The halls of Highlor's most prestigious family were not as well decorated as Adelaide would imagine. Cream-painted walls that were showered with vases and blooming flowers of multiple varieties, reminiscent of Castle Helg's lower floors and windows alternating between a shining knight's armour and a painting of Lord Liran's family. From what she had seen, Liran had three children, two daughters and one son. Three beautiful and young children, who still had wonder in their eyes. It reminded her of her siblings and how they too found the wonders of the world too dazzling for children their age. They would often read books about the Eternal Waves and how pirates operate the inclining waters or how they try to reenact the Music of Fairies play that Elaine loved so much. Gone were those days.
Behind Adelaide was her retainer and knight, Kolin. In front of her was a knight that guarded Liran for goddess knows how long. An experienced guard she would expect. The knight in full-body led them through the halls of the family's mansion. She looked out of the windows only to see the bright sky lighting down on Highlor. The buildings that expanded as far as her eyes could, only being stopped by the walls that surrounded the city. The city looked so far and yet felt so close.
The knight in front of her halted in his tracks, which surprised Adelaide for a second. Perhaps she was too engrossed with her thoughts. The knight opened the double doors for them and stood just outside of it. Adelaide glanced to look around the room. It was much larger than any common area. Velvet red couches traced with gold met opposite each other, separated by a simple yet long dark-wood table that also had blooming flowers, this time, of yellow roses specifically.
The walls were painted white with two intricate covering each side behind the couches. One of Lord Liran and his almost slim appearance. A white uniform with a saber beside him and his brown hair slicked to the side and a mustache that flowed upwards, accompanied by a stern look. Adelaide had personally never met the man but his father did. After all, he was an ally of the crown.
"Lord Liran will be with you shortly." The knight said curtly as his arm stretched as if to showcase the room.
She wondered what kind of man she would face in a few moments. Adelaide nodded her head as she paced herself towards the couch. She felt the velvety texture of the couch once she sat down.
Adelaide noticed that Kolin walked behind her still, even when she sat down he moved behind the couch, standing as if he was another plate of the lord's ever expansive and dull sets.
"Why not take a seat Kolin? Lord Liran would think of you as another one of his sets if you keep standing."
Kolin just shook his head. "I would say it would be much better, Lady Adelaide. Perhaps it would help me when an assailant tries to attack you."
Adelaide laughed. "I didn't think that you were in a jesting mood. Regardless, I don't exactly blame you, the royal court has seen some of our blood spilled. You would do well to protect me with your life Kolin."
"You have my word, Lady Adelaide."
Both of them remained silent. There were no more words to be said, just trust. She saw Kolin as an able man who would certainly be capable of handling threats but she preferred if such capabilities be put for her younger siblings' protection instead.
A fragile flower needs a fence against everything else. Adelaide mused.
The guard that led them here was only gone a few minutes but to her it felt like an eternity. She was no stranger to speaking with people in power, oftentimes, that's what her role entails. But the people of Highlor might face grave danger if she could not lay out her plans to Lord Liran.
He was her father's ally. It was time to make him her own.
As if the goddess had watched her plight, the door opened widely to take in the view of the man in between the doors.
Adelaide was expecting one similar to the painting she saw—experienced and noble.
All she got was a man much more akin to a dessert tray. Pudgy and stout, with his limbs almost stuck with the fat. He had a cigar in his mouth before he gave it to the guard outside.
"Make sure you get rid of it cleanly." The man said.
This was Lord Liran? This was the man her father trusted? Adelaide sighed. It seems like nobility has taken away any dignity.
"Ah! Has my vision finally gone bad or is that you Adelaide?" Liran had a smile. She could tell by the way his mustache lifted as did his eyes.
Adelaide stood up and presented a practiced smile to the Lord of Highlor. "Yes but do forgive me, Lord Liran. I was but a child when you last saw me. I'm afraid that I do not remember you at all, besides my father's story."
Lord Liran laughed heartily. "Perish the thought, dear! How is the emperor by the way?" He asked as he walked towards the couch opposite of Adelaide.
She also returned to her seat. "My father has been recovering. I'm sure you would understand that his disease has been gradually worsening."
Lord Liran's eyes dropped a bit. "Midilia…it has been years and my old friend is still hanging on. You have my sympathies."
"I thank you, Lord Liran. But that is not why I am here."
This sparked interest in his eyes. "Whatever it is, it must be deadly serious." Lord Liran whistled towards the door and in an instant, it opened under his command. "Ralp, please tell Wela to prepare us some tea and some snacks."
The guard nodded his head and then bowed, and he was gone like the wind. If nothing else, Lord Liran's knights seem to be eager at least.
"You were saying, Adelaide?"
She nodded. "I'll get straight to the point. I have reasons to suspect that Highlor might be in danger and we should take an immediate course of action to protect its citizens."
Now she finally got Lord Liran's full attention. He didn't even notice his servant enter the room with a tray of cookies and sweets and, from the smell of it, chamomile tea.
"Why do you say so? There were no reports of the borders being attacked except for criminals under the city."
"Rathlin has fallen, Lord Liran."
The pouring of the tea was the only sound she had heard. The servant made her way to her side as she poured tea to the cup she provided. Adelaide saw how Lord Liran's face changed from a startled deer to a burrowed brow and a frown.
Once the servant finished pouring, she grabbed the tea cup and raised it to her lips. "As you know, Rathlin is an independent city. Its creation was funded by Eddan's great nations, but the one who oversaw the progress and invested in it the most is Zenithia Alliance or rather, New Zenithia Federation as they are called now."
"And your point being?" Lord Liran's voice was on edge. Scared even.
Adelaide took a small sip but the cup never left her lips. "New Zenithia back then had equipped Rathlin with theurgical weapons for both its soldiers and defenses against monsters and Hallows. In return, Rathlin promised open trade with all nations, making it one of the most protected cities among the independent ones."
Adelaide took another sip, but this time she gently placed the tea cup onto the table and crossed her legs.
"Highlor only has half of Rathlin's defenses. Whoever brought down Rathlin, there's a high likelihood that Highlor is next or at least, it's on their plans."
"Who could be capable of such a feat?"
"They call themselves the Last Dogs."
The Last Dogs. Capabilities that could take down Rathlin, which means an army was involved. How many men do they have? No, scratch that, were they really the only ones involved?
"The Last Dogs? I have heard of them before! A mercenary company that fought with Folsung during the Raiders War."
Folsung? If they were employed by Folsung royalty in the past, then their strength must be on the level of…
"Emanators…" Adelaide muttered.
Emanators were powerful beings that were blessed by Chaos. Uncontrollable forces of nature that bend Chaos to their will. Dangerous folks that needed to be put on a leash. Beings of unimaginable power that surpasses human limits.
"Goddess…are you saying that the Last Dogs have rogue Emanators?" Lord Liran asked. Fear was now evident. Emanators can do that to anyone.
"I believe so. As of the moment we can only speculate with the information we know."
"Then I will order my knights to mobilize the scouts to—"
Adelaide raised her hand. "Sending scouts could alert them. I have already sent out a trusted informant on the scene."
"To think you've already thought of that before coming to meet me. You really are your emperor's pride."
Adelaide cared not for his flattery, there were bigger things to worry about.
"Who is this informant you speak of?" Lord Liran asked. A fair inquiry.
"My former court Seer, Relara. She has been my loyal intelligence network."
They needed to keep this from getting out, especially to merchants and peddlers. If word gets out that Highlor is preparing for a defense for the city then all entry for trade would be closed off, and any information that they could glean about the Last Dogs and Rathlin would be shut off. They need to approach this with subtlety. Adelaide needed the full picture.
"We need all the eyes we can get, Lord Liran. We cannot let this information scare the populace. If we are truly dealing with Emanators who have not pledged no Geas, then we need something to fight back."
Worse comes to worse, she would have to use Liran's family as bargaining chips. It was not an outcome she would like to envision.
"In regards to the defense, one of the professors discovered a mining vein just south of the city. Hefberd Academy is now investigating it and from what I know, it contains Crystalys."
Crystalys? Pure Chaos that was imbued to the soil and rock of the land?
"Could the professor's name be Oxlen by any chance, Lord Liran?"
"I believe so, do you know him?"
Adelaide let out a small chuckle. "Yes. He was my professor and I'm currently filling in for his work at the academy."
If Professor Oxlen was investigating Crystalys, then with the Academy's and Liran family's resources, they could make something that could deter the incoming threat.
Adelaide smiled. "Thank you for that information, Lord Liran. We are currently on borrowed time. It has been almost a week since Rathlin was taken down. We need to assume that the Last Dogs and whoever is behind this are already making their move. If that's the case, then I'll give it two more weeks before we see any sign of them."
She needed news from Relara fast. The reason why she chose her in the first place was that her Artes can close the distance of information to dreams instead of travel. Whatever she will find, Adelaide will be ready. She had the upper hand. All she needed to do was wait.
"For now, we will continue to do our duties. I request your quiet coordination on this, Lord Liran." Adelaide said as she stood up.
Lord Liran followed her movements. "Of course, Adelaide. I'll see to it that we can make preparations for an attack discreetly."
"That is all I ask." Adelaide reaches out her white-gloved hand towards Lord Liran. A handshake, between two nobles.
Liran took it and shook it with firm vigor. Perhaps, he was too shocked by this little chat.
Regardless, Adelaide needed to prepare. She needed to talk to Professor Oxlen soon.