The messenger nods, relief washing over his face.
Yes, Sir Alaric. I will send word to Sir Aerion and Lady Beatrice forthwith. The prince awaits your arrival in the throne room.(Messenger)
Alaric dresses quickly, his mind racing with the possibilities of what this "development" could be. He grabs his sword and rushes out of his quarters, making his way to the castle with all haste. As he approaches the throne room, he sees Aerion and Beatrice already waiting outside, their expressions grave.
Alaric approaches them, lowering his voice.
What do you know? The messenger was cryptic, but urgent.(Alaric)
Aerion shakes his head.
Nothing concrete. The messenger only said there's been an attack and a... casualty. He wouldn't say who or where.(Aerion)
Beatrice's eyes narrow, a frown etched on her face.
An attack, you say? And a casualty? This cannot be a coincidence. The Celestial Order must be behind it.(Beatrice)
Alaric, Aerion, and Beatrice enter the throne room, finding the prince pacing back and forth, his face etched with worry and anger. The king lies on a nearby couch, attended by healers. Several guards lie motionless on the floor, covered by cloaks.
The prince turns to the knights, his voice shaking with barely contained rage.
The king was attacked in his chambers last night. The assassins were dressed as servants, but they were no ordinary men. They fought with a ferocity and skill I've never seen before.(Prince)
The prince's fists clench at his sides, his jaw tightening.
We believe it was the Celestial Order. The assassins were found with symbols etched into their skin, symbols that match those found at the ritual site. They were after the king, Alaric. They wanted him dead.(Prince)
Alaric stands, his mind racing. He looks to Beatrice, who is examining the symbols etched into the assassin's skin.
Lady Beatrice, what can you tell us about these symbols? Do they match any in your research?(Aerion)
Beatrice nods grimly, her eyes never leaving the symbols.
Yes, they do. These are celestial symbols, used in powerful rituals. The fact that they were etched into the assassins' skin suggests a ritual was performed on them, granting them enhanced strength and speed.(Beatrice)
Aerion speaks up, his voice low.
If the Celestial Order is willing to attack the king, they must be desperate. Or confident.(Aerion)
The prince's eyes narrow, his mind working quickly.
We'll need to call upon the other knight orders to help bolster our defenses and hunt down the remaining members of the Celestial Order. I propose we summon the Third and Fifth Orders.(Prince)
Alaric nods, recognizing the wisdom in the prince's decision.
The Third Order is renowned for their tracking skills and stealth. They'll be invaluable in hunting down the assassins who escaped. And the Fifth Order's mastery of elemental magic will provide a powerful deterrent against any further magical attacks.(Alaric)
The prince turns to Beatrice.
Lady Beatrice, I need you to send messages to the heads of the Third and Fifth Orders. Tell them to bring their finest knights and mages, and to expect a full briefing upon their arrival.(Prince)
Beatrice bows her head.
It will be done, Your Highness.(Beatrice)
The prince calls for an emergency meeting in the war room, summoning the commanders of the Third and Fifth Orders, along with the guildmaster of the Adventurer's Guild. Alaric, Aerion, and Beatrice are also present, standing around the large table that dominates the center of the room.
We're gathered here today to discuss the recent attack on the king and the growing threat posed by the Celestial Order. I've called upon the Third and Fifth Orders to aid us in our defense and pursuit of the assassins.(Prince)
The commander of the Fifth Order, a sternfaced woman named Laura, speaks up.
What do we know about these assassins? Their methods, their numbers, their leaders?(Laura)
Alaric steps forward, laying out the information they've gathered.
The assassins were enhanced through some form of celestial magic. They fought with inhuman speed and strength. As for their leaders, we suspect Lord Orion Astralis of House Astralis and possibly Lady Elara Luminara are involved.(Alaric)