Guilford listened to the wise suggestions laid out before him from Lethe and her squad. It was made clear that they did everything they could to have meticulous preparation for this journey. Guilford had to hide a smirk from all the knights before him, had his squad not stopped him from doing anything, he would no doubt gone through the same preparations, only he would do it by himself and just cascade it down to his subordinates.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"That town is Rasova. The Knight squads deployed there had just recently liberated it from the taint. Joaquim had made arrangements with the town's people and they are awaiting our arrival. We'll be using this town as our base of operations."</span>Guilford said and took the formation suggestion in hand. He studied it for a brief moment, glanced at his knights and went back to the piece of paper in hand. He noted Lethe slipping out of the room but paid no mind. She was focused enough to afford missing out part of the brief.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"My squad prides itself with being fast and highly offensive. However, this marching formation is well thought out. We could do with this."</span>he said while running scenarios in his head.<span style="color: #0080FF">"My tank works well with my rear guards. I will have Joaquim, Vlad, and Georg take up the rear respectively."</span>he paused and looked at the rest of his squad, eyes stopping at his lieutenant and supply officer.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Alfrei, Natalia, you're both to take one offensive post. I leave the rest to Lethe's squad to fill."</span>He then turned to Brynhildr,<span style="color: #0080FF">"Since you're the only other knight I know of aside from Lethe that could keep up with my speed, you're with me on perimeter patrol."</span>he said but glanced away quick enough to miss Brynhildr's eyes lighting up with delight.<br/><br/>Guilford then went over the map he laid out and pointed at several locations.<span style="color: #0080FF">"We are to land at the south eastern port, from there we travel this path to the small town of Rayitas. From there, we make our way to Rasova and set up our base of operations."</span>His eyes then glided over to another location on the map, deep within hostile territory this time.<span style="color: #0080FF">"This is our main objective. Recent scouts report active on and off the island activity from Luciano, Palaugrim's governing city. I have reason to believe they are involved in mining the crystals. Scouts saw transports coming in and out of the city frequently."</span>he paused and looked at Bryn again.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Would you be so kind to hand out a copy of the scout reports to everyone?"</span><br/><br/>The other knight complied, passing around copies of the scout report that included images of transports being moved in and out of the city, a particular rune symbol etched at the side of the transports.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Firstly, we have to determine how they are bringing the crystals in, stop it if we can. Then we are to find out their purpose or any clue to what I can only think of as a master plan."</span>Guilford then averted his eyes from the map and looked at everyone in the room.<span style="color: #0080FF">"As you are all aware, this journey will no doubt be riddled with fighting. Like Lethe said earlier, we don't have enough time for joint practice with combined squad formations for combat. Should we engage in battle, we are to split to our respective squads and work as two units."</span>he paused and crossed his arms over his chest, eyes flicking down to hostile areas on the map.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"We may have our main objective set but keep in mind that if there's anything we can do to help others along the way, I give you all permission to do so. But always keep in mind that we are working with a limited time frame. We will only be there for two weeks at the very most. Do not lose sight of why we're going there."</span><br/><br/>With both hands falling to his sides, he looked at everyone again.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Any questions so far?"</span><br/><br/>____________________________________________________________________________________<br/><br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline"><div style="text-align: center;">Grand Cathedral - High Council's Room</div></span></span><br/><br/><br/>A lone knight clad in heavy armor of the purest white knelt before the High Council members. The gray streaks lining his hair a telling sign of his age. He had retired from service but was once again called to active duty. With his head bowed deep, he patiently waited for the council to speak to him. Cornelius, leader of the High Council read through the knight's prowess report, letting out several hums of approval as he went over the details. "I see..." he mumbled and put the prowess report aside, turning his gaze over to the knight kneeling before them.<br/><br/>"This is quite the achievements you have here. Had you not retired, you would have been made into the first Seraph. Abel, do you understand why you have been recalled?" Cornelius asked.<br/><br/>"Is it about Master Guilford?" the knight inquired with a rough baritone voice.<br/><br/>"Yes but not quite. It's about both of them." answered another from the council.<br/><br/>"Master Lethe too?" the knight asked in surprise.<br/><br/>Mihai asked one of the attendants to bring in the crystal sample Guilford brought to them, along with the symbol Lethe drew. Abel's eyes sharpened at the sight of the symbol. "It seems you recognize the symbol." the councilor mused.<br/><br/>"Indeed Councilor Mihai. Long ago it has been used by the God of Sin to hide his troop presence and fortresses from us. I thought knowledge of that symbol died with the God of Sin? Might I ask where we came across this?" Abel asked.<br/><br/>"Master Lethe found it in District 8 of Lindela. What about this tainted crystal? Do you recognize this?" Livius asked. The knight shook his head apologetically. "This was found by Master Guilford down in the Barrens," Livius said and explained the rest of what they know about the crystal to Abel.<br/><br/>The knight contemplated, eyes lost in thought. He looked up to Councilor Cornelius, asking an unvoiced question. Cornelius sighed. "While I do not want to believe that Lethe, or either one of them will fall to sin, it would still be prudent to keep eyes on them. As it stands, you are the only one capable of stopping them should the unthinkable happen." Cornelius trailed and took a deep breath, his body language clearly indicating he was conflicted. "Abel, we have recalled you to be those eyes." the councilor finished.<br/><br/>The knight bowed his head once more in acknowledgment of the order. Councilor Aurel turned to the knight. "We have prepared a Wyviera for you. Depart immediately to Palaugrim. You are to work alone and keep track of their movements, Lethe's especially. I trust this would not be difficult for an accomplished knight such as yourself."<br/><br/>Abel raised a closed fist to his chest, stood and turned to walk out of the council chambers without word. When the doors closed, the other councilors turned to Cornelius who continued to look distraught. "We know you favor Guilford and Lethe given all that they have done for us, and we also know that Guilford has a certain attachment to her but this has to be done councilor. We cannot take chances."<br/><br/>"I know... I know that all too well." Cornelius grumbled, rubbing his temples with his right hand.