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Oscar looks at Rook with such great anticipation it borderlines anguish.

Rook: I got to know Mayor Reece quite well in my time with the Militia. I served quite a bit of time in Baxter at his request. He’s operates very different than the other mayors. As a matter of fact, he’s the only mayor not appointed by the Militia.

Melanie: Wait, that doesn’t make sense. Aren’t the mayors just figureheads for the Militia?

Rook: Typically. But you see, far before the Militia had made any ground in this game, Reece had already claimed Baxter for himself.

A scene flashes of Reece, holding his axe at the ready. He and the axe are covered in blood, and bodies are scattered around him.

Rook: During the early game, before the Militia stabilized the cities, everything was chaos and anarchy. Everyone desperately trying to kill each other, no place to rest. In this chaos Reece rose and single handedly conquered and stabilized the entire city of Baxter. Baxter eventually came at peace because Reece personally killed anyone who tried to cause trouble there.

Rook: Eventually when the Militia formed, they decided to just leave him in charge of Baxter as a matter of convenience. He only agreed because of that same convenience.

Oscar: So this is going to get me my gloves how?

Rook: I was just making a point. Though Reece is technically a mayor for the Militia, he abides by his own rules and rules Baxter as he pleases.

Melanie: So the Militia’s ‘wanted’ list wouldn’t mean shit to him, you’re saying.

Iricryo: Woah, woah, you are still jumping the gun a little here. You can’t honestly think that he would just let us come and go freely from his city! I mean, he’s still a Militia mayor!

Rook: Reece values only one aspect when judging a person, and that is how strong they are. If he deems someone strong enough, it doesn’t matter who they are or what the Militia has to say about them. Of course, vice-versa is also true, and those considered too weak aren’t allowed to enter Baxter.

Sarah: So it’s a giant gathering of muscle-heads. Great.

Iricryo: Well, still…I don’t see…

Black Fox: Master Iricryo! The rare items carried by such powerful people as those who gather in Baxter, as well as Reece’s collection, would be a great boost to the guild! Great idea to volunteer your group to go hunting there!

Blue Bird: Master-Iricryo-is-always-on-top-of-the-game.

Red Hunt: …no one can stop him.

Oscar: Great idea, Iricryo! And I can get my gloves while we’re there!

Rook: I would like to go there, also. There is a sword there that I have been eyeing for a long time, and now that my current one has been destroyed it’s the perfect time for me to try and get it.

Iricryo: Well, I guess that’s the plan then…

Melanie: Hey, idiots. Are you forgetting we’re nowhere even near Baxter right now. Making a far shorter trip nearly led to our deaths. There is no way we would ever make it to Baxter alive the way things are now.

Black Fox: Just leave that part up to us. Rest up for now, for tomorrow, the Grand Legion of Rare Hunters will show you their greatness!

Timmy: Looks to me like Grandi should be our destination.

He hops onto his bird. Osmond is swinging his sword around playfully.

Timmy: Come on, stop dicking around. We know where we’re going now, and it’s about a day’s trip.

Osmond: Uh, that’s what you said the last four times.

Timmy: No, you picked the last few based on hunches. Remember, you made an entire speech about how you saw this guy like seven times and you knew where he was?

Osmond: Actually…I think I do remember saying something about that.

Timmy: And as much fun as all those side trips have been, I think it’s time we do this before Domo gets pissy.

Osmond: Please, like any of the other groups have done their job yet. We have time.

Timmy: You know what, fine. I’ll go, you can walk.

He throws his sword across his back and dashes after the bird, running at such a fast speed that a giant cloud of dust picks up in his wake.

Melanie: Someone explain to me why we want to go back in there.

Black Fox: The underground tram system the Militia uses connects all the major cities. Grandi’s is close to the entrance of the city.

Rook: Oh, yes. I know about that. It’s how the Militia transport troops from one city to another, and how the Mayors get around so quickly. I’ve used it quite a few times myself.   But it’s only for use of authorized military personnel.

Black Fox: So they say, but we have been using it without alerting any attention from the Militia for quite some time now. It just requires some know-how.

Melanie: Still doesn’t mean we can just walk through the city to get to it, even if it is close to the entrance. We’ll be jumped the moment we set foot in the city.

Black Fox laughs, and holds up a bundle of black cloaks like he and the rest of his guild wear.

Black Fox: Not with these! One of our own special designs, it lets us get in and out of places without being noticed.

Black Fox: No one would ever expect a small dog or a bird to be up to something suspicious, would they?

Melanie: Well, I guess you have a point.

Oscar: Yeah, whatever, give me one!

Black Fox: Might want to let me explain how these work first…

Timmy lays back lazily on his bird, relaxing. He glances under him with a smirk at Osmond who is still dashing behind him.

Timmy: Geez, I can’t believe he followed me all night like that. He’s got a lot of endurance.

A couple of random players look up at the sky as Timmy’s bird passes by.

Player: Woah, never seen anything like that before. What do you think it is?

Before they can finish that thought, they are thrown to the ground by the force of Osmond running by them. As the dust clears, the players scramble in confusion.

Osmond: Timmy you asshole! Wait!

Timmy: Don’t worry, Grandi’s just a few more miles! Try to keep up!

Osmond: Uh, why are you being douche!