<strong>Name:</strong>Brynn, Viticella, Pietr, Cid, Others<br/><strong>Location:</strong>Hawks HQ<br/><strong>Mentioned:</strong>All<br/><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 14pt;">Current Mood Music:  Hawks Theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXyA3FU5T4s)</span><br/><hr/><br/>Brynn nodded apreciatively at the warrior's compliment, but said nothing.<br/><br/>Viticella now turned her attention to Alex and gave him a bright smile, she was probably one of the few that sensed the humor in his statement. She gave him a wink. "You'll have to let me look at that eye at some point. I've been doing some interesting research... Anyway. Our first goal is already met - to outfit everyone in this room who will be on the front line. Beyond that... well we aren't as big as people think... I've got people putting together more of these as we speak."<br/><br/>Now Brynn decided to speak. "Your concern for our safety is noted. We number only sixty even with the handful of soldiers that we rescued that decided to join up. But we don't intend to go about this foolishly. We do intend to take advantage of the element of surprise. Malik will not expect that there are those of us immune to his trap. Those of us with protection will surround the casket. The rest will cause pockets of disturbance that cause the gathered crowds to flee. To this end we've been stockpiling gunpowder. We've got enough for several small blasts. Malik has also done some work for us. He's got some of the people believing we Hawks are terrorists. So if they see us and see explosions, they'll surely leave." He sighed as if he were unsatisfied with the number of variables, but his solemn resolution shined in his eyes.<br/><br/>Pietr leaned forward in his seat when the Blue Mage spoke again, fascinated by his several revelations. "I see... The wind clan... I'd thought it to be a myth." He furrowed his brow. "We've found many myths to hold truth these days. Your clan's story rings of a worrying truth as well. If your Malik is the same as this one, it would mean that he was corrupted 200 years ago and has lived on with power he acquired in the Dark Lands. Fearsome indeed. This certainly requires further research. Thank you, Mithra."<br/><br/>Brynn now responded to the Viera girl. "Yes, young lady. We are ill prepared for this threat, but we've got to do what we can to prevent the total corruption of Florencia and Gilaud." He addressed the Paladin's request next. "I'm afraid Malik is well aware that we know the locations of the castle's secrets. I assure he does not make the common mistake of making such infiltration easy. We've lost too many Hawks that way already. There is a withering miasma that fills all the tunnels beneath the castle. To breathe it in is deadly. I know how dire it seems when our best hope of success is in foolishly attacking in broad daylight. But I also trust in Rishiae's assessment of you. I have hope that the fates have finally assembled the key players in their cruel game."<br/><br/>Cid still sat stoic and attentive. Watching the heroes with interest... and was that a glimmer of hope in Cid's masked eyes as well? He seemed so vulnerable in that moment of hope.