8:30 PM

"Harnriel, report!" Paulados barks out to his chief of staff as the two gather around their map of the region, dotted with small figurines. "How have our scouts been doing?"

"Not great, sir, but it could be far worse. Teams of demonic arcane scouts have been playing cat-and-dog with our own scouting teams, and we've taken casualties. Lady Highbranch's divination was a lifesaver, though - if we'd had no warning then our scouts might well all be dead and we wouldn't even know it yet. As it is, we have a rather fair idea of their opening moves."

The elf begins moving pieces around the map - small ones, indicating scouting or raiding parties. "About half a dozen Domain scout teams watching the woods, although we've given them a stronger fight than they were expecting. They've taken losses of their own, and haven't gotten within range of the town yet, or the Fort. We have spotted several fast-moving teams moving to flank the town though, or more likely, to secure isolated targets. We've confirmed that they've gone after the Highbranch estate, but we're letting them waste their time searching that while we focus elsewhere. In particular, they appear to be trying to cut off Grassbrook and the dungeon."

"The route to the dungeon? Not the route north?" The human frowns as he worries at his mustache. "We've had that guard camp at the base of the mountain for ages but it's a checkpoint, not a fortress. How are they holding up?"

"Not bad at the moment - Domain forces have also been running into Challengers who were returning from the dungeon, and who didn't take kindly to being surprised by demons and kobolds assaulting the path back. The route is clear for now, but that might only be true for a few more hours."

"Better that than the road north, I suppose. At least the civilians fleeing the area will be safe. We'll devote a few more patrols in that direction for now. What's the status of the town's VIPs, by the way?"

Harnriel's expression grows troubled as he gives his reply. "I'm told that the Bountiful Mother and the church's paladins have decided to evacuate...to the dungeon. They did send a few of their trainees north but their highest-ranking members are likely in Worthy Dungeon by now."

"What!? Why - well, fine then! Not our concern to meddle in the decisions of the godly, but I hope that dwarf knows what she's doing. When Grassbrook falls there's going to be no way out of the damn place. How about the others? How's the other Lady Highbranch doing?"

"She's taken up command of the militia at the Lucky Bastard, as we recommended. Things seem to be in good order in the town itself for now, although there continues to be a trickle of civilians evacuating. I suppose it's fortunate the town is so small, it's no trouble for the road to carry them out. As for Administrator Alizz..."

"Alizz."

Ignoring the call behind her, Alizz continues handing off packages to a Challenger dressed for the road. The man's horse is waiting just outside - one of the few mounts in the entire town - and the drider can't help but worry that she's forgetting to give him something. The moment the horseman sets off, there'll be no calling him back.

"Alizz, dammit."

"...Alright, I believe that's everything. See those into the hands of Administrator Redroot, and you'll be paid the rest of your fee there."

The man nods and turns to stuff the packages into his saddlebags, while the call grows ever more insistent. "Alizz, look at me!"

With a sigh, Alizz finally turns around. "What is it, Kelsey? I'm rather busy, if you haven't noticed."

The kobold gestures in the direction of the courier. "With paperwork? Seriously, Alizz, that's what you're worried about?"

"Those reports include the class credit gain for dozens of Challengers over the past three weeks, not to mention the class promotions. We can expect communications to be...spotty for a time, and we need to ensure that information is shared with the rest of the Association while we still can. Otherwise it'd be a horrible mess as the branches become out of sync with their record-keeping. Trust me, I know how much of a headache inconsistent records can be."

"Sure, sure." Kelsey rolls his eyes, as his scales gleam in the torchlight keeping the outside of the headquarters building illuminated. "So now that we've saved the damn forms, how about saving your skin and bones, eh?"

The drider swallows before she answers, making sure that her response is as measured as possible. "...The Challengers Association is a politically neutral organization. Treaties agreed on internationally - including with the Domain of the Dragonlord - confirm our neutral status. We should have nothing to fear so long as no one does anything...foolish."

"What, like a bunch of Challengers deciding to join the militia? That's already happening, Alizz, and just because they're not going to have their Association IDs on them - maybe - doesn't mean it's still not gonna be obvious when they start flinging fireballs from the middle of a mob of farmers with pitchforks. Besides, just because some treaty says you should be safe doesn't mean you have to stay! Getting out of a damn warzone is the smart move! I mean, is that treaty gonna keep the HQ from burning down if Grassbrook goes up in flames?"

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"I just...it doesn't feel right." Alizz's shoulders slump as her professional exterior begins to crack. "We've worked so hard to protect this dungeon and to help build this town, you understand? Half of these buildings were started with Association investment! A quarter of the town is employed by an Association-affiliated company or guild! And I can't help but feel like it's all at tremendous risk. Worthy in particular. And one of the primary purposes of the Association is to protect dungeons."

"Also, I'm not leaving."

Surprised, Alizz and Kelsey both turn around to see their blonde-haired cleric approaching. Growling, Kelsey turns his attention to her. "Now you too, Sely? Is this a healer thing?"

The Divine Masochist shakes her head. "I will heal the injured, of course, but that's not why. I'm not leaving Taly. If something happens to Worthy Dungeon then my sister dies again, and there'll be no saving her a second time. In fact...I came to ask permission to head up to the dungeon, while there's still time." She glances in the direction of the mountain, hidden in the night. "Laeniel probably had the right idea when she moved up there with the triplets a few days ago."

This time it's Alizz's turn to look worried. "Head up to the dungeon now? In the dark, while armies are out there fighting? It's...I understand your reasons Sely, but I can't let you go out there by yourself!"

"I'm not sure you can 'let' me do anything. But...I would appreciate help."

Kelsey turns back to Alizz, and finds that he dislikes the look in her eyes. "Not you too, Alizz? That's rushing out of the pot and into the fire! We don't..." Kelsey pauses while he searches his mind for Association regulations. "We protect dungeons from unauthorized core-cracking. That means cracking happens with the approval of the local government. If the Dragonlord takes over the place and decides to fuck with Worthy, we've got no legal backing to stop them! And even if we did, we don't physically have the means to stand in the way of an entire damn army!"

The look in the Masochist's eyes is steely. "I'm still going. Whether I'm doing it as an Association member or not."

Sighing, Alizz decides to shift the topic slightly. "How about you, Kelsey? You're a native of the Domain. You should be safer here than any of us. You could hold down the fort while we see to the dungeon, so to speak."

"There's a reason I became a Challenger and not a soldier, Alizz. I've got no interest in being in the middle of a warzone. But...if I ain't high-tailing it north, then I'm at least gonna see to it that I can watch your giant bulbous ass. If you two are going up to the dungeon then so am I."

"I wasn't even sure that was my plan...but if I want to help protect the dungeon, then I suppose that is where I need to be." Alizz looks around the darkened street. "But not before we've at least spoken to any of the remaining staff. Has anyone seen Renter or Ruckus?"

Before the others can respond, a jogging imp shouts out his answer from down the road. "I'm here! Uh, also, I think you probably don't need to worry about the rest of the staff anymore."

Kelsey literally curses fire before he gets himself under control. "What!? Did something happen? Was there an attack inside the town?"

Ruckus comes to a halt, taking a few deep breaths before he continues. "Eh? Er, no, they ain't dead! ...Uh, yet. We were seeing off the staff who were evacuating in the last caravan, and then Renter and a few of the instructors said they were staying to join the militia. Oh, and Renter said he's temporarily resigning so it's, like, all clean and fine and whatever."

"Fffffuck! That idiot Tracker! The 'militia' ain't gonna last two hours when the real invasion force gets here!" The kobold stomps around before coming full circle. "How about you? You ain't evacuated?"

The imp puffs himself up. "Hey, not without the rest of my team! I'm ready to go when you all are?"

There's an exchange of glances which Alizz finally voices. "We're going to be heading up to the dungeon, Ruckus. You're welcome to stay here, or head out with the next wave of evacuees - I'm sure there will be more, if we're not cut off."

"The dungeon!? You're gonna get completely trapped in there!" Ruckus's expression turns from one of concern to deep thought in rather quick order. "...If I did stay and you all went, doesn't that make me the highest-ranking Association employee in this town?"

Seeing the interest in the imp's eyes, Kelsey grins and slaps him on the shoulder. "Sure, consider yourself the Temporary Provisional Assistant Administrator until this blows over. You sure you wanna do that, though? You'll actually be responsible for any other Challengers who stick around, and with the Scarlet Eagles apparently up on the mountain tonight there's not gonna be a lot of folks here to back you up if you need it."

"A guy like me likes to have his exit strategies, and it's hard to come up with those when you dive into a hole in the ground. Town like this, though?" Ruckus scans the mostly-empty streets and grins. "Yeah, I think I'll make it fine out here. I'll do my best to keep the building standing by time you get back, but no promises, eh?"

Alizz chuckles before taking a deep breath. "Keep good care of yourself, Ruckus. And good luck - I think we're all going to need it..."

Gilda had been well-educated when it came to her numbers, as any good noble daughter is. Unfortunately, even a peasant could tell her that her current numbers are not good. The grand 'militia' she'd taken command of to help secure the town was barely three dozen people, at least for actual combatants. A handful of local farmers, a few retired soldiers who had once served at the Fort and then settled down here after their time was up. Most of her troops are former or part-time Challengers, though. Many of the clerks and craftsmen who came to serve the Association had themselves been Challengers for a time, and a few had 'retired' from the Association right in front of her before signing up.

The strongest of those however are just a handful of Experts, including a former inspection team member and a few class trainers. As a level thirty Lady of Runes, Gilda herself is one of the highest-ranking Challengers to defend the town, which would be hard to do while also organizing the defense. Turning towards Raylin at the tavern table they'd set up as a command post, the half-elf sighs.

"My skills would be best put to use by improving our defenses personally. I could strengthen our barricades, create traps...but I can't do that and remain here at the same time. Raylin, do you think you could take command for a few hours?"

The archer wants to nod, but finds himself too worried to do so. "It makes sense, but I'm afraid I have no experience with strategy or command. Ducal houses might be expected to lead armies, but I'm afraid those expectations were never laid on me."

"I know! But unless a former military commander walks in through those doors, you're the best I have. Er, one moment - who's this?" Gilda turns away from her husband as a dark-haired human in heavy armor steps up to her table. At his side stands a purple-skinned goblin, and a few other apparent adventurers follow along behind him. "I'm sorry, who are you?"

Despite the concern on everyone's faces, the man still gives her a confident grin. "Greetings, Lady Highbranch. I'm Prince Thaddeus, of...a remote house. I overheard that you need a hand?"

"...Let's talk about your qualifications..."

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