You roll a 9 (required 9). Success!
 
With some time to spare, you decide to try getting to know the blue knight better. After all, it would be unlike you to let such a young and handsome opportunity pass you by. You start by introducing yourself to him.
 
Blue Knight: “Well met, outlander. I am Auric Bastion, Knight First Class of the Order of Dawn.”
 
You tell Auric Bastion that you are pleased to meet him. Then, with your best seductive look, you add that if he is ever in need of a sparring partner, you certainly wouldn’t mind crossing swords with him.
 
Auric Bastion: “Forgive me if I misread you, but if this is an attempt at courting, then I am afraid your efforts are wasted. To avoid conflict of interest, we Paladins are not to be personally involved with anyone outside of the Order.”
 
You admit that it is quite unfortunate, though from your experience, most of the clerics seem quite nice. You wish him the best, to which he nods, but says no more on the matter.
 
With that out of your system — or saved for later, at the very least —, you turn your attention back to the rest of the group, and catch an ongoing conversation.
 
Novelty: “After all this trouble, you aren’t even going to tell us what happened out there?”
 
Justice: “In case you haven’t noticed, we’re not in the best company to discuss that right now.”
 
Smoke: “Oh, come on! Don’t leave us hanging. Hey, what if I knock him out again?”
 
You remind Justice — and Smoke — that if they are to convince the knight to join their cause, then they will have to show him a little more respect than that.
 
Auric Bastion: “An assuming statement, to be sure. Yet, I can only agree that more harm would avail us naught. By your own hoof, I am ill-equipped to record your exchange, so pray not deprive yourselves on my account.”
 
Justice: “Fair enough, we’ll do it your way. Not that he’s likely to believe half of what I’m about to say, anyway. Alright, keep your ears open, everyone, because here it goes.”
 
With you and Moonflower backing her up, Justice begins to recount your venture into the Mists to the rest of the group…
 
Justice: “… and that’s when we decided to come back to check on you, and here we are.”
 
Apple Basket: “Heavens to Betsy! I sure am glad I didn’t have to see that realm of Darkness for myself. Just hearin’ about it gives me the creeps.”
 
Apple Basket shivers at the thought, causing Moonflower to wrap a reassuring wing around him. It seems to help.
 
Novelty: “Let me get this straight: not only did they have the philosopher’s stone all along, but they gave it to somepony who claimed to be the original leader of the ancient Paladins of Dawn, and he’s supposedly working on purifying it as we speak?”
 
Justice: “That’s the short of it. I know how it sounds, and Rocket will vouch for me. If these outsiders have taught me anything, it’s that there is much and more we can’t see that’s right in front of our own noses.
 
And now that I’ve said my piece, I’m curious to hear what our knightly friend here has to say about it.”
 
Auric Bastion: “… That is a lot to take in. To purify the philosopher’s stone was ever our mission, and so if what you say is true, then I would believe it to be great news.
 
That the stone came to be in your possession is troubling, however, and raises many questions about our history. Until such time as we can ascertain the truth about King Empyrius, it would be best if these events remained unknown to the public.”
 
Novelty: “No matter what we do, something like this won’t stay a secret for long, and there’s no telling how it’s going to be twisted against us. I’m a prime example of that.”
 
You ask Auric Bastion what he thinks would happen to the Order of Dawn if King Empyrius was found to be the betrayer after all these years.
 
Auric Bastion: “The Order is loyal to the Crown, whoever it may be. Yet, King Empyrius has never deigned to name a heir to the High Throne. If he were to be overthrown, it could certainly plunge all of Midgard into chaos.”
 
Justice: “Not if, but when. The moment he learns that we know where his precious stone is, Empyrius will come for us, mark my word. We need to be ready. And for that, we’re going to need a plan.”
 
Bright Logic: “Uhb… assubing we don’t all end up in a dudgeon cell, that is! (gulp)”
 
According to your map, Rocket Rush and the brown knight should return from their trip to Astora by sundown. Until then, you still have a few hours to help coming up with ways to bring the truth to light.