Alvin walked through the forest silently, listening to Marwood but really just letting the matter drop for the moment. They were arguing in circles and not getting anywhere. Best to let the matter rest for the time being and get back to it later when they had a bit of time. He accepted the bracelet, but he doubted it'd be necessary.

The camp was horrible for Alvin. Though his face a mask of unbreakable stone the mere sight of what was going on here broke his heart. Eventually they got into the meeting room. Alvin remained silent throughout the conversation, absorbing information and taking whatever verbal abuse the bandit hurled at him without losing his composure. That was the most important thing; never let your enemy, or friends for that matter, see you rattled. Though Alvin was, the sights in the place were horrific. Enough so that if he wasn't as well disciplined he might be sobbing in the street. As much as he hated to admit it, the bandit's remarks dug deep. He had failed, plain and simple. And now this man was rubbing it in like salt in a fresh wound. Sure Alvin had no chance to help in the first place and truthfully it wasn't really his fault but it still hurt all the same. Being prince meant taking responsibility for your people, no matter what.

Finally Alvin started paying attention to the conversation again. Marwood was proposing a raid on a food caravan in Serafew. The biggest issue Alvin saw was the same the bandit pointed out as soon as he heard. The time it would take to get to Serafew and back would take awhile. However the young prince had a different thought. "If it's in Serafew, it's a fair bet it's on it's way to the castle." He said as he approached the map, rubbing his chin as thought. "Which means it has to pass through this forest, probably on this road here." Alvin pointed to a spot on the map. "Set up an ambush, kill all the guards. Clean, and the Jehannans will have no trace as to what happened to their caravan. And besides, as Aldo pointed out if they hear I'm on the move they might just be too busy to care. That is, if they are aware of my escape in the first place. Though I'm sure Sion will work that out soon."

A few more ifs then Alvin would usually care for, but hopefully it would serve. The reason these refugees are here in the first place is because Grado failed. They were on the track of strengthening their military but they hadn't got there yet. The least Alvin could do was contribute whatever he could so his people could eat. 

"As for the stone," The young prince turned to the bandit leader. "I'm going to take it and hide. If Sion gets it, he will use it's power to destroy the world. That is my purpose. I plead, do not try and hinder me. Whatever your grievances, I am sorry. But I must do this, whatever the cost." He turned from everyone and gazed out the window. It was a reality that physically made Alvin sick, but it was reality all the same. If his nation needed to be sacrificed to keep the stone out of Sion's hand, then so be it. The alternative was far, far worse.