[color=A0A0A0][h2]Fleuri Jodeau[/h2][/color]

[i]So if her ramblings are true, she only did this to save her sister.  I wasn't expecting this, not at all[/i], Fleuri thought to himself as he read the words written by the assassin.  Judging by the simplistic messages she scrawled, she was clearly quite distraught.

The captain seemed to be almost as upset as the assassin by this revelation.  Fleuri himself was a little more conflicted.  It was easy to be sympathetic and merciful when your foe looked like a cute human child with a sob story and a heart-wrenching injury upon her throat.  He started to wonder- did any of the nobles who backed Phoran Cal, or the peasants who turned to banditry and joined Jeremiah have similar motivations, committing their terrible deeds for the sake of family?

Just then, Fleuri heard a most unlikely bystander speak.  "What is going on?"  Fleuri turned his head and immediately recognized the new arrival, accompanied by her bodyguard Haelstadt.  It was Veileena Cal, the scion of the Cal family, daughter of the infamous Phoran Cal, arriving as if on cue from the mere thought of her family.  Fleuri was a little surprised to see her her attending the ball.  She had nothing to do with her father's rebellion, but the wounds and scars of the conflict were still fresh.

"I have heard cries of an assassin," Veileena continued, "If such grievous action against the crown has been conducted, I am certain that all those capable of combat should be made available, should they not?"

"Assuredly, Lady Cal, this heinous act will not go unpunished" Fleuri replied to her.  "It may be wise, however, for you to return to whatever remains of the party.  If the other nobles see you present at the aftermath of an attempted assassination, they may get the wrong idea."

Tyaethe was ordering the palace to be locked down.  Normally this wouldn't be so bad- after all, it was a royal ball- but the assassination had cast a shadow over the entire affair to the point that it seemed doubtful that the lockdown would be particularly pleasant.  There was one thing she spoke that caught Fleuri's attention.

"I hope everyone's ready to get moving as it is, it would take too long to go back and get everyone's armour. We'd be spotted instantly."

[i]Hold on, I don't even have a weapon aside from this pitifully small Nem blade.  Does she even remember that the rest of us can't regenerate injuries or conjure armor?[/i]  He almost opened his mouth to protest, but stopped himself at the last moment.  [i]No, Fleuri, it's not worth it.[/i]

Still, he needed some equipment, and the castle should have an abundance of it.  With this in mind, Fleuri approached the princess, careful as to not get too close or make any movements that'd agitate the Crown Knights.

"Your royal highness," he addressed her as he bowed, "Might you allow some of your Iron Roses to temporarily borrow from the castle's stockpile of armor and weapons?  We have no time to lose to stop those who wish you dead, but many of us are currently without proper equipment."

[@VitaVitaAR]