[center][h1]Aboard the ship...[/h1][/center]

[b]"Won't lie to your face, ma'am."[/b] The ship's captain replied gruffly to Eliane, his brow furrowed. [b]"Command is more focused on making sure the situation doesn't spread out than actually working on containing it. We don't even know what in all hells even [i]happened[/i] in the capital yet, but the Overseer and most of the remaining Seven're focusing on making sure the rest of the realm doesn't either."[/b] He sighed, reaching for a pipe and tobacco with a shake of his head.

[b]"Wife and three children all still down there, and there's been no damn move whatsoever to even try to approach after the first few teams went missing. You all had better change that."[/b] A near mutinous grumble.

___

[url=https://files.catbox.moe/9rmxmd.png][center][h1]Falcon's Nest, Fortress City[/h1][/center][/url]

Carved into the side of two opposing mountain ranges atop a river, Falcon's Nest was a testament to Skaeler artifice and ingenuity: an entirely manmade chokepoint designed to be a fortress at the very heart of Skael's territory. The great citadel came into view half an hour before the airship even reached city limits, and once it did, the craft made its way straight towards the top of one of the fortress's towers, where a landing pad had already been authorized for their use. 

The moment the Kirins left the ship, Kayliss was already waiting for them on the dock, arms folded. She exhaled slowly upon seeing them.

[b]"About time. I hope you're all still mission-capable. We need results. Quickly. The Seven are being...stubborn."[/b] Kayliss led the party into the fortress, bidding them follow through meandering halls and several guarded checkpoints before finally reaching what looked to be a meeting room, coffee and pastries steaming on a side table. After the party quickly briefed her on what had occurred since they parted ways, the spymaster took one last sip of hot brew, looking over every Warrior of Light in turn. 

[b]"Right. My end of things, then: for one, the Valheimr have made themselves known. Our long range patrols report that they've started to set up forward outposts outside of Solitude proper, though there's been no activity indicating that they've entered the city at all. High Command wants them erased off the map. But."[/b] Here, her face scrunched into something resembling frustration. [b]"We've reports that a flock of dragons has come into contact with Blightbeasts to the east."[/b] A nod to Galahad.

[b]"The usual migration was late this year. And Blighted dragons on our flank are the last thing we need right now. The remaining Seven won't authorize moving on Solitude until both of these threats are dealt with, and our own forces are...admittedly outstretched putting out fires across the country. I can provide [i]some[/i] support to both groups, but you'll need to split into two teams if we want to investigate Solitude any time soon. Ask your questions and divide yourselves as you see fit. We'll deploy as soon as you're prepared."[/b]