Occupying the Arena

Was the Lord of Shadows coming after me?

Soren stood lost in thought. The sea breeze carried a faint briny tang, and ships came and went across Port Nyanzaru as far as he could see. Trade and wealth drew merchants here, and with so many people passing through, even the many Rogues under his command could not watch everyone. Numerous factions had spies on the outskirts of Port Nyanzaru. Some might be followers of the Lord of Shadows.

Soren could only keep a firm grip on the inner city. Near the port, the most he could do was post more lookouts.

The Lord of Shadows' hostility did not surprise Soren. Their interests clashed in too many places. Even if the Lord of Shadows left him alone, Soren would eventually have to fight him for the Shadow domain and the Rogue Portfolio. Both Gods followed the same path to power. It seemed the Lord of Shadows had decided to strike first, before Soren could secure his position.

"I'll deal with whatever comes."

Soren thought it over for a long time but found no suitable response.

The Lord of Shadows was the same kind of God as Soren. Soren could not track his movements, and he would have just as much trouble locating Soren. Soren's Church had trained many elite thieves under his Rogue Portfolio, but the Lord of Shadows' Church also had plenty of skilled Rogues under his Shadow Portfolio.

Their strengths were much the same. Soren was at a disadvantage, but not a decisive one.

For now, the best course was to hold steady and wait for the Lord of Shadows to make a mistake. At least Soren was safe in Port Nyanzaru. If the Lord of Shadows dared attack him there, Soren was eighty percent certain he could make