With their business with Lucius now officially over.
A attendant showed them to a room while a different one took Leyocan to a healer skilled in the traditional, none magical healing arts so that they can inspect his wound.
Much to Storm's relief the room they were assigned to had a bed large enough for both him and Aurora.
Although the chambers were too confined for their true draconic bodies, they still enjoyed their closeness and Storm slept soundly for the first time in weeks.
The next morning, Lucius invited them all to an early breakfast.
A simple meal of fried bacon, roasted egg, sausages and bread awaited them, along with a cup of fresh tea.
Once they were full, they thanked Lucius for his hospitality, before starting to get ready to return to the Arcanium.
They had agreed beforehand that it was best that they return to the Arcanium as if nothing had happened and continue maintaining their cover while Lucius studied the diagrams.
Lucius raised an hand to stop them before handing them a small coin purse.
"Consider it payment for services rendered. Use it as you see fit." Said Lucius.
He eyed Leyocan as he got up as he also began to prepare to leave.
"And where do you think you're going 'brother'?!" Asked Lucius.
"To work! I still have a cover to maintain!" Leyocan replied.
Lucius shook his head.
"Absolutely not!! Not in that condition!! You might as well walk right up to the Magisters and confess to last night's burglary with that wound. "
"I can't just disappear either, Lucius!!
They'll know something is going on and we still have work to do at the Arcanium!"
"You can! And you will! It's too dangerous for you to return there. As for your cover..
Yes, they will look for you! But they won't find you while you stay here!
And while they're investigating and trying to locate you, they won't be looking into Storm and Aurora's activities.
"Lucius!! I'm not just going to sit here while my compan...!!" Started Leyocan.
"That's 'exactly ' what you're going to do!!
Don't make me pull rank here and order you!!"
Leyocan gave his counterpart a flat stare.
"You can't order me, we're both the same rank!!"
"I have the older clan, plus this is my assigned region, check the codex, you'll find it favors me in this dispute."
Leyocan gave no response but his shimmering gaze was more than enough of an answer.
Lucius pointed to the chair across for him.
"Sit"
Leyocan gave no reply and continued to simmer in silence.
Lucius raised an eyebrow.
"Don't make me ask my attendants to bring the rope."
"We will be fine, Leyocan!
Get some rest and we'll see you tonight!!" Suggested Storm.
Leyocan gave no reply, but he made his way to the indicated chair and sat down.
Lucius nodded his head in approval.
"Good boy!" Mocked Lucius.
With the mornings interruptions over, Storm and Aurora made their way towards the Arcanium.
Things went along as normal at first, Storm was supposed to meet with the Magister early in the morning.
But as he walked past the reception desk, the young lady assigned to work there called him over to tell him the meeting was canceled.
"Did he say why? I can't proceed with my work until he and I sort out the details?" Asked Storm.
"He didn't give a reason, but said that an urgent matter came up and that he needed to attend to it.
I'll let you know when we can reschedule the meeting for you."
Storm returned to his office and began to secretly gather his things if he needed to depart quickly.
At midday, he was just about to start digging into a simple sandwich he brought with him for lunch.
When he suddenly heard murmurs from multiple people outside his office. Followed by a loud knocking.
"Excuse me!! Mister Hawthorne!? Are you in here?!" Called the receptionist.
Storm got up and opened the door.
"Apologies for disturbing you, sir.
But Magister Calderon has called an emergency meeting at the main entrance. "
Storm opened the door as saw large groups of troubled looked mages making their way towards the main entryway.
He made his way towards the meeting and started growing increasingly concerned when he didn't see Aurora amoung the other mages.
Relief swept through his heart when he finally saw her amongst the crowd of assembled mages.
Before he could make his way over to her side, the Magister stepped forward and called everyone to attention.
"Please forgive me for the sudden disruption to your schedules but an urgent matter has been brought to my attention.
I received a report from one of my subordinates that one of our project leaders have failed to report to work today.
Several of you met him before. His name is Maximus Hargreaves.
Several murmurs started up when his name was mentioned.
Storm and Aurora exchanged worried gazes.
We searched both his office as well as his private residence but he wasn't located at either location.
Due to the dangerous nature of his work, we fear that something may have happened to him and have launched an official investigation into his whereabouts.
Until further notice, all work has been placed on indefinite hold and access to the Arcanium grounds are restricted while we run our investigation. " Explained the Magister.
Several people cried out objections and began to shout.
A single person's voice won out over the others.
"Most of us don't have additional residence in the city!! Where are we supposed to go?!!"
Several other mages cried out in acknowledgement until Magister Calderon silenced them with a gesture.
"I apologize for any inconvenience, but in order to do a full unobstructed investigation. We need the grounds cleared.
The organization will reimbursing everyone in order for them to find temporary lodging in the city."
"What about our belongings still in our offices!!?" Asked another mage.
"They are temporarily seized until the investigation is completed. "
"Several people cried out and began shouting angrily. "
"SILENCE!!!!" Shouted Magister Calderon.
The room became so silent that one could hear a pin drop.
"I understand that this is an inconvenience to everyone , but as the life of one of our foremost leaders is at stake!
I expect you all to give your full cooperation for the investigation.
If anyone has information about his whereabouts, or have seen anything suspicious.
Please report it to an investigator so that we can clear this up quickly.
Please don't leave the city grounds as we may require your assistance during the investigation.
Thank you for your cooperation and I wish you all a pleasant day!" Exclaimed Magister Calderon.
He turned around and left as the people's angry shouting started up again.