Red was a bit annoyed at Marco's question, [color=ed1c24]"Does it look like I can use my hands?"[/color] she asked as she wiggled her hand in the cuff. [color=ed1c24][i]I'd really prefer to not have to break my hand to get out of this"[/i][/color], she thought before once again addressing the fourth knight. [color=ed1c24]"Alright, fine. Why don't you take off the shackles and we can play? You don't even have to come in the cell, just toss the key to me...unless you want to come in?"[/color], obviously she didn't have the slightest interest in the eavesdropper but if the cuffs were off then she'd be free before sundown. [color=ed1c24]"So what shall we play? War? No we're both illusionists, maybe something more...interesting"[/color], Red's voice took on an alluring tone as she eyed Marco. 
[hr]
Meanwhile, Evelyn sat once again in the great hall with a new cup of tea. Every now and then she glanced over her back to see if anymore surprises were headed her way. Satisfied that she'd be left in peace, the knight-captain took in a deep breath of relief before saying softly, [color=fff79a]"Finally, peace at last"[/color]. Just as she grasped her cup, a voice cried out, [b]"CAPTAIN SUNDERLAND!"[/b]. It was the same nervous wreck of a courier from before. This ime instead of causing Evelyn to fall out of her seat, he merely caused her arm to jerk, spilling her tea all over the table. [color=fff79a][i]"Altaia, give me strength"[/i][/color], she prayed before getting up to recieve the message. [color=fff79a]"Yes, what's wrong?"[/color], she asked with a very annoyed tone in her voice.

[b]"Nothing, ma'am. Scholar Printh requests your presence in the war room"[/b]

Evelyn said nothing as she walked past the courier, a scowl on her face as she headed for the war room. Whatever it was that Printh wanted, it had better be good.

The War Room was not as large as the Grand Hall nor as impressive. In truth, it was a chamber the size of a cottage. In interior was not decorated with intricate wall carvings or lined with fancy torch sconces. As this was primarily a place of study, Thanermere had little need for a war room. Had it not been that Printh was already inside and had started a fire, the  chamber would have been cold as winter for the walls were of the same brick and mortar used to build the exterior walls. The sole piece of furniture was the war table at the center on top of which a map of the continent sat. [color=fff79a]"You requested me, Master Printh?"[/color], she asked with the same amount of irritation in her voice as before. 

[b]"Indeed, a raven arrived just recently. It was sent for you"[/b], Printh handed Evelyn the letter. It was a small black envelope with a grey seal however it had no identifying features. 

[color=ed1c24]"Do we know where it's from?"[/color], she asked as she opened the letter. Scholar Printh simply shook his head as he answered, [b]"All we know is that it came from the southwest"[/b]

[i]Knight-Captain Evelyn Sunderland,
We've spoken before, at that time I urged you to travel to Wyndhaven. Three days have passed and the hour grows dire in the capital. I once again urge you to make haste for the capital, at the gates you will be instructed on how to meet your contact.[/i]

There was no signature, no name or alias to even give the slightest clue as to who this individual was. Even so, Evelyn know who this was, the voice from the nightmare, telling them to go to the capital. After all they'd been through in the Hive, Evelyn had completely forgotten about their mysterious guide. [color=fff79a]"Have we recieved news from the capital? Has the king made a statement in regards to the army at his doorstep?"[/color], Evelyn handed Printh back the letter who immediately threw it into the fire. [b]"I sent ravens while you were away but they've never come back, it is possible someone is intercepting our messages"[/b]

[color=fff79a]"Then our friend's words are true. We may be needed in the capital.[/color]

[b]"When do you intend to go?"[/b]

[color=fff79a]"At first light, I'd best inform the men"[/color]

[b]"Captain I must warn you, you realize that if these letters have been intercepted then our enemy is scattered further than just at Starguard. It is possible they are operating from within the capital and highly likely that they are observing our movements here as well"[/b]

[color=fff79a]"I know, in fact I believe we may have caught an agent this morning. She sits in the dungeon as we speak"[/color]

[b]"Have you learned anything from her?"[/b]

[color=fff79a]"She's resilient but current under questioning by one of my men, hopefully he brings results soon"[/color]

Just then that same courier barged into the war room. [color=fff79a]"Before you scream my name simply telll me the message!"[/color], Evelyn wasn't one to yell...aside from that one time with the chickens, but when she did she felt terrible about it, especially if it was not warranted. The poor lad was doing his job and here he was shaking in his boots. [b]"A-A-A letter f-for you ma'am. From Lieutenant Marcus"[/b], the courier quickly handed Evelyn the letter and sprinted out of the room, not wanting to be the target of her ire any longer than needed. As Evelyn looked over the letter she was both surprised and pleased. [color=fff79a]"Tell Lieutenant-ah yes he's gone..."[/color], she said upon realizing the courier had long vanished. Printh chuckled before heading for the door, [b]"I'll inform Master Marcus"[/b].

[color=fff79a]"My thanks, Master Printh. In the meantime I''ve some planning to do"[/color], once she was alone, Evelyn turned her attention to the map. The borders of the kingdoms as well as key geographic and political locatios were marked, but now a nee line had to be made, the border between the Kingdom of Farendar and the Realm of Sar'Than.