Gathered within the fortress of Thesos, the Patriots and friends of the Empire, but also some Rangers and even a Matis Ambassador were disappointed to be announced by Gramald Xarius that the laying of the first brick of the Shield was postponed sine die, since the last delivery by the Barkers had never reached its destination.
Under the direction of Azazor, akenak of Thesos, the gathered homins went up the track in vain until they learned from Pebus Ibiraan that, as the drilling camp had been ravaged by the Marauders, the convoy, for lack of materials to ship, had not departed.
After bitter debates, the akenak was able to report to Gramald the conditions of the Barkers for them to resume their deliveries: from five to ten Thesos guards at the drilling site and an escort for the future convoy.
The patriots, back in Thesos, faced a new obstacle: the Strategos seemed to have vanished and it took Eleanides' entire persuasion to get information from Pecus Cegrips and find her cutting some Zoraï bandits to pieces.
As the Strategos seemed impatient to continue its small session, the deal was quickly concluded: the Barkers would have their five guards and the akenak would organize the protection of the last convoy.