"Now! You all return to your village. The carriage drivers are people we trust and the checkpoints have been bribed.
You should have no difficulty on the road and the drivers will drop you all off at the village. " Explained Leyocan.
"What about you? Will you be traveling with us?
Leyocan shook his head.
"Someone has to keep an eye on the hunters. My people and I will be staying. "
"It's too dangerous!! The hunters have ways to discover us now!! And after today's events, they'll be even more alert!" Said Ciela.
"It's dangerous for 'you'! Your people hide in plain sight!
Mine has always hidden in the shadows of society.
My people are used to being hunted." Explained Leyocan.
Leyocan hesitated before adding.
"When you see Celes... The Matriarch... tell her Leyocan sends his regards."
He then turned to Storm.
"I know you came here looking for answers! My people will be in touch if we discover anything!"
Storm nodded his head in thanks, before guiding the others to the carriages.
After everyone was loaded in, the carriages started moving down the road.
Storm watched through the carriage window as Leyocan turned his back on the convoy and started walking back towards the city.
Because they were following the long route that circumvented the dangerous Dark Forest.
It took more than a week for the carriages to reach their destination.
The trip was mostly uneventful, so Storm was able to spend a lot of time talking with Aurora.
Occasionally Storm would hear voices outside as the drivers stopped at one of the many checkpoints set up along the roads
But they were let through without exception after only a few words from the drivers.
Finally after what felt like ages, they reached their end destination.
As everyone disembarked from the carriages, several Kitsune called from the village and went to embrace some of the newcomers.
Based on the bits of conversation he was able to overhear, Storm figured these were family members welcoming their kin back home.
As everyone settled in, Storm saw Kira the Matriarch's Chamberlain approaching from the direction of the temple.
Ciela went to go stand by Aurora and Storm when she saw who was approaching.
Kira bowed to them before she began speaking.
"Mistress Ciela! We hadn't expected you to return!?"
"There has been an 'development' in Northburg.
I must speak with the Matriarch immediately!!" Said Ciela.
"Very well, Please follow me to the Audience chamber.
You should come too, Dragons. The Matriarch is eagerly awaiting your report. "
They followed her towards the audience chamber, where the Matriarch was already seated on her throne.
Her 8 hand maidens were already at their posts and were watching everyone's movements for hostile intent.
Ciela gave an full acount of the events that led to their exodus from the city.
The Matriarch listed with rapt, and occasionally horrified attention as Ciela described their escape.
When Ciela finished her report, The Matriarch turned to Storm and Aurora.
"Do either of you have anything to add, Dragons?"
Storm and Aurora gave a brief account of their journey and their confrontation with the Dark Forest's nighttime guardian.
Storm withheld the information that Mimereus was currently sharing his body with him.
Afterwards they talked about their entry into the city, as well as what they had discovered at the Hunter's Mansion.
When he came to the part about Leyocan assisting them, the Matriarch sat up straight and interrupted them.
"Leyocan!!!? Are you certain his name was Leyocan!!?" She called out.
Storm nodded his head.
"I am certain, Milady. He introduced himself as such and he seemed to know you personally.
He said I must tell you he sends his regards." Answered Storm.
The Matriarch's face had a complicated set of emotions as she leaned back in her throne.
Relief, Regret, Happiness and Depression were a few of the emotions Storm picked up.
"Forgive my for prying, Milady. But how do you know him?
And why has no one even heard of the Nogitsune until this moment?" Asked Storm.
"We.... Had history..... but that was a long time ago and we parted badly.
We haven't spoken to each other in centuries and I believed that he might have died a long time ago.
It's good to hear he still lives!
As for the Nogitsune, they guard the secret of their existence very closely.
It was not my intention to withold information from you, I didn't believe that they would be so closely involved in your mission.
Otherwise I would have briefed you about their existence." Explained The Matriarch.
She pushed away her emotions and turned to her formal tone again.
"May I see this crystal, dragon?"
Storm removed the crystal ball from his bags and stepped forward to hand it over.
One of The Matriarch's Hand Maidens stepped forward and held out her hands.
Storm deposited it into her hands, then the hand maiden presented it to the Matriarch.
The Crystal was glowing so brightly, that it was like a miniature sun and it hurt Storm's eyes to look upon it for long.
"This is a deeply troubling development, and it's even more troubling that we had heard no news about the humans working on this device.
None of my other agents had reported similar devices in the other kingdoms.
We can only hope that this is an isolated case and that the loss of this prototype will delay the humans in sharing this amoung themselves."
She handed the crystal ball to one of her hand maidens.
"The loss of Kirin is a sad development. From what I had heard about her, she was a promising agent and her loss will be mourned.
My people owes you a debt it can never repay.
Without your efforts, all the Kitsune in the city might have been slaughtered!
And you even placed yourself at great risk to rescue two additional members of our house.
I will see to it that you are rewarded for your efforts.
You can count on the Kitsune's help in your endeavors and I will share our reports from our agents with you."
My only regret is that we're no closer to finding out where the hunters are gathering than we were before. "
Storm bowed his head in thanks.
"I'll send a liaison to your hideout who I will keep up to date on any developments we discover so that she can share it with you.
You've given me much to think about. Therefore this audience is concluded.
Storm and Aurora bowed their heads, then departed the audience chamber.