The slippery talk continued upstairs as cedar reached a heavy wooden door with well worn tracks on the floor leading through it. It was of course, shut tight.

"I assure you I am not here to disturb your mission for my own personal gain, or to seek any kind of fame. Please resume your plan as you see fit, all I ask is for us to be with you until we reached the capital. You may choose any route you prefer and share not your thoughts with us, that is fine with me."

Came that buttery voice through the overhead flooring.

(The hell you say, you slippery leech.) He roiled inwardly, looking for how to open the damn door.

It had a bit of a sticky latch, and he did not dare try beating on it. The prince however, seemed keen on getting out too, and had smaller and more nimble fingers. After a few attempts, he got the door latch unstuck, and the door open.

Cedar gave him a silent gesture of approval, then the two slid into the cramped and musty service corridor, closing the sticky latch behind them.

The floor sloped downward, and the corridor was cramped, at least by cedar's standards. He was relegated to going on all fours to avoid crouching, and it was barely wide enough for 2 humans. Cedar had no choice but to walk behind the prince into the gloom...

Kirsten had even less subtlety than Yvonne herself, and that's saying something with how brutish the mercenary could be at times. She felt like it's a shame. The Delving daughter could've been a well-respected warrior, but instead she's reduced to playing maid for someone who gave no regard to her talents.

"Just a mercenary, ma'am. I let the thinkers do the thinking, yeah?" Replied Yvonne coyly, suppressing a wince as the klutz grabbed her injured arm. Bloody hell, that hurts!

"Not a literal leash, silly!" Then, leaning closer, the voice took into a low whisper as an eye kept trained on Silas. Admiral's still making some speech, he likely wont pay attention this direction yet. "He had you tied up to him so tight, he'd drag you down to the deep end with his ambition. For your own sake, darling, get away."

Then she's back to normal with the confident bravado, as if the little warning had never been said at all.

"Blood ties ain't everything, yeah? Duke Rosenving can probably attest to that." Power really had their way to worm into someone's head, didn't it? Why would these powerful men ruin themselves to show off, to reach for more? Life could've be much simpler. Oh well, at least that means there's job aplenty. "That right there is Chounan, supposedly left the knight order for an undisclosed reason a while back. Why dont you say hi, Chowder?"

[GM Post]

"Mister Cedar?" The prince whispered, very carefully stepping through the dark tunnel. He couldn't see much, but there's some sort of light at the far end. "I presume something happened, but an explanation please?"

Part of him worried if the talking bear would try to kidnap him. He had came along because the sudden urgency change, but nothing seemed to have happened. A more reasonable part countered that surely his father wouldn't let a double agent into the rescue team? And a less savory part doubted if the bear was even capable of treachery, being a strangely intelligent beast and all. But still, it's perfectly valid to worry. He had no idea what could've transpired at the court, and another kidnapping could prove politically fatal.

His steps slowed. Could he fight Cedar off? The latter looked rather injured...

(Kirsten, huh. So that's her name. I see, I must remember it... Wait why she had a thorn maid outfit. Oh, she carrying a two-handed weapon, I guess she did a job for removing the vines back then huh. I see, I see. Well then, since she is Yvonne's close one I guess I'll try to talk to her and ask about Kirsten.)

Chounan focus! Don't get distracted! Surely, there is another time after this. Since she is a maid, it might cross path someday commonly on the market or star place, right?

He fixed himself to get to focus. The bear seems trying to escape with the prince from below. That Sila's Bullshetry speech seemed to be going to the escape rope right now, there is no way he is informed by the King about this. Must have a find way to buy the bear some time.

Chounan switched back his glance on Kirsten. Her question was referring on him and Yvonne answered it and introduced him to her.

"Nice to meet you, Lady Kristen. I'm still breathing, my muscles are just on recovery due the intense toe to toe against the huge berseker back then. Chounan was just an alias, my name is long and it's hard to pronounce since it was noble thing back to my home country. Technically I'm a prince of some big clan but that's no longer exist. I'm just the only who are living alive. Clan wars still going there along with a mythical creatures.

I made myself to become an adventurer. It's answer for those of the people who want freedom and venture outside world.

Cedar paused. It was only reasonable for the boy to be concerned, all things as they were.

He pointed behind and generally upward.

'At greasy sumbitch up 'ere knowed too damn much. Like how you'd be 'ere at'all. Da way he said ya was in a 'convoy', an it were in trouble. Only convoys ya been in were ya huntin' group --ol' fellar survive' buh the way-- an' em murderin' ass pustules as drug ya here. Hell, we's followinleads from li'eral DEAD people tryin ta get leads on ya,an' scryin day an night af'er. Weren't sure if'n ya was 'ere or at pesti. More 'an dat, I blocked de damn roads in TREE differn' places 'tween here an' dere, an he jus' stroll in!?'

He huffed a breath.

'--An 'AT slippery sumbitch gone an dun knowed right where ya is, like he knowed da whole time? What he take us for, mo'rons? I tells ya, they werent no odder clues where yas was bagged as would point here, how dat fucker know? I aint riskin losin sight a ya fer nuttin, at's what. We gittin' you outta 'ere, and back home ta ya pappy, or dyin' tryin!'

---

A lot of admiral Silas’ words did not match with what the party already knew. If the admiral was privy with the prince’s whereabouts, then he would have known he should have been at the royal forest. Being this far north was very suspicious. Even had the admiral investigated the royal forest and the nearby villages, it would have taken more than the day to arrive here. Similarly, the king wished to keep the kidnapping as secret as possible. For what possible reason would the admiral to have men stations at Pesti for one? And two, why would those men be aware of anything involving the prince? It all pointed to the admiral being in league with those who kidnapped the royal heir to begin with.

Rather than call him out, Matilda attempted to push misinformation. The group was after the assassins, not the prince. Solomon remained silent, watching the dialog unfold, yet still keeping an eye on Silas. Hidden beneath the mask, Solomon spoke softly that only the dead would hear. One shadow was to keep watch in case of more new arrivals, much to Chounan’s suggestion earlier. The other was to join Cedar and the prince below, acting as another set of eyes for them. That shadow would remain hidden from view even from them, only revealing itself to warn them of upcoming trouble. Petra crosser her arms again, both her spectral and corporeal halves. She remained silent. Unless Silas’s party had their own magical means of detecting the shadows much like Asevor, they would remain hidden, impossible to see. Otherwise, the admiral would have already known they were there.

Then Jazdia revealed the hand. Solomon did not know what angle she was playing, but for the moment, both sides were at am impasse. It looked as though Silas was attempting to prevent further acts of treason, moving in a way to get what he wanted in a means that couldn’t bring him further distress. Unlike that of his brother and the situation involving the Black Serpent Guild. To accompany the group, it sounded like a rouse. The admiral was not without guile. It was difficult to tell, but there lay the possibility Silas would strike should be accompany the party regardless of the route taken.

Solomon expected Silas was waiting for the prince to be presented. Whether he kept his word until he was ready to involuntarily relieve the prince from the party, or took advantage of the group now.

"He had you tied up to him so tight, he'd drag you down to the deep end with his ambition. For your own sake, darling, get away."

Oh, she had heard similar words over and over. And the mounting exasperation she felt for how things were was all too often being underestimated by those who only know her from the outside. Like many others, she too longed for freedom, and she had tried to get one for herself once. But it eventually ended on her own undoing. She was not prepared for it. The world outside was full of uncertainty and peril, and admittedly it was his father's power and influence that granted her a safe and comfortable life

"Blood ties ain't everything, yeah? Duke Rosenving can probably attest to that." Said Yvonne again, smiling proudly. Her story of being independent and standing up on her own feet could be very awe-inspiring, but as a Delving, Kirsten had been dazzled and disappointed by many stories and hope she now preferred to approach one with a healthy amount of pessimism.

"I will consider it,"
she said to Yvonne. "But I need to do it at my own pace.

Kirsten was baiting for small talk, but what she got was the story about the man's entire life. A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one.

"Well, Master Chonan, the Prince of a distant land. If you are saying you are recovering your muscle, then why stand there? You should come here and rest, I will lend you my lap for you to lay down. Better that way, don't you think?" the maid enthusiastically showed a small woven basket and presented it like it was something to flex. "And, I have bread. Made them this morning-- sort of, anyway, I hope you like pirozhki!"

'A Help huh?"

Matilda glared at Jazdia, and the latter did the same as well. However, the elf was the first to break free. She was smiling, and the energetic demeanor she displayed would be very unnerving even to people who barely know her.

"Why the hell not?! There is no harm in having an esteemed Admiral escorting you, Right Mattie? Especially not when... an unidentifiable menace like Mechean Terrorist could be lurking about, and you are uncertain about your current capability to defend yourself and those who are dear to you."

It was a jab for both Silas and Matilda, but it was more on Matilda, to be honest. If you want to be tough, back it up. Fake it if needed, and measure yourself. It was ridiculous to bare your fangs while you had to limp about just to show it closer to your enemy.

"Speaking about the prince..." Jazdia turned to Solomon. Again, tactfully scanned the floor beneath them as she transferred her attention to the lanky old man. "One of your sentries was with Cedar, was it not? I'm surprised you don't say anything."

She turned to Matilda again, there was no sense of alertness when she relayed the information. "I think you should know. The prince is no longer in this building. The bear is dragging him away as we speak."

(Shimatta! It sounds like a flexing, aren't I? This is why I'm not the type of guy who talks much. It was really dishonored for my samurai ancestors. Well, guess just go with the flow and hey! Why I'm getting nervous to talk with the girls.)

"My apologize. Lady Kirsten. I just got overwhelm... Drop with the formality. I'm an ex-prince already. I'm just nothing but an ex-chivalry knight and an adventurer." Replied to Kirsten with an apologetic tone. "I prefer to just accompany on the seat along with you and Lady Yvonne." As Kirsten offered a basket of unfamiliar pastries, he accepted and reached out one piece from the the basket.

Chounan started to bite and savor the flavor of pan and it's filling. The delightful and adventurous tasting makes him overwhelmed and took bite again. With a proper manner of eating a beard. Chounan enjoy the pan, he keeps biting some piece until nothing remains. A warm smile for Kirsten as joyfully enjoyed the new experience of food. "You are great! T-thank for experiencing this new kind of bread. I should try out to make one, too! Also, I would like to make a rice ball for you if we meet again."

[GM Post]

Yvonne sighed inwardly, recognizing the diplomatic rejection for what it was. Kirsten knew nothing but the gilded cage she lived in for all her life, that she wouldn't even try to escape. Or perhaps she did and it failed, whatever. The mercenary couldn't do much more than give an encouraging advice. The two of them were on good terms, yes, but not good enough for Yvonne to risk everything for the Delving girl. Her own escape from the Rosenving's clutch were already a work of miracle.

"Would you look at that, I think he likes you! I haven't seen him talk that much before!" She gave Kirsten a firm pat in the back before distancing herself, though her attention was on the elder Delving instead. She's paying attention to the exchange alright. She trusted Sparky's leadership, but at the moment it looked increasingly likely that the elf was trying to antagonize Silas. For some reason. "I should make some room for the two of you, yeah? Have fun."

Yvonne made some distance alright, but from her position... well, a darker, more pragmatic part of her mind told her that should it turn hostile the best move was to flank and neutralize Kirsten immediately. Friendship or not. No hard feelings, but survival comes first.

Under the mercenary's eyes were Matilda, who shut her eyes and inwardly counted to ten in an effort to control her temper. Then the orc glared at the petulant little contractor, flat out displeased at the entire charade.

"So it seems that Cedar have more tact than you. I would call it surprising, but that would be a lie." Jazdia was evidently not used following after others. "What are you playing at? Out with it. Fucking subterfuge..."

Elsewhere, the prince mulled over the explanation - after taking some time deciphering through the accent - before nodding in acquiescence. Okay, he could understand that much. His pace resumed, but so did the questions that came to mind.

"Very well. Did you caught a name? There should be precious few in the kingdom that can give dame Matilda a pause. Or perhaps there's an overwhelming number?"

Up ahead, near the end, there's constant thudding noise and hushed whispers. Upon getting close the two would've spotted some of the fort's civilian staffs and some villagers that took refuge under the storehouse. It seemed that the building above had collapsed, for they're using whatever tools at hand to try break open the trapdoor. To little success so far, but didn't deter them from trying.

---

“Er, yes, but…” Solomon paused before he continued with his lack of response. Silas had let on about how much he knew which was a dangerous amount, but up until now, there wasn’t much concrete proof. Yet, Jazdia thought it appropriate to reveal what Silas could only speculate. In some parts, it made sense. Silas was meticulous. His position as admiral was not done for the sake of nepotism. He had genuine strength and skill to back up his position. Yet, it also gave the party less time to come up with counter measures. Solomon was not pleased about the situation as it was developing, but he kept that part to himself.

As of now, Solomon was aware that the prince and Cedar were still in the cellar. Or at least, where still in the underground area connected to it. It sounded like others were there as well, seeking shelter from the earlier storm. Beyond a disguise, Solomon wasn’t sure what he was doing, but it looked to be as Jazdia said. Cedar was taking the prince out the back.

“Ahem.” Solomon coughed, “I didn’t think my sentry much to report. As of now, there haven’t been any surprises.”

"'VonnIe said he were 'admiral' somebody. Made a sarcas'ic joke 'bout him bein' far away from da sea. --His story done stink like a rottin' dead fish, 'ats asure!'

Upon hearing the sounds of crying children, desperate villagers, and catching the smell of blood, sweat, and a heavy air of fear and despair from up ahead, the bear stopped cold, listened intently, snuffed the air then cursed.

'Aww shit.'

"Mister Cedar?" Asked the prince in confusion.

'Look kid, Mos' people's dun really like havin' yers truly sneakin' up on em in de dark, let 'lone dark, tight places like 'is. They tends ta ... ... 'take exception' afore Is kin e'en git a word in edgewise--' his voice trailed off in volume, but kept right on uninterrupted as he muttered worriedly to himself. '....ok, think ya dumb bear... how ya gunna git outta dis dump without becommin' some dumb fuckers rug? .... think....'

The bearman literally sat on the ground and bowed his head down, with an inscrutable, but tense look about him for several seconds, before slowly turning it toward the prince again.

"Ok Alec, here what we gunn'a do-- Yer name aint Alec. Think a sommat right naow, an stick wit' it. You's a peasant boy from Pesti-- an I's yer pet bear, got it? Yas was usin' meh to hunt fer mushrooms, an' got caught in'da storm earlier. Ya headed fer da firs' intact buildin' ya coul' fin', and foun' da keep deserted, got it? Call meh what'er ya like, I'll go along wit' it an' play muh part-- just try an' keep it sommat respectful, yahear? I dun wanna be havi ta ans'er ta no fuckin' 'fluffy' shit, got it? I dun' know how ta talk, but is 'real smart 'n playful' got it?'

He waited for the prince to nod his understanding, before continuing.

'An one more thang-- grab wha'ere bit a paper ya kin git yer purdy manicured hands on! Paper, Parchment if'n dey gots it, hell-- rip da labels off'n some wine bottles, I dun care, 'slong as it some paper. Git some, or anuhthang else likes it, and shoves it in ya pockets, all discrete like, got it? I's been separated frum muh own clothin' at da moment, an aint got no pockets, so I needs ya ta do dis. Is real important."

Jazdia's glanced back at the orc expressionlessly. That smile faded and that playful demeanor diminished. The play ended now, and it was about time.

Her eyes darted around Silas and his men, then through the wall. Since Asevor's demise, the tower had lost much of its magical barrier, allowing her to see in and out clearer than before. Every civilian, and every man and woman walking in her line of sight she scanned them all. Nothing out of the ordinary, and back to Silas, no magical signal being sent out.

That damn Baker, was he for real?

What really matters now Cedar was taking a VIP away from them, for an unknown reason. That made him even more suspicious than the Delving duo, and that made her want to laugh in the face of that irony.

It was ten seconds passed, and Silas Delving looked as if the information troubled him. He wanted to speak, but Matilda stole the chance

"So it seems that Cedar have more tact than you. I would call it surprising, but that would be a lie. What are you playing at? Out with it. Fucking subterfuge..."

The crassness of the demand stunned her, But Jazdia quickly shook it off.

"Easy, Mattie. I don't think I am obliged to answer that. Also, I am not your subordinate, remember?" Jazdia walked toward Cedar's damp robes and tossed the Kompass toward Matilda. "We have a more pressing matter at hand now; I will take the other way, you follow Cedar. I will guide you with my power. Sounds good?"


At that moment Matilda's hand balled into a fist, her bicep and neck hardening as a rock, yet Jazdia remained undaunted, she advanced forward, eyes shifted between the tunnel bellow and the disgruntled orc in front of her.

"No?"

A dangerous glint flashed in the Knight-Captain's eyes, very much dissatisfied with how this elf conduct herself. Internal conflict, this close to the end? Or was she intentionally doing so, in some deranged scheme to hedge her bet with Silas Delving present? Matilda was not having this. She caught the communication device and tossed it back to the elf, the refusal plain enough even without any words.

"Then be on your way. Accompany the admiral, since you like him so much. Doctor Solomon, have your scout signal Cedar to turn around. We are leaving from the front door." Since Silas was so graciously informed, there's no more point to playing dumb.

"As for you, Admiral Delving. I do not trust you. Get out and keep your distance, or I shall take this as an obstruction of his majesty's will. If you truly worry about the baron's land you are welcome to return after we depart."


Jazdia caught the brass locket with one hand, exchanging a brief glance with the impatient orc before turning to Solomon. "Well, please do so, Doctor Solomon."

There was a pause. Considering that Matilda was not interested in finding the prince, Jazdia decided to not give up on Silas. The orc's repudiation? It means nothing to her.

"Okay, let's drop the act. Admiral Silas, We all suspect your family to be the mastermind of the entire scheming. No, save your breath, you understand what we are capable of. Do me a favor and don't deny until I am finished, or I will say nothing more.

Okay, one fact had been established. Now, to Matilda. It didn't really matter if the knight captain refuses to hear. The information could be beneficial regardless.

But she did hope that Matidal would be willing to listen.

"Knight-Captain. If Admiral was as dangerous as you suspected him to be, and sought to end us, don't you feel it was strange for him to come to us with three Soldiers and a bodyguard? Why would he bother? He doesn't have any sentry stationed outside. Why didn't he just prepare an ambush on the road and claim the VIP for himself? To lower our guard? Please, he doesn't have to do that. There are too many witnesses here, and too many risks involved."

Jazdia turned to Silas again, measuring the man, securing the motive before the man proclaim his own. The prediction didn't have many flaws in its logic, but she was still taking a bet, calculated probability still beared uncertainty.

"That doesn't exclude the possibility that there will be dangers waiting for us, but why give up the element of surprise? Showing your nose here is enough to alert us all. You still have something to hide Admiral, and I know it will be your next bargaining chip. You are not stupid enough to prepare this dangerous meeting for something we do not want to hear. So, I decided to risk it.

The elf paused to catch her breath.

"The milady has asked, it was mistakenly directed to me, but we know I have nothing to hide. So it should be you; What are you playing at? Out with it."

It was not every day Admiral Silas Delving found himself being questioned like a prisoner.

It seemed he was approaching this from a wrong angle, but he couldn't really blame them. He expected this bunch of hirelings would just nod at his request and all would be done nicely. He, at one point, realized was wishful thinking, and would settle by telling one of them the truth about his circumstances. There was a speck of hope when the elf entered the stage but it all crumbling to dust when strong disagreement sparked in the group.

The elf looked at him, there was no emotion in her face, while at Matilda, he did not dare to look. After carefully considering his options, Silas took a deep breath and began.

"What I have been saying is nothing but truth and truth only."

There was a low growl, and the elf shook her head.

"But about my motive, I am ready to disclose it if you are willing to listen." The admiral Suddenly lowered himself and sit on the floor, dried vines and other small debris did not bother him somehow "My father tasked us to check the Baron in response to his letter this morning. The circumstances about your rescue attempt never arrived to him when I was there, not yet, I made some attempt to delay that. But I fear it would at some point."

"Why did you delay the information?" the elf asked.

"Because I never agreed to this."The Admiral shook his head lightly before continuing with unrestrained dejection. "Because I know this could lead... to my family's downfall. This enterprise is foolish! And any sane man could see that. Kidnapping a prince? And then what? Kill him? Selling him off to Meche? What good it could achieve?"

Silas straightened his posture, clearing his throat so he could continue with a low, yet clear volume. As if afraid Kirsten would hear, but knew all along it was useless.

"My intention was to go against my father's plan." he grimaced as he shook his head, as if the very confession pained him. "Had you not arrived, I would have demanded the Baron to release him, pay Asevor his money, and escort the prince back to the Capital. But now here we are, and I still have to clear my family's name somehow."

"By hitching on our effort when the job is done?" Jazdia chimed in, this time joining him by sitting against each other.

The Admiral smiled in misplaced pride. "Politician does not care about the details. My family and their cohorts have been embellishing facts for as long as I could remember. The clandestine nature of this operation makes it possible to do so. You will not be the one who appears in the printed bulletins. But any recognizable face would, and that will be our political leverage."

It was hard to guess the tone of his confession. It sounded disgustingly amoral, but Silas delivered it in a way that it was not something to gloat or be ashamed of, but rather a plain reality.

"I truly wish for his highness to arrive safely, I really do. If he was severely harmed or killed, or keep detained we can't maintain the status quo anymore, sooner or later.

The admiral looked away as he continued. he was still calm, but a stroke of emotion in his voice was apparent.

"It was something Father did not see. His personal ambition blinded him, and sadly we can't always deny his command. My brother Aaron was the first to take the brunt after fulfilling his will. I do not ask you to forgive or sympathize with him, but I hope it could give you a clearer picture of my motive."

"So why do you try to reach us?"

Silas was slightly taken aback when the elf tilted her head as if deliberately trying to dumb down her perceived logic. The orc next to them appeared to be uncared by the conversation, but he knew she was listening.

To that question, the admiral commanded his soldier to bring a square cage with two homing birds in it.

"My father tasked us to report immediately upon reaching Fanghorn. We began our journey this morning, meaning he is expecting one of our messages to arrive anytime around this hour, we sent none, and that would agitate him. My father was not a patient man, and there are a lot of ways for him to obtain information. We have our men stationed everywhere, and the raid at Pesti this morning was not exactly silent. The news might not reach him in the fastest way, but it certainly would."

"Yes, you are right, Ma'am. That means there could be several ambushes prepared for us. The ambushers might or might not know what they are signed for like the sorry mercenary band at Pesti, but it doesn't matter. His Usuals will take care of the dirtiest part. I was hoping, with us going with you those people would stand down. You see, I am not asking you to trust me; I have said it all, the bad, the good, and the ugly. Now you know my motive, and we both have a common goal. Let us work together."

---

It was still too soon to see how truthful Silas was with his motivations and plans. And knowing now the maid character is another of the Delving family, something still felt off. One person from the family could make sense, but another with Kirsten was convenient. The Delving family had a lot of power among the noble houses, and slowly it seemed to be dismantling. First there was Aaron’s demotion, and not Silas’ deflection. Perhaps it was time to give the admiral the benefit of the doubt.

“I’ve been around long enough to know what you’re attempting to do. You should know such plans never work. The dark stains left behind will forever mark the family, and will eventually tear it down. Either by the people it rules, or the people who ruled over it. I commend your attempts to right the wrongs in your own way. However, it may be time to separate yourself form them. You will lose the power of your family name, but your decisions here forward may reward you with favor yet. I do not wish for you to misplace your motivations if you truly wish to seek an end to the deceit.”

Down within the tunnels connecting the cellar, the shadow began to stir. Cedar and the prince were enacting some kind of odd plan. Solomon had passed the order to turn the two back. For it was both Jazdia and Matilda that wished it so. As the two were searching for paper, the prince wrestled with the sticky glue that bound a paper label to one of the bottles. The shadow that was watching over them suddenly revealed itself, growing from the ground. It created a wall of blackness separating Cedar and the prince from everyone else attempting to break through the blockade. A startled yelp echoed as one of the peasants was caught by surprise, and several others clambered away. The shadow ignored the confused and frightened murmurs of the citizens as it returned to its humanoid shape.

The shadow was still for only a moment, making sure it had grabbed the attention of the bear and heir duo. It did the equivalent of puffing it’s chest to look like it was blocking the way forward and then pointed back towards the cellar beneath the keep. It did so multiple times, directing them to head back to the others.

Jazdia stood up, yeah that made a lot of sense. Then she heard Solomon's commentary and mused.

If they can get away with it, then as Baker had figured, Fredricus' influence is not as strong as he might think anymore. She turned to Silas. "Awfully a lot to take in your confession, Sir Delving, and I am sure you are confident, even if we record your speech and present it to the king himself, your family could still get away with it, right?"

The elf smiled. She has been holding the brass Kompas this whole time and her fingers itched to press that rewind button, but then decided against so. Another piece of evidence had been secured, no need to push the man further.

The admiral stood as well, his expression feigned resolution and disagreement, but whatever resistance dwelled in his heart, he sure hid it completely. He spared a glance one last time at the three agents before speaking.

"I have said everything that needs to be said. I will leave it to your judgment. I shall wait outside."

The Admiral finally let go of his nerve-wracking attention on the group and walked away, stopping briefly to look at the maid. The woman seemed to not paid him any heed but eventually rose from her sitting and followed anyway, the Admiral's aides guarded her from behind.

"There was something I wanted to tell you," she said, half whispering after taking a step closer to Matilda. "I am not giving the admiral a chance based only on my pure instinct alone." Jazdia slipped a hand between her hair and her ears and detached a circular item that looked like bold, knitted-together piece of black wires. She squeezed the item, channeling magic into it before offering it to the orc

"Put it on your ears."

"You are great! T-thank for experiencing this new kind of bread."

"You like it? Really?" the praise itself was awkward as if coming from someone who never properly express gratitude in a casual way. Yet it felt sincere somehow, a rare expression that made Kirsten eyes twinkle with joy.

"I should try out to make one, too!" the man said, skipping a breath. "Also, I would like to make a rice ball for you if we meet again."

"Eh... oh, you will? But we don't grow rice here. I am a frequent shopper at the local market you know, and foreign condiments are rarely in stock. But they often have importd herbs like cinnamons, cloves, and nutmeg from Dwipawarna every August--- ahem, pardon me, but surely you have your way, so go ahead, surprise me!"

"Truly it's hard to find the sacks of those. Anyway it settle then. Let's try to meet after the mission on local market. I have some good spot for outside picnic. Chounan replied her with warm smile that make him excited.

Despite of their conversation. His Shinobi ear can hear her older brothers talk. The situation quite familiar on him so that he can now understand the Admiral. New mission will be started once the prince kidnap case has been solve. Admitted to have a love in first sight on Kirsten, he has reason to deal with the Delving's problem.

Picnic huh? The word was stranger than the foreign man himself. It sounded like an invitation, to stroll about together. Suddenly Kirsten realized that they have planned something together without her noticing.

Picnic. She repeated the word, sighing. Now it was not so strange anymore. Did this man ask her to go out? Well, she would like to... to be honest, and she could always slink away noticed like she did today.

"So...?"

The question was, why?

Between their awkward exchanges, Kirsten had been observing the other group with a shabby expression. They were still talking, but the tone seemed too direly gloomy. This time it was the tall knight lady who spoke, and Kirsten almost jumped from her seat upon witnessing her sharp attitude.

Her flamberge, which she had secured against the table prior, skidded down and dropped to the floor with a thud. Kirsten kneeled to pick it up. The Chonan did so as well. "Are you..."

"...Fine" The maid answered, looking away as she strapped the sword on her back. She dared herself to guess that the man was offering a friendship. It was wonderful, and it merely started with her being friendly to him. She would like to say yes to the invitation and would be eager to see where it leads. But between the little foreign guy and the series of hectoring against her brother, she could not think clearly, she feared the possibility.

The timing could not be any better. Silas was walking toward the exit and stopped to give Kirsten a signal to leave. She ignored him, intending to finish the goodbye.

"I..." She forced herself to look at him and curl her lips into a smile. "I can't promise anything, but I know we will meet again. Until Next time, Chonan."

Finally, both Delvings made their way to the exit, and when they were no longer there, confusion, relief, and disappointment flooded the room.

[GM Post]

Elves. So goddamn mercurial. Matilda was half of mind to slap the unknown artifact off, but she reined her temper and took a listen. Her scowl deepened at the transcription, eyes flickering to the last glint of Silas' coat as he left the room. As promised. She could breath slightly easier now, and refocused.

"...I still dont like your behavior, Crystalspark." Stated the Knight-Captain by the end, returning the earpiece once there's no more dialogue to be had. "But fine, I admit that you have your reason. Not a great one, still. I apologize for my earlier outburst." Now, coupled with the Delving's confession... there's a picture to be seen here. How much could the man be trusted, though? He had an angle to this himself. Minimizing the damage to the Delving name, so that he would inherit the legacy mostly intact? Duke Delving will not get out of this unscratched. Hell, she doubt he'd get out of this alive at all. But how much of the family burnt down in the process, that's up to Silas' performance.

"I would not trust the admiral near the prince. None of us will be able to do anything if he grab the prince and flee with his ability." A glance was spared to Veronica's cloaked figure, presence barely felt in the night. The vampiress likely could, if night have fallen. But she's nowhere near enough to best Silas in combat. "He can be our outrider, if he so wish. Not one step closer. But what is your take on this matter?"

How bad of an ambush can the duke arrange for anyway? The entire kingdom is in high alert, armed men travelling in large group will be spotted and questioned by Kindeance patrol. Unless Delving had wormed far enough into the army...

Elsewhere, the prince took a sharp breath at the title. Kindeance only had one admiral in active duty at the moment. And that was Silas Delving. A bonafide hero! Wouldn't that be good news, then? He's among the best fighter the kingdom had. A bit strange that he arrived late, but surely an admiral was busy?

"Admiral Silas?! I've met him before, he's a great man. Did my father sent him? It's quite far from the sea, but the matter of my kidnapping is no small thing." No one had told him about the circumstances, so he's understandably not getting the urgency. The thought that the Delving could be involved didn't quite crossed his mind. "We should return. With the admiral around, no amount of assassin or kidnapper can succeed-"

Alec suppressed a yelp as the path darkened- no, it was one of doctor Solomon's shadowy servant. It was... miming something? Continuing to point backward at the way they came from...

"Doctor Solomon? Wait, they cant speak. What do you think he meant?" He spared a glance at the back, not seeing anything at all. Images of bogeymen jumping out of the corner rose instead, and he shook his head to banish the mirage. "Warning? No, doesn't look urgent. Go back, perhaps. I think they've resolved the situation. Let's go." One last look at the end of the tunnel, where he could somewhat see shapes urgently trying to break through. "Once we're sure the path is secure, we should come back to tell them to leave from the castle. I doubt anyone will mind, at this point."