Kirche was left to return to the academy alone as Guiche elected to stay with the others in an attempt to persuade them to help in their cause. Because of this, Kirche felt no small sense of resignation and defeat within her, and the fear and dread that gripped her heart nauseated her.

"I'm sorry, Sylphid," Kirche said in the most comforting tone she could to the dragon she was atop as she gave her a wry smile. "I guess we'll have to do this alone…" Her solemn resignation was interrupted, however, when she spotted a dark mass in the twilight sky that seemed to be moving towards the academy. Rapidly.

Kirche, squinting at it, leaned forward, spurring Sylphid to pick up her pace as the two began to see it come into view. It looked to be some kind of airship, to Kirche, but it lacked the usual masts and sails that adorned such vessels, despite the rest of it being constructed almost the same. The ship slowed to a stop and began lowering itself near the academy, flanked by what looked like two smaller, golden ships of Protoss origin that were crescent-shaped. As she drew closer to the vessel, she saw what looked like a familiar figure on the ship's deck waving up at her.

Professor Colbert? Kirche thought to herself as she maneuvered Sylphid to land on the ship while the two Protoss vessels disengaged and flew away. Once Kirche had landed, she dismounted Sylphid and looked over to the smiling, waving former Professor, a bald-headed man with a strong, clean-shaven jawline and ocean-blue eyes framed by small, circular spectacles and wearing a long, loose-sleeved blue robe that completely covered him from the clavicle down.

"Hello! Miss Von Zerbst!" Professor Colbert greeted in a bright, sincere, friendly manner as he stepped forward to meet his old student.

"So it is you, Professor," Kirche replied as she gave him a small smile that was still tinged with the solemn resignation she felt gripping her. Colbert, upon noticing this, looked to her with concern.

"Is there something wrong, Miss Von Zerbst?" Colbert asked with genuine worry.

"It's Tabitha," Kirche answered plainly, casting her gaze downward.

"What happened?"

"She was taken," Kirche tried to begin to explain before stopping herself as she knew she would be unable to fight her tears.

"I see… That explains this, then," Colbert gestured to the lone dragon behind Kirche. "Do you know where?" Kirche shook her head in response.

"Our best lead was a woman named Matilda, you know her as Fouquet," Kirche explained once more. Colbert raised an eyebrow at this. "The Queen has had her arrested. And ordered the others not to help me." Kirche finally raised her gaze to give Professor Colbert a pleading look with her tear-filled eyes. "Please, Professor, if there's anything you can do… Please," Kirche begged.

"There is no need to beg, Miss Von Zerbst," Professor Colbert reassured her as he walked up to her and placed a hand upon her shoulder. Kirche gave him a teary smile as he said this. "Oh! And before I forget," he began again as he stepped back and raised his arms dramatically, gesturing to the ship they stood on, "welcome to the Ostland!"

Meanwhile, earlier, Louise, Siesta, and Guiche were riding with Fouquet to keep an eye on her while they returned to the capital. While they had been silent most of the way, Guiche was the first to speak up.

"Listen," Guiche began, causing everyone to look at him, "I don't know what happened between you all and Tabitha, but, regardless, she's our friend, and we should give her the benefit of the doubt."

"You weren't there, Guiche." Siesta snarled at the blonde noble. "She very nearly killed Louise."

"There has to be a good reason!" Guiche protested. "Even if you can't trust her as your friend, trust me as a fellow knight!"

"I've only been a knight for a few hours…"

"Then trust me as your friend," Guiche was furrowing his brow at her in conviction as he said this. "Would Kirche and I, and Sylphid, REALLY just turn on you like this? Would we even be talking? It's Tabitha and she's been there for not just me, but for you two countless times!" Guiche exclaimed with desperation and conviction. "What kind of friend would-"

"What kind of friend would impale me and leave me to die?!" Louise shouted at Guiche, nearly wishing she had some scar to reveal to drive her point home.

"I'm sorry… that's-"

"Unforgiveable is what it is!" Louise interrupted Guiche's response. She did not notice, but her hand was once again at her belly.

"Kirche told me things. About Tabitha, I mean," Guiche began as he sat back and took a deep breath, "it's probably best if you hear it all from her. I won't do it justice, but Tabitha… She… She may not have as much of a choice as you think she does."

Both Louise and Siesta's countenances softened at hearing this as they looked taken aback.

"Regardless," Guiche gave them both a look of conviction, "if you can't believe in her, then believe in me. Believe in Kirche." There was a heavy moment of silence in the carriage as Louise and Siesta looked to be contemplating their response.

"Very well," Louise finally spoke up as she sighed and met Guiche's look of conviction before looking to a worried Siesta, "Call me crazy if you want, but she has been there for us," Louise reached out and took Siesta's hand, "in some of our darkest and brightest moments." Louise's tone and look were knowing. Siesta returned her knowing look with a small smile before Louise turned her look back to Guiche. "At the very least, we will find her to finally get an explanation."

"I guess that'll have to do," Guiche said with a wry chuckle.

"Ugh… gag me," Fouquet said as she rolled her eyes.

"Keep it up and we just might," Siesta snapped at her.

There was no further commentary as the two carriages, escorted by an elf and Protoss, respectively, made their way into the capital in the dead of night. What Siesta and Louise saw gave them cause for concern as they saw the streets were littered with refuse and many of the former businesses closed. Vagrants lined the sides of the streets, and each of the girls could swear they saw children ducking and hiding from the visages of the giant, to them, women who walked with the carriages.

Both Louise and Siesta looked at each other with concern. Siesta worried for her uncle's inn: The Charming Fairies, while Louise worried for the nice restaurant she and Siesta went to just before Albion: Mama Cassandra's. Once the carriages had stopped, and everyone had disembarked. Fouquet could be seen dragged away by guards under Agnes' orders as they entered the castle and followed Henrietta to one of many meeting rooms, with the Adept, Zeratul, and Tiffa being asked to wait outside.

Upon entering, Henrietta sat down on an ornate chair that functioned as a kind of miniature throne and looked to the group, a stern look upon her face.

Sensing explanation was expected of them, Siesta was the first to step forward. "Henrietta," she began, hesitantly as the Queen raised an eyebrow at her. "We've decided… that we must go save Tabitha."

"Are you certain of what you are saying, Lady Sasaki?" Henrietta inquired, keeping her stern gaze trained on the group. Siesta hesitated once more before she gulped away her anxieties, gave Henrietta a determined look, and nodded. Henrietta heaved an exasperated sigh as she rose from her seat. "I am afraid I cannot allow that," she declared as she stood before the trio.

"But, Henrietta, the-"

"I am aware that Gallia is merely a front for the UED," Henrietta admitted, interrupting the protests of Siesta with a raised hand, "However, as far as I know, that is very privileged information that other nations are not aware of. If I allowed you to go… it would look like an act of hostility that could trigger larger diplomatic issues that our relatively small and financially-strained nation is not equipped to deal with."

Siesta contemplated her next course of action as she cast her gaze downward. She thought about that night that Louise had reminded her of. The night Tabitha and Kirche came to save them. The night when she and her wife shared their first kiss. She steeled her face with conviction as she returned her gaze to Henrietta's.

"Then," Siesta began as she removed her Chevalier cloak and threw it at a stunned Henrietta's feet. "If I am no longer your knight, there should be no problem, then?" Guiche, behind her, at first raised his eyebrows in surprise. After gulping away his own insecurities, however, he removed his own knight's cloak and dropped it where Siesta's lay, giving her a smile of reassurance and approval.

"Tabitha is a friend. What kind of knight would I be if I abandoned my friends so easily?" Guiche proudly declared. Siesta returned his smile.

"I see," Henrietta said with a blank expression as she gingerly picked up the cloaks and went back to her chair to sit, beginning the process of folding them in her lap. "Agnes!" Henrietta called out, causing her most trusted musketeer and guard to snap to attention, giving a small bow as she did.

"Arrest these two," Henrietta pointed her index and middle finger at Siesta and Guiche, respectively, without raising her gaze from her task of folding the cloaks. Agnes once again dutifully bowed as she grabbed each of their arms to take them to a holding cell.

Louise looked on at this, desperate and disbelieving.

Once the door had shut, she turned to her friend who had just finished her task. Henrietta set aside Guiche's cloak while still holding Siesta's.

"Why are you doing this?" Louise asked, giving Henrietta a scrutinizing look.

"We've lost," Henrietta began after a moment of silence, standing as she did, "so much." She walked over to the window and stared out of it. Holding Siesta's cloak tightly in her arms. The way she did made Louise feel an old pang of jealousy that made her twitch instinctively for her wand. "We already lost Siesta once. I…" she paused as she squeezed the cloak even tighter, "I can't lose her again." Louise, instead of finding herself enraged, found herself… pitying the Queen before her.

"Henrietta," Louise began after taking a deep breath to ready herself for what she was about to say, "Do you have… feelings for her? Siesta?" Louise was unknowingly clenching her fists as she asked this. Henrietta, though, seemed to have no reaction that Louise could discern.

"I think," Henrietta began to answer after a moment's contemplation, "she is remarkable. Truly unique. Wonderful. Beautiful…" Henrietta's voice trailed off.

"That's not what I asked," Louise said. Silence hung between them once more.

"When we thought she was gone," Henrietta turned to face her childhood friend, who almost gasped upon seeing the tears in her friend's eyes, "you weren't the only one left feeling broken."

Louise felt she needed no further explanation.

Taking another deep breath, she began undoing the strings of her own cloak. Henrietta looked at her, her mouth slightly open in shock, as Louise removed her noble cloak. It meant nothing, practically. But symbolically, they both knew what this meant as Louise held it out to her, giving her a determined look.

"I see," Henrietta repeated with the same tone as before.

Meanwhile, outside of the room, Zeratul watched as his apprentice and her friend were escorted out by force.

Is everything alright, Akhundelar? Zeratul asked, making sure his psionic words were heard by her alone.

They should be, don't worry about me, Siesta answered as she was dragged away. Behind him, the Adept was still eyeing the Tal'Darim-appearing elf, Tif'narak.

What is your business with them, Tal'Darim? the Adept asked, incredulous.

"There is no need for me to explain myself to you, Daelaam," Tif'narak spat back without turning to look at her. Zeratul noted that her demeanor was much different when addressing Protoss than when talking to humans.

As you have dealings with my charge, I demand to know, the Adept pressed her, finally causing Tif'narak to turn around, looking up to one of the very few beings that was taller than her with a look of disdain.

"My dealings are my own. And you would do well to respect that," Tif'narak declared, keeping her gaze locked to the Adept, who was charging the power in her shield-like projectile weapon.

Calm yourselves, warriors, Zeratul admonished them both, causing the Adept to stand down and Tif'narak to breathe a sigh of relief. This… Tal'Darim and I have bonded through battle. And she has proven herself many times over to be a worthy ally.

Zeratul could still sense lingering doubt in the Adept before him, but she appeared, on the surface, at least, to relent. Tif'narak looked to Zeratul and gave him the smallest of grateful smiles before she turned and leaned herself against the wall, propping up one of her legs upon it as she did. Not long after that, Agnes returned and re-entered the room, only for her to immediately leave with Louise, sans her cloak, in tow.

What are you doing with my charge? Zeratul demanded of Agnes. He sensed no fear in her as she turned to stare him down.

"She's under arrest for attempted conspiracy," Agnes answered as she turned once more to keep marching Louise down the hall. "Don't think about breaking her out. This is a human matter. We promise she will not be harmed." Agnes informed as she was walking away.

Zeratul sensed no deception in her, but could not help but feel concerned, regardless. Tif'narak, though, looked gravely concerned as she kicked herself off the wall and started to follow Agnes, only being stopped by Zeratul.

It is as she said, this is a human matter, Zeratul informed her.

As I am half human, this concerns me as well, Tif'narak replied, psionically, as she pushed past the old Nerazim and started walking in the same direction as Agnes. Do not worry, Tif'narak continued as she turned her head just enough for Zeratul to see one of her red eyes, I will do nothing that will endanger your apprentices.

Meanwhile, again, back with Kirche, the Ostland was slowly chugging along through the air towards the capital with Kirche, Colbert, and a wrangled Montmorency (she was convinced to join due to Guiche being involved, much to her chagrin) onboard. Montmorency was finding this vessel endlessly fascinating while Kirche was too wrapped up in her concern for Tabitha to pay much mind to the lecture the Professor was excitedly giving.

"You remember the steam engine I showed in class almost a year ago?" Colbert asked, barely containing his excitement.

"Vaguely, it was a long-"

"You see," Colbert excitedly began, interrupting Montmorency, "This ship operates using the same principles as that, combined with what I've learned from studying the Sky Fury and the Pylon at the academy. Granted, it's a rather… primitive imitation, but I've now successfully proven practical application! Just as I always dreamed!" Colbert yapped on to his former student, who looked as though her brain was becoming fried as this topped off a long list of explanations from the Professor.

Kirche gave a small laugh at this before turning her attention to the bow of the ship, walking towards it to get a better view of the capital they were closing in on. She hoped she was right in assuming that Guiche and the others would follow the Queen back there with Matilda. She shook the doubts from her mind as they were finally above the capital, with sounds of panic erupting from below as the Ostland cast a shadow over the moonlit city.

"Oh! I better get on the horn," Colbert suddenly announced as he left the two women on the deck of the ship and ascended the stairs to go into the bridge. "Greetings, people of Tristain!" Kirche could now hear the former Professor's voice echoing all around her at an unbelievable volume, causing her and Montmorency to cover their ears.

"There is no need to panic! This is merely the Academy's latest invention! The Ostland! Developed by me! Professor-er-former Professor Jean Colbert!" Kirche was unsure if this was having a calming effect on the people below.

It was, however, good for Tiffa to hear down below as she made her way to a balcony attached to the castle, and looked up to the behemoth of a ship hovering over the capital. Deciding to take a chance, she reached out to whatever beings were on the vessel, trying to determine who they were. She felt a wave of relief as she felt familiar minds aboard the vessel and reached out to them, causing Kirche to feel an intrusive presence in her mind.

Hello? Can you hear me? a feminine voice in her head spoke, as Zeratul had done to her, causing her to look around, confused. She noticed Montmorency doing the same thing.

"Did you hear that?" Kirche asked her. Montmorency nodded.

It's Tif'narak. The elf. I'm down in the castle, Tif'narak's voice resonated in Kirche and Montmorency's heads.

I didn't know psionics could reach this far, Kirche mused to herself.

It's a strain, but it's possible, Tif'narak answered her thought, look, Louise, Siesta, that Fouquet lady, and Guiche have been arrested. At that, Kirche began to panic once more. Don't worry, pretty sure they're fine. The Queen is just scared to lose them. But we need a distraction to break them out and, well, your arrival is convenient, Tif'narak explained. Kirche looked to Montmorency, who nodded in understanding as the two's feelings of comprehension reached Tif'narak, causing her to give a determined smile.

Meanwhile, earlier, Siesta and her fellow prisoners were in a holding cell quite unlike where she had found herself the last time she was arrested. It was well-lit due to the window that let moonlight pour into the cell, and had two beds. Guiche sat upon one of them, giving an exasperated sigh.

"Well, I don't suppose you have a plan to get us out of this using your," Guiche wiggled his fingers at her to represent her psionics. Siesta shook her head, causing Guiche to hang his. "Damn… I at least hope I looked cool giving up my nobility."

For who? Siesta thought to herself in confusion as she sat down on the other bed and stared at the ceiling. Foquet, meanwhile, was staring out the window at the moonlit capital city, a scowl on her face.

"I expected more from the so-called left hand of God," Fouquet said with an exasperated sigh. Siesta turned to her, giving an unamused look.

"I don't know what you expected. I'm still bound to the same laws as I was before," Siesta answered, side-stepping the fact that she no longer possessed the power of the Gandalfr.

Fouquet did not answer as she continued to stare out the window. Her silent contemplation was interrupted by Guiche staring at her, which she regarded with annoyance.

"What is it, boy?" Fouquet asked, irritated.

"There's only one Matilda I know of that's an earth mage of any renown," Guiche began as he bowed his head to her respectfully, "Matilda de Saxe-Gotha."

Siesta raised an eyebrow at this display. Matilda merely scoffed and turned to look back out the window.

"That was a long time ago," Matilda said, her tone carrying with it a hint of sorrow.

"Every Earth mage worth their title knows your name," Guiche said, causing Siesta's one raised brow to be met with its twin. "You are a legend among legends to ones such as I. I am… truly honored."

Matilda did not look at him, even as he was giving her a respectful, solemn look.

"Hearing your stories… I always hoped I could be like you," Guiche admitted.

After a moment, she sighed as she removed her robe, showing her frayed and dirty outfit that she always wore at the academy, and lifted her shirt to reveal a deeply scarred midriff, which made Guiche give the lightest gasp in shock.

"These are the price of being a legend," Matilda said, stoic and grave, before she lowered her shirt and threw her robe back upon her person. "And so much more." Matilda's tone was solemn and mourning.

Siesta felt it best to not try and feel her mind. Guiche, however, could not help himself to aurally probe it.

"What happened?" Guiche sincerely asked.

Matilda gave him a derisive, confused look. Guiche kept his countenance imploring. Somehow, Matilda relented and sighed.

"You remember the king of Albion? Henry Tudor?" Matilda asked.

Guiche slowly nodded.

"Did you happen to hear about his… less than noble qualities he indulged in in private?" Matilda's tone was knowing and sharp.

Guiche gulped.

"No." Even in that one word the blonde boy betrayed deep unease in his wavering tone.

Matilda took a small, exasperated breath at this, "It would make sense. Easier to villainize someone when you control the narrative like that." She paused. Even just feeling ambient feelings Siesta could tell she was fighting against some beast within her to continue, "When Fils D'Aleks were first sweeping the land… I was charged with defense of my namesake province. I prevailed." Her tone indicated there was something more to it she refused to discuss. "After, I was invited to the castle. To be honored for my service. Even just being invited would have been enough for me at the time. Until I met him." Matilda's face fell.

Siesta felt she knew where this was going, and, despite herself, felt a prick of sympathy for this woman she'd only known as a cackling villainess before.

"You don't have to continue," Siesta said in a low, sympathetic voice, not looking at Matilda, "if you don't want to."

Would that anyone was looking at her, they would have seen the briefest flash of warmth on Matilda's face that faded just as quickly as it manifested. She didn't expect to be feeling that for this one she so fervently attempted to kill. More than once.

"He… made an attempt. At uncouth actions," Matilda continued, a smirk on her face that betrayed something else, "I made him pay for it. With his life."

Guiche gasped. Siesta flinched. Not for the killing. But in sympathy for having endured something similar.

"I didn't really have a lot of options after that. So I joined with Fils D'Aleks. Regardless of how many I had killed before… having a square class mage and a kingslayer on their side was, as I was told, invaluable to them," Matilda said with a small, wry smirk.

Siesta fought the instinct to embrace her. Fought it tooth and nail. There was no way she was going to show that woman physical affection. No matter her past.

Suddenly, the door to the holding cells area could be heard opening and Siesta popped up with hope. She saw Louise appear before them, escorted by Agnes, who opened the door.

Instead of it being for the release of all in the cell, however, it only served to have Agnes shove Louise in, roughly, before the cell door was once again slammed shut.

"Hey!" Siesta cried out in indignation as she rushed forward to embrace Louise. The first thing she noticed was Louise was lacking her normal cloak she wore, and surmised what had happened. "Didn't listen to you either, huh?" Louise, her gaze downcast, shook her head. "It's alright. I'm sure you did your best," Siesta reassured her with a loving embrace.

"Aw! That was our last hope! Unless…" Guiche's voice trailed off, looking at Siesta and raising an eyebrow.

"Don't even think about it," Siesta admonished him, "Zeratul will not get involved in purely human matters such as this. Not unless we're in danger." Guiche's response was to give an exasperated groan as he fell back on the bed.

"Now what do we do?" Guiche wondered aloud. Unbeknownst to them all, luck had smiled upon them with the next thing they heard.

"There is no need to panic! This is merely the Academy's latest invention! The Ostland! Developed by me! Professor-er-former Professor Jean Colbert!" the group heard Colbert's voice announce at a booming volume. This caused the guards to abandon them in the holding cells while they went to see what all the commotion was about. Now that the four were alone, they heard Matilda gasp, causing everyone to turn to the window. On the other side were the familiar faces of Kirche and-

"Montmorency!" Guiche cried out in an absolutely smitten tone as he pushed Matilda aside. Montmorency responded only with a glare.

"You idiot! How could you let yourself get arrested? I can't marry a man who's in prison! And especially not a disgraced noble!" Montmorency huffed.

"My darling, please, forgive me, I was only trying to-"

"Well, since you were doing it for selfless reasons…" Montmorency continued, cutting Guiche off, "I guess I can forgive you this once." Guiche looked overcome with joy as he pressed himself against the window bars.

"Oh my darling Montmorency, if only I could marry you now! I could die a happy man!" Guiche lovingly declared.

"Don't say such embarrassing things like that in front of everyone! I'm just trying to protect my honor as a noble!" Montmorency fervently denied, her flustered demeanor revealing she was protesting too much.

"If you two idiots are done arguing, how about you get us free?" Matilda interrupted, annoyed. Montmorency shot her a scowl but sighed in defeat as she and Kirche raised their wands.

"Stay back!" Kirche advised as they combined their magic to blow open the window, leaving everyone inside covered in a fine mist and lightly burnt by embers. "C'mon! We don't have much time!" As everyone was about to leave the cell, Louise stopped.

"Wait! Our things!" Louise exclaimed.

"Tif'narak is taking care of it! Now let's go!" Kirche hissed with urgency as she beckoned them onto Sylphid. The four, as they heard the door to the holding cells thrown open, scrambled aboard the dragon and quickly fled the scene, with shouts from the returning guards heard in the distance.

Aboard the Ostland, Colbert had landed around the outskirts of the capital. Just enough in plain sight to attract the city and palace guards to him. He then disembarked and attempted to make his way into the capital as quickly as possible before he could be spotted by any of them.

He was successful, and looked to the night sky to see if he could see Sylphid. Thankfully spotting her, he tried to follow her until she disappeared beyond the city and simply kept moving in that direction, walking with purpose but not running so as not to draw attention to himself.

Guards were running past him towards where he knew he left the Ostland. Once they had passed he decided to raise his hood in the hopes that it would make him less conspicuous. He made his way through the streets, hoping he was headed in the right direction as Osmond had always chided him for his poor sense of it.

Meanwhile, a bit earlier, aboard Sylphid, the five passengers were diving for the trees outside the city, hoping to avoid any guards within it. Once they had landed, Kirche noticed that Louise, Guiche, and Siesta were lacking in any cloaks to obscure themselves. She took a moment to think before handing over her own cloak to Siesta, who it fit most easily, and Montmorency handing over hers to Louise, who found it just a tad too long but it fit mostly fine. They each pulled up the hoods of the cloaks, but as they were about to depart, Guiche protested.

"Hey, what about me? Won't they see me? How can anyone not notice this beautiful face?" Guiche asked in a prideful panic.

"Shut up, idiot, I have a plan." Montmorency chastised as she wrapped her arm around his, blushing and giving a pouty scowl as she did. Guiche looked positively enthralled by this as he looked at his blushing fiancee, who took one moment to look at him before turning away once more. "Stop looking at me like that! It's embarrassing!" Montmorency squeaked and stuttered as she smacked Guiche on the back of his head. The group, sans Matilda, gave a small, awkward laugh at this before turning their attention at re-entering the capital.

"So, what now?" Kirche asked Siesta and Louise.

"Hold on! This whole operation was your idea!" Louise exclaimed.

"We didn't exactly plan anything past getting you out. I assume going straight for Gallia is a no-go as I'm sure the Queen will have the border guards on alert," Kirche laughed sheepishly.

"First we need to get somewhere safe. To come up with a plan," Louise contemplated.

"How about my uncle's inn?" Siesta suggested. Louise, at first hesitant as she was dreading being put in that skimpy waitress uniform once more, realized this may be their only option as she nodded. As the group were preparing to leave, Sylphid gave a low growl of disapproval, causing Kirche to turn back and pat the beast on its snout.

"I'm sorry, but you'll just draw too much attention to us…" Kirche cooed to the dragon as it whined once more. "I know… but I promise. We're gonna get your master back." Kirche kissed the dragon on the snout as she said this and pulled away. Sylphid huffed before beating her wings and flying into the night sky. Once she had left, the group made their way into the city, being careful to avoid guards in the most inconspicuous way possible.

One street they turned down, however, had two guards approaching them from a distance. The group froze for a moment as they registered this. Guiche was visibly panicking at the situation as the guards started to get close enough to identify him. Suddenly, however, Montmorency threw herself upon him, dousing his lips with wet, passionate affections. This caused the guards to chortle to themselves as they walked by without accosting them. Even after they left, Montmorency and Guiche remained locked to each other, with only the clearing of Matilda's throat causing Montmorency to jump away from Guiche, looking obviously red even in the light of the moon and smattering of streetlamps.

"Don't get the wrong idea!" Montmorency stammered out, "That was just my plan to stop us from getting caught! it didn't mean anything!" Guiche looked down at her in an amorous daze.

"Montmorency," he softly began.

"Yes?" the curly-haired blonde squeaked in response.

"No matter the reason," Guiche placed his hand upon her face and gave her a sincere smile, "I'm happy." Montmorency looked ready to melt. Their tender moment was interrupted, however, by Matilda scoffing and rolling her eyes, causing Montmorency to snap her gaze away from Guiche. He looked more concerned than disappointed.

The group continued unmolested as they finally made their way to the Charming Fairies Inn. Once they stepped inside, they were immediately greeted by a warm, inviting presence.

"Oh! Bienvenue mes amours! Please, have a seat anywhere!" a masculine looking individual with a voice in the higher register greeted them sincerely.

Their face was adorned with a heavy layer of makeup that looked to be teetering on the edge of garish but had the perfect balance as the wing work was sharp and flawless, the pouty lips were perfectly covered in just the right amount of glossy lipstick, and the contouring on their face enhanced their chiseled features. They wore a "shirt" that covered only their massively-muscled chest and exposed their defined abdominal region with the sharp definition leaving two lines that directed right to his crotch which was adorned with a pair of impossibly tight shorts that left little to nothing to the imagination.

Montmorency, Guiche, Fouquet, and Kirche, having never seen this person, looked aghast as Louise first had when she saw them.

"Hello again, Uncle Scarron," Siesta greeted them with a wide smile as she lowered her hood to reveal herself.

"Mon dieu…" Scarron began as they teared up. The waitresses, all clad in a matching skimpy style of maid uniform that left little to the imagination in various, vibrant colors all scrambled up, as there were no customers, to form a circle around Scarron and Siesta. "Ma petite Siesta… is it really you?" Scarron asked, disbelieving as they reached out one of their massive hands to touch Siesta's face.

"Oui, c'est moi," Siesta confirmed as she began tearing up as well, "I'm back."

Scarron immediately began ugly crying as they took her in a tight, warm embrace. The waitresses, caught up in the feelings of the moment, followed Scarron's emotions as they all began to weep in relief as well.

"Siesta!"

"We're so happy you're okay!"

"Jessica! Come out here!"

A woman appeared from around the corner, where the kitchen and bar were located, sighing with exasperation as she did while she continued drying the plate in her hands.

"What's all the commotion about?" the woman, who looked like a taller version of Siesta with waist-length hair held back by a cloth wrapped around her head and wearing a long, thick apron covering her plain light brown dress, asked as she looked over to where Scarron was blocking Siesta from view. Scarron, upon hearing their daughter's voice, pulled away from Siesta to reveal her. The woman froze upon locking her own raven eyes upon Siesta's.

"Hi, Jessica," Siesta said with her voice trembling under the weight of her tears.

The room fell pin-drop silent as the two stared at each other, with the silence only being broken by the sound of a shattering plate as Jessica dropped it and rushed to embrace her thought-lost cousin, sobbing into her as she did. As the two embracing cousins took their time to weep, along with Scarron and the waitresses, Kirche, Montmorency, Louise, and Guiche simply watched, finding themselves choked up as well at this beautiful display of relief and love.

Even Matilda could feel it, but hid it well under her hood while she took a seat to wait this interaction out.

Once the two cousins had finished their crying fit, they pulled away from each other, with Jessica landing a sharp slap across Siesta's face.

"You fucking idiot!" Jessica exclaimed in anger at her cousin, "Don't you EVER do that again! We thought you were dead! We buried an empty casket and everything!" Jessica's tear-stained face was red with fury as she shouted this.

"I'm sorry, Jessica," Siesta apologized as she rubbed her tender cheek. Jessica, having no more words, resolved to kiss her cousin on the top of her head and pull her into a loving embrace once more.

"Oh! Thank goodness I found you!" a masculine voice interrupted, causing everyone to turn to the entrance and see Colbert lower his hood. Everyone who knew him marveled at this man's spectacular lack of direction that somehow led him right here.

"Glad you could make it, Professor," Kirche said with a small half-smile to him as he entered the inn and took a seat at one of the tables, eyeing the waitresses as he did and blushing.

"Ah… This is one of those kinds of places," Colbert said sheepishly as he averted his gaze from the scantily-clad service workers.

"I'll have you know," Scarron began with an admonishing tone as they approached Colbert, looking down on him with a smile that oozed a threatening aura, "this is a respectable establishment. None of that here."

"You are right! Of course! Forgive me, um…"

"Mademoiselle Scarron, at your service, beau," Scarron said as they took a small bow before looking to Colbert, winking, and blowing him a kiss. Colbert's blush intensified. Not, as it may have seemed, from discomfort at Scarron's appearance, but from a different source of sheepishness that not even he could identify.

"O-Of course, Mademoiselle," Colbert said, refusing to meet Scarron's gaze. Scarron pouted for a second before returning their attention to their niece.

"That commotion out there," Scarron began as they put the pieces together, "it wouldn't have anything to do with you vagabonds, no?" The group, sans Matilda, laughed sheepishly, which confirmed Scarron's suspicions. "Ah, ma petit Siesta," Scarron smiled as they shook their head and placed their hands on their hips. "Not back but a single day and already a fauteur de troubles," they chuckled to themselves as they gave Siesta a warm smile, "You do me proud."

After explaining their situation to Scarron about Tabitha and hiding from the Queen and trying to figure out a way into Gallia, Scarron nodded as they asked them to wait a moment before returning with a crate that they set upon the table the group was gathered at, minus Matilda, who chose to sit away from them.

"Here," Scarron began as they opened the crate, revealing all manner of clothing within it that the group looked to in confusion. "We had a traveling circus troupe come through here recently. They couldn't afford to pay so they left these."

Guiche hummed in uncertainty as he looked over what looked like a clown suit.

"Rather fitting for you, if I do say so," Montmorency jabbed at him.

"That's a little mean…" Guiche whined in a low voice.

"So… we disguise ourselves and cross the border that way?" Siesta surmised.

"En effet! A simple, clever plan if I do say so!" Scarron declared with a snap of their fingers.

"It may not be enough…" Colbert started with a serious tone as everyone looked to him, "the guards will be on high alert, and border patrols, especially, will be scrutinizing every traveler. Unless…" Colbert's voice trailed off as he scratched his chin in contemplation, "We provide a distraction!"

"What did you have in mind, beau?" Scarron asked, flirtatiously.

"Well," Colbert began, flustered and stumbling in his response. "I could take the Ostland and fly it in the opposite direction you travel. It should take the attention of the border patrol for a little until I am caught."

"Oh! How noble! I find selflessness so attractive, you know," Scarron once again strongly flirted with the increasingly anxious Colbert.

"Go easy on him, dad, he looks like he's about to faint," Jessica chuckled.

"My apologies," Scarron said as they backed off, their uncharacteristic sheepishness catching an eyebrow raise from Louise and Siesta.

"No, it's fine, really," Colbert quickly answered as he took a moment to take a deep, wavering breath and clear his throat to compose himself while Scarron looked away shamefully.

"So," Siesta said, breaking the tension of the moment as she grabbed a random garment from the crate, "We have a plan, then?"

Louise's face went brilliant red as she saw what Siesta pulled out of the crate. To call it "clothing" was generous as it looked like only two pieces of string with a couple bits of extra cloth to cover the most sensitive bits while leaving everything else exposed or covered by a thin, mostly transparent fabric. Once Siesta realized what she had grabbed, as well, she also began turning a brilliant shade of red.

"What is this? I can't wear this!" Siesta sputtered from the embarrassment.

"Look at it this way," Jessica began with a smirk, "at least they won't be looking at your face!"

The group, mostly massively uncomfortable and embarrassed in their new attire (except for Kirche, who was used to and adored flaunting her curvy figure), departed soon after getting changed with a covered cart lent to them by Scarron. Thankfully the insufficiency in cloaks for those wishing to be more modest and warm on this cool spring night was made up for by Scarron, who provided more.

Guiche led the group, driving the horse-drawn covered cart in a clown costume while Louise, Siesta, and Kirche walked beside it, with Montmorency and Matilda in the wagon itself.

As they were leaving the city, Siesta drew close to Louise, taking her hand as she did.

"Hey," Siesta began, causing Louise to look at her, "we should try redoing the summoning ritual as soon as we can." Siesta's tone resonated with a mix of concern and urgency.

"I think so as well, but," Louise began, "why the urgency?"

"Louise… I couldn't protect you properly that night. My own power is insufficient to keep you safe," Siesta said with a shameful tone.

"That wasn't your fault," Louise reassured her.

"Regardless… it showed me that I DO need that power," Siesta declared.

"You didn't need it that first time in Albion," Louise reminded her, "but I understand. We'll do that as soon as we can."

"Thank you, my love," Siesta said as breathed a sigh of relief and gave Louise a small smile.

The group found themselves in a wooded section of the road when Zeratul suddenly blinked into their presence, Tiffa with him and Khaydarin cradled in one of his arms..

"Zeratul!" both Louise and Siesta cried out in relief as they ran to him.

"Here," Tiffa said as she held up a cloth bag, to which Siesta opened her arms to receive. The bag contained Siesta's psi blade bracer, as well as Louise, Guiche's, and Matilda's wands, which they each took gleefully.

"But what about-?" before Siesta could finish her question, Derflinger was produced by Zeratul, who Siesta gladly took.

"Oof, I forgot what it felt like to be blinked around," Derflinger croaked, causing Siesta to giggle as she put him in the wagon and put the bracer on herself, feeling it gently cling to her.

Meanwhile, Colbert, true to his word, made his way back to the Ostland, finding it surrounded by guards who were attempting to anchor the ship with ropes to prevent it taking off. Colbert gave a sigh of resignation as he began to raise his staff. He was stopped, however, by a hand clapping on his shoulder, causing him to jump and turn to see the face of Scarron smirking down at him, flanked by their "fairies".

"Mademoiselle! What are you-?"

"Shh!" Scarron shushed Colbert before he could finish stammering while waving their arm in a signalling manner. As they did, each and every one of their "fairies" (clad in their work uniforms) began walking past him and up to the soldiers, causing them to turn their attention to the ladies.

"What are you doing here? This is a restricted area! We're going to have to ask you to leave!" One of the soldiers barked at the girls.

"Oh my…" one of the girls started as she put on her best expression of innocent fear. "We're so sorry, sirs, but, you see, we heard there was a big, scary monster in the sky and wanted to see it for ourselves!"

"Did you take it down? You're so impressive! It's making me kinda hot…" another of the girls said flirtatiously as she approached one of the soldiers, causing him to look visibly flustered. As the girls continued their disarming flirtations, the soldiers became plenty distracted and faltered in their duty. Colbert smirked as he realized this and turned to Scarron.

"Very clever, Mademoiselle," Colbert said to Scarron, who winked down at him.

"Men are too easy. Now, what say I help you in helping my niece, oui?" Scarron offered.

Colbert nodded at them with a determined smile as both of them easily maneuvered past the distracted soldiers and onto the ship. Colbert started it up while Scarron began severing the ropes keeping the ship in place. By the time the soldiers knew what was happening, the ship had already begun to rise, allowing the soldiers sufficient distraction to turn their attention away from the bounty of women who were previously enthralling them.

"The ship! Someone tell Captain Agnes!" one of the soldiers cried out as the women feigned being scared to safely disperse from the soldiers.

Meanwhile, the group had finally begun to approach the Tristainian/Gallian border and could spot Tristainian border guards in the distance. Zeratul and, surprisingly, Tiffa cloaked themselves. No one had any idea she could do that. Once they drew close enough for the border guards to spot them, they could see them raise their hands to signal them to stop, which they did. The guards eyed them all with suspicion and scrutiny.

"Little late for travel, don't you think?" one of the guards interrogated.

"Yes, indeed," Guiche chuckled anxiously as the guard not interrogating them leered at the women he could see, causing them all to grow red with embarrassment.

When the guard sweeping through the others finally made it to the back of the cart, his gaze became stuck on a hooded Matilda, who shifted uncomfortably as she twitched for her wand.

"Y-You there! Let me see your face!" the other guard demanded as he pointed his spear threateningly at her, causing the traveling group to become gripped with tension. Just as Matilda was about to fire off a spell, Kirche cried out in a… suspicious manner.

"Ah!" her voice echoed loudly in the surroundings, causing everyone to look at her and begin to turn red as they saw what had happened. "I guess, they're bigger than I thought," Kirche dramatically pouted as she had thrown aside her cloak to reveal herself holding the now-snapped string betwixt the tiny pieces of cloth covering the last bits of her modesty.

"What do you think, sir? Are they too big? Be honest…" Kirche pouted flirtatiously to the guard before Tiffa, causing him to tremble with embarrassment.

"W-well, in my opinion they can never be…" the guard sheepishly replied as he had turned his full attention to the buxom, dark-skinned Germanian before him.

"Really? Are you sure? Take a closer look," Kirche pushed her breasts together for maximum effect on the man, causing him to look as if he was going to faint.

"Y-you're free to go, miss!" the other guard suddenly announced, causing everyone else to look taken aback.

"Aww, thank you, darling. You're so understanding," Kirche cooed as she approached the other guard and planted a kiss on his cheek, causing him to grip his spear tightly, lest he collapse on the spot. Kirche turned to Guiche, who was also flabbergasted and enticed by this, and cocked her head to beckon him forward. The group passed by the wooed guards without any further interruptions.

Well done, Ardent Kirche, your mastery of subterfuge would make you a fine Nerazim, Zeratul praised Kirche, giving her no small sense of pride.

Meanwhile, back in Tristain, Colbert was making sure to fly the Ostland just fast enough to let the soldiers chasing them keep up, but not too slow that they could catch them. Scarron was getting the workout of their life shoveling firestone into the furnace while Colbert carefully monitored the readings on the bridge to ensure their speed was maintained.

Just a little longer… Colbert thought to himself. He only had a little longer, indeed, as impacts, clearly from mages below, rocked the Ostland, causing him to almost lose his footing. He hoped he had kept the army and guards busy long enough, as he was not going to allow Scarron to be harmed for this.

"Scarron," Colbert spoke into a horn located near him that led directly to the engine room, "I'm going to take the ship down before anyone gets hurt."

"Oui, ma beau, I trust we've bought them enough time," Scarron's voice answered as Colbert began to slow down and land the ship. Once it had landed and he and Scarron had disembarked, they found himself accosted by what seemed to be just enough of the guards and soldiers as they had hoped to draw away from the south west border where Louise and Siesta and their group were headed. Pushing through the guards and soldiers was the familiar face of Agnes, who glared at Colbert upon seeing him.

"You…" Agnes snarled as she marched up to him, drawing her pistol as she did and pushing it directly against Colbert's now-sweating forehead. "You've got some nerve showing your face to me again." Scarron looked terrified as they let out a tiny squeak of fear.

"I merely wished to present this newest invention for the morale and glory of Tristain!" Colbert awkwardly attempted to lie, fumbling his speech as he did. Agnes, he could see, was not buying into it, and her glare continued to pierce him.

"Timing's a little too convenient for my tastes," Agnes replied, coldly, as she suddenly struck Colbert across the face with her pistol, causing him to collapse and Scarron to run to him, crying out in concern as they did.

"Search the ship. And take them for questioning," Agnes ordered to the nearest guards, who grabbed both of them immediately and began dragging them away from the ship.

Meanwhile, the group was continuing until they saw another set of guards. These ones in armor only one of them had ever seen before. Their bodies were completely covered head to toe in bulky armor that made them look the same size as Zeratul, and their heads were obscured by completely reflective visors that let no part of their faces show. In their hands they carried massive rifles that were designed only to be held by beings clad in such armor. They stood before a square metal structure with a dome-like top that had holes in each, and between each, cardinal direction. The group had not yet been spotted, but they all froze in fear of the unknown that now faced them.

Back in Tristain, the Queen was staring out a window that overlooked the southern road leading out of the city with a contemplative expression on her face. Her thoughts were interrupted by the approach of Agnes, who quickly bowed before she approached.

"Do you think we made it too easy?" Henrietta asked.

"I doubt anyone will suspect a thing, your majesty," Agnes replied.

Henrietta gave her a small nod before she turned her attention back to the road and went back to thinking. Good luck, my friends.