Edward was waiting for his chosen warriors to appear in the grand entrance hall, standing stoically with his sword drawn and resting his hands on it in front of him. Sooner this ominous business with Hastuk was dealt with the better. He was pleased when he saw the first three walking up to him. Khar the marked champion had been breaking in their new squires by his special orders, harsh welcoming for younglings but better than training them softly to be impaled on orc spears.

"[i]I hope I didn´t inconvenience you too much with my request. I have found that Li Lian style of combat complements central Sophitian style nicely, and is also useful to calm mind for casting.[/i]"

Next Alexander Atreides strode up to him, Edward returned his nod.
"[i]It is good to see you in the bastion again wanderer, all will be explained shortly in the war room.[/i]"

Third in this group was Arthur of the Crestshield family. He knew he could trust this man but with relations hardening between knights and the crown, he wondered if Crestshield family was pressuring their son to take Kings side in this argument, he would ask about it later on.
He gave Arthur knights salute.
"[i]Lionheart, I am glad to have your sword join us on this quest.[/i]"

Then he heard voices shout something just outside. It didn´t seem like an alarm of any kind. Edward took off to open gates to courtyard, flanked on both sides by several knights of the order. When he did that, strange sight greeted him. There were three he knew and one he didn´t recognize. It seems that Lao Xijer had collapsed and been hoisted in the air by an beastman of most peculiar appearance. Edward directed his cohorts to take Lao.

"[i]By Mother, what now? Call for sun essence healer! And bring food and wine also, that always seems to cheer Sir Metallum up.[/i]"

He looked at the beastman, as peculiar as he was it was quite clear that he was affinity born, strong one too. Was he planning to join the order?
"[i]You have my thanks stranger, I will see you are rewarded for tending to one of ours[/i]"

On the stairs he saw Quill the grin laughing uproariously in his usual fashion upon witnessing something that amused him. He/she was an strange man/woman to be an knight but Edward could see that Jesters heart was in the right place, he would stand bravely against the darkness. Beside him Edward saw familiar appearance of Admiral Tuyta, the men nodded to eachother in acknowledgement. Edward quite liked the old admiral, his boundless experience came useful time and time again. Also, men who were born with water affinity were quite rare, it was nice to converse with others who shared this gift. This was most excellent, most of the names on the list had been gathered in acceptable amount of time.
As he had a feeling that more were on their way he would give them the promised days time. Soon they would be gathering in the war room and begin briefing. If Hastuk was right, this mission was going to be no joke.