After finishing his discussion with The Matriarch, he gathered his advisors again in order to make plans for his departure and to get a report from them.
Understandably, they weren't too keen on him traveling by himself.
"Are you sure it's wise with everything going on?"
What if the Order captured you?" Asked Kalipso.
"I will be fine!" Argued Storm.
"I agree with Kalipso on this!
"Can't Aurora travel with you again!?" Asked Razor.
Storm immediately dismissed the idea.
"One of us needs to stay and watch Orian!
I don't want to leave him by himself." said Storm.
"I've been meaning to get out and stretch my legs!!
I'll go with you!!" Exclaimed Grombrim.
No offense Grombrim, but you won't be able to blend in at the city and will only draw additional attention!
Besides, I won't be alone!
Fulgur will be with me." Explained Storm.
The little draconic Djinn was currently flying around the room bored.
When he heard his name, he stopped what he was doing and looked in Storm's direction, before considering whatever they were talking about not worth his time and returned to his current task.
"He doesn't count and you know it!!" Exclaimed Grombrim.
The advisors continued to argue with Storm with increasing irritation.
The only one who remained calm throughout it all was Augustus.
He studied the large map on the table.
"When do we leave?"
"We?" Asked Storm.
"I'll be traveling with you!"
"No offense, Augustus but you'll have the same troubles Grombrim have." Said Storm.
The elf looked at him like he had become insane.
"Have you forgotten that I traveled with you long before you sought everyone else out here and we had no problems then.
So many of my kind are kept as servants that most people overlook a single elf walking around.
Especially if I'm pretending to be your personal servant.
I'm one of the most skilled in combat here, and I'm skilled in stealth and infiltration.
I'm the logical choice for the mission. " Explained Augustus.
He looked at each of his fellow advisors.
"Does anyone have any objections?" He asked.
Everyone else immediately stopped arguing.
Augustus was right, it did make sense that he'd be the one to go.
"All right then! I suppose that's settled then!!" Said Storm.
"You didn't answer my question!?" Asked Augustus.
"I'd like to say my farewells to my family first!
Let's start our journey tomorrow morning at dawn?
The elf nodded his head.
"That suits me! Will give me chance to gather my things and set some affairs in order. "
"Is there anything else to report, or can we end this meeting?" Asked Storm.
"Just the latest recruitment report. " said Razor.
She handed Storm a report, who frowned as he read it's contents.
"This is less people than I was expecting?
Definitely less than the last few weeks?" Said Storm.
"Sorry, Storm! I suspect the attack on the Kitsune Village and the Order's announcement had a hand in it." Said Razor.
Storm slammed the report down on the table, causing everyone to flinch.
"We suffer one loss, and suddenly everyone loses their spine!!?" Asked Storm in irritation.
"Sadly that's how the world works, lad! People have short memories!" Said Grombrim.
"Well, I expect this problem to be resolved by the time I get back!
We did not get this far, just to stumble now because of one setback!
What's the situation on getting those Orc and Troll tribes to join up?!" Asked Storm.
"Negotiations have reached a bit of a standstill.
They've been unwilling to commit either way and seem to be waiting to see how things play out." Explained Razor.
"We can't afford to wait!
We need their help now!
Press them and get an answer from them by the time I return!!
Or I'll be forced to take matters into my own hands!" Said Storm.
"You don't want to push them too hard!
It could cause relations to snap completely!" Warned Kalipso.
Storm gave no reply, and read over the list of new arrivals.
A particular note caught his eye.
" New graduates from Mythril mountains Engineer's Academy?
What is that?" Asked Storm.
"Dwarves, Storm! Very intelligent ones at that!
They are very skilled inventors and as the Order has been fielding a lot of strange technology of late, their aid will be invaluable!" Explained Grombrim.
"Can they fight though?
We need warriors, not builders?" Asked Storm.
"Don't be so quick to discount the value of skilled craftsmen in war, Storm!
Warriors may win battles, yes. But it's the craftsmen that gives them the tools to do so!
He smiled as he thought of something or someone pleasant.
"You know, I have a sister that went to the academy to study.
We haven't communicated in a while.
I wonder how she's...." started Grombrim.
"Brother!!!" Called an unknown female voice.
Everyone turned and looked at the newcomer.
It was a 5 foot tall female dwarf that bore a striking resemblance to Grombrim.
Her long black hair was neatly tied into a series of braids.
Like most dwarves, she was 'bulky' with a thick build and bulging upper arms.
She wore a simple brown long sleeved work outfit with a leather apron, thick gloves and boots.
A pair of goggles rested on her forehead, and a large crossbow was strapped to her back.
She rushed forward and threw her arms around Grombrim.
"Brenda? What are you doing here!?" Asked Grombrim.
"Wanted to suprise you, brother!!" Said Brenda.
"I'm happy to see you of course, but don't you have classes you'll be missing?!" Asked Grombrim.
"I graduated actually!! I'm an certified engineer now!!" Exclaimed Brenda.
"Ohh!! Congratulations, little sister!!!" Replied Grombrim.
"Aren't you going to introduce us, Grombrim?" Asked Razor with a hint of amusement.
"Ohh... Forgive me!.. everyone!! This is my younger sister Brenda!!
Grombrim introduced each member of the council one by one and every time, Brenda would rush over to that individual and shake his or her hand.
Or claws when it came to Storm, Razor and Kalipso.
"I'm happy to see you sister! But shouldn't you be applying at the Engineering Guild or something!?" Asked Grombrim.
"Yeeeaaahh.... about that...."
...I don't think I want to join the guild anymore..."
"What are you talking about?!
Joining the Engineer's guild was your dream?!" Replied Grombrim.
"Times have changed, big brother!!
I'd prefer to change with it!!" Replied Brenda.
"Fair enough! So will you be starting your own business?
Or taking up an apprenticeship with another notable engineer?" Asked Grombrim.
"I actually thought of applying here!" Replied Brenda.
"Here?
We don't have any notable engineering institutions here?" Said Grombrim.
" Actually... I meant I'll be joining the army here."
The news caught Grombrim completely by suprise, so much so that it took his brain a full minute to catch up and register what she had said.
When it did his outrage was immense.
"Absolutely not!!!
I did not work my fingers to the bone to put you through Engineering school just for you to join the army as a Frontline soldier!!!
Our parent's ghosts would come back to haunt me if I allowed that!!!" Yelled Grombrim.
"I'm an adult, brother, and I can make my own decisions!!" Replied Brenda.
"You're not joining the army!!" Yelled Grombrim.
"Well, luckily it's not up to you, is it?
It's up to Storm!" Replied Brenda.
Both siblings looked intently at Storm, who was doing his best to slink away.
He looked desperately to Razor for help.
She did her best to pretend she didn't notice.
"Look.... I can't make such a decision now... we'll take this up again after I get back from Northburg!!!
That's the best I can promise right now!!" Said Storm.
Buying himself a few more days.
He knew that no matter what decision he made, he'd have an angry dwarf to deal with afterwards.