Days passed after their successful attack on the Mercantile Guild, with tension filling the air. Aeron and his band had been an annoyance to the Guild, but this would be when the real test began. The Mercantile Guild would not let off such a hit and would reply in due time, swift and deadly. The anxious city, still disturbed by the daring of the Aetherborn's attack, awaited that moment in suspense.
Aeron knew that the coming weeks would be critical; they had to get ahead of their pursuers, travel faster, make friends, grow in power without too much notice by the other groups until the Guild decided it was time to fight back. The Aetherborn would have to be ready.
Lira, ever prepared for any situation, had already begun her preparations. The network of her spies and informants were trying as hard as they could to discover the Guild's intentions. In the dark war room, Lira stood next to a city map and pointed to different locations.
"They are taking more power," Lira said, pointing her finger around the map. "They have started giving bribes to the smaller groups around, trying to get their loyalty back. But they are also getting ready for a direct fight."
Aeron's brow furrowed while he weighed the options laid before them. "What to do now, whether to strike back without wasting a single moment or to wait and observe what happens?
Lira thought for a moment about what was to be done. "If we strike now, we shall lose the advantage of surprise. We must continue to cut down their strength while being prepared ourselves in case of a counterattack. Another option is that we can form alliances-make some of their allies go against them."
Aeron became curious. "Alliances? Who are you thinking of?"
Lira turned to him with a pensive face. "Up north, there is a group of people known as the Vallians. They have been a nuisance to the Guild for years, but not powerful enough to confront the Guild single-handedly. They seek a new patron, one powerful enough to protect them. If we go to them and provide our services, they will, in turn be able to molest the Guild from within."
Aeron had already made his mind up about the proposition. The Vallians were cruel and clever, but their every move was as tricky as it got-one of those groups that would change the balance of the city's powers but hard on whom to lay trust.
"How will we get to them?" Aeron asked.
Lira smiled, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I know a person who can help us. She was a Vallian mercenary, but now she works only for herself. She's unreliable, and she has some important contacts who will help us."
Later that day, Lira introduced Aeron to the mercenary-a tall, strong woman with black hair and a scar at the side of her neck, her name was Kara. In the underworld, she was known as an untamed fighter.
"You want to speak to the Vallians, come to me," Kara said. Her voice was low and rough, like gravel under a boot. "I've done enough work for them to understand how they think. But don't you for one moment think I's doing this because I care. If you give me something valuable, I'll help you."
Aeron did not waste any time. "You shall be well paid for your services. We must make them an offer the Vallians cannot refuse.
She looked at him a bit longer, her dark eyes scrutinizing. "You do think they will accept your offer. The Vallians aren't such people to ally with just anybody. Choosy, they are, and they have been hurt more times than one can count.
Lira spoke up, "We have something they want: power, resources, and a promise that with us, protecting them, they can get stronger. The Guild's had years of enemies among them; they'll be gunning for payback."
Kara nodded, curling her lips into a small smile. "You are smart, much smarter than you appear, boy. Fine, I'll set up the meeting. But do not think they'll give in easily. They will challenge you until they feel you are worth their time.
Aeron looked into her eyes. "I'm ready for that."
Under moonlight, the following night, Aeron, Lira, and Kara were off north, down pathways not safe from the bustling streets of the city, with forests twisting with mountains-round areas not much used by human beings. People say the Vallians positioned their fortress deep inland, out of the sight of the city factions.
As they came up on the Vallian camp, it didn't take much after the image of the city at all: laid out in a thick clearing in the middle of a forest, sprinkled about with tents and other more simplistic buildings. The air was thick with tension as the metallic sounds of clashing told them the Vallians continued to practice.
Kara led them through the camp and all eyes turned to her, for the Vallians knew her, and they nodded in respect as she passed. They knew better than to question her authority, and soon they were standing before the Vallian Leader, Goran-a hulking man whose face was cut from strong lines, and his wide shoulders clad in dark leather armor.
Goran pierced them with a disbelieving gaze. "Kara," he growled in a low, gruff voice. "You bring unknown people to my camp. Why?
She leaned in closer to him then and spoke seriously. "These are people you may want to meet: They're giving us a chance to stand up against the Mercantile Guild, and what they need in return is our help. It's a little give and take, Goran."
Aeron scanned him closely from the Vallian leader. "Why do you think you can offer us anything we don't already have? Till date, we have survived without any help from your end.
Aeron didn't back down but stared dead ahead. "The Guild is far more dangerous than you understand, growing in power in ways that you could never imagine. But if you work with us, we might just defeat them together."
Interest blazed in Goran's eyes. "And why should I believe you?
Aeron smiled. "We have the power to back up our words. And we're not asking you to fight for us. We're asking you to fight alongside us."
There was a long silence until Goran suddenly huffed low in his throat. "You are spirited. I like that. Very well, boy. You have my attention. But I'll be watching you." When the meeting ended, Kara looked at Aeron, and her face showed no emotion. "It's done. The Vallians are with us—for now. But don't think this is over. You will have to show you are strong again and again, or they will leave you as soon as they see any weakness." Aeron agreed. "I'm ready." The alliance with the Vallians was a big moment for the Aetherborn. Finally, with their help and support behind his back, Aeron had begun to amass at least some political power. Still, the road ahead was filled with danger. The Mercantile Guild would not stay silent, and the bigger groups would soon take notice. He needed to keep going, keep growing, and keep winning, yet with every single win, the vision of a new world came an inch closer. The groups of the world would finally realize that a huge storm was indeed brewing over, for which they had not prepared.