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[color=#736AFF][b][h1]Ranbu no Izayoi[/h1][/b][/color]
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[@vietmyke] [@HereComesTheSnow] [@Click This]

A quick, curt nod in Galahad's direction before she looked to Eliane and Rudolf. 

[color=#736AFF][b]"If you can find each of them, then go. Galahad and I will make for the Cathedral. Without a doubt, at least one of the Grovemasters will be there."[/b][/color]

She looked back to Galahad. 

[color=#736AFF][b]"In the worst case situation, you will be faster to extract Chisato. I will cover your escape if needed."[/b][/color] A wry, sardonic smirk. [color=#736AFF][b]"I would be the louder distraction, either way."[/b][/color]

___

[@VitaVitaAR]

The strike was perfect. The tip of Chisato’s katana plunged into Isolde’s throat with brutal efficiency, the smoke bomb detonating at virtually the same time the light left Isolde’s eyes. 

Within the great hall, the iconoclast templars stared in mute shock for a moment, the speed of the assassination combined with the thick smoke taking them all off guard.

[b]”ASSASSIN!”[/b] The first cry came out, even as the knight who uttered it choked on smoke.

[b]”The Grovemaster has fallen!”[/b]
[b]”Who-[i]how[/i]-”[/b]
[b]”That was an outlander! They must be in league with Zacharias!”[/b]

[b]”Depose Zacharias! Avenge Isolde! Kill Zacharias!”[/b]
[b]”KILL ZACHARIAS! [i]KILL ZACHARIAS![/i][/b]"

Minutes later, those paladins loyal to Isolde could be seen marching out of Brightlam Cathedral in lockstep, those not of Isolde’s iconoclasm staring after them in shock, wondering what in the gods’ name was happening. By the time Izayoi and Galahad were in sight, they could hear the last of Isolde's knights screaming oaths to avenge their leader as they marched for what was presumably Zacharias's location.

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[@The Otter]

[b]"I have little choice at this point, don't I?"[/b] Zacharias murmured bitterly, his glare not abating. [b]"I believe [i]most[/i] of the men stationed around this grove are loyal. Most. Someone in my personal staff has been leaking information to Isolde and her faction, but I've not yet been able to pin them down."[/b]

The old man looked out the window, the guards outside showing no sign of alert. 

[b]"They aren't on guard because I've instructed them to stand down. My own source among Isolde's staff informs me she intends to make a decisive move tonight. There are contingencies in place around this home, but against the fifty or so knights she has on her side?"[/b] Zacharias shook his head. [b]"At best, I would force a pyrrhic victory out of her. If you have an idea to extricate us from this situation, I would hear it. Or even to simply alert your companions. The grove's defenses are under my control. Should they assist, I can ensure they are not harmed. I swear it upon our mutual relationship with Cid."[/b]

___

[@Raineh Daze]

By all accounts, it should have worked. It [i]would[/i] have worked, had steel not flashed in Alambert's hands at the last moment, a dagger meeting Miina's ice knife just before it made contact. 

[b]"Well, [i]well[/i]."[/b] Alambert's voice shifted between words, his tone becoming...higher-pitched? [b]"How sloppy of me!"[/b] He(?) shoved Miina out of the air and to the ground, his other hand throwing his cloak off to reveal a completely different face, gender, and race, being [url=https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1071589042375897189/1271362616010211358/IMG_4254.webp?ex=68375d74&is=68360bf4&hm=b15e73b37d3c14b9997580e9bedfe2dafbd3c5820c51d844d4c60feec927a3e7&]a blonde Sollan woman in dark Skaelan attire, grinning down smugly[/url] at the red mage. [b]"Aren't you the one of the little wretches on the all-points bulletin? And to think I wasn't even trying to catch you!"[/b] 

At her side, the two Dranan guards started in shock, drawing blades at the face who dared to replace their Grovemaster, only for gunshots to ring out from the remainder of the mercenaries in the warehouse. The man in the lead lowered his gunblade, looking at the apparent spy without amusement. 

[b]"Your cover is blown, Loki. Once Alambert returns without his guards, there'll be investigations. We need to make our move, now. Hopefully your idiot patsy plays her part."[/b]

[b]"Now, now, Lanius. You're giving everything away to our guest here! Be a good dog of Valheim and heel."[/b] The woman, Loki, giggled, her knife still raised. [b]"Shall we silence her now, or keep her around for questioning? Doubtful that this waif knows anything of value, but we might be able to lure the others in. I need that SEED with them alive to get at Lambert, after all~"[/b]