Book 8: Chapter 34: R

Book 8: Chapter 34: R

Mythological Creature Fact: The musk of the Demonsoul Skunk, the Balerosian native creature that deliberately sprays its victims to communicate mating instinct across a wide area, can last long enough to be two months old when scented by potential mates.

The mating pheromones of the adult female Wyrm can last up to three decades.

Sergeant Relc Grasstongue, former [Soldier] in the Liscorian army, current Senior Guardsman of Liscor in assigned posting to Cellideldid not know why this was a salient fact.

He closed the book, one of the many bestiaries hed checked out of the local library. Cellidel had a library. This was one of those books that had fun facts about creatures on some pages littered with biological and other bits of information about monster species, terrain, and so on.

Relc imagined the average Silver-rank adventurer, screaming as something tried to break through the barricade at a caves entrance, didnt have time to appreciate such facts.

How do they know it lasts three decades? Do they keep sniffing them? Is it obvious or something?

The Drake asked the really important questions as he scratched at his neck-spines. He frowned.

Demonsoul Skunks. Now, theres some bastards. Dont they spray people for fun instead of to protect themselves? What was their bounty when some showed up? Likefifty gold a head?

He shuddered. The book wasnt that interesting, though, so Relc pushed it under his uncomfortable bed and sighed. His cheap room in one of Cellidels apartment complexes for the transient was about as bad as the old one hed had in Liscor.

However, the book came from a library.

Liscor did not have a library. Which city was better? Based on pure book-economics, it had to be Cellidel. They even let you check out any book you wanted.

One at a time, and you paid a deposit of two silver that you got back when you returned a book on time. You also had to be a citizen of decent standingno major arrests. Relc, being a Senior Guardsman, didnt have issues checking out the book.

Free reading, unless I dont turn it in or mess it up. And I just bet those [Librarians] have [Repair Books] or something.

Relc thought that was neat. He wasnt a huge book person, but hed been bored and had heard of the library, a novelty for him. This book had been illustrated, so why not?

Cellidel had an entire class of [Librarian] that Liscor lacked. All their Skills and unique abilities were thus available to this city bordering the Great Plains to the south, which Liscor lacked.

Mind you, that was probably only the ability to track down people who didnt return books. But it was still a big difference. On the other hand, if you were going to play that game, Cellidel didnt have half as many [Guards] or [Hunters]. And not one of them had ever hunted a Hollowstone Deceiver.

It had no supply of fresh seafood except by trade and some fish from lakes, but mined ore was also an actual commodity, rather than a given for Liscor with their proximity to Esthelm.

Cellidel and Liscor could have traded fairly equally on a number of issuesprobably why Relc had been assigned here by a well-meaning Zevara. Liscor had the magic door, though. And that changed everything.

Oh, yeah. There was one more thing that Cellidel had that Liscor lacked at the moment. Relc sat up and his gut clenched as he checked the time. The sun was setting; his experience told him he had to start getting geared up. He was now on night-to-dawn shift, one of the more dangerous shifts for [Guards]. Anda different Watch House. The Drake lay there, then swung himself onto his feet, groaning. He picked up his spear.

The other thing Cellidel had that Liscor did not was a Gnoll problem. Which was now a Sellme problem given the unrest. What it had, when you boiled down to it, was a problem Drakes had with Gnolls.

And it ran from the Watch to the Council, all the way to the streets.

-

Senior Guardsman Relc, reporting for duty!

Relcs life had been one of routine. He had been, in his own way, a [Peerless Master]. Not of spear-fighting, or soldiering, and certainly not guardsmaning. Rather, hed been good at going with the flow. Routine.

Two weeks ago, hed fit into Cellidel with ease, despite having come from Liscor. Hed been able to daydream while walking his beat, and hed practically been part of the regular Watch unless something big happened.

Now? Senior Guardsman Relc left his room, walked to the Watch House nearly forty minutes away from his apartment, the Hot House, as it was normally known for its highest arrest-rate and [Guard] turnover, and strode through the door.

He stood to attention as he opened the door. He didnt miss a step. When he went to his locker, he slapped on the pieces of leather and metal, and was standing to attention before the others. Drakes and the few Gnolls eyed him side-long, whispering. Relc paid no attention.

The Watch Sergeant of this division of Cellidels Watch couldnt find anything on Relc, no matter how hard she tried. And oh, she did try.

As you were, Guardsman Relc. Your partners sick. So I am authorizing you for solo-patrol.

Yes, Watch Sergeant!

She stared at him. She was a veteran of the Watch, and had scars to show for it. Relc had more. Her scars were from knife-wounds, even a stray spell from a wand. His came from war.

Even so, she was good at her job or she wouldnt be here. Any other time, Relc would have taken her orders with only a bit of joking; you had to trust your Watch Sergeant.

In Cellidel, he trusted no one, and was rewarded for it. Case in point? His partner for the patrols had been sick, missing, on holiday, and so on for two weeks.

Senior Guardsman Relc was Cellidels least-popular [Guard] among the Watch. He had committed the biggest mistake you could make: going against the Watch. Like the army, the Watch protected its own. So if you werent one of your own

Relc strode out of the Watch House. He marched down the street, not at the lazy [Guard]s amble, but at a marching pace.

Some people turned as the big Drake strode along, his bright green scales flashing under the light. Relc was big, to the extent that Gnolls, who often outsized Drakes on average, still looked a bit thin compared to him. His arm-muscles were huge, and he had an ugly facefor a Drake. His tail especially. It was long enough, but too stout, without much of a curve or actual subtlety to it.

Relc had once explained to a confused Erin that for a Drake, it was like seeing a really ugly leg or butt or something. However, the Senior Guardsman had never traded on his looks. He had a huge smile when he grinned with all his teeth, and he maintained his scales. Normally he walked with a saunter, smelling of stall-food and maybe sweat or armor polish.

Today he marched along with his head on a swivel, eyes sharp, but not focusing too long on any one thing. Unfocused even; he had eyes in the back of his head too. Relc also had one more thing.

Over his plain leather armor, worn but carefully maintained and patched, and chainmail undershirt was a gleaming icon. A polished bit of metal, more ornate than the regular [Guards]. A badge. It gleamed in a way that caught the eye. More than light allowed. Likea promise. Trust.

[Guardsman of Trust]. [Wear My Integrity]. That was his new class, and one of his two new Skills. Relc walked down the street, on his own beat. However, he didnt loaf around like normal. He hummed, and some people murmuredespecially those of a furry persuasion.

Theyd heard there was a new [Guardsman] in Cellidel. A new, new [Guard] who did things that had earned the ire of the rest of the Watch. Moreover, who had a class.

Someone you could trust. Of course, they also picked up what Relc was humming, which either added to or diminished the Drakes reputation depending on how you looked at it.

Boom, boom, bum, dum, if youre a Relc, you do it right. Im a Relc! Relc, Relc, Relcsomething something rhymes with elk.

How did Bird do it? Relc hummed to himself, pumping his arms and inhaling the fresheveningair. People were packing up, getting off the streets, groaning and tired from jobs worked all day.

By contrast, Relc had just woken up. He was used to changing when morning was though, so he was fresh. The city of Cellidel was winding down. People were going to the bars, following the colorful paint on wood, or sounds of merriment and drink in the air. They were relaxing, taking their time off, and then slumbering for the next day.

Of course, that was when work for the Watch picked up. People tired or whod worked hard got snappy. Drink only exacerbated problems. So, amid the hubbub, the shouts of people navigating the street and driving wagons, talking, gossiping, laughing or arguing, youd soon hear that familiar cry.

Guards! Guards!

Actually, no one ever shouted that. They usually shouted, help, or I need a [Guard]!. Or if they really felt eloquent, dead gods, someone save me, Im going to be murdered!

Then the nearest patrol or numerous ones would run, or walk, or sprint if they heard the whistle that meant someone was in trouble wearing their uniform. Relc was used to it all. However, before he heard that cry, someone sought him out.

GSenior Guardsman Relc?

He slowed. Turned. The Drake looked over at a nervous Gnoll. She was a young woman; she might not have even been two decades old. He blinked at her.

Can I help you, Miss?

She hesitated, looked around, and nodded as a few more people glanced his way. Relc saw her hurry forwards and lower her voice. He had to lean in to even hear it; possibly other Gnolls wouldnt have heard her.

II was told you are a good Senior Guardsman, who helps people.

Im a Senior Guard. Thats what I do.

Yes, but

The Gnoll girl hesitated again, and this time more palpably. Relc took pity on her.

How can I help you, Miss? Im here to help.

She nodded a few times. Then a few moreshe was clearly nervous. Apprehensively, she looked around, but then bit her lip. She could not keep it silent. So she leaned in, in a way Relc had grown to recognize, and whispered.

Id like to report a crime. Umtherere some drunkards in a pub. Where I work. Onlywell, theyre drunk.

She looked at him. Relc straightened.

Disorderly?

Yes. Not violent, but we cant get them out so the [Pub Owner] sent me to

Him. Not the nearest Watch patrol. There were many things in this scenario that Klbkch would have sagely observed were anomalous, whatever that meant. In Liscor, Relc would have agreed.

In Cellidel, it made a kind of sense. This young Gnoll had come to him at the request of the owner of the pub rather than him just shouting for a [Guard] patrol or flagging down one while the drunkards caused trouble.

Why? WellRelcs badge shone as he straightened.

I can sort it out. Peacefully. Wheres the problem? No one needs to be arrested if I just whack a few people over the head or make them leave.

He added that last part on purpose. The Gnoll looked relieved. She pointed.

This way. Its just

She began to lead Relc with such speed that he wondered if the drunkards were more of a problem than shed let on. Well, if they were coming to himhe picked up the pace. The Gnoll [Server] was so relieved that she didnt see Relc murmur or his own eyes and badge flash for a second.

He used a Skill, then followed her with confidence. He was alert, of course, wary, braced to act, but confident she wasnt leading him into an alley or place where hed be jumped by someone who wanted him dead.

His second Skill helped make sure that didnt happen. Relc was a [Guardsman of Trust], and the badge conferred something onto him that made people like this young woman seek him out. His second Skill made sure he didnt need to doubt his actions.

[The Law Upheld]. Relc could use it about four times per his entire shift, but it guaranteed she wasnt lying. So he strode along.

-

As it happened, the drunkards were Gnolls. It was a Gnoll pub, in a Gnoll district, with an almost-exclusively Gnoll population. Relc doubled the number of Drakes in the pub by walking in.

Senior Guardsman. Alright, whos being drunk and disorderly?

The Gnolls whirled. They had clearly been carousing and there had been a fight by the looks of it; Relc saw a table knocked over, and shards of pottery and food. So they might have been too loud and been asked to leave, or fought with someone else. There were a hundred scenarios and Relc didnt care.

They tensed when they saw him.

We didnt do anything, Guardsman.

One of the Gnolls was big. Relc recognized a [Laborer] when he saw one, perhaps someone whod gotten lucky with [Enhanced Strength]. He also could recognize a [Drunkard] when he saw one.

Which wasnt fun because they got lovely Skills that made them more dangerous when drunk. Well, some just got fun Skills like ones that let them buy more alcohol, or handle it better. Relc had known a [Guard] who had [Sober Up], a Skill that let him drink five minutes before going to work.

Great Skill. He patiently held up his claws and slipped into routine. In Liscor, it was simple. Someone causes trouble? You get warned. If the place has a [Bouncer] or security, they might handle it. If its a problem like this lot clearly were? Three Gnolls, tired, drinking too hard, and belligerent?

You called the Watch and they could be arrested or leave quietly. The trouble was in Cellidelthe Gnolls watching tensed.

Theyve just been a bit disorderly, Guardsman. Nothing like a fight. Sherr, theres the Watch here. Leave quietly.

The [Pub Owner] himself spoke to Relc, then the three troublemakers. Relc had seldom seen the owner of an establishment defend the customers like that. Norhe eyed the three drinkers and saw how tense they werewas he used to this level of hostility directed at his badge.

It played a different way in Cellidel. Relc had learned the routine, and didnt like it. Say the [Guard]s reasonable request was ignored, and he believed they still made it. Say the Gnoll [Drunkard]-[Laborer] spat at him and Relc gave an ultimatum, and he pushed out of his chair swinging a huge fist.

WellRelc caught the fist and had the satisfaction of seeing the big Gnolls eyes go round. He didnt often run into people with his Skill. Nor was he used to meeting someone who was stronger because he trained even with the Skill.

Relcs punch almost laid him out. Sherrs buddies stared at the Gnoll as he staggered back, reeling. Relc hadnt actually knocked him out, but hed certainly punched all the fight out in one go. A pretty tough guy; hed have given the average [Guard] a fight if they didnt trip him up or use a Skill. They froze, realizing how badly theyd underestimated this fight, as Relc turned to face the three.

Here was where Cellidel and Liscor differed. Relc looked at the trio. He did not slam Sherr into the table and arrest all three. Nor did Sherr break his jaw from another punch or three. They were not locked up. He dusted his claws.

Alright. Pick him up and get lost. Dont let me catch you causing trouble this week, got it? Or do any of you want a [Relc Punch]? Look out for it when you level up. Best punch there is.

They stared at Relc. After a second, one of Sherrs buddies shook his head.

Sorry, Senior Guardsman. Sherr. Sherr, lets go.

They scurried out, tossing coins on the table when Relc reminded them. The Senior Guardsman glanced around and all the Gnolls turned to their tables. He approached the [Pub Owner].

All seems sorted. Give me a holler if you have more trouble.

Of course, Senior GuardsmanRelc. Thank you.

The Gnoll glanced at Relcs badge. He hesitated, a paw almost trailing to his side. His money pouch. Relc turned, and walked out of the pub before the Gnoll could make up his mind.

No problem.

-

The entire event was a disgrace. Not to Relc; hed acted perfectly in accordance with the law. And yes, punching drunkards was a-okay by Liscors standards. Oh, Klbkch would have probably talked them down, but it was fine guard-work by even Zevaras standards.

It was the reactions of everyone else that stood out to Relc. How they expected the three to be cuffed and led out, possibly with injuries. How the [Pub Owner] had worried what Relc would do, and why they went for him.

I wonder if there are [Guards] like that? The ones whose names and faces you memorize?

It should not be like that. But it was. So Relc walked out of the pub. No routine, save for the one he employed. He shook his head.

This sucks. Its way too much work.

Then he marched back off onto his beat. The Gnoll [Server] was not the last person to approach him for a problem that night. Relc might have had all the subtlety of policing as a fist to the face. It beat Cellidels regular law enforcement.

And that was everything. That was why he was here.

-

Relcs shift ended at dawn. The Drake returned to his rooms after signing out of the Watch House. The Watch Sergeant reviewed his report.

Twelve reported crimes. One arrest.

Minor incidents, Watch Sergeant.

Relc stared over her head, at one of her neck-spines in a way he knew was annoying. The Watch Sergeant tapped the papers on the table.

Not worried about repeat offenders, Guardsman Relc?

Just saving us the cost of jailing them, Watch Sergeant. Crime doesnt repeat itself after I punch it.

Someone snorted. The Watch Sergeant herself nearly laughed, but replaced it with a glare. How dare you make me smile?

Wellgood. That will be all, Senior Guardsman.

So he signed in his armor, and sauntered back to his apartment with his spear. On the way, he bought some food from a street vendor; one of those fried fruits of theirs they loved so much. Prelons. It was so good Relc went back for a second. Then he gave up and bought six and called it dinner as he went back, scarfing them down.

That was his new routine. Work, ignore the glares, carefully dole out the law while citizens waited for you to smash someones face in, and go home.

Aside from the citizens apprehension, that was sort of like his life in Liscor when he was loafing around. Yet Relc felt tired. Exhausted.

Ancestors. Klb, buddy, I could have really used you. Then everyone would glare at the Antinium, not me. Even if I smashed Pos face in.

Relc sighed. The irony was, he was behaving just like Pos did. The Senior Guardsmanwho was back at the central Watch House and had been sick until Relc was reassigned to his new areahad shown he could differentiate between crimes like all good [Guards]. There had been a [Thief], a street-kid, and hed refrained from cuffing the poor brat.

In the same way, Relc did not need to arrest everyone he met. Warnings were enough. Punches did the job. An arrest cost the city money, so no [Guard] arrested every person who commited a crime.

The only difference was that Relc made no distinction between species and Pos did. It was the most strange, idiotic, aggravating thing Relc had run into.

Reminds me of being on tour with the army.

He grumbled as he stuffed another Prelon into his mouth. He could fit three at once, to the amazement of a little boy walking past. A little boy. He had fur, but he was a kid. Gnoll? Who cared?

All of Cellidels Watch, apparently. Relc kicked at a loose cobblestone. Hed always known there were cities like this.

Tribes like this too, to be fair. Cellidel had a fairly big Gnoll population by the standards of cities around here, but they were still a significant minority; Relc doubted they comprised even 15% of Cellidels population. However, tensions were high.

Gnolls stole more, got into trouble more, caused trouble more, and were generally more savage, having come from the tribes. Indeed, it was the Gnoll tribes who often clashed with the cities, sometimes leading to bloodshed, that led Drakes to say that kind of thing.

Relc had fought Gnoll tribes as well as Drake cities. He got it.

Anyone whos ever run into a Gnoll deer-trap and had ten of the bastards come charging out of the grass doesnt like Gnolls after that, right, buddy?

The stall-owner selling a lovely fruit juice gave Relc the side-eye.

What?

Relc patiently waited for the Drake man to serve him Prelon-juice, with a generous helping of sugar mixed in. You could do everything with the damn things, apparently.

Deer traps. Plains Gnolls. See, you get these [Trapsetters] who are also [Warriors]. When the Plains Gnoll tribes go to war, they love to help ambush patrols or even armies. They toss some of those down, you step on a camouflaged one with jaws like steel thanks to Skills, and there goes your leg. Or tail. Then they come out of hiding, shoot you with a few arrows, stab your buddies in the face, and retreat. Do it again until you want to hide behind the walls.

One of the other customers was frozen mid-order. The stall owner blinked at Relc until the Drake put some coppers on the counter.

Im not saying I hate all Gnolls, but it really ruins your day. Of course, there are those bastards on the walls of enemy cities that flip their tails up at you, shoot arrows, and gloat just because they have the high ground. One city used to stockpile crap. Literal crap, and theyd hurl it at you out of catapults.

He ambled off, grumbling. Damn Drakes. Also, to hell with Humans and their [Knights] who just loved to do cavalry charges. Goblins? Sneaky little bastards and those huge Hobs who raided innocent people. Drowned Folk? Damned [Pirates], striking now and then on the coasts. Dont even get him started on hunting down Garuda [Raiders]

Relc had fought countless species. He had lost friends in battles, even seen his leven seen his weven seen Embrias mother die in battle. He had quit because he was tired of it. He could find a bad thing to say about every species in the world.

It took him nearly two weeks to figure out why Cellidel was still bad. When he did, Relc woke up in the middle of the day (that was when he slept) and shouted it.

Because its not everyone! Aha!

He had been thinking on the issue the entire time he was here. Relc was now ignored by the Watchthey had tried hazing him, and hed promptly taken out two [Guards] who pissed on his armor and broken their teeth. They had tried disciplining him, but Relc could pass a truth stone test that he hadnt broken the law, and he was a Senior Guardsman; it would be a problem if they brought up exactly why he was in trouble.

So they were ignoring him. Cutting him off from support. Relc had not yet blown his whistle for backup. He wouldnt, because if he didno one would come.

That was how you died. Even Relc, who was the best [Guardsman] in all of Cellidel and Liscor by virtue of his level and experience as a [Spearmaster] in Liscors army, would eventually run into trouble that he couldnt solve alone. He would die, or be forced to leave. They wanted him gone. Watch Captain Terigrals had offered to send Relc back without so much as a spot on his record.

So why was he here? Relc lay awake thinking of it, sometimes. He supposed it was becausehe felt like he was needed. He was doing good by not being a [Brute] with a club. By being a Liscorian [Guardsman]. By being Relc, Senior Guardsman Relc.

Only, how could he do more? How could hefix the problem? Relc really wished Erin were here, or Klbkch. Or Zevara.

He was Relc.

What was he supposed to do besides hit things?

-

When he finished his shift, it was dawn, but Relc didnt sleep right when he got back. True, he had a dinner, or sometimes lunch, but he was used to six, or even four hours of rest and then a battle after a day of marching.

He could go until midday before he slept. So how did he fill that time?

Well, spear-training. That was a classic. In the first days, Relc had practiced alone in the courtyard at dawn. Now? He still did, although it wasnt right when he woke up. And this time

Senior Guardsman Relc! Look! Look, I have a Skill! [Spear Flurry]!

A little Gnoll girl prodigy ran up first thing that morning and stabbed at the air with the blunt staff, a short spear with a very crude point. Then she blurred in a series of punishing jabs marred only by the fact she was a little girl less than ten years old.

It still probably hurt like hell. And it was a basic [Warrior]s Skill across any fighting discipline. Not flashy, but it could kill if you had a steel tip and the enemy wasnt wearing armor in that spot. Relc took one look at the Skill used by the kid, a rarity among children, and spoke.

Aw, hells.

He was going to be in so much trouble with the girls parents. But the girl, whose name was Hickery, assured him her parents were happy she had any Skill at her age.

Relc actually saw the two hurrying off to work, eating as they ran. They waved at him and he waved back, smiling guiltily. He didnt comment on letting their daughter stay here alone; hed been raised like that. If there were [Carers] in Cellidel, he doubted they could afford them, so maybe Relc was the safe option?

Good job, Hickery.

He ruffled her hair. She beamed, and Relc saw more of his students, Gnolls and Drakes, but given the apartments residents, mostly Gnolls, waiting to join him, or practicing the spear drills hed shown them. He saw one he recognized on sight.

Vok. Look! Shes got a spear Skill! Isnt that amazing? Im amazing for teaching her too, obviously.

Vok glanced at Hickery, who was obviously beaming, not realizing how that made the Gnoll twice her age feel.

Relc noticed and slapped Vok on the back.

Nice Skill. Practice matters more, though. AlthoughHickery, I bet your [Spear Flurry] only goes four times, no matter how much you try to use it, right? Whats the recharge time?

Twthree hours. And its only four!

Relc had counted the strikes, which were quick. He nodded and the kids and young adults clustered around.

See, three hours means you get to use it once a fight. Not even more than once a battle. And its not faster. I can stab better; its just good for you. Now, if you level up you get more stabs and you can use it better. If you build muscle? Same. And if you get really good, you get to do this. Watch[Consecutive Spear Flurry]!

His audience stepped back as Relc began to jab at the airthen the enchanted tip blurred and began to lance an invisible target. It was far faster than Hickerys strikes, andVok blinked.

He couldnt even count how fast Relc was striking, but he was over eleventhen thirty

No way! Hes still attacking!

Relcs arms burned and he stopped after fifty eight. Panting, he leaned on his spear.

Get it? I burn stamina. I dont have to stop unless I get tired. Thats how you hold off a charging line of enemies.

Hed used it many times, to make attackers back off or run into a spear through their chests. Yet it had downsides. Relc slapped his chest.

It burns energy like nothing else, though. Probably three times as much as it would normally. Also, its slow.

Slow?

Vok was incredulous. Relc winked at him.

Slower than [Triple Thrust]. Thats three strikes at the same time. Spear-skills are all about knowing what works best. Believe me; I know a Senior Guardsman, this guy Jeiss, who could take off my arm if I tried [Consecutive Spear Flurry] on him. What you do is you build Skills for every scenario.

Can we get that Skill instead of just Hickery?

Someone whined, jealous. Relc shrugged.

Sure. You think you get it from luck? Practice your thrusts! Come on! Whos doing a thousand a day? Thats basic. If you want to level

He began exhorting the children, many of whom took to the drills with more discipline than you would have guessed. But these were bored street-kids. And they were levelling. They saw how good Relc was.

And someRelc glanced sideways at Vok, who was practicing with a determination that went beyond Hickerys desire to improve and enjoyment. He practiced with a frown, hard, sweating at it.

He wanted to protect himself.Himself, his friends, his family, his neighborhood. Relc could understand that most of all.

The Drake practiced with the kids, watching them, and noting who came and who didnt stay. He mostly watched the older ones; already, one group had been arrested for having the practice spears he now collected after the dawn session and entrusted to Vok. The Watch did not like potential [Spearfighters] being levelled.

Was he doing good here? Was he needed? Well, in another time, Relc thought this would have been a pleasant diversion. He would have stuck around for a month, gotten frustrated, punched some idiot, and been sent to Liscor and that would be that.

Cellidel had problems with Gnolls. Grass was green. That was how common it was, and Relc might have given up and gone to his city he missed so much. To Erinhe closed his eyes.

Ow.

Hickery stabbed him in the stomach as he failed to block one of her stabs. He shrugged, rubbed at the spot, and went back to absent-mindedly blocking her. He couldnt do it blind anymore; she was a natural.

In other times, Cellidels system would just make life miserable for the Gnolls, many of whom might quit the city or justendure. Endure, until they tired or snapped or left or were killed. However, these were not normal times. Cellidel had met the balancing force to everything the Drakes had. The thing that made the streets tenser, that put Relcs scales on edge. Why he stayed. Cellidel had a nightmare that was bringing all these things to light. And that nightmare was called Sellme.

An observer was watching the spear drills. As he always did. He was a pale white Drake, his clothes those of a [Scribe]; neat, tidy, as white as his scales, which had only the slightest hints of yellow and pink.

Sellme was small. Shorter than Selys, even. He was slight and young; if he stood next to Relc, he looked like an actual child. His face, though, was often combative for someone of his stature, and when he was angry, his slitted rose eyes flashed and his tail would slap the ground.

He smelled of an earthy cologne, the kind of thing you wore to hide real bad smells. Not of acrylic paints, and his robes never had any color. It was a good guise; if Relc hadnt seen him before, he would have never guessed that this was the [Magical Painter], Sellme.

Yo, Tesy. Want to pick up a spear today? Weve got light ones! You could be pretty good!

Relc shouted. The young Drake man made a face.

No, thank you. I need my hands for writing!

Drawing. Relc wondered if there were traces on Tesys scales which made him reluctant to practice. Then again, it could just be Relc. Relc was a [Guardsman]. Tesy was Sellme and he had opinions on the Watch. He seemed to like Relc.

Hey, I was on the beat all night. Not actually beating more than a few [Drunks]

Relc winked at Vok. He turned his head, pretending to look around.

Anyone seen a new Sellme? Its getting pretty hot on the streets.

That was putting it lightly. Each painting caused a bigger scene. Sellme exposed corruption and there was a lot of it in Cellidel, like every city. [Merchants] had fled, laws had been passed, and the Watch was being screamed at by powerful people who did not want to be the target of the next Sellme painting. Monsters were being unveiledoften to mob justice.

People had died because of what Sellme had drawn on a wall, or a bridge, or even the street. Yet what they really wanted, many people, what was boiling under the surface, was the Gnoll conflict with the Watch. Relc had already seen large protests that the Watch had broken upalways when he was off-duty.

He felt bigger ones might be coming. And if they did? Well. Apparently entire cities had gone up in flames thanks to Sellme.

Not today, but everyone thinks itll be soon.

One of the Gnolls called out. Relc glanced around.

Aw, come on. I was hoping to hear about the latest one before I slept. Werent you, Tesy?

He glanced at the Drake. Tesy rolled his eyes.

Who pays attention to Sellme all the time, Guardsman Relc?

I sort of like him.

Really, you? You who

The Drake bit back something. Relc grinned.

I dont like that people get hurt, or when people are attacked because he draws something. Or when people think they caught Sellme.

Tesys eyes flickered.

No. Thats terrible. But at least monsters are getting what they deserve.

Yeah. And sometimes people die because the Watch didnt arrest them and instead that person and everyone in the way got torn apart. I mean, hey, the Watch didnt do anything. Thats our bad. But theres a lot of angry people.

Theyve got reasons to be angry. I havent been here long and even I can see it. I got arrested, remember? Some Watch [Thugs] beat me up?

Sure, sure. Im new to Cellidel too. Hey, I was even there. Im just sayingyou know.

The two barely looked at each other as Relc whirled his spear about in his drills and Tesy leaned on the balcony of the third floor. So much went unsaid. Did Tesy hear it too? Relc smiled.

If he arrested Sellme, the problem didnt go away. Sellme was not the problem.

But was he making it worse or better? Relc didnt know. He might have arrested Sellme if it was Liscor, but the Drake reminded him of Erin. Relc stared up at the sky as his spear never faltered in its course around him.

He missed Erin.

Relc had been the absolute last person to hear what had happened to her. In the same wayLyonette forgot to tell Embria, who obviously didnt tell him what had come from Chandrar.

Relc had no idea at all about Mrsha, or anything else. Hed just been wondering what that little rascal was up to, and wishing hed taught her some spear-drills. Then again, Lyonette would have killed him. Mrsha got into enough trouble as it was.

Wing Commander Embria and Zevara had decided not to distract Relc.

-

They came out of the wilds. The savage infiltrators. The untamed, unwashed masses. Criminals and fools all.

A plague upon Cellidel. A plague brought by the so-called injustices. By Sellme. By the time the Watch noticed, it was too late. Of course, they tried to bar the gates against the rest of their kind. Too late once more. The rot was in the city.

The first [Anarchists] arrived as Relc was finishing up his day. Spear practice over, he just ambled about, visited the sites, returned that weird book, and enjoyed his life. He did not know that Sellmes followers had arrived.

They came through the gates, bypassing the appraisal Skills. They werent one class; they were [Rebels] and [Dissidents], [Anarchists] being a high-level class. They were an army, of a kind, but not one that the Watch would know to look for.

They were not all Drakes. They were not all Gnolls. They were young, many of them. They tended towards clothing that could be pulled over the head; hats or hoods for preference, or masks, scarves.

And as armies went, well, this one had no scouts. It didnt reconnoiter. They knew what they were here for.

Fuck Cellidel! Down with corruption! Down with the walls! Sellmes here to expose the truth, and were going to burn down the damn Council and all these money-grubbing assholes!

Relc passed by a young Drake woman in the streets. He watched, yawning, as she shouted to a crowd of passersby.

Huh. Weird.

Senior Guardsman Relc did nothing about her. He was off-duty. One of the [Guard] patrols did come striding over as the young Drake came shouting.

Youre all blind! Blind like Follower Chickens! Wake up, people! Cant you see how bad it is?

Hey! Whos shouting nonsense?

The [Guards] spotted her and strode over. Quick as a flash, the Drake turned and bolted. She was quick! She pushed into the crowd, and Relc actually lost her.

Camouflage Skill. Huh.

He stared at the hooded individual who pushed past the [Guards], who rolled their eyes, assured the person whod complained theyd keep an eye out, and walked on. Sloppy, but then again, they werent good at anti-detection measures like Relc. Besides, it was hot, it was just some idiot shouting

That was all Relc thought about it. He had no idea this was occurring a hundred times in different places at the same moment. By the end of the day, Watch Captain Terigrals would get reports of nearly four dozen pieces of unauthorized art on walls with insults against Cellidels governing body, or Sellme-type works. People shouting insults and slander. Someone attempting to incite a mob.

Relc met with his personal dealer right before he went to sleep. Hed just been cruising one of the market-streets when someone flagged him down.

Hey. Relc. Is that Relc? Drakes Ancestors, I didnt expect to find you here!

A Human man trotted over, waving a hand. Relc glanced up. It was rare to see a Human, and true to form, the only person who regularly walked Drake cities was a [Merchant].

Is that Bilt? Hey!

He grinned, and waved a claw. The two met as a few [Merchants] glanced over. Bilt grinned.

I was just wondering if I was going to head north to Liscor again! Long time no see! What happened? Decided to move cities?

Relc hesitated.

Long story. You know, reassigned. Im here for a bit.

Bilt was a savvy [Merchant]. Not the highest-level one, and his merchandise was a biteclectic. However, he was canny enough to know when to drop a subject.

Fairs fair. Everyone likes to travel. Its amazing we met! I was just leavingmy instincts are telling me nows the time. Say, thats not why youre here, is it? This Sellme business. Bad stuff. Opportunities, but bad stuff.

He lowered his voice. Relc saw Bilts travelling companions, some he actually recognized, packing up. Bilt often travelled with other Humans, [Traders], combining their security and potential to attract crowds. He saw a woman with a nose-ring glancing around, as if her [Dangersense] was going off.

Skills tingling?

Like you wouldnt believe. Listen, Relc. Youre a good customer and I know youre the Watch, but weve seen Sellme across a dozen cities. Often imitators, but this looks like the real thing. Well, thats why were herebut its time to go. No more opportunity.

Opportunity?

Getting a Sellme! What, you think their name is a joke? I was trying to see if we could pull off one of their art pieces, but the damn brick wallsdo you know how hard it is to tear down a wall? Let alone cart it, or pay someone for it? Anyways, we got one piece.

He nodded at one of the illustrations Relc had seen; the one with the corrupt Merchants Guild. It was lying on the back of a wagon, having literally been taken as a huge chunk of masonry. Relc shook his head.

You [Merchants] are weird.

Says the Drake who lives in a city that floods every year. I got stuck in Liscor one spring. Never again. I thought the walls would implode every second I was there. Nightmares.

Bilt was afraid of water. Hence travelling from north to south Izril by land despite the Bloodfields and other hazards. However, he was connected, and as he talked with Relc, his eyes sharpened.

Actually, now that I have youmaybe this is coincidence, Relc. Because I just happen to have, erthe good stuff.

The Senior Guardsman had been yawning, wondering if he had the energy to have a drink with the [Merchant]; maybe even send a letter to Liscor if Bilt was headed there direct. It would be cheaper than a City Runner. Now, though, his eyes sharpened. He leaned in.

You dont say? Thegood stuff? What kind of quality are we talking?

A few customers passing by eyed the Drake and Human. Bilt gave them the side-eye. He edged over.

Ive never gotten finer. Nor have I unloaded any of it. Ive got six. And youre one of the few people who Id give access to. I have them in the back. Theyre hot. Fresh.

Fresh? As innew?

New as new, Relc. Believe me, once you get a taste

Someone went over to inform the [Guard] on duty there was some kind of illicit activity going on. The Drake glanced over, on alertspotted Bilt, and rolled her eyes.

So did one of the [Merchants] who knew Bilt and Relc. She watched them go into the back of Bilts wagon and rubbed at her face.

What are they doing, exactly?

One of her customers asked nervously. The woman sighed.

Puzzles. Theyre talking about puzzles. Damn freaks.

-

Bilt was an odd merchant. He sold any number of things, but he also sold blacksmiths puzzles, little trick locks, and the like. He had [Thieves] as well as upstanding citizens who loved his merchandise.

However, he refused to sell his most high-quality products to anyone but a true mind, as he put it. Someone who could solve his puzzles and didnt cheat by asking for the solution. Relc had demonstrated his acumen, so Bilt led him into his personal trailer, past the weak little wire puzzles, wood block games, and into the back.

No ones solved it so far. I have six. And theyll cost you nigh on four gold, Relc.

Four gold? Am I made of money?

Relc was appalled. He clutched at his money pouch. Bilt held up his hands.

It cost me nearly two gold per puzzle! And I do have to get it shipped and earn some money! Believe me, Relc. Im taking a loss on these, almost. Theyre just for the best. Youre one. Ill even offer you credit.

Wellokay. So this is new? Howd you get ahold of it? Is it a Wistram? A Samal? A Destrui? Did you get your hands on a Destrui?

Relc named some of the best puzzle-makers across the world. You knew the companies or individuals, like the famed puzzle-maker from Baleros.

Hah! You think I have six of his? No, this is a new player, by which I mean an old puzzle-maker. Shes back, though. Feast your eyes on this. The Archmage of Izril just came out with her Gizeal Puzzle!

Bilt hefted a huge cube up and Relc stared at it. He owned a lot of puzzles. Wire ones, wooden locking mechanisms that you twisted just so. He even had a few magical puzzles, where the trigger was even speaking or sunlight. They were devilish, but he had gotten onto Bilts list by solving four.

This? This was a cube with transparent glass and metal panels. A glowing orb inside, but one panel was rotating at all times. He saw, as the metal plate moved, an interior glass design of intricate metalwork, pins, and sliding mechanismsbefore it was obscured.

There were three keyholes on the cube, all far different from standard ones. He saw a large cylindrical hole at the base, and what might be a sliding panel on the side. His pulse skyrocketed. His claws trembled, like a [Drug Addict] seeing a chest full of powder.

Bilt. This is the good stuff. This is only four gold?

Its a mystery. I think the Archmage of Izril is putting these out as a sampler. She only made a hundred; I was on her list. So she gives these out, hooks people in, and they shell out for the next one. Shes been out of the business for ten years, but they said she was the best. What about it, Relc?

The Drake was already opening up his money pouch. He paid one gold and two silverall he could afford, and cutting into his food budgetand carried the cube back to his room. He had a project.

By the time he had to sleeptwo hours past when he shouldRelc had discovered the sliding panel revealed an inner mechanism, a fourth lock. There was even a lockpicking set attached and he worked at it for a good twenty minutes before he realizedof course! The lockpicking set didnt match any of the four locks. So he inserted a curiously wavy pick of bronze into one of the tiny holes and opened up a slot with a green lens.

Then he had to go to sleep, but he was beaming as he did.

-

So, its got this green lens and it turns out that you have to shine light through onto this glass section for it to pop out a part of a puzzle. But, see, you have to have solved these two other pieces for the three to join up. So its a puzzle in a puzzle you have to assemble

The Watch Sergeant stared at Relc as he stood for muster. The other [Guards] had fingers in their ears.

Dismissed!

She tried to get him to leave twice before he went.

-

And I found out that it wasnt actually sunlight I needed, or moonlight. See, to get the green lens thing to activate the mechanism, you need candlelight! Firelight! I have no idea how you do that kind of thing.

Anyways, once I did that, I was turning it over and over and thats when I realized there was this little clicking sound. So I thoughthuh, Ive done puzzles like that before! I realized you have to turn it around in the right order to get something inside to move. Like a little ball? Ive gotten to left, right, back, back, up, leftbut I keep messing up. Maybe its a diagonal?

IT WAS A DIAGONAL.Also, kid! Theres this glowing orb in the center! I think its a prize or something; there is no way this was worth two gold, or even four! I think this Archmage is a real puzzle-person. Ive been up late and I think the lockpicks are meant to do more than that one part I wrote about.

See, maybe you dip them in water or something to get a code? This is like, combining every puzzle Ive ever had. There was one where you dipped a tool in water in order to get a secret code you entered

Wing Commander Embria stopped, with her claw at the paragraph, and skimmed down. Then she turned the page. And the second page.

Nothing. He wrote you three pages on the blacksmithing puzzle before he got to me, Watch Captain?

Zevara and Embria were comparing notes. The Watch Captain looked amused.

At least hes got a hobby. I never knew Relc did blacksmithing puzzles. Is he good?

I think he solved a Destrui puzzle once.

A what?

A famous puzzle. Something like there are less than ten thousand people who have ever solved it ever. This [Merchant] gave him a bottle of wine. I think he got put on a list of people wholike puzzles.

Huh. I had no clue.

That was the kind of dialogue that marked out the amateurs from the real puzzle-heads who knew what that meant. Embria went back to reading her fathers letter. She was glad. Her stomach still hurt. Two weeks ago, shed received a simple message.

I know what happened to Erin.

Senior Guardsman Relc had not returned to Liscor. He hada new class, and a new calling. This was the happiest letter shed gotten from him. She knew he had some friends, and a lot of problems and worries, although Liscor had its fair share of worries she hadnt told Relc about.

The army had left and was heading south. Liscors new army, that was. Hectval had made it clear they werent going to relent. Embrias 4th Company had stayed for security, another problem

Well. Shed write back. She kept reading. Zevaras lips moved as she read another aspect of Relcs puzzle-solving battle.

Theres a way to hum and open a slot? Hes making this up, isnt he?

-

See? I told you! Hum likehuiiighghgand it opens!

With a pop, a slot shot out and nearly punched Tesy in the face. The Drake [Painter] recoiled and Vok shot back in his seat. Relc, beaming, offered around one of his two cups.

Anyways, who wants water? I cant afford more than Prelons and water, but its great, isnt it?

Vok and Tesy sat in Relcs room for a morning chat. It was a bit of a custom; none of them had many friends, Vok being the most social of the lot and having grown up in Cellidel. Tesy? He kept to himself and Relcs buddies were in the Watch. Since that had soured, they had ended up sharing some meals or drinking or talking.

I knew it. Ill bring some wine over.

Tesy sighed. He got up and came back five minutes later with a bottle of wine. And snacks. The Drake had more money than the other two and watched as Vok and Relc fought over some dried Prelon chips. Truly, anything could be made of them.

So you really like this cube, huh?

Vok tapped the cube. Relc hugged it.

Its the greatest thing ever. So what are we doing? Cards?

Tesy had a deck of magical cards, which awed Vok. Relc had played with such decks. He would have questioned where Tesy got the money, but Sellme also had dice, and other games to pass the time.

Sure. What are we wagering?

Weeeeeellif Tesy brings out those nice spicy chips, we could all use them as money.

Ancestors! Am I buying all the food?

The Drake grumbled, but soon they were bidding on chips, and the winnerVokgot to eat them and then share them as he gulped water. That was fun. Relc was having fun.

-

There he is! Kill him!

The Drake ran. Relc saw him charging and tensed, but the [Plumber] just dove behind the wall of [Guards]. They had tower shields, batons. The mob slowed, but only just.

This is an order from the Council! Disperse!

Relc saw something flying at him and raised his shield. He blocked somethinga Prelon. The sewer manager for Cellidel cowered as a [Guard] dragged him back.

Sellmes latest painting had revealed that the sewersa Drake city phenomenon compared to a lot of Human ones, which still used chamber pots in many places or conventional, dug outhouseshad not been suffering from bad luck. Rather, as the colorful illustration of a Drake dropping dung onto passersby as he lined his pockets with gold indicated, it had been deliberate neglect.

Corruption, again. Countless streets had been plagued by backups, rats, and the like for years. Bad smells, even sewage getting into the well water.

They wanted that Drake dead. It was the Watchs job not to let that happen.

This was the third protest Relc had seen so far. Each time, it was a Sellme that kicked it off. Even Liscor got this kind of thing.

Usually, the Watch held the line. With big shields and armor, a mob didnt generally pick a fight with them. They just shouted insults, threw things like the Prelons, and got tired after a while. The Sewer Manager would be arrested, the matter investigated.

This time was different. The [Guards] stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Relc, his bad blood forgotten, at least for now. No one wanted a gap in their lines to incite the crowd.

They were outnumbered. Barely three dozen [Guards] and a few hundred angry citizens. The Watch was slowly moving back, because of course what terrified them most was being surrounded.

Terrified? Yes, Relc sensed it on the other [Guards]. They were tensed. Worried. This was not what they liked; every single veteran had seen what a mob could do to you in seconds if you were swarmed.

Relc was more tense than afraid. Hed seen worse. Even sohis [Dangersense] was muttering in his earhole. This time, something was off.

The last two riots had been shouting, a few people who nearly approached the line of guards and had to be warned off. Then showers of rotten Prelons, a few stones before the [Guards] barked and kids or idiots fled.

This time? The Prelon came first out of the crowd which Relc blocked. Not a bad throw; just a lobbed fruit. Something to vent anger. But then his [Dangersense] purred and Relc heard a voice.

Look at them, protecting this monster! Damn the Watch! Damn the walls!

From out of the crowd, a figure in a hood jumped up and threw an object. Properly threw one, with all the force and speed of a rock leaving a slingshot. Relc saw a whirling bottle flash past his head, strike a shield, and shower the [Guards] with glass.

Someone shouted in the ranks of the Watch. It was a cry of surprise. Fear? Relc saw a shield lower.

Dont lower your

He saw a second rock shoot out of the crowd and hit a [Guard]. But for the helmet, it would have hit them right across the brow.

Someone in that crowd had a throwing Skill. Relc saw the [Guard] stagger. He shoved someone aside and yanked the shield up.

Heads down! Someones tossing danger!

He shouted. The Watch backed up further, but now a shower of more dangerous debris was coming out of the crowd. Relc guarded his face, ignoring the impacts on his armor. He had [Iron Scales] and [Thick Skin]; there was little they could do to him, even if whoever had the best arm hit him square-on. The rest of the [Guards] werent so lucky. A glancing hit hurt if it got you, and someone was clever.

Glass bottles exploded and the shrapnel didnt cut you if you wore armor often, but it was scary. Then someone threw another bottle and it struck the top of a shield over their heads. Relc heard the difference in the sound before a [Guard] shouted.

What the f

Relc smelled the urine as it showered down. The [Guards] shouted in disgust and fury. Then someone snapped.

You bastards!

A Drake pounded out of the line of [Guards]. Relc cursed. Someone else shouted.

Glorisa, no

The [Guards] hesitatedthen charged after her. The crowd saw the enraged [Guardswoman] coming their way, stinking of urine. They hesitated. Someone threw one last stone that bounced off her chestplate, but the crowd was full of angry civilians.

Mostly. Three figures among them were last to toss what they held and run. They all had hoods, and Relc saw the rest of the crowd take to their heels first. Those last three, thoughthey were who made his [Dangersense] tingle.

-

We have [Rebels] in the city. So-called [Dissidents], and [Anarchists], even. Sellmes lot. No one breaks rank, understood?

Watch Captain Terigrals himself came to address Relcs Watch House. He walked down their lines as they stood to attention. He even met Relcs eyebefore glancing past him.

The mob had broken this time in front of the angry [Guards]. But it had been close. If Glorisa hadnt gotten them to come after her, or theyd been a bit angrier? The Watch Captain stopped in front of her and poked her in the chest.

No one breaks rank. You go after them, and you endanger everyone.

The Drakes scales were dark with her blush.

But Watch Captain, they were throwing bottles of piss! What are we supposed to do, just take it?

Terigrals hesitated.

There are a lot of rabble rousers in the city, Guardswoman. We will not provoke more violence, understood?

Were not the ones starting this, Watch Captain.

One of the [Guards] protested. Terigrals held up his claws.

I am aware of this, but the Council is concerned. You all just raise your shields. Ignore it. Well get through this; I have our best Senior Guard patrols dedicated to tracking down these people, and Sellme.

The [Guards] murmured, before being called to order. Catch Sellme? It was true their troubles might end, but no one had caught the [Magical Painter] yet.

Nor had anyone asked Relc to do that. He still stank. They all did. The Drake fidgeted as Terigrals walked past him.

Well get through this. There are some criminals in the city. We hold the line, we do not go after civilians and give them ammunition, and theyll calm down. Its people like Sellme who do this.

And the Sewer Manager. Relc held his tongue. But he couldnt help but wonder. Was it just the bad apples, the bad Prelons in the city being targeted by Sellme? Or was this unearthing all of the problems that had always been waiting for a moment like this?

-

You stink, Relc. AncestorsVok, open a window.

I got hit by a bottle of pee. Someone tossed it at us when we were covering the Sewage Manager. People wanted to kill him. Another Sellme painting. Seems like theres only trouble when one appears.

Tesy glanced up over their game of cards as Vok went to open the window. His tail curled up and so did his lip.

And you did? Typical. That Sewage Manager let hundreds of people go without proper plumbing for weeks. People got sick thanks to him!

So we should just let him die? Mind you, I think someone in the Watch kicked him in the guts. We dont like him, but we had to arrest him. Thats how the law works. Or something.

Or something. Youre a Senior Guardsman. Why didnt anyone do anything before?

I think the Council was looking into it.

Relc studied his cards. He plucked one, tossed it down. Tesy instantly trumped it and Relc sighed.

A fine job they did.

Vok glanced from player to player as Relc and Sellme played for coppers. He studied his hand. Relc shrugged. He glanced at Tesy over the top of his cards. He toyed with one.

Someone in that crowd was throwing some pretty dangerous stones. Good arm. I hear there are [Rebels] in the city. People who support Sellme. We could have gotten hurt.

The white-scale Drake hesitated. His claws held a card up before he played it, slowly.

Sellmes got a lot of followers. So I hear. They hate the Watch. You should be careful, Relc.

Me? Im Relc. No ones taking me down. All Im saying iswe didnt do anything wrong. Why does someone have to throw bottles of pee at us?

You didnt do anything wrong today.

Relc slowed in picking up a slice of buttered bread, his dinner. His eyes focused on Tesy.

Whats that supposed to mean?

So uh, its been nice weather of late, right? Nearly turning to fall.

Vok tried to interject, playing two cards hurriedly that joined into one as they glowed. Tesy ignored the comment. So did Relc. The [Magical Painter] leaned forwards, tail lashing agitatedly.

Why did no one fix the problem with the Sewer Manager before? He was investigated? The problem was here for months before Sellme arrived. Over a year and a half! Wheres the Watch when you really need them? Sure, you stop small crimes. What about actual gangs getting people killed? Theres a p

He hesitated. Relcs head moved up sharply. Tesy went on, claws suddenly tight on his cards.

Theres a new Sellme on that corner with the domed building. Brand new.

Vok and Relcs heads rose. Vok blinked, excited. Relc just looked at Tesy.

Whats it about?

Crime. Some [Guard] looking the other way and lecturing a low-level [Thief] while a real monster beats down someone for coin. You know that section of the city? The one past the big [Butcher]s shop downwhatever they call itBrassflame Way?

Relcs pulse was steady, but it upticked a bit.

I know it. Tough neighborhood.

Tesy smiled bitterly.

Well, its not patrolled by the Watch nearly as much as other places, is it? The Gangs rule there. Wheres the Watch then, Relc?

The Drake slowly picked up his bread, and bit into it. He chewed, slowly, determinedly.

The Gangs are dangerous. Good [Guards] die every yearin Cellidel and Liscorfighting them. You want to tell a patrol to go into a place where someone will take a crossbow and aim at them? We keep the peace, but the Watch isnt the army.

Well, they should send the army in, then.

The Gangsll go to ground. Theyve done it before. If you send a huge force, they run. Small ones? They take shots at you. You have to work at it. Thats why

Tesy snapped. The Drake hurled his handful of cards at Relc.

Well, youve got an answer for everything, dont you? This is why Cellidel has problems, Relc! This is why Sellmes here!

Relc brushed a card off his lap as the Drake stormed out of the room. He sat there, head lowered, staring at the last piece of bread, the heel. He only moved when he heard a sound. Vok nervously, nervously laid down a card, fidgeting.

Relc had completely forgotten the young Gnoll was here.

-

Senior Guardsman Relc thought about Tesys argument later that evening, during his patrol.

Obviously, Tesy was young so Relc had let him storm off. Throwing cards in someones face wasnt exactly the most mature way of ending an argument. Then againhe had a point and he didnt.

Organized crime plagued every city. From Terandria to Chandrareven Rhir, although Relc bet they kept their heads down. The fact was that the Watch could never stamp them out.

Maybe in that nation everyone was talking aboutKheltmaybe you could. But youd need eyes on every street, and the willingness to kill anyone who broke the lawor deal with it some other way.

The Watch? Well, here was how to look at it. Relc was the highest-levelled [Guard] in all of Liscor. In all of Cellidel. Perhaps all of Izril, frankly. No one besides a Watch Captain was close to his level, and he had two classesthree, now, with [Guardsman of Trust] that were high-level. A Level 20 [Senior Guard], which was the baseline requirement for the rank, could not run up against the worst criminals in Izril.

A Level 40 [Thug] like those Gentlemen Callers could wipe out two squads of Senior Guards. Did Tesy want them to risk being slaughtered? Rather, if this was the problem, it wasnt that the Watch didnt care, it was that they couldnt do what they wanted to.

That was it. The Watch could take on the Gangs, but it just wasnt practical to ask them to. Besides which, everyone knew the Gangs had laws of their own. They knew when to lie lowthe smart ones, at least. In a sense, they were better to deal with than a bunch of random criminals; you could always smack the gang because they were a target.

I wish I could think of these things when Im arguing! Argh!

Relc growled to himself. Mister Soot was a good example. Liscor had a good Watch. It had a better Watch than Cellidels, and Mister Soot had been there as long as Relc had been in the Watch. He was justuntouchable. He kept his illicit activities hidden for the most part, and the Watch, including Zevara, could never nab him.

Put another wayMister Soots gang would never trouble Erin Solstice or Selys while they were about their business. They were criminals, yes, but they were inconspicuous ones.

Tesy wanting the Watch to take them on? Well. Relc stared at the Sellme illustration grimly. The crowd was not happy and he was glad he had his badge off.

Its the Shank Gang. It has to be about them.

Who?

Relc interrupted a muttering pair. The Drake and Gnoll glanced at him warily, but one explained.

They rule this district. They mug people, rob others. The Watch has never gotten rid of them. They barely patrol near their base.

The Senior Guardsman frowned.

They have an actual base? And no one stops them?

Whos going to? They havea Face. You know, one of their high-level gang members? Whod take them on? Not the damn Watch patrols. Those murdering

Shh. Theyll hear you!

Relc stood there, chewing on his lip. He stared at the painting. There was the [Guard], arresting a scrawny little [Thief] stealing a Prelon, while a huge thug beat down on a Gnoll reaching out for the [Guard] who was clearly ignoring them. You had to hand it to Sellme; it was well-done. And about as subtle as Tesy.

-

So it was a bad gang. And a high-level criminal. Relc was stuck on his Gizeal Puzzle. He poked at it, listlessly, thinking that morning.

Trouble was, Tesy was right about this gang. That wasnt how Mister Soot operated; if his gang attacked people, it was usually rival gangs. The other trouble?

Well, it was sort of a self-inflicted wound. Like someone shooting their own foot with an arrow. Cellidels Watch patrolled some parts of the city more than others. It just so happened that the Shank Gang occupied a Gnoll district. Perhaps because of the gangor maybe the Watchs inattention caused it.

Ancestors damn it, do you think about this kind of problem? Huh? Terigrals?

Relc growled, and raised a fist to punch the cube. He stopped, sighed.

He didnt think of this kind of thing. His head hurt. Relc had never thought about the implications of taking down a gang; he left that kind of thing to Zevara. Just point Relc at a problem and let him loose.

Now, though? If Gnolls thought the Watch didnt protect them, they had every right to be mad. How did you fix a city? Fix a Watch that wasnt liked, and the people who didnt trust them? Relc sat there, and his heart began to pound with anxiety and fear. But he had a thought.

You had to restore their trust. Show them, show Tesy that the badge meant something.

-

The sun was setting, and the heat was leaving the streets of Cellidel. Light bounced off glass windows, or more often, paint on shutters.

The cobblestones on the street were cooling too, and Cellidels people were hurrying out of one street that had another backed-up sewer reeking. They hurried down this street, though; the huge, former warehouse with permanently closed windows was not a place they liked to linger.

The Shank Gang was known for killing people who didnt cooperate, hence the name. But they didnt actually murder many people each month as the Watch couldnt ignore it. Still, they had a reputation, and the [Gang Boss], Shanker Ellic, was in charge of so many people all he had to do was keep order, rather than earn money for the gang himself.

He got to relax in the warehouse, and his only complaint was the closed windows when the summers heat baked the inside and brought out the last traces of what the place had been: a cold house for the butchers meat. It always began to smell a bit of that, and the odor was so annoying the Shank Gang actually hung up mint and other sprigs of natural scents to relieve it.

The city was hushed; the Watch was out in force, and the latest Sellme had people talking. Quietly, in that deliberate way of worried people. The pedestrians hurrying back to their homes glanced at the hideout.

There were no Watch patrols here. They usually stopped three streets out. That was the demarcation line. Beyond here, the Shank Gang kept their order and you were safeso long as you paid protection. Or paid them if they gave you the ultimatum; a knife or your money pouch. Well, either way, you gave them your money pouch.

The quiet street was starting to be invaded by the septic scent. Rotted meat and sewer stench mixed with the slightest old mint smell. Shanker Ellic snarled.

Damn sewers! Someone get the scent wand.

He growled at some of his loyal people. A Drake, coughing, went to check as the [Gang Boss] sneezed into a handkerchief hed dosed with strong vinegar. He was just grateful he wasnt a Gnoll; he couldnt imagine how bad this was for them.

Into this quietly unpleasant but mundane day came the most unusual of sights. People on the street looked up, did a double-take, and grabbed the others nearest to them. They pointed.

What is? Is that?

A [Day Laborer] halted his wife. They both stared as a figure came marching down the street. Light shone on leather armor. Chainmail shone, flashing from underneath, and on his breast gleamed an object rarely ever seen here.

A Watchmans badge.

The citizens of this district stared at the Senior Guardsman as he marched along. Many of them knew him. The new one. The one who patrolled alone. The [Guardsman of Trust] that you could trust, or so they said.

Guardsman Relc. He had to be new, or he wouldnt be here.

Hes alone? There has to be a patrol

I heard he didnt have a partner. Maybe hes that good? He shouldnt be here. If a Shank Gangmember sees him

Should someone tell him?

Possibly, but who? Right next to the headquarters of? The citizens stared at Relc as he marched along. They heard something, as he strode closer. He wassinging?

Boom, boom, if youre a Relc, here comes the Relc. Nothing rhymes with Relc!

He was headed straight for the Shank Gangs hideout. People stared in horror, like watching someone who had never met a Demonsoul Skunk before walking towards one as the tail slowly rose.

Senior Guardsman Relc, oblivious to the looks of horror and dozens of people trying to catch his eye and mouth turn around, consulted a little sketch he had.

This one? No. This one? Nowait. Yes. Aha.

The Shank Gangs sleepy, stinky evening was interrupted as Relc marched up to the door behind which a door guard was snoozing, nose-plugs in. He stopped, cleared his throat.

And then he began to hammer on the door.

Hey! Hey! This is the Watch, open up! Surprise! Its inspection time!

The door guard fell out of their chair in surprise. Inside the warehouse, Shanker Ellic looked up.

Who is making that idiotic racket?

His first thought was that there was some gang member of his or an outsider who wanted a word. Or favor. He pointed and one of his cronies went to investigate.

Outside, the civilians had frozen in horror. The door guard scrambled to his feet. He had been napping, and had clearly not heard that right. He came to the door and the slot opened. He glared at Relc, missing the badge.

You moron! Dont hammer, knock! Whats the password?

He was met by a beaming grin of white teeth. Relc had excellent dental hygiene. The Senior Guardsman stepped back, and the badge came into view. Thenhe raised his voice.

Password? This is the Watch. Open up!

His voice reached the inside. Shanker Ellic froze. The gang glanced up, and a lounging figure put their feet down. The [Gang Boss] glanced over to a Drake whose eyes shone as she tossed up a glowing dagger and caught it. He whirled.

The Watch? What did you idiots do?

His answer came from outside.

Im told there is an illicit group of people mugging people on the street, extorting money, making threats, and other blackmail attempts. This is illegal. Pretty sure it is, anyways. In the course of my investigation, I demand you open up at once! Any something something in the way of my duties means I get to hit you and arrest you. You have five seconds.

No Crelering way. Theres a [Guardsman] out there, boss!

One of the gang members came back to confirm what was happening. Shanker Ellic froze.

How many more?

None. Just one.

The [Gang Boss] stared. His sudden panic resolved intohe stood up, incredulously.

You mean theres one idiot out there? Its not a raid?

The [Thug] shook his head.

Nope. Some idiot. New. I know that guyhes that Senior Guardsman from another city.

Well thenhes a real idiot. Get rid of him.

Ellic didnt have to think twice. He nodded, and four of his [Thugs] grinned. They gestured.

Backdoor?

Sure. Just shut him up. Make sure no one sees you! Clear the street first, idiots.

The [Gang Boss] sat back down. The [Rogue] with the enchanted dagger glanced at him.

Want me to handle it?

Nah. Maybe theyll level.

Besides, youll charge me more for helping out. The Face, known as Halfblade, shrugged. She lay back down. Halfblade? She used two daggers. The reason for the name was because you only saw half of the daggers at any timeusually in someones throat.

Ellic waited as the Senior Guardsman went silent. It would take up to ten minutes for the [Thugs] to get some buddies to clear the street and then sort it out. He might not hear about it, but there was no way that idiot would get into the warehouse. The door guard would stall him, but the door was the kind [Information Brokers] used. Steel. Even mildly enchanted. It would

Crash.

The [Gang Boss] had just sat down when the sound made him jolt to his feet.

What was

Dead gods! Dno, nooo

There was a shout from inside. Then a scream and a thump. Ellic froze. Then he heard the same, jovial voice.

Doors cannot stop the [Relc Kick]! Thats why you pay for reinforced walls, idiots! Ow. My foot hurts.

There is no way. Someoneyou all, go check. No, wait.

The [Gang Boss] snarled, but he was hesitating. Had that guy just gone through the front door? Even so, there should be four [Thugs] all over Level 15 right behind

Whoa! Who are y

A shout, and the sounds of fighting. There was a thumpEllic relaxed. Right until he heard a roar.

Ow. That hurt!

Whumph. Something hit the wall. Someone yelped, a high-pitched Gnoll voice.

Dea

Relc Kick! Relc Kick! Dont run!

Boss, bo

Another scream that turned into another whumph of impact. The people inside the warehouse heard a final voice.

Were sorry! Dont do that! Dontputmedownputmed

The last crash was followed by a scream and whimpering. In dead silence, Ellic rose. He pointed and the bodyguards moved to the door leading into the big room.

The entire Shank Gang was here. The [Gang Boss] didnt panic. The four hed sent out had gotten jumped rather than doing the jumping, idiots. This [Senior Guard] was goodmaybe he had [Preferred Foe: Criminal] or something. But everyone would have heard that, so the converted warehouses entire rooms full of gang members would

The scream was so loud it tapered into a shriek at the end. Ellic heard screaming, shouts of panicthen running footsteps. Then the voice again, thundering from within the warehouse.

In the course of my duties I am authorized to use force! You dont want to die? Back up! Your friend will live. Anyone else want to run straight into my spear?

The shriek died downeither whoever had been screaming passed out or

Dead silence. Ellic listened.

Whats happening?

Every few seconds, there was a shout, or the briefest cries of fury and attack. They turned into gurgling, or the thump of a body hitting a wall. Orand this was the hardest to heara scream of pain.

Hescoming through the warehouse, boss.

Crossbows up. He comes through that door? Kill him.

Ellic overturned the table. He drew his own crossbow and aimed an enchanted bolt at the door. He had the name Shanker Ellic, but he wasnt above doing the shanking from afar.

Halfblade was on her feet. She paced around, listening, then glanced at him.

Im going to take my spot. Dont wait on me.

She glided over to one of the support beams and vanished. Ellic cursed her. If she was runningbut then he heard a voice.

In the course of my guarding duties, I have been attacked! That means whoevers in here is screwed. Youre all under arrest.

We havent done anything! Who the hell are you?

Ellic bellowed back. There was a chuckle from outside.

Me? Im

The gang members inside waited, tense, crossbows drawn and aimed at the door. Ellic felt sweat dripping off a neck spine. He frowned. Then he heard a mutter from outside.

Relc? Wait. Your worst nightmare? Nah. Senior Guardsman Relc? Im the consequences! Hah, that was really great. Hear that? Im the consequences! No. It really just doesnt work when I say it.

The voice trailed off. Someone coughed in the hallway outside. Only one door separated them, and once they came through it

Fingers tightened on triggers. Ellic sighted at the door. He waited, as the dimly lit warehouse became taut with tension. As seconds dragged into eternity

Then he realized. It had been a minute. The other [Thugs] stared at the door, and then at each other.

Some idiot had a shield. A big kid, maybe twenty years old, held a half-rusted shield up. Sloppy.

Relc hit him in the stomach and he doubled over, puking. His spear jabbed. Once, twice

People screamed. He was hitting them hard. Not hard enough to break bones, but only just. A few began to run forwards. They ended up on the ground, curled up. One tried to charge and ran into a spear that hit them so hard in the knee they curled up, clutching at it.

The spear-holders saw Relc standing there. Juststanding. Daring the crowd to advance. He hadnt even used his Skills. If he reversed the spear, if he used [Spear Flurry]? Could they even get close to him before he killed them all? They would have to climb over the dead bodies impaled by that spear.

Thats your last lesson.

The Drake spoke, and the Gnoll kids started. As if he could read their minds. They looked at the spears they held. Then

At the [Spearmaster]. Relc stood there, holding down the entire street. No one could block, or dodge, that simple thrust that broke every block, and was impossible to knock aside. A spear thrust.

Drop them.

Three spears hit the ground. The crowd backed up. Relc picked up the four spears, letting the last trainee hed knocked down stumble away.

Relc. Arent you going t

The Watch had seen the entire tableau take place. They looked after the four spear-wielders as they hurried off. Their instinct was to arrest them.

Relc held up one of the spears hed made for them. A good, strong shaft of woodwith a shard of glass attached. Was there blood dried on the tip? He stared at it. Thenheld it out lengthwise, and flexed it with his arms.

The spear cracked. He snapped it with a grunt. Tossed it down.

The [Guards] stared as Relc did the same with the other three spears. Someone muttered an uneasy oath.

Youshould not have been able to do that to a spear. Not with regular strength.

Lets keep working.

Relc walked back to them.

No one said a word. Especially about going after the other trainees.

Relc marched with them in silence. He needed to go home. He neededhis partner.

Klbkch. Not the Slayer. Not Klbkch the Revalantor. Good old Klbkch. Relc was a Drake alone. In this moment, he was with the Watch. But a Senior Guard needed a partner.

Klbkch could have stopped that idiot instead of me needing to break her leg. Hed have tripped her up. Hed be the one telling me not to teach kids how to use deadly weapons. Hedhave a solution.

I miss Klbkch.

In that moment, Relc realized something. He missed Klbkch. Needed his buddy.

PossiblyperhapsKlbkch needed Relc too. To be the relaxed guy. To be the Drake instead of the uptight Antinium. To tell him Pawn was okay. Relc should have been a better buddy, rather than let Klbkch get to where he had. Hed leaned on Klbkch so long that without him, Relc kept falling over.

Maybe the two friends needed each other. That was a nice thought. Could Relc send him a letter? Did the Antinium take mail? Maybe

Help! Help!

The screaming made Relc break out of his thoughts. He saw the Watch halt, in confusion.

A rush of people were charging down the street. Reflexively, the Watch brought up their shields and clubs, but they werent here to fight.

They were running. Relc saw masks, helmets and hoods askew, tools to keep them from being identified forgotten. People running, blood on their clothing. Blood, open cuts, wounds

He heard a familiar roar behind them. Voices raised in anger, until you forgot there were words.

Cellidels army came down the street, [Soldiers], Drakes advancing in tight-knit formation, blood on their blades, following the crowd theyd clashed with.

Ancestors!

The Watch Sergeant gasped. The crowd fled around the Watch, screaming, a few people falling, being trampled. Relc saw the [Soldiers] coming on.

Not in a mass like the crowd. In formation. That was the scary thing. They were out for blood, but they fought like a unit. Unless they were greatly outnumbered, theyd crush a mob, [Anarchists] or not.

Watch Sergeant! Theyre going to run the civilians down!

One of the Senior Guards barked in horror. He saw a [Soldier] kicking at a fallen figure as they marched after the crowd. Relc guessed someone had killed one of the [Soldiers], and they were out for blood.

The army sticks together. The Watch Sergeant tore herself out of her stupor. Hatred for her or not, she was still a Watch Sergeant. She took a breath and bellowed into the stone that magnified her voice.

This is the Watch! Hold your ground! We have this street under control!

The [Soldiers] didnt stop. They had some kind of [Captain] or [Lieutenant], Relc saw. The [Captain] was bloody-faced. Idiot didnt have a helmet. The officer pointed and a wall of armed Drakes came at the Watch.

The Watch backed up. If there was a hierarchy of violence, they were also below the army. And the [Soldiers] saw the crowd pressed around the Watch. They saw the opportunity to trap the same people whod been deviling them for the last four days. Take vengeance.

Back up! Let the civilians run! Back up

The Watch tried to move to let the others escape, but they were hemmed in by the press of terrified people. Relc saw everyone shoving, and the [Soldiers] were pounding forwards, roaring

Watch Sergeant. I can stop them. Give me permission.

A hand grabbed the Sergeant as she shouted, pushing frantically. She turned.

Senior Guardsman Relc stared at her, amid the blood and terrified faces, people pleading, screaming. His face was covered in grime, and the helmet, but his bright yellow eyes locked on hers. She held his gaze in that infinite time when everything seemed slow and fast.

Not an immortal moment. Butthen the Watch Sergeant nodded.

Go. Clear ranks!

The Watch moved back as a [Guard] strode through the civilians, pushing through them like a rock through the current. The [Soldiers] saw a solo figure break through the wall of bodies with their backs to them.

They didnt slow. Why would they? The Drake was big, but he was one Drake. And they were an army.

They did slow when they heard the voice. It was a bark. Not a roar. A loud voice. It had more than just volume to it; it was the voice in your earhole, that you didnt ignore.

[Sergeants Command].

Company, halt! Move your tails and I will pluck them off and shove them so far up your behinds you can chew on them!

The [Soldiers] skidded to an uncertain stop. The voice was unfamiliar. The threat? Even the other [Sergeants] winced and stopped.

The [Captain], blood running down his face, stared at the Senior Guardsman. He looked at his company.

What are you waiting for? Advance! I said, advance! Get those bthose criminals!

The [Soldiers] stepped forwards uncertainly. The spear-Drake planted his spear on the ground.

Take one more step and I will arrest you and you will be eating soup out of your boots for the rest of your lives! This is not a war!

I said, forwards!

The [Captain] was losing the shouting match. But he was the [Captain]. The [Soldiers] hesitated.

Then Relc lowered his spear. He took a posture they all recognized. The [Spearman]s guard. As if he were in formation.

Come any closer and I will run you through.

That was when the [Dangersenses] began to go off. A [Sergeant], a fellow officer, met the eyes of the [Sergeant] standing across from him.

Captain. Thatsa high-level [Soldier].

The [Captain] felt it too. One second he was clutching at a burning face, enraged beyond belief, running down the pests who were attacking his people.

The next? The air felt hot. He felt as if he were standing on the battlefield, facing down an army.

Who the fuck is that?

He looked around. The [Soldiers] had no clue. But now they were at a dead stop. Threats asidethey did not want to advance.

The civilians and Watch had slowed their mad flight. They turned back to look at the lone [Spearmaster] holding down an entire company of Cellidel.

The 2nd Spears will advance on the enemy!

The [Captain] roared. He activated a Skill. [Reinforce Will]. The [Soldiers] weapons swung up. Relc cursed. He stared at the [Captain].

Alright, you Creler-brained idiot. Do you want a war?

The [Spearmaster]s posture lowered further. He was crouched along his spear, but no longer in a set stance. Like a springer, his weight shifted from his back foot to the front.

A hunting posture. Like an animal. His head lowered further. Beneath his helm, two bright yellow orbs stared at the [Soldiers].

Their blood chilled. That wasnot the look a person gave them. It was like an animal staring at them. Or the kind of veterans of so many battles that these low-level [Soldiers] couldnt even dream of how many blood-soaked grounds you had to see to look like that.

Then Relc activated his Skill. The Skill of battlefields. It had been a long, long time since he had used it. Not when Skinner attacked. Not when monsters threatened.

A Skill for the battlefield.

[Officer Headhunter Mode].

The [Captain] didnt hear the voice. Yet he saw the air around Relc change. It turneddarker. He squinted, incredulous.

What is that? What is?

The [Sergeant] glanced at his superior. Then he saw it too, and recoiled.

The street was the same. The Drake was the same in height, build. But what did they see lying there?

Bodies. Was that blood on his armor? The [Sergeant] and [Captain] saw a hand grasping out. A staring face.

A dead Drake, wearing epaulets and the crest of a city they didnt know. Yet perfect in every detail. Someone who had once been; not a figment of their imagination. He stared at them through a hole in his throat.

Another Gnoll lay, her chest bloodied by three stab wounds that had gotten through her armor.

Officers, like them.

The [Spearmaster] stood with the dead officers lying around him. Crouched. The air smelled like blood.

The [Captain]s eyes were wide. He saw his death on the tip of that spear. Now he knew the name. Now he remembered.

Did you hear theres a Senior Guardsman in Cellidel? They say he was a [Soldier] once. Some kind of a stupid name. What was it, again? Oh, yes

The Gecko of Liscor. Relc Grasstongue. The veteran who had slain countless officers in battle.

Laugh. Go ahead, laugh.What a funny name. What a

The air stank like carrion. The [Captain] saw something lying there. He saw a body, reaching out, eyes blank, flesh rotting through the hole through the back of the head and mouth.

He looked himself in the eyes.

The [Soldiers] got only a fraction of Relcs Skill. It was not for them. It was not an aura, but a directed attack. A buff, a boon to help Relc accomplish a deadly goal.

They smelled something. Looked back, saw the Captains dead white face under his scales. A [Soldier] stared down at the wet ground incredulously. The [Captain] choked on his words.

Retreatre

He turned. The [Soldiers] lost their unity. They turned, and backed up, bloodlust gone. Relc stood there, breathing heavily. He tasted blood. He went back in time and hated it.

It washard to stand up. When he did, though, his shoulders relaxed. He rubbed at his neck. When he turned around, to the silent crowd and Watch, it was Relc, Senior Guardsman Relc, who grinned and shrugged.

See? I guess they can be reasonable after all.

He smiled innocently. It was the better Relc who looked up at the sky and sighed. He put his spear over his shoulders.

Man. I hate working hard.

-

Relc was still shaken after signing out from the Watch House. Mind youeveryone was. The stares he got, the people who looked at him differentlyit was why he hated it.

That mode terrified him. That Skill terrified him. Relc was sure hed scared the [Captain] if the Drake actually wet himself, but Relc could have died on that street. It wasthe scariest thing in the world, charging alone into enemy ranks. Kill the officer or dont come back.

Well, both sides were scared. Theyd started putting bounties on the Gecko before hed quit. What kind of front-line officer wanted to go into battle knowing he might appear?

Equal distribution of this sucks. Thats Relc-style.

Relc smiled to himself, but he was shaken. Cellidel? Cellidel was a nightmare. The four trainees

He was off-kilter. Yesterday, he had thrown his puzzle through a wall. Today, as dawn broke and he finally returned to the apartment complex?

The Senior Guardsman slowed as he saw the commotion. Shattered wood, broken shutters. A crowd of people, some with weaponsnot a mob, but people afraid for their safety.

Then he saw the spear on the ground. The bloody tip. The Gnoll, surrounded by older adults.

Vok. The young man looked up as Relc moved through the crowd, knocking people aside.

Relc, I

What did you do?

Relc seized Vok. He lifted him off the ground as people scrambled back. Voks eyes went round as Relc ran him into a wall.

What did you do?

Vok, terrified, stared down into Relcs face. Relc was snarling. His hearthe looked at Vok, his nose bloodied, one eye blackened and already swelling. He had two wounds on his bodyRelc heard a roaring sound in his head, like the roar during battle that cut all but the most pressing sounds out

Guardsman Relc! Senior Guardsman Relc, please!

Someone was trying to grab him. They tried to break his grip, realized they had no chance, and tried talking.

Vok didnt do anything wrong! He was protecting us!

Relc heard that. His eyes widened. His claws opened.

Vok dropped, coughing. He stared up at Relc as the Senior Guardsman stopped, and the murderous look on his face turned to one of confusion. He turned around and met the eyes of Voks parents. They stared at him wide-eyed, as did the [Landlord], and the other residents.

Relc took in the scene again. Broken bits of wood, shuttersthe spear with blood on it. Evidence of a fight.

Vok had stopped a group of [Looters] trying to go through the apartments. The residents, hearing the short fight, had come out. His black eye was from someone whod thought he was part of the gang and punched him before they realized what had happened.

Relc breathed again. He looked around, at Vok, at the crowd, andbreathed. In. Out. The Gecko faded. Senior Guardsman Relc worked his mouth.

Oh.

-

Tesy watched Senior Guardsman Relc from one of the balconies as Relc stood in the courtyard, the reduced trainees standing around him after dawn. Vok stood there too, his injuries healed. Relc had given him a healing potion.

The [Painter] couldnt understand it. Was this the same Drake who people said stopped an entire company of Cellidels Golem-minded bastards from slaughtering innocent people? There was a name on the wind, on peoples tongues that hadnt been said for a long time.

Gecko. A silly name to insult your enemy. But also

The Gecko of Liscor.

Tesy watched the huge Drake as Relc just stood there, spear in hand. Thinking.

The four Gnolls who had taken the spears for violence, to join the mob, werent here. If they had shown their facesRelc looked at Vok.

But he had helped defend this place. Little Hickery was here, despite all that had happened to her. His spear-training classes gave the kids something to do. But it was teaching them a deadly weapon. So was Pos right, or Relc? Was neither?

Relc was tired, stressed out, and he really just wanted to sit in an inn and toss popcorn at a little Gnoll girl while he talked to a young Human woman as she played chess, or just sat with him. He wanted to poke a grumpy Antinium andlaugh.

But he was here. So he stood there, mind blank, until he thought of something.

Oh. Wait a second. Ive been teaching you all wrong.

His students and their parents, including Voks parents, who had taken time off work, all blinked at Relc. He didnt know what they thought of him, this weird Drake who was teaching their kids how to fight. Voks parentscertainly hadnt seen Relc at his best.

Relc?

Vok rubbed at his still-tender nose. The Senior Guardsman looked around. He could still feel the battle-rage, the same fury. That was the Gecko. No more. Not even if that was the Drake that Embria loved. He was the same kind of thing as the [Soldiers] ready to slaughter civilians.

Ive been teaching you all how to use a spear, guys. Thatsstupid. Thats my fault.

Arent you a [Spearmaster], Mister Relc?

Hickery sneezed at the smells coming off him; he still hadnt washed. Relc shook his head.

I am. But youre not. [Spearmasters] fight alone. Because were awesome. Youre not. You guys are kids. Youve never fought a battle. You couldnt beat one of those Cericel, even the weak ones.

His students looked at each other. Was this be mean to students day? Relc went on.

Vok nearly got himself killed because he tried to take on three guys. If it had been thirteen? Hed be dead.

I stabbed one!

Vok protested, but weakly. Relc shook his head. He looked around with clear eyes. This apartment complex had been attacked. That was from looters, true, but how bad was it? The Watch fought with the mobs, and so did the army. No one was keeping order.

Nah, nah. Youre doing it all wrong. Im doing it all wrong. See, I cant just teach you the spear. Thats

He stopped. Smiled sadly.

Thats just how you make a [Soldier]. A good one, but thats all she knows. I should haveI should have taught her how to be a [Guard].

Who was she? No one knew. Relc didnt elaborate. He just looked around, then pointed.

Hickery, you stand there. Right next to Vok. You, and you. Also next to him. Time for some lessons. Stand there. Spears up. Thats important.

The students stood, confused, a group of four, side-by-side. What new spear-technique was that? Relc paced back and forth in front of them.

You dont lower your spears. You dont fight unless you have to. Thats important. Rule number one? You dont start the fight. Not unless its a monster. But you dont let them come to you. If theyre inside the range of your spears, youre in trouble. So heres what you do. The first thing you do is issue a warning. Then you issue a second one. Only then are you allowed to lower your spears. Obviously, if the situation calls for it, you can go straight to defending yourself, but in cases where deadly force is employed, you should always try to give two warnings, got it?

But what if theyre attacking at night? Whats this about, Relc?

Vok protested, confused. However, one of the parents watching was staring at Relc sharply. The rest were just perplexed. Relc looked at Vok, seriously. He faced the young Gnoll.

Then you warn them. Twice. You dont have to get close. You dont have to argue with them. Warn them twice, then lower your spears. You dont advance. You choose a spot, and hold them off while you shout for help. Most idiots cant get past a good spear wall. You never advance into a fight. Hold the best defensive spot. Thats what rookies learn.

His students looked at him, fascinated. Relc nodded to Hickery.

Next? You never fight alone. You attack and defend in tandem. I should have taught you all that. You four, lower your spears.

They did so. Relc stood in front of them.

Imagine Im a bad guy. I want you to jab as one. When I get close. Not by yourself, Hickery! Together!

But I have a Skill!

Relc nodded.

Yeah, but youre still weaker than you are as a squad. Thats what rookies have to learn. Never leave your squad! Got it? You fight as a squad. I dont care if someones wide open five feet away. You never leave your buddies. Thats how you die. Okay, give me a jab. Well all practice. One, two, three, four

He made them jab as one. They were uncoordinated because theyd never done this before. One of the adults watched as Relc exhorted them to watch each other, even coordinate breathing.

Guardsman Relc, are you teaching these children to fight? My girls a bit too young for that!

The mother protested nervously. Relc glanced up. He looked around and shook his head.

No, Miss. I dont want them to fight. But if they need to defend themselvesif someone comes calling, and there arent any adults around, Id like them not to get hurt. This is just basic teamwork. Basic squad-work.

For the army?

Relc smiled. He shook his head, and Tesy stared. One of the parents, Orell, murmured, as Relc jerked a thumb at the badge on his chest.

Nah. Thats how [Guards] do it.

Vok, Hickery, and the others all gaped at Relc. The Senior Guard turned to them, smiling.

And its not all fighting, either. Its a bad time in the city. No ones safe. I wouldnt teach you this normally, but you need to be safe. So heres Rule #2. Never fight in alleyways. Never hide. Youre out in the open and you fight in the open because if people dont see you, they dont know if youre doing the right thing or not. They know your names. So, heres what were going to do

-

Before he slept that day, Senior Guardsman Relc did something for the first time in the apartment complex. He went from floor to floor, all six of them, and knocked on every door. There were hundreds of people in the complex, maybe as much as a thousand! Relc hammered on the doors, and when they came, irritated, some working night-shifts like him, they saw the big Drake smiling at them.

And Vok. And the squad of older Gnolls and Drakes holding their spears. Relc waved at the confuzzled people.

Hey there. Im just introducing myself. Senior Guardsman Relc. These are the uh, Apartment Trainees. Theyll be patrolling the block, so if you see them or hear a shout, watch out!

Apartment Trainees? Vok had a piece of cloth on his head. Just a white headband. That mattered.

Why are we knocking on doors, Relc? Shouldnt we be practicing?

Thats only half the job, Vok. Sure, fighting is good. But the guy who punched you didnt know you were on his side, right?

Right

Relc gestured at the family staring at Vok from within their small apartment. He had never met them before in his life, and had been tickled to see a Human. He nodded at them.

Now they know who you are, and that youre a good guy. Thats guardwork.

And that was what Cellidels Watch lacked. Mind you, they were still far above the handful of rookies that Relc had decided to teach, but it beat them getting into trouble themselves. And they would; it was dangerous everywhere. If they were going to get hurt, Relc would prefer they had a fighting chance.

That was how he found himself giving them a crash course in, wellbeing a [Guard]. He roared to a large group, many of whom were forbidden from actively patrolling. Only those over sixteen could do that, but Hickery and children as well as interested civilians all attended his lecture.

Listen up! You are not full-time [Guards]! Youre rookies! You are not instated by the city, and there arent enough of you. You have no armor, not enough trainingso youre defending this street. You dont run out. You dont break formation. And?

He looked at Vok. The crowd chorused as one.

You dont lose your squad!

Exactly! So when you see trouble, you call in backup. You fall back until youre safe. Not we might win or lose, but safe. You dont pick fights, you just hold them off. Got it? If some bastards come calling, form up at the entrance to the plazahere. Right by the gates. People on the higher floors chuck stuff at them. Theyll have to climb over the walls or go through you, and either way, theyll run into a lot of spears. You can hold off an actual army like that. As long as they dont have [Mages]. But if you do this? No mob or band of looters can get at you.

What was he doing? Relc had no idea. He was forming a Watch out of kids and civilians. Yethe had to. Law was failing, so in response, Relc made one in his apartment complex. He shouted at them, organized them into shifts and squads, and made sure they could hold off at least a Level 5 [Fighter] mob or make them think twice.

Exhausted, Relc lay down, too tired to even stare at that damned Gizeal Puzzle. He closed his eyes.

[Guardsman of Trust Level 22!]

[Skill Squad: Incorruptible Watchmen obtained!]

What?

-

[Guardsman of Trust], Level 24. That was Relc Grasstongue after a week. He didnt understand it.

It wasnt the fighting. It wasnt facing down the mobs.

It was training Vok and the kids, and seeing them actually run off bands of opportunistic thieves, people preying on the weak during the chaos that did it.

Relc got one more Skill.

[Squad: Unitys Coordination]. He assigned both to Voks squad, and the result was when one of the squad jabbed, they all did. They moved in lock-step, almost as good as a regular squad of [Guards].

Naturally, people noticed. Watch Captain Terigrals barked at Relc about unauthorized training of civilians. Some people came calling, asking if Voks Squad could come and just walk around to keep the peace.

It was likethe Watch. It was a second Watch.

In another story, in another time, they might have become a citizen-militia, a Watch of younger people, with actual inclusion of Gnolls. Relc might have found himself the Watch Captain of a better Cellidel.

But he wasnt. He was not Zevara, and Relc knew it. It was tempting, to expand Voks trainee squads, to chase the next level.

However, he was a [Sergeant]. He had never risen in Liscors army or the Watch because he was good at beinga [Sergeant].

Moreover, this might have worked if not for Sellme. The [Painter] and his followers were tearing Cellidel apart.

An entire block of houses went down to fire. Who started it? [Anarchists], the Watch or [Soldiers]? An accident? No one put it out because there was no unity. The citywas being lost. It wasnt someone died in an accident this week. It was multiple people, dying of wounds, dying by being trampled, every day.

Relc had heard of cities falling. Sometimes to monster attacks, sometimes to war. This was the first time he had witnessed every stage of a city eating itself.

And he couldnt fix it. He got further. He worked at the problem, but like the Gizeal Puzzle, there was a point where he ran into impossibility. ThereRelc counted eight hours of fruitlessly being stuck on the puzzle.

There had to be an answer, surely.

-

Tesy halted when he saw Relc. The Senior Guardsman lifted a cup.

Im buying this time. Come on in.

The white-scaled Drake hesitated, then sat with Vok, across the bubbling pot of soup. It was over a small magical hot-plate that Relc had been lent.

Smells good. Who made it?

Me. Voks mother gave us a nice soup stock. Prelon soup.

Dead gods, seriously?

Relc burst out laughing. So did Vok, and they relaxed a bit. It had been a while since theyd met like this. Butwell. Relc had invited Tesy and the [Painter] had finally agreed to rejoin their nightlyor dailychats.

Not really. Its fish stuff. I have some Gnoll paste from Liscor. Nice stuff. I know how to cook one thing, a decent fish stew.

Really? I wouldnt have guessed.

The power of bachelors was not to be underestimated. Relc could make a decent fish stew! Spicy, with that lovely sour thrown in via the fish paste. Also? Relcs secret ingredient wasbutter. Just a bit of butter to make it rich.

It was an awkward meal in some places, at first. Tesy didnt apologize. Relc didnt bring up the [Anarchists]. Yetthere was a finality to the meal that Vok sensed. He didnt know why Relc had invited Tesy.

They were on opposite sides. Vok didnt know who Tesy was, but he guessed a high-level [Anarchist] whod come to the city. He was almost completely right, and also wrong. Relc? Relc was the Senior Guard keeping this entire district from imploding.

They sat on opposite sides of the pot, making light conversation about the best kinds of fish. But then Relc put down his cup, offered the wine bottle around without giving Vok a half-cup like usual.

Right then. Lets talk. You know, Tesy, Ive been talking to everyone about this Sellme thing. And the Watch.

The [Painter] tensed slightly, his wine cup at his lips. He looked up at Relc, cool as a winter Prelon.

Yeah? The Watch isnt doing so well at keeping the peace.

Relc smiled as Vok winced and tried to nudge Tesy. His eyes never wavered from Sellmes face.

No, theyre not. So I guess all the [Anarchists] talking about how corrupt and evil we areare right. Im tired. I get shit thrown on me all day. Actual poop. People are dying, the armys making it worse

He stretched out, sighing as he stared at the ceiling.

I didnt sign up for this. I might actually just quit. Leave the city, you know? Or stop being a [Guard]. This is stupid. Im not the only one. You know, we lost eight [Guards] yesterday? No one wants to be in the Watch like this.

Voks eyes went wide and he looked at Tesy. The [Painter] smiled thinly as his tail curled up.

Good.

Yeah? You think so? Is less [Guardsmen]good, Tesy?

Relc fixed him with one eye. Tesy hesitated.

Its better than all the corruption. All the violence against Gnolls.

Right. But theres also more theft, more violence, more crime. We need the Watch.

Not this Watch. This Watch protected the city, but only part of the city. Only the part that was like them.

Relc shrugged.

I dont think anyones seen Cellidel as bad as it is right now. Gnolls or Drakes.

You say that, but if you saw

Tesys heated voice was interrupted by a mutter from Vok.

Hes right.

The [Painter] looked at Vok. The Gnoll felt like an intruder in the confrontation, but he hunched his shoulders and spoke.

Relcs right, Tesy. Its never been this bad. I dont like the Watch, but this? This is really bad. Like

He searched for words.

Creler-bad. You know?

Tesy hesitated, thrown by the unexpected betrayal of the actual Gnoll in the room. Relc didnt smile. He just sat there. Waiting.

Tesys not wrong either, though. I just wonderedI wanted to ask you, Tesy. In case I dont get another chancewhat does the ideal Watch look like to you? The best city, even? Sellmes pointed out a lot of problems, but how do you think we can fix it? You and your buddies, sorry.

The [Painter]s head snapped up. He gave Relc a searching look, and the [Spearmaster] just sipped at his wine.

That was the conversation of the night. Relc had tried Gnolls. Hed tried the Watch back at home. Hed tried his brain, never a good idea.

So he asked the Drake who spoke for the angry and the discontented.

Sellme and the Gecko of Liscor.

Relc and Tesy. Relc was smiling, gently. He was calm. He was tired beyond belief, worried, headache-y, or he had beenand worn down by banging his head against a wall.

Two walls. Something had given way today, though. He had received a [Message]. Not from Embria. Not from Zevara, both of whom were giving him regular correspondence and hang the cost.

He had received a [Message] from Bilt. The [Puzzle Merchant] was extremely apologetic. Almost in tears, really, if you could convey that from the [Message]. He had offered Relc a full refund, with deepest apologies.

It turns out the Gizeal Puzzle cant be solved by non-[Mages]. I am so sorry, Relc. The Archmage of Izril keeps defending herself that all you need is a low-level spell, but

Relc smiled to himself. Apparently he had gotten as far as most. And if he could but see magic, hed see how to activate it with a simple bit of mana. Archmage Valeterisas credibility among the puzzle-making community, that vastly powerful body, was in shambles and she had issued several apologies.

It was just a story. But it explainedwell, Relc sighed and listened to Tesy, letting him talk, collect his thoughts, clarify.

Sometimes you couldnt solve the problem yourself.

-

Imagine a city. A truly perfect city.

Not perfect? Okay, imagine a city likeas close as you could get to perfection. How did the Watch operate in a city like that?

Well, in the ideal world, you didnt need a Watch. People would watch each other, and there wouldnt be a need for that kind of policing because there werent these powerful, rich people who only looked out for themselves and that was the point of

Thats not practical? Fuck you. It could happen!

Butokay, if the Watch had to exist, it needed to have higher standards. Equal divisions of Gnolls and Drakes! No, if the city was majority Drake like Cellidelput in a Gnoll Watch Captain! To ensure that there wasnt a bias against a minority. Have Gnolls in the Council.

And most importantly? Make the Watch better. Because they werent. The Watch was made up of people like Pos. Speciesist, and the corrupt, and the plain lazy. It should be a place where the best and brightest went. A place with more than one Relc, which could take on gangs, which watched itself. Not a [Guard] who would beat down some kid with a dagger because he was scared.

That was the Watch Tesy envisioned. Of course, it took a while for him to get to that place, butRelc leaned back. The wine was flowing well, and it loosened all tongues. He let Tesy finish.

Sounds like Liscor.

Hah! Vok sprayed wine out of his nose. Tesy just snorted.

Its not Liscor. Thats a perfect city. You told me your Council didnt have Gnolls on it until recently!

Weve got them now. Isnt that what you said?

Yes, butthey should have been there for generations!

Well, weve got them now. Isnt that pretty good? Anyways, thats interesting. You want a Watch with a citys best signing up?

Yep. The most responsible. It shouldnt be easy to be a [Guard]. It should beaa calling. A higher service.

Tesy searched for a way to describe it. Relc understood. Guarding was hard work. The Watch, in Tesys opinion, should only take people who knew the challenge, who could be that better Drake or Gnoll in every moment.

Sort of like Klbkch, in a way. Relc thought about it as he refilled his bowl. Then he started laughing.

Thats so stupid.

Tesy flushed with anger.

What do you mean?

Relc took a huge gulp of fishy soup. He smacked his lips and looked at Tesy, not without sympathy, but with much amusement. The Senior Guardsman shook his head.

I mean, thats never going to work, Tesy. You want a [Guard] who can always be calm, always be responsible? Whos good at fighting, treats this job like a higher calling? We havetwo of those [Guards] in all of Liscor. And thats not me. Youll get three [Guards] in the entire Watch.

Well, it should be better than it is! Or are you saying the Watch is fine?

Tesy stood up, claws clenched. Relc waved him down.

I agree! Listen, Tesy, I agree. The Watch is bad in Cellidel. Im just sayingyou cant expect them all to be perfect. Its likeyou want someone who can both lead and fight. Who can keep their head? Who can know what to do at any moment, and treats this job with all the respect it deserves? Thats what you guys think is a perfect [Guard], right? By the wayI agree thats a great guard.

Tesy and Vok nodded. Relc gave them a thumb-claw up.

Great. We can all agree theyre good. The problem isthats a [General]. And you only have one of those in most armies. You cant expect every [Soldier] to be like that. I think theres a better way to make the Watch better.

Oh, and whats that? Give them more weapons?

Tesy sneered. Relc rolled his eyes. He leaned back on his one pillow, and murmured.

Nah. Just make it easier to be a [Guard].

Tesy stared at him, incredulously.

Easier?

Relc gave him a fish-eyed side-eye.

Yep. Its not easy, Tesy.

The [Painter] opened his mouth and Relc sat up.

Vok, you know what Im talking about.

Yeah?

The Gnoll glanced at Tesy. Ducked his head. The [Junior Watchman] mumbled.

No, sorry, Relc.

The [Spearmaster] sat up. He scratched at his neck-spines. Hed just thought of it, but now it came to him, the words flowed out.

Well let me see if I can explain it. Yseeguarding is hard. Im only a [Guardsman] because it pays well. A lot of guys are. Dont shout, Tesy! Thats just how it is. Its a job. We didnt sign up to be perfect. No one can be perfect except Klbkch and likeJeiss. Or my Watch Captain. The job should be easier.

You mean, less laws?

I mean, less strain on us. When a [Guardsman] is in a fight and he sees some kid with a knife, or he has to debate arresting a [Street Thief], hes got peoples lives in his claws. Thats a lot to ask of us. It would be easier if we could just punch bad guys and not have to be the law. If that were the case, Pos wouldnt be a problem because he wouldnt be in charge. And it means you dont have to have the best. Make the job easier.

Vok sat up, intrigued by that idea. Even Tesy was frowning, opening and closing his mouth as his tail lashed.

How would you do that, Relc?

The Drake scratched at his head.

I have no idea. Maybemaybe you can arrest everyone but you dont charge people? You have some kind of system in the Watch House? It might cost more, but just take the hard work out of a [Guard]s claws. Then all he or she has to do is make sure no one gets hurt. Some kind of big argument over hedges? Go settle it with the uhsomeone else. The point is, Im a grunt. Give me grunt-work. Not moral questions.

There was a thoughtful silence for a moment. Then at last, Tesy sighed. He stood up, and began pacing around the pot.

Thatmight work. But Cellidel will never go for it. Dont you see how bad it is, Relc?

I see.

Calmly, Senior Guardsman Relc filled his cup. With water. Tesy was a bit drunk. He was agitated, angry. He was angry all the time. Vok knew how that felt, but Tesy was far angrier than even he was.

Nothings right. Nothings fair. Cellidels run by crooks and Drakes who dont care. Maybe your Watch is better, Relc, but nothings changing now. You cant fix this city!

Yeah, well, your buddies burning it down doesnt help either, Tesy. Theyre getting people killed. Thats not right.

The [Magical Painter] slowly turned. Relc sat up. The two locked gazes. Relcs eyes were very calm.

I see whats happening. The [Anarchists] are gaining ground. Theyre arming people. They want to tear down the Watch, take out the Council.

Maybe. I dont know.

Tesys eyes flickered to the window, then door. Vok saw Relc wave Tesy down, but the younger Drake didnt sit. Relc slowly drained his cup.

Are they planning on killing the Council? The Watch Captain? Dont answer that. Lets say they did, or somehow got rid of them. What would that do? Would that help? If they got every single [Guard] to quit tomorrow, what happens next?

The city will be free

And then what? Then theres crime, burnt buildings, and theres no plan! Tesy! Ive heard Sellmes crashed nearly a dozen cities! They dont get better, they just collapse until someone rebuilds the government!

Its a better one afterwards. The people can choose who they want to

Cellidels army will march in and reinstate a Council of their choosing. Dont be stupid.

Relc snapped. Tesys eyes flashed.

Then Cellidels people will take on the army! You think were scared of a bunch of [Thugs]?

Relc was on his feet.

Youll get people killed. Sellme isnt helping anything! All he does is point out the problems. Your friends are going to make it worse. Tell them to get out of the city.

Or what?

Or Ill arrest them. I wanted to talk to you, Tesy. But if its them or Cellidel

You think you can intimidate me?

Tesy went to shove Relc and just pushed himself back. The Drake [Spearmaster] looked at Tesy. The [Painter] went for the door, pointing an angry claw at him, crimson with anger.

Every time I think youre on our side, you do this, Relc. Its not about compromising! Its about bringing down evil people! Thats why Sellme does what he does! You can stop me, but you cant stop Sellme or everyone who sees what he does.

Vok was transfixed, staring at Relc and Tesy. The Gecko of Liscor folded his arms. He looked at Tesy. Straight at Tesy.

I think I can stop Sellme if I stop you, Tesy.

The angry young Drake didnt realize what Relc was saying at first. A sneering response was on his lips. Then his brain caught up.

Helooked at Relc. Vok looked at Relc, then Tesy. His eyes tried to pop out of their sockets and run around screaming. Vok stared at Tesy.

Tesy turned pale under his already-white scales. Relc looked at him.

Sellme. I want you to stop causing riots, or get out of this city. Whats it gonna be?

Sellme, the [Magical Painter], stood frozen. Found out, identified for the first time by a member of the Watch. Relc glanced at Vok out of the corner of his eye.

I totally called it. Told you I was the best.

-

The screaming Drake running out of the apartment was followed a second later by a huge Drake. He roared.

Sellme!

It wasnt Tesy and Relc any longer. The Drake whirled. His scales flashed, and dropped the Skill. Vok, scrambling out, saw a fleeing Drake with paint flecks on his white scales, made colorful by the very colors he worked with. A brush flashed out of his bags, and a painters palette.

Relc just charged at him. The Gecko leaptbut Tesy jumped over the railing. Relc cursed, vaulted after him, and then did a double-take in midair.

Sellme stood on the air. Hed just drawn a little ledge and Relc

Gaaaaaaaah!

Caught himself on the railing one floor down. He caught himself on the second floor, and raced up to the third floor.

Relc, hes in here! Relc

Vok pointed. Tesy was back in their room. Relc charged through. He saw Tesy jumping out of a

Hole in the wall? Relc saw Tesy turn, flip up a finger, and leap. Relc shouted.

Tesy, st

Wham. He ran straight into the painted hole in the wall. It was so perfect it had turned, via Tesys Skill, into actual space.

Not for Relc. He staggered back, paint all over his scales.

That little

-

G8! G8, come in! Someones found me out! I have to run! Its Relc!

Tesy shouted the code-name of one of his highest-level friends. He heard a scrambled voice coming from the mana stone.

to ushurry

Tesy was running. Tesy was terrified. Relc knew who he was! His picture would be all over the cities! Hed be hunted! He ran out of the apartment complex, his Ring of Feather Falling glowing. At least hed escaped.

Tesy!

Ancestors!

The [Painter] squeaked. He looked back. It was impossible! Relc had been on the third floor! It had been less than fifteen seconds since Tesy had jumped out of the room.

The Gecko was racing out of the courtyard, a blur. A gigantic blur. Tesy instantly whirled.

There was a stone wall, some building right there. Tesys brush blurred, so fast even the Gecko was impressed.

[Speed Painting]! [Recreate Image]! [Art Becomes Reality]

Tesy leapt through the hole in the wall. He raced through someones kitchen; a restaurants empty working area at this hour. Hed lose Relc. That idiot couldnt predict which wall hed come out of

Relc came through the wall.

SELLME. GET BACK HERE SO I CAN PUNCH YOU!

Get away from me!

The [Magical Painter] had evaded countless members of law enforcement. He had never seen someone go through a wall like that. Relc didnt even slow down. The worlds greatest [Guardsman] (self-proclaimed) charged after Tesy.

Both had movement Skills. Tesy whirled. [Evasive Dodge].

Relc kiiioh shit! You bast

Relcs kick carried him into the hole in the ground. Tesys painted hole dropped him into the sewers and then the Drake tossed some white paint on it and the hole closed. Relc landed in the muck and darkness.

-

Oh no, oh no, oh

G8 and a group of [Anarchists] met Tesy. The [Magical Painter] was wide-eyed, terrified.

Tesy! You lost the boot? Come on, why are you so worried?

Hes still after me! G8, hes

Tesy grabbed his friends arms. G8, the female Gnoll, glanced over his shoulder. Her eyes went round.

Oh, f

A Drake covered in tar, sewer crap, masonry, and eight more substances Tesy had drawn to slow him down, charged down the street.

Sellme!

Nothing had stopped Relc. Not the tarpit. Not the sewer trick. Not a brick wall that Tesy had drawn in the street. The [Magical Painter] ran on, screaming.

Lets stop this bastard! No one attacks Sellme! Come on! Down with the walls! D

Relc saw the [Anarchists], a group of eight, turn towards him, weapons in hand. He crashed into them and scattered them like pins, without slowing. One tried to stab him. He punched a face.

Sellme!

People turned. They saw a blurred facesome saw a leaping Gnoll, with a mustache and mask of bright colors. Others saw a female Drake with a hood and the words Sellme stylized across the back. One saw a Human, someone else a Centaur.

Relc saw Tesy. He shouted the name as people turned, seeing the Gecko of Liscor running down the famous [Painter] who had caused so much trouble. The riots, the fighting came to a standstill.

-

Why were they throwing things at him? It was allall going wrong.

Tesy raced across the ladder on two buildings rooftops. Relc halted. He knew better than to try and cross the painted ladder. People were pointing up as the Gecko of Liscor eyed the thirty-foot gap, and Tesy.

Youve ruined everything, Relc! Youre not saving this city! I liked you! Why couldnt you help?

Tesy screamed at Relc. It was the truth. He felt betrayed. How long had Relc known?

Why hadnt he arrested Tesy before? The Gecko snapped back as the [Magical Painter] wavered.

You dont even see what youre doing! Youre making the situation worse!

Sellme raised his paintbrush as if to throw it down.

You think youre helping? You cant fix the Watch! You cant solve everything with your stupid fists!

And you cant solve everything by burning it down.

Relc was calm. Wellhe was still pissed, but he was used to being covered in filth. He eyed the gap. Sellme pointed at him.

You can kill me, but youll never stop us! Youaaaah!

He saw Relc race to the edge of the building and leap, using the spear as a vaulting pole. People below pointed up, scattering. Look! The Gecko leapt through the air in a graceful arc. He was flying! He was

Oh shiiii

Wham. Tesy heard the impact. He winced, gazed down at the prone figure whod gotten only about two thirds of the way across and hit the street. He turned, drew a slide, and went for the walls. Magical or not, he could draw a door out.

He was just finishing the door when he saw a blur coming his way. Tesy whirled. He raised his brush

Got you.

Relc grabbed his wrist. The [Magical Painter] looked up into Relcs face. Relc was panting, tired, and hed smashed his face repeatedly into rocks.

But hed won.

Iyou did it.

Tesy tried to pull at his captors arm, but he knew he was caught. He would have used the brush, but Relc had it in his hand. Tesy stared at Relc in defiance.

You got Sellme. Congratulations, Relc. You win.

You idiot. I never wanted Sellme. If I thought arresting you would have helped, I would have done it a long time ago. Maybe it would have, but it didnt fix anything.

Wellwell, youll never fix the city! You can hide your guilt, the guilt of the Watch, but everyone will see your true colors! Arrest Sellme and

Gah. Shut up! [Relc Headbutt]!

Relc had had enough of Tesys rhetoric. The thwok of two heads meeting echoed loudly in the alleyway. Tesy went cross-eyed. He shouted through the pain.

You can silence me, but you cant silence

Twock! Tesy bit his tongue. He opened his mouth. Relc bent his head back. Tesy cowered, trying to shield his head.

Are you done?

Sellme stared up at Relc. The Senior Guardsman panted. He looked at Tesy. Justjust an angry kid. He wasnt like Erin at all. But he sort of was. Relc raised the Fist of Relc, debating one punch for the wall of brambles, the sewer trick, the brick wall.

Then he lowered it. Relc let go of Tesys arm.

Get out of the city. If you come back, Ill tell everyone who you are.

Sellme staggered back. His brush went up, and he traced a brick so fast Relc was amazed. His brush didnt need to be dipped to change the colors of paint. That was the trick. Then Tesy stopped.

Youreletting me go?

He was incredulous. Even angry. Relc Grasstongue looked him in the eye. He glanced back at Cellidel. Miserable Cellidel. Cellidel, which was still on fire. Still in chaos. He pointed at Tesy.

Yeah. Like I saidif I thought I could fix Cellidel by arresting you, I would. But the problem isyoure right. Sellme is an annoying brat. A stupid [Magical Painter] with a stupid brush and a stupid face.

Hey

Relc kept talking. He stomped on the ground, shouting.

But hes not why Cellidel is broken. I get that! Soyoure useless. Cellidel cant be saved by you, and arresting you fixes nothing. So get lost. Think about what youre doing.

Tesy gaped at him. He lookedangry.

You think Im nothing? Im Sellme!

Youre a pain in my tail. Dont make me hit you. Get out of here.

The Senior Guardsman retorted. Tesy hesitated. Common sense might have been interjected into his brain via multiple headbuttsor he just knew he couldnt do anything. If Relc told Terigrals who Sellme was, his picture would be over every city and that was that. He backed up towards the wall, already flicking his paintbrush and outlining a door.

Yet he had to, just had to turn back, as a blue door with a handle appeared and he opened it.

Youre going to save Cellidel after I leave, is that it?

TesyI swear to the Ancestors, I will break your tail. Ever had a broken tail?

The [Magical Painter] yelped and jumped through the door. Even so, he peered balefully out of the door, prepared to slam it.

You and I both know Cellidel is rotten. What are you going to do, Relc?

SomethingRelc looked at Tesy. The younger Drake was angry. But he did care. That was why he had come here. Everything he was doing Relc disagreed with. But he and Relc were on the same page here.

The [Guard] shrugged, tiredly. He massaged one shoulder and felt the magical, painted tar and other substances fading away. Relc shook his head.

II dont know. I dont think I can save it, Tesy. You cant either, so shut up. I know one person who could. But Im justRelc.

He stood there and admitted it. Relc rubbed at his face.

Im just Relc. I cant solve this. But I am Relc.

Tesy gave him a strange look. He saw Relc tap at his chest, grin, weakly. A thought had occurred to him. He looked around. Yeah, that was true.

Relcs arent [Innkeepers]. We dont wave white flags or set them on fire. Iwedont make speeches.

Set flags on fire? Sellme mouthed silently. Relc was seeing something else, though. He punched a palm with one fist.

But you know what? When someone waves the flag? When someone shouts, I am the consequences? Were right behind them. Thats a Relc.

His head slowly rose. Relc grinned. He relaxed. He laughed. He looked at Tesy, and there was something bright in his eyes. Sellme, Tesy, the white-scaled Drake looked at Relcs sudden confidence, confused.

What are you going to do?

He didnt understand what Relc meant. He didnt know who Relc was referring to. And that was alright. Relc had realized something for him. He put his spear over his shoulders, and chuckled.

Me? After you leaveIm gonna pass this problem, this work, on to someone more qualified. And do whatever they want me to do.

He beamed, self-satisfied, triumphant. Sellme goggled at him. Relc gave him finger-guns.

Thats Relc-style.

-

Watch Captain Zevara stared down at the letter shed received from Cellidel, top priority. She turned it over. She thumped her head on her desk.

And then the Watch Captain burst out laughing. She leaned back in her chair.

Relc!

She could almost see him smiling, a bit guiltily, as she prepared to bawl him out over wrecking half a dozen shops in a brawl. This? This was top-tier Relc.

Dear Watch Captain Zevara,

Its me, Relc. I have a tiny bit of a problem. Cellidels gone to hell. Its literally on fire. I see this building burning over hereIll sprinkle soot on the paper so you can see. The Watch is bad. The Councils bad.

Its all bad is what Im saying. Ive done my best to restore order, but Im only a (Level 24) [Guardsman of Trust]. I am asking you, as a Senior Guardsman of Liscor, to help me intervene.

It is my stated intention to offer the citizens of Cellidel, including a number of [Junior Watchmen] and talented Gnolls, escort to Liscor. Because Liscor is better.

I dont know how well pay for it. I dont know if Liscor has room. I dont actually know which way Liscor is.

However, I consider this a matter for Liscors Watch to solve because Cellidel is terrible. I would appreciate any assistance you can give. Sincerely,

Senior Guardsman Relc

She looked at it. It was a conclusion Relc had come to, clearly after much thought. Leave Cellidel? She wondered how many Gnolls would actually join him if he asked. Then againhow bad was it?

Come to Liscor. Come to a city with Gnolls on the Council. Come to the place where Senior Guardsman Relc was not the outstanding [Guardsman] alone, but one of his kind.

Come home.

And the way he wrote it? I cannot solve this alone? Zevara looked at the letter. She couldnt answer him.

Not alone. So she rose, and strode from the Watch House.

-

Well, absolutely. Lets scramble 6th Company. They were headed north, werent they? Wing Commander Embria, send word for the nearest company to escort Guardsman Relc! Dead gods, we can pay for a few wagons. How fast could we get a hundred [Guards] out through Pallass?

Jeiss exploded as he slapped his claws on the table. Embria and Zevara straightened.

If thats the will of the Council, we could certainly have them turn.

Will of the Council? Damned right it is! What, are we not going to help?

Alonna exclaimed. Tismel and Zalaiss closed their mouths. Elirr was already nodding.

The problem isits a long way. We can cover that. Security, transportI just think Relc wont get more than a few families. Which is a shame, but whos going to uproot themselves and lose their homes, their city? No matter how bad it is

Alonna mused out loud. She shook her head. It was Lism who frowned and tapped at his lips.

YesGuardsman Relc is clearly in the right here. Lets send word at once. Wing Commander?

She was already out the door. Zevara breathed more easily at that.

I say we tell them theyll be safe. Offer them homes for a month. Its the least we can do. We have all this room.

Free.

Jeiss was nodding. Tismel began to object. But Lism threw a bowl at him. In the silence as the Cobblers Guildmaster dove under the table, Lism held up a claw.

Wait. I have something. We have alabor shortage. Cellidel is a city. Its clearly an inferior city to Liscor, but every city has high-level individuals, doesnt it? Good Gnolls. Drakes too.

His head was turning. He wasscenting something. Sensing something, like a wolf on the plains, or a warrior hearing the distant thrum of battle.

Only, as a [Shopkeeper] sensed things. Lisms eyes focused suddenly.

Stealing.

What?

Elirr glanced at him. Lism pounded the table with a claw.

We do it in the markets! Get a good apprentice. Get a good worker! Stealing! We steal them!

The other Councilmembers stared at him, not comprehending what Lism was on about. Ironically, it was Tismel who poked his head over the table and got it.

We cant do that! Theyll be furious!

What are they going to do? Theyre about to implode! Dead gods, its brilliant! Doesnt Invrisil do it? Lets steal them all!

He stood up, outlining his idea. The Council of Liscor leaned forwardsand Zalaiss and Alonna actually applauded. Zevara blinked. Then she grinned.

Senior Guardsman Relc called for backup from his city. And backup came. He was alone in Cellidel. But Liscor always had his tail.

-

That was how, at the end of it all, Senior Guardsman Relc stared at the scrying orb. Vok was still arguing with his parents. Hickerys family was on board, but while a lot of Gnolls had said they might go with him, the prevailing mood of Cellidel was just gloom.

Sellme was gone, and a lot of his followers, but the city was still gripped by chaos. Watch Captain Terigrals had accepted Relcs transfer request with relief, despite the loss of Relc himself. When Relc had told him his plan, hed laughed in Relcs face and said good luck.

Who would follow even the [Guardsman of Trust] to another city? Uproot themselves? Risk it all? Maybe if Liscor was closer, perhaps. But they didnt know Liscor. Relc was resigned to taking maybe sixty Gnolls at most. Hed been prepared to guard them himself, with Vok and a few trainees.

But then Embria had written back to him. Check the news this morning.

Relc did. He was already grinning when Drassi appeared. Wistram News Network had a local exclusive.

Im in the City of Liscor, my home city, where I am interviewing Councilmembers Elirr and Lism, who are putting together a new law. Or act?

A new opportunity, Miss Drassi. And thank you for taking the time to interview us!

Lism broke in. Elirr nodded. Drassi glanced at them and the camera, an excited look in her eyes.

So what is this new law? I was told youregiving money to people moving to Liscor? That cant be right.

Elirr, [Councilmember] Elirr, the caption read under him, nodded in a stately way.

That is exactly right, Miss Drassi. We have proposed and passed a new law that will grant money to anyone moving to Liscor to work. A modest sum for all, which goes up for a family. And your level. Anyone over Level 30 will receive a large stipend and free housing; everyone else will have rent-free housing for certain periods. If you possess some of the classes we are looking for, we can also offer more.

Lism had been nodding rapidly. He jumped in, like the sales-Drake he was.

We are talking real gold, in your claws. We want the best. We can afford the best. If you come from some Creler-infested city and you want to go to a real city where the Watch doesnt beat you with clubs for sneezing? Come to Liscor!

Every head turned to Relc. Somewhere, Watch Captain Terigrals was choking on breakfast. Lism had just said that live on the scrying orb. Relc could havegotten someone else to kiss him!

Wow. This is an opportunity. Im told Magnolia Reinhart has done this with Invrisil. Are you basing it on her model?

Not exactly. We dont need to copy Humansnot that Humans cant do things right.

Lism harrumphed, then caught himself. He gave the camera a strained smile and hurried on as Elirr sighed. The Gnoll looked at the scrying orb.

This is a law we all agree on. Gnolls and Drakes. No matter where you areLiscor is open. And I promise you, there is opportunity for all.

He nodded into the scrying orb. Councilmember Elirr. He could have stood there and he would have said more than Lism and Drassi combined.

After a moment, Lism nodded. He clapped Elirr on the shoulder.

Thank you, Councilmember Elirr. I cant say it better myself. We are doing this now, Miss Drassi, due to the opportunity and the vast monetary reserves we are just itching to spend. In order to make more money for Liscor! So we are delighted to pass our law. The Cellidelr Maurons law.

What a fancy name. Why is it called that?

Ohjust something we say in the Council now and then. So, as I was saying

Everyone else was frozen. Everyone in Cellidel. But there he stood, a huge Drake with a spear. Not a great mind, but a true mind, a true puzzle-solver. A Senior Guardsman.

And the Drake who would be leading the largest departure of Gnolls that Cellidel had ever seen soon. The city would protest, of course, but who was going to stop him?

The Gecko of Liscor. And Liscor itself would soon find more than just Cellidels Gnolls knocking on their gates.

Unexpected consequences. He didnt care. He was just Relc. He saluted the sky, and Liscor, which was north. Not even that far north. It felt like another world.

Thanks, Captain Z. Thats why youre the Watch Captain.

Senior Guardsman Relc of Liscor. Relc smiled. He prepared to go home. It would not be easy. Things would change.

He would change. He was changing. But at long last, Relc Grasstongue felt like he was a [Guardsman].

The Gecko got a new class.

[Trusted Sergeant of the Watch].

He was just a littleno.

He was really proud about that.

Authors Note: When I write some chapters, I have an arc. I know how it ends. I know all the story beats. Its different when I just write with all the plotlines and details I have.

It means sometimes, I write long because I want to get to my part. In this case? I expedited the plot like mad and barely got here.

I should probably wing it more. This is, ironically, the problem of prep.

And also the end of my writing month. I like to think of it like this. I have back from break pirateaba, who is warming up. Then energy pirateaba, who can write the best chapters of all. Then tired aba, which is now.

Everything goes down. All my stats. Writing endurance, happiness, my prose, such as it is, and all the rest.

But sometimes you just have to Relc a chapter. And we did. Is it perfect? No. But its Relc. Thats Relc-style.

Hope you like it. One more chapter until I take my week break in August! Thanks for reading! Thats all, folks!

Boom Bark Trees by Enuryn the [Naturalist]!