🎀 Wisteria 🎀

Harmid offered to help his master change clothes and, in passing, informed him about the mysterious disappearance of Rogdan.

-- Uh-huh, Harmid, thank you. Right, -- Valdemar, now dressed, walked into the General hall. On the table was Raphael's tobacco tin; he opened it, brought it to his nose, and sniffed for a long time, inhaling deeply and flaring his nostrils. -- I think Raphael won't mind.

He rolled a piece of paper into a tube, stuffed it with tobacco in quick, clumsy movements, and lit it. Pacing around the room, Valdemar took deep, frequent puffs, releasing thick clouds of bluish smoke. The thicker the misty haze became, the clearer his mind became, and although a headache was inevitable later, it was necessary to concentrate now.

-- So, -- he raised his voice as much as his condition allowed. -- I believe there is no doubt that something unfortunate has happened to the noble Baron Rogdan. It is impossible... hic... to imagine that he could have gotten lost in the city or simply decided not to honor us with his presence today. Therefore, something must have happened to him in the Amethyst Palace! Three furies rule in that citadel, but I say: we should not blame Braheia. I don't know her motives, but I do know that this is not her style. That leaves two... Aie.

The makeshift cigarette burned his fingers. He crushed the butt in his palm and continued, frowning, looking at each of them in turn.
-- So, in any case, the enemy threatens us from above. He is strong and vigilant, and he will crush us if he wants to. And therefore, I urge you to act cunningly, cautiously, with ingenuity and guile! First: if you find yourself in a snake's coils, pretend to be dead, and its grip will weaken. We must pretend to be idiots. Look for Rogdan. You can even put up missing person posters. You can even leave the city for a while. One day they will realize that we are still capable of counting to two, but we will have time. Second: I am sure that our leader was left alive. Fay needs him, so her master is still needed. Whatever they want, we have the opportunity to observe for now. We must note every, smallest detail in order to understand our enemy. He who knows the enemy and knows himself will prevail. Last. War has been declared on us. And if we are not ready to stand united against the threat, if we are not ready to fight for what we believe in, if we leave our commander and friend in trouble, then there was no point in creating this squad! If anyone here is not ready for the big game, if anyone hides their head in the sand, if anyone is more afraid of death than dishonor, then it is better to leave now, because from today we have crossed a dangerous line. If there are any such people, the exit is there! -- he pointed to the door. Blood rushed to his face, it became difficult to breathe, and the speech tired him greatly. -- You are free. For now, act at your discretion, but I will remind you: be ubiquitous, all-seeing, all-hearing, and very cautious. I think things will become a little clearer on Monday. Or maybe one more of us will end up in the dungeons. Louise, bring me some water.