"If this man is a thorn in your side like you suggest, you've surely already come up with more than one plan to deal with him and his forces. You wouldn't offer to help if you didn't already have some notion as what would tip the odds in your favor," Solae observed shrewdly. Her words were calm and measured yet pleasant; she was not trying to chastise him but rather put into perspective that her youth did not make her naive.

Ten was no different than an aristocrat in that he did mental calculations with each and every interaction. He would not be a successful businessman if he could not do constant risk assessments and analyses, as well as be able to improvise solutions to urgent issues that could cause a pitfall if not immediately addressed. Solae had no doubt her arrival had been a surprising turn of events. They had not known they would go to Zatis until they had set the course, so unless Ten was harboring precognitive abilities the universe had never seen, the criminal had not anticipated them crossing his path. What she was wagering on was that his cunning mind had been churning as soon as he set eyes upon them. Now that time had passed and they were eating dinner he might have a plot. Perhaps it was imperfect, perhaps it was just invented, but it existed nonetheless.

"Your talent was wasted in that embassy on New Concordia," Ten mused aloud as a small smile alighted on his features. Picking up his fork he dissected a piece of fresh fruit, carefully stabbed it, deposited it in his mouth, chewed thoughtfully, and then responded. "While I do have a plan in mind to help you..." he began.

"With all due respect, Ten, it would benefit us both. I do not mean to be rude, but you wouldn't be helping us achieve our goal out of selfless benevolence. You have things to gain as well as you have already explained," Solae boldly pointed out. Rene tensed slightly as if he suspected this might ire their host but he remained unperturbed. If anything he found it amusing that Solae had so much courage, such an intimate understanding the players, and the wisdom to know her candor would not be construed as a threat.

"The plan in mind that would help us all," Ten corrected with a slight polite incline of the head to Solae, "would require both your assistance and cooperation. Until now my resources would not favor a direct assault on Ralch, I believe you could help tip the odds as it were. More specifically I theorize that if Solae assumes her mantle of Marquise Falia to access the local cache we could recruit a few parties that are on the fence as to whether or not to intervene. As for Rene, I believe your expertise as a soldier might more efficiently guide my own assets when we are forced to draw weapons."

"I don't know anything of this cache you keep referencing," Solae said skeptically, "Even if I did, how can you be certain that I will be able to access it? Thus far Duke Tan has prevented the spread of information from New Concordia. Any protocols that might be in place upon the deaths of my parents would not yet be activated because, as far as Zatis is aware, they have not yet been declared dead."

"There is a bank in the medical district that allows you a small safety deposit box that can be accessed with a very rigorous series of tests. Any items in the box are destroyed if the owner dies with no instructions as to the next of kin, and the contents are often destroyed if there is suspected illegal access," Ten explained casually.

"And you think this is where the cache is?" Solae asked with obvious doubt in her voice.

"No, I believe the location of the vault is located in a box there. The boxes have technology that allows them to incinerate the contents- within certain parameters- remotely by the banking staff. They are not the best solution for items of great value, but they are for sensitive information you might want accessed under certain circumstances."

"So it's a method of setting a contingency plan," Solae sighed. It sounded like something her parents might do- especially her father- if they thought they might meet an untimely end and did have this fabled vault. The only reason she was even entertaining the thought this mythical treasure trove of incriminating evidence existed was because Ten was so confidently factual. He wouldn't waste anyone's time, most of all his own, on a mere whim.

"It requires a blood test, both hand prints, a full body scan, and a short questionnaire with rapid fire questions you must answer in ten seconds or less," Ten elaborated. "Needless to say this can not be done with a corpse or easily faked- if at all. To the best of my knowledge it has not been breached since they have started the four-step verification process."

"And you want to go there after we eat?" Solae asked.

"By the empire, no. Zatis is an unusual place. It is extraordinarily busy in the afternoon and at night, when most indulge their vices one way or another, and is less crowded in the early morning hours. I would suggest that we set out shortly before dawn. Almost no one willingly goes out at such an hour so you'll attract the least attention then. The bank operates with discretion so they will not alert Duke Tan or his goons that you were there, if at all. In the interim I recommend you get some rest. I have a spare bedroom for you to share unless you require separate bedchambers. I will have my staff prepare some clothing for both of you as well as a wig if you will wear it. Without your golden hair visible it should be easy to get to the bank without issue. It's what will come after that will be considerably more challenging."