has clearly been planned for some time.” Reiner said, stroking his chin. “The sheer number of cultists we faced, getting them onto the island or recruiting them would be difficult without leaving traces. It shows time and resources. I suspect the traitor-Inquisitor Haures is behind most of those, the Inquisition may have copies of those mining records. It may also have its own Intel on our defences.”
“That’s possible. Very possible.” Amelia smiled, grateful for a more constructive approach. Reiner felt himself redden. “The Inquisition may well be our allies but it is prudent to be prepared for the worst. We have Intel of our own on them too. The only flaw in your logic, Captain is that the Inquisition is hunting him as well. He’s been declared rogue, that should limit his resources.”
“Well…” He hesitated, she leaned forward waiting with interest. “He might be a known traitor in their order but I doubt they’ve made that information widespread. He could easily deceive honest citizens with his credentials and badge if they didn’t manage to take it off him. It’s unwise to deny an Inquisitor’s request after all.”
“Very good.” She smiled and her glance lingered on him once more. She tilted her head slightly before facing the rest of the Captains. “The Inquisition may well have information on how to best some of our magical defences, I’m sure they use very similar ones. We’ve seen how adept at magic they were in animating such a large army.”
“Not to mention resurrecting and enslaving the noble dragon, Valdgeirr.” Lewis spoke once more. He’d been so quiet it was difficult to remember he was present. As far back as Reiner could remember this never happened. “I understand this Inquisitor escaped on the back of Valdgeirr and flew away from the island. Towards Kriegfeld? A large black dragon like that might have been spotted by some of the locals or authorities. Seems a good place to start.”
Amelia nodded, scribbling down several notes onto one of her notepads. “I concur, Captain. Thank you all for coming. We’ll reconvene in a few hours.”
There was a loud rustling as the present captains got to their feet and grabbed their belongings.
“Except you Captain Soranus, I’d like a word please.”
Reiner froze in a panic, his heart beating rapidly in his chest. Beside him Olivia elbowed his stomach with a small grin crossing her otherwise miserable face. He looked down into her eyes watering around the edges and her ashen-blonde hair falling loose. She was trying to put on a brave face and continue her good-natured mocking but her heart wasn’t in it. Valen Stavros had been a competent and loyal Caelite and showed a lot of promise, he’d only been with the Caelites for a year and a half and his sudden death came as a shock to them all. She left without a word along with the other Captains leaving a very quiet office as the door closed.
“Excellent deductions Captain Soranus, I am impressed.” Amelia spoke after several seconds. He turned towards her and became very interested in something at his feet.
“Thank you Commander.”
Leaving her books and notes behind she walked around the desk and stood before him, sitting on the desk as he stood to attention.
“There’s another option I think you’re aware of but didn’t wish to discuss before the others. Am I right?” She watched him carefully for a reaction, her vivid-green eyes unwavering. He glanced at her but did not allow himself to linger, instead surveying the office around him.
“I’m not sure what you mean.” He replied after a pause, he could think of several things but he none seemed relevant.
Seeing his sudden interest in the surroundings she chuckled to herself. “Relax Reiner; the room is soundproofed.”
“Oh.”
“I took the liberty before I called this meeting. I don’t think what we discuss here should be overhead or said to anyone else before I am sure.”
“My lips are sealed,
“That’s possible. Very possible.” Amelia smiled, grateful for a more constructive approach. Reiner felt himself redden. “The Inquisition may well be our allies but it is prudent to be prepared for the worst. We have Intel of our own on them too. The only flaw in your logic, Captain is that the Inquisition is hunting him as well. He’s been declared rogue, that should limit his resources.”
“Well…” He hesitated, she leaned forward waiting with interest. “He might be a known traitor in their order but I doubt they’ve made that information widespread. He could easily deceive honest citizens with his credentials and badge if they didn’t manage to take it off him. It’s unwise to deny an Inquisitor’s request after all.”
“Very good.” She smiled and her glance lingered on him once more. She tilted her head slightly before facing the rest of the Captains. “The Inquisition may well have information on how to best some of our magical defences, I’m sure they use very similar ones. We’ve seen how adept at magic they were in animating such a large army.”
“Not to mention resurrecting and enslaving the noble dragon, Valdgeirr.” Lewis spoke once more. He’d been so quiet it was difficult to remember he was present. As far back as Reiner could remember this never happened. “I understand this Inquisitor escaped on the back of Valdgeirr and flew away from the island. Towards Kriegfeld? A large black dragon like that might have been spotted by some of the locals or authorities. Seems a good place to start.”
Amelia nodded, scribbling down several notes onto one of her notepads. “I concur, Captain. Thank you all for coming. We’ll reconvene in a few hours.”
There was a loud rustling as the present captains got to their feet and grabbed their belongings.
“Except you Captain Soranus, I’d like a word please.”
Reiner froze in a panic, his heart beating rapidly in his chest. Beside him Olivia elbowed his stomach with a small grin crossing her otherwise miserable face. He looked down into her eyes watering around the edges and her ashen-blonde hair falling loose. She was trying to put on a brave face and continue her good-natured mocking but her heart wasn’t in it. Valen Stavros had been a competent and loyal Caelite and showed a lot of promise, he’d only been with the Caelites for a year and a half and his sudden death came as a shock to them all. She left without a word along with the other Captains leaving a very quiet office as the door closed.
“Excellent deductions Captain Soranus, I am impressed.” Amelia spoke after several seconds. He turned towards her and became very interested in something at his feet.
“Thank you Commander.”
Leaving her books and notes behind she walked around the desk and stood before him, sitting on the desk as he stood to attention.
“There’s another option I think you’re aware of but didn’t wish to discuss before the others. Am I right?” She watched him carefully for a reaction, her vivid-green eyes unwavering. He glanced at her but did not allow himself to linger, instead surveying the office around him.
“I’m not sure what you mean.” He replied after a pause, he could think of several things but he none seemed relevant.
Seeing his sudden interest in the surroundings she chuckled to herself. “Relax Reiner; the room is soundproofed.”
“Oh.”
“I took the liberty before I called this meeting. I don’t think what we discuss here should be overhead or said to anyone else before I am sure.”
“My lips are sealed,
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