...

Solaire "Well? Do you have anything to say before I retaliate?"

The Katakan begins trying to claw at Solaire, this however does nothing but ruffle the t.i.tanate infused cloak.

*CRACK!*

Solaire gives final squeeze which breaks the beast's neck and shatters its spine, he stores the body in the bottomless box to see if Reima would have any use for it.

The Prospect gets up while rubbing their lower back, "Man, the creatures in this world keep getting freakier and freakier... I wonder what it was?"

Solaire shrugs, "We can ask Reima or Sir Vesemir when we get back, for now we have a task to do." he says as he picks the Prospect up in a princess carry and jumps out of the cave.#

Talem and the others spot the duo leaving and breathe a sigh of relief, they'd heard something collapse down there and were worried that the cave had collapsed on them. They didn't mind the Prospect dying but Solaire? That'd be a terrible loss, to the mission and their settlement as a whole.

Tarek "You two get lost down there?"

Solaire shakes his head, "We ran into one of the many monsters in this world, though it's threats proved stronger than it's neck."

Talem nods, "Hmm... Best we continue scaling the mountain, if we get it right then the sun will be at our backs and prevent us from being seen."

They others agree and they all continue, another half an hour pa.s.ses when they finally reach the peak. It's windy and the sight is beautiful but they have no time to admire it, the Eternal Fire building is just beneath them.

Talem "It's good we decided to check, this place looks like a fortress... Seems they are expecting an attack of some sort?"

Tarek "Probably from the Mages they'd been routinely burning, wouldn't surprise me at all."

Solaire "Enough speculation, other than those towers does any of you see any ways inside?"

The group takes a moment, examining the pristine marble walls and pillars holding the building up, however, they see no entrances at all, the only things that'd potentially let them inside are the stone grated vents that allow fresh air in.

Talem "Seems like the only way inside is through the front door or the towers..."

Solaire nods while rubbing his face, "It would seem so, hopefully, lady Risryn has found more information otherwise we'll have to scour the complex for Arie and the leader of the Eternal Fire.

They take another couple of minutes observing the building before descending down the mountain to meet with Risryn, they do so without any trouble and luckily make it down unseen.

The group arrives back in the slums where Risryn is leant against a wall with her arms crossed, she waves them over and asks, "Find anything out?"

Talem nods, "Yeah, we'll have to enter through the towers... Unless you have a better idea?"

Risryn nods and pulls out a torn parchment from under her robes, she unfurls it and reveals a painting of a fat man with greying red hair. "This is Albwin Febert, the current leader of the Eternal Fire within Kaedwen. He, is our target."

Tarken nods, "Good to finally know who need to die."

Risryn "Indeed, I also found out that we've arrived just on time... A banquet is being held by the Eternal Fire for the prominent people within the city, a banquet I just happen to have an invitation for."

Talem shrugs, "Atleast our fake gems didn't go to waste."

Risryn nods, "There are a couple problems though..."

Solaire "I don't think here is anything that could stop our progress now." he says with a smile.

Risryn "I need Solaire to accompany me as my date to the banquet."

...

Solaire "Er, pardon me miss but I may have just misheard you. Something about being your date to the banquet."

Risryn nods, "You heard right, I need Talem to lead the a.s.sa.s.sination through the towers and the others are unable to take off their masks. It isn't a masquerade so we must look the part."

Solaire "Ah, but I must find Sir Arie-"

Risryn "You can do that once you are inside and we've mingled enough to not seem out of place, plus, you look more n.o.ble than the majority of the people in this world."

...

Solaire "Very well, even if I must tread through h.e.l.l itself, I will rescue our friend."

Risryn frowns at him from under her mask, "Attending a banquet with me is like treading through h.e.l.l?" she questions.

Solaire "Ah, not at all! It was just a phrase milady!" he quickly says while the other Prospects snicker at him.

Risryn nods, "Good, because we need to do some shopping to get properly clothed for tonight... Oh, did I forget to mention it's happening in a couple hours?"

Talem rubs his face, "Yes, yes you did. Well then, we must be going. What time do you think we should breach the building?"

Risryn "Hmm, as soon as night falls." they nod and start heading to the mountain, leaving Solaire alone with Risryn.

...

Solaire "So... Shall we depart Milady?"

Risryn shakes her head and chuckles, "Don't be stiff Solaire, I haven't warped into a new being suddenly, and you shouldn't consider the banquet as anything else but necessary for the mission."

Solaire nods, "Well that clears up my misapprehensi-"

Risryn "Unless you want it to be." she adds as she walks away.

...

Solaire shakes his head and walks after her, hoping that the banquet wouldn't be like one of those that his father routinely hosted... He didn't think he could handle watching someone like Smough eat again.