Angels and Devils XXVI

Lukan paced nervously in the palace foyer. It wasn't long before the door opened and Temerity entered the room.
"Luke," she said, rushing forward to hug him. After a few moments, she pulled back. "What are you doing here?"
"I heard you were here," Lukan said. "Did you finally join the emperor's guard?"
Temerity shook her head. "I'm just here temporarily, since the Order's numbers are a bit low right now."
"Oh, okay." Lukan looked relieved.
"Is something wrong?"
Lukan hesitated, looked around, and lowered his voice. "I think I... I found the new descendant of Narion. I saw Hummingbird on the outskirts of the Forest Yggdrasil. And I don't know what to do, Temerity! He's just a child, and we both know he's not a threat. You can't just replace one Narion descendant with another, that's never been how the empire works. It's my job to protect innocent people, but I'm also supposed to serve the emperor. So I don't know what to do."
Temerity stared at him, then smiled reassuringly. "It's okay, Luke," she said. "Don't say anything to anyone else. It might call your loyalty into question."
Lukan nodded. "What about the child?"
"I'll take care of it," Temerity said. "You just get back to your post before you draw suspicion."
"Okay. If you're sure." He smiled faintly. "Thanks, Temmy." He walked out briskly.
Temerity's eyes narrowed as she watched him go. Once she was sure he'd left, she headed back up the stairs to the emperor's quarters.
"Eisna?" she called as she entered. He was by the window, looking over the palace grounds.
"What is is now? More betrayal?" he asked tiredly.
"We found him. The new Narion descendant."
Eisna turned abruptly towards her. "Where?"
"On the outskirts of the Forest Yggdrasil. Shall we proceed?"
"What do you think?"
Temerity walked over to him. "I think that all threats to you should be eliminated."
Eisna was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Then proceed."
Temerity smiled and left the room again. Steliana was just outside.
"Assemble a squadron," Temerity said. "Only the most trustworthy soldiers. We have business in the Forest Yggdrasil."