Natalia went back inside the Great Hall in search of Lethe's Vice Captain. Weaving through flocks of gathered people, Natalia's height became a problem. It wasn't helping her see much of the hall, less the person she was asked to look for. Glancing around left and right when she reached a clearing, she came to a realization that there were no other knights in the hall except for herself. A few quick questions with the crowd and she found out that there was no point in looking anymore.<br/><br/>Heading back outside, Natalia ran back as fast as she could towards her Captain. She looked at him while shaking her head and trying to catch her breath. "No good, they've left the hall." she informed.<br/><br/>Guilford pondered for a moment. Why would they make themselves scarce? The answer was simple, something was up and whatever it was, they were under orders to keep him and his squad out of the loop. Seriously? Who do they think they're trying to fool? He wasn't made a Seraph for nothing, and he didn't work with<span style="font-style: italic">their</span>Captain before their squad was even formed for nothing either. He probably would have suspected less if they chose to come forward. Guilford could only sigh in distaste,<span style="color: #0080FF">"That figures. Oh well, let's leave them be. As much as I would have loved to have their cooperation, it would seem they are intent on doing otherwise."</span>Guilford grumbled and turned to Hyuga who just regained his composure.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Okay Hyu, where did you get that reading from Lillith?"</span><br/><br/>The other knight took a deep breath and tried to recall the short flash he saw from his combined<span style="font-style: italic">Oversight</span>and<span style="font-style: italic">Detection</span>. "Northeast of here Captain. I wasn't able to pinpoint where exactly but I'm pretty sure about the bearing."<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Fair enough, we'll move in once Bryn and Alfrei returns."</span><br/><br/>About an hour later, the two knights he dispatched to comb the town returned. "Nothing out of the ordinary Captain." Brynhildr reported, Alfrei seconding the report with a nod. Guilford acknowledged and turned to look at the Great Hall, the three should almost be done with cleansing the townsfolk by now too. A bright flash of light shooting up from the Great Hall indicated the completion of<span style="font-style: italic">Delta Absolve</span>. A few minutes later and the three men returned to their Captain as well.<br/><br/>"All good on our side Captain." Georg informed. Guilford nodded and asked everyone to gather around him. He gave a summary of everything that transpired in the absence of the three and then turned to face everyone. His deep purple eyes now displayed more authority, an indication that he was completely absorbed by his duty.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Listen, it's not that hard to piece together the puzzle. Something is going on in this town and Lethe's squad stumbled upon it. For whatever reason, they have decided to keep us out of the loop."</span><br/><br/>"I don't know about that Captain. To me it seems like they don't entirely trust our squad." Alfrei suggested, both hands finding the back of his head.<br/><br/>"Yeah! We're supposed to be together on this mission but why do they have to go off on their own?" Natalia screeched, a little frustration evident in her tone.<br/><br/>Brynhildr shrugged her shoulders, "Could be that they think they can handle it on their own without our help. But even if that's the case, leaving us out of it is like asking us to mind our own business all together. I don't like it." she scoffed.<br/><br/>"Now, now, we could be overreacting for all we know. Bryn might be right, maybe it's something they can handle on their own, maybe it's actually something hardly worthy of two Seraph squads, or maybe we'll just get in their way. Regardless of the cause, if they chose to leave us out of it, why not oblige?" Hyuga said, trying to pacify the heated group.<br/><br/>Georg groaned. "Hyuga, I would understand it if we were in Lindela where threat levels are low, but this is Palaugrim. You'll never know what sort of dangers lie in wait."<br/><br/>"If they're going to be like that, what's the point of teaming up? Maybe we should have taken the High Council's advice to take another squad instead, or maybe we should have just gone solo." Joaquim commented, brows curled and his good eye trained on the ground.<br/><br/>Vlad crossed his arms above his chest and took a deep breath. "Had I not nearly died on this island, I would agree with you in leaving it be, but I faced death countless times rotating on and off Palaugrim to know just how terrifying it truly is."<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"ENOUGH! All of you!"</span><br/><br/>Silence blanketed the entire squad when Guilford raised his voice. Nobody saw that coming and they were all left speechless. Guilford had to close his eyes and take in deep breaths to calm himself down.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Lethe and I..."</span>he paused, wondering if he should continue. A few moments later and he decided to do so.<span style="color: #0080FF">"We have both been through a lot. During those times, we have unknowingly decided to take it upon ourselves to protect what matters most to the other."</span>he trailed, thoughts drifting back to the old times.<span style="color: #0080FF">"It became like an unspoken rule."</span><br/><br/>The rest of his squad listened intently. It was rare for their Captain to dig up the past or talk about himself. Each of the knights saw this as an opportunity to become closer to their Captain.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Now that I think about it, she must have seen how I... how we all loved this place. It leaves me to think that whatever it is that she stumbled upon, she doesn't want us involved because she wants us to only have pleasant memories here."</span><br/><br/>Natalia gazed at Guilford with questioning eyes. "Had it been you in her shoes Captain, would you have done the same?" she asked.<br/><br/>There wasn't even a need to think about the answer. Guilford smiled as he turned to Natalia.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Yes, I would."</span><br/><br/>The tense air that built itself around the squad dispersed upon hearing those three words from their Captain. They don't have to like it, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't understand it. Sighing a heavy one, Alfrei looked at Guilford straight in the eyes. "So Captain, what do you want to do? Push on or let it play out?"<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"I say we let it play out. But I want you all ready to move in at the first sign of danger. At the end of the day, we knights only have each other to rely on during trying times."</span><br/><br/>Guilford instructed the rest of his squad to spread out and take to the roofs. They will be on the lookout for anything strange throughout town and to signal each other if anyone spotted something by shooting a<span style="font-style: italic">Banish</span>bolt in the air.