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"At the very least," said Zeff, "I know that he is spreading himself thin. Not only has he influenced all of my kin, but he is also manipulating others across the entirety of your country. And Vantalay is no small nation. I suspect he is even affecting minds out at sea, as well."

"What exactly is his objective?" said Linus.

Zeff took a moment to chew on that question. "Having spoken to him many times now, I do not think it is any one, singular thing. He claimed that this was all temporary--and perhaps that is so--but as far as I have been able to discern, Abolish has been fully routed from these lands for some time now, and yet he still has not released my kin."

Kristof spoke next. "When I talked to him, he kept saying that the VMP was a greater threat than he'd realized. He seemed intent on wiping them out completely."

Linus recalled much the same. "That was the main goal of this mission he sent me on. Cleaning up scattered remnants."

"That cannot be all," said Daro. "The VMP may barely be functional in this region of the country, but the government in Abara is still intact. And as long as they remain so, the VMP will endure and rebuild. Graves would understand that, surely."

"If he does, then that might explain what's taking him so long," said Kristof. "Partially, at least."

"What do you mean?" said Linus.

"If one of his major objectives is to destroy the VMP completely, then he's got himself a real quagmire, because that can only be accomplished via regime change here in Vantalay. And where the Vanguard is concerned, that is quite the taboo line to cross, no matter how influential Graves is."

Ah. Having served in the Vanguard himself, Linus understood well enough, but he knew that Kristof was especially knowledgeable on that matter. It was the main reason why the man had left, after all. And Daro's reaper had also worked with them extensively, even if Daro himself had not.

Come to think of it, the Water Dragon used to be a member, too, didn't he? So he probably understood, as well.

"The Vanguard cares not a whit for such taboos any longer. If you think Graves is hesitant to cross that line, then you are a fool."

Or maybe not.

The harshness of his tone left the three of them eyeing him.

Zeff, however, merely looked unfazed and unapologetic.