Faith breathed in the sweet night air and felt the tension in her body from simply being in the crypt lessen. She even welcomed the cold snow pattering against her face.

"Jacoby said the mayor was in the storehouse, let's look for him there," Compel suggested and they headed out of the cemetery and around the corner towards the storehouse. They didn't have to go far- Sigmund Bauerson, Mayor Viggie Storr, Master Garant the Wary and several other masters, trainers and villagers were gathered in front of the Wavecrest.

Master Garant caught sight of them.

"It's well past midnight, what are you doing wandering about?" he asked them.

Mayor Storr interrupted. "This is the team who found the hidden tunnel in the storehouse, Garant."

"The sahuagin are attacking tonight!" Faith said breathlessly. "Jacoby Drexelhand is the traitor, he's been helping them get into the village and allowing them to raise bodies from the crypt for an undead army."

"Drexelhand? He's lived here all his life. He wouldn't be working with the sahuagin," Mayor Storr said in shock.

"Mr. Mayor," said Compel, "he just locked us into an acid trapped room in Heyton's Rest. He disappeared down a secret water tunnel in the crypt and he told us before he left that the sahuagin would act now. We have to believe he means to attack the village tonight, while people are asleep."

"I never trusted that Drexelhand," muttered Master Braam. "So what do we do?"

"Wake the village guards and the rest of the trainers," said the Mayor. "We'll set up a perimeter guard around the village and guards at the tunnels in the crypt and the storehouse. We'll head them off and defend the village. Let's get organized."

"You six go into the Wavecrest and rest," said Master Garant. "You've done enough tonight. Let the experienced fighters take it from here."

"No," protested Thysmac. "We still want to help. We can help!"

"You've done an excellent job and we'll sort out what you deserve for it in the morning, but you are all still low level adventurers. This is a major battle. Please stay in the Wavecrest until I tell you otherwise," Master Garant was kind but firm. "I don't want students involved in this; I have enough to manage as it is. Now go."

Faith and her friends were shocked. They were to be left out of the upcoming battle, protected like children. Twila was visibly shaking, she was so angry. Sigmund unlocked the door to the Wavecrest and ushered them in.

"Make yourselves comfortable as you can," Sigmund said kindly. "You've all done a wonderful job. I'll bring you out some leek and potato soup before I go."

And with that, he disappeared into the kitchen. They sat down in shock.

"Can you believe this troll dung?" Twila exploded. "We've found how the sahuagin are getting in, we stopped the sahuagin from raising an undead army, we exposed Jacoby Drexelhand for the weasel he is and now we are being babysat in the tavern while the trainers and masters get to have all the fun? Unbelievable! They are treating us like babies!"

Malut yawned.

"S'ok," he mumbled. "I'm tired anyway."

Before Twila could blast him for being a lazy slob, the door to the cellar opened and in walked... Jacoby Drexelhand.