Fanilly let out a sigh of relief at the news that the shrine had not been tampered with. Indeed, she had felt none of the oppressive, heavy atmosphere of the cursed fort. Instead, it felt just as relaxing to be here as she suspected. Even with the heavy thoughts of the shard on her mind, it was hard not to feel somewhat soothed in the presence of one of the oldest places of worship in Thaln. Had they not been performing their duty, she would have paused to offer a little prayer and relax at a safe distance from the edge of the Moon Pool.

But they did not have time for such things.

Either the Boars and whoever else was working with them would be meeting here, or they had already met here and perhaps left evidence behind. Regardless, this location was their only potential lead.

"Ah! They're still here!" declared Clarice, suddenly

... What?

Fanilly wasn't certain what she'd just heard. 'They're still here'? But there was no-one visible.

Unless...

"I didn't even need to look very hard, there's another mage here! I bet they're using a perception-blocking enchantment!" declared the curse mage, a smug look on her face, "You should praise me. I'll make Alette praise me too when I'm back. I've solved this whole thing for you dunces immediately!"

Putting aside her attitude, that meant that... could the enemy mage actually be here?

"Where? Where are they? We need to stop them before they can-"

There was a sound like a ringing bell.

The first figure that appeared was a tall, black-armored one.

A familiar one.

Haelstadt.

"The Iron Rose Knights? I guess I didn't expect you, but I suppose..."

And the one who followed...

It was unmistakably Veilena Cazt. There was no mistaking her. It shouldn't have been surprising given Haelstadt had appeared first, but the fact she was there...

"Lady.... Lady Cazt?!" cried Fanilly, "What... what are you doing here?!"

It didn't make any sense. Why was...

"... [i]You[/i]?!" Clarice cried, "You... you... why are... did you not have any faith in us?!"

The Cazt heir sighed.

"Well, I suppose there's no point in hiding that, anymore," she commented, flatly, "... I'm not your enemy, if my word even matters to any of you right now."

[@Rune_Alchemist][@HereComesTheSnow][@Raineh Daze][@ERode][@PigeonOfAstora][@Conscripts][@Crimson Paladin][@Creative Chaos][@The Otter][@Krayzikk][@Psyker Landshark][@6slyboy6]