AN: WARNING! This is a long note.

First, I would like to apologize for not updating in so long. You can thank Aislin Oriel for convincing me to keep on with this story. In fact, this chapter was co-written by the wonderful Authoress. Anyways, a couple of things before we begin: 1) As a sort of celebration for getting back into the swing of things, I'm holding a little popularity contest. If there are any Ellis fangirls (or boys) still out there and you want to be in my next chapter or two, you can send me (or put in your review) your avatar's name and they will appear in an upcoming chapter of this fic! 2) Stay tuned for another joint venture between myself and Aislin! If you like this story but are yearning for something a little non-sensical, you'll love our aptly named "Drag", it stars all the characters – including my ocs – and drunkeness, nakedness and goats ensue! Well, be sure to review so I know you guys want more – thanks so much for all the reviews thus far – just keep them coming and check back for more news about these exciting events!

"This is beautiful," Lloyd remarked as he studied the small statuette of Albert's father.

The king rushed over to him and snatched the piece from the Wingly's hands. "I told you not to touch anything."

"Well, I don't particularly enjoy having to follow you around like a little dog, dear king. Perhaps, if you'd allow me a short jaunt-"

"No! You're not leaving my sight," Albert declared, then realizing the possible consequences of his statement added: "At the very least, you're not leaving the company of one of us."

"A little touchy, I see." Lloyd shrugged and walked passed him. "What's this?"

"Stop that!" Albert snapped, "You're like a child!" He grabbed the ornament from Lloyd and shooed him away.

Lloyd regarded the king wryly as he plucked another item from the desk, looked at it with an appraising eye and then tossed it into the air experimentally. "You do seem to have quite the collection of . . . bobbles." He caught the item – a quartz-like orb – lightly and set it back down before Albert had the time to do it himself.

"That's enough. I want you out of this room and into the common room with everyone else – and do not pick that up!" Albert moved in between Lloyd and the desired trinket and guided him off towards the open doors. He nodded to one of the guards, indicating that the Wingly needed some supervision. "Send the others my apologies, but I really need to get these done," he said, holding up the pile of paper that needed his stately attention.

Lloyd was marched out of the King's State Room to the common room where Dart, Miranda and Shana sat. The guard instructed Lloyd to take a seat then addressed the trio: "His Majesty sends his deepest apologies." Then obediently returned to his post. Shana and Miranda shared a laugh in spite of Lloyd. Dart merely glanced at the Wingly in annoyance.

"So," Lloyd reclined into a comfortable position, "What is this happy bunch up to?" he smiled fakely and affected interest. Dart snorted and looked back to Shana, while Miranda sat sharpening a short-sword. "Charming, as usual," Lloyd quipped. "You know, as much as I enjoy spending all this quality time with the likes of you, I feel somewhat obligated to inform you of certain actions that might be taken in preparation for . . . well, in preparation anyways."

Dart lifted a skeptical eyebrow. "Is this another one of your stories, Lloyd, or do you actually mean something by it?"

"Oh, I'm hurt that you do not trust me. I only intended to help, but if you don't wish to listen . . ." Lloyd let his gaze drift around the room.

A sequence of eye-rolling followed shortly thereafter. The Wingly attempted to stand but thought better of it as Dart moved to draw his sword. "Nice craftsmanship," he pointed to the blade.

"Just get on with whatever you were going to say."

Lloyd shrugged, "Alright, alright. Personally, I'm surprised you haven't figured it out by yourselves already, but – ah, well I guess I was just over-estimating your vast intellect . . ." He straightened in his seat as if ready to confide in them a horrible secret. "You've never wondered who it was that brought me in, in the first place? This random person possessing both the Dragon Block Staff and the ability to subdue yours truly-"

"Enough about your sordid personal life, Lloyd. Say what needs to be said and stop boring us with your riddles," Dart demanded.

"Beyond the forces that threaten to quell us, there are others out there whom need to be found . . . and possibly stopped."

"And who are these 'others', exactly?" Miranda pondered pointedly.

Lloyd looked behind him to the grand windows that showed the bustling Bale below. "Well, Dart's met one of them already, and she alone proved to be too much for our Divine Dragoon."

"What's this about?" Shana asked Dart. He appeared to be deep in thought, then sighed dejectedly as he got up and left the room. He glared at Lloyd the entire time as he went. Shana looked to Miranda but she merely gave her an expression as if to say, "Can't help you, kid." Shana turned to Lloyd. "What kind of trick are you playing now?" she demanded.

Lloyd smiled mischievously. "The best kind."

Dart stalked passed Albert's State Room with his hands stuck in his pockets and a thoughtful – if not perturbed – expression on his face. Albert, in the process of handing off some documents to a paige, noticed the rather uncharacteristic gait of his friend and called to him.

"Dart, is everything alright?"

Dart stopped and turned to face the king. He shrugged. "I have a feeling that something bad is going to happen, and I'm afraid it's all my fault."

"Explain." Albert crossed his arms.

"I'm not sure that I can, but all I know is that everyone should be prepared for the worst, whatever that may be."

"This seems serious," Albert said, concerned.

"Yes, well, can you make sure everyone else knows and is ready?" Dart asked.

"Yes, but what about you?"

"I have some things of my own to attend to, after all, I am responsible," he stated. Albert watched his friend leave, quizzically regarding the red warrior.

"Jeez, where'd he go now?" Ceres complained as she paced the room.

"I dunno, he said something about it being important, I think," Estell muttered from where she sat on her bed.

"Don't do anything till I get back," Ceres said, doing her best Ellis-alike. "Since when does he think he's the leader?"

"Just because we're living off his money, and he comes up with all the plans, the nerve of that guy," Estell teased.

"Well, I don't see why we have to wait until late tonight – that's so far away and I am just rearing to go for a good tussle," her sister replied in a dejected tone as she sat back on her bed. "If we're better than them, the time of day isn't going to make a difference – right?"

"I guess not, but you know how he is with his plans – very . . ."

"Anal? Jeez, he's probably just gone out for an afternoon shmooze-fest, he's such a ladies-man."

"It is a long time until midnight – and we never know when he's gonna come back," Estell was saying.

"I approve of this train of thought."

" . . . You'd think that if it was so vital to wait, he would have told us why."

"I tell ya, shmooze-fest."

"Why are we even waiting for him?" Estell suddenly exclaimed. "I'm the one with a Dragoon spirit-"

"And he's such a wussy fighter, anyways."

"How many of them are there?"

"Five, plus the royal guard, and the rest of the army, oh – and the militia."

"We could take them," Estell stated confidently. "By the time the rest of them get there, we'll have the stones and be gone. Besides, they don't even know we exist yet. Total element of surprise."

"Ellis is going to kill us."

"He'll get over it."

"Do I look ominous or what?"

"Try and stay focussed, will ya? I'll be ready as soon as you're in there."

"Got it." The hooded figure casually made her way up to the main entrance of the castle. Not surprisingly, one of the guards stopped her as she approached.

"'Scuse me, but the castle is off limits to civilians."

"Oh yeah? Even if I have some vital information about the things attacking the Dragon Knights?"

A runner came up to Albert and whispered something into his ear, then was off again. The news was apparently something that took the king as a surprise.

"What is it?" Miranda asked.

"There's a woman at the entrance claiming to know something about the wraiths . . ." All eyes turned to Lloyd as Albert said this.

The Wingly shrugged non-chalantly. "It might be best just to send her off," he said.

"Right . . ." Shana muttered.

"Is she one of these foes you were talking about earlier?" Albert inquired.

"I dunno, apparently my ability to see through walls isn't working today," Lloyd answered shortly.

"Send her to the reception room," Albert called to a waiting paige. The boy nodded then ran off.

"Will our stones work against her?" Miranda asked of Lloyd.

"They might," 'depending on whether or not she has the Block Staff with her.'

"We'll see her, then," Albert stated as he stood. He nodded to one of the royal guard in the room. "You know what to do." Everyone got up as well, except Lloyd.

"Not coming?" Shana asked curiously.

"Oh, yes he is," Albert said eyeing the Wingly pointedly.

"Well, if you insist."

The woman was wearing a dark cloak with a cowl to cover her face. She had her back to the king's entrance into the reception room. Albert approached her cautiously but as politely as possible. The others fanned out along the wall.

"Miss?" he said by way of greeting once he faced her. "I'm Albert." The woman nodded, then walked over to the nearest window. Albert followed her movements. "What are you doing?" he asked.

"It's stuffy in here," she replied.

'That's not Estell!' Lloyd realized in horror as he heard the voice.

Miranda caught him by the arm as he moved towards the king and the stranger. "Where do you think you're going?" she asked. Kongol gave him a warning look.

"I . . . I . . ." the Wingly was stuck for words.

Miranda tensed at this. "Albert, something's wrong!" she yelled.

Thanks for reading, please review! - Kez