Chapter Nine - A Gathering Storm

Louise and Kirche had set off early. It was a long day's ride to the capital spent in grudging silence as the pair refused to speak to one another any more than was absolutely necessary.

Louise wore another of the outfits Siesta had gifted to her, a loose fitting white linen shirt with dark green pants and some soft light brown boots. Kirche simply traded her academy skirt for some black riding pants and kept on her white silk shirt and her black cloak. Louise stored Derflinger in the saddle straps this time around to make the long ride easier on her back.

Louise was getting sick of the awkward silence and decided try breaking the ice. "Kirche, this is stupid. Won't you just talk to me?"

"I have nothing to say to you!" she snapped.

"What's with your mood swings lately?!" demanded Louise.

"Mind your own damn business Zero!"

Kirche took a very deep breath and slowly exhaled, she closed her eye and shook her head.

"Look… Louise. I just don't want to talk right now. Accept it."

Louise was stunned by the sudden shift in her demeanor. "Alright Kirche. But I really meant what I said before all this started. I really do want us to get over this thing between us."

"It's not that easy. There are things you just don't understand. I don't know if that's completely your fault, but what is your fault is how utterly insensitive you can be to people around you."

"What's that suppose to mean?" she asked politely.

Kirche shook her head and took page from Tabitha's book, she just looked forward again and didn't speak. Louise sighed, it was going to be a much longer ride than she imagined.

That morning Calista decided to pay a visit to Colbert, he still owed her an explanation. Besides, if he wanted to keep tabs on her she could have some fun making him regret it. She would start by simply rubbing in his face how futile it would be to try and have her watched.

Dressed in her regular clothing and robe she activated her stealth generator and went to wait patiently outside his office. She couldn't help but be amused at the Musketeers guarding the way into his office, they would be so powerless against her if she meant harm here.

It didn't take an incredible feat of gymnastics. When the Princess came out the guards opened the doors wide for her to make her exit. Calista simply stepped through them without sound and went in.

Calista spent ten minutes watching Colbert get absorbed into his work. She wanted to make sure he was as deep into it as he would ever get before she sprung her trap. She wandered over to stand beside his chair and leaned over his shoulder where she was just close enough for him to begin to sense the warmth of her body.

As she deactivated her Stealth generator, and the Light stopped bending around her she uttered two quick little words…

"Good book?"

Colbert yelled in terror as he jumped up and tripped over his seat, he choose to forgo his staff and went for a wand in his sleeve and had it pointed at Calista as he fell on his back upon the stone floor.

"Are you trying to give me a heart attack?!" he yelled incredulously.

"There's a reason why I'm called a Sith Assassin. I wouldn't be worthy of such a title if I couldn't make it look like natural causes." she said a with hint of playfulness behind her otherwise cold tone.

"How did you even get in here?" he asked with scientific curiosity.

"Come now. You don't honestly expect me to reveal all my tricks to you? That just wouldn't be fun." she said while snickering lightly with a childish smile as she extended a hand down to help him back up.

Colbert cautiously accepted the much smaller girl's hand and was impressed by the strength she had in her small body to pull him up. Just another hint that when it came to this little snowy haired woman, one's eyes were simply not to be trusted.

"No. I suppose not. So why are you here? Was it just to scare ten years of my life away?" he asked as he adjusted his clothing and glasses.

"No. I'm here because you never got to finish explaining the summoning ritual to me. I'm particularly interested to know if it can be reversed."

"I'm afraid not. Please take a seat. I'll do my best to explain." said Colbert as he gestured to the chairs across the desk. Calista nodded and went over to seat herself, she pulled her hood back and opened her eyes to give the man her, polite, undivided attention.

"You see. Once the Familiar contract has been made, it is absolute and unbreakable. The ritual can also only be performed once in a mage's life, after that, a second familiar can not be summoned, the spell simply will not work."

"Why is that I wonder?"

"Nobody knows. It should also be noted that when a mage dies the familiar dies as well. Nobody knows why this is the case either. Animals have much shorter life spans than humans do, but the familiars only ever pass at the same time as their master."

"That's interesting…" Calista decided not to go into the nature of Force bonds and the one she has with Louise for the time being. He didn't need to know any of her weaknesses.

"But, this does present an interesting opportunity. Could you tell me what you were doing before you were summoned?" he asked while getting out some clean parchment and inked his quill.

"I was in combat..." she took him through the events leading up to her summoning the best she could when she suddenly felt a tightness in her chest and her eyes widened in horror…

"Cali! Noooo! You'll pay for that! You'll all pay!"

"They got Cali?! That's impossible!"

"Death to the Republic!"

"Monsters! I'll burn you all!"

"No… Cali…"

"Miss Zarkot? Are you alright?" Colbert stood up from his desk and went over to put a hand on her shoulder. She looked like all the young soldiers he'd ever seen after a traumatic experience.

"I felt… something... though the Force."

"Like what Louise felt the other day?"

"No. This was different. Personal. Perhaps we should leave this for now. I need to clear my mind."

Calista stood up and gave him a courteous nod before she started walking out of the office.

"Miss Zarkot?" he called out to her.

The Sith turned her head to her side so she could see him out of one eye.

"There's a theory that Familiars are always summoned out of the jaws of death. What you told me, combined with how we found you… it does lend credence to that theory. Many Familiars have been summoned in wounded states. And also, they all die if a contract isn't formed soon after the summon."

"Thank you Professor. We'll revisit this another time. Maybe then I'll tell you more about where I come from."

"Perhaps… if I may be so bold?"

Calista narrowed her eyes at the professor and waited for him to speak when a Musketeer burst into the room and drew their attention, "Lord Colbert!" she started once she gathered her wits. "Lord Osmond has escaped!"

Calista looked back at Colbert who's jaw had practically hit the floor and then looked back to the Musketeer. "Interesting." was all she said.

Sometime later, Colbert, Matilda, and Calista were summoned before the Princess to discuss the situation.

"I don't know how the old bastard managed to pull it off! He killed two of my Musketeers and made a clean escape. None of us could pick up a trail." stated an impetuous Agnes.

The Captain was enraged. Calista could see it all over her.

"Lord Colbert. Do you have any idea how he managed to escape?" asked the Princess.

"None your Highness. But, he was the Headmaster here for a very long time. It stands to reason that he knows more about this place than any of us. I'm sure he had a plan incase something like this ever happened to him."

"Miss Longueville. Do you have any ideas?" asked the Princess.

"I don't think the how really matters right now." she answered.

"Quite right. The only thing that matters now is catching him again before he can regain any power and cause damage." said Calista with a stoic tone. However her heavy Imperial accent gave her voice a regal quality that matched the Princess herself.

Agnes nodded, "I agree with them Highness. Let me take my soldiers and go find him!"

"Where would you even start Agnes? He could be anywhere by now." stated the Princess to which Agnes huffed and fumed.

"I can track him." stated Calista dryly.

"How would you track him? My best scouts couldn't pick up a trail!" spat the angry Captain.

"Does that really matter? Do you want to avenge your fallen or not?" demanded Matilda.

"I don't want to go off on a fool's errand while he gets away if that's what you mean!"

"Enough! I said I can track him. Princess, allow me to undertake this mission. I'll even take Agnes with me. We'll bring him back here, dead or alive."

"I'm coming too. You're not leaving me behind on this! I have a score to settle with Osmond!" demanded Matilda.

Calista smirked up at her taller friend "I wouldn't dream of it."

"Very well. The three of you may go. I want him alive to stand trial. But if he resists, I'd rather have you all back alive than him, so do what you have to do."

Calista picked up some supplies from her crashed fighter and stuffed them into the saddlebag of a horse before riding out to join Agnes and Matilda.

"So. How do you intend to find him?" Agnes asked grudgingly.

The three women were heading out of the Academy grounds and onto the trail. Calista seemed to choose a random direction and started to go with Matilda and Agnes following close.

"The Force shall guide us." was Calista's stoic answer.

"Ohhh… well excuuuse me…. The Force. Riiiiight." said Agnes with indignation.

"Don't underestimate her Captain. Or her power. Believe me, whatever this Force thing is, it's not something to be taken lightly."

"Why must we always be stuck with the big children Matilda?" asked Calista with a hint of sarcasm coming out of her stoic voice.

"Calista… you're better than that. Just stay focused on what we're doing and she'll learn to respect you like everyone else does."

"What's that suppose to mean?" asked Agnes contemptuously.

"Believe me. You'll find out." was Matilda's cryptic answer.

"I don't get it. She's tiny. She can shoot a little lightning out of her fingers. Her sword is made of red light. She never opens her eyes. And she's dressed in black. I've seen and fought much more intimidating things."

"No. You haven't." said Matilda while shaking her head.

Montmorency tried to find Kirche in her room but she wasn't there. She figured the only other place she could be was with Tabitha and went down a floor to her room and knocked. And knocked, and knocked some more. It wasn't her first visit and she knew all about how Tabitha loved absolute silence to read in.

When she eventually managed to get inside she quickly closed the door behind her and went to stand next to Tabitha and waited patiently while she lifted the spell of silence in the room.

"Tabitha, do you know where Kirche is? I need to resupply her but I can't find her anywhere and I'm getting a little worried."

Tabitha closed her book and set it on her lap. Then she shook her head.

Her body language was all Montmorency needed to conclude that Tabitha was worried. She wasn't easy to read by any stretch. But the people who were used to her, just picked up on these things. When Tabitha put her book down, things were getting serious.

"Tabitha, we need to find her. I can't even imagine what she must be enduring at this moment. And we need to be discreet about it too. I can't have the staff taking away this supply, if they do…"

Tabitha gave her a small nod and stood up from her bed. "We search."

Louise and Kirche stopped by a river in sight of the capital city and decided to rest and water their horses.

"Kirche?"

"What is it now?!" she spat.

Louise was taken aback by the venom in her voice. "Nn..nothing."

"What is it?!" Kirche demanded.

"Just forget it! If you're going to keep being like this I don't have anything to say to you either!" Louise spat back.

Kirche sighed heavily and then dipped her hands into the river to pull up some water to drink.

"Louise… I don't mean to be so testy. I'm just... going through something. Don't ask because it's none of your business. Just give me my space. That's all I want from you."

"Kirche… if it's something I can help you with… please. I'm starting to worry about you..."

"Don't! I don't want your worries, or your pity, or concern, or anything! It's my problem! I'll deal with it!" yelled Kirche at the top of her lungs.

Louise shrinked back a few steps and the horses became startled. Louise quickly went to them and started patting them to calm them down before they decided to run away.

"Where does this road lead I wonder?" asked Calista as they continued down a narrow pass through the forest. The path was disused, the road clearly hadn't been maintained for many years and the forest was beginning to reclaim it.

"You don't even know where we're going?! That's it, we're heading back!" yelled Agnes.

"I'm getting sick of your belly aching Agnes. If you want to go back, go." said Matilda with a groan.

"Would one of you just answer me?" demanded Calista.

"We're heading west. Beyond this forret is where a lot of the noble houses are. The first we'll come upon is…" Agnes started but then hesitated.

"Ahhh, I sense you've realized this might indeed be the correct path." said Calista with a small smirk under her hood.

"The land on the other side of this forest is the ruled by Duke de Brinvilliers. He's a regular at Court and though nobody can prove it, it's believed he's seeking a political alliance with the von Zerbst family in Germania to retain his lands should Germania actually invade." explained Agnes.

"Hey Cali… don't we know a Zerbst?" asked Matilda.

"Indeed we do. I find that very interesting." Calista said flatly.

"The Zerbst family and the Valliere family are famous for their long feud. Your friend Louise's mother is a regular at Court as well and there's been a lot of tension between her and Brinvilliers because of these rumors. The Brinvilliers hold a very sizable portion of Tristain's armed forces under their command and if a war broke out without their support for the crown…" explained Agnes.

"Then Tristain would be too weak to mount meaningful resistance. But, if there were reasonable suspicion of wrongdoing, like say… sheltering a wanted fugitive, and if a search of his home turned up evidence of treason… then he could be removed. And another who is more... loyal... could take his place." said Calista with an increasingly interested tone.

"That's quite a coincidence. Being in a position like this where we can take out two birds with one stone." said Agnes as she turned her head forward and glared ahead with steely eyes.

"There's no such thing as coincidence. This is the will of the Force." said Calista.

"I have to ask. What's in this for you? Why do you want to help the Princess? I'd get it if the Valliere girl were here, as her familiar, you're supposed to protect her. But you volunteered for this. I need to know why you care." demanded Agnes with a no nonsense tone that didn't go unheard by Calista.

"Is that really any of your concern? Remain focused on your duty and be content in the knowledge that we share the same goals for now." she said with finality.

"I can't just accept that! I have to know what your game is!" demanded Agnes, but there was no response.

"Captain. Don't question your blessings. Having her power on your side is far preferable to the alternative." said Matilda with a nod and smile.

Osmond made himself comfortable in the living room of one of Tristain's largest mansions with the Duke de Brinvilliers. He accepted tea when it was offered to him by a servant and held it while it cooled. Around them were other high ranked nobles who observed the two with acute interest.

"So Osmond. I heard the little Princess bested you. How did you manage to escape?" said the Duke with a sly grin and a small laugh.

"It wasn't the Princess. It was the third Valliere girl, and her Familiar. I underestimated them."

"Do you think they had something to do with what happened to Mott?"

"Louise Valliere? Impossible. Her familiar? Quite possible. That little woman has some interesting tricks. But even with all her power, I don't see her being a threat to our plans. In fact, from what I've seen and heard about her, she could be persuaded to join us."

"A Familiar that can be turned against its master? Pah! Who would have ever considered the power of the Void would pass to the single most inept girl possible. Fortune truly favors us my old teacher."

"Don't make my mistake and underestimate her. She may be powerless herself, but her familiar easily has ten times the power the King's Familiar ever had. And we all know what a ruthless enforcer he was."

"I'd like to know how the Void power passed outside the Royal family. If it can be manipulated, then we could pass it to someone who's loyalty we can be assured of." said one of the others.

"I don't know. But if you want to study it, it will have to wait until our plans reach fruition. Then you can do all the research you want on it." said the Duke.

"But don't you think this is too big of a coincidence? The King dies under mysterious circumstances, and his power passes onto the family who most strongly support the royals?"

"We all know the King and Karin the Heavy Wind were close friends and allies. Maybe one or all three of the girls are actually his bastards? Who knows, and more importantly, who cares? Now that we've confirmed the heir to the Void we have to seize on this opportunity without delay!" stated the Duke.

"Indeed. Is everything ready?" asked Osmond.

"I have ten thousand troops in position and ready to seize the capital. The other five families are ready to seize the ports are La Rochelle and Marseille. With that, we'll have complete control of Tristain. I've already secured my alliance with the Zerbst family in Germania and they've assured me that Germania will recognize and support our rule. That'll keep Gallia from getting any ideas."

"The Zerbst girl is still a student at the Academy. How did you manage to get that alliance without a political marriage?" asked Osmond.

"That was difficult. After their daughter refused to agree to the arrangement I thought everything was going to fall apart. So I sat down with the good Erzherzog von Zerbst and we hammered out a new agreement that didn't depend on a political marriage. I told them that once we secured power, we would give them the Valliere lands." the Duke said matter of factly.

"The Valliere lands are rich with gold and produce a quarter of the food for our nation! Are you insane?! Why haven't we been consulted on this?!" demanded one of the other nobles.

"It was either that or we seek alliances in Gallia, and I can assure you... their price would have been much higher! No, we need their support, and those lands are a small price to pay in the grand scheme of things." explained the Duke.

"The Valliere's also have a sizeable portion of the military. Well trained heavy infantry loyal to the crown. And let's not forget the Manticore Knights are still zealously loyal to Karin. The Captain of the Griffon Knights is also close with the Valliere family. How do we intend to subdue them? Will House Zerbst commit their forces to our cause?"

"Once my forces have seized the Palace, and taken the Queen hostage none of that will be a problem. Karin and Marianne are the very best of friends. If we're lucky we could catch Karin in our trap as well and then the Valliere forces can be made to surrender even more easily."

"What about General Gramont? Won't he and his troops be a problem?"

"Not at all. His forces are currently spread thin along the border with Gallia, showing the flag. By the time words gets to him and he can regroup to do anything it'll be too late."

Osmond by now had finished his tea and considered all the information he'd received.

"One thing still bothers me..." he started.

"What's that?" asked the Duke.

"What did actually happen to the good Marquis de Montmorency?"

"The fool upset his water spirit and drowned." answered the Duke.

"So you didn't have anything to do with it?" asked Osmond.

"Osmond. Let it go. The man was a pig. If he'd lived much longer he might have sold his own daughter to pay off the debts he was racking up left and right. It was useful to keep him under our thumbs for a time, but he was becoming a liability. We needed his resources not his excuses." stated the Duke.

"I see. That is a pity. He and his wife were two of my favorite students. Well, that brings me up to speed then. What do you need me to do?" asked Osmond.

"Are the guards at the Academy still loyal to you?" asked the Duke.

"Some yes. But I can't be assured of enough to take back control. I'd need at least a regiment of soldiers and mages to deal with the Musketeers and the remaining guards. Then there's the problem of the Familiar and Matilda de Saxe-Gotha. It seems the two have formed a strong friendship and her loyalty isn't to me anymore."

"Can't our allies in Albion do something about that?" asked the Duke.

"Not in time. She doesn't even know we've joined Reconquista. We'll have to take her out of the equation."

"What about the Staff of Destruction?" asked the Duke.

"It's still in my office. Once I have it, I can use it to deal with Matilda."

"Very good. I'll allow it. I'll give you the resources you need. Take the Academy and hold the students hostage. Especially the Princess. Once you have her secured send word to us in the Capital and we'll move onto the next phase. We can use the local children to leverage the other houses to support us and The Foreign students can be ransomed for much needed funds. As for the Familiar, if you can bring her to our side. Do it. If not, kill the Valliere girl and ensure her death as well." ordered the Duke.

Calista observed the area with a set of binoculars from her vantage point high up on one of the trees. "Very interesting…" she said to herself.

"What do you see?" asked Agnes while Calista was climbing back down.

"Soldiers. Thousands... all ready for battle. I also saw a very large detachment break off and follow Osmond. Heading East." answered Calista.

"Could they be starting a rebellion?" asked Matilda.

"They wouldn't dare! Unless… we need to get a closer look. I need to see the coats of arms the soldiers are wearing. I need to know who's troops they are." stated Agnes.

"Going in there won't be easy. Matilda and I could pull it off, but you're not exactly stealthy Agnes. What we need is a plan." said Calista.

Matilda looked around then it suddenly dawned on her, "Wait… you said Osmond was taking a hundred or so troops and mages to the East?"

"Yes. What are you thinking?" the Sith asked.

"East of here is a path that will lead them either to Tarbes, which is all just farmland, or the Academy. Of the two, which is the more tempting target do you think?" asked Matilda.

"He's going after the Academy. The Princess!" declared Agnes.

"Indeed. I'm sure the other students could potentially be useful to gather loyalty or secure funding through ransoms." said Calista with a sagely nod. "Very clever…" she added with a small smile.

"Well I'm glad you're impressed! We have to get back and get everyone out of there!" yelled Agnes with contempt.

"They'll never get everyone out in time. Even if they did, where would they go? Without knowing who's still loyal to the Princess the Academy is the safest place she can be. And we can warn them from here." said Calista with a cold tone and a small smirk.

"How?" asked Agnes and Matilda.

Calista went over to her horse and pulled something out of her saddle bag, a circular device slightly bigger than her petite hand. She pressed a few buttons on it and it beeped at her.

"Excellent, it works… Extwo, do you read me?"

A series of incomprehensible beeps and chirps were heard from the device. Incomprehensible to all but Calista.

"Very good. I need you to record a message for me and relay it to the Princess. Can you do that?"

There was a quick series of beeps and chirps.

"Very good. Begin recording..."

X2-C3 was rolling around the academy grounds desperately trying to get attention from anyone who could help it. Unfortunately, most students simply came to find the panicked series of beeps, whistles, and chirps to be endearing rather than alarming. That was until two people who knew better came across the scene. Montmorency knelt down beside the droid and put her hands on either side of it's front 'legs' and tried to hold it steady.

"Extwo. Calm down. What's the matter?" she said to it.

"You can actually understand it Montmorency?" asked one of the students.

"No. But I know enough that it's trying to get attention for some reason!" she explained.

X2 beeped at her in a calmer tone and then turned its head to the side and a beam of blue light was emitted from its 'eye' into the air where an image of Calista formed. The hologram started to speak, "Extwo bring this message to the Princess, and hurry!"

"I see. Follow me Extwo. I'll take you to her." she said and started walking.

"Hey! They'll never let you see the Princess!" yelled one of the students.

"I don't care if they let me or not. If Calista has a message for her, she's going to get it!"

She really had no idea how the droid managed to get up the steps and keep up with her, and she really didn't have time to figure it out either because as soon as she reached the right floor she was greeted by two of the Musketeers who crossed their swords to block her path. "This level is restricted while the Princess is here. Move along."

"I can't do that! There is an urgent message for the Princess and I have to make sure she gets it!"

"What kind of message?"

"I don't know. This little… thing here, it's got the message." she said while gesturing to X2. The Musketeers eyed the droid skeptically.

"We don't have time for children's dramas. Please move along."

"Tell her highness that the message is from Calista Zarkot! She knows who she is!"

"What's all this commotion?" asked a Lieutenant as she walked over to investigate the disturbance.

"This student says she has a message for her Highness from someone named Calista Zarkot. You know who she's talking about Lieutenant?" asked one of the low ranked guards.

"Yes. Let her pass."

"What is this thing?" asked Henrietta as she walked around the droid and looked it over with curious eyes.

"It's Calista's best friend your highness. Go ahead Extwo. This is the Princess. Show her the message." said Montmorency from where she kneeled.

X2-C3 beeped happily and turned its head away from them. It then emitted the same blue light from its 'eye' which then showed a holographic image of Calista.

"Your Highness. If you are receiving this message don't bother trying to respond to me. It's a recording I sent to my Droid for you to see."

"This is incredible magic…" stated Henrietta.

"We've located Lord Osmond at an estate owned by a Duke de Brinvilliers. At this estate thousands of soldiers are massing for purposes unknown. But as I speak to you now a Regiment of soldiers being lead by Osmond over a thousand strong are marching towards you. We believe they mean to seize the academy and hold you and the students hostage. I strongly urge you to use what resources you have to fortify the academy and await our return. Agnes is already on her way back now, expect her soon. Miss Longueville and I will gather what information we can here and return to you swiftly. Do not trust the Academy staff, or the guards. With the exception of Colbert who is proven, you have no way of knowing who is still loyal to Osmond. I strongly advise you to relieve them of duty and secure them somewhere."

The hologram paused for a moment and then started to speak again.

"I ask you to keep my Droid, Extwo-Ceethree at your side at all times. Extwo. Priority One command, authorization Lord Calista Zarkot, Senth four two one Cresh. By my authority as a Lord of the Sith you are to engage sentry mode and protect the Princess at all costs. In addition remain at her side at all times incase I need to send any further communications."

After the conclusion of the message X2-C3 made a series of aggressive sounds and rolled around beside and behind the Princess. There were some low buzzing sounds emanating from the Droid as it powered up its defenses and weapons. Then one of the doors on its chest opened and a small arm holding a small device emerged towards the Princess.

The Princess looked at the droid in confusion.

"I think it wants you to take that your Highness." said Montmorency.

Henrietta bent down slightly and picked up the device that was offered to her, it was a small pad that displayed text.

"There's writing on this. It says 'X2 = Ready for combat' is this telling me what you're saying?"

X2 beeped and chirped in response and the text on the screen changed. "Princess = Correct / X2 = Bodyguard / X2 = Ready to serve."

"What are your orders your highness?" asked the Musketeer Lieutenant.

"Lieutenant. You're acting Captain until Agnes returns. I want you to go inform Lord Colbert about all of this and then I want you to work with him to prepare our defense."

"Respectfully your highness. We should get you out of here and make for the Capital where we can rally forces loyal to us."

"And abandon these students here? Never! We're going to protect this place, and everyone in it. Even Lord Zarkot knew I would never do such a thing and didn't suggest it. Now follow my orders!"

"But your Highness. If you're captured…"

"Then my fate will be the same as the people I'm meant to protect. Now get to it!"

"Yes your Highness!"

"Oh I'm sorry. You may may rise." the Princess said to Montmorency.

"Thank you your Highness." she said while getting on her feet.

"You've done well just now. What's your name?"

"Montmorency your Highness. Montmorency Margarita la Fère de Montmorency."

"Oh… I see."

Montmorency felt more than a little insulted. The princess didn't even know who she was but gave her a pardon for a crime she didn't believe even was a crime. But this really wasn't the time or the place for the discussion.

"You're the daughter of the Marquis de Montmorency. He was one of my parent's best friends at school here. I'm glad I could finally meet you, I just wish it was under better circumstances. May I call upon you to assist me?"

Montmorency raised an eyebrow at that, "What could I possibly help you with your Highness?"

"I can already imagine the student body won't take kindly to being sequestered away somewhere in the academy while a battle starts around them. I'm sure you know the students who are the most capable. Like Miss Tabitha for example. I wonder if I could call upon you to gather volunteers from among those students to assist my Musketeers in the defense of the Academy?"

"I can do that. Yes. I'll get started." she said before giving the Princess a bow and quickly walking out.

Once she was out the Princess sent her guards out to assist with the preparations, she was suddenly quite confident with only the little Droid half her height to protect her. She smiled and asked it a simple question. "So, Extwo. Tell me what you're capable of so we can work out a strategy..."

"Let's split up. My magic works better closer to the ground. So I'll search the lower level of the house, you take the upper level. Alright?"

"Understood. Let's meet back here in one hour, no matter what. Then we'll head back with whatever we have."

With all that needed to be said out of the way, Matilda touched her wand to the ground and seemed to vanish into the Earth while Calista activated her stealth generator and the light started to bend around her until she was completely obscured by the stealth field.

Matilda stopped on her way into the house to observe as the Duke and five other nobles exited the home and met with their officers. She couldn't make out the conversation from where she was and hoped Calista would stop to eavesdrop while she searched for another way into the mansion. She also cursed herself for not learning more about the who's who of Tristain, all she ever needed to know were the targets she was assigned to steal from and what she was meant to take, nothing else.

All she could do was make a mental note of the various Coats of Arms worn by the different soldiers so they could try and put together identities later. At least Calista was no better off in this regard, this wasn't even her world after all. But she kicked herself for that too, this wasn't a bloody competition! This was a war brewing…

Fortunately Calista did stop to listen.

"General, are your troops ready?"

"They are your excellency. I have five thousand of our best troops here ready to march north to join our forces in the capital. I expect we'll enlist more volunteers along the way easily enough."

The Duke gave the general a stern look, "If you don't get the numbers you want. Start conscripting. Commoners don't know what's in their best interest. That's what people like us are here for, to tell them."

Calista inwardly snickered at that. He was right after all.

"Let's get moving. Once we've secured the capital we'll await word from the ports and then rally our forces to aid our allies in Albion."

"And then we'll be a power to rival Romalia!"

Calista had a decision to make. She was confident Louise would choose to support the Princess and so offering her support to these people wasn't an option because Louise would fight for her friend. The Sith Lord didn't have any particular problem with the Princess herself. Keeping her in power would simply suit her ambitions better. If she was going to be stuck here the Princess would be the better choice of ruler for this nation simply because she was already so receptive to her advice, as long as that continued to be the case Calista could use her to accumulate all the power she'd ever need to live her life on her own terms. That made this Duke a rival. Rivals had to be put down, quickly. But was this the right time and place?

She was confident she could assassinate him here and now, along with these other supporters and officers and be gone before anyone knew what happened. Then doubts seeped into her mind against her will. How many of these people were mages? How many were Earth mages? Fire? Wind? Water? She didn't know nearly enough about all their capabilities to confidently ambush these people and deal with any potential retaliation. Damn it all if only she'd picked up more sparring partners. Kirche would just annoy her with more flirting, Tabitha was too damned silent, and Montmorency...

Her mind went off on a tangent at the thought of her new friend. This was why attachments were a weakness. They cloud your mind and make it difficult to focus on the big picture. But it wasn't just her either, she slowly became aware of her feelings for the rest too.

Louise, for all her faults did her best at everything and it reminded her so much of her time as an Acolyte. Louise was either too petulant, too oblivious, or too depressed. But she was growing. Teaching her made Calista feel proud of herself and she liked that feeling of helping someone else grow into something better than they were.

Kirche, inspite of all the irritation and headaches she caused her, also accepted her unconditionally just like Montmorency did.

She didn't know anything about Tabitha but she instantly respected the girl. She knew somewhere inside herself that Tabitha was just like her in that they'd both seen and done things that are never to be spoken of.

Matilda, she had a lot of respect for her and did consider her a friend inspite of how they got started. The way she wasn't afraid to be herself around her and open up made Calista feel trusted and respected. She wondered what it might be like to go into battle side by side with her and that was the tipping point for her… the opportunity was close at hand and she could foresee it would be brutal and glorious!

Calista's path was clear. She felt it in the Force, and she felt it in her heart. Whatever awaited her, was with them. That was the side she was on, that was what she felt passionate about. More than political gains or power, she felt passion for her friends. That was enough for now. The rest could wait until she brought stability to this nation with her Lightsaber. Then she could figure out the rest. For now she had a clear goal. That was always the first step.

She would follow her passions. The next step became clear as well... do the job right. These people had to have had support from other places. They already mentioned allies in Albion. She needed to know more, that made them useful for now and she needed to take them alive so they could give her names. That way she would find all her enemies and destroy them. Because that was her way.

The way of the Sith.