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Dame Elenda of Mandor
....on the northeast road...

Shades of gray stone were overlaid with layer upon layer of foliage, from brush to mosses to trees huddled in niches or twisted around rock. The sunlight directly overhead cast long shadows along some of the vertical walls of the valley and highlighted in bright green the heady fauna all around.

Elenda rode with her halberd at the ready. She led the way along a slight curve to the road, by which all too soon the valley opening was lost behind them. Elenda detected no movement in the shadows yet, but that was hardly a surprise. If someone had caught wind of them, a confrontation would be further in, not back here where escape was a ready option.

The minutes ambled by as if casually taking sport with the ominous mood. There was no sound but the clop and scrape from the varied passage of the riders' mounts. Elenda held the reins to hona's bridle steadily in one hand, feeling the movement beneath her. The mare knew Elenda well enough not to be addled if her rider became nervous, but all the same Elenda didn't want to make it any harder than it had to be. The need to keep Hona calm was an added incentive for Elenda to keep her own nerves in check.

The group moved at a fast walk, just short of a trot. Quick enough not to linger in this place; slow enough to allow for instant reaction if necessary. They passed a few more curves in the winding road, some short, some long. Then, from up ahead, Elenda could hear the distant noise of a commotion. Concerned one moment and suspicious the next, Dame Elenda signaled behind her with two fingers near her eyes: be on watch. In case the noise was some robbery taking place, Elenda spurred them on at a quicker pace, causing Hona to trot and her gryphon Aron to move with a more sinuous gait. Around a jog in the road, the scene abruptly unfolded.

Ragged and myriad men and women were engaged in a quarrel that was half shouting match and half brawl. Violent skirmishes seemed to have already broken out, and there were even weapons visible in several hands here and there among the embroiled crowd. The road was blocked by the conflict. Elenda could hardly believe what she was seeing. Were the bandits at each other's throats? She reined in, seeing in her peripheral vision others of the group lining up behind her. The rough crowd didn't seem to notice. Then a woman's voice uttered a startled cry, having caught sight of the imposing group of Errand-riders. The skirmish slowly dissolved in the confusion. Elenda rode a few yards forward.

"What passes here?" she called, managing to come across imperious even though all she felt was bewilderment. A knight's training and lifestyle tended to entrench itself into one's manner.
Silence stretched. Elenda could feel the tension mount with every second. She saw several start to open their mouths, only to cut themselves off as their eyes shifted. They seemed unable to decide who should speak, and a good half of them were glaring sharply at her.
"What. Passes. Here," she tried again, her tone falling.
Several voices piped up in rapid succession.
"They were trying to get us all to--"
"Shut up!"
Elenda couldn't discern what else was said amid the cacophony that arose. The dame knight pulled her horse into a rear, causing Hona to whinny and paw the air before coming back down with a heavy stamp of hooves. That got everyone's attention.
"Alright, I think I have some notion of what happened. Some of you wanted to waylay us, and the others--the wiser ones--thought this might not be a very healthy idea. It turns out, you may have noticed, that they were more right than even they had thought."
Half of the people bore guilty expressions, the other half kept their faces carefully neutral.
"What shall it be, then? Do you still wish to test yourselves against us? If not, disperse at once."
A few of the tougher-looking ones snarled like wild animals. They looked like they would have loved nothing better than to do just that, no matter the odds, just for the chance to have at the high-on-their-horse knights. Nevertheless, the crowd steadily thinned as people faded back into the sides of the valley.

When the road was clear, Elenda set off once more, glad to have avoided trouble. Not that she lowered her guard. For all she knew, the whole scene might have been an elaborate ruse. But at least they were moving again.

By the time their group had paused to quench the thirst of their mounts, Haber had run off all that extra steam that had had him raring to go when they first left. Now, the massive hound was more than content to trot alongside his master without curoiusly wandering through the crowd. However, Haber was even less enthusiastic about hanging around a pair of Stryders than Kohlsin was, wimpering every now and then in unease with his tail lowered. Unlike her animal companions, Zuuta appeared to be quite comfortable - although with her gruff exterior, it could be sometimes hard to tell. She gave no indication that she'd be repositioning herself in the group anytime soon.

Around noontime, Dame Elenda brought the procession of riders to a halt at the mouth of the Vaults. A valley bordered by high, mountain cliffs that were dotted with caves, in which many thieves and morally-lacking individuals resided. Personally, Dame Leone held this area in high contempt. She would much rather take any other route than that one to get where she needed to go. Even with the wolfhound at her side and large numbers of others, the sight of their path set her on edge. However, Dame Elenda thought it the best road to take to get to Fort Altross, and seemed confident that there would be a lack of conflict. With her mouth set into a hard line, Zuuta obligingly followed their leader down their chosen route. Metallic claws tapping into her palm in an absent-minded nervous tick.

When their point of entry could no longer be seen behind them, an ominous air had settled around the errand-riders. Despite the sun shining brightly overhead, it did nothing to lighten the dark atmosphere of the Vaults. After what seemed like nearly an hour, yet was truthfully only minutes, Haber raised his head to stare forward, ears perked and hackles raising. Not very long after, the humans too could hear the distant sounds of a skirmish. Once they'd turned the corner and the source became visible, Zuuta swiftly leaned down to grab hold of her massive dog by his thick leather collar. Knowing her dumb oaf, he might've attempted to rush into the fray. The hound settled for barking every now and then at the strangers whilst their leading Dame ventured out to settle the dispute.

After the vagabonds had dispersed, leaving the way ahead clear, thier party began moving once again. Taking the time to let Haber's excitement wear out, Zuuta's horse had fallen back towards the rear of the group. Although without anyone familiar nearby, the Leone heir didn't appear to mind much. At least back there, she need not worry as much about her wolfhound wandering off. The tamer's habits betrayed her though, for the tapping of metal on metal coming from her gauntleted hand only increased. At least the movement of Kohlsin beneath her jolted her into pausing every now and then as they continued onward.

Isto Arisa
....The Shadow Knight at work....

Before she knew it, the group behind them had finally yelled to them. She moved quickly to drag the unconscious priest out of the way. Father Michaelis moved the oversized basket to the side as well. Isto knelt down next to the unconscious priest and positioned his body so that she could pick him up easily. Father Michaelis walked to behind Isto, hesitant to talk at first. He knew there was some things man could not do on his own.

“There’s something I need to ask you,” began the elder priest “Why are yo-” Isto raised her right arm to stop him. “We’ll talk when we get to the Fort,” she stood up slowly and turned to him, her eyes shown with anger, “Former Hierarch Gaspard Taran’oth.” The elder priest looked at her with angered disbelief, “How?” Isto pulled her hood back up over her head, “Five years may have passed…but that doesn’t mean I forget who my mentor is… Father Michaelis” Isto turned back around and picked up the other priest, hoisting him over her shoulder. “I would suggest changing your look and tone quickly; they’re approaching,” Isto spoke as she fixed the priest’s position on her shoulder.

Father Michaelis demeanor changed almost in a snap. He smiled; his eyes became warm and kind. He waved to Dame Elenda and called back, “Is your troop able to help the Priests of Fort Altross for but a brief moment, Traveler? I do not wish to keep this Knight of Än for long.”

While it was true, Isto was technically a knight of Än; She serves the house of Taran’oth as Hierarch Yuri Taran’oth’s personal knight and bodyguard, a position he once held many years ago…but that was but her secondary role as it was his. Her role, her true role, was being the personal assassin of the Ebon Blade’s Leader; His role was to mentor and teach as one of the Ebon Blade’s master assassins. Though he departed from the organization peacefully, he could never return to Än; Gaspard Taran’oth was “killed” five years ago.

He knew that she wasn’t sent here to kill him or to check up on him. The look she gave him earlier when she called him Gaspard, the anger in her eyes, was meant for business of the former life of the man now known as Father Michaelis. But what could an old priest have that was of importance to an assassin?

Dame Elenda of Mandor
....a chance encounter.

Dame Elenda had intended to pass these travelers by, but one of them called out for assistance. She would have been glad to help the old man, though it would have been up to other riders whether they were willing to bear them up the steep trail. But when he mentioned a Knight of Än, suddenly the situation was no longer one she could ignore. Slowing her mount to a walk as the company drew near, Elenda drew rein on the upward slope to talk with the small group.

The one called Knight wore gray robes, and though part of the face and body was obscured by an unconscious young man carried over one shoulder, the figure seemed to be a woman. "Well met, Knight of Än," said Elenda. She noticed none of the travelers were mounted. The priest was from Fort Altross, and presumably so was the young man, but why lacked the knight any means of travel? Perhaps she too was staying at the fort. "Have you no mount, dame knight?"

They had risen some distance above the flat road through the Vaults, and behind could be seen the winding path and the towering mountains full of caves. Ahead, a steepening slope which would eventually reach Fort Altross, though the place was not yet in sight. It was a long climb. "If some of the riders here are willing," Elenda offered, "we could bear you as well up unto the fort."

Dame Elenda of Mandor
....on the upward path...

Elenda looked askance at the woman's concepts of combat. Elenda's own experience and training had ingrained in her the exact opposite. "If you believe a mount to be a disadvantage to a warrior," she said, "then you have yet to meet a true warrior upon a mount--nor yet, I suspect, a mount trained for war. The animal would have to be utterly without instinct, and the rider altogether without control, even to be ambushed in the first place." But lest her words cause offense, she added, "Though I grant you, there must be less room for mounts to maneuver among the close, high slopes of Än--and dense forests, if tales tell true."

The woman shifted the weight of the unconscious young man on her shoulder, saying: "We best hurry if we wish to reach the fort close to nightfall."

Elenda nodded and looked behind her. Some riders who had overheard were already making their way forward upon sturdy horses, ready to carry the travelers up to the fort. After the unconscious man was transferred, Elenda recognized Jormun "The Seventh Spear" with his huge land stryder offering a place behind him on the large saddle for the knight of Än to mount up.

Elenda was already starting to lead the way. The priest, mounting with another knight of Mandor, offered his thanks again as Elenda passed on, and Elenda nodded to him and then set the pace for the riders following.

The road upward lacked any view of Fort Altross, but Elenda knew it to be just ahead, high along the upward slope over the tall mountains. Their ascent was tedious but steady. All around them they could see the soaring landscape, rising high all around but highest on their left and straight ahead, toward the north and east. The sun by now was at their back, above their heads, making the trees and bare stone shine with the warmth of the new summer.

As the mounts struggled and they rose higher along the road, the sun heated the riders and shone off the knights' armor. Higher up the mountains the earlier morning's mist had risen up to become clouds floating along above them farther up the road, so close to the ground that their shadows were dark and defined. A breeze blew and cooled them, as they rose, ferrying the clouds along with it.

For her part, Elenda's appreciation of the journey and the surroundings was darkened by doubts for the travelers they had met, especially the "Knight of Än." She bore herself confidently, and ordinarily this in itself would have been proof enough of knighthood, but what kind of knight put so little faith in her own mount? The only answer that came to her--the one that had her troubled--was this: One that was unused to mounted combat. And no knight she had ever known was unused to mounted combat. Thus she doubted, trying to puzzle out what, then, could she be?

Elenda avoided looking behind her at the hooded woman, somewhere among the riders. There was no point in making anyone uncomfortable. But what could it be? Ambush, was what the woman mentioned. Certainly in an ambush, if a mount was startled, and affrighted, it could turn wild and sow havoc, and its rider would have little hope. But only common mounts carried this danger. Unless one was exceptionally good at lying in wait, or was exceptionally fearsome to certain mounts. Did the hooded woman have a history of ambushing enemies? Än was a mysterious place, and its warriors were renowned and always extraordinarily skilled. It was possible they had knighted someone unused to the ways of trained mounts... but Elenda thought it unlikely. A knight must travel where his lord wishes and have the strength to accomplish both his given task and any which arise as obstacles or opportunities along the way. And, though Än was significantly smaller than the great and wide lands of Mandor, still Elenda thought this principle must hold.

Could there be some reason for the woman to masquerade as a knight? Elenda doubted the woman was a mere commoner, or a rogue, or some sort of knave. But a knight? The truth seemed no closer than it had been at first. Elenda decided to take her story on faith until she saw more firm reasons to question it. The Errand-riders would spend at least a day at Fort Altross. Perhaps the questions would be answered before they left to pass over the mountains.

Elenda was brought out of her brooding when the crest of the rising slope could be seen. Elenda spurred her horse more quickly up to the top, and a few others followed her example. Dame Zuuta's great hound--Haber, if Elenda recalled aright--outran them all and stood at the top, wagging his tail and pacing back and forth across the path.

Soon enough, Elenda crested the rise herself, and a glorious vista greeted her vision. The path dipped ahead, passing along a mountainous ridge that connected this great hill to the high mountain ahead. They were higher than the birds, now, and Elenda could see flocks of them flying around the mountainside in the distance. The height was exhilarating. Elenda saw over the ridge, the tall mountains falling steeply down to the lower levels of earth far, far, far below. Some of the spaces between mountains descended even lower than the road through the Vaults, through which they had come, making deep valleys that sometimes were filled with water and became lakes. Strange things grew down there, isolated from the world, and too often only gryphon riders could get in and out and see those wondrous sites--or brave those exotic dangers--or find such things as had remained hidden for ages, waiting to be uncovered and brought out as trophies, or answers to centuries-old riddles, or confirmation of fanciful tales or incredible legends. And further up, built on a promontory in the mountainside beyond the ridge road, was the fortress itself, all high walls and close-set towers, standing on guard as watchtower for the realm and a shelter for travelers.

Dame Elenda and the few others waited there a moment for the rest of the company to catch up, waited and took in the sights. Elenda had traveled this road many times before, but the marvels of the highlands of Mandor never faded from one's fancy or lost any of their splendor.

"There it is," said the dame knight, to no one or anyone who could hear, "the first waypoint of our journey: Fort Altross."

|| OOC ||

Nothing of grave importance...

Dame Elenda of Mandor
....to the gates of the fort.

It took the company of errand-riders some time to resume their trek, for the road narrowed as it wound its way along the top of a ridge, dizzying drop-offs to either side. They were not exactly cliffs, yet the concept of a slide down such steep, rocky places was still plenty to dissuade mounts or riders from stepping off the path. Despite the precipitous locale, Elenda, like most in the company, rode with little concern. So many paths in Mandor boasted such peril that none bore much fear for the seasoned traveler--and most in so wide a land as Mandor were seasoned travelers. Habit and instinct, more than fear, kept all feet upon safe paths.

The road was just wide enough for two horses to travel side by side, forcing land stryders and flying mounts--those which remained aground--to go single file. The procession of more than one hundred riders and secondary mounts stretched a fair distance along that narrow track. And there were narrower roads yet to come. Before long, the company passed an outpost, an inn--complete with a flier's eyrie--where civilian travelers must stay. The Errand-riders, though rode past. They were going to the fort.

Elenda guided the company as the road snaked upward again toward Altross. Its tall towers crowned the sky ahead of them, while to the right the high mountain loomed. Already higher than the birds, the mountain rose farther up beyond sight, to places where fliers said it was hard to breathe. This was Skyward Mount, not the highest mountain in Mandor, but the highest in the Castle district, and certainly the most famous aside from the Castle Mount itself. In olden days, this was a major rallying point for the kingdom's gryphon riders, before the Castle was built. In many places it was still said that whenever a warrior raised his weapon toward Skyward Mount, he received the blessings of the ancient conquerors of Mandor, and his next strike could never miss.

Elenda's mare Hona clopped her hooves as the path turned more rocky. A sharp turn brought them into a spiral around the promontory that was the fort's foundation. Around this they rode more steeply upward, the stone walls close and cold and gloriously weathered, like an aged stryder living out its last days lying atop a high boulder, watching the travelers as they marvel and pass by. Presently the spiraling path leveled off and opened to a small, cobbled courtyard surrounded by high walls.

The Errand-riders filed in, filling more than half of the cloistered ground. Horse-shoes and talons clacked and clicked on the flat, much-trod stones. Looking up and down, Elenda took in the soaring whitish walls, oil-spouts high above, arrow slits all around, and before her an ancient bronze gate, weathered with age till it was all teal and pasty gray. Here Elenda dismounted and, halberd in her right hand, she raised her left gauntlet to the gate and knocked solidly three times, a metallic triplet of satisfying booms.

About half the riders had dismounted by this time. Elenda turned back from the gate for a moment to signal the rest to dismount, for it was not permitted to ride mounted through the gates. Presently the great doors began to open, and Elenda turned herself back toward them, stepping back a pace to avoid their outward arcs. Whoever operated the gates must have slipped out of sight before there was room to see them; by the time the doors had opened there was no one to be seen. Elenda led the company through a tunneling archway and into a smaller open space beyond. Out from the roof of the archway, all eyes were drawn up along the soaring, close-set towers of the fort, so near that they seemed to take up all this part of the sky. In the afternoon light, high up among the tops of those towers, the silhouettes of pegasi could be seen coming and going.

"Welcome to Altross!" said a man's voice. It had the friendliness of a fond uncle, but not the looks to match. White hair, imposing armor, burgundy mantle--if you ignored his kindly smile, he had the bearing of a man who could break you in half.

"Sir Garo!" Elenda came forward and clasped his gauntleted hand.
"Dame Elenda. Why, you get prettier every passing year. Hasn't any young charger caught your eye by now?"
"I'm afraid not."
"Ah, well, there's time, there's time. I see you've brought Dame Zuuta with you. Hullo, dear!" He waved. "And where's my boy Garum? Garum!" He walked toward the company and was met by Sir Garum of Mandor, who was hardly a boy--Elenda recalled, in fact, that Sir Garum had two children of his own.
"I'm here, Dah. All's well at home, since you'll ask."
"Good, good," he clapped him on the shoulder. "And how about my nephew?"
"I'm afraid I haven't heard from him in months."
Elenda joined in: "Sir Gavaen has been far afield of late."
"Mm, I see. Well! let's get you all settled in. A script-rider came in with a message about your group this morning. We've been getting things ready all day." Garo led the way off to one side of the entrance, toward a multi-storied, wooden building. Everyone followed. "These'll be your temporary accommodations for all these mounts you have along. We'll show you all to rooms in that tower there later on." He pointed to one of the towers near the wooden building, rising high above it. "Knights, nobles, allies, citizens and sundry. Quite a company, that it is. See to your beasts, and in a few hours there'll be plenty to eat in the dining hall. We're well supplied, this close to the Castle, Vaults or no Vaults."

With that the company stood at the doors to the building, servants coming from different directions to offer assistance. Sir Garo bade them farewell for a time and made to leave, but Elenda took him to the side and spoke quietly, needing to take care of something else first. "We helped a few travelers who'd ventured into the Vaults; they've returned safely, though one is unconscious."
"Decent of you, I'm sure. We'll take care of them."
"Another claims to be a Knight of Än."
Sir Garo thought a moment, then said, "If it's who I think it is, you needn't worry. I'll see to them myself, though. Tell you more later."
Elenda nodded and led the way toward the temporary accommodations for their mounts.

Later, after everyone had been shown to a wing of rooms for them all, the entire fort was summoned for the evening meal. With the arrival of the Errand-riders, there were perhaps 800 people. The dining hall carried an ancient air, built of stone with the walls hung with tapestries. The woven scenes depicted fliers, mostly gryphon riders within different historical moments surrounding Skyward Mount. Torches and steel chandaliers offered plenty of light as night fell outside the few small windows. Everyone sat in rows of wooden bench tables where all manner of mountain fare was served. Minstrels sang and most knights had doffed their armor. For the Errand-riders the second day's travel had come to an end, and it was time for rest and food. A good start to a long evening.

The Knights of Mandor, those from the fort as well as those upon the Errand, along with the few nobles present, sat together and ate and talked. Nearby the Knights of Edria and other lands were seated, and elsewhere the soldiers, citizens and servants sat, all in whatever groups they themselves devised. And the night was young.

Isto Arisa
....Slipping away in Shadow....

The trek up to the fort began to become slow paced due to the thinning of the road. Isto was used to walking roads such as these in Än, especially the ones leading to a hidden fortress on the Northwest border; The home of the Ebon Blade. The land stryder she was sharing had to go upon the road by itself with no other mount beside them, but where they were in the massive train of mounts put her further away from the Leader of the group, the Dame Knight. Isto wondered if this made the leader uneasy at all.

They rode past the small Inn and pressed on to the fort itself. As they pressed on, another thought slipped into her mind; what would she do if she was found out to be lieing? Normally, Ciel would be to a place ahead of her, but she had this looming feeling that Ciel was not there, at least not yet. Keeping her facial expressions and body language in check, she made sure to quickly come up with another lie or two should the question arise. She looked up from her thoughts to view the grate gate of the fort.

So far, nothing had changed on the outside; the gate was still aging with time, the ground stones still untouched by human hands, and the arrow slots were neither larger nor smaller. Their leader dismounted, Isto followed suit promptly within the courtyard like area. Three knocks on the gate were met with equaling echoes of metal clanging together. The gate seemed to slowly open. During that time, Isto took it upon herself to grab the unconscious priest and sling him once again over her shoulder. Father Michaelis came out next to her, nodding in approval. The two began to walk with the rest of the group through the archway. The group then met with a large man who greeted them with a kind tone. Isto recognized him by voice as the guard that seemed to check on her when she visited. This guard also enjoyed drinking at the small pub inside the fort’s market when she visited as she was asked about her “adventures”.

They stayed around for but a few moments to catch some of their leader and the guard’s conversation. Dame Elenda is her name...I’ll have to remember it, Thought Isto. As the two finally finished their conversation, many servants began to gather around to offer the other assistance. Isto and Father Michaelis made their way out of the crowd. Before leaving, she had noticed that Elenda had grabbed the guard to talk in private, Asking about me are you, Dame Elenda? she thought moving quickly to walk with Father Michaelis to the church. It was something of a walk, but again, noting in the market area had changed.

Father Michaelis had taking out the large key ring and opened the doors to the church. An elderly gentleman, also in his 50s with grey hair and a muscular build, met them inside. “Father Michaelis, you’re back and...What happened!?” Father Michaelis lowered raised his hand, “We were assaulted while on the way back. But this Knight of Än was nearby and saved us. Father Sutcliff here will just need some rest. Are you able to take him to his room Father Phantomhive?” The other gentleman nodded, “Of course.”

Isto slowly unloaded the unconscious priest onto the care of the other man. The other man was able to pick him up with ease and began to carry the man inside the church, heading through a door on the left hand side, presumably to their living quarters. The two looked to each other, Father Michaelis smiled and gestured to another door to the right of them, “Shall we talk about your adventure in private?” a voice behind them piped up, “Telling stories without me around, eh?”

The two of them turned around to see the Guard from earlier, Sir Garo. Isto removed her hood and bowed slightly at the waist, “Not at all, my good sir.” Isto rose back up slowly and smiled at him, “What would cause you to think such a thing?” The man laughed and patted her on the shoulder, “No, no, no, I’m only joking. Someone was-” Isto put a gloved finger to the man’s lips. She reached into her back pocket and pulled out what looked to be a short red cape. She quickly unfolded it and fastened it underneath her right shoulder guard. The cape covered her arm up to her wrist when her arm was at her side. On the cape was a blackened crest; a sword with two dragons entangling around the blade, but their heads stayed below the hilt. The Knights of Än were required to wear something bearing the “Crest of Lord Roger” while on Council business. Isto, however, was on other business and would leave it on to humor Garo.

Once again, the man smiled. Isto looked at him with a grin, “Was that what you were looking for Sir?” Garo smiled and laughed, “Indeed, my young lady. Will you be gracing th’ pub tonight? I would love to hear a story or two.” Isto bowed and smiled, “As always, I could spare a story for you Good sir.” Garo looked to the priest next who kept a smile on his face. “As for you father, Try not to keep too long with whatever story she’ll tell ya; it’s almost supper.” Father Michaelis smiled and nodded, “Of course, I shan’t keep her long. She was telling me of how-” “Sh! Don’t spoil it for me!” Garo said seriously, “I want ta hear it for myself!” Father Michaelis chuckled, “Of course.” Garo waved at the two and left the church, closing the door behind him.

Isto looked to Father Michaelis. Once she was sure they were alone she said, “Lead the way, Gaspard.” Gaspard nodded and opened the door, heading down into a dungeon like area. He took a torch from one of the walls and used it for light. The two spoke as they made their way down the stairs slowly.
“So, what really bring you this way, Isto?”
“Not council business”
“I figured that much. Don’t toy with me.”
“Do you remember what we were going to do before the ball?”
Gaspard stopped and turned around, looking at her, “You mean...?” Isto just nodded with a stern look on her face. “But what do you need from me?” Isto motioned her head down, “Keep walking, I want to make sure you have what I need first.” Gaspard didn’t budge, “What do you know?” Isto didn’t move, “Take me to your things and I’ll show you. I’ll need a map.” Gaspard smirked and turned back around, resuming down the stairs.

Once they reached the ground floor, all that could be seen was a few tables, some chairs, and some unlit torches on the walls. Gaspard walked up to one of the torches and pulled on the brass holder. A metal clanking began as a small archway began to open up on the side wall. There was a small foyer area with rolled up scrolls in a barrel, a table, two chairs, several unopened bottles of wine, and candles spread around.

A set of shelves on the back wall caught Isto’s eye. It housed throwing knives, a sword, and a leather bracer. Isto walked over to it as Gaspard began to light the candles and two other torches mounted on the wall. “You still keep them?” Isto asked as she picked up and examined one of the throwing knives. She pulled out a similar knife from one of the small pouches on her belt; both blades were three inches in length, a small engraving was close to the hilt, and made of the rare metal known as Ebon. Ebon was only found in one place: Än. Isto put her knife back in its pouch and the other back on the shelf. She heard something from behind her suddenly as she went to take the bracer off the shelf.

A quick turn around and a draw of the hidden blade of her left bracer was met with the hidden blade of Gaspard’s bracer. The two were locked in a stance there for a moment before the two began to laugh. The each lowered their hands and retracted the hidden blade. “Knew you wouldn’t go without that,” Replied Isto as she noticed the map on the table along with a smaller scroll. The two walked over to the table and began talking in hushed tones...

Hours later Father Phantomhive had come down the steps to find the two sitting across from one other playing cards on a table, the hidden room was once again hidden. “You two missed dinner” Began the older man, “What were you two doing?” The two looked at one another and smiled at eachother. “Simply playing cards and discussing philosophy,” Replied Gaspard. The two of them stood up, with Isto stacking the cards back in order. “I should take my leave now,” began Isto, “The night is young and I must get my work done before the night is out.” Father Phantomhive stopped her for a moment, “Before you leave, there is a young boy in upstairs that wishes to talk with you. Says he has something belonging to you?” Isto patted the man’s shoulder, “That would be the one person I was waiting on, Thank you father.” Isto then hurried up past the man and went into the main pews of the church. There sat a single figure, a boy bundled up in a cloak and mantle, lined with fur.

“Ciel,” Stated Isto as she sat next to him. “Isto,” The boy responded with an emotionless tone.
“Did you bring Ra?”
“Yes.”
“Anything else?”
“Your Sword”
“Good.”
“There’s something else.”
“What is it?”
There was a pause in the conversation, Ciel had reached into his cloak and pulled out a sealed scroll. “Orders?” Isto Questioned. “No,” Ciel responded, “Kaiden’s orders.” Isto said nothing as she opened the scroll, these were indeed his current orders; settle a trade dispute between Än and Edria, “Have them come into the fort yet?” Isto finally asked. “Yes,” responded Ciel once again. Isto bit her lip then put her hood up. “Stay out of sight, Ciel.” Ciel nodded as Isto stood up and began walking to the entrance doors of the church. “Isto,” Ciel said finally. Isto stopped and turned to see Ciel had stood up and was facing her, “Be Careful.” Isto smirked and said simply, “Aren’t I always?”Ciel nodded then walked to the door leading to the basement of the church. Isto walked out of church, making her way slowly to the pub she made appearances in.