Act 3: The Ball - Preparations of War

Kaja takes the communicator first, examining from different angles before she puts it in a pocket. Then she takes the black flag, briefly unfolds it to take a look at the Tiburs' heraldry emblazoned on it—an ornamented golden wheel surrounded by four horses—before she places it on the table.

"I'll brief the others at sunrise," she says. "What about you, though? You're going to kidnap the Vigilate's big shot, but you're not worried about the curfew?"

Segel looks at the adventurers and waits expectantly for the answer. He clearly has been wondering the same.

Konrad smiles. "Not at all! We've got everything figured out, Kaja. We're gonna be fine."

Kaja raises an eyebrow and smile. "It wouldn't be anything like Nadzieja, right?"

Steve shares a look with his friends before saying, "That depends. What has she told you?"

She shrugs. "Not much. I only caught her using that ability once, and she made me swear never to tell anyone."

Segel listens with wide eyes, perplexed by this revelation.

Konrad twitches when Kaja mentions Nadia.

"You 'caught her'? When was this?"

"A girl never tells," she replies with a smirk.

"Well, since that's the case, yes, it is the same power and please keep it a secret for now."

"My lips are sealed," she says in Wytrwaly. "Now, anything else I need to know for tomorrow?"

"No, that is all. The two of you may go." After all is explained to Kaja, and Segel by proxy, Konrad ignores them, having granted dismissal for his First Mate's sake.

"Sorry, Captain, but there's something else." Before Kaja can leave, the fairy comes forward, his inquisitive demeanor now replaced by his usual diligence. "We've received a few crates this morning: chloroform and magnesium sulfate. We've put them in the cargo hold for you. Apparently, you were the ones who bought them...?"

Konrad looks at each of his companions, and back to Segel. "Yes. Set those aside for us, and make sure nobody gets into them."

"Already done, captain."

"Perfect." He turns to the Tyke observer. "Femke, can you tell us how to get to Evander's office? Or are we going to have to wing it?"

"I can tell you in which part of the fort you're most likely to find his office," Femke says, "but not the exact location. Also, there are too many guards for you to remain undetected. We haven't been able to."

Kaja raises an eyebrow at the word "we", but remains silent.

"You need to go through checkpoints to reach those areas. No backdoor to speak of."

Femke tilts her head.

"There shouldn't be anyone else inside the commander's office besides Evander himself. Wouldn't that meet your criteria?"

Femke continues to stare at Mihai. "I don't understand."

"I don't understand either," Kaja adds. "Should we go? It's fun to see you beat around the bush, but I think you might prefer to tell her straight."

"Yes, have a good rest, Kaja." In all the commotion and planning and keeping secrets, explaining further revelations to Segel and Femke about the Shriekers must have gone by the wayside. Kaja will have to be informed before she leaves tomorrow...

The Myrzen woman and the fairy nod at the adventurers and leave through the door. Femke waits for the explanation.