"Seventeen? Sounds like a tough crowd. I'd definitely like to see what you can do with a sling. Actually, it sounds like a sword might fit you well." He adds as the roars of the chimera seem to tone down the farther he gets towards the castle. Hearing her explanation on chimera, Ven's eyes seem to light up. "Really? I haven't had to deal with a chimera before, but I've heard the stories. The snake spits out poison while one of the other heads breathes fire. If that's the case with a regular chimera, does an ice chimera have frost breath?" He inquires. It seems he was finally able to come to a stopping point once he reached the castle gates, walking up to them. Surprisingly, he he's not tired from all of the running. "Do you think you're able to walk?" He asks Anna, slightly wary of putting her down.

In regard to the ice chimera, she nodded. "Sort of. Instead of poison the snake spits a very fluid acid, and then the other heads don't exactly make frost, but they just spray a wave of icy air that freezes everything. Including the acid that the snake spit, so then you're encased in acid that still eats away at you. Not a pleasant thing." Realizing they were at the gate, she loosened her grip around Ven's neck. "I should be okay. I'm bruised and skinned and I think my ribs are cracked, but I think my legs are okay." She shakily let her legs swing free and dropped to the ground. Her legs hurt, sure, and were shaking fairly badly, but they held her weight.

"That sounds..awesome! I definitely want to see one in person." Ventus states after hearing Anna's explanation of the ice chimera. It had only been a short while since the two of them had met, but Ven felt as if he and Anna were becoming fast friends. He then nods in understanding as she lets herself down, stating that she should be alright in terms of standing. "Alright, but if you need a crutch to lean on, I'm here for ya." He states. Then, seeing the man standing atop of the gate and looking back towards the forest, he can't help but feel a slight amount of worry cross his mind. "If he doesn't let us pass, the chimera just might reach us..I won't let it harm you." He states as he places a hand on the hilt of his sheathed claymore, awaiting the moment that the beast would appear from the tree-line.

"That sounds..awesome! I definitely want to see one in person." Ventus states after hearing Anna's explanation of the ice chimera. It had only been a short while since the two of them had met, but Ven felt as if he and Anna were becoming fast friends. He then nods in understanding as she lets herself down, stating that she should be alright in terms of standing. "Alright, but if you need a crutch to lean on, I'm here for ya." He states. Then, seeing the man standing atop of the gate and looking back towards the forest, he can't help but feel a slight amount of worry cross his mind. "If he doesn't let us pass, the chimera just might reach us..I won't let it harm you." He states as he places a hand on the hilt of his sheathed claymore, awaiting the moment that the beast would appear from the tree-line.

"I appreciate your concern, but I do have my sling, and now I'm in a place where I can use it." She unwinds her "belt" revealing it to actually be her sling, a four-inch wide net of tightly woven strands of twine, and then a foot-and-a-half long woven cord on either side. She goes fishing in her coin purse then and produces several rounded lumps of metal about half the size of her fist. "I think I've got a better range than you, meaning no disrespect."

The Chimera would literally be hot on James' heels creating destruction in it's wake. (hm.... James and Solomon needs to arrive before we can really do anything else besides very minor chatting, because in logical sense they shouldn't have much time before they would arrive.) The Figure would look down at the future apprentice kind of surprised from how many there are... he did not expect so many to survive, nor so many to even want to be his apprentice.

Solomon arrived at the castle entrance. Much to his surprise, there were already people there. "Quick, open the gates!" he cried out. "There's a Chimera on the loose!"

Bristlebane frowned, he was going to try to climb over after that but... he didn't really have a death wish right now unlike some people so he yelled up, "Hey Person! Mind opening the gate? We got a beastie trying to eat us and I don't really want to be here when it arrives." Bristlebane talked back irritably to the man that had just shown up, "Yah we noticed, dark and mysterious up there WON'T LET US IN!" the last part directed at the strange man up in the castle. He looked worriedly at the Chimera the thing was awfully big and worse yet awfully fast. Perhaps the other people hadn't realized it yet, but any attempt to fight the Chimera would end in a pointless death. If worst came to worst and the gates didn't open, the only thing they could do was distract it by splitting up and hope that it would spend to much time wondering which one to eat so that they could get away.

The Chimera would literally be hot on James' heels creating destruction in it's wake. (hm.... James and Solomon needs to arrive before we can really do anything else besides very minor chatting, because in logical sense they shouldn't have much time before they would arrive.) The Figure would look down at the future apprentice kind of surprised from how many there are... he did not expect so many to survive, nor so many to even want to be his apprentice.

James ran for the gate. "Out of the way!" he yelled. If this worked, either the Chimera would smash the gate open, or it would be knocked out by the gate. Instead of running into the gate, he dove out of the way at the last second, which should make the chimera slam into the gate before it can react. Well, that's if everyone got out of the way.

Cas stayed close the the wall. Her eyes focused on the Chimera.

The Chimera would stop when it reaches the open area, standing at the tree line, it's smart enough not to be easily tricked, it would start to walk towards them the forest seeming on fire.... this would seem to be the end of them all.. The figure would jump down from the castle ramparts and land like he was weightless and simply start walking towards the creature.. the night time would seem to disappear allowing light to shine into the area, revealing the figure's appearance, he brings up a Cig and lights it with nothing just by cupping his hand on the end, he walks up to the chimera like it's nothing... the entire blazing forest suddenly vanishes.... the forest is fine.. there is no fire.. no sign of any damage had been done to it.... all an illusion He would reach out and touch the Chimera's nose and suddenly the chimera would poof almost in a cartoon fashion, and the figure would turn around with something in the crook of his arm, and he would walk towards them. He would be holding the very chimera that chased them but in it's true form a tiny irresistibly cute chimera. He would pet the chimera "so your all the ones who wish to become my apprentice I see..... much more resourceful.. and crazy than I thought.." he then would walk closer, walking up to any injuried and swipe his hand over the injuries, his free hand which is also holding his Smoke, glows green, then he walks towards the gate, the injuries of those injured would feel extremely better, and so no sign of injury, he just healed them. They would hear the loud metal sound of the metal gate opening, then the wooden doors would swing open, and he would simply walk in.

Cas watched the man with her wide eyes. That's the Wizard... She thought speechlessly.

Bristlebane watched in astonishment, the man had turned a ferocious monster... into a play toy and made the small scratches he had gotten in his mad dash to the castle vanish. He shook his head to get rid of the stupifing awe and followed the Wizard in side eager to learn what he had in store for them.

"I appreciate your concern, but I do have my sling, and now I'm in a place where I can use it." She unwinds her "belt" revealing it to actually be her sling, a four-inch wide net of tightly woven strands of twine, and then a foot-and-a-half long woven cord on either side. She goes fishing in her coin purse then and produces several rounded lumps of metal about half the size of her fist. "I think I've got a better range than you, meaning no disrespect."

"Heh, don't sweat it. I like your enthusiasm!" He states, a smirk now gracing his face. In truth, he also admired the craftsmanship of her sling and chosen ammunition. Now he was fired up to face the chimera. However, as the chimera finally made its presence known and he had prepared himself to defend the others at all costs, Ven noticed the mysterious figure jump from his post and approach the beast. All the while, he watched in shock as not only the apparent forest fire had vanished, but the chimera itself had been reverted to an adorable little chibi version of itself. Ventus sighed in relief at the sight, letting go of the hilt of his sword as he watched the man, who he now assumed to be the Wizard, turn back, heal the wounds of his companions and open the gates, returning to his home with the chibi chimera in tow.

"Heh, don't sweat it. I like your enthusiasm!" He states, a smirk now gracing his face. In truth, he also admired the craftsmanship of her sling and chosen ammunition. Now he was fired up to face the chimera. However, as the chimera finally made its presence known and he had prepared himself to defend the others at all costs, Ven noticed the mysterious figure jump from his post and approach the beast. All the while, he watched in shock as not only the apparent forest fire had vanished, but the chimera itself had been reverted to an adorable little chibi version of itself. Ventus sighed in relief at the sight, letting go of the hilt of his sword as he watched the man, who he now assumed to be the Wizard, turn back, heal the wounds of his companions and open the gates, returning to his home with the chibi chimera in tow.

Anna gasps as the man barely brushes his hand over her shoulder, and instantly all her scrapes and cuts and bruises feel better. But with that touch of his hand her adrenaline also rushes away, leaving her as foggy as she had been when she fell in the gully. To Ven she says "Oh my, I hope we don't have to train the chimera cub. Would it be a cub? Or would it be a kid? Or a snakelet? I have no idea." She giggles drowsily. Then she happens to notice another girl who is very short, also leaning against a very short boy. "Ooh. I'm not the only short person here, thank the gods. It would be embarrassing if everyone was as tall as you are, Ven. Like seriously, how did you get so tall?"

Cas quickly shakes off her stupor and follows the Wizard into the castle.

Anna gasps as the man barely brushes his hand over her shoulder, and instantly all her scrapes and cuts and bruises feel better. But with that touch of his hand her adrenaline also rushes away, leaving her as foggy as she had been when she fell in the gully. To Ven she says "Oh my, I hope we don't have to train the chimera cub. Would it be a cub? Or would it be a kid? Or a snakelet? I have no idea." She giggles drowsily. Then she happens to notice another girl who is very short, also leaning against a very short boy. "Ooh. I'm not the only short person here, thank the gods. It would be embarrassing if everyone was as tall as you are, Ven. Like seriously, how did you get so tall?"

"Hmm...how about a kidcublet?" Ven offers, smiling. He turns his attention to the other girl as well, taking note that her and Anna seem to be about the same height. When Anna questions him about his height, his smile turns into a grin. "Well, I'd either have to pin it on genetics or the fact that I drank a lot of milk when I was younger...still do, in fact. It must be my inner cat talking." He jokes as he takes this moment to stretch his arms.

The Wizard would turn to look at them all in the courtyard "...hm.. so your all wanting to become an apprentice... give me a good enough reason why I should accept you" he states to them, his voice clearly stating that he doesn't care a worth of anything about them, and he clearly shouldn't until they have truly proven themselves to him "This is a profession that there is only two ways to go once started, either you raise to become a master mage, or you die horribly during training... heck some may not even survive the Ceremony" he laughs "So i'll repeat, why should I accept any of you? This is your last chance to forfeit this idea and go home" He states to them.

Solomon was the first to step up. He had thought years about his answer. He didn't know if it was enough for such a great wizard, but it was all that mattered to him! "There is something I want to achieve!" he said, voice trembling and higher pitched than usual, but there was no mistaking the steel and determination in his eyes. He looked straight at the Wizard and balled his fists as he remembered why he was here. "More than that, there is someone I want to reach, at all costs!" There, he said it.

Anna laughs at Ven's comments. Then she turns to the wizard, her icy blue eyes full of sadness and pain. "I want to be able to heal my older brother's spine so that he can run and hunt again, because maybe then my brothers will find me of more use to them than they... currently do. Maybe then they'll let me have some freedom." Her mouth trembles, and she crosses her arms around her waist and bows her head so no one can see the tears sliding down her cheeks. Her fifteenth brother, Alexander, was the only one who was ever nice to her. He had tried to teach her crossbow and longbow and javelin, and had helped her make her sling and taught her how to make the ammunition. But their lessons had to stop when the boys were out hunting and they came rushing home carrying a grievously injured Alex. They claimed it was an accident, that he had been thrown from his horse and trampled, but the bruises were all in the shape of her brothers' bootprints. And then, without Alex to protect her, the other boys had... No. Better not to think about it. Better not to think about it or you'll panic the next time Ven touches you. Better not to think about it or you'll wake up screaming in the middle of the night and you'll have to explain to everyone.

The Wizard would turn to look at them all in the courtyard "...hm.. so your all wanting to become an apprentice... give me a good enough reason why I should accept you" he states to them, his voice clearly stating that he doesn't care a worth of anything about them, and he clearly shouldn't until they have truly proven themselves to him "This is a profession that there is only two ways to go once started, either you raise to become a master mage, or you die horribly during training... heck some may not even survive the Ceremony" he laughs "So i'll repeat, why should I accept any of you? This is your last chance to forfeit this idea and go home" He states to them.

"I'm not forfeiting. What's the point in coming all this way, and surviving an encounter with a Chimera, if you're just gonna give up right afterwards? I'm keeping my reasons for becoming a mage secret, but I'm ready for whatever you can throw at me!" James said. He was definitely determined to be a mage, that much is true.

Autumn gasped as the ache in her foot faded before disappearing completely. She gingerly put weight on it, eyes widening when it didn't hurt. He just healed her! How did he do that?! Her eyes widened further when the terrible beast that had been shrunk to something...cute...The gates opened then and they all filed in. Autumn looked at the others, realizing that quite a few people wanted to become an apprentice. The Wizard then questioned them as to why they were here. She bit her lip when he claimed that most of them might not make it. Her back straightened. No! She couldn't have doubts. She had to do this for father. She stepped forward, chin held high as she gazed at the Wizard. "My father has taken care of me for my whole life. It's time for me to return the favor but to do that I need to get stronger."