Overture

[AAB]

As Naomi pulled Isabel's hand away and Wolf pulled himself from Isabel's hand, the hand dropped. Glory, honor, and gold was what this foolish man wanted, but Isabel would not be surprised if he ended up with dishonor and death. "No," she reminded herself, "not death. That is your duty." Isabel set her jaw harshly as she realized the sort of rabble she would be protecting: an insolent drunkard with plans to rush headlong into battle.

Isabel turned to Lord Biltmore. "I suggest we leave with no more delay," she said, "else division shall arise..." she shut her mouth again, thinking the more she added the more fuel this fellow would have to burn. His very presence was trouble. Isabel had met one like him before...an unbeliever who twisted every word Isabel spoke and proclaimed it to be proof that there was "no god, not one." It had angered her then, but Isabel was determined not to be angered now.

This was difficult...she had so many retorts to throw back. Proof she was a real warrior, that causing division was poor strategy...but talking to him would be useless. Isabel turned and stepped out of the room, hoping the others would follow. Over her shoulder she threw back, "Ignore his ramblings. He is not sober." "Silence speaks," Isabel reminded herself harshly, but it was too late. At least she had spoken the truth.

 

[Akuma]

He had left the bar when the bartender had given them the warning of the bell, He had not said anything to he doctor upon leaving. He was making his way through the town of wonders, people looking at him and he even received a few pats on the back for an odd reason. He felt good right now, People couldn't be nicer around here, Were he lived people were just jerks. Well besides him and a few others, but he didn't really talk to much people there as he was kept. He rolled his shoulder again as it started to feel a bit weird, he continued walking along then. As he could see the castle in the distance, he nodded his head as he made his climb towards the castle. Once again a wondrous sight it was to be at this castle.

He had finally climbed and made it to the gates were he heard shouting and what he thought was joking, and someone who sounded as if they were his mother. He walked up to the door and put his foot to it before booting it open, the doors opening loud enough to cause a silence between the bickering. He looked at each and everyone of them to see the current situation " Anyone going to explain to me why you all are bickering like idiots? " his face deadpanned as he nodded his head walking further inside the room, and standing between the group of people that seem to have completely separated. " Didn't take long for us to already wish to kill each other i see " he looked to wolf and then to the women in heavy paladin armor, He inspected her face and then looked away again her face to known to him. But it couldn't be the girl from the portraits his mother had. Alexander sighed and rubbed the back of his neck " We are all here for different reasons, whether it be money or a good kill, or even just to save something, But if we all dont at least get a long a bit this mission will go from easy to a complete and utter fuck up. And none of us will receive anything if we die or if we dont complete the quest, so i suggest we stop being immature sword players and represent ourselves as warriors and fighters the correct way. " He spit on the floor and rubbed it in with his boot to dry it up terribly.

Most people have not even heard him talk that much but, he is here for a successful mission without any idiotic interruptions of who has the bigger sword and who swings it better.

 

[UltimaCircuit]

A sigh came from the cloaked figure, hearing the commotion downstairs. He had seen the man known as Wolf drinking and now from the rambling that he was hearing it was obvious that he was drunk. Umbra looked down at the floor of the office with a puzzled look, before patting his bag that withheld the golden chalice. Maybe it was time to teach those downstairs that they were now going to be a troop on a dangerous journey, rather than a ragtag team of villagers. The thief then placed his trusty dagger in his mouth before grasping the ties of his bag tightly. A fleeting wind hit the curtains as he quickly sprinted down the steps and towards the situation downstairs. As soon as he saw drunkard, a grin came upon his lips. Umbra then dashed up to him, ignoring all the others. He jumped off the ground before pouncing upon the drunkard, tackling him to the floor. The dagger in his mouth quickly left it's hold before going into his hand. He rose it up, and quickly stabbed it into the ground right by the mans ear. The thief then shuddered in pleasure as he sat upon the drunk male. His left hand quickly grabbed Wolf's cheeks before squeezing them, making it difficult for the drunkard to to speak. Umbra then got a few inches from his face before letting out a maniacal laugh.

"You're funny, and I like that... what kind of scum are you? Thinking that you should make yourself drunk before we head out. Celebrations are such a trivial thing..." He stopped, taking a deep breath before continuing on with his sentence. "it's all about work from here on out, make sure you keep that in mind. Next time I will have no restraint in putting a beast down when it needs to be. Endanger those in the group once more, and someone may have their head rolling against the ground..."

After ending his sentence, Umbra quickly pulled his dagger out of the ground before standing up. He slipped his weapon into it's sheath before looking around at those within the group. It was time to head out.

"Now please do not think of me as a bad human being... I assure you I am not. As a matter of fact, don't call me human at all. Care for me as an animal or whatever you want, just know that his beast has got a bite as well."

A slight giggle left his lips before blatantly walking up to Karren. He slapped the pale woman on the ass before moving his mouth closer to her ears.

"Don't think that I am not watching... I saw you in the alley. I will be keeping an eye on you woman... you interest me..."

Umbra then left through the front doors with those words. The thief would eventually end up at the main gate of Biltmore, waiting for the others.

It was time to finally head out.​

 

[White]

Karren did not move a muscle while the drunk spoke, nor when Cristoph entered the room. She just stood there. Patiently. Deciding.

"Nobody is spared by war..." She remembered escorting merchants through the zones of war, children suffering, dying.
Her life beeing threatened by a Lords soldiers because he gave command to raid caravans, no matter where they headed or what they carried. Even if it was just furniture.

She felt furious. But did not show any emotion of it.
She started to despise Wolf.
For beeing a fool, for questioning her experience on the field. For causing trouble.
And most of all for missunderstanding her.
"Beeing drunk is no excuse for your actions."
She made her mind up to attempt to dispose Wolf as soon as possible. With that drinking habit he is a threat.
In her head formed a lot of ideas on how to achieve as much.

A slap fell onto her butt. It was sudden for her, unexpected. It woke her from her thoughts. Suprised she opned her eyes.
She felt breathe to her right. A foreign voice spoke.

"Don't think that I am not watching... I saw you in the alley. I will be keeping an eye on you woman... you interest me..."

She turned around slowly. Looking into Umbras masked face. She did not show any form of emotion and watched Umbra move away from her

She then saw dear wolf lying on the floor. A small smile showed on her face briefly and she in the brief moment she watched Umbra exit by the door.
Nobody would believe how much joy she gets in watching the one she learned to despise beeing shamed.

"Recourcefull"

Then she thought "I will want him to be my ally."


"I wasted enough time here."
Karren left the mansion and made her way to the gate. She did not look back.
She did not feel threatened by Umbra.
Her goal is clear for her. Nothing will stop her from achieving it.

 

[Squee]

Finishing his ale, Perseus set down the glass and threw some money on the counter and sent a friendly nod to the bartender. His tolerance was sometimes called an Iron tolerance, so his mental state was still very clear. It was about time to leave, as such, he grabbed a nearby bag that he prepared earlier full of medical supplies and slung it over his shoulder. Inside were various salves, ointments, medical tools, and more. Shifting the brown Kevlar bag to a more comfortable position on his back, he made his way out. He made a small detour on his way there, he wanted to stop by the blacksmith and pick up some chain mail for beneath his clothing. He figured armor would be too heavy for him. Dexterity was for more important when being in the medical profession.

Browsing through his options, he selected one rather quickly. Once he went to pay for it from the local blacksmith, the man insisted he take it for free. The reasoning was simply that he knew Perseus was going on this mission. Thanking the man, he continued his way to the gates where he'd see the crew for himself. He had hoped he'd see many warriors clad in armor, not because he wanted to slack off, but it meant lower odds of serious injury. Some wounds can't be recovered properly, especially in times of battle. Still, he set aside these thoughts for until he saw the crew for himself.

Picking up the pace, he arrived to see Karren, whom he recognized from earlier. 'You're kidding, she's so young!' He thought to himself. 'Hm, and I did offend her earlier. Might be awkward if I apologize. I'll see if she says anything, first, but I do owe her one.' First scratching the back of his head, he changed the motion into a friendly wave. He was meant to clean up his attitude for this, so he felt a little guilty. Still, hopefully there would be no issues.

 

[Eternalfire61]

Night finally settled upon Biltmore as Teran gathered the horses. There was nothing to say about what had happened, what a mockery he had been made. This group was very different from the last, this group seemed divided. Lord Biltmore gave the warriors a farewell as they headed toward the gates. On the other hand, the townspeople seemed quiet and almost reverent as the warriors left. Teran looked down at the people, with a somber look, like he was getting into something that he didn't want to. The gates awoke as they chains pulled them open, the crowd kept quiet as they left with the sound of the flags moving in the wind being heard. A voice came from the crowd as the final horse left the town. "O'Daniel would want you to kill those Gehenian scum!" Some of the townspeople began to yell and holler, but their words were then cut off by the closing gate.

Teran lead the group forward as they headed down the mountain and into lower Biltmore. Most of the residents who lived in lower Biltmore were from Dulemar. They had moved there after Dulemar had been raided by Gehen some time ago. Most of the people in lower Biltmore were close relatives to those who lived in Biltmore, and even had intermarried. Most of them now were asleep, they kept the farms of lower Biltmore in a fine condition. It was saddening to see how little they still had after the raid. The houses may have been filled with people, but in truth, they were empty. Teran and the group came to a pass where they rested before traveling into the forest. "Gather your weapons and make sure your torches are lit." ​

 

[Wordsmith]

Eventually Wolf stood alone in the hallowed hall.

Gauntleted-fists still clenched to sword and shield. Blood-shot eyes stared rage fully into the darkness. Yellow teeth grinded at the thought of the Paladin's words. Shoulders, back, and arms tensed up at the mere image of Karren face. His body quivered in painful fury as Umbra's mockery replayed in his mind.

A dark spasm overcame his body and he flung the sword across the room,"HUUUUUU-uuuuuhhhhh-UUUHH-AHHHHH!" Wolf yelled with a passionately hoarse voice. The veteran had spent an eternity locked up so this rage was nothing new. Images of his companion's broken skulls and shattered faces filled his mind.

Next Wolf flung the shield in a bloody rage that ended only after some pieces of furniture fell victim too. Taking out his tactical knife, he stuck it in the table and stared at it a moment. The veteran's mind wandered deep into memories of prison, "...My body... My mind... My soul... I ain't got no more to give... I don't wanna live.... I wanna die.... God help us all..."

~~~

Finally Wolf approached the gates on top an all black warhorse named True Flight. Armed and armored to the teeth, the warrior was ready for any situation. Visor down the whole ride down the mountain, the drunkard's mind was elsewhere not thinking anything of his surroundings. The group stopped to rest before entering a forest, but Teran merely said to lit some torches.

I hate this shit... Wolf was having second thoughts about his involvement in this fool's quest. Simply leaving the party in pursuit of better comrades was really tempting....

 

[AAB]

Isabel rode a grey stallion called Pax. She would have preferred a white mare, but the color selection was limited. She questioned the wisdom of waiting until it was dark to set out; it was an uncommon practice. But perhaps they were meant to go in secret, and the cover of dark would help them to remain unnoticed. Still, Isabel was not accustomed to secrecy of deeds.

As Teran gave the command at the edge of the forest, Isabel retrieved her torch from her saddlebag. The man in front of her already had his lit, so she simply leaned forward to collect flame for her own. Then Isabel looked about her to offer flame to another. Wolf was off to the side. Both he and Isabel had barely spoken since the meeting in the Hall...Isabel hoped what she had seen of him was a poor example. After all, he was sober now. And he seemed...dismal? Isabel was not the best at reading faces, let alone posture, but she hoped that was guilt and repentance she saw.

While holding her torch out for others to light from, Isabel turned toward the forest. The moonlight would not easily pass through the trees, hence the torches. But why the suggestion of weapons? Did Teran expect more danger in the forest than out in the open? Was it this particular forest that concerned him, or just forests in general?

 

[Tanstin]

When all was said and done and people got the conflict out of their system, Willie simply cleaned up whatever he took out and headed off. He opted not to ride a horse but to walk on his own legs instead, at some point he even offered to carry the horse.

"I ain't old yet, got my own two feet for walkin.. How'd ye think I travelled from West Arendanna to here?" He told the stablemaster. The stablemaster refused and he settled for an old pack mule, he didn't ride that either, but simply lead it.

Things seemed silent between the group as they trudged forward on their horses. Willie simply wanted to know more about this rather aggressive group of his, and perhaps try and perceive a more ebullient perspective of them. His pondering had left him oblivious to the signal until he noticed everyone else taking out their torches, which he followed suit.

 

[White]

Karrens Horse is a white mare. Its name "Hex Mark"

She obtained it two years ago as a reward from one of the merchants for helping him to get through a warzone unharmed and unrobbed.
For the merchant it was not a gift, but more that one of his horses choose its owner.

The merchant said that Hex Mark will protect its choosen rider against evil and will bring death to those undeserving of riding it.

Karren believed and still thinks that was nonsense.

"Gather your weapons and make sure your torches are lit."

Karren took out a torch from her one of the horses sattlebags.
"Wolves normally do not attack Humans. Why is there a need for torches? It will make us easier to be seen by spies and assassins."

A Hunter whom acompanied one of the caravans she assisted explained to her once that wolves look for the weakest chain of a targeted group to take down. That means in the rare cases where wolves attack humans, they attacked children, people bellow the age of 18 and most of the time girls or women. (>Based on reality<)

Karren held her torch towards Isabels to light it.

She felt Aegis on her shoulder, ready to react and ready to protect her mistress from whatever may attack her.
She felt uncomfortable with Wolf beeing around. Who knows what he would do.
"I will have to stick to somebody I trust enough."
In her head she quickly considered whom would be the most reliable to stick with.

In the end she choose to remain near Isabel.

 

[Akuma]

His horse is a pinto horse, the original coat it Black, but around the eyes is two spots of white as well along the bottom of the horses stomach. He calls him Sleipnir, as he took the horse from a young age from a bunch of bandits. The horses speed and strength are phenomenal, and he has never wanted to loose this horse...and had never been able to since the horse will follow him anywhere he goes unless tied of to something strong enough to stop him. He is a very attached horse, and will hold strong to his chosen rider.

But Alexander had been looking off in the distance before he road up with his unlit torch, he trotted next to Karren and placed his torch to her now lit flame and the sat there holding his flame whilst looking about in the distance. He could feel the uncomfortable presence of something but he didn't know what it was, the flames would only really give him away but it was no matter.

He then peered over his shoulder at the guy with a mule, Alexander squinted his eyes at the mule and chuckled, "he is going to really slow us down isn't he". Alexander had thought in his head, just that if they were to break out in a gallop or anything for that matter. Would that man be able to run as fast as horses? or even would that mule keep up with the horses. No matter, if he falls behind Alexander will just have to keep an eye on him. He would like to keep most of the group intact for the quest, even if that mean the old guy who has some cool knick knacks.

The sound of the wind rushing through the forest made Alexander feel a bit relaxed but, at the same time who says its the wind rushing through the tree's. Maybe it's bandits and with all this light...well maybe we will see them coming with all the light from the torches. Alexander was not looking forward to being stabbed in the back by some skinny bandit, but with his armor it should be hard for such a dagger to just penetrate through it.

Oh how he loved being a blacksmith, the hard work, the dedication that goes into every piece you craft. And the satisfaction of someone liking that piece and buying it off your hands knowing it will work, Plus he can make his own weapons out of basic materials. It was a valiant skill to have, or at least he thought, just knowing about weaponry was nice enough. But he couldn't help but notice the armored horse standing valiantly, He looked over the armor and it looked still very lively. Maybe he himself could craft a durable but lighter armor for the horse, which would increase the horses speed along with easier mobility.

He was ready for this Adventure to start, but he still had a trace thought in the back of his head that lingered like a leech to your skin. And it bothered him, he never thought about himself dying but what he has heard about the previous Quest group was apparently that they were not ready for what happened, but warriors? not ready? that's like a 1 to 10 ratio. He still didn't know about Teran, he seemed harmless but he was the only survivor and that can lead to easy skepticism. Alexander would keep his hand at the dagger on his saddle at all times.

 

[Wordsmith]

Trotting up from behind, Wolf decided not to light a torch. Fuck that bullshit. Barring his teeth at the group, he gave a grim stare especially towards Karren. He stared with wide eyes at her for a few seconds then suddenly shut his visor. Best you stay the fuck away from me bitch.

Flipping his horses hips with good balance, Wolf immediately entered the forest at a canter, "I shall take point..." Then the armored warrior dropped his spear parallel, clenching the reins and shield in his left hand.

 

[UltimaCircuit]

Umbra rode upon a regular white horse, a contradiction to his malevolent personality. It had a clear color of skin and probably thought about eating apples all of the day. The thief was the complete opposite in the eyes of most. As the group rode past the farmhouses of lower Biltmore, he had received awkward stares and was even cursed at by the commoners. It didn't matter much to him though. As long as he kept the golden chalice and sold it for a good price, he didn't care what the others thought. His eyes were locked on Karren for most of the ride, ignoring all of the others. As they came upon the forest, Umbra did not follow everyone's actions of lighting their torches. Attracting enemy attention was not his forte and he preferred to stick to what he knew best - the shadows. He then deliberately pulled his horse closer to those of Isabel and Karren before opening up his cloak, revealing various short swords and daggers. He bent downward to grab one with his mouth and his hands went in to grab two others. Umbra now possessed three weapons. With a slight chuckle the madman began to juggle the daggers while singing a little tune.

"This is the Overture, this is the Overture... it is only the beginning. A big lot of idiots, traveling to despair. Well, maybe despair... only the gods know where! We got a thief, a blacksmith, a drunkard, a paladin, some old guy and a shady lady but that is alright! Of course... darkness is what I like. Torches may light the way for now... but what of the enemy? They slowly watch.. waiting for the right time to strike. Should we turn around and take a hike? No, of course not! Why is that so? Because this is the Overture!"

At the end of the song, he jutted his daggers towards the women, fainting a throwing of his knives. A chuckle left his lips before looking forward once again.

"Messing with people is fun..." ​

 

[Sans]

Rorian rode atop his horse, named Olaf, as though he had been doing it for years. Olaf seemed to look happily at Rorian and Rorian smiled back. He looked around the group and decided it would be a great time for a song. And by a great time, it was probably the most inopportune of times.
"Well, I think it's time for a song!" He said rather loudly.
He pulled out his fiddle and began to play an up beat song. It was a wonder how he could ride his horse let alone stay balanced on it with the excitement of his playing. This was a folk song he had picked up from of the festivals he had attended. A woman named Mairead Nesbitt had nearly stolen his heart the day she played this song in the streets and danced as though she had been a being from a whimsical fairy tale. Rorian more or less ignored the thief's song. He did not believe it to be good in taste and thought that he could do better. In fact, he knew he could do better.

Naomi rode her horse towards the back near Rorian. She didn't mind his playing and it was something to lighten the mood. She didn't say much since they had left. The thief was not bothering her and that was a plus to say the least. She rode a black stallion that she had raised since it had been a pony. She had named it Shadow and found comfort in the rhythm of his steps. The thief's song did not include her nor the bard. She wondered if that meant anything or nothing at all. She hoped that it meant nothing and she continued to ride in silence with all of her weapons on her back save her throwing axes which were on her waist near her free hand.

(OOC: Song that was played)

Granuaile's Dance

 

[AAB]

The thief's song was ominous, the bard's tune pleasant. Isabel could not decide which better fitted the moment. Though she certainly preferred the latter, it may be the better wisdom to begin a journey dismally and end it joyously than to begin a journey with high spirits and end it in tragedy. After all, did not all things have both good and evil? This was to be an endeavor of war, of Terra, but Genuity would have a hand in it. Likewise, life and death worked in harmony, as Findarious was their master. Yes, it would be better to take the evil first to see the good later. But to take death first? That would eliminate the possibility of life later.

Finished with her thoughts, Isabel looked about and noticed the absence of Wolf. She recollected had had moved past her a minute ago...heading into the forest.

Isabel bit the side of her tongue to hold back the urge to murmur against Wolf, then kicked her steed into motion, chasing Wolf into the forest. The man was an utter fool, but Isabel had made everyone in this group her responsibility to protect, and she couldn't let one run off on his own.

"Wolf," Isabel called. It was the first time his name had passed her lips, though she had heard it when she first entered Lord Biltmore's hall. Now, she spoke it in a strange forest. Perhaps it would alert those nearby of their presence, but more than likely the hooves of Wolf's horse had already done so.

 

[White]

Seeing Isabel gallop off behind Wolf made Karren wary.
"After one Ambush there will never be a second."
Karren unmounted from hex mark, put the torch into the holster, meant for a lance, on her sattle and slapped its butt to get it moving behind Isabel and wolf. "this should impart caution into them", she thought.

Karren then turned to aegis and leaned her head slowly to it and whispered "Look for dangers my dear Aegis, will you?" The Black Raven jumps off her shoulders, spread her wings and flew into the trees.

Karren drew Purity from its sheathe, its white and extremly sharp blade reflecting the moonlight. She then moved her hand upwards and then down her chest and pulled out a silk thread from within her clothes. She went on to use the silk thread to tie the sheathe tightly to her back. Now with both hands free it shouldnt be a problem to fight at full efficency. And the sheathe beeing at her back should make sure she can move quietly.

Karren turned around to the rest of the group. "Watch out for them, will you?"
Karren then went on to sprint into the forest, not to chase after wolf and Isabel. But to look for the dangers within.

She decided to remain in the shadows, hidden from sight. Her eyes will quickly adapt to the darkness and Aegis will see what she cannot see and warn her from dangers. Like she allways has.

Karrens guts tell her that a danger is waiting ahead. And she plans to ambush the ambush, or danger. Or whatever it is that is waiting.

 

[Tanstin]

His mule had become rather unruly, tugging away at the rope around its neck. Willie had remained oblivious as a rather cheery young lad began to play a tune on a fiddle which brought a smile to his face and warmth to his heart. It reminded him of days when he was a young gallant, going where the road took him.
"Well now! Last time I heard a tune like that was in a tavern in Gehen! I got me loads of instruments here and there."

He quickly delved into a rucksack and fished out an old flute carved out of polished oak. It looked slightly bent as of old age, fitting of an old man such himself, but there was still brilliance and a sort of rustic feeling to it. He began to play in melody with the man with the fiddle, as a rather shady man atop a white horse began singing and juggling with daggers like a street performer of some sort. Willie thought nothing of it, and nothing less of the man. Whoever he was, he was bound to find out soon.

"Say..where are we headed anyway?"

The old man stopped playing for a second to inquire. He then noticed the rather grandiose lady fly off into the nearby forest, but he only responded with a shrug. A woman's business was her own, and that was a silent rule of law within these lands.

 

[Wordsmith]

The forest was undoubtedly enchanted. Wolf could feel it in his bones. Calm courage began to fill his soul for he aimed to prove his bravado was not empty. Alert in his saddle, Wolf knew he would be the first to engage the enemy. Blood would run through his hands before anyone else. A shiver of excitement went down his spine. The warrior could not understand the bloodlust in his mind, certain only of his own insanity.

Isabel called out to him. Turning over his shoulder, the veteran whistled in a low tone to let her know where he was. He stopped to let the paladin catch up. As he waited, Wolf scanned the areas visible to the moonlight only fifty yards into the forest. The trees where thick and the undergrowth was very dense. The veteran also seemed to remember something traveling through the forest previously. Martial instinct told Wolf to spread out into formation instead of traveling any which way.

Wolf flipped up his visor, grinded his teeth, and stared into the Isabel's eyes. After a minute, he whispered in a raspy voice, "Shhhhhhh... The moonlight is faint and the terrain is treacherous ..." Wolf needed to cough, but instead he sucked it back in, "Huuuuuuuuuu..." He spat, "We must advance in formation... we wait for the rest to make sure they all know the 'Midnight Crane'..." The veteran continued to stare, showing off his canine teeth.

 

[Eternalfire61]

Teran stood up from his spot and then pulled out his sword. He seemed scared, almost like a child's fear but it was embodied in a man. "We are heading to Dulemar, and it looks like we are going to head out much sooner than I anticipated." Teran jumped onto his horse and rode off toward those who entered the forest. The moon gave the forest an almost enchanted feel, like maybe the myths and legends of Arendanna lived there. It was tranquil, it was quiet enough that if you yelled it would most likely echo. The clomps of the horse soon became more prevalent as Teran approached. He set his horse ten feet or so from the two and began to jog toward them. "We need not to linger in this forest!" He continued toward him, but he stopped in his place. Teran fell to his knees in one motion and then began to cry. His sobs were loud and emotional. Through his sobs the pair could hear him speak. "Jonathan.... why did you have to die!" ​

 

[White]

A merchant in the eastern kingdoms mentioned a white haired "Unarmored Lady".

Kaida asked for a better description. The merchant gave a vague description. But it was enough for Kaida to follow this lead.

She traveled all the way to Arendanna.
The lead, lead to Biltmore, where she quickly learned that an expedition, that seemingly was accompanied by the girl she is looking for, left Dulemar.

It was late. It is dark. She learned this from a shady person. She couldnt recognize who this person was.
She felt that this person knows more than he or she said. Her sense for intruigues tell her that.

The most important part of the information was that the expedition only left a while ago.
Instead of resting until daytime, she choose to follow the expedition while the lead is hot.

Her black horse is fast. It isnt a warhorse. It is a horse to travel great distances quickly.




In the distance she could make out the forest. Infront of it, dark figures.
Kaida ignored them. Bandits wouldnt be so stupid to wait infront of the forest.

She rode past them.
The people she passed appeared to be like statues. Lifeless and unmoving. (I will change this once those actually reply -_-)

She could see light. The light of a torch and she rode up to it.
Upon getting close she could make out three people.

She quickly looked at them. A woman is wearing a plate armor, without a helm though.
The man next to her looks familiar. She just cannot remember where she would have seen this man before.
On his knees, a man. He is weeping, but that isnt her concern.

She slowed down as she got closer and came to a halt right where the light of the torch would expose her face for the eyes of those around her to see.

She showed a small, warm smile and a soft facial expression, no tension to be seen.
"Excuse me, travelars. I was looking for an expedition that may have passed this forest. Maybe any of you have seen it and could direct me to them?"

She ignored the man on the ground. She could offer her help afterall after her question has been answered.