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[color=#736AFF][b][h1]Ranbu no Izayoi[/h1][/b][/color]
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The next day came and went. True to his word, Hien gave the Kirins most of the daylight hours before he called them to convene in the safehouse's primary chambers. The young lord sat seiza before a table containing a map of Osprey as he waited for the party to gather. When they did, he cleared his throat and began.

"Thank you all for coming." Hien smiled briefly before his expression turned solely towards business. "Let's be about it, then. Before my capture, Lady Ciradyl's people had passed along intelligence regarding Valheim's operations in the northern desert. They've been moving men and materiel by airship towards the desert for weeks now. By all reckoning, there's nothing there. Any villages in the direction of where the airships have been traveling have been destroyed by the Blight already." He paused to let the matter sink in and point out the direction on the map before continuing on.

"Now, none of you are under any obligation to obey my commands." Izayoi gave him a brief sideeye at that, to which he didn't respond. "Let me be clear, this is a request, not an order. I hold no illusion I've any power over the lot of you, but our goals are aligned. Everyone here would be benefited more by cooperation in this regard. We've theorized that whatever Valheim is up to in the desert, it has something to do with the Blight. Given that it's your stated goal, I can't imagine why you'd refuse to go. Now, Izayoi's traveled throughout the desert extensively throughout her younger years, or so she's told me. She can guide you through the dunes."

[color=#736AFF][b]"Indeed."[/b][/color] Izayoi nodded, taking the cue to speak. [color=#736AFF][b]"Minimize exposing your skin to the sun. If you must wear armor, wear cloth both over and underneath it to shield the metal from heat. I will confer with the moogle to stock plenty of water."[/b][/color]

"Very good. In any case, Lady Ciradyl's people can smuggle you all back out of the city. Considering the chaos you've all caused among the garrison, there should be enough gaps in their coverage to leave easily, but we'll not take chances when all your faces are likely known at this point. Any questions? You'll be departing in the morning, so do get plenty of rest."