Sorry this one took so long to make it out. Life got in the way. Hope to update every week or so until completion. If you intend to copy this story for any purpose, please give credit where it's due. Thank you
The meeting place was the same as it had been for centuries. A temple nestled safely in the remote southern reaches of Albion. Once, worshippers of Avo from the nearby city would flock to sing her praises and receive her blessings. Now, the city lay in ruin, ravaged by time and war, and the temple was used for a rather more nefarious purpose.
Agent Kathryn Granger's boot heels echoed loudly on the temple's stone floor as she made her way to its center, to the heart of the Order's lair. She knew that the Ten wouldn't appreciate the interruption, but once they possessed her report she would be forgiven. Aidan matched her step for step, clutching said report firmly to his chest. Granger had been tempted to gut him in a nearby field, but had decided not to sully her dagger with his blood. Fearlessly, she approached the set of oak doors that barred her entry to the Chamber of the Ten, lifted the large iron knocker, and rapped it against the door three times, the universal signal that an agent stood on the other side. The doors opened and allowed them entrance.
The chamber that stretched out before them was devoid of illumination, save for ten pools of light that centered on each of the Ten where they sat in heated debate.
"Jack has become a liability. Twice we have supported him and twice he has failed us. We cannot risk that a third failure. I propose that we let him fester in that lava pit for the rest of eternity." Eight had always been the most opposed to Jack of Blades, ever since he had failed to claim the life of the Hero at Oakvale all those years ago. Granted, the failure could have been mostly attributed to Maze's treachery, but Eight refused to entertain that idea.
"I grow tired of your protests Eight," sighed Four, "Jack of Blades is necessary if we are to proceed as scheduled. We must get our undercover agents at the Heroes Guild to begin research into ways to bring him back." Four, though in no way a Jack of Blades supporter, recognized his usefulness to the Council. Kathryn agreed with his assessment. She had witnessed firsthand the feats Jack was capable of during the Oakvale raid and knew that his methods would be necessary if the Council was to reach their goals.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, this forum is closed," boomed the voice of Three, "Agents Granger and Fletcher have arrived. Let us hope Mr. Fletcher's assignment has not been a complete waste of our time." Several Council members chuckled at that. Nearly everyone on the Council thought that Aidan was a joke, and chose to remind him of that every time he was in their presence. Surprisingly, Kathryn spoke up for him.
"Agent Fletcher's assignment has been an unmitigated success. It is the twelve of you who chose to ignore his intelligence all these years." In a lightning fast movement she snatched the report from Aidan's arms. "This report," she said, hurling the tattered volume at the feet of Twelve, the nearest Councilman, "indicates that The Hero of Albion has left this world to explore places beyond our wildest imaginings. Albion's greatest champion is gone, and who knows if he's ever to return? The time to strike is now. Destroy the Heroes Guild from within and Albion's defenses will crumble. Let the people of Albion scream his name, as they lie bleeding in the streets. They will never be heard." As Kathryn finished speaking, One stood from her throne and cleared her throat. All sound and movement in the room stopped. It had been nearly a century since One had addressed the Council.
"Agent Granger's analysis, though passionate and well spoken, is essentially flawed," she rasped. Clearing her throat again, she continued, "Granted, decimation of Albion is one of our long term goals, there are more immediate concerns. The Heroes Guild will be the first to fall, but our only sources there are masquerading as librarians. We need to look to the young, the apprentices, to fill out our battle roster. This will be Agent Granger's task." One turned her gaze to the fiery young agent. "Infiltrate the Heroes Guild. Turn as many of the apprentices there to our cause as you can. Make them see the power of our God. Tell them that we will wipe Avo and Skorm and their worshippers from this Earth and bring truth to those we leave alive." Kathryn smiled wickedly at One and nodded in compliance. She turned on her heel, signaling for Aidan to follow her. When she reached the chamber door, One called out again.
"Kathryn?" Agent Granger shuddered at the use of her given name but turned back to face the Council. "Yes?"
"Do your job well and I promise that the coming battles will be glorious." Though Kathryn couldn't tell in the chamber's dim light, she could feel the heat and radiance of One's eyes as she spoke. Kathryn closed her eyes and basked in it, letting it overtake her. When she could no longer feel it, she exhaled, turned away, and exited the chamber.