Zalia and her team followed the spy as he walked, heading towards the eastern edge of town. Zalia glanced over at the others, hoping they had also noticed the strange behaviour of the man and Indis caught her gaze, giving a small nod. Zalia gestured towards the west with her hand, a silent question to ask whether they should leave or not. Indis shook her head, indicating that she thought they weren’t in danger just yet. Zalia looked back towards the man walking in front of them,
“So where exactly are we going?” Zalia asked.
“To meet one of my colleagues,” the man answered.
They didn't speak any further as they walked, eventually arriving at a small house on the outskirts of the town. The man knocked once, then paused, then knocked twice more. They heard footsteps before the sound of a deadbolt unlatching could be heard and the door swung open. Standing before them was a large humanoid that was covered in thick fur wearing simple clothes and equipped with a large boar spear. They stood at around seven feet tall, head ducked to see through the doorway as they looked at each of them in turn, stepping out of the way once their gaze fell on the man leading them. Zalia stared at the creature, wondering what or who they were. They didn't seem like a beast, more like an intelligent creature, another race maybe? The only other race she had seen had been the Born of Heat and Stone and she was definitely excited to meet another. By the ‘extensive’ research she had conducted with a grand total of one other race, they seemed to be much more welcoming than humans generally were.
As the large person stepped aside, the man leading them began to lead them all inside. Zalia hesitated, looking to Indis’ guidance, following when the woman gave a small nod of approval. She trusted the other woman's insight when it came to people much more than she trusted her own. They followed the man into the small house and immediately went up a flight of stairs into a small but comfortable room, the furry person staying behind. The room was well appointed with nice looking chairs and other various decorations that were soft on the eyes. The room lit up when the man waved at the walls, the flameless lights similar to the ones in the keep at Endelbyrn coming to life. The man sat down with a sigh and then something that Zalia considered incredibly strange happened. The man's face shifted and warped, turning into the face of a different man. Indis sat down nearby, completely ignoring the fact that the man’s face had changed, though both Zen and Ember had expressions similar to how Zalia’s must look at that moment as well.
“Sorry about all that,” the man said.
“Not at all, such care for secrecy is commendable,” Indis said diplomatically.
“Always good to be wary of watching eyes,” the man said knowingly, tipping his head towards Indis.
“Someone want to clue me in to what is happening?” Zalia asked.
“As you have probably gathered by now, I am not the person who you met with last you were in town. They sent someone a little more… capable to deal with you should you return which thankfully, you did. We have been hoping for contact with your organisation ever since the help you are rendering to the kingdom began affecting the outcome of the war,” the man explained.
“Right, and the task you need us to do?” she asked.
“A fabrication, in case there was anyone listening. I have a few plans for fabricating a falling out once you leave this building as well, to ensure any peeping eyes will not believe us to be working together,” the man added.
“You seem pretty confident that it will be a fabrication at all,” Ember said, finally taking a seat as well.
Both Zalia and Zen followed suit and sat down as well.
“Indeed I am, time is short so I will cut to the chase and give you the full explanation of my side of things,” the man replied.
“I and the people I work with hope that you are here to gather more information about the rituals, am I right?” he asked.
“Yes,” Indis said.
“Excellent. Many of the people in the rebellion have worked with, hired or previously been a part of the Morning’s shade and many know of the good reputation of your organisation. As such, even though you are working with the kingdom at the moment, we hope that the proof we can provide of the king's involvement in the creation of the rituals can sway you to our side,” the man told them.
“You can provide actual proof of this? How?” Zen asked.
“Simple, not a small number of our cause are defectors from the army. Very simply put, many of those men were once loyal subjects to the royal family and many come from long lines of army soldiers. The ones that defected are the ones that know the king is not who everyone thinks he is, the creature that now holds the throne usurped the real king and is ruling in his stead. They were asked by the usurper to commit atrocious acts in his name and many took a dislike to the orders and they started to speak out about it. Those who spoke most loudly against the orders were quickly… silenced, one way or the other. Many were corrupted somehow, their bodies taken from them and moved by some other entity. Others still were sent on missions to out of the way locations and were never heard from again. The remaining few loyal to the real king realised what was happening and defected, starting the rebellion. It is thanks to them that it is even possible at all, many have keen military minds, the only reason we have held out this long,” the man responded.
Zalia thought about the lengthy explanation and a few pieces fell into place for her. The deserter captain she had helped take down some time back with Tristan might have not been a deserter at all. Tristan had said that the man used to be a loyal and liked captain of the army, his desertion had made no sense to her friend but fit neatly into what the spy before her said. The captain had been camped out near to where the outer line of the giant ritual circle would have travelled and could very likely have had something to do with them as well. The missing farmers and travellers that the deserters had taken very well might have been fuel for the rituals in the first place. The thought sent a chill down Zalia’s spine. Due to this knowledge some of what the man before her now said rang true to her ears. It didn't mean the whole story was true but if it was then Zalia was sure she couldn't fully trust Hidey. The shade has so strongly argued against the king having anything to do with the rituals as well. The thoughts nauseated her, if her friend was truly being controlled by the king then she would do whatever she could to free him. Zalia decided to trust this rebel just a little for now,
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“Would it be possible for us to meet these people you are talking about, the army defectors?” Zalia asked.
“Yes, though it would take some time to organise,” the man replied.
“I think I might believe you,” Zalia said.
Her team looked to her with a little confusion,
“Do you know Captain Vidar?” Zalia asked the rebel.
A look of recognition passed over the mans face,
“Ah, I believe I do. One of the first to become corrupted if my memory serves,” he said.
That confirmed it a little for Zalia, the fact that the man seemed to know about Vidar at all. He could have been faking it and guessed of course but she didn't think so. Zalia explained to her team who Vidar had been, how he had been corrupted, where Zalia had found the man and what she had put together about his possible involvement with the rituals. After her explanation, they seemed to understand her quick acceptance of the rebel’s story a little more. Still, she would not act without further proof but the puzzle pieces fitting together was enough for her to hear them out at least.
“I wonder why Hidey sent us out here if he is being controlled. If he is, maybe some of him still remains in there, fighting to stop what is happening,” Zalia thought.
“I think we are willing to go a little further and hear out what more proof you have,” Indis said, looking to the others for agreement, which she got.
“Excellent. I do hope we can come to an agreement with the Morning’s shade, to turn the tides of this war,” the man said.
Zalia didn't mention that it was most likely both a bad idea and an impossibility with what she knew, wanting to learn more before she let the man down.
“So what now then?” Zalia asked.
“Now, we fabricate a heated exit and meet ten minutes walk out west of the city,” the rebel said excitedly. It seemed like the man really liked theatrics.
“What’s the plan?” she asked.
“So, to begin with…” he started explaining.
⪼ ⪢ ℋ 𝒶𝓃𝒹 ℋ ⪡ ⪻
Zalia and her team rushed out the front door of the house, slamming it as they exited. The rebel who had finally introduced himself as Eztari quickly followed out the door after them.
“How dare you ask us to commit such an atrocity!” Indis said in mock but believable anger.
“Please, I did not mean it in such a way!” Eztari said pleadingly.
“Bah, there is no other way to mean it. Begone with you!” Indis said before storming off.
“You are a disgusting man,” Zalia said in a more controlled but still angry voice.
Eztari disguised as Zek looked down in shame,
“Forgive me, please,” he begged.
“May you find Cormaine when you perish,” Ember said before the rest of them walked off after Indis.
They walked for some time before finally letting go of their seriousness, Zen laughing a little.
“That was ridiculous but fun, as unnecessary as it probably was,” Zen said.
“It was certainly a strange plan,” Zalia agreed.
“If it makes him feel comfortable, it's not so much to deal with,” Indis said.
“Do you all realise what this might mean for Hidey?” Zalia asked, looking somber.
“Yes… I do. It's unfortunate if true but the knowledge of his predicament could provide us with an advantage,” Indis said.
“I suppose it could. I want Eztari to be wrong, or lying though just because I don't want this to be true about Hidey,” Zalia said.
“I know Zalia but you must not let your emotions cloud logical thinking here. If Eztari really does provide compelling evidence we must heed it. It doesn't mean that Hidey is necessarily being controlled either, maybe he is just simply wrong about the whole situation,” Indis said, trying to comfort Zalia.
Zalia didn't know what to think anymore but she had a feeling the whole situation had something to do with Juniper's husband's disappearance. Zayes had disappeared on some final quest for the Morning’s shade and ever since Juniper hadn’t seen Hidey even once. It compelled Zalia to believe it might be true even more since maybe whoever was theoretically controlling Hidey didn't know if Juniper knew his true name or not and was keeping him away from her. She felt sick to her stomach thinking about it but the more she did the more she was convinced it was true.
They walked in silence for some time, each of them lost within their own thoughts as they considered the ramifications of everything they had learnt in the past few days. Should what Zalia thought turn out to be true then at this point they couldn't trust anyone outside of their own team within the Morning’s shade. The thought of having to navigate both their own organisation and the rebel faction while retaining any important information that could cause harm in the wrong hands made Zalia’s head spin. Luckily, they had Indis who was the child of a once powerful political house within the kingdom. If anyone knew how to go about doing what they needed to do, it was her. Zalia picked up Boreal, hugging the fluffy feline for comfort as they walked.
They met up with Eztari a short time later as they found him leaning against a tree in a small field.
“So, where to?” Zen asked.
“Now, we travel for a while south towards one of our war camps where I can start to get some meetings organised. You’re all sure you want to go through with this?” he asked.
Each of them nodded their assent as he turned his gaze to them in turn.
“Well alright, lets get going,” he said, moving south as they began their journey.