Before they had managed to depart from Lorithstad, Vanemar and the others were able to bear witness to the after-affects of the rebellion. A Brighthawk ship landed at the drydock paying no heed to the Dukeslayer and instead attempted to quell the violence within the city. Before the citizens could manage to get their hands on the mayor, the soldiers rushed to forcefully encourage them to disperse. The mayor was then escorted out of the city by two guards who had no intention of letting him move freely.

With the sight of the small Honean fleet lingering above them, the group made a run for their ship and escaped unscathed. The Honeans made no effort to pursue and Vanemar did not need to take a closer look to realize what they were up to. He was impressed. The High Mage had actually taken Jioh’s advice.

When they finally arrived at the capital of the Ravensteed Duchy, Vanemar’s mind was filled with dreadful memories of the past few years he had spent living there. Raverna was not a place that he could look back and reminisce happily about like his birthplace. He held a deep resentment for the city as a whole. It was not too long ago that the place was filled with corrupt politicians and warring gangs. While it has finally become one of the most prosperous cities in Honea, Vanemar never once thought of ever coming back to it. The fact that he hated the place so much made him become upset at his own self. Why had he spent nearly half of his life doing things that he loathed? The answer was something he hardly wished to think about.

Stepping out into the open, Vanemar was met with the sun’s warmth. While the balloon gave him shade he tried to move out from under to see the day’s clear blue skies. Unlike what it once was, the ports were now filled with ships and good filled wagons. Along the harbor, the run down and empty businesses of the past were being renovated or taken over by entrepreneurs wishing to benefit from the city’s boom. With fear of the outside long gone, many walked the streets just as others would in any other city. It was a pretty sight but not enough to change Vanemar’s mind.

As the ramp of the Wilted Rose fell upon the harbor its inhabitants impatiently waited to stand on the ground again. "Ready to get going?" Jioh asked.

"Wait." Ama said as she looked at Vanemar. "You're letting him go out like that?"

"Like what?" Ji oh asked as he looked at the man in question.

"Everyone probably knows what his face looks like. He get caught as soon as he steps on the port!"

"Oh dear, I guess you won’t be able to go outside very much." Jioh said, nodding his head in admission. "I have a spare cloak. I’ll go get it.”

Vanemar sighed as he watched Jioh go. "Can't even walk around like a normal person anymore." The proximity he had to his goal masked his frustration. As soon as they were stepped down from the ramp they were stopped by a pair of port guards who cared about nothing more than the reason for their visit. If this had been before the purging, guards would have been asking for a toll to fill their own pockets or dozing off at their post. Vanemar was relieved to know that the city now hired ordinary, respectable men who did not care about what was under his new black cloak.

They crossed through the thick crowds of the city at a slow pace that left Vanemar on edge. If he could run he would. Every glance his way increased his doubts that the cloak actually obscured his face. Noticing the paranoid way that the man moved, Jioh allowed him to hide himself within the group so that no one could see him unless they plowed through the others. This did not completely remove his fear though and he continued to keep a low gaze until they reached the headquarters in the banking district. The place was populated with large buildings of brick and filled with well dressed people going about their business. The most notable place in the area was a large red brick building with dark, wooden windows and a set of steps leading up to tall black doors. "We're here." Jioh said as they went straight towards it.

"That's the place?" Vanemar said with disbelief. "How did the cult get the funding for that?"

"The cult attracts some wealthy and important people. We'd probably be doing our meeting from inside someone's home if it weren't for them." Jioh gave two knocks on the door and it opened slightly only a second later.

"Yes?" said the hushed voice of a cultist on the other side.

"I am Jioh Suhart, here to meet with Spidon."

"Come on in then." The cultist said as he held the door open for them. They entered the reception area, a wide, open room crowded with cultists. On the left and right were openings to long hallways and on both corners of the room were a pair of staircases leading to the second floor. In the center of the roof was a grand chandelier with hundreds of small white crystals that sparkled in the sunlight from the windows. The room’s occupants were dressed in the blue and white tabards of the cult or expensive robes and dresses that showed just what kind of connections the cult really had.

The group pushed through the crowd with Jioh at the lead until he finally stopped and waved towards someone in the distance. It was a man in the green robes worn by Honean mages. The mage waved off the woman he was speaking to, receiving a glare before she walked away. Jioh offered his hand and the two men shook firmly. "How've you been Jioh? Haven't heard from you ever since the purge."

"You have been receiving my shipments right?" Jioh asked with worry.

"Of course, they've been a great help. Just been a while since I could talk face to face with the man himself. What brings you and your friends here?"

"We're here to meet with Spidon, we've gotten our hands on something of very great worth.”

The man raised a brow. "That's quite a curious thing to say after you told us that you preferred to stay out of our business. Mind giving me a hint on what you found?"

"You’ll get to hear it when we get to Spidon. This is something we need to act on quickly."

He looked around for a moment and sighed. "She left me. I guess I will take you to him myself." He said. His eyes fell on Vanemar for a moment who nervously looked back. "You look familiar." He looked at Jioh, "Made new friends?"

"He's a hired hand.” Jioh answered irritably. “Can you take us to Spidon now?"

The mage grunted. “Right this way." He led them up the stairs to the right and down a wide hallway lined with many doors. The hallway appeared just as wealthy as the main hall with a black and white patterned rug that ran the entire length of the floor and a diverse mix of paintings that covered nearly every empty space on the walls. They entered a room in the center of the hallway that appeared no different from the others with a nameplate with Spidon Marta etched into it. They entered the spacious office inside to find a middle-aged man going over documents. He was sitting behind a large dark wooden desk at the far back. The room was bright and glowed a tint of yellow from the sunlight that poured in from the single large window behind Spidon. Lining both walls were shelves filled with books and magic tools that showed off what the owner was skilled at. The magiglove he had laying on his desk was already enough proof of that though. As the door slid open, the man's head immediately shot up to greet them.

"Ah, Quis." The man's voice was bright and refined with an accent that was from Honea. "And Jioh?" The man said with surprise. "What brings you here?"

"I have something to share with you." Jioh reached into his bag and revealed the Brighthawk key, placing it on the man’s desk for him to inspect.

"This is… Real." The man said with his eyes fixed to it. "How did you get your hands on this? Only the royal guard had known where it went."

"It's a long story that relates to this map." He once again revealed another thing from his bag, the map of the Geokeys.

"Go ahead. I no longer have anything of importance to attend to."

What followed was a long and summarized explanation of what had happened in the past few weeks. Long enough to make everyone pull a chair for themselves as soon as they realized how much detail Jioh was including. Spidon now knew all about the map, the key, and although Jioh didn't directly refer to it, Vanemar. He nodded his praise before speaking. "Everyone except for Jioh and Quis may now leave this room." he ordered. "And Raven." He mentioned to Vanemar as the man waited for the others to get through the door. "Ask one of the servants to find you and Jioh a room, there are many empty ones on the first floor." Vanemar nodded and quickly left as he was becoming more and more unnerved. He wasn’t sure if it was because of what Jioh had told him or because Spidon continuously glanced in his direction. But he knew something was wrong. He just wanted to get out, but before that he would have to wait for Spidon to end his meeting with Jioh. He passed the main hall, which was still crowded with people. Overhearing one of the many conversations in the room, he caught the word Felinebar being passed around. After hearing about them so many times during the past month, he could only guess that something distressing was taking place.

After a servant had promptly delivered his room key, Vanemar made no detours. The most interesting property of the room was the window, which made the area bright enough to not require the lamp. There were two beds, a shelf, and a sofa which were either boring tans or browns. Even so, having a private place to rest was the most he could ask for even if he had to share it with Jioh.

"But why do I need a room?" He thought to himself. "Is Spidon planning to delay my payment?" He sighed and sat silently as he contemplated the terrible things that could happen beside that man’s doors.

Moments later, Jioh entered the room without much sound and Vanemar's eyes followed his every step. "Where's my pay?" He asked forcefully.

Jioh continued to walk until he was able to drop onto the couch. The man stared back tiredly. "We've got big trouble." He finally said. "I want to help you get out of here, I really do. But my boss has different plans. He knows who you are and he plans on killing you if you try to leave."

Vanemar controlled his breaths in an attempt to hold back a rising anger. "He wants my bounty, doesn’t he?"

“Aye, and that man always seems to get what he wants.”

"Well how about you give me the money now so I can escape?"

"While he's a complete bastard Spidon has attention to detail. He said he'll kill me if he finds out I helped you. I bet he's already sent some goons off to my ship to make sure of that."

Vanemar laid back into the bed, his anger was reaching the point of bloodlust and he was beginning to lose control. "If I kill him it wouldn’t be a problem. Isn’t that why you brought me in there with you in the first place?"

Jioh’s eyes widened and he sighed after the man noticed. He had fully come to realize Jioh’s inconspicuous scheme. “How could you tell?”

“You already told me that you intended to use the High Mage in the same way. You also completely avoided bargaining with me when I asked you to drop me off with my pay before you spoke to Spidon.”

“Heh, so I did.” The man muttered nervously.

“If you want even a fragment of sympathy from me, I suggest I get at least double the pay. Killing your boss wasn’t part of the original deal but I wouldn’t mind putting the bastard down.”

Jioh slowly nodded. “I wasn’t expecting anything less. It seems that I didn’t think this through very well.”

“Took you long enough. So, back to the original question. Why shouldn’t I kill your boss right now.”

Jioh quietly formulated a counter. "Look, I know you can easily kill him alright. But, I want to find out what these geokeys lead to. The worst possible scenario is that the Brighthawks get there first and that’s the most likely thing to happen. If they somehow managed to get their hands on old imperial tech, it could lead to another war. You can kill him alright, but only after we get those Geokeys. That way, we both get what we want and you won’t have to worry about being caught up in a war when you leave. How's that sound?"

Vanemar attempted to prevent himself from acting irrationally as he looked at Jioh. The man’s trickery had pissed him off and the fact that he was extending his assignment even more so. The only thing that stood in the way of him shaking the money out of the man’s pockets was a small belief of selflessness that got the better of him. He was starting to dislike war, killing, and generally anything violent. So after instilling a belief in himself that he was the only one that could stop it, he agreed to Jioh’s deal. "Fine, I'll do it. But if you trick me again I’ll promise you, you won’t have a head to remember it." He got up to shake the man's hand.

"Thank you Raven." The man said with a smile. "I know you hate me, but I want you to know that you’re the only man I can really trust right now.."

"Are you trying to flatter me? Call me Vanemar from now on, that's my real name. Even the wanted poster's call me that."

"Alright Vanemar. There is a meeting tomorrow morning. If you miss it you're dead."

When Giris' fleet had returned to the capital of Hien, the skies were filled with a mass of Honean warships. This made him recall some very bad memories, memories of the moments before the Eaglecrest war. An order was sent for the fleet to halt and the command ship went on its own to find an opening space at the port. There were more military ships there and Giris and the bad feeling was starting to get worse. Yeon went to stand beside him and silently looked up and down the harbor. "It seems like we're preparing for a battle, but with who?" The man said. "I hope his excellency is willing to listen to us."

"Has the council called for war?" Giris asked, turning to him.

“Recalling ships to the capital could mean many things. It does not mean that war is guaranteed, only that it is possible."

"So we still have a chance of getting some help?"

"I am sure that the Arch Duke would be willing to provide us with some help even if we were at war. The Brighthawks are already considered a threat, any blows to their power would help relieve some tension."

The ship shook as it came to a landing and deckhands scrambled to bring the ramp down. "I'll leave the ramp down sirs. The ship will be ready to fly as soon as you’re back." The shipmaster said with a salute before he began to give more orders from the helm.

The two men nodded before heading for the ramp. They had only enough time to hurry.

The port guards were quick to offer them a carriage ride directly to the palace. The guards allowed them in immediately. The courtyard had been turned into the complete opposite of what it once was. The calm stretches of grass were now occupied by soldiers performing drills and the stone paths that he used to calmly walk through were covered with supplies. To Jioh it seemed that the only explanation for the transformation was that the nation had undoubtedly been preparing for a war while they were gone. As they went around the large fountain in the center of the place Yeon pointed out another captain in the crowd and excused himself. As they approached the man he turned to them and the two captains exchanged salutes. "Good to see you Yeon." The man said with a smile. "Have you finally gotten rid of that so-called 'unstoppable criminal'?"

Yeon shook his head. "Not yet, the man slips around like a wagon on ice. We’re here to deliver to his excellency some pressing information.”

"Interesting, but you may have to wait. His excellency is having a discussion with our generals and senators over the recent border problem."

"Border problem? Is that what brought everyone here?"

"You haven’t heard? One of our scouting ships sent word of a Felinebar fleet amassing near the border. We still do not know the reason why but with how much control the cult has gained over the past few years there I'd say that it’s rational for us to be on high alert.”

"That sounds like trouble but our news is also urgent. I’ll at least try to get the High Mage in."

"Good luck to you then." He said his farewells and was off.

"See, there is no war." Yeon said to Jioh as they continued on towards the doors.

"Yet." Jioh responded with worry.

They approached two guards at the door who had no intention of opening them. They were the Shields, the protectors of the palace and the Arch Duke's personal soldiers. They were no pushovers and were quite menacing even to the two men who’ve passed by them on many occasions. "We come bearing important news for his excellency." Giris said as he looked between the two guards. One of them nodded and held the door open for the two. Giris looked at the soldier with a surprised expression. He supposed that they did not want to test their authority on the two newcomers of high standing. Entering the long hallway, Giris found the atmosphere to be much more quiet than the usual meeting. That was when he noticed that everyone at the long table had noticed their intrusion. "Have you come with good news High Mage?" The Arch Duke finally asked, not at all troubled by them walking in.

"I think urgent news would be a better way to describe it, your excellency." Jioh answered.

"Then come have a seat." The man said gesturing at the table in front of him. "It is better to get all the urgent news over with before we proceed with anything else."

Jioh and Yeon sat beside each other at the far end of the crowded table. The High Mage looked around at every face for a moment. There were generals in uniform, senators in robe, and even a lone Duke in their specially tailored attire. He had seen the man once before, the Duke of one of the border duchies. "Alright High Mage, what's your report. Don’t forget to leave out why you have yet to complete your assignment." Giris nodded and after clearing his throat, began to tell his story. He kept a close eye on the changes of the Arch Duke's face, nervous of what the man would think. Although he soon gave up on it, the man’s face moved as often as a statue.

The Arch Duke nodded his head silently after hearing everything. "Do you have this list of Geokeys with you?" He finally asked.

Giris was relieved to not have immediately been dismissed. "Yes, right here your excellency." The notebook where the list had been written was passed down the table to him. "It is word for word."

The man put on his reading glasses and his eyes scanned over every word on the page. "Most of these are in human nations. Does the Dukeslayer really have the map?"

"Yes, that is what the mage who saw it told her superiors."

The Duke sighed, "There is not much point in your chase any more if you have this. We will leave him to the wolves."

The table turned to the Duke with confused expressions as an uproar emerged. Multiple people began to speak up at once against the order. A raised hand from the Arch Duke was all it took to silence them. "If the council wishes to overrule this decision you may do it after this meeting. For now these are my orders. We have no need to waste our forces on a single man when we are facing two national threats at once." He looked directly at the two men in the back. "You two will stay here. After we are finished discussing what we will do with the Felinebar we will move on to the Geokeys." He looked around. "And you will all stay to hear that as well. Rest assured High Mage, I have had my suspicions of the Brighthawks for a very long time. If they are plotting something that affects us I will do all I can to stop them.” He laid back in his chair. “Now that that is dealt with," He faced the general sitting beside him, "Continue with your explanation."