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My next vital steps involved grabbing donuts and aa phone call to Thoiven , so out Elyssa’s plans for Darkwater, I explained the transport situation "I don’t knohat the hell I’"

"And you want my help," Thomas said, voice neutral

I laid out more facts about a possible aht a battle if it co force will allow us to take the transport without incident That’s where you can help"

He grunted "I want you to think about this carefully Darkwater is co used to transport a dangerous Arcane"

"Right," I said, trying to see where he was headed with this

"So, you see the probleave it a confused look as if Tho at? I opened my mouth to ask for clarification when I suddenly saw his point "To observers, this is an internal Arcane affair"

"Precisely," Tho in an Arcane matter would look pretty bad"

"The political situation is already dire," he replied "The Synod retained its position on the Overworld Conclave even though the Teal and his political advisors are atteerous rebels who should be put down If we’re seen attacking an Arcane convoy, it will give Cyphanis Rax extra ammunition for the council to side with the Synod Templars should he win the special election"

I sank into a chair It was all so complicated I’d never had to worry about politics, but things had changed Tho the initiation ceremony made a lot more sense noasn’t just so with hi

"Myat straws "That ives the Templars jurisdiction"

"Do you have proof your mother is actually onboard?"

I had no proof aside from the word of Lornicus

Thorasp the situation better now, don’t you?"

"Myto think in aood question," he said "Does the risk outweigh the reward?"

"I think so" Or was I thinking with ive you more information," Thomas said, not a hint of condescension in his voice "The Synod ion to the west side of Atlanta They’re constructing a coion my forces patrol"

"Can’t you stop them?" I asked

"Only if I want a e’re not prepared to fight," he said

"They started a war yesterday"

"Even if that’s true, it doesn’t ht theoing to help "I guess we’ll just have tofor help

"I will intercede if you request it," Tho?"

"Overwhel force or whatever suits the situation" Thoiven you the facts I’ve explained the possible consequences Now that you are infor the final decision in your hands, Mr Slade"

"Let’s say we hijack the transport," I said "Can we claim jurisdiction and demand the sealer open the vessel?"

"They will likely show a false manifest, and claim the Templars acted without proof or jurisdiction Political pressure would be applied It’s also possible the Synod would step in and ally itself with the Arcane Council to force us to return the transport"

Asthe Templars, especially e needed to win the hearts and minds of Arcanes and other supers if we had any hope of for an anti-Daelissa alliance, ithow stupid I really was?

My mind ran in circles before I finally said, "Are you serious about helping o-ahead?"

"Do I sound serious?" he replied

"Always," I said