Elaria is quite quiet for this time in the day, it's the evening but nothing is happening.

  Aidan and Aaron are recovering in the infirmary while James and Edwin are on a small mission outside the city.

  Jermaine and Ferrul are gathered in the council room at the top of the Knight's Fortress, waiting for everyone else to arrive.

  Ferrul speaks, loud and deep voice clearing the silence

  "So, did you get word of the little sparring match, Jermaine?"

  Jermaine responds, saying "Yes, I did. Those two have a lot of potential, Aaron's becoming quite the smart fighter."

  "Well I wish he weren't so inconsiderate of other people's armor."

  The comment gets a chuckle out of Jermaine before he responds

  "I am so sorry for your loss, Ferrul. I'll be sure to make it up to you."

  The two go back into silence until Jonah bursts into the room, Lucius following closely behind.

  Lucius tries getting some sort of scared expression out of Ferrul or Jermaine, he fails.

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  Ferrul comments on the two arriving,

  "Oh, well here are our best martial artists, you two coming from a sparring match?"

  Jonah nods, clearly ashamed of something.

  The four men sit in a heavy and awkward silence, clearly waiting for something to happen.

  They stay quiet as the rest of the Council trickles in.

  There now sit seven men around the table, one empty chair.

  A wide and bulky man with shaggy, dirty blonde hair speaks up

  "So, Cassius isn't home yet, eh?"

  "You sure the bastard ain't ditch us for those rebels?"

  Jermaine nods

  "Cassius wouldn't follow someone who he knows is weaker than us, Thorne."

  Thorne retorts

  "So why don't we have Cassius crushin' them from inside out?"

  Lucius responds this time

  "You clearly have no idea how war and tactics work, Thorne. Stupid as always."

  "We need as much information as possible and we can't get it through killing their leaders."

  Thorne seems like he has more to say, but seems scared to speak.

  Jermaine then makes everyone sit straight with one word.

  "So."

  "We have bad news."

  Everyone leans in.

  "We know when they're attacking, thanks to Cassius."

  Thorne butts in "So what's the bad part of tha-"

  Jermaine cuts him off.

  "The bad part is that all of us but two are on missions the week that they're attacking"

  "The only ones who wont be elsewhere are Ferrul and Warren."

  Thorne butts in yet again

  "So why can't we just move the missions?"

  Jermaine gives another cool response

  "Because we can't"

  "All of the missions are important and have been arranged over months."

  A grin slides across Warren's face.

  "Well I guess it'll be a reunion."

  Warren stands and leaves the council room

  "I have some things to do, I'll see you when I see you."