A gorgeous woman with long golden hair seemed illuminated by the Dream Gate. Her statuesque figure fit neither Lady Morgan nor Lady Nephis. With her was the soldier who had just recently departed.
Rhys frowned at his subordinate. "You're back?"
The obvious question hung in the air.
The soldier bowed so deeply that the sweep of her hand brushed the ground. "Lady Helie was the only Saint available in the camp. I left a message for Lord Valor with one of the knights, but he is in a council with the princesses just now."
"Welcome, most esteemed guests." Helie strode past the guard with a smile to address the group. "Lord Anvil would not miss a chance to speak with the House of Night. I am sure he will hear of your plight and be here shortly."
'Either Helie has gotten more eloquent, or they give some version of that speech to all guests who come seeking an audience with the King of Swords.'
Noble kept her thoughts to herself as Helie scanned the group. Her eyes immediately stopped on the floating Saint.
"Master Noble? I didn't realize you were affiliated with the House of Night?"
"Ah, Lady Helie. It is good of you to remember me." Noble dipped her head while she hid the color threatening to show in her eyes. "I am not associated with the House of Night. I wanted to check on friends who might be in trouble, that is to say, a friend—Saint Naeve, and things went sideways from there. Although now I would consider many more of them friends. We have been through a lot today…"
"I see." If Helie doubted her, she didn't show it in her emotions.
The blonde Saint's thoughts were otherwise occupied as she continued to survey the refugees.
Her eyes locked on Aether, and Noble could feel the huge relief coming from Helie.
'That was the real reason she came. She heard the House of Night was in trouble, and she wanted to check on her cohort member.'
According to their agreement, Helie hadn't seen Aether since their parting in the Dream Realm.
Upon hearing about the Clan's plight, she had been the first to respond so that she could confirm that her friend was still alive. Upon seeing that he was part of the group, Helie's anxiety evaporated like morning dew.
Noble was deeply touched by the concern. Her own courage was bolstered by the exchange only she could see.
Though Aether did not show it on his face, he was deeply relieved to see Helie as well.
She was a friendly face in a sea of uncertainty.
Noble wanted desperately to participate in the unspoken reunion, but she was forced to avert her gaze and only watch it through her second sight.
After a polite dip of the head from Aether, and an equally polite smile from Helie, the blonde Saint cleared her throat.
"As Master Noble said, I am Lady Helie. I have been told that the people of the House of Night seek sanctuary in the Sword Domain. Who will speak for you?" Helie turned, expecting Saint Aether to take the lead, but their spokesperson had already been selected.
"Lady Helie, I am Saint Naeve. For reasons unknown to us, Mordret has infiltrated our Clan, turned many of our leaders into his puppets, and killed or tried to kill those of us who would not comply. We seek safety in the land of Lord Anvil."
"Mordret?" Helie glanced at the guard who had brought her. That detail had conveniently been left out before. She looked back at the speaker for the group. "Tell me more."
Helie continued to listen as Naeve detailed the series of events that had led them to this point. He left nothing out, hoping that his honesty would garner favor with the representatives of Valor.
It seemed to be working, for the more Naeve spoke, the lower the weapons of the retainers guarding them became until they were resting at the sentries' sides. Even Master Rhys seemed moved by what those present had been through.
When Naeve was done, his uncle added a few details of his own personal ordeal with his small group.
"I can see that this has shaken all of you badly, and now that I have heard the tale, I can see why." Helie folded her hands gently in front of her as she spoke.
Noble noticed how close that placed them to the sword at her side. Noble had mostly witnessed Helie with a quiver and a bow, but ever since the archer had nearly taken down Lady Nephis, the lovely Saint had opted for a closer combat weapon to defend herself.
Only, why were her fingers twitching like she might draw it at any moment?
"I only have one difficulty that I need to deal with first. What guarantee do I have that none of you are one of those who was turned into a puppet by the Fallen Prince?"
The knights of Valor once more tensed.
"Excuse me?" Naeve was caught off guard.
"The one you blame is quite cunning. He might have sneaked in here with all of you." Helie nodded slowly. She hadn't been directly in contact with the Prince of Nothing, but she had heard from her Uncle about all that Mordret could do. Caution was key. That was why her sword was ready at her side. If Mordret showed himself now and attacked, Helie wanted to be ready.
But no attack came.
"Excuse me, but Master Noble can sense Mordret." Aether bowed slightly. "I recommend you ask her."
"Master Noble?" Helie raised an eyebrow at her.
"I can sense Mordret. While I cannot confirm that any of these people would side with him, I can say without a doubt that none of them are possessed by him." Noble could see the question on Helie's face.
She posed the question to Aether a moment later. "And you believe her?"
"I am Saint Aether, and I do. She saved my life…many of our lives, in fact." Aether responded without hesitation.
"It is possible that you both are possessed by Mordret and are covering for each other." Helie pressed.
However, Aether shook his head. "I will not beg-roan your suspicion, Lady Helie. Our story does sound unbelieva-bel. But I assure you that we are not pieces of flint that will set fire to Clan Valor. We come in peace and are fully ourselves."
Helie inhaled deeply. "I will take you at your word, Saint Aether; however, my clan will still want to clear all of you individually. The rest of you can stay here. Saint Naeve, will you follow me while I try to gain you an audience with Lord Anvil?"
"Thank you, My Lady." Naeve kissed his wife and patted his daughter's cheek.
Then he followed Saint Helie through the gateway into some stronghold that Noble had never seen.
"Master Rhys, open the gate. I want to go and look for more refugees from my clan." Bloodwave's deep voice boomed across the lawn.
"You think there are more to be found?" Master Rhys furrowed his brow.
"I think that if there are, then it is my duty to find them." Saint Bloodwave placed his hand on his chest.
"There's no one outside just now." The watcher at the gate confirmed.
Rhys pursed his lips. "Let him out, then."
The gates were opened, and the white-haired Saint marched proudly down the street. His bloodied armor would have caused anyone on the street to worry, except there were no people anywhere to be seen.
'Please save the other members of your Clan!' Noble wished him well.
It was time for Noble to take her leave as well. That was, until she remembered the man who was now tapping her gently on the shoulder.
"About that word…"