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All of this--combined with Vito’s previous reports about an Abolish attack on Livingston Grand Castle--was enough to give Hector serious pause. With Prince David now apparently being “stuck” over there, thanks to the travel problems, Hector had been considering going there himself in order to ensure the Prince’s safety.

But was the Prince actually stuck? Or was he just telling Vito to report that, because he wanted to stay in Intar, despite the obvious danger? It was certainly curious how the Prince didn’t seem to be making any requests for further assistance, either with security or travel. Almost like he didn’t want anyone else finding out what he was up to.

Hmm.

Honestly, if that was the case, then that would be even more reason for Hector to go. Prince David may have been smart as hell, but sometimes, smart people had their own way of being stupid.

He didn’t want to have to put the screws to Vito in order to get the full truth, but perhaps that was exactly what needed to be done.

Really, though, the main thing preventing Hector from setting out right away was the concern of leaving Warrenhold and Lorent undefended from another Abolish incursion.

After the battle with Banda, when he’d called back the treasure-hunting teams from abroad, Garovel convinced him to retask some of them with scouting missions instead of just keeping them all here for extra defense.

‘Right now, intel is more valuable than military might or any amount of treasure,’ the reaper had told him.

And so those who’d been willing to go--of which there’d been several--had set out to investigate the different fronts of the continental war. Isaac Sebolt’s team, which had already been scouting Sair, also received a few reinforcements, including some powerful volunteers from Hahl Saqqaf.

The attack on Warrenhold by Banda Toro had been far too close of a call for Hector’s liking. If not for Pauline’s help, the bastards might’ve actually infiltrated the castle without anyone realizing.

And there was no telling what might’ve happened then.

That was why Isaac’s team was so important, right now. They needed sharp eyes on Bloodeye’s armies.

To that end, the Sandlords had come up with some anti-invisibility tech that they were happy to share--Haqq Najir, especially. When he wasn’t hassling Hector for extra funding, the man had been working himself ragged. Apparently, he’d been quite displeased with the results of Hahl Saqqaf’s recent projects, and he was in no way keeping that displeasure to himself.