Zultar felt like a mighty lord for the first time in his life. He wore expensive clothes that could've fed his family for a decade. The exorbitant palanquin he rode in had a canopy top with silken coverings. What really sold the image was the kin. They carried him ever since they neared Fortunia. Not just any kin, but a hundred cultivators all pretending to be his slaves. He felt guilty having them carry him, but it was an easy task with their power. Together, they perfectly projected the rich and powerful mage image they aimed for.

"You ready for this?" Hamal asked from the front pole.

"I've been around pompous mages who thought their shit was the ambrosia of the gods. I can play my part."

Hamal chuckled. "Get ready. We're almost there."

Zultar poured himself a small glass of wine. Not enough to inhibit him, but enough to relax. It was a fine art he'd learned to deal with high-stress situations. And covertly entering Fortunia was undoubtedly that.

"Who goes there?" A voice called out. The cultivators set down the covered canopy. That was his cue. He grabbed a garish staff with a rather massive crystal on its head.

Zoltar stepped out of the palanquin with an aggrieved expression as if dealing with such questions were below him. He puffed up his chest with self-assured importance. Zultar managed to look down at the person questioning him, although the individual was high on a wall. He then thumped his staff twice.

"You are speaking to the great Runic Master Raphael!" Gerald pronounced in his booming tone. The guards on the wall looked confused at the proclamation, probably because they made up that title.

"The what?" A guard shouted.

"Surely you jest?" Gerald continued. "The Master Raphael is known across the northern part of Asluin. His abilities are legendary!"

"Umm, why isn't he speaking?" A guard asked.

"The master doesn't ordain to speak to mere gatekeepers!" Gerald thundered.

"You're some type of mercenaries?" The question wasn't unanticipated. All the cultivators wore sturdy sleeveless white robes that ended below the hips and a matching set of trousers made from the fiber of numerous plants found exclusively in the mana forest. The fibers naturally absorb traces of mana, strengthening themselves. On the front of each robe was a metal pendant with a symbol unfamiliar to the guards. It was unfamiliar to everyone, at least for the time being. It was a bright white metal with swirling blue inlay that worked its way toward the center, where a clear stone was set. The swirling blue represented ki, and the gem in the center the core. It was the symbol of the cultivator.

Gerald filled his lungs as if he were to shout when Zultar raised his hand. Immediately, the kin fell to both knees, foreheads pressed to the ground. He wondered if they were going overboard…Nah.

"We do some mercenary work, which is why we're here. My kin can also do the work of twenty workers each. I assure you, the leader of your city will want to speak to me." Zultar put as much confidence behind each word as he could.

"Alright, come on in. Just keep those kin under control," the mage guard said as the gates opened. The response was not unanticipated. The city received regular visitors, although none had such a huge entourage. Hence the need for some theatrics.

Zultar hadn't been here since the kin's enslavement. It was a small risk that someone might recognize him, but he had changed significantly since his last visit. A different hair color and a goatee ensured no one would recognize him. No one even paid attention to him back then. They did now.

The kin stood up, and Zultar returned to his palanquin before the kin picked it up once more. Together, they marched proudly with Zultar's palanquin in the center. All eyes were on them. Zultar knew the first step in making any sale was to get the buyer's attention. That accomplished, he needed to find the proper mage. As they moved forward, he looked at the changes wrought in the city.

The city of Fortunia was more like a fortress than an actual city. It was dominated by a large keep on the city's western side overlooking the mountain valley. Behind the keep were various establishments that you would find anywhere. Inns, taverns, and, of course, brothels. Perhaps it was the last establishment that changed the most since he was last here. Kin women were chained up outside like pets while other human women rested in chairs beyond them. All the other kin here appeared to be cleaning or doing manual chores. The most significant change Zultar noticed was the mages. There were mages of Dageth and elves walking the streets. A lot of elves. That didn't bode well.

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"What's all this?" A loud, commanding voice asked. Zultar directed his gaze to the man walking toward them with three guards. He was a lean man with wiry muscles and bright violet hair. His clothes were richly decorated, as one would expect from his station. Around his neck, he had a pendant with the symbol of Deepmere, a flaming hammer.

"Behold the Runic Master Raphael!" Gerald shouted, and several mages who were already interested stopped what they were doing.

"Runic Master?" The man asked, coming to a stop, the guards fanning out around him. "I haven't heard that title before. I'm General Darkfall, commander of Fortunia. Where do you hail from?"

The palanquin was set down, and Zultar stood up. The kin brushed off imaginary dust from his clothes. He took a step forward, addressing the General. He looked the man directly in the eyes. He would never have dared to do such a thing previously.

Far to the north, near the Mana Wildlands. I'm not surprised you haven't heard of my title before. Runic Masters are rare beyond the place of my birth. I assure you, my title was well earned."

"I see. Well, Raphael, what do we owe the pleasure of your visitation?"

"I have heard of these mists you battle. This is truly a grave threat to all of Asluin. I've been sent by several concerned parties from my home to evaluate the situation."

"What nation do you represent?" Darkfall asked.

"Not a nation, but rather a collection of financial institutions that have a vested interest in the safety of Asluin. I would like your permission to scout out the mists and your protections against it," Zultar said.

"That might not be…" Darkfall said.

"Of course, I understand your reluctance. As a gesture of the friendship and support that my collaborators can offer, I give you this," Zultar said. With a gesture from him, a kin walked forward with a chest. The kin set the heavy burden down in front of Darkfall. The gleam of greed in his eyes was easy for Zultar to see. The man opened the lid and gasped. It was filled with gold and gems. Zultar had winced at the suggestion of giving away so much wealth. However, the past year has proven lucrative beyond all imagination with the resources from the mana forest. Some mages from Deepmere did plunder the forest for riches. Most never went far in. Those who did never came back. The rat-kin made sure of that.

"I thank you for this generous donation to our cause. This will surely aid us in stopping the foul mists," the general said as one of his guards struggled to pick up the chest. Zultar wondered how much would conveniently reach the General's pockets. Most probably.

"You may, of course, inspect whatever area you need to. I'll inform the guard captain and the other commanders of your presence. Do you have a place to stay? You can be lodged in the keep if you don't have arrangements already."

"Thank you, General Darkfall, but there is no need. The local inns will be fine. After so long on the road, I'm sure they will be a luxury. I'd like a brief tour of the area as long as it won't interrupt your operation," Zultar said, bowing. "Will there be any objections to my observation of these mists and your actions against them?"

"No, of course not," Darkfall said. "They are extremely dangerous. I would insist on several of my mages accompany you for your protection."

"Thank you, but that is not required. I have my own protectors," Zultar said, gesturing at the kin.

"Kin? The dangers are far beyond what any null can handle."

Zultar chuckled. "Normally, you'd be right. Allow me to demonstrate." Zultar held his staff up high as it began to shine brightly.

"MASS GREATER STRENGTH!"

"MASS GREATER HASTE!"

"MASS STEEL BODY!"

It was, of course, complete nonsense. The staff was artfully carved with a massive crystal with a light enchantment worked into it that even he could power with the ambient mana. The cultivators jolted as if they were suddenly empowered. They all began doing rather amazing feats. One jumped nearly fifteen feet straight up to a small ledge. Another lifted an uncut stone the size of a barrel over his head. The gathered mages gasped in amazement.

"Impressive!" Darkfall said. "Very, very, impressive. I've never seen a mass body enhancement spell used before."

"It's unlikely you ever will again. My slaves have runes worked into their flesh, allowing me to boost their abilities. The augmentations draw on their unawakened mana pools as well as my own mana. I'm afraid the process does shorten their lives, but the results are as you can see here. They are stronger than most melee spell casters. The runes ensure their obedience and utter lack of fear. They'd throw themselves down a dragon's gullet in the hopes that it'd choke if I ordered it," Zultar said.

"Wonderous! What I wouldn't do to get kin like that," Darkfall said, clapping him on the back. "Raphael, I insist on at least providing you with a feast to celebrate our new friendship."

"I would be happy to attend. I do require that my slaves be treated well. Each represents a significant financial investment for my magic to work on them properly."

'Of course," Darkfall said, leading him toward the keep. The man began barking orders as they walked. As the General droned on, Zultar gave him his most attentive fake smile. He'd had lots of practice during his time. He'd keep playing this part until Azura arrived. There'd be plenty of time to prepare for what was next. Even now, he knew a few cultivators were slipping away, setting their plans in motion.

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