"Root me sideways, Korin!" shouted Tara. "How in the Elders' names did you end up with that mess?"

  They were in Tara's study. It had been a couple of months since she got a proper room at the Town Hall for her administrative work. But she had to spend so much time elsewhere, cheg the work of others or attendiings, that this study still didn't feel lived-in.

  Tara chuckled. "You know, it's funny that I'm an Elder now, and still swear by their name. Old habits die hard. So, Korin, what do you have for me?"

  "We have to gather troops!" excimed Korin defensively. "That bitch…!"

  "Whie of them are you talking abht now?" asked Tara. "The undead one, or the traitorous one? You know, the fact that both of them are free is totally your fault. Twice already."

  "Don't provoke me Tara," said Korin. "I aowledge your status as the leader of the rangers and town's Elder, but I've lost Perrin! We had to dig a grave for him right there, in the forest, in the frozen ground."

  "Again, whose fault is that?" said Tara. "How did it even happen that you were ambushed so easily?"

  "This facility was abandoned since years ago," said Korin. "And I had to stay with Talin, while they explored. Talin was already injured, but I've sent the guys to secure the building."

  "We all know how it ended," said Tara. "So, what now?"

  "There are only two of them there," said Korin. "Yes, they ambushed us and caught us by surprise. But now we know about them and we o do something."

  "Korin, when are you going to bee a solution man, and not a problem man?" asked Tara. "I have enough trouble with the townsfolk and our… hm… partners from other towns. How do you pn to solve this issue?"

  "We o send a decisive force," said Korin. "Who knows what could these two do if they are left alohey've done enough already. And that's not even taking into sideration that stash we found there. It's the rgest haul since Harn Thorn was in charge of exploration."

  Tara whistled in surprise. "That big? What did you see there?" she asked.

  "We didn't have much time to explore, as you know," Korin said. "What we saw in the halls that were previously sealed were the standard small gadgets like radios and wristbands. But even if that's the only type of devices there is, it will supply us for years and allow us to boost trade. you imagihe level of influe would give Mountaihe level of influe would secure for you?"

  Korin's voice was being slimy. Tara never saw him trying to be so persuasive. He really wao do away with his old subordinate. And she could uand why. Li has bee his personal burden, a huge dark blot on his reputation.

  "I end yero deal with that traitor," said Tara after taking a brief moment to think. "But we are not in position to do it alone. You and I saw it with out own eyes what this undead do. We withe se on the execution day. This operation needs more people. Preferably rangers who are motivated well enough and ready to die."

  Tara stood up from her table ao the door of her study.

  "Brenna! e over here!" Tara waited until her aide approached befiving orders. "Draft a message for our partners. This is a security issue we all have to deal together. But don't mention our findings yet. We'd better keep it as a bargaining chip."

  She turo Korin. "Brenna will help you taeam on other side and will be in charge of the joint force."

  "Do we really he outsiders' intervention?" asked Korin.

  "Yes, we hat. Even if that means we'll have to share," said Tara. "Your previous enters only firmed that."

  She returo her table.

  "I agree that this problem has to be solved ond for all," said Tara. "But we have to be smart and I don't want to lose more people than necessary. We have lost too many rangers in the past months already."

  Tara returned her focus to the dots piled in front of her.

  "Dismissed."

  She waited until Korin was almost out of the door and said: "Korin, don't mess it up this time."

  "Yes, ma'am."