Somehow, he saw this coming. Of course the Exalt called him in to hunt down what was left of the Shepards. He couldn't have been called in to command in an actual war. Instead, he was tasked with hunting down the remnants of an already-shattered organization. But this way, he could find his daughter. 

Alicia had been a Shepard. Lantus had never quite liked the organization's foolish ideals of heroism, but even he had to admit that they had their uses in cleaning up the countryside. And if nothing else, they were still a substantial military force. Still, it had been his daughter's choice where she served. But then the purge came. Before Darrian had called him back into service, Lantus had been frantically searching for his daughter, sending his bannermen riding across Ylisse to try to find her and bring her to safety. 

Then again, Lantus supposed that he should be thanking Darrian. If the Shepards had escaped into Plegia, he now had an excuse to hunt for Alicia. He would bring his daughter back by any means necessary, even if he had to make war against Plegia again. He would save his daughter, no matter what it took. 

[b]"I understand, Your Majesty."[/b] Lantus said, nodding at Darrian. [b]"Rest assured, I will find the Shepards. And if Plegia should stand in my way, I will destroy their army and anyone else that gets in my a second time."[/b] The old general smiled bitterly and turned to leave, following Xanxus out. 

Once they were outside, Lantus's two knights flanked him once again, guarding their lord, who turned to Xanxus. 

[b]"Well then. My lands and bannermen are three days' ride away. Since the Exalt wants this done quickly, it'll be impractical to use my men, considering that it would take even longer to prepare a march. And since you refuse to take your own forces, I trust you won't object if I take soldiers from the regular army, will you?"[/b]