Ratella followed Lucian with Liliana still perched upon his shoulder, watching the castle grounds and the many soldiers within for any sign of danger.
The castle was rather plain, devoid of any elaborate decorations; the halls were mainly barren apart from the many crates of supplies and weapons lining a few.
Eventually, they reached a room full of maps of the surrounding areas and the battlefield as a whole. All the castles and camps of Kathoros were marked upon it.
A great number of people were discussing something with most likely advisors, tacticians, and commanders.
This was the perfect place for a Horseman of War to be in, exposing all of Kathoros' secrets to her eyes.
"I would like to introduce a new ally to you all. Ratella Evergarden, fourth Seraphim and the one who will tilt the balance to our side. Hopefully, we'll be able to crush the Devils lurking on Brightnight's doorstep," declared Lucian, moving to the center of the room, placing his fist across his chest.
His declaration drew a round of applause and murmurs about whether Ratella's status was genuine. Many of the officials mimicked Lucian's gesture, standing tall in the face of their commander's words.
"I'll do my best to aid and protect you all in battle. Don't worry, while I am inexperienced, I'll most certainly lay down my life in pursuit of the Devilish infection festering within this land," exclaimed Ratella, copying Lucian's salute.
His voice rang out true and full of empathy, declaring his vow of protection to the men, but to his mind, his words were hollow, laced with lies. His vow disgusted his mind, but he didn't let it show on his face, playing the dutiful soldier.
"I have another pressing matter to announce to you all," announced Lucian, refocusing everyone's attention upon him, the murmurs coming to a close.
"Virtue of Temperance, Serian Valhorn has been slain in battle. His murderer is unknown, but judging by the hundreds of wounds littering his body, it would be expected that the Horsemen of War are present on the battlefield and one who dealt Serian his last words."
His announcement reduced the room to silence, the many friends of Serian sitting in this very room. Their expressions hardened as they tried not to be overcome by the corrupting emotions swirling through their minds.
"Serian is dead? Slain by the Horsemen of War, what did he do to deserve such a cruel fate?" exclaimed one of the leading advisors in the room.
A couple of tears flowed down his face before he steeled his emotions, returning to the indifferent advisor needed at the present.
"The presence of the Horsemen of War changes nothing. At the present moment, our target does not change with such a foe lurking. We need to slay the sins of Sloth and Lust if we have any chance of surviving the next couple of months while we aren't yet in a dire situation. It will eventually arrive, and if the surrounding Sins aren't slain, they will be the harbingers of our doom."
"Serian had deemed his son the successor of Temperance; his promotion needs to be carried out in most haste."
"Sarin Valhorn is only a boy, though. Can he handle the burden war brings?" asked a man towards the back of the room, his face laced with terror and sorrow at the thought of Sarin going to war.
"You forget that Sarin has seen his part of the suffering and death that war brings. He will have to rise to the challenge of Temperance or else he'll be slain like his father," declared Lucian, his words cruel but true. Without Temperance, their chances of survival would only plummet to oblivion.
The room sank deeper into sorrow, but Lucian's words temporarily lifted them from their worries as they considered the benefits of survival. Their families' faces run through their minds.
"Although crude, the commander is right; we must not sink into the darkness looming around us. We must walk forward no matter the trials lying in our wake, as it is the only way to survive this wretched land," exclaimed a man saluting the surrounding men. Ratella copied his gesture, standing tall, and the rest of the men followed suit; their spirits were greatly lifted.
"Let's get back to the main subject of this war council."
"Yes, the Sins of Lust and Sloth. To slay them, I suggest forming an elite unit consisting of our most capable and powerful warriors. A unit of around one hundred shouldn't put unnecessary strain on our garrison and forces. I also suggest having Sarin and Ratella leading this unit with their might; the Sins should fall easily."
Ratella nodded at the man's proposal, indicating his agreement, but whether he would actually do anything to aid the unit was still to be decided.
"Do you have any specific tactics in mind regarding drawing the Sins out of their hiding places?" asked Ratella, prying the man for any more information regarding their tactics, mainly for Liliana's ears, but he was also curious about the man's plans for the unit.
The Sins are usually arrogant and will take on any challenger that approaches them. We'll use this to our advantage, killing some of the aspects of shadow that command smaller legions of Devils surrounding Brightnight will most likely bring them out of hiding."
Liliana Birdform let out a snorting sound unnatural for a bird, drawing the gaze of the advisors and tacticians in the room.
She apparently found the man's comment about the Sins funny.
"Ratella, did that bird just snort as if it was laughing?" asked the leading advisor, now suspicious of the bird perched on Ratella's shoulder.
No one had noticed the potoo perched on his shoulder until now.
"No, I'm sure it was just coughing or something like that. I think it's got a cold or something, it's not been its usual self. Staying silent is unnatural for it," blurted out Ratella, panicked at the increasing suspicion falling on him.
"Mhm, I didn't think birds could get colds, but okay, I'll ignore it for now. We have more pressing matters to discuss," declared the leading advisor, discarding his suspicion for a later date.
If he weren't currently in a war council, he would have had more suspicion fall upon him, and it would be all because of Liliana's recklessness.
The war council soon came to an end, and everyone was dismissed, leaving Lucian and Ratella alone in the once bustling council room.
"I hope your strength will prove an aid to us and not a hindrance. You may be inexperienced, but if you follow my orders, you'll soon become a valuable asset for Kathoros," declared Lucian, giving Ratella his parting words before leaving the room, saying nothing else.
His words rang out ominously and authoritatively in his mind. For some reason undecipherable to Ratella, he interpreted the words as a threat.
Ratella glared at Lucian's back as he left, his wariness about the virtue growing by the second.