<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline"><div style="text-align: center;">Day 10: Palaugrim - Bastille (dusk)</div></span></span><br/><br/><br/>Kavita raised her sword high up in the air and cheered her heart out in triumph. Darkness was about to set when their battle ended in complete victory. The other knights that surrounded her cried out as well, ushering a mighty roar of both confidence and joy, they have defended Bastille, they kept the town safe. They decimated the enemy forces, killing all Pure Sinners and saving those that they can. Kavita's eyes rolled over to the dead bodies of Sinners that were unfortunate enough to be saved. The poor souls, if only they weren't caught by surprise, they could have mounted a proper defense and probably lessen the casualties from both sides. The knight commander knew there was no point crying over spilled milk. She took a deep breath and fell back to her duty.<br/><br/>"Gather the wounded and the absolved! Begin repairs at once! Find a place where our reinforcements can take a break! Send some scouts out on patrol! I want to know our borders are secured before we rest for the night!"<br/><br/>There was much to be done after a battle of this scale, duty doesn't stop with just winning. Glancing at the six cloaked people grouped together in the field, Kavita called for one knight and instructed him to lead those cloaked people to her office. She also gave instructions for the knight to find the seventh cloaked person within the town. Whoever they are, they were a big help and she felt the need to thank them personally. However, that will have to wait.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">_________________________________________________________________________________</div><br/><br/>Several hours later, Guilford and his team wearing their auxiliary armors beneath their cloaks found themselves lined up outside the Knight Commander's office. They have been standing here for hours now watching busy knights tend to their orders. They had mostly kept their identities hidden, dipping their heads low when knights and townsfolk alike tried to peek at them. The Seraph however, doesn't seem to be bothered by the long hours they have been ordered to stand in wait. Guilford spent the time watching both the knights and the people.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="color: #0080FF">So this is how it feels like to be just another guy,</span></span>he thought to himself, amused at the fact that he was beginning to feel stress free and relieved now that he could see how these Pristine Knights functioned without him having to give out the orders himself. Not that he wasn't itching to take over command and help out at first, but today was a special case. They needed to keep the number of people knowing of his whereabouts to a bare minimum. It took some time for him to slide into a comfortable state. He wasn't used to the feeling of sitting idly by but now that he got a taste of it, he realized that it was the kind of feeling he would definitely welcome every now and then.<br/><br/>He had observed the people and knights long enough to get a feel for how they thrived in Bastille. The Knights were rowdier than the usual bunch he was accustomed to seeing, but the things they were doing were merely to alleviate boredom or stress. Some of the people seemed to have eased back into town despite having to bear witness to an attack. A lot of the men were making their way into a... wait, is that a tavern?! Why would they have an establishment like that here? Guilford squinted his eyes, studying the establishment closely. He saw a few men come out every now and then and when they did, they were almost like dancing around the cobble path instead of walking straight.<br/><br/>"Are you surprised? It's pretty common here in the deeper parts of Palaugrim. I'm guessing this is the first time you actually stopped and looked?" Vlad asked in a hushed tone. He also avoided usage of any titles or formalities as per instructions.<br/><br/>Guilford nodded his head. He didn't quite know if he would disapprove because of the way those people looked happy and relieved. Perhaps this is one of their outlets for their worries. But to drown themselves in drink? Would that really solve anything for them? Guilford's eyes widened when several knights also emerged from the tavern. The Seraph in him starting to nag at him to reprimand those knights. How could they afford themselves to indulge in such... Guilford paused in his thoughts. Those knights didn't waltz around like the other townsfolk did, they were still in control. It made the Seraph think back to his friend Lance and his love for the bittersweet drink. Was he being too stiff again?<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Tell me, what do you think of..."</span>Guilford slowed down and leaned closer to Vlad before continuing.<span style="color: #0080FF">"our teachings?"</span><br/><br/>"It is absolute. The right path. Our salvation." answered the other without second thought. Guilford sighed and decided to add something more to his question.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"As an ordinary man, not a you-know-what."</span>Guilford felt the shift in body language from his companion but urged him to continue with a hand gesture.<br/><br/>"I've... never really given it much thought. But if I were to think on it now, as a man, I would say it's too controlling, very strict, and sometimes borders near ridiculous, unlike back then when it was 'less restraining'." the other answered under hushed tone.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"You and I both. Seeing these people now, I think I'm beginning to understand my shifting feelings about what has become of our faith."</span><br/><br/>"Oh! Whatever do you mean good sir?" Hyuga joined in. Guilford finally realized that the rest of his team were actually huddled close and were listening to their conversation. He could have avoided a squad discussion if it wasn't for the hood impeding much of his periphery.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Look at the people here and compare them to the ones in Gless or Lindela, then tell me what you see."</span><br/><br/>The rest of his squad then turned simultaneous gazes to the townsfolk. The most noticeable were the ones patronizing the tavern, that's a sight you wouldn't see in all of Gless or Lindela. Then there were those who were arguing with their liberal use of curses and bad words. On the other side were street peddlers who have re-settled in town, haggling the townsfolk with their wares given the town had just suffered an attack. The difference was hard to miss and only a fool wouldn't be able to tell. These people here were enjoying less restrictions, more freedom, neutrality, and no matter how hard it was to swallow, a sense of fulfillment.<br/><br/>"Errrmmm... how should I put it?" Hyuga trailed, scuffling his vocabulary for the right words to say. "I would say they don't take extra effort in trying to distinguish the two opposing forces." Alfrei picked up. "Nor do they care if they commit little mistakes against the Light." Georg followed. "They certainly look less refined but in a way the seem more lively and content." Natalia added. "They do what they want to and ponder on their actions later. I guess it would be safe to say that these people can be called realists while we and the other side are the idealists." Joaquim mumbled, eyes still fixed on the people.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Exactly, these people see the world as it really is and deal with it accordingly, adjusting to both our faith and the other as they see fit."</span><br/><br/>"Well isn't that bad for them?" Hyuga followed up.<br/><br/>Guilford took a deep breath. He himself had conflicting thoughts about this.<span style="color: #0080FF">"From where we stand, they are at risk so we would say yes, it's bad for them. But if I were to think in their shoes, I would say I'll be fine if I can balance myself between two."</span><br/><br/>His team tried to absorb his words, all of them now sharing the same conflicted thoughts the Seraph had. Guilford always had these thoughts at the back of his head, but why did he choose to bring that up now? Especially when they were on an important mission. The last thing they would need to bring with them are nagging thoughts. Before anyone could take their discussion further, a voice called out to them from behind.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"All of you, the Knight Commander will see you now."</span><br/><br/>Guilford noted the stench of alcohol from the knight that called them but paid it no mind. He seemed lucid enough to continue with his duties. The Seraph then walked his way over to the Knight Commander's office, his team trailing behind him.<br/><br/>_________________________________________________________________________________<br/><br/>Kavita eyed her guests as they entered her medium sized office one by one. She couldn't help but feel an air of animosity just by looking at how her guests were dressed. They looked like they were from a cult trying to broaden their influence. Nevertheless, she should not harbor such ill thoughts about these people that risked their lives to help her save her town. She motioned for her guests to take a seat and had to glare daggers at her Vice Captain to serve them some drinks. Six of the cloaked people made themselves comfortable except for one, Guilford.<br/><br/>"I'll get right down to business if you don't mind. As you may all have already realized, I still have a lot of things to do. Who are you people and what brings you to my side of town?" she asked with a frigid tone.<br/><br/>Guilford nearly chuckled beneath his hood. No wonder he had read complaints about this woman he elected to be in charge of Bastille. She didn't even bother to give any form of thanks and just threw out questions right off the bat. Guess it can't be helped given what had just happened to her town. Guilford lowered his head a little to avoid the Vice Captain from seeing much of his face when he offered him a drink he respectfully declined. If she wanted to get down to business right away, he would oblige.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Can we talk in private?"</span><br/><br/>Kavita raised a brow at the request. "Are you planning to try something funny? There's seven of you here, I don't know you and quite frankly, I don't trust you even after you helped save my town."<br/><br/>Guilford could hear muffled smirks and snorts from his squad. It wasn't that hard to tell what they had in mind. If he were to reveal himself to the woman, her reaction would be priceless.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Rest assured miss knight commander, we will behave ourselves. You will find my sense of 'fun' to not be your standard fare. We just have 'urgent' matters that we need to bring to your attention <span style="text-decoration: underline">alone</span>."</span>Guilford implied.<br/><br/>Thinking twice, Kavita eyed her Vice Captain who shot back a stare of his own in protest. She had to wrestle Bendan with her eyes before the other finally submitted to her will. The Vice Captain quietly made his way out of Kavita's office and shut the door behind him.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Does your office have wards?"</span><br/><br/>A little peeved at the demands, Kavita reluctantly pushed a button under her desk and activated her office's conversation wards. She then returned a sharp stare at the cloaked person standing near her door but also placed her<span style="font-style: italic">Judgement</span>on top of her desk.<br/><br/>"Okay, you got what you wanted. Tell me what this is about before I decide to 'send' you out of my office."<br/><br/>This time, a chuckle managed to escape from one of Guilford's team, Hyuga in particular. It was a sign that they couldn't wait to see the Knight Commander to don her priceless reaction. Guilford walked forward and slowly moved both hands to rid himself of his cloak. He was wearing an auxiliary armor not made by standard Pristine Knight methods. It was from the Crests, designed by Akira, crafted and tailored by Silver and Cora. It was to be used specifically for infiltration missions.<br/><br/>Guilford's long hair was neatly tied into a ponytail. He donned a black skin-tight turtleneck shirt, strapped above the shirt was a light armor (he always did favor less stifling gear) comprised of only a chest plate and two pauldrons. He retained his gauntlets and he also wore a utility belt around his waist that carried a few tools for writing messages, and a place for his sword at the back. His pants were also black and had a leg sheath for a knife strapped on the left, it was also augmented with both knee and shin protectors. His boots were specially made for silent running. The only contrast to his all black attire was his white sword sheath.<br/><br/>When her eyes recognized the man, Kavita's face instantly turned pale, like she'd seen a ghost or something far more sinister. Guilford noted her slowly dropping jaw and had to point at his own to let the knight commander know she was starting to look weird. She snapped her mouth shut and struggled to compose herself and her thoughts.<br/><br/>She could feel heat rushing up to her face and had she known better, she was already starting to look like a plump tomato ripe for the picking. She immediately struggled for words but had no success in actually forming something sensible. Regardless, the Seraph that entrusted Bastille to her was standing right before her! She should show some respect!...or something! "M-Mas-Master Guilford!? I-I... I did.. I mean I--" she failed at her attempt to appear organized. She had a feeling but good Light, why did it have to really be Master Guilford?! And just when she was easing in to her 'Ice Bitch' mode too! How cruel!<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"It's alright Kavita. It's good to see you as well."</span>the Seraph greeted back with a calm tone trying his best to let the other know he wasn't in any way offended at her earlier behavior.<br/><br/>"B-Bu-But! I was rude! Please allow me to apologize!" Now she was starting to make sense, she just needed to kill the jitters and she would be good to go.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"As I said, unnecessary but accepted. To start with, only a few people knew that my team and I were headed here. As to why, that is what I wanted to talk to you about."</span><br/><br/>"B-But of course! Please, have a seat. Do you want anything? A drink perhaps? It's non-alcoholic." she offered but stopped short,<span style="font-style: italic">Shoot! He already declined Bendan when he offered him a drink! What am I thinking! Focus Kavita!</span>the knight commander grilled herself, still trying to get in a semblance of order.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Please, if it's not too much trouble, a drink would be fine, thank you."</span>Guilford smiled at her and took a seat in front of Kavita's desk. She sighed in relief when the Seraph accepted her offer and immediately prepared even her personal cup for the man.<br/><br/>Georg who was watching the whole time elbowed his Lieutenant and whispered, "See how smooth that went? You should learn from the Captain. He knew this would happen so he declined the drink from Bendan to give Knight Commander Kavita here a chance to redeem herself from shame. It's a classic strategy." he chuckled to himself.<br/><br/>With one brow raised, Alfrei tried to figure out what in the Light this old knight was trying to imply. Clearly he wasn't about to go on a mission to flirt with the ladies any time soon. Why would he need to learn anything? And from the Captain no less! He was a man bound by duty for Light's sake! Alfrei sighed and simply sank his face to his palms.<br/><br/>The rest of the team waited patiently as their Captain discussed the plans of their operation over with Bastille's leader. They weren't expecting a battle here and that fact alone already delayed them by nearly eight hours, including the time they had to wait before they could get an audience with Kavita. It would seem like they would have to spend the night here in Bastille and ride at first light. It did not sit well with them under such a strict time frame but it couldn't be helped, at least Bastille is still standing.<br/><br/>"Isn't this a reckless plan Master Guilford? I mean, I know you're a Seraph and all that but charging in to the heart of the enemy is like... suicide right?" Kavita drummed her fingers on the locations and key points the Seraph marked on her map.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"And that is why I am having these forces advance to Luciano right behind me. That way, by the time we get there, our forces are already poised to strike."</span><br/><br/>"Forgive me for being skeptic about this but just how much forces do you think are stationed in Luciano?"<br/><br/>Guilford paused for a few seconds to recall the figure estimates.<span style="color: #0080FF">"I'd say twenty to thirty thousand strong, and this is just an estimate from our scouts. We have reason to believe there could be more in hiding."</span><br/><br/>Kavita inhaled sharply at the mentioned figures. "If I'm not mistaken, our forces here in Palaugrim are at most, numbering to a little over twenty thousand strong, recent reinforcements included." Guilford nodded at her in confirmation. "Then how much of our forces are you planning to march to Luciano if I may ask?"<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"I had hoped for fifteen thousand of our men but that would stretch our defenses too thin for the knight controlled territories. At the very most, I could mobilize twelve."</span><br/><br/>"Twelve thousand?! Master Guilford, that would leave us outnumbered three to one. And if it is as you say that the enemy could still be hiding some forces, then it we might as well be outnumbered six to one. Isn't that a bit much of a gamble?" Kavita protested, concern starting to overwhelm her calm.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Yes, I am fully aware of the risks, that is why I have appointed the Crests to act as military advisers to oversee the movement of our forces while me and my team head for Luciano."</span><br/><br/>"I have heard of that but still..." Kavita bit her lip in contemplation. This operation was bordering near suicide for everyone. "I think the enemy is intentionally letting us advance. Sovereign Palaugrim haven't really mounted any major scale offensives after Santa Olivia, Port Rieds and," she paused. "their attack here. Master Guilford, we're being drawn in to their field."<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"I know Kavita. But a prolonged war against them will only mean that more innocents will get caught up in it and we will ultimately not be able to free Palaugrim. Remember that we have the threat of Sin Crystals to deal with too. While they have that in their possession, the longer we dawdle, the higher the chances of us losing this war. You can trust the Crests. Retired as they may be now, they still belong to the First War Knights. We've been through tougher situations than this back then."</span><br/><br/>Kavita grimaced at the mention of the First War. She may not have been a knight back then but she too experienced the horror all the same. Truth be told, she held great admiration for the knights who survived that hellish ordeal and still remained sane, Master Guilford was no different.<br/><br/>"Okay Master Guilford, I will trust your judgement on this. Suppose everything goes as planned, how do you propose we handle Luciano's forces?" she asked, shooting another glance at the marked area of Luciano in her map.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"You'll all have to take control of the high grounds and the passes. Given we have the smaller force, you'll have to result to guerrilla tactics. You'll whittle their forces down and draw them out to the passes where we can bottle them in for a decisive attack. Knight Commander Heinrich and Lance from the Crests will assist you all in strategizing the attacks. Bastille will be the staging point for this operation. The rest of our forces should be arriving tomorrow."</span><br/><br/>"Alright, what are we supposed after you succeed? How are we to know that you did succeed?"<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Easy, Luciano's tower is visible even from a distance. I will blow the top off if I succeeded. Our forces are to remain on the defensive and gauge how the enemy will respond in the event that I do succeed."</span><br/><br/>Kavita returned a puzzled look. "What? How will you get out? What if their forces storm Luciano and head for you? Isn't that normally a sign that we should charge forward?"<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"But of course, you did say our forces can easily be outnumbered six to one. Getting me and my team out of town will not be any of our forces' concerns. We'll have to figure that one out for ourselves. Don't worry, we'll manage somehow."</span><br/><br/>"I can't say I approve unless I know you can get out safe Master Guilford."<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Fine, fine. Our scouts saw Wyvieras coming in and out of Luciano. It is safe to say that they have a small port within the city. We'll commandeer one and use it for our escape. Satisfied now Kavita?"</span>smiled the Seraph confidently.<br/><br/>"Yes Master Guilford, for now." Kavita paused. "Uhhmm... this is all to start tomorrow right? Please get some rest in my town for the night, I'm sure you and your men will definitely need it."<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"You read me like a book. While I wished that I could help you with preparations for tomorrow, I'm afraid I must keep my whereabouts unknown, for that I apologize."</span>Guilford said and lightly bowed his head.<span style="color: #0080FF">"You also have my sincerest gratitude for having done your duties to this town impressively. Please, always continue with your tireless effort, Ice Bitch Kavita."</span>he finished.<br/><br/>Kavita felt a slight burn in her cheeks after hearing Guilford's words, especially when he used her moniker. Kavita's thoughts wandered to how it would feel like to actually be supervised by a Seraph. Master Guilford had such a strong presence. He was so formal, so calm, so reassuring, he even managed to think about her well-being despite having such a difficult ordeal lying ahead of him. How was he able to do all that? She was starting to get absorbed by her dreamy state of being under Guilford's squad when the Seraph's voice brought her back to earth.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Kavita?"</span><br/><br/>"Y-yes! Thank you and don't worry about me Master Guilford, please have a good night!" she hastened to respond. Guilford bowed at her and donned his cloak, completely concealing the Seraph in mystery once more. Before the man could open the door, Kavita called for his attention. "Uhhmm.. Good luck and come back safe!" She received a nod from Guilford and watched the Seraph and his men file out of her office. Her eyes then flashed over to her personal cup and noticed that it was emptied of its previous content. She didn't know why but that simple cup of hers suddenly became a very valuable item to her.