[[Day 17 of Month -3, Evening ::Tethel]]<br/><br/>It was a surprisingly cheerful Knight King who returned to Tethel.  The man had a clear spring in his step as he sauntered down the hallways towards his and the Queen’s chambers, going so far as to even acknowledge the various salutes preceding him.  The guards were too professional to share the wide eyed looks they no doubt were feeling but all wondered what had made the normally stoic man so jovial.<br/><br/>Verlassen was having a good day.  He’d been running his men through their drills when Syndra and her friend had shown up.  They needed to procure a distraction for her<span style="font-style: italic">majesty</span>and perhaps he’d like to give his men a chance at live combat?  Red eyes had narrowed maliciously as the brown-haired demon added, one of the Seraphs was sure to be joining the party.  That little tidbit had changed the dismissal on the tip of his tongue into a matching smile.  Well, it’d be good for his men to have some real experience against Pristine Knights.  There was only so much they could learn from Sinners, after all.<br/><br/>Now in the privacy of his quarters, away from prying eyes, Verlassen paused and withdrew his sword fully, enjoying the way the metal gleamed in the light.  How long had it been since he’d used it properly?  He slashed his sword through the air experimentally, reliving the battle from this afternoon.  That had been fun.  He sheathed his sword and then continued his jaunty way towards the living room.  The Seraph, of course, had been no match for him.  But that was to be expected—who was?  It was hard to find good swordsmen these days and at least the Seraph had been decent.  One gauntlet-covered hand brushed against the scar now marring his breastplate.  Decent.  If the Seraph had been<span style="font-style: italic">good</span>, Verlassen wouldn’t have had to sheath his sword just to make it even mildly interesting.<br/><br/>The sense of disappointment—where was a<span style="font-style: italic">real</span>challenge?—was cast away with practiced ease.  He’d gotten used to the boredom that now filled his life, ever since the Island Risings.  At least now it sounded like something fun would be happening, even if it was just playing with the kiddie gloves.  A laugh escaped his lips as he remembered how upset the little Seraph had been.  How fun!  How entertaining to watch those so far below him struggle with the realization they were nothing but<span style="font-style: italic">trash</span>.<br/><br/>“You seem to be in a good mood today.”  He looked up to find that he’d subconsciously walked into their living room.  Centienne was lounging on the sofa, one finger idly twirling a strand of her hair.  Her assistant seemed to have been saying something given the way the brunette was clutching a notebook that he recognized as his wife’s agenda.<br/><br/>Verlassen smiled in response, aware his helmet covered the expression.  He sauntered up to his wife, head tilting in Paige’s direction as a dismissal.  Instead of answering, the armored man gathered his protesting wife up.  “Verlassen! What are you doing?  Paige was—“<br/><br/>“Let’s go take a bath.”  He whispered in her ear, voice heavy with suggestion.  He rarely joined his wife during her baths despite all her pouting and almost never offered to join.  The words were enough to silence her protests, eliciting a breathy giggle in its place.  Desperate fingers ruffled with his helmet, trying to unlock its various ties, and behind him, he could hear the door close behind them to leave them in privacy.<br/><br/>War and women: what more could a man want?<br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~</div><br/>[[Day 8 of Month -4 :: Bastille, Palaugrim]]<br/><br/>Bastille. This was the second time he had been here and out of both accounts, dire situations were the primary cause.  Guilford stopped to look around town.  Nothing much had changed, yet the effect of war was evident among the faces of the people, the children especially.  Guilford gritted his teeth.  Right now, there was absolutely nothing he could do but focus on the task at hand.  Any attempts at comfort would sound like a lie right now.<br/><br/>He was currently on his way towards the town hall for a meeting with the Knight Commanders of Palaugrim, their topic? Palaugrim under attack..<span style="font-style: italic">again</span>.  The male Seraph sighed.  Nowadays, it felt like conflict stems out wherever they go.  For them to call themselves followers of the Light, it somehow felt like they were nothing more than harbingers of war.  Guilford shook off the thoughts—now was not a time to dawdle!  Looking upwards at the Pristine Knight fortress that loomed over the city, Guilford continued on inside.<br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~</div><br/>Twenty two people encircled a long table, half sitting and half standing.  This was Palaugrim’s defense; their leaders against the forces of Sin: eight Knight Commanders, two seraphs, one logistics specialist, and eleven second-in-commands.  As Knight Commander of the hosting fortress, Kavita sat at one end of the table.  Opposite her sat Seraph Guilford and to their sides, the other commanders filled in the empty slots.  Seraph Lethe was solemn near the center of the table, probing the logistics specialist—Eulises, if she recalled correctly—about something to quiet to be heard from here.  The others were all chatting amicably and Kavita felt a pang of loneliness.  No one was talking with her, not even her second-in-command.  Although she should have expected that; she hadn’t wanted to bring Brendan but she’d had no choice.  He commanded a sizable influence within Bastille, one she couldn’t afford to alienate.  Knight Commander Krista, Palaugrim’s only other female Knight Commander, and one more beloved than her, laughed in response to something Hiribah’s Heinrich and the sound provoked Kavita into action.  She was just about to stand up to gather everyone’s attention when someone beat her to the punch.<br/><br/>Taking a good look at the people involved in the meeting, Guilford decided it was time to start.<span style="color: #0080FF">"What's the current situation among your respective domains?"</span>It was the first question that came to mind. There were no time for niceties, no time to even greet them all or thank them for coming. It was the time to act.<br/><br/>“Kaiser Outpost is a lost cause.”  Sigfried was the first to answer, “I don’t know what happened but half of where Kaiser Outpost is has just fallen.”  The already quiet group grew solemn.  Lethe looked down at the clenched fist in her lap, reminded once more of her failure.  “Thankfully I got most of my men out of the way when the earthquakes first started so the casualties were light.  However, the terrain has become even worse to navigate.  I’m afraid Sinners must be walking past us into the interior, left, right, and center.”<br/><br/>“Palaugrim’s north side is seeing similar difficulties.  I’ve had no reports of Tethelites but undoubtedly, the Sinners are using Tethel as a launching port.  Captain Feivel of Redfern has been able to stem some of the flow, but there are just too many trying to enter for the forces there.  Mine are busy trying to subdue the Sinners we find.”  Knight Captain Sanjay added.  The old Knight was a new face to Palaugrim; he’d been a Knight Commander in Lindela before being promoted to Luciano’s fortress.  The old man defended all of what used to be Sovereign Palaugrim.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Have you been able to establish a new perimeter?"</span>It may sound cold coming from a Seraph, but they couldn’t even afford to mourn the loss of brave knights.  Though the situation had stabilized a bit in the past three weeks, time was still precious, especially with every Knight Commander of Palaugrim here.<span style="color: #0080FF">"We must see to it that the enemy cannot press further into our controlled zones."</span><br/><br/>"Difficult given how much of the terrain has changed in the last earthquakes but my men have established a strategic defense point for the meantime." Sigfried responded with a shake of his head. "The lack of defensive structures are making it harder to keep the enemy at bay but we're doing the best we can for the east side."<br/><br/>Raucus frowned but spoke up, “I can spare some of my men if you need more.  Alera has not been as hard hit, being so near the center.”<br/><br/>“Hiribah as well,” Heinrich added, eyes focused on a piece of paper in front of him.  He’d have to change some of his defenses and the rotations, but he couldn’t horde his men if others needed the help.  The safety of his city, and Palaugrim in general, depended on the borders.<br/><br/>Romauld shook his head, “I’m sorry, Rayitas has taken all the spare men I can provide.”<br/><br/>“Don’t make it sound like I’m keeping your men for myself Romuald.” Ziekiel cut him off. “I’m seeing to it that they are distributed to critical points should the enemy break past Bastille. I don’t want to have to worry about Sinners coming at me from the back.”<br/><br/><span style="color: silver"> “Of course,”</span>Lethe interjected, her attempt at placating marred by the frown on her face,<span style="color: silver"> “But I think it would be better to try to keep Bastille from falling at all..?  Most villages on ‘our’ side of Palaugrim already have a Pristine Knight squad nearby.  Surely they could act as a first defense or at least a warning should any enemies sneak by Bastille?”</span><br/><br/>Ziekiel understood Master Lethe’s point. “Squads or not Master Lethe, the enemy is attacking us at full force. I would hate to have to say this but a squad alone isn’t really reliable defense.”<br/><br/>“Of course not,” Sigfried grumbled under his breath to his neighbor, “why does he think we have forts and we’re sitting here instead of every Squad Captain?”  Raucus snorted in amusement but said nothing, eyes focusing on the speaking Seraph.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">”What would you consider reliable then?”</span>Guilford looked at the meticulous Knight Commander.<span style="color: #0080FF">While I am sure that you have the best interest in mind, spreading our forces thin is part of this battle and struggle. There is no point keeping some parts well defended if it means forsaking the others. Keep this in mind Commander Ziekiel.”</span><br/><br/>“I-I’m just…” he stopped, falling out of breath. He had been so focused on defending his own domain that it did not occur to him that his decisions had been mostly… selfish.<br/><br/><span style="color: silver"> “While your defense of Rayitas and its surrounding land is commendable,”</span>As usual, Lethe was stuck soothing ruffled feathers,<span style="color: silver">“We Knight Commanders have all of Palaugrim, and really all of the Immaculate, to consider.  If you don’t mind, Knight Commander Ziekiel, perhaps you and Knight Commander Heinrich could discuss your troop positions after this meeting and see if there are any other formations you could employ to keep Palaugrim safe while freeing up some men for the borders?”</span><br/><br/>“By your command Master Lethe.” Ziekiel responded, shuffling the papers he had brought with him. It would seem like his defense strategies to present at some point were for naught.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">”We cannot rely on Lindela’s defenses to come to your aid.”</span>Guilford looked down to the last missive sent to them via Wyervia transport.<span style="color: #0080FF">”We are going to be recalled back to the main island soon…”</span>he broke the news to all of the Commanders.<span style="color: #0080FF">”It would appear that Lindela too had seen signs of increased enemy activity. The Council believes that they are priming Lindela for an attack as well.”</span><br/><br/>Kavita looked down at her mug silently, fiddling with its ceramic handle.  Of course it was impossible for the Seraphs to stay here indefinitely.  No doubt the Council would want the two of them back in Gless as soon as possible.  However, with how much time Seraph Lethe seemed to spend here, perhaps at least one could have stayed..?  The mug, her favorite one, offered no consolation.<br/><br/>“That was to be expected.”  Sanjay voiced the thought in everyone’s minds.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">”And this is exactly why we had all of you gather here despite the attacks.”</span>Guilford closed his eyes in thought. He took a good minute of calm and steady breathing before continuing to speak.<span style="color: #0080FF">”Knight Commanders, Lethe and I wouldn’t want to leave Palaugrim as it stands, but our duties are beyond Palaugrim alone. We would like to leave this island knowing that we could entrust its defense to all of you.”</span>he sighed deeply, glancing at Lethe.<br/><br/><span style="color: silver"> “We <span style="font-style: italic">already</span> know we can entrust Palaugrim’s wellbeing to you.”</span>Lethe corrected with a look back at her fellow Seraph.  Really, did he want them thinking they didn’t trust them?<span style="color: silver">“However, before we go, is there anything that we can help you with?  Any concerns we can bring to the Council’s attention?  Councilor Aurel has just informed me that Eulises,”</span>she nodded at the bi-colored woman beside her,<span style="color: silver">“will be leading the coordination of all supplies here on Palaugrim.”</span>He actually hadn’t, but she was giving Eulises a wartime promotion.  There had to be some benefits to being a Seraph after all.<span style="color: silver">“And she can contact me directly.”</span><br/><br/>Wellbeing and defense may be closely tied together but have completely different meanings entirely. Still, Lethe saying what she said was probably for the best. Guilford muffled a chuckle for his poor choice of words.<span style="color: #0080FF">”Okay. Given our little time remaining here on this island, we would like to go over everyone’s defense strategies and offer counsel if needed.</span>he looked at everyone’s hands that held papers.<span style="color: #0080FF">”I guess we should start with the East side...”</span><br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~</div><br/><span style="color: silver">“Master Guilford,”</span>Lethe spoke up now the meeting had come to an end,<span style="color: silver">“May I speak with you?”</span>She paused once they’d exited the conference room, stepping aside to let the others pass by her.  Adair was waiting for her as she’d requested and the blue-armored man stepped up to whisper in her ear.  Good, Master Guilford had no other plans for the evening.  She’d asked her Vice Captain to check her fellow Seraph’s availability.  Their conversation would take longer than Guilford might have suspected, if only because of the trek involved.  She cast an uneasy look at the walls around them.  There were too many ears around.<br/><br/>The call for him pulled his attention towards the speaker.  Guilford recalled a moment in Bryn where Lethe requested an audience with him in private.  Given how things have spiraled out of hand until now, he never got the chance to entertain the request.<span style="color: #0080FF">”Of course. What is it?”</span>he responded, folding both arms across his chest.<br/><br/><span style="color: silver">“If you could follow me?”</span>Everyone else had already left, except those staying behind, and she led the way through the hallways silently.  She didn’t enjoy what was coming but there was no way she could keep it from him any longer.  Back in Gless, she hadn’t had a chance.  Even here, she didn’t dare say any more within the fortress.  She would just have to hope no one would get too suspicious about her and Guilford going off on a ride.<br/><br/>Looking at his fellow Seraph, Guilford noted how her shoulders looked slightly slumped. Whatever is on her mind, it must have been weighing heavy for her to reflect it even in the slightest. It didn’t require a savant to read a verbal cue. Lethe did not want to talk about it where other ears could overhear. Instead of further inquiry, Guilford simply shrugged his shoulders once and followed Lethe.<br/><br/>Deimos was waiting for them at the stables, the reins of two horse in one hand and two loaded saddlebags in the other.  He offered both silently and she looked at the bags uncertainly.  She hadn’t requested them.  Deimos, of course, didn’t offer any insight, so she opened one of them to reveal a red and white checkered blanket.  With a confused look, she flipped open the other to see neatly wrapped triangles, some fruit, and a few other containers.  When she looked up once more, Deimos was laughing at her even though his face was as impassive as ever.<br/><br/><span style="color: silver">“Really?”</span>The white-haired Seraph asked with a hint of exasperation.  She wasn’t going off for a<span style="font-style: italic">picnic</span>.  Her yellow-eyed Knight shrugged his shoulders: nutrition was important.  Lethe rolled her eyes even as she tapped on the bag with the blanket questioningly.  Deimos simply attached the two bags to her steed and offered her a hand; she needed some sort of excuse and this was an easy one.  A corner of his lips turned upwards as he wished her a fun time.<br/><br/>The glare she granted Deimos was withering.  While he was right, they could have easily just been discussing<span style="font-style: italic">business</span>, not.. whatever picnic blankets and riding off on their own might imply!  She carefully did not think more about it as she swung herself onto the horse.<span style="color: silver">“Shall we, then?”</span><br/><br/>Guilford couldn’t help but smile at how Lethe’s knight was making fun of her. He had carefully plastered on his poker face but seeing how Deimos seemed to have gotten the wrong idea was amusing to the point where it was hard not to chuckle. Still, he didn’t want to be on the receiving end of Lethe’s lethal glare so he took the courtesy of not adding fuel to the fire.<span style="color: #0080FF">”Lead the way,”</span>he replied flatly, a glimmer of amusement escaping into his tone. A picnic with Lethe, just the two of them… that would be nice.<br/><br/>Slowly, Bastille fell away from them until it was only lone farmsteads and then even they were missing.  They were headed for a small mountain range about an hour’s ride from Bastille.  Not many came to the mountains for they were rather uninteresting, simply elevated versions of the same brush that ran rampant on the plains around them.  It was that isolation Lethe was seeking so she unwaveringly led them up the mountain, the trail little more than a dirt path partially overgrown.  They stopped in the middle of nowhere.  There was no trees or streams or even a rock that could mark their location as somewhere of note.  Nonetheless, Lethe lifted her hand to draw a symbol in the air, then a second and a third.  Privacy. Silence. Conceal.  Reinforce.  The air shimmered with the magic she was releasing, trying to build a bulwark out of nothing.  Finally, when the last seal hung in the air, Lethe dismounted and turned to look at Guilford.<br/><br/>Amazing as always, watching how Lethe had grown accustomed to Seal Arts.  While he had command over the basics and a few advanced seals, his proficiency in them could be compared to an apprentice.  Still, it was slightly unnerving for Lethe to want to have their presence erased from the world for a simple conversation. The ride all the way out here was worrying enough and now this? Locked in a semi-sphere of privacy? Just what exactly is going on? Guilford dismounted his steed as well and looked around.<span style="color: #0080FF">”Not even Akira can find us now.</span>he commented on her handiwork.<span style="color: #0080FF">”So, what was it you wanted to talk about that you had to go through all this trouble for?”</span>he asked her, seriousness evident in his eyes and tone as he looked at Lethe.<br/><br/>She said nothing in response, instead busying herself with tying her horse down and relieving it of the saddlebags.  Though she didn’t like the.. the<span style="font-style: italic">suggestion</span>not-so-hidden in the bags, it was true that they needed to eat eventually.  When everything was spread out on the ground, Lethe ran out of things to delay with.  Sooner or later, she’d have to tell him and, well, she out of options in making it later.<span style="color: silver">“Please,”</span>she invited with one hand despite staying standing herself.  Instead, she wrapped her arms around herself as if that could help her.  She looked away from the sitting Guilford, not sure if she could meet his gaze.<span style="color: silver"> “I.. did Lance ever give you his report? Before Santa Olivia.. he’d mentioned he was there as a favor for you..”</span><br/><br/>The mention of Lance’s report made Guilford shift from his almost comfortable sitting position. He pulled a hand to his chin in thought.<span style="color: #0080FF">”I believe he did.”</span>he told her.<span style="color: #0080FF">”Was there anything he failed to report at all? You sound like...”</span>he paused.<span style="color: #0080FF">”Did he do something I should know about? He can be quite the prankster.”</span>he continued on, thinking Lance might have offended his fellow Seraph.<br/><br/>Lethe shook her head, immediately disregarding any mention of the orange-haired Knight.<span style="color: silver"> “No but.. what exactly did he report..?’</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">”Er.. let me think. That was quite some time ago.”</span>he scoured his brain for that particular moment.<span style="color: #0080FF">”Stuff like how he tracked down that orange haired demon targeting the villages and about how he stumbled upon you and Lady Mei, and uhh...</span>he blinked twice.<span style="color: #0080FF">”that he asked for your assistance. That’s about it.”</span><br/><br/>The unexpected answer finally made Lethe look back at her companion.<span style="color: silver">“I thought he was there doing research for you? on Eve’s seal?”</span>She’d been half hoping that maybe Lance had hinted at something, if only to make this easier on her, but she’d known it unlikely given how Guilford had been acting.  But to not have said anything at all..?<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">”He was.. supposed to.”</span>Guilford looked down.<span style="color: #0080FF">”There was an excuse in his report about not being able to fulfill that primary task.”</span><br/><br/>This prompted Lethe to look away once more, this time her hands coming up to cover her face.  Great, nothing at all.  How.. where to even..<span style="color: silver"> “I.. you know… have you ever heard of that story Snow White?  That princess eats a poisoned apple and.. yeah?”</span><br/><br/>Guilford nearly choked on the piece of sandwich he had bitten off at the mention of Snow White.<span style="color: #0080FF">”I might have. But I’m a guy. I don’t really ask for bedtime stories.”</span><br/><br/><span style="color: silver">”And since you’re a guy.. I’m sure you don’t read either.”</span>Lethe retorted bitingly, finally turning away from her palms to shoot a deadly look at him.  Seriously… what in Light’s name…<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">”I’d rather practice my sword skills or play explorer back in my childhood days.”</span>he told the other.<span style="color: #0080FF">”If I’m lucky, I get to be in the Rosenwulf Forge watching my father craft weapons.”</span>He finally met her gaze.<span style="color: #0080FF">”What is this about Lethe? It’s unlike you to beat around the bush.”</span><br/><br/>Her glare vanished at the mention of the<span style="font-style: italic">real</span>reason she’d mentioned the story.<span style="color: silver"> “Snow White is a child’s tale about some princess who had a jealous stepmother.  The jealous stepmother drives the princess away and decides to kill her so she can be the prettiest in the world.  Long story short, she gives the princess a poisoned apple and the princess eats it.  The princess is dying when some prince happens to ride by, fall in love with her, and kiss her.  The princess is miraculously cured; the stepmother falls off a cliff or something and dies.  It’s all a happy ending,”</span>she paused,<span style="color: silver">“Except it’s not.  It’s based on a true story that happened about five hundred? seven hundred? years ago.  The  prince is a Pure and he doesn’t.. no one knows.”</span>She shrugged her shoulders; her research (well, the research she’d commissioned) had been inconclusive.<span style="color: silver"> “The Pure dies; the princess lives; and the stepmother, who’s actually the queen of some enemy nation of the princess’s, I believe, dies a terribly gruesome death that.. better left unsaid.”</span><br/><br/>Guilford felt like he had just been subjected to an impromptu lecture about fairy tales. Still, for her to say that it was based on a true story? Intriguing in the least.<span style="color: #0080FF">”Alright, say that it’s true. Where are you going with this?”</span>he asked her calmly, interest piqued for what it’s worth.<br/><br/>She continued as if she hadn’t heard him.<span style="color: silver">“Around that time, a new spell is first mentioned in the history books.  <span style="font-style: italic">La gamme.</span>”</span>She paused at the sudden shiver that ran down her back.<span style="color: silver"> “<span style="font-style: italic">La gamme</span>.. an unknown spell said to cause miracles.  However, it soon fell into disuse less than a century later despite supposedly being able to cause miracles.”</span>She broke off once more, unsure where to go from here.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">”La Gamme?”</span>he parroted the spell name. Among the noble circle, Guilford had heard mention of this once, and it was from somebody in the D’Arques family.<span style="color: #0080FF">”Are you trying to tell me that La Gamme is really true?”</span>he said, putting down his half-eaten sandwich.<br/><br/><span style="color: silver">“Gil.. when we first joined Abel’s squad.. he was already the Lightbringer for defeating Eve.. and didn’t everyone say…”</span>Lethe looked at him pleadingly, hoping he’d understand without her straight out saying her and Lady Mei’s suspicions.<span style="color: silver">“that it was a <span style="font-style: italic">miracle</span>?”</span><br/><br/>Rendered silent by Lethe’s words, Guilford collected his past into a simple yet understandable timeline. It was true that by the time they got into Squad Seven, Abel had already accomplished a great feat like ‘Sealing Eve’ away and gaining a major victory after that. However, it was also true that details of how Abel managed to do so remained unclear.<span style="color: #0080FF">”I tried asking him once about that..”</span>Guilford trailed off, remembering his solo sparring with their former captain.<span style="color: #0080FF">”He just said nothing. That it was better if I didn’t know.”</span><br/><br/><span style="color: silver"> “Yes.. because it was a <span style="font-style: italic">miracle</span> that he’d done so?  And <span style="font-style: italic">miracles</span> don’t happen very often?!”</span>There might have been a touch of hysteria; didn’t Guilford get it?<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">”La Gamme huh?”</span>Guilford pondered.<span style="color: #0080FF">”You think he knows how to use that spell?”</span><br/><br/>Must he make her say it?<span style="color: silver"> “Yes.. I think he does.”</span>She closed her eyes, hearing the words seemingly echo in her ears.  She’d said it.  She’d accused her former Captain of murder though Guilford still didn’t know that bit.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">”And you have proof of this how?”</span><br/><br/><span style="color: silver">“Aren’t you going to ask about La Gamme?!”</span>She finally burst out, hysteria in her voice.  Why was Guilford such an idiot sometimes?!<span style="color: silver"> “Do you think miracles come so cheaply?  That they grow on trees or fall from the sky! Don’t you think Sin would be gone if it was that easy?!”</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">”I may not know how it fully works, but La Gamme is forbidden for a reason. Am I right?”</span>he looked at her, paying no mind at her sudden outburst.<span style="color: #0080FF">”There is an old record in the archives making mention of such and I happened to have come across it at one point. It isn’t detailed in full but I at least was able to get the gist of what it requires.”</span><br/><br/>Lethe said nothing in response.  When she finally spoke, her voice was deadened of all emotion as if her last outburst had sapped it all away,<span style="color: silver"> “The seal that was used on Eve is a convoluted piece of trash that looked like an idiot was writing it in the dark while intoxicated.  It also uses a variety of seals all focused around containment, prohibition, servitude, augment, equivalence, and exchange.  It also looks remarkably similar to the seal for La Gamme.”</span><br/><br/>The keyword was<span style="font-style: italic">exchange</span>. According to the article he had read about La Gamme, the seal of exchange was an absolute necessity. Like in Alchemy, the rule of equivalent exchange.<span style="color: #0080FF">”A sacrifice.”</span>he mentioned bluntly, eyes falling away from Lethe’s.<br/><br/>She added pointlessly,<span style="color: silver">“One and a half months after the battle with Eve, in which two of Abel’s knights died, you and I joined squad seven.”</span><br/><br/>That they did. Guilford pieced the puzzle together but said nothing. Could Abel really have the audacity to use such a.. he refrained from even trying to describe the spell. Looking back at his fellow Seraph, Guilford noted how drained she looked after having said all that. Of course, who wouldn’t feel drained? Even he was beginning to understand the weight of what she had been carrying. With a simple motion of his hand, Guilford pulled down Lethe to his side and wrapped an arm around her.<span style="color: #0080FF">”Let’s keep this to ourselves for now.”</span>he whispered.<span style="color: #0080FF">”We’ll deal with it when we get the chance. Right now, we need to keep our heads in the game. You understand right?”</span><br/><br/>For once, Lethe didn’t try to escape from Gil’s arms.  With the horrors of the past war and the specter of the future war before her, she had no protests about being comforted.  She had never thought she’d be too weary for service in the Light’s name, still wasn’t, but to think that her former Captain had done such a thing.. She’d known about La Gamme, understood it with the rational part of her mind, but never really<span style="font-style: italic">accepted</span>it until..<span style="color: silver"> “Do you really think Abel could have done it?”</span>She whispered, hoping against hope that Gil would deny it.<br/><br/>The question weighed heavily upon him. It was not something he could answer lightly. Having worked under Abel for quite some time, he had somehow understood the driving force behind the man’s actions. Still, it was shocking to be told that he would go to ‘that’ extent just to accomplish what he had set out to do. Sacrificing members of his own squad.. it was unforgivable.<span style="color: #0080FF">”I don’t think I can answer that right now, Lethe.”</span>he honestly said, a hint of sadness mixing in his tone this time.<span style="color: #0080FF">”But if it comes down to it, I will not let him do something like that again.”</span><br/><br/><span style="color: silver">“Then the possibility still exists.”</span>If even Abel’s protégé couldn’t believe in his innocence, how could she?  Lethe closed her eyes and buried her face into Gil’s chest, no longer able to bear seeing the world.  What world did they live in where even those who followed the Divine Light sacrificed innocents?  Where they forsook their ideals for the sake of ‘victory.’  A hollow one, a pointless one.  The Lightbringer who earned his title from the deaths of those who’d been entrusted to him.<br/><br/>Stand strong. Show no weakness. Face your challenges with pride. These were the core ideals that Abel had taught him to follow in battle. Were they all lies? Betrayal is one thing, but murder? Even if the reason was ‘just’ in the eyes of their former captain? It was all hard to believe. This matter needed to be looked into for concrete evidence. Hopefully, the scribes still had records of the two fallen knights he and Lethe replaced in squad seven. This had just become a priority for Guilford when they got back to Gless.<span style="color: #0080FF">”Possibility or not, I know we still don’t have enough to act.”</span>he tightened his arm around Lethe.<span style="color: #0080FF">”I will look into this discreetly, and I need your help to get to the bottom of this.”</span>he looked down and reached for her chin and pulled her face up gently to meet her eyes.<span style="color: #0080FF">”Will you help me?”</span>he asked, knowing that it was quite possible they only have each other to rely on about this matter.<br/><br/>When Gil reached for her chin, Lethe finally had no choice but to open her eyes.  As much as she might want to, she couldn’t hide from reality.  She wouldn’t hide her eyes anymore, she’d pledged, before things had turned this bad.  But even now.. She stared back into purple eyes, ones filled with a resolve she wished she had.  One hand lifted unconsciously to brush against his temple.  Why was it every time that she felt like she was falling apart, he seemed to have the answers?  Her mouth answered before her brain knew what she was saying,<span style="color: silver">“I will.”</span><br/><br/>The words resonated with the strong beat he suddenly felt his heart do. The look she had almost.. almost melted him right out of the moment. Still, when was the last time he held her this close that she didn’t squirm or try to flee? It had been far, far too long. For some reason, he could hear nothing but her breathing, the wind that blew around their private circle, even the.. screw it! With a slow gulp of air, he leaned closer. He too needed some form of strength to see this through, and she was exactly that strength. He had kissed her once, but that was well… a mess. Perhaps this time..<br/><br/>He was staring at her.  And she was staring back.  The cloth under her palm was warm; the beat of his pulse had suddenly sped up.  What was there to be worried about?  She should probably check to make sure nothing had spotted them but she couldn’t tear her eyes away from him.  He was still looking at her.  The last time they’d been so close.. her eyes dropped down to his lips as she remembered..<span style="font-style: italic">then</span>.  She wondered if.. She leaned forward, pressing her lips against his.  They were as soft as she remembered and a smile crept on her face at that.  At least some things hadn’t changed.<br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~</div><br/>[[Day 9 of Month -4 :: Lindela]]<br/><br/>“I’m home!”  There was a squeal of excitement before he was tackled by a blur of yellow and green.  In the background, he heard a crash as the book Marielle had been reading ended its impromptu flight by knocking into something else.  However, he was more busy with the bundle in his arms and he twirled the ecstatic woman twice before setting her down for a kiss.  When no pattering steps came running up to him, Valiar cocked his head in confusion.  Where was Annabelle?<br/><br/>The smile on Marielle’s smile dimmed at his clear question.  “She’s been feeling a bit under the weather recently.  Just a cold, I’m sure.”  She stepped away from Valiar and headed towards the kitchen.  There was some leftover soup she could heat up for him.  Footsteps followed her but then diverged.  No doubt he was going to check on Annabelle.<br/><br/>Valiar glanced into the dim room.  The curtains had been pulled closed and in the middle of her twin bed rested his Annabelle.  The blonde’s eyes were closed and her breathing a touch raspy.  It sounded like a cold from here, not that he doubted his wife’s assessment.  Tip toing up to the bed, he ran a soft hand against her forehead.  It was cool, no sign of a fever.  The brush of his holy magic told him it was just a mild cold.  He could heal it with his magic but it would be better if her immune system developed against such bugs.  Lifting her Mr. Wabbit, he tucked the stuffed animal under her arm and straightened out the blankets.  Annabelle sighed and shifted, drawing the toy closer to her.  With a fond smile, Valiar pressed a kiss to her brow then tip toed back out.<br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~</div><br/>[[Day 10 of Month -4 :: The Grand Cathedral ]]<br/><br/>The room was silent except for the occasional sounds of a sword slicing through the air or a fist punching at nothing.  Every now and then, a feminine grunt of frustration punctuated the air but otherwise nothing was said by the room’s two occupants.  Both were staring determinedly at a row of training dummies.  Some had scratches on them and one or two had a small indent in its chest.<br/><br/>Yellow eyes narrowed on the training dummy before closing.  Irritation wouldn’t help him.  He pushed the feeling away and then tapped into Light’s Blessing.  Gather the magic in his sword and.. His sword sung through the air once more.  The divine magic leapt from his blade, bisecting the training dummy in his mind’s eye.  On the physical realm, it looked as unruffled as ever.  Transfer the damage, Captain had said.  Closing his eyes once more, Deimos tried again.<br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~</div><br/>The breeze in the tree was as inviting as ever.  Leon smiled even as he settled into his seat, his body adjusting to the bumps and leaves he called his branch.  He’d found this place while under Lady Ethera’s tutelage as a place to be on his own.  He had always loved the spotlight, always craved to be part of the ‘in’ crowd.  Lady Ethera had just looked at him like he was crazy and asked, in that clipped tone of hers, how he planned to sense anything if he could barely distinguish himself from the rest of the world?  That had been a bit exaggerated, but he had to admit his newly discovered solitude was a welcome one sometimes.  He still preferred being around other people but now he no longer felt empty the moment he was alone.<br/><br/>His smile grew as he reflected on how much he’d matured before he pushed those thoughts away.  It was meditation and sensing time.  He needed to clear his mind.  He expelled all the air from his lungs before starting the count.  Seven counts for the inward breath; hold for seven; then release over seven counts.  The sound of Lady Ethera’s evenly spaced clapping, imprinted in his mind by now, helped him track the time even though she was no longer present.<br/><br/>Slowly, the mess that was the Grand Cathedral cleared itself up.  Three bright lights to the west must be Captain, YunQiao, and Adair; they were reading some of the reports that had been brought in.  The two wavering lights in the training room were probably Deimos and Seraphim.  He peered in interest at the magic swirling around them.  It had a crisp, snappy feel to it, a bit like being shocked by static energy.  What a unique feeling.  He withdrew and tried to focus on a mass of Knights in another training room.  Each member of his squad was so strong, it was easy to identify them from everyone else, just like Team Prissy.  At that reminder, he scanned the Cathedral.  There were a few of them scattered around the building though he couldn’t identify them.  He wasn’t close enough to have memorized the feeling of their auras.  Master Guilford seemed to be missing though, but that was none of his business.  The Seraph undoubtedly had his own duties to keep him busy.<br/><br/>With a calm sigh at his wandering thoughts, Leon mentally bundled them up and placed them aside.  They weren’t of concern right now.  Instead, he focused on the mass of presences in the training room.  Knights.  The other four were all softer and he wondered at those presences.  Who would sixteen Knights need to train with?  Scouts, perhaps?  If they were trying to improve their footwork.<br/><br/>He paused at the sudden slide against his senses.  Whatever it had been, it had been cool to his mind’s sense and just a touch.. sinister.  Leon chased after the sensation but it had escaped.  He couldn’t find it.  His worry knocked him out of his trance and he opened hazel eyes.  Blue sky and green leaves met his gaze but even the simple beauty of the day couldn’t mitigate his frown.  Leon cautiously got to his feet, making sure they were stable before he let go of the trunk.<br/><br/>He had a squad of Knights to investigate.<br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~</div><br/>[[Day 11 of Month -4, morning :: The Cathedral ]]<br/><br/>Lethe glanced at the clock with a small frown.  Ten past nine, it read.  She had scheduled the meeting for nine, already an hour back from when they’d normally start.  After so long away, and such late nights, she’d tried to give them all a bit of extra free time.  There would be more long absences in the future.  However, that certainly didn’t mean she was going to accept<span style="font-style: italic">tardiness</span>.  Her gaze turned over her other squad members already assembled.  Leon and YunQiao were sitting on one couch while Cricket, Leon, and Seraphim shared the other.  Deimos was sitting in one of the wooden chairs and Adair was waiting by their blackboard.  Valiar was still absent.  Her frown deepened.  It wasn’t like her cleric to be late.<br/><br/>As the clock hand moved to fifteen past, she reluctantly got to her feet.  She didn’t want to delay any longer and the sooner they finished here, the sooner she could send someone to check on Valiar.<span style="color: silver">“Alright then.. I guess we’ll start.”</span>She announced, walking to the blackboard.  The others were all exchanging uneasy looks, clearly also wondering where their last squad member was.<span style="color: silver">“So far..”</span><br/><br/>The door slammed open to reveal a harried looking Valiar.  “Sorry I’m late,” a grimace crossed the older man’s face as he closed the door and walked towards his normal chair.  “Annabelle was feeling a bit worse than normal last night and I was spending time with her and then I overslept and..”  His mouth kept running even though he was trying to tell it to stop.  He didn’t want to make excuses for himself.  He was supposed to be here for the meeting at nine and he hadn’t been.  That’s all there was to it.  Excuses were just that: excuses.  They weren’t reasons.<br/><br/><span style="color: silver"> “It’s alright, Valiar.”</span>Lethe cut in, interrupting the flow of words.<span style="color: silver"> “I’m just glad you’re okay.  Is Annabelle alright?”</span><br/><br/>The man smiled wearily even as he collapsed into his chair.  “Yeah, just got a lingering cold.  I healed some of the inflammation last night and topped her up today.  She should be running around like normal tomorrow.”  He’d finally given in after two miserable nights of listening to her wheeze and sniffle.  Marielle had confessed to him that Annabelle had been like this for the past week already.  She’d been ready to take their daughter to a cleric to be checked up, just in case, when he’d come home.<br/><br/>Lethe smiled at the answer but made herself turn the conversation back to the task at hand.<span style="color: silver">“So far, our reports are suggesting that the attacks on Palaugrim have lightened somewhat.  It seems that Eve started with a ‘blitz’ of attacks, so to speak.  Now that we’ve properly mounted a defense, her attacks have slowed down.  This may in part be due to the tightened security on the borders.  To our knowledge, only Eve, Lillith, and the orange-haired demon can teleport.  The last was defeated at Bryn; the other two are still at large.  For better or for worse, they’re not spending their time ferrying Sinners into the middle of Palaugrim.  This is not to be confused as things are stable there; they are still seeing about two to three attacks a day.  However, our fellow Knights are handling the Sinners before they cause widespread destruction.”</span>The rebel Palaugrimian forces were still causing havoc as well, though she didn’t mention it.  On<span style="font-style: italic">that</span>front she wasn’t sure her squad would be of much help.<span style="color: silver"> “However, in the near future, while we still have this reprieve, I’d like each of you to focus on the following…”</span><br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~</div><br/>[[Day 11 of Month -4, Afternoon :: Lindela ]]<br/><br/>Cricket sauntered through the markets, keen hazel eyes sweeping along the people gathered there.  A man caught his eye and he smiled flirtatiously even as he kept moving.  He made such a hot babe, even just dressed down like this.  Checking his grocery list, he saw that his next stop was the chemist for paracetemol, bandages, and cough drops.  With a hum, the purple-haired cross-dresser headed for the nearest drugstore.<br/><br/>The bell tinkled as he entered, fairly normal protocol among most stores.  The inside was already half full though and Cricket frowned, navigating around the bodies as he strolled through the aisles.  The bandages he picked up with no problems; the shelf was barely touched.  His cough drops, however, he couldn’t find.  The shelf where they normally hung was bare except for the sign that said<span style="font-family: courier;">To be restocked soon. -4/15</span>.  Weird, were cough drops so popular now?  He turned away from the shelf and headed to the counter where a crowd of people stood.  Finding a spot, he waited for one of the chemists to notice him.  He was in no hurry to leave.  After all, he wasn’t<span style="font-style: italic">really</span>here for their wares.<br/><br/>“Order 51. Order 51. 100 count bottle penicillin.”<br/><br/>“What do you mean you’re out of cough syrup?  My Maddie’s been coughing nonstop and needs some relief!”<br/><br/>“Has the shipment of thermometers come in yet?  No?  Call the supplier and ask for them!”<br/><br/>One of the chemists came to a stop in front of, polite smile nowhere to be seen.  “How can I help you?”  The old woman asked curtly, neither rude nor inviting.  They all looked overwhelmed.<br/><br/>Cricket smiled cutely as he replied, “May I have a box of paracetemol?”<br/><br/>“We’re all out.”  Was the surprising response, “Anything else?”<br/><br/>“I.. how are you all out?”  Cricket didn’t have to feign his confusion.  Paracetemol, and the other painkillers, were common enough drugs.  It was one of the items that chemists never understocked.  How could this store be<span style="font-style: italic">out</span>?  The old woman huffed irritably but answered, clearly already familiar with the response, “Sounds like some cold outbreak is going around and everyone wants cough drops, painkillers, and even,” she nodded at the woman hurrying up to accept the bag another chemist held out.  The owner of Order 51, it appeared.  “some have gotten medic approval for antibiotics.  So we’re running a bit short.  Now, anything else I can get you?”<br/><br/>“No.. that’s fine.”  The purple-haired man smiled weakly as the chemist immediately turned to another customer.  That was.. troubling.  He stuffed the bandages he’d picked up earlier into one of the empty shelves and left the store.  Time to hit up another drugstore.<br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~</div><br/>Sword strikes resonated through the tiny backyard as Roland and Adair sparred.  As usual, the latter was on the defensive as the former attacked, sword somehow slipping around the shield Adair held between him and his older brother.  “I thought you were trying to get better at swordsmanship?”  Roland asked in confusion without slacking his assault.<br/><br/>“I. I am.”  The younger man huffed, sword striking away one blow and moving his shield to block the return strike.  It was hard to talk while still defending against his brothers.  How was it that he was still an active Knight yet both Roland and Lesus could still hand him his ass without breaking a sweat?!<br/><br/>“Then.. maybe you should try attacking?”  The brown-haired man offered helpfully, not giving Adair a chance to do so.  “You know what Lesus likes to say, the best defense is a strong offense.”  His sword slid to the right, blocking the slash Adair had tried to slip past him.  Roland smiled and then there was a blur and Adair was sitting on the ground, blinking dazedly.  What.. had just happened?<br/><br/>“Have you even been taking care of your shield?!”  Roland chided, holding his shield up to examine in the sunlight.  Wait.. wasn’t his shield on his arm?  Green eyes turned to look at his left arm and sure enough, it was shieldless.  His head dropped back in defeat.  Seriously… No wonder Lethe didn’t trust him or the others.  He couldn’t even beat his retired brothers.  A sudden bout of coughing interrupted his self pity party and he turned to see Roland almost bent double as coughs wracked his body.  “Are you okay?”<br/><br/>Roland coughed for another five seconds before finally seeming to run out of air.  “I’m okay.”  The man replied with a pained look.  His throat was no doubt killing him after that fit.  “Just got a bit of a sore throat.”  The older man rubbed at his nose and then waved away Adair who’d come over in concern.  “Get back to work, young whippersnapper! You have a long way to go still!”<br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~</div><br/>[[Day 11 of Month -4, Evening :: Cathedral]]<br/><br/>Lethe sighed as the door clicked shut behind her, letting the troubles of the day seep away from her.  When she left the room, she’d have to deal with them again but within the prayer room, it was just her and the Divine Light.  She enjoyed the silence of the room and then walked further in.  The room she’d chosen was spartan, its main decoration a large stained glass window with the center clear to let the light stream in uninhibited.  Taking a seat on the ground, she leaned back to let the light fall on her face.<br/><br/>Abel.<br/>Palaugrim.<br/>Eve.<br/>Invidia.<br/><br/>Her head dropped back forward, once more weighed down by the challenged she faced.<span style="font-style: italic">Oh Divine Light, grant me the strength to face the challenges before me and the courage to accept that which I cannot change.  Glorious you are, filling the world with..</span><br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~</div><br/>[[Day 11 of Month -4, Night :: Tethel]]<br/><br/>Centienne scrutinized her husband as she lifted a piece of meat to her lips.  The man was oddly grumpy today, evident by how noisy he was eating today.  There was another<span style="font-style: italic">plink!</span>as his knife stabbed against the porcelain plate and then another a grinding sound as he dragged the knife back.  Her eyes narrowed.  How uncouth.<br/><br/>“Is something wrong, darling?”  Despite the sweet words, her tone was dangerous.  Black eyes flicked up to catch her gaze before he dropped them back to his plate.  This time he was more gentle as he cut his steak and there was no sound of silverware hitting the plates,<span style="font-style: italic">as it should be</span>.  “Well?”<br/><br/>“Nothing, my dear.”  Verlassen finally responded sullenly.  That Seraph hadn’t shown up recently and he was bored.  None of the other Knights came anywhere close to being interesting.  After their first fight, he’d run across the Seraph a few other times and those had been entertaining times.  The boy was clearly no where near his skill level but ruffling the kid’s feathers had always been amusing.  Now he was bereft of even that!  He stabbed his steak again, ignoring the sharp glare Centienne shot his way.  Sin damn it all.  Where was that Seraph?