Every individual was on edge, weapons ready to deal with any threat that might walk through the door. Yet, a few moments after the footsteps ceased there was a light knock at the door, a sequence of tapping their foot in sequence with a variation of soft and hard knocks upon the door. Almost immediately the men and women present breathed a little easier. They maintained their guard; however, most were certain that the individual behind the door was one of their own, as the door knock code identified them as a member of the low-level scout troop.

“My Lord, Commander, apologies for the interruption. However, there is a guest who insists that he meet with you right away.” Once the individual began to speak the officers in the room lowered their weapons. The Scholar himself was the first to reach the door, allowing the soldier on the other side access.

“Apollonius, come inside quickly!” Not waiting for the young man’s reply, the Scholar simply grabbed him by the arm and dragged him inside before placing setting him down on the nearest chair. “Malakos close the door... Boy, I would have thought your uncle trained you better. You should know not to disturb us during a meeting, had you opened the door, your head might have been separated from your shoulders! And no matter how much of a little witch your sister Mera is, she will not be able to fix that.”

The Scholar took a deep breath before exhaling, the tension in his shoulder’s visibly receding. Rather than getting angry he ruffled the young man’s crop of dark brown hair, a task made much easier now that he was seated. Although young and barely into adulthood the young man was a good inch or two taller than the Scholar himself. Even then neither could hold a candle to the arena champion, although still officially a child, he stood almost six feet tall with a frame seemingly carved from solid bronze.

“Before you inform us whatever was of such importance that you disturbed this meeting, I would like to know where your sister is… She didn’t run off somewhere again, did she?” Apollonius straightened his spine, rather than cowering he stared directly at the Lord, even though it was easy to notice the cold sweats and light shaking of the hands.

“No, my Lord, she is currently in the company of our esteemed mother. Mother discovered me unconscious the night of the raid upon the caravan, sister had managed to slip me something which resulted in my state. Needless to say, mother deduced sister’s actions and delivered appropriate punishment for her transgressions. For the time being our mother shall ensure my sister remains within her sight.” The room was deathly silent for a second before exploding into unrestrained laughter. Imagining the little witch in a state of being scolded by her mother or receiving a spanking like any ordinary child was so ridiculously funny.

Apollonius and Maatilani were the only two who remained silent, waiting patiently for the others to settle down, and it did not take long for the rest to do the same. “Alright, I believe we have all had our share of laughter. Now, I believe you had a message for us. Deliver it.” In response to the Scholar’s request, Apollonius removed a scroll from his pack and handed it over.

The scroll detailed the current areas where the men observing them were stationed, it also emphasized certain areas with strike through the dots which represented the observers. In those section there was what appeared to be the mark of a broken chain. At the bottom was a note, stating in plain terms that should they wish to meet, that a candle should be lit and placed upon the windowsill. At the point that the twin moons were at their zenith he would arrive personally with two of his most loyal guards to speak and would respectfully request that the Scholar do the same. Signed Tariq of the Crimson Brands.

For the commander of the mercenary group that had angered Xeander and probably still injured, it was quite a bold move to make, meeting with those who were under watch. Yet the fact that the man was trying to meet and had clearly prepared a method to do so was an indicator that this was more than just a simple visit. Another factor that allowed the Scholar to place his trust within the message was the scroll itself, Tariq had risked quite a lot to hand the object over, its existence if discovered by Xeander would implicate him and his entire group.

“Apollonius, go and get your uncle. I would like Timeaus to be present at the meeting alongside Matilaani… Malakos you will take Timeaus’s place preparing the convoy for departure. I trust your logistical skills and would greatly appreciate if you can speed up the process as much as possible. I fear we may not have nearly as much time as we at first expected.” The other officers bowed towards their lord before departing, Malakos did the same, whereas Apollonius apologized again for the disturbance and dashed out the door at full speed, no doubt to inform his uncle of the change in plans.

“What do you think of this Maati…do you trust this Tariq? Do you think they would be an asset, or a weight to drag us down? I am curious as to your thoughts on the matter.” As he spoke the Scholar lit a nearby candle, taking care to keep it far from the detailed maps, but not yet heading for the windowsill.

“I am sure you have already come up with a reason, but I will do as you requested. I believe that it wouldn’t hurt to hear what they have to say. Lord Batrakhos already appears to have us within his sights, and I believe it is only a matter of time before he gathers up enough men to make his move. The information these men confirms that which we have already collected, other than the fact that their men have taken up some of these positions. I think we can trust their skills and seeing as they are willing to put themselves at risk to build trust, I believe we should reciprocate that.” Maati did not wait for the Scholar to respond, instead she merely snatched the candle from his hands and placed the candle upon the windowsill herself.

“Now we wait, it shouldn’t be long before they arrive. Let the men on guard know that they are not to attack any person with the mark depicted upon this paper. Make sure to give them a chance to observe and remember it, under no circumstances is this to be given to anyone. We would not want someone accidentally forgetting to burn it and get our possible allies implicated in whatever may happen. You know the drill.” The Scholar leant back slightly elevating the front two legs of the chair, all the while watching the smoke from the candle flame dissipate into the night sky.