Raine was very familiar with the Westward Gate Inn after three days. She hadn't been allowed to leave. Soldiers guarded every entrance and exit, even stood on rooftops watching the building. It felt like a prison more than a respite. The whole block was apparently cordoned off for civilians, but the rest of the town was in constant flux. Templars evicted people from their homes and relocated them wherever they pleased, made arrests without cause, and forcibly conscripted men to their ranks under punishment of death. A gentle knock on her door brought her attention away from the window. "Come in."
"Figured I'd bring you dinner." Richard said, carrying two plates. The smell of well done steak filled her nose, and she smiled. "You've not left your room since breakfast."
"I haven't left anywhere in three days. This place feels like a cage."
"You're not the only one going a bit crazy. Sythe has been pacing up and down the hallway for two hours, muttering to himself about sneaking out tonight. Karen's already tried to get onto the roof twice since lunch, both times unsuccessfully. Not because anyone stopped her, but because she got tired of trying to find a window that opened more than a few inches. Lynn and Maren seem to be the only ones not going mad. Maren's actually felt right at home, and has taken up a temporary job to get some cash, and Lynn, well, you've seen him. Endless paperwork. Actually, it's kind of nice of Maren to help out here. Apparently things have been a bit chaotic for a while, so Aidu [Aid-oo] has offered to let us have our two rooms for free."
"Nice. And what about you? What have you been up to?" Raine was happily devouring her steak. Any meal tasted better after weeks of stale bread and nuts or bland slabs of slightly burnt meat.
"I… I've actually been trying to be tactful. The Templars are everywhere. I've tried to listen to them, tried to figure out how the war is going. Most of them have been tight lipped, but it sounds like they really aren't on the defensive at all. The siege weapons shipped from here are pounding enemy fortifications to shreds, the death toll is rising, and the Templars are on the offensive. I've heard so much from some rather loose lipped individuals. Some think the war will be over in a few weeks. Some, a few years. Everything from a lightning victory with minimal casualties to complete annihilation of the Wolf tribes."
"And… what do you think?"
"Everyone is exaggerating. This is a war. There's always casualties in war, and the Wolves aren't going to give up." Another knock on the door brought their attention to the fact that the door was still wide open.
"I hope you weren't trying to keep your conversation a secret." Lynn said. "I'm glad you're here. Don't go too far, and when everyone else shows up, please make sure they don't wander off." Lynn left, and Raine and Richard glanced at each other. Sythe showed up first a minute later.
"I thought everyone was here already?"
"No… Did Lynn say why he wanted everyone here?"
"No, just to wait." Karen said, followed shortly by Maren. "I hate waiting."
"Has anyone seen Maddie lately?"
"I've kept her busy." Lynn said, walking in and closing the door. "She's been most useful. Now, as you may have guessed, I am here outwardly as a diplomat. However, under the orders of King Adelaide, I have another mission. The war has been brewing for over two years, and it was bound to break out sooner or later. Timing could not have been worse, and also better. Keith was the perfect opportunity for us to open our borders to the world again, and thus, my mission is collect information about the war. Though King Adelaide did not account for her daughter to join us, I am most pleased that you did."
A soft click made everyone jump, and Madelyn was closing the window behind her. "Why can't you just let me sneak up on you once?"
"How did you get the window open? I thought they were locked from the… out… side…" Raine's voice slowed as she realized how dumb her question sounded.
"Moving on. Over the last five weeks, I have been creating documents for dozens of missions for each of you. All of you have a role to play. Some of you are already playing your roles, as you will simply help with keeping up appearances. Sythe, Maren, Karen. You have done well thus far in convincing everyone we are nothing more than simple travelers. No matter what you hear, you must maintain this cover.
"Miss Madelyn, your continued work shall be of utmost importance. Please report your findings to me tonight at midnight." Maddie saluted Lynn continued.
"Richard. Your knowledge of the Templar's inner workings will be most valuable in piecing together our findings. You also have rather loose lips, and have an uncanny ability to cause others to divulge information they would otherwise have kept secret.
"Raine. Your skills with magic, and the ability to shapeshift will give you opportunities no one else will. I foresee people underestimating you, Silverlock, despite your name and families renown."
Everyone listened with shock and anticipation. "Wait." Richard said. "Hang on. You're a bureaucrat! A politician! You're not a spy!"
"A necessary ruse, and only half a ruse at that. I am a bureaucrat, but I am also a spy. This will be my most difficult mission, and it has taken much tact to not be discovered yet. I am counting on all of you. This must be kept secret from everyone. That includes any friends you may make, anyone you may find, and yes, even your friends of old such as Trace or Zen. Things are in motion now. Things I would have hoped to not have to deal with. I will have need of each of you before our time together is done."
Raine suddenly stood up. "What can I do?" Her tail wagged at the possibility of getting out of the building.
Lynn was quiet for a moment. "Curious. I would have thought you more… hesitant to assist me. A surprise, but a welcome one. For now, I have nothing for any of you. This meeting was simply to tell you the truth. So that when I do call upon you, you trust me. Because it may mean life and death." With that, he strode out of the room before anyone could say another word.