POV: Kilto Redscale

  Life is full of ups downs and sideways shoves. Waiting outside of the Forge's gates was not what I thought my seat on the Counsel. The priest are in a tizzy. The crafters are arguing about something to do with apprentices or something. I can see the merchants' schemes from a mile away. Frankly the adventurers are the least perturbed by recent events. I would have been with them save for the new report from two of my best.

  “So let me get this straight, you, Natsumi, discovered that a half-vamp entered town was in fact Lord Sterling. You proceeded to take a vow to keep this from other. And Kyle your gut told you that this mystery vamp was worth you tailing on your day off, only stopping after he dropped his illusion just before teleporting right in front of everyone.”

  The two of them looking at one another before looking me dead in the eyes and saying together, “Yes, sir.”

  I rubbed my snout, “Neither of you thought to drop a hint to me about the biggest surprise this century? Don't get me wrong I understand you made a vow, but still!”

  “We're sorry, sir.”

  “Go, you aren't in trouble. I just need to figure out how upside down this town is going to be,” the last part was mostly to my self. “Wait a second, get me the merchant and adventurers that had come into town with him. And both of you get your dress uniforms on, you day off is rescinded and you are part of my entourage.”

  A nearby yell drew my attention, “Why did we settle for this level of display?!?! We should have done everything ten fold better, no twenty!!!” My fellow councilwoman Madame Ironbelt is going to town on one of her poor subordinates.

  Walking over, “Calm your self, Kilirra. No one could have known he was coming this year, let alone our lifetime.”

  She snapped at me, “Shut it scale mail!”

  Smack!! As my glove slide off her face, “I said calm your self. What is done is done. There is no need to devolve into a screeching beast and bite a comrade's hand when he is trying to help.”

  “Brute,” she hissed.

  “So, have you noticed?” I snorted just realizing it my self.

  “What!?!”

  “The wart is gone.”

  “What?”

  “The plundering chair holder has left.”

  Just like that clarity came over the dwarven woman, you could be forgiven to think she was not just a feral beast, “Holy slag, your right. That bastard is probably going to tell his masters, eh?”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  “That is my guess. We should get the remaining members and get a plan together. If we play this right we may get more out of this then job loss.”

  A robed man interrupted, “That we should.”

  “High priest Jeol, you seem to be doing better then your kin,” I commented.

  “No, just my adrenaline ran out. Still internally freaking out but someone needs to have a clear head. What are your thought on a plan?”

  “Well not much is known about him outside of hearsay. What we do know is, that he treats those under him well. We aren't just some randoms that happen to be in power, outside of the two god seats we each hold sway in our organizations so that can't be ignored,” I laid out.

  “True enough,” Ironbelt commented.

  “If he drops the council all together, don't fight him but try to make your self useful. Curry favor, we might even get our selves apprenticeships in the Forge. At least that is my back up plan,” I finished.

  The nubian kobald businessman that held the merchant's chair interjected, “That sound solid. We should share our information that we do know so we can be a united front.”

  “Five days,” I stated reluctantly.

  Jeol looked down, but the others, including the now approaching Adventurer's seat and Guild Master, gave questioning looks. It was almost hard to see on the pixie Guild Master.

  So I elaborated, “I was just informed that he had arrived five days ago. He came in with a peddler from Vernmery and the adventurer party known as Cross Soldiers. He used the alias Victor Drake along with a high level illusion magic to hide his face.”

  The guild master, Gwensin 'Bloodletter' Pollenflight, spoke up, “That explains the mithril ingot. What should we do about his alias? I assume he didn't want to burn it quite yet.”

  The nubian, Nex Torba, agreed, “Yea we should have everyone that knows the two are connected swear a proper oath. Perhaps it will help curry favor as you put it.”

  I fell into my normal role during meetings, “All in favor of putting an oath on all who know Lord Sterling's alias under an oath?”

  All 5 councilors, “Aye.”

  “We are in agreement.”

  Kilirra had an idea, “We should look like we weren't caught completely off guard, get a list of your most talented, and loyal to the city, subordinates to offer as potential apprentices.”

  “That is a good idea, Master Ironbelt,” the priest being as diplomatic as ever.

  Ms Pollenflight added her own thoughts, “We should talk to your guards, Cross Soldiers and that peddler.”

  “Already on it they should be here shortly,” I responded.

  “Good. We can't go in completely blind. I need to know what kind of man he is,” Nex said approvingly.

  We waited for only a few moments when the nine men and women that I had requested approached. Kyle and Natsumi came forward first.

  Kyle spoke, “We have brought the people as requested. The adventuring party known as the Cross Soldiers led by Arthur Alpenriver and the traveling merchant name Tharaeg Orchelm from Vernmery.”

  Mr Orchelm and Mr Alpenriver bowed as they were named. Arthur asked, “What do you need of us?”

  Gwensin took point, “First is information on the man you know as Victor Drake. Second, is an oath keeping everything talked about private.”

  Boom!!! Boom! Two of the party members just fainted and color drained from the remaining party members' faces, along with Mr Orchelm. The dots connected. Jeol rushed over to the two unconscious adventurers.

  I spoke up, “Yes he is. But right now you know more about him then anybody in Sterlingstead. So please, what can you tell us about the man.”

  Arthur nodded before starting to talk, “Unfortunately, Sophie our cleric was the one who talked to him the most.” He indicated the petite woman passed out behind him.

  “Okay, why is the other one passed out?” Nex asked.

  “Ashus is a rare Battlesmith, and a devout follower of might by creation ideology that was inspired by Lord Sterling. Frankly she is a fan girl for him, and I am surprised that she didn't pass out from the events earlier.”

  “Fair enough,” I conceded. “Continue with what you know.”