"So, Nelfania" are you sure the information is accurate the dark elven Keeper Draven asked silkily.

"If there's anyone you should be questioning" she said angrily "it's him" jerking a finger towards the third Keeper in the room who lounged against a wall indifferent to his companions "not me"

"Enough now," he said, pushing himself off the wall. "The information is vague, but it IS accurate. My contact confirmed that a band of their scouts did disappear without a trace and now unless anyone has better information, I suggest we work with this"

After a few moments in which no one spoke he continued" Now, I think our best course of action would be to locate the tunnel and breach they made it'l be the fastest way of finding this upstarts little dungeon and they won't be expecting an attack in the exact same place so soon."

"I guess that makes senses" Nelfania grudgingly admitted,

"Excellent"

(In Keeper Fian's sanctum)

"So, what is your plan exactly Fian?" The Mentor began. "How is this in any way a good thing?"

"Well Mentor it's quite simple Fian began with a smile. Now that we know we're going to be attacked, I can free our prisoners at the exact same time.

" Are you insane?" the Mentor said forcefully "We're outnumbered three to one, and you want to free the over worlders at the exact same time? Why go through all that trouble when you can simply throw yourself upon your own blade?

"Ah Mentor" Fian said with a laugh" "Always so emotional" "My plan is quite simple really. "When we know the enemies forces are close we shall..."magnanimously" free our prisoners and allow them to leave. When they wind up running into our enemies, we shall swoop in to rescue them. At the very least they shall prove a useful diversion which will be advantageous, and if any survive and make it to the overworld, they will lead to reduced overworlder aggression against us and more against our enemies.

"Hmm" The Mentor sighed thoughtfully as he mused over the plan. "You want to use the prisoners to get our rivals and the overworlders fight

"An admirably succinct summary" Fian said with a smile but you left out the fact that they'l also be working as a diversion when we are attacked.

"An..unusual stratagem Keeper" The Mentor replied, "But what of your pets, the fairy and the elf? Particularly the elf. If she chooses to leave you might just end up having her pretty head skewered on some orc's spear.

Fian paused for a moment before replying "I don't care if she lives or dies Mentor. She's simply a means to an end"

"Is that so" the Mentor said suspiciously "Your recent..actions make me feel that might not be true"

"Ah Mentor I could choose to be offended by you implying I'm a liar, but I shall just look on the bright side of things and assume my playacting skills are so great even you are fooled"

"Well, I suppose it doesn't matter how you feel as long as you don't do anything stupid"

"Doesn't matter how I feel?"Fian said with feigned sorrow "And here I thought we were getting to be close"

"Fian, jokes aside you do realize this plan will require hair trigger timing? release the prisoners too soon, or too late, or in the wrong direction and it could be disastrous for us."

"Yes Mentor" I know Fian sighed. "BUT. that is why we have horny yes? Our last resort if words and scheming fail and weapons are to be drawn, well, drawn for real combat atleast"

"I see no reason why we simply shouldn't sic Horny on them though" The Mentor said "Demons below knows he'd love it"

"Well, sure in the short term it would help"said Fian "But in the long term it would just put us in everyone's crosshairs. "We'd be perceived as too big a threat and all would strive to wipe us out. Still I do see Horny having a use or two in the near future" he concluded with a grin.

"Oh dear" The Mentor sighed rubbing his incorporeal head. "Must you complicate this already outlandish plan of yours any further"

"Yes"

"You're not funny Fian" the Mentor groused.

"Oh lighten up Mentor, if it doesn't work, everyone else dies. If it does work, we tip the balance of power and drive the Keepers and Overworlders to war"

"Well, you *are* the Keeper after all" It's your call besides, I suppose there's no point arguing about it. Only time will tell"