After a few glasses of fine liquor, the conversation flowed easily. Scar, swallowing a mouthful of wine, spoke heartily, "Brother Alpha, out with it, what brings you to my place? Sly Fox wouldn't send his steward just for a few barrels of good wine."
Alpha took a sip of wine and replied, "Can't keep anything from you, brother. Here's the thing, the boss has heard whispers of some significant moves by the Brotherhood, wants to get a piece of the action, and maybe take a little for ourselves." Alpha gave Scar a look that said, "You know what I mean."
Understanding the implication, Scar laughed and said, "Sly Fox is well-informed, indeed. The Brotherhood is planning something big, very big." He took another sip of wine and paused. "As you know, life has taken a turn for the worse for us since a new lord took over at Sentinel Hill. We used to rule the roost in Westfall, but now we're not just without our perks, we're worried for our safety every day. Things are not what they used to be. The higher-ups in the Brotherhood can't stand by and watch. According to my intel, we're not alone in this; there's another organization involved, called the Twilight Hammer. They're helping us sort things out around here."
Alpha asked in a hushed voice, "What's so formidable about this organization that they can stand up to Sentinel Hill? I've never heard of them before."
Scar, equally perplexed, responded, "I'm not exactly sure, but the higher-ups say this Twilight Hammer is loyal to some ancient god. They've got all sorts of people from different backgrounds and races within their ranks. Who knows where this power came from, but with their involvement, things have definitely improved for the brothers." Scar spoke with a sense of pride.
Alpha and Sisso exchanged glances before Alpha continued the inquiry, "Brother Scar, any recent activities we should be aware of? Give us a heads-up, would you?"
"Activities? Indeed, there is one. We're planning to set Sentinel Hill ablaze. Quite the grand scheme, don't you think?" Scar said with a gleeful tone.
"What?" Sisso exclaimed suddenly, only to clamp his mouth shut upon noticing Scar's peculiar gaze.
Alpha chided, "What's with the outburst? You're out of line. You'll face the consequences when we're back." Turning to Scar with an apologetic expression, he added, "My apologies, brother. My companion here lacks discretion. I, too, have doubts. With Sentinel Hill so heavily guarded, how do you propose to set it on fire?"
Taking another sip of his drink, Scar leaned back contentedly and replied, "That's not for the likes of us to worry about. It's up to the organization. What I can tell you is to have Sly Fox gather his men around Sentinel Hill in the coming days. I don't have the specifics, but when you see the flames, rush over with your men. If you arrive early, there might still be a share in the spoils; if you're late, there'll be nothing left. Seize this opportunity while it's here."
Alpha raised his cup, "On behalf of Sly Fox, I toast to you, brother. Time is of the essence, and I must hurry back to inform Sly Fox." With that, he drained his cup in one go.
Scar also finished his drink in one gulp, "Farewell, until we meet again."
Alpha led Sisso on a long detour before they finally set off for home. Noticing Sisso's hesitation, Alpha spoke indifferently, "Go ahead, ask. I know you have many questions."
Sisso looked at Alpha, opened his mouth, and finally uttered a sentence: "Who are you really?"
"A citizen of Gilneas, Sir Alpha Wolftotem," came the reply. Upon hearing this, Sisso fell silent.
Alpha, curious, inquired, "After holding back for so long, is that all you have to ask? No other questions, such as how I knew this place was a stronghold, or who Sly Fox is?"
Sisso regarded Alpha solemnly and said, "Knowing that you are with the Alliance and here to help us is enough. Even if I ask more, would you tell me?"
"Clever lad. Hehe, I won't tell you, but you're growing on me. By the way, I'm in need of an assistant. Would you like to help me? But seeing your expression, I know you're not willing. Let's pick up the pace; this is only the beginning." With that, he quickened his steps.
At Sentinel Hill, in the council chamber, after listening to the duo's report, Adonar pondered for a moment and asked, "What are your thoughts?"
Alpha, who had been idly playing with his fingers, looked up in surprise as Adonar pointed at him. With a nod from Adonar, Alpha replied, "I'm just an adventurer; how would I understand these matters? You overestimate my abilities."
"Ha," Adonar uttered, while Sisso looked at Alpha with disdain. "Well, since you both doubt me, let's play along. If they want to burn it down, let them. Then we'll catch them all in one net."
Alpha said with a sinister expression, "Since you can't possibly prepare defenses or root out the traitors in such a short time, it's better to fight with our backs against the wall."
When Sisso was about to retort, he saw the lord's approval and swallowed his words. "You're thinking along the same lines as me. The question is, how do we set this trap effectively?" Adonar was about to speak when Alpha interrupted, "That's your concern. I'm not one for schemes; I just carry out the tasks assigned to me. Don't involve me in anything else." With that, he swiftly departed, his speed leaving Sisso in awe.
"What do you think of this individual?" Adonar inquired. Sisso pondered carefully before responding earnestly, "My lord, I believe Lord Alpha is talented and skilled in combat, albeit indolent, yet there's a sense of trustworthiness about him."
"Trustworthiness, indeed. I've seen it too. This man may seem cynical, but his eyes are filled with a sense of justice. After all, the eyes never deceive," Adonar mused. "Alright, you may rest. What happened today must remain between us."
"Yes, sir," Sisso saluted and took his leave.
As evening fell, Sentinel Hill was as tranquil as usual, with only the patrolling soldiers carrying torches on their rounds.
Alpha lay alone in a patch of grass, sipping malt wine and gazing at the sky, lying leisurely. "It seems Adonar has everything in place. Poor thieves, encountering this fox, you're doomed to be deceived and left with nothing. But I quite like the man; his temperament suits my taste. Ah, the wine's finished. Time to attend to the real business." With that, he transformed into a panther and vanished into the grass, leaving behind only an empty cup.
"Fire! Fire! Come and help put it out!" "There's a fire here too, fetch water quickly..." Cries of alarm spread throughout Sentinel Hill, the bright flames more dazzling in the darkness, and thick smoke billowing upward.
"What's going on? Did you start the fire? I thought it was set for tomorrow at noon?" "Wasn't you? I didn't start it." "If not you, not me, then who?" Two dark figures spoke in a corner. "It was me," Alpha suddenly appeared, knocking them unconscious with a swipe of his paw, then stealthily moved on to another location...
Outside the city, bands of thieves watched the raging fire at Sentinel Hill with unbridled exhilaration, eagerly awaiting their leader's command.
"Charge, all of you, take this wretched hill for me! Whatever you seize inside is yours; just rush in," the command was barely out when his followers had already vanished from around him.
Scar chuckled, cursing good-naturedly, "These rascals are quite impatient." He mounted his horse and, with a sharp crack of his whip against the steed's rump, galloped towards Sentinel Hill.
Similar scenes unfolded around Sentinel Hill, with these bands of rushing thieves completely failing to notice the unusually vacant walls that were typically heavily guarded. The astute leaders attributed this to the Twilight Hammer's doing, an oversight that would lead to endless regret.
Scar listened to the screams emanating from the city with immense excitement, thinking that he would finally be able to turn the tide and live a life of opulence. As these thoughts filled his mind, a sense of danger suddenly struck him.
He swiftly pulled the reins, and a sharp arrow grazed his cheek, passing by perilously close. Only then did Scar realize something was amiss, but it was too late. The situation no longer allowed for retreat.