Secrets have Secrets

Galan counted, everyone was there except Dante. His new dragon form prevented him from entering the palace. Greyson was unable to be found. Bella made it, despite being late and looking distracted. Vadellya and Lucian were both dependable. Morgan even made it. Galan was not sure that after her arrest for public intoxication and assaulting a law officer she would have made it out. Galan signed the order to release her into his military custody, but was still unsure exactly what to do with/to her as a punishment. Morgan reacted violently to most correction and it seemed to do more harm than good. He figured she was evil and up to something, pure mercy would not change that and justice demanded some punishment. He just had to figure out what was the most sculpting punishment. She already paid the heavy 5000 gold piece fine to the sergeant in arms here in Atlanta, but he doubted that would curb her future behavior.

Joining Galan was his new contact with the intelligence agency--Pinch. Thats what he called himself. He stood just short of 6 feet tall and had long patches of grey hair and a retreating hair line. Wrinkles crest his eyes and lips, signs that he must have smiled and laughed much in his long life. Long? Galan thought the man could not be much older than he himself was.

Remus explained that Bob was being reassigned to work directly for Remus and with the restructuring it was best to get someone that worked directly for the Den in the position. His real name was Janol. 'King' Janol he called himself, because I use to be the king of thieves. Galan did not care to ask why he was no longer. Neither did he ask why he was now called "Pinch." He was not evil and appeared devoted to the cause of Geneva and keeping its citizens safe. We are all on the same side. He reminded himself.

---
He was bothered only slightly by who was not there--Jag. After he had been introduced to Pinch as his new intellegence liason, Jag showed up in his room. No one should have been able to get in there uninvited. He was amazingly charming and very handsome. He dressed well -- sharp and clean. Eyes that had never seen the horror of battle and hands that only rarely if ever lifted a sword.

He explained that he was the real intelligence contact. It was all so "cloak and dagger." "Hidden shadow wars" the Lord Mogath was known to call it. Pinch was to be a front man, a fall guy, he called him. The real business of receiving top secret and intel, and receiving directives would come through him. He was forbidden to discuss his existence with anyone. As is the nature of top secret. It sounded suspicious but after he provided the code word that only Galan would know to validate that he was offical. He let his suspicions fall.
---

Bringing himself back to the present he said, "Welcome, thanks for coming. There is an army of rebels in south Geneva. They are rebelling against Queen Illyena's rule of Enron. It is largely made up of a minority elf race called Night Elves. They alluded the main forces of the Enron army and crossed the border into south Geneva because they knew the Enron army would not cross and there is no Genevan military presense there to speak of. That is mainly because the entirety of our army is here at the Palace." He fought back a laugh at how ridiculous it was to be a General of no army. The troops just were not there. It would take decades for Geneva to build back its forces to what it was before Darkness fell. The forces of evil did not seem content to let that happen.

He cleared his throat and continued, "We are to go and escort the pursuing Enron army across the border and through Geneva until the conflict is resolved. Of course, we are to be conscientious of and protective towards all Genevan interests citizens and assets. I know there is a lot going on right now for all of us but we are the only ones to do this. Prepare-- we'll be leaving in half an hour."

He nodded and Lucian left to take the briefing to Dante. "Galan?" Bella said an almost squeaky plea to speak. "Yes." Galan said expecting some question but surprised at her lack of normal confidence.

"I have some things I wish to make you aware of. First of all, ...........I am a vampire. I'm different than the rest in several ways. I don't die in sunlight and I do not feed on humans. But even this is not all. I was working with an organization called the Volturim, a secret coven of vampires in TradeCity. Their leader is a woman named Tatyana who has commissioned me to set Lord Darkness free. I......" It seemed like she was racing something to get it all out. The words flew from her mouth like water from one of the falls off the Isle.

From no where appeared Remus, "STOP. JUST STOP." His sudden appearance and forcefulness caught everyone off guard. "Ok, I know you are all excited here. Slow down. I am a friend to many of you. Take this as a friend. It is not safe for you to be talking about your past life Bella. Your old friends and associates are in the past. Do not talk about or pursue the others. It is best if you all forget this conversation."

Morgan just shrugged. Galan was almost insulted by her indifference. Vadellya looked wide eyed swallowed and muttered something like, "I trust Remus." Bella looked somewhat skeptical, but she had a trusting nature. Galan realized he would be the only one to push the issue, "I'm going to need more than just your word and advice not to."

Remus fidgets with his fingers for just a moment and then says, "Ok, if we can go somewhere beyond ears I'll tell you." Galan just nods.

-----

A few moments later magic had taken them out of the office. They were alone were beyond all ability to be heard by others. "We are the intelligence for the Isle. Shouldn't that be enough?" Remus started.

"I am told that a coven of vampires exist in Trade City, Genevan territory nearly in the shadow of the Isle. You don't tell me its not true, but instead that it is and not to pursue it. IN addition a plot to release Darkness. The danger that is to the world, and you want me to ignore it?"

"We have things controlled. The info you have gathered is already known by members of the council. The secrets should stop there."

"I never was much one for secrets at all." He tries not to rub his chest where the codex is kept.

"I understand. We live in different worlds. This coven is a great source of income and we have a code agreement to live in peace."

"No amount of money or dirty thief code is going to convince me to turn ot the left or to the right on this. Justice must be done and the innocence defended."

"Do what you want. I'm only saying that if you pursue this in as much as a single conversation, I can not promise your safety."

"If I was worried about being safe I wouldn't do half of what I do. Please understand no disrespect to you, but the Den's goals are not my goals. I'm going to take this information from Bella and take it to Raquel. Do whatever you have to do to insulate yourself from personal damage, but the right thing must be done."

Remus just shrugged his shoulders. A moment later only Galan was back in the office.

Turning his attention to his staff and companions, "After we finish in Enron we'll go to Raquel and report this. Gather your things its time to go."

Everyone moved their different directions except pinch who just shook his head, "I'd listen to Remus."