(In a private room in Terrarium)
"So" Draven said in an obnoxious tone. "I knew this scheme was foolish from the start, but all the same it's nice to see my suspicions confirmed"
"Oh shut!" Nelfania barked irritably "You didn't voice any doubt at the start"
It was at this moment that the as yet silent member of the trio spoke "Well, While this expedition may not have given us information about the precise layout of this upstart's dungeon, the disappearance of our forces does confirm that his territory is indeed located there.
"And what good does that do us exactly Victus?" Draven said "Nobody we sent returned, not a single one and some of those minions were the best we had. If an entire group is massacred to a man what does knowing where he is do if he can't get to him"
"We can actually" came the reply "But we won't win this with just throwing more minions on the field than he does."
"So what do you suggest?" questioned Nelfania curious despite herself.
"To me it's simple. We can't expect a band of minions to stroll over and crush him like some pathetic overworlder fort. We have to expand our territory and make a push into his territory so that we have a way of keeping up a steady assault to gradually wear him down and also ensure we have a chance to get back any of our fighters who go down.
"And what happens, my friend if this new Keeper begins pushing us back using the territory we so graciously cleared for him?
"If you would let me finish" came the curt response "I'm sure you know what a trap is" he continued at which point Draven flushed but remained uncharacteristically silent "This battle would happen far from our Hearts and Dungeons, plenty of narrow corridors for boulders to roll down, plenty of hallways for barricades to block as our archers whittle down his forces, even if his forces survive this gauntlet they'd be too weak to be a threat, let alone act as a defensive force.
"Hmm, This would require us to cooperate with each other to a much greater degree Victus. What you propose is to practically link our dungeons together. I can't say I like it" Nelfania rasped.
"Neither do I" he replied slowly, but if we continue bickering among ourselves we'l just be making his job all the easier.
For nearly a minute no one spoke, each going over the proposed plan of action, the risks, the rewards, the potential for betraying and being betrayed.
Finally Draven spoke "I agree" he said though his face made it clearly he wouldn't if he had any choice.
"As do I" Nelfania chimed in, but if either of you take this as a chance to try and steal what is mine I will crush you, I'l take you down with me if I have to" she rasped.
Draven was about to retort when he was cut off by Victus raising a hand. "Yes, and the same goes for you, and everyone present"
(In Fian's inner sanctum)
"So, what do you think?" The Knight asked breaking the silence that had enveloped the small group of heroes as they sat awkwardly within the Sanctum of a Keeper, not as prisoners but guests but as guests of the Keeper who played the part of gracious host to the hilt.
"Well, er it's a nice enough place" The dwarf grumbled "Too much silk and velvet for my taste"
"I wasn't talking about the interior decorating you" The Knight said exasperately
"Oh..um" came the dwarf's reply somewhat embarrassed "Well, to be honest with ya I just don't know what to think, world's gone mad it seems"
It was at this point that Fian turned from across the room with a smile "Well call me me an optimist but I do believe that's progress my friend, you've gone all the way from wanting to kill me to not knowing what to think"
"Ah..uh, yes" the dwarf began momentarily at a loss for words "I forgot you were here"
"See?" Fian said "Exactly what I mean, you've grown so comfortable with me you don't even realize I'm there anymore. It's like we're old friends" he finished, with a grin.
"Well, yes" Alzor said in a serious tone "But jokes aside I do trust your offer of letting us go still stands Keeper"
"Ofcourse it does" Fian replied "But I'd be hurt if you didn't drop in every now and then for dinner"
"How do you even know it's night underground " mumbled Lifa before trailing off into silence.
"And does your offer of staying if we wish stand as well" asked Melfina quietly surprising everyone but Fian.
"Ofcourse it does" he said. "There's plenty of room here after all"
"Melfina, child" Alzor said with concern, "surely you do not intend to stay..here" he said with just the slightest hint of distaste.
Fian remained silent calmly watching this exchange play out, idly wondering how it would go as he tried to not care" "Melfina had served her role planting doubt in the overworlders and had no strategic importance, but all the same a part of him was genuinely glad that she might wish to stay"
"My surroundings don't matter Alzor" she said, I swore to fight the darkness that festered below our land and I intend on doing just that, but what better way to fight an enemy that dwells below ground than to stay underground.
Alzor sighed for a moment "I've known you child, longer than anyone else in the world has. I know when your mind is made. Just remember that you will always be welcome back"
"Ah I doubt the Knight Commander will agree though " the Knight quipped "He'l probably see what Melfy here is doing as treason"
"Melfy ? Your nickname is Melfy?" Fian said with a laugh.
Melfina turned red and stayed silent for a second before replying "What I am called doesn't matter now, What is important that you" she said looking all around at the heroes assembled "ensure that the Knight Commander know what happened here and that isn't a normal Keeper and if." she continued slowly" If the Commander still feels I have committed Treason I will return of my free will to face justice.
"Melfina this is a huge risk" said Fian forcefully surprisingly even himself before continuing in a more even tone "I mean, I don't see why you feel the need to throw your life or at the very least your freedom away if this commander of yours doesn't see reason"
"It's because I am still a loyal soldier, come what may and I will obey a superior officers orders"
Fian sighed, "You and your convictions" he said with a disapproving shake of his head
"In any case" Alzor said after a moment "We had best be getting back. Our superiors need to know of..your existence" he said delicately.
"Yes" Fian replied more formal than his usual self "Yes, they do. Your people need to know that I'm not a threat and they shouldn't treat me as one"
"Hey, there's no telling if they'l believe us though" said the Knight "For all you they'l just assume we're in league with you and execute us"
"Cheery"muttered the dwarf but refrained from commenting further.
Be that as it may, we have to go back" Alzor said with an air of finality
"And what about you Lifa?" Fian asked startling the easily excitable fairy. "Are you..well going?"
"Um..well.I should I guess" came the halting response at which Alzor spoke
"She should, she and Melfina have been free here the longest, She may be your best bet for convincing the overworld you mean no harm and if all goes well she would be the best posed to establish a line of communication with your..empire"
"Best of both worlds eh?" Fian said with a cheery wink
"Assuming they don't execute us for being traitors" Interjected the knight.
"Oh come now, don't be a kill joy. Let's go now"