"What do you mean you aren't going back with me? We were only supposed to be here for a couple of days." A woman asked.
"There's been a change of plans," Roan answered with an air of finality.
But the lady did not give up. "Mom will be very upset if I arrive without you."
'It's Telle.'
Noble hadn't been around the young woman since meeting her at the cafe.
'She must have traveled to Bastion with her father.'
"Yes, your mother will be upset," Roan sighed. "But not at you. I have something for you to give her, but you must not read it until she does. Promise me."
Telle paused. Noble resisted the urge to spy any more than her superhuman hearing already allowed, but she could guess the daughter was pressing her lips together in protest.
"Are you about to…" Telle's words were cut off and muffled as Roan caught her in a hug.
"The less I tell you, the more honest you can be with your mom. I will be home as soon as I can. I promise both of you that. I love you."
The rest of the conversation went as Noble had expected. The pair argued for a moment before Telle wished her father well.
The Awakened legacy was busy wiping the tears from her eyes when she passed the front room. If Telle noticed the visitor, she didn't show it.
Noble, on the other hand, noticed the crumpled page held tightly in the lady's fist.
The door flew open as the air crackled with energy.
"Come on, Tino. Let's go home."
Noble didn't see the man bow, but she did hear the pair's measured steps down the street. There was no time to pay the two much attention, for at that moment, Roan at last made an appearance in the front room.
"Welcome! Apologies for the delay and change of venue."
He wore a pleasant smile, but the melancholy in his eyes betrayed him.
"You were a little busy."
Noble looked at him meaningfully.
Coughing, Roan rubbed the back of his neck.
"Telle was not supposed to come on my visit to the King of Swords. I should just be glad Tyris had business elsewhere, or she might have tried to come herself."
"So the person following you…was your own daughter. I guess that means you never did tell your wife about our imminent departure."
Roan shook his head. "I gave Telle a note for her. Tyris will have to understand with time that this is for her. I just hope she forgives me sooner rather than later."
Noble had only met Saint Tyris once, but the presence surrounding the enigmatic Saint was not one she would ever forget.
A small pang of guilt formed in Noble's chest.
It was partially due to Noble that the White Feather Clan had been sent to Antarctica so early in the campaign.
Sure, their presence helped save lives, but it had cost the clan dearly.
Now, Noble was about to commit a second infraction against those valiant heroes. She was about to enter a seed with one of their champions without the Clan's blessing.
What could possibly go wrong?
'I'm sorry, Tyris!'
"What about you?" The clansmen pulled his companion from her spiraling thoughts. "How much did you tell your husband and children?"
"You know I told Fort everything. It was a condition of our agreement. I disappeared without a trace once already. I couldn't do that to him a second time."
Noble realized that she had hit a nerve, but thankfully, Roan seemed to understand. The violet-eyed woman continued quickly.
"As for my kids, they know I'm on a dangerous mission, but that is the extent of their knowledge. It's important to both of us that no one knows I was here and took on this Nightmare."
"Agreed," the man nodded slowly.
The pair had hashed out the details before Noble had traversed the Dream Realm, and neither felt the need to go over their agreement just now.
Roan would not reveal her involvement in the Seed, and she would not pledge allegiance to Song or claim a citadel. The latter was her own decision. Since she did not want anyone to know that she was a Saint for the time being, it was an easy choice.
Beyond that, her family was unable to leave the Song Domain. Noble couldn't in good conscience claim a citadel and align it with the warmongering Queen.
Claiming a citadel but not giving it to Ki Song would mean separating herself from her family.
This was contrary to Noble's ultimate goal: to protect them at all costs.
"Do you have any other arrangements to make before we leave?" The legacy asked. "Is there anything you want to tell me before we meet the others?"
"My mother found me at the Cafe this morning." Noble watched the man's brows knit with concern. "I was worried at first too. However, I think in the long run it is for the best. If anyone finds out I came to Bastion, she will say it was to see her."
While Noble hated to drag her mother into things, what was done was done.
"I see." Roan studied her for a moment. "Family is important, and if she is mundane, I imagine you don't get to see her often."
"It was the first time since moving to Ravenheart," Noble confirmed. "I have missed her a lot."
"I hope it was a pleasant visit then."
Rather than be upset, the legacy seemed relieved. Noble realized why.
If she had family she loved in Bastion, she would be even less likely to take a stand against them.
"What about you? Is there anything I should know?" The woman turned the question back on her companion.
Roan nodded.
"Early this morning, I secured the blessing of the King of Swords to enter a Seed. We did not need it to proceed, but it does make things easier on the other side. For me, at least. I do not suppose it would affect you one way or the other."
Noble wasn't sure if that was true. As long as Lord Anvil didn't know she was a participant, he would not know to care about her existence.
But if things went sideways, his approval of the mission might make a lot of difference in how she was treated. For better...or worse.
Hopefully, the safeguards that Noble had put in place, including her change in appearance and name, would keep her out of trouble. While not perfect, they were the best she could do.
Only time would tell if it was enough.
"I'm glad we won't be prevented from entering." Noble nodded.
She had heard of people being prevented from transcending before, but those restrictions had become more lax since the chain of Nightmares in Antarctica years before.
Noble understood at least one morbid reason why.
Both Sovereigns were assembling the most powerful armies they could.
Roan was entering the Seed with or without her. The least Noble could do was share in his success and then do what she could to save as many people as possible from the coming doom.
But for that to happen, she would have to survive her own doom first.
The Third Nightmare.
"Indeed, everything is in place." Roan stroked his chin and glanced toward the door. "And I think we have given my daughter enough time to be on her way. Are you ready?"
Straightening her shoulders, Noble forced a smile. "I'm ready. Bring it."