Death Notice Book 8: Chapter 52: Crossing Paths

“The leader, they’ve already passed!” A rogue appeared soundlessly next to Robin.

This rogue wasn’t Longer, but belonged to Lost’s Apostle. Robin nodded slightly to show she understood, then turned her gaze towards the Fortress Team, spotting Longer now beside Stark, whispering his report.

It was already the second day since coming down from the Alamir Mountains, and their current position was very close to Mir Forest. However, they weren’t heading towards the forest itself, but rather following its northern edge.

Around noon, the scouts ahead reported a mercenary troop galloping towards the Alamir Mountains. These were likely the reinforcements hired by the Dwarf who’d sought help from Mir Forest earlier.

As they’d expected, the Sun Elf Diplomatic Mission veered sideways to avoid this group. Naturally, the Apostles kept this information from Milleras and the Dwarves. Since Milleras already decided against going to the Elven Court of Mir, meeting with the elves of Mir Forest held no benefits—it would only attract the Apostle team whose mission they’d stolen.

As for informing the Elven Court, Milleras only needed to send one Elven Ranger. In fact, the Sun Elf Prince and the old Dwarf had already brought this up earlier that morning. But the roads were open to everyone; perhaps the two groups just happened to pass each other by? Milleras couldn’t blame the Apostles for that.

By the time the rescue team reached Ironstar Fortress from Mir Forest and grasped the situation, the Sun Elf Diplomatic Mission might well be clear of Calimshan. Even if that team included Apostles, there wouldn’t be much they could do.

Perhaps that team would realise other Apostles had snatched away their Main Plotline. They might even get information about the Sun Elf Diplomatic Mission from the Elf King of Mir Forest. But without the plot guiding them, finding the Sun Elf Diplomatic Mission would be like searching for a needle in a haystack. This wasn’t due to any lack of skill on their part; it was simply one of the limited constraints the Apostles themselves faced.

Rather than heading north on a wild goose chase for the Sun Elf Diplomatic Mission, the Apostle team in Mir Forest might as well stay in Mir Forest or linger in Calimshan, looking for hidden quests. Since the guidance of Shattered Starry Sky hadn’t played its part, they were bound to be offered some compensatory tasks soon enough.

“If there was a rescue team sent from Mir Forest, then we probably just missed them,” Milleras spoke with resignation.

“So, what now? Should we turn back?” Qin Lun felt a flicker of amusement. Oh, it wasn’t a miss; your own hired hands never intended to meet the elves of Mir Forest in the first place!

“No turning back. Sending a messenger to the Mir Forest Elven Court is sufficient,” Milleras replied dismissively. He then glanced sideways at Iristin, a playful glint in his eye as he asked, “How about you, Firal? Do you want to send someone to the Elven Court?”

Noticing Milleras look at her, Iristin rolled her eyes expressionlessly. Ever since being tricked once by the Sun Elf Prince near the Ank Forest, the Elven Druid hadn’t granted him another friendly look.

But hearing Milleras’s words now, Iristin turned a furious glare onto Qin Lun. Qin Lun had emerged from the Ank Forest accompanied only by his companions like Stark and, well, Iristin herself. If anyone needed to be sent as a messenger to Mir Forest, she was the obvious candidate.

“Thanks ever so much for pointing that out! But no, we won’t,” Qin Lun responded dryly, giving Milleras a look of disdain. He knew the Prince meant no good. Milleras was fully aware Iristin wouldn’t leave, and came deliberately to enjoy Qin Lun’s discomfort.

“Heh, don’t say I didn’t remind you later!” Milleras chuckled sheepishly and scampered away.

During the journey, one Elven Ranger and one Dwarf split off from the main party in different directions. The Elven Ranger headed for Mir Forest; afterward, he’d likely make his own way back to Cormanthor Forest. Having covered over half the distance along the Ancient Path to Calimshan, a report truly was needed.

The Dwarf was headed to a Snowpeak Fortress outpost located where Calimshan borders Sespitz. Dwarves faced a different situation than elves. Elves travelling through Faerûn encountered constant hassle. Many human cities held little goodwill towards them.

Beholding the strikingly handsome and beautiful elves, many humans felt lust and greed. Deception, poisoning, ambushes—every trick they’d attempt. Amidst widespread hostility in human cities, pure-blooded elves found it nearly impossible to move freely. Unless camped solely in the wilds or under the wing of a mercenary band, eventually, no matter their strength, elven travellers risked ending up as slaves.

Dwarves were different. By human standards, even the handsomest dwarf seemed unsightly. Moreover, dwarves possessed fiery tempers, formidable strength, and often held skills in metalwork. This made them sought-after candidates as both warriors and craftsmen, so they were generally better received by humans.

Although most Dwarf clans, like the elves, avoided human cities—elves hid away in forests, dwarves lived peacefully in mountains and hills—they still maintained intelligence outposts in various human kingdoms.

Shortly after the two messengers departed, Milleras returned, cloaked in secrecy once more. But as soon as the Prince started explaining his new idea, Qin Lun immediately started shaking his head instead of listening as before.

“No! Even if Snowpeak Fortress could provide Griffins, how could twenty-plus of us possibly ride them?” Qin Lun stated firmly. “Milleras, have you considered this? A single Griffin, after carrying its own supplies and water reserves, can manage at most two riders. Over twenty people would need an entire squadron of Griffins! Neither Tethyr nor Amn would allow so many aerial mounts to cross their borders!”

“What about just seven or eight people? Three or four Griffins then?” Milleras’s gaze shifted evasively, his words coming out sheepish.

“You want to abandon Robin and Stark?” As to what kind of person Qin Lun was? Milleras’s hint was all he needed to grasp the plan immediately. He felt a dull sense of resignation—it was typical impractical Prince planning. “Dare you tell them that? I bet Kelly would rip your mouth apart if you tried.”

“But… aren’t they mercenaries?” Milleras queried, genuinely perplexed. “Back at Ironstar Fortress, they got plenty of gold and treasure. Wouldn’t it be better to avoid further danger?”

Qin Lun sighed inwardly. If these were ordinary mercenaries, they might well jump at the chance to void their contracts. But were Robin and Stark and their crews your typical sellswords? Obviously not. Of course, he couldn’t reveal this truth to Milleras. He needed to offer a plausible reason instead. After a moment composing himself on the spot, Qin Lun answered solemnly.

“Milleras, what have you observed about the performance of Leader Robin and the others throughout our journey?”

“Hmm… While they sometimes act independently, concerning the actual hired duty itself, they’ve proven themselves responsible. At least during the multiple dangers we faced earlier, each time they stayed to stand alongside us through whatever struggle rather than fleeing on their own.” Milleras answered without hesitation.

“And before you had this experience with Leader Robin and her team, what was your general view of human-led mercenary bands?” Qin Lun asked, his tone light but probing.

Milleras pondered for a good while, brows furrowed. Being smart enough himself, he soon guessed Qin Lun’s implication. “Firal… are you suggesting other mercenary bands out there aren’t as reliable and loyal as Robin and Stark?”

Qin Lun gave a faint smile, waving one finger gently side-to-side. “Milleras, understand this: both the Lost Mercenary Band led by Leader Robin and the Fortress Mercenary Band led by Leader Stark were carefully selected by the Elf King of Cormanthor and King Testiel beforehand as trustworthy groups worthy of heavy payment.

If we dissolved our contract with them now, where exactly would you find a comparable band after flying straight to Baldur’s Gate aboard Griffins? If we hired… unluckily? Your Ancient Path expedition could sadly end right there at Baldur’s Gate. Or do you personally believe your own judgment outweighs that of two wise Elf Kings?”

“You… speak wisely, Firal. My mistake.” Milleras touched the back of his neck, an awkward expression flickering slightly. “So, we continue… stick with the initial approach? Walking through Tethyr then Amn?”

“The real initial plan was heading directly to Calimport!” The reminder only soured Qin Lun’s mood worse; the memory of Milleras’s self-serving plan detour lingered uncomfortably. His expression clearly showed resentment toward the Prince’s earlier manipulation.

“Ah… lovely weather today, just lovely…” Noticing Qin Lun’s dark expression, Milleras issued two awkward chuckles before hopping backwards hastily, putting distance between himself and the brooding Firal immediately.

The truth was, Milleras’s sudden unveiling of revamping the Ancient Path plan back at Ironstar Fortress caused far more complications beyond altering major preplanned stops. The day-to-day traveling difficulties piled up exponentially instead.

Remember the original framework? Traveling between planned safe points, the Sun Elf Diplomatic Mission enjoyed expected periods of rest and resupply at places like Mir Forest’s Elven Court, analogous stations friendly toward elves. The rulers of Moon Elf citadels or human kingdoms—whatever dark thoughts they privately harbored over the migration—would publicly respect the Sun Elf Diplomatic Mission’s prestige, perhaps even offer protection over their territories.

But Milleras altering the plans drastically translated into facing every threat independently on the journey until reaching Baldur’s Gate, plus constant rough camping in the wilds, barred completely from all actual cities. The solitary possible benefit: besides avoiding Zhentarim agents, perhaps they truly would vanish off their enemies’ tracking map temporarily.

Initially, after plotting his revision, Milleras had wanted to leave via ports upon the eastern foothills of the Alamir Mountains and return into Sespitz territory first. Then climb across the mountain region named the Snowflake Mountains into the region known only as Giant’s Plain… completely bypassing Tethyr and Amn together… But the core group shot down Milleras’s suggested route harder than arrows on an unsuspecting target.

The reasoning remained rather simple: while none knew precisely what progress the Zhentarim had achieved tracking them, everyone understood implicitly that an organization whose primary business involved controlling trade routes must have already saturated major ports along Steam Lake with spies. Turning back now was equivalent to willingly stepping directly into their waiting trap—essentially, volunteering oneself for an untimely grave.

Fortunately for them, deferring respectfully toward wiser counsel remained one of Milleras’s few tangible character strengths. Outside overriding grand strategy, the impulsive Prince largely allowed practical choices to override his whims, acting indifferent other times.

What the party didn’t understand yet, however: Milleras’s impulsive decision-making genuinely spared the expedition a near-certain disaster. Right now… deep within one particular underground tavern in Calimport, cloaked figures already waited—having arrived ahead of the Sun Elf envoy group—there biding their time patiently this instant.