"Perhaps it is" comes a voice as a hooded figure walks in the door, politely escorting Eedrick back into the room with him. "I've been here all along, and I apologize for my deceit, but I needed to know how you would react to each other without any external forces around. I cannot say I am pleased by all the interactions... though I suppose it is the best I could hope for during the stressful first meeting of such a diverse group." He move to the side so that he is facing all of you, and lowers his hood, revealing an old, wizened face that seems vaguely familiar to all of you, though you can't quite place him.
"Come, come, let us find some more comfortable place to speak." He leads you a few rooms further into the temple, to a large room with chairs, pillows, etc, and sits in a chair facing the rest of you.
"I am James Alcar, I have been the advisor to both the Queen and the Emporer for decades." He stops for a moment to let that sink in.. "Many would call me a traitor, attempt to hang me for treason, but they have both known of my double-life for the last 5 years, and neither have done anything about it. You see I have been, over the last few decades, attempting to end the fueding between our countries, and lately it seems like I have convinced both of your rulers, though only because of a mutal threat. Unfortunately, however, it seems to be coming too late."
Clearing his dry, cracking throat, James goes on "A short while ago, the Princess Liriel of Degal was kidnapped. Simultaneously, Emporer Hoshira was poisoned. He is seriously ill, and the poison seems immune to magics. There were also several assasinations on that same day, though a few hours later, of very powerful and important individuals. I was surprised.. pleasantly so, mind you, that you had all been.. 'passed over', I guess the term would be, by these assassins.. Or have you been.. Have any of you had any.. troubles lately?" He stops and coughs a few times, then looks up at you, awaiting responses and questions.
