There was an old barn some miles away from the Ministry, hidden within the dark forests. However old, it held it's uses as a meeting spot for secretive discussions as was to occur that night. Kirill was the first to arrive, fashionably early to prepare the grounds for his special guest. A few chairs were overturned to create the effect that this dusty place hasn't been used in a long time. Cobwebs seemed to fill every corner and each step emitted a small cloud of dust into the air.

The snow leopard blew the dust from the large table in the center, lighting a candle to cast away the gloomy darkness. He then sat down on a chair, propping a leg across the other with a hand tapping the table, awaiting his guest.

The sound of hooves stamping rapidly against the ground could be heard a ways down the trail. The sound grew louder as it came closer to the barn.

Three horsemen rode down the trail, wearing dark cloaks which hid any features or marks of who they may be or where they came from. All wore a case of arrows and a bow at their backs. One horseman led the other two, his horse trained for those with high regard as it trotted elegantly.

As the horsemen approached the old barn, the leader halted his horse lifted a fist; signalling to the other two riders stay back and take scouting positions around the barn in case anyone were to approach.

When the others had left for their tasks, the leader dismounted his horse and led the stallion to be tied at one of the barn's posts.

The leader arched a brow as he surveyed the area around the entrance; removing his hood. An older dog with blue and gray weaved hair was revealed under the hood before he made his way inside the barn.

Kirill quirked a brow as the sound of galloping horses were heard in near distance. His eyes were closed as he kept an amused expression on his features until the older dog entered the barn, obvious as the large door creaked loudly with rust.

"Glad you could make it, General Valcian." Kirill greeted, his eyes opening as he tilted his head to the guest, nodding towards the open chair on the other side closest to Kirill. "I hope your time is not impeded with this meeting."

Draco arched a brow as he opened the very loud, rusted barn door, but quickly turned his attention to the feline whoe resided inside. The same greetful nod was given in return to Kirill's greeting with a kindly smile.

"Time may be short for someone in my position, but when important meetings arise time must be given." The older dog said before he made his way to the motioned chair.

"Glad to hear it." Kirill answered with a sort of smile. He awaited Draco to seat himself before positioning his hands onto the table, clutching them into a ball as he straightened himself, looking to Draco with a serious air.

"Let's get down to business, shall we? I am sure you've heard of O'luca Viglione's return to the Ministry is upon us. It was somewhat easy getting the rebellion organized under General Convel's nose, however, Viglione will prove differently." He paused as if to take breath as he said all this rather quickly.

"It may be time to ... reconsider the Faholgal treaty with the Ministry..." he finished on an uncertain note, glancing timidly towards Draco.

Draco first sat near casually with one elbow upon the table and half his back against the chair as he listened to Kirill begin. His features became serious as the tone immediately mentioned O'luca and General Convel, most noteably Murdoc.

After the feline's final statement, Draco's seating readjusted to sit up in his chair with his back straightened and both arms on the table. This disturbed Draco greatly and was tempted to immediately turn down the suggestion. But Draco kept his stature and questioned Kirill.

"That treaty has protected our lands from the ministry's foul conducts. If we were to go against it, O'luca would have every right to invade our land and endanger the lives of Faholgal citizens. I cannot risk such an action."

This had been the second time Draco had been questioned about it. The first time wasn't as direct, it was more angled to have the Faholgal Army aid the rebellion.. that had been from Debalora Pardia.

Kirill's features noticeably grimaced to Draco's answer. The only thing left was to argue with it.

"I understand that. But with the Faholgal Army's aid with the Rebellion to overthrow the Ministry...Can you imagine what that would do for other lands taken over by them? Let alone with tyranny? Why, your treaty (for example) has kept Faholgal on their toes watching the Ministry's moves, to see if aggression is due towards them." Kirill's brows lowered, dipping his head a bit as he looked at Draco to better persuade the General...or to plead.

"We have lived with too much fear of this...this...evil. It's high time to do something about it before the conductor returns."

Draco's features remained stern. "We already had a war with the Eye of Michael years ago. The destruction afterwards barely gave us the treaty in the first place. Our numbers may have increased since then, but so have the Ministry's. And how would we know if O'luca has found some other army to fight alongside her to double her forces?"

Draco paused and sighed. "I understand what you are trying to say. I agree with you, but I cannot risk the sacrifices of my own people."

A heavy sigh escaped Kirill's maw, dipping his head as a heavy paw rested against his head, pressing back his fur. A gesture of difficulty. The meeting seemed over not only ten minutes into it. How else could he persuade Draco to reconsider?

"I'll have to think..." Kirill muttered absently as he looked away to a dark corner for a little while until he conjured up another conversation, "I may be rushing. I've noticed the Ministry becoming more and more corrupt as time goes by. Why, they even had an innocent looking cat in the same dungeon cell as a tiger that could become a monster (so I've heard...never seen it for myself). It was a sad sight. Let alone the other heedless murders conducted inside with no proper rule over the soldiers other than that Fyren..."

Draco quickly figured who the innocent cat was, along with the tiger as well. They've put Aidan in the same cell as Voltrick, that beast who continued to attack the others. Sent by Murdoc, no less. But now Murdoc resides with Antonis, so who controls Voltrick now that he's gone?

"This tiger, you speak of, who can turn into a monster. Has he hurt the cat?" This was mainly asked in concern for Aidan. He just came from a meeting about rescuing him, so he had to know if he was alright.

Kirill looked back to Draco with a small pause before he answered the question, "I...don't believe so. I overheard the leader of the torture group that they put the cat in there to calm the monster down...which is surprising to me. That tiger is by far the most aggressive being I've ever seen...to everyone."

He lifted his arm from the table, leaning his cheek against his palm comfortably as he remembered.

The news of Voltrick not harming Aidan was comforting, but the torture group disturbed him more than before. Aidan, who has done nothing, was being tortured alongside a monster which served the ministry. Draco raised both hands and lowered his forehead to rest upon them as he thought to himself.

Draco knew the travisties of the ministry and what have done to other lands and the people of those lands. The meeting with Antonis and Murdoc, alone, forced him to know the corruption within it. Torture, pillaging, conqure and destruction. With all that at play by the rule of O'luca, who's to say that she wont break the treaty herself and attack Faholgal without warning? What's to give her a reason not to? A shake of the finger by his king, or another war that will end in the same manner as the last?

But what's different this time? Antonis isn't leading its armies along with Murdoc..., from what he said. O'luca may have found another army or not.. but if she has, what's to stop her from invading Faholgal? But there is also another factor, the ministry fights within itself because of the rebellion. A rebellion that would fight alongside Faholgal if Faholgal were to help them in their fight.

Draco took a breath and lowered his hands away from his face with a sigh. "What you ask of me is near impossible. War would be upon us and the sacrifice of my people would be too great... if we weren't prepared... which we aren't. But..." Draco stopped, as he focused his gaze thoughtfully past Kirill.

Kirill lowered his brows, eyes narrowing as Draco paused. "No...Please just think about it. As I've said, rushing things is no good. There's still some time to consider things than to make a sudden decision. But I am used to being told what to do by authority. I am not such a strong leader..." Kirill again rubbed his forehead with his paw, "General Antonis would be a great help to me now..." he murmured to himself under his breath.

"...Let us meet again next week and propose our final resolves. It's too soon to make a final decision." Kirill concluded, closing his eyes calmly. He doesn't want to risk the chance of this plan going terrible wrong and ... as Draco had said...sacrifice his people for nothing. Nor does he want that for himself and his fellow rebellions.

Draco grunted in agreement before he stood himself up. A respectful bow of his head was given before speaking again. "Then we shall meet in one week's time. If you should need to contact me, one of my men shall remain in the nearby village. Contact him and he will relay the message." He paused a bit before continuing. "Is there anything you require before I take my leave?"

Kirill frowned with his arms crossed over his chest. His head lowered slightly in thought to how this meeting had gone.

"No. That is all, General Valcian." he replied rather monotone. Something had to be done soon. A flint into dry grass to spread wildfire...as the old saying goes. But this was hundreds of lives at stake, Kirill would not want to be responsible even for one.

"Take care, General. I'll keep in touch." Kirill called out after Draco, who had begun walking towards the exit. He decided to reside in the barn for a while longer to brood over his plans.