November 6, 10 ATC

Town of Trapiche, State of Carat, Kingdom of Emberald

As the sloop drifted up to the docks, Coronam tied the last of the remaining free rope to the knobs. The Mask steered them through the shallow waters into an open space in the docks, praying that the boat would slow in time. Luckily, it did, and the ship came to a gentle stop just before it would've struck the shore. Coronam began tying the boat to the dock while the Mask stepped off.

"Ah, Trapiche," he said. He stretched his arms up into the cloudy night sky. "It's been a while since I've been here."

"You've been to Emberald before?" Coronam asked. He finished his knot and stepped onto the dock. "I was under the impression that they were very hard on crime here."

"Oh, believe me," the Mask said. "I'm aware. I stayed in Trapiche for a time some twenty years ago."

"The priests let you do that?" Coronam asked.

The Mask shrugged. "It was a… unique arrangement. One that largely has not changed."

The pair began walking through the little settlement. It was more like a village, with barely a hundred people to take care of it, but it was enough to make Coronam uneasy. He nervously glanced about as the passersby, all dressed in the dark green and black of the Emberaldian extremists, cast hostile glances in their direction.

"Are you sure it's safe for us here?" Coronam asked.

"Don't let them ruffle your feathers," the Mask said. "They like to glare and growl, but as long as you don't interrupt service or break any laws, they're content to leave you be."

"How do you know them?" Coronam asked. The Mask sighed.

"I met them some time ago," he said. "A few years after the Treaty of the Confluence was signed, and Celtic's revolt was ended. The extremists had been driven out of power and the moderate Yurists were trying to wipe them out. I bribed government officials to overlook a few colonies, and in exchange, they provide food, bedding, and a place to hide when my agents come through here."

"Very charitable of you," Coronam said. He shifted uneasily as two more villagers glared at him.

"It was the least I could do," the Mask said.

As they walked into the town square, a man approached them. He wore a wolf skull over his face, engraved with a large "Y" in the middle of its forehead.

"Foreigners," the man said as he approached them. They stopped a few feet from each other, and the pair looked him over. Finally, the Mask bowed.

"Elder," he said. "It has been some time."

"Not long enough," the elder said. The wolf mask bobbed up and down as he spoke. "I assume you are here for the other foreigners?"

"They are already here?" Coronam asked. The elder nodded.

"Five of them, in the town hall," the elder said. "You may meet with them and stay the night here. But I want all of you gone by morning."

"I would have it no other way," the Mask said. The elder grumbled and walked away.

"Quite a pleasant fellow," Coronam said as the elder walked out of earshot.

"He barks a good deal," the Mask said, "but he won't bite."

"And the mask he wore," Coronam said. "Was that the mask?"

"Yes indeed," the Mask said. "I pilfered it from the ruins of Celtic's castle. It sold for a very hefty sum."

"I'm sure it did," Coronam said. They continued the rest of the way in silence.

When they reached the town hall, they could already hear the bickering from outside. Coronam sighed and reached for the door.

"Ready?" he asked.

The Mask shrugged. "As I'll ever be."

Coronam flung the door open, and instantly the volume of the room increased tenfold. Only seven men and women in a single room, and somehow they were louder than the rest of the village outside. Coronam sighed and shut the door behind him.

If the assembled leaders noticed their arrival, they gave no sign of it. At the table were five of the most important leaders in the Subreddit: Abbess Amelia, King Inferno CLXIX, General Generic, President Horsea, and Lord Taco. Coronam and the Mask sighed at the same time, knowing controlling the room would be an uphill battle.

"Quiet, quiet!" Coronam demanded. The room fell into a chagrined silence. "We have arrived."

"It's about time!" Generic exclaimed. "We've been waiting here an hour!"

"You've used that time wisely, I see," the Mask said. Generic twitched.

"At least Jannis was on time," she shot back. Across the table from her, Taco grunted.

"You were supposed to keep that quiet," he hissed.

"There was no need," the Mask said. "We already knew."

"You were spying on us," Inferno said.

"Not spying," Coronam said. "We just have an… undisclosed source."

"What a wonderful start to our little meeting," Horsea said.

"Gentlemen, please," Amelia said. "Clearly we've gotten off on the wrong foot. Why don't we just take a step back and start from the beginning?"

"Very well," Coronam said. "I'm King Coronam of Renora, and this is—"

"We didn't come here for a meet-and-greet," Taco said. "Just get on with it."

"There's no need to be rude, Taco," Horsea said. "It's just pleasantries."

"I didn't come here for pleasantries," Generic said. "I came here for an offer. Skip to the part where I benefit from this."

Coronam and the Mask exchanged weary glances, and Coronam sighed. "I had a whole speech prepared," Coronam grumbled.

"I'm sure it was lovely," Amelia said.

"And boring," Inferno muttered. Coronam glared at him.

"You want to know how you can benefit from this?" Coronam asked. "Very well. You can get rid of Jannis and his pawns. You can get rid of the oversight that's strangling your nations. You can act with agency instead of being puppets to some Outlander!"

"Yes, yes, yes. Oh my god," Generic said. "I know all that. That's not what we're asking. How do we benefit from this?"

"You benefit by getting your ancestral lands back," the Mask said. "Is that not obvious?"

"Jannis has promised us Arkos," Generic replied, crossing her arms. "Can you promise us more?"

"Has Jannis promised you Arkos, or did he offer you Arkos?" Coronam asked. Generic opened her mouth to respond but was struck by a moment of indecision. Horsea laughed.

"Looks like you stumped her," Horsea said, and he chuckled. Generic glared at him and gestured to Coronam to continue.

"He may have said Arkos would be yours," Coronam said, "and that would make you a superpower."

"So why not take the deal?" Generic asked.

The Mask shook his head. "Because it would make you too powerful for him. Do you really think that Jannis would just hand over that much power to some of his most dangerous subjects? Do you really think he would empower any of you that much?" The leaders exchanged uncertain glances.

"Regardless of what he will and will not give us," Amelia said, "the fact remains that he is in power and you are not. Would you make such a gamble, with so much at stake?"

"With Nitesco and Austin at the helm," Coronam said, "yes, I would. If nothing else, they are more trustworthy than Jannis."

"Austin killed my cousin," Inferno said spitefully. "And you were there too, if I remember," he added pointedly, and he glared at Coronam."

"And Nitesco is far too much of a moralizer for my tastes," Taco said. "Always going on about civic duty and virtue and all that. And his obsession with democracy! Even if we support him, I fear he would push his reforms on us like he did to Bumblebee and Guns N' Roses."

"He's not that zealous. You would rather take your chances with Jannis?" the Mask asked.

Taco sighed. "In this case, I would, yes. I gain far more from his victory than yours: Jannis can offer me numerous new vassals in Villainia and Heroa. I know you cannot match that."

"I trust you will say nothing of this meeting, then," the Mask said. "I doubt Jannis would appreciate it if he found out you were here." He paused to look around the table. "Any of you," he added.

"You've made your point," Horsea said. "And I've reached my decision: I'll join with you."

"What?" Amelia exclaimed.

"You're joining them?" Generic asked. "Why?"

"Because I value trust," Horsea said. "Maybe it's because I'm from a democratic nation myself, but I'd rather have a trustworthy ally than a powerful one. And I think we all know that Jannis is not a trustworthy man. None of these Outlanders are."

"To value trust we must be trustworthy ourselves," Amelia said. "And we've already sworn allegiance to the Church, remember?"

"You can't be serious!" Coronam said. "You cut a deal with those vipers?"

"Not like we had a choice," Horsea interrupted.

"Shush!" Amelia said. "The point is, I've already chosen my side. Out of respect for you and for your allies, I will not interfere in your war with the Church, but that is all the aid I will give you."

"Inferno?" the Mask asked. "What say you?"

"I cannot join," Inferno said. He looked Coronam in the eye. "In Pollinational culture, family is everything. An insult to one is an insult to all. You killed my cousin. You have insulted my family."

"I killed your cousin out of necessity," Coronam said. "I wish I didn't have to, but I don't regret it."

"And that is why we cannot join," Inferno said. "Even if you hadn't, I wouldn't. You can make vague promises and talk about what's good and just all you like, but that doesn't benefit anyone."

"You're a real pain in the ass, aren't you kid?" the Mask said. Inferno grimaced.

"I am not a child," he growled. Taco rolled his eyes.

"Not this again," he muttered.

"Be considerate, Taco," Amelia said.

"With all due respect," Coronam said, "There is still one more person I'm waiting to hear from."

All eyes at the table turned to Generic. Her hands were folded in front of her, and she looked uncharacteristically uncertain. At last, she nodded and looked up at Coronam.

"I have ambition," Generic said, "and I have a nation to guide. I'd rather it grow free than under a foreign yoke." She nodded, and her resolve returned to her eyes. "Fuck the Church. I'll throw in with you."

Coronam and the Mask smiled. "Excellent," Coronam said. "Generic, Horsea, might I ask you to stay while we discuss what is to be done?"

"Of course," Horsea said.

"The rest of you," the Mask said, "may leave. Though I trust you will keep all of these things to yourselves."

"We aren't that stupid," Inferno said.

"Trust me, I would very much like to see how this plays out," Taco said. "We'll keep quiet."

"Best of luck," Amelia said, and she followed Taco and Inferno out the door. The Mask shut the door behind them and returned to his seat.

"Now," Coronam said, turning to their new allies. "We have much to discuss."

November 12, 10 ATC

Crouchback Village, Occupied Lancaster

Austin paced along the ridge watching the soldiers in Crouchback mull about in the evening sun. In the fields, she could see Various drilling the men, who were now moving in tightly-knit, if still crooked rows. Despite his flippancy, Various had proven to be a valuable asset.

She heard the crunch of the dirt road behind her and, as she turned around, saw Nitesco. In his hand was a long, rolled-up paper.

"Is that from Coronam?" she asked. Nitesco nodded.

"Yes indeed," he said. "According to him, he and the Mask have acquired the friendship of Lancaster-in-exile, Checkmate and Springthyme."

"That doesn't sound like much," Austin said.

"But Lancaster has a powerful army," Nitesco said, "and Springthyme is rich enough to pay for supplies and mercenaries. Viceroy Sphinx reportedly has connections in Jannis's court too. It gives us a boost, at least."

"But is it enough?" Austin asked.

"It's what we have," Nitesco said. He paused. "But that's not what this is about, is it?"

"No," Austin admitted. She found she could not meet his eyes. "I'm anxious."

"Whatever for?" Nitesco asked.

Austin paused. "Our assault. I don't…" She sighed. "I don't want it to fall apart again. Like it did at Fort Bombus."

"Oh, Austin," Nitesco said. He put a hand on her shoulder. "We've been over that. It's not your fault."

"I know," Austin said. She sighed shakily. "I know. But this time, this time has to be different! Because what happens if it isn't?"

"It won't be," Nitesco said. "Because this time, the Church is weakened. Before, they had Zissman, and before, they hadn't been defeated. Even if we, and I mean we, lost, the Church is vulnerable now. Their instability has been exposed. And with the aid we're about to get, there's no doubt we can win if we take the right steps."

"I hope you're right," Austin said.

"I know I'm right," Nitesco said. "Do you believe me?"

"I suppose," Austin said. "It'll get better as we put things to paper."

"That's good to hear," Nitesco said. They stood there for a moment, looking up at the sky, and they saw a falcon circling above them.

"That bird's been circling for a while," Nitesco said. "You think it's hunting?"

"No," Austin replied. "The falcons stick to the lowlands near here, where all the rabbits are. It wouldn't be hunting." She paused. "Perhaps…" She trailed off.

"What's wrong?" Nitesco said.

"I want to try something," Austin said. She crooked her arm and held it out, as a falconer would. The bird began circling closer and closer to the ground, and finally broke off to dive at Austin.

"Whoa!" Austin exclaimed. The bird flew in at full speed and collided with Austin's leather bracer, digging its talons in. Austin stumbled backward but regained her balance, and the falcon remained firmly gripped to her bracer.

"He's a little bastard, isn't he?" Nitesco said. The falcon fluttered its wings and dislodged its talons from the bracer, and Austin noticed a thick wad of paper tied to its foot.

"Probably a young one," Austin said. "They're a little more forceful." She untied the paper and handed it to Nitesco, who unfolded it.

"What's it say? Who's it from?" Austin asked.

"Um, Contramundi," Nitesco said. "Here's what it says: my dear friends Austin and Nitesco. I have received in my company a young man by the name of Hozack as an emissary from Checkmate. His grandfather Sphinx has, by his account and by message from Coronam, pledged his assistance to us. He has made it so that our soldiers can pass unmolested through Checkmate and into Enablerish territory, and from there to the Church's base of operations. I advise you move quickly before we miss this opportunity. Sincerely, your dearest friend and etc., Contramundi."

"Hozack, huh?" Austin asked. "Funny name."

"He's from a powerful family," Nitesco said. "And if he's half as clever as his grandfather, he'll be a valuable ally."

"I certainly hope so," Austin said. She shook her arm, and the falcon took off, beginning to circle in the sky above them again. Nitesco smiled and pocketed the paper.

"Relax. Everything is under control," Nitesco said.

"Sir!" A soldier called. Austin and Nitesco looked down the ridge to see a soldier standing below them. "We have arrivals!"

"From where?" Austin asked.

"Arkos," the soldier yelled. "Three of them, and General Zealander's among them!"

"Vulpix is here," Nitesco said. "That's good."

"Let's go down and see them then," Austin said. "Soldier! You're dismissed! Return to your duties!"

Austin and Nitesco descended the ridge and went into the town, only to be stopped by an argument in the middle of the road. Three men, dressed in crimson uniforms, were standing around a clearly angry Various. One of them turned and recognized Austin and Nitesco.

"Zealander!" Austin yelled. Vulpix smiled and broke away from the group. Austin pulled him into a hug.

"Austin! It's been too long!" Vulpix laughed as Austin released him from her hug. "And Nitesco! Good to see you're in good health." He smiled and went over to hug Nitesco. "How are things?"

"They're coming along," Nitesco said. He looked over Vulpix's shoulder and pointed at Various. "Do your compatriots have a problem with him?"

"Oh, those two," Vulpix said. "Admiral Bluewhale is the tall one. General Vaniellis is the one with the short hair. They're having a… discussion about your soldiers' training."

"The point is," Bluewhale said, raising his voice dramatically," that your soldiers are sloppy and undisciplined. There's no disputing that."

"That's the point of training, you uppity knuckle dragger," Various retorted. "To improve! I suppose you slid out of the womb a seasoned veteran, huh?"

"Still a better soldier than the farmhands you have here," Bluewhale said. Vaniellis stepped in between them.

"The point is," Vaniellis said, "that your men have much training to do. We can help with that."

"Are you sure you want to train with the farmhands?" Various asked. "You might get your fancy riding boots all dirty. I'd be surprised if they ever touched a dirt field."

"Stop this at once!" Vulpix bellowed. "I'll not have arguments with our allies. This is a horrible way to inspire camaraderie."

"Of course, General," Bluewhale said, suddenly much more composed. "My apologies, Various."

"Grovel a little more and I might accept it," Various said, a smug smile on his face.

"Don't be a prick, Various," Austin said.

"What?" Various asked. "They started it!"

"All we did was observe that your troops were undisciplined compared to ours," Vaniellis said. "Which is just a fact. We thought that by training together, some of our Arkosian discipline might rub off on them."

"If you had said that instead of 'these peasants would be so much better off if Arkosians trained them,'" Various said, "I might have accepted."

"Seriously, you two?" Vulpix said. He sighed. "We'll discuss this later. For now, go find Opifexa and Prince Alfonse. They'll show us where we're staying for the night.

"Very well," Bluewhale said. "We'll see you in the morning."

"Apologies, Various," Vaniellis said. "And to you, General."

"Don't let it happen again," Vulpix said. Various rolled his eyes at Vaniellis and went back to the fields.

"If your men and our men are at each other's throats like this," Nitesco said, "we'll be too busy fighting each other to fight the Church."

"We will resolve that in time, I hope," Vulpix said. "But for now, we should focus on our strategy."

"Indeed," Austin said. She led Vulpix and Nitesco into the inn which had been converted into their main headquarters. She pulled out a map of Rubia and set it on the counter.

"Coronam and the Mask have been making overtures to some of Jannis's vassals," Austin said. "And some have accepted our proposal. Generic of Lancaster and Horsea of Springthyme, but most importantly to our strategy, Viceroy Sphinx of Checkmate."

"Sphinx?" Vulpix asked. "Not Onyzyon?"

"It seems that Sphinx went behind his liege's back," Nitesco said. "Which is convenient for us. He has given us military access through Checkmate. We'll move through there and amass our soldiers in Enabler, and then we'll strike at the Church's headquarters."

Vulpix stroked his beard. "A simplistic plan, but I expect it will be effective if we move quickly enough."

"That's the thing," Austin said. "Even with all the troops you and I can muster together, we need more to turn the tide. Reinforcements from our new allies are necessary."

"And you think it will take time before we can hit them, yes?" Vulpix asked.

Nitesco nodded. "To move undetected, we'll have to move our troops piecemeal into Enabler. Our assault won't be ready until spring."

"And that's without the possibility of betrayal," Austin said. Vulpix sighed.

"If they meant to sell us out," Vulpix said, "they would have captured Coronam and the Mask when they had the chance. Have those two reported in recently?"

"We received a letter from them yesterday," Austin said. "They are on their way back."

"They'll bring back representatives of our new allies too," Nitesco said. "If our allies come to bolster us, then with the element of surprise we can wipe out the Church leadership in one fell swoop."

"That's true," Vulpix said. He stroked his beard. "Only… what happens after?"

Nitesco and Austin traded glances. "We've been discussing that, but we haven't reached an agreement," Nitesco said. "I believe that once nations are done rebuilding, we should call a Diet and organize a lasting peace."

"Or we could reform the Subreddit," Austin said. "The old system is what brought this conflict about. It needs to change." She paused. "But we can discuss this another time."

"That's not what I meant," Vulpix said. "Nothing so grand as that. I meant with our nations."

"Our nations?" Nitesco asked. "What about them?"

"The balance of power will shift dramatically once this war is over," Vulpix said. "These nations that have sided with us, and even some that have reluctantly sided with Jannis, they will have no one to keep them in line once the Church is gone. Lancaster, Guns N' Roses. Perhaps even Checkmate, with the moves Sphinx has made."

"And what of Arkos?" Austin asked. "Forgive me for saying so, but your generals seem more willing to speak against you."

"Yes," Vulpix said. "That is partially my fault. I told them, perhaps too early, that I plan to step down once this war is over."

"Why?" Nitesco asked.

"I am growing weary of the duties of state," Vulpix said. "And I am already losing my control over the Oligarchs. At the very least, stepping down would avoid a power struggle, if I get all my affairs in order."

"Very selfless," Austin said. "We'll wish you the best."

"I'll wish you the best," Vulpix said. He shook his head. "I'll be retired, but you two will still be here. Once the Church falls, the world will change very quickly. You must be prepared."

"We will do our best," Nitesco said. Austin nodded in affirmation.

"I hope so," Vulpix said, and they fell into silence.

November 18, 10 ATC

Outside of the City of Hanzo, Duchy of Liren, Kingdom of Renora

In the snow-filled trenches, behind a long line of catapults, General Strike watched as his siege engines battered the walls of Hanzo. The Renorans had begun rebuilding their walls at odd, star-shaped angles which made it substantially more difficult to bring down their walls with artillery. Strike had resorted to traditional siege methods, but this had made it impossible to move through Renora as quickly as he hoped. It had been almost two months since he arrived in Renora, but the cold winds, the new defenses, and the stubbornness of the Renoran people had only allowed him to claim the cities along their coastline. Once Hanzo was gone, though, he could finally move inland.

"General Strike!" Strike turned around. He saw Rustred, the commander of the legion of Church Crusaders that Jannis had sent to help. Rustred held out a scroll.

"Rustred," he said. "What is this?"

"A messenger arrived not five minutes ago," Rustred said. "He said this was for you, from Jannis himself."

"Jannis?" Strike snatched the scroll from Rustred's hand. "Whatever for?" Strike tore off the seal and tossed it into the snow before unrolling the paper.

General Strike, it read. The situation in Rubia has changed. Viceroy Sphinx, now in our court, reports that recent developments have led to Rubia growing more unstable than can be allowed. I am told that several of the lords of Bumblebee, as well as some of the northern lords, have turned against us in secret. We have an urgent need for someone to remind them of their proper place. Leave the command of the campaign in Commander Rustred's hands. You are to return to Osiria Cathedral immediately.

"What does it say?" Rustred asked. Strike crumpled up the letter and shoved it in his pocket.

"I've been recalled," Strike said. "Apparently Jannis can't delegate rebellion quashing to some other peon."

Rustred looked uneasily at the ground as Strike walked away. "Who's in command now?" he asked.

"You are," Strike said. "I've left maps and numbers in the command center. That should be everything you need."

"And where are you going?" Rustred asked.

"To gather my things," Strike said. "And to go tell the men. I'll be gone by tomorrow morning. God keep you and save you, because this shitshow is in your hands now."

As Strike descended into the trenches, he pulled out the letter, uncrumpled it, and read it again. Grown unstable, it said. Urgent need.

"It had better be worth it," Strike muttered to himself. He shoved the letter back in his pocket and continued into the trenches.