Advanced Search Party

"We have a more accurate location, so the search time has decreased. In the Graven Mountain Range lies a mountain with a broken peak. Beside it is a lake. They reside somewhere near this location." Lord Colm said as he looked out his office window.

"And how in the world do we know this? What informant do we have that could accurately make that assessment?" Minerva asked, her nails rapping against the wooden chair she sat in.

"William has assured me of its veracity, and I am inclined to believe him. How he gets his information, I do not know."

Ocargon shifted in his chair. "Not to insult you or your son, Lord Colm. But this is hard to believe. Perhaps we should send an advance party to verify this information?"

Minerva nodded, and so did Lorcan.

Aldritch sighed. He trusted his son with everything he had, but his old companions were another story.

"This would be an excellent opportunity to test him," Minerva said, "My champion said he is a highly formidable warrior."

Lorcan nodded, remembering his feats, and even he had been forced to kneel.

Lord Colm nodded. "Very well. We can send him along. We must decide who is going with him."

Minerva raised her hand immediately. "I will pledge five house guards and my champion, but the rest will have to stay with me. The de Clare's have been threatening us."

"The Alnwick's have always had a small force," Ocargon said, and Minerva nodded. "The Rowe's can spare ten house guards and two knights, but our champion will have to stay."

"The Brentwoods can spare 15 house guards and two champions. Where Minerva has quality, I have the quantity," Lorcan said with a grin.

Minerva raised an eyebrow. "Is that something to be proud of?"

Lorcan shrugged.

Aldritch cut in. "Enough. I can supply ten City Guard and Goleil. That should be more than enough to complete this task."

Minerva pursed her lips. "Is such a force necessary? We can easily replace the house guards with a single mage."

"Dr. Favar is merely a guest, and as such is not under my command. Murdoc is needed here in case of an attack. I can ask him, but he has no obligation to obey."

"Why not send a few magic practitioners? Murdoc speaks highly of a few," Minerva said.

"I'll see if he recommends them, but in the meantime, gather your contribution and send them to me so I can begin training them to work together. The expedition will begin in five days." Aldritch Colm said and dismissed the three family heads.

As the door closed, he slumped into his chair, his head in his hands.

"This can not fail, William. Please, do not fail us."

...

Goleil had dreamt of that room again, the patterns. Sir Jagan hadn't visited him in a while, so he took the time to memorize as much as possible. He quickly scribbled them onto his sheet of paper before he heard a knock on the door.

He still lived within the Guardhouse. He had never been moved but didn't mind it. He wasn't in the room for very long anyway and had slept in far worse conditions than this.

He opened the door before forgetting that the only clothes on his body were pants and a cloak.

Rick raised an eyebrow. "We will be at the table. Come find us when you're ready," He said and closed the door.

Goleil sighed. Thankfully, it hadn't been Gwen. He didn't think he would be able to face her again.

The sun knight quickly dressed and left the room, sheets of paper in his hand.

As he sat down, the three others looked at him with sly grins.

Mord was the first to speak. "I heard you made a move on Rick. Were you hoping for someone else?"

Rick chuckled as he tried and failed to wipe the smile off his face.

Goleil chuckled. "It was an honest mistake. I'd never do that to Gwen."

"I was talking about me, but I suppose that works too," Mord said as the gears visibly turned in his head.

Gwen clutched her stomach as she laughed.

Goleil chuckled as well. He saw those faces overlap again. He felt comradery, joy, and a little sadness.

He couldn't remember what they looked like, but he knew who they had to be.

'My old comrades...'

He looked up at Mord. "I'd like some more Locraf. Do you think we can go over at some point today?"

Mord grinned. "Like the taste, huh?"

"Of course."

Mord stared at him with joy and surprise in his eyes. "You're like me."

Gwen looked at him like he was a monster. "You're joking, right?"

Rick looked at him blankly. Then he looked at Mord. Then he looked back at Goleil. "It's spreading..." He whispered.

"What's the problem?" Goleil asked with wide eyes, not fully understanding his blunder.

"Only Mord likes how locraf tastes. You don't actually like it, do you?!" Gwen asked, trying to keep her voice low.

Rick looked around the table. "Looks like nobody heard what he said. If it's true, keep it to yourself, Goleil."

Goleil nodded. He was too far into the con to back out now.

Mord was still grinning like an idiot. "I knew you were a true king, your Majesty! No one can tell me otherwise! I pledge to guard you to my death!"

"That's not necessary, Mord," Goleil said, "And who said you were going to die?"

Suddenly, a man in a heavy brown cloak entered the Guardhouse and looked around for a second. As soon as he saw Goleil, he walked over quickly.

"Guardsman Goleil, Lord Aldritch Colm requests your immediate presence," He looked at the other three. "Please escort him quickly."

Then the messenger was away, a cold breeze entering the building as he left.

Goleil interfaced with his cloak as he willed it to transmute into a great cloak that would protect him from the elements.

He stood up from the table, his new fur-lined cloak still glowing with purple mana. "Let's go, everyone."

Mord got up quickly, a slight grin on his face. "That was very fantastical, your Majesty!"

Gwen rolled her eyes. "What a show-off."