The conversation in the aftermath of the sparring match was... enlightening. Both combatants had begun to discuss how they fought one another. In some ways, it appeared they both approached combat in fundamentally different fashions, though Fanilly did agree that she lacked a clear way of dealing with opponents of extraordinary strength aside from dodging, which could prevent her from pressing an advantage. At the same time, she wasn't certain if Dame Serenity's style of using all weapons possible was better then mastering a single one.

The conversation did not proceed very long, however, before Dame Lilianna interjected to offer her own opinions on the matter, insisting both of them still required further practice.

To be honest, Fanilly had expected it the moment she saw her.

At least she'd finally gotten to eat.

[hr]

The messenger had been run ragged, according to the Aimlenn guard. He was delirious and half-crazed.

He croaked out a plea for help, to send help to Fort Daelantine at once, before falling dead on his feet.

The fort was a mere day's ride from Aimlenn. What had happened there so suddenly, that had lead to a soldier of Thaln running himself to death to deliver it? Surely, word of an attack of some sort would have been received earlier, wouldn't it? How could such a thing have happened?

None of it made any sense to Fanilly.

But she agreed that something needed to be done.

It was for this reason that the Iron Rose Knights now found themselves on horseback, riding out to the Fort. She had selected a smaller group, for the purposes of investigation as opposed to any sort of attack. Astride her mare, Fanilly lead the knights.

Mayon's home was growing visible in the sky when the sight of the fort's towers began to enter their view. The sky was growing pinker, shadows stretching longer.

But it was still light enough to make out Fort Daelantine quite clearly.

There were no signs of battle.

No-one on the walls. The gates weren't damaged at all.

Not a single body laid nearby.

If the Fort was occupied, where was everyone? Where were the signs of a struggle? Where were the signs of someone having forced their way in? No ladders, no damage whatsoever. What had happened? Surely if there had been an attack, there'd be some evidence that something had occurred.

But there was nothing.

Nothing at all.

The Fort stood eerily silent in the setting sun.

"... Something isn't right."

It felt like stating the obvious, but at the same time she wasn't sure what else to say. The fort being totally undamaged would normally be a welcome sight, but the fact there was absolutely no-one manning it made it disconcerting more than anything.

Fanilly could faintly hear a raven's cries as they approached. Still not a single soul was visible.

"... Take positions at either side of the gate," she ordered her knights, "Dame Tyaethe, I'll need you to-"

She paused. The door wasn't even secured? It was slightly ajar...

Fanilly took a deep breath.

"Dame Tyaethe, can you push open the gates?"

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