Scout had contemplated bringing Remiel Allemeade along, but the man didn't seem too fond of the prince and eventually she had decided against it. She had left him at her estate before riding her horse into town.

The blonde waited near the apartment for the others to join her.

Felicity had gotten out her battle armor, had it polished, and was now adorned in it, lest anyone forget that she was a decorated Marshal of Lorendale. She had sworn fealty to the crown, thus when it called—or, the prince called in the stead of the queen—she answered. Her army was pathetic following the attack of Myla and her Dresmondi goons, but Felicity herself was not. She sat at the table, exuding readiness for the task at hand. Their home was infiltrated, and something needed to be done.

Peter walked in, offering @cayaha an appreciative smile as she waited for him before following him in. Peter was new to his appointment and had hardly had time to do anything before all of this. This moment could be make or break for him and he was ready to do whatever he needed in order to prove he was worthy of this position.

He gave polite but mostly silent greetings to the others who was there. Now was not the time for idle chit chat.

The prince would enter first. Stepping inside, he’d pause, looking at those assembled. Augustus’s eyes would linger for a moment on Scout Kane, gaze flickering down her person as if to verify she was still whole. With a nod, he was on the move again, going to the head of the table and indicating for Tybalt Zane to sit in the empty chair to the prince’s right. Provided that all in attendance had risen upon his entrance, he would now bid them to sit. As the prince began, his tone was matter-of-fact but resolute.

“As you, no doubt, are aware, the Eldouir have returned to Lorendale. Days ago, they arrived at the palace in search of Elena Eldouir. Her Majesty revealed Elena to be in Arynn Frey—at which point they abducted my niece and went to retrieve her. They returned with what appears to be Elena’s body. Living, but only just.” Augustus had been in Arynn Frey long enough to be able to deduce just what it was that had happened. But he wasn’t going to lob accusations at the Arynnites just yet.

“My niece and her children are unharmed and staying hidden until it is deemed safe for her to return. I have sent word to Arynn Frey to seek a full understanding of what has occurred and their assistance. Word has also been sent to King Rainecourt.”

Through the mirror, Augustus had been able to deduce his niece was in Nevermere, so no doubt the king already knew what had occurred. But the mirror yet remained a secret, and he intended for it to stay that way.

“My priority is the safety of our people. The Eldouir should not be provoked until every piece is in place to contain them. For now, they seem appeased, and we will do our best to keep it that way. Some of the pills may be bitter to swallow, but though we may lose battles, we will win the war.” Augustus sounded like the king he could have bene. This was war, as far as Augustus was concerned. The palace had been overtaken and occupied by an enemy of the state. But such things would be dealt with carefully.

“Anything to add before we begin, Commander?” Augustus said, looking to Tybalt Zane.

The young woman was still standing, but made her way to the table when the two men entered. She remained standing until Augustus gestured for them to sit. Of course she nodded back at her uncle, a relieved but small smile on her face upon seeing him. She was glad he seemed unharmed.

Scout listened to everything Augustus and Tybalt said, and eventually she would speak when he addressed her.

"Yes. I rode to Allemeade Keep and retrieved Remiel. He is currently at my estate." She paused and a concerned look appeared on her face. "When I told him Honora was with the Eldouir, he asked me who she was. I have seen what Honora is capable of, and I fear she has removed Remiel's memories of her, the way she did Baldovino's." It was never easy speaking about her old friend Baldo. "I don't understand what her reason for it might be."

Again she paused, this time more dramatically because it was clear that something was bothering her. "There's something else", she said. "At Lord Featherton's ball, I followed Honora and lord Featherton outside. I saw them near a carriage, almost getting intimate, but then she used her Gift on him. I didn't tell anyone about this, because I was trying to investigate the situation. There are rumors of him being anti-Gifted, because of his association to lord Anslem Ellery, and I wonder if Honora's turn to the Eldouir had anything to do with that."

She glanced at Augustus before turning to her uncle again. "As for Remiel, you asked for him when the Eldouir arrived. I spoke to him on the way over here and I'm convinced he needs to be reinstalled as Legionnaire. We need Gifted like him, to help us with Gifted like the Eldouir."

All of Tybalt’s additions were sound ones. As far as Augustus had been able to deduce, the crimes committed by the Eldouir were mostly ones of opportunity. Perhaps they would not seek documents or other matters of importance out, but if they were to stumble upon them? He was relieved to have the registry removed from the palace and did not expect it to return anytime soon.

When she spoke, Augustus’s gaze was directed to Scout. He’d be lying if he didn’t feel the slightest twinge of protective jealousy at the revelation that Remiel Allemeade was residing at Scout’s estate. Beyond that visceral reaction, it was also a perplexing development. Augustus hadn’t realized Scout was so familiar with Marquis Allemeade…but Tybalt had a strange, misguided affinity for the man. Perhaps it was a Kane family trait.

Augustus listened, brow furrowing at the mention of Lord Featherton and Anslem Ellery. They were known names to him, sure, but just barely. At this juncture, no stone could go unturned. He looked to Tybalt.

“Lord Featherton is to be tracked down and summoned to Loren at once. My estate will serve as an alternate base of operations until the palace can be secured. See he is brought there and made comfortable until he can be questioned.” Any information on the troublesome Allemeade woman could be critical to diffusing her.

"As for Marquis Allemeade..." Augustus paused, scratching his beard thoughtfully as he carefully chose his next words. Though frustrated, he refused to let it show, opting for a gentle yet firm honesty. "It wasn't too long ago that your queen found enough evidence to strip him of his position—for collusion with the Eldouir, no less. While I acknowledge your personal relationship with Marquis Allemeade has inspired trust," he said, looking at Tybalt, unwilling to consider that Scout might have a personal relationship with the fallen noble, "the risk is too great. If Honora Allemeade did indeed tamper with his mind, who knows what else she might have done." Augustus paused for a moment before offering his final verdict.

“If Marquis Allemeade wishes to serve his kingdom, I will accept his return to service—so long as he wears a collar as an added measure of security.”

She clenched her hands into fists under the table at Augustus' words. She had mentioned Remiel, yet the prince looked at her uncle as if he was the only person in the room to have the blonde Gifted's back. Scout took a moment to compose herself before speaking again.

"To my understanding, lord Allemeade fought on my uncle's side, against Hiram. I admit I was not there, but a man willing to risk his life while fighting the one he supposedly colluded with, does not sound like a traitor to me." She looked at Augustus, and if he looked back, she would maintain intense eye contact with him. "He has proven time and time again that he has been using his Gift to help people. He fought against Hiram, he helped during the Eldouir appearance at the queen's address, and he has been helping farmers for long before that."

She looked at her uncle, seeking his support and approval, before standing. "It is time we stop pretending like lord Allemeade is our enemy. There is only one Allemeade at the palace, and it is not Remiel. He left his Keep behind the second I showed up with every intention of coming to the city with me to help in whatever way he can."

This was perhaps a side of Scout that had not been seen before, by anyone in the room. "I request lord Allemeade be returned to his position, without a collar. If anything goes wrong, I will take responsibility for it, for I believe in his goodwill and intentions. Lord Allemeade still wishes to serve his kingdom, after everything that has been said and done to him."

She placed her fingertips on the table and looked around the room, taking in the faces of everyone at the table, before her eyes landed on prince Augustus again. "He is not the devil you all make him out to be."

'You all' was relative, of course. There were certainly people present that shared her opinion, or at least she hoped there were. She wasn't trying to accuse everyone, but she was trying to make a clear point.