“What?!” Mefis exclaimed, staring daggers at Talon.

 

“They offered me a much better deal.” Talon replied, unperturbed.  “Much better than anything you could offer me.  Thus, I regretfully inform you that I will be unable to fulfill the contract.”

 

“Why… you… little…” Mefis sputtered, impotently.

 

“They also asked me to give this to you.” Talon said, extending the message to Mefis.

 

Mefis took it, and unrolled it.  As he finished reading it, it slowly faded from existence in his hands.  His hands trembled in rage.  He raised his gaze back up, glaring at Talon, who was patiently running a cloth along the razor-edged claws on his left hand, ignoring Mefis.

 

Finally, Talon tucked the cloth into his pocket.

 

“Well, farewell to you, sir.  If you have any contracts to propose in the future, I would be happy to work for you again.  For now, however, working for the Gathering will be more beneficial for me.”  Talon said, as he turned to go out.

 

“I’ll ruin you, you honorless wretch!” Mefis shouted at Talon’s retreating backside.  Talon paused, and turned his head to look back at Mefis.

 

“I never claimed to be honorable.  I claimed to be a mercenary.”

 

With nothing left to say, Talon departed. 

 

Mefis clenched his fists, and cursed inwardly.

 

“Excuse me, sir?” a voice spoke out beside him.

 

Mefis opened his eyes, and looked to the side.  A rather rough individual was standing next to him, dressed in many layers of armor, hair unkempt and falling down his back.  A pair of swords was hung on a belt at his waist, and the crest of House Calenture was affixed to his breastplate.

 

“Yes, Calenturian?” Mefis replied, raising an eyebrow.

 

“I recognized that warrior as Talon.” The Calenturian, commented.  “As I was passing by, I happened to hear him comment on working for the Gathering of the Entranced?  Did I hear correctly?”

 

Mefis’ mind raced, as he tried to find some way to pull this turn of events to his advantage.  He quickly feigned a sad smile.

 

“I fear so, indeed.” Mefis replied.  “I’ve heard rumor that the Gathering is seeking to aid one of the younger guilds in taking over one of the Great Houses.”

 

“Hmph.” The Calenturian smirked.  “Well, they sure won’t be trying to get House Calenture.  We’ve got the best warriors in the City.”

 

“Better than Talon?” Mefis asked, his brow rising slightly.

 

“Hm.  Point.” The Calenturian considered, rubbing his stubbly chin.  “We’ll have to see what we can do about this.  My name’s Ravage.  What’s yours?” Ravage said, extending his hand.

 

“I am Mefis.” Mefis said, shaking Ravage’s hand firmly.  “For what it’s worth, we Freespirits often hear things that people in the house might not.  I’ve never gotten to know House Calenture too well, but if all of them are as straight-up folk as you are, then I rather regret it.”

 

Ravage grinned, thoroughly pleased with himself.

 

“I’d hate to see something bad happen to a house of such good people.” Mefis said, sighing lightly.  “I feel I must tell you, that your comments were not that far off the mark.  I had heard rumor that the Gathering has been picking up warriors for an assault on one of the Great Houses.  I’d attempted to hire Talon to, perhaps, get some information from him about that.”

 

“I know, I know…” Mefis put up his hand, stopping any forthcoming comments.  “I should have known better.  I’ve never been too handy at this espionage and intrigue thing, unfortunately, or I might have known that.”

 

Ravage chuckled.

 

“Perhaps, but that diplomatic backstabbing is for houses like the Gathering.  I prefer my enemies right in front of me, and the trustworthiness of a good blade.”  Ravage commented, with a smile.

 

“You might be getting it soon, I fear.” Mefis replied.  “I’ve heard that the Great House they are planning to assault is none other than House Calenture.  They are funding the attack with stores from their vaults.  They’ve been non-aggressive for many months now, and have built up quite a store.”

 

“Are you sure of this?”  Ravage replied, frowning.

 

“Well, as I said, I’m not too good at this whole spying thing.  But I can tell you that they’re hiring mercenaries: you saw that with just Talon here.  I also know that a young Guild formed, and they’re seeking to take over House Calenture.  Rumors flow through Threshold quite a bit.  I don’t know for sure, but it doesn’t take a Master Teacher to put two and two together.”  Mefis said, shrugging his shoulders defeatedly.

 

“Well, sir.” Ravage said, unlatching his swords in their sheaths.  “I thank you for your forewarning.  We’ll see how the Gathering’s stores supply this upstart guild once they’ve put up with several assaults on their house.”

 

“I wish you luck, good sir.” Mefis said, smiling supportively.  “I fear I am not much of a warrior, but if there’s any assistance I can give, please do not hesitate to ask.”

 

“You’ve already helped more than enough.” Ravage replied, smiling.  He saluted, and departed.

 

 Mefis leaned back against the wall, crossed his arms, and smiled.

The meeting room was filled to capacity, as the invited dreamers slowly arrived.

 

The leadership of the Dreamers of Light stood in the northernmost section of the Room, clad in their battle attire.  Each member was clad in shining platemail, covered with etchings of their house symbol.  They stood regarding the other dreamers with barely masked impatience.

 

The leadership of the Alliance of the Eclipse stood in the eastern corner of the room.  All were clad in simple blue and brown robes, watching events with a sense of detachment and peacefulness.

 

The leadership of the Union of the Covenant stood in the western corner.  Dressed in a simple leather uniform, they stood with quiet dignity, observing the other members of the meeting.

 

In the southern corner stood the leadership of House Calenture.  Each was dressed completely independent of the others, their attire a haphazard collection of plate, chain, and leather.  Each member of House Calenture had multiple blades and axes slung at their hips, down their backs, along their arms, and any other place one could conceive of placing a blade.

 

Ravage stood directly beside House Calenture’s leadership, watching patiently (if a little bit nervously).  Being only an Initiate, he was not often invited to diplomatic meetings of this sort.  Due to the circumstances, however, his leaders had asked him to attend.

 

Finally, one of Ravage’s leaders stepped forward into the middle of the room.  He carried a tremendous battle-axe, the blade nearly the size of his chest.  He thumped the butt of the handle against the floor, as a signal for attention.  The leaders of all the houses focused their gaze on him.

 

“Members of the Freesoul Alliance, I come before you today with news of a threat.” Calenture’s leader began.  “Recently, one of our initiates came into the information that the Gathering of the Entranced is seeking to support an aspirant guild to attack House Calenture.”

 

“As have our members.” A ruler from the Dreamers of Light spoke up, then quieted down, letting the Calenture ruler continue.

 

“Thus, we have the threat of usurpation, being backed by an Illuminate power.  We come to you seeking assistance in combating this threat.”

 

“Why must your actions always lead directly to violence?” a ruler from the Alliance of the Eclipse spoke up.  “Have you spoken to the Gathering to ascertain the validity of these accusations?  Have you  sought out the strength of this supposed usurper guild?”

 

“I know you are not overly familiar with matters of warfare.” the ruler from Calenture interrupted.  “However, let me assure you of this.  Were I supporting a guild in the usurpation of another house, I would never readily admit to it.  Those are underhanded tactics, and something no one in their right mind would ever agree to.”

 

“As for the validity of these accusations, I need look no further than my own house.  An initiate of my house came to me with this news, an initiate that I would readily trust with my coherence.  Ravage, would you come forward please?”

 

Ravage nodded firmly.  He walked forward, his swords clanking in their sheathes.  He stopped and bowed formally to his Ruler as he entered the middle of the room.  His ruler motioned to the other houses, and Ravage nodded.

 

“Honored nobles of the Freesoul Alliance,” Ravage began, “I witnessed this eve the mercenary known as Talon speak openly of preparing to perform work for the Gathering.  We are all familiar with the ruthlessness of this character, and his presence would be easily explained if the Gathering is truly assembling an army.”

 

“As well, I have witnessed members of the Gathering stockpiling and searching for chakrams.” He paused, and smirked, “One even had the temerity to ask ME for chakrams while I was in Threshold!”

 

The assembled diplomats frowned, and rubbed their chins.

 

“That will be all, Ravage.” The Calenturian ruler said, nodding his thanks.

 

Ravage nodded, folded his arms, and stepped back to the side.

 

“So, what rules the Freesoul Alliance?” The Calenturian ruler asked, looking around.

 

“The Alliance of the Eclipse will take no part in this war.” The Alliance ruler stated firmly.  “I do not believe there is enough evidence yet to launch a pre-emptive assault on the Gathering of the Entranced.  Nor do I believe that they are supplying a guild that is trying to assault you.  Rumor has reached us that the recent activities at the Gathering are due to internal strife.  No, we will not support you in this assault.  However, should we be proved wrong, and you are wrested from your house by an Illuminate force, we will naturally provide you with shelter and assist you in reclaiming it.”

 

The Calenturian ruler grunted, and turned his attention to the rulers of the Union of the Covenant.  The spokesman of the Union cleared his throat.

 

“The weaker will be devoured by the stronger; that is the way of nature, and that is the way of the City.  If this usurping guild proves stronger than you, the house is theirs by right.  If you are removed from your house by their strength we will, of course, assist you in getting back on your feet.”

 

“However, this war is between yourself and the challenging guild.  We will not interfere in the natural process.  We will, however, keep the Gathering from assisting this guild.  If, during your war with this usurper guild, the Gathering of the Entranced supplies them or aids them, we will declare war on the Gathering ourselves and keep them from interfering.”

 

The Calenturian ruler nodded, and shifted his grip on the battle-axe.  Given the past actions of these two houses, this was rather what he’d expected.  He smiled in pleasure, though, as he turned toward the leadership of the Dreamers of Light.

 

The spokesman of the Light stepped forward, holding in his hands a bastard sword.  He planted the tip of the blade in the ground, and rested his arms on the cross guard.

 

“Never let it be said that the Dreamers of Light let down a fellow Freesoul house when they were in need.” He stated proudly, fervently.  “While the rest of our Freesoul bretheren hem-haw and waffle on the issue, in their normal supporting-yet-not-supporting manner, we will pledge our blades to the cause of House Calenture.”

 

He gripped the handle of his bastard sword and, with a grand sweeping motion, raised it above his head.  Light coming in through a window caught on the edge of the blade, and it gleamed brightly.

 

“Together, the Dreamers of Light and House Calenture shall sweep the threat of the Gathering to the winds, ALONG with their pet guild.  We shall teach them that no one can threaten a Freesoul house and not expect to suffer the consequences!”

 

The Calenturian ruler gripped his battle axe’s shaft right below the head, and raised it above his head.

 

“War it is, then!” he declared, smiling grimly.