Storm wanted to continue asking the Grans and Mimereus about their latest discovery.
But unfortunately the Kitsune liason chose that exact moment to arrive.
"Overlord, I hope I'm not interrupting!?" Came Augustus's voice.
"What is it, Augustus?!" Asked Storm irritably.
"I just wanted to tell you that the liason has arrived. " Said Augustus.
"Keep her busy for a few minutes, I'm in the middle of something!"
"I've .... already sent her to your Study, Overlord?!"
Storm sighed.
"I'm on my way."
Storm looked up at the Grans.
"It seems like something else has come up. We will continue this conversation later!"
Storm left the Greenhouse and made his way to his study.
He was suprised to find that the liason was none other than the Dame Ciela.
The leader of the Kitsune that had escaped from Northburg with him.
Her bodyguard, Igor was standing at attention beside her, but unlike before, his true features were on full display.
He was even taller in his true form, He had pure white fur, that covered his entire body.
Two large fangs grew from his lower jaws and passed his lips, making him somewhat resemble an orc.
Ice like growths grew from his upper arms that would protect his limbs from weapon strikes.
As before, he carried no weapons except for his fists, which seemed more like large boulders, instead of hands
"Ciela? You're the liason?" Asked Storm.
"I hope you're not disappointed, dragon. "
"Not at all! Just suprised!
The Matriarch always spoke highly of you and I was certain she would have reassigned you to another spy network. "
"Truth is, I volunteered.
I didn't want to have lives placed in my care again so soon after my last failure.
The Matriarch eventually agreed to my request until such a time as I'm ready to return to the field again. " Explained Ciela.
"Well, I'm glad to have you! I'm sure we'll get along very well!" Said Storm.
Storm hesitated before choosing to press on.
"Forgive my lack of hospitality, Ciela. But an emergency has come up and I need the aid of your sisterhood sooner than I had anticipated!" Said Storm.
He gave a brief report of their encounter with the Lich, as well as what they had discovered about the missing dragons as well as his uncle.
"We need to urgently set off for Arcadia, but we need information about the area, as well as contacts in city.
I was hoping that the Matriarch had agents there that could assist us?"
Ciela shook her head sadly.
"I'm afraid we can't assist you with this, Storm.
We have no presence in Arcadia at all.
Due to the amount of mages in the kingdom, infiltrating them is next to impossible.
We've tried on several occasions, but it all ended with the agent either killed or captured.
And so we stopped sending agents to their deaths.
Storm's heart sank when he heard the news.
"However... I might know someone who.can help.
He's not a Kitsune, but he's loyal to the cause, and extremely well connected.
I'll send your request to him and see if he's able to assist in any way." Replied Ciela.
Storm bowed his head.
"Thank you, Ciela! Your help is appreciated!"
Storm called an emergency meeting, and introduced the Kitsune Liason to the rest of his Advisors.
They spent some time discussing plans and assignments for the time that Storm and Aurora would be away.
Since no one knew how long it would take to find the missing dragons, the plans were more extensive than usual and lasted throughout most of the day and the early night.
Storm placed Grombrim in charge of construction efforts and gave him free reign to renovate as he saw fit.
Augustus was placed in charge of welcoming and getting new arrivals settled in, as well as running the defensive efforts.
Razor would run diplomatic efforts and would continue to try and recruit additional members to the cause.
Kalipso would oversee the magic division and was responsible for the training of new mages, and the creation of new spells.
Ciela would run the spy network, and keep everyone up to date on potential threats or opportunities.
While the Grans would see to it that everyone was well fed and their supplies of curatives, well stocked.
With the tasks assigned, and orders given.
Storm retired to his dwelling to sleep.
As he entered the cave however, an male voice greeted him.
"Nice place you got here!!" Said the voice.
Storm twisted towards the voice and was suprised to find the Nogitsune leader standing in a dark corner.
"Leyocan?! What are you doing here?!" Asked Storm.
"A little fox told me you needed some help getting somewhere you weren't supposed to." Explained Leyocan.
"You're Ciela's contact?!" Storm asked stunned.
Leyocan chuckled.
"Did you seriously think the Nogitsune were only in Northburg?
We are everywhere, and our reach spans the continent. "
"So, we're meeting with your clan in the city then?" Asked Storm.
"Weellll... not exactly 'my' clan... We're meeting the Shadow Prince of the city."
"I thought you were the Shadow prince?"
"I am"
"But you just said..!?" Exclaimed Storm.
"It's a different Shadow Prince!"
Leyocan gave a brief explanation of how the Nogitsune hierarchy is set up.
"So... let me get this straight? The Nogitsune are broken up into several clans?" Asked Storm.
"Yes."
"And the leader of each clan takes up the identity of the Shadow Prince?"
"Yes."
"Why?" Asked Storm.
"It adds to the mystique of the identity. Makes it seem like the Shadow Prince is in multiple places at once, and pretty much immortal.
It adds to the dread humans feel when they encounter a Shadow Prince.
Makes him seem like something mystical. " Explained Leyocan.
"Doesn't that mean you all get blamed for the actions the other Princes do?" Asked Storm.
"So?"
Storm decided to drop the subject for now.
"Can we trust him though?"
"He's a loyal Nogitsune, and a family friend. A little paranoid perhaps, but considering where he operates, that's to be expected. " Explained Leyocan.
"Your people have trouble there?" Asked Storm.
"The amount of mages certainty doesn't make it easy for us!
More Nogitsune die in that territory in a month, than most clans see in a year.
Only the bravest, most dedicated, most risk taking Nogitsune willing transfers to that territory.
Their current Sensei has invested heavily in the training of his clan members, and that clan boasts the best mage hunters on the continent.
I have no doubt he'll be able to help find your missing dragons. " said Leyocan.