Antonis met Draco's gaze with his own, frowning as his plan unfolded. True he was concerned over Ceres because the others were there...This general of Draco's had created a great mess of things.

"Understood." he replied sternly, looking back to the map. In any case, they had to protect anything they could. Boursault's army was...The devastation of Tulen was a clear example of what they were capable of.

The meeting ended there as Antonis made it a point of urgency to return to Ceres, leaving as soon as he came. Before Vincent could catch him for questions, Antonis had disappeared. Coming back to the outside of the main tent, he found Loki waiting for Vincent with his arms crossed, a look of concern drawn on his features. Vincent had always known this to be a bad sign.

"Why so glum, Loki? Usually you're happy to prepare information, especially for a general." Vincent smiled, trying to cheer the cat up.

Loki frowned gently, tapping a finger on his arm in thought before he looked up to Vincent. "Does Lord Scarlatto know who you are?" he asked, considering events that may conspire if people knew that ex-General Valerik were still alive.

"Of course he does. We're friends, aren't we?" Vincent waved off.

"I mean...who you really are."

Vincent paused, giving some thought as he looked to Loki. "I'm...not sure. But I wouldn't put it past him."

The cat nodded slightly as he glanced away, "Are you going to follow Antonis to Ceres?"

The way he said it made Vincent feel guilty as though Loki felt he were abandoning him. Or them. Vincent tried to smile reassuringly, "I'll be back before you know it! I just have to check up on things. Make sure everything is alright! We have to help Faholgal any way we can, right?"

"I suppose..."

"Look. I promise I'll be back within the week. Besides, I still haven't plotted a way of getting back at you for slipping that drug into my drink."

Loki blushed as he scratched his cheek, trying hard to look innocent. "Oh, you think that was me?"

Vincent grinned. "I know it."

"Very well." Loki said before he looked at the mouse sternly. "A week! I don't want to have to face Miss Dollet. You know how she gets when she worries."

"Er...right." Vincent muttered, nearly shuddering at that. He hadn't thought of Miss Dollet's reaction. They'd grown rather attached to one another and by god she'll have his head if he went against his word. But any chance of seeing Debalora and knowing she was safe was priority. "A week then."

"Good. Now you'd better leave if you want to keep the time. I'll stay here since Sir Draco wishes to speak with me further and to wait for his lordship to return."

After they said their farewells, Vincent took his horse and rode to Ceres after forced a map by Loki for his travels. Loki was against the decision, but there was some urgency that Vincent follow Antonis. For a reason he couldn't comprehend. Loki returned to the main tent.

----

A day passed before a black carriage strode in camp, which bustled with activity after the order that the army stationed there was to move. Loki had spent the night scribbling madly in his book of the events that had transpired and the information he learned of Faholgal (much to Draco's uncertainty) and the strange conflict with Antonis and Vincent. In a way, he was trying to connect the events, especially with the Swords of Chaos involved.

Greeting Aeth, Loki informed him of Vincent's action of leaving for Ceres. Loki recalled Aeth looking at him strangely before calling a horse he had left at the camp and promptly rode off much to Loki's dismay.

He was left in the wake of Miss Dollet's concerned and worried fit.