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Troy Avalon and the Third Dispatch arrived in Echo city just as the sun was setting. The party of men and women passed new farms that from the size of them could not have been there more than a month and houses that were half way through construction. The city had obviously quickly become a hive of activity since he had left. The path they took led the party into the city from the north route which ran along the river. Fishing boats, rafts, and even war crafts were laying anchor in the Echo harbor and the din of merchants trying to sell their goods could be heard all the way from where they stood. Troy stopped dead in his tracks as he reached the city center and gaped in silent awe. To say Echo had changed was an understatement. The central square was now fully paved in flagstones and in the center lay a giant monument to Nordland. The Sheepist Temple, the Rotunda Theater, the guilds, and shops that lined the square were packed with people each yelling to be heard over the other.
A man in a blue coat seemed to notice their arrival and approached the Dispatch members. He bowed deeply and then pulled a scrap of paper from his coat pocket. "Troy Avalon I presume? I have been given orders to meet you here. The Baron requests that the memebers of the Third Dispatch report to the Historic Investigation Guild in the Science District where you will report your findings and deposit the retrieved artifacts." A collective sigh emerged from the group who had been hoping to find an inn and relax. With crestfallen expressions the group changed directions and began to head back the way they came. Troy was about to turn as well when the man continued. "You are not going with then Master Avalon. The Baron has requested that you be brought to him the second you returned to Echo." Troy was startled. It was considered the highest honor to have an audience with the Baron. So why was he receiving it? With one last look at his companions, who looked as stunned as he did, Troy turned to the man who spun on one heel and led the way to Echo Manor.
Echo Manor. The name didn't serve the building justice. It had once been some rich noble's summer home that now was completely transformed into an elaborate fortified estate that served as both home to the Baron and as the hub for all political activity. The two men passed by rooms where people were discussing in hushed voices and some where sheep were passing around trays of tea. Someone coming in the opposite direction bumped into him as they passed. He was about to call after then man when he saw who it was. Dalon, Leo's personal bodyguard. A man wrapped in rumors and questions. Not a man to trifle with. The man in the blue coat urged him on till they reached the main chamber where the Baron held audience. The doors swung open to reveal the Sheep Throne.
Leo Dine turned from Near as he heard the doors open. The man who was escorting Troy bowed once more and left. The Baron lifted an eyebrow when the man sank to a knee. "Troy Avalon! I just received word from Near that you had arrived in Echo. No I insist that you stand. All this bowing and scrapping is infuriating to no end. You are a hard man to track down. Your reports were all the information we had of your location which is why we had to send the messages to the major cities with orders for you to return. I apologize if I have caused too much trouble to your dispatch but your presence is urgent. As you are probably aware, war has broken out in the north of Wintergleam. I can not accept this kind of action in my own county you must understand. But I also cannot just go north and quell the fighting with brute force. The fighting is for now localized between two cities. Should I openly intervene this conflict may escalate to civil war which is unacceptable." Troy stood baffled. It had been ages since the last time Wintergleam had seen war. 'I'm no soldier. Why am I here?' he thought.
"Your expression leads me to my next point." The Baron continued. "The reason I have called for you is because of your knowledge of northern Wintergleam. You grew up there and know its customs and more importantly you know some of the most powerful families, belonging to one yourself." Troy flinched at this comment. His past was not one he wished to remember. "I realize that my request may be cruel, but you have proven yourself worthy and loyal which above all else in times like these." Troy hovered between emotions of honor and fear. He had given up his life in the cities to serve as a freelance ranger. Chances were he was no longer welcome in the courts of Prague.
His train of though was interrupted as the Baron stood. "Master Avalon. We will meet with Near presently and you will be briefed on what it is we require of you in the North." With that the two men left the room leaving the heavy silence of dusk behind.
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More to come
