The village of Shivarn was very rustic and gave off a homey atmosphere. Sitting atop the Shamsir ridge gave it a nice bird's eye view into the vast desert leading to Bravost. It was a wonder why Elusis' forces didn't build a fortress or watchtower up here. However, according to the villagers, collectors regularly visited to collect their dues. In other words, they had an outpost nearby.

Something felt off as they ventured into Shivarn. There seemed to be a lot less villagers than there were buildings. 

A statue of the Harpy King stood tall in the village center, vigilantly watching his citizens like an omnipresent tyrant. This was Kanae and the other's first time laying eyes on his visage. His massive wingspan stretched out to the sides, right fist extended into the sky. A stern countenance fixed on the horizon. Tributes like food and coins rested at his feet, but Kanae wondered if they were just for show to keep the collectors content. She noticed Edina eyeing the offerings and nudged her in the side.

"Don't…" Kanae whispered.

"I-I swear I wasn't thinking about it!" Edina protested.

Nona skipped along at the head of the group, hand in hand with her mother. Guel slithered from the other side of the woman, also holding hands. The three looked like a family, even though the lamia appeared to be the odd one out.

They arrived at a humble little cottage that only had a single room that made up their living space. A hearth crackled quietly from one side of the room, on top of which was a cauldron full of boiling stew. Three cots arranged side by side, and with no man of the house present, suggested that Guel really was part of the family. Every now and then, something like goats bleated from behind the home.

"I'm sorry it's a little cramped in here, and I don't have much to offer other than hospitality." The dark elven woman glanced at the small cauldron, which seemed to only have enough for three.

"Your thoughts are good enough for us, ma'am." Patrice smiled, then nodded for Camill and Delayn to stand guard outside.

"My name is Owun." She finally introduced herself while fixing the children some lunch. "Judging by your clothes and the direction you came, you're from Bravost. The trading association, yes?"

"Good eye! Merchants of the East Saviran Trading Association, at your service." Renya took a bow, keeping up the ruse.

"Have you had many visitors? Er, from our guild?" Kanae cleared her throat and asked.

"Many? Oh, no. More like every now and then. They stop by from time to time to let their ronoas graze on the fields. Your people tend to keep to themselves. This is the first time the association has ever intervened. That was quite the show of force earlier. I imagine you're all headed for Elusis?" Owun eyed them with an appraising look.

"Indeed," Patrice chimed back in. "Perhaps you can answer a few questions for us? Would you happen to know the state of Elusis at the moment?"

Owun's shoulders slackened. She looked over her shoulder to Guel in particular and sighed.

"Children, stay put and finish your lunch. I'm going to show these kind travelers the village," Owun said.

"Okay!" they resounded back.

Following the dark elf's lead, they returned outside and took a trip a little farther up the ridge. Their trek took them through the field of knee-high desert grass. The tapir-like creatures, pupuras, and goats didn't miss a beat grazing on the vegetation when they passed by. Eventually, the group came to the end of the field where it was fenced in.

"There." Owun pointed south.

Kanae looked south, but clouds and distortions from heat waves hid what Owun tried to show them. She only made out long, vertical columns that appeared to connect the ground to the sky. Were they canyons? Kanae remembered back on Earth, there was a mountainous region in China that boasted many tall stone pillars. They looked like something out of a fairy tail. But these…

It wasn't until Archbishop Patrice breathed word into the answer did everything click.

"Elusis," Patrice muttered.

"Wait, you're telling me that's Elusis? Those are all man-made spires?" Kanae gasped.

"Well, there has been debate on that subject. It is unknown whether they are truly built from the ground up, or if they were originally massive pillars that Elusis' ancient ancestors built on. I imagine only the Harpy King knows the answer to that." The archbishop turned to their guide. "But Owun, you have yet to answer my question. You have shown us Elusis. What about its state?"

Owun wrung her hands together and said, "I didn't want the children to hear. It isn't good. Our livestock isn't the only thing they come to take. Rumors abound that the Harpy King intends to bring war to Bravost and Avanesse. To that end, he has drafted countless people into his army. Among them… Nona's father, and Guel's parents. Before leaving, they told him they were helping a struggling village look after their crops. I've been taking care of him the best I can, but he misses them dearly."

"Another child taken too soon from their family. Tch. Why am I not surprised it happens in more places than Ortesia?" Petyr spat on the ground.

"If… If I may be so bold… You have already done us a favor, but will you speak with the collectors? Ask them to let Guel's parents come back? They were taken months ago to their garrison. I believe the collectors wanted them for their blacksmithing talents. They don't even make weapons or armor, just nails and tools for work," she explained.

Patrice shook her head apologetically.

"This is beyond our scope. We are mere merchants. I'm sorry for their absence, but there is nothing we can do to help," the archbishop explained.

"I'll go. Tell me where their garrison is. I'll dismantle it brick by brick and bring them back." Petyr cracked her neck and brandished her maul.

"Absolutely not! Amethyst, talk sense into her. Throwing ourselves at Elusis soldiers will jeopardize the miss—" Patrice remembered Owun nearby and changed her tune. "Our… trading partnership!"

"Kanae, I did wrong by you for taking your children once. I knew it was wrong, and I did it anyway. We have both seen what that does to a family. You won't hear me say this again, but please," the paladin pleaded.

"Petyr, Patrice…" Kanae squeezed her eyes shut for a few seconds. "We should help."

Patrice pressed a hand to her face, and Petyr breathed a sigh of relief.

She continued, "But we won't be going to pick a fight. We're association merchants. Let's appeal to them another way."

"You can leave the yapping to me." Renya grinned.

Archbishop Patrice had stayed behind in Shivarn with the Saint Priests and Kara out of caution. Thanks to Owun showing them the way, they descended the ridge and found the Elusis outpost. Watchtowers with ballistae and catapults loomed menacingly above. The garrison consisted of three tall spires surrounded by stone fortifications. A bonfire raged at the very top, serving as a sort of signal. 

As they drew closer to the gate, soldiers on the watchtowers aimed their ballistae down at their single carriage. Kanae casted Human Form on herself. Edina pulled a cloak over her horns. A squad of harpy soldiers, larger than the one that went to Shivarn, flew out to meet them with weapons drawn.

"Commander, I recognize those vehicles. They're the same ones that crushed the captain's wing!" a harpy cried.

"Come out with your hands up. You so much as twitch for your weapons, and Shamsir will be your resting place!" a roguish-looking harpy man shouted.

Kanae and Renya tossed their weapons to the ground, then slowly emerged from the carriage with both hands in the air. The commanding harpy was dressed in dark gray padded armor. Winged epaulettes graced his shoulders, but they paled in comparison to the brilliant brown plumage of his actual wings.

"You hindered our most sacred duty to collect dues for Elusis, and you maimed one of my most capable officers. Tell me why I shouldn't order my unit to skewer you with ballista bolts?" the commander asked.

Kanae gave Renya a nod to speak.

"My name is Ayner." Renya bowed, causing Kanae to roll her eyes at such an on-the-nose name. "A merchant of the East Saviran Trading Association. This is my associate. Her name is unimportant."

"Thanks." Kanae groaned.

"I did not ask for either of your names, but for the transgressions you have levied against us," he growled.

"That's because your man was interfering with a delivery intended for your sultan, the Harpy King," she explained.

The commander's eyes twitched. He motioned for his soldiers to descend upon the carriage. They opened the back, revealing crates of gemstones and textiles. One of them waved back to their leader and showed him a gleaming ruby. No doubt from Theo Mambahu's mines.

Renya added, "It is paramount that these find their way to the Harpy King. Your officer hindered us and trifled with the cargo of His Majesty! Of course my guard acted. We at the association hire only the best, so that we can ensure the timely arrival of this tribute. Alas, two of our carriages have run aground. We need a blacksmith to repair the wheels, and I pray you have men of skill to lend."

"And why should I believe you? Why shouldn't I take your shipments and deliver them myself?" he asked.

"Isn't that obvious?" She beckoned the harpy closer, and he landed on the ground to offer an ear. "Because His Majesty has dealings with the association. And there is no better inside agent than one who has infiltrated Bravost."

Kanae noticed Renya flashing the platinum association token. Judging by the commander's wide-eyed stare, he recognized its importance— and washed his hands of the matter.

"Commander? What do you want us to do?" a soldier asked from the back of the carriage.

"I don't want to be the one to hear back from the Talons if His Majesty's goods don't get to Elusis in time. And someone bring Deyan and Wellen," he ordered.

Three harpies hurried back to the outpost and returned a few minutes later with two confused lamias. They were the spitting image of Guel if he was an adult, with their crimson and pale white serpent bottom half. Soot and sweat caked their faces. The pair were probably slaving over a forge before this.

"You two. You're heading to Shivarn to fix up these people's carriages, then it's right back to the forges," the harpy commander said.

Guel's parents were elated for all but a brief second, only to be shattered the next.

"Actually, Commander. We would like for them to accompany us to Elusis," Renya insisted.

"What?" He raised a brow.

"The terrain and roads of Elusis are what stopped us to begin with. How do you suppose we'll reach the city if, by a stroke of terrible luck, they break down again in the middle of the journey?" she suggested.

Without warning, the commander drew his sword and ignited it with fire. The flames were hot. Kanae winced as they singed her eyebrows. This guy must be infused with the powers of a fire elemental. There was no way he could have conjured these flames like that normally. Others under his command followed suit. The sound of rope pulled taut as those on the ballistae primed their harpoon-like bolts.

Inside the carriage, Petyr and Edina tensed up and readied themselves for a fight. Some of the harpies who were there at Shivarn shuddered at the paladin stepping out.

"I'm beginning to doubt you're who you say you are." The commander glowered.

"Now, now. There's no need for violence! Why would I lie? What would I gain? We simply wish to reach Elusis safe and sound. Quickly, most importantly. Avanesse and Bravost have banded together. If the Harpy King wishes to prevail, he will need the association's wealth and influence. We are here to provide that. I extend to you my hand unarmed. Might you do me the same courtesy?" Renya stretched her arm forward and smiled.

The flames ceased. He sheathed his quenched sword and begrudgingly clasped Renya's hand. Everyone stood down. Kanae corralled Deyan and Wellen into the carriage to take off before the harpy had another change of heart. Most of all, they re-established their identities as association merchants and preserved their cover. For now.

"That was too close for my tail… Not that we couldn't take 'em if it came to that." Edina sighed.

"How are you so good at this? Is there anyone you can't talk down to?" Kanae asked.

"If you've dealt with Ortesian lords, then you've dealt with the worst." Renya antagonized Petyr with a nudge. "Besides, the association being backstabbers isn't much of a secret by now. I leverage their infamy, and anyone will believe they want to collude with the Harpy King."

"Uhm… Excuse me?" Deyan, the lady lamia, spoke up. "We're heading to Shivarn, right? Would it be alright if… if we can see our son before leaving for Elusis?"

"Don't worry. Our carriages do not need fixing. We're reuniting you with Guel," Petyr explained.

"I-I don't understand. What's going on?" Wellen asked, reasonably suspicious of them.

"You will see soon enough," the paladin said.

They were speechless the rest of the way, but couldn't sit still as Shivarn village came within view. The carriage rolled up to Owun's home, and the dark elven woman led Nona and Guel outside. Before Kanae could even open the door, Deyan and Wellen burst out.

Guel was stunned. Even as his parents threw their arms over him.

"What… What's going on? You're back already?" Guel asked, sniffling.

"Hehe. Aren't you glad, Guel?" Nona patted his back.

The boy couldn't so much as answer. Tears and snot ran down his cheeks as he embraced his parents in return.

"Thank you! Thank you so much. I don't know how we can ever repay you!" Wellen grabbed Renya and Kanae's hands.

"Don't thank us. She's the one who convinced us." Kanae directed his attention to Petyr, who pretended to be unmoved by the family's reunion.

"I don't need your thanks. You raising that child well will be gratitude enough." Petyr folded her arms and walked away.

"Pft. And to think, Petyr was about willing to grovel for help in bringing them back earlier," Edina teased.