A Prince's Secret (open?)

Diluca strolled on into the assaulted Hold. His two subordinates weren't kidding about the threat. Pity Tartarus and his two junior Harbingers were too far away to be of any assistance with either Mondolin's capitol or here. Well...that might have been for the best. Powerful as he was, he had no care about allies getting in the way. Man was too much of a wild beast in that regard. Either way, the red head came in and headed towards the main building that served as the Order's headquarters. Waltzing in, the secretary asked if she could help him. "Yes, I'd like to schedule a meeting between myself, Knight-Commander Mantell, Aether Favonius, and anyone else that the Knight-Commander deems necessary for this meeting. It is in regards to...mister Favonius's situation." When she told him what the earliest convenient time would be, he sprung for it. It was only a day after Aether's and the rest of the force's scheduled arrival date. It would suit him perfectly fine. When asked about a name, Diluca would only say Harbinger 008, then leave without explanation.

~

When Aether and the rest rode in that day, he didn't expect to be called up to the office so quickly. Did the Knight-Commander want to debrief him so soon? There were others there, like Kiari that could do so as well. So there he waited in the conference room. This...didn't sit well for him. Something happened...

Sitting in his wood-panelled office in the main facility of Sunshield Hold, Odric Mantell steepled his fingers in front of him as he stared at the reports on his desk. The Order had held up admirably to the undead attack, but it had nevertheless extracted a heavy price. There was considerable damage done to the front gate and the surrounding structures, and there were many lives lost in the defense of the Hold. In return, the Hold's citizens showed incredible determination and industry, and thus most of the structural damage had been repaired by the time Kairi and the others returned from Mith Silvanus. He had received word from a messenger of the successful defense of the great city of Mondolin, but he had also been informed of the unfortunate passing of the King during the battle. As well as the loss of life incurred at the hands of Liliana Korvesa's undead plot, the loss of King Tormir also guaranteed a new period of political instability as Mondolin addressed the power vacuum. But Odric's most immediate concern knocked on his office door.

Odric followed his aide to the conference room, where Kairi Thorne, Rowan Aratris and Aether Favonius waited for him. He nodded to all three, his expression grim. "It appears our guests are on their way. Is everything ready?" Kairi nodded. "Aye. Do we know what this meeting is about?" Odric shook his head and walked over to the window, looking out over the Hold's main square. "Not entirely. Our guests have not been forthcoming with details, save that their purpose concerns Aether." Kairi glanced at Aether, then stepped alongside Odric and looked pensive. "These are the same people who Rowan reported had been causing a disturbance in Harodiel, and had attacked him and Aether. We need to be careful." Odric nodded again and smiled knowingly. "Indeed, that's why you and Rowan are here." A rap on the door signaled what was to come next. Odric turned to the door and straightened his tunic. "It is time."

Rowan stood stoicly behind Odric, great sword across his back. He had mostly recovered the previous few weeks that culminated in a pitched battle outside of Mith Silvanus, and also deep in Serenity Valley, where he and Yavanna had faced down the insanely powerful Lilianna Korvesa. Merlin arrived some time after the fight, and all three had been pushed to their limits, and only for the timely arrival of the Oculi Draconis' Primoris Rex, Lilianna would have completed whatever ritual spell she had been working. Even then, Alura Wonderweich had sacrificed her life to defeat Lilianna and destroy her conduit. Rowan only knew the woman a few short minutes, but she had earned his eternal respect, and the gratitude of all of ka'lesa. Rowan had hoped to come back to the hold to some semblance of peace, but it appeared that that would not be the case.

Indeed, while they had been gone, one of the strangers hunting Aether had arrived at the hold. Fortunately for them, this stranger, who had left the name Harbinger 008 as identification, chose diplomacy over attacking the hold in its weakened state, and had asked for a sit down with Odric and Aether. Odric was a wise and sensible man and had made sure both Kairi and Rowan were present, in case there was some ulterior motive. Given the attack in Harodriel Rowan was glad of this, as he was wary of these Harbingers. He had grown fond of the people in the Order since his arrival, and would suffer no threat to them lightly. Especially Kairi. He looked at her while she spoke to Odric, his hand resting on the head of the axe, skull splitter, on his hip. The axe of his dead wife Kaila. The axe that hadn't shown a spark of magic since the night she'd died, until it had somehow saved Kairi's life. If he hadn't given her the axe the day they defeated Aristorath the first time, he didn't know what would have happened. They hadn't talked about it, yet. Fortunately a knock on the door drew his attention to something other than Kairi. He cross his arms and prepared a glare that would chill someone to the bone.

Rowan and Kiari had joined him, but he was still in the dark until Mantell came in and mentioned that it concerned him. "So they've come. Any number or anything?" Upon hearing which one, Aether frowned a little. "That's both good and bad. If Tristaan Iznia is here, so is Tartarus. They're opposites. But Tristaan is at least willing to talk." Where Tartarus would be more likely to just fight it out and do as much damage as possible. Now would be the opportune time to do so, given the attacks. Then the knock came.

The first to come in was Chi-Chi, standing at parade rest to the right of the door. Then came Razagul, putting his single edged greatsword against the wall to the left of the door and leaning against it with arms crossed. The Abyss Wolves followed, seven in total, with one larger than the rest. Then came the last person he expected to see, making the blonde sputter. "Master?! What happened to Tristaan?"

"An incident occurred, and Tristaan was killed shortly after your departure, your highness. It's good to see that you're in good health." The mostly black clad man had his own greatsword floating behind him, the blade covered in green energy cubes. The red haired man was also pulling a small cart with a wooden crate on it. Putting it beside the available chair, it was Aether that spoke. "Please don't call me that. This is Diluca De Leona. My teacher when it came to using my greatsword, a former Imperial Knight on my home country and continent, and one of the few men that while not necessarily liked by all, is respected by all. This is Knight Commander Odric Mantell, Lieutenant Kairi Thorne, and Rowan Aratris."

Aether was now nervious. He didn't know what to expect here. Diluca was completely unbothered by Rowan's glare. "Pleasure. Shall we get right down to it? I'd rather not waste much time." More for their sakes than the Harbinger's. "Our mission is to bring back Aether Favonius, preferrably in one piece and alive. I'd rather not have to cause any bloodshed over him. Is there a way for that to happen? I did bring gifts..." Diluca was prepared for bribery if necessary. The bottles of wine in the crate was among the most sought after in his country. And were a small fortune by themselves. But Diluca can already see that the Knight-Commander wasn't going to take the bribe. Aether certainly did know who make allies with, now did he.

Odric shook his head at Aether's question when he arrived. "Only that it is Harbinger 008. Beyond that, we are as much in the dark as you are." When the door opened, Odric was immediately put on high alert. Two people entered first and took up flanking positions on either side of the door, followed by seven strange looking creatures that seemed to be guarding the last figure coming through the door. The representatives of the Order were at a distinct disadvantage should hostilities erupt, so the only real choice was to try and be as open and diplomatic as possible. Aether seemed surprised by the last individual, before making introductions. Odric and Kairi each bowed politely at each of their introductions. Diluca then got right down to business, revealing the reason for the visit from these Harbingers. He stated that he wished to retrieve Aether and bring him back to his homeland, something that the young man was clearly opposed to happening. Odric stepped forward with a friendly smile, while Kairi remained beside Rowan, giving the Eldari a worried glance.

"I appreciate your directness, Mr. De Leon. However, Aether has expressed a repeated desire to remain here, and as a member of the Order of the Sun - of which I am leader - I'm afraid there is a conflict here that we can hopefully resolve peacefully." Diluca offered the contents of a crate that one of his subordinates brought up, a set of wine bottles that looked distinctly old and expensive. Odric remained cordial as he spoke. "I appreciate the gesture, but I'm afraid we're not in the business of exchanging people for gifts." Odric turned to Aether. "I would ask your input, Aether. If I knew more about the circumstances of this claim over you, it would benefit us greatly."