First. A mirror to the Demis Watch exists. "The Unblinking Eye of Cael", he called it.

This device exists, and is in the hands of those that wish us harm. Are more of Lun's artifacts mirrored the same way?

The watch's attunement gives me immunity to its effects, but I can't figure out how you all were unaffected.

Possibly a lingering effect from you being immune previously, but we can't depend on that in the future.

I have an idea how to combat that, but I'll get to that in a moment.

The fact remains that they have a timestop effect, and they can use it again.

Second. Despite that, they had to have some inside support to get inside the building.

Two paladins are missing, presumed dead. Their gear was found, but they were missing. They were guarding an entrance.

But they could not have gotten to that entrance without support from someone influential here in Ion.

They either have infiltrated or have support from someone important in one of the other castes.

The timestop wasn't active long enough for them to have gotten into the building while it was going on. They had to be there before.

Third. Holt mentioned some curious things. One was he wanted my blood.

This means they're after the blood of the prophet for some reason.

There's no other reason they would want The Iahn's blood, specifically.

I've ordered the blood's source put into an extra level of security as a result. There's no way they can get it.

They'd have to ambush The Iahn again, meaning I can't even assume the role again until we know they've been defeated, or they could strike again.

Another thing Holt mentioned was his philosophy. And that reminded me of one thing.

He has to be someone dedicated to Cael's ideals. He called Lun names only Cael's followers would.

He said Cryostoria was just a 'means to an end'... meaning Cryostoria wasn't the source of this.

We purged the corruption from the key, and I thought that was the source of Cryostoria's corruption, but we may have been mistaken.

The actual source of this may be larger than we thought, which, combined with knowing there's a traitor in one of the castes, means we can't make this public knowledge.

Lastly, Holt himself was untouchable. His cohorts' powers and combat prowess are troubling as well.

But when we encounter Holt again, and I have no doubt we will, given he's upset at all of you...

We'll have to be stronger. If I can't don the helmet, I can't access it's magicks. We have to be stronger. It's important we are able to fight him on OUR terms, not his.