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'All over the world?' said Ezura, Evangelina's reaper. 'Is that not a bit excessive?'

'We have specific targets in mind,' said Garovel. 'Some are quite far away. And we will have more in the future.'

'What are these targets?' asked Axiolis.

'In short?' said Garovel. 'Legendary treasure.'

The whole room was quiet for a moment.

'Our escapades in the Undercrust reminded me of the absolute deluge of powerful artifacts scattered throughout the world. We encountered several of them while in Himmekel, due to the exploits of one particularly troublesome Hun'Sho. I wish we could have retrieved all that we saw down there, but given how heavily guarded that area was--and no doubt still is--I think our time would be better used pursuing the same goal in other parts of the world.

'And right now, while Hector and I are more than happy to have you all staying here at Warrenhold, we also understand that YOU don't want to stay here indefinitely, do you?'

"Of course not," said Zeff.

'And to that end,' said Garovel, gesturing broadly with a bony hand, 'what we require now is not just time to rest and recover strength. We require NEW strength, don't you think?'

"That is true," said Evangelina. "And hunting down artifacts of power sounds much more appealing to me than trying to forge alliances with more people who might betray us later."

Hector saw a couple nods of agreement.

'That's all well and good,' said Mevox, 'but the problem with treasure hunting isn't the usefulness of it. It's the IMPOSSIBILITY of it. If we don't know where to look for these treasures, then it doesn't matter how powerful they are. We'll never find them. Are you sayin' you guys have leads for us to go on?'

'Yes,' said Garovel. 'We do.'

Mevox tilted his skeletal head. 'And where exactly are you getting such valuable intel from?'

'It's not that I don't wish to tell you,' said Garovel, 'but operationally-speaking, the fewer people who know, the better.'

'Right...'

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((The Mon/Wen/Fri Double -- page 2 of 2))
Diego wasn't technically the head of his family, but he and Evangelina were the only representatives of their respective Houses, and no one else seemed to object to his presence here.

Garovel started them off. 'Thank you all for coming. Hector and I have something very important we would like to ask everyone, but before we do, please allow me to make it clear that we completely understand if you decide to refuse us. We know that we are asking a lot.'

'You're makin' me antsy,' said Mevox, the reaper of Salvador Delaguna. 'No need for all the preemptive politeness. Just tell us what it is.'

Garovel looked to Hector, as did everyone else.

Honestly, Hector would have greatly preferred to just let Garovel handle everything, but they'd already talked this over and decided that they would both participate in the conversation. For some godforsaken reason, Garovel seemed to be under the impression that Hector had to be the one to tell everyone the basics of the idea. And if this group here were comprised of anyone else, Hector probably would've refused, but because it was the Rainlords--because it was these Rainlords, in particular--he felt like he could handle it.

It was still intensely uncomfortable with all their eyes on him, though.

"...We would like to start deploying small teams of servants on missions," said Hector, "for the purposes of gathering both resources and intelligence."

A few of the heads seemed surprised and exchanged looks with one another. However, Dimas Sebolt and Salvador Delaguna did not.

Those two, along with Horatio Blackburn, made up the most important three in this regard. More than ninety-five percent of the Rainlords currently staying in Warrenhold belonged to those three families. Perhaps some version of this idea had already occurred to them.

Dimas' reaper, Iziol, asked the first question. 'Start deploying them where, exactly?'

'Wherever we need them to go,' said Garovel. 'All over the world, potentially.'

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((The Mon/Wen/Fri Double -- page 1 of 2))
It felt like the fate of the entire nation might be riding on his ability to deal with Leo. He didn't want to think that was actually true, but the more he allowed himself to dwell on it, the more he was becoming convinced of it.

Well, at least he wouldn't have to deal with Leo alone this time. That was the only thought that was providing Hector with any degree of comfort.

The third issue that was on his mind, however, was his meeting with the Rainlords tonight. All the heads would be gathering to discuss their plans moving forward.

And Hector had something quite important to tell them. He wasn't sure how they would react to his proposition, but he was trying to remain hopeful.

Not his forte, that.

He tried to enjoy his soak in the hot spring as best he could, but there was just no way he could relax. And the entire day seemed to drag on and on as the anticipation for tonight's meeting continued to build in his mind.

Training hadn't been able to take his mind off it, nor had meditation, and now making the rounds throughout Warrenhold wasn't doing it, either.

Eventually, however, the time came. He made his way to the Tower of Night, to the largest conference room therein, on the floor just below his own chambers.

A couple of the heads were already there, he found. Dimas of House Sebolt and Horatio of House Blackburn, along with both of their reapers.

They exchanged courtesies and waited for everyone else to arrive.

'Nervous?' came the private voice of Garovel, who was of course there with him as well.

'Kinda,' said Hector.

'Don't be. It's a good strategy. I'm sure they'll be receptive to it.'

Hector hoped so.

Zeff of House Elroy appeared next. Then Evangelina of House Stroud, Diego of House Redwater, Joana of House Cortes, and finally Salvador of House Delaguna.