The interlopers had planned to come over the wall without announcing themselves and be out before the Academy staff could react, but once the alarm had been tripped, they had ventured to the gate instead of leaving.
By the smug looks on their faces, they were not ashamed of their actions.
'A little bit of embarrassment at being caught would have been nice. But if they are Knights of Valor, they believe they are doing what is right.'
Noble didn't recognize the key players near the front of the group, and the amulet around their leader's neck prevented her from feeling any of the others' emotional signatures.
The provost felt a little blind without that source of information, but she would have to make do.
One of the guards hurried to Noble's side and bowed deeply.
"Madam Provost. These men have…"
"Ah, is that the woman in charge?" The Saint of Valor called at her across the commons. "I was beginning to think we were being neglected."
"I will take it from here, Awakened Hunter. Code six-one-seven. Have your men fall back, and I'll welcome our guests." Noble watched the guard's eyes widen in recognition.
Hunter's voice called across the commons, "You heard the Provost. Back up!"
The security team fell back, forming a new line many meters behind Noble as she strode forward wearing a polite smile.
"I am sorry that you felt neglected. There has been a problem with our security system. I thank you for your patience. Welcome to the Awakened Academy. I am Provost Noble. What can I do for you today, Saint Steel?"
Even without being able to feel the man's emotions, Noble was sure that he knew who she was upon her arrival. He had feigned ignorance to place her on the defensive.
But rather than bow to the Saint of the great clan in fear, Noble had greeted him politely and called him by name.
"You know who I am?" Steel raised an eyebrow at her.
Noble did not show her relief that she had been correct. It had been an educated guess, considering how much the brothers resembled each other, but there was always the chance that they had another Saint in the family that Flint had not mentioned.
Flint had revered his brother, who Noble gathered had raised him more than their parents. However, Child of Promise had many objections to his methods. In a way, this meeting was a long time coming. Noble just hadn't expected it to be on campus grounds.
"Your reputation precedes you." Noble's polite smile never wavered. "Now, please tell me what brings you here today? I don't suppose you are here to fix our electrical issue? Saint Summer Knight did promise that Valor would help us in our time of need."
The gentle shift of footing of the Master next to Steel betrayed his discomfort. So, he had been the one to disrupt the system with his Aspect. The woman on the other side of the Saint of Valor frowned. Did she not like Summer Knight or was she displeased with the promise he had made?
"You want to know why we have come? We have one simple request, and then we will not trouble you further." Steel placed his fist on his chest gallantly. "In fact, we can even assist you with your electrical problem as soon as this other little matter is sorted, Provost."
"What is the other little matter, then?" Noble folded her hands behind her back.
"I need you to release some people into our protective custody." Steel's voice seemed genuine, almost kind.
"Protective custody?" The Provost pursed her lips. "That sounds serious! Has there been a threat to one of the scions of the Sword Domain? I will be happy to work with you to remedy that situation immediately. I assure you I take very good care of everyone inside these walls. Tell me their name, and we can..."
"We are here for the Princesses of Song." Steel cut through her words, silencing the head of the Awakened Academy. "But you already knew that, somehow. Why else would you be stalling while every youth on the campus quietly filters out of sight?"
Noble allowed a small smile as her eyes began swirling softly. "As I said, I take the safety of all of my students seriously, no matter who they are."
"Hand over the princesses, Madam Provost." The Saint of Valor narrowed his gaze.
"No."
The word was firm and without hesitation, surprising Saint Steel.
"Do you really intend to defy me?"
As soon as war had officially broken out, Noble had known something like this could happen. While she had hoped it wouldn't come to this moment, the provost had run through this very scenario in her head many times. In none of those situations had she ever given over the girls.
When Child of Promise had accepted the position, she had taken it upon herself to be the last line of defense between her students and tragedy, even if it cost her everything, including her life.
Now it was time to prove whether she would keep that promise which she had made to herself and her students. Two words escaped her lips in answer to his query.
"I do."
Behind her, the Awakened security strengthened their stances. Noble could feel their fear even as they stood their ground. She was proud of them. They had no chance against the mighty Saint, his two Ascended allies, and the host of Awakened legacies, yet they trusted Noble and believed in their cause enough to make a stand.
Noble nodded toward her staff. "Correction. We do. Even if you make it past all of our defenses, it will take you quite some time, and time is something you don't have the ability to waste. If you depart peacefully now, I will consider this simply a lapse in judgement."
Noble wished with her whole heart for the men and women of Valor to leave.
However, her will for the invasion to end right then and there was not meant to be. Steel barked a laugh.
"I understand why they made you provost, Master Noble. Like your predecessor, you have principles. I respect that. Any other day, that would have been enough. Unfortunately, I have principles also. And you are between me and what I came to do." Steel shook his head sadly.
"We are at an impasse then." Noble's eyes showed a hint of silvery grey.
She had been trying to subtly influence the emotions of the people of Valor. Unfortunately, the barrier that was protecting them from detection was also rebuffing any attempt by her to penetrate and manipulate.
They had knocked out their connection to the outside world and had neutralized Noble's power to emotionally de-escalate the situation. Valor had come prepared.
'I need help!'
I'm working on it.
Noble blinked. The voice in her head was not hers, but it did sound oddly familiar. Had she imagined it?
Before she could contemplate what had happened, Steel motioned behind him.
"If this were a normal game of cards, I would agree with you, Madam Provost. However, today I hold an ace." Steel stepped aside as a small bundle was dumped on the ground and then hoisted to her feet.
Steel's knife met Lumi's throat.
"Let's try this again."