[@Raineh Daze]

It took some time to follow Alambert's trail, but once Miina got ahold of it, following it the rest of the way wasn't difficult. It seemed the guards were by and large telling the truth when they'd mentioned the Grovemaster wandering about with barely any guard, only two of them following the hooded, robed Faye into a warehouse within the north of Brightlam.

The storehouse had numerous methods of entry, with small windowed alcoves in the roof, and a few doors. Whatever route Miina took, whenever she inevitably made it in, she would be greeted by the sight of one of her nation's leaders conversing with a pair of men in rich merchant's clothing, along with an entourage of apparent mercenaries in cheap armor, rushing about to and fro. 

Getting closer, Alambert's next words could just barely be heard:

[b]"...Isolde is performing her role, yes. All is ready for the attack. So long as we eliminate Zacharias and the more competent of the apprentices, this nation is ours for the taking."[/b]

___

[@VitaVitaAR]

Eventually, Chisato found her way to a vantage point near Brightlam Cathedral. From her position, she could spy activity both around the building and within beginning to pick up, with men and women in Cathedral knight armor beginning to muster. 

Upon making her way closer, likely breaching the upper floors of the Cathedral, the shinobi would begin to hear movement convering upon a central location. Following it would have her overlook the Cathedral's grand hall, where fully four dozen church paladins stood in parade formation as Grovemaster Isolde took the pew.

[b]"Tonight, we prove our creed, our cause, true!"[/b] She called out, surety in her tone as she looked out at her men with a steady gaze. [b]"Those of the old order, the hidebound old men and ignorant youths alike, will be made to see the error of their ways! Before dawn, Zacharias will be stripped of his rank, and made to recant any and all divinity of the Eidolons! The Mother and the gods need no such archaic spirits to enact their will, only we of man! May this mark a new dawn for our faith, our nation! May this mark the end of the deceit of Bahamut and his ilk!"[/b]

___

[@The Otter]

Contrary to his rank, Grovemaster Zacharias lived within a simple cottage on the outskirts of Brightlam. His only concession to luxury was the relative solitude and guard his home was placed under, located within an idyllic forest clearing and surrounded by several guard posts within the trees. Moreover, the crystal Cid gave Esben shone with a renewed radiance until it was fully covered: this entire grove was holy ground.

In contrast to the rest of the city, though, Zacharias's personal guard seemed to be on no heightened alert at all, completely disregarding the edicts of Grovemaster Isolde. If Zacharias believed the Kirins were a threat, the state of his patrols didn't reflect it at all. Only this allowed Esben to sneak through the twenty elite guards surrounding the grove, and approach the cottage within.

Inside was as humble as outside, with small handcarved knickknacks and amateur oil paintings lining the walls and shelves. Combing through the entire hovel, top to bottom, Zacharias was nowhere to be found. Even the bedroom was empty. It was only when Esben stood before the bed that the door behind him shut, the aforementioned Grovemaster stepping forward as his invisibility spell faded.

[b]"Know that the only reason you yet live is because I [i]know[/i] you are not that woman's pawn."[/b] Zacharias glared at Esben with obvious dislike, a white-knuckled grip on his staff. [b]"No blade is in your hands. You did not come to kill me. Yet. Talk, then. I fear I'll not be rid of you without the use of violence until you exhaust your frivolous words."[/b] 

___

[@vietmyke] [@HereComesTheSnow] [@Click This]

[color=#736AFF][b]"We have a problem."[/b][/color] Izayoi strode into the hideout, her usual kimono replaced with worn and ragged beggar's clothing, dirt and soot smudged across her face and hands. Her cloak shifted aside to reveal two things in her hands: a bloodstained wakizashi and a Valheimr officer's ranking insignia. 

[color=#736AFF][b]"I'd begun to make inquiries with the beggars, but one of them recognized me almost immediately. He said nothing, but bade to follow. It was a trap. I sprung it."[/b][/color] She hurled the insignia onto the floor: a lieutenant's bar. [color=#736AFF][b]"Valheim's shadows have already breached the city. When questioned, he insinuated that the Grovemasters were at risk before he expired."[/b][/color] 

A significant look towards Galahad and Eliane alike.

[color=#736AFF][b]"Our timetable has accelerated. Should we tarry, we risk a repeat of Balmung Castle."[/b][/color] She made her way over towards the pile of gear, starting to change back into her usual arms and armor without care for modesty.