Chapter Text
The Acting Grand Master sat down at her desk and interlaced her fingers together. Her lips pursed and she closed her eyes deep in thought.
"Read the report again."
Kaeya flipped back to the first page of the report in his hand.
"Adventurers going into Wolvendom have reported 15 sightings of rift hounds in the last 7 days. One adventurer received minor injuries.
3 Springvale residents have also reported seeing rift hounds towards the north east end of the village near Cider Lake. No injuries were reported."
Kaeya took a breath, flipped the page, and continued, "Adventurers have also reported increased Fatui activity in Wolvendom with 3 new camps appearing. One just south of Andrius' arena, one near the spring along the border of Brightcrown Canyon, and one near the cliffs to the west."
"It is hard to believe that there is no correlation between the increased activity of the rift hounds and the increased activity of the Fatui. My immediate concerns are for the residents of Springvale since rift hounds were spotted so close to them. Though there are many adventures that live there, we can't expect them to be able to fend off an attack with no injuries or fatalities.
We should send some knights down to help them with security. We should also ask Master Diluc if there has been any unusual activity near the Dawn Winery."
Kaeya snorted, "I wouldn't be surprised if hasn't taken down a few himself already. He has probably fought some rift hounds off as well."
Jean shook her head and sighed, "You're right. Master Diluc probably has already done some investigation himself. There is no way he hasn't heard about the situation from adventurers in his tavern. We better bring him in to see what he already knows.
I would also like you to take Huffman out to Wolvendom and investigate the Fatui camps. I believe that they may have something to do with the rift hounds, but this is just speculation. We need confirmation on what they are up to.
Oh, and bring Lisa as well. Have her talk to Razor to see if the wolves have any information to give."
"How long do we have?" Kaeya said as he handed the report to Jean.
"2 days. If nothing of urgency is happening, report back in 2 days and we will go from there. Obviously if something happens come back right away."
"Of course. I'll go ready my horse and leave as soon as possible."
Kaeya skipped all the "end of meeting" formalities and just walked out of the office before Jean could thank him. She was too tired and too deep in thought to care though. She just picked up the report and began writing her own notes in, before placing it to the side so she could get to the many other reports she had piled on the desk.
Hours later Jean made her way down to Angel's Share. She made sure it was after it had closed so no one would be there to interrupt. She had thought about sending someone else to talk to Diluc, but it was probably best if she just did it herself.
She opened the door to see Diluc with his back turned toward the door.
"Hey we're cl- oh it's you. I was wondering when the knights were going to show up." Diluc said as he put down the mug he was cleaning and pick up another.
"Good evening er morning Master Diluc. From what you said, I gather you already know what I am going to ask."
"You want to know about what's been going on in Wolvendom and at the Dawn Winery. Yeah I have I information, but there is someone else that should also hear this."
Diluc looks over to the left of the bar where a green-clad bard was slumped over the counter sleeping soundly. A mug half full was still clutched in his right hand.
"He surprised me tonight. He only downed 5 1/2 beers before he passed out."
"He must've been tired. Margaret put in a missing person's report for Prince. Venti is the one who chased him all around Mondstadt and caught him. Something about his harp strings? I am just glad I didn't have to deal with that."
"That explains why he sounded like a pirate who caught a cold then. He only sang sea chanties tonight, and he kept beat of each song with his sneezes. He is allergic to cats right? He's a god though. How does that even work?"
"I'm not sure. Perhaps it just means he is more human than we give him credit for."
Diluc snickered, "I'll say. I think he sometimes forgets he's a god."
"Why is he still here? You kick everyone out of your tavern at closing time and I didn't think you would give an exemption even if they were a god."
"Same reason I am the one who works the evening shift. Information. People say all sorts of things while they are drunk, including gods. Although, this useless god of ours is more tight-lipped than most. He is as good at keeping secrets as he is at cleaning out my cellars."
"We should probably wake this "useless god" of ours up. It's getting late, and I don't want to take up a whole lot of your time."
"You're right. Problem is, he is such a deep sleeper. This is going to be like waking the dead."
Diluc snatches the bard's beret and ruffles his hair. "Hey, bard, get up. You need to be a part of this conversation."
Venti doesn't even so much as sigh. He just sleeps on. Jean even joins in by trying to shake his shoulders but the bard does not budge.
"I wish I could sleep like this." Jean says, "Even in his sleep he is so care free."
"A little too care free. Hey, is his lyre on the floor leaning against the counter next to his feet?"
Jean looks down, "Yeah it is."
"Hand it to me."
Jean picks up the lyre by the sleeping bard's feet and hands it to Diluc.
"If this doesn't work I am going to ban him from the tavern and use his lyre as kindling."
Jean shot Diluc a look.
"Relax, it isn't like this is the holy lyre."
Diluc moved his hands towards the tuning pegs on the lyre, but before his fingers touched them a sing-songy voice sounded.
"I just might consider this to be an act of blasphemy Master Diluc. You of all people should know that peg-slip is no joke."
Venti sat up and yawned. He drank down the rest of the beer in his mug and gave a small drunken hiccup.
"And using such a beautiful instrument as kindling? Have you no shame?"
"You're one to talk. Hey wait, have you been listening this whole time?"
"Ehe!"
"Why you-"
"Boys please. It is already late enough as it is. Can we please just get right to the point? Master Diluc, have you noticed anything odd around Dawn Winery?"
"No need to call me "master" Jean."
Jean blushed.
"I had to cease harvesting operations in the northern rows of the vinyard due to numerous workers falling ill during their shifts. I myself went out to investigate, but didn't find or feel anything unusual other than a couple of rift hounds, which I quickly disposed of."
"Oho that is our Dark Night Diluc for ya."
"It is still Master Diluc to you bard."
"For one who is so fiery and bold, you can be so awfully cold Master Diluc."
"Have you done any investigation on the Fatui in Wolvendom?"
"I did happen to talk to a Fatui agent who got lost near the main road. Most I could get out of him was that they are trying to threaten Mondstadt using Andrius somehow."
"What do they want with Andrius? Are they trying to do the same thing that happened with Stormterror? And the Ursa?"
"Third time's a charm right?"
"Venti you are not helping."
"Not you too Master Jean..."
Diluc brings his hand up to his chin and thinks for a moment.
"The only thing I can think of is that they are trying to use Andrius to threaten Mondstadt again. We haven't been receptive to their political advances. I'm not sure why they want Mondstadt so badly, but just like the times before, we won't be so easily beaten."
"I agree. I just worry about the amount of Fatui that have gathered. The other attempts were all subtle and did not involve many parties. They aren't making any attempts to hide themselves and there are so many."
"Perhaps this is a diversion of some sort. We should keep an eye out on any other potential targets."
"That makes sense. We need to keep our eyes, ears, and minds open. I'll organize some scouts and go over potential areas of interest. We should also discuss what they plan to do with Andrius and where all the rift hounds are coming from. Venti, do you have any ideas?"
"It honestly sounds like you should check the leylines around Wolvendom."
"What?" Jean and Diluc said at the same time.
"Why do you want us to check the leylines? And don't just say that we'll know when we get there." Diluc asked.
"Well, you had talked about your workers getting sick, but when you went to check everything out you were fine. Then there is the appearance of the rift hounds. I think the leylines are being corrupted. Those without visions tend to get sick after spending time in areas that have been corrupted, and the rift hounds are probably manifestations of corrupted memories."
"That makes sense. Since Andrius' spirit, or should I say a manifestation of Andrius' memories, is what is actually occupying that ruin at the moment. It would make sense to use the leylines to corrupt him" Jean replies.
"I agree. I must say I was expecting it to be more trouble to get information from you. This was actually quite insightful."
"You wound me Master Diluc. I'm always helpful. Don't tell me you forgot about how we all worked together to save Dvalin. I was fully prepared to do that myself before you two stepped in."
"When we did, you had us do all the work. We cleared the domains and got the tears." Diluc huffed.
"Hey, purification takes a lot of energy! And I helped get the tears too. In fact, I got the very first one!"
Jean laughed, "We do appreciate what you have done for us Venti. I sent Kaeya and Huffman out on a 2 day scouting trip, but if what you said is true, they will most likely be back in tomorrow morning. Huffman doesn't have a vision, so he will probably be really sick if the leylines are being corrupted. I will reconvene with Kaeya to go over what they have seen and put together a plan. Diluc, would you mind joining us?"
"I hate working with the knights, and you know how I feel about Kaeya, Jean.",
"I know, but we could use your help."
"Of course you do," Diluc sighs, "Fine. I probably shouldn't leave everything to the knights. You are coming too, bard."
"Awe, I had plans to get some late morning busking in."
"You are coming. I will drag you there if I have to."
Venti laughed, "Very scary Master Diluc. I will do my best to be there since you asked me so nicely."
"Great. I will send word when Kaeya and Huffman return. Until then, I hope you both have a lovely night."
With that, the 3 left the tavern and turned in for the night, though none slept very soundly.