Storm followed the young mage as he guided him through the facility towards a small office located near the reception area.
The office was mostly bare accept for a small desk where he could work, a small single person bed in the corner with a small footlocker located near the foot of the bed for his clothes and an empty shelf where he could store his books.
He placed his small bag of belongings on the bed before the man that escorted him spoke up.
"Is there anything else I can do for you, sir."
"I'm fine for now, thank you." Replied Storm.
The man bowed to him.
"Very good, sir. I shall return to my duties then."
Without another word, the man turned around and left the room, leaving Storm all to himself. "
He wandered though the room and inspected everything, but found nothing of interest.
So he began to unpack his meager belongings into the footlocker and the shelf.
Storm checked the time before leaving the office and returning to town.
As he walked past the reception desk, he asked the lady for directions to a tea house located near the Arcanium named 'The Lotus Garden'.
The teahouse was used by the Nogitsune as a lookout post to spy on the comings and goings of the Arcanium members.
Leyocan had set up the place as a meeting point for them at noon. He believed that it would be less inconspicuous if they met up at a public place.
Before going to the meeting point, Storm wandered through the city, Leyocan warned them that it was very likely that new members were put under surveillance and so his wandering was meant to throw off any possible pursues.
After an hour of just wandering the city without a purpose , he made his way to the teahouse for a refreshing beverage and a midday meal.
Shortly thereafter, Aurora arrived at the same place and joined Storm at his table.
She ordered food of her own, then they both waited an additional 30 minutes for Leyocan to arrive.
"Apologies for being late! I struggled to get away from them!"
"Do you think they suspect anything?" Asked Aurora.
"They're a suspicious lot! But I doubt they've discovered us yet.
Let's report what we've found out so far. We can plan our next moves from there." Suggested Leyocan.
"I haven't been able to discover much. They're going to put me to work tomorrow morning.
It seems they want me to construct a facility for breeding dragons. "
Leyocan nodded his head.
"Makes sense considering Hawthorne's background. Can you find out the location?"
"I'll try, but it won't be easy.
They have an dragon expert of their own and he doesn't seem to like Hawthorne very much."
"Probably feels threatened by him. Mages are like a pack of hyenas fighting over a bone. They don't like to share." Said Leyocan.
"There is one other thing.... The Lich.... he is here and he's a Magister at the Arcanium!"
Both Leyocan and Aurora paled at the news.
"You are sure it's him!!?" Asked Aurora.
"That's not a face I would ever forget." Replied Storm.
"Damn it!! This shortens our window considerably!!
We can't fool an Arch Lich for long, so we'll have to move quickly. " said Leyocan.
Aurora went next and explained what she had discovered.
Frostnova had been called up to lead an hunting party into the Frozen Wastelands.
Based on the information she managed to discover, their target was an clan of dragons that made their home there.
"I know of only one dragon clan living in the Frozen Wastelands. They're called the Frost Fangs.
A draconic family that are exceptional skilled in Cryomancy.
They often use their skill to summon blizzards to ambush their enemies in.
The clan mostly consists of female dragons.
I suspect that's why they're being targeted!
If they're looking to expand their breeding program, then they'll need to capture additional females.
They'd only need 1 or 2 males to start the program, most of the missing dragons are males, correct?" Asked Leyocan.
Storm nodded his head.
"I need to send a warning to the Frost Fangs, and tell them they're being targeted.
I only hope they listen. They're as stubborn as a glacier. " said Leyocan.
"Can you delay them in any way?" Asked Storm.
"I will try." Responded Aurora.
Next Leyocan gave his report.
After reporting in, he was immediately taken to Hargreave's team of artifaciers.
They gave him a detailed report on their progress.
"It seems like these Golems are just a prototype for something bigger.
Seems to be some kind of enchanted suit that strengthens it's owner.
I've arranged for a demonstration later today so that I can see how far they've progressed.
I've also requested for access to the diagrams of the Golems."
"Can't you just walk in and take it? Doesn't it belong to Hargreaves anyway?"
Leyocan shook his head.
"It belongs to the Arcanium. He can't just walk in and take it.
The vault is protected by a twin lock system.
I have one of the keys.
The other key is most likely held by the head of the program, which we now know is the Arch Lich you fought before. "
"So... what are we going to do?" Asked Storm.
"I have a plan but I'm going to need everyone's help.
Aurora! Do you think you can distract the Lich long enough for Storm to search his office for the key?" Asked Leyocan.
Aurora nodded her head.
"Once you have the key, come find me at the vault door.
I'll make sure the area is cleared of artifaciers, then we can steal the diagrams together.
Then you must go return the key to the Lich's office before he discovers it's missing. They don't regularly check on the diagrams.
If we're lucky, they won't discover the theft until we are long gone from here." Explained Leyocan.
"And what if we're unlucky? and the key isn't in the Lich's office?" Asked Aurora.
"Then we'll have to improvise. But we should be ready to flee at a moment's notice.
We might have guards and mages hot on our heels." Explained Leyocan.
"Where are we supposed to go? Gavin has already left port?" Asked Storm.
"We can lay low in the Spellbreakers hideout until things cool off.
It's highly unlikely they'll find us there."
Aurora and Storm nodded their heads.
"One other thing... were you two given something after you joined? Something small like a trinket, badge, or ring?" Asked Leyocan.
Storm nodded his head and showed the ring he was given.
Aurora showed an identical one.
"Before we start the mission, leave those rings in your private offices."
"Why?" Asked Aurora.
"They probably have a tracker spell on them and will use it to find us if things go bad.
It would buy us time if they track the rings instead of us." Explained Leyocan.
Aurora and Storm nodded in confirmation.