[center][h3]Helena[/h3]
[@Ithradine][@HueMan][/center]

Features cold and hard, Helena entertained the woman's response. More words of dubious veracity, though followed by something that could not be construed as anything but an ultimatum. Yet, no matter how Priscilla's words reverberated, the ghoul commander had put aside her fear. No matter how strong the opponent, she knew her duty, and how to see it through. The simplicity of the answer to this burgeoning question -pass or fail- provided a sort of security. Either Helena would extinguish this marauder, or she would pay for her failure with her life. With that in mind, she was ready to begin.

Movement to the side stole Helena's attention for a moment, and she spotted a familiar form rising from the underbrush. Skout, the menacing automaton, had appeared, and he trained his pistol upon the stranger's head. Without a moment's hesitation or warning he unleashed a powerful blast, taking a preemptive strike that seemed capable of putting the threat down in one shot.

The Cathedral's warriors, however, were not so lucky. From the ensuing burst of steam and dust, Priscilla emerged unscathed. A furrow could be seen in the earth, plowed by her scythe's blade sunken in to minimize the knockback of Skout's shot. She straightened herself, and through the air relayed a final message for disappearing. Just like that, the scene had turned to normal.

Helena allowed herself to relax, stowing her dagger away and resuming her dignified, austere posture. “How pointless,” she spat through gritted teeth. After casting a glance at the village, not so far away that someone could have witnessed the encounter, she strode over to where Skout still stood. From the nearby forest, her lieutenants appeared, bringing the total soldiers present to six. “Skout, thank you for coming to my aid, though it seems it was unnecessary,” she told him. “Though we have little to show for our run-in with this Priscilla, we have gleaned some information about our surroundings, and should return to the Cathedral. If we ran into someone with this power already, future scouting parties should be far more prepared.” The others nodded, and Helena's team prepared to move out.

[center][h3]Tatter[/h3]
[@Ithradine][@FalloutJack][@Lauder][/center]

Tatter's news lit a fire in Morningstar like oil splashed on coals. Before anyone could object, pipe up, or even think twice the excited gargoyle had launched herself into action, shortly followed by a more literal launch out of the Cathedral. All thoughts about the king, and the importance of delivering him to Volaris, seemed to have flown out her ear just as fast. That left the specter along with the man, and the indolent children of the Supreme Smith.

Neither Sagi nor Xirphi gave the impression that they had anything to say, so a moment of awkward silence passed before Lucius broke it with an abrupt cough. His question spurred Tatter to action. “Well mister king sir, I don't know much about customs, and I don't know where the Supreme One is, but I can make you comfortable while you wait.” She narrowed her eyes, sizing him up. A dozen unsavory options ran through her mind, but it was with the greatest of restraint that she heaved a sigh and told him, “The Tower of Dignity should be fine. Jack will entertain you.” 

A chuckle and a smirk issued from her as a follow-up thought occurred to her. “Oh, but don't worry, he'll just give you tea and probably have a boring, normal conversation. The time for fear comes later. Now, follow me. Or don't, I'll just carry you.” She started to drift back through the hall, making it clear to Lucius that he should follow her toward a door in the back.