The Missing Stone

Curious Notion

Being presumed dead for practically a decade does things to one's habits. Glenn stands in the shadows of the meeting room, having entered through the window despite the near hundred-foot drop. Not only is Glenn keeping his existence secret from just the public, but from the most underground of the underground, which...is not easy.

Thank the goddess for disguise spells.

"Yo." The Alliance leader enters the room, his retainer closing the door. "Thanks for delivering the message, Fluffy."

"Hello, Claude," Glenn sighs, emerging from the shadows. The brunet grins at him, but his easy smile does not reach his eyes. Glenn settles for a short nod. Claude plops onto one of the plush chairs by the fireplace, leaning Failnaught against the side of the chair. He examines an arrow and leans back, not looking directly at Glenn.

"So, how's my favorite spy?" He begins easily, twirling the arrow between his fingers. Glenn winces, shuffling unconsciously. Claude shrugs and tries again, "Lorenz came back from the bridge, alive. Did you know this?"

"Classic Gloucester tactic," Glenn muses, and Claude nods, agreeing despite him not answering the question. He knows that the former knight has a lot of stress on his shoulders, more than Claude himself, and the Empire is practically knocking at his door! "Gloucester is an important House in the Alliance, so I suppose maintaining an heir for a possible future beyond this war is not counterproductive," Glenn continues. "What's the next course of action?"

"I plan on going home," Claude says determinedly, a wistful gleam in his eye. Glenn nods, albeit hesitantly.

"And what of the Alliance? You're the only legitimate heir-"

"His Princliness can have it," Claude interjects firmly. Glenn knows that he can't sway him.

"What of Failnaught?"

Claude dips his head, sliding the arrow back into its quiver. He frowns in thought, running his other hand through his hair. "Well, I think I'll give it to Teach since she has a Crest of Seiros, so it shouldn't be harmful." He looks up suddenly, brows pinched. "If someone who doesn't have a Crest uses a Hero's Relic, they would turn into demonic beasts, right? And Demonic Beasts keep showing up on the Empire's side-"

"The Empire is using Crest Stones on people to make Demonic Beasts," Glenn finishes, a bit surprised. Maris is going to have a field day when he hears about this. Claude leans forward, intrigued.

"There were vague rumors about the eldest son of Gautier turning into a black beast after stealing the Lance of Ruin," he mentions, stroking his chin. He resembles Maris when he discovers another library to pilfer, Glenn thinks, then stifles a laugh at the thought. "But how is the Empire getting a hold of so many Crest Stones? We were able to recover all of them when they attempted to raid the Holy Mausoleum..."

"Is it possible to consider that maybe the Empire is creating Crest stones?" Glenn wonders aloud, and Claude jumps out of his chair.

"That might be it!" He exclaims, hands gesturing in a frenzy as he speaks. "But how are they making them? Aren't Crests and Relics and such gifts from the goddess? Unless..." he kneels in front of the fireplace, staring into the flames. "Five years ago, on the day the monastery was invaded by the Empire, Teach's brother and the archbishop went missing after the battle, which is half the reason the Knights of Seiros are spread thin across the continent. But the former is alive and well. So...where is Rhea?"

Glenn stares from the shadows, eyes passive.

"Lady Rhea is the archbishop..." Claude states obviously, and Glenn can practically see the gears turning in his head. "So she would know a lot about the goddess and such. Rumor has it that the Empire has her captive as a political hostage against the church. But then why haven't they used her yet? Are they plotting something?"

"I'm sure Maris will have something to say about this," Glenn assures. "Anything else before we prepare for departure?" Claude straightens, crossing the room to stand before him. To Glenn's surprise, Claude appears to not have grown a single inch in the past five years, yet Glenn has grown tall enough for Claude's head to come just barely above his chin.

The Alliance leader looks up at him, face blank. Glenn stares back evenly.

"When will you tell them?" Claude asks, frowning. "It's been nearly a decade..." Glenn looks away, down at the bottom of the curtains.

"I can't yet," he replies quietly. "I know I have a lot to apologize for, but I need to do this. It's too early and at the same time too late." Claude closes his eyes briefly, before holding out his right hand.

"Well, pleasure working with you!" Glenn takes his hand, shaking firmly. He turns towards the window, preparing to warp when he remembers something. Glenn looks over his shoulder, eyes twinkling.

"Nice beard." And in a blink of an eye, he's gone.

Claude laughs. "So he noticed.."

"Boy!" A familiar voice accompanied by knocks at the door draw his attention. "Our scouts have detected an Imperial camp not far south from here! We need to evacuate the city!" He sighs, gazing to the west across the sea from the window.

Hurry up Teach...

A/N: This is a good place to stop for now. Get some rest, eat some food. The story will wait for you :)