She didn’t argue as first Mara, then Veragwen mentioned her weakened state. Nayash knew that what she said was true, however it was tough to know that she was the weakest one in the band. She was glad though, that they weren’t letting her leave. It showed that they cared, and a part of her appreciated it, whilst the other loathed their doubt in her survival-skills, but she smiled back anyway.

After a while of discussing the afternoon plans Veragwen had swapped place with Mara to head off hunting when Nayash took notice to some odd sounds not too far away. She was about to mention it when suddenly a man appeared out of nowhere. Nayash instinctively turned to grab a weapon, but her hammer wasn’t there and the twist of her body made her wince and she had to lean against a nearby tree in the absence of Mara, whom had also reached for her weapons. Time seemed to move in slow motion as Nayash tried to focus on her breathing, and she slowly sat down on the ground, her side burning in pain. She picked up on the atmosphere; Rather hostile towards a noble, but when the so-called noble responded to Mara she could understand that the hostility was valid. Then she heard him mention the Death Frontier. The name sounded familiar, and somewhere in the back of her mind she knew she belonged there, though she wasn’t a hundred percent sure. As he asked about her condition she forced herself to look somewhat stable, clenching her teeth and nodding at his direction with a small forced smile.

She then happily let Veragwen answer for her, and added:
“I apologize that I am not in a better shape to greet you, sir. I don’t have much memory of what happened, and-" She paused to catch her breath -" If it hadn’t been for Raena I wouldn’t be here. You wouldn’t have happened to cross paths with her?”

She then looked up at Veragwen. "Could you help me up again? I didn't intend to end up down here..." She turned back to the noble. "I was a bit unprepared, for your arrival sir...? I apologize sincerely, but I don't think i heard your name."

I nod to Veragwen and turn to head out into the prairie to look for something to catch when I hear Nayash. She seemed to be having a harder time than most and I couldn't help but wonder myself what had happened that she'd be in such poor shape. "The man standing before you is Lord Armond, the King's adviser. I've heard mixed praises and curses about him, and I'm beginning to see why." Setting off into the brush, I sheath my sword and keep the dagger drawn, figuring that while I'd need to be closer to use it, I could throw it if needed to catch fleeing prey.

Before now, I could never understand what people had against any of the nobles. I mean, they did what they did, we did what we did and that's how life is. But if they'd stoop so low as to insult the person who solves their problems, peasant or no... I shake my head and get into a crouch, stalking a rabbit as it leaves it's hole. I'd never been very good at this, but I would do my best for the sake of the group. Maybe take plenty of time to finish so that Nayash and Caelyn could get plenty of rest.

Caelyn had already had her hands on her daggers. After watching Mara assist the man to the ground and back up, she thought it best to let them know they were in grave danger. "Nuh uh boys, I don' think you should be puttin' your hands on those swords unless you want to be pulling a dagger out of your throat. And as for you, flier boy I kno' your not to blame for all this, but I suggest you apologize to the lady hear. She is the reason you will have any information to report at all."

"Also, you don' know all the company yer keepin'" Caelyn let her second eyelids close slowly. She never knew what they were for but now it made sense. Her dad just told her to blink.them together. "Mara, I kno' he's a horses ass, and all but I think his interest is the same as ours, and trust me, if he makes another fish remark I'll make.him drown in his own blood, but I put the hostility out first. I am no better than he, I apologize for pushing your buttons, but please have more respect for.people lad. My da' always told me you are no' better than how you treat others and I did no' do him justice."

Caelyn was ashamed she let her narrow mind over take her again and it caused a woman she thought so dearly of pain. She knew the man lashed out because she struck a nerve. I will protect this group with my whole being, mentally and physically. She looked over to Vera. "Lady Vera, thank you for dissolving my mess, yet again. I apologize deeply." She looked to the man and slowly closed her eyelids as to say she was not ashamed to be part fish.

Veragwen helped Nayash into a more comfortable position. She gave her a gentle smile and spoke softly, "Standing isn't very restful for you, Nayash. Just take a breather against that tree for now. Mara can help you inside after you all have a nice chat." she said as she helped her sit up against the tree trunk comfortably, "For now though, I have someone else I need to keep an eye on..."

She smiled at Caelyn, "No worries. It seems that's my role in this party. I'm counting on you to take over until I get back, though. I better not come back to you three fighting again...." she said with a wink. She then turned in the direction Jerus went with her bow and knocked an arrow as she silently followed him. Quick as she was it didn't take long to catch up. She spied him stalking a rabbit not far off.

She grinned, pulling the bowstring back and aiming in the same motion. Time seemed to slow, and all she could see was the rabbit. She loosed the arrow and knew that it would hit home. It caught the rabbit mid-jump in the heart and pinned it against the tree behind it. She gave him a wink when he finally looked her way, "I told you my bow would make it easier."

It all happened quickly, and was over just as fast, the woman he had insulted quickly made her point. After being helped back to his feet by her, he used his free hand to wave the guards off again, hearing Caelyn threaten them as well. He held Mara's hand tightly, "We have an accord." he agreed before leaning close to her again, "But try that again, and it'll be more than your feelings that will be hurt." he added in a dangerous whisper, finally letting her hand go. He turned quickly when he heard his name, frowning as he realized the male from earlier knew who he was, which was surprising. He watched him take off before turning back to Nayash, "It is as the man says, I am Lord Armond Zeraltus The Third." he started, but stopped when he heard mention of a black robed man. Armond looked at those who remained, "A man in a black robe took down a Death Frontier warrior...only one person has that sort of strength and skill. This situation has become even more dire than originally thought. If what I've heard is true, then Bale is in danger, we need to get back there quickly! If he could control a creature like that giant scorpion, then just imagine what else he could control!" he said, alarmed greatly. He noticed that Nayash wasn't in any condition to move at that moment, so after motioning to the guards and talking to them, they mounted their horses and took off towards the cave at full speed. Armond sat down on a stump, looking at Nayash again, "So tell me, Miss, how is it you were able to survive an encounter with that man? Anyone who has fought him, has never survived...you're the first." he asked her. "As for your friend Raena, I am truly sorry, but I have not seen anyone since I left Bale. Of course, we rested far from the main path, so it's possible she may have already passed through the cave and is in Bale already." he added.

[AS RAENA]

After moping for a good hour or more, Raena decided it was time to take the matter into her own hands. If the food wasn't going to come to her, she would have to LURE it to come to her! Raena moved across the campsite finding a piece of chilled coal, which she then quickly painted her face stripy with. She then grabbed her dagger and an broken branch, still with leaves on, and shuffled over to a calm area with a small field. Then she threw herself to the ground and stuck her feet under a bush. She placed the branch over her head and fluffed up the grass around her, to make it look more appetizing for the rabbits.

Then the wait began. It wasn't long till a rabbit started scuttling towards her and she held her breath as it approached. Then suddenly it got shot into a tree.

"Awwwwhhhh." She groaned. " I had already caught that. That was rude, dont ya think?" She complained and then stood up from her hiding spot and picked the rabbit up before she turned around to whoever shot it to return the arrow.
"At least I can give you back your arrow if you apologize." Then she noticed who it was. "Feraflen?" Her face lit up and shedropped everything and ran up to Veragwen to hug her, stopping mid- skipp as she noticed the guy. then dramatically gasped and pulled out another dagger and pointed it towards him. " Who be you mysterious one?!"

I looked back towards Veragwen with a smile and nod. "That you did. But," my hand whips back and forth quickly, impacting another rabbit Veragwen had spooked with her speaking, "I'm certain we'll both be busy to only rely on one weapon or the other." Going over to retrieve my dagger, I turn back to the first with a confused look as I hear another voice, this one being the voice of the strange girl Raena who'd gone missing. Of course she'd turn up now. Pulling my dagger from the ground and the rabbit's body, I turn to have her dagger pointed at me with an exclaimed " Who be you mysterious one?!", which earned a chuckle from me as I cleaned my own blade.

"I'm Jerus, Lady Raena. We've met before, I find it hard that you would forget that already." Grabbing the rabbit, I remove a length of rope from my back and sting the rabbit on it then tie the rope to my back. "Two rabbits already. Perhaps this will go quickly."

Caelyn knew the wink that Vera had thrown her was in playing but it held more meaning to her than that. She did need to get her temper under control. It could lead to those she cared about getting hurt. Sure not this moment, but you never knew when.

"So Armond, can you inform us a bit about the black robed man? It seems you kno' a bit about him. I would like to kno' who it is we are goin' to be fightin'. Also, I am wantin' you to know there is a huge leviathan that has been terrorizing Rogue as well." Caelyn fought back the tears this time.

"Mara, might I borrow you, I think I am getting a little. . . " Was the last thing Caelyn remembered before blacking out.

Lord Armond Zeraltus The Third. She had heard the name mentioned before, but she couldn't place where. She closed her eyes and waited till the man had seated himself before her before she started answering his questions as best as she could.
"As I mentioned earlier.... I don't remember much. The man got a pretty good hit to my head" She said and pointed at the bandage that Veragwen had placed around her head. "Memory loss or something, Veragwen said, hopefully only temporary... " She sighed. "There is actually a lot I don't remember... Barely remember where I'm from, and if it wasn't for the" she took a deep breath. "For the clothes or style, i wouldn't even know I was from the Death Frontier." she then paused and thought about what had been said before her.

"A hooded man.... I.. "She started remembering. Flashes of the fight came back to her, she had used her hammer to upper swing him... Had she hit? Where was he now, what condition? Why did she run after him instead of fighting the beast in town..?
"Its... Its a bit blurry... I don't know why I chased after him... But I think I managed to injure him swell in the fight. I'm pretty.... Pretty sure i did. " she said and nodded slowly. "As to how I survived... Well, i guess it's thanks to Raena wherever she is... I don't know the details of the fight. " She smiled unfortunately towards Armond, then bowed her head to show him respect and added. " I only wish I could have been of more help, my Lord."

Marmalade eyed Armond as he walked away.
'Keep your cool. He isn't worth your wrath.' She though as her tail twitched. What she wouldn't give to wring his neck. With a sigh, she figured it would probably be a good idea for her to calm down. She looked at the small wooden cabin and could see the building was falling apart. Since Mr. So-and-so probably wasn't going to help and Veragwen and Jerus were already gone, it was going to be up to her to fix it.

She didn't get the chance as Caelyn called her over, but then fainted. Luckily, Marmalade had been close enough to catch her before she hit the ground. Thats when she smelled the rain and realized a storm was moving in. Looking up, one could the heavy rain clouds on the horizon. It would be over them within hours.

Putting aside personal animosity, she called out to Nayash and Armond.
"You guys should move inside, there is a storm coming." Gently, Marmalade picked Caelyn up and carried her into the cabin. The place was caked in dust, but there was a table clear of debris or other items and she placed Caelyn on it. Her first instinct was to use the Dragoon Spirits to start healing her. However, with Armond here, she decided it was best to wait. Instead she rummaged around her and Veragwen's packs for a blanket of some kind. Finding none, Marmalade had no choice but to look around the cabin. Eventually, she found some towels that seemed to be in decent condition. After taking one, she shook it out to release the dust and got more than she expected. A squeal escaped her as several small spiders dropped to the floor. Marmalade hated spiders and wasted no time in squishing them under her shoes. She shuddered, thankful she had remembered to shake the towel. With one last snap, she felt it was rid of spiders and other insects and played the cloth over Caelyn. It was a bit musty, but that was the least of her concerns right now. It was time to figure out how to repair the building enough that they didn't get soaked.

There were plenty of nails and wood around that she could use. There was a ladder, and she even found a hammer. Today was apparently her lucky day. Now if only this noble and his entourage would leave. Marmalade rolled her eyes and climbed the ladder.

"You can't run forever, Armond."

He was getting close, he could just feel it. Of course, the hoof prints on the ground were fresh tracks, and the lingering scent of horses was more than enough to tell that someone had recently left on horse back. Samael stood. It was finally time he set out for his target. Still, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was really off here. He wasn't exactly saying that he didn't want the money, but he felt a bit confused as to why the prince of all people would risk hiring him. Should he be worried?

... He could worry about that later.

The sky drew dark as Samael neared the end of the trail. He could hear people talking up ahead. Finally! He thought to himself, Maybe one of these people can tell me where he went, I'm getting sick of looking for him. He stepped in to the clearin, preparing to speak. He cleared his throat, almost a little too aggressively.

"Excuse me, I don't mean to interrupt your camping trip, but I'm looking for a certain-"

His gaze suddenly caught a familiar figure sitting on a stump. He abruptly stopped mid-sentence, surprised to find the prince himself.

"Oh... that was easier than expected."

Veragwen smiled at the strange girl, "Raena? Sorry I didn't see you there, although I probably should've." she giggled at how the girl was hiding trying to catch a bunny, "And it's Veragwen...", she said, trying to emphasize what the letters actually were instead of what they sounded like, "Anyway, it's good to see you! I'm glad you're alright, love. We were worried about you....stay close to me okay? I don't want you wandering off again. I'll put you on a leash if I have to." she said giving the girl a wink.

She looked at the sky then at Jerus, "We should try to catch a couple other things and head back to the others. There's a storm coming fairly soon..."

I follow the direction that Veragwen looks and frown when I see the clouds. She was right, we would need to cut this particular trip short, despite his misgivings about it. Most of the smaller game would be heading for their dens now and the larger game would be clumped too close together to be safe hunting. "That sounds like a mighty fine idea, Lady Veragwen. There should be another den near here if we're lucky." Drawing my dagger from it's sheath, I proceed further through the grass at a crouch, listening for the movements of rabbits or other small game. Hearing something move to my left, I whip my dagger through the air and hear a confirming squeal from the impacted animal as my dagger hits home.

Standing up, I retrieve my dagger and string the animal with the other on the rope. As I do this, I look back towards the storm clouds, contemplating what would happen. There was already tension between two or three of the group and the noble because of the noble's preconceptions about the merpeople and their half-ling children. I had heard that anyone with merman or merwoman, gender pending, blood in them were unloved by nobles, but I never understood why. Even after that show in front of the cabin, I didn't know. Maybe it was because of the difference of blood or something.

Armond listened to Nayash, she seemed to have only limited knowledge about the hooded man, though it seemed others in the group knew of him as well. It was clear to him that he could no longer keep these people in the dark about who that man was, and the theories about what his plans might actually be, despite the crown's limited information on him. He was about to respond, when the woman known as Caelyn fainted, causing both himself and Mara to move. However, Mara had been quicker, so he chose to let her tend to the woman. Turning his attention back to Nayash, he spoke, "The fact you were able to injure him is a great help, Miss. Up until now, we were under the impression he couldn't be touched, but I'm glad to see that isn't the case." he told her. His attention was drawn to Mara once more, it appeared she had noticed a storm was moving on into the area. As he was about to head towards the only shelter they had available, he heard a familiar voice. Turning towards the voice, he saw Samael, a mercenary he had hired out for extra protection. "Samael, I see you made it in one piece. Come, let us take shelter from the approaching storm, there are things we must discuss with these people." he said, motioning towards the shack. Helping Nayash there, he paused and looked through the forest again, wondering if the other two would return before it started to pour. Inside, Armond noticed holes in the roof, along with the sounds of Mara attempting to seal them up before the rain came. Looking at Samael, he spoke, "I know I didn't hire you for manual labor, but some of these people are ill, and they can't afford to become even more ill. Help the lady outside with repairs, it'll go faster with two people, rather than one." he said, moving to a spot where he could keep an eye on Caelyn and let Nayash rest.

Nayash nodded. It was indeed a good thing to hear that the man was not only not untouchable, but it fellt good to know that she had been the one who had broken that illusion about the hooded man. Even if she couldn’t quite remember how or why. Then Mara spoke up about the incoming storm. Nayash had also noticed the change of preassure in the air before the clouds had appeared, but she didn’t mind it. To her, rain was something sweet and rare. Another sign that she most definitely was a warrior from the desert lands of Death Frontier.

Then suddenly yet another individual appeared. Nayash shifted in her position slightly as a reaction to his sudden appearance, wincing again as the pain shot through her side with the movement. Her eyes were sharply focused on the man, and even more so as the man had spoken. It was only after the nobel had addressed him that Nayash eased her mind.

“I’m not ill, my lord. I am injured, and I will be fine, I just need to move slowly. “ She denied the lords help and then pushed herself up from the ground with support of the tree, biting back the pain, and clutching her side. As she stood she swayed a little, becoming dizzy, but she took a breath and let the dizziness pass before moving towards the shelter. Well inside she found her way to a chair and slowly seated herself in it and watched as the companions before her worked.

As she observed a name started floating into her mind. Illurath. It was a name that made her angry and she wondered why. A frown formed on her forhead and she submerged herself in deep thought trying to remember as much as possible from the happenings. Images started to appear, she stood before Veragwen in her care-tent.

“Im remembering something… I remember how I came to the town… I remember how I first met Veragwen… And there’s a name.” She drifted off into silenceness as she remembered why she had gone to the village.
“Illurath.. I was chasing a man named Illurath on behalf of the commity in my home country… I think, but im not sure, that Illurath could have been the man im chasing.. The hooded man. I cant see any other reason why I would have left the town to its destruction. “ she mused for herself mostly, but also for the people around her who were working who might take interest, hoping that they could fill in the gaps.

---

[AS RAENA]

Raena booped Jerus nose as he remarked on her forgetting his name.
“Ofcourse I didn’t forget, but you still haven’t passed the stranger level of trust with me and besides you stole my rabbit. Now how will I be able to brag about a catch with my bare hands?!” Raena flailed her arms, then turned Veragwen. “Oh well, as long as I get to taste I suppose ill stay close. The campfire makers didn’t leave anything for me, which was unfair. OH that’s right! Stay here!”

Raena pointed viciously towards the ground as she spoke and then ran away. Moments later she came back with the heavy hammer not at all being discreet or silent about the way she was carrying this.
“Phew, this thing is heavy! But the desertwomangirlthing might want it. For memories and badassery. “ She remarked. “Now, I am ready to follow you” She grinned and thought about the deliciously cooked fresh rabbits that she was about to feast upon any minute now.

Veragwen rose an eyebrow at Raena, "....Campfire makers?" she looked back the way they had come. They really weren't too far from the cabin. That worried her a little. Out this far the only places one could be going to was Seles or the cave to get to Bale. It's possible it was just some random group of people passing through, but it could also be Illurath himself. From what Raena said the man was almost in as bad a shape as Nayash and if he was alone he couldn't have gotten far. Not without help, at least.

She doubted he would attack them so soon in such a condition, but best to be careful. Veragwen had no idea of the man's powers, not to mention being a Dragoon. Better safe than sorry. She wouldn't put it above the man to set traps.

She looked at Raena again, with that hammer and the girl's already noisy nature she doubted they would catch much. She did want to get back to the others, too. She turned to Jerus, "Actually, maybe we should just head back. The sooner we get back the less time those three have to kill each other," she said, smiling a bit. "We can cook these rabbits and I have a few things we can pair it with already."

Without waiting for any acknowledgement from Jerus or Raena, she took the other girl's hand so she couldn't wonder off and headed back to the cabin. She wanted to relay news of that campfire to Mara as quickly as possible.

"Caelyn, there is something I need to tell you...." Her father started that sentence so many times in her life, that Caelyn knew to expect nothing to follow. But, she always would answer him. "Yes, da?"

"Um, its nothing.." Caelyn had had this conversation with her father enough times now that she finally figured out, when he was ready he would tell her. Or maybe it was the other way around? Who could know what was running through his head. Here she was again having the same conversation.

"Da, why can't you just tell me. You always change the subject."

"Caelyn, you know..." "That you love me." Caelyn interrupted him. She was tired of the excuses, and wanted the truth.

She blinked for just a moment and the whole scene around her changed. She knew the area she was in very well. This was the last time she saw her father. She knew what was about to happen, she had had this dream hundreds of times. On que, the water started swirling as the huge creature lunged at her. Then her father jumps in and throws her out of the way. Following that was a loud..... bang? Followed by another bang.

Caelyn was immediately shook from her dream and heard another bang. She looked around and found herself on a table. She was covered by a towel? "Who is makin' that awful noise? I am to be thankin' you. Cos, if not for you I'd still be trapped in that prison. She looked around and noticed the noble watching her. She didn't want to appear weak, so she sat herself up on the table. She soon realized how weak she truly was. Caelyn's arms shuddered and almost buckled under the weight. "Might I be troublin' someone for some food, I am starvin'." Caelyn grinned returning to her toughened persona.

With a huff, Marmalade brought the hammer down, connecting it to each nail. The storm was approaching faster than she thought. Looking around, she couldnt see Veragwen or Jerus. Plus there was no sign on Raena. It was this moment she heard that noble telling someone to help her. She could do it herself, though a little help would make it go faster. She knew that damned good-for-nothing goodie-good would find himself too good for hard work. All the same. It made her blood boil.

Marmalade was jolted out of her momentary lapse of control when she heard Caelyn's voice. That woman sure could take a beating.
"That would be me!" she half yelled down a hole she was about to start patching. "Watch out for falling wood, dust, spiders, and bugs in general!" She then covered the hole and started to pound nails into the roof.

I turn back to reply to Veragwen and Raena but find that they're both already walking away back towards the cabin. I was going to have them take the meat, but I guess I'll just keep at my pace. Despite it being wise to head back to the cabin right then, we didn't have much in the way of meat with only three or four rabbits to our name and I couldn't let that lie. Making room in the pack, I put the meat inside and return to stalking the prairie once more, searching for more rabbits or maybe even something slightly larger. After stalking for another few minutes and only getting three more rabbits, I concede to head back to the cabin. All the game creatures had gone to ground to avoid the storm and it was time I did so as well.

The walk took me another several minutes, something that was of my own doing because I had gone further than I should have trying to find meat for us. Spotting the cabin, and those on the roof working on it, I wave. "And the victorious hunter returns with six rabbits!" I couldn't resist the chance to make the joke, and I was hoping it would defuse the situation some. However, maybe a serious word with the Noble couldn't hurt, and that word would need to come from either myself or Veragwen.

At the entrance to the cabin, Samael took his first view of the group he would be spending his time with. He didn't know what to expect, but he at least expected the group to be a little more... professional. Even so, it was still Armond himself that requested his assistance. He was at least willing to grin and bear it for the time being. A grimace of displeasure crossed his face for a brief second, but his face quickly regained the composure of a professional, the kind that he was hoping to work with.

Samael nodded to Armond, then quickly climbed the ladder. He knelt down on the roof and quickly surveyed the damage. It wasn't anything too terrible, and the girl that was already on the roof had already started work. "Okay then," he spoke out loud to the girl, purposely deciding not to ask her name, "Hand me a hammer."