Within the confines of his room, the chill of the cold morning air was counteracted by the still-warm embers of the hearth. Balthazar wordlessly sat up from his bed, before moving to stand up. Decades of experience had made the spymaster an early riser, and besides-- the old man didn't like sleeping for too long. Long slumbers had a tendency to dredge up old memories. With the sun still cresting the horizon, the spymaster decided to do his morning routine while there was still time. He started by doing some stretches, followed by general calisthenics. He did not exercise as strenuously as some of the other, more martially-inclined members of the Royal Guard, but Balthazar knew that as he was getting older. He needed to keep his body as sharp as he kept his mind if he wanted to be of any use. And so he did. By the end of his workout, the old man had worked up a bit of a sweat. The secret to his remarkable physique for someone as old as he was was not a complex one: the body was a tool like any other, and if you took good care of your tools, then they will last you a lifetime. Balthazar moved to clean himself up with a nearby basin of water and some linens when he heard a knock at the door. "M'lord, the Prince has called for you. He awaits you in the War Room." He recognized that voice, even from behind the door. "[color=#239C89]I'll be right out, Miss Mary. Allow me to get dressed.[/color]" Balthazar replied as he wiped himself clean. He made himself look presentable enough, before opening the door to meet her. "[color=#239C89]I have another task for you if you are available, Miss Mary.[/color]" She hesitated for a moment, before responding. "W-what is it, m'lord?" "[color=#239C89]A friend of mine is waiting outside the gates of the Keep. He is dressed in a red cloak.[/color]" The old man said, before handing her a token. "[color=#239C89]Give this to him-- he will know it is from me.[/color]" "...and then?" "[color=#239C89]And then, you will receive his package and have it ready for me by the time I reach the War Room.[/color]" Mary was silent, her mind turning to thoughts of suspicion and worry. Balthazar was quick to reassure her. "[color=#239C89]Do this for me, and I will pay you.[/color]" He says. "[color=#239C89]...do it discreetly, and I will ensure you are rewarded handsomely.[/color]" She clutched the token in her hands tightly before nodding, resolute. "Yes, m'lord. With that, she was off, and the old man returned to his bedroom to change in full. He slipped on his normal attire, a set of scholar's robes and traveler's clothes-- court finery was better suited to courts, not strategy meetings. With a sigh, Balthazar put on his glasses. He could see just fine at a distance, but he needed them to examine things up close, which was a necessary act for his profession. After securing the rest of his equipment, he exited his quarters and made a beeline towards the War Room. Breakfast could wait until after the Prince's briefings. [hr] Balthazar was punctual as he usually was. He gave the Prince a formal bow and greeting, before moving to his side. The spymaster took a few moments to go over the reports Zatana and Faira had brought back, as well as to recall the Record-Hunters to his service. Roughly fifty Goblins working on twenty siege ladders in the dead of night. Troubling information. As well as Acrius struggling with a woman-- complete with a sketch (in a handcrafted tiny book, no less). As entertaining as that was, it was irrelevant to the current situation. The old man decided to open his [i]other[/i] reports once it was just the Royal Guard. For all her faults, it seemed that Miss Mary could be relied upon to do this much, at the very least. The remainder of the city's captains, as well as the other members of the Royal Guard, funneled in, the Prince began his speech. With siege ladders to the east, Orcs to the north, battering rams to the west, and Sappers in the city's sewer systems, the defenders had quite a bit on their hands today. Soon, the captains had left, and talk had shifted as to where each member of the Royal Guard would be placed to assist. Balthazar had an idea of where his place was to be. "[color=#239C89]My place is here in the War Room, your Majesty.[/color]" Balthazar started. "[color=#239C89]...but if my magic is required elsewhere, I believe it would find its strongest use in the sewers. [/color]" The dark, tight corridors were difficult to maneuver in, which made evading his magic a difficult prospect. In addition, while Goblins are well-suited to seeing in darkness, only those with magic could peer through magical darkness-- something that would level the playing field, so long as the frontline could hold. "[color=#239C89]Of course, I can act flexible enough to be anywhere you require, Your Majesty. [/color]" When Zatana had broached the topic of sneaking behind enemy lines to search for more information, and perhaps to sabotage their supplies. A good enough time as any, Balthazar reached into his coat pocket to examine his parcel. Thankfully, it was untampered. He began examining the reports from his other informants, as well as the collaboration between his agents and that of Duke Karstilli's scouts. The results were... fruitful, to say the least. "[color=#239C89]Before we discuss that, I feel I should share my findings.[/color]" Balthazar began. "[color=#239C89]Firstly, it appears more Goblins have arrived to reinforce the losses they took yesterday.[/color]" He said. "[color=#239C89]In fact, it's quite likely that we will be dealing with more today than we did yesterday.[/color]" "[color=#239C89]Secondly, it appears our Dwarven allies are delayed. It appears the tunnels they used to move around in the area have been collapsed.[/color]" He explained. "[color=#239C89]It will take some time to clear them-- assuming nothing interferes with them, I expect them to do so within a few days, perhaps a week depending on the damage.[/color]" "[color=#239C89]Lastly, some of our scouts have managed to spot their camp.[/color]" He announced, pointing to its location on the map. "[color=#239C89]While surveilling the area, they had spotted an unfamiliar figure within the Orcs. Reportedly, they appeared to be humanoid, but they were not Goblin or Orc.[/color]" Balthazar stated. "[color=#239C89]Although we have nothing to confirm such things, I would surmise that this figure is responsible for the advanced tactics of these invaders.[/color]" "[color=#239C89]I'd go as far as to say that they are the brains of the operation. If we can eliminate them, then their army will fall into disarray.[/color]" He finished. "[color=#239C89]...Unfortunately for us, it appears their campsite is constantly on the move, likely in an effort to avoid such tactics.[/color]" Whoever was leading this army was intelligent enough to try and avoid being caught out in the open, at the very least. The spymaster then turned to Zatana. "[color=#239C89]If you wish to look for information, I'd start there, and then perhaps move to track their whereabouts.[/color]" "[color=#239C89]However... it is a mission fraught with risk and danger.[/color]" Balthazar continued. "[color=#239C89]We should not overplay our hand, especially in a precarious position like this.[/color]" He explained. "[color=#239C89]I think you should stay here and help us repel the next wave, and await an opportunity to strike. Of course, if an opportunity to disrupt their supply lines presents itself... then by all means.[/color]" He then turned to the Prince and the Duke. "[color=#239C89]What do you think, Your Majesty? And you, Duke Karstilli?[/color]" In the end, Prince Leonidas' word was final, and of course, Duke Karstilli could easily voice his own opinion. Balthazar was simply an advisor, and he knew it. Still, the role suited him just fine.