The infiltration plan

'This can't be. Sloan had died!'

In his mind, he screamed over and over. His body however remained frozen in place. The shock of seeing someone he had presumed to be dead, was too great.

Only when he felt the chilly night air blow in his face, was he able to recover from it. He quickly looked at the spot where he had seen Sloan but there was no one there. Both Sloan and the middle-aged man had gone away.

'Fuck. I lost them,' Hex thought regretfully. He slumped against the wall and slid down to the floor. 

'Did I imagine it? Was he someone else? Or did he fake his death?' 

Questions upon questions stormed inside his head. He came to the slums to comfort Gorge's parents. Instead, it was he who ended up even more disturbed and confused. 

Taking a few deep breaths, Hex was able to calm his mind. He stood up and looked around.

'They have truly disappeared. It was such a great chance to find more but I screwed up.' Hex felt some regret but he didn't waste time blaming himself. 

'I need to report this quickly.'

…

"Where is the baron?"

Even though it was past midnight, Hex deemed it necessary to disturb his master's rest. He didn't doubt that the baron would agree with him. Wallen, however, didn't seem as convinced. 

"I think it's better to discuss it with the Knights first," the butler said, looking as stiff and apathetic as always.  

Hex glared at him but he knew he wouldn't be able to convince Wallen to disturb his master. 

He found Hestia rather quickly. After he recounted his tale, the Knight didn't hesitate to gather the others. Hex noticed the worried look on her face. 

"Are you sure it was a person who should have been dead?" Ivran asked hesitantly. 

"I am not one hundred percent certain. It was a bit dark but it looked an awful lot like him." Hex said after giving it some thought. At first, he had been sure but now he started to doubt his mind. 

The table fell silent. It was Hestia who spoke after a while.

"All the possibilities you mentioned are viable. It could have been someone who looked like that guy, he could have faked his death at the time, and…he could have been resurrected."

She slowed down at the last part. It seemed the one option she was least willing to see.

"I think it's the last one," Ivran said with a sigh. "The Dawnbringers have a history of employing dark elementals such as Necromancers and Blackbanes." 

Seeing the confused look on some faces he added an explanation. "Necromancers are adept at using dark elements to create legions of undead. Blackbanes are adept at using different elements to perform harmful techniques."

"I feared as much," Hex said with a darkened expression on his face. "The middle-aged man sounded confident when he assured the desperate slum dwellers that his lord would reunite them with their loved ones. I thought he was just a con but it seems he has the means."

"Makes sense," Hestia said. "But the troublesome part is not the use of dark elements. Necromancy techniques have stringent requirements." Her voice trembled as she spoke. "One of the minimum requirements is that the user is at least at the pseudo-refined stage."

Older Knights such as Ivran were aware of this, so they didn't react but Briella gasped. As a Knight, she knew how great the gap between her and someone at that stage was. 

"How will we fight against such people?" She said, her fear apparent in her voice. 

"We will manage," Hestia said soothingly. Hex doubted whether she was confident or trying to ignore the issue for now. 

"How will we attend the sermon?" Althea asked suddenly. She looked like her cold and fierce self. Even the prospect of having a pseudo-refined stage or even a Refined Knight didn't seem to daunt her. 

"I will disguise myself as Gorge's father and attend," Hex replied. He had come up with this plan while trailing the middle-aged man. That was why postponed meeting the old couple until the night of the sermon. 

"I think I should go instead. I am more experienced with handling infiltration missions." Althea stared at him, clearly wanting him to back down.

"You wish," Hex sneered at her. "I am doing it. I know the old man better than you."

Just as Althea wanted to snap back at him, Hestia interjected with a grin on her face.

"I think," she said, holding her hand to stop both Squires from saying anything, "you two should both go. As a couple…I mean, as the old couple."

Neither Hex or Althea seemed a fan of the idea. But before they could protest, Ivran chimed in.

"I agree. It would seem more convincing and you two can help each other, if required."

Hestia nodded, ignoring the restless young people at the table.

"We will be near. If there is a chance, we need to capture a few bigger fish this time. Aran and the others are clueless. They know nothing. They haven't even seen the faces of their leaders."

Hex and Althea looked at each other. The Knights seemed to have made their decision. There was nothing they could do to change their minds.

After fleshing out some minor details, they all left the table. Hex was too tired. He had spent the whole day training. He fell asleep as soon as he hit the sheets.

…

It was already noon when Hex reached the field he had trained in yesterday. To his surprise, Althea was already there.

The girl was covered in sweat as she moved her spear. Each strike created a faint thunder-like sound. It was as if a dragon pierced through the clouds. 

In the sunlight, the sweat made her skin glisten. Her body-hugging training robe didn't make it easier for Hex to control his eyes. 

After a while of staring at her, he cleared his throat, announcing his presence. 

"Ahm. Can I join?"

The long-legged girl stopped moving and turned toward him. She didn't say anything but lifted her spear at him. Then she raised her other hand towards him, with her palm facing up, and beckoned him over.

It was a challenge. 

"That is exactly what I was hoping for."