Perenthia sat up with a start. Nascent Mind hummed in the back of her thoughts as her dangling earrings clinked gently. It seemed that she had somewhere to be soon. She snapped her fingers twice, the sound loud enough to echo through the house that had been set aside for her. Ignoring the response of her attendants as they rushed to flank her, she checked herself in the mirror. Her short pink hair, styled in a pixie cut, was already perfectly coiffed. Her vibrant pink eyes glittered back at her and, behind them, glowed faint lines like a spider’s web, constantly shifting.

“I have somewhere to be. We leave in one minute.”

“Yes, Mistress!” echoed the response of her three attendants as they rushed to prepare.

“Somewhere to be,” she mused thoughtfully. “How unexpected.”

*************

Finding a restaurant for dinner had been as easy as asking Felicia for a recommendation. Getting everyone together, though, was like herding cats. That observation became even more true as the two teams meandered down the winding paths towards The Forest’s Rest. Felicia had explained that it was an open air restaurant that was spread over a small park. Tables were kept quite separated and there were various rare beasts and spirits kept in small containment areas not unlike a zoo. Wandering with your food was encouraged and the fare itself was apparently some of the best you could get in the Inner Region of the Hammerhome.

Approaching the restaurant Nate could see how they kept it separate from the paths, with gigantic hedges encircling the area with an arched entry large enough to accommodate a giant, or the ogre that had assessed the contents of Nate’s spatial zone. An elf waited by the door, and after confirming they wanted a table together, guided them inside of The Forest’s Rest.

The paths they walked along were paved stone, surrounded by cut grass and curated flowerbeds that surrounded the trunks of huge trees. Those same trees acted as the roof, their canopy so dense and widespread that they blotted out the evening sky above. In place of natural star- and moonlight, enchanted lanterns had been hung in the boughs or floated freely in the air.

Nate decided that if he was going to rate the place, he would’ve given it full marks for ambience and decor. Guided to a table out on the grass that was made from a dark wood, they were each directed to cushioned seats designed for lounging.

“Your attendant for this evening will be along momentarily. If you need anything to make your stay with The Forest’s Rests more comfortable don’t hesitate to let us know.”

With his spiel given and no one making any immediate requests the greeter vanished, leaving them relatively alone. Looking around it was easy for Nate to see multiple other tables. They weren’t close but with their heightened Perception Stats it would be easy to see and maybe even hear what was going on at other tables. Between those tables were small areas hemmed in by enchantments that contained small animals, monsters, and what Nate suspected was a lightning spirit.

“Beautiful place. You sure you’re okay with paying for us?” asked Jak for the third time since they left.

“It’s not an issue,” replied Kiri. “Kick back, relax, and enjoy yourself.”

With her piece said, Kiri returned to whispering to Gwen while Jak plopped his huge frame down in a seat next to Wulfgar. Jemima hadn’t come, which didn’t bother Nate at all. The Alchemist had begged off apparently, asking to go acquire some reagents and materials so she could focus on her preparations for the tournament. Frick had claimed he had something to do, and since the little Spirit didn’t actually eat food anyway, Nate hadn’t bothered to make him come. Fili had seemed like she would beg off as well but instead was dragged along by Wulfgar. Now, Nate found himself sitting across from the diminutive woman, the pair of them apparently the odd ones out. And frankly, Nate was already fed up with awkwardness.

He had a couple of options to cut through the woman's apparent disdain for him and Kiri. Normally he wouldn’t have bothered, but since Kiri was cosying up with Gwen and Wulfgar and Jak got along, Nate figured he would make an effort. Trying to be friendly was normally the best choice, but he suspected Fili would just see that as dishonest so instead he decided to cut to the heart of the matter.

Nate spun up a Sound Control Rune, limiting their conversation to just the pair of them. Fili noticed immediately, eyes snapping towards him.

“Fillow,” he started, trying not to be overly familiar. “It’s pretty clear you don’t particularly like me and that you’re tolerating Kiri for the sake of Gwen. I haven’t noticed you giving Wulfgar any dirty looks so it’s clearly something about Kiri and I that bothers you. If we’re going to be around each other for the next few months, I don’t really feel like walking on eggshells around you. So, I suggest we clear the air. What’s your problem with us and how can I make it go away?”

Nate watched closely as Fili’s eyes narrowed, then relaxed slightly as the small woman leaned back in her chair.

“You’re right. I don’t like you. You’re trouble, one way or another, and I don’t want to see Jak and Gwen get dragged into whatever mess you’re likely to create.”

“Trouble?”

“Trouble, in big glowing letters with fireworks to draw attention to you. Kiri’s armour is either a High or Peak grade Divine Artifact. Your robe is probably the same, though it’s harder to tell. The only Lesser Divines who display such wealth so openly are Seeds of the big players in the Heartlands. Yet, you’re from a Sect I have never heard of. That makes you targets. Maybe you’re as good as you two seem to think you are. Maybe you can handle that kind of pressure. But we can’t. I don’t like you, because I think you’re going to get us in trouble with people we can’t afford to be in trouble with!”

“That’s fair, I guess,” mused Nate. “For what it’s worth, I will do my best to keep you and your friends out of any issues Kiri and I find ourselves in. And if you do somehow get dragged into something, I will do my best to get you out of it.”

Fili snorted, “You didn’t even know what a World Reaping was. If a Seed or two decides to target you, we’re all fucked.”

The short Lesser Divine relaxed a little after a moment and continued, “Not all your fault anyway. Jak is just too friendly for his own good. Fine! We’re good. I’ll stop holding the shitstorm coming our way against you. You seem nice enough, if naive.”

“I’ll take any win I can get,” Nate replied with a smile, dropping the Sound Rune to let noise rush back in.

With the group becoming more relaxed now that Fili wasn’t a burr in everyone's foot, the conversation began to flow. Followed quickly by wine, mead, and heaped platters of food. They’d been chatting and eating for almost an hour when the first sign of Fili’s premonition made itself known.

Two groups were being escorted out to tables nearby. The first was a group of three, led by an astonishingly beautiful female elf. Short, messy, pink hair framed a pale face out of which shone two glowing pink eyes. Her pointed ears were pierced many times, with a variety of earrings and studs. She wore a white robe with blue highlights that covered what looked like a dark blue gi. Her two attendants were both elves as well, and utterly bald, wearing robes of the inverse colours, showcasing white highlights on blue. They were clearly attendants as their eyes constantly darted around the grounds of the restaurant.

Behind the pink-haired elf was a second group made up of five elves. These ones were all male, wearing green and blue robes that bore the symbol of the World Forger Sect on them. The clear leader of the group had silver hair and eyes, and as Nate watched, the man diverted his guide to cross the grounds directly towards their table. In his sphere of awareness, Nate felt Fili stiffen and the wariness that began to leak off of Jak. Internally, Nate was already sighing.

“Apologies for intruding but I couldn’t help but notice how richly decorated a couple of you are and I just had to come over and introduce myself,” greeted the silver-haired elf. “I’m Kalin Silverscale of the World Forger Sect. My companions are Jin, Pulson, Gyorin, and Renji. Can I ask who I have the pleasure of meeting?”

Kalin was being polite and Nate wanted to keep his word to Fili.

“I’m Nate Weber and that’s Kiri Beaufoy of the Risen Sun Sect. Wulfgar of the Risen Sun Sect over there. The others are Hrung’Jak, Gwenevyn, and Fillow. Guests of ours who have been acting as guides since this is our first time in Hammerhome.”

“The Risen Sun Sect? Can’t say I have ever heard of it. They must have some talented craftsmen if they can give such gifts to their members,” commented Kalin.

Nate simply shrugged, not willing to indulge Kalin’s fishing exercise. That was when Nate felt a subtle pressure descending on him. It whispered in his ear that he should just go along with whatever the elves wanted. That they were friends and that friends shared. The pressure of the suggestion was only noticeable because of Nate’s Soul Barrier, but even then he could feel how the insidious voice was seeping through, trying to become one with his own soul energy.

Without glancing around, he could sense how everyone else except for Kiri had begun to relax, with the flicker of a smile appearing on Jak’s face as he gazed at the group of elves. Only Kiri seemed to be spared and he could see she was getting worked up. Not wanting to start a fight in the middle of the restaurant, Nate crafted a painting of the area they were in. Then, infusing a Divine Soul Sigil into it, he changed his perception of the painting. There was only the air around them. No Soul Energy beyond their skin. Finally, he activated Life Imitates Art.

The pressure vanished and the elf named Renji stumbled as though he’d been punched in the gut.

“That wasn’t very polite,” Nate whispered, raising a single eyebrow at Kalin.

The silver-haired elf feigned surprise, turning to Renji and raising his voice, “How dare you insult our guests! Return to the Sect at once and report your transgression!”

Kalin slowly spun back to Nate as Renji beat a hasty retreat into the distance.

“I apologise for his insult. It is unbecoming of a member of the World Forger Sect to attempt to manipulate their peers. I assure you he will be punished accordingly. However, this puts me in your debt, and so to repay the insult, I will pay for your time at The Forest’s Rest this eve. Drink and eat as much as you desire. I will inform the staff that they are to charge myself for your stay. You seem like capable individuals. I look forward to seeing how the Risen Sun Sect performs in the World Reaping. I bid you a good eve.”

Nate watched them go, keeping his annoyance from his face.

Kiri showed no such restraint.

“What a slippery bastard!”

Fili just rolled her eyes before staring straight at Nate and muttering one word.

“Trouble.”

*************

Kalin frowned as he walked away. The spy he had left at the world portal outside the city had identified a few potential targets. They’d managed to recognise the quality of the equipment that these individuals were wearing along with the fact that they came from an unknown Sect. Unknown generally meant small and small meant little to no reprisals should someone of Kalin’s standing target them. As the Prime Seed of the World Forger Sect and the son of a Greater Divinity, Kalin’s road was paved in gold. But that didn’t mean he didn’t need to work for it. If he wanted to earn enough rewards to ascend to Greater Divine like his Father, he needed to fight and claw for every drop of Divine Energy he could get his hands on.

Exiting the restaurant after conveying his wishes to the staff that he pay for their meal, he found Renji waiting a short walk down the path back towards the Sect.

“What happened?” he demanded.

“I… I don’t know. One moment my Aura of Affability was working just fine and then the next it was gone.”

“What do you mean ‘gone’? Did they nullify it? Was it a protection? I didn’t sense any mana or divinity used.”

“I don’t know, Prime. Honest! The skill was working and then it was just gone. All my soul energy just vanished. I don’t know what happened!”

Kalin frowned for the second time that night. He didn’t like not getting what he wanted and he didn’t like unknowns even more.

“Send some people to keep an eye on them. And for Divines sake, someone find out who this Risen Sun Sect is or if they’re lying and hiding their true origins behind some fake Sect. Seeds don’t just fall from the sky and those two are, beyond a doubt, the Seeds of some faction. Find out who!”

Kalin began continuing his walk back to the Sect, only Jin remaining at his side as the others rushed off to do his bidding.

“What do you think, Jin?”

“I think if you want their artifacts, you will need to wait till the World Reaping. They are strong enough to ignore Renji. Even before they disabled his Skill, they did not seem affected. If they are both Seeds, we may need to rely on one of the other teams for assistance.”

Kalin nodded, considering Jin’s words. Two Seeds on the same team. It was uncommon, but perhaps they weren’t here to win the competition. If they were truly hiding their origins and someone had sent two Seeds on a single team to compete in the World Reaping, then it was more likely they were sent as assassins. The only question then, was who was the target? There would be a number of Seeds present in the competition. The Dynasty alone would likely be fielding at least six, since it was their own world in the mix. The Golden Tide had purchased a few slots already and might even slip a Seed into the Tournament. The Eternium, Flux Industries, The Starbreaking Guild. There would no doubt be at least thirty Seeds competing from across the various factions, interspersed with the other Lesser Divines who were competing to snatch what little they could. Any one of those Seeds could be the target. Even Kalin himself. With a frown of annoyance, the third this night and three times more frowns than usually marred his face, Kalin bent his mind to the problem as he returned to the Sect.