Guilford heard Lethe's and Kobayashi's brief conversation. His mind had already processed possible scenarios for the High Council to out of their way like this.<span style="color: #0080FF">"We depart posthaste. I appreciate the High Council's concern with regard to our movements being kept hidden but it's unnecessary."</span>Guilford replied just as quickly as Captain Kobayashi turned to him. Somehow the look on his face seemed like they shared the same thought. Guilford politely smiled and gave his squad the order to board the ship.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Captain, walk with me for a moment..."</span><br/><br/>The two moved to a part where the engines of the Wyviera didn't muffle normal conversation. Guilford's deep purple eyes turning to Captain Kobayashi with a serious shade to them.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Captain, what I will ask of you, I ask that you do as a favor."</span>Gil trailed. Captain Kobayashi's brows curled in a mix of curiosity and confusion. "Well now, this isn't like you at all Master Guilford, it sounds ominous." replied the other captain. Guilford chuckled lightly.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Nothing of the sort good Captain. I merely wish for one of your men to log every detail about any Wyviera that will fly to Palaugrim after ours. Have them keep a copy ready for when I get back."</span>he asked, tone dropping into seriousness. Captain Kobayashi still had that curled brow but upon hearing a simple request, thought that it was easy enough to do. But he just had to ask. "Every detail huh? Is it something I need to worry about?"<br/><br/>Guilford shook his head lightly. It was always like him to take investigations on his own. A lot of the High Council's actions still lies in question with him. While the decoys could be justified as keeping possible attacks off of their squads, or any pursuers, it could also be translated to the High Council keeping a close tab on them, should they let it play out their way of course.<span style="color: #0080FF">"No, it shouldn't be of any major concern. Let's just say I have a hunch."</span>Truth be told, he didn't want the High Council to have any form of control on their actions in Palaugrim. Throwing them off their scent too was the only option he had in mind.<br/><br/>When the two finished their personal transaction, Guilford boarded their ship last, earning himself questioning eyes that leered at him. Everyone in his squad had already taken their seats and buckled up, and their stare simply urged him to answer.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Men's room. Stuff. Not an avid flyer."</span>he joked, knowing full well it was a failed attempt at humor; it wasn't one of his strong points. Before taking his seat, he went over to their pilot to give out new orders and a message to Lethe saying<span style="font-style: italic">follow our lead</span>in secure transmission. He then turned to the rest of his knights inside the ship and watched the bay doors close. Upon making sure they were in enclosed space, Guilford raised his voice to make sure everyone could hear him.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Change of plans, we're landing at the abandoned Southwestern port instead. If we're going to throw off pursuers, we might as well throw off <span style="font-style: italic">everyone</span> too."</span>he said, knowing his knights will pick up on what he meant.<br/><br/>Buckling himself to his seat as well, their Wyviera took to the skies and onward to Palaugrim. He had instructed the pilots to fly low and use the thick clouds for cover if and when they should change direction.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________</div><br/><br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline"><div style="text-align: center;">Gless - Wyviera Docks 3</div></span></span><br/><br/><br/>"Captain Abel, it's good to see you in the armor again. Your Wyviera is ready to depart sir." reported one of the knights from the dock. Abel hoisted his pack behind him, grunting just a little when he got up due to the weight of his heavy armor. With a nod, he told the knight to lead the way. He had received information that the two squads were to land at the Southeastern port and ordered his pilot to fly him there as well.<br/><br/>Abel sat back in the comfortless seat of the Wyviera, reflecting on the High Council's task for him. Just what exactly did Master Guilford and Master Lethe do to warrant such attention from the High Council? They used to be so proud of their achievements and now they worry that the two would fall to sin? Abel thought nothing added up to make sense. There has to be something esle he was unaware of. Regardless, he will complete the task assigned to him if it is the will of the Divine Light.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________</div><br/><br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline"><div style="text-align: center;">Palaugrim - Southeastern Dock</div></span></span><br/><br/><br/>There was a lot of movement in the docks. Knights of all ranks moved like ants attending to their respective duties. Today is a special day. They have received word that the two Seraphs and their squads were to land on their dock. Everything had to look right, everything should be perfect. They have made preparations for a grand welcome, all of them eager to lay eyes on the prestigious knights. As the hours ticked by, their work moved to completion. All that is left now is their arrival.<br/><br/>In the far corner of the docks, several knights were huddled together, engaged in casual talk. The male knights discussed the women, and vice versa.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"I can't believe it! Master Guilford and Master Lethe are really coming here!"</span><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Not only that, their squads are with them too!"</span><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"No way! Really? I've always wanted to see the so called Ferocious Beauty!"</span><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Ho? I'm more interested in Seraphim. I heard she's quite the fighter."</span><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Careful now, she might smash your face with her gauntlets if you hound her for her signature. They say she has quite the temper."</span><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"What about the Ruby Eyes Natalia? They said she's quite the beauty too."</span><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Nah, too young. I'd go for Cricket."</span><br/><br/>And there was momentary silence...<span style="font-style: italic">"May the Divine Light keep you safe brother."</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Ohhh my liiiight! I can't wait to see the graceful Alfrei!"</span><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"I want to feast my eyes on Mr. Stiff!"</span><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"YunQiao? That Mr. Stiff? I'd take the prim and proper Adair any day!"</span><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"I wish Hyuga would take me to dream land..."</span><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"No no no. Deimos wins over them all! Ohh those yellow eyes!"</span><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"I like mine big and strong. Vlad my dear!"</span><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"You kids don't know men. They're like wine, older the better. Joaquim, Georg, Valiar. Ohhh my light!"</span><br/><br/>And there was momentary silence...<span style="font-style: italic">"Hold her down! Those are married men! To have such thoughts! Unforgivable! <span style="font-weight: bold">Absolve</span>!"</span><br/><br/>All the anticipation rose to the climax upon the sound of engines drawing close. Soon, a speck from the distance came closer and closer. The Wyviera landed on the clearing and its bay doors hissed upon the release of pressure that kept it closed. More and more of the knights gathered around the lone ship, anticipating the Seraps walking out first, followed by their squads. Everyone's eyes widened in surprise when a lone old knight, clad in white heavy armor disembarked the Wyviera. The old knight was slightly taken aback at the sight of so many knights gathered around. Despite his age, his ears were in tip top condition. He could hear some of the restless murmurs just fine.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Who is that?"</span><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"I-I-I have no idea..."</span><br/><br/>His expression darkened. Abel knew that he should have arrived later than the Seraphs, but the gathering of knights here was a clear indication that the people they expected never came. Abel hoisted his pack and stormed his way to the dockmaster's office.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________</div><br/><br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline"><div style="text-align: center;">Palaugrim - Abandoned Southwestern Dock</div></span></span><br/><br/><br/>Guilford's ship landed first. He already had his squad in formation, relaxed but at the ready, awaiting Lethe and her squad to disembark from the second ship that just landed. Fortunately, the abandoned dock was still quiet like the old times. Guilford walked over to Lethe in a hurry after the two Wyvieras have left. He raised a hand in greeting and nodded at Lethe upon reaching conversation distance.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Sorry about the sudden detour. The decoys set by the High Council had me worried."</span>he said and winked. It was not his intention to disobey the High Council but should his actions worry Lethe, he had to assure her somehow.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Don't worry, this one's gonna fall on me."</span>he added.<br/><br/>That was all that he could afford to say in front of Lethe's squad without arousing much suspicion, but Gil trusted that Lethe would somehow understand why he did this. She had seen him question the High Council once after all. Turning to survey the area, Guilford noted that the old path that led to the dock was still passable, it was a service road that connected to the main one leading to Jenault, another knight controlled small town to the west of Rayitas, their supposed first destination. Though much has changed over the years, he was sure that this path is safe. He often used this dock in his past missions if he wanted to move under the radar. They should be able to traverse the path to their destination under the Scouts noses.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"We should head north to Jenault first which is two hours from here, from there we can make our way East to Rayitas or continue Northeast to another town closer to Rasova. There's no scout presence on this path due to it being one of the safe routes but don't worry, my squad and I use this path all the time to move undetected."</span>