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

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<<Tales of Riv'nar Logo goes here when finished>>

Tales of Riv'Nar: The Chosen

Tales of Riv'nar: The Chosen ((Out of Character))

Old RP Thread can be found here. ((Read this if you want to join. Will provide alternate reading method in the future.))

Maps of Riv'nar:
((Current Map Area))
((Full Map Here))

The Legend of Riv'nar:

Long ago in ancient times when Riv'Nar was created lived six creatures of absolute power called Titans. Their reign over the world nearly destroyed all life. The people of the world thought that the calamity brought upon them was vengeance from the gods for their selfishness. However, in these ancient times six brave champions stood up to face these Titans. Upon defeating the last Titan, the great and horrific Lich, the champions sealed away the essence of each Titan into ancient artifacts called Orbs. These orbs were created by the great ancestors of a powerful wizard organization.

A legend speaks of six brave heroes who will appear when the world is shrouded in darkness. Once peaceful skies rage with fire; rich earth becomes rotten and decayed; oceans boil over lands; forests cry with death; hatred inhabits the great deserts; mountains ache with extinguished life. These six brave heroes that appeared present the symbols of their heroism: the skull of the last human king of Riv'nar; a skeleton hand of a champion; necklace made of wyvern fangs; the great hammer of a fallen Riv'nar champion; a druid leaf; an eagle feather. These six heroes are chosen by destiny to rid the world of the vile darkness that has plagued it with destruction.

<more to come probably... not sure though..>

History of Riv'nar:

Long ago in ancient times when Riv'Nar was created lived six creatures of absolute power called Titans existed. Their reign over the world nearly destroyed all life. The people of the world thought that the calamity brought upon them was vengeance from the gods for their selfishness. However, in these ancient times six brave champions stood up to face these Titans. As each Titan was defeated, the champions claimed their Power Orbs that contained the essence of their owners.

As the champions defeated all the Titans and presented the Power Orbs to the Council of Order, it was declared that the Power Orbs would be sealed away in a powerful Spell Holding spell that would hide them in another material dimension. Celebration was held, for the champions of Riv'nar, and the king rewarded each champion with a castle and land to rule over. Rumors continued to spread around the land that not all the Titans were destroyed, that a seventh one still remained in the darkness. Monsters still roamed the lands but not in great numbers as they once did. Slowly and surely the lands returned to the way they once were.

Time passed by with years. Peace lasted for several hundred years without war or major conflicts. However, treachery always plots in the shadows for a way to surface and regain power. This is an inevitable part of mankind's nature to repeat parts of their history. So the legend and prophesy begins all over again. . . .

Chapter Reviews:
Chapter 1 -- (Incomplete)

[Guest]

Rules:

#1: PM your character using the following format.

Code:

[b]Username:[/b]
[Character Portrait here, if you have one]
[b]Character Name[/b] [First and Last name] [Post a detailed description here of what your character looks like. Give images with your profile if you feel it will help. The more information I have to go off in making your portrait the easier it will be to make it. Keep in mind that portraits may or may not be completely accurate to your description but I will do my best.]
[b]Age:[/b]
[b]Hair:[/b]
[b]Eyes:[/b]
[b]Height:[/b]
[b]Build:[/b]
[b]Class:[/b] [just make something up]
[b]Weapons:[/b]
[b]Character:[/b] [personality / behavior -- you got the idea]

(Bio are optional depending on the character but you can make it up as you go. If you make up your bio, then please keep it as simple as possible when revealing it in the RP.)

If you have questions on the limitations of characters then please ask in OOC thread about them. This way others can see the answers as well and it keeps me from having to constantly repeat myself.

#2: Shouldn't need to mention this but no god modding, super powerful characters, etc. Follow guild and gaia rules. Make beautiful fabulous posts if you can. Violence is acceptable to fit the situation just as romance but keep them PG-13.

#3: Announce if you're going to be less active in the RP. It doesn't take more than five minutes to post the notice in OOC or to PM me. It's just being thoughtful to the others in the RP. For the sake of the RP, people that are absent from the RP for five or more days will have their character taken over. In extreme cases, the character may be killed off or assign them to someone else. I really don't want to kill off a character if I can help it.

#4: I'm the ruler, the dungeon master, the god, the lord, the king of my domain. I can turn water to whine, stone to gold, and create life wherever I feel is needed in my RP. I'm the sole deity of my world and have the final say in all things, within reason of course.

#5: Respect people. If you aren't going to enjoy the company of others in my RP then I don't want you in it. Disrespect is a close friend to becoming a trouble maker.

#6: Use font size 12. This is the default font size on the website. Not hard to ask from everyone. If people struggle to read your post then you just have no place in my RP: simple as that.

#7: Have fun! That's right, I'm giving everyone in the RP the right to enjoy every wondrous word written in each and every post. To fully and completely enjoy a story unfolding before you. That's right. Soak it up cause you will love it.

[Guest]

Spell Components:

A spell's components are what you must do or possess to cast it. The Components entry in a spell description includes abbreviations that tell you what type of components it has. Usually you don't worry about components, but when you can't use a component for some reason or when a material or focus component is expensive, then the components are important.

Verbal (V): A verbal component is a spoken incantation. To provide a verbal component, you must be able to speak in a strong voice. A Silence spell or a gag spoils the incantation (and thus the spell). A spellcaster who has been deafened has a20% chance to spoil any spell with a verbal component that he or she tries to cast.

Somatic (S): A somatic component is a measured and precise movement of the hand. You must have at least one hand free to provide a somatic component.

Material (M): A material component is one or more physical substances or objects that are annihilated by the spell energies in the casting process. Unless a cost is given for a material component, the cost is negligible. Most spellcasters don't bother to keep track of material components with negligible cost.

Focus (F): A focus component is a prop of some sort. Unlike a material component, a focus is not consumed when the spell is cast and can be reused. As with material components, the cost for a focus is negligible unless a price is given.

Divine Focus (DF): A divine focus component is an item of spiritual significance. The divine focus for a cleric or a paladin is a holy symbol appropriate to the character's faith. For an evil cleric, the divine focus is an unholy symbol. The default divine focus for a druid or a ranger is a spring of mistletoe or holly.

Schools of Magic:

Magic is a complex regulatory system of laws. Each spell has side effects that an individual must understand. A spell can render the caster breathing heavily, immobilized, unconscious, or even dead. Spell casting follows the ancient language of elves. To know a spell you must first understand the language magic is written in. Since magic is such a complex regulatory system of laws, it has been broken up into eight main school categories: abjuration, conjuration, divination, enchantment, evocation, illusion, necromancy, and transmutation. Each category has their own regulatory system of laws that make up the regulatory system.

Duration of spells references to the time needed to cast for a particular spell. The longer the spell cast generally indicates the more powerful the spell is. Magic spells are placed into level brackets to help determine the strength of the spell. Spells range in level from zero to nine in strength of the spell's ability and side effects to the caster. Duration of a spell ranges from a couple seconds upon the words spoken to several minutes afterwards.

Abjuration: Abjurations are protective spells. They create physical or magical barriers, negate magical or physical abilities, harm trespassers, or even banish the subject of the spell to another plane of existence. Representative spells include Protection from Evil, Dispel Magic, Anti-magic Field, and Banishment.

If abjuration creates a barrier that keeps certain types of creatures at bay, that barrier cannot be used to push away those creatures. If you force the barrier against such a creature, you feel a discernible pressure against the barrier. If you continue to apply pressure, you end the spell.

Conjuration: Each conjuration spell belongs to one of five subschools. Conjurations bring manifestations of objects, creatures, or some form of energy to you (the summoning school), actually transport creatures from another plane of existence to your plane (calling), heal (healing), transport creatures or objects over great distances (teleportation), or create objects of effects on the spot (creation). Creatures you conjure usually, but not always, obey your commands. Representative spells include the various Summon Creature spells, Heal Light Wounds, Raise Dead, Teleport, and Wall of Iron.

A creature or object brought into being or transported to your location by a conjuration spell cannot appear inside another creature or object, nor can it appear floating in an empty space. It must arrive in an open location on a surface capable of support it. The creature or object must appear within the spell's range, but it does not have to remain within the range.

• Calling: A calling spell transports a creature from another plane to the plane you are on. the spell grants the creature the one-time ability to return to its plane of origin, although the spell may limit the circumstances under which this is possible. Creatures who are called actually die when they are killed; they do not disappear and reform, as do those brought by a summoning spell (see below). The duration of a calling spell is instantaneous, which means that the called creature can't be dispelled.
  
  
• Creation: A creation spell manipulates matter to create an object or creature in the place of the spellcaster designates (subject to the limits noted above). If the spell has a duration other than instantaneous, magic holds the creation together, and when the spell ends, the conjured creature or object vanishes without a trace. If the spell has an instantaneous duration, the created object or creature is merely assembled through magic. It lasts indefinitely and does not depend on magic for its existence.
  
  
• Healing: Certain divine conjurations heal creatures or even bring them back to life. These include heal spells.
  
  
• Summoning: A summoning spell instantly brings a creature or object to a place you designate. When the spell ends or is dispelled, a summoned creature is instantly sent back to where it came from, but a summoned object is not sent back unless the spell description specifically indicates this. A summoned creature also goes away if it is killed or if it sustains heavy injuries. It is not really dead when it goes away either. It takes 24 hours for the creature to reform, during which time it can't be summoned again. When the spell that summoned a creature ends and the creature disappears, all the spells it has cast expire.
  
  
• Teleportation: A teleportation spell transports one or more creatures or objects a great distance. The most powerful of these spells can cross planar boundaries. Unlike summoning spells, the transportation is (unless otherwise noted) one-way and not dispellable. Teleportation is instantaneous travel through the Astral Plane. Anything that blocks astral travel also blocks teleportation.

Divination: Divination spells enable you to learn secrets long forgotten, to predict the future, to find hidden things, and to foil deceptive spells. Representative spells include Identify, Detect Thoughts, Clairauddience/Clairvoyance, and True Seeing.

Many divination spells have cone-shaped areas. These move with you and extend in the direction you look. The cone defines the area that you can sweep in an area. If you study the same area for multiple minutes (unless otherwise noted), you can often gain additional information, as noted in the descriptive text for the spell.

• Scrying: A scrying spell creates an invisible magical sensor that sends you information. Unless noted otherwise, the sensor has the same powers of a sensory acuity that you possess. This level of acuity includes any spells or effects that target you (such as Darkvision or See Invisibility), but not spells or effects that emanate from you (such as Detect Evil). However, the senor is treated as a separate, independent sensory organ of yours, and thus it functions normally even if you have been blinded, deafened, or otherwise suffered a sensory impairment. Lead sheeting or magical protection (such as Anti-magic Field, Mind Blank, or Nondetection) blocks a scrying spell, and you sense that the spell is so blocked.

Enchantment: Enchantment spells affect the minds of others, influencing or controlling their behavior. Representative spells include Charm Person and Suggestion.

All enchantments are mind-affecting spells. Two types of enchantment spells grant you influence over a subject creature.

• Charm: A charm spell changes how the subject views you, typically making it see you as a good friend.
  
  
• Compulsion: A compulsion spell forces the subject to act in some manner or changes the way her mind works. Some compulsion spells determine the subject's actions of the effect on the subject, some compulsion spells allow you to determine the subject's actions when you cast the spell, and others give you ongoing control over the subject.

Evocation: Evocation spells manipulate energy or tap an unseen source of power to produce a desired end. In effect, they create something out of nothing. Many of these spells produce a spectacular effects, and evocation spells can deal large amounts of damage. Representative spells include Magic Missile, Fireball, and Lightning Bolt.

Illusion: Illusion spells deceive the senses or minds of others. They cause people to see things that are not there, not to see things that are there, hear phantom noises, or remember things that never happened. Representative illusions include Silent Image, Invisibility, and Veil. Illusions come in five types: figments, glamers, patterns, phantasms, and shadows.

• Figment: A figment spell creates a false sensation. Those who perceive the figment perceive the same thing, not their own slightly different versions of the figment. (it is not a personalized mental impression.) Figments cannot make something seem to be something else. A figment that includes audible effects cannot duplicate intelligible speech unless the spell description specifically says it can. If intelligible speed is possible, it must be in a language you can speak. If you try to duplicate a language you cannot speak, the image produces gibberish. Likewise, you cannot make a visual copy of something unless you know what it looks like.
  
  Because figments and glamers (see below) are unreal, they cannot produce real effects the way the other types of illusions can. They cannot cause damage to objects or creatures, support weight, provide nutrition, or provide protection from the elements. Consequently, these spells are useful for confounding or delaying foes, but useless for attacking them directly. For example, it is possible to use a Silent Image spell to create an illusory cottage, but the cottage offers no protection from rain.
  
  Glamer: A glamer spell changes a subject's sensory qualities, making it look, feel, taste, smell, or sound like something else, or even seem to disappear.
  
  Pattern: Like a figment, a pattern spell creates an image that others can see, but a pattern also affects the minds of those who see it or are caught in it. All patterns are mind-affecting spells.
  
  Phantasm: A phantasm spell creates a mental image that usually only the caster and the subject (or subjects) of the spell can perceive. This impression is totally in the minds of the subjects. It is a personalized mental impression (It's all in their heads and not a fake picture or something that they actually see.) Third parties viewing or studying the scene don't notice the phantasm. All phantasm are mind-affecting spells.
  
  Shadow: A shadow spell creates something that is partially real from extradimensional energy. Such illusions can have real effects. Damage dealt by a shadow illusion is real.

Necromancy: Necromancy spells manipulate the power of death, unlife, and the life force. Spells involving undead creatures make up a large part of this school. Representative spells include Cause Fear, Animate Dead, and Finger of Death.

Transmutation: Transmutation spells change the properties of some creature, thing, or condition. Representative spells include Enlarge Person, Reduce Person, Polymorph, and Shapechange.

[Guest]

Profiles:

Fredric Delryn ((Paladin))
Joshua "Magus" Greylance ((Deathmaster))
Raine Travoria ((Archer))
Zephyr Va'con ((Shaman))
Darke Corthala ((Swordsman))
Kalus Koune ((Gryphon Knight))
Amelia Velarde ((Alchemist))
Jackson Pye ((Arcobat))
Dronas Darkblade ((Goblin Swordsman))

[Guest]

Announcements:

Tales of Riv'nar: The Chosen ((Out of Character))

The OOC is basically for where discussion is conducted. This section is about important announcements that will be made. These announcements might include when chapters are about to begin, when plot discussion of a specific topic has been introduced, etc.

June 28, 2009: From this point on it will be increasingly more difficult to enter the role-play. The role-play is open for people to apply at all times, however, with the people I have in the role-play, I need to make it very clear to everyone else that might want to join in, along with those that are already in the role-play, to understand that sending in an application means you are committing enough time in to the role-play to help contribute to its development, rate of progression, and anything else to maintain the role-play's quality of entertainment.

The more someone contributes to the role-play the more fun it will become. I will use Alphariusthemad as an example of this. He knows what it means to send in an application and commit to a role-play. He is an example of the type of person I enjoy role-playing with because he is actively contributing to the role-play in his own way. This is not saying I'm favoring him or anything, just saying that your own level of involvement does play a role in how much you get out of being in my role-plays.

Since I never fully explained what I think is a good level of activity, I will say that a post every two days at minimum is fair. I understand that life issues do get in the way and may cause a post to be delayed a day and that's fine. However, if you think joining my role-play and posting once a week is cool then don't bother applying. Kriyalan has family members with health problems. These things are more important than my role-play. If you say you're gonna be gone for a few days or your post is going to be delayed by a day or two then commit to it.

I don't like being the asshole and I can easily do that if I have to. I'm just getting really frustrated with people posting one every week or two. These people know who they are. No justified reason for not telling me why. If I have no reason, then I just assume you aren't as committed to the role-play as I originally hoped. If you don't want to be in my role-play, then don't feel like you're hurting my feelings. Taliah already exited the role-play because of personal things and that's totally cool. Please, don't make me go out of my way in asking you why you haven't posted in a week or two. I made the third rule the way it is for a reason. No one likes people that hold up their entertainment and I for one get really frustrated and annoyed by it.

Last thing I want to point out is this. If you're in a lot of role-plays, then ask yourself this question: Am I taking on too many role-plays? If the answer is yes, find your limit and stick with it. Mine is personally two and sometimes three. I don't ever go over this limit because it's so damn rude to the people I role-play with if I'm the one holding everything up. Nobody likes their fun being hindered so don't hinder mine by trying to take on so many role-plays you can't keep up with them all. Don't blame it on something else cause that doesn't fly with me. You apply and start role-playing then I expect a certain level of activity from you.

Everything I said in this announcement is valid. I'm really not trying to be an asshole and everyone knows the things I've said apply to certain people more than others. Please fix your shit. I really don't want to ask people to leave and have to find replacements.

Note: The above announcement was created based on events that happened on Gaia Online. They still apply to everyone currently in the RP and future applicants.

[Guest]

Bestiary:

This is the listing of creatures that may or may not be seen in the world in which Riv'nar exists in.

Minions of the Lich Titan:

• Trolls Picture 1 Picture 2
  
• Goblins Picture 1 Picture 2
  
• Harpy Picture 1 Picture 2 Picture 3
  
• Skeleton Soldiers Picture 1
  
• Wyvern Picture 1
  
• Retriever Demon Picture 1
  
• Death Paladin Picture 1
  
• Spellcasters
  
• Insect monsters

Notice: More to come in time.

August 27, 2009 -- Note: This section actually might be turned back into a Reserved Post if it becomes too much of a hassle to maintain in future chapters. I might keep it up but never update it cause it really is only for the battle against the Lich Titan.

[Guest]

Reserved Post.

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Reserved Post.

[Guest]

Darke walked up to Kalus, looking over his shoulder as Amelia slipped off of her horse and walked away from the group. Darke didn't want to suspect her of foul play. He didn't think that she had a motive. The only way that could possibly work out was if they had been played for fools from the beginning: if Amelia was actually with Soryin and the goblins, and that there alliance was nothing more than an attempt for one of Soryin's minions, in this case Amelia, to assassinate the prince. Darke didn't think it likely...at least he didn't want to think it was likely. But he had to keep all possibilities open. He was going to have to keep a careful eye on the girl. He had, of course, overheard her conversation when she gave her explosive concoctions to Raine and Kalus. She was obviously skilled with dangerous types of alchemy.

Raine hadn't seemed overly worried either. From the expressions on her face, she seemed to think along the same lines that Darke had: first she scanned the area for any hidden attackers, and then she seemed to sense that there wasn't anything to worry about. The prince definitely did look tired. But Darke didn't think that the possibility of Amelia being an assassin had crossed her mind. Why would it? Amelia was small and unobtrusive. She seemed meek and afraid, but Darke knew she had a harder personality than she had so far shown. She had to have spirit to survive her captivity by the goblins. Of course, if it was a captivity at all. And Darke had noticed that Amelia had so far bonded to Raine like she hadn't with any others in the group.

Magus also seemed wary. Darke heard him chant a few words, though he couldn't quite make out what he said. He assumed he was trying to look for any signs of magic, something Darke couldn't offer assistance with. And the shaman, Zephyr, was standing off to the side, staring out into the trees. Darke wasn't really sure what he was doing, though he guessed that perhaps he was communicating with nature in some form. That was another area Darke was useless.

Kalus was walking up to the prince with Aron by his side. He looked as worried as the rest of the group, though he kept his thoughts hidden on his face. Darke couldn't tell if Kalus had the same suspicions as he did nor not. "Kalus," Darke said. "We do not have much time. If we want to make it to Soryin soon, we must continue. Do you think, perhaps, that Aron might be willing to carry the prince? He needs rest."

[Gadreille]

Amelia tried to stay out of the way, but she felt awkward. First of all, she knew she could mix up a drink that would replenish the nutrients in the prince's body. She had the ingredients in her bag, all she had to do is put them in his water canister and get him to swallow it. The hardest part would be the latter, but she knew she could do it. Though it would not help him with the lack of sleep issue, it would make his body stop working so hard to stay functional, and therefore would ease him back to consciousness. Even if the nutrients were not what he needed, it would not hurt him in any way.

Secondly, she couldn't help but feel Darke's icy stare as he assessed the situation. His eyes fell on her more than a few times, and she knew he was not praising her character. Sitting still made her feel much like a sitting duck, open to attack at any moment. Unfortunately, it was this that held her back from helping the prince. She did not want Darke to think she was further poisoning the man. They all knew, or suspected at least, that poison was her specialty.

She reached in her bag to start working, but then stopped again. Darke had walked toward her and frightened her from proceeding. She watched him as he moved closer...and then passed her up to go speak to the gryphon knight. She let out her breath again. Why was she so scared? She had done nothing wrong!

She decided she would not let this suspicious man get in her way of doing her job. She was asked to join them and what greater purpose did she have than keeping them alive in the ways she knew how? She pulled out three canisters, taking a pinch of substance from each one and pooling the bits into her left hand. She poured it in her own canister, letting the gritty material fall through her clenched palm and into the bottle. She put her hand over it and shook it up well, walking over to the prince as she did so.

She held up the canister to Raine. "It’s a mixture of complex nutrients; it will temporarily solve dehydration or malnutrition, if those are the problems…if not, it will at least give it some energy.” She let Raine decide if the prince should take it.

[Denyala]

Raine watched Darke with a curious expression. He was eyeing Amelia with a distrustful stare. Raine forced back a sigh. True, from a soldier’s standpoint Amelia might be the cause, but Raine trusted Amelia, even if it was foolish to do so. She’d been nothing but helpful thus far, and she was sure she’d continue to be so. Darke seemed to relax a bit and Raine decided not to sick her nose where it didn’t belong. Amelia would earn his trust in her own way.

Watching Magus, the archer was curious as to what he was doing. Her sight might be deadly, but her hearing wasn’t especially keen. Perhaps he was scouting, or perhaps he was summoning magic to cure the prince? She shook her head. No, Magus’ magic wasn’t like that… more likely to raise him from the dead. Raine felt a bit sick at the idea of the prince being a walking corpse. No, next time she was alone with Magus, perhaps she should let him know that if she died, she didn’t wish to be… reanimated.

Amelia approached her and the girl hadn’t realized the healer had even had time to put together a mixture. Perhaps she should spend less time daydreaming…

“Well, it can’t hurt,” Raine offered and paused, worried Darke or the knight might object to the prince drinking a odd mixture from their new ally. Hoping Amelia didn’t get the wrong idea, Raine took a small sip from the water canister. It was bitter, but with a slightly sweet aftertaste.

Several seconds passed and the girl felt…better somehow. More alert, less irritable. Perhaps the archer had been a little dehydrated. Instead of admitting that she failed at taking care of herself, Raine determined the mixture safe for the prince and knelt down to give it to him.

It was difficult, at best. Supporting his head with on hand she clumsily fed the water into his mouth, being sure to hold his jaw firmly shut so he would swallow it down. Most seemed to run out of his lips and down his chin, but Raine was fairly certain that she’d gotten a good amount into him.

“Maybe that will do the trick…”

[Guest]

The existence of magic did not surround Fredric's fatigued condition, a robbery of sleep was. A warm breeze blew over the forest floor as Fredric's brief moment of sleep was crushed by Amelia's liquid being fed to him by Raine. Coughing awake in Raine's arms, the man opened his eyes and looked up at her with a confused expression of what she had done and why he is laying on the ground and in her arms. Vision was blurry past Raine's beautiful face but soon the trees and other companions came clear to him. Sitting up and coughing a few times with arm wiping his mouth.

"What from the depths of hell happened to me?" Fredric put a hand to his head, as it hurt from the impact to the ground, and rubbed it. He was indeed alert, alert enough for battle, but it was not the same kind of alertness he would have gotten from a good night's rest.

Standing at this point and lending a hand to Raine to help pull her to stand next to him. The paladin simply put an arm on her shoulder and nodded in thanks. He was not sure if they came to his aide so quickly because he is the future king or simply one of their comrades. They needed to get to their destination for the day and get some proper rest so they may battle Soryin at their strongest point and it would be very folly to venture into an enemy castle at only a portion of their strength. So with this thought in mind Fredric walked over to his horse and paused for a moment before turning around.

"I'm sorry if I worried all of you. I did not get much sleep last night." A common problem among worrying leaders of the land. Evil was everywhere and it was part of the prince's job as a paladin to purge said evils without thinking twice. But it did raise the question in his mind of whether Magus was evil or not. He certainly seemed to carry all the characteristics of a dark sorcerer and still there was many gray areas around the death mage. Perhaps tonight everyone would learn more about each other and that probably was for the best in their quest to destroy powerful creatures called Titans.

Turning back around, the prince mounted his horse again and looked down at Amelia. "You may ride with me again if you choose." Looking at Darke for a moment and giving the horse a command to walk backwards so he may talk to him. "Captain Corthala, I wish a private audience with you." It was nothing serious, nor was it about any of their fellow heroes. Fredric was so alert that he remembered what the man had original said to him at the table. "Please mount and ride with me captain," Fredric commanded the horse to walk up next to Amelia to see what her decision was. It was probably best for her to ride with Raine for the time being as her prince discusses important future decisions of Riv'nar. Kalus, of course, is always welcome to listen in on them.

[Kalon Ordona II]

Kalus had been about to resist Darke's request to have the Prince ride Aron, his gryphon. It was not out of jealousy, rightful or otherwise--after all, the gryphon knight had let Amelia ride Aron when she was in trouble. It was that Kalus wished to take flight and scout the area for possible threats. Kalus wasn't sure whether Fredric was just exhausted, or whether it was as Magus said and there was magic involved, or whether it had indeed been some sort of physical attack. Whatever the case, Kalus didn't want to take any chances.

It turned out, however, that Fredric awoke before Kalus could say anything. Kalus looked over to see Raine pulling a canister away from the Prince's lips. Water? Amelia was off her horse, standing near Raine, brushing bits of herbs and powder from her hand. Kalus looked back at Fredric, connecting the dots. It would seem Amelia was to thank for the Prince's prompt recovery. Kalus looked toward her, locking eyes, and was persuaded of the truth of it. Kalus nodded his sincerest thanks to Amelia, even as Fredric nodded his thanks to Raine.

The Prince remounted. "I'm sorry if I worried all of you," he said. "I did not get much sleep last night."

Kalus remounted the gryphon in preparation to depart. Then he heard the prince calling for Darke. "Captain Corthala, I wish a private audience with you." Kalus pressed Aron gently forward, taking a place slightly behind and to the side of Darke and the Prince. He knew Fredric would wish him to be aware without being intrusive.

[Alphariusthemad]

Magus was actually surprised to find no magic in the air, and he sat there for a moment in shock as he realised that. At least if it had been a curse, he'd have been able to do something to get this group on the road again, but no, it was just Fredric suffering a conveniently timed bout of narcolepsy and cured by equally mundane means. Well, if you could call Amelia's brews mundane. Certainly she'd just given more reason than the party had before to trust her - she could just as easily have forced deadly poison down the paladin's throat.

Fredric turned around and spoke to the whole party, confirming that yes, he'd simply had a bad night's sleep. The fool. Once again he had slowed down the party by failing to inform them of something. Maybe even put them at risk - if that warlock was magically stalking them, and found out they had a man down, the whole party was good as dead.

For politeness' sake, he let the prince take Darke away for a little private chat. It wasn't as if Magus didn't have his own secrets, so he allowed it to pass. Then Kalus mounted up on Aron, apparently wanting to scout around - something Erik was already doing - and instead decided to go listen in on the two other warriors chatting. That left Raine, and Zephyr, and Amelia; the shaman was staring at trees, but would probably listen. The alchemist would have to get over her fear of the dark if she stuck around for very long.

"Amelia, thank you for solving Fredric's problem so quickly. However, it strikes me that he should have mentioned this before." Given the distance, and the body language, Magus really was inviting interruption from the shaman or the ranger as well as the alchemist. "If we'd known he hadn't slept, you could have had something ready - maybe even down his throat - before the journey began." Had Fredric not chosen right that second to go and chat with his little posse of warriors, he'd probably have heard the criticism. Given how he'd reacted last time Magus pointed out his shortcomings, it was likely better he didn't hear it this time.

[Guest]

Darke heard coughing from behind him. He turned quickly to see Raine kneeling over Prince Fredric, one hand supporting his head and the other holding a small bottle. Fredric’s eyes were open, and Darke saw that the coughing was coming from him. Darke eyed Amelia. She was standing near Raine, staring back at him with a look Darke couldn’t quite make out. The prince sat up and wiped his mouth off. “What from the depths of hell happened to me?” Fredric asked. The prince rubbed his head with one hand; Darke assumed the pain was from the fall off of his horse. He felt guilty for having so quickly assumed that it was Amelia. But, at the time, he had nothing else to go off of.

Raine helped the prince stand up, and he placed an arm over her shoulder to keep his balance on his obviously unsteady feet. The prince seemed physically and mentally drained: his skin was pale and his eyes seemed unfocused. The man looked like he was approaching death. Darke was certain it couldn’t be from a simple lack of sleep. He had seen those symptoms many times over the years. There was something more to this.

Darke still wasn’t sure about Amelia’s motives for harming the prince. Either she had helped him to cover up her act, or this was still part of her plan. If, Darke reminded himself, she was responsible at all. Darke shook his head, forcing a smile onto his face. What was he thinking? Amelia poisoning the prince? Darke realized then that he hadn’t slept that night either. He was in no condition to place judgment on anyone.

"I'm sorry if I worried all of you,” Fredric said. “I did not get much sleep last night." The prince turned back to his horse and remounted. Darke wanted to protest, but it wasn’t his place. He was here to support the prince, not coddle him or argue with him. Fredric looked down at Amelia again. “You may ride with me again if you choose,” he said to her. Nudging his horse and pulling back on the reigns, the prince had his horse step backward toward Darke.

"Captain Corthala, I wish a private audience with you,” Fredric said. Darke wondered what this could be about. Was the prince finally ready to tell him what was troubling him? Or did he have suspicions of his own concerning what just happened? It was likely, Darke thought, that it had nothing to do with that at all. The prince had a one-track mind: this conversation would be about Soryin. What had just happened was now a thing of the past, no longer relevant to their current situation. "Please mount and ride with me captain," Fredric said as he spurred his horse forward again, toward Amelia. Darke nodded toward the prince, though he had already turned away, and moved toward his horse. Darke really wasn’t sure what to do. He figured the best thing would be to talk to Amelia. If she wasn’t responsible, then she would be the best person to keep the prince on his feet until they could return home.

[Klikxx]

Jackson was not one to be overly calm in situations of confrontation. He was much too high strung for such composure. Having passed through puberty as an odd looking duck didn’t help his nervousness any. He had received his fair share of beatings growing up. Perhaps these beatings could be attributed to his out of the ordinary physical appearance. It was far likelier it was the lack of a proper filter upon what he spewed forth his lips when he got his hackles up.

Today was really no different as he found himself in a precarious position once again. This time however it was not because of his looks or his mouth, but because of his hands. Hands caught in the possession of the King’s finest pipe. Not a conscious snatch by any means, but insolent all the same. When one disrespected royalty there were consequences that followed.

His body ached from the beating he had received before being thrown into the dark transport. The hard rough floor of the carriage floor burned against his bare skin as he bounced and slid around during their hasty travel over the rough roadway. This would surely be the end of me Jackson thought as he struggled to loosen the knots of the rope used to bind his hands together. His longs agile fingers were trained for such tasks.

Peeking as best he could from underneath the blindfold which was tightly wrapped upon his head he struggled to catch his bearings. The constant jarring of the carriage as it navigated the rough terrain made the task more difficult than it seemed. Jackson managed after a short time to make out the shapes of the two armored guards. They were probably the same two thugs that initiated his beating before being extradited from Fortress Rourin. Judging by the haste of their journey they were given specific orders to dispatch the intruder quickly. But where were they taking him and more importantly how much time did he have?

Not one to sit idly by while others determined his destiny Jackson spoke up. “It’s all been terrible misunderstanding fellas. Maybe you can just let me……UGHHH!” His train of thought was interrupted as a large boot inserted itself forcibly into his ribs.

“SHUT UP MAGGOT! If you know what’s good for you” The stern reply of his assailant reached his ears through the pain. “You’re lucky your not dead yet.”

Not dead yet? Those words rang ominously clear in his ears describing a future he would rather not partake of. It was clear that he was not mean to walk away from this situation. It was also apparent that he didn’t have much time. It was now or never in his early assessment. He was not ready to die.

Fighting to his knees he whimpered his request. “At least allow me to look upon the face of those who are to take my life.”He could feel that the ropes which bound him earlier had significantly loosened and he fumbled carefully behind to find the latch. Soon he had found his mark. With it he could hear the carriage make its way across the shallow pass of the river.

“What’s the matter you gutless swine! Can’t you grant me a last request before my execution? Or is it easier for a coward such as yourself not to look upon…..”

The guard ferociously roared as he swung his gauntleted hand across Jackson’s face. The blow was strong enough to force the blindfold upward and send the skinny man backwards. Unwittingly the man had given Jax what he wanted. He pulled on the latch upon feeling the contact and spilled backwards out of the transport. With a splash he found himself within the cool clear waters of the river.

Gracefully he continued the roll until he landed swiftly back upon his feet. He could see the angry guard scoffing his displeasure as the carriage proceeded without its cargo. They had not made any indication of turning around not that such a task would be an easy feet. Then thought then occurred to him. What had he really accomplished?

He now found himself who knows where naked and defenseless. He reached down into the rapidly flowing waters and grabbed three smooth stones from the river bed. There were plenty of stories of brigands and bandits in the parts. Not that he had anything to steal. The locals also talked of goblins that inhabited the forests as well. Now they were a different story.

“WAIT! WAIT! You can’t just leave me here to die like this!”

He panicked with recognition he had not accomplished anything at all. He ran up the worn path tossing a couple stones after them. Pursue as he may it was all in vain as he kicked the rough surface in disqust. Jackson stood dusty and naked in the middle of the well traveled trail. One thing was for certain he could not go back from where he came.

[Guest]

As Darke and the prince road together, there was a long pause between them. It was the prince that broke the silence with a question. "My good captain, loyal to the king and your prince, I remember your words this morning about the goblins. What is it that you think should be offered to them? Is freedom not enough?" Fredric was inexperienced in this matters, unlike his father, so opinions from his loyal commanders would be nice to have. A long pause was between them and Darke's answers would help him come to a decision.

The situation with the goblins was certainly a fragile one indeed. Fredric believed that through actions under his father's rule that they would learn that Riv'nar is a home to them just as much as Shardpeak Island. As the two warriors road side by side, the prince determined it was a good enough topic of any to discuss with the man that brought it up earlier in the day. Fredric's one track mind made him socially very predictable.

Looking to the captain, Fredric smirked. "You believe that an offer of freedom and equality between them and the other races of Riv'nar is not a good gift to bestow them?" Fredric could tell that the sun was high in the sky and that meant half their day light was gone. Rain was most likely to come tonight, thought Fredric. They did have tents for that particular reason so they would sleep dry tonight at least.

A gaze fell upon his horse and a hand brushed through the mane of the beast with a smile on his face. Everything about these lands the prince loved. The people, the plants, the animals, each blade of grass, every stone and pebble, and even the wind that blew between the trees. Everything he loved and wanted to protect against any evil that threatens the peace of his people. Fredric already was adamant on protecting the lands and his people by any means necessary and that no evil would ever be safe from him.

[Gadreille]

Amelia put her hand up as a declining gesture to the Prince's offer. The first ride didn't go so well, and the fact that he wanted a private discussion didn't help matters any. She was in the way, and she could tell Darke was still wary of her faithfullness to their cause. With good reason. She had already admitted to the Prince, there was nothing in her life that she cared about, nothing to prevent her from leaving the cause beside her own morality.

She looked to the others, deciding who to ask to allow her to ride with them. Kalus, Darke, and the Shaman were out - the former two because they were part of the conversation, the latter because his horse could hardly carry him alone, let alone her as well. Not only that, but she'd yet to speak to him. Though she was frequently forced to ridewith strangers, she admittedly was not used to it. She would have to seek transportation with someone else.

That left Raine and Magus. For the first time since she had joined the group, Magus had spoken to her. He had thanked her for helping the Prince, and commented on the Prince not conversing his issues with the entire group. She had to agree with him; her job would be more simple if she knew the ailments before hand.

"Don't mention it. It's what I'm here for. Though I do have a request." She turned to face both Magus and Raine. "I don't want to ride with the Prince any more. I just want to stay out of the way as much as I can. Could I ride with one of you? I want to ride with whoever will be less hindered with me on board." She would let them decide who was stuck with her. She would have just asked Raine straight away, but she knew that if Raine needed to use a bow on horseback she would be in the way. Magus didn't need much room for movement when conducting his magic, but she didn't want to force herself into his personal space. Truthfully, she was still frightened of him.

[Denyala]

Raine nodded silently to the mage’s opinions. It was true, things would have been simpler and much less stressful had they been aware of the prince’s condition before hand. And yet, many warriors rely on endurance and strength of will so much that they’d never admit to human frailties. She herself was guilty of that. Had she not fallen asleep in a new ally’s tent instead of admitting to herself that she needed sleep?

“I agree that the prince needs to keep us informed, but if the prince did not realize how frail he was, how could he let us know?” Raine offered. She kept the opinion that the prince was too closed up to herself… She believed Magus had a small dislike or distrust of their leader and she didn’t want to fan the flames. In truth though, Raine was getting a little tired of the prince’s private audiences. Weren’t they all on the same side? Why must he hide something from any of them?

Amelia brought the archer back to the present. An interesting question, to be sure. Raine was agile, and needed movement to be of any use in battle, but she knew the young woman was not a fan of Magus. She was torn. Finally deciding that in the worst case scenario, Raine would be forced to slow and drop Amelia off her horse, the girl gestured to her horse. “You’re welcomed to ride with me. If it proves to be a problem, we can go from there. Hopefully we can find you your own steed soon,” Raine commented idly. Who knows if they would reach a city or town anytime soon, but she sure hoped so…

[Klikxx]

It had been several hours since his unlikely escape from sure death. His feet ached from the travels along the rough stony shores along the banks of the river. Jackson spied a large flat rock that seemed as good a place as any to rest his weary dogs. The area he found himself in provided little shade at the moment. But it would have to suffice.

The blazing sun had reached its zenith marking mid day. The sweltering heat it brought with it was beginning to take its toll and Jackson. Even the frequent dips into to cool waters that marked his path were becoming less and less refreshing to his battered body. Staggering his way up the shallow grade he mad his way towards his destination.

“Rest at last” he gasped quietly.

He slumped down upon the smooth surface too tired to use his hand to control the short fall. The muscles in his butt cheeks squeezed tightly in response to the searing sensation he now felt burning through his bare backside. He now fought frantically to get his hands into a position to leverage himself from the hot surface of the slate slab. “WOAAHHHH!” he shrieked in a high pitched squeal as he launched himself upward.

Indignantly he looked over his shoulder in disgust at the inanimate assailant. Rubbing the braised skin only made it feel worse as he hurried back down to the water to quench the fire now raging behind him. He was beginning to believe a quick death would be better than this. Gingerly lowering himself into the shallow rushing waters he soon found some much needed relief from the self inflicted pain. Note to self. Don’t be pulling a dumb ass move like that any time soon.

Jackson had barely enjoyed the soothing sensation of the passing water when a disturbing sound reached his ears. It sounded like loud talking but he could not be sure within the noisy confines of the river. Slowly he made his way upstream carefully moving along the shoreline. As he made his way around a bend in the river he was able to make his way closer using a fallen tree as cover.

It was definitely voices that he had heard but he was unable to understand what they were saying. He squinted as he searched through the shifting shadows to determine just what it was he had stumbled upon. He watched as one of the short figures snatched a large fish out of the water throwing it to the shore. The other seemed to laugh as he to scurried along the shallow waters chasing what appeared to be another. It wasn’t until he doubled back in pursuit did he realize what he was dealing with.

“Goblins.” He muttered distastefully.

He was about to turn tail and head back from whence he came when he received a menacing message from within. The ominous report came to him in the form of a persistent growl as his stomach voiced its plans. It had been more than a few hours since his last meal and the thought of fresh fish seemed appealing. Even as he weighed his options he could not ignore the fact that he was hungry.

The red headed youth quietly made his way onto shore and used as much stealth as he could muster to get even closer. He managed to situate himself behind a large tree near the flailing salmon as he prepared for action. After a couple quick glances to make sure the coast was clear he pounced upon his prey. Scooping it up in his large hands was easy as he brought the struggling catch closer to his chest. Success he thought as he turned to return to the sanctuary he had left momentarily.

Jackson had not on the pair succeeding as quickly as another fresh specimen landed at his feet. He could feel the hair on the back of his neck stand on end as he realized he had been caught in the act. Still he had to know for sure glancing back as he tip toed away. His assumptions were correct witnessing the two goblin fisherman stood unbelieving at the sight. The shock wore of quickly as they raised their voices and began pursuit.

The frightened lad was no longer worried about silently slinking away as he broke out into a full fledged run. He was about to find out if the old adage that one could run faster scared than the angered party that followed. That might have held true had he been wearing shoes. His soft white flesh provided little protection against the sharp protrusions upon the forest floor. The natural caltrops effectively changed his gait and slowing him down. He was loosing ground quickly.

In desperation Jax tossed the stolen meal over his shoulder toward his pursuers in the hope that they would break off the chase. They ran right by the offering not even slowing to catch a glimpse. He now realized that he was to be their next meal and not the fish. If only he could hold out until nightfall. Perhaps under the cover of darkness he could slip past and loose them. The problem was he was tiring quickly.

It was becoming very clear that he could not simply our run his opposition. A new plan was in order. Without hesitating he quickly searched out a viable perch. Goblins were not well known for their climbing prowess or so he had been told. Perhaps it would buy him the time he needed. Finding a suitable candidate he was up the trunk as if he himself were part squirrel.

They had cornered their prey now it was just a matter of getting him down. It took several attempts before one of the goblin managed to get a foothold and pull himself up into the branches. That put one myth to rest. Goblins could in fact climb, just not well.

The further the brave soldier made his way up the great pine the higher Jackson climbed to find sanctuary. Running out of room Jackson reacted as any squirrel would at the invasion of his privacy. He began to chatter.

“Let me be you foul smelling beast!” He Screamed.

“AHHHHHH” He shrieked even louder in a shrill tone as he kicked away the clawed hand reaching for his foot.

“SHOO! SHOO!”

[Alphariusthemad]

Magus said nothing further as Raine gave Amelia a place on her saddle. He wasn't about to offer anyway, not after seeing how uncomfortable the alchemist felt around him. It was understandable - few people could truly claim to like being reminded of the inevitability of death, or the power of dark magic, and he embodied both. Sort of. At least, insomuch as Zephyr embodied nature, or Fredric the kingdom.

For a moment, he was at a loss to what to say next. The party wasn't likely to move very far until Fredric was done with his secret little chat, and Erik was busy looking elsewhere so he couldn't relay any pertinent details to the group.

Then his eyes glazed, and he was somewhere else entirely.

Erik was still scouting around, and therefore so was a tiny part of Magus' consciousness, lodged irrevocably in the back of his familiar. It was the bat who first noticed a tall, naked youth with a big nose trying to steal something, and the bat joined the goblins in pursuit. For a moment, it just hovered, 'staring' through a few ultrasound screeches as Jackson was surrounded. For a moment. Though blessed with some of its master's intellect, it was still largely a bat, would still take a very long time to find its own insights if it did so at all.

Lucky for Jackson, the spirits intervened.

Such a pitiable man...
Another servant for the cause, perhaps?
A corpse for the Magus!
No! Master! MASTER! Whaddo I do?!

The sound and feel of slapping one's face with the palm of one's hand was transmitted along the mental link.

I am here. Is this man of specific importance?
No, but gobbos gonna kill him! Can't just let him die!
...No, I suppose not. It would be a waste if he had any knowledge or skills we could use. Tell the goblins to offer him a surrender, and bring him back to the camp alive.

Being a magician's familiar, Erik was more magic than bat, and had picked up many little secrets from Master's brain. One was the secret of speech. Indeed, although high-pitched, squeaky, and with an inhuman undertone, it had the same accent and intonations as Magus.
"Master says don't kill this guy!" It hadn't quite got the verbal patterns down though.

Another facepalm went through the mental link.
Giving you a little bother, is he?
Maybe you want a replacement?
Erik, try again, and please use these exact words...

[Guest]

Darke listened intently to the prince's query on the nature of his question earlier that morning.
"My good captain, loyal to the king and your prince, I remember your words this morning about the goblins. What is it that you think should be offered to them? Is freedom not enough?" Darke thought about that as the prince continued, reinforcing is own question. "You believe that an offer of freedom and equality between them and the other races of Riv'nar is not a good gift to bestow them?" It was a complicated question, with an even more complicated answer. And Darke had been more sure of his own standing on the issue when he had actually been there with the goblins, talking to them and hearing their own responses...at least the ones that were pertinent to the issue. Is peace and equality really enough, Darke thought to himself? No, Darke realized. All he had to do was remember the Vindy Wars, and any other war in history where a "lasting" peace was formed. Freedom and equality were always handed out like they were the answers to everyone's problems. They were, in fact, still empty promises.

"As you well know, my prince, it is beyond me to make decisions for your kingdom. My job is to make sure that the king's decisions, put into laws, are enforced. However...as your loyal friend I do feel it is my duty to offer you advice when I think it may be helpful in some way." Darke didn't want to the Fredric to feel that he thought the prince was incapable of making these decisions himself. In the prince's present condition, tired and burdened with the weight of duty, it would perhaps cause more strain than necessary. Darke could possibly make the prince feel as if he were trying to usurp him. That was the last thing Darke wanted him to think.

"The freedom and equality that you offer the goblins are empty promises unless they are enforced someway. You cannot tell them they are free to live in your lands and then leave them on their own to carve out their own little niche: quite possibly the only backwater area that Riv'nar's prejudiced and wary people will allow them to live. You must remember, Fredric, that a majority of the people of Riv'nar are not blessed with the intelligence and insight that grace you and your father, the king. They may see your peace with the goblins as a sign of weakness, or perhaps a mistake. They may revolt. You will have to assure them that it was the right thing to do, that you made that decision properly. You must be ready to force these two groups, the people of Riv'nar and the goblins, to live cooperatively and peacefully." Darke suddenly realized he was sounding a little commanding. He stopped his lecture and took a deep breath.

"What I'm trying to say is that they need a helping hand in establishing themselves. They need laws to justify their presence, they need not only their own land, but access to human cities and buildings. And your own people need assurances and justification that allowing these goblins into their homeland is a safe thing to do. All of this may be a long time in coming, but without it this peace will never come to be. You will simply be inviting a war into your own home."

Darke nodded slightly as he finished with his little speech. He wished he could offer a little more to the prince, something solid that the prince could do that he knew would help. But that simply wasn't his area. Darke had little patience for politics. Outside of the battlefield, he didn't really understand the actions of people. He could only hope that what he offered the prince would be enough.

[Guest]

As both men moved further to their destination towards a spot to rest for the remaining day, Fredric listened, absorbed, and processed the words coming from Darke. It gave insight to Fredric on how unprepared he is for leading the entire kingdom himself upon succession to the throne. He would need to learn the virtues his father told him about in order to become a leader the prince's father could be proud of.

As the paladin mulled over the information after Darke was done talking, he smiled and nodded. "I see that much of running a kingdom is beyond my own scope of understanding. My father's attention to me was merely an overseeing position to my paladin training with The Order. I suspect our journeys will mature all of us with the wisdom and knowledge of the world. What you say gives me much to think about."

Although the prince was inexperienced in leading a kingdom, he simply could not lead it by a military point of view. Perhaps during times of war that would work but Riv'nar was not always a waring kingdom and the last of her great wars was between Vindy and humans. However, Fredric viewed their quest to destroy Titans a war in and by itself. A thought did occur to the young prince and it was better than merely passing the decision off for a later date. It was well known that even King Delryn had his advisers, often wise military generals or members of the magi order, to help him run the affairs of the kingdom. Fredric knew this, Darke knew this, Kalus knew this. Most of the citizens of Riv'nar knew this simple fact as a kingdom as large as Riv'nar could not simply be ran by one person but the final decisions are.

"Captain, I am grateful for your answers. I believe they will help direct me to the correct solution and for now all we can do is wait until we see my father again and speak of it. I suspect the rest of our fellow destined heroes must know of this." Fredric paused for a moment with the soft smile flushed across his features.

"As you said, it could be a war invited upon our home and it would be unwise to willing bring such problematic issues to our people." It was obvious that such experiences, like with the goblins, are foreign to him and take him a while to understand. Fredric was, by default, a paladin prince rather than one of politics. The passion of saving his people and vanquishing evil from the world directed his energies forward.

Looking again at the swordsmen, Fredric spoke once more."We will setup camp soon, as we must be halfway to Castle Dovin by now. It is better to be fully rested for combat than to dive into a situation unprepared. I have already demonstrated this mistake to everyone." It was already mid-day and Fredric knew that part of waging war including resting each your mind and enjoying life for what it is. He needed rest anyways and it would give him the chance to catch up on sleep that he had lost and perhaps this time he would receive no interruptions while doing so.

[Denyala]

Raine helped Amelia onto her horse with a friendly hand. Her horse shook it's head slightly, but otherwise paid no mind to the extra weight he was now carrying. She had a find beast of burden...who's hair was still braided from when Raine was bored. Well perhaps she could chat with Amelia this time, if the woman was willing. Raine wasn't silly enough to force her presence on someone who didn't want it.

It looked as though they would be setting up camp soon. While Raine felt fairly rested, she was glad they were stopping to let everyone become so. The prince obviously needed it, and it looked as though perhaps Darke and the gryphon knight might need some as well. She had a sneaking theory that they had stayed up far too late with the prince.

Peeking over her shoulder at the young healer, Raine grinned sheepishly and asked, "You wouldn't happen to know how to cook would you? I'm simply dreadful at it."

Raine would help set up camp, something she was very good at, but she couldn't provide the men with a meal. A slain deer, yes. A cooked and tasty deer? Not exactly.

[Kalon Ordona II]

Kalus agreed with everything Darke said, as it pertained to the new alliance Fredric was forming. However, he still wasn't thrilled about having goblins as allies. Kalus had a feeling humans and goblins were incompatible as neighbors, and especially among commoners the peace between them would be shaky at best. As far as Kalus was concerned, it would take even more work than Darke suggested.

There were other tribes of goblins besides the ones Fredric had made peace with. Goblins raided small outlying towns. Goblins haunted forests or inspired strange tales around mountain caves. Goblins peppered children's stories with a dose of fear.

They were not the same, goblins and humans. Just as humans and Vindy were not the same. They might all have minds and hearts, but they were different beings, through and through. Kalus was learning to accept goblins' right to existence, but it would take more than promises and laws to forge peace.

Kalus was tired of thinking about it all. It'd been too long since Kalus had spent time in the sky with his gryphon. Flying during the goblin fight didn't count; it'd been two days and three nights since they'd really flown--alone, together, and free. Now that everyone was setting up camp, Kalus finally had a chance to fly with Aron, and he wasn't going to waste it. Kalus did his part to set everything up, and then he remounted the gryphon. Aron flapped his wings. "I'll be back in an hour," Kalus announced. They'd probably think he would be scouting the area, and he would, a little... but the man couldn't keep a boyish grin off his face as knight and gryphon whirled about and took to the sky.

[Gadreille]

Amelia thanked Raine for allowing her to share her horse. She glanced back at Magus to give a polite nod anyway, but he seemed suddenly preoccupied. She wondered if she should be worried, but since no one else was, she paid it no mind. Amelia felt guilty that she had such an aversion to the man. She supposed that there was a reason for it: her core being was exact opposite of his. He was an expert in death. In her job, death was avoided at all costs. Preserving life was her specialty.

She took Raine’s hand and swung up onto the horse behind its original master. She looked over Raine’s shoulder at the horse’s mane, little braids scattered throughout. She gave a small smile, but said nothing. Raine must be a bit more lady like than she had originally figured. She felt guilty for having put labels on her, and the rest of them. No one was as simple as their appearance…they all had their own complex histories, unique personalities and personal hopes and dreams.

After a short peaceful ride, Amelia’s thoughts were broken when Raine asked her a question. “Come again?” Amelia asked, not catching it the first time around. She felt badly about it, she should have been striking up a conversation with her much earlier. She was used to keeping to herself, even before she had been introduced to this group.

Raine asked again, “You wouldn't happen to know how to cook would you?” and added “I'm simply dreadful at it,” as an afterthought.

“Well, if you don’t mind spicy, I’m an excellent cook.” Amelia wasn’t lying; she had learned the art of cooking a long time ago, when her mother had perished and left her woman of the household. Her favorite dishes included exotic spices that left many with gripe in their stomachs, but she absolutely loved it. She also found local plants that matched the level of spice of the exotic ones. While an expert could tell the difference; a local who had not tasted it before would never know. Selling the local spices was an easy way to gain a bit of extra income during harder times. People were always looking for something new and different to try.

[Guest]

Hunger accompanied Fredric's fatigue, that was creeping back to him, Kalus had announced he would be back in a little while then flew off. Camp would need to be setup and as the prince motioned Darke to halt he looked at the captain with a tired look. "I think it is best for us to setup camp now and get our mid-day meal on out plates." Although they did not quiet have plates, their hands would serve as such things unless someone did bring make-shift traveler plates, but Fredric seriously doubted anyone did.

Demounting from the horse, the prince brushed a hand through the horse's mane with a faint smile. A beautiful beast to does not give the respect it deserves when it should. Zephyr moved up to the two warriors and looked down upon them from his great height on the steed. Words were not exchanged, just a gaze between the battle shaman and paladin. It was enough communication between the two men to give the message that they would be stopping for the day. Zephyr demounted and tied the horse to a fallen tree branch, enough to give the horse the idea not to leave. It was the paladin and battle shaman at this point who were unpacking their things and beginning to setup their tents and other belongings.

"Zephyr, please go hunt our food for us." The prince requested to the shaman and with a silent nod in response to the prince the large Vindy took his polearm and ran off into the forest to find them a suitable meal to eat.

By the time the rest of the group caught up and started unpacking, Fredric would already have stacks in the ground for his tent and have begun to set it up. Looking up at each of them, he was not sure where Magus was but Raine and Amelia pulled up to their fresh camp site. The question of where Magus is was given to the two of them and it was important to know since that dark man was their main source of magical spells. Although trust was not that strong between the paladin and death mage, it was clear what their importance was in their quest destiny has given them.

Off into the forest, about a couple hundred yards away, Zephyr was enjoying the time between the trees, leaves and dirt crunching beneath his large bare Vindy feet. A deer was spotted and the desert shaman lowered his colossal frame to the ground and vouge ready to fly at his target. Moving silently, firm posture, and form perfect. The weapon was thrown at the exact moment the animal looked off into the distant away from him. Tip plunged through the animal's thick body and fell to the ground dead. It was a powerful throw and as Zephyr examined his attack, a big grin washed across his face with the realization: his weapon struck through the beast firmly but clean. Zephyr's hunt took more time than Kalus' ride on Aron and the walk back to camp would take an additional fifteen to twenty minutes.

While Zephyr hunted and Kalus flew around, Fredric finished setting up his tent he sat on the ground in front of it to begin sharpening his swords with a grinding stone. It was not much of something to do but it helped pass time and kept his dual swords sharp enough for battle. To those that were near the prince, the man spoke up only once until Kalus returned. "We will rest here, get something to eat, and sleep for the night. There is little point in rushing into battle. Soryin will probably not flee nor do I think he has the capability." So silence now fell over the camp while the prince continues to sharpen his swords and Zephyr continues to return back to camp with the day's remaining food rations.

[Denyala]

Raine grinned at Amelia. She was silently thankful for the other woman being able to cook. There was nothing that said the men couldn’t cook, but she liked being prepared and until proven otherwise, would assume that they could not. Unfortunately, she couldn’t either. Last time she had attempted any sort of cooking, the ones who had enjoyed, and she used the word enjoyed loosely, had come down with food poisoning… She had never quite lived that down. From then on, her father cooked and told Raine to find a nice boy who was skilled with the kitchen and to stay far away from it herself.

Approaching Fredric, Raine slowed the horse down and glanced around. The shaman was gone and the prince seemed to have found an appropriate camp site. Dismounting, the archer scanned the area, taking in the details she found important and making mental notes. It was something she had trained herself to do, so now she did it without even realizing she had done it. Nothing stood out in particular so Raine took her supplies off her horse and laid them out a few tent spaces away from Fredric’s. She assumed those closer to the prince would prefer to camp closer to him, so she respectfully gave them space.

After setting out her tent and making sure she had all the supplies needed before setting up, the girl remembered Amelia. She was fairly certain the healer had no tent and it simply wouldn’t be proper for her to sleep in one of the men’s tents, nor would it be wise for her to camp underneath the stars, no matter how poetic it sounded. Saying you were going to sleep under the stars is all fine and dandy until you actually attempt it, then get rained on, eaten up by bugs, or carried away in the night by a wolf or beast.

“You’re welcomed to camp with me,” Raine offered,” But I only have one bedroll. Perhaps someone else packed a spare you could borrow?”

Pushing in the spikes and setting up the tent with ease, Raine made short work of it. Wiping off her hands, she admired her work. It was a fine, sturdy tent. Not large, but the women could fit. Luckily, they were both small.

[Kalon Ordona II]

The gryphon lifted, dove and weaved through the currents, using updrafts to gain altitude. The weight Kalus's armor meant much beating of wings for the gryphon, but this was the norm, and Aron was bred for it. The heat of the day created turbulence in the air, but that only meant greater thrill. High as the timberline, the pair frolicked in the sky, basked in the sun's glow, reveled in the freedom of flight.

This lasted for some time, and Aron did not tire. Knight and gryphon exulted in the shared experience of a mutual passion. It strengthened their already unbreakable bond. When a gryphon shared his life with his master, when a warrior learned to become one with the sky, the two became greater than the sum of their individual skills.

Mind for War and Wings for Flight,
Swift and Brave: the Gryphon Knight.

It needed no embellishment. The simple creed of the Gryphon Knights rang true through all levels of the order, from novice to veteran. The meaning changed with every stage of a gryphon knight's career, but the profoundness of the words was there in each stage equally. For Kalus Koune, it had always meant 'Swift to action and Brave in deed.'

Thus when Aron screeched, indicating a bit of commotion down below, Kalus immediately nudged the gryphon into a steep dive in order to investigate. The ground rushed up alarmingly to meet them. Aron pulled up sharply, then spiraled back around, pulled up lightly a second time, beat his wings, and settled onto the ground. The last thing Kalus expected upon landing was to be recognized and cheerfully greeted by a gurgly goblin voice.

"Shinymaaaaan!!"

[Guest]

Darke dismounted after finishing his conversation with the prince. Fredric had decided they would stop here and eat, and then rest again before continuing there journey. They were a group of chosen heroes, and they were traveling no faster than an infantry battalion. If Soryin had word of their approach, he would have had more than enough time to prepare for them. But there was nothing Darke could do about that. His job had always been to protect the prince, despite whatever decisions Fredric might have made to put himself in need of help or protection. And though his help wasn't needed very often, Darke wouldn't allow himself to be unprepared when his help was needed most.

Darke began unpacking his things from his horse. He erected his tent near the prince's tent. It was a small, one-man tent, a common infantry-man tent as it was small, light, and easy to carry. Triangular in shape, Darke would crawl into the long tent to sleep, with barely enough room to sit up, and then pack it up as soon as he awoke in the morning. It kept the rain, bugs, and animals away; there was no need for further embellishments. Along with the extra items Darke had brought by his military instinct was a small bedroll, which he was sure Amelia would appreciate. Seeing as how she was riding with Raine, she would most likely share her tent as well. But he couldn't see them both, despite how small they were, sharing a single bedroll.

Darke followed Fredric's actions as he sat on small rock in front of his tent. He had neglected to clean and sharpen his weapons the night before when he was out gathering information. The blade would be harder to clean now that he had let it sit for so long, but it wouldn't be impossible. A well-oiled rag and a bit of sharpening would have it in good condition soon. Fredric had sent the Vindyman off to hunt for their food, and Kalus was off scouting the area, so Darke could take this moment to actually relax. He didn't need to protect the prince at this moment, nor did he need to be a soldier. Darke allowed himself a moment to just sit in contemplative silence.

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