#chapter 3-3

When Kallista and company reach the hideout of Shadowlight, things seem oddly tense. Altesa is speaking with one of her contacts from outside Mastith who sometimes travels into the city. "Are you certain this information is accurate? If what you say is true...." He nods, looking a bit shaken. "Unfortunately, yes. I am quite certain that every word is true. The town of Oakheart has been burned to ashes, and Fort Blackthorn has been destroyed. It seems they are now headed in the direction of Mastith. And I for one, am not entirely certain that the Arlonian Knights of Mastith will be enough to stop them...."

Feather walks up to her elven friend, having overhead the guild leaders conversation. "We find Kallista and return only to discover things are going a bit crazy? What's going on Zylfina?" The warrior elf sighs and shakes her head. "I am not entirely certain my little friend. All I know for sure is that a nearby town and fort were both destroyed. No one seems to know who or what is responsible, or if there are any survivors. I have heard scouts have been sent out to seek the cause as well as send word to any knights who are out of the city to return."

"Does that mean the King is aware of the threat then?", Feather asks as she looks around at her fellow Guild members, most of whom seem to either be panicking, packing their belongings, or even making plans of some sort as they look at old maps of the countryside. Zylfina simply shrugs. "Either the King knows and is taking what measures he can to prepare, or the Noble Houses are sending for the Knights belonging to their own families. Most of the Knight's are of Noble blood after all." One of their fellow Guild members, a rotund human man, laughs loudly after overhearing them. "HA! The Nobles care even less about the common folk than the King does! King Vincent Barrington, Hero of the People. Maybe in his younger days, but old age has made him far less kind. He's just short of being a tyrant these days. Most folks are just too blind to see it." He grunts in annoyance and returns to packing his things. "But what do I know? I'm nothing more than a Fence. A glorified salesman."

Feather rolls her eyes at the grumpy fence. "Come Kallista, we should speak with Mistress Altesa soon", she leads her horned friend and the rat boy over to the Guild Master. "Mistress, we found her!" Feather looks cheerful as she runs up to Altesa and gives her a quick hug, Altesa chuckles and hugs back. "I know you're still on the young side, but you should try to break the habit of hugging me every time you see me after leaving for a while." She gives Kallista a nod. "It is good to see you are....well, not quite alright, but alive at least. I am sorry I wasn't here to put a stop to Shakas", she pauses a moment and looks Kallista over, seeing the extent of her healing wounds, "he will be severely punished for this. I assure you." Kallista nods with a tight smile. "Kallista grateful for your kindness since she first came here. She thinks of you and many others here as friends" Kraz is smiling up at Kallista as he speaks before looking back at Altesa.