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  The knight sneered and signaled the wincher. The cleric once again disappeared underwater.

  "Alack and alas, he'll be undone soon," muttered the wild king.

  Dune turned, surprised the ruler could make out what was happening at this distance. "They're not trying to kill him," he explained. "That would be counterproductive. They want him to lower his magical defenses and take on the infection. But you're right, it's only a matter of time." The ranger worked his jaw and studied Izzy. "We have no choice but to move forward without Talon." The pixie didn't object.

  Dune waited as his bear companion swam along the entrance bridge and climbed onto the outcropping between the water and the outpost wall. She lazily grabbed at fish in the surf. A brown bear wasn't the most inconspicuous of allies, but it was a natural enough sight in the wilderness. A few knights watched the National Geographic moment, but most were concerned with the drowning cleric. After a full minute, the cage once again emerged from the lake. Vagram's catechist allies collectively sighed as their leader choked up water. He was still alive.

  The brown bear meandered along the base of the log wall, a sparkling fish hanging from her jaws. She neared the rear dock as nothing more than a curiosity. Dune listened to another round of questioning and watched as the adamant Vagram was again pitched underwater.

  Dune: Wait for it...

  The priority was the cleric. Once he was clear, they could take action. The line of catechists on both sides of the conflict watched intently as air bubbled to the surface. Vagram would be holding his breath longer this time. As long as he could stand, anyway. If he didn't make it, Serpico and his band wouldn't look kindly on the rescuers, whether or not he safely respawned. It was why dealing with NPCs was tricky.

  Beyond that, it was late enough into the night now that the cleric's death would be counterproductive too. A delayed respawn, a distant spawn point, and a possible lockdown were all obstacles to their impending deadline. This needed to be pulled off without a hitch.

  Dune: Okay, move in.

  Shouts came from the mountainside as a boisterous pack of catechists revealed themselves from hidden crevices on the north coast. Leading the charge were Serpico and Stigg. They stormed onto the long dock toward the outpost gate. The crew was large but only had the clearance to advance in doubles.

  Through Blossom's eyes, Dune watched as the Violet Order addressed the oncoming threat. Their soldiers were, unsurprisingly, every bit as disciplined as crusaders. It almost seemed like they'd expected this. The alarm resounded and the scattered patrols of knights along the back dock rushed to the outpost gate. The brunt of the enemy force had cleared the rear coast.

  "They're here for the cleric!" cried the interrogator. "Secure him at once!"

  The man on the winch pulled the prison from the lake. More than forty priests, friends and enemies alike, stared agape as water slicked off and dripped from an empty cage.

  "Whereth be the cleric?" asked Theoderic, eyes narrowed.

  "Blossom has eyes on them," said Dune.

  The red-headed falcon circled in the sky overhead before swooping down and landing on Dune's shoulder. The water at the edge of their canoe rippled. Two bluish tentacles pulled on the edge of the boat, making Izzy flinch. An octopus lifted Cleric Vagram from the water and heaved him inside.

  The ranger grinned. "Meet Bubbles." The slithery companion made squelching sounds before releasing the canoe and swimming away. "And now, it's Buttercup's chance to shine."

  The brown bear leapt onto the unguarded rear dock and loped down the narrow pathway. Startled catechists and knights hopped into the water to avoid being steamrolled.

  Izzy's face soured. "You named your animal companions after the Powerpuff Girls?"

  The ranger grimaced. "Do me a favor and don't tell Caduceus. She wouldn't let me live it down."

  As Vagram coughed up gallons of water, the wild king beckoned with his arm and three half-manned canoes sped toward the waterborne catechists. Wildkins pulled priests to safety as Bubbles assisted with the recovery effort.

  Meanwhile, the Violet Order was quickly coming to grips with the situation. A number of them in the main yard split off to the back dock, leaving the bulk to fire arrows at the catechists outside the front gate.

  Stigg and Serpico launched fire bottles into and over the wall. The rough wood logs lit up in flames, preventing the knights from marching outside the wall to meet them. As the Order scrambled to quench the fires, the catechists retreated toward the coast, setting the entrance bridge ablaze for good measure. They were only a distraction, and their work was done. Serpico and Stigg sped away on foot, confident their tracks were covered.

  Izzy let out a slick whistle. "I've gotta admit, you put on a good jailbreak."

  Dune dipped his head in thanks.

  As the forward rescue canoe filled up with drifters, the Violet Order's heavy barge sounded a guttural horn that shook the water.

  "Oh crap," said Izzy.

  Dune: Get out of there!

  Straggling knights hurried onto the barge. In the minute it took them to fully board, the twenty catechist prisoners were out of the water. As more violet tunics crowded the rear dock, Buttercup belly flopped into the lake and swam off. Bubbles returned to the depths. Blossom shot to the sky to provide overwatch. The contingent of canoes turned west, and the heavy brig disengaged from the dock and gave chase.

  "We should've set fire to the boat," cursed Izzy.

  "Easier said than done. Our people had access to the gate, not the boat."

  She grunted. "Kyle would've figured out a way."

  "And accidentally blown himself up in the process, probably."

  Cleric Vagram, on all fours, was finally all coughed out. He bounced to his feet and glared at the boat's occupants, locks of golden wet curls plastered to his head. "What is the meaning of this?"

  "I thought it was kind of obvious," muttered Dune. He took a dagger to the rope binding the cleric's hands.

  Vagram shoved the assistance away and spread his arms. Two bronze swords flashed into waiting hands. "This is a pagan vessel," he spat. "You're after the bounty!"

  "The quest was revoked," hurried Izzy. "The Violet Order got to you first."

  Vagram's face burned red hot. "You're all infidels!"

  Dune stood defiantly as the canoe sped on the waves. "These infidels just saved your ass and about half your captured men that weren't turned."

  Before Vagram could bark a response, Izzy chimed in again with a better explanation. "Serpico's waiting for you with our people."

  A loud clang reverberated and a harpoon at the head of the heavy brig fired. The metal spear slammed into a fleeing canoe, shattering it apart. Priests and wildkins leapt into the water and reached for nearby boats.

  Theoderic had thus far been silently amused by the exchange with the cleric. Now the eyes behind the stag crown went hard. "Doubt not, doubt not, holy man, if thou so spurnst me and my kind, thou also spurnst these vessels mine."

  Dune grinned. "I think he means shut up or swim."

  The cleric gritted his teeth.

  "Temporary truce?" pleaded Izzy. "Until we get out of this mess?"

  The knights on the brig hurried to reel in the launched harpoon which was still hooked to debris from the sunken canoe. It would only be a minute till they had the weapon ready again.

  Cleric Vagram bit down. "A truce then, and may the White King forgive the company I keep."

  The grouping of canoes sped across the open lake, a race for the coast. The pursuing brig was fast. With its large sail finally unfurled, the power of the wind outstripped the paddling wildkins. Their only advantage was their small size. The fleeing boats, now parallel to the brig, offered small targets. Another two harpoon launches missed their marks. As the Violet Order's vessel neared, those misses would become less likely.

  "We need to cover their retreat," said Vagram.

  "No can do," answered Dune. "Our priority is you. We have the leaders of two factions in th
is boat."

  "Which is why it's up to us," asserted the cleric. "Those are my people."

  The wild king's eyes gleamed. "In this, the holy man and I are of one mind. My kin are in the water, and my boats shall save them."

  "But—"

  Izzy put a hand on Dune's shoulder. "Don't push it. It was a nice plan. Now it's time to do whatever works."

  Dune grumbled. Vagram appeared pleased but avoided eye contact with the wild king. Theoderic flashed a smile and nodded to the oarsmen. They slacked the pace, lagging the boat between the rescue operation and the heavy brig. Caduceus and a crew of catechists waited on the coast to expedite the retreat.

  The ranger drew a single silver arrow. "We'll do this your way." On deck, two men reloaded the harpoon. Dune waited as the knight aimed, tracking the heavy projectile to the nearest target: them.

  "Uh," mumbled Izzy, "any time you're ready."

  "Timing is paramount," he said.

  "Paramount? Who says paramount?"

  Dune ignored her and waited until the enemy gunner was confident of his target. Then he loosed the arrow. The silver point hammered into the gunner's eye. He tumbled back, kicking up the harpoon handle and pointing it straight down at the water. The metal spear launched into the depths.

  He brandished a smile. "You see? Paramount."

  Dune nocked another arrow. The knights were more wary this time. Instead of recovering the harpoon, they stayed low and cut the line. Then they changed their tack. As the side sails found the wind and the brig increased its speed, the Violet Order was now trying to run them down.

  The canoe being rammed in the middle of this lake would almost certainly result in their deaths or capture.

  "You've saved my priests," said Vagram. "For that I thank you, but it appears we're doomed."

  Talon materialized in the canoe beside them. Not his shadow form but the man, flesh and bone and ones and zeroes. The nimble scout almost fell as he accustomed to his surroundings. "Damn boats."

  "Talon!" Izzy jumped to her feet and braced him in a hug. "Where were you?"

  The cleric's eyes widened. "Blasphemer!"

  Theoderic crossed arms over his chest in warning. "Did we not cover this, holy man?"

  "But he consorts with devils and pagans."

  Izzy snickered. "Kinda like what you're doing now?"

  Dune's Atlantean bow swayed in his hand as he hunted for a shot. "Guys... Big boat, pointy swords." The brig loomed closer, towering above the tiny canoe. Dune loosed an arrow but an armored knight ducked away. "I don't think arrows can save us at this point."

  "No," said Talon. "I think you're right."

  He smiled as a low rumble shook the water. Dune and the others searched the lake. The wildkins paddled furiously but the effort was futile. They simply couldn't outpace the brig.

  As the Violet Order moved into ramming position, the water around them surged upward. The massive wave lifted their canoe. The passengers held on precariously. Gargantuan tentacles breached the surface at points around the brig.

  Vagram's face sagged. "You didn't."

  Talon shrugged. "I kinda did."

  The appendages of a titan twisted in the sky and crashed down on panicking knights. The toothy mouth of the kraken heaved above the water; it bellowed and gave a mighty squeeze. The Violet Order brig whined before buckling under the sea monster's immense power. Knights in heavy armor jumped ship as the tentacles sucked the wreckage into the lake's depths.

  Meanwhile, the canoes were propelled to the coast like surfboards riding a tidal wave. They left the screams and destruction in their wake. Dune hooked his bow across his shoulder and grumpily took a seat.

  "Always stealing the show," he muttered.

  Though his voice was bitter, he grinned at the oncoming coast.

  2020 Ultimate Alliance

  The longboat hit the shore. I jumped off first, followed by a few wildkins. We trudged through the shallows and grounded the boat so the others could disembark relatively dry.

  "What are you beaming about?" asked Izzy.

  The grin was glued to my face. I wasn't hiding it or letting Izzy get me down. "You guys did it. I didn't lift a finger and I'm standing here watching the wild king unload beside Cleric Vagram."

  "Yeah, I wouldn't go claiming mission complete just yet." She hugged me close and rapped my chest. "How are you here anyway? I mean here here. I didn't think the void pearl could manage real teleports."

  I shrugged. "It has more to do with its source of magic than the pearl. We found the kraken in the Maelstrom. And—" My eyes shot to a glaring Vagram. "It's a long story. First, I need to fulfill a promise."

  In the moonlit night, the lake was a flat black mirror, marred only by the ripples of our recent exit. In the distance, a fire burned the outpost on the water. The Violet Order had lost their foothold on the Lake of Dreams.

  "Life and death beget glorious breath," said Theoderic.

  Izzy gave him the side eye. "When did you start rhyming?"

  The king sighed. "A beautiful thing, it be."

  "It's only a start," I said. I stepped into the water, clutching the Squid's Tooth, and willed the kraken to make its way downriver. The beast would navigate treacherous rapids, the Broken Falls, and the Albula on the way to the North Sea and, eventually, Shorehome.

  I switched to broadcasting over full brigade chat.

  Talon: Drummond, are you in Stronghold?

  Drummond: Uh, hi Talon. Yes. I'm here.

  Drummond: Why?

  Talon: I'm gonna need you to find Gladius and open the river gates. You have a guest passing through.

  Drummond: A guest?

  Talon: The kraken needs safe passage through the city on the way to Shorehome. See that it gets through and isn't attacked.

  Drummond: Uh, really? I guess.

  Talon: Drummond, you're a Black Hat. You'll get it done.

  Drummond: Yes, sir. You can count on me.

  Izzy's hands were hooked on her hips. "Poor guy needed his pep talk broadcast to the whole guild."

  I hiked a shoulder. "It's his moment to shine. He'll do fine."

  "And us? You don't think we could use a titan in the coming fight?"

  "Sacrilege!" snapped the cleric.

  Serpico and the larger catechist contingent came down the coast and huddled around their leader. The priests checked the former prisoners for signs of the purple plague, but they were just being thorough. The infection wasn't subtle and the catechists were fine.

  I pulled Izzy away from the judgmental crew wearing gold crosses and lowered my voice. "This isn't a fight for titans."

  The pixie snorted. "Yeah, right. Anything involving the soulstones is a fight for the titans."

  "That's why our job is to free them. Founder relics work in pairs. We can use the charms to dispel the stones."

  "A certain cyclops stomping our way might be a complication."

  "We just need to stay one step ahead of him." I chewed my lip. "A giant, lumbering step."

  "I bet you're gonna keep telling yourself that right until Hadrian wakes Gigas."

  The wildkins went quiet. Theoderic's mask turned to his warden, surrounded by his prisoners. I grew uncomfortable as I realized both factions had gathered on opposite sides of us. They were casting adversarial glances across like two teams waiting on a coin flip.

  "We're not enemies here," I asserted. "Players, NPCs, and mobs—we're in this together. This is where we figure out our shared destiny."

  The catechists glowered. "The truce I agreed to has expired," said Vagram. "There's no more danger from the Violet Order." He pointed a sword my way. "And I made no promises to you, blasphemer."

  I sighed. "Open your eyes, Vagram. Mara and Gent are dead. I'm on a mission to restore the Trinity, and that starts with our cooperation."

  Vagram frowned at the news.

  "We've fought side by side before," I pointed out. "We made a good team too." My head canted in reflection. "Even if you were technically plannin
g on betraying me from the start."

  The cleric's face flushed red. "It was you who betrayed the people!"

  Dune snorted. "I got news for you, priest. The world's changed a lot while you've been on the lam. There's a new war and there are two sides: everyone who was here before, and the purple infection that already turned a number of your men."

  I stepped forward. "You can't be so stuck in your ways. You're NPCs, with a rigid holy code no less, but you've got to utilize that free will that broke you away from the crusaders in the first place. Not just at a power-hungry bishop's orders. Can't you see all the wrong that's occurred?"

  Vagram worked his jaw. "Tannen may have overstepped, but he was a righteous leader."

  "He's why you're in this mess, but I know you to be more reasonable. Strict, but measured when you wanna be. You're a threat to Hadrian. So am I. Ditto for the wild king. The last thing he wants is us fighting together because it's the only way the Violet Order's going down. Even now their recruiting factory is generating more knights, sages, and replacement priests."

  That last point spurred some concern in the catechist ranks. No one wanted to be disposable.

  "You'd have us take down one tyrant in service of another," said Vagram. "What makes the Black Hats any better than the Violet Order?"

  "We're not trying to drown you in a cage, for one."

  "Yet you imprisoned Bishop Tannen's mind, nonetheless." His glare moved the wild king.

  "He got what he deserved," I grumbled.

  "And has paid a steep price. We refuse to join your faction."

  "I'm not asking for that." I moved closer as the catechists fingered their weapons. "I need your healers in the coming war. You need my army." I motioned toward Serpico and Dune. "If these two can come together to spring you from heavy security, to put teamwork above ego, then you and I can match that example. Let's set aside our squabbles and knock Hadrian on his ass."

  "I admit the situation sounds dire, but there's no cause for such language."