us some glamour potions so we can disguise ourselves, and we’ll leave at sunset tonight. We have not time to dawdle.” He set down his ale, and looked around the Bazaar. Three Charr traders were making deals with the Guild Traders for exotic tools, and furs. Some even were trading spell scrolls, and potions back and forth.

“I don’t think the Charr are here to make money either Jesar.” Kelma whispered.

“I never thought they were, and we should avoid them as well.” Jesar stated. They left through the back entrance of the bar, and immediately went to an illusionist’s tent, which belonged to Klas’s old guild. Guild Sunborne was now on the brink of collapse, and any business was good business for them. The dealer would keep quiet of any purchases Kelma and Jesar made due to a blood oath her father had invoked long ago.

Getting out of the city was a matter entirely different though. The city gates locked at sun down, and they had little time to spare as it was.