_"So what's up with the eye patch then?"_ If looks could kill, then Marianne’s expression would have summoned the Risen from ages past. The click of the door being locked didn’t even register to her; she only turned around mechanically to face her fearless leader. Not him too….not him too. “Heh…aha, why do you want to know something like that? No, I take that back! Heh, why are you looking at _it_ in the first place? Does _it _bother you? Huh, huh, hmmmmm? Does it bother you? Because it doesn’t bother me, my fearless leader, ahaha! **N.O.T. A.T. A.L.L.**” Clenching her left hand into a fist, Marianne’s magical prowess began to leak out as an aura of inky purplish-blackness surrounded her figure. The room seemed to have dropped in temperature ever significantly as she took a step closer. “Aha….ahahha! What will it take for you to stop looking at _it_? To pay _it_ no mind? _**Huuuuuuuh**_? Tell me, my fearless leader! My _**Shepherd**_! Would you want me to slaughter a nation for you? Ahaha, I can do that! I can do all sorts of things too! Do you want me to take your skin, knit it into a banner, and parade around Ylisse and all the other nations in your name? **I. C.A.N. D.O. T.H.A.T. **_Anything _for you my fearless leader! Anything for you to _**pay it no mind.**_” Her red eye was now blank with a lack of empathy, though the twisted smile on her visage only widened higher across her cheeks. Her right hand suddenly glowed a dark purple and she spun around to hurl a curse directly at the pile of papers stacked on Jacob’s desk. The room exploded in a flurry of burning documents. “Ahahahhaha, see what I did? I got rid of your papers for you? Aren’t you **P.R.O.U.D.** of me? I did it…now that I did it, you have to do something for me? And what do I want? _**I…want…you…to**_…**S.T.O.P. L.O.O.K.I.NG. A.T. I.T. N.O.W.”**

Jerod had laughed, responding to the question from the dark mage briefly before Jacob came and, in no short order, hustled her away. "Ach, nay lass. I be merely supposin any woman could be a tyrant if it suited 'er. All a matter o' mood." Jerod had a gut instinct that, as Marianne walked off to see what Jacob wanted, that the lad tactician was about to make a huge blunder and make the same mistake he did. He wasn't no fancy book reader or man of gentle birth, but he knew a damned suicidal action when he saw one. Even brewing in the works, for that matter. Walking away from the corpses, he saw that old grand master running at a good speed, which only confirmed his suspicions on the matter. Of course, he knew the kind of trouble that would be in private, so he followed the talk of that creepy dark mage girl to track her, reaching their tent, but not going inside yet. He could tell commotion was going on, but he was going to let the lad stew with the trouble he just brought onto his own damned head, and only intervene if she looked like it was almost time to murder the poor lad of a champion. Until then, he would wave off folks from disturbing the two, for their own safety rather than respect for what was going on inside the tent. More importantly, he was eavesdropping on what was going on just in case he needed something on either the dark mage girl or lad the champion. Right now, he would certainly step in if it sounded like she was causing physical harm to the Champion, or vice versa for that matter, he didn't discriminate. But for now, he mostly listened in and made his observations in silence and out of sight of the entry way, not even trying to gain access, waiting until the time called. Poor lad didn't know what he was getting into.

Isacc was getting closer to the lair of the bandits not knowing what to really expect but knew he'd be able to easily handle it....meanwhile. Meline was keeping her eye on the noble closing in wondering why he was heading to her base she knew she was a thief but it wasn't like she and the others ever stole enough to have a death warrant. Unless beacuse it was a single man he just came to test his strength she doubted he had the ability to stop them regardless she snuck back to her base to tell the other 4 thief about the situation. they decided to have 2 people guard the entrance Meline and one other guard the centre of their fort and the leader guarding the back probably planning to escape. they had hoped the Noble wouldn't be able to stop them however the leader was just hoping they'd distract him long enough so he could get away with his loot stolen farmers,peasants, and merchants he didn't give a damn about those working under him all he cared for was the money. Isacc got to the entrance and was met with the two guards one a mercenary the other a fighter. "If you care for your lives stand aside brigands" the guards gave a snort and told Isacc to leave but Isacc didn't waver and unsheathed his bronze sword in preparation for battle. the fighter rushed him first but he was a rather slow and clumps man and missed and to counter Isacc simply kicked the man in the back then slashed the fighter with the blunt side of his sword knocking him out. "You guys aren't very trained are you?" The Mercenary responded by saying "that was just him I'm different I actually know how to fight." the mercenary then rushed towards him flailing his sword like a madman but it was purely aggressive and had no accuracy behind it at all allowing Isacc to easily dodge and counter by slashing the mercenary in the front then smacking him in the head with the hilt of his sword knocking him out. Isacc then tied the two Bandits up and took their loot which consisted of 250 gold and some tools stolen from the farmers which Isacc would return after he finished. Meline was getting a little antsy not knowing how to deal with the attacker but hoping he wouldn't make it past the two outside but she knew how terrible at combat they were and how easy it would be to knock them out. Isacc finally entered the point of the room Meline was in and prepared for combat. "You guys really should just be farmers instead of robbing them it's not an exciting life but at least it's a living" Meline then responded in an angry voice "We aren't doing anything wrong were stealing from people who deserve to be robbed from we are just thieves don't treat us like simple bandits." after that the fighter beside her clumsily dashed towards Isacc to be taken out with a simple kick no threat like the others. Meline got annoyed and began to fire arrows at Isacc but her doubts of wondering why someone would attack and say their bandits and she wasn't nearly as accurate as she could have been and couldn't hit her target. Isacc quickly closed the distance between her and hit her with the blunt end of his sword knocking her down. "You may be a thief but your friends have been killing and robbing farmers and other people with nearly nothing to their name." Meline began yelling saying he was wrong and there's no way that could be true so Isacc simply told her to follow him and hear from her leader herself. "He'll admit he's a bandit watch he'll be angry and say everything" The two then made it to the bandit leader who of course was pissed off and blamed Meline for them failing saying she's too soft and could never kill a person unlike himself and then attempted to escape. "Wait you were lying and killing and robbing farmers I can't forgive that." Meline then shot an arrow at the bandit which missed but hit the bag containing all of his stolen loot the bandit however managed to escape. Some time later Meline apologized to Isacc and helped him return the stolen goods. "Sorry about that any thing I can do to redeem myself?" Isacc gave a smile and said "Of course head to the city with me I have some friends who could always use more allies." Meline then accompanied Isacc back to the city though it felt like almost no time had past but in reality it was 2 and a half hours though the sun was still up and Isacc knew he had to find Jacob and introduce Meline to him to see if she could join up with them. (for the concept of time and the fact only my characters witnessed this I made it as short as possible.)

Jacob gulped, then stepped towards her placing a hand on her shoulder. "Marianne calm down, it doesn't bother me... I worry about you all, your my Shepherds now. I have to take care of you all, if you don't want to talk about it that's fine."He gulp looking sadly at his hard work. "But you need to trust me if I'm going to trust you, I don't care whats under the patch, what I need is you to that as long as your one of my Shepherds your under my protection. No one here is going to make you lift that patch but sometimes people will talk about things. I'm here if you need someone to talk to." He contemplated hugging her but he squeezed her shoulder instead before returning to his chair and beginning work on the surviving forms, it was how he lived, if was going to die it ought to be this way.

Marianne’s mad giggling gradually died down as she felt Jacob place his hand on her shoulder. Even so, her displeasure and disdain for it all still showed in her presence. And yet, the dark aura began to retract slowly but surely. _"Marianne calm down, it doesn't bother me... I worry about you all, you’re my Shepherds now. I have to take care of you all, if you don't want to talk about it that's fine. But you need to trust me if I'm going to trust you, I don't care what’s under the patch, what I need is you to that as long as your one of my Shepherds your under my protection. No one here is going to make you lift that patch but sometimes people will talk about things. I'm here if you need someone to talk to." _ “Jacob…?” Watching him leave her side with wide eyes, she studied his calm demeanor as he sat down at his now splinted desk, collecting and working on whatever documents he could grab a hold of. His words seemed to have struck a cord though, as Marianne’s lip began to quiver, and it seemed she was about to burst into tears. “Nugn….ghh….gahahahahhahahhaaha!” All traces of sadness were soon drowned out with more laughter, though this one was noticeably devoid of the former’s maddening cries. Wiping her eyes of tears caused by amusement, she chuckled some more before walking towards Jacob’s desk, looming in front of him. “Is that all you wanted? I must say, you riled me up for nothing then. That’s very naughty of you, my fearless leader,” she said with a smirk. “Even so, I understand your words loud and clear. From now on, I’ll be sure to inform you of any problems I have, alright? Heh, I knew it would be worth while studying you. If it’s all the same my Shepherd…you’re my most interesting specimen yet.” She said this with the utmost respect, admiration and…was that affection? Bowing to him, she moved to exit his tent. However, she immediately stopped half-way through; turning around, she fixed him with a stare meant to freeze blood. “All the same, I only joined this little group because _**you **_interest me Jacob. However, mention my eye-patch again, and I will _**not**_ hesitate to make sure Naga’s Champion ends up scattered across the land in _**little, tiny, pieces,**_” she warned darkly. To emphasize her point, she pointed a newly glowing hand in a random direction and cast a curse right then and there, causing a miniature explosion to occur. When the smoke cleared, a decent sized hole was left in its wake. Just two inches from it was a certain ease-dropping swordsman, no doubt reeling back at what could have been him. Not even acknowledging Jacob, she turned and made her departure from the tent. As she walked along, raising a hand to her eye-patch, she suddenly became startled with herself at the sudden action she had just committed. She felt…_enraged_ at his prying. That was something new for her…no wait. Rather, it was something she didn’t feel very often. Why did he, of all people, make her feel like she wanted to set the whole camp aflame? Confused for once in her life, Marianne walked aimlessly around until she entered her own tent.

Jerod was about to shift to a better listening position when the hole was blown clean through the spot he was about to move to, roughly two feet to his side. Oh, great, he nearly lost bowel control because of that. Few years prior, he would have lost bowel control because of that. The lad had a way for words though, he decided, even if she was now storming off in an absent minded way, not even realizing how close she had gotten to torching the swordsman leaning and eavesdropping. Well, that was fascinating, if a bit life threatening, Jerod decided, and he figured he might as well see how badly the lad had soiled himself now that he was safe. Giving it a few moments, Jerod walked into the tent after doing the equilivant of knocking, as best he could at any rate. "Well lad, figured I'd come and check on ye, see if yer in one piece or not still. Saw the 'ole ye got goin there, figure it ain't just decorative?" It was the closest Jerod had come to being diplomatic or at least nice towards the Champion that wasn't in a blatently mocking way. He knew most of what the lad had done already, having been listening in and forming his own theories and opinions, but that hardly meant he was going to let on that he was. Still, nearly getting killed unintentionally was startling, which might be unconsciously showing. But, worse comes to worse, he could easily justify himself to the lad. Not that he needed to, really. He could though, and that was that. Although he would most certainly be giving the lad a hard time for his interest in the dark mage. He might even bring that grandmaster in on it, he seemed to know a fair bit about the lad.

The young tactician sighed. "That girl is something else." He set about fixing his office as he cleaned up the paper work. He got the feeling that this was just the start of his problems with her. He worked with quiet efficiency, once he had completed the surviving forms he went into his personal chest in the corner producing a field of units painted red and blue each hand craved, this set had belonged to Robin, passed down between generations he began his work planning and scheming. To most others it looked like a game of chess but to him it was a art, the art of guiding deadly warriors into the fray and watching them clash until only the superior warrior walked away alive. The Grand Master had left and sat alone on a park bench, his old bones tired from running. He could since something dark on the horizon, something more terrible than war. He waited calmly, he knew this was his end, he had once had a long conversation with Tiki, she said he would be the kind to die in war. He knew it, by the time this war was over he would be dead, now it was more important than ever, Jacob had succeed him, the boy was young but so he when he had taken over the role. The old man looked forlorn and with a sad voice he looked at the sky and spoke. "Naga, give that boy luck, he will need it for what you have planned."

**Marius** **"Sir Marius I leave you in charge, I have matters to attend to."** “Yes, Sir Jacob, you can count on me to keep everything in one piece. For just as Chrom of legends old could count on Frederick, you can count on me. Although don’t expect me pick up every pebble in your path. I’m a knight in your service, not a butler.” When Jacob turned to leave, Marius felt relieved that he could, at least temporarily, get away from some of the ‘crazies’ that had accumulated in the new “Shepherds”. Marius’ first task was to head down to the barracks and the armory and take inventory of the supplies and gear that would be available for the “Shepherds” to use on this journey. Marius was about ready to head out when he heard a quiet voice trying to address him. **"Hello. Are you also accompanying Sir Jacob on his quest?"** Marius heard the timid voice say, **"As fellow knights of Ylisse, I look forward to working with you, Sir..."** However, there was this short, awkward moment where someone could not remember the name of the person whom she was addressing. **"My apologies. Um, my name is Thalia!"** She seemed to have tried to redirect attention back to herself so that Marius would also introduce himself, **"I’m a member of the Ylissian Pegasus Squad, and I will be serving as Princess Caroline's guard on this journey."** “You’re apologies are accepted. I am Marius. Sir Jacob has deputized me temporarily while he attended other matters.” Marius paused for a moment. His better judgment dissuaded him from pressing on the matter about her being so young and how the perils of this journey would endanger any grown adult, let alone child, knowing that it most definitely would insult the young girl. “Well, since there are quite a lot of you young folk” Marius said, trying to be as less offensive as possible, “and since I was heading down to the barracks to take inventory of our supplies, why don’t you round up any stragglers who intend on going with us and have all of you meet me down at the barracks for inventory?”

"Ah--it's a pleasure to meet you! I look forward to serving alongside you." Eyes bright, she peered up at the older knight with a smile, only to perk up upon hearing his suggestion. Immediately straightening up, Thalia quickly nodded her agreement. "Oh, y...yes! Of course, Sir Marius! I will get on that right away!" Eager to be of assistance, the girl hurried off to do exactly that. She had just manage to round up one person when the memory of Princess Caroline's request popped up in her mind. Ah--yes, she was to inform Sir Jacob that the princess requested his presence at dinner! Deciding that she could quickly fit that in now, Thalia left to find where the Champion's office would be. Though she was somewhat familiar with these halls after her brief time here, she still had to stop and ask a passing maid for directions. She was sure that she'd be able to find the office with a little wandering, but for the sake of saving time, it seemed more efficient just to ask. Soon arriving at her destination, the first thing that caught the girl's attention was the hole in the wall. That was, um...magic training gone wrong, perhaps? Shaking it from her mind, she made her way forward and peered into the room, clearing her throat upon noticing two figures. "My apologies for interrupting--I'm simply here to deliver a message." Taking another step in, she dropped down in a bow, "My name is Thalia, and I am presently serving as Princess Caroline's guard. As such, I will be accompanying you on your journey in the near future." After a pause, she straightened up and smiled. "The princess would like you to know that she expects you to accompany her and the Exalt for dinner tonight, Sir Jacob--" --lest she kick him in the knee again-- "--and, um..." Gaze sliding to Jerod, she blinked up at him owlishly as she recalled her second task. Looks like she managed to hit two birds with one stone by coming here. "Um...Sir Marius would also like everyone to gather at the barracks for inventory! At your earliest convenience that is--I'm sorry again for bursting in here and cutting into your conversation like this." --- Rylan, who had been loitering around the area, soon found himself staring down the small pegasus knight as she abruptly appeared in front of him. Quite literally "abruptly", as the myrmidon hadn't expected to find someone standing directly behind him upon turning around. After a brief introduction--a proper one from her, and a rather lazy response from himself--he was informed that he should go down to the barracks, which was where everyone was to gather. Right. Jacob had said something about that too, hadn't he. He had just barely managed to get out a word of thanks before Thalia apparently remember another task she had been assigned and went gallivanting off elsewhere. Staring after her, Rylan let out a long, drawn out sigh before lifting a hand in front of himself, his fingers curled in a fist. Let's see... Champion of Naga. Crazy dark mage girl with an eye fetish. Big mercenary guy who had accidentally angered said dark mage. Seemingly sane mage and her hotheaded sister. And then there were also... Lifting one of his fingers for each person that came to mind, Rylan grimaced. Was this...really going to be okay? At the very least, there probably wouldn't be a dull moment on this journey with all these people gathered together. Letting out a little sigh, the man dropped his hand and began to head to the barracks as requested. Maybe if he arrived early, he could bum around and take a nap until the others arrived. That seemed like a nice idea.

Jerod seemed unnoticed by the Champion of Naga, which got an amused snort from the mercenary. Of course he would fly under the radar in this case, he had been seriously debating making a very long string of mocking comments towards the lad for provoking the dark mage AFTER seeing what happened when the mercenary had mistakenly done so. But, before he could bring up the fact the lad seemed already lost in his own thoughts and games, some timid knightess came in, saying something to the lad about dinner with the royals or some such nonesense, which he made a remark about, which wouldn't be surprising at this point. "Well, look at the laddie champion already back up in the high and mighty halls, that didn't take ye long. Ach, I'll tell ye lass, that princess o' his aint fixin' to settle fer just dinner and a wee chat!" Jerod laughed easily at the statement and its implications, still doing his best to get under the lad's skin and jostle him around a bit. It was all in good fun, as always, and looked over at the timid knight. Introduced herself as Thalia, eh? And the guardian of that princess of the laddie's as well, that was certainly good to know. He inclined his head in greeting to the lass, first thing that remotely approached a respectable gesture so far in this company of misfits. "Aye lass, I hear ye'. I'll git ta the barracks in good time. Guessin' this 'Sir Marius' asked ye to go round up all the crazy feller's in this band? Ye might need a hand with that one, considerin' some of them and the, ack, state o' mind they be in. I ain't doin' nothin' better, if ye need the aid. Especially if the lad 'ere is goin to hide with his noble princess away from us common folk!"

Jacob got up slowly, placing each piece back in the box. "Sorry, I was working. Planning a route to Ferox and possible ambush sights." He dusted himself off and walked over to the Pegasus Knight. "Please, call me Jacob... Jerod your terrible at sneaking, secure your armor better if you want to make less noise." He gave Thalia a smile. "Of course I'll be at dinner, thank you very much Thalia, I'll help you round up the others. Jerod, please go with Thalia and help her out... Also you can be the one to Marianne and tell her to report to the barracks." He smiled his slightly cruelness. "Oh and Jerod if you make another crack about me and Caroline I cut your pay in half." He smiled as he walked past deciding to catch the Lordling, he would bring a guest to dinner tonight.

**-Friends-** **Dear Mr. Diary** **Isn’t it nice to have friends? I think it is. Friends are meant to help you out whenever you feel bad. They’re especially useful when in combat. And the way their eyes move around in their sockets in their last moments…it makes me happy to know I’m surrounded by so many good people.** **Mister Jerod is really funny, and I kinda feel bad for dragging Mister Rylan into the group. But maybe it was meant to be in Naga’s Will? Naga…heh, that’s funny. That’s really funny actually. I’m giggling right now. Naga….Naga, Naga, Naga. And her Champion. You were right Mr. Diary! Naga’s Champion is just as interesting as I imagined him to be.** **And his eyes….I’ll have to be sure to snag his ears and nose too. Still, I feel kind of bad for putting that hole in his wall. And yet he REALLY shouldn’t have asked about **_it_**. The nerve of him…I HATE him so much. But I can’t do that! That’s impolite of me to say something like that. So I don’t hate him. I can’t hate him because... ** **he’s….** **just…. ** **so…** **INTERESTING.** Signing contently, Marianne placed the pen in her dress pocket along with her small diary. The ink had been conjured up by her magic, a seemingly convenient way to avoid asking for a jar of the stuff. Grinning to herself, it had only just dawned on her that she had no idea where she was within the castle. Indeed, her mind had been elsewhere when she stormed into some random chamber, thinking that the tents were set up. But they weren’t even traveling yet. She supposed some other thoughts just needed higher priority than her point of residence at the moment. However, the act of putting her inner thoughts on paper had served to pacify her rage, at least momentarily. Glancing over at a window in the far corner, she saw that the sun was quickly setting over the horizon and that soon, night would fall. And then they would be off for their first mission the very next day. …well she might as well join everyone then fantasize about various things here alone. Standing up from her seat, she dusted off her dress before exiting the tiny room and wandering the halls, once more in that aimless state.

Thalia seemed to puff up indignantly at Jerod's implication, setting her hands on her hips as she frowned up at him. "W-what? No, the princess would never--! _Er_..." Her gaze flickered to the tactician, and she ducked her head, "Not that there is anything wrong with Sir Jacob, of course--I meant no offense! And not that I am...aware of my lady's personal relationships, but, um...I just meant..." You know what? She would just shut up on this particular matter right now. That seemed like the wisest course of action. Cheeks flushed, she coughed softly into her hand as she tried to regain her composure. Gods, her inexperience was showing right now. Taking a deep breath, she looked up only when she felt like she was reasonably collected. She then looked at the mercenary at his somewhat unexpected offer. He was willing to help? "Oh! Well, if it would be too much trouble, your assistance would be very much appreciated, Sir..." Thalia looked to Jacob when the boy gave his orders, perking up when he addressed the older man. "Sir...Jerod, is it? Well then, I look forward to working with you!" Hastily directing a bow in his direction, she lift her head when Jacob walked past them, peering after him curiously before turning her attention back to Jerod. "If I may, who is this...Lady Marianne that Sir Ja--er, _Jacob_--asked you to retrieve?" The way the tactician had said it somehow made it sound like it would pose...some kind of challenge, almost. Perhaps she was a noble lady of some sort? Or even another princess? Although she did not let it show on her face, the thought quite excited her. Yes, she would most certainly like to meet this Marianne sometime!

Ylisseans and their damn castles... always the extravagant ones, making the most fancy towers and the most lavish ballrooms. It was all a big waste! Ferox had castles too, but at least they served purposes. Good, solid military strong holds. Not these giant wastes of rock! An annoyed haste in his step and a scowl across his features, Lorne prowled the corridors of the castle his company had been stationed at after the crown offered them a sizable sum to fill out the garrison. Never the brightest sword on the rack, he managed to get himself lost within the seemingly never ending corridors. It was really starting to grate on his nerves! He had half a mind to try and chisel his way through one of the walls with his axes when he turned a corner and smacked himself face first into another person. In truth, he probably should've been thankful that he found someone else. But being stuck in the stone building had gotten him all riled up and despite being smaller than him, the other person nearly made him fall back onto his rear. **"Don't you know how to watch where you're going?"** He grumped angrily, narrowing his eyes towards the odd looking girl with the... one eye. Maybe she _didn't_ know how watch where she was going properly. But, that didn't make him unless irritated over the whole ordeal. Maybe yelling at her would help with that.

_"Don't you know how to watch where you're going?"_ The sudden verbal backlash came too little, too late, as Marianne felt herself bump into someone much bigger than her. Looking up at the man, she titled her head at this new face. Where had he come from? And why didn’t she notice him until now? Either there was some serious Deus Ex Machina walking around, or she was just lost in her thoughts of Jacob again. Probably the latter. “Deepest apologies,” she said softly with a smile, giving the stranger that same respectful bow she gave to everyone else. It never occurred to her that perhaps it was the eye-patch that skewered her vision so. Noting the man’s armor, she pinpointed a place of origin and chuckled good naturedly. “Ah, so you’re from Ferox, yes? I can tell from your armor and the way you speak. It’s really quite a nice place there, especially in the winter.” She looked up dreamily now, red eye hazed and lost in her own mental fabrications, completely ignoring the stranger for a moment. “The corpses are so cold there though. I guess that makes it easier to peel the skin off, but still….oh! Allow me to introduce myself,” she said softly. “I am Marianne. It’s very nice to meet you Mister Ferox Man!”

"'Just find the barracks and tell the Champion of Naga of your enlistment.' Those were the words Cinna endlessly repeats to himself as he prances down the long corridor of the castle. Problem is, Cinna has no idea where the barracks was. Could it be here?" Cinna opened a door rather loudly to be greeted by the smell of hay and horses. "Of course it's the horse! The barracks is elsewhere. Cinna begins looking for another door. And then he finds one! A door of fine oak and steel!" Cinna pranced past a man and a one-eyed woman on his way to the door, and he swung the door open to see about a dozen soldiers, whether of magic or sword. "Ah! Wonderful job, Cinna!" Cinna laughed, giving himself an applause. He fixed his eyes on a man at the back of the room in the telltale robes of a tactician. "Cinna has found the Champion of Naga! Hooray!" He marched comedically towards the tactician, when he faked a trip roughly ten feet away, rushing to meet the floor, only to curl up and somersault forward and stand back up just inches from the tactician. "This humble servant is pleased to make your acquaintance, o marvelous one!" He had pulled out a red book in his right hand and opened it to one of the back pages, casting his left hand backwards. "Oh, happy day!" he sang, snapping a finger and making fire flash behind him in the shape of a smiling face. Closing the book, he returned it to an unseen pocket under his cape, and both his hands rushed forward, grabbing one of Jacob's hands and shaking it longer and far more dramatically than he should have. When he finished shaking the man's hand, he thrust both hands outward and turned around slowly. "And you must be the strong men and women who have earned the right to serve under this marvelous tactician! You sure do look intimidating. Poor Cinna is sweating from fear!" He laughed a very jovial laugh, and cartwheeled forward to the center of the room, where he brought his cape up to conceal all but his eyes. "Our opponents are such dark, vile demons, who take pride in slaughtering the innocent!" He thrust his cape back, revealing a crooked smile. He then brought his hands to his cheeks in a very dreamy pose. "But now we can fiiiiiiinally give them their just desserts! Cut them open and feed them to the beasts! Spear their heads and hold them high! Burn them black and break their bones! Eeeeeee! Together we can accomplish _ANYTHING!"_

Jacob was unsure whether to run, scream for Marius, or join with this crazy jester, after the wild ride that had been his arrival the young man had to sit down, planting himself in a nearby chair he gazed at the strange man. "Ummm hello then, I gather your name Cinna, I'm Jacob the man also known as the Champion of Naga. I hope you don't mind but could perhaps speak a little slower and explain a little more. I'm sort of confused." The Tactician was not found of court jesters, he had heard of three that had turned out to be serial killers. So he gulped and hoped the man could make more sense soon. From what he had understood so far he wished to fight with them and strike back against the Church, perhaps he had a personal grudge or really dis-liked religion. Well at least he wasn't doing puns, he could take anything but puns, so with this strange new member of the group he almost relaxed, compared to the others he had met, he closer to normal, normal was nice, normal was safe... Normal didn't blow holes in his walls, at least not yet.

"Lad, I wasn't aiming to be terribly subtle. IF ye had mucked up a wee bit more, I was waitin' to step in to try and save yer sorry hide." Jerod smirked, arms crossing over his chest as Jacob dished out his 'punishment', and laughed at the final threat of a half cut pay and shrugged in a good natured way, conceding the point for now as he turned to walk away, a good natured tone of voice even after the threats and orders. "Aye lad, I hear ye loud and clear. I'll give ye this round Jacob." Watching him leave, Jerod turned to the knightess as she addressed him, still stuttering as ever. He frankly wasn't sure whether it was endearing or irritating. WEll, first off, he needed to cut that bowing and Sir stuff off at the pass as soon as possible. Her question on Marianne got a chuckle out of him, shrugging in a easy way, despite how awkward things had been when she was screaming to string him up from the top of the castle via his intestines. "Aye lass, an' two things. One, don't be usin' sir with me, just a merc meself. Second, no bowin' like that. Same reason as b'fore. Now, as fer the dark spell spitter, she's already threatened ta string me up by my innards fer all to see. At the top o' the castle. But I reckon she's jus' stark ravin' mad. An' the ol' laddie champion thinks this is done, I'll be talkin' to his grandmaster, he seems to have some good ideas." "Well lass, shall we? I reckon ye' should meet the lass sooner or later. A word o' warnin' though. Don' mention her bloody eyepatch, yea? She loses it if ye do." Jerod opened the throughway for Thalia, and would move off at a brisk pace, whether she followed or not was her perogative, he had a insane dark mage to find and hopefully not find another rage trigger for. He wasn't personally looking forward to heading back up north towards Feroxian lands, for his own reasons, but he wasn't bringing them up until they reared their ugly head, assuming they did. In the interim, though, to shake his thoughts, he yelled down the halls, seeing if he got a response. "Oi! Dark Spell Lass! Ye around 'ere at all?!"

"Oh. But--" She automatically opened her mouth to protest, but bit down on her lip to stop herself. Bowing and referring others as "sir" or "lady" had been practically engrained in her by this point, but trying to be polite seemed pointless when the other party preferred that she dropped these habits around them. _If anything_, she argued with herself, _It would be impolite if I were to ignore them and insist on formalities._ They'd be traveling companions from here on out as well, so perhaps it'd be better to be casual with one another anyways. "Very well...Jerod, then?" The last bit was spoken tentatively, but her lips were curved in a light smile, "Lady Marianne certainly sounds like quite the character. I'd definitely like to meet her." She sounded quite feisty as well, if she had threatened to, er, string Jerod up with his own innards. Truth to be told, she didn't think it sounded too far off from something her own princess would say. Although puzzled by the additional note about Marianne's eyepatch, Thalia simply nodded obediently. With that, she hastily followed after him, trying to match his pace and cringing a little as his voice echoed within the halls. Well if the dark mage was around here, she was sure that she'd hear Jerod calling for her.

Isacc quickly found the barracks and within a few minutes came across Jacob and a jester? huh maybe he's a mage or something joining up regardless he may aswell say something. "Hey Jacob hope this isn't a bad time but my friend Meline here wants to join up with us is that fine with you?" Meline in a slightly quite embarrassed voice unlike her usual energetic voice said "ummm..H-hi so y-your the champion of n-naga then?" she then took a better look at Jacob and got oddly more embarrassed and began to think "he's kinda cute I was expecting someone big and strong then again Isacc is strong and he's rather small and handsome himself." Isacc while waiting for a response form Jacob pondered why a jester would want to join up was he an assassin or something Isacc was nearly killed by a jester assassin before so it's possible but unlikely.