Johnson rode his horse through the forest surrounding the destroyed town, riding around the town to head back down the path which lead them up to the town. Taking a separate path a few miles down the road, he continued riding southward until he reached a small, but rich town after crossing back into Faholgan territory.

The town was small, with very little farmland or houses, but was well hidden within the dense forest surrounding it. A mansion could be found in the town's center, which was surrounded by smaller buildings and shops. From afar, the town appeared to be a normal town, but within the town held guard posts at each road while several of the town's buildings appeared to be armories and possible military based structures.

The mansion was also surounded by guards and held no recognizable flag or color from Faholgal or the Eye of Michael. There were no symbols or banners outside, but within the halls and rooms, great banners and sheilds upon the walls held the colors and symbols of the Swords of Chaos.

Johnson rode his horse into the town. He was stopped at first by the guard post at the beginning of town, but after the guard recognized who he was the guard allowed him to pass. Ignoring any angered looks from any spectators, Johnson rode fast straight to the mansion gates. There, he was stopped again by the guardsmen.

"Name yourself and purpose." The guard demanded, standing infront of Johnson's horse.

Johnson dismounted his horse and approached the guard, irritated every guard had stopped him along the way. "Why does no one recognize me?! Just because I wear Faholgan uniform doesn't mean I am one!" After giving his outburst and seeing the surprised look on the guard's face, Johnson took a breath and recomposed himself. "Thomas Dahlgren. I have come to give my report to Lord Zael after stationing with Faholgan military." Johnson stated before his scowl returned. "Now, let me pass."

"Open the gate." The guard stated, a scowl of his own appearing after the way Thomas spoke to him and stepped aside.

"You can take care of my horse while you're at it." Johnson stated as he hastly walked past the gate and toward the mansion, leaving his horse with the guards.

The mansion wasn't very large. Not nearly half the size of the Faholgan castle and barely met the height of most of the ministry's compounds. The gardens were neatly treated and cared for by the servants. The pathway leading to the mansion doors was finely crafted in stonework.

After entering the mansion, Thomas was quickly met by another guard. This time, the guard recognized him.

"You've been on assignment for quite some time, Thomas. You've also been long past due for a report."

Thomas scowled and focused his gaze towards the mansion's main hall. 'You have no idea. I had to spend weeks with people who have more problems they have the wit to manage. I nearly lost my mind to the mindless arrogants I was forced to watch over."

The guard chuckled. "At least you managed to slip away. Lord Zael is sure to be looking forward to your report."

Thomas's features turned stoic. "I just hope he doesn't send me back to those fools after I give it."

The guard gave another chuckle and gripped Thomas' shoulder reassuringly. "You will be alright, Thomas. I'll alert him of your arrival, go wait over there." After pointing toward the waiting chairs at the end of the room, the guard turned and quickly walked down the main hall.

The guard continued on his way down the wide, spacious hall. Light shown through into the finely furnished hall through large, tall windows that were aligned down the right wall. Gold, yellow, and black banners hung from the tall ceilings, each hanging by a finely crafted shield baring the Swords of Chaos crest.

At the end of the hall, two large double doors were closed without any soldiers guarding it. It was Lord Zael's personal quarters. Normally, there would be guards at each door. But this late in the day, Zael had requested no one near his quarters.

After the guard approached the doors, a hand made a fist and raised. He hesitated at first, but knocked loudly upon one of the large doors. From where the guard stood, loud muffles could be heard. Shuffling along with the voices. A loud, agitated voice could be heard approaching the door, muffled by the thickness of the doors, then followed by higher pitched, feminine voices.

Hearing someone approach, the guard stepped back and placed his hands behind his back respectively before both of the doors were pushed open. He straightened his back after seeing it was the one he was searching for.

"Is there a reason why I am being disturbed at this hour?" Zael stood before the partly opened twin doors, wearing finely tailored clothing along with a heavy, fur robe over his shoulders. His shirt was unbutton and wrinkled aside from how expensive they appeared to be.

"Thomas Dahlgren has arrived with his report. You requested you be told immediately when he arrives." The guard stated. His gaze was mainly on Zael, but couldn't help but shift his gaze within the room. Particles of clothing were everywhere and upon further observation, two female felines laid upon the large bed at the back of the room.

"Ah,... yes." Zael said with an annoyed tone before turning back into the room. "I shall return shortly, my ladies. Official business must be taken care of."

"Don't keep us waiting too long, My Lord." One of the females upon the bed requested from on top of the bed.

"We could get lonely" The other added as she wrapped her arms around one of the large pillows.

Zael smirked. "It wont take long." The cat said before turning back toward the hall and closing the doors behind himself.

"He waits for you in the waiting area, My Lord." The guard stated, walking just behind Zael as he hastily walked down the hall.

"Good." Zael stated, keeping a stern gaze forward. "When I am finished, I will have no more interruptions until morning."

"Yes, My Lord." The guard replied.

Thomas alone, looking out one of the large windows out toward the courtyard. It was getting darker outside now that dusk was settling, but he could see well enough to see the guards toward the front of the mansion. He wasn't searching for anything particular, just looking out the window as he waited.

"Ah, Thomas Dahlgren." Zael entered the waiting area with a welcoming smile. "You're late."

Thomas' ears perked up and quickly faced Zael. "My apologies." He gave a short bow. "It became harder to leave the group as time went on."

"No matter." Zael waved it off. "On with your report."

"Yes, Sir." Thomas started and clamped his hands behind his back. "I don't know if you've heard. But war has started again between Faholgal and the ministry. General Valcian spoke to the mistress and apparently someone said something that triggered it between them. As far as I've heard, Faholgal has still done nothing. But the ministry's armies are already on the move. They had already destroyed one of the towns just beyond the border of Faholgan lands." Thomas paused as Zael rubbed his chin thoughtfully, but continued when Zael said nothing.

"After word was given to Antonis from General Valcian, the group moved out of the area and toward that town, only to find it destroyed. They were still there when I left."

"So... War is forcing the rebellion's general to find a new hiding spot." Zael stated, keeping his thoughtful gaze and lowered his hand. "And he's brought everyone with him."

"Another interesting factor is the Faholgan captain who General Valcian sent to help Antonis." Thomas paused as he noticed Zael's eyebrow quirk. "Viggo... is his first name."

Zael's brow lowered, unsure if this name was supposed to signify any importance.

"Another name for Ludvig, My Lord." Thomas smirked and angled his head closer toward Zael.

Zael's brows finally rose as he realized what Thomas was saying. His ears perked, but his brows lowered as a smirk appeared. "Bold. I'm surprised General Valican made such a decision to put 'him' with that group... Bold, indeed." Zael lowered his gaze thoughtfully before looking back up to Thomas. "...Was anyone suspecting of you?"

"No, not even when I left. Everyone was distracted with the devastation of the small town. Debalora was the most affected, but they were all troubled by it."

The mention of Debalora forced Zael's brow to arch and his arms to fold over his chest. "What about the three primaries?"

"They all mainly kept to themselves, especially the beast. And forgive me for saying it, but I would have liked to know that 'he' turns into a monster. It would have helped later on as I was attacked. Not by the beast, but by the others. If I had known it was him, I wouldn't have tried to attack it."

Zael gave an annoyed sigh and rolled his eyes. "What about the others?"

"Gordan kept to himself and secluded himself to his room. From what I ever saw of him, he only studied."

Zael smirk, appearing satisfied to hear about Gordan. "Good. Just as he's supposed to. He's no use to me if he doesn't know anything."

"My Lord?" Thomas arched a brow questioningly as he watched Zael.

"Nothing of your concern." Zael responded with a frown. Thomas may have been reporting to him, but that doesn't mean he needs to know everything. He's always been nosey... thus the reason why he sent him to spy on the others. "And what about Brandon?"

Thomas took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. He saw the reason why he wanted Voltrick watched and just realized why Gordan was being watched, but why would he want Brandon watched as well? He held no importance in the group and rarely involved himself in any of the other's conversations. "Brandon was... taken." Thomas' face scrunched up frustratedly. "By some kind of... cult. But I know it wasn't the ministry..."

"WHAT?!" Zael shouted as he unfolded his arms and stood face to face with Thomas. "You let them take him?! You were supposed to watch over him!" He ended with a growl.

Thomas tensed up in surprise and backed up against the wall behind himself. "You told me to watch the three of them. You never mentioned any importance..."

"Who took him?!"

"I don't know... I know they weren't from the ministry!" Thomas nervously gulped. "And they weren't Faholgan soldiers... some kind of cultists... They used magic to take him."

"And you did nothing to stop them?!" Zael forced his right hand forward and wrapped it around Thomas' neck. After embedding his claws, he lifted Thomas, by his throat, up and against the wall.

Thomas' yelped and gasped as he was struck against the wall. Zael was a man who appeared average size, but he was abnormally strong to lift Thomas so easily from the ground. "He... I didn't know you wanted me... to protect him!" Thomas shouted as he desperately held onto Zael's wrist. "I only watched because they used magic to take him, I would have been useless against them..."

Zael snarled viciously and pressed Thomas against the wall harder. "Why do you think I had you watch him!? You knew he was important, yet you did nothing when he was being kidnapped!" he growled loudly. "He is my brother, you fool! And he is the only person in this world I would see protected!"

"I'm.. sssorry, Lord Zael!" Thomas gasped. "If I had known... I would have..."

Zael gave a sharp growl. "Where did they take him?!"

"I don't know..." Thomas choked, but desperately tried to speak. "They rode north into the forest toward the Tooele areas. And all I know... about them... is that they used magic... and only wanted Brandon specifically."

Zael growled lowly with a snarl. A short moment passed before he lowered Thomas' feet to the ground and released his throat. Blood had lightly dripped from the puncture wounds made by his claws, but before Thomas could regain his composure Zael clenched his fist and swung his arm to hook the left side of Thomas' face. "That's for being an arrogant moron and allowing Brandon to be taken..."

Thomas was hit hard and fell onto his side with a sharp yelp. A shakey hand first lifted to the side of his face, but quickly moved down to delicately wipe the side of his neck. He watched Zael nervously, but briefly looked down to his hand to see the blood from his neck before looking back up to Zael.

Zael glared down toward Thomas before quickly turning his gaze toward the guard behind him, who stood up straight when Zael turned to him. "Assemble a team of soldiers to search that area. I want these.. 'cultists' found and Brandon with them." Zael demanded before turning back to Thomas. "...And he better be alive..." he growled threateningly.

Gathering as much courage as he could muster, Thomas shakily sat up to a kneel. "What would you have me do?"

Zael snarled. "You will go back to that town and find Antonis and the others. This time... do your job." Zael commanded before quickly turning around and walked back toward the hall. "I'll expect your report in two weeks!" Zael demanded and turned into the main hall.

Thomas remained silent, but held an angered, scrunched look on his face as he watched Zael leave. After Zael disappeared into the main hall, a shakey hand raised again to feel the puncture wounds at his neck.

.