Kaeya must have tracked Amber with his elemental vision the best that he could. He must have also lost the trail quite a lot.

There were two things the girl absolutely loved; the food at Good Hunter and flying. Her flying was the best point of view the knights could hope for, but it also made her almost impossible to track accurately which was why Kaeya had such a difficult time.

Their optimistic bird was very sporadic in her patrols too, stating that the wind took her where it wanted and she was there for the ride.

But Jean was to press on. She had given instruction to the search parties and by the knights who came back, she knew where they had gone. Kaeya was likely taking on the abyss and other groups.

So, that left Jean working on a sweep of her own. Kaeya went one way, Jean went the next. The longer they took, the potential that Amber could be much closer to Liyue than Mondstat became a high probability with endless trouble. They needed Amber as quick as possible.

Jean needed her home.

It took Jean a moment to heed her own advice. To stop looking and instead trust in Mondstat to provide what she needed. Once she calmed herself and prayed to Barbatos, she finally got a lead.

A high concentration of elemental magic was found on one of the rarely traveled merchant roads. No one was selling goods this week, not with the summer heat being as bad as it was.

So, the pyro was certainly Amber's. She crouched down, running her fingers on the remains of slime.

Jean had no intention of believing that slime was enough to take down her outrider. There was something else to consider. Actually, someone else. The charred ground from an overload reaction was proof of that. It's imprint was not circular and there was no slime within the blackened grass.

The fatui could not escape from her mind but why Amber and why here? It didn't make sense.

"It's not anyone we might suspect." Kaeya had come to the same conclusion.

He approached Jean, having gotten word that the grandmaster eventually left the city to do her own investigation.

His presence did nothing to settle the uncomfortable feeling in her stomach. It just meant that they had still failed in locating their girl.

"Then, who do we suspect, Captain Kaeya?" Jean asked. Her vision showed her the way, a very faint but barely traceable electro energy hung in the air. Someone had walked away and that person had Amber.

Kaeya stood beside his leader, chin up. He saw it too. "Does it matter?" He asked, drawing his own sword as Jean had done. "Our suspect is already as good as dead."

That answer was enough for Jean.

Amber was here, they only had to follow the faint traces of purple light still flickering in their vision. They were so close to saving her. They had to save her. Jean stepped forward, ready to rush in when a heavy sword swung her way and red hair blocked her path.

The metals collided, Jean parrying the heavy sword easily. "Out of my way, Master Diluc!" She commanded. Her voice held shock though, clearly confused and full of emotion that he'd even dare interrupt her crusade!

"No!" Diluc said, using his foot to push his sword and weight against Jean, causing her to jump back. They both had their swords drawn at the ready.

"Diluc." Kaeya's voice was dripping in patronizing annoyance. "What the hell do you think you're doing!?"

This was absurd! Didn't Diluc understand that Amber's life was at stake!? Why was he here!? "I don't have time for this!" the Acting Grandmaster said, trying to move behind him and putting her sword away. She didn't have time for his games!

Diluc wasn't playing any games though. He narrowed his eyes and Kaeya read him instantly. Ice and fire lit up the air and in the midst of it all, Jean ended up on the ground. Her swords blade the only layer of protection from Diluc's. "I said, no! Now both of you calm down and listen to me!"

Having finally gotten the attention of both knights, the winery owner straightened up, letting his fire fall against Kaeya and his sword at his side.

"As much as I hate the principals of the knights, you cannot break them, Jean."

Jean's face contorted in frustration. She was sitting on the ground, hands now digging into her pant legs on her thighs.

"I don't understand what you're talking abou-"

"That's exactly why you can't go after them!" Diluc said, towering over the woman. "The knights principals are your principals. It wouldn't be a very knightly thing to do to kill a man without a trial." He said, staring down at her.

Kaeya suddenly felt invisible. This was going to turn messy, a battle between what sounded like a hypocrite and his stubborn Master.

Perhaps, he could use this to sneak away and rescue Amber-

"And you!" Diluc turned his attention onto Kaeya. "I always knew you were incompetent! If you were even using half of your brain you'd see how badly this would taint the knights!"

Jean's body tensed at that. Taint the knights? Principals?

"Do you want to hurt Jean's image!?"

Jean was suddenly up, moving between the two men. "Hold on, I don't have an image! I dont care what happens to me! Why does this even matter!?"

Kaeya looked into Diluc's eyes. The two seemed to ignore the blonde long enough to reach some sort of silent understanding.

"Someone answer me!" It was pain, frustration, heartbreak. Amber was so close! They had to save her!

"Grandmaster," Kaeya started off. "I believe this idiot has a valid point." Kaeya whispered. He put a hand on Jean's shoulder. "A sudden judgement on one man's life coming from the highest authority would be unjust." He said.

Kaeya continued, turning to face his master. "You're the image of Mondstat. If we want to protect the people and each other, we can't let anyone see you as anything but fair."

Sometimes, Diluc hated how smooth his brother was. This wasn't one of those times. Jean was a mess. He had seldom seen her so fired up like this which made their convincing even more imperative.

"You cannot take on the punishment of the public. If this man is of any royalty, or of any standing or allegiance, they will come after you." Kaeya chuckled. "Even if he does turn out to be a nobody, they'd all still come after you."

Jean understood. She had understood from the very beginning of it all. Her shoulders and head fell. This was the reason she was supposed to be at the headquarters, the reason she was supposed to be with Lisa. The reason she had sent a search party. Regardless of the crimes, this land was the land of freedom.

Barbatos, if he was still around, would punish those who tried to take freedoms unjustly.

"The Jean I know would never stoop so low for revenge." Diluc added, pressing her principals into her once again. "The knights are too uptight and proud and just, for that. You're too good for that, Jean."

"Stop." The woman said, exasperated and tired and still very much heartbroken. "I understand my place. I… Will accompany you until I can no longer go further then I will not interfere until it is done. Until she is safe."

Diluc let out a relieved breath. "Then you can wait here. The further you are from the scene, the better." He said, causing Jean's hands to clench. "I'll get her back." He was about to turn on his former subordinate but found it heartless.

There was absolutely nothing wrong with what Jean had wanted to do. He respected her even more for it. With one stride, Diluc pulled Jean into his strong chest. His head lowered, whispering into her ear. "Trust me"

Jean always did.

Diluc left the grand master in the trees, forcing Jean to sit down only for her to stand and pace. His annoyance shot up when Kaeya joined him, walking by his side as they approached the place with small but very recent elemental energy.

With a shrug, the cryo user gave an answer. "I'll happily take the grandmaster's punishment for disobeying protocol."

Even if it was death. As long as his little sister was safe and back in their arms.

Back in headquarters, Lisa sat with a very anxious Barbara. The two were in the grandmaster's office. Both silent with steaming hot teas in their laps.

It was only a matter of time before Amber came home, laughing in complete embarrassment that she has crashed her wind glider and sprained her ankle. She would smile her warm smile and tilt her head to shake the leaves from her hair. Jean would reprimand her but all will be well.

Lisa wanted that to be the case. She imagined it so well that it had to be the most plausible outcome. But that was too simple. It was never that simple.

Not when the knights had disappeared for hours and the sun was rising. Not when they were all shaken to their very core. Not when Jean was so sure of the pain their outrider was facing.

Lisa put her head in her hand, hat having been removed about an hour and a half ago.

She was the only one that was still here and she had a promise she had to keep. She just hoped Diluc got to Jean before anything happened.

Lisa had a grasp on Diluc and Jean's relationship. If anyone could protect their dear dandelion from herself, it was him. It would also be him who would help rescue Amber.

The purple witch had also called for Barbara. If anything were to have happened, anything more than a sprain and a relived Jean, Barbara's presence and abilities would at least provide some sort of comfort.

They two of them had drifted in their own thoughts, the air stagnant with their fears and worries. Both hoping for the best but having the worst possible thoughts. Lisa cursed her mind and all the dramatic and fantastical books for her imagination while Barbara hid her face in her knees, silently praying for Amber's safe return.

Eventually, Barbara had drifted to sleep and Lisa moved the untouched mug of tea away from the girl. The sun has officially risen and the people of Mondstat were doing their morning tasks.

All seemed quiet and serene outside of the walls of the headquarters.

The door slammed open, one of the other knights pleading with both Lisa and Barbara.

"They found Outrider Amber! Please be prepared! She's dying!"