So, I bet you guys are ready for an update!

Natsu

Where did Natsu go while the group was in the Demon City earlier? He went to the Ten Shadows Academy, that strange martial arts school that can only ever be found under the shadow of the Ebon Dragon.

The Ten Shadows Academy, you see, is actually ten different pitch-dark dojos, composed of jet, black ash wood, and other dark materials, collectively forming a circle around a massive and wantonly-extravagant statue of the Ebon Dragon himself.

Around this opulent shrine is a gathering of what Natsu can see to be skilled martial artists, all apparently under the instruction of a murky figure with four mouths and a plethora of eyes that cover his shadowy body. Natsu approaches and requests instruction; the demon explains that only the elite may learn under him, and that first Natsu must learn the lessons that please the Ebon Dragon: assassination, obfuscation, misdirection, interrogation, seduction, betrayal, deception, secrecy, persistence, and the poisoning of the spirit. Judging Natsu to be intemperate, the demon points him in the direction of the Dojo of Persistence.

Lesson 1: Persistence

When Natsu enters the first dojo, a pale figure whose back is covered in black spines invites him to join in learning persistence. The demon hands him a black, two-foot-long needle-brush straight from its back, and instructs him to begin with calligraphy, to draw the Old Realm symbol for "persistence." Natsu takes up the brush and begins etching the glyph in the sandy floor; however, before he can finish, the ground shakes slightly as though from a tremor, messing up his work (and those of the other demons around him). He tries again, and again, and again, and as he does, he notices that the brush is growing, now over four feet in length! He redoubles his efforts, dancing around his patch of sand as he scribes the symbol, even though his work is continually-destroyed by the tiny quakes.

After three days of this (all with no food, water, or sleep), the needle-maker congratulates him on his persistence, and finally teaches him a special technique to help him persist in battle.

With that accomplished, he leaves the dojo and rejoins the coven right before they leave for Creation.

Oh, Yuki's decided to name the baby "Aura" (though I probably have it spelled wrong), and she's requisitioned the permanent services of a stomach bottle bug to serve as her familiar.

Dodging the Border Patrol...

By the way, the group learned of a stable portal between Creation and Malfeas on the sea around the Blessed Isle, which is naturally open on Calibration, but can be opened by any Essence-user. Of course, they quickly discovered that it was guarded by a naval fleet intent on preventing anything from coming through either way. The group evaded them pretty easily last time, but it seems that this time, the fleet manages to gets a few shots off with some Essence-based weapons.

Nonetheless, the coven survives intact, and flies off on their agatae to the Saltspire League.

Plenilune

One thing the group notices about Plenilune: it does not have "town guard." It has mercenaries. The Saltspire League, you see, is run by the rich, and even more so within Plenilune, the capital city whose desalination manse is still running strong. They are easily differentiated, of course, by dint of wearing the colors of their employer.

While searching for Gene, Abbadon discovers one of his fellow tribesmen employed as a mercenary, emblazoned with the symbol of a lamp. The ex-barbarian only barely recognizes the warped Abbadon, and when he does, gladly explains to him how a potent merchant-prince named Emir has been hiring members of their tribe; he suggests that Abbadon perhaps speak with Emir.

It takes about a day for Gene, err, Emir to have the spare time to meet with the coven. Gene's been busy, you see, and it's taken quite some time for the locals to be convinced to let him share power with them. Still, when he meets with the group, he hints to them as to his true identity, and invites them to stay within his new and lofty accomodations; as a new oligarch, he's got a nice little set of lodgings.

Abbadon is curious, however, as to whether Gene has found a certain individual for him... Gene reveals that he has, in fact, found his wife, and that she's living in one of the guest rooms of the townhouse he's invited them to stay in.

Reunited

Abbadon rushes to his wife's abode, knocking softly on the door. His wife opens the door after a few moments, only to be overcome by shock at the recognition of her now-nine-feet-tall husband. He is then embraced by his other half, who weeps as she wraps her arms around his waist.

She is hesitant to speak for several long moments, until finally she asks what wrought the changes to her husband; he replies that it was a long and arduous odyssey that brought him back stronger. She asks him what he will do now, and he replies that he must make the Bull pay; she doesn't think that's the best idea, however - the jist of her argument was that he's attempting to unite the people of the north, and that Abbadon might serve best as a counsel to the Bull.

A familiar, albeit long-unheard voice scrabbles across Abbadon's brain like a cockroach. "She doesn't understand," it reminds him, "she didn't see the battle! She needs to see things your way!"

Abbadon debates with her, more strongly now, until she finally acquiesces. "You are my husband," she says quietly, moving to sit on the bed, "and I will support your decision." Abbadon moves into the room and sits with her.

Baby Talk

Yuki's new baby is already doing its best to serve Yuki loyally; Aura attempts to use her infantile status as an excuse to listen in on the conversations of others. To her disappointment, however, these humans speak languages that, for some reason, aren't Old Realm.

She expresses her concerns to Yuki, who takes her to Gene and asks if he can use his weird wish-granting powers to bestow Aura with the gift of language; Gene asks Aura what services she can provide, to which Aura suggests that perhaps, sometime down the road, if he is in need of an assassination, Gene can call on her. Gene agrees, and grants her Skytongue, the language of the North.

Wetwork

Yuki, still intent on starting up a band of assassins in the name of the Silent Wind, decides to speak with one of the city's most influential people, the Saltspire League's local Guild representative, "Jaya." As it turns out, though, Yuki's about as transparent as a window-pane to Jaya, who easily figures out her intentions. Jaya offers to give her some support, provided Yuki can accomplish one task...

Kill Raneth of Diamond Hearth.

Yuki, being a smart little murderess, goes to Gene to see what the resourceful warlock already knows. Gene explains that he would have to suspend the oath he'd sworn all over again to go blabbing his secrets, and asks that she go to Abbadon to learn what she seeks. She learns that Raneth is a Solar Exalt, and decides to follow him around, et cetera, learn his routines and such before ending his life. She notices that he wears armor made of black jade, and carries a short wand-like device everywhere he goes.

Yuki makes her attempt after a week of observation, chucking her magical space-warping needles at him in the dead of night from another rooftop. However, even when augmented with her special Life-Blighting Emptiness Attack, the needles fail to penetrate his armor and damage him. She leaps, going invisible in mid-flight and smashing through his window, only for him to blast her with his strange magitech wand (in reality, a very small concussive Essence cannon), a sure shot that would've knocked her out save for her supernatural hardiness.

She leaves via the same way she came in, leaving a fearful but intact Raneth.

Enlightenment

Where's Ormagöden been for that week? He decided to fly back to the Linowan and visit his secret cult. He enacts the ritual of the War Devil's Skull with them, sacrificing a human's life-blood to set the skull ablaze, allowing the two cultists he's selected to transcend their mortal boundaries and awaken their latent Essence. Sure, they're not Exalts, but now they could probably learn sorcery and/or initiate into some supernatural martial arts. After that, he returns to the Saltspire League.

Still doesn't realize that Gene could've done this for him, but hey, what's he gonna do, ask?

Planning

The following day after Yuki's attempt on his life, Raneth calls for Emir. He explains what he understands of the assassination attempt: how the attacker was invisible, moved supernaturally fast, and threw poisoned needles that passed through ordinary materials unimpeded. Gene tells Raneth he suspects Jaya of hiring the would-be assassin, and suggests that perhaps he seek aid from the Bull of the North for safety's sake.

Following that, Gene returns to his estate and confronts the rest of the coven. He regrets it, but comes to the conclusion that they'll need to kill Raneth. Natsu feels otherwise, but eventually swallows his heart and lets himself be convinced by the others. They decide the best solution is to "volunteer" Abbadon as a bodyguard from Gene to help protect Raneth, suggest that they go on the road to meet with the Bull, and then have Yuki and Natsu try and kill Raneth, only for Abbadon to turn on him as well...

Not the worst plan, save for the fact that Raneth has a Charm that lets him know when someone is lying to him...

The Regent Acts...

Abbadon spends the day protecting Raneth of Diamond Hearth, who is behaving in a strangely-emotionless fashion. He no longer paces, he no longer furrows his brow; he just sits on the throne and makes decisions. That evening, a strange sound is heard from outside. Raneth bids Abbadon go and see what it is. When he reaches the massive double doors, they are yanked open to reveal ten or more mercenaries, armed with poleaxes.

What Abbadon doesn't see is Raneth standing and drawing his Essence cannon, a blast of concussive energy slamming Abbadon in the back, even as he draws his daiklave to deal with the mercenaries. The mercenaries surround Abbadon and attempt to slay him, at which point Abbadon reveals his true nature by perfectly parrying their attacks, including repeated blasts by Raneth.

Having not realized that Abbadon was an Exalt himself, Raneth retreats into a side room as he fires at the glowing hulk, the number of mercenaries outside rapidly decreasing, before Abbadon finally charges after him, leaving the last four guards to flee in a panic.

As Abbadon turns a corner, he bats away one last blast by Raneth before slicing him with his massive sword... only for the dying Raneth to plunge a knife into Abbadon's side. Abbadon decapitates Raneth and collects his Essence cannon before limping away.

Arrest!

At the exact same time, Gene is approached by more of Raneth's mercenaries while in transit to his quarters.

"By the authority of regent Raneth, you are under arrest for conspiracy!" they announce; Gene allows himself to be cuffed, after which he is taken to be brought before the regent. They arrive to see the locale ashambles, the entrance destroyed and the Solar's remains lying inside.

"Under whose authority do you arrest me now?" Gene quips; he convinces them that there is no point in holding him.

---

We were pretty much done at that point; Abbadon will probably try and head to Malfeas next, while Gene attempts to start fixing the situation. I wish them both good luck with that.

In short, in this session, NO ONE'S plan went "according to plan," and it's all Yuki's fault.