Tales of Riv'nar: The Chosen -- Book 2

The ugly, lanky youth locked eyes with the captain. "Teach me."

Fighting like story-telling is as much about style as it is about technique he thought as he surveyed the situation. It was apparent that Jax was way out of his league here. Still, back a coward into a corner he has no choice but to raise arms. Not the raising them in his s usual frantic manner waving them above his head while screaming bloody murder but that of cold steel.

The blade, while well balance, felt awkward in his grasp. He held it out as best he could. The blade quivered visibly from side to side as he stood in a readied position. The only explanation for the weapon’s movement was that his nerves were getting the better of him. He could already feel the intense pressure of the exercise and his life wasn’t even on the line. Was It?

“This was foolishness!” He muttered at this discomfort bringing his arms down to his side.

If he was going to learn to fight it would be on his terms. Once again the acrobat tossed the sword he grasped high into the air. Seconds later he crouched and sprang into a forward flip. This time however he had not intent on catching the blade on its downward trajectory and slid to the ground. In one fluid motion he swept the feet of his opponent out from under the seasoned fighter.

He was well aware that this would only serve to piss of the distrustful soldier even more. Not waiting for the inevitable response he gracefully tumbled next to the archer, Raine. Pausing briefly in front of her he gingerly snatched three well balance throwing daggers from the carrier across her chest. After a slight polite bow he once again started into another forward tumble towards his next acquisition.

He could already hear the savage roar of his opponent making it to his feet. It was a faster recovery than anticipated and he was still somewhat empty handed. The series of rolls eventually took him to his destination beside a somewhat startled alchemist. He glanced over his shoulder to better judge his window of opportunity. Crossing his right arm across his waist he extended his left arm towards Amelia.

“Would you be kind enough to allow me the use of your short blade, my Lady?”

He chatted to the girl elegantly as he waited somewhat impatiently for her response. His time was more limited than he would have liked for such an encounter with beauty. He changed his serious demeanor to something much more playful as a large Cheshire-like grin crossed his face. He had mischief in his eyes and that usually meant trouble for all involved.

"Think about it if you must but I fear I must move on.”

With three long strides he was off towards a tall tree. Thirty feet from his mark he launched the three perfectly balance daggers one after another. Each struck home on their intended target, a small knot high in the tree he rushed towards. Planting his right foot a good four feet up the truck of the mammoth oak the projected himself upward and outward grabbing the three thrown weapons as he passed. In one swift motion he now found himself with both feet upon the earth once more.

"As you can see I am not without talent. I just don’t possess your particular panache with the long blade.” He babbled in his defense as Darke closed in for retribution.

Getting to his feet, Darke watched the acrobat spring across the campsite. He hadn't been expecting the young man's move, of course, since he had challenged him to a sword duel, not a free-for-all. But if that was the way Jax wanted to play, he could certainly follow along.

"As you can see I am not without talent. I just don’t possess your particular panache with the long blade," Jax said as Darke moved in closer. He pulled his second sword free of its scabbard. Darke had never liked using a shield. It's weight was cumbersome and threw him off-balance. He had taught himself to use both swords as a shield and a weapon, a technique that allowed him to move faster than most. But he would need all of his agility to keep up with Jax.

Darke held his hand palm-up toward Jax, waving him forward with his fingers. "Let's see how well your aim is with a living target, acrobat. Stick me with your knives." Darke saw the hesitation in the man's eyes. He was unsure whether or not Darke really meant it. He thought this was still a game. Nothing was a game, not even a simple sparring match. It all served a purpose, a honing of one's skills so that in the next real fight you weren't slaughtered. He would show this man that if he gambled too lightly with his life, he could very well lose it. To amplify his point, Darke rushed toward Jax.

The first knife flew in close to his face. Crossing his swords together in the form of an x, Darke moved the blades across his face in a wide arc, catching the blade of the knife and forcing it spinning off course. The second knife came in quickly. Uncrossing his swords, Darke hit the blade of the second knife with the tip of his own sword, the loud ring of clashing metal resounding near his ears. The third knife came in even faster than the second, and Darke barely had time to maneuver his blades. Slightly imitating his first defense, he crossed his blades in front of him, near the hilt. He slid the blades apart, keeping them solidly connected, as the blade rushed in toward his chest. His swords caught the knife at the hilt, sending it spinning harmlessly over his head. All in a matter of seconds. Darke rushed on toward the now unarmed man.

"Adapt, Jax. Fight, or I will strike you." The prince might call his bluff, or perhaps the Gryphon Knight, but by the look of anger he painted across his face he was sure Jax would not, nor the others who did not know him well enough. "You may not be able to fight with my weapon, but that doesn't mean I can't kill you with it."

Raine flushed as the man reached into her personal space and removed her weapons. She wasn't angry at him, but it was a reflex of hers to become agitated at the intrusion of her person. She didn't bother to retrieve the weapons, but made a mental note that after the 'show' was over, she'd have to talk with this man and let him know how she felt - the next time he took from her without asking, she reserved the right to stick an arrow in his buttocks.

He had come up to Amelia then, asking for her weapon rather than just taking it. Amelia put a hand on her hilt, but didn't draw the sword. He was gone before she could do any more, and Raine wondered if the girl had been about to give her the weapon, or use it against him. Side by side, Amelia and Raine watched the little show, neither applauding nor disapproving it. To choose sides would be to cross one of these men, and in their state of mind neither man seemed worth trying to cross.

Amelia tried to wrap her mind around the strange man, Darke. He was so angry, all of the time, and yet when it had been time to dine he had sat himself near them in what seemed a comfortable silence for him; not so much for her. Perhaps he was keeping an eye on her. This display of hostility toward Jax didn't make Amelia feel any more comfortable with the idea of being Darke's comrade. It was as if there were sides to be taken; the soldiers and the servants, the chosen and the mediocre.

She thought the fight was nearing its end, for Jax had loosed all three of Raine's knives and was now without weapon. Though he was a skilled person, Darke had put him in a position of great peril, and was relentless. Amelia felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up as the moment closed in. She knew Darke should be standing down, and yet he wasn't. She looked about, wondering if anyone was going to stop him. Raine had her arms crossed, glaring at the acrobat, and Amelia knew that she wasn't going to defend the man.

If Darke was going to attack, she could afford to wait no longer. If she were wrong and he was only bluffing, then the only harm would be to her own ego. If she were right...then she hoped that she had enough basic defensive skills to hold off Darke long enough for someone else to intervine. She'd done enough for them to deserve their immediate protection.

She drew her own short sword, and pulled a dagger from her boot. She could not throw it like Jax, but it felt good to have two weapons in hand. If her skill could not match Darke, at least her number of weapons could. She ran out in front of Jax, vaguely hearing Raine call out to her as she poised her body in such a way that she could take an impact and not fall backward. She held her sword in front of her, not thrust outward but rather held so she could block at least one of his weapons should he swing. Her dagger was held with the point faced away from him, but she could twist it about easily enough should she need to.

Darke looked surprised at the intrusion, perhaps even entertained by it. The annoying expression fueled her anger at the man, and gave her the courage to speak out at him.

"Back off! Hasn't anyone ever taught you any manners before? Swords don't kill people. It's the lousy, single-minded, egotistical men like you that kill people."

She didn't know what else to say. She was never one for words...Amelia waited, but nothing happened. She decided to make her wishes clear: "Why don't you just go."

"You may not be able to fight with my weapon, but that doesn't mean I can't kill you with it."

Who is he kidding? I would only be a matter of time before this little charade came to an abrupt end. By end Jax knew full well he would be coming face to face with the point of Darke’s blade. As Captain of the guard he had put in countless hours of swordplay. Judging by the effortless display he presented turning aside the acrobat’s blades he was well versed in combat. Skilled enough was he to put him in position of protecting the Prince.

"Adapt, Jax. Fight, or I will strike you."

That simply didn’t sound appealing to the gangly acrobat. The thought of death was even less appealing especially, with the message being delivered by such an angry young man. With his weapon supply exhausted there was little he could do now except to beg for mercy. He was about to concede victory to his superior opponent when something unexpected took place.

From out of nowhere the much smaller alchemist stepped to his rescue. Chivalry being what it is he had always assumed it would be the other way around. Still, in order for her to step forward as such he had to have made some kind of impression upon her. Although he felt that impression might be somewhat tainted if she knew what was going on inside his mind.

"Back off! Hasn't anyone ever taught you any manners before? Swords don't kill people. It's the lousy, single-minded, egotistical men like you that kill people."

Feisty too, Jax thought to himself as he gathered his lost confidence. This had all started out as a playful display and now it had taken a turn for the worse. The young redhead now found himself in a precarious position himself. He was sure to offend the young beauty if he intervened now. There had to be a way to defuse this situation quickly.

"Why don't you just go." The strong sweet female voice rang out towards his oppressor.

”A draw then?” Jackson suggested to the seasoned fighter as he peered anxiously over the much smaller shape in front of him.

Kalus had stood up when Jax launched himself near the tree. He knew what Darke was trying to do, but he wasn't sure how others would take it. Sure enough, Amelia moved to step in, too quick for Kalus to stop her. Indeed, Kalus agreed with Darke's purpose, even if he thought it could have been handled in a somewhat more civil manner. Kalus and Darke had much in common, but, though they were close friends, the two were also quite different.

When Amelia had her say, Kalus glanced toward Fredric, silently inquiring what should be the best course. Amelia didn't understand what was going on. This was a duel of wills, not a contest of ego. Amelia didn't realize that Darke was doing his part for the quest, making sure everyone in their party knew the gravity of their mission and was prepared for the hardships ahead. If they planned to bring Jax with them, then it was important to assess skills and teach the man to fight. Though Kalus had taken a liking to the tall youth, Jax had a in him a struggle against cowardice. Jax was taking a step, now, to overcome that, and Amelia was getting in the way.

Kalus gleaned some instruction from the Prince's demeanor. He was irritated yet contemplative. Kalus imagined that he, too, had mixed feelings about the situation. Darke had, after all, ignored the Prince's directive against fighting with Jax. Yet Jax had unexpectedly accepted the offer. One could hardly force the two to stop; better for everyone to let it play out.

Kalus decided not to interrupt, but to still exert some influence, at least over Amelia. The tall golden knight moved over to the side, closer to where the fight was taking place. The gryphon followed. Kalus stood some distance behind and to the right of Darke, where Amelia could clearly see him. He tried to tell her by his stance and his gaze that she should not have interfered.

Zephyr was slowly losing his focus on the others, letting his mind drift and expand, becoming larger than his body and creating a meditative connection with the life around him. With the tree he leaned on, the leaves overhead. The roots beneath his feet, and the blades of grass that swept up thinly to brush at his ankles. Small ivy danced about around the base of the tree, as well as tiny Johnny Jump-Ups. But his concentration was not to be fulfilled and held. Not now. As Zephyr opened his eyes and looked at the group, he felt his mind begin to drag. Darke and Jax, and the Prince nearby.

He watched Jax with the blade; indeed a bit surprising to him. He would normally write off a bit of respect to such a skill, but the young man had not truly earned respect from the Vindy yet. He then watched Darke, a man who already held respect in his ranks. But what was said made him think otherwise. Now was not the time for dueling. This was not 'honing skills'. It was wasting time and energy that could be better focused on the task at hand. They should've been resting, relaxing; not readying to play like young boys mimicking the Court.

Amelia leapt in, and parted her lips for a something a little extraordinary. At least, it was appalling. Zephyr redirected his attention to her and chuckled, a deep and rich sound that rumbled through his chest as he leaned away from the tree. The tall Vindy walked towards the group until he was near Amelia, Darke, and Jax. He looked at them with an almost scrutinizing glare; all save for Amelia. The Vindy then brushed a broad hand through his odd frosty hair and sighed.

"Stop.

"What was a game of tattle-pass has become a show of pride and power. Strength is of the essence. Decide, what shall we save of it for the oncoming obstacles, and what of it shall we waste in 'honing'?" He turned and looked at the sky, then the Prince. Then his attention returned, more-so to Darke. "Now is not a time for dispute and training. You should have trained long ago, and what we know now is what we know. Tomorrow is a new day, and we are sure to need greater things than what we can simply learn in one moon cycle. The gravity of what we are to do is powerful; but we cannot be but so hard." He then looked at Jax for a moment. "Sway, young one, to the calamity. You must be earning of your place and of a pride. But this is not the way."

He placed a hand on Amelia's shoulder, the broad thing large enough to cover from her neck to her shoulder with his fingers curled gently over her right clavicle. He nodded towards the tree he had just been at, but merely meant for her to possibly move.

"Stress does no one the good we hope for." He said in his deep whisper, removing his hand. He then folded his arm and looked at the Prince, and seemed to just stare. It was the look that read 'You're in charge'.

His gaze returned to Jax, and he smiled.

"Prove yourself, youth, to a foe. And you will have proven yourself, at least, to I."

Tension was rising. Fredric knew things needed to be settled and his involvement was necessary. Amelia and intervened, Kalus had moved in on the situation but said no words. Magus seemed to be ignoring everything and was simply eating his meal slowly with his own thoughts occupying him. It was the words Zephyr said and the gaze he made to the prince that made the young paladin smirk. A man of few words but those few words when spoken wield much content.

“Aye, Zephyr is right. We should relax our bodies and minds. Part of completing tasks is keeping a firm hold on living our lives. During battle anything ill may befallen one of us and it would be selfish to with hold rich experiences from comrades.” Fredric stopped his speech for a moment from his position at the camp fire. He knelt, turned his deer meat on a stick and picked up his polished blade. Jax did a pretty respectable job on the task asked of him. Fredric stood and sheathed the weapon.

“We have no time for training or honing our skills. This much is true.” Fredric's challenge to Darke as a sparring partner was merely his way of letting the acrobat off, not that he was in any real trouble anyways. “Darke, it was troubling enough you had disobeyed a direct order from your prince. Do not stir trouble among us as that gives our enemies advantage. We must remain vigilant in our cause and responsibilities to our kingdom. Let us sit, enjoy a meal that has been graciously prepared for us.” Fredric's tone did hint at his slight annoyance at the situation. He was ignored and no one of royalty likes being ignored.

The paladin gazed at Jax for a moment. “Your skills have been weighed by me. That is all you need worry about. You have been found wanted.” He smirked at him then looked at Amelia and stepped forward to her location and placed an arm around her shoulders, then pushed her out of the way of the acrobat and infantry captain.

“Thank you.” He paused for a couple moments as they walked together over near some trees then stopped. “Darke is a good man; a good soldier. He looks out for us in his own way. Please try not to think ill of him for his actions today. It is frustrating to think that a task of such magnitude has been placed around our shoulders. We know not what future unfolds before us but I am confident each of us will be an important part of it.” He said to her calmly and quietly for her to hear before continuing. “We each do what we think is best for the entirety of the group. For now, let us sit and eat some more.” Fredric took the arm around her and placed that hand on her head and smiled warmly down at her.

Fredric showed a lot of temperance in maintaining a collected mind on the situation. He felt that it was handled correctly and that things would settle down after the defused situation. The prince would keep an eye on Darke, merely for future out breaks like what had happened. Jax did indeed need training, in various types of weaponry, but that would come in time like many things do.

Fredric turned around and proceeded to sit back at the camp fire. Elbows rest on his knees with fingers laced together and chin resting comfortably on it. He was clearly not in the mood to proceed with the situation and further discussion was completely out of line. They did not need the difficulties of maintaining a peace between the group's members. It made him remember the difficulties of trusting Magus, but those feelings did not go away either; even after incident between Jax and Darke. Magus stood for and represented the very things that their party had been created to do: destroy evil. Destiny has a strange way of giving the righteous some dark tools to save the world with. Magus was indeed a mere tool to the prince. A man that focuses on darkness could not possibly be worth trusting, yet, the death mage was here with them in a quest to destroy a powerful crazed warlock and six Titans.

All Fredric's actions were from this point was the occasional turning of his deer meat on a stick; so all of the delicious tender meat could be savored as much as the next. Everything that was said in the past few minutes were still registered deep within the prince's mind. Jax was right, Amelia was right, Zephyr was right, and even Darke was right. Each person was correct in their choice of words from their own respective view points and it proved to the young paladin how inexperienced he was to react fast enough to prevent the situation. However, it was not entirely clear if the situation could have been avoided anyways. A sigh comes out and the young warrior begins eating his second helping of deer meat.

Kalus listened as the Vindy shut down the 'conflict.' While the gryphon knight respected Zephyr's insight and his ability to calm a situation, Kalus disagreed with his words. "No games and no expending of strength," he muttered to himself. "What are we to do, then? Sleep?" He shook his head imperceptibly. Fredric stepped in, then, and helped resolve the situation. Kalus looked toward Darke until he had his attention, and an unspoken understanding passed between them. Though the situation had been 'resolved' and the camp had silently agreed not to speak further of it, Kalus wanted Darke to know he was on his side in this.

Unsatisfied with the tense, quiet mood that settled over the camp as everyone went back to eating, Kalus went off on his own. He'd come back in a few minutes, perhaps, once people lightened up a bit. Maybe Darke would let them have some fun. Maybe Zephyr would let them exercise. It was several hours, still, until it would be time for sleep. Taking some food with him, knight and the gryphon went for a short walk through the surrounding woods.

Kalus enjoyed the beauty of nature and the company of his gryphon as he ate. When he finished the portion of meat, he grew bored of walking. The knight took up a steady run. He felt the still forest air move across his face. He listened to the soft sound of Aron's footfalls beside and behind him.

The terrain was uneven here, rocky and full of ditches despite the wooded landscape. The challenge of traversing it in heavy armor occupied the gryphon knight for a good half hour. He ran a wide circuit around the camp. His stamina training kicked in, but the rising and falling ground was a tax on his ability. The ground leveled out, though, as he neared the end of his circuit and came closer toward the camp. Kalus half expected them all to be asleep.

"Why don't you just go." That rebuke, above all of the others, made Darke realize the mistake he had made. When he challenged Jax, he had been hoping simply to make the point that they had to keep their mind on the goal at hand: defeating the warlock. Instead, he had managed to create division within their own ranks. He had caused a scene in which the members of their group were forced to choose sides, at least those who had shown any interest. Amelia had sided with Jax, and he felt ashamed that she seemed to believe he would have actually killed the man. He certainly had more honor than that!

Zephy had chided them both, though his statements to Darke were directed more harshly. Darke, Zephyr had said, should know better. And, of course, the Vindy was right. He had let his pride and arrogance get the better of him. Like Fredric's royal status, Darke had let his long experience as a military commander make him feel as if he needed to control the people in this group, that it was up to him to pick up Fredric's slack. Of course, he had to be ready to help the prince when it was needed, but not to usurp his duty of disciplining and preparing the group for what lay ahead.

And no one had appointed Darke to police the group. He realized in that moment, as well, that he had gone too far with his suspicions of Amelia. The damage, of course, had already been done. He could see by the expression on her face as she stood in front of Jax with her weapons drawn that she wanted nothing more to do with him. He could apologize, but that would do nothing to change what had already happened. It would probably be best if he simply ignored her from now on.

Darke sheathed his swords, catching a look from Kalus. Kalus seemed to be staring less harshly at Darke than the rest, perhaps even sympathetically. If Kalus agreed with Darke, he was just as wrong as Darke had been. Well...not wrong. Just out of place. Darke had stepped outside of his role, and had ignored a direct order from the prince in the process.

Darke walked quickly toward his tent, seating himself on the ground in front of it. Kalus disappeared from the camp, his gryphon not far behind. Darke wished he could disappear for a while, but that would simply add to the image of him sulking. He had already done enough damage to his image for one evening. What he wanted was sleep. Perhaps in the morning things would be better. Maybe they could all act as if this had never happened. If not...it would be an unpleasant ride to an even more unpleasant meeting with an absolutely unpleasant warlock.

The prince walked away from the camp as well, his arms around Amelia's shoulder as he spoke to her. He couldn't help but feel a fool. That was his way with woman: it was essentially what he had done to the one woman he had truly loved. One day he was the honorable Captain Darke Corthala, and the next he was a blood thirsty killer with a grudge and a temper. If they were to get through this experience with their group as a unit, Darke would have to remain in the shadows, where he belonged, protecting rather than leading.

His vantage point over the shoulder of the much smaller woman was interrupted by what only could be described as a wall of man. His shadow seemed to engulf the three unruly participants as if they themselves were under the canopy of the great tree the Vindy had been leaning upon.

“STOP!” He commanded simply.

That one word resonating with power was enough. Who was to argue against a man of such mammoth proportions? It was what had followed that had caught Jackson by surprise. He didn’t stop there. The words kept flowing as if he was inspired by something that had transpired.

Jax was dumfounded by the number of the words that poured forth out of the gentle giant’s mouth. He missed half of what he was trying to get across just getting past the notion he had strung together a series of words instead of his usual grunts. It took a moment or two to realize that they had been put together to form a complete thought. A deep and complex thought at that.


The prince himself had a few words to add to the Shaman’s wisdom. Considerably fewer than put forth by the newly revealed skills of the Vindy. What surprised the gangly red head was that his fighting skills had been noted. Fighting skills, ha!

It made the acrobat chuckle at the mere thought of such nonsense. It wasn’t so much skill for the young acrobat as the will to live. Where there is will there is a way and he saw little need to die. One thing was certain he would definitely accept any advice that was offered.

“We each do what we think is best for the entirety of the group. For now, let us sit and eat some more.” Fredric took the arm around Amelia and placed that hand on her head and smiled warmly down at her.

The mood back around the fire was quiet and tense as they ate in silence. .Where there had once been laughter and conversation a hushed wall now loomed between them. He bore no ill will towards the veteran swordmen. He was only fighting for his pride. It wasn’t long before the Gryphon knight got up and went off on his own. Even his relatively jovial mood had been marred by the uprising.

Jax was not a great fan of silence. He expected, however, they would rather not hear his voice. There was no doubt in his own mind he would be the first to break the barrier. Leaning over to Amelia he spoke in hushed tones.

“I never got the chance to thank you.” He explained graciously.


“There's this marvelous game …..” He whispered with a smile. “…called 'Tell the Prince a Rumor. Perhaps you’ve heard of it.”


It was hard for the enthusiastic story teller to keep a straight face as he spoke the words. As difficult as it was he managed to keep a straight face just long enough she might believe him. If there was one thing Jax was good at it was to make light of a situation. And this situation certainly needed it. Once a spoon, always a spoon, it was his nature.

It seemed that everything started and ended all in one moment. Everyone closed in, anxieties high and expressions etched with worry and judgement. In each mind, a side had been chosen though splitting the group was the last thing anyone wanted. She saw a dark look on Kalus' face, an expression of judgement that read: you shouldn't have interferred.

The Shaman approached her, placing an arm on her shoulder and causing her to lower her weapons. His prescence was somewhat calming, though she could not place why. Perhaps it was the fact that he had managed to agree and yet disagree with each of them, all in one short monolouge. Perhaps it was the mysterious magic that his person possessed. The Shaman took his hand off her shoulder, and she nodded to him while sheathing her own weapons.

The prince came to her then, pulling her away for a private conversation. She listened to his words, head down but nodding to him so he knew she was listening. She did not agree with him; she could not, not with the way that Darke had been treating her, and treating Jax. She had nothing to stand for anymore, nothing but her own rights as a woman and as a person. She didn't tell the prince any of this, and merely nodded along with his suggestions of compromise. She tried to control the flush of anger that had enveloped her face; she knew that she needed to calm down.

The entire group calmed considerably, and Darke sheathed his weapons and left the circle, as well as Kalus. .The prince left her then, but she was not alone. The acrobat approached her, thanking her for her gesture.

"It's no problem...I'm afraid it wasn't entirely for your benefit. I had a personal issue with the man that needed to be dealt with." She explained to him, wanting to be perfectly honest with him.

“There's this marvelous game...called 'Tell the Prince a Rumor. Perhaps you’ve heard of it.” He whispered to her.

Amelia looked at him, her jaw slightly hung open from the shock of hearing the familiar words that had started the fight. He smiled at her, and a giggle escaped her throat, which she hurredly tried to squash by covering her mouth. But it was too late. The laughter had begun, and it would not stop. She held her stomach as she gasped for air in between bouts of laugter, tears streaming down her face. Perhaps it was the lack of sleep, the lack of positive interpersonal relations, the lack of anything positive in her life at all...but suddenly the world was just so damn funny, and though she tried, she could not stop laughing.

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Raine followed Darke over to his tent, standing in the distance while he sat in front of it, doing nothing in particular. She wanted to let him know that she was on his side; that he had done nothing wrong...but she didn't know how to approach him. Would a man really want a woman to enter his personal space after such a display of defeat? She let her weight shift back and forth, and bit her lip in worry, unsure of what to do. She had just decided to give up, and turn away, but he looked up and their eyes met, and she couldn't walk away from him now or it would only make him feel worse. She gave a small smile and walked closer.

To the others, the situation had no doubt been tense, but it had also been quick. It felt like Magus had hardly looked up from his meal before not only Raine, but Zephyr were intervening to prevent a fight. Even Fredric joined the band wagon, after the shaman had already made a long speech about how infighting was a waste of strength and they were far too close to Soryin's castle and their objective to be training seriously now. Apparently something had caused the prince to feel calmer; perhaps this was just an especially bad few days for him, what with the suddenly being a leader and the lack of sleep. However, with the sun coming down, there remained one other matter that needed to be attended to.

These fools are too quick to anger. Too quick to lash out.
They are mortals. This is the expected way of things. What else need be said on the matter?
"It is for mortals that the Old Ones set me on this path. Don't disparage them too much."
If it's any comfort, we're not talking about Raine. She was fine. But what kind of soldier lashes out and disrupts the party over a tiny grudge?
"...I will see to it that this group's issues are sorted. But in literally one day, our first task will be done. I will not suffer the seeds of even further disruption, not even from you. The stakes are too high." The voices departed, and the mental conversation ceased; then Erik swooped in to settle on Magus' shoulder, its scouting run finished and no material spies found. However, it did report something in the air, something a normal bat could never have recognised.

When Kalus had got back from his little excursion, Magus stood up and informed the whole party of how he thought the night would go down.
"It's getting late. I have no doubt that Soryin plans to use his sorcery against us tonight. As I am best equipped to fight it off, I propose that I take the first watch, and possibly the last watch as well." Having not used any magic so far today, he wouldn't need to trance again, but he would need to sleep at least half the night. "Hands up who wants to guard the rest of the night?"

During his watch, once the others were asleep, Magus could be seen performing a strange, ecstatic, even frantic dance around the camp, while Erik followed and his lips moved in a chant. Every so often, he stopped to carve symbols into the floor, runes from long-forgotten days when the world was but a void, before beginning again. When he had carved twelve runes and circled the camp three times, with a twirl he entered the middle of the circle he'd created, and continued the dance into the very centre of it, whereupon he raised his arms to the sky.
"Warriors of ancient times, I beseech thee, guard this place tonight... Magic Circle!" Not only his eyes, but the runes flashed with blue light as the ward went up. No creature of hostile intent could easily pass through the circle, not without calming down or being severely injured by deathly cold, and magic blasts would simply strike its edge as if they'd hit a physical wall. It was no protection against mundane arrows, but that was why Magus was still going to finish his watch and make the others finish theirs.

Looking up in the sky, feeling the first raindrop on his forehead, Magus grinned, panting a little from the exertion. He'd got the circle up before rain ruined the sigils. They weren't needed once the ward was raised, but if he'd been a few minutes slower, it would all have been for naught.

Hours upon hours later, when Magus had slept and woken, he could sense the ward diminishing as the dawn struck it. Not that one caused the other, it was simply running out of power, and had served its purpose besides. He spoke a surprisingly brief incantation, informing the spirits he'd called upon that they were released from service, and thereby dismissing the magic circle. Hopefully the other watchmen had believed his open and factually correct explanation of the circle's presence and nature; it wasn't like he'd done something wrong, except perhaps not thinking to raise the circle until everyone was already too asleep to be told.

Fredric went to sleep in his tent, gaining rest he had previously lost and to fully recover for the next day's tasks ahead of him. Darke's behavior had almost succeeded in splitting the group into pieces, but luckily the situation had been salvaged. Prince Fredric had not changed his opinion of the man, but rather, has grown worried about the direction in which he had taken things. Orders were disobeyed but was forgiven. Tension was high between everyone and it seemed a full night of rest was what they needed.

Magus had started the first watch and with Fredric fast asleep it was placed upon the rest of the group to take the other night watch shifts. The third being the most stressful on the individual. They lost a day because of Fredric, almost lost a good soldier within their own ranks due to foolish behavior and pretenses, and created an unpredictable future for them all. One that could cause a ripple between them all and end up getting the group killed. However, there were other forces at work who would strive to prevent these things, unknown or forgotten forces.

Fredric's dreams this night were not invaded by anything, it was a black wall of nothingness and morning would break him from a full night of slumber. The strange pointy eared man from Fredric's dream state experience was still a fresh experience, fresh like the encounter with the mysterious and very generous woman with a beauty matching only the goddesses of ancient Riv'nar tales. Truths were revealed to him by the pointy eared man and by the mysterious beauty. Which ever future Fredric manifests into reality through his decisions will determine the course Riv'nar travels to. A kingdom of peace and strive or one of dark destruction and chaos that transforms the lands Riv'nar's soldiers touch into an ever expanding dark empire.

However, forces are at work to prevent the destruction of Riv'nar, the salvation of Prince Fredric and his companions, as well as the people affected by the Titans. It is these forces that work towards restoring a balance between the Light and Dark. These decisions weigh heavily upon the shoulders of Fredric and the future of all affected lands ride along side them. A path is yet to be taken and there is time for the prince to make the decision a final one. The problem rests with the knowledge that either path will save Riv'nar's people in each respective way.

After word had been shared, by both Zephyr and the Prince, serenity seemed to very slowly fall back into place. Zephyr was pleased, stepping back once and staring as the site began to calm. People scattered, some leaving, some staying. Jax and Amelia sat near each other, and it was when Jax whispered the game's title to her, that Zephyr shook his head. While Amelia laughed aloud, Zephyr laughed quietly within his mind. The man was so young, Jax. Zephyr was unsure what to write off his words as. Naivety? He did not waste the thought, but instead moved away. While the night was surely to settle in soon, he was going to take rest along a tree. He did receive his best sleep when upon nature. And his best sleep only happened after taking a dose of alone time to truly sort out his thoughts. Though Zephyr may've seemed like a large brute lacking in mental capacity, he was quite organized. His flaws, only he knew. His successes, were wide and many- but equally secreted.

He placed his back to a tree as he sat, not a whole twenty paces from the campsite. He could still see the flickering brilliance that was the fire, until he closed his eyes. He pressed his large hands to the earth and took a deep breath, resting his head against the bark. Zephyr felt something rise into his fingertips, this connection he could create with no other but the life around him; the green magic dancing through the earth in roots and blades and twisting vines.

And Zephyr fell into a rich sleep...




Flashes... Flashes of his past, of his home. Of his people. Flashes of battle. Of being in his creature form; wild and powerful. Racing through the land, air slamming against his fur. His eyes are more keen in said form. His ears hear all, his mind is so perfectly balanced. Instinct rules him, with secondary controls by his human mind. He smells blood, he smells earth. Trees, fruit, dirt, rain, and another. Another creature, the smell so distinct and unique. It could not be captured by another animal easily; especially while this predator was in motion.

Zephyr struck the ground with paws that were meant for power and speed alike, his claws digging into the soft sandy earth. He spotted the streak of dark color that was his opponent, and he urged himself on. Power ran through him. Energy and adrenaline swam through his veins in thick drowning bursts; gasoline to the engine of his body. His muscles coiled, and expanded. Contracted, and swelled. Repeatedly, again and again. Running for him. Finally, he made gain, and he leapt.

His claws extended, his snarl vicious and filling the soft song that was the rest of the world. The rest is silence...




His eyes opened, waking quietly. Zephyr knew it was not time to leave, but that the early morn was upon him. He but stayed in his place, staring upon the sky as he took a deep breath. Ah, sleep was over. Now it was the waiting game. Time to wait, and see...

See what Soryin had in store for them.

He had always felt that there was nothing better in life than to bring a smile to someone’s face. That, among other things was why he immersed himself into entertain others. Still, the reaction of the young alchemist brought with it so much more. She seemed to have found the words he spoke liberating.

Well, perhaps liberating was not the best way to describe what had take place. What had started as a ghastly look of shock to his statement turned to a constrained giggle to that of a full fledged belly laugh. The bright, blue eyed girl had taken down her guard and lost herself in the moment. That action in itself seemed to lighten Jax’s burdens for the moment as well.

"It's getting late. I have no doubt that Soryin plans to use his sorcery against us tonight. As I am best equipped to fight it off, I propose that I take the first watch, and possibly the last watch as well. Hands up who wants to guard the rest of the night?" Magus informed the party.

Any anxiety that had left during his interactions with Amelia had now returned. He had not considered the fact he would have to sleep. There was little chance he would have any success in attaining any significant rest. The concept of a scorned Darke hovering over him while he engaged in blissful slumber would negate that possibility. He sat painfully quiet not wanting to be enlisted to help. Who would trust him anyways?

One by one people excused themselves from the fire to turn in for the night until only Magus and himself remained. The dark mage could be seen performing a strange, ecstatic, even frantic dance around the camp. No sooner had the runes flashed with blue light as the ward went up than the first droplets of rain began to fall. Could this day get any worse?

xxxx

Jax woke, jerking himself straight up as if someone had poked him with a sharp stick. He had fallen asleep but for how long? Instantly his head began to swivel from side to side trying to discern if he was in fact alone. The fire beside him still glowed faintly seemingly uninhibited by the rain that had fallen.. The golden embers casting a low light in the darkness as Jax reached forward to warm his damp body.

The camp was strangely quiet. Reaching beside the log he had between curled against he grabbed some wood to stoke the fire. The young acrobat could still see the faint blue glow provided by the wards which protected the camp. All seemed to be in order. Soon the crackling of the fire could be heard over the stillness of the night as the crisp flames danced in the cool night air. Pulling his knees to his chest he scanned the camp.

He sat motionless as a pair of red eyes peered back at him from just beyond the protective circle. It wasn’t long before the glowing orbs joined by another pair and soon another. Jax was almost afraid to look further for fear that his count would increase. The watchman, whoever it may be would surely wake the others.

Then it dawned on him. What if he in fact had taken over for the mage and had fallen asleep? What if it was his job to warn the others? He pondered the situation momentarily. If he simply sounded the alarm whatever was out there would be upon him before the others could react.

Something more subtle he thought. He began to sing a ballad describing great peril. A ballad performed distinctly off key. He started softly, gradually increasing the volume with each passing verse.

“Oh the snakes crawl at night!
That’s what they say.. ay.. ay.
When the sun goes down,
then the snakes will play…ay.”

Day break was merely a few hours away from everyone but Jax's persistent and annoying noise making stirred the prince awake. Why was Jax awake in the first place is what Fredric wanted to know. Stretching the arms and legs inside the tent, the young paladin stepped out of it and donned his weapons and armor. Rubbing his eyes and giving a loud yawn and then another extra stretch of the body, Fredric stumbled over to where the source of the noises were coming from and sat down on a rock near Jax while yawning.

”In the name of Heiron! What is with such folly noises?” Fredric exclaimed and questioned at the same time to the acrobat. Maybe Jax was just trying to pass the time with entertaining himself. Still did not explain why there was a necessary need for extra noise to escape the camp grounds.

Looking at the acrobat, the prince did not appreciate being woken up in such a manner. It was not soon after Jax ceased his annoying cat calling noises did Raine wake up. Following the same predictable actions as the prince, she sat near the almost dead camp fire by Fredric and yawned as well. Her hair was ruffled and loosely draped over one shoulder. She was curious to what was going on as much as Fredric and it did not seem like any others had woken from the fool's perfected noise making techniques.

Neither Fredric or Raine noticed the glowing pairs of eyes looking at them inside Magus' magical ward. It was the middle of the night and there must be a good reason, for a lack of better words, Jax's alarm to the others. It had at least woken two of the group's members and had gained their attention for the time being. It was up to Jax to deliver whatever message was needed. Fredric did not have the patience for this man's antics and Raine probably did not either.

”Second verse same as the first.
A little bit louder and a little bit worse.”


“In the name of Heiron! What is with such folly noises?” Fredric exclaimed.

Finally, Jax thought as he was readying to belt out another installment of the retched tune. His excitement was soon dashed as it was the prince himself that had answered his baying. Come to think of it, the ballad probably wasn’t his best course of action to begin with. Which member of the group would cut him any slack after earlier events?

Soon after Fredric’s plunked himself down beside him another shape made her way towards him. It was the archer. She too sat down near the rekindled fire and yawned awaiting answers. Neither member looked much impressed at the acrobat’s shenanigans. The still had not realized that he was trying to tell them something important. Neither one of them seemed to take notice of the glowing pair of eyes glaring upon them. Had he been dreaming?

“I spy with my little eye something that is……”

“Enough of the games!” They both barked in unison before he could finish getting up to go back to their bedrolls.

“We willl deal with you later.” The prince snapped.

He had failed. As apt a story teller that Jax was they just weren’t getting it. They had tuned out anything he had been trying to say long ago, believing his antics to be just another desperate cry for attention. He wanted their attention alright but there was a far different motive behind it. There was little point in being subtle by this time. It was obvious that they themselves might finish him off before whatever was out there got its chance. Daybreak was fast approaching and it would be making its move soon.

“Are you daft man?” The gangly youth berated Frederick.

It certainly wasn’t the way to talk to a prince but he was running out of options. He would deal with the repercussions later. Right now it was all about survival. He grabbed the young paladin by both shoulders and spun him around. Pointing over Fredric’s shoulder Jax drew a bead so there was no mistaking what the ramblings were about.

LOOK! We’re not alone.

Aron the gryphon slowly awoke, lying on the ground next to Kalus his master. All the commotion had roused him from his slumber. It was not so much the noise that woke him as it was the subtle sense of fear. The intelligent creature's neck came up straight, his ears perked and his eyes piercing. Only a few of the humans were awake and arguing.

The gryphon noticed the pair of red eyes. He cocked his head, puzzling for a moment what it might be. A few seconds later, he made a sort of shrug motion with his head. Adjusting his wings, he laid his head back down on the ground. No need to wake his master.

Kalus himself was deep in sleep. The gryphon knight could sleep through nearly anything. He relied on the much more attuned senses of the gryphon to wake him in case of danger. Gryphons, like many creatures, also had a natural sense of the passing of time and a knowledge of the arrival of dawn. If Aron had made any sound, Kalus would instantly have been awake and alert.

As it was, the gryphon had not seen fit to disturb his master's rest. The night passed on without them. Unconcerned by the nimble one's antics, the gryphon slipped back into restful slumber. Aron wasn't intelligent enough to know exactly what was going on, but he knew that a battle was imminent. It was important to keep up their strength.

Amelia awoke when Raine had left the tent. She was tired, and figured that Raine was taking the next watch, or some other business. Thinking everything was fine, she burrowed deeper into the bedroll and began to slip back into sleep. She was nearly asleep, and dreams of people yelling and someone singing entered her mind. Little did she know that the conversation outside was affecting her dream state.

Eventually, ever so slowly, she was dragged into consciousness and realized that there was commotion outside. She heard Jax say "LOOK! We’re not alone." and those words brought her upright in her tent. She slithered out of her bedroll and pulled her boots on, as well as arming herself with her weapons. She left her bag inside the tent, and slowly crawled out of the tent, remaining crouched low to the ground.

She was not able to see what Jax was pointing to, and she noticed that not everyone was awake. She wasn't sure if that was a good thing, or a bad thing. Surely, warriors such as these would awake for battle if there were truly danger? But what if she was wrong? What if Jax was right, and there was something out there, ready to slaughter them in their sleep?

Amelia stood upright, and turned in a slow circle as she did so. She didn't see anything from where she was standing, and so moved closer to the few who were awake. She'd find out soon enough what was going on. As she came upon the group, she finally saw it. Pairs of red eyes, blinking in the forest. It gave her shivers to look upon them, though she wasn't sure if they were deadly or not.

"What is it?" Amelia asked the group.

Jax's antics were beginning to frustrate the prince but the action of spinning him around to look at what he saw made Fredric even more enraged. Yes, there was glowing eyes, if you could call moonlight illuminating the shiny orbs of a wild animal glowing, then yes they would be glowing. So a wolf passing by, licking his lips at the thought of munch on Jax, but really passing by their camp in search of food or maybe even going back to its home. Animals are strange in that way but it could how ridiculous Jax looks in his attire.

“LOOK! We're not alone!” Is what the acrobat roared to the paladin while Jax pointed over Fredric's shoulder. Yes, it was a wolf starring at Jax.

Turning around and looking up at the skinny, but much taller, acrobat, Fredric scratched the back of his head for a few moments and grinds his teeth a little bit in annoyance. ”Jax...” The prince began with no sign of hiding how annoyed he is at the fool. Morning was fast approaching and it seemed like a good meal was needed for them to enjoy before they packed their horses and moved along to their new destination. ”Go fetch some water from the river.” The order was given calmly as the prince himself was letting what transpired to slide. There were more important things to be worried about anyways than a fool's false warnings.

Turning to the archer, Fredric scratched the back of his head while the young lady giggled at him and his frustration. She could tell he was trying to be the best leader possible for them and Fredric's job was no easy one. ”I'll make myself useful and go get some firewood!” The young girl said with a bit of excitement, probably more than the prince wanted but it was good that she found something to do and went off into the forest to accomplish the task. It seemed almost a dream that such a kind girl would be destined to destroy powerful creatures that have plagued the world of men centuries ago. Creatures with such terrible power that whole armies would fall to them.

Turning back to the acrobat before he left for drinking water, the prince had one more thing to add. ”After you have retrieved our water, pack my horse and wake the others. We need to start planning our assault on Castle Dovin.” Fredric said then knelt to the ground and poked the fire with a piece of wet wood and placed the rest of the wood in a circle inside the fire pit to dry, then ignite, and restore the fire to it's luster of life.

Yawning from being woken in the midst of false alarm, he looked at Amelia while rubbing his left eye and starring at her. As the sun raised, her body was showered with the illuminating glow of the heavens. Each of her physical features were highlighted and radiated with great beauty. The prince could not help but stare at her with a half open mouth.

Why am I surrounded by individuals that not know the complexity of war? Fredric asked himself with no actual answer to provide to himself for reassurance that the original core group had been selected through destiny for the task of destroying creatures who hold terrifying destructive power. He had his doubts, probably like the rest of them did. Kalus and Darke. Fredric was glad that those two were here as it gave him some leverage with strategic planning with fellow military officers. Their battle experience were helpful tools in coming up with a solid battle plan instead of blindly zerging their enemies and getting killing in the process.

Thinking of each of his companions and looking at their sleeping tents, it made him think of the lives they led up until now. Each of them look as though they had not shared the warmth of their bed with another. Another statement Fredric made to himself but one he made regarding the two women, the dark mage, and the acrobat. They seemed like they have not shared a portion of their life with another and it almost seemed unfair to Fredric that they were pulled into such a dangerous life.

How am I to lead this group to victory through the challenges we will face from a crazied warlock? Nevermind the machinations war against the Titans. Will we succeed? Fredric said to himself with more doubt. Doubt of success but doubt about a lot of things. The experiences in his dreams about a mysterious beautiful girl and of a feather and animal fur clothed man with pointy ears. Two beings that express their concerns for Fredric, both want him to shape a future for not just Riv'nar but for other kingdoms and nations as well who are being affected by the Titans. It seems their task is one of greater magnitude than he had thought and it is information which is best to be with held from the others. He is their future king, they are his citizens and soldiers. It is not their position to worry about the gravity of such a situation as saving the more than Riv'nar but the entire world they live in.

Looking down at the stoked fire, burning brighter than Jax's previous fire stabbing, Fredric had an expression of a calm and collected leader but also one deep in thought. Of course the young prince had a lot on his mind, attempting to absorb all the responsibilities of a king without destroying the loyalty of his companions. For now, Fredric understand that leading a group of individuals through something of this high in importance must be taken one step at a time. Mistakes will happen but the lesson learned is the more important thing.

When Darke finally awoke, the camp was already in motion. The fire outside of his tent was blazing strongly, and he could see Jax packing Prince Fredric's horse. Darke slipped out of his tent into the cold morning air, grabbing his swords and cloak as he went. The first rays of the sun were barely piercing the horizon, and the grasses at his feet were still wet with dew. He could hear the sounds of the forest beyond their quiet camp, the buzzing of insects and the annoying ballads of the crickets. Darke had always loved the mornings. They were the most peaceful and most beautiful times of the day, and one was usually free of their problems for at least a few solid, peaceful moments.

This morning, however, that moment did not last very long. For how quiet the camp was, Darke's companions were certainly moving with a purpose. Everyone, it seemed was already up and packing. Darke's was the only tent still standing upright. He wondered if they had left him alone because of his fit the night before. It couldn't be helped, though. He would just have to adjust his attitude in the future. After attaching his sword belt and cloak, Darke set about taking down his tent and packing up his scarce belongings. He didn't bother getting the extra bedroll back from Amelia; she would need in the nights to come and there was no sense in her coming to him every time they camped.

With his tent and bedroll tightly rolled and strapped to his horse, Darke looked back toward the fire to see what was going on with breakfeast. Unfortunately, at the moment there was nothing roasting over it. It seemed the Zephyr had been delegated the duty of hunting for their food, so Darke preoccupied himself with a small helping of his trail rations to ease his hunger. Then he looked for Prince Fredric. They would need to discuss their plans for the upcoming battle at Castle Dorvin.

Magus had only slept half the night. The 'gifts' of the Old Ones could be seen as more like curses, especially to the unfaithful, but having time to trance and sleep in one day was amazingly convenient and had little to no drawbacks. He had spent the intervening time studying the prayerbook he'd brought along, waiting for the third watch to come and ask for relief. It was one of the disappointingly few available an obscure library in the middle of nowhere that might possibly be interpreted as his demesne, even though it was owned by other servants of the Old Ones, but it had the advantage that Magus hadn't devoured it already. Describing the barbaric practises of a little-known Vindy sect, it contained a few of the invocations required to call upon their animalistic spirits, and more importantly, the weaknesses and strengths of such beings lest one should be opposed to them. Given that the non-intelligent dead weren't guaranteed to serve the Old Ones, it was more a matter of interest than utility, but interest was the primary purpose.

Naturally, he was roused from the book when Jax began shouting, as the dawn was coming. Something about eyes outside the barrier, staring in, and merely having it pointed out had rattled the world's sleepiest prince so it was likely important that someone rational was out there. It would be inappropriate to be on active service while not in uniform, so Magus took time to pull on socks and boots, and the robe, before stepping out just as alert as he'd been when he took first watch. He noted the red eyes, and thought nothing of them; it was probably just a side-effect of the circle having been up for so long. The spirits inside were probably getting a little anxious about being freed from their contract for the day, so he went to the exact centre of the protected area and whispered the relevant prayer to release them. The party were already moving before the circle fell, of course, but it wouldn't have harmed them anyway.

As he packed his bags, he noted that Jax was having to do packing duty for the prince, for the mere crime of reporting a quite possibly serious security breach. At least, quite possibly serious from his uneducated perspective.
Why do you not teach them?
"There is a reason the Cult is hidden."
I am aware of that. But not all men are fools like Fredric, who would reject the very sight of truth if it clashed with his ideals. Of course. He should have been examining the others all along, seeing who could bear to behold the knowledge forbidden by Heiron, who would rather have cruel truth than kindly lies. But that could wait, there was a warlock to fight this very day.

Heading off, he untied Sunny and loaded the golden mare with relevant saddlebags. She was a draft horse, bred to survive the long march while heavily laden rather than to move quickly; a little lower in quality than those ridden by knights, but Magus was not even a fighter, much less a knight, so he didn't need or expect an armoured steed. And if Soryin's dark craft was being directed at her, then all the armouring skill in Riv'nar wouldn't save her, not if he was nearly as competent as Magus in such arts. Well, unless he was also a very bad shot.

Humiliation.

That is the only way to describe the overwhelming feeling that hit the young acrobat as the prince exposed the true nature of Jax’s folly. It could not have been more ironic as the wolf stared towards them. No doubt as confused as the prince himself over the whole situation. He would be known by the group as the boy who called wolf.


“Jax... Go fetch some water from the river.” The prince decreed.

The tone and delivery of the command struck a chord deep within him. The prince was obviously annoyed with him but that was certainly no reason to treat him in this manner. What was it with the upper class to think that those born socially lower than they are at their bidding? Royalty are the worse offenders. Do this, do that! You would think I was created for their personal slave.

Upset as he was by the notion he still proceeded to carry out the task. He was clothed and fed and had made it through the night relatively unscathed. He was to be thankful for that at least. Better to tolerate the indignity for a few more evenings until they arrived at a destination. Once safely out of the wilderness he would be free to par ways. Jax had almost convinced himself to follow this course of action when a second wave of demands reached his enormous ears.


”After you have retrieved our water, pack my horse and wake the others. We need to start planning our assault on Castle Dovin.” Fredric issued an addendum.

The tall, lanky acrobat cringed at the thought. He didn’t seem to be ordering the others to fulfill his list. Jax had been reduced to the prince’s man servant. That was certainly not what he had in mind when he stumbled upon them. This man was to rule Riv’nar some day. What kind of leader treated his subjects in such a rude manner? With Fredric at the helm were we all to live in oppression under his rule?

The red headed boy fumed all the way to the river. Even after a couple trips back and forth to the camp his anger still raged inside. The first portion of his assignment fulfilled he prepared to carry out the next portion of his task. It was apparent that much of the camp was already awake by the time he had retrieved the needed water from the river. Throwing the saddle blanket high across the shoulders of the prince’s steed the young acrobat prepared to saddle the mount.

It was obvious; he was to be made an example. Jax really had little idea what he was doing. Mimicking the actions of the others he managed to cinch the belt tight around the girth of the noble steed. It would be just his luck that he had fastened something wrong and the prince would end up on his ass in the middle of their travels. The would-be ruler would certainly have all the reason he needed to lash out once again.

He was almost finished packing the mount when he spotted the Amelia. For some reason she didn’t seem to fit in with the others as well. Perhaps she could shed some light on the subject that was plaguing him. There was already dissention within the camp. He certainly didn’t want to stir up any more trouble.
“Why not? Time to poke the lion.” He mused to himself moving next to the alchemist.

“What’s your take on this prince Fredric?” He asked quietly leaning in closer to the girl. “Is he worth dying for?”

Amelia felt the agitation of the group, and decided it was best to avoid contact with anyone and everyone, as she had done when she was first brought to them. Darke seemed to have the same idea, though he didn't seem as used to it as she. Indeed, his movements seemed more choppy than his usual fluidity in action. Perhaps his embarrassment was hindering his ability to concentrate. Even Raine did not seem fit for company, though Amelia could not decide whether it was the upcoming battle or the previous argument that had everyone on edge. Either way, she had always fine on her own, and it was no trouble to keep to herself.

There wasn't much for her to do, but she made sure to busy herself when the prince looked her way. Was he glaring? She couldn't tell...but she decided to use the early morning light to search for any useful materials growing nearby. Searching the woods nearby had dual purposes: it would get her away from the group, and also replenish her resources.

She had quickly spotted some fungus that was useful in baking, and quickly went to harvest it. She hadn't had any bread in a long while, and this type of fungi made a great yeast. Thinking of the taste of bread left Amelia in a daydream, and she was startled when Jax was suddenly by her side, well into her personal space both physically... and emotionally.

Amelia couldn't help but sigh, a verbal gesture that revealed the sadness that this question stirred within her, as well as giving her time to form an answer to Jax's query. It wasn't an easy one. She sat back on her heels, the movement giving her an extra bit of space placed between them.

"I'm not the right person to ask...though I doubt anyone here would be the right person. Perhaps you aren't asking the right question though." Amelia placed her hands on her knees and leaned in a bit.

"To answer your question literally, I guess I have to tell you an important bit of information about myself. Everyone in my life that I felt was worth dying for has gone and died before me. So to ask me if this person, who I hardly know, is worth dying for...well, it is very hard to answer. On the one hand, no, he is not on the list of people I had felt were worth taking an arrow for. On the other...I don't feel very alive myself, so if I were in between Fredric and an arrow, I might not bother moving."

She leaned back then, feeling awkward yet relieved at having gotten that off her chest. "If however, you mean to ask, 'do I trust Prince Fredric', then the answer is: yes, so far. He's done nothing to suggest that he isn't worth what a prince should be worth to his kingdom, and his subjects."

Jax's face was hard to read, but if she had to guess, she imagined that he was bursting at the seams with thoughts, stories, suggestions, ideas, and whatever else it was he enjoyed talking about. She wondered what she had gotten herself into, and why she had suddenly felt being so truthful and talkative with someone she really didn't know.

"Did that help?"

She was right! There was a better way to put the question there was but he hadn't brought her that far yet. The question that question that would be better suited fell along these lines. "Would you trust him with your life?" That is the real question the red-headed acrobat was struggling with. His life was essentially in the prince's hand and he wasn’t fairing well at the moment. He listened intently as the brown haired girl leaned closer and spoke.

What Amelia revealed next set him back slightly. Lacking the desire to live changed the whole meaning of his question. She definitely was not the person to have asked but at the same time he was amazed that she conveyed something so personal to him in return. Jax was fighting to save his life while the young girl beside him was willing to throw hers away.

She used the word "Trust" in describing what she thought of Fredric. A notion the young acrobat struggled with. Could he follow this man without question? At the moment he could not. The man had belittled him. If the acrobat had proven to be a blue blood himself his treatment would have been far different.

For the first time in a while Jackson was at a loss for words. He was searching for the best possible way to further their discussion when an overwhelming urge hit him. He had felt it before earlier that morning. He couldn’t help be feel as though they were being watched.

Cautiously he glanced around the camp. The others we all accounted for preoccupied with their own agendas. They had little interest in the pair at the moment. He almost opened his mouth to speak when he remember the events of the early morning hours. The thought of the issuing a warning was like adding salt to an open wound. His mind strongly advised against the action.

The situation reminded him however he should be reporting back to his royal highness. He was sure they would be breaking camp soon and no doubt there would be other menial tasks which would be delegated his way. He did not want to taint or trivialize what the girl had divulged to him and words would only get in the way at this point. He simply offered a heartfelt smile in recognition of her efforts. It could not have been easy to open up in such a way.

“ I really should be getting back to the prince.” He explained as he stood not really wanting to cut the conversation short.

Having made it only a few small steps away he turned to add. "You wouldn’t have to make that choice.....I mean, the arrow.....I would take it for you!” Jax proclaimed as he scurried off towards Fredric.

When the rest of the group had begun to shuffle, slowly waking each somewhat around the same time- but not all- Zephyr too began to move. Though he had risen from slumber earlier, it was now that he would get to working on some other form of occupation. Most would be expecting him to hunt, which was both his pleasure and his duty. So the large Vindy slid up from the ground and quietly walked off into the woods, with his voulge and a large empty brown sack.

Ah, the beautiful scenery, the crisp smell of the air, and the soft lighting through the canopy of the trees. His eyes searched for motion, for movement, for an animal he could take down. He had taken with him, for this, his voulge. His large fingers were wrapped tight around the wooden handle, as he crept- if you could call the Vindy's crouched hunt creeping- through the woods. He could hear in the distance, something shifting. Moving, four legged. He expected it to be another deer of sorts- since they seemed to be a pretty common sight here. And if it was, then that was good. It would provide enough for all of them; better than a hare, or even a bundle of hares. And poultry was much harder for him to catch, seeing as they could fly, and Zephyr was mighty bulky to be jumping and chasing after something over his head.

He finally spotted it, and crept closer still. When the deer turned its head up curiously- a young buck- he wound his arm back and jolted it forward like a canon reeling from fire. The voulge darted through the air and caught the young male deer in the arm and chest, knocking him down and rendering him lifeless after only a short minute or two. Zephyr, pleased, moved to the dead animal and hefted him over his shoulder...


From there, he went to the stream and cleaned it, skinning the dear and bleeding it. Once it was clean and good for eating, he took it back to camp...

At the camp, he had returned, a large brown sack full of meat cuts from the deer. He sat down and looked around, searching with calm brown eyes for others. He then began to pull out the small deer steaks and shoulder meat, setting them on a clean cloth to be cooked...

Magus was no fool, even if he knew the dead better than he knew the living. It would not take a genius to see the level of anger and resentment in Jax, as Fredric made the acrobat his manservant for the day - a task hardly fit for a zombie, a mere vessel for a dark spirit so puny as to serve without even a mind just to taste life again. Certainly Magus would never have asked another living person to do such trivialities when he himself was capable, but then again, it was probably a result of being spoiled. The paladin had been a prince all his life, and known all his life that one day he would rule and be fawned over; Magus had been abused for so much of his childhood, and spent a great deal of his adult life on the move, with no one to consistently trust... not so much as a result of the faith; it was surprising how many would at least work with the servants of the Old Ones on normal terms, but there were still people searching for the person who murdered Sindri eight years ago, and one day one of them was going to recognise Joshua Greylance and put two and two together.

Meanwhile, Erik, being bored and not currently under orders from his master, was busily slaying and eating some insects; he still had the body of a bat, even if his mind was enhanced by its connection to a wizard, and he knew without having to ask what food was best for him. He happened to be far away from the party, and he overheard Jax and Amelia talking in hushed voices, about something that was obviously meant to be somewhat of a secret. Too hushed for a man to hear even this close, but that was part of why he'd never complained about his station in life. That, and being able to fly. He opened the mental link just as Magus watched Zephyr bring back today's breakfast.
"Master! Listen!"
"What is it?"
"The two new people... Acrobat Guy obviously resents the Prince, and what's her name, the brewer, is near suicidal. Says she trusts Fredric, but only 'cause she hasn't seen his mistakes yet."
"This latter is of more than a little use. However, we'd need to rebuild her wish to live before trying to make her see the light. Jackson, however.... Acrobat guy, would be perfect. Already he sees how the paladin's blue blood taints his decisions, as if those who must work to survive are inferior." Admittedly, one could argue that Magus had less reason to resent such an attitude than Jax. The acrobat was only a thief, not a murderer or an aide to the Old Ones; then again, Fredric didn't know about Magus' faith, or singular past crime, and it wasn't as if the Old Ones would rise again while mankind remained. "Wait on my signal. I'd rather Jax not know he was listened in on."

Eventually Jax, too, returned to the camp, although it was being dismantled by now. Amelia would inevitably be back too, as the party's best chef, but she wasn't who Magus was concerned with right now. Whispering orders to Erik, he kept a good enough tab on Jax's direction to be the first person the acrobat saw when he got back.
"Well then, Jackson, what do you think of our great leader?" Hopefully the man was perceptive enough to know the difference between deadpan sarcasm and deadly seriousness.

Kalus heard in his sleep the gryphon's soft karkling sound at the break of dawn. In one smooth motion the gryphon knight went from lying on his back to standing on his feet and setting about the morning tasks. When you live with creatures who rise with the sun, the habit rubs off. It was disconcerting to most people the way Kalus--most gryphon knights, in fact--went from waking to sleep and back again in such short order. Kalus lovingly petted and tended to his animal companion first thing, helping to smooth Aron's feathers and reestablish a mental link of communion.

That done, Kalus looked about to gather what the rest of the camp was up to. Packing up and getting ready to move out, it was. Kalus helped with the tents, admiring the beauty of the morning. The sun had crested the horizon, painting everything in fresh, sharp contrast. Kalus loved the smell of the morning, when the dew was still on the ground.

As Kalus worked and enjoyed the morning, he began pondering in his mind the coming challenges of the day. He wanted to be ready to offer advice whenever Prince Fredric about the assault on Soryin's stronghold. Reconnaissance would be a helpful factor in determining the appropriate strategy. An aerial view of the place could offer crucial pieces of information. The Chosen group might be the greatest warriors alive, but if they went into the battle rashly, they would end up just as dead as any company foolish enough not to use their every resource to its fullest advantage.

Kalus reminded himself of Amelia's alleged explosives. Those could certainly come in handy. As for getting into the stronghold in the first place, it might prove to be no more complicated than flying over the wall and opening the gate. Only time would tell. First they had to get there.

When the last tent was taken care of, Kalus cast about for a new occupation. Time not wasted is time well spent.

Everyone was busy doing their proper activities to get ready. Things were in motion without a word from him needed to be spoken. Zephyr's return forced the paladin to stand and walk to the shaman with a grin. ”Zephyr, thanks for finding us our meal so quickly.” Fredric was about to ask if he needed any help with preparation of the meat but the task seemed to already be finished. Fredric just grinned up at the giant proceeded to stake some of the meat around the fire, enough for each of them to have for one round of eating.

Sitting back on his log, Fredric perched both elbows on the knees and cupped one hand under the other and rested the chin upon all of it. Calculations. These were the things that were going through his mind and he needed to be more careful on the direction he pushes everyone. If an error is made in any calculation it could mean the death of them all and bring their quest to a crashing halt. The problem was he had no idea if the castle had changed since the last time he saw it, nor did he know the number of guards or viable entry points. However, Fredric knew through experience that every castle and fortress has a weakness to be exploited.

Fredric stood up and looked around at everyone. Things seemed to be in order alright and it was time for discussion. ”Everyone listen up! Gather around the fire while your meal is being cooked so we can discuss battle plans for the day.” The paladin said in a firm commanding voice while Raine giggled her way into the camp site with a bundle of wood in her arms. Her mood seemed to shed a smirk across his face but quickly faded as he turned and sat on his seat at the fire. He did not have the luxury for relaxing today until Soryin is destroyed.

As everyone slowly gathered around the fire, Fredric looked at each of them with such a serious glare. ”We have limited information to use for building a battle plan.” A pause was given to everyone before Fredric explained why. ”Numbers. We have an absence of numbers of our enemy. Because of this, we will need to gather this needed information. This is a job for Jax and Kalus.” Fredric said while looking between the two of them. It was perfect for the job as Jax and Kalus could determine the number of soldiers stationed around the castle, who are most likely goblins.

Fredric looked to Raine for a moment. ”Raine, if we need to I will require you to kill any soldiers that see Jax. You are his back up and support.” Their greatest source of strong magic was Magus and they needed to keep him in the back line as much as possible until they get into the castle. There was no point in fatiguing their only mage on unnecessary rift-raft. ”Anyone have anything else to add?” The prince said while scratching the back of his head. It was the extent of his battle plan so far against the castle and it was missing some things; mainly information on the castle.

Jax, returned to the camp, happy that it was almost dismantled by now. Once less job to be thrown his way he thought as he made his way towards the prince. He had prolonged the inevitable long enough. He could not avoid the prince forever .His mind was still reeling from his conversation with the alchemist when another ball for consideration was added to the mix he was juggling in his mind.

"Well then, Jackson, what do you think of our great leader?"

The question had come from an unlikely source, the mage who had given him the cloak. Magus if he recalled correctly. It was Amelia who had suggested there would not be anyone sympathetic to his cause in this camp. And yet, here the opportunity was starring him straight in the face. Coincidence or was it something much more?

“The king?” Jax fired back playfully knowing full well what the mage was really asking.

“Not much of a sense of humor for a jolly old fat man since you asking. Far too serious, he should lighten up a little. The prince here hasn’t fallen far from the tree. Daddy’s branch of authority seems to be wedged firmly up his-”

“Everyone listen up! Gather around the fire while your meal is being cooked so we can discuss battle plans for the day.”

The acrobat was interrupted in mid description by the prince’s booming voice. Just as well he was probably getting carried away with the analogy to begin with. Seeing the others begin to gather around the fire Jax cut the conversation short.

“Perhaps, later.” He suggested with a smile. “We really should see what all the fuss is about.”

Nearing the fire he was greeted with a glare from the prince. Jackson was quite certain he wasn’t the only one for whom it was intended. Then again he had been wrong before. As the prince began to describe the situation the young acrobat began to wonder exactly what he was doing there.

None of this plan involved him anyways. They were the ones called to this fight not him. He was simply along for the ride.He was an ample entertainer but certainly not a hero. That point was made abundantly clear earlier.

“This is a job for Jax and Kalus.”

The red headed youth’s head snapped around at what he had just heard. The prince had intended to send him in as point to gather information. It was thing to be the prince’s man servant but serve as his shield. He would take his chances in the forest alone before being volunteering for that task. He felt like a lamb being lead to the slaughter.

“Not to rain on your little parade here but, I must decline?” Jackson swallowed hard squeezing out the rest of the comment. “You have made it quite clear that I serve no greater purpose here. Surely, there has got to be a better way?”