Knock. Knock. Knock.

  Taka's eyes flickered open in his flower pot bed. Zirko and Dr. Quinoth were already awake, discussing something quietly. In the bedroom, Maeve spoke gently to Theo, and Taka could hear Syla chiming in. Before Zirko could fully open the door, Jambo entered the room, scanning it intensely, before motioning behind him for Ambassador Reika to follow.

  "Good morning, Ambassador," Zirko said plainly. "What can we--"

  The Ambassador put a finger over her lips to shush Zirko. Jambo went to the center of the room and stood there silently. Around the satyr, Taka could feel something comb through the mana in the air, wafting through the whole room. It was unlike any magic Taka had encountered before, and the unfamiliarity made him uneasy.

  "All clear," Jambo said as the magic dissipated.

  "Good," Ambassador Reika remarked as she plopped herself on a chair. "I need everyone out here, now."

  Syla burst through the door, clearly waiting for permission to enter, or just to eavesdrop. Maeve led Theo into the room, and he immediately went to sit by Dr. Quinoth.

  "The boy?" the Ambassador asked.

  "Still working on it," the doctor replied. "Physically, nothing is restraining his speech, nor is there any mana-powered mechanism. I would like to keep digging."

  "Understood, do whatever you need to to figure it out fast," Ambassador Reika said. "There's no sign of any of the other children, so do what you must."

  Dr. Quinoth nodded solemnly, and Maeve stared at the doctor with a scrutinizing gaze.

  "What happened yesterday should have never occurred on these grounds," the Ambassador began. "I sincerely apologize--"

  "--Please, Madam Ambassador," Zirko interrupted. "I should've been more cautious, I take full responsibility for--"

  The Ambassador put up her hand, stopping Zirko mid-sentence.

  "This is not about blame," Jambo jumped in. "We have more important things to discuss."

  The Ambassador nodded at her assistant, then continued: "We have not been able to sniff out the mole in our ranks, and thus, must move forward with the utmost caution. Based on the recent turn of events, we suspect that the radicals will make their move within the next 72 hours. We do not yet know what their plan is, or where they will execute it, but that is the current timeframe we're operating under."

  Zirko smirked, "So you caught their shadows?"

  Dr. Quinoth tilted his head in surprise, but the Ambassador's expression remained firm. She refused to give Zirko the satisfaction he was playing at, and Taka respected her for it.

  "The situation here has become more unstable than anticipated," the Ambassador continued. "Within the current parameters of your mission, I have to recommend you leave the city immediately."

  Dr. Quinoth looked around at the rest of them, clearly confused at what the Ambassador meant, but stayed silent. Zirko's nose twitched, and Taka said nothing, waiting for more of an explanation.

  But the Ambassador didn't say anything else; that seemed to be it.

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  "Is that an order?" Zirko asked coldly.

  "No," the Ambassador said. "But if you stay any longer, I cannot guarantee your safety."

  Ah, Taka thought, so they still might be after Theo. Taka didn't have a particular reason to care about Theo, but he didn't need one; the wolf boy was alone, and he was just a kid. That was enough.

  "And if we don't?" Zirko said.

  "Then you are no longer welcome in any building under my control," the Ambassador said.

  The room fell silent. Taka was hoping Maeve would say something, but she didn't. Ever since he gained the ability to speak, using his TELEPATHY felt more exhausting, and Taka found himself feeling almost adverse toward using the skill when not necessary. This was one of those times when using his TELEPATHY skill could've made things clearer between him and his companions, but he just didn't.

  The silence held. Taka couldn't bear it any longer and activated his TELEPATHY skill to open a link to Zirko.

  What is going on? Taka asked.

  Quite a bit, Zirko replied. Reika wouldn't tell us to leave if she didn't have to. Whatever timeline the Ambassador's team was operating under must've been thrown out, and now they're in damage control mode, and having us here will just make things more difficult. That's what she wants everyone to think, whether it's the truth or a lie.

  Taka didn't understand that last part, but he didn't have time to dwell on it.

  What about our investigation? Taka asked.

  The doctor and the wolf boy, Zirko sent. We need to get them out of Modonia and Spirit Kingdom territory as soon as we can.

  But the attack-- Taka began.

  If we push any further, we'll be stepping into deadly waters, Zirko said. We need to get them to safety first.

  Them, meaning Syla as well. Taka understood. Whatever was about to happen in Modonia was much bigger than them, and staying had the potential to create many more problems than their departure would.

  "There have been shifts in the Spirit Kingdom troops since yesterday," Jambo said, finally saving the room from the terrible silence. "Increased patrols, searches of carriages..."

  Because you captured their stealth troops, Taka thought to himself, not daring to say it aloud. Taka looked around the room: Maeve's face gave away nothing, either fully understanding the Ambassador's intent or smart enough not to question it, while Syla looked around, not understanding exactly what was going on.

  As if reading Taka's mind, Zirko sent Taka another message: Don't explain it to the others. If we're being watched, they'll let us run away if they think we've failed our mission. If we let on that we've got what we need, they'll be sure to make a move.

  With Dr. Quinoth and Theo with us, won't we be a target regardless? Taka asked. We should tell Syla--

  Sir Filo, Zirko interjected. Trust me and follow my lead. I have been here before.

  Zirko's tone made Taka feel woozy as he felt reminded of the lizard man's assassination attempt on him, but Taka steeled his nerves. Zirko is fine now, Taka told himself. I helped free him, and he's part of my family now. I have to trust him.

  Ambassador Reika exited the room without another word, leaving Jambo and Zirko to discuss the details of their departure from Modonia. Dr. Quinoth took Theo into the bedroom for some sort of examination, leaving Taka with Maeve and Syla. The elf child seemed fine, but the fox girl had a blank expression plastered across her face even after the Ambassador had left.

  "Are you alright?" Syla whispered to Maeve, noticing her unusual behavior.

  Maeve didn't react, her mind still elsewhere. Syla went up to Maeve and lightly squeezed her hand.

  Maeve snapped back to reality, then turned toward Syla and smiled. Syla gave her a weak smile back.

  "I'm alright, thank you," Maeve replied.

  Taka looked at the pair, trying to see if there was something he was missing, but couldn't figure out if there was. Syla stared at Taka, doing their best not to talk anymore as to try to conceal their identity. Taka used his TELEPATHY skill and opened a link with Syla.

  I can carry you back, Sir Filo, Syla sent. And we can make you a new golem once we're back in Kronkswell, Garek will be happy to help!

  Thank you, I shall look forward to it, Taka replied.

  Syla smiled at Taka, warming his heart. They hadn't been in Modonia for long, and Taka hadn't gotten the chance to help Syla look for their mother. He understood how badly Syla must have wished to stay, to fight for even a slim chance of seeing their mother again, but the elf didn't protest. Taka's heart ached for Syla.

  Jambo rose from his seat, and Zirko let out a grunt as he stretched out.

  "We are moving out in 15," Zirko said. "Be ready."