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That might make sense, he supposed. If aura was the culmination of one's entire self, then having a very different body would probably create a very different aura.

He could imagine that coming in handy against certain psychic or aura-sensitive individuals. Throwing them off their game, perhaps. Hmm.

Moreover, he'd heard that Harper Norez was among the most powerful servants in the Vanguard. Supposedly one of the top thirty-eight strongest. And while he certainly still respected Mr. Norez's abilities--having gotten the chance to see them quite up close and personal--Hector also couldn't help harboring a few doubts about that figure, these days.

The more he'd learned about the Vanguard, especially about Sparrows and psychics, the more likely it seemed to him that there was a very powerful hidden side to the organization. A side that probably wanted certain people to be pushed to the forefront while they worked behind-the-scenes.

Harper was strong, sure, but there was at least one nest of Sparrows working for the Vanguard. And their entire existence was a secret, so they wouldn't be factored into any outward power calculations going on. And Hector had a feeling that there was a lot more at play than just Sparrows, too. There were bound to be human psychics, as well, he figured. Hell, maybe they even had some Hun'Sho working for them.

Not to mention, there were other figures in his memories. The Candle's memories. Figures that he didn't know what to make of.

The intervening silence didn't last that long, even though Hector's racing thoughts made it feel like it did.

"What exactly has brought you here to Andeyal?" said Bartholomew.

"We've come to ensure the safety of our prince," said Hector, feeling like the young captain had probably known the answer to that already and was still just testing the conversational waters.

"You have a funny way of going about that. Unless my eyes deceive me, I see no princes here."

"We're still just trying to get a grasp on the situation," said Hector. "Clearly, something very odd is going on around here, and we'd rather not walk into a trap."

"I see. So you're just wandering innocently around in the middle of a city-wide lockdown, are you?"

Hector folded his armored arms. "I never said we were wandering. But... if we're inadvertently getting in the way of your operation, then I apologize. We just want to get our prince home safe and sound."