"You can tell the Prospector's Guild that we agree with their request to operate in the area.
Provided they don't bring an swarm of goblins down on our city." Stated Storm.
Grombrim nodded his head.
"Of course!They're professionals.
Their training might actually even benefit us in the long run.
The Guild has devised many different tactics and training against goblins as they're the most common hazard a Prospector may encounter. " Explained Grombrim.
"If there isn't anything else, I believe we can end this meeting now?" Stated Storm.
"... Actually...There is one more matter I wish to discuss..." stated Leyocan.
He hesitated for a moment.
"I wish to resign from the council and ask that a new Nogitsune representative be appointed in my stead..." Leyocan blurted out.
A deathly silence decended on the room as everyone waited to see Storm's reaction.
He didn't rage or shout. Instead he just fixed a single eye on his friend.
"Why?" Asked Storm flatly.
"An urgent matter has come to my attention, and I must leave immediately to address it." Explained Leyocan.
"Is this related to your father? Or what we saw at the abandoned temple?" Asked Storm.
"Both" stated Leyocan.
"If you needed a leave of absence, then you just had to ask. We can keep your position open while you do what you need to." Explained Storm.
Leyocan shook his head.
"The business I must take care of could take months, or even years to complete. It would be best that you appoint another. "
Celestial suddenly interrupted the discussion.
"Leyocan!! You can't be serious!!!What about your clan?!They need their leader now more than ever!!"
"I've given that a great deal of thought.
I believe that the best thing for them would be to disband my clan, and have them merge with the clan that has currently been aiding you, Storm.
Several council members immediately objected but Celestial eventually won out over the other councilors.
"Leyocan!! Do you realize what this means!!
You worked that clan up from nothing until it could stand proudly amongst the other clans.
Now you want to give it all up to run off on some adventure!!?"
"Celest!! You know me better than this!!
I wouldn't just run off like this if it wasn't important!!" Exclaimed Leyocan
"And what exactly is this business you need to take care of?" Asked Storm.
"... I... can't tell you...But the future of both the Kitsune and Nogitsune is at stake." Explained Leyocan.
"If this is really so important, then let us help you!You don't have to do this alone!" Stated Razor.
"Anyone who knows about this conspiracy will be in danger.I cannot risk all of you by involving you in this. I must do this alone. " Explained Leyocan.
Storm sighed.
"It's clear that you have already decided, and you're not one of my subordinates , so I can't forbade you. But who would you have me select as your replacement?" Asked Storm.
"What about the leader of your Nogitsune retainers?" Asked Leyocan.
Storm shook his head.
"He's still too inexperienced. He doesn't even have contact with the Nogitsune Sensei council, does he?" Stated Storm.
Leyocan thought about it a moment longer.
"I can ask my brother to keep him up to date for the time being on council matters. Until he can be properly inducted into the Sensei ranks."
Storm sighed.
"Very well then. I wish you the best of luck on your journey , Leyocan, And despite the dangers you warned us about. I think I speak for all of us when I say that if you need any help, don't hesitate to ask. Regardless of the risk, we'll always be there for you."
The other councilors all nodded their heads.
"Thank you all!! I'll be sure to remember, and I promise I'll do my best to stay in contact. "
They continued descussions until noon, mostly concerning Leyocan's departure and the things they would need to do in order to ensure a smooth transfer of power.
At noon Storm dismissed the council and went to freshen up before his plans with his family.
An hour later he met up with them and together they went out to Orian's favorite park.
It was a large open space set in the Sylvan Quarter of the city with a space specific built inside for the many different children that lived in the settlement.
The dwarves had constructed special platforms and scaffolding where the energetic beings could expend their excess energy.
Storm watched as Orian raced against his griffin, dragon and manticore friends through the course.
But his worries continued to bother him.
Orian fortunately was too busy to notice, but Aurora saw that he was preoccupied.
"Storm, if you need to be somewhere, you can go. I'll explain everything to Orian. " said Aurora.
"No!! Forgive me, Rora! I didn't mean to appear like I didn't want to be here! I'm just preoccupied right now! Received some troubling news during the meeting today. " Explained Storm.
He told her about Leyocan's resignation and his plans to depart the city. Her suprise was as great as his own.
"Did he say why?" Asked Aurora.
Storm shook his head.
"You know how he likes to keep secrets.
I fear he might need help if things are as bad as he claims. But he's too stubborn to accept help!" Exclaimed Storm in frustration.
"You cannot force him to accept help.
If he doesn't want to involve us, then we should respect his wishes."
She frowned as something occurred to her.
"You said that you suspect it's related to something you saw while at Caledonia?
You haven't told me about this?" Asked Aurora.
This was the true reason for Storm's dispair.
When he first had his vision during the time that he was unconscious. He choose not to tell Aurora what he had seen.He didn't want to burden her with the knowledge he possessed.
But after what he saw in Shen-Ra's temple, he couldn't remain silent anymore. He remembered Aurora's reaction when Mimereus was revealed, and he feared she might have a similar reaction now.
"Aurora...I must apologize...Leyocan wasn't the only one keeping secrets..." Explained Storm.
First thing Storm did was connect to Aurora's mind. He replayed the vision he had while unconscious, then replayed the memory of when he was at Shen-Ra's temple.
Once he was done, he waited for her judgment.