Rednight Fangsir: Abane is Found

 After asking a few rude inhabitants who scoffed at them Izzyr and Bidfrid found a stable to rest their mounts. It was right next to this stable that they found a three story Inn. It was more complex than just a regular Inn. This one had the resemblance of a Bawdy House, Drug Den, and Tavern molded into one. Rednight Fangsir did not appear to have much in the ways of restrictions. Next to the entrance a woman was getting known against the wall by some grotesque pale goblin hybrid who buried himself in her breasts. She was covered in a blue powdery substance and wearing very scantily clothing. Parts of her original skin complexion could be seen. Hers was an olive brown color. Passing them the two partners entered this small palace of sex, drugs, and rest. A blonde half elf-half orc spotted them. In a red scarf over her chest she wore a gold bodice over her revealing red tunic dress. 

"Can I help you two gentleman?" She asked stopping them. Her hands brushed against both of them. Her smile appeared across her face. Izzyr felt himself become aroused, but realized he was on duty. Yet so was she. This bawdyhouse worker approached him closer. She put her hands on his duster coat then his hair. It had been two years since a woman touched his hair. His own wife divorced him over his constant absence due to cases, and missions. Izzyr took a good look at who was inside this establishment. Calculating heads as best he could the Drow detective counted 98 monsters who appeared to wear the same type of hat, and vest, 7 monster humanoids for hire, and 6 small reptillianoids who appeared to be banished from the eastern lands. 

"Not going to talk huh? Well those 98 monsters all over the place are all under the command of one Vampire who rules this street." This half Orc vixen  said into his ear. 

"What does that have to do with anything?" Izzyr broke his silence looking at this beautiful female Orc. 

"That got you talking? My my you are just here for business aren't you?" she said in a teasing voice. She played with his coat, sleeve, hair and buttons. 

"You can call me Ivi. It is short for Iviim." This half Orc introduced her name to him. She pressed herself against him. "What is yours?" 

"Detective Izzyr of, miss could you please just-" he was cut off. 

"No, no, no men do not beg to be left alone here, Izzyr. Are you looking for someone?" She asked. 

"We are looking for a female Dark Elf named Abane." Bidfrid answered for Izzyr whose balls were now in her grasp. Izzyr felt some relief the large bounty hunter said this in a low voice. 

"Of course you are here for that. I can almost smell it, the scent of Neppetz on both of you. Seeing you are not from the underworld of the mountains brings me warmth, and pleasure inside. Most Drow who come here are either assassins, kidnappers, racketeers, or slaves that get shoved in the back." Ivi replied to them. 

"This one is a maid to a wealthy family. She went missing a week ago. Someone else that resembles her was left at our city limits, dead." Izzyr answered as she rubbed her hands all over his stomach and chest. Ivi nibbled at a button to his coat and pulled on it with her teeth before letting go. 

"I can take you to where the slaves are being held. However I'd have to do this without getting you killed. Around here slaves are not to be seen by outsiders unless they are at an auction." Ivi said to them. 

"Is there a catch?" Izzyr answered her. A larger male Orc approached them,

"EY Ivi why you mess with these two? They don't belong here!" He barked at her. All she did was stop to give him a haughty glare. 

"Let me do my business! Whatever you wanted can wait a week! Now beat it! Or the Mistress of the House knows you are sabotaging my work with clients!" She snapped back causing this Orc to back away in fear. 

"Okay, okay Ivi don't let the Mistress know. Uh, you gentlemen have a fine day. I bow to you." This Orc removed himself from their presence exiting the establishment. They had one less patron to worry about. Ivi grabbed both of them and pushed them to tag alone. 

"If you don't they will suspect things." Ivi hissed at them. She grabbed two glasses of green wine and handed them over to the new arrivals. 

Without much objection they took the alcohol. Allowing her to pull them along Bidfrid and Izzyr had to step over a few drugged up patrons, walk around some orgies, and avoid the intoxicated brute like monsters. The room was a little too dim to tell who was who or what race was what despite their shapes. Doing the best to ignore this the two of them followed Ivi all they way to the back. Izzyr chugged his wine in one gulp catching the attention of a tusked green and orange spotted monster with a very voluptuous half elf riding him. This ugly looking brute winked and smiled at him before Izzyr passed him. Ivi kept on going towards the back of the establishment with everyone else too focused on the patrons or getting intoxicated to notice their movements. Izzyr was beginning to think this was a trap. Why would someone like her help them upon a swift note or just from a quick conversations. Just when he was about to nudge Bidfrid she turned around looking worried. 

"I, I have to pleasure both of you, or else the others will get suspicious." She said covering their mouths so neither could speak. Ivi twisted a door knob to a door next to them. It slowly opened. 

"Quick inside!" She pushed both men inside this dark room. She entered as well then closed the door and locked it. she lit a few candles and  switched on a flickering cordless lamp. It barely illuminated the room. An expression of relief came over her face. It disappeared. "Oh no the walls have eyes and ears." 

Ivi threw her clothes off revealing herself nude before them. Without even asked them she went for their pants which she undid and pulled down. Not even caring to look at their sizes she immediately started working them with her hands. Giving each male a quickie the Orc looked around noticing parts of the walls and portraits shifted a little. She let go of them. Feeling the sense of no one watching them. 

"Will you take us to Abane now?'" Izzyr asked pulling his pants back up. Bidfrid did the same looking around the room uncomfortable. 

"Yes, yes. There is a secret door inside that closet. Take it and move through the walls to the very end. It will lead you to the one you are looking for. I warn you though. You might not like what you find." Ivi answered with a warning. 

Darting straight for the closet Bidfried pulled the door open and searched the walls inside. He found the secret door panel and pushed it. The bounty hunter had to slide the door panel into the wall. Entering the hall that was in the walls they pressed forward. Running into cobwebs, some rats, residue, mold, and some skeleton of a dwarf Izzyr and his companion made it to some end of this secret passage. Pushing the door open they come into another closet. Nothing but clothes on wooden hangers blocked their way. At their feet they stepped allover shoes, boxes and canes. Their movement caused some ruckus and noise inside the closet it door. Someone on  the other side of the closet door opened it. There stood the very dark elf they went looking for. Abane Velnis looked surprised and scared to see them. Her eyes were wide with shock and awe. She wore a red and black lace dress. Abane backed away from them as if they intruded upon her and she was scared. Bidfrid and Izzyr got out of the closet and into her room. Abane's transformed from fear to full rage. She grabbed the closest them to a knife she could find a hair pin. Wielding it like a dagger she charged at them letting out a feminine roar. Izzyr and Bidgrid stopped her from stabbing them and wrestled the weapon from her grasp. The Bounty Hunter pinned her to the ground. She thrashed and wriggled to get free. Izzyr was about to knock her out when another voice emerged from behind them. 

"Take the Dark Elf home. We do not want a war with Neppetz or the Gantronese." the voice said showing a slight hint of concern in its speech. 

Rednight Fangsir

 Taking the road was no trouble at all. Thanks to the cooperation of other city-states, enclaves, and settlements Neppetz managed to keep the roads in good condition. For an entire day the pair of them rode towards the city of Rednight Fangsir. The very first sign of approaching the very boundaries of Rednight Fangsir was a boundary marker made from six skeletons put together. Each skeleton has long fangs attached to their teeth. All of them including the stone and wooden pole they are nailed to have a red substance. Izzyr assumed it was blood given how dried and dark it looked. At a second glance he noticed it was more recent that a month ago. Another coating of whatever it was had been added some time ago. Bidfrid seem unfazed by this scenery. He clearly passed through here on certain jobs he was hired for. Forced to stop at nightfall they managed to find an inn along the road. Not the most welcoming of inns, but it did not seem run down at all. 

Both he and Bidfrid entered this eerie looking establishment along the mountain road. There were not that many patrons seen inside as it was nightfall. Several staff members were still up. Whoever designed this inn had the whole interior painted a dark red. Not even attempting to hide the theme of this inn the staff wore dark clothing resembling the eeriness. Long slick back hair, dark vests over red shirts and servant clothing in a darker dye made them appear vampiric. Their pale complexion also added to the appearance. All they really cared about was getting some sleep. Izzyr paid the staff member who was at the desk who showed them to their room. Sharing a room was not a problem for him. Yet sharing a bed with another man was something he did not expect. Inside the room was a strange blue candle that gave off a scent that put someone to sleep quickly. Whatever it was he could sure buy some for his own use. Sleep deprivation was his current illness these days. However tonight he had the best sleep in his life. 

Getting up at what felt like the second hour of morning the pair of them went straight for the common room. Going to bed without food made the stomach empty. Two nicely cooked venison with Leek soup filled up their stomachs. Well one venison for him, one venison, a piece of bread, and eggs filled up his big friend's stomach. Each had a freshly brewed coffee with a broth that kept you warm in the mountains. Both set off after paying the Innkeeper for their meal. Finding their mounts well fed the Detective and Bounty Hunter rode up the stone road to a sunnier day. Not two miles from the Inn they stayed in lay a small village of just five buildings. All its inhabitants appeared too occupied to notice the two of them. Not too far from the small village on the right side of the road lay another settlement. This one looked larger than the five building village. More than a score of buildings it was he estimated. At its entrance sat a large gate that read this town's name, Blade's Gray Grip. Past the town gate he spied 11 armed townspeople heading towards someone's home. He was about to rush over to intervene, but another figure got in their way with some help from armed authorities. Assuming the situation would be resolved with little to no bloodshed they went on to Rednight Fangsir. Winding through the paths, and roads they passed four more settlements until reaching the mountain city. 

Rednight Fangsir was sculpted out of a single mountain peak. Two outer walls encircled the whole city itself. Made from the stones, and rocks that were scraped off during the city's construction. This one city had to be at least two thousand years old or much older. Manning these walls would require one hundred thousand. To scale them he could only imagine millions attempting to attack this city just to scale its walls. In the back of his mind he realized something. Would anyone want to attack a city inhabited by vampires, demons, and other creatures that used to be humanoids? That answer would be a no for many. During this era the belief of vampires was decreasing into just old tales. Approaching the city gates they were confronted by several humanoids who looked vampiric in appearance. Their armor gave away the profession as city guard. Showing the badges of their own professions Bidfrid and Izzyr were permitted to enter the city. Entering this supposed city of vampires they found buildings in the colors of red, dark red, black, dark blue, dark grey, dark purple, and wine colored. Each building had a haunting design to them. A shade cloth of red or black stretched over the streets. These dark fabric blocked the streets and doorways from being hit with sunlight. Inhabitants of this city wore darker clothing and had a pale complexion. Finding a missing drow was going to be easier Izzyr expected. Among the inhabitants were Goblins, Elves, Humans, Orcs, and hybrids who made themselves appear like vampires. Looking at Bidfrid he wondered if this Bounty Hunter had really been here before. 

To Rednight Fangsir

 Right after he confirmed his discovery with an Officer of Neppetz he parted ways with Bidfrid. Izzyr left the bounty hunter companion at the northern part of the city. In a quick stride Izzyr wound his way through the city to the Neppetz Police Head Quarters that used to be a mansion. As he came up to the door Izzyr was greeted by several members blocking the doorway. Most of them were seasoned Police whereas a few were first year rookies. Three female and four males made up this blockading group. Wearing matching uniforms he could still make them apart. Some had black hair, others had white bleach hair. Only one of the females had short hair, and two of the males had long hair. All of them looked at him with smirks and snide expressions. A tall male with short black hair under his cap with purple eyes narrowed his eyes at Izzyr. 

"Someone told me you had sex with a strumpet on Dagger Street. Is this true? Not something a personnel of the law should be doing on duty." He said mocking him a little. 

"Go bugger yourself Officer Bodrai! That is not what happened. Don't you have some drugs to find? There have been reports of a crazed drug addict on Spider Street. At least four people were found with illegal substance called Catnip for the Gods." Izzyr snapped at him. 

"Woah, woah Izzyr! I am only jesting. You have a new friend helping you out. Who is it?" one of them raised their arms. They went down to his level on the steps.

"He is a Bounty Hunter who knew the victim." Izzyr answered him brushing past him and the others. 

Izzyr ignored them along with anyone else as he entered the head quarters. Not in the best condition the head quarters was in need of some renovations and repairs. Those repairs would be minor. Inside the main entry hall he had the two sets of stairs leading up to the second floor. In between them stood a hallway to the back of the mansion. At the top of the stairs lay an open chamber containing the first and second floors. The two wings of the mansion were connected by a patchwork of halls with their own set of rooms. Making his way up the stairs on the right Izzr took a left towards the Chief of the Neppetz Police, Bria Nolzur. Passing typists, receptionists, officers, trainees, a few head busts on tables, couches, sofas in the hall, and a few nice exotic plants he made it to his boss' office. She had it closed like every did here in the mansion head quarters. Next to her door sat a notice board of cases, and reports. Before knocking on the door he read a couple of them. Only two of them seemed out of the ordinary. Outside the city limits near a farmstead some strange tall tree humanoid got torched in a mill fire. Not too far to the west a wounded pet bear to some Ranger was found outside a town. When he was done reading about one where someone spotted reptilians in the east he knocked. 

"Come in!" Nolzur commanded from behind the door. 

Izzyr opened the office door. At a fine desk sat his boss. Dressed in a doubled buttoned uniform Chief Nolzur allowed her white hair to hang over her shoulders. Her bleach white hair was not a mess, but nearly brushed. On her desk lay a clutter of different objects, files, letters, notes, a phone, letter stands, books, a mug of coffee, and a few photos of herself with family. Her office had bookshelves, portraits, file cabinets, some armchairs, a private bathroom, coat rack, a statue to some spider goddess they no longer worshipped, and a head bust of the city leader. There were also a few head trophies of a mountain lion, reptile beast, and a dire wolf. She looked up to see it was him. 

"Hello Detective Nadisim. Do have an update on our missing maid?" She greeted him without smiling. During this time of the year it was difficult to put on a smile. Crime was nothing new, but with rumors of strange humanoids lurking about, disappearances, and the seasonal conflict of goblins did not help. 

"Yes ma'am. It is not her body. She is still missing." He replied. His boss paused and looked at him with a surprised expression. 

"Well we best go look for her don't we? How did you find this out?" She asked him. 

"I came upon a local Bounty Hunter who knew her. We went to the new city morgue where we got to see the body." He answered her. 

"Where does this Bounty Hunter live?" She asked in a curious tone. 

"Dagger Street." Izzyr answered. 

"Do not go there again." Chief Nolzur got tense when she answered. 

"He will help me track her down." Izzyr insisted.  He got a wide eyed cold look from her. 

"There were fang marks on her neck. I believe she was abducted and taken to Rednight Fangsir." Izzyr answered hoping she would not close this case. She only blinked and relaxed her face. 

"Very well since you found something new then continue your search." Nolzur granted him a pass to continue with the case. 

"Thank you, boss." He replied taking a permission card that would grant him safety in that city. He was about to leave when she stopped him. 

"Detective, Izzyr. Please be careful in Rednight Fangsir. I know our ancestors and people lived a brutal fighting lifestyle. Not even that saved the few unfortunate from falling to Vampires. Be on your guard there." She said in a worried expression. 

"I will Chief, I will." Izzyr said as he closed the door behind him. That was the first time he ever saw any hint of concern on his boss' face. Did she ever venture to Rednight Fangsir? He would have to hold that off for some time. Izzyr went down to his own office where he found it empty as he left it. Just an average servant's quarters turned into an office. There was nothing special to the room itself until he moved in and decorated it to look more like a detective's office. There was nothing too special about except for a portrait of himself and that of his wife, and two children. There was also one of him with siblings. Since firearms did not reach their part of the world Neppetz and other city-states continued with the use of melee weapons. Next to his coat stand rested his sword stand leaning against the wall. It held his longsword, rapier, great knife sword(messer), curved broadsword, and backsword from the north. Izzyr snatched up the curved broadsword, great knife messer, and a bandoleer of four throwing knives. 

In a hurry he slammed shut the office door catching the attention of those nearby. Looking up and down the hall he found a Marshall, Inquisitor, another detective, Inspector Coroner, Sherriff Lawman, 3 Police officers, a city guard, city watch, 3 constables, one town guard, town watch, a community watch, and a few vigilantes watching him. Knowing how awkward it looked he rushed out of the headquarters. When he was out he did not hesitate to head north to meet Bidfrid. On the way he did get a single skewer of fish kabab. He hardly ate anything all day. Passing through the city he caught glimpses of female drow dressed in traditional garb. Neppetz's founding had more to do with outcasts coming together than overpopulation in the underworld of the mountains. When he passed through the northern gate Bidfrid met him by the stables. Two mounts for each of them stood in the Bounty Hunter's possession. A thick white furred breed, and a gray thick furred horse. Not bothering to ask how he acquired them Izzyr mounted one of them. Once they mounted the pair of them went into full gallop towards Rednight Fangsir. 

Kaniima Brief

She did not like it when he was on top. Every time they were on the lookout post he was on top of her. His own dick got hard each time. Sure she was attractive, but she demanded restraint from every male she encountered. Inside the little reconnaissance window pod Constable Eirene and Constable Bargis had to keep watch over the assigned region. As a member of a four-member team of Police Investigators she was on an espionage mission. Their mission was to keep watch over activity within a region called Kaniima. She can just imagine him licking his lips, getting sexual ideas she wanted to kill him over. One team member was the pilot, a second manned the radio communications. Even though they were not the only team hers acted alone. For the past several days they watched over the region called Kaniima on a planet called Calorn. Through her binoculars Eirene spied a gathering of some sorts. As a scene unfolded the spies kept their eyes open. Two groups gathered at a single dune in the desert. One figure dressed for the desert came up to the desert followed by a short train of three troops, and one Camel Rider. They appeared to meeting an Amethorian Imperator. As she observed closer it appeared to be a royal sheikh in command of 3 or more Kaniima soldiers, and one Kaniima Camel Kol. Camel Kols are a unit within the Kaniima royal cavalry. 

Surrounding the Imperator of the Amethorians stood 6 humanoids bearing tower shields and energy staff weapons. To her it became obvious what was going on. The Amethorians came over to make a deal with the locals of this planet. Their job was just to report it while hiding from certain eyes. Behind some dunes she spotted some ships that did not belong to their faction nor the factions present at this scene. These Amethorians always handed materials to make weapons to fight certain factions that often invaded planets with splintered factions, and divided borders. In her head she recalled the Gantronese, the Nazdar, the Tetarq Mercs, the CSO, and the Order of the Beast. She knew about other factions, but those were mainly fractured, and to the point of being dissolved. 

Vimasdra 1844 AN (Just Dialogue Experiment)

 "Sir the enemy has stopped their advance." a twenty-one year old Vimasdran Civil Militia reported to a higher ranking figure who sat comfortably at a table map inside a command tent. 

"Looks like the Vestrisians have run into trouble." the figure boasted taking a drink from a goblet. 

"Those Nazdar are with us. No Vestrisian shall take another step further!" a younger Civil Militia claimed showing pride in the claim. 

"I was merely making a joke, Lieutenant Ardeev! For four years we have lost wave after wave. Only to see them push our forces and our allies to the south further westward. One third of Muskalla lies in their hands. Parts of Gontrella could very well be theirs for the taking. Yet I forget the very faction the Vullanese Empire, responsible for this war has lost half of her islands! Now tell me do you think we even have a cow's fart of a chance to push them back? With all their allies keeping the Nazdar and their Grevaskii occupied! Do any of you think it can be done?" Hollered the higher ranking figure. Dressed in traditional green uniform, cape, long black haired wig, and mustache, this Royal Commander of Civil Militias looked out of place. 

"They were not moving as swiftly as we believed at first." Another Civil Militia admitted. He appeared gaunt in the face yet he was still put together in the modernized tan uniform issued over a decade ago. 

"All they were doing was probing us, Bezavoor. In the first months they let us attack first while launching an full scale assault on the Vullanese, and the Gantronese. As for the others Gontrella was aiming at seizing the mountain communities along side Muskalla. That only encouraged them to intervene." A Captain explained while standing next to the Royal Commander. 

"Captain Eenaz, the Blackmell mountains will be ours to share with Muskalla, and Gontrella. If we do this right that is." Royal Commander Ghiralli said in a peevish voice. He started to laugh until another Captain cut him off. 

"Commander! You only have 308 Civil Militia left under your command!" This Captain said in a warning tone. All eyes in the command tent turned to look a Captain wearing what appeared to be a Grevaskii uniform of yellowish grass color. 

"Who the Maggot's Arse are you?" Captain Eenaz demanded from the newly arrived Captain. 

"Captain Vyskabb Gorvig of the Grevaskii frontier unit 887. I am representing Nazdar Colonel Kinotz who commands a regiment of 1,317. We bring reinforcements from Ossus, and other parts of Vimasdra." this clean shaven Captain introduced himself. 

"What reinforcements has Kinotz brought us?" Ghiralli demanded. 

"500 musketeer men, 220 local militia from nearby towns, 540 bowmen drafted from across the country have marched with us." 

"(Scoffs) You mean bows and arrows alongside musket wielding buffoons are going to challenge that war machine? Those Vestrisians overran the Vullanese and will crush that force!" Ghiralli argued. 

"To the south of your position you do have 463 Vimasdran Civil Militia who came out of goodwill. On the northern flank a large company of 447 fellow Vimasdran Militia, Musketeers, and soldiers hold the line." He stated to the Royal Commander. 

"Yes, and there are 487 or so Vestrisians holding positions within artillery range of us. They have us outgunned." the young Civil Militia snapped Captain Gorvig knitting his brows at him. 

"Yet you have support of indigenous groups like the Uxane and the Muskallan Raiders on our side." this Grevaskii said as if that would help the atmosphere. 

"Only 129 Uxane have joined our fight. Most of them migrated out of here well before the fighting began. As for the Muskallans, many of them already joined, died, or surrendered. We have 602 of them along the front." one of Ghiralli's Commanding Officers said with a bitter taste in his mouth. 

"Quit spewing out numbers and prepare to attack them!" Some different voice barked at them. Another Grevaskii burst into the command tent. 

"More than one hundred thousand of those Vestrisians are dug in. How do you expect us to attack after losing countless lives? Are the Nazdar done playing their chess game with the Gantronese?" Ghilari slammed a fist on his table. 

"Some 9000 militia volunteers are marching in behind us. More than one million volunteers are on their way." the Grevaskii boasted. 

"You mean slaves." the young Civil Militia muttered to himself. 

Near Rednight Fangsir-Izzyr's Discovery

Detective Izzyr and his new companion Bidfrid Fohmir wound their way through Neppetz to the newly constructed morgue. Times were changing and technology evolving swiftly across the world. As far as Izzyr could tell Neppetz and other Dark Elf cities adapted some technologies to their society that was also changing. Still requiring males to serve in the military the Dark Elf society on the surface abandoned some parts of the culture that thrived underground. To some it was disgraceful and showed weakness. Whereas others saw an opportunity to grow, and expand horizons. Detective and Bounty Hunter passed where the Hall of the Dead sat under a hill. It was currently undergoing what was called renovations or restoration so it could still be used. Like many Dark Elf cities Neppetz' streets were too narrow for vehicles to pass through. Transportation had to be done outside the city limits. Modernization was very slow to come to Neppetz and this part of the world. Even news of some strange invaders coming from the stars came to the ears of the Dark Elves slowly. The first wave of these invaders came down almost twenty years ago.  Since their settlements were based in the mountains these invaders did not bother them. According to most of the tales these invaders were far to the north and clashed with each other. 

When they made it to the newly built morgue a family of Goblins exited. Dressed in black the family of fourteen Goblins slowly carried a casket out of the morgue. With their heads bowed low the Goblin family mourned the loss of a member in silence. Izzyr and Bidfrid watched the procession of Goblins head towards the eastern border of the city. Outside the city limits lay the graveyards and cemeteries. Down the street from where the morgue was built stood a group of those who knew this deceased Goblin. One of the family friends carried what looked to be a small Wyvern carved out of wood. They carried the wood figure behind the funeral procession as more friends trailed behind. Izzyr and Bidfrid entered the Morgue once he showed his badge to the doorman. His rank and profession allowed him access to all structures while he performed his duty. Both men went past the staff of the morgue who looked up with concerned faces, glares, squinted eyes, and surprised faces. Izzyr asked one of them for Abane's body. After meeting Bidfrid in the northern part of the city he conversed with him. It was not much of an investigative questioning, but it did lead to some questions. Was this really Abane's body? Following the staff member through the morgue's hallways they came to the body storage. As they entered he felt how cold these storages were on his face. The staff member unlocked one of the cadaver lockers that held Abane's body. Pulling on a metal slider the staff member revealed a covered corpse. When they unveiled it for them to view it Bidfrid wrinkled his nose and knitted his eyebrows. 

"Is this her, Bidfrid?" Izzyr asked him. The staff member remained silent more annoyed by their presence than their own job to maintain the condition of bodies before burial. 

"No that is not her?" Bidfrid replied. He stormed out of the room leaving the Detective and the staff member. Taking one last look at the body Izzyr noticed stab wounds, and signs of strangulation. He motioned for the staff member to put the body away. Izzyr left the storage giving chase to Bidfrid. The Detective found the tall humanoid outside the Morgue with his arms crossed. He did not look please at all. 

"What do you think happened to the real Abane?" he asked Izzyr. He was taken aback for a moment. 

"I believe she is not in the city, and hiding somewhere." Izzyr answered. Bidfrid pounced on him grabbing by the throat. His face was against Izzyr's nose. 

"Do not accuse Abane of such childish actions! She would never play games with authorities! That body was not her! She is somewhere either dead or someone's slave!" Bidfrid growled at him causing a scene that attracted attention. 

"Let me go or the authorities will toss you in a cell!" He hissed at him. Out of the corner he spotted some Neppetz Police heading their way. Dressed in neat uniforms with vests over them the newly formed police patrolled the streets and kept the peace while the guards kept watch over the walls. 

Bidfrid released him allowed Izzyr to wave off the police. He acted like it was nothing until there were no eyes on them. Izzyr  massaged his throat as he regained himself. Looking at the Bounty Hunter in the face he wanted to find the real Abane. This new discovery would only cause alarm. Her employer and family would have to be informed any ways. 

"What is next?" Bidfrid asked him. 

"We need to tell my boss, the Osseerus family, and Abane's family. Then we need to find out what happened to the real Abane." Izzyr answered him. 

"Then we waste no time. Back to the north." Bidfrid responded. He lead them back up north through the city. 

"Everyone thinks she is dead, but us." Bidfrid said as they made their way through an empty alley way. 

"Let me report to my boss after we regroup up north." Izzyr suggested, following him. 

"Good I will gather a host to help us search for her. It is likely she would have gone back to her employers if she were alive." Bidfrid insisted. 

"Very well. I do not doubt that unless she is being held captive." Izzyr added. 

"Or lost." Bidfrid put in. 

They made it to the northern part of the city where a team of 25 sorted archers and fighters prepared to man the walls. Taking a left along the base of the wall the pair of them passed 36 Orcs, Elves, and Dwarf automaton constructs hung out. Each one wore a uniform of some kind. Izzyr did not know all the guilds of the city like he should. He assumed they were part of a few guilds within Neppetz. Most chose to serve the city acting as security, hired hands, bodyguards, and beast slayers. It was not unusual for a few creatures or monsters to slip into the city. 

The last Necromancer of Tantos

 Whoever this lad was he sounded like trouble through Gredaro's ears. He exited the Commerce Center with a troop of arcane colleagues, the pirates, and a few others who came there for business. Backshot talked into his ears as they progressed out of the area down the street. Thanks to his connections with Dippelboager, his colleagues, and Perdi he learned the wizards had gathered some fighters and mercenaries for hire. An Elf Wizard from Luvahan managed to hire some 34 Knights and soldiers. These are hired hands who hailed from various islands and other continents. Somewhere on one of the islands a female half-Goblin promised a crew of 42 pirates riches from some other plane. Gredaro scoffed at that. He could only imagine how much trouble that arcane user would be in if she entered one of those planes. According to Odolin One trio of known Wizards have 63 warriors look up to them from Evusia. Due to their fame those warriors rallied behind them. Appanos added another unit of 31 gunslingers, outlaws and renegades flocked to one wizard due to their curiosity.  Velenus boasted about a few engineer-wizards building a small force of 27 automatons for combat. As they passed a few buildings he heard about a Temple witch rallying 613 Dragon Knights from three different territories of the Gantronese Empire. Tallying up all the numbers in his head Gredaro estimated a force of 1,361 for their army so far. 

When they paused at a crosswalk Gredaro glanced over at them. They did not mention the rest of the arcane wizards' forces since that information was not handed over freely. Among the other arcane users driven from their homes spread the fear of spies. Gredaro looked around them seeing the many citizens of the Tante Republic minding their own business. It was as though there was no war going on. Focusing one eye on a family of half elves passing them he realized the Tante Republics were neutral in this conflict. It gave off an uncomfortable feeling this would bite the VUVR in the buttocks at some point. He turned around to see his rewards in the arms of the pirate crew and the mercenaries who looked ready to part ways for this day.  When it was clear to cross the street, they moved as one with other Tantus citizens walking alongside them. Most appeared wary of the wizards. Others avoided eye contact with the pirate crew. Making their way across the groups split up. Pirates and Mercenaries took a left turn, but had to wait for the traffic to clear. Gredaro and his fellow Wizards pressed on down the street with Dippelboager accompanying them. For several minutes they took the sidewalk up to a line of vehicles that appeared to be waiting for someone. One by one his colleagues stopped to enter the vehicles. He entered one of them with a sign on top that read Public Chauffeur. Riding with Eforahim and Veleus, Gredaro discussed some plans for future action. Their new Goblin Mage affiliate, whom they haven't even met yet already went ahead with the first attacks. 

According to some newspaper another battle was underway south of the Unknown Lands. Just the way it read he could not tell if it was over or if it was still going on. However, it depicted the coalition of allies as the victors. More was to be added to this story once the reports came in from Vestrisian reporters, journalists, and those big mouth Ruhonthrans. Rumors about some strange metal towers and islands was said to be found past the Arm of Lost Souls. One even mentioned more alien factions. Those were being dismissed by the VUVR claiming those were not clear enough. He only read comments from various representatives, politicians, and other higher-ranking officials. As their own little convoy took a turn something hit the vehicle in front of the convoy. Forced to come to a halt the convoy stopped at once. All of the arcane colleagues got out ready for an ugly encounter. What they found was something from a nightmare or some accounts that involve black sorcery. Five zombies with iron collars, five humanoids with signs of experimenting, and mechanical limbs holding swords flanked from one side of the street. Gredaro's body turned around to see more flanking groups of abominations, and zombified humanoids. He also spotted what caused them to stop. The leading vehicle hit a creature of large stature. It was hard to tell if it was something he never saw before or some mad creation. A steel shell could be seen behind the wrecked vehicle. Springing into action Gredaro's own colleagues took care of their attackers. Some were shocked with lightning sparks from the fingers, others flamed, a few were slammed against the brick walls of the buildings in the street they entered. The rest were gunned down with modern pistols and revolvers they chose to carry around. 

Gredaro did not get to check the true number of their attackers. He was not fond of counting, but it did help with morale to see how many cronies a hostile lost among their ranks. From his side of the street two groups of armed figures dressed up as skeletons poured out of two alleyways. He did not know how many were on the other side, but on his side of things one zombified humanoid shambled its way out. Behind it followed seven off world looking humanoids, and eight goons dressed in a dark green attire armed with various guns. Gredaro threw several fireballs at them hitting the zombie and nailing a few goons. In the alley he spotted five more cowering against the walls. He was shot at by the flanking goons who came under fire from the ones he was with. Gredaro was hit in the leg and the arm. An exchange of fireballs, sparks, objects, and bullets filled the one street causing a few fires. He did not know if anyone else was hit, but he did watch two more goons die. Six of the nonnatives died on his side of the street. Reduced to a smaller number the attackers slunk back into the dark alleys. Gredaro felt hands grab him up as sirens screamed from other streets. The stinging pain from being shot numbed his limbs. All he could do was let the arms of bystanders, and his colleagues get him on a stretcher. 

Just the sky, faces of helpers, and the tops of the flanking buildings hovered in his viewpoint. They carried him to another vehicle where he was slid inside next to another victim, one of their drivers. A pair of nurses climbed in the back to patch him up. One of them put syringe in him that injected a strange liquid into his body. Whatever it was it took him out. Gredaro woke up in a hospital bed for the first time in his life. His right leg, and left arm were in bandages. Flanking him was a bedside table, a tall lamp, and curtains on both sides acting like a divider. He was in a hospital gown with clear wires and tubes injecting blood into him from a hanging blood bag. Feeling himself again he wiggled in his bed adjusting himself. Two nurses came to his side assisting the Wizard. He wanted to object, but the words did not escape his lips. Making him feel like a helpless infant the nurses adjusted him and his bed. They left him alone to tend to other patients. 

At first he did not see his family standing on the other side of the doorway. Fytbak Magris the Goblin, his pupil Amerius, Gredaro's maid Icude Vozat, and his Mage in training Pasior entered the room. All four of them flanked the Wizard with distraught faces. Gredaro closed his eyes for a moment reciting an old phrase his master said to calm him down. It was an old incantation passed down from arcane user to arcane user that calmed people down. Amerius wiped tears from his own eyes. Pasior sniffled a little then cleaned up the tears from her cheeks. Fytbak was able to fight the tears back, but Icude let the tears roll down her cheeks. He looked at each of them searching for the words for them. Will you be alright Master was a question he saw in their eyes. None of them spoke for a few moments. 

"Is this the first time you have been shot?" Fytbak the half goblin from Cydnam asked him. It was indeed the first time. 

"Yes Fytbak it is." He answered feeling the stinging pain of the wounds. His eyes went to the bandages where he was shot. 

"Are you sure this is his first time?" Pasior asked the Half-Goblin. "He went up against some nefarious dark wizards, and mages three years ago outside of Oceanrest Var." 

"Pasior, I thought I told you not to say a word about that." He scolded the female Mage in Training. The short haired female teen gulped and slunk back a little in her robes and Tantosian outfit. An outfit he did not agree with, but at least it covered her. 

"Sorry Master." She answered. 

"Master? Who did you-" Amerius was cut off. 

"Never mind that for now Amerius, I want you to return to your studies. Once I am fully healed, we will begin practicing all that you have learned. As for you Pasior do not wander the streets alone. There are plenty of dangers in these streets despite this nations neutrality." He commanded both of his pupils. Amerius nodded obediently, whereas Pasior folded her arms turning away. 

"Fytbak see that they obey my commands. Icude continue helping Perdi." He ordered the two members of his formed family. 

The door opened again, Odolin, and Eforahim entered with Dippelboager behind them. Gredaro sent his family off back to Perdi's place. He waited for them to leave the room before he addressed the trio of partners. Both arcane wizards, and the middleman held smug grins on their faces. One of them held a newspaper in his hands. Eforahim held out this paper to Gredaro's face. It was some newspaper known as THE COURIER DAILY. Below the name of the paper read the title of the first page story. LAST NECROMANCER OF TANTOS DISTURBED an article by Regine Backlasher. Just reading the title confused him. 

"What is this?" Gredaro asked them. 

"This means our movement will get more notice! Plus, donations and extra volunteers will flock to our ranks. Bringing this necromancer out of the shadows has stirred up the local gangs. None of them can operate without the local authorities sniffing them out or catching them red handed." his colleague explained. 

"While I am healing our movement will begin receiving recognition? What could I do during that time?" Gredaro asked them. 

"You could keep track of donations as they come in while inside Perdi's home. Plus, that lad with the ship has just been notified. Backshot and her pirates found him." Odolin told him. 

"How long have I been out?" He asked them. Something he should have asked from the very beginning. 

"Well, you were sort of in a comma for a full day. That did not bode well with your um family." Dippelboager replied to him. 

"In case you are required to lead troops I went ahead and requested for someone to fill in for you." Eforahim informed Gredaro who gave him a perplexed expression. 

"Who? Who did you contact?" Gredaro forced himself upright with his good arm ignoring the stings. 

"A Zhenrai Warrior from Ivodra." Eforahim answered. 

Near Rednight Fangsir

Ever since this settlement was founded along the coastal mountains, Neppetz became a hotbed of monster attacks. Slammed between the ocean and the mountains the city was closer to the infamous Rednight Fangsir mountain-city. More of a Dark Elf settlement founded closer to a thousand years ago, Neppetz received a wide range of trade from other parts of the continents. This allowed the Dark Elves access to other parts of the world. Many chose to leave when they could as a means of escape. After a few decades of travelling, they always returned home to the city of 150,000 Dark Elves, Uxane, Dwarves, and civilized Goblins. Standing at 6 foot 3, one lean muscled figure made his way through the streets. Dressed in a white, red striped shirt under a fine Jerkin, smoothed out black trousers, and toughened boots this figure kept a neat posture. Wearing his mountain duster this tall part goblin, part uxane and part Dark Elf held the profession as Detective of the City-Region. His jurisdiction went beyond the borders of the city limits making his job easier for him to perform. 

Detective Izzyr Nadisim entered a street known as Dagger Street within the Black District of Neppetz City. At the entrance to the street he was greeted by two rows of 29 strumpets clad in revealing clothing. Many of them looked more human with some hints of Goblin, Elf, and Dark Elf. Some gave him interested looks as the rest brushed their hands against him while he passed through. One blocked his way revealing herself before him. She put her hands on his and placed them on her exposed breasts. Izzyr fondled her a little just to get it over with. He was not the most innocent of males, however he had a job to do for this city. When she let him go on his way the majority of them cackled and giggled behind his back. Ignoring the laughter, he pressed further down the street. Everything was a darkish green up and down this street. The only thing making this city less dreary were the strumpets behind him lingering by the black gated entryway to Dagger Street. Flanking this two-way cobbled street were stone two story houses, complexes, shops, a smoker's den, and a few distilleries where alcohol was made. Dagger Street was not the kind of place one raised a family here in Neppetz. Its authorities made sure of that. Only single men or women were allowed to live here if they had the nerves, and stomach to deal with the scum here. 

Izzyr passed a few abandoned homes when he came upon a trio of Blither Wood Warriors. Outside Neppetz's western city limits lay the Blither Woods. During the early years of the city's foundation bands of warriors in the Blither Woods kept the borders secure. They were more of the savage type of Dark Elf who kept mostly to themselves. Very seldom did anyone hear from the Blither bands who only came to the city with goods to sell or when the clans banished someone. Just looking at these three he could tell they were banished. On their right cheek rested a red scar in the ancient Drow rune of shame. As a mark to label them as outcasts the scar made them unworthy to be warriors at all. Their eyes glared at him with black beards growing over the dark complexion of their skin tone. It was because he had to arrest them once or twice in the past. His superiors ordered for them to be brought here to live. From the way they looked the trio did find work, but still held a grudge against him. 

His gaze did not meet theirs for his case was of more importance. Just past these Blithers he came upon a grouping of 20 Goblins caught in some argument in the middle of the street.  What they were arguing about he did not care. It was not his problem nor did it concern the authorities at times. Goblins obeyed the law for most of the year until things got out of hand whenever they did not send a guard, watchman, or police down these streets each week. Izzyr's approach caught their attention and they dispersed to opposite sides of the street. Knowing he just broke up and argument that would end in a fight or bloodshed Izzyr gave them a quick glance. Dressed for the climate these Goblins looked slightly uncomfortable with their own lives. His city handed them decent lodgings with furniture in suitable condition. Food was not scarce for them in Dagger Street that he could see in their eyes. Yet these Goblins tend to be angry over other problems. Past the Goblins Izzyr came upon other groups who dwelled in Dagger Street. A total of 28 warriors from different parts of the world who found their way here lined the street. One of these warriors knew the victim's family and the victim herself. 

One of the wealthier families of the Neppetz hierarchy lost a maid four days ago. Raised in a family of fabric weavers, and smiths Abane Velnis served as a maid to the Osseerus family. Izzyr did not know the full history behind her employ as a maid, but he was tipped off that a warrior knew her family. These 28 warriors covered their clothing under a duster coat, long coat, some colorful poncho, and thick cloaks. Some of them were Eothans, Grussians, Uxane wanderers, Korivans, Talusians, Iperantosi. As for the rest of them Forsythans, and hybrids who call themselves Elemani, and Estati. Izzyr could relate to them due to his own mixed background. He passed eight of them before coming to the one he was looking for.  As rare as Forsythans became there were still plenty roaming the world. One head taller than Izzyr this giant of a being grew his beard out and let his hair grow over his shoulders. On his brow rested the birthmark of a Forsythan, a blue scar in the shape of a claw. 

"Are you one of the Velnis' friends?" Izzyr asked him. The rest of the warriors dispersed to their own homes and apartments. The big man nodded. 

"Can you speak?" He asked him. 

"Of course I can speak." The Forsythan responded back smartly. 

"What is your name?" Izzyr questioned him. 

"My name? Bidfrid Fohmir the Bounty Hunter, and Bodyguard for hire. To answer any further questions, yes I knew Abane well enough to call her a sister. No I did not kill her with two puncture marks to the neck. My own trade had me babysitting some noble visiting out of town through the markets. That is all I can tell you, Drow." Bidfrid replied to Izzyr. 

"Very well, you were close to the family, and you did not do it. Does she know anyone else outside the Osseerus household?" Izzyr asked him. 

"There was this stalker who kept coming to the manor. I had to scare him off a few times. Last year he was found in the cellar. Got in through the sewer system. After he was thrown out he took his time to leave the city. I decided to follow him all the way to Rednight Fangsir. If you want to find him you will need me to tag along." Bidfrid answered. 

"Her body was found outside the city, two days after her disappearance. Could this stalker be involved with a vampiric cult?" Izzyr explained wanting to pin it on the vampiric cults that stalked the countryside and sewers. 

"Let me pack a bag then meet me in the northern edge of the city." Bidfrid responded. 

Gredaro's Past, Privateers, New Ship and new rewards

Meeting the other 128 arcane users and wizards would take some time. Although they had been here to recruit they were no on this one. They resided on the other islands in the Tante Republic and archipelago. Once breakfast was over Gredaro made a mental note to return to Dippelboager. His own pupils were busy with their studies, his own maid was busy, and Fytbak working on his own experiments. Gredaro saw this as a good opportunity to check on his valuables, the valuables he still possessed since the days when his lovers were still alive. Checking his private room he opened one of the closest where he kept them hidden. Small chests, and Jewelry boxes were pulled out. Opening each one he took out whatever he stashed in them. In the back were more items he still kept since the days of his lovers. None of them still lived. He needed to move on. What he needed to do now was to get rid of all these valuables. Gredaro would never have children or a wife. That was his belief since the last lover died. Checking the back he found a black watch for a female which he pocketed, a Dragon pendant wrapped in a velvet cloth, a bag of 30 pieces of Djinns from Morgadra, a currency used in Nahem, and Meze all in one small black chest. In the corners of the closet he found 2 sets of child's gold armor meant for one his lover's children. Inside a thin box under a shelf in the chest he found 11 rings that he held on to. With the armor he found a pair of nunchaku from Vorcadam. A few barbarian coins from Khet, which made him laugh and smile. Yet laughing and smiling hurt because she was not there any more. Inside another bag he found 30 keys to various treasures and time capsules left all over two continents. At the bottom of the black chest he found a Cat Goddess Pendant necklace from Badraan. On the floor wrapped in a nice silk shirt he found a Bronze Elephant God statue from Koriv. Memories of his three lovers whom he shared a life with returned to him with agonizing pain that came. Neither of them knew each other. One by one he met them only to watch them die. All the adventures he had with them before going into hiding returned like a tornado of memories. 

With each adventure they brought back loot, and rewards together. Among those would make one long list an editor would grind their teeth at for run on lists. This included a fancy gold watch, fire Drake Hairpin, Dragon Pendant, an Obsidian Dragon-Phoenix Pendant, a barbarian bracelet worth plenty of gold, a steel Lycan dual amulet, one chain reptile bracelet, Ancient Kaniiman Necklace, 5 Hammer of Saints Necklaces, a love letter pendant which he tossed across the room before bursting into tears. Regathering himself Gredaro proceeded to bring out more rewards for his army. It hurt him too much just keeping those reminders. Inside a chest with a wolf symbol was a Wolf Bracelet, Wolf Hammer Chain Necklace, a Dragon trinket box with nothing inside, a multi-gem necklace, and a sack of 35 gems of his lovers choice. Other items included a pair of silver earrings, which he thought would nice for the Captain, a Dragon's Eye Locket, a large ring of an old foe one of the killed a life time ago. How long he still possessed all these he did not know. He lost count of the years. Once he regained his composure and calmed his emotions he packed up what he could carry and returned to Dippelboager's. 

Taking Perdi's cab he had himself driven over to the Commerce Center. Gredaro reached the building with most of what he wanted to pay the pirates, and their mercenaries with. It was also another way to get rid of the items that reminded him of lost lovers. Using his levitation spells he brought the chests her stored them in with him. Entering the building he was given some concerned, shocked, and bewildered expressions as he entered in his traditional robes. One employee dropped everything as though they never saw a Wizard before. Ignoring all of the looks he got this Wizard made it up to the level of Dippelboager's office. At a quickened pace he entered the hall to find 40 pirates seated along the wall. The 43 pirates Dippelboager mentioned were here to enlist. One of them waved a hello to him and beckoned for him to join them. Gredaro hesitated for a moment. Realizing these pirates would be his new mercenary allies the Wizard sat down. One of them wore a modern hat depicting two steer horns. Their name was Wakkus Eriagson their pirate name was Ox Barrel. Wakkus was about to tell his own story when Dippelboager's door swung open. Gredaro's arcane colleagues exited first followed by the Captain of the pirate crew and Dippelboager himself. Odolin, and Veleus were hand picked to represent their entourage of Wizards and hired help. Gredaro was spotted with the rewards he came with. 

"Hello Gredaro are those your payment to the pirates and mercenaries?" Odolin asked giving him a worried smile. 

"You don't have to give away your possessions like this! We have plenty to give in terms of payment." Veleus pointed out to him looking worried for him. 

"I cannot keep going with all of these in my life. I have to move on! If these pirates and mercenaries desire payment. Then let this pay my contribution to their payment for fighting this war." Gredaro shook his fist at his colleagues standing his ground. His colleagues relented as the privateers cheered him on. A female captain exited the office. Donning some old vintage pirate attire this female pirate looked like she jumped out of a play of some sorts meant for adults. She waltzed up to Gredaro and planted a kiss on his bearded cheek. 

"My crew and I are for hire Master Gredaro. Do you have a ship?" She asked him. "Pardon me Captain Black Tigress Lulu Backshot." 

"If we put our funds together we can see if we have enough to buy us a ship." Dippelboager butted in a little. His face almost touched Backshot's shoulder. Gredaro watched his eyes wander all over her and tried to focus. 

"Then who owns a ship, and will they be willing to sell one big enough for 560 or more passengers?" Gredaro asked doing the math in his head. 

"I know of a young lad who owns a ship all to himself. His family recently left him." Backshot replied walking her fingers on his arm. 

Gredha's Failure

 Whatever she was trying to do it did not work. He was still free and roaming the area. Ston Par, Hyfashara, Theillond, Beegris, Fokoh, Dyekatt, Toanne, Black Cobrah, Symnir, and Oragno now faced further raids. Ten cities under the Gantronese rule relied on her to deal with the insurgency that sprung up. It couldn't have been worse timing as well. Right after those Vestrisians pushed into the Unknown Lands, a fleet sunk a bunch of wizards rallied an army to combat the mighty Gantronese Empire. Allover what was still considered the Unknown Lands some Eothan outcast started a little uncertain insurgency. Little was known how many flocked to his cause. What was most certain was the force she was sent with crumbled at the base of large mountain ranges. 

No more than a thousand set out in pursuit of this insurgent. Most of them died whereas a few left them. Granted the title as Colonel, Gredha Oto Ponghan held herself in the highest esteem. Her Gantronese Daimyo gave her the task of putting down the insurgency that started from the slums of Symnir, and the mountain city of Theillond. Gredha observed a map of the territories praying the Vestrisians, and their allies would stay out of this region. Ever since the Gantronese arrived peace was restored among the city-states. She felt the pain of her loss during the last engagement against the insurgent Direglow whose real name was unknown. Among the loss were 6 bunny humanoids who died for Gredha who came down from the stars. Some ninja order of 200 members, and 138 acolytes lost their lives in the weeklong fight. One unit of 24 Gladiators from Black Cobrah City, 17 local fighters and heroes she handpicked. Thanks to the Gantronese connections star knights came down only to lose 200 of their brothers. One large sentient reptile roaming the borders of the mountains lost its life to what she believed was a Zhenrai. Pledging their swords to her a band of sword mistresses lost two sisters. Being the only Dwarf a former Paladin took arms just to lose his life in battle. Although she did not trust them, Gredha gathered barbarians two of whom left to join the VUVR military. Within her battalion 120 "droids" and their two alien puppeteers fell during the weeklong conflict. They were lost to gunfire, rain, rocky terrain, and bashed to pieces in ambushes that caught them in dense woods. Virtuous warriors from Talus, Gora-via, and Vorcadam lost 6 colleagues to the insurgents. An ambitious amphibian warrior seeking wives for his breeding habits died with a bullet through the chest. 

Gredha grieved for these losses knowing her failure would be noted to the Gantronese governors. Her remaining 274 bunny humanoids, ninjas, space Dragon Knights, virtuous warriors, barbarians, and fighters began resting more often. Their wounds needed to be healed after dealing with a larger force of insurgents than they believed. Reports from locals said Direglow only had a few hundred at a time. In their rushed pursuit they found he led close to 8,000. Caught in the rain under the branches of some woods Gredha's forces engaged Direglow's forces while they pressed into the mountains. Her mission was to corner Direglow and end his insurgency in the Gantronese area of East Talus. Instead, she lost 726 managing to kill 408 insurgents. Watching the other 7000 disappear into the mountains under the cover of dark rain clouds demoralized Gredha and those who still stood. Behind her another battalion of 1,305 collaborators from the city-states, and Vorcadam came in. Under the leadership of Collaborator Colonel Ugai Cirann of Oragno this back up battalion helped her forces get the wounded down. 

Colonel Cirann entered her command tent to find Gredha grieving in her night robes. Seeing him enter in the middle of her grieving startled her. Gredha did not expect anyone to enter her tent until she gave the word. Guess his rank overruled any of her guards. She would have them punished, but what was the use. This latest defeat was punishable enough. Having that insurgent Direglow in her grasp only to see him slip away due to bigger numbers became overbearing to keep composure. Wiping away tears she welcomed the fellow Collaborator Colonel to her quarters. In her own traditional garb Gredha served him a local heated alcohol served to sooth pain of grieving. The two of the sat down in her pair of round wicker chairs with covered cushions. Silence filled the room until he broke the silence. Ugai gave her some news about the southern part of East Talus. Several warbands of Gnolls and Troglodytes came down from the mountains while she was on the hunt for Diregrow. These warbands somehow slipped past her scouts' notice. Looking down on the rug she saw this as part of her failure. Gredha held the mug in her hand listening to Ugai explain how the warbands were dealt with by the Gantronese alongside hired Nazdar Grevaskii troopers. All Gredha did was glare at him stating she was on a mission to pursue Direglow not protect the south. Their Gantronese Masters could send a battalion or a brigade of their best soldiers here if they like. Gredha spat on the floor of her own tent. She took a few sips of her drink pondering over her own failure. What did she miss?