[REVERIN – NEAR CAMARAX AND AVALOR BORDER]
[5 Days Later]
The sun was sinking painting the sky with beautiful streaks of lavender, violet, and indigo.
It was one of the beautiful differences between a yellow sunset on earth and a blue sunset on Avalor.
Lively chatter could be heard along the lonely road as the Scavenger guild party made their way through the countryside.
“Yes, I understand what you are saying.
However, Article 23 of the US Code, Section 129 does not apply to our case.
That section is explicit.
Federal funds can’t be used to maintain a toll facility unless the toll revenue is used for the facility itself!” Neva exclaimed irritated.
The two had been arguing about this point for hours now.
After leaving Camarax, Arthos and his companions decided to travel south along the western route from Castle Camarax to Avalor.
The route was longer with less accommodations, and as a result, few travelers took that route.
However, the party eagerly marched with enthusiasm like children on Christmas eve…thick anticipation filled the air as they made their way to Reverin.
Six months after the battle at Ray village, the Scavengers guild had grown too large for their guild hall in Avalor.
While the guild leaders pondered on how to handle this new problem, the shopkeeper proposed a daring solution.
Build their own village!
The plan was to buy land north of Avalor, along Camarax’s southern border.
The land was fertile and uninhabited…and it was conveniently located near a major road leading to Camarax.
There was much discussion at the Guild and Raid Registration Office on how to handle this request.
No other guild or group had ever proposed buying land along the frontier.
There was no precedent on how to handle this type of request.
Furthermore, there was no infrastructure there to support a guild.
After much deliberation, the proposal was agreed to.
The next obstacle was deciding on a name for the new village.
Some proposed naming it Scavengers village, others like the idea of naming it Lumina village in honor of their home on earth.
After much discussion, the name Reverin was agreed upon.
It was a cleaver combination of the words “revive” and “haven”.
Reverin would be a second chance for many, a revival and safe-haven for its inhabitants.
Village plans were drawn.
Neva, Wain, the shopkeeper, and Kay formed a committee to discuss the architecture, village layout, building locations and their functions, infrastructure, defenses, etc.
Many details had to be addressed early on including clean water access, sanitation, public spaces, housing, waste management, energy, transportation, market access, training, education, healthcare, and communications (a large antenna had to be built).
“I get that!
It applies if there is federal funding used to service debt, facility operations, and maintenance!
Since NAVA’s largest client is the US Department of War and the profit margins are higher, it’s an undisputable fact that the US government is funding NAVA.
These operating agreements clearly fall under the jurisdiction of section 129.” Wain replied in a similar irritated voice.
“What are they arguing about this time?” Arthos asked as he did his best to ignore them both for as long as possible.
“The usual…preparing for the trial with the ICC.” Kristan said slightly bored.
“The International Court of Arbitration, I can’t wait until that’s over.
I’m bored of hearing the same arguments every day.” Arthos said with a deep sigh.
“I really miss the Liberty Café.
Especially their burgers!” Percy exclaimed loudly.
The entire party went silent momentarily, that sentence was a discreet warning that trouble was nearby.
Neva and Wain resumed their dispute as if nothing was wrong while the other members did their best to act normal.
FWAP, FWAP, FWAP
Like hail on a sunny day, throwing knives descended without warning slicing the air with thick whip-like sounds.
“It’s an ambush!” Arthos roared.
Figures rose from the field like ghosts, cloaked in dark colors and each wearing distinct masks.
Twelve in total they stood holding curved steel blades, designed for quick kills.
Without exchanging words and with no visible command, the figures moved as if controlled by a hive mind.
“Assassins,” Percy shouted as he engaged two enemies simultaneously in a rapid exchange of flashing steel and a blur of movement.
CLING CLING CLANG
Hector stomped his right foot violently into the earth causing large rocks and boulders to protrude from the shattered earth.
He and Wain swiftly took a rear position providing support by catapulting a barrage of fireballs and stones at the assassins.
Their nimble figures dodged and evaded the avalanche of projectiles while providing coverage for the rest of the team.
“Kristan!
Now!” Arthos yelled as he and Neva stopped the assassins from attacking the rear.
[CASTLE skill used by Kristan]
[Castle skill creates a barrier around target for 60 seconds]
A shimmering blue light surged from the ground resembling four thick columns surrounding Kristan and the group.
A thin, almost glass-like veiled emerged connecting the pillars, forming a glass-like fortress.
BOING, BOING, BOING
The assassins stopped their attack and hissed like vipers as they strategically tested the barrier’s strength by strategically slicing and cutting with daggers.
“These guys are tougher than the assassins that attacked us back in Camarax.” Wain said in surprise.
“Based on their movements and attack patterns, I’m confident they are avatars.” Neva commented as she observed their coordinated movements and acrobatic skills that were a little too perfect to be “human.”
“Percy, who are these guys?
Do you recognize them.” Arthos asked.
“Executioners guild…all twelve of them are expert assassins.
This will be a difficult battle.” Percy said bitterly.
“Oh, my sweet Percy!
It’s been such a long time!
How I missed you.
My days have been so lonely without you.” An overly sweet and seductive voice was heard behind the twelve assassins.
Without turning around, the assassins simultaneously dropped onto one knee as if kneeling in submission to their master.
A 13th assassin walked slowly toward the barrier.
Her walk was slow and deliberate…like a tourist taking a leisurely stroll down Central Park.
Her steps were light but full of confidence like a supermodel walking down a fashion runway.
She wore a long black robe and dark leather cuirass fitted tight to her voluptuous body.
Her face was covered by a crimson fox mask.
“Murai.” Percy said solemnly.
“The guild-master of the Executioners guild.” Neva added somewhat surprised.
As a former officer of the prestigious Eterna guild, she had briefly met all the officers in the top guilds except for the leaders of the infamous Executioners guild.
“Murai?
The one that is also known as Death’s Hand?
She’s so powerful, it’s believed she stands second to only Vance Arion in terms of power.
What is she doing here?” Wain said in awe.
“Enough talk.” Murai said as she dropped her hands into the earth.
Black ropes sprang from the ground in a violent furry.
They hurled toward the invisible barrier whipping the air in rapid succession like a machine gun.
“Grrrhhh!” Kristan grunted unable to sustain the barrier.
BOOM!
The glass-like barrier fell in a thunderous boom that shook the ground.