"What was that?" said Sylvie. She stared at Li in a focused wonder, wanting mostly to figure out the mechanics of the spell or actions he had taken to stop a spell that surely would have leveled the entire cottage.

"A little trick to stop spells. Nothing much to it. Lucky that this was a situation I could use it in," said Li with a shrug.

"I have become used to your many wondrous talents," said Launcelot. "And I must thank you for using them now. Now then, I do believe that you are also right in that we are all of the same mind. That leaves but action."

Launcelot shifted the conversation forwards, wanting to get to more direct planning as soon as he could. It was evident that the man, unlike Sylvie, was not the curious kind and far more objective oriented.

Sylvie nodded. "I will work on a speech that Jeanne can use to rouse the people into action. If all is right, then perhaps a crowd may form, empowered by a desire for justice, that we can lead straight to the noble estates, to Chevrette's very own golden home, and force him to face justice."

And Li recognized that though Sylvie was naturally curious, she was quick to switch it off and become efficiently goal oriented when the time called for it.

"Mob justice? I cannot say that it sits well with me," said Launcelot. "A mob is unruly. Prone to violence. Chevrette may be scum, but all scum deserves a fair trial under the duchy's laws. Elsewise we are back to King Beaumont's reign of senseless hangings."

Jeanne also did not seem comfortable with the idea, but she looked to Sylvie, leaving the planning and actions to her as she had always done in the thick of battle.

Sylvie countered, "A mob may be unruly, but it acts quick and leaves no time for Chevrette to weasel out of his crimes or to plan an escape. I cannot deny that it is difficult to tame, but if there is anyone capable of taming it, then it is Jeanne, universally respected and revered."

"I���d not shy from a good hanging, either, heh," said Leon.

Launcelot gave him an admonishing look. Leon replied, "Duvin and the southern jungles are still a wild frontier, brother. It is not all fine wines and fancy silks. The law plays fast and loose there, and I must say it is much more entertaining than the boring drivel up here."

"Do not encourage this, brother," said Launcelot with a sigh. He turned to Sylvie. "Though a mob does not sit too well with me, I understand your reasoning and accept it. At the least, however, can you guarantee that you will ensure no brutish acts such as hangings or beatings or any punishment unsanctioned by the law occur?"

"Of course," said Jeanne. "What do you take Sylv for? She's got a good heart. She wouldn't ever let something like that happen."

"Indeed, I simply want to pressure Chevrette and, if preferable, keep him under lock and watch as soon as we act," agreed Sylvie. "There will be no harm done to him without the law's approval. Though, we could bring a lawspeaker from the city hall to simply indict him then and there."

"Nobility is guaranteed a proper trial within the bounds of a courtroom," said Launcelot. "It may seem like preferential treatment, but if an indictment is to be set, it should be set within a court. To skirt one law is to open up the gateway to skirt others."

Azhar scoffed. "Makin' sure to keep one of yer own comfortable, eh? Don't want no noble blood facin' the same type o' heat we common folk face, huh?"

Launcelot shook his head. "I am merely stating a fact of principle. We cannot pick and choose which laws to uphold. It is not our right, especially as we hold power within our hands."

"Screw yer principles. If Chevrette's scum like ya say, he should be tossed into the gutters with the rest of em'. Ain't like all laws are right – duchess's reforms tossed out most of Beaumont's. So why so hung up on this one, huh? Ya like bein' a noble that much? Maybe ya had a slave or two of yer own, eh?"

Launcelot stood up, his armor clanking. "I'll not take these insults to the Lakely name lightly."

Leon rolled his eyes at Launcelot's grandstanding for his family name and sat back in his chair, eager to see a fight go down.

Azhar cracked his neck as he also stood. "Thought you were a good guy for a bit, lookin' out for my sisters and all, but looks like nobles will be nobles. Been lookin' forward to round two, anyway."

"Sit back down," announced Li. The tone of his voice indicated that there would be no arguing against him, nor was he inclined to repeat himself.

The two sat again, and Sylvie sighed. "I was just about to say that. We have no time for petty fights and arguments such as this. I, too, understand where Launcelot's principles come from. I may not agree with them, but I am willing to reach a compromise to let our plans move smoothly."

"No more fighting," agreed Jeanne. "We have far too much ahead of ourselves that we must face together to fight."

"You are all correct." Launcelot bowed his head. "Forgive my rashness. Then I will make certain to reserve the marketplace square by first light tomorrow. Would a noon time work? The square will have the most people then."

"That would be excellent," said Sylvie. "More than enough to drill Jeanne in what to say. It is only a matter of whether they will accept her words."

Old Thane laughed, bringing everyone's attention to him. "I am certain they will. When Jeanne received her medal – from the duchess's own hands, no less – the crowds held a special energy to them. They bustled with complete adoration, enough to match that which even the duchess commands.

Jeanne is their light, their pride. Proof that their faith in heroes and Helius is not unfounded, proof that goodness protects them, proof that there is an ideal goodness with which to strive towards. Compared to that, what is Chevrette?

Nothing but a man of wealth who has shared some of his coin."

"An ideal? But there's still so many things I must work on yet," said Jeanne.

"Ideals are unrealistic, lass, but it is because they are fantastical that they hold such power." Old Thane nodded. "Hold confidence in this plan. Her words will move them, I am certain of it."

"You all heard the old man," said Li. "Have faith in your plan. Which doesn't leave much else for us to discuss more. If anything, all of you should get some rest and, in Jeanne's case, get memorizing speeches."