"Overseer Leva." Xia bowed slightly, her tone respectful.

Leva returned the bow but did not stand. "Advisor Xia, this is a surprise."

Xia stared at her with wide-set eyes. "I wish to ask you a question, Overseer Leva, on behalf of the Council of Five."

Leva nodded. She had been told by Nix to expect this. "Go ahead."

Xia paused and chose her words carefully. "What is the nature of your relations.h.i.+p with Breach Commander Nix?"

"I am his right hand and trusted General," Leva answered without hesitation.

Unexpectedly Xia cursed; she stared hard at the ground for a moment without speaking. "Is it true that Breach Commander Nix has been cursed?"

Leva nodded. "The curse gets weaker every day. Inferno and their allies are preparing for battle."

Xia considered her options for a moment. "On behalf of myself and your fellow Council members, we offer the Might of the Nether."

Leva let her reluctance show. "Nix's Breach Commander abilities are temporarily disabled; he will rely on me to ferry his troops to their positions."

General NyCyndor and his army are now under your command.

General Ro' Sina and her army are now under your command.

General Genta and his army are now under your command.

General Chog the Furious and is army is now under your command.

Advisor Xia and her Elite Commandos are now under your command.

Leva leaned back in her chair, trying to keep her face calm. "Any sort of Betrayal here will have dire consequences."

Xia nodded in agreement. "We will fight under Nix's banner; I will personally deal with anyone who tries to undermine this alliance."

"Be ready, Nix, and Inferno wait for no one." Leva closed the direct contact and let out a long breath.

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

Nix rode Nightmare through the Ever Flame gates a few hours later; he detoured slightly to stop at the stable. Flash was already tied up outside and being watched by Randa, who was feeding him a carrot. "How'd things go?"

Unexpectedly the young woman blushed furiously. "Fine, please stay in contact with us in the future."

Nix reached over and accepted Flash's reins. "I will try." With a quick wave, he pushed Nightmare into a brisk trot while Flash followed a few feet behind.

The Town Hall was on the far side of the city, a few blocks away from Tanner Benton's shop in the Market square. Nix took note that the market was oddly empty when he rode past it. He patted Nightmare's shoulder and kept an eye on his backtrail. He didn't know what to expect, and so he expected everything. A fight was brewing, but he wasn't sure when it would start.

[Whisper: Jun Li to Nix] Gideon and Nebs have requested to join our raid force. Any objections?

[Whisper: Nix to Jun Li] None, thank them, and put them to work.

The Town Hall was a large wooden building with two sets of double doors. Nix tied up Nightmare and unsummoned Flash before walking in.

The sound of voices arguing carried through the large room. A dozen people, including Mina, sat in conference at a long table in the front. Long wooden pews were filled with the citizens and shopkeepers of Ever Flame.

When Mina spotted Nix, she immediately stood up. "It makes no sense to elect a Provincial Prefect while we are on the brink of war. I motion to temporarily a.s.sign Guild Leader Nix from the Inferno Guild as the Provincial Commander so that he may deal with this issue."

Tanner Benton nodded in agreement. "Seconded. I move for an immediate vote."

Oracle Bor Na tapped her gavel lightly on the table. "Motion carried. Please cast your ballots."

Nix stood in the back of the room, waiting while the vote was being held. After finis.h.i.+ng the count, Bor Na waved for him to come forward.

Mina waited until Nix stopped in front of the table before speaking. "Council Members, this is Nix, the Guild Leader of Inferno."

Bor Na stood up slowly and approached him. "This council has unanimously voted to a.s.sign you as the Provincial Commander of our Forces. We place ourselves in your hands."

Quest Updated.

Curse of the Ice G.o.ddess

Objective: Destroy the bandit forces

that threaten the peace of Neva.

Objective: Defend Ever Flame.

Objective: Defeat the Eastern Bandit Camp.

Objective: Defeat the Western Bandit Camp.

Objective: Defeat the Main Forces that have blockaded the Mountain Pa.s.s.

The support of your allies has temporarily weakened the Curse that Khione has placed upon you.

Your Breach Commander abilities have been restored.