Lunise's grip on the saddlebag tightened and her shoulders rose in a slow, tense breath. She spoke surprisingly gently, holding back. "I have worked too hard ensuring the stability of the continent, working in the interests of my nation, to let it all be cast aside in the space of moments. Areldril, you are not absolved until I have made up my mind." She straightened. "For now, Meesei, Areldril, I will not interrupt your conversation."

Meanwhile, the pack felt various shivers as some recalled the memory of their last encounter with Vile's apparent general. Sabine in particular swallowed hard when the image of Meesei's broken body came into her mind. As well as Peiter's arm getting caught under masonry.

"We have encountered him before," Janius mentioned with a foreboding tone. "Or, rather, Meesei has. We won't underestimate him."

Fendros cleared his throat. "You have heard their communications. Does that mean you know where to find the general?"