Palim shrugged off my arm, but made no move towards Cale. “What did they say?” She asked quietly, slowly taking her seat again. “They didn’t just let you off the hook right?” She asked sardonically, eyes resting on him.

“They threatened my family.” He said, and a solemn silence swept across the table. “I thought to call their bluff.” He closed his eyes. “But they weren’t bluffing at all.” He faced the ceiling, squeezing his eyes tight. “Bastards. I should have expected it.”

“What did you choose?” Ram asked, looking at him with concern. He brought his head back down, looking over to him, his eyes sorrowful. “Your family?” Ram said softly, and Cale nodded back. “I understand…” He said. “I would have chosen the same. What changed?”

“He broke my younger sister.” Cale said, his jaw drawing into a bitter scowl. “She was better off dead compared to that… husk she became.” He growled, hatred a low simmer in his eyes.

There was a moment of silence as we digested this. What… happened exactly? I had to wonder, my mind wandered to several possibilities, the worst that humanity had to offer. I shook myself from it, it wasn’t good to speculate. It was something private, and better that I didn’t pry.

“I want to expose him for what he’s done, and maybe undo the damage. I don’t, can’t believe that the council is fully involved in this, the subterfuge, the threats, wouldn’t make sense if my direct complaints to them would go unheeded.” He said, still staring at the table. “Even so, I’ll need evidence, something to confirm what they’ve managed to do.” He grimaced. “And I don’t think he keeps notes.”

“Unless he has an impeccable memory, he will have to.” Azarint said. “More importantly, if our own theories are correct, there will be records that prove it. Arms and armour are objects that must be made, not simply found.” He continued.

“Arms and armour?” Cale asked, eyebrows furrowed. He was silent for just a moment. “I’d overheard something of the sort before I’d left for the front, but what do those have to do with his activities?” He asked, looking between us.

I frowned, looking to the others, who nodded assent. “We believe that they armed the bandit groups that have been sprouting throughout the region.” I said. “One of them was captured, but I messed up, and he didn’t provide nearly enough information. On another avenue we managed to confirm that there was a note that was sent directly from the bandits to your capital.” I continued.

His eyes moved between us, his eyebrows furrowed deeper. “No… You mean…” He gave out a dark chuckle. “That explains a lot…” He said, taking a breath.

“Do you have any concrete plans for how you would like to proceed?” Frejr asked, arms folded across her chest. “If you do believe that not all of the Council is involved, then there must be someone you trust.” Frejr said. “Someone whose influence might be capable of countering the actions taken.”

“Oroen…” Cale said, after a slight pause. “Sometimes he’d speak of his worries that we were being duped somehow, that someone was trying to pull strings and manipulate from the shadows. I’d always just reassured him that that wasn’t possible, that we’d notice, that we’d see.” Cale sighed. “I guess I see now.” Cale laughed mirthlessly.

“I suppose it’s our best option, but I can’t help but feel that we should postpone it. As it is the war is raging too strongly, any fracture on our part, even in the name of justice, could well destroy our chance at ending this war…” Azarint said, a pained expression on his face. “I wonder if it’s too late to fake your death. It would at least keep you safe from the Republic’s reprisal…”

“I don’t think that’s an option anymore.” Palim said. “We kind of dragged him through your place, and he was brought upstairs after he was cured. No offence to your members, but by now the rumours will have spread far, if only because the irregulars are a group of wanderers.”

“Yeah…” Numen said. “That’s not good… Also, wouldn’t they just replace him with someone more flexible then?” She asked. “By the time the war is over it’s going to be too late and too difficult to rein in the Republic again. They’ll basically be the largest nation in our history. Maybe even bigger than when we once were part of Gnosi.”

“Ugh, that’s true. All they need is someone with less scruples or just more hold over.” Saindall said. “And I’d bet there are thousands they could use for a stooge.” She said dismissively. “Definitely no offence to you though.” Saindall said. “In the end you still chose right, but it’s a damn shame that they’d do that to you in the first place.”

“I would go to the Republic, at least warn Oroen if nothing else.” Cale said quietly. “You’ll need to go keep finding the other races, other groups.” He said to the rest of his team. “We can’t afford to stop now, Toras was right, without the other races we can never hope to stalemate this war, let alone win it.” His gaze passed over to Ram. “You will need to take charge. You’re a good diplomat, if anyone will be able to win them over, it will be you.”

Ram and Taryn shared a look, Taryn shrugged. “It’s alright, I’m fine with it.” He looked over to Cale. “You’re coming back at some point though, don’t think you can just leave us out in the cold forever.” He said with a grin. “And you owe me a drink anyway.” Cale gave a tired smile.

“So what’s your plan, just walk into the capital on your own?” Rince said, with raised eyebrows. “That takes some iron, but it’d also be incredibly stupid…” He continued, his mouth pulled into a worried smile.

Cale nodded. “I know, I had a request…” He said, turning towards me. “I’d like to ask if you would be willing to help me.” He continued. “I think that I know a way into the city and to Oroen without raising alarms. Once there I’m hoping for Oroen to use me as a distraction of sorts. I need someone else to search some buildings in the meantime to find his records if he has any. Help me trace the intrigue as I focus their attention on me.”

“That isn’t much of a concrete plan…” Numen said worriedly. I nodded. He was banking on quite a few things, and relying too much on the idea that he’d figure it out when he got there. “Why does it have to be Kael?” She asked, frowning.

“Because from all that I know of him, he seems both capable of the subterfuge that will be asked of him, and the combat that may ensue if our hand is forced.” Cale said. “And more importantly, if he were to wear something more inconspicuous, he would not be noticed for who he is. His armour is far more distinctive than any of his personal quirks.”

“You say that as though his armour isn’t an important extension of his own natural skills.” Frejr said, folding her arms across her stomach. “It might not be so easy to just change.” Huh, helping me keep a secret? I thought to myself. She would know that I can remodel it… Unless she might also be referring to remodelling it as changing… I shrugged internally.

“It won’t be too much of a problem.” I said, then paused a moment. “I’m not expected to fight squads of elites am I?” I asked, turning to face Cale. He thought for a moment. You’re… not sure?! I thought. After a moment he shook his head.

“I don’t expect that to be the case at least. If anything they will probably be elsewhere…” He said thoughtfully. “If our hand is forced, you will only need to fight so much as to extricate yourself, and not stay around until their elites arrive.”

“That’s… reassuring…” I said cautiously, tilting my head slightly. “In any case it will take me at least a day to get something that will properly fit… Until then I’m not going to set out. I’d suggest spending some time figuring out exactly what kind of shape your plan will form… I’m not exactly fond of this level of improvisation when it comes to something this important…” An indie ploy is what it is… and I have nowhere near the levels of plot armour needed to survive that… I thought to myself.

He nodded. “I’ll keep it in mind.” He said, turning to the others. “You should go, maybe you can even mislead them for a while before I manage to enter Romus.” He said. “But if it endangers you, drop the pretence immediately. We won’t be long.” Taryn rolled his eyes.

“We’ll be fine. Who do you think we are?” He said, flashing a grin. “Should we get started then?” He asked, nodding to Ram. “There’s nothing else you need to tell us right?”

“No, there isn’t, good luck.” Cale said sombrely, standing up and offering his hand to each of them in turn.

“Qwell go with you.” Ram said, invoking the goddess of Victory and Protection as he took Cale’s hand and shook it firmly. The others said their farewells, and left the room.

I stood from the chair. “I’ll get to work then, I will see you tomorrow then, dawn?” I asked. “Need to get some things fitted to me.” I explained.

“That would be far faster than I could have hoped.” Cale answered. “Thank you.” He said, standing up, he retired to his room.

“Are you certain of this?” Frejr asked, frowning towards the now closed door. “Much as I may not like it, Azarint makes a good argument. We cannot afford a fracture in our ranks at this time, and regardless of how this ends, a smooth transition will be difficult.”

I shake my head. “I disagree with that honestly, I think their actions are destabilizing enough, the whole intent of their actions is to disrupt all the other nations enough that vassalage seems like a good idea.” I frown. “It can’t be left alone, and he won’t leave it alone even if we tried to convince him.” I shrugged. “I should make myself useful for once.” I said with a laugh.

Azarint cocked his head at me for a moment, then shook his head. “So be it then. Do what you feel you must.” He said, standing up from the chair. “We will await your return and your success. Gods watch over you.” He said, reaching a hand out to me.

I shook it. “Thank you. I should start getting ready.” I said. Making my way out of the building. I didn’t need to see an armourer, but it was good to put up the appearance, and I needed to grab a few throwing knives anyway. The blacksmith had several pieces quickly lined up for me, outlining their respective qualities. After choosing several I returned and started to work on my armour.

“I understand you are going to Romus to help uncover a conspiracy.” Teal said, sitting on my bed as I worked on the floor. I’d let her in a short while ago, she had brought me some food, roasted meat, coming from the rhinoceros like beast that Lapi had angered so long ago… “You realize that I disagree with this course of action?” She asked, pouting at me.

I snort, taking a bite from the meal. “Disappointment is a regular thing for me, you’ll get used to it.” I said sarcastically. “And I’ve already gone over this with you several times before, I’m not going to be much use at the front.” I said.

“The Seraph is more than just a force of power. They are a symbol.” Teal said, still frowning. “But fine, I do concede your arguments.” She kicked at the air a few times. “Your decision still leaves me unhappy regardless.”

“That’s your prerogative.” I said, smiling wryly.