Chapter 11: A Change of Hands

In the days that followed, their search was not as fruitful as they had thought, the group gathered at their quarters with there face showing no emotion.

At Kaldor arrive with parchments, he seat with them around the table "I hope one of you find any informations," he said. 

Lian frowned. "Ive been investigate on the merchants and there circles but i didn't find anything wrong, not even a link to the dark market."

Kaldor lean forward open one his parchments. "Ive been looking at the member record after the disband of their guild, unfortunately they all died but not too long ago the symbol of a an inverted moon had be seen in Kyyash..."

Juhtmed interrupted him. "Did someone try to impressionnante them or too annonce a return...?." 

"Hm not really the fact is that this appearance only took place during a religious event where followers price to the moon, I tried to find a link between these followers and the guild but it concluded in nothing,"  Kaldor said looking at his parchments.

Juthmed just sigh at the lack of informations they were getting suddenly he hear a sound.

"Did you hear that," they all look at him with concerns "we didn't heard anything your highness," replied Lian the sound could be heard again by juthmed "ive definitely heard something," Kaldor stand up "i also hear a sound too," Juthmed walk outside of his quarters followed by the others as he stand outside he froze; "you should come see this,"

As they all came out, they saw a battalion of horsemen, all wearing golden armour. Suddenly, one of the men rode ahead, blowing a trumpet as if to announce his arrival. 

"I can't believe it, its my first time seeing them" kaldor said with star in his eyes. Juthmed look at him, "do you know who they are?" he ask. Kaldor turn back at him "how could you don't know who they are, you're a prince." he sigh in disbelief "They are one of the personal army of the emperor they said to be the most skilled in the empire every knight dream is to be part of this army, but what are they doing here?"

A small detachment follows him, then a few of them get in front of the group. One of the men dismounts and steps towards the group. His armor glowing on the daylight make it difficult to see his face as he approach in direction to juthmed he talk, "Its been a long time, i almost didn't recognize you." as he said that his face revealed a long scar was display on his face and some burn. 

"So you'll not say hi, i know its been a while since we see each other..." he said with a smile on his face. Juthmed look confuse at the man word.

 There was something familiar about him, but his mind couldn't quite place it. The man's smile, but his eyes held an intensity that made Juhtmed uneasy.

"I don't recognize you?" Juhtmed said carefully.

The man laughed, a deep, raspy sound came out his mouth. "That doesn't surprise me. You were still a kid the last time i see you." He stepped closer, the sunlight glinting off the intricate designs etched into his chest plate. "Since you seem to forgot me let me tell you who i am, Arelion Valgus your uncle it pain me that you don't remember me. But im officially here as Commander Arelion, of the Emperor's personal vanguard."

Kaldor nearly dropped the parchments he was holding, his eyes wide. "The Commander Arelion? The one who led the charge during the Siege of Erenvale? A legend in the empire and its your uncle!"

Arelion laughed and waved a hand in disdain. "Legends are exaggerated. I'm just a soldier, doing my duty. Though, I must admit," he said, turning his gaze back to Juhtmed, "I was surprised when i hear you was here. Even after what happen..." he said with his eyes not looking at him.

Juhtmed's arbor a small smile. "Im glad to see you tough i forget what you look like..." as he take a serious tone, "But why are you here?"

Arelion's expression sobered. "Your Highness. I'm here under direct orders from the Emperor himself."

The weight of those words settled over the group like a heavy shroud. Lian exchanged a glance with Kaitsja, who raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

"Orders?" Juhtmed repeated, his voice carefully neutral.

Arelion nodded. "The Emperor has taken note of your letters. He's ordered me to investigate. And, that he ordered your return to the capital and leave these matters."

Juhtmed stiffened, his mind racing. He knew the Emperor had little regard for him, and this sudden involvement.

Juhtmed's eyes narrowed. "What leave..i can't leave...."

Arelion look at him. "This an Order from the Emperor himself, are you going to go against it your highness, i remember of a time just uttering his name make you shiver."

Juhtmed looks at him straight in the eye, "I can't just leave like that, did you know what i had to go trough..."

Arelion's smile. "I don't know what you had to going trough, still i understand being taking away from your missions but the emperor has given an order."

Kaitsja let out a low whistle, stepping forward. "With all due respect, Commander. We've been the one chasing and looking for this rebellion for weeks now, and we don't need someone swooping in and—"

"Kaitsja," Juhtmed interrupted him, his tone sharp. "Stop."

The silence that followed was tense, but Juhtmed didn't look away from Arelion. "If I refuse?"

Arelion's expression hardened. "Then I'll consider you as an traitor of the empire—and deal with you accordingly."

The threat hung in the air. Lian stepped closer to Juhtmed, her hand instinctively hovering near her dague.

Juhtmed raised a hand to calm her. "Fine," he said after a long pause. "We'll leave since its the emperor wish."

Arelion inclined his head, though his smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "Wise choice, your highness. i just need to tell me everything you uncovered so far?"

Juhtmed gestured toward their quarters. "We have documents inside. Come with us, and I'll explain."

As the group turned to head back inside, Kaldor whispered to Juhtmed, "Do you really trust him?"

Juhtmed's lips pressed into a thin line. "I don't know."

Back at the table, Juhtmed laid out the ledgers, and the inverted crescent moon-marked crossbow for Arelion to examine. The commander's sharp eyes took in every detail, his expression unreadable.

"So," Arelion said after a moment, tapping the symbol on the crossbow. "This is their mark. An inverted crescent moon."

Juhtmed nodded. "It's shown up on weapons, documents, and even rumors of a guild that was supposedly disbanded decades ago. We believe it's a rallying symbol for their cause—or perhaps their leader."

Arelion picked up one of the ledgers, flipping through its pages. "And these shipments—do you know their origin?"

Lian shook her head. "We still don't know their origin."

Arelion's gaze flicked to Juhtmed. "And the Shadow that you mentioned. Any idea who—or what—that might be?"

Juhtmed hesitated. "Only theory... but we think that one or more of the noble are behind this."

Arelion leaned back, his fingers steeped. "I see—We handle this now, you may return to the capitale as the emperor said."

Juhtmed nodded, though unease churned in his gut. Arelion's sudden involvement was both a blessing and a curse. The vanguard's resources was invaluable, but they will be more efficient than his group as finding answers.

As the meeting concluded, Arelion stood. "I'll go rejoin the others in the city...you must leave till its the day."

Juhtmed watched him, walk away, his mind racing. The arrival of the vanguard had changed everything. Whether it was for better or worse remained to be seen.