Interlude: The Queen's Rebuke.

One month later

Queen Lydia VII slams her fist down atop the fine oaken table. The gathered members of her court recoil in surprise from her outburst. She takes a moment to compose herself before speaking, her tone a venomous hiss.

"Fort Arlheim, plundered?"

"Yes, your grace." Lady Reina, The Queen's seneschal replies, her head bowed.

Lydia seethes with anger, but retains her poise. "How did this happen?"

"It seems that the thieves entered through a tunnel, seemingly dug through magical means. The bulk of the **** was long gone before our troops got to them, but a few of them were still in the vault. The ladies Lianna and Leandra moved to cut off their escape, but they were defeated."

"How?" The queen interrupts, her anger giving way to concern.

"They had a mage with them." Lady Reina pauses, "A man."

The queen's eyes widen, but she does not speak.

Reina continues."He managed to defeat Leandra, and their battle destroyed the enchanted inner gate."

"And why was Lady Lianna not present to aid her sister?" Lydia asks, her voice cold.

"It seems that one of the thieves defeated her in battle. She claims that her assailant was wearing the armor of midnight."

The queen coughs, her concern finally giving way to full-blown fear.

"Impossible" she whispers, her eyes wide. "The armor has rebuffed all that seek to wear it, surely it would not accept one so lowly as a thief."

"Perhaps, but the fact remains that the armor is gone from the vault, and the people that took it are still running free." Lydia's marshal, lady Mara, interjects.

"Your grace?"Lady Reina prompts "How do we respond."

The queen snaps back to reality, focusing on the task at hand. "If they managed to fight their way out of the fort, they are clearly extremely dangerous, and we must handle them as such. Send a message to Knight-Commander Lucara. Tell her that the Silver Order has been reassigned."