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Tranquil Waters: The Lead Crown Ch 6.4b, The Brightest Blossom

After everyone was made aware of the visitor Aodhan gathered the group together in Cruff's room. As much a matter of convenience for the healing Raccoon Dog as a nod of courtesy for the privacy of the young Prince, getting everyone to a central location also helped Aodhan address a very important issue. "Aurelie and I are returning to Newport."

There was a mixture of expressions from the group-- some were understanding while others didn't seem to approve. Friar Arlowe, who was one of the former was the first to respond, "Do you mean to leave soon?"

Sister Aurelie nodded, "The longer we delay the more of a chance we give the Church to harm my Sisters."

The Monk bowed his head, "Very well. If you can wait one more day I will join you."

Cruff sat up a little straighter, "Dad... the Church is after you."

Friar Arlowe reached out and placed his paw on his son's, "The Church is after all of us... but if I do nothing then I may as well accept my place as another one of their victims, and I am not willing to let that happen. Not to me; not to you; not to the Sisters Divine."

Cruffington looked straight at Aodhan, "Then I'm going too."

Tobias leaned back against the wall next to the room's door, "Don't you think you should get the Doctor's permission for that first?"

Brody, who was lounging on a chair in the corner of the crowded room smirked as he stirred a mug of tea. "Last thing I remember was you calling her something like a talentless, know-nothing, fraudulent harpy."

The scholar fidgeted, "I never called her know-nothing or fraudulent."

Umberto placed a paw on the Antelope's shoulder, "Regardless, Mr. Severna is correct; until the good Doctor clears him for travel--"

Cruff apparently didn't take the Wolverine's intervention well, "Excuse me, but who are you and why do you get a say in this?"

Friar Arlowe smiled... just a little. "This is Sir Umberto Marino... he's a Templar."

The younger Raccoon Dog glanced around the room, "Aaaaaaaaannnnnnnd... he's okay with us talking about defying the Church?"

Umberto put his paws on his hips, squaring his shoulders. "There is more going on than meets the eye. Until I understand more about it I must assume that the Prince Regent's interests may be in danger, and I cannot allow that."

Brody sipped at his tea, "He's also part of Prince Regent Thaddius' Royal Guard."

Cruffington stared. "A Templar AND a member of the Prince's Royal Guard?"

The Wolverine stared back. "Prince REGENT."

Brother Rhys interjected, "Aodhan... I'm going with too."

The Wolf looked to where the Rat was seated on a foot stool; Runs-on-Air was standing beside him, a paw on the Priest's shoulder. Aodhan's eyes went to the Buck and spoke to him in the People's Tongue, "Rhys wishes to go with us back to the Stone Tribe village of Newport."

Runs-on-Air nodded, "I understand."

Brody lowered his mug, "Common, please."

The Buck shot the Doberman a glance before returning his gaze to Rhys. Runs-on-Air announced in Lehsunian, "I go too."

Tobias stepped forward, "I still don't know the full story about all of this, but I have to get back to Newport and the University; I would be honored to accompany you."

Friar Arlowe shook his head, "That may not be safe for you, Mister Severna... if the Church were to discover our presence you may be implicated as a heretic by association."

The Pronghorn shook his head, "You are good people... besides, I am under the protection of the University. It makes sense to travel with those I know... and, besides, the rest of my companions were headed there and I still need to meet up with them. They WERE headed to Newport if I recall, correct?"

Aodhan nodded, "Yes. They were seeking aid for the Dragon with whom you traveled."

Umberto's small, rounded ears perked as he looked to Tobias, "You had a Dragon with you? I don't know many Dragons who have an interest in the University's pursuits."

The discussion came to a close when a knock interrupted things. A moment later the door opened and Dr. Brownell peeked in, "Prince Malcom will be taking his leave at dawn and would like to speak with you before he does."

Aodhan saw Tobias open his muzzle to say something, but the Doctor closed the door as quickly as she had opened it, leaving the scholar slack jawed and red-eared. He cleared his throat and glanced around the room, "Well... that was certainly an unexpected addition to today's discussion... Shall we?"

Sister Aurelie fidgeted where she sat, "I was hoping we'd be able to talk with Prince Malcom about the Church... and that he might be able to help."

Brody chuckled, "Yea... THAT would have gone well."

Aodhan snorted, "Wild-Wolf has a lot on his mind. Perhaps we may still gain his aid, but I assume there is a very important reason for a member of the Plains Tribe to visit with him here and now. It did sound serious."

Rhys stood, "If it is important, perhaps WE can help HIM."

Friar Arlowe patted his son's arm before standing, "The Mare who came here said something about men coming from across the big lake and threatening them."

Aodhan clarified. "The ocean. Many tribes call it 'the big lake'."

Tobias furrowed his brow and rubbed his chin, "I cannot imagine someone threatening the Tribesmen... especially not when the Tribe Lands are technically a free state."

Brother Rhys headed for the door, Runs-on-Air following him. "Come... Prince Malcom has asked for us; let's speak with him and find out what we can."

Aodhan turned to join the rest of the party as they exited, but Sister Aurelie caught him by the arm, "Aodhan... wait."

The Wolf obediently halted and turned to regard the Cat, "Yes, my Eyara?"

Aurelie looked up at him, "We need Prince Malcom's help... with him we can force the Church to release the Sisters."

Aodhan hesitated a moment, trying to find the right way to address his lover's concern. "Prince Malcom walks in two worlds... he is concerned for the safety of the tribesmen as well as for the well being of of the people in Lehsunia."

The Cat wasn't willing to leave it at that. "He is the Prince. He can command the Church to release them without any bloodshed."

The Wolf sighed, "I'm afraid it doesn't work that way, Aurelie... and, if what the messenger said is true, dozens of lives may be in jeopardy. He has a duty to the tribes and--"

Sister Aurelie huffed, fur puffing out, but the Cat did seem to surrender the argument. "We have no control over what he does... I know... I know..."

Aodhan embraced his Eyara, "We will fix this. I promise."

Cruff spoke up from his place in bed, "If it involves the Church you should be careful what promises you make... there's lots of things out there that are beyond your control and the Church is one of em."

The Wolf felt his hackles rise just a little, but quickly deflated; the Raccoon Dog was far too accurate in his statement for it to be idle nay-saying. Aodhan looked back to Aurelie and kissed the top of the Cat's head. "No matter what happens with the Prince we WILL see to it that the Sisters are freed."

The two walked out of the room, paw-in-paw as they headed out to meet with everyone else. The gathering took place around the hearth, where Wild-Wolf stood with the visiting Mare on one side and his loyal companion Barro on the other. From the look on peoples' faces the situation did not appear to be optimistic... and Wild-Wolf's next words were even more dire. "If I do not go with Among-the-Reeds back to her village then a Wyranese Admiral has threatened to slaughter her entire tribe."

All of the thoughts and planning in Aodhan's mind came to a complete halt; Wild-Wolf owed loyalties to the tribesmen as well as Lehsunia... but he wasn't the only one. He looked hesitantly down to Aurelie, who looked back up at him. The Wolf was surprised to see that there was actually a hint of hesitance in his Eyara's gaze, and the Cat's next words confirmed it, "An entire tribe? What do we do now?"

Aodhan didn't have a ready answer-- all he knew was that he needed time to think. Unfortunately fate didn't quite give him that chance as Wild-Wolf leveled his gaze at the entire party, "I would be honored if you would be willing to aid me in this."