Sile’s group travelled day and night for almost two months. Along the way, the occasionally stopped in encampments and small cities. The group increased from a 27 man platoon to a 130 man company, in which Sile was obviously the leader.

Sile entrusted Lengsat and a couple of ordinary soldiers she trusted with the mission of gathering information regarding Isiurem, after all, that kind of tasks was definitely not suitable for paladins. The information they obtained was extremely vague and limited, but it definitely pointed towards the Northern Plains. Nevertheless, the more they neared to their destination, the more they heard about another rumor Plains that they could not help but take seriously.

“27 mid-sized tribes had disappeared without a reason, with no witnesses, no battle signs, and no clues on where they went?” Sile said while frowning, hearing the report of Lengsat and the soldiers. A tribe which is considered a mid-sized tribe has about two to five thousand members. The disappearance of 27 mid-sized tribes amounted to at least one hundred thousand persons!

“Yes,” Lengsat nodded, “This strange disappearances started about one year ago, when a merchant caravan wanted to rest for a night in one of this tribes, but upon getting to the entrance they noticed there was something fishy. There was no signs of human activity.

“Maybe the reason why the king’s council agreed with sending you for this mission was because some of this rumors got to their ears and they couldn’t help but think this is a serious matter.” Lengsat said while squinting his eyes and looking a Sile, he could tell exactly what she was thinking.

Sile bitted her cherry lips with the back of her teeth. “They knew my desire of looking for my master, and the rumors of him being last seen in the Northern Plains, so I would probably wouldn’t refuse a mission in this zone, but why? Why they hid information to me? Why would they tell me that this was just a scouting mission and not a serious matter as this? Do they distrust me or the Order this much? What’s wrong with them! For god’s sake, I’m a paladin and my loyalty is with the kingdom!” She almost yelled while clutching the cloak near her heart. She yelled with an expression full of sorrow and pain.

The soldiers and paladins who were watching her couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. In the past two months, they enjoyed seeing the cheerful and amiable smile of Sile. She was a bright sun that dispelled the dark clouds for thousands of kilometers. They could almost feel the huge burden she had to carry on her shoulders at such young age. It was a suffocating sensation.

Mustering his courage, one of the other soldiers sent to scout for information said in a firm tone, “Lady Sile, it is said that the rest of the tribes are willing to swear loyalty to the Holy Empire in order to obtain protection, they are really afraid and are referring this as the silent catastrophe.”

Sile raised her head startled for a moment. After hearing the soldier she nodded and her expression changed completely to one of complete resoluteness. “Nell, Eude, Fouquet, form three fifteen man squads and go to Oakwind City, Moonvein City, and Northmill Stronghold. By the power given to me by King Eulenor IV, rally all the troops on stand-by towards Timberwood Outpost. We are going to investigate through and through this matter and put a definite end to it!”

“Yes, my Lady!”

“Olivier, Shirlene, lead the rest of the men towards the other five border outposts near the Northern Plains. Gather all the Intel reports regarding about this matter in the fastest time possible. Send messengers to the king’s council in Gerlic, Ivalice, and Lenwic cities with whatever you discover. Rendezvous with all the available troops in Timberwood Outpost after that.” Sile said with a commanding voice.

“Yes, my Lady!”

“Everyone, you have three weeks’ time to complete your missions. For the glory of the Holy Empire!” Sile yelled a top of his lungs.

“For the glory of the Holy Empire!” All the soldiers replied in unison forming a thunderous echo that resounded for hundreds of meters. Their eyes were full of zeal and adoration towards Sile.

The 130 man company started splitting and making their respective preparations under the command of the five appointed lieutenants. They were extremely experienced and didn’t require much time to be ready and head to their destinations.

“Fiuuu,” Lengsat whistled while approaching Sile and loking around at the orderly manner in which the soldiers were acting, “Your leadership levels are top notch, a few words and everybody will heed your command without the slightest complaint.” He raised his head to look directly at Sile. When he did, his snake-like pupils constricted and a drop of sweat rolled down his forehead. The playful look that she had in her eyes, she would only look that way when she was about to ask Lengsat for something weird.

“Lengsat, yip yip!” Sile charmingly said.

“What?!” Lengsat answered stupefied.

“I said, Lengsat, yip yip!” Sile answered, an enigmatic and beautiful smile on her face.

“I… I…” Lengsat stuttered while his thoughts collapsed. An instant later, a serious expression appeared on his face and he said resolutely, “I’m not your mount! What’s with that yip yip? I’m definitely not a damn mount!”

“I said… yip yip!” Sile said while caressing the back of her right hand with her left one.

Lengsat eyes constricted once again as he gnashed his teeth, to the point of almost shattering. “God damn it!”