"I think we should take this opportunity to make them see the way of the shadows." You say.
"What?!" Yvette exclaims.
"Are you serious?" Talia asks.
"Well okay maybe not all of them, but I'd think that with the right teaching they could become valuable assets."
"NO! These are the enemy and must be destroyed! You said so yourself when we first began this mission!" Yvette says.
"And perhaps I was a bit hasty. I can't be entitled to speak out of turn and make a mistake once in awhile?"
"No brother, but I think leaving these…abominations alive for whatever reason is a bigger mistake."
"Abominations…and I suppose you believe me and Talia are abominations too eh sister?"
"Wha…no! I mean…(sputter) you're different! You…"
"How? Me, Talia, and Cyrus for that matter were all brought up from birth and indoctrinated to serve the Empire, but what happened? We saw the truth of Dendrin's wisdom instead! Is it not possible that these…children who aren't even as old as we were be re-educated to do the same?"
"Well…I suppose, but…"
"Think about it sister, some of the greatest enemies of the Empire were brought up within the very heart of it! Let's continue to turn the Empire's obsessive need for control against itself! And better yet, bring more servants into the fold of Dendrin."

Sister Yvette looks a bit hesitant, it's obvious she has some real problems with this plan, but she isn't really sure how to argue against you. Part of it stems from you making a bit of a point, and the other stems from the fact that despite her own confidence being better than it was, she still feels inferior to you…perhaps that's just the aura you have as an Eternal though.

"Yes…I suppose I see the wisdom in attempting to educate these children in the ways of Dendrin." Sister Yvette says. She might not believe it now, but in time she'll either convince herself or get used to it. Either way you just need her obedience.

As for the remainder of the shadows if they have anything meaningful to say on the subject they keep it to themselves. That just leaves Talia, who is going to require a little bit more convincing since you sense her look of disagreement.

"Um…sister Yvette, could you and the rest leave me and sister Talia alone for a moment."

As the rest of them leave, you move over to Talia who looks out over the hundreds of eternal containers.

"I sense some disapproval from this plan?"
"Not so much disapproval, but rather apprehension."
"What about the training? I know it won't be easy, but I figure we can open up that ritual portal to Dendrin and let him decide if they're worthy or not, you know, like he did with us."
"And you know how to do that? Because I sure don't! It's not like Master Ebon or Brother Gray imparted that knowledge on to me before they died!"
"Well your magic is strong, and hey I know Cyrus has some old shadow tomes back at Fort Defiance, we can probably find something in there about it."
"Well I'm glad you seem to have this all figured out then, just wish you would've let me on this sooner."
"I would have, but this honestly just came to mind. I mean how was I to know that these kids were going to be safely locked up in oversized glass tubes? I thought we were going to be waist deep in their blood by now."
"So who is going to train them? I know it's not going to be you. Me I suppose right?"
"Well…you would be the best qualified…but hey Sister Yvette could help you and other shadows too! In fact I could have some transferred here just in case of an Empire attack when…"
"Damn it I'm not worried about all that, I'm wondering WHY you came up with this plan at all! I know there's another reason than just turning them against the Empire or even bringing new shadows into Dendrin's fold and don't say that there isn't! We're the same and we've bonded as lovers. I know there's more going on in your head because I know YOU. Now tell me.

Talia never was one to mince words and perhaps it is time you didn't either.

"Very well my love. You should know everything."

And from there you tell Talia everything…except you don't.

You tell her that Dendrin did not only speak to you on the day Gloom was attacked, you tell her he's spoken to you in the past on several occasions. You just never said anything about it before Gloom because you didn't want to be thought a liar and be labeled a heretic.

You also tell her that Dendrin has urged you to follow your own path and to seize leadership of the shadows. You didn't want to initially because you wanted to try to hold things together because things seemed so fractured, but given that Dendrin has recently warned you about Cyrus' potential treachery you thought it might be best to have another group of allies in case the worst occurs.

"So…we're keeping this a secret from Cyrus?"
"Yes, I think that would be for the best. If he knew about this, you know he'd be against it. Cyrus is clinging to the old shadow ways and still has clout, but that will be coming to an end soon."
"I dunno…I mean I agree that Cyrus shouldn't be leader and that you would make an excellent shadow master especially since Dendrin talks to you, but hiding things from Cyrus and possibly planning for his death? I mean is there no other way? He's not just a shadow, he's one of us."
"So are a few other eternals from our class if you remember. These little bastards here were going to be against us until we intervened…which bring me to my other reason and this one is harder for me to tell because it involves you and me."
"All of this involves the both of us, what else could it possibly be that would trouble me more than conspiracy against one of our brothers?"

You bring up the very real and unaltered truth that Dendrin told you about eternals. The fact that none of you are able to have children due how you were created. Talia gets quiet and sits down for a moment. She tries very hard not to cry, but her voice is obviously quivering when she speaks again.

"…I…guess (sniff) that explains a lot…but um…I mean Dendrin could do something…I mean he…"
"Dendrin… (Sigh) …how do I put this? Dendrin is…complex. It's true that he helps us directly by granting our magical abilities and perhaps in ways of major importance when he warned me about Gloom, but he's not here to collectively hold the hands of the shadows. (You can't believe you just repeated Dendrin's own words) He would prefer that the shadows made their own destiny as it were. I mean, I'm sure if he wanted to, he could've just laid waste to the Empire a long time ago, but he didn't. He wanted the shadows to endure and in enduring grow stronger from the situation they were placed in. Just like you…we will have to endure in not being able to have children. But getting back to the heart of the matter, that's part of why I decided that we should try to save these young eternals. I mean you'll get to train them first hand in the ways of Dendrin. It would almost be like you were the mother of several hundred eternal shadows."
"But then they can never produce offspring either."
"Well we don't know that. I mean it looks like they've been altered in a significantly different way. But even if they can't so what? If we had had children there would be no guarantee that they'd all survive to reproduce either. You mustn't worry about this, because after all is said and done, you will still be doing Dendrin's work and serving him faithfully and really isn't that what it's all about?"

You look into her eyes and touch her on the shoulder. She grabs your hand on her shoulder and looks down for a moment and breathes deeply. After a couple of seconds she looks back up at you.

"Very well, this does seem to be a suitable course of action. But quite frankly I don't think we can save all of these children. Some of them are going to be lost causes and if the Empire ever attacks this place in force, we're going to have to collapse this place anyway, we can't properly defend it, at least not at this time."
"Of course, I agree. I trust you will do what you can."
"I always do my love."

With this new plan settled, you and Talia kiss each other before parting company. You tell Sister Yvette that she is to report to Talia directly now and that you'll be contacting Brother Theo about the new changes. Fortunately he's still alive, when you check to see how those other shadow cell attack turned out. No reports have even come in about the attack on the camp, which isn't too surprising given all the chaos going on elsewhere that brother Theo caused and the fact you didn't leave any survivors or let anyone escape.

Eventually you make your way back to Rask which you're happy to find out Cyrus was smart enough to not risk attacking Fort Destiny. Unfortunately he caused a different set back entirely. Talia was about the only one keeping the Flog and the rest of his orcs on good terms. You rarely interacted with him and he never got along with Cyrus who was usually condescending to him. While you were gone apparently a small skirmish ensued between the orcs and shadows. Amazingly nobody was actually killed, but several were wounded and ultimately Flog left with the remainder of the orcs.

"What?! They're gone? Where?!" you ask.
"How should I know, further north I think where the rest of those overgrown idiots dwell. I don't care, we don't need them anyway!" Cyrus says. "And where is Sister Talia? Did you get her killed in your foolish mission?"
"No our mission was a success, and she'll be taking care of some of the business we have in the south from now on because it's apparent my attention should start being more focused here."
"Oh so now you've decided that, after all those times I've suggested that since you first arrived here? You know what, I've been putting in work here for nearly a decade now, what makes you even think you know what the best plan of action is here?"
"Well I wouldn't have pissed off our orc allies if I had the desire to attack Fort Destiny for one. (Sigh) Cyrus I'm on your side for Dendrin's sake! I mean we're supposed to be fighting the Empire, not each other. Can't you see that brother?"

Cyrus looks you up and down with distain in his face.

"All I see is someone that talks a good game about serving Dendrin, but ultimately his words ring hollow to my ears. Always have. Time will tell though, brother and there will be a reckoning. Dendrin will not suffer false prophets and pretenders. I hope for your sake you aren't one because his wrath will be terrible. Do what you want." Cyrus says and leaves the room.

Funny how Cyrus is probably the only one who can see through your bullshit, yet still be painfully wrong. More amusement for Dendrin you suppose.

You diplomacy (Year 31)

This is really annoying.

You cut down the orc you wounded from before. You knew he wasn't getting far in this blizzard. Unfortunately you've lost sight of Flog again. You'll pick up the trail again to be sure, but this whole thing is a complete waste of time.

If Cyrus hadn't pissed off the orcs, they could've been sent to prevent Kane from destroying another town. Instead the Flog and his merry little band have been raiding the little villages north of Fort Defiance, villages that were supporting the shadows.

This can't continue and will not continue.

A cave lies up ahead, knowing Flog he's probably set up some sort of crude ambush, but that's where he's going to be. You need to get out of this blizzard anyway before you freeze. Shadows don't have any magic that keeps you warm after all.

You'd like to where Cyrus is since he's supposed to be helping you in this task. (This is fault after all) You told him to not to bother chasing those other orcs as they were obviously just a distraction.

The cave provides welcoming warmth from the cold outside. It also provides a welcoming committee in the form of three ogres. This would be Flog's crude ambush.

You dodge the first ogre trying to cave your head in with a club and make a deep slash across his great fat belly. Innards are emptied out onto the cave floor along with a foul odor. The other two ogres knock over their mortally wounded companion in his own blood and shit to reach you.

As powerful as they are, ogres in your experience have never been particular good fighters. It's over reliance on brute strength and no match for your own abilities. A lot easier than trolls that's for sure. You never want to have to fight one of those things again.

You easily avoid the ogres' attacks and hamstring the pair of them before they even know what's going on. You jump on the back of one of them and put a dagger through the back of his neck. He throws you off as he gags on his own blood.

The last ogre crawls at you while you shake off the cobwebs of being thrown into the cave wall. A familiar "shhh thunk!" sound is heard and you see a bolt going through the eye of the ogre. He continues to crawl at you for a moment before succumbing to brain death. You look to your left and see Cyrus loading up another bolt in his armbow.

"These creatures were always unworthy of being in the presence of Dendrin's faithful to begin with." Cyrus says calmly
"Where have you been?"
"I got lost in the blizzard temporarily when I was chasing those orcs. I'm here now so let's finish this brother."

You shake you head sometimes wondering why you don't just kill him and declare yourself shadow master, but he's still got enough followers to make that problematic and thanks to this orc distraction, you need his help. There's also the fact that Talia would still prefer you to somehow find a way to work it out with him. There have been times where you think you have, but then there is some sort of disagreement and the both of you are back where you started.

You figure all of the same reasons are why Cyrus hasn't attempted to kill you and declare himself shadow master. He certainly could get away with it up here in the hinterlands and you sort of wondered if that's why he agreed to come with you on this mission. He could kill you and then claim you fell in battle. Who'd really know? But again, he needs you, probably even more than he'd like to admit. You also know that perhaps somewhere within him, he'd prefer that you'd be on better terms as well.

The pair of you travel further into the cave and eventually you come across a single figure standing by a small fire. It's Flog.

"Shadows, Flog sees that you have finally tracked him."
"Wasn't exactly difficult considering all the raiding you were doing. You really brought this upon yourself Flog." You answer.
"How else are we supposed to sustain ourselves? Can't farm in this land and orcs not farmers anyway. Hunting is scarce lately. Too much competition with giants and unfriendly ogre tribes. Humie villages have lots of supplies. They have more than enough. Stupid for having a settlement in hostile territory anyway."
"It wasn't excessively hostile until you started raiding them and two, those supplies are to help the rebellion against the Empire, you do remember that war remember?"
"Flog remembers. Flog remembers all too well since shadows just used orcs as sword fodder to hide behind. Shadows no better than the Empire."

At this point Cyrus speaks up. "Why are we wasting words on this savage, let us kill the beast the be done with it."
"Huh, you seemed to hide the most. If not for pretty female shadow, Flog would've killed you a long time ago."
"Enough! Flog, your alliance with the shadows while probably not ideal, it was to your benefit. Since our split, the Empire has managed to make a small come back here in Rask. If the Empire gets strong enough to defeat us, you know you'll be next."
"Bah! Flog not care anymore! Empire is weak enough now. Empire will never be able to tame the upper reaches of Rask. Flog will make his home there and be free. Empire YOU shadows problem now."
"Very well Flog, but there's one problem with that plan. Namely you're not getting out of this cave to be able to live free. You won't be living at all in fact."
"Oh…right…Flog see…"

At this point you fully expect Flog to make a last moment attack, but he doesn't, instead he takes his hand away from his weapon.

"Anyway Flog can convince shadows?" he asks.
"Wait, are you seriously trying to negotiate?" you ask
"Yeah, if it gets Flog to live."

You can't help but chuckle a little. Talia always told you Flog was intelligent for an orc. You can only imagine how intelligent Captain Gruz was considering he was the originator of this orc rebellion. Cyrus of course isn't finding this amusing at all.

"Why are you laughing? This orc scum insults Dendrin and us! I'm putting an end to this…"

Cyrus attempts to shoot Flog with his armbow, but you stop him from doing so and the bolt flies harmlessly into the wall. This would be a perfect time for Flog to try to escape, but he doesn't. Either he's smart enough to know you'd just find him again, or he's serious about coming to some sort of agreement. This situation isn't totally unsalvageable with Flog, but it certainly makes your current situation with Cyrus worse.

"Brother, you deal with this orc barbarian if you wish, but I'll not have any part of it! And if whatever deal you make with it bites all of us, I will be the first one to make sure you pay for your poor decisions! I make this vow to Dendrin himself!" Cyrus exclaims and storms off.

After a brief moment of silence, you speak to Flog.

"Alright Flog, this is a negotiation, but you won't be changing anything about them because everything is going to be on MY terms. Okay first off, you can't raid the villages north of Fort Defiance anymore. The people are expecting the shadows to protect them and we can't do that AND fight the Empire. I think you know what takes precedence, however if we can't protect them, they won't give us any supplies because they're either losing them to you or they lose faith in us and won't help."
"But if Flog don't do that, what remains of my tribe will see me as weak and kill me anyway."
"Yes I know. And we'd just be left with the same problem. So this is what I want you to do. I don't want you to raid the villages.I want you to enslave them."
"You want Flog to enslave the villages?"
"Yes, I assume you still have enough orcs to do it, and if you don't I'm sure you can also engage in your favorite past time of beating up ogres into submission to join you. In fact I'd prefer you to do that, just so we don't have to deal with those big lugs sniffing around the fort. They waste our time. So enslave the villagers and you'll never have to raid them again and you can take what you want when you want…and when the shadows want."
"Hur hur…Flog see now. Won't that make shadows look bad?"
"Who is going to know? It isn't like many people travel back and forth past Fort Defiance, let alone to those remote villages. Just keep anyone from escaping and we should be fine. I trust you'll be able to handle all this."
"Sure, sure. Flog can do all that. Giants might still be a problem, but Flog will find a way."
"Glad to hear it. I'm counting on you to keep that savage north tamed up there, while we can focus on the Empire."
"Hrmmm, lotta faith in Flog. Though you shadow only place faith in your god."
"I place faith in your desire to live. Talia's told me about how smart you are before. I know you can see this to be a good deal for you. You get to be practically independent and a leader and all you have to do is supply us every once in awhile. Better than dying by my hand I'd imagine."
"Huh yes good deal. Liked pretty shadow female, always dealt straight with Flog. Still not as pretty as orc female. Too skinny and not green enough. Good mate for you though."
"Heh, yes well I certainly think so."
"Alright shadow. Flog agree…but one question. How you know that Flog not eventually raise army to attack you in the future?"
"Because…" you smile. "I also have faith that you dislike Cyrus so much that you'd rather prove him wrong by NOT attacking me."

With this statement Flog lets out a hearty laugh and you leave him to his mirth. He may become a problem in the future, but for now you've got him back on your side and eliminated the source of trouble to the north of you.

On your way out of the cave Cyrus stands waiting and asks you if you killed Flog, you tell him you took care of the problem. Cyrus just gives one of his trademark dirty looks and walks ahead of you.

One thing's for sure; if your relationship with Cyrus doesn't get better you'll be dealing with that problem before one with Flog.