Haelith was fitting in rather well. Apprehensive at first, she was harassed by some Templars for a few days, until Aidu put them in their place. She and Raine became fast friends, as they both had a love of studying. Haelith studied medicine, anatomy, and biology, while Raine focused on magic. Sometimes, Haelith would ask questions about how magic worked, as she hoped to incorporate healing magic into her bag of tricks. She didn't help out much downstairs, but was always ready to serve at a moment's notice. It had been a week, when Lynn called everyone to meet during the evening.

"We leave at first light, heading east."

"Whoa, what?" Richard asked. He was keeping his distance from Haelith, but it was hard in the small room, and he did still want to be near Raine. He had gotten off on the wrong foot with her, accidentally opening the door while she was changing. It was truly an accident, but he was still very embarrassed. "Why? Did something come up? Have we been compromised?"

"No. If that was the case, we would be in the gallows, or worse. Madelyn has been monitoring incoming orders, and things have taken a turn for the worst. Quadruple the quotas, double patrols, extended shifts. Three weeks ago, you copied down those runes from the main assembly compound. Have you made any breakthroughs?"

"Nothing we didn't already suspect. Anti-tampering, magic control, and whatever the third line is supposed to be." Raine said with a frown.

"And Richard, you also went on a mission that night, though you finished quite a bit before Raine was back. Would you please share the details of your mission?"

"You sent me to the docks. Disguised as a dock worker, I learned that the Templars had begun stockpiling resources here. There was also going to be a large influx of slaves and soldiers that had been rallied in the west. I also found out that there was a high ranking general on his way here, potentially one of the five Master Templars. I never confirmed when or who would be showing up though."

"It could be Trace Legacy." Haelith interrupted. "He's probably chasing me. I've put us all in danger…"

"You have done no such thing, Doctor." Lynn assured her. "However, last night, Madelyn was listening, and found more about our mysterious soon to be visitor. The Master Spy, a man whose name has never been said. He is coming with not one, but two of his generals, one called Kalnaroth [kal-nahr-ahth]. The other, we have heard very little of, not even a name, but we know he is coming. I trust my abilities as a spymaster, but against a true Master Spy, I have no chance of avoiding them. Tomorrow, we head east, where I will send word to the King, advising we assist both sides of the war. We cannot openly favor one side over the other, but in secret, we will work against the Templars, for they have begun a crusade across Wolf territory, destroying everything in their path. We can do no more here. We will leave at first light."

"And go back to Edinmire?" Maren asked. "No thank you. I do not want to see him again. I'd rather take my chances here. At least Aidu never tried to steal my soul from my body."

"But we could change things!" Karen said. "We can be more than just 'the Taverndaters', we could be heroes!"

"No. If you want to go, then go. I won't be joining you. Besides, Edinmire is five weeks away. The war could be over by the time you get there."

"I'm afraid this war is only just beginning. Both sides are mobilized. Neither will back down. The Wolves may have struck the first blow with the raid in Edinmire, but the Templars have responded with an all out invasion. In turn, the Wolves have struck their supply lines, tried to slow them down with ambushes, and have even forced retreats on several occasions with well placed mages destroying large numbers of Templar conscripts."

"How do you know all this?" Sythe asked. "The war is weeks away."

"And the Templars have developed ways of communicating over vast distances using their towers. They are no longer simply mana towers, they are military strongholds. And they are coordinating advances and assaults from hundreds of miles away. No one else has access to this but them. The only reason we know is thanks to Madelyn. She has been most helpful this past month. Maren, I know you do not wish to see him again, but I fear staying here will only bring you a swift and painful death. You would be branded a spy and traitor for knowing about me. You would be tortured to find out all you know. I do not wish for that. Please, join us."

Maren was quiet as she though about it. She brushed the white strip of hair away from her face, and sighed. "We're going to need-"

"Supplies?" Aidu's voice made everyone, even Lynn, jump. "You don't worry about that. In the morning, I'll have food ready for you. You said you're heading back to Edinmire, right?

"How did you hear us?" Richard asked. "I thought these walls were too thick, and enchanted to prevent eavesdropping?"

"Honey, who do you think enchanted them?" Aidu produced from within the folds of her dress a rune carving crystal. "I made those enchantments, I can get around them. Now, ya'lls gonna be leavin' in the mornin', so I'll be hard at work tonight makin' sure you gots everything you need."

"You are a wonderful woman," Lynn said with a smile, "and I hate to leave you. I doubt you would abandon your home, but it would be wise to not stay here."

"Aww, you're sweet, carin' bout little old me. But I've been here my entire life. I inherited this place from my granddad, and I aint gonna let no one take it away. You stay out of trouble, and make sure you make some trouble for these bastards for me too, ya hear?" With that Aidu closed the door, and left everyone to their thoughts.

"I'm going to miss her." Madelyn said. "She's always had coffee ready when I got back. Had a cup with my name on it. Literally. Don't know how she knew I'm an Adelaide, but somehow she did."

"We should get some sleep." Raine said. "It's a five week trip back to Edinmire and the Estate."