Worthy Core

DAY 838

"Put out those fires! We want somewhere to have a nice drink at when this is all said and done, don't we!?"

There's a chorus of shouts in response to Lord Raylin Highbranch's order, although they don't stop a few soldiers from actually rushing to carry them out. The flames created from errant fireballs are small enough that they're unlikely to burn the Lucky Bastard down anytime soon, but it's still ideal that the place doesn't burn at all.

Raylin has to pause and think for a moment. The last he saw, a fair number of the lucky rabbit's feet hanging from the walls of the tavern were still there, although many of them had been handed out to the town militia. Could the building itself actually be lucky? Do enchanted items even work like that?

Well, it's not really important at just this moment. Shaking his head, Raylin clears his thoughts in time to spot Harnriel, elven chief of staff of the local Rainlander garrison, approaching him at a slow run. "Harnriel!? You're here already? Do you need reinforcements at the fort?"

The man shakes his head before answering in a clear voice - fortunately, his Forest Charger training grants him the ability to not sound winded even after a twenty minute run. "To the contrary, Lord Highbranch. The fort was found abandoned. I set some soldiers to investigating the buildings in search of traps or hidden defenders, but the gates were left open."

The report causes Raylin to furrow his brows. "They left troops in Grassbrook but not behind the fort walls? Last I heard those were still in fairly solid shape."

The elf grins before continuing. "I believe the Lady Dungeon saw fit to apply psychological warfare in that particular arena. I saw Taly, DEA - ahem, the Floor Four guardian, excuse my poor Demonic - and a massive tentacle beast whom I believe to be Parker manning said walls when our forces arrived."

"Ah, shadows and monsters - I can hardly blame them. Rushed ahead with some flight magic, I assume." The noble archer glances up at the sky and notes that dawn is just now breaking. Having those particular dungeon guardians appear in the middle of the night would have certainly been a rude awakening, especially for the already demoralized Domain soldiers.

"Indeed. Do you or the Lady have any further orders?"

"A good question - wait a moment and we'll see, shall we?" Raylin smirks before gesturing towards his wife, coming up the street in their direction followed by Sweet and a number of other guards. The lack of his own guard, Taylim, among their number causes Raylin a brief moment of pain, but the midst of a battle is no time to mourn the fallen. As the groups approach, Raylin greets them first.

"Good morning, my lovely wife! It would appear that not only have we cleared out their town barracks, but that the fort itself has fallen to our...irregular forces. Not too much trouble on your end, I hope?"

Gilda shakes her head. "The Association office has been secured, and Alizz already has her team going through the place, checking for damage or stolen property. The handful of soldiers we ran into surrendered easily enough, and we haven't seen anyone else in town aside from particularly stubborn locals."

"Glad to know that the Domain didn't drive them from their homes, at least." Raylin's smile fades away. "Speaking of homes, ought we to see to ours next, then? It's the last likely place we'll find any holdouts around Grassbrook - perhaps some useful intelligence if they shifted to using it as a command center."

Gilda nods, but sighs. "Yes...though I wonder how much longer we'll be able to call it our home. Even if it still remains largely intact..."

Raylin steps forward, taking one of her hands in his and placing the other on her shoulder. "Do you wish to move north after all this is over? I suppose I understand if the glory of administrating a border region has lost its luster for you..."

The silver-haired elf scoffs. "The problem with administrating a border region is that you risk losing it. We're still well behind Domain lines, you recall."

Raylin shrugs, not seeing the issue. "Certainly, but for how much longer? In less than an hour we've reclaimed this town, surely in a few months the Domain will be in full retreat!"

"Perhaps." Gilda sighs. "I wish I could be as confident as you, but these were garrison troops, not front-liners. But we do need to see to one thing at least in regards to the wider conflict. Valkyrie Brightsky!"

At the shout of her name, the green-skinned elf lands next to the noble pair. "I am here, Lady Highbranch. While the forest still has enough foliage to block our sight, it appears that the remaining Domain soldiers in the region are fleeing south. Shall I organize pursuit parties?"

The Lady of Runes shakes her head. "No, a few scattered soldiers are a minor concern, and we need your skills for other purposes. Your fliers are still in good shape?"

The valkyrie nods. "I wish we had more of them, there aren't that many demon Challengers among our forces, and Zappy is...not the most ideal soldier. But we've had no conflicts."

"Good." Gilda straightens her spine before issuing her next order. "Then send out messengers to the north and west, avoiding the conflict zones. Let the word be spread across the continent - the Dragonlord has fallen."

DAY 860

Alizz smiles as the last arrival steps into her headquarters. "Welcome, Darrosh of Tash'Narc. It's been what, over two years since we first met? I see you're doing well."

The orcish Thornwoods Commando gives the administrator a professional nod of recognition. "The last time I was in Grassbrook myself, indeed. I hope it isn't an inconvenience to the Association to be hosting this event here."

The drider gestures towards a nearby room. "We've cleared out our main meeting hall for the occasion, given that it is at least a little more professional than the Lucky Bastard's tavern. We haven't had many Challengers coming through lately, so it hasn't had an impact on business. Actually, I appreciate having had something to work towards."

"And for a noble cause, as well. The Valleylands thank you for your hospitality, and the Association's." Alizz gives the man another smile as they step through the next doorway, and Darrosh takes a moment to examine who else has gathered.

His first target isn't easy to find, being the smallest person in the room, but he nevertheless locates his quarry and makes his way to her side. "Greetings, Battle Alchemist Hansliss. You've been quite the topic of conversation back home."

The mousekin yelps in surprise, almost spilling her drink. "Gah, don't fuckin' sneak up on - ah! Commando Darrosh! You're here!" The alchemist moves to salute her superior, almost spilling the rest of her cup in the process before finally recovering and setting the drink aside before collecting herself. "Apologies, Commando, you're just, ah...very skilled, sir."

That does make the older orc grin. "Still have enough tricks to sneak up on a survivor of the Siege of Worthy Dungeon, do I? Glad to hear it. I hope you're more prepared for what's about to occur here, however."

Tinsel nods, although it's a little uncertainly. "Yes...although I'm not entirely sure why I'm here. Shouldn't we have diplomats for this, or elected officials, or something? Just a couple of army officers? And I'm not all that highly ranked..."

"Ha! Well, allow me to spoil the surprise then and let me tell you that your rank will probably be seeing an increase or two as soon as you make it home, Alchemist. But if you're worried about the negotiations, don't be. All that has already been arranged - what we have here today is the pomp. And as far as pomp goes, having the highest-ranking Valleylands officer involved in the slaying of the Dragonlord here for the meeting is more than enough reason to give you a seat."

"Wish I could say I actually saw that in person...but I get it. So we're here to smile and sign our names, then?"

"Indeed. But for now, I must greet the other attendees. Enjoy the rest of your tea, Alchemist."

Tinsel nods and quickly gets out of his way, and Darrosh moves on to the next-most interesting group in the room - a duo of a demon and a slime, yet not ones representing the Domain. "Core Guardian Sincere, Floor Two Guardian Lollyp, I presume?"

The slime smiles but tilts her head. "If we're doing titles, I need something snappier. Just call me Elementalist, or Lollyp if you like."

"Sincere is fine as well." The dungeon guardian offers Darrosh a handshake, and the man accepts. "The mountain pass wasn't too tricky?"

"Covered in snow by this point in the year at places, but nothing I'm not trained to handle. Although I didn't mind the travel, even if I am the one who had the longest route to take. This is a fortuitous place, Sincere - perhaps I may even spend some time in the famous dungeon myself when all this is said and done."

"Well, we're still doing some renovations, but you're more than welcome to visit the first few floors. But for now, shall I introduce our fellow representatives?"

The orc grunts in agreement. "By all means."

Sincere turns around and moves on to the next duo, this one of a pair of obvious half-elf sisters. "Ladies Highbranch, may I introduce Darrosh of Tash'Narc. Darrosh, Gilda and Silva Highbranch."

Silva is the one to step forward first, a genuine-appearing smile on her face. Her clearly prosthetic eye does distract the orc for a moment, but any woman willing to openly wear an earned scar of battle certainly scores a few points in the warrior's books. "Commando! Wonderful to meet you. I knew you'd arrive in time, even if some had their doubts."

Gilda rolls her eyes. "Please, no one here would be foolish enough to doubt your predictions on matters like that. Ah, but yes, it is good to meet you, Commando. Even if the Valleylands are not as directly involved in some of the matters here as other parties, it's important to have your presence."

Darrosh scoffs. "Although their focus was on your lands, the Dragonlord did send attacks our way as well. Trust me, those who sent me are genuine in their interest for reparations, as are you, I'm sure."

"Yes...although we are giving some things up as well. Worth it in the long run if it brings peace, I suppose."

"Somehow, I am actually optimistic that it may." Darrosh turns his head towards the last group in the room, making their way in his direction. "And who else do we have here?"

The group's leader, a gorgeous succubus, stops and gives a low bow before introducing herself. Through his long years of battle-hardened experience, Darrosh manages to avoid staring directly into her red-skinned cleavage. "Greetings, Darrosh. I am Emissary Cerise Darktouched, and allow me to introduce my associates, Kalina, and Eran Hardnight."

Darrosh looks the two over, finding a red-scaled draconic woman and an incubus, respectively. "Good to meet you as well. The Emissary I've heard of, but I'm not sure I've heard your names before. No associated rank?"

Kalina smiles with a toothy grin. "We're not Challengers, and the current hierarchy back home is currently a little...up in the air. We'll likely still need some time yet to sort out our new leadership, but between the three of us here we have enough support back home to ensure any deals struck here have the strength to stay."

"Glad to hear it. My leaders back home may even - " Darrosh finds himself interrupted as Alizz speaks up from across the room.

"Attention! Now that everyone has arrived and had time to get acquainted, I believe it's time to begin."

She takes a deep breath before continuing. "It's time to agree on the new peace of the New Continent."

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