[url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/246624086/0/0]Table of Contents[/url] “Howdy, Derik,” Varse greeted with a smile, shaking the outsider’s hand and drawing him to a table at the back of the establishment. The other customers eyed the newcomers but kept to themselves, returning to their food and conversations. “Hey, Varse,” Derik returned, “Thanks for invitin’ me.” “Oh, it’s my pleasure, boy,” Varse waved, making room for Derik’s two escorts to sit. They weren’t wearing armor, but there was no doubt they had weapons hidden under their coats. Lady Avery was very serious about security… “Sorry about hustlin’ you in,” Varse apologized, “I was worried you’d draw a crowd. And I’ve already ordered us some food.” “It’s fine,” Derik replied, “I appreciate it.” “So, I heard through the grapevine Lady Avery got Lord Daedalus to help,” the old man quizzed, “You were there, weren’t ya?” “Yes, I was.” “Musta been scared outta your wits,” Varse chuckled. “They almost started shooting!” Derik gasped, recalling the terror of the meeting, “I was sure I was a goner.” “That sounds about right. I probably woulda fainted on the spot.” “The Lady had it under control,” one of the guards interjected. Derik studied him, recognizing his voice, “Oh, were you the other guard?” “Yup.” “Well, thanks for not letting me get shot.” The guard grunted. Varse patted his shoulder, “Glad you got out okay, Gan.” The guard nodded, and Varse grinned at Derik, “This is my son’s pal, Gan.” “You have a son?” Derik questioned. “Sure do,” Varse put a hand to his chest, “His name’s Saul. Saul Chanely. I’ll have to introduce you two.” “Lady Avery doesn’t want him socializin’ too much,” Gan notified, lowering his voice, “She’s worried some o’ the more ‘anti-Warlord’ peoples’ll want a piece o’ him. “Oh,” Varse dipped his head knowingly, then patted Gan again, “Well, if you get the chance, be sure to introduce my boy to Mr. Magnate for me.” Gan shrugged, “I make no promises.” Varse returned his attention to Derik, “You an’ Lady Avery have got the whole town reelin’, you know.“ “Figures” Derik shrugged, scanning the other patrons, “All this talk o’ fightin’ the Fallen.” “Well…” the old man scratched at his cheek nervously, “To be honest, I think most of ‘em are thinkin’ more about killin’ Warlords. The Lady said she’d be goin’ out to Blackbush in a few days. Lotta people want Rotan dead. Everyone’s gettin’ ready for a war between the Warlords.” Derik frowned, “But Lady Avery’s goin’ for negotiations. She’s gonna try gettin’ his help.” Gan leaned over the table, “Not everyone’s gonna want to join Lady Avery. An’ that means we’re gonna have to fight to protect ourselves. To be honest, I think we’re at a disadvantage. All we’ve got is Hilton. We just pulled in Lord Daedalus, an’ he’s got a whole territory. Empyrea is well-bloody-protected, but he’s been lettin’ the rest o’ his sector fend for itself. Lady Avery’s gonna make the Lord get his act together, but someone’s gotta pick up the slack. None o’ this is gonna be easy.” “It’s gonna be rough business,” the second guard chimed in. “An’ there’s the Fallen,” Varse added, “We’ve gotta deal with them on top o’ all of it.” “An’ the occasional bandits,” the second guard pitched. A man approached their table, carrying a tray with plates of food. He quickly greeted them and placed the meal between them, then handed out drinks. “Thank you, Quimbly,” Varse farewelled, passing the plates around. The man smiled back before departing. “So there are territories with more than one town in them?” Derik pondered, “All under one Warlord?” “Mhmm,” the second guard affirmed, having already filled his mouth with food. “In fact,” Varse apprised, “All of Hilton’s closest neighbors are grouped up under three Warlords. It’s not until you get farther away that you run across more towns like here an’ your Wehwalt.” “Will any of them attack Hilton?” Derik inquired. “Ain’t a soul who’d dare,” Gan bragged proudly, taking a big bite out of a roll, “It’s well-known fact that Hilton’s the third-toughest-nut-to-crack this side o’ the Cosmodrome. Empyrea bein’ the first, an’ you’ve already seen that walled-in pigsty. If there’s any place better, it’s too far to waste time worryin’ about.” “It’d take a lot to bust in here,” the second guard agreed, “We got a good wall, good terrain.” “And what’s the second?” Derik asked. “Second what?” Gan reiterated. “What’s the second-toughest city?” Derik clarified. The two guards grimaced, suddenly losing their appetites. The second set down his beverage, fiddling with the mug’s handle. Gan swallowed his food, staring at his hands as he grumbled, “That would be Fairmont...”