With the ingredients in hand Roland cast the teleportation spell that took them to the southern Sister Cities or close enough. From there they used the working Transmission Spring to travel to Landorei. With Ban’Koliath’s position in the Order, it was easy for them to move about the network of Springs which was fortunate because with them they carried Valethalassa’s battered body. While they couldn’t save her they made certain to see her home.

They landed in a disheveled pile of exhaustion, save for Ban’Koliath. The minotaur was carrying Valethalassa’s body and remain stoically on his feet. He turned toward the ring of Order members as several of them put their hands on their weapons.

“Hold, Brothers,” Ban’Koliath said. His tone was remorseful and commanding at the same time. “We mean no harm. I am a fellow Brassman trying to return Lady Therrae to her home for her final rest. Bring forth the Watchman and I will prove my marking.”

Ban’Koliath gently laid Valethalassa down. Mal was quickly beside her laying his head down on her shoulder and giving out a soft, sorrowful whimper.

“I am Watchman Kalador,” Spoke a soldier as he stepped up onto the platform. He was dressed the same as the others except for a brass colored cloak and a pin on it that identified him as Watchman.

Ban’Koliath made his way towards the Watchman with his arms extended and whispered the phrase to reveal his identifying tattoo.

“Custodian,” Kalador said after confirming the tattoo. The rest of the guards stood down while he gripped Ban’s forearm and the pair shook.

“Watchman, I am Ban’Koliath of Clan Ironroar and these two are mages who have been assisting me in my mission. The Second Ranger of the Fallen Kings was murdered in service to the Order. We brought her home; please send a messenger to the Fallen Kings’ First Ranger,” Ban’Koliath said explaining things in short order.

“Right, well, I think you’ve got everything in order here,” Roland interjected jumping at the chance to skip any formalities. “We’re going to head to the nearest inn; come and find us when you’re done.”

“I’m sorry my friend,” Roland knelt and gave Mal’s head a few pats as he passed.

Pandora bowed her head in silent prayer and then numbly followed behind Roland. She’d been with them for one day but in that short time she had grown to respect Valethalassa. The ranger had been cool and steadfast but she had also been kind and compassionate. The latter two were rare traits in Pandora’s experience.

“You don’t have to answer to me, or even to the First Ranger Trendal, but it would be a courtesy to our continued good relations if you told him what happened,” Watchman Kalador said as he waved to let them pass.

“Of course,” Ban’Koliath said with a heavy sigh. “I’m sorry, Mal,” he said as he knelt beside the shadow wolf. “She was a great ranger and companion. I will inform First Ranger Trendal and leave you to say your farewells.”

Mal gave a soft whimper and pushed his head against Ban’Koliath’s hand before laying it back against Valethalassa’s shoulder.

“May the shadows give way to eternal light,” Ban’Koliath said softly. He climbed back to his feet. Exhausted, battered, and heavy of heart, the minotaur trudged away from the Spring and on toward the Heren’elen.

Ban’Koliath stood in the Rangers Garrison. He’d never had cause to meet the First Ranger so he wasn’t sure what to expect. Inside the Garrison there was no hailer to greet him. With no one about he took a step into the foyer and started as an owl came swooping down from its perch to land on his shoulder.

“Whooooo!” The owl stuttered and coughed, “Pardon me, purpose of visitation?”

“I am a Custodian of Peace with the Order of Brass and have urgent news for First Ranger Trendal," Ban’Koliath replied, not surprised to find one of the Sophic Owls of Atyrsha inside such a place.

“I see. Please wait here," The owl took off towards the back offices, disappearing into a hole near the ceiling. A few minutes later the bird returned and perched on Ban’Koliath’s shoulder. “First Ranger Trendal will see you now. Please follow me.” The owl took off and led Ban to the appropriate door. “Do go ahead, you are expected," With that the Sophic Owl returned to his post in the front vestibule.

“You may enter," A faint voice called from within.

Ban’Koliath opened the door and stepped inside. The office was opulent which was entirely unexpected. Based on his limited understanding of rangers he thought they were all about nature and communing with it, which was a trait common amongst elves, to begin with. Trendal’s office reflected none of that. The floor was covered in an intricately woven carpet of boomer-bee fur. It was worth more money than he would ever see in his lifetime. The walls had rich tapestries of several famous elven historical events all arranged to direct the eye to the sprawling view of the city from the balcony.

The First Ranger’s desk dominated the center of the room and the elf himself was equal in affluence. Immaculate green clothing complemented by polished leathers all embroidered and perfectly tailored. Trendal disinterestedly brushed a hand across his left shoulder. On the opposite shoulder was the golden leaf pin that signified his rank. The gesture drew Ban’Koliath’s eye to the pin.

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“Well?” Trendal asked.

Ban’Koliath ignored the condescending tone and approached the desk with a somber expression. He relayed the news of Valethalassa’s passing which Trendal took much better than he’d expected. When he finished detailing the events that transpired in Juscilus, he waited in silence for the accusations he knew would be forthcoming.

As he collected his thoughts, the First Ranger pulled out a set of crystal goblets and uncorked a bottle of elven wine. He poured himself a healthy glass full of the sweet-smelling wine and let it breathe as he digested the news. When he was ready to speak he lifted the glass to his lips and paused.

“She died while trying to defend that human?” He took a long sip from the glass and set it down, half drained already. “Why do our long lives so often end by the entanglements of those…” His face contorted into a look of pure disgust but he didn’t finish the sentence allowing the minotaur’s imagination to fill in the blank. “Well, I will need to send one in my command to confirm your recounting,” he took another long sip, “was there anything else?”

Ban’Koliath furrowed his brow in the only outward display of displeasure that he would allow himself. He hoped that Trendal’s rudeness was the man’s way of grieving. He remembered his teachings from Tuin and gave the man the benefit of the doubt. “No, that is all. I thank you for your time.”

“Thank you for bringing it to my attention. I will inform the rest of my Rangers,” Trendal said with a dismissive wave.

……

Ban’Koliath returned to the Transmission Spring and found Valethalassa’s body had been moved. Mal was nowhere to be found. The Watchman directed him to the Hearthfelt Inn & Tavern. He checked with the innkeeper and headed up to his room. He reached the room and heard shouting on the other side of the door. He jerked open the door and found the mages in a heated argument.

“You can’t do that! It’s too dangerous to ask them anything!” Pandora’s voice was bordering on hysterical as she pleaded with Roland.

“We don’t have time to waste!” Roland insisted while pulling on a clean shirt and donning his robe. “We don’t know what the Court is planning but now that they’ve taken Ian, they are free to enact whatever grand plan they’ve designed! Unless you’ve got some brilliant alternative?”

Pandora silently pleaded with Ban’Koliath for help.

“Both of you calm down. Roland, please explain to me what it is that you are planning.” Ban’Koliath said folding his arms across his chest and blocking the doorway, making it clear to Roland that no one was leaving until he explained.

“I am going to contact the Eva'scarra,” Roland said, crossing his arms over his chest, striking a similar stubborn pose.

The tenuous grip Ban’Koliath possessed over his zen-like calm disappeared in a fire-flash of emotions. “You can’t do that!” He shouted. “They’ll kill you! Or worse, they’ll own you. Roland, my friend-”

“We cannot waste time arguing like this,” Roland said cutting Ban’Koliath off with a chop of his hand. “It is my decision to make and I’ve made it. My friend,” his voice softened and his shoulders dropped, “Please, I wouldn’t do it if there was another way. But I have the power to help and the stakes are far too high to do nothing.”

Roland turned towards Pandora and gave her a dashing smile, “And I am more than aware of the risks,” his expression turned a rare shade of serious, “Please, I have to do this.”

Pandora rose from her seat and walked over to Roland with no less concern written on her face. She hugged him gently. She had seen the destruction and chaos that the Harlequin Court had sown first hand in the market mere hours ago. It felt more like days. She had exhausted herself healing those that stumbled out of the ruins or holding them in her arms for their dying breath. Pandora decided she was now a part of this group of extraordinary people. She hadn’t planned on getting involved, but in the short time she’d known them and what she’d seen, she was determined to stop the monstrous Harlequin Court. She released Roland with a kiss on his cheek.

“Come back to us safe and whole,” Pandora whispered.

Roland squeezed her back gently.

Ban’Koliath waited quietly. When Roland made for the door, he didn’t offer parting words, he refused to say goodbye, to admit that Roland might fail. Instead, he offered his grip and they clasped forearms and shook. The minotaur stepped aside and Roland departed.

“Do you have the ability to send a message through the aether?” Ban’Koliath asked as the door clicked shut, “I’ll provide the details on the receiver if you can.”

“Send a… yes. Any mage worth her spark can do that,” She said in her usual tight clipped cadence. She even went so far as to huff and cross her arms over her chest.

The minotaur’s lips curled into a bit of a smile. Following her lead of outward normalcy he straightened his back and became more businesslike. “I need to tell the Order’s leaders what is happening. In truth, I should have done it sooner, but Valethalassa…” Clasping his large hands behind his back he began pacing. A very rough plan was taking shape in his mind hinging on the hope that Roland would be successful.

“Alright, what should the message say?” Pandora prompted.

“Commander Reige, Sub-Commander Gormath, I have failed in my mission to keep the otherworlder safe. We are working to acquire his location but he is surely secured at one of their many strongholds. Once discovered, we will need reinforcements to mount an assault and retrieve him. Please assemble the Order and be ready. As I’m sure you’re aware, we will need to make a decisive strike. I will send another message with details and the location, as soon as we have it. In darkness, we are the light.”

Pandora made gestures in the air with her hands in time with Ban’s dictation. Faint ribbons of yellow appeared like tracers as she wrote out the message. When Ban had finished speaking, she held her hands still keeping the glimmering letters in stasis.

“Is that all?” She asked.

Ban’Koliath gave a swift nod and gave her the details on where to send the message. He couldn’t afford to be too specific in his wording; messages had been intercepted in the past much to the detriment of the sender.

Pandora closed her hands with a flourish. The text condensed into a folded letter shape. Then as though it had been hit with a miniature blast the message faded away into fiery sparks. She sat back down with a thoughtful sigh, sorry that the brief distraction of the task was gone.