Devaguea didn't expect to just solve Anke's issue all at once, but did enjoy getting to help her for a change. Usually she was the one trying to help someone else. He did point out that as a healer, and having seen what happened from the last two nights, her going for the dagger was because it would protect people. After all, as she was always telling people, prevention was worth more than cure.<br/><br/>Devaguea frowned at the report the messenger had returned with, concerned. That meant it wasn't related to these outbreaks of magic, but in that case he had no idea where the two dozen overpowered ettins had come from, or why they had chosen now to rampage. They had CLEARED those woods of most of the sort to cause problems, and he paused to glance up at the massive wyvern head that now sat in pride of place in the hall amongst the various other trophies.<br/><br/>Shaking his head, he returned to his thought. And while they had cleared those woods, he could see one, two, MAYBE a half dozen getting overlooked by the various adventuring teams and his own clearing groups. No way they would miss a full two dozen giants. So if it wasn't related to the incidents, as evidenced by the lack of a magical focus item, then why were they rampaging now, so openly and obviously?<br/><br/>After a few minutes, he concluded it was a distraction, hoping to pull attention from another incident either in progress or about to be, maybe the plant monster ones, if he hadn't insisted on such good lines of communication it might have been a week before they were reported and that would have been a massive threat, especially if they had started growing swarms in other locations.<br/><br/>As it was, he was prevented from thinking further on the giant attack by news of the snow storm. He frowned, before nodding to the advisors. "Amvarean, you will be remaining behind to ensure you don't encounter the black dragon. Camilla, Sydon, Sena, Sak'bas, and..."<br/><br/>He paused, before glancing at the again pregnant Cynthia, who was beginning to understand that being pushy about getting with foal the last couple of years might have been a bad idea. "Hmm, I was going to say Cynthia, but she is unable to join. Anke, feel like getting out of the city for a while? If not, will grab Stroon, and we will deal with that snowstorm."<br/><br/>Anke was not willing to step out of the city just yet, so Stroon got to join the combat team and was requested to prepare a significant number of fire spells for the outing.