It kind of dawned on Jerod he had said something wrong to Marianne when she literally froze up, turning in an almost statue like manner to face him. Oh, great, he thought, now he was going to get some dark hex cast on him that would cause him to explode. Or implode maybe. That smile she fixed on her face was also the next indicator, that was chilling despite himself. But curse himself for what he said next, it was just in his nature, when she pointed to her eyepatch and asked. "Aye, that, and I ain't likin that smile none..." Jerod was convinced she had gone and snapped completely, considering her rambling, stuttering tone of voice as she went on about it being nothing, literally spelling it out and ordering him to look away from it. Yea, he reckoned, even if her rapid fire speaking had given him a chance, he wasn't going to have had time to before she kept going on about it. The rising tone of voice made him try to get a word in edgewise to try and defuse the situation. "Easy lass, I ain't meanin..." Jerod didn't have the time, pitch rising, and he had half a mind to arm himself. She was a dark mage, after all, and knowing the crap she had been collecting, she was probably more threatening than a lot he had seen in quite a few years. But, part of him was warning him that the absolute worse option would be arming himself right now. That might escalate whatever he had said triggering this outburst. Right now, self preservation was taking priority. He would figure out what the hell he had said, and more importantly why, it was such a trigger. "Didn't mean no harm lass..." Jerod looked at the girl as her threats escalated to literally stringing him up by his intestines. Jerod blinked, the half scared, concerned look fading as she continued losing her mind. He had tried reason, tried kindness, and she was just losing it harder and harder. He had caused this, so by the gods, he would stop it. As she continued on about paying it no mind, he spoke again, this time a hard, barking tone that overrode her own panicked ramblings in volume. "ENOUGH, NOW!" Too much attention, he reckoned, but Jerod lowered his voice again, giving her no time to continue rambling. "I'll pay it no mind, I wasn' aware of yer aversion. I'll leave ye be, if this is how yer goin to react to a bloody question." Jerod wasn't going to fool himself though, that little outburst was something that scared him, even if he would never show or admit it. That was dangerous, considering another place, another time and she could have very easily made good on those threats. He really did not want some insane, irate, crazed phsyco lass with dark magic trying to kill him. He would be sleeping with one eye open for the forseeable future. Assuming what he had tried even worked, of course. He was on defensive footing now, just in case. The way she was standing, arm clenched and another covering her eye patch, was also registered for later thought. But for now, he did as she had asked and stopped even looking in her direction, as an addition to seeing if that helped at all now. The Champion already had his oath, if Jerod was aware of current events between them and the Exalt, he would have reaffirmed it at that moment. But, right now? He had more to worry about then a declaration of war between Yllise and the Church. His own hide, to be honest.

Jacob smiled at the knight. "I thank you Sir Marius, I hope we may see the end of bloody business together and begin rebuilding the world without the Churches madness." He walked forward towards the man, he had heard of talented knights and the word was that he one best since Sully or Fredrick had served. "I would be honored to have you join us, please I do not have the title Sir, I am just Jacob." Jacob overheard the commotion behind him, he turned back and shot Marianne a glare, the Grand Master also turned his head before whispering. "So you find a young flame that caught your eye boy? Perhaps you should go see Old Hubba in the market about her." The old man smiled patting the boy on the back. Jacob blushed and whispered back. "No you old perv, she's one of my companions. She's also a little on the strange side, I'm slightly worried she'll open my eyes while I'm asleep so she can stare at them." The Grand Master sighed. "Your hopeless boy. Either that or your more into boys then girls. Every woman's a little strange, just move past it." Jacob bit back a retort, now he remembered why he was so often away from the Academy.

Konnie walked into the castle in silence, she shall introduce herself more once they get to a more opportune time, now they have to look decent enough for the Exalt. She straighten up her outfit and hat, and pushed strands of her curly hair out of her face. She has to look presentable. She didn't heed much attention to the group as she looked herself over one of the reflective windows not far from where they shall meet the Exalt. She watched the revival of the 'The Shepherd', she was getting giddy, she shall she one of the first members of newly raised Shepherds. She didn't even noticed the breakdown of their Dark Mage, she was just so excited. Konnie walked closer to Jacob. She bowed to the Grand Master and the Knight. "Greetings, Sir Marius, and to you Grand Master." She politely greeted. "So, Champion, when are we heading off?" She asked, she wanted to leave right away, before one of her sibling come barging into the room with arms out and ready to kill. "WHERE IS SHE!!!" An angry yell could be heard throughout the room. Konnie froze and then blushed, she tried her hardest to hide her face under her hat. Rosa seen her sister among the people in the room easily. If looks could kill everybody in the room would be dead five times over, she made Grima look like a rabbit in comparison. "KONNIE!" She shouted, and stomped towards her sister not caring if she would get in trouble or make them look bad. All she want is to vent. Rosa grabbed Konnie by the shoulders and it was a tight grip, Konnie winch at her Grip. "YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO COME FOR TEA THIS MORNING!" Rosa angrily yell. "AND WHERE DO I FIND YOU?! IN THE CASTLE OF THE EXALT AND WORKING WITH THE CHAMPION. TELL ME, WHAT ARE YOU DOING." She muttered holding back more shouts. Konnie was used to her sister yelling, she took a breath and spoke. "I'm joining the Champion's fight against the church." She spoke plainly. Rosa sighed angrily and had a look of pure frustration. And she pushed the palms of her hands up to her forehead, she trying so hard to calm down. "You bloody idiot!" She spoke in frustration. "If your as stubborn as I know you bloody are. I'm Joining this moronic parade of justice! To keep you from doing anything stupid!" Rosa Sighed, she will join this merry band of morons if it means to keep her sister safe, maybe she can make a decent name for herself if she does this. Konnie smiled at her sister joining, she was so scared for being all on own in this crusade, "Yes! Glad to hear it sister! Good thing your a healer we didn't have one yet that I knew of." She spoke cheerfully.

_"ENOUGH, NOW!"_ The sudden yelling made Marianne blink and she stared at Jerod. However, it…probably wasn’t the expression he was looking for. No, she stared at him with that same plastered smile, frozen in place, for what seemed like an eternity…before she finally brought a hand to her mouth and giggled airily when he finally turned away. “Ah. Yes. Well, heh, apologies.” Her voice was back to its original pitch, and the madness from her crimson eye seemed to have been washed away. It seemed she had returned to her soft-spoken and polite demeanor from before. Catching note of Jacod giving her a disapproving glare, the smile faded immediately and she bowed humbly before both him and the Grand Master. “Forgiveness, fearless leader. Jerod simply said something in which I found…funny.” Chuckling to herself, she brushed off her dress and even adjusted the little bundle of roses on her hair before tilting her head back and smiling. In this lighting, with the dress and calm stature, she seemed like the perfect image of a refined lady. Hopefully it could be kept that way, at least until after they left the presence of the Exalt. She turned to Jerod now, opening her mouth to apologize, when the sound of a booming voice echoed off the walls. All turned their heads in the direction of the entrance as a young woman stormed up to Konnie and began to basically manhandle her. _"YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO COME FOR TEA THIS MORNING! AND WHERE DO I FIND YOU?! IN THE CASTLE OF THE EXALT AND WORKING WITH THE CHAMPION. TELL ME, WHAT ARE YOU DOING."_ As Konnie smiled and tried to diffuse the situation, Marianne was next to her side in a heartbeat. Reaching out, she gently tapped the other Mage on the shoulder. “This woman speaks to you with such harsh words,” she said curiously. “I can’t let people do that to my friends…hey Konnie, _**can I kill her**_**?**_ **Do you want me to kill her for you?”**_ She flashed the other Mage a smirk, already preparing to fire off a spell. Because the power of friendship is strong.

Ah, excellent! This was turning out to be a brilliant meeting with the exalt! Marianne freaking out to his right! Angry sisters busting in to his left! Rylan tried to resist the urge to throw his arms up in the air in exasperation. Granted that Marianne's outburst unnerved him far more than he cared to admit, especially since she seemed to be in a particularly..._delicate_ state of mind right now. Rylan sank further back into the group, trying to distance himself from the dark mage who looked just about ready to burst from what Jerod had doubtlessly meant to be an innocent inquiry. Making a mental note to avoid ever asking about her eyepatch, he shot a quick, wary look over to see how the older man was faring. He'd step in to help, but uh...Jerod looked like he was doing okay, right? Right. He'd be fine. Probably. At least it seemed like she had settled down. That was a relief. Rylan felt his shoulders--which he hadn't even realized were tensed--sag slightly as his muscles relaxed, a small sigh escaping his lips. Gods, they'd definitely have to tread carefully around this girl. All the craziness aside, Rylan was genuinely surprised by the revival of the Shepherds, especially so since Jacob had just taken a heavy burden on his shoulders by becoming the new captain. _For a kid, he's sure accepted quite the responsibility,_ He mused, ignoring the fact that he was a mere few years older than him, _Though he seems capable enough. I suppose only time will tell._

Jerod sighed, he hated yelling, it wasn't worth the effort nine times out of ten. He reckoned this was that tenth time. He said something funny? Well, yes, fine, that would do. As long as she wasn't literally going to string him up by his intestines, he could leave sleeping lions be. Or, insane mad lass. And to think they had been getting on so well, he thought. She probably would still be creepy enough, but he knew at least one boundary at least. Her apology to the Grandmaster, which he just noticed, Exalt, which he ALSO just noticed, and champion o naga, which he did not just notice, brought a smirk to his face regardless. If for no other reason then to hide his reaction to the sudden change in the mad lassies reactions. "Ach, sorry fer that lad, never been good with all this fancy royalty nonsense. Told ye before, and I'll tell ye again. Ye got me blade and aid in this mess before, and ye'll have it until its all said and done, yea? Now, if ye don't mind me askin, where does this lot keep their drinks? I think I'll be needin a few for the evenin..." Jerod certainly didn't elaborate why, and the woman coming in yelling only made him more unhappy with the situation. And the dark mage was threatening the newcomer. Oh, great, Jerod thought with a sarcastic bent, what a surprise. And, gods help him, he was opening his mouth to say something and couldn't stop himself. "Ey, dark spell spitter lass, me thinks the two can sort out their differences, yea? Hows about we go clean up those bodies, ye yourself said somethin' about em earlier. I owe ye for embarresin ye in front of these noble types." Jerod considered it an olive branch for his prior statement, at least from what she had said about her hobbies before already to the champion. That, and if it got him, number one, and her, probably should be the first one to get out of collateral damage range, out of this damned fancy nobles court, all the better. He would regret it later, but if he could at least smooth things out between him and the crazy dark mage lass, that would hopefully keep her from plucking his eyeballs out at night. For awhile, at least. At worst, as soon as they were out of sight, he was going to get strung up by his innards. Great options there, Jerod mentally berated himself for it while not betraying his facial expressions right now.

The exalt sighed at strange people her new Captain had brought into her court. "Shepherds you may stay, the rest of you leave us." Once the room was clear the Exalt actually hugged Jacob. "You sacred me Jacob, you mother would have my head if you had been hurt. I know I'm your god mother but still I do worry about you like your my own." She sighed patting him on the had. "Speaking of my children, my daughter is coming with you to Ferox and Pleagia." With that from the back of the room entered a elegantly dressed young women, her sharp blue hair and the brand on her cheek gave away her identity as Princess Caroline, the next in line as Exalt. She stepped forward quickly before slamming her boot into his knee, Jacob crumpled cradling his knee as the woman began to yell. "I can't believe this! First you run off without me then you go and become some great Champion and now your leading the Shepherds!" She fumed for a moment then leaned down and hugged him. "I'm just glad your safe... Oh and if run off again I'll stick my staff so far up your ars-" The Exalt cut off her daughter before she could finish that rude sentence. "Caroline! We have guests and that is not becoming of a lady. Now encase any of you are wondering Jacobs parents were close friends of mine however they died when he was young and we enrolled him at the academy he grew up here at the castle. I suppose he's my son by adoption but it makes little difference. He's not a prince, just a clever boy whom I find cute enough to keep around." Jacob blushed getting up slightly flustered. "Aunt Robin stop that! I'm a Captain now, can't you show me a little respect?" The Exalt ignored him. "Well I hope your ready Shepherds, you've got quite the task before you." Grand Master Andres stepped forward. "Fear not Robin, I'll be traveling with them, I wish to see if my pupil has learned from my teaching in the class." He looked at the women of the group before turning back to Jacob. "And outside of it." Jacob groaned and buried his face in his hands. "Seriously just execute me now." With that the Shepherd would soon be making history.

Rylan perked up with interest when a young woman suddenly showed herself. Could that be...? Really, he shouldn't have even needed to ask--the brand on her face was unmistakable. She certainly had the appearance of what he imagined a princess would look like as well. Elegant, graceful-- --and then she kicked Jacob in the knee. He probably shouldn't have laughed, but he did anyways. He at least had the decency to turn away and bite down on his fist in an effort to conceal his chuckles, but his shoulders were quivering quite noticeably. Gods, with the addition of this princess to their merry little band, Rylan would have to be extra sure not to accidentally anger any of the ladies of their group. From what he had seen of them, they could all hold their own very well...and they were rather terrifying to behold when angry. It was funny, if not rather sweet, to see the interaction between Jacob, the Exalt, and the Grand Master. While the boy had acted rather politely and formally around them, he was clearly very comfortable in the presence of those who stood before him now. Champion or not, he was just a teenage boy after all. ------ A young woman slipped in quietly behind the princess, her hands folded behind her back as she hung back to watch the proceedings. Wearing a neutral expression on her face, she did a quick sweep of the room, her eyes sharp as she sought out anything--or anyone--that she needed to be wary of. The faces that stood before the Exalt were unfamiliar to her, but what she could see, none of them seemed like they posed any sort of threat to the princess. The pegasus knight's chest rose and fell almost imperceptibly as she let out a quiet sigh. Although she would not let it show, she was incredibly nervous about her assigned role as the princess' guard. She would never forgive herself if she allowed something to happen to Caroline. Despite her best efforts to keep her face expressionless, when she witnessed the young man--the rumoured "Champion of Naga", if she wasn't mistaken--receive a blow to the knee, Thalia's eyes widened ever so slightly. After a beat of silence, a small, short laugh escaped her lips, but she quickly tried to cover it up with a cough. The amused smile twitching on her lips, however, was a lot harder to try getting rid of. Goodness, the future Exalt certainly was a feisty young lady.

**_Among the roadway, towards the Longfort of Feroxi_** A caravan among rattled among the beaten path of the barbaric Feroxian road creaked thuddingly across its unlevelled surface. "'ey yung 'un. W'ats de bus'nss with ya along the Feroxians?" The handler qeustioned a dashingly grand youngster with dark-fleece coat that no citizen of the Halidom had ever set their eyes upon. The young man adjusted his fire-dyed coat as his shoulder guard rests comfortably. His looks were uniquely, out of the norm to many. He looked up towards the sun cautiously, before a pair of curiously dimming spectacles... Of some sort... Came over his eyes which brought clarity in polarisation. "Ya know 'this road ain't one fer merch's like yer..." He kept silent and continued to journey for The trees were silent but the bushes swayed-- all a little too unnatural for a seemingly dead wind. Deadly bandits had gathered as they've spotted the covered caravan only accompanied by the handler and the out of the norm young man and allowed it to slowly pass after them before a bandit began to appear from the bushes, putting the caravan at a halt. As all bandits were, their faces were covered with bandana masks that concealed their identities. The caravan handler was immediately pale at the sight of bandits. " 'uh... W'at ye wan't? We be passin' ere and there's nuthin'n de caravan!" The nervous tone only made the bandits more certain about what treasures hidden inside the caravan. "Well there's my reason! Handover the caravan or pay the toll!" The bandit yelled out. More and more of them began to emerge from the leaves around, surrounding the caravan with determined thieves out for some good loot. "Whattaya say, hm?" The caravan handler was terrified out of his mind. "He be slaughtering we y'ung 'un! We best flee!" The young man's silence made the driver soon confused. "Say, what discount can we make for this toll that you offer me?" He said aloud. The bandits around them laughed in unison as to mock his question. The leading bandit took part in the laughter before gathering his breath to one bold deal. "What filthy thickets have you lit, idiot? We ain't acceptin' no deal until both of your heads' roll the floor!" They all drew their weapons, this time sending the driver into a mad dash in an attempt to run away from the scene. He whipped the horses harshly, sending the beasts into a maddening rush, knocking the only bandit in the way off and ran towards the Longfort, leaving him behind. "Look what you've done, maggot! We've lost our stash of glimmering gold! You'll pay for that with your life!" "Oh really? Truly you've not known about us. You know-- I don't just slash prices in half." He smirked, despite being awfully outnumbered. "Oh yeah? Let us see how long you'll keep that smirk after we've cut you in half!" >>>> The leading bandit furiously charged with his axe towards the young man. His look is nothing but smirks-- As if he had been in this positioned more than a few dozen of times. There were many cocky bandits after all in the wilderness looking for unsuspecting merchants that had their caravans poorly guarded. Let this be a lesson to them that not all poorly unguarded caravans are vulnerable. The young man sees the brigand quickly approaching. All that he waited for was an opening as he swung his axe up to strike. The quick and steadfast arm that wielded his shield by his left arm bashed to the brigand's vulnerable stomach at which stunned him with a winding blow that sent him sprawling to the floor before the young man stepped onto his face and kicked it with his heel and walked away from the stupefied bandits behind him. It sent the rest of them angry. "You bastard!" One of them yelled out and found his opportunity to strike while the young man's back was turned away from them. Their heavy footsteps were what he heard and he daftly turned his body around, throwing his shield to the beheading axe's teeth and parried it perfectly before facing towards them again. "You've got a steely will. I like that in my customers." He smiled, all without removing his spectacles. "It's such a shame that you'll offer up no determination to get at least a discount on your lives." The seven-- eight bandits were pissed off at him. "Somebody kill him!" The leader yelled out. The young man only smirked some more as his hand drew an impossibly broad blade that he handled with one hand. "Let's see if you'll be satisfied with my service, then." The young man smiled.

As hthe two sisters were talking though their problems. Marianne surprised the two sisters of appearing behind Konnie. Konnie looked at the girl, and she paid attention to her words more carefully and she gasped a little at the threat. While Rosa was giving an annoyed look at the girl. "No you don't have to do that!" konnie said while waiving her arms frantically. "She's my sister so she not going to hurt me." She said oping that would divert the dark mage wrath. Rosa sighed, "I shouldn't have yelled." she admitted. Konnie give her a shock reaction, the older sister never admits her mistakes. "I was worried for you and I'm glad I see that you are okay but I'm still steamed at you." She huffed honestly she sounded a bit embarrassed. Rosa went back to her normal annoyed expression. "So yeah, no spell slinging or whatever you do with your hands." Rosa flatly said, taking note of Marianne's hands. She had to respect a girl who would defend a friend at a drop of a hat, and one that she just met. "It's nice that somebody was looking out for my sister without me." She complemented Marianne in her own way. "Have I introduced myself yet?" Konnie thought aloud trying to make it less awkward. "If I hadn't I'm Konnie and this my sister, Rosa." She smiled.

_"No you don't have to do that! She's my sister so she not going to hurt me."_ Marianne glanced at Rosa, then at Konnie. At once she bowed before the older sister and smiled to show her good intentions. “Ah, so she’s your sister then? Well it’s very nice to meet you Konnie’s Sister. Apologies for my hasty reaction. I simply took you to be an enemy berserker meant to take out our magical defenses first. But seeing as you’re not, I’d feel really guilty for what I was about to do to you.” As she said this, the unnerving words and willingness to go through with that plan didn’t really make her smile any more comical. If anything, it was just there to creep people out. But hey, she was nice enough and trying at least. _"So yeah, no spell slinging or whatever you do with your hands. It's nice that somebody was looking out for my sister without me."_ _"Have I introduced myself yet?" If I hadn't I'm Konnie and this my sister, Rosa."_ “Of course,” Marianne replied to Rosa’s compliment. “I’d do anything for a friend. And since you’re Konnie’s sister, that makes you my friend too. I’ll be sure to place your bodies together after death when the time comes, since you’re sisters.” The Dark Mage glanced at Konnie fully now. “I’m also glad to see there’s another Mage around here,” she said warmly. “Maybe we could exchange spells sometime soon? Yes…I’d like that very much.” _"Ey, dark spell spitter lass, me thinks the two can sort out their differences, yea? Hows about we go clean up those bodies, ye yourself said somethin' about em earlier. I owe ye for embarresin ye in front of these noble types."_ Hearing Jerod’s words, Marianne briefly tensed up for the shortest of moments. In a flash, she placed her fingers on her eye-patch, as if to verify that it was still there. Satisfied, she nodded her head and followed the man back outside to where the corpses lay no doubt. As she did so, she took in note Princess Caroline’s entrance and introduction. Witnessing the swift boot to Jarod’s knee, Marianne chuckled lowly in amusement. “The women in Ylisse sure are scary, right?” she said, looking at Jerod. How ironic coming from her…

Jerod snorted with amusement as the newly crowned Captain of the Shepards got a swift kick to the knee, and was promptly pulled into a tight embrace by that princess with the mark. He hadn't really been paying the Exalt any sort of attention, but he caught enough to understand what was going on. Her own flesh and blood descendent, along for the ride too. Probably to help keep an eye on things, no doubt. He made a comment from his position in the room, arms crossed over his chest as the grandmaster fellow also chimed in that he would be coming along too. "Oi, champion o' naga, yer off to a great bloody start, ain't ye?" It was all in good fun, which was certainly obvious from Jerod's tone of voice, but he was instantly wary again when Marianne touched her eyepatch again, almost convinced she was going to lose her mind. But no, she didn't thankfully, and the nod confirmed her agreement, so with an offhanded wave and comment, he led her out of the throneroom. "We'll catch up with ye lot, got some carcasses to check fer loot. And don't fret laddie Captain, we'll share some o' the spoils!" Jerod laughed as he headed out, granted, it was as much show as it was honesty. Was it a risk leaving himself alone with the dark mage after her threats to string him up? Certainly, but she seemed better now. Famous last words, those, he considered. But once they arrived at the corpses he started sifting through their belongings, as he considered her comment on how Yllisean women were scary. Jerod wasn't sure if she was seriously saying that after what she had already done so far or not, but assumed she was. "Lass, in ma humble experience, women folk tend to be intimidatin', scary if ye will, if they put their bloody mind's to it, yea? Some be more natural than others at it, me thinks."

**Marius** Into what has Marius now gotten himself? Moments ago, everyone was greeting each other and honoring the Exalt. Now, it seems like everyone is at everyone else’s necks. First there was the outburst by the scary dark mage, who started to creep out the swordsman, who seemed to be of a less than ideal character. Then a healer (a healer of all people) stormed in and started chastising our local non-scary mage. Then the scary dark mage went and offered to kill the healer for the non-scary mage. Finally, the Exalt’s heir apparent bashed her boot toe into Sir Jacob’s knee. Fortunately for our local red Cavalier, he did not have to break anything up. Everything seemed to solve themselves on their own without his interference. Marius was relieved that no body had been severely injured (maybe Sir Jacob’s pride from being kicked by a young lady and from the mockery of Grandmaster). This newly dubbed and established force, called the “Shepherds”, cannot have their members fighting one another. An army is like the human body, where each individual cell cooperates together to keep the whole alive. Without this unity, the body would die. “So, Sir Jacob.” Marius began to ask, “What is the next task at hand?”

Jacob got up after a few minute dusting himself off. "Well are first goal is to get everyone working together, which means Plegia and Feroxi need to join us. After that the mission is to free Lady Tiki, she's the only one who can really prove that this is not Naga's will." He sighed running a hand through his hair as he looked over the other then back at his master and the Princess. "I suppose that I should be grateful to you all. I thought I was going to have to do this alone." The Exalt sighed. "Right, Caroline you be good and no more beating up Jacob, also I'm placing you and Jacob in charge of war funds." Andres smiled and walked out of the building the old Grand Master was happy, while he was in his twilight years he could see something amazing, his pupil would either rise to rival Robin, the first Grand Master or he would not. When this was over he would have to ask him to take his position... Of course that would mean the duel of minds. The Princess sighed walking over to Thalia. "Thalia I hope you don't mind but were accompanying Jacob, would you please keep a eye out of him. He's been a good friend since we were kids, I'd hate to have bring him back to life just so I could kill him for being a idiot." She gave Thalia a smile, one that really didn't suit her personality. Jacob sighed. "Alright, everyone get to the barracks and rest we leave first thing tomorrow, go mingling I have work to do. If you don't where the barracks are ask a servant or a knight they can point it out to you."

Thalia had been content to just blend into the background and watch, but upon seeing the princess turn and approach her, her back automatically went rod straight and her shoulders squared themselves. Tense? Who, her? Maybe _a little_. Perhaps it was only to be expected considering that she was not only in the presence of royalty, but expected to protect said royal. Her admiration for the other girl only served to place her even higher up on her mental pedestal. Eyes growing round at Caroline's words, the girl tilted her head to the side as a small smile came over her lips. "Of course, my lady. By your request, I will do whatever in my power to keep you and Sir Jacob safe." Lifting her hand and resting it over her heart, she bowed respectfully. When Thalia had been assigned to this role, she hadn't expected for it to go in this particular direction, but a job was a job. She didn't want to admit that her heart thrummed with excitement at the thought of traveling with this colorful little group, trying to keep her mind focused primarily on her duties. Biting her lip to suppress her smile, she resisted the urge to rock back and forth on her feet, a very telling habit of hers when she was happy about something. Although the idea of stepping down to introduce herself to the others did occur to her, Thalia remained standing in place near Caroline. _I can do all those things later,_ She reasoned, looking as the individuals who were gathered in the room, _As soon as the opportunity arises, I shall say hello._

Jacob sighed and headed out, he needed to speak with the Dark Mage, the commotion she caused and the fear she had stirred up was quite bad. "Sir Marius I leave you in charge, I have matters to attend to." He turned and briskly headed out to find the young girl, he hoped she wasn't pulling eyes out of dead men. The princess sighed, a little angry Jacob hadn't decided to spend time with her. However she simply sighed and looked at Thalia. "I'm returning to my room, you may go Thalia, I know you want to meet the others. Oh and drop by Jacobs office later and let him know that Mother and I expect to see him at dinner tonight. The Exalt herself simply returned to her throne. "Your all rather lucky, I'd love to go with you all sadly I must stay here and hear nobles complain about my decisions, I wish you luck in Ferox, I here the new Khans are siblings with a bitter rivalry." Andres yawned. "I'm going to take a nap then go spy on some girls in the local bath house." He said it like it was normal for him to do that. The Exalt threw a rock at his head before sighing knowing she couldn't stop the old goat from trying. She just hoped Jacob hadn't been learning that particular skill from him. Jacob walked up to the Dark Mage. "Marianne we need to speak, I understand you had a problem back there, but if were going to work together your going to need to stay calm even in a bad situation. After your done with your bodies please come to my office, I want to figure out what exactly is going on and how I can help." With that he left the poor girl retiring to a mountain of paper work and ink bottles.

Although Thalia's expression was composed, had she been a dog, her tail would likely have been wagging tellingly behind her. "Yes, my lady! I uh, I mean--y-yes, of course. As my lady wishes. I will be certain to speak to Sir Jacob about your invitation as soon as the opportunity arises." With a low bow, she excused herself and stepped down to join the rest of the group. As the group was scattering by Jacob's orders, it seemed as if only a few people were still lingering about. Her gaze fell on one individual in particular, if only because he seemed somewhat familiar. If she was not mistaken, he was a knight of Ylisse, albeit one who she wasn't acquainted with--not that that was particularly surprising. Thalia admittedly did not socialize much outside of the women of the Ylissian pegasus knights. There was hesitance in her step as she made her way over towards the older man, and once she was within earshot, she quietly cleared her throat. "Hello. Are you also accompanying Sir Jacob on his quest?" Peering up at him, she offered Marius a polite smile, "As fellow knights of Ylisse, I look forward to working with you, Sir..." Trailing off, her brows creased as she realized that she hadn't caught his name. Smiling a little sheepishly, she cleared her throat again and clasped her hands together behind her back. "My apologies. Um, my name is Thalia!" She chirped, her cheerful personality seeping out despite her previous efforts to remain cool and mature, "I'm a member of the Ylissian Pegasus Squad, and I will be serving as Princess Caroline's guard on this journey."

Isacc let out a sigh and thought to himself "I feel like something is going to go horribly wrong....I suppose I should find something to do to get my mind off that thought." Isacc was keeping the craziness of those around him out of his mind concentrating wondering how well everyone could actually work together and if Jacob their self proclaimed leader understands how hard it is to both lead an army and come up with tactics it's real life if he over extends himself to much people will die under his command. Isacc tried shaking that thought away if worse comes to worse he could help out he just hopes their leader doesn't think he's invincible and can do anything without fail. Isacc muttered to himself in the now mostly empty audience room "he may be the champion and a prodigy amongst tacticians but he's still inexperienced...." With another Sigh Isacc began to head back towards the town to a nearby tavern in hopes maybe he could fine a job to do until it got late out maybe a bounty maybe some nearby ruins in need of exploring? Isacc entered and the first thing he encounter'd was a bulletin board full of work needed to be done by adventurers or other random people with fighting abilities. "Let's see here....nearby farm....blah blah blah.....attacked by bandits from a nearby abandoned fort...seems like an easy enough task let's check it out." Isacc then wrote down all the info he needed and headed towards the farm which was a simple 45 minutes outside the city on horseback. the Farmers he came across soon in a rather scared fashion ran towards him and said. "are you hear about the bandits? if so there's four of them in that old fort over there if you can handle them the rewards 500 gold and this door key we found nearby your free to whatever you loot off them too." Isacc bowed at the farmers and began to head towards the bandits. (Figured his best option was training)

_"Lass, in ma humble experience, women folk tend to be intimidatin', scary if ye will, if they put their bloody mind's to it, yea? Some be more natural than others at it, me thinks."_ Humming to herself in some jumbled nursery rhyme, Marianne nodded in agreement to Jerod’s words. Bending down at the fifth corpse, she cast Nosferatu again and again to remove both eyes and some of the fingers as well. She would have to be mindful of the larger limbs though, as that would require a sack to carry around, especially if they were to be traveling. A soft plop indicated that she was done examining her research material and she turned to Jerod before pocketing the now severed body parts. Her red eye shined with happiness; here, surrounded by the dead was where she felt most at home at. “Are you suggesting that I’m a natural tyrant Mister Jerod?” Her voice was soft in a joking manner as she meant to tease the poor man with her words and implications. “Perhaps you’re saying I was born to bring people’s bravery between their knees, hmm? Heh, well even so, I wouldn’t like to think of myself as some demented harpy. If anything, I am simply a scientist committing to her experimentation…no, that’s not right. Maybe I’m an unappreciated artist?” Or maybe she was just messed up in the head. That sounded like the better option in this scenario. Her musings on her own role in this far-fetched tale were soon interrupted by a familiar voice. _ "Marianne we need to speak, I understand you had a problem back there, but if were going to work together your going to need to stay calm even in a bad situation. After your done with your bodies please come to my office, I want to figure out what exactly is going on and how I can help."_ Blinking, she flashed Jerod an apologetic smile before walking off in the direction of Jacob’s office. She had to stop once to ask for directions, but it didn’t take long for her to enter his personal study. “That’s quite a lot of documents there my Shepherd,” she commented while stepping in, noting the stacks of papers on Jacob’s desk. Lifting the edges of her skirt, she bowed respectively to him before starting with, “You needed to speak with me, my fearless leader? Rest assured; I was simply finding humor in a wonderful joke Jerod was telling me. Really quite funny.”

Jacob had heard more of their conversation than he let on, what he was about to say was for science however in the interest of living he got and walked a little closer to the door. He tried to give her a friendly smile before he spoke. "So what's up with the eye patch then?" He turned to bolt out the door only to see a smiling Andres, the room could be locked from the outside as the Grand Master had set up to ensure he did the paper work he didn't want to. With that Andres shut the door and the lock clicked into place, Jacob turned around slowly, had he escaped Church mobs, bullies, once a Manakete women who had tried to eat him, long story. However in this moment now he had never been more terrified. Andres piped up from the opposite side of the door. "If yous survive make sure those forms are on my desk in a hour." With that he heard the sound of the old man running match faster than he should have been able to, damn him, when this was over he was going to kill that old perv... If he survived this.