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--donation bonus (day #25, post 2/5)--
<“Ah--we’ve received word that Abolish will be taking a group of Atreyan soldiers to attack Rendon tomorrow. If we’re going to prevent war, then we’re out of time. We need you back in Atreya tonight. Or at the very latest, tomorrow morning.”>

Helen shut her eyes and rubbed her forehead. “Why have they accelerated their plans?”

<“They’re afraid the Vanguard will show up and ruin everything for them. Our source says they just want to get the war started and then book it.”>

She didn’t need to ask who the source was. She knew it was David, and she knew she shouldn’t doubt the validity of his information.

‘Well, that sure as hell changes things,’ said Voreese, and she eyed Kohzek again. ‘We’re out of options here. If you don’t help us right now, then it’s war. You understand that?’

Kohzek shook his head. ‘I am sorry, but if I must make an immediate decision, then I cannot assign anyone to help you.’

‘Fucking bullshit!’

Helen had to contain herself. “Then you doom my people to misery and death,” she said, calmer than she wanted to. “It was my understanding that the Vanguard considered protecting innocents from Abolish a moral imperative. If you cannot help--”

Darsihm intervened. ‘Now just hold on a minute there. How many enemy servants are we talking about here?’

‘Seven,’ said Mehlsanz.

‘I see,’ said Darsihm. ‘Do you know all of their names?’

Voreese had them covered. ‘Desmond Grantier, Andres Geth, Nola Pauls, Tessa Shelrick, Conall Learen, and then Hanjir and Karkash, whose last names remain unknown.’

‘Hmm.’ Darsihm exchanged looks with his servant. ‘There are no big name threats, at least. What do you think?’

Harper scratched the top of his head. “Eh, I don’t think I can fight seven at once. Assuming there’s nobody problematic involved, I could probably take three or four, but--”

‘Holy shit,’ said Voreese, ‘are you seriously offering? Because you wouldn’t need to fight by yourself. Roman’s pretty strong, and Queenie’s not too bad, and we’ve got two more combatants waiting for us back home.’

“Oh.” Harper smiled. “Well, okay then.”