[ That's right. He's willing to use whatever he needs to get what he wants, but he doesn't plan to announce that. They have to deliver the lantern shard, so he starts the lead them back with knife in tow.

Like a good escort, he will defend them. Whatever branches come gets cut off. ]

Hopefully, the rest have found the other shards, but it makes me wonder why the Hierarchy haven't acted on this themselves.

[ Why are they the ones doing work?? ]