The tension was so overpowering the next morning that even the hatchlings were quiet at breakfast. Merris kept his burning gaze pinned on GrimRill and Treya whenever they were visible to him, and when they left he only seemed to grow angrier.
Rill seemed no different from usual as he took the soldiers to two separate locations, showing them a narrow, hidden alcove that led outside in the south wing, and then another near the dais, which led out to the pool beneath the main entrance's waterfall.
"What's all that stuff you have on, sir?" Mystery asked curiously as they made their way back inside.
"This is what we take when we go out. I wouldn't recommend touching any of it, though, it's all cursed." Rill grinned. "Speaking of-"
Grim lifted his head, making a piercing whistle. Within ten seconds a grotesque blue figure with three yellow-orange eyes and a giant, bulbous head was flying toward them, stopping at their feet and averting its gaze.
"I didn't know you had a familiar, captain," Taniks said in amazement. "That's a chacma, isn't it?"
"Sure is. You can get up, Wit; no need to be so nervous." Rill smirked. The creature said nothing, but rose, flying close by while it waited.
"GrimRill!" Eredia's voice echoed down the Great Hall as more of the Aberrations began to congregate. The Imperial was out of breath when she reached the small military party, but she still didn't wait to speak. "We never discussed your proposition."
"Oh yeah, I forgot about that," Rill said, although he didn't sound like he meant it. "You wanted to know what your half of that was, right?"
"My... half?"
"Yeah. We're going to go out, but you'll be staying here. So, you have to help us out from here."
"How would I do that?" she asked curiously.
"Give us something to advertise. A party, an event, whatever. We'll tell everyone we meet about it. Just make sure it actually happens." Rill said simply. "Can you do that?"
"Absolutely!" Eredia smiled wide. "That's a wonderful idea!"
"Glad you agree. When should I say it'll be held?"
She hummed in thought. "Once the worst of the winter is over, so I'd say... four months. By then it should be safe to travel here again."
"Will do. Four months from now. Put Torn to working making some sort of promotional material, invitations or posters or something. We can pass those out when we get back."
"Absolutely!" she said again, happily writing down something in her notebook. "Thank you, I'll make sure I have all this ready when you return."
"I know you will," Rill grinned, then looked back over his shoulder. "Well, once Hilgeth and Merris decide to leave, we'll be ready to go. Remember those entrances I showed you all, and keep a close eye on them. Dew, since Hilgeth said to pause working on the ruins, just post two guards near the entrance and otherwise monitor the clan as normal."
"Yes, sir. If something dire were to happen, should I contact you and the founders?" he asked seriously.
"Of course. Even if you have any questions, you can always send us a letter. Just include another blank letter in there so we can respond."
"Yes, sir."
Treya and Nelan appeared, with Radinen shadowing Treya even closer than usual, Rill noticed with a chuckle. Two minutes later, Hilgeth and Merris emerged from their chamber, with Merris leading the way outside while Eredia said goodbye to her friend.
"See you in a month. Don't slack off." Rill grinned back at his subordinates, who saluted and promised adamantly that they wouldn't. He smirked one last time, then headed off, bringing up the rear as he began conversing with Grim.
Finally, they could start.
