Hope in Darkness (IC)

[Tomaru]

Oleg let out a hearty laugh at Aries's response. "That's the spirit I like to see. I think you'll fit right in here. How about the elf? Is he playing too?"

Aliat glanced back at Lydin, then back at Oleg. "He and I have a similar taste in art. If nothing else, he'll liven things up a bit. He can play if he likes." With that, Oleg showed them all behind the counter, took out a large ring of keys, and opened a door to a room separate from the bar area. He quickly ushered them in and locked the door behind them so that he could get back to the bar. In the room there was a diverse crowd of people rolling dice at the tables. There were men with enormous biceps, women with enormous biceps, old and scholarly looking folk, and a couple of kitsune warriors. It was clear that everybody in this room practiced something forbidden by draconic law. There was also a stuffiness about the room; it seemed unusually warm and the sound was muffled. When the trio entered, they received a few glances, but the dice games seemed to have priority over the new guests. Still, the conversations that the players were having would be heard nowhere else.

"Ya know that dead Nezgarian the Dirilianox has been ranting about? That was good ol' Oleg's doing. It was pretty ballsy, but he slipped a slow acting poison into the brute's drink. The kicker is that they're blaming it on the weather!" There was some laughter, a dice roll, and an exchange of a few copper pieces.

"We shouldn't do that again for a while," the kitsune warned. "The dragons will shut the place down if they even suspect that our drinks are sub-par."

"Don't worry," said a man with a thick black beard and a nasty scar across his face. "We're about to start fighting back in earnest. Aliat's got that declaration of war all cooked up. And speak of the devil!"

Aliat nodded to the man, but turned his attention first to his companions. "Welcome to the Dragonslayer Guild. Here, we may speak freely and frankly. The walls are soundproof, so Mastrix will only hear the bar outside. There's no magic involved either, so we don't have to worry about detection unless they systematically start tearing down walls. And if they do that, all they'll find is a gambling hall. We throw coppers around to make it look like we're playing, but they just get passed back and forth so don't worry about actually losing anything. So, as you can see, it's just like I said in my poem: dragons shall never rule me, or in this case 'us.' Would you two like to help us end the rule of the dragons? If so, introduce yourself to the guild and tell us what skills you can offer. If not, the door is just over there. Oleg will let you out and we'll not speak of this again." With that, the room became quiet and most of the eyes were on the newcomers waiting to see their responses.

[RyuChi]

Abyss waited patiently for her drink to come, she closed her eyes and focused on the energy that welled up inside her. She concentrated on shaping it and controlling it within the boundaries of her body but a small prickle chased down her spine that caused her to leave the confines of her mind and open her eyes. The prickle was not an unfamiliar one but it still put all her nerves on edge, a favored was near and that feeling that they gave her made her want to pull her own skin off.

Her eyes searched the crowd but from her shady back corner she could not see the entire bar so she resorted to closing her eyes and using her draconic senses to find them. She located the person within a second and her fingers curled up, digging her sharp nails into her palm. She could not see the person but if she could sense them then they would probably be able to sense her. She, being a favored of a Prime was rare, very rare but that also gave her a strong aura around dragons and favored which made it hard for her to kill either stealthily for they would sense her from afar.

Abyss nearly growled but her train of thoughts was cut of as a glass was placed in front of her, a glass filled with a brilliant red liquid. She took it and carefully sipped it, testing the blood and when she nodded the barmaid left in a hurry. She sipped at the blood as she thought on what to do, she would normally resort to killing but that would anger a the favored's creator which was never a good thing. This time a small growl did escape her throat but it went unnoticed as she flexed her hands anxiously.

Finally she decided to just wait, act like a traveler and if the favored picked a fight then she would kill them, self defense. She focused once more on the favored's aura, it was strong which meant he had a strong creator and that he was not an easy kill when it came down to a fight.

[Lydyn]

Aries finally let a smile slip across her lips, one of relief and comfort as her form seemed to relax more, despite the unnerving feeling of having so many eyes of her. "... finally, I can speak freely ..." she seemed to murmur to herself contently. She then gave Aliat a knowing glance and let out a deep breath before reaching back into her cloak. She had managed to bind the blade just so that it was keenly hidden and yet it was easily removable as the sword seemed to slip out from under her cloak like it was a magic trick. Even after all these years, it hadn't dulled one day as if it were newly forged, though she didn't suspect many to know the blade's name save maybe Aliat and Lydin. "Aries Oakwood ... as for what I bring to the fight - meet Oathseeker, a blade that I can only imagine is ages old and yet has not lost her edge a single bit. She is also unbreakable as far as I can tell - believe me, I've done enough practice with her to chip a steel sword to the hells and back." The woman paused, holding the long sword out for the others to see before slowly letting it hang to her side.

"As for myself ..." She paused dramatically, mostly because she was unsure how far the legends had spread outside of the small armory. "I am a Sword Knight." Again, a brief pause was given, glancing to see if there was any sort of recognition on any of their faces. "I use particular magic that the order once practiced called Sword Magic. I am also a decent sword-arm and I know my way around small magics, like unlocking doors and the like." She didn't bother trying to show off though, if only because her sword magic could be very dangerous and she didn't want to go around tearing the place up by mistake. After all, even if she was the only one that practiced such a lost art, there was still a lot to learn. Thankfully, she had been catching on to how the magic worked and her latest technique - the ability to heal wounds - only took a few weeks to learn. Most magic weaved energies outside of your body, but sword magic differed greatly in that aspect and it took time to grasp how that worked in practice.

[Arbirus]

Lydin felt his skin itching all over as soon as he crossed into the stuffy room. He far preferred open spaces, perhaps a cool breeze. But if this is what it took, he was willing to suffer minor physical discomfort to relieve the more pressing pain of Draconic rule. To see Ethrandi restored - but that was a far-off dream. The changes in his home would take lifetimes to reverse. That was why he'd left in the first place, to escape militarization, but he supposed he could only avoid the fight for so long. It seemed the whole world was changing under the effects of the weather. One part of him longed for it to pass quickly, but another...

He waited patiently while Aries introduced herself. Well, he thought, that's going to be a bit hard to follow. Magic swords and ancient orders. Perhaps he was a bit out of his depth. But still, he offered an introduction for himself when she finished.

"I am Lydin Saervell of Val'Noria. I have no enchanted blade to lay before you, only one of elf-worked steel. Warm tones and words suit me better than cold metal, and I've found I'm quite good at playing to those strengths - though I am no amateur if I should need to defend myself. If you'll take me, you have my voice as well as my sword. I've studied magic and the more mundane subjects, and should you need an ambassador or diplomat I'd be quite happy to fill the role. Perhaps my talents are not those you seek, in which case I'll be most surprised of Oleg makes good on his offer to leave untouched. I would feel far safer if he planned to snap my spine on the doorstep."

[Tomaru]

The guild members listened respectfully as the two newcomers introduced themselves. When Lydin was finished there was a brief silence filled only by the scraping of chairs, but then the huge man with the black beard and scar stood up and spoke in a voice as big as his rippling muscles. "The only spines we're fixin' to break are those of dragons!" There was a quick cheer of assent before he continued. "If ya've got the heart to stare down one of those lizards, then ya belong with us. He walked over to Lydin and gave him a hefty slap on the back. "The name's Garan. Don't got a last name. Wouldn't need it if I had one. Now listen up, cause I don't wanna have to tell ya this again. The only thing we don't wanna hear in this guild is the whole 'I'm not worthy' routine. Everybody's got something they're good at. I'm good at crushin' skulls. Yer good at music and stuff. So I'll crush a dragon's skull, and ya write a song about it so people can remember." He let out a giant laugh and gave Lydin another gratuitous pat on the back. "Come with me and I'll show ya the ropes."

The guild began to grow lively once again and Aliat began walking Aries over to a free table when a female kitsune a few years younger than Aries approached them. She had long white hair, and her ears and tail were a snowy white. Her clothes were made of various furs and she had a walking stick remarkably similar to Aliat's. However, she looked to be a bit irritated about something. "So, after all these years I don't get so much as a hello?" she said in a bitter tone.

Aliat squinted and lifted the rim of his hat up as he examined this guild member that he hadn't seen before. Then, a look of recognition washed over his face. "Saya? By the gods, you're all grown up now!" Saya's expression immediately softened and the two shared a quick hug. "This is Saya Tanzo," Aliat said, introducing his old friend to Aries. "She was still young when I left Iceridge." He turned back to Saya. "I didn't know you came down here."

"The dragon's can't stop us from training soldiers in the north. Did you really think that we would sit idly through this opportunity?" She turned to Aries. "It's nice to meet you as well. Don't let Garan over there make you think that we're a bunch of muscle heads. We take all kinds in this guild and use their abilities as much as we can." Her speech trailed off as if an unpleasant thought had crossed her mind, but she resumed her soft but confident tone and said, "My grandfather told me stories about the Sword Knights when I was a little girl. Becoming one was a childhood fantasy of mine. Perhaps sometime you could share some stories with me... that is if you don't mind."

[Lydyn]

While the reaction wasn't exactly what she was expecting, it was assuming none-the-less, a smirk crawling across her lips as the bard got all the attention. It seemed that sword knights were rather unheard of, but that didn't bother her much, she almost figured as much as she gracefully slipped her blade back into it's place. She was slightly surprised that Aliat didn't make any mention of it though, seeming as knowledgeable as he was, but then again Sword Knights were all but non-existent anymore. She let herself be lead until the image of a snow-white fox woman approached them, only a few years younger than she was. Glancing the woman over, it was hard not to call her beautiful and the sight of the kitsune made her smile softly, and the friendly hug made her smile just a bit more. Aries may have been interested in love in all it's forms, but it'd be a lie if she didn't find female just a bit more attractive on a whole.

Regardless, as Saya turned her attention to Aries and mentioned Garan, the knight glanced towards Lydin and the skull-crusher and just chuckled softly before nodding politely to Saya. "Aye, in times like this, we can use any and all the help we're able to muster ... after all, heroes come in all manner of forms.." She paused, seeming thoughtful for a moment or two and biting her lower lip for just a brief moment. "I'd be more than glad to tell you about the order, though as far as I'm aware - I'm the only.. or one of an extreme few.. that are even left. Heh, in fact, the only reason I picked up their skills and stories is because I stumbled onto an armory about twelve years ago. There's still a lot I'm learning about the magic.." Aries did seemed pleased that someone knew of the legends at least and gave her someone to talk to about the magics and workings of the ancient order, something she had obviously invested a lot of time into. "May I ask what your skills are?" she then asked Saya, but also glancing over to Aliat, hinting that she was asking them both.

[GreenGoat]

A few more had decided to join the movement it seems. She had watched a few people entering the back. They had not looked like they would fit in, but they did invite a one armed one eyed woman like her after all. Can't be too picky about members, though there was a danger of spies entering their midst.

Amelia gulped down the contents of her mug, wiped her mouth and left a few coins at the table. A bahit of hers that the barkeeper would already be familiar with. She stood up with a purpose, the fireglobes Marxis gave to her clinked softly against each other in their bag.

***

She ducked inside an alleyway as she heard footsteps coming. She stayed silent as the guards passed, talking about some wench with a horse face and the most amazing night they had with her when they ignored the face. The first target should be the barracks, just a stone's throw away from her. Two of the globes should be enough to burn down that building. From then on, she would only have a small window of opportunity before those patrolling would hurry back to the dragon's palace. The remaining fireglobes would be enough to burn down at least half the castle. All of it, if she was lucky.

Amelia took a deep breath. After all, she may not get out unhurt. In fact she may not get out at all. The best she could hope for is enough damage to the dragon's place and pride, and the action of the resistance.

She ducked out of cover, placed the walking stick on the wall beside her and threw one of the globes through one of the barrack's window. The blast of fire was incredible, as well as the heat generated. As panicked screams started to fill the air, she threw another one into another window eliciting a pained yelp, and then a shriek as the globe exploded, setting everything around it on fire. It seems Marxis was serious when he said to bring down the fires of Hell upon them. She doesn't know how hot hellfire was, but the fire from the globes was hot enough for her to feel even from that distance.

"Tsk, damned dragon lovers.."

Time. Time is now of the essence. She ran towards the palace now, grabbing her walking stick as she passed it.

[RyuChi]

The first explosion sounded through Abyss's very bones, like a tremor that pulled at her nerves. Her head, which hung low now shot up like a dog on hunt, her eyes wide for a second then a feral snarl escaping her mouth revealing her fangs for a moment. She leaped to her feet and with what seemed like no effort at all she was up on her table, leaping from table to table, swinging from a lamp to land by the door. She flung the door open, her cloak flying behind her and she ran into the night.

At moments like these her favored abilities were heavily relied upon as she ran with uncanny speed through the streets and toward the burning houses. The palace! Her mind screamed at her, she was sworn to protect the dragons and all that they possessed. Her hood ripped off in the wind leaving her red hair flying behind her and her scales visible. She hardly registered anything around her as she ran, full force toward the palace. She arrived there before the attacker and pulled off her cloak. She wore completely black gear beneath it, all custom made for her and she drew her twin blades that resided upon her back. She stood at the palace doors, just the site of her could be feared and as the blood lust filled her eyes a smile crept up her face.

[Wernher]

The doors of the inn opened, two knights in armor entered the room followed by the city guard. The conversations ended and the eyes turned toward the newcomers. Koris pointed toward one particular individual. “And it’s him.” Kavanagh nodded. “Take him in, you two, with me, the body is upstairs. You, are you the owner of this establishment? I’m going to need you to come with me.” Kavanagh and two guards went to climb the stairs, the innkeeper following them, visibly looking worried. Koris and the 4 men remaining deployed themselves to isolate Zelamir. “You sir, are under arrest for the murder of 7 individuals by order of Mastrix the Magnificent, overlord of this city.” After a silence, Koris continued. He had his spear in his hands and assumed a defensive position, which made everyone, the guards included, extremely nervous. “I know what you are, I can see it. It’s my little special power. Now, this is not an invitation, you will come and have a chat with our Lady mister…”

Zelamir was taking a long gulp of his unexpected last drink. Smelling the scent of his own, two to be exact. The smell of armor, humans with a smell of weapon polish, Guards. Well things were about to get very busy. When the guards busted in, one of the men, whose blood smelled of the Favored, pointed his finger towards him, 'It was him' What was him? All he knew that they were interrupting his dinner. He stood up and took off his cloak, the guard pointed his spear at him and made his statement of arrest. Pulling his Elbow blades from his pouch and pointed at him with the blade in hand, and said, "It is rather rude to be arresting a man during his dinner, a fine one at that. And then acuse me of murder?! By the scales on the Primes you are ignorant. If you know what I am, then it is very wise to lower your weapons to a fellow Favored. You may share my blessings, but your strength and power would never compare to my own. So if you want me to go with you, put away your weapons, and I will put away my own. Then I will go with you, only to meet your master." Zelamir's usual light features went into an intimidating glare.

“You arrogant worm, I won my title by vanquishing the 64 best warriors of the realm 2 years ago, who do you think you are?!” Koris pulled back his lance a bit to plunge it forward toward the stomach of his oponant, ready to use his superior reach at his advantage. Before he could do so however, Kavanagh got in the way. “I think he is… Zelamir, isn’t that right? Favored of Salazar the Orange. Zelamir the unstoppable, the merciless, ravager of a hundred villages and slaughterer of a thousand men. Now Koris, our fair lady ordered her to bring him to her, to put manacles to his wrist isn’t necessary.” After some hesitation, Koris raised his lance and turned his gaze away as a sign that Zelamir was unworthy of his gaze. Behind him, the two guards were lifting a dead body away. Kavanagh turned himself to look at it. “You see, Zelamir, we recently had a string of murder that were linked by the people being… questionably following the Draconic Code. Some street illusionists using minor magic, artists a little bit too vocal about their dislike of the Dragon Kind, people who looked at one the wrong way… Just some chumps with no history really. This however indicated something, someone, like you and me but obeying to another Dragon than Mastrix, is going around, killing her people. Draconic politics. So we’re looking for a cold blooded killer that would slaughter anyone in his way because he was ordered to do so and who is also skilled enough to dodge guards and public eyes. If you don’t mind me saying, you fit the description. If you would.”

Kavanagh indicated the exit door politely, asking Zelamir to proceed through it. The men got in the carriage. Everyone was fixating Zelamir. No knight had been long enough in service to have… mutated like Zelamir did. So while the favored were present in greater number than anywhere else in the realms in Mastrixenburg, this was still an exotic sight. “So yeah, bunch of murder ordered by a dragon, naturally we look at the dragon’s underlings which would be the obvious suspects… But tell me, what is a man, Favored, thing or whatever like you… doing in our quiet little city? No offense, but where you go, a lot of people die. Since I’m quite fond of this city, I have to know and I won’t take ‘It’s secret’ or ‘It’s non of your business’ as an answer… Or at least Mastrix won’t.”

Noticing the other coming through, the smell of the other Favored warrior was much older than this other one. As the spear leaned in towards his mid section the older Favored had spoken up, proclaiming his reputation with a hint of impression and horror in his voice. Zelamir reshiethed his weapons, pulling his cloak back over his head as the older favored explained his reason of arresting him. Zelamir followed them out of the Tavern, after he had asked his questions, Zelamir had to think fast, he had to use his surroundings to get him out of this unexpected predicament. Music, Zelamir never had known how to play a musical instuments. Turning to the man explaining the situation, he said, "I have come to learn the art of music, my master has not called on my services for many years, I have been collecting dust, so I decided to come learn from the masters of music and song that lived here, so I can have a hobby outside of my mission and rare Favored arts. But of course I will explain it to thu Master, it's always been a secret of mine to meet Madam Mastrix, I've heard she is quite the ruler as of late, which would peak my interest since I have met many of today's rulers when they were just fledglings." He looked back over to the man with a big grin as he relaxed in the wagon with the other guards, leaning back he laid his arms across the railings behind the guards to either side of Zelamir. He then asked, "Was there anything else you would like to know for your report, Young one?"

Koris stared at Zelamir through his helm. “You are so full of shit.” Kavanagh shook his head negatively and reached for one of his pouch to take out his smoking pipe. Adding some herbs and lighting it with what he knew of magic, he got the tube through a small hole under his helm as so not to remove it. “Unless you have anything else to add, I think this will be all.” He crossed his legs and the smoke began to come out from the orifices of his mask.

After a quick drive-by to the Guard HQ, the carriage went to the Palace to drop the 3 men left. After a walk of minutes through the unending gardens, they entered the main hall. Mastrix was assuming a human form at the moment but who she was remained obvious due to the dozens of servants turning around her to satisfy her every need. “Friendly advise, when we kneel, kneel too.” This came from Kavanagh who didn’t say another word. As they approached the crowd, an opening was made to show a girl wearing a white dress. She looked juvenile, no older than 18. Her gaze however had the authority that only a dragon could have. Physically however, her polymorphism was perfect, even the smell was human with some lilac perfume. “So my knights return. This is the worm that though he could kill on my territory in all impunity?” The two knights kneeled and Kavanagh as the elder spoke. “He claims otherwise your majesty, however I believed you would like to ask him yourself.”

Zelamir smirked when the infant of a favored tried to insult him, he had won his glory from a coliseum, he had won his glory from self vengeance. He had not know of the hundreds of years of service he had provided. The small one knew not of the horrors or the sorrows Zelmair had known. He got off the wagon with the two mean, and walked two steps ahead of them at all times and kept his hands crossed behind his back, letting them know that he wasn't going to try anything.

Getting to the door of the great hall, the advice was given, but already known. The doors were opened and when their knees dropped his was also brought down at the same beat. They had made the introductions and he had waited paciently for the master of the courts address him. Until that moment, his head remained towards the ground with his black long hair falling to the floor.

“Ugh, I could inhale the rotten egg perfume of the sulfur smell any Favored of a volcanic carries with him. Leave us and my knights.” The entourage of Mastrix inclined itself as if it was one man and then dispersed itself. Mastrix then grabbed Zelamir’s head with her hand to raise it. She then began to probe it, moving it left and right, up and down to have a look at him, his color, the scales that began to grow on his body, going as far as to put a finger between his lips to take a look at his dentition like he was a horse on the market. “About 300 years since the ritual, volcanic, this ugly skin color. You’re Salazar’s slave aren’t you?” She turned back and began to pace from the left to the right, thinking. “Now even the larva’s I haven’t even met bother to send their spies and assassins on my territory, it wasn’t enough they exiled me here, when they see I get SUCCESS, they come in to get the benefits from my hard work.” She stoped and clenched her fists to then slowly turn back to Zelamir. “Humor me slave, what kind of excuse do you have to be here? Why shouldn’t I just kill you, you filthy spy, gut you, eat your remains and send your head to your master in a nice little box to tell him that I will find out EVERYTHING he may try to do against me?!”


Zelamir was never used to the odd treatment the dragons did to other Dragons Favored. But he stood still until she was done speaking, when she was done he spoke, "My Wonderful Dragoness, the charge was placed upon me that I have killed many mortals in your territory, and have done so for a reason to challenge you or mock your rule over this region. But I must inform you that I only arrived in this town not but an hour ago, and as talented as I may be at killing mortals. I have not done this deed. I will tell you that I did sense the insanity in the air, and had seen a woman with Red hair in distinct. I do tell you she had an aura of insanity around her. I have told you all that I know since coming here. But I tell you, I have not been in contact with my Lord, Salazar the Orange, for over Fifty years. I have come here to make use of my time on this planet, I have decided to pursue the gifting a of a musician. In which is why I have come to your beautiful city. If you wish, Your graciousness, I offer my serveses in order to find this murderer." He lowered his head to her in honor of her while he spoke, but he spoke was also clear in nature. He waited for her replies, and judgment.

“Hm. The lizard still sleeps even through the cloud? Typical of the Primes… As for letting you wonder around. Karis, tell me, do my knights need his help?” Koris stood at attention. “No my lord! No outsider can match the skills and talents of your Chosen Ones!” Kavanagh raised an eyebrow under his helmet. Did he once had such zeal? Maybe when he was younger. “Of course they can’t! If they could, this would mean you are not the best and if I had not chosen the best, this means that I would have made a mistake… and I don’t make mistakes. You, Zelamir… I will allow you to stay. I will even provide you with… a bodyguard. And I guide of sort, I suppose. My city is the largest of the realms, new comers must beware of loosing themselves. Koris, you will escort this man.” Mastrix didn’t even try to hide it, she wanted to keep an eye on things. Kavanagh, knowing Koris and his temper however, thought better arrangements could be made. “Your lordship, if it is all the same to you, perhaps I should escort our guess. Koris spends more time in the Palace and the training rooms than in the streets like I do.” Most likely Zelamir could enjoy some more friendly faces and to have an escort that could actually guide him through the city could be more practical. “My decisions are final. Or do you doubt me?” He inclined himself. “Of course not your lordship.” Mastrix turned around. “Then do not question my orders. You are all dismissed… And you, servant of Salazar. I expect you to my dinner table tonight. Should you try to run away from your escort, it will be consider as a confession of your murders and you will find my knights much less pleasant than they were.”

As per the custom, the knights bowed while moving backward to put a distance between their overlord and themselves. Once they took a few feet back, Kavanagh looked at Koris. The long ‘I hope you know what you’re doing’ look he gave during mock battles every time Koris pulled a crazy stunt out of his ass. Koris however, did not bother to answer this silent statement. “Well, Zelamir. It looks like you and I are going to be best friends for your time spent here. How nice is that?”

Before anything else could be said, knight Damian got through the group without excusing himself to salute Mastrix. “My lord, the city watch’s HQ has been bombed! It’s gone up in flames!” On the other side of the room, the running of Kavanagh could be heard, he knew so many people working there! “Terrorists! It’s all Dirilianox’s fault, the bastard is going to rub this in my face forever, even if it’s because of him people do this in the first place! When will he understand that my so called ‘too permissive’ methods are the best!” Damian continued, knowing her ranting wouldn’t end until he spoke. “Marshall Thray has ordered all knights on alert, he fears another attack on the palace may be next.” Mastrix crossed her hands. “They would be fools to try! Let Thray do what he wishes, I suppose it’s for this I hired him." Koris looked at Zelamir. "I know the drill, I patrol the inner wall around the palace and you are going to follow me." He then bagan to run.

Through the gardens, people hurried to the outer walls. The palace itself was protected by a long wall capable of sustaining a siege and between the walls and the palace, an enormous length of gardens served as an insulating zone. Reaching the Palace would mean either storming a gate or scalling a wall then crossing the gardens and all of this without attracting the attention of the hundreds of knights and servants on the way. “Hey, Kavanagh! Do you need help?!” It was Thray with his entourage around him who hailed Kavanagh who was rocketing through the courtyard. “I’ll be alright, I’m going to see how things are in the city!” He continued to run, the gates opened for him. He got pass Abyss without taking much notice in her. The guards who opened the gates however did notice her. “Hey! The Palace is under lock down, identify yourself!”


The Knights stand guard, ready for what may come.

[Telion]

How great, he gets the young one, Koris. He would have much rather preferred the older one, at least he has the respect of reputation under his belt. He replied to Mastrix after the young ones talked and said, "Naturally, Goddess of All Dragons, My dining with you shalt be the highlight of all my years past, and future." After his words were said and they moved back as custom, Koris addressed him with “Well, Zelamir. It looks like you and I are going to be best friends for your time spent here. How nice is that?” Zelamir replied with a snarky comment back at him saying, "Well it would be an experience of a lifetime for you, you might actually learn something from me. Unlike the training room, missions give massively more experience in battle. Especially with a much older Favored than Sir Kavanagh here. I could teach you many things if you wish, although, with your Coliseum challenge, it is probably not even needed." He smiled at him knowingly until a newer human rushed in giving a report to Kavanagh. A bombing, he said? How distasteful. Zelamir was never fond of such cowardly mechanisms.

Following Koris to the inner wall he decided he should at lest help the chap. Pulling his elbow blades from his pouch, Zelamir stood on guard, letting his senses take over as he always did during a pressing situation. His eyes went sharp like a snakes did, letting him see in the darker lighting much easier. He smelled the sulfur in the air and.... blood lust, hatred, anger, and insanity. He turned to Koris and said, "You know that female with red hair I spoke about earlier, I believe she is at your doorstep. And by the scent of her, she's a little more than you can handle, a Favored, I'd say a Hundred years younger than I. If you get permission for me, I will handle her. If not, you may lose many a soldiers lives. But you must decide what's going to happen." Zelamir Looked at him, truth was said in every word to Koris, it was his decision though, he wouldn't risk being killed by Mastrix, for charging off to save her knights. Not yet at least.