Lethe leaned forward to look at the map, mentally comparing it to the one her team had compiled.<span style="color: Silver"> “I believe.. these villages are also hostile.  And there are hideaways over here and here that we can use as long as we keep our heads down.”</span>Her finger touched five spots on Guilford’s map before resting her finger on one of the villages marked as safe.<span style="color: Silver"> “Is this safe for Knights or is it a personal connection?  I don’t think we have it marked on our map..”</span>She glanced at YunQiao who was meticulously adding the new information to their map.  Sensing her gaze, the black-haired Knight looked up, shook his head, and went back to his note taking.<br/><br/><span style="color: Silver"> “Since we haven’t had time to try any formations together, I think it would be best to leave combat to each squad separately, for the most part.  I’m assuming that everyone is generally aware of what everyone else does?”</span>Silence greeted her inquiry so she continued.<span style="color: Silver"> “If not, we always have the flight to Palaugrim to discuss.  However, if you don’t have any objections, I’d like to use a combined marching formation when on the ground.”</span>Seraphim slid the proposed formation onto the table.  Instead of names, it used positions to indicate who should work where.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;"><a class="postlink" href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v664/EvanescentBreeze/CreativeFreedom/sinLethe/PalaugrimFormation_zps09752bc2.jpg">[ img ]</a></div><br/><br/><span style="color: Silver"> “As I’m sure you’ve all noticed, there are only twelve positions here.  The other four will form two pairs and work on our perimeter.  The positions are welcome to rotate, except for the bolded positions.  I’d like to keep the dual tank front line, triple back line, and support in the middle at all times.  I’m not sure how Gil runs his group, but in my group, our cleric is the most important member of our squad.”</span><br/><br/>Lethe paused and looked up, catching the eyes of every member of her squad.<span style="color: Silver">“Remember.  We must protect Valiar at all costs.”</span>She waited a second to let her words sink in before she continued.<span style="color: Silver"> “I would also like to set up a watch.  Three of four at a time for three hour shifts, to match the circadian rhythm.  This can either be staggered or set times.”</span>She finally fell quiet, eyes scanning the papers on the table.  She hoped their preparations would be enough.<span style="color: Silver"> “Master Guilford, I assume you’ll debrief us on our planned route and objective?”</span>She stepped back to give the other Knight space when she noticed Roland loitering in a corner.  When he noticed he finally had her attention, he beckoned the woman over.<span style="color: Silver"> “Excuse me.”</span><br/><br/><span style="color: Silver">“Roland.”</span>Lethe greeted, voice low so as to not disturb the others.<span style="color: Silver"> “How may I help you?”</span>A smile flashed on the brunette’s face as he jerked his head deeper into the house.  “Come on, I have something for you.  Deimos and Seraphim were just looking over it when the other squad came in.”  They quietly left the main room and entered the study where Grisia sat, holy energy surrounding him and the sword in his hand as he murmured prayers.<br/><br/>“It’s not 100% done yet, Lesus hasn’t had time to fully enchant it yet, but since you’re going on this expedition and your normal sword broke in the fight a few days ago…”  Roland smiled in embarrassment at the gasp of surprise from the woman.  Shocked eyes bore into him, disbelief evident in the woman’s posture.<br/><br/><span style="color: Silver"> “It-it’s gorgeous, Roland!  But.. are you sure?”</span>Lethe clasped her hands together as if afraid they’d otherwise wander to the blade Grisia was enchanting.<span style="color: Silver"> “I can’t—“</span>She shook her head,<span style="color: Silver"> “That’s much too extravagant for me!  Just having a normal sword from you is amazing enough.  I couldn’t accept it.”</span>Despite her words, Lethe couldn’t keep her eyes from coveting the sword.  It was an amazing weapon, appearing to appeal to aesthetics rather than functionality.  However, the woman had confidence in Roland’s crafting.  She had no doubt it would cut sharp and true.<br/><br/>“Of course you can accept it.”  Grisia spoke up, the glow of holy light dying around him.  He stood up and stretched, almost whacking the sword into the table to Roland’s and Lethe’s collective cringe of horror.  “Who else could wield it?  Adair?”  The blond snorted at the thought before striking a flirtatious pose with the sword.  “Hi,” he introduced in a falsetto voice, batting his eyelashes, “My name is Adair.  I’m a big, tough Pristine Knight and I’m going to skewer you with this sword!”  Two snorts responded to his mimicry.  Despite the falsetto and most un-Adair-like pose and words, Grisia somehow conveyed the ridiculous image of Adair waving the sword around.  It must have been because they were brothers.<br/><br/>“Exactly.  This was created for you.  Roland made it with you in mind and the enhancements are all meant to compliment you.”  Grisia offered the blade on flat palms.  Lethe glanced from Roland’s smiling face to Grisia’s inviting one and tentatively reached a hand out.<br/><br/>“It’s meant to run off your holy magic.  Instead of always casting<span style="font-style: italic">Banish</span>on the blade, like with normal<span style="font-style: italic">Judgment</span>s, the sword should automatically convert your holy magic into purifying magic.  Although it looks like nothing more than latticework, the blade is definitely still there.  Pouring your magic in it will make the blade, well, more visible.”  Roland tapped a knuckle in the empty space and a faint ringing could be heard.  Lethe finally closed her hand around the hilt and lifted the blade from Grisia’s hands.<br/><br/>“Well? Do we get to see the whole picture?  The White Seraph, her Heavens Judgment, and Roland’s newest masterpiece?”  Grisia prompted.  He earned a giggle in response but Lethe complied with his wishes, too overcome by the gift to protest the overly illustrious title.  She closed her eyes and gathered her magic.  Her keyblades arrived with little fanfare, immediately spreading out in their normal ‘wings’ position.<br/><br/>“Well, the little Knight’s all grown up.”  A voice spoke from behind her.  Lesus stood in the open doorway, an approving smile on his face.  She could hardly believe she’d only known these men for six years of her life.  They, Marielle, and her squad felt like her family now.  She lifted her free hand to her face, trying to hide her tears from sight.  She could hear a sigh from behind her before warm arms wrapped her in a hug.  “Come on, come on, Adair’s going to get all huffy that we made you cry.”  Lesus sighed.  Roland was chuckling at her side and then his hand was petting her hair soothingly.<br/><br/>“Don’t worry, Lethe,” Soft hands cupped her face and lifted it to face the former Advocate, “the Divine Light does not ask more of its followers than they can bear, and you have done splendidly with your task.  And the times when you feel overwhelmed, remember,”<br/><br/><span style="color: silver"> “I’m never alone, for the Light is always beside me.”</span>Blue eyes stared solemnly into blue eyes as both voices finished the message.<span style="color: Silver"> “Thank you, Grisia.”</span>She tilted her head back to look at the other two.<span style="color: Silver"> “Roland, Lesus, thank you.”</span>She only received three smiles in response and then Roland was reaching for a black case.<br/><br/>“The sheath isn’t ready yet, so you can probably just use this.  Slip it over your shoulder and across your chest like a bag.  This side is held together magnetically; the blade will slide out with enough force, aka when you grab it out.”  The case was really just a black rectangle with a shoulder strap, thick enough for her blade to fit in and nothing else.  The handle would stick out, either by her thigh or her shoulder, depending on how she wanted to wear it.  In its case, only the handle suggested the blade might be special.<br/><br/>“Alright, wings away.  Let’s get this on your back and send you back.  You’ve probably missed the entire briefing by now.”  Grisia returned to mother hen mode as Lesus slipped away to keep watch at the storefront once more.  The sword was carefully placed inside the case and then the case was slung into place.  Lethe smiled once more, trying to convey all of her gratitude for not just the sword but their presence in her life, and then slipped back into the main room.