“Hey, Miri!” One of the players practically shouted. “The usual please!” All four players sat around an empty table not far from where Kyle was sitting. The barkeep, Miri, soon brought them their beverages. Ale, Kyle assumed from the look of it. “There you go honey.” Miri said as she placed them on the table. The players all chatted with her for a few moments before she excused herself. Then, their smiles also shattered. “We lost again.” One of them said – the loud one. A young woman, carrying a bow on her back. “I don’t know what we can do against them. They’re too powerful.” “They’re not powerful, they just have good equipment.” “The best equipment.” The third person chimed in. “Remember who their guild belongs to.” The young woman pursed her lips. “That creepy guy deserves to get banned for his conduct.” She grumbled, then took a large sip of her drink. “I hate him.” “With a passion it seems.” The fourth, and most silent guy

  “You can’t.” The Fallen Knight Aoris bluntly said with a blank voice. “There is no way.” Kyle scowled. “Try to theorise.” He suggested. He was well aware of how difficult such a task would be. He didn’t need her to tell him that. What he needed were solutions. “I don’t think it is possible to convince any draconic being from parting with their treasures, no matter how little or worthless said treasure may be.” She folded her arms. “May I ask what this is about? I thought you wished to focus all our efforts to help with the upcoming war.” Kyle let out a sigh. “One of the dwarven smiths wanted me to find the artifact.” He explained. “Apparently its on the western side of the area, below the plateau.” He pondered a moment. “Why don’t we go and check it out? Come on.” The Fallen Knight Aoris was quick to protest, but Kyle reassured her that he had no intention of attacking the beast. He wanted to see the cave, since it was

Kyle noticed that he was staring at her dumbfounded. He quickly shook his head and cleared his throat. “Uh, it’s nothing.” He said in a hurry. “Just a twisted ankle. Nothing to worry about.” The young woman’s eyes widened. “Oh, but it is something to worry about!” She exclaimed. She hopped over the few fallen rocks and approached him. Her nimble movements were like that of an elf, and she did have pointy ears, but she wasn’t an elf. At least Kyle didn’t think she was. “Wait just a moment.” She muttered as she reached for the little, white pouch on her belt. “I think I have something that will help. Hold this a second.” She handed the parasol to him. “The sunlight hurts me,” She explained cheerfully as she rummaged through the small pouch. “My skin is very sensitive to the sun, so I need to carry this with me at all times.” She pulled a vial out of her pouch. “Aha!” Her wide smile was contagious. “There you go! Drink it, it’s a healing potion I bought from the

  “What?” Kyle stared at Caille and Igna blankly. “Let’s go!” They insisted again, each of them pulling at one of his arms. “You’ve got a fortress to rebuild, remember?” he reminded them, only to have them roll their eyes and shrug. “Harriet and The Architect can handle that. Besides, you’ve got nearly a hundred skeletons helping. They don’t need us!” Caille said with a grin. “Come on, it will be fun!” “What will be fun?” A cold, harsh voice startled both women. Luke, the tall, blonde paladin was standing behind them, towering over both of them. His armour was no longer shiny and new, it was dented and scarred. This new look made him look quite a bit more intimidating. “You do realise what shape the fortress is, don’t you?” The Paladin asked, narrowing his eyes, glaring at each of them. “Luke…” Caille let go of Kyle’s arm. “This is for the Guild’s-“ “Tell me exactly what it is you’re planning.” The Paladin