TSSF: Caleb is beaten by Walloon who loses his temper. It is then that Phobos, disguised as a member of the band of pirates, warns the captain of the repercussions of his actions. Phobos is ordered to take Caleb away but then the man he impersonates steps out of the shadows. Returning to his true form, Phobos springs his trap and escapes with Caleb into the tunnels beneath the city where they board an ancient transit system. Julian, Aldarn and Roiya battle it out with a group of assassins known as Negotiators and are winning until a wizard arrives. He forces them to retreat and Roiya believes they may find refuge with an old friend of hers. Beneath the city, Caleb and Phobos kill the guards that are holding the rebel spies captive and enter the cells. What they find is beyond belief.

---

7-Exit Strategy

It had been a man once, Caleb reminded himself. He forced himself; no-willed himself to look at the man face to face. Never had he encountered such a twisted form of human being in his life and yet despite all the atrocities he had witnessed, despite all the ragged prisoners he managed to free during the rebellion, despite all the mangled bodies of friends and comrades he dragged off the battlefield…nothing could have prepared him for this.

Phobos did a splendid job of keeping his cool. There was no shock in his eyes but actually a hint of admiration. When he had ruled over Meridian, he instructed his dungeon master to perform the most cruel acts of torture and punishment against usurpers to his throne. He had been quite articulate at his job and it pleased Phobos whenever he saw the results of his particular profession. Many a stubborn rebel cracked under the pain, but never in all his sadistic dreams had he even considered a fate as horrid as this. To say he was impressed was an understatement. Truly whoever performed this act, a mage most likely, was as twisted as the Whisperers in Phobos' gardens. Where as Caleb saw ravaging, Phobos saw talent.

To put it simply it was a kind of living death. The man was in pain at all hours of the day and night; having one's nerves protruding from one's body would do that.

Caleb could feel his stomach churn. Discipline alone prevented him from regurgitating his last meal. A terrible taste filled his mouth – a cross between bile and swamp water, the foulest taste he had ever had the displeasure of knowing.

His hand shaking, Caleb reached out to the m…to what was once a man.

"Don't." Phobos told him and Caleb retracted his hand immediately. When his questioning eyes fell on the ex-prince, Phobos regarded the hideous lines along the prisoner's skin. "The nerves. The slightest touch will cause him considerable duress." He thought on it a moment. "Though in this case, it will not really matter as nothing can be done to ease his suffering."

"How…" Caleb started to ask but as if reading his mind the prince had already formulated the answer.

"Black magic. Quite powerful, I must say. Whoever did this literally twisted the man inside out. The only reason he is still alive is because the wizard has removed his heart and locked it away somewhere." Phobos closed his eyes and began to use his considerable magical abilities to scour the area. "He would have to keep it someplace safe so as to prolong the prisoner's torture. The black magic is the only thing that keeps his heart beating. Once it stops," A terrible beating filled his eyes. His magic senses had scryed the entire complex and already it had located that which he sought. It was nearby; well protected too, but nothing he could not overcome. "There." The image of a beating heart held within a magic cage appeared in his mind. "I have found the heart."

"Bring it here." Caleb ordered.

The prince opened his eyes. "What do you plan to,"

"Just do it." He said without taking his eyes off the prisoner.

Mumbling, Phobos took his leave and went to fetch the heart.

Caleb was now alone with the man who had his entire body turned inside out. The veins were not the only unsettling part of the picture. The man's lungs heaved before him, gasping with each passing breath; his guts, liver and kidneys were in a lump on the floor; his brain was quite visible, only partially covered by what was left of his skull; the skeleton of his body encased the hanging muscle like a cage. And his lidless eyes gawked at the rebel warrior.

"L…lead…er…" his exposed jaw struggle to formulate words.

"I am here." Suddenly the disgust was gone and nothing but compassion was left in Caleb's heart. He almost took the man's hand but Phobos' early warning reminded him of the repercussions of such an act and he refrained from doing so. "I came here to," He almost couldn't say it. "Rescue you. I," He felt so ashamed, so helpless. "I tried to…that is…" What was more to say except, "I'm sorry."

"T-took it." He told Caleb and the leader misunderstood.

"We know. My companion has gone to retrieve your heart. Your suffering will not last much longer."

But the prisoner, who managed to sit himself halfway up despite everything, croaked. "No…p-p-plansss," He hissed. "T-terrible w-weap-pon."

"The plans?"

"Yessss." He gurgled. "Enc-c-cassed in mag-gi-c b-box. They n-not able t-t-to op-en." He was fighting for every word and Caleb could not help but beam with respect for the sheer amount of will it took him to speak. "Code…is…l-ly-ly-th-thandor. Open b-box."

As much as it pained him to do so, Caleb had to know everything. "Who took it? Where? How long?" By the Oracle, give him time you fool! He scolded himself.

"Not…long. T-take to G…Guild…head-q-quarters. Man-y t-ter-r-rible warriors. Killers!" He emphasized that last point. "T-take care." He collapsed, the impact on his nerves sent waves of excruciating pain throughout his body.

Caleb cringed as he watched the man writhe in agony. "Please…don't move!" he said but the man was beyond words. Only one thing would end his suffering.

As it turned out, Phobos appeared in the doorway at that very moment. In his hand he held a cage suitable for some small species of bird. Levitating within the magical object was a still beating heart…the thumping sound would haunt Caleb's dreams for nights to come. Phobos took a moment to observe the prisoner's painful dance. "That doesn't look comfortable."

"Phobos." The prince looked at him. "Bring me the heart."

"Of course, my liege." He sarcastically replied and walked over to Caleb. "I should undo the wards first, however. Unless you want to get a jolt for your trouble."

A jolt? What was a sting of magic compared to this man's torture?

Caleb glared at Phobos. "Do it, Phobos."

Phobos complied and with a wave of his hand unsealed the wards protecting the beating heart. A green glow appeared on the cage and vanished just as quickly. Phobos removed the upper half of the cage where the heart continued to beat, albeit less strongly due to the loss of magic. With a firm hand, Caleb gripped the heart and held it up before him. Strange how such a small muscle could be the most powerful in the entire body. Before he did what he knew had to be done, he looked at he prisoner one last time. "Your name, hero?"

Gasping for what would surly be his last time, the man lifted his head. "Ral."

"You will be remembered, Ral." Caleb removed a dagger from behind his cloak. "And I promise you, as leader of the resistance and sworn enemy of Nerissa," He raised the dagger. "You will be…" His teeth clenched. "Avenged!" Down came the blade – silent went the heart.

One final breath escaped Ral before he went still. It was over. Caleb had freed him from his pain. He did what any good leader would do for his men. Despite this ending, Ral could rest knowing he had done his duty and ascend to the paradise that awaited him. His friends were there; all of them smiling and greeting him with open arms. He was a peace now, the war was over for him.

Yes…it was over.

---

Caleb collapsed on the wall outside the cells. The tragedy of what he had seen had shaken him more than he dared to admit. He had promised Ral vengeance and he would see it through, but nothing he could do would ever justify what that poor man had gone through. He was hurting. He was angry. He wanted to kill.

Phobos joined him soon afterward. A dim light came from the hallway behind him as Caleb ordered the prince to cremate the body. Putting his hands behind his back, Phobos glanced at Caleb who was still sulking. "So," He began. "Mission Accomplished?"

For a moment it looked as if Caleb didn't even hear him. "Ahem." Phobos did not like having to repeat himself. "Can we go now?" It sounded almost childish to ask but Phobos had had enough of this calamity. The sooner they left this wretched city behind the sooner he can get back to regaining his throne, his kingdom and his title.

Slowly, Caleb lifted his head. He didn't look at Phobos, however, but rather at the continuing darkness of the tunnels. The transit system ran beneath the entire city according to Phobos. With his "acquired" knowledge of the tunnels, they would be able to circumvent the underground passages with ease and come up at their enemies when they least suspected.

Guild Headquarters. That was where the plans had been taken to. That's where they will need to go. But Caleb and Phobos can't go storming the fortress of their enemies by themselves.

He stood up. "Come on."

"Finally."

"We must find my father and the others."

"Then we leave, right?"

Caleb didn't answer him at first.

"Right?" Phobos pressed.

With one hand on the cart, Caleb turned to Phobos. "Then we make these bastards pay."

Both heard something. It seemed those Bastards Caleb mentioned were finally catching up to them. Screeching wheels were followed by harsh and angry voices and the duo knew they had overstayed their welcome. "Phobos."

The former tyrant sighed and joined his protégée.

---

How pleased Aldarn was to have his old face back again. He couldn't stop admiring his rugged good looks in the mirror and began rubbing his firm chin. "Looking good."

"Blunk like you better as rock monster."

Aldarn regarded the passling for a moment. Something like that coming out of a creature that looked like him didn't mean much at all. The little guy's vision of beauty involved grimy skin, bald head, crooked teeth and a stench that would give a larvex reason to run.

"To each his own." Aldarn said, quoting something Caleb told him once. Ironically, he had been quoting something the guardian known as Hay Lin had told him and she in turn quoted her grandmother, the Honorable Yan Lin, and she quoted…well, the list goes on.

They turned back towards the guest room where Master Julian, the pirate, Roiya, and their host were in deep deliberation. Julian, back to normal as a human, was anxious to get back out there and find Caleb. He had told Aldarn and Blunk to keep their identities secret since should word get out that the leader of the resistance and the former ruler of Meridian were out and about it could incite a manhunt and they had enough people after their heads. They had barely escaped the alley where they had fought the Negotiators, assassins working for the infamous Pirate's Guild and yet Julian wasn't so sure of that. He had little time to ponder as a powerful wizard appeared and forced them to retreat. Roiya unleashed a jelly monster to keep the mage busy while they made their exit and she led them to an unassuming house within the Market District.

The proprietor of said house was a blubbery, old woman who was more than she appeared. Her head was a massive lump of flesh so thick that her eyes almost disappeared behind it. A fat pink nose protruded from her face, peach red at the end. She had scraggly blonde-white hair that hung loosely from either side of a balding scalp. Her ears were tiny but never had Aldarn seen any so perfectly round. The woman waddled from place to place on fat legs causing her feet to scrap across the floor. Barely taller than Blunk and considerably less attractive, she was the kind of woman you looked at once and wished you hadn't.

But she was kind and she welcomed the fugitives to her home warmly and with open arms. Apparently, she was once a woman of renown in her youth who had traveled the world. She had fought monsters, explored dungeons and ruins, dinned with tyrants and kings, seen her share of war and was even a close-knit friend of Queen Elyon's grandmother. All this according to Roiya of course and Aldarn was instructed by Julian not to believe anything the pirate said.

This house, which served as a pottery store in the daylight hours, was well-warded against magic of almost any kind. The rebels had learned that the hard way when their magical guises dispersed after stepping inside. Roiya assured them that hey were safe here and the woman, whom she called Miss Pitterbee, was a friend and trusted confidant.

Miss Pitterbee arrived in the dining room with a tray of four glasses and a small pitcher. Julian raised his hand and with the kindest voice he could manage at the moment turned her down. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but our task is most urgent and I'm afraid we must be leaving."

"You won't get far." Roiya said. "With that mage on the loose."

"Nevertheless,"

"You'll die." Roiya cut him off. "And your friends will suffer a fate worse than death when they are turned over to Nerissa."

"Nasty wench, that one." Miss Pitterbee's voice was gruff and yet weak, like a herd animal trying to sound like a carnivore. She placed the tray on the table and motioned for everyone to sit. "Please."

"Madam,"

"Not nice to turn down a lady, Julian." Roiya smiled as she walked past him. "A Knight of Meridian is well-versed in mannerisms is he not?"

"Only those who are worthy of such formality." He whispered to her.

She smiled teasingly. Julian was attractive when he was angry. Even after all these years she still found herself intrigued by the man. Sure he may have aged, but he was still so cute.

"I will help you find your friends." The old woman said. "Lest they're not dead already."

That made Julian inhale sharply.

"Please madam," Aldarn stepped up to her. "Do not say such things. This entire endeavor would mean nothing if we lose them."

"Then you should not have come in the first place." She said and chuckled. "The best way to avoid trouble is to not put yourself in a position where you may have to face it in the first place."

"That what Blunk believes." Chirped the passling. "People call Blunk coward, but Blunk know that to stay safe, he should always stay clear of bad things. It how he survives."

"Then truly," Miss Pitterbee looked at him. "You are the wisest one here, my young friend."

Blunk beamed at the compliment.

"How will you help us find our lost comrades?" Julian asked seeking to draw the conversation away from meaningless banter.

Pitterbee regarded him. "Oh I have my ways."

"Indeed she does." Roiya said. "Show him."

The woman was a gracious hostess and poured tea into the cups before taking her leave. She returned to find that all but Julian had decided to indulge themselves. The seasoned warrior was simply too focused on his mission to harbor any distractions. Aldarn wanted to save Caleb too but he was cold and the tea was warm. Plus Miss Pitterbee reminded him of the den mother who helped raise him so it was out of courtesy that he obliged her hospitality.

Blunk took any opportunity to entice his taste buds and the tea was very sweet. He was halfway through his third cup when Miss Pitterbee came back with an orb.

"She's a magician too?" Julian blurted out unbelievingly.

Roiya turned to him. "Everything I've told you about Miss Pitterbee was true, Julian. She's a woman of many talents."

"But a magician?"

"Cleric actually." She corrected him. "Isn't that right, Miss Pitterbee?"

"Indeed."

"And what god do you worship if you don't mind my asking?"

"Melenee."

"Keeper of Secrets and messenger of the Pantheon of Divinities." Aldarn elucidated.

"That's the one. Now let's see here." Pitterbee placed the orb on the table and put both hands on either side. She then whispered a silent prayer to her god, asking for assistance. The orb glowed.

Aldarn stepped beside Julian. "I thought all magic was negated in here."

"Clerical magic is different." Julian whispered not wanting to disturb her. Anything she could do to help him find his son. "It relies on the blessing of a higher being rather than the Weave of Magic. Besides this is her home. She decides what magic can and cannot be used."

"Shh." Roiya said and this drew an angry look from Julian.

Blunk poured his fourth cup.

The orb dimmed to show swirling mist taking on an image. Pitterbee slowly opened her eyes. "There they are." The image cleared and all present came close to observe. Within the orb were two vague figures riding some sort of cart. They sped madly through a black tunnel turning this way and that. Little by little, the face of the men became apparent.

"It's C…" Aldarn stopped himself. One look at Julian told him how he almost blew their cover. "…Clearing up." He finished hoping that would fix it. He breathed an inward sigh of relief when he realized that neither Roiya or Pitterbee noticed his cover-up. It was a foolish mistake but he was relieved to find his best friend alive and well.

Alive anyway. Well was another matter.

The image panned back to reveal a wave of pursuers.

"Pirates." Julian said.

"Guild." Stated Roiya.

"Bad guys." Blunk muttered. He too was happy to find his human friend still among the living.

"Where are they?" Julian asked.

"Beneath the city." Pitterbee went on. "Ancient transit system. They are currently traveling along the canal."

"It's in the city's western perimeter." Roiya clarified. She turned to the cleric. "Where are they headed now?"

"If they continue on this path they will be under the city center in five minutes."

"The city center." Roiya looked at Julian. "The Lords reside there in their mansions."

Concerned, Julian came around the table to stand next to Miss Pitterbee. "Is there any way we can contact them? To bring them safely to us?"

Pitterbee gave him a bemused stare. "I serve the God of Communication, dearee. Of course I can contact them."

"Then please," Julian thought a moment. "On second thought, help me speak with them. They'll recognize my voice."

The old woman nodded. "As you wish. Place your hand on my shoulder and I will let you know when to talk."

Julian did as she told him. Putting his hand on her shoulder, he felt a tingling sensation as she forged a connection between them. Then he felt being drawn toward the orb, toward Caleb. Not physically of course but mentally. His vision blurred and he instinctively closed his eyes. In moments he was making head way towards his son without ever even moving.

---

"Can't you make this thing go any faster?"

"This is a mine cart, not a hugong!"

TWANG! TWANG!

"Why don't you make yourself useful and do something about our pursuers?"

"Like what? Catch the arrows with my bare hands?"

TWANG! FWOOSH!

"Dammit!" An arrow nearly found his right eye and had brushed by his ear. "Use your magic!"

Phobos glared at him. "Would you like to drive?"

"Would you like to live?" Caleb ducked another loosed missile. Quite frankly this whole chase was getting on his nerves and he wanted nothing more than to stop the cart, get out, and fight those pirates in close quarter combat. Problem is, they were traveling at reckless speed through near lightless tunnels and every sudden turn or jolt almost sent the warrior flying out to what would surely be a most uncomfortable demise. Had he a bow and arrow he'd give the pirates reason to back off but all he had was his trusty sword and there's no way he'd risk losing that in a vain attempt to spear the following cart's driver.

Keeping his head down, Caleb peered over the back and could make out the vague images of the oncoming pirates. Somehow they managed to stay on their tail and despite Phobos' best efforts they could not lose them. Every now and then one pirate fired an arrow in an attempt to strike the driver. Needless to say Phobos was none too pleased with his current station.

"Enough of this!" The enraged prince turned about and began to form an energy blast in his hand.

"No!" Caleb pulled him down just as the first hint of green light filled the air. Half a dozen arrows streaked by at that moment.

"Oh, so I suppose you want them to capture us." Phobos snarled lying next to Caleb.

"I just saved you. Your magic is like a homing beacon. Any light and they'll pelt you with enough arrows to kill a gigadon."

Phobos fiddled like a trapped beast. "This is insulting. Me, the king of Meridian fleeing from a bunch of scoundrels!"

"Since when did you become king?"

"Since I imprisoned my sister and that bitch you call a mother inside the jewel!" Phobos paused to consider what he said. "Uh…no offense."

"None taken." Caleb had no emotional attachment to the woman named Nerissa. Despite being his biological mother, she was the vilest creature in the universe and he couldn't care less what people thought of her. "Look, we need to find a way out of here and meet up with the others. Can you use these tunnels to take us to where they are right now?"

"I can't. I've been trying to contact them ever since we escaped Walloon but nothing seems to be getting through. It's as if they have left the city."

"What?"

"I can't explain it. Why don't we just leave and come back later?"

"They may be in trouble."

"WE'RE in trouble!" the cart was jolted violently all of a sudden. The pirate troupe had managed to close the gap between them and the jolt was a result of clamps grabbing hold of their cart. Two pirates, using the clamps as leverage, slowly began to make their way over to them. One carried a lamp while the other held a sword. Together they readied to storm the cart but found no one there to greet them.

"Ticket, please." Said a voice from below and no sooner had the swordsman looked down when a magnificent blade pierced his head through his chin. The lamp-carrier readied his own weapon but a smooth hand grabbed his neck and slowly began to drain the life out of him.

Caleb shoved the now dead swordsman away and turned to Phobos. "We're not leaving them."

"As you wish." The wizard smiled as the man went limp in his hand. Now resembling a prune, the pirate shrank to half his original size and was discarded. Their demise, however, had allowed two more pirates to make their way across the clamps.

"Caleb!"

"What?" This moment of distraction allowed one pirate to launch a bolo whip which he had ensnared around Caleb's throat and yank him forward. Dropping his sword, Caleb lurched over the end of the cart, hanging precariously over the screeching tracks. "Aggh! Phobos!" He cried.

"Hm?" He answered mundanely as he readied a spell to destroy the second pirate. "Oh. You're about to die."

The pirate holding Caleb pulled in an attempt to send him falling onto the tracks. "Stop him."

"Sorry. Fighting now." He blasted the second pirate's foolish attempt to rush him. He disintegrated in midair.

"Phobos!"

"Fine, fine." Phobos turned his deadly spellcasting hand on the first pirate who didn't seem to notice his partner's gruesome finish. An energy ball formed in his outstretched palm but just before he could fire it off a arrow streaked just before his face. "Insolence!" he roared and turned the hand on the other cart. The attack sent the remaining pirates ducking and surely made them think twice before taking another pot shot at the powerful mage.

For Oracle's sake! Suddenly realizing he did not want to be indebted to the prince a third time, the warrior took actions of his own. In a crazy display of, "machismo", as Irma once put it; he allowed himself to be pulled off but clamped his feet on the edge of the cart. That combined with the leverage from the man trying to pull him over had Caleb stretched out like a wrung towel. It hurt like hell and Caleb thought his neck would snap but the insane maneuver had the desired affect as the pirate, completely taken by surprise, momentarily let up and Caleb dropped…to grab hold of one of the clamps from underneath.

He held on for dear life as he used one hand to release the snare on his neck. Cursing, the pirate moved in, lifting his foot to stomp the rebel but that very move put him in a most unwanted position because now he was off balance.

Then Caleb loosened the whip…

…then he pulled…

…then the pirate fell…

…if it was any consolation he didn't scream for long.

He hoisted himself onto the clamp and rubbed his neck. Phobos had the other pirates busy dodging his lethal energy bolts. One was blown clear off from a direct hit and Phobos let out a cheer of triumph.

"Caleb!"

"Cough…dad?"

"Thank the Divine! I kept my mouth shut because I didn't want to distract you any further. Now that you're alright I need you to listen. There's a junction coming up on your left. Take it. It will take you to us."

"Where are you?"

"Someplace far safer than where you are. Hurry, son, before you miss the junction."

Knowing the voice to be trustworthy as much as a newborn baby would know its mother's without ever opening its eyes, Caleb immediately jumped back in his cart and worked the controls. He'd watch Phobos do it. This lever worked the controls so… "Left."

"What?" Phobos turned around and gasped when he saw what Caleb was doing. "No you fool!"

Too late. The cart lurched as it hit a sharp turn and both carts almost flew off the tracks. When the turn was complete, Caleb looked at Phobos with a triumphant smile though he doubt the prince could even see it in the dark. "See, I got it."

"Argh! You just sent us to our deaths!"

"What?" Before he could make Phobos clarify, the tracks dipped away and both carts plunged into an even deeper darkness. A foul stench filled the air and it became humid all of a sudden. Something sticky pelted Caleb's face and he spit as some of it got caught in his mouth. The constant screeching of the tracks was replaced by a sloppy sound. What the hell did he just do?

"I should have let Walloon kill you! Had I known you wanted to die…"

"Where are we?"

"In the main tunnels. Where they nest."

"Who?"

"Deep worms!"

Something heavy slapped onto Caleb's lap. He would have thrown it off had it not snapped at his hands. Crying out, the prince could hear the things hiss and the chomping sounds from its many sharp teeth. It wriggled and writhed and stank beyond reasoning. Blunk would have loved it.

A light created by Phobos showed them just where they were. This entire part of the tunnels was infested with large, moving monsters that clung to the walls, ceilings and even tracks as the many howls of pain filled the air whenever the carts ran over one. Behind them, the two could hear the pirates yelling in terror and one was even pulled out of the cart by a worm which snapped down at the right moment for a snack. The body was a mass of moss-green flesh, but the head was nothing but mouth and teeth. Thick tendrils coiled around the doomed man as he was pulled in.

Caleb finally managed to throw the "little" worm overboard. Deep worms. He heard of them but never thought to see them. He never hoped to see them. Even mudslugs paled in against their grotesque nature. The hideous larvae reached in to eat them and only Caleb's sword and Phobos' magic kept them at bay. The pirates weren't so lucky and one by one they stayed for dinner.

"What possibly could have enticed you to go left?"

"My father spoke to me."

"How? I didn't hear anything."

"He doesn't like talking to you, remember?"

"Regardless," Phobos blasted another worm that came to close. "He's sent us to our doom. The track ends up ahead. The worms ate through them and now there's nothing but a black abyss."

"I trust him."

"That's your fault!"

"Jump!"

"What did you say?"

"I said, that's your fault!"

"Jump! It's the only way."

"Jump?"

"Are you mad?!"

"Trust me, my son. You will be safe."

"I…I trust you."

"Oh, so now we're friends?"

Caleb realized Phobos thought he was talking to him this whole time. "Get ready."

"For what?"

Though they couldn't see it they were almost at the edge of the abyss.

Caleb grabbed Phobos and pulled him into a sitting up position. "Get your hands off me you,"

"Now!"

"Now!"

"Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!"

The tracks disappeared and the carts fell. Caleb jumped with Phobos in tow into the darkness. At first they just fell…

…and fell...

…then…light.

They were blinded and the next thing they knew they were hitting wooden floor as the worm-infested tunnel was replaced by a living room with a fireplace in the middle. Groaning, both Phobos and Caleb rolled around on the floor until they were looking up at the ceiling. "Are we…dead?" Phobos gasped.

Caleb's eyes focused on an ugly face that appeared over his field of vision. Blunk smiled.

"Damn it all!" Caleb said. "I've wound up in the wrong heaven…"

---

Author: Notice how not at any one time did Julian, Aldarn or Blunk worry or think about Phobos? They're like, "Where's Caleb? Is he okay? We need to find him." But Phobos? "Meh…"

I plan to expand in the next chapter to include Matt (for those of you wondering he's chillin' at the rebel headquarters while all this is going on), include the other faction in this fight, the Lords of Limen, and more of that mysterious wizard that attacked them in the alley. Next time, Caleb and company are going on the offensive!