Jay, Hazel, and Brandon all take this information and interaction between the Keepers silently and store it away for later. They've all been in situations that called for keeping a regular eye on who they're working with.
Hazel quietly thanks Diana for taking third shift and smiles. It sounds like if they needed to take guard at night again, they had a system that might work; though they should probably switch out the guard every other night or something just in case.
Brandon nods his thanks to the praise, grinning. It wasn't very often that Matamba willingly went along with what he wanted; at the same time, she didn't go directly against what was wished either, not very often at least, which is better than some can boast of.
"Who is the guide?" Jay asks, curious about people in general.

"A friend of ours who we've worked with for a long time. It's best you don't know his name for now," Ashia responds, "He's wary of outsiders especially after Truswick fell to the Conquerors."
"Yeah that's not the only part that made him wary. The Earl of Truskwick is not a kind man and he has many spies. And let's just say you don't want to be locked up in the Howling House," Justin agrees.
Diana shutters at the name, "Don't say that name please."
"Sorry Diana," Justin apologizes.
Ashia calmly reins in her horse, "We'll camp here. When it gets dark, I'll go grab our guide."
Justin nods once signaling he'd heard. The camp was little more than a rocky outcropping with a bare patch of land in the center. It wasn't big enough for horses and just barely had enough room for their spirit animals.
Ashia looks at Justin obviously not pleased.
"It's the best I could find for now. Plus it's slightly hidden."



Maya looks around the wall of Green Haven trying to find the hole that Ashia had used to enter. She didn't trust the Keepers even in the slightest bit.
Kaden calmly knocks on the door to Olvan's office, "Sir, there's a problem."

Jay nodded his head and accepts the fact that it probably was better that he doesn't know the guide. It sounds like if he knew and talked to the wrong person it wouldn't be very pleasant for anyone. The Howling House did not seem to be a great place to be, especially when coupled with Diana's reaction to it.
Hazel tries to make see the good in the situation and notes that it is a place to stay and that the hideaway aspect of it will be nice. She thanks Justin for finding the area and looks around slightly to see if there was a nearby place that could fit a few more (keeping Justin's area if unable to find anything).
Brandon keeps quiet and gets off the horse as soon as possible.

If it's morning time, Rue is most likely asleep because it's during the day.
Olvan answers the door and lets Kaden in. "What is it?" He asks politely in return.

"Sir," Kaden begins, "we just got a lead on the Silver wolf of Brigan. It's in Trunswick. The bad news is the area is occupied by Conquerors." Kaden lowers his voice, "Maya is also searching for how the Nectar Thief got in unseen to most likely get out and go after the Keepers herself. If I might suggest something: take Maya with you before she tears this place down stone by stone or exposes an entrance to the Conquerors."



Justin nods a welcome slightly lost in thought. Ashia notices the look on Jusin's face and chooses to keep quiet. She looks at the others summoning Scarlet, "Let's take a look around. Diana would you mind asking Phantom to look around too. A certain crow has been following us."
Diana nods once summoning Phantom who greets the crow kindly, "No danger from it. I'd say it's Fae's crow. Isn't she suppose to be around here?"
"I thought she left already," Ashia answers, "after all when Trunswick fell I recalled all but our guide."
"You haven't been back to the village for a while have you," Diana asks.
"No why?"
"If Mercades is out here then there's a good chance that Fae is too. That or she's trapped in Trunswick," Diana answers, "and if she's trapped we have to rescue her."

Olvan looks outside the window as he pauses to process the information Kaden had given him. It was growing late but it had been a fair day, which is the reason why he kept failing to close the door to his office. It felt terrible to shut out a beautiful day even when someone could shoot through it. He then turns to face Kaden again.
"Thank you," Olvan smiles, "for letting me know. If you've got the lead, you can take Maya and another person you trust - or as many as you think you'll need - to go and secure its location; unless you have other plans, and in that case I'll send someone else."

Brandon hides a smile at the mention of crows, wanting to murmur 'murder' - as in a group of crows - under his breath. He refrains from the childish outburst and simply stands quietly to the side, doing whichever task he believes he can do that is generally assigned. He looks up at his older sister in surprise when she pulls him close, her hand on his shoulder, and looks a bit disturbed by the bird and the rescue part.
Hazel looks hesitant, increasingly so. "I don't know. I've never met these people before and I'm not sure I'm willing to risk my life for them." The reaction Diana had given when the Howling House was mentioned did not escape Hazel. Sure, Fae and Mercedes or one of the two, whomever was most likely the guide would be risking something - life, limb, or liberty - but it wouldn't be for Hazel: it would be for the familiar Keeper people such as Justin, Diana, and Ashia, not for the strangers who ride along with them.

"We weren't asking for your help; you'd be nothing but a hindrance during the mission or at best a little distraction for the dogs," Diana responds, "I'll rescue Fae, Ashia you and Justin need to find our guide."
"Are you sure you can do it alone," Ashia asks.
"I'll signal you if I need help," Diana responds, "But I do have one concern, can we really trust these strangers?"
Ashia doesn't answer. Justin on the other hand, "We've all seen what the Bile can do but I believe we can trust them."
"Fine what's the plan. Leave these three outsiders here while we go into Trunswhick," Diana asks.
"Unless someone can come up with a better plan," Ashia agrees, "Hazel, Brandon, Jay do you have any thoughts about this plan?"



"I'll grab Rue," Kayden answers, "Sir, just between you, me, and well the wall I think the Keepers already know about the talisman and they still have the Bamboo Panda. If we're going to work with them, we need to meet with them or at least try to convince them we aren't the enemy."

Hazel takes the correction in stridr and nods her understanding. She doesn't speak another word, quite satisfied with letting Diana come up with a plan that Diana will execute.
Brandon is used to Hazel doing the speaking for the two of them. Once his expectant look up to her doesn't cause her to say anything, he gives a resigned sigh, looks to Ashia and Justin, and shakes his head to signify that he's fine with being left alone with people he trusts.
Jay shrugs, "No, not really. Sounds like you've got it all under control. If you don't come back by what time should we think you dead?" The last sentence slipped out as if a habitual joke.

Olvan smiles again at Kayden's words. "I agree with you; if you meet up with the Keepers on your travels and if you feel comfortable confronting them, feel free to talk to them about it. Of course, once they come back to the Black Bear Inn, there will be a more formal and official meeting."

Kaden frowns, "With all due respect Olvan I don't think we should confront them their anymore. After what happened last time I highly doubt they will ask us again to meet there. And next time they may not be so friendly. After all you've seen what their leader can do."



All three of the Keepers shoot Jay a pointed look. Ashia grimaces before speaking, "Twenty-four hours. After that you are free to go. And if we are longer then twenty-four hours Mercadies will get help for us. You can either follow her or go your own way. I don't guarantee anything."

Olvan nods and takes Kadens opinion in stride. "Alright. You're probably right. I'll think about it and make a final decision soon. Good luck with finding the talisman." (Yes, he's being uncertain because I don't know how to make him certain at the moment)


Jay stands sheepishly to the side and nods once to let her know that he understood her. He had immediately regretted his choice of words and childish tone.
Brandon nodded and signs that he's willing to follow or go on his own way, both suiting his fancy.

Kaden nods once before leaving, "Thank you sir. I'll go grab Rue and Maya and be off." Kaden's first stop is Rue's quarters. Calmly he knocks on the door, "Rue wake up I need your help."


Ashia looks back at the others, "If a stranger approaches this place ask if he knows about the Keep. If he says yes ask him if he knows Lightening. If the stranger says no or corrects you saying it's Flash, he's the guide."
"Please be careful," Justin says as they leave, "we'll be back soon."