A few hours later, she leaves her room and heads toward the embassy's great hall, where all the members and crew congregate. As she enters, catcalls echo through the hall. Hoat approaches her with a flirtatious tone. "You look stunning, my lady," he says, dressed to the nines in a long formal coat with the barony's black and red trim.

  Lina notices Scarlet, who is truly a sight to behold. With her beautiful red curly hair, pale skin, and green eyes, Scarlet's black dress would make all the other women mad with jealousy. She will undoubtedly be the talk of the feast. "You look like you're trying to start a rebellion with that dress," Lina remarks. Scarlet blushes and gives a little spin. "Thank you, my lady."

  "You all look fabulous tonight. Let's go turn some heads, shall we?" Lina announces, looking over at Gauge. "Widdershins, would you be my chaperone for the night? Don't let me go home with anyone if I'm not able to hold my alcohol tonight."

  Gauge smiles and offers her his arm. "I will ensure I'm the only person taking advantage of you tonight," he teases.

  Flynn punches Gauge's arm, giving him a disappointed look. "She is still our baroness, no matter how beautiful she is."

  Gauge laughs. "Sorry, that dress brings the dawg out of me. No disrespect intended."

  Lina shakes her head, smiling. "I can't take you all anywhere." She waves to Harley, who is not dressed but is wearing a nice pair of trousers and a long, pretty tunic cinched at the waist with a thick, high belt. Harley carries her weapons openly, unlike the others who have opted for smaller, concealed weaponry.

  Harley's eyes and nose are red, as if she has been crying. Lina asks her if she is okay. Harley shrugs, "I hate these things. I don't want to go. Do I need to?"

  Lina holds her hand and pats it. "Halfway through, I'll excuse you and Hoat." She turns to Hoat. "Take her somewhere nice, will you?"

  Hoat gives Harley his arm. "I was very nervous, but I was trying to ask you to be my date tonight. It's not just tonight," he says, laughing nervously.

  Harley smiles and wipes her face. "Wait, have we not been going on dates? I thought all the missions we went on alone were dates."

  Hoat nods and rolls his eyes. "You’re our newest member. I was training you."

  She nods playfully. "Sure, sure. Just keep talking, and you might get lucky tonight. By that, I mean..." She makes a suggestive hand and finger motion.

  Hoat raises his eyebrows and rolls his eyes. "The greatest barony on the outside. Bunch of sickos on the inside."

  They all mimic the sounds, hand, and head movements of performing fellatio, laughing together.

  Lina leaves them behind as they make fun of Hoat, but they catch up to her shortly after. The embassy is about a two-mile walk, as their keep is far from the queen's palace. When they arrive at the palace, they notice a long line of guests escorted to their areas by palace servants. The nobles of the baronies are instructed to wait outside until their names are called.

  Lina, Gauge, Hoat, and Harley wait outside, and they spot a black-scaled lizard man being harassed by guards about a hundred feet away. The lizard man does not retaliate but skillfully avoids their attempts to grab or hit him. Eventually, he leaves, kicking the ground in frustration. Something about him captivates Lina, and throughout the feast, she can't stop thinking about what she witnessed.

  Their names are finally announced. The kingdom herald calls them in and introduces them to the guests inside the great hall. The great hall is decorated with pink and white flowers, and each embassy has a large table where the baron or baroness sits in the middle, surrounded by their subordinates. The tables are made of beautifully polished white and gold marble, and the hall is illuminated with floating spheres of light.

  The royal family is on an elevated platform at the back of the hall, allowing them to see everything below. They stand by their chairs, waiting for the queen to sit. The herald addresses everyone within the great hall, "Lords, Ladies, our beautiful citizens, Her Majesty would like to say a few words."

  The queen steps to the edge of the platform. "My people, we are gathered here today to show our appreciation for the past victories. Originally, the first feast celebrated our triumph over the mad dragon. Now, we celebrate every year to remember those we have lost and the friends we have made along the way. This past year, we managed to go a full year without being at war or threatened by war. That's a reason to celebrate. Without further ado, let's have a seat. Our food will be out shortly. While we wait, let's see what the bottom of these mugs looks like!"

  With a raised mug, the queen leads the hall in a toast, and the guests cheer and drink heartily. Lina sits at the center of her table, flanked by Gauge, Hoat, and Harley. The atmosphere is lively and filled with anticipation for the feast.

  Thirty minutes after the queen's speech, the food is brought out. They were served pork rib pie and other mouth-watering Appetizers. Hoat looks down at the pie as he digs through it. He calls one of the servers over. “ Does the kitchen have a bird or anything else I can have? I cannot have bore; it does not agree with my feet.” The waiter Gives him an Apologetic look and tells him he will check.

  Shortly after, Hoat is served a grilled duck with a yellow sauce. Merlot stands and wanders over to Hoat, stopping to shake hands and greet those who stop him. "Hoat, my friend. I hunted the duck myself this morning. I knew you would need something special. I told the kitchen myself to serve you the duck."

  Hoat greets Merlot, who rolls his eyes and waves for him to sit back down. Merlot grabs a chair by the wall and sits just behind Hoat and Harley. "We've been friends most of our lives, even before I married Trisa. I don't like seeing you be all formal with me. It makes me think I don't have any friends anymore."

  Hoat smiles, relaxing a bit. "Old habits die hard, Merlot. But you're right. We've been through too much together to let formality come between us."

  Merlot chuckles. "That's more like it. Now, tell me, how have you been? And what do you think of the feast so far?"

  Hoat turns his chair sideways to face the king's consort. "Merlot, you look dashing tonight. How is life in the palace? I want to bear hunting again soon. I had a lot of fun last time, especially watching your manservant scream like a child when we dragged him out of his tent in bear furs. It was the most entertainment I've had in a long time. Baroness Lina has been talking about taking a vacation, and I think it's about time I have one too."

  Merlot gives Hoat a genuine laugh and smiles, patting his back. "I had my mage create miniature ice and wind constructs. They cool down the tents remarkably well. That servant has since retired from my service and started his own business. He's doing well for himself. The miniature constructs are all the rage right now—they make the summer a bit more bearable."

  Hoat looks at Teric. "Hey, you hear Merlot?"

  Teric replies, "You mean, Your Majesty? And yes, I'm already writing it down. I will one-up him and claim that I have imbued ice magic into my undergarments. I'm still working out the kinks, though."

  Flynn overhears the conversation. "You little mother—" Flynn suddenly turns blue and shakes violently. ”I can control how cold it gets as well." Flynn stands and walks out, returning shortly later, looking normal.

  The group laughs, and Hoat shakes his head. "Leave it to you, Teric, to take it to the next level."

  Observing the camaraderie among her companions, Lina can't help but smile. Despite the formality of the feast, moments like these remind her of the bonds they share. Something important dawns on her: “Oh, I have a letter for you, your Majesty. It's kind of a dire importance.” She hands him the letter about the lords of necromancy. He reads it and puts it in his pocket. “I'll make sure this goes through the right channels.”

  After a few laughs and stories, Merlot returns to sit by the queen. They can see her smile as she asks him what was so funny at the Krimlond table. He seems to enjoy sharing his stories with her.

  After Hoat and Harley finish eating, they stand and leave the great hall, holding hands. Lina notices and tells Gauge, "Yeah, they won't be keeping an eye on anything tonight. It's about time, though. They have been staring at each other for an embarrassingly long time. I even had the queen ask when we will celebrate their marriage."

  Gauge laughs. "I guess I just don't notice things like that. Hell, I think Flynn is the only member married with children."

  Flynn nods in agreement. "Twenty years and counting. Two grown and two youngsters. She's pretty upset she's not allowed to sit with me. This reminds me that I need to eat with my wife. They get drinks and food faster with me next to them." Flynn stands and brings his food to the upper-class tables where his family sits.

  Lina watches Flynn join his family and feels a pang of longing for that connection. Turning back to Gauge, she says, "It's nice to see everyone happy. I hope Harley and Hoat find the same joy Flynn has with his family."

  Gauge nods. "They will. They're a good match. And as for you, Baroness, any plans for yourself? A vacation, perhaps, like you mentioned?"

  Lina smiles. "Maybe. I think it's time for a little break from all this."

  Gauge raises his glass. "To breaks and happiness, then."

  Lina clinks her glass with his, feeling more hopeful about the future. She converses with the other barons and baronesses for a bit before returning to the embassy. They carefully guard themselves and what they say, knowing that the Battle of the Baronies starts tomorrow afternoon.

  The atmosphere is charged with a mix of camaraderie and underlying tension. As Lina engages in polite conversation, she notes every word exchanged's subtle, strategic undertones. Each baron and baroness knows that tomorrow's battle will test their physical prowess, wits, and alliances. The other baronies did notice their ice imbuements. She notices glances and can hear the servants talking about the other baronies looking for merchants tonight.

  The night air is cool and refreshing when she leaves the great hall. She walks back to the embassy, her mind a whirl of thoughts about the upcoming battle and the interactions she just had. Upon reaching her quarters, she takes a moment to collect herself, knowing that rest is essential for the challenges ahead.

  As she prepares for bed, Teric casts the fire imbuement on her and the others. As he casts the ritual on her, she reflects on the events of the evening—the joy of seeing her friends happy, the guarded conversations with her peers, and the mysterious lizard man who continues to occupy her thoughts. With a determined sigh, she resolves to face tomorrow with all the strength and cunning she possesses.

  The following day, Lina is awakened by a knock at her door. She answers it in her nightgown, and to her surprise, it's Scarlet, also in her nightgown.

  "Lina, they just got back. Their hair's messy, and they have clothes different from what they left in. I don't think they were on patrol last night," Scarlet says breathlessly.

  Lina stares at Scarlet, noticing that her gown is see-through and she has no undergarments on the top half of her body. "Uh, Scarlet, I can see you—"

  Scarlet interrupts, "I bet they did it."

  Lina just stares at Scarlet in envy. "You're so pretty. Get ready for the battle. And, uh, cover yourself," she says, pointing to Scarlet's perfect body.

  The redhead looks down and blushes. "Oh no, I'm sorry, this is so embarrassing." She runs off back to her room, covering herself.

  Lina closes the door with a sigh and smiles to herself. She takes a moment to compose herself before starting her preparations for the day. The Battle of the Baroness is just hours away, and she needs to be focused and ready. She dresses in her combat attire, securing her hidden weapons and potions. As she prepares, thoughts of the previous night’s events and her friends’ happiness bring a small smile.

  With a deep breath, she heads out to join her team, ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead.

  As Lina gets ready and makes her way to the great hall in the embassy, she finds Hoat in an unusually good mood. "I don't know if we're as good as everyone else thinks. I'm starting to think all the other baronies are just extremely dumb. How have we been the highest-performing barony for the last four years? I just had Scarlet run to my room to tell me the most obvious stuff and didn't even realize her top was exposed."

  Hoat looks over to Lina. "Well, were they nice, at least?"

  Lina nods. "Yeah, I'm kind of jealous now."

  Hoat looks across the room to Harley but continues talking to Lina. "She about snatched the soul out of my body. I hope none of us got robbed because I was distracted all night. We had a great time, by the way. Watched the stars, even had a little night swim."

  Lina chuckles softly, seeing Hoat in such high spirits. "Sounds like quite the night. Just remember, focus today. We've got the Battle of the Baronies ahead."

  Hoat nods, his expression turning serious. "Absolutely. We've trained for this. Let's show them why we're the best."

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  With a shared nod of determination, they head into the great hall, ready to face the day's challenges and again prove their mettle.

  After they finish breakfast, Lina leads them to the forest just outside the city, escorted by a kingdom official. Once they arrive at their starting location, Gauge begins pulling out silver weapons, each tailored for a specific group member. Hoat is handed a spear, Teric receives a staff, Scarlet is given a rapier, Harley gets two crossbows and twelve throwing knives along with a hundred bolts, Flynn receives a short sword and a shield, and Lina is handed two scimitars.

  Gauge looks into the bag and sighs, tilting his head. "I didn't make myself a mace and shield." He appears noticeably aggravated with himself. Flynn sighs and then hands him his shield.

  "I brought my weapons. I figured you'd make me something magical. You seem to forget I don't use magic items. It's okay, though; you need a shield and a weapon," Flynn says calmly, trying to ease Gauge's frustration.

  Gauge nods, grateful, and straps on the shield. "Thanks, Flynn. Sorry about that oversight. Let's get ready. We have a battle to win."

  With their weapons ready and spirits focused, they prepare for the Battle of the Baronies, knowing that teamwork and strategy will be crucial in securing victory.

  The official pointed to the sky, drawing everyone's attention to a magic sphere exploding above. "That is the signal for the start of the battle," he announced.

  As the signal flared, the entirety of Krimlond was already in motion, swiftly running the arena's perimeter. Their years of training and teamwork had honed their reflexes, and they moved with practiced efficiency. The first barony they encountered was Razlond, led by Merlot, who, despite his current title as King Consort, still held allegiance to Razlond. His previous title of Baron had been relinquished due to his marriage, as he could not hold both positions simultaneously.

  Flynn throws a knife, triggering a trap he had hidden nearby. The trap explodes, covering the area in oil. Harley quickly shoots a flaming bolt at their location, causing the oil to ignite and engulfing their opponents in flames. The Krimlond's ranged casters and archers take out their healers before they even realize they have been attacked.

  Hoat, Flynn, and Lina, the melee fighters, rush in and begin wiping out their weaker members first. As they do this, Teric and Gauge cast spells to slow down and remove the spell shields of the remaining members. Meanwhile, Scarlet and Harley expertly dispatch Merlot. Watching their most potent member fall before he can even react takes the fight out of the rest of the members. They are quickly wiped out in under two minutes.

  The kingdom healers run in and start healing the Razlond members, then begin to escort them out of the area. Merlot sighs with a smile. "See, I told you all the ice imbuement was a trick. I'm glad we did not spend all that gold on flaming weapons. We would have been out of so much gold."

  The other members, visibly aggravated, claim they cheated somehow. Merlot reminds them, "There is no cheating in war. They used strategy and cunning to win."

  Lina and her team regroup, catching their breath. Gauge looks around, satisfied with the outcome. "Well done, everyone. We executed that perfectly."

  Lina nods. "Let's stay sharp. There may be more challenges ahead."

  Flynn leads the group to another Potential area for another barony. Erenlond ambushes them.

  Despite its poverty, Erenlond is renowned for its pride and magical prowess. The village is home to various druids and forest-dwelling creatures such as fairies and other fae beings. These beings are known throughout the kingdom for their exceptional magical abilities and skill in crafting powerful magical items. In exchange for their services, the kingdom of Razlond protects the inhabitants of Erenlond.

  The Baroness is a fairy named Lavender, a druid by trade. She is fiercely protective of every living creature in her forest. Her clothing is as vibrant as her personality, and she often wears colorful outfits that complement her striking red hair and piercing green eyes.

  Erenlond champions are easily recognizable by their green and brown scarves or sashes, as they strongly believe that tabards are tacky and ugly. The inhabitants of Erenlond take immense pride in their community and its history, working hard to maintain their way of life amidst the challenges of poverty and their obligation to protect the kingdom's magical interests.

  They rained fire magic on Krimlond, not realizing they had changed their imbuement to fire in the middle of the night.

  As Lina and her team prepare, they become aware of Erenlond's unique strengths. Erenlond's inhabitants' magical prowess and deep connection with nature make them formidable opponents.

  Lina gathers her team for a quick strategy meeting. " Got to be Erenlond. Their magical abilities and connection with the forest make them a tough opponent. We need to be cautious and prepared for anything."

  Gauge nods. "Their druids and fae are known for their powerful magic. We should be ready to counter their spells and use the environment to our advantage."

  Flynn adds, "We should disrupt their magical formations. If we can break their concentration, it will weaken their spells."

  Harley chimes in, "I'll focus on taking out their spellcasters from a distance. That should help reduce their magical impact."

  Scarlet nods, "And I'll be ready to engage any threats that get too close. Let's make sure we stay coordinated and protect each other."

  Flynn darts into the forest towards the source of the magic, with Gauge and Teric close behind him. The casters of Erenlond put up a fierce fight. Flynn suddenly crashes into an invisible magic wall. Teric quickly disenchants the wall and casts a few protective shields on Flynn.

  Meanwhile, Lavender and a few other members of Erenlond emerge from the forest on the opposite side from where Flynn and the others had headed. “Gotcha,” Lavender says as she casts a spell on Hoat, encasing him in ice. Lina screams out for Teric to return. Harley and Scarlet, reacting professionally, rush in and dispatch two of the Erenlond members with Lavender.

  Lina also reacts, attacking Lavender, but finds her to be a formidable opponent. Lavender conjures a creature made of insects to attack the three Krimlond members. Lina begins casting fire magic on the insects, but they sting Scarlet, poisoning her. Scarlet falls to the ground as boils start to grow all over her. Harley dives to her side and pours a potion down her throat before beginning to shoot at Lavender, hitting her in the arm.

  Lavender, now severely wounded, tries to retreat but is stopped mid-air by a blue magic box surrounding her. Teric emerges from the forest, his hand raised, holding the fairy with his magic. He squeezes his hand, crushing the fairy's body. Lavender falls to the ground and attempts to heal herself, but Hoat, now free from the ice, stabs her, ending the fight.

  Hoat then rushes to the other side, where Flynn and Gauge are still engaged in combat with the remaining members of Erenlond.

  Flynn is in a fierce battle with a druid wielding nature magic, roots, and vines lashing out at him. Gauge fends off another opponent, using his shield and sword to block and parry attacks. Hoat quickly assesses the situation and joins Flynn, his spear flashing in a series of rapid strikes that force the druid to back off.

  Teric and Lina follow closely behind, with Lina casting fireballs to clear a path through the dense underbrush and Teric providing magical support by dispelling any enchantments the Erenlond casters try to use.

  The combined efforts of Krimlond quickly turn the tide of the battle. Flynn, with Hoat's assistance, manages to take down the druid. Gauge delivers a decisive blow to his opponent, incapacitating them. The remaining Erenlond members, seeing their leaders defeated and their spells countered, begin to falter.

  The Krimlond team overwhelms the last Erenlond fighters with a final coordinated push. The battlefield falls silent, save for the combatants' heavy breathing.

  Lina looks around, ensuring that all her team members are safe. Scarlet, though still recovering from the insect poison, can stand with Harley's help. The team regroups, their spirits lifted by the hard-fought victory.

  "We did it," Lina says, her voice filled with relief and pride. "Let's tend to Scarlet." The team gathers around Scarlet, still recovering from the insect poison. Harley administers another potion while Teric and Gauge use their healing magic to help mend her wounds. Scarlet slowly regains her strength, and the boils on her skin fade.

  As they heal each other, Lina begins to plan. "Looks like Solond is the last one. If we win, that means we took out all three baronies by ourselves. It wasn't quite my plan, but it worked anyway."

  Hoat chuckles, "We're just that good. But Solond shouldn't be underestimated. They have the numbers, and their leader, Edmond, is a master strategist when sober."

  Flynn nods, "True, but we've faced tougher odds before. We'll need to be smart about this and use our strengths to our advantage."

  Gauge adds, "Edmond’s strategy will be the key. We might stand a better chance if we can outmaneuver or catch him off guard."

  Harley, still watching Scarlet, chimes in, "Their strength is in their numbers. We need to thin them out quickly and disrupt their formations."

  Despite being the largest of all the baronies, Solond is a barony often underestimated by many. The people of Solond are primarily engaged in farming and are known for indulging in alcohol. Unlike Krimlond, which prioritizes quality over quantity, Solond is more inclined towards a "quantity over quality" approach, as they are known to take in anyone who seeks refuge within their walls.

  At the helm of the barony is a knight named Edmond, also known as a notorious drunkard. Despite his tendency to drink heavily, he is a master of war and a skilled strategist. It is said that he has no equal when it comes to warfare, but only when he's sober. Edmond is recognized by his distinct yellow tabard with a black star in the center, while his fellow baronial members wear quartered tabards in black and yellow.

  As Lina and her team prepare for the next phase of the competition, they know Solond, led by Edmond, is a formidable opponent. Despite their reputation for taking in anyone and being heavy drinkers, they cannot be underestimated. Edmond's strategic prowess, when he's sober, is legendary, and Solond's sheer numbers can be overwhelming.

  Flynn looks to Lina, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “I’ll ask some birds if they have eyes on a large group of humans.” He performs a bird call, and shortly after, an owl swoops down and lands gracefully on his hand. The bird looks at Flynn and chirps a few times. Flynn pulls out some snacks and offers them to the owl.

  “Did you just pay the bird?” Teric asks, unable to suppress his amusement.

  Flynn giggles, "Of course. They don't work for free, you know." The owl takes the snacks, gives a hoot of acknowledgment, and flies off.

  Lina shakes her head, smiling at the exchange. "It never ceases to amaze me how you effortlessly communicate with animals."

  Flynn nods, his expression turning serious. "The owl will scout the area and report back. In the meantime, we should prepare for anything."

  Hoat chuckles, "Looks like Flynn’s secret army is more efficient than most of the scouts we’ve had."

  Harley, still tending to her crossbows, adds, "And probably more reliable. I’d trust an owl over some of the people we’ve encountered any day."

  As they wait for the owl to return, the team takes a moment to catch their breath and regroup. They know that despite their recent victories, they can’t afford to let their guard down.

  After a short while, the owl returns, landing on Flynn's shoulder and hooting softly in his ear. Flynn listens intently, nodding as the owl communicates its findings. He then looks to Lina and the others.

  "The owl spotted a large group of humans moving through the forest about a mile north of here. It looks like Solond is mobilizing their forces."

  Lina's eyes narrow in determination. "Alright, everyone. This is it. We need to move quickly and take them by surprise. If we can disrupt their formation, we stand a good chance of winning."

  With a final nod, the team sets off toward the location the owl had indicated. They move swiftly and silently through the forest, their senses heightened and ready for the impending battle.

  As they approach the area, they can hear Solond’s soldiers marching. Lina signals the team to spread out and take their positions, ready to spring the ambush.

  Once again, taking the lead, Flynn scouts the enemy's exact position. He returns quickly, his face set in grim determination.

  "They’re right ahead. Edmond is with them, giving orders. This is our chance to strike."

  Lina nods, her scimitars at the ready. "On my signal."

  The team braces themselves, the tension palpable in the air. Lina raises her hand and signals the attack with a swift motion.

  Flynn, Hoat, and Lina charge forward, engaging the Solond soldiers head-on. Harley and Scarlet unleash a hail of bolts, taking down several soldiers before they can react. Gauge and Teric cast spells to create confusion and disrupt the enemy’s formations.

  The battle is fierce and chaotic, but the Krimlond team fights with precision and unity. Realizing the attack, Edmond tries to rally his troops, but the coordinated assault from Krimlond is overwhelming.

  Hoat manages to break through the enemy lines and confront Edmond. Their weapons clash in a fierce duel, but Hoat’s determination and skill eventually give him the upper hand. With a decisive strike, Hoat disarms Edmond and knocks him to the ground.

  Seeing their leader fall, the remaining Solond soldiers begin to lose morale. The Krimlond team presses the advantage, quickly taking down the remaining resistance.

  In a matter of minutes, the forest falls silent once again. The Krimlond team stands victorious, taking down the last Solond forces. Kingdom officials tend to the wounded and escort the defeated soldiers out of the area.

  Lina looks around at her team, pride swelling in her chest. "We did it. We took down all three baronies. This is our victory."

  Her team cheers, the realization of their achievement sinking in. They had not only proven their strength but also their unity and strategy. They celebrated their hard-fought victory.

  The kingdom officials escort them to the palace's Great Hall, where the queen meets them. "Congratulations, Krimlond. You have once again won the Battle of Baronies. This victory has us wanting to know your secrets on how you are the smallest barony but prove time and time again that you are the most powerful."

  Lina bows deeply and simply replies, "Every member of Krimlond trains and is given a job. I only ask them to know that job so well that they master it."

  The queen smiles, clearly impressed. "Your dedication and discipline are commendable. It is no wonder you have achieved such success." She gestures for them to rise. "Tomorrow, we celebrate your victory by allowing you to have the first pick of the Tournament combatants.”

  The queen summoned Lina to a private meeting to discuss a crucial letter she had given to Merlot. Lina stood silently, absorbing the weighty information the queen shared. The presence of all eight Lords of Necromancy was a grave concern, and mentioning an informant who had survived an encounter with their champion added a layer of complexity to the situation.

  "Your Majesty," Lina said, her voice steady, "I understand the importance of this mission. My top priorities will be protecting Runner and gathering intelligence on the Lords of Necromancy. I will ensure he is kept safe and closely monitored during the tournament."

  The queen nodded, her expression a mix of concern and determination. "Thank you, Lina. I trust your judgment and capabilities. The threat posed by the Lords of Necromancy is severe, and we need information we can gather about their plans and movements."

  Lina bowed respectfully. "I will not let you down, Your Majesty. I will meet with Runner and assess the situation personally. If he poses any threat or if there is any indication of collusion with the undead, I will handle it accordingly."

  The queen placed a hand on Lina's shoulder, a rare gesture of personal connection. "Be careful, Lina. The Lords of Necromancy are powerful and cunning. Trust your instincts, and rely on your team's strengths."

  Lina nodded, feeling the weight of the responsibility and the confidence in her abilities and her team. "I will, Your Majesty. We'll keep you informed of any developments."

  As Lina left the room, her mind raced with thoughts of the coming challenge. Protecting Runner and uncovering the plans of the Lords of Necromancy took a lot of work, but she knew her team was up to the task. She returned to the Great Hall to find her comrades, ready to share the news and prepare for the days ahead.

  Later that evening, Lina gathered her team in a private room at the embassy. "We have a new mission," she begins, her tone serious. "The queen has asked us to protect and observe a man named Runner. He claims to have encountered the Lords of Necromancy and fought their champion."

  The team listens closely, their expressions reflecting a mix of curiosity and concern.

  "Runner is training to enter the tournament tomorrow," Lina continues. "Our job is to keep him safe and gather any information about his encounters. We need to be vigilant and ready for anything."

  Hoat nods, his usual playful demeanor replaced with determination. "Understood, Lina. We'll keep an eye on him."

  Flynn asks, "Do we know what he looks like or where to find him?"

  Lina shakes her head. "Not yet, but we'll find out tomorrow at the tournament. For now, let's rest and be prepared. We have a long day ahead."

  As the team disperses to their quarters, Lina feels a sense of anticipation. The battle of the baronies was a significant victory, but the real challenge was just beginning.