(From her window looking into the garden, Kate looks on as Stephen and Anna speak for moment, then both leave. Alexia walks up to Kate as she continues looking out the window.)
Alexia: Do you think the Prince will listen?
Kate: A parent always hopes so. Although, I have a feeling that won't be the case.
Alexia: Shall I assign Mara sigils on the Prince to track him?
Kate: No that won't be necessary.
(Kate turns ands begins to walk towards a door that leads to a conference room.)
Kate: We have more important matters to attend to. We need reach out to the further sectors in the outer rings of our territory to reaffirm our tandem amongst many other things. In a couple of days, both heads of the Kitsugu and Uesugi Clans will be here. I, as well as everyone have a lot of questions that need answers. And with each and everyone's efforts, maybe we'll get to the bottom of all of this.
Alexia: Don't you worry, my lady. The sun will shine upon The Lockheart Kingdom again.
Kate: Alexia.
(In an instant, Alexia is at attention.)
Kate: I must thank you for your words of reassurance. You have been a kind friend to me. So I say between yourself and I, I could use your best crutch.
Alexia: Count on it, your Majesty.
(As Alexia says this, the Queen walks off into her private chambers. Alexia stands theres and ponders on the state of her Queen. Back outside the palace, Stephen and Anna walk together towards the Uesugi Sector. Although, along the way, Anna notices that Stephen has gone quiet since speaking with the Queen.)
Anna: What's on your mind, Prince? You've been in your head since we left.
Stephen: Excuse me. I have been lost in thought for some time. However, now I'm just thinking about just what to do. I do think we should seize on the opportunity to put an end to very dangerous foes. In Kol's case, this is much more personal. I'll do whatever I can to him and his family find peace.
Anna: I think that's not only the right thing, but the honorable thing to do. Kol, the Uesugi and all of the Kingdom is grateful for your big heart. With that being said, should we not put any stock into The Queen's reasons?
Stephen: I believe The Queen has her reasons. I just wonder if my mother is being hesitant because of the actions of my father. She was right when she said that he was a topic we currently aren't ready to have just yet. However, I feel it is because of what has happened, that I should be active in getting to the bottom of this. My mother can handle the politics, she can leave the ground work to the Prince.
(Upon saying this, Stephen looks up and notices the Uesugi Clan sigil on a post.)
Stephen: The Uesugi Sector is right up here.
(As they walk under the overpass entering the Uesugi Sector, Stephen and Anna are met by Ken, who was also invited by Kol.)
Stephen: Ken? I assume that you're here for the same reasons?
Ken: I am. Kol came to me as well.
(After saying this, Ken notices Anna standing beside Stephen.)
Ken: And where are your manner? Are you not going to introduce your best friend in the entire Kingdom?
Stephen: Oh, pardon me.
(Stephen turns to Anna.)
Stephen: Anna. This is my friend, Ken Kitsugu. He's from the very same Kitsugu Clan here within the Kingdom.
Anna: It's an honor to meet yet another member of one of the founding clans here.
Ken: The honor is all mine, Lady Anna. Shall we be on our way to meet Kol?
Stephen: Let us not waste another moment.
(As Stephen leads the way to Kol's family home, he notices a few stares of distrust aimed his direction by some of the clansmen. Not shortly after this, they are met by two clansmen blocking their way.)
Ken: What's the hold up? The Prince and I are here to see Kol.
Sheno: Why even bother showing your face if the Queen already rejected Kol's request?
Ken: Is that how you address the Prince?
(Stephen raises his hand to wave off Ken.)
Stephen: The reason we're here is despite what my mother has decided, I believe that we should be active on the hunt after our enemies.
Sheno: So what? Yout father leaves and now you going behind your mother's back?
(Just before Stephen could speak, Kol walks up behind Sheno, defusing the situation.)
Kol: That will be enough, Sheno. Despite how you may feel personally, you will show respect to the Prince.
(Sheno with dissatisfaction written all over their face as they look back at Stephen and the others and proceeds to bow to Stephen.)
Kol: I hope you know that helping me will be going against your mother's wishes? Although I know that you have a backbone, I need to know.
Stephen: You are family, Kol. Of course I'll have your back.
Kol: Nobody could go head on with a force of nature like Azura and still be standing as you are. I must thank you for coming to my aid, Stephen.
Stephen: Never mind it. Shall you take us inside and we can talk further about your plan?
Kol: You're right. If I'm correct, then we must act with haste.
(Shortly after this, they all gather around Kol's map table in his chambers.)
Kol: Here in these woods on far outskirts of Kyosho Ridge that lie north of the Lockheart region, Sheno has found traces of Mara that matches Rai and his brother Kai. Given what we know from our battle, they serve under Galan. He's the one that lead them to my clans village. You understand, Stephen. All three must face justice for what they've done. Not only to my clan, but their part in the attack here for the Astral Cube. Sheno being a Sensory Para, makes his Mara tracking the best of our clan.
Stephen: So what do you purpose? That we surprise them and subdue them? You've faced the brothers before twice, Kol. You are aware of their strength, I don't believe that this will be an easy task to do. This will be a fight the moment we arrive there.
Sheno: Is the Prince backing out?
Stephen: I do not back out or back down. I believe that they are a threat that needs to be dealt with.
Kol: I couldn't agree more.
Sheno: Second that.
Stephen: With that being said, there are questions that I need answers to. Like why would my father join them alongside the Archmage Mikael. There has to be more than this desire of unifying the lands of Paras and Mages. Something deeper to betray his family.
Ken: We'll find some answers, Stephen. When will we journey out, Kol?
Kol: Tonight. It'll just take a day's worth of travel by horse.
Stephen: Then it's settled. Kol, lead the way.
(One by one everyone walks out and head towards the Uesugi gate where they are met by the Queen's assistant, Alexia.)
Alexia: Your Highness, your mother has requested you to the palace.
Stephen: She did? Is it important?
Alexia: It is, in fact. Time is at hand, Prince Stephen.
Kol: It is fine, Prince Stephen. We all will speak again soon.
Stephen: Very well. Let us return to the palace, Alexia.