It made some people nervous, like the soldiers right now. They'd just seen their Prince writhing around on the ground and as far as they could tell, it was the Yelb to blame for it. The Yelb themselves seemed not to notice the glares they were getting from all sides. What Kal said next would be very important in dictating what happened to them.

Kal, no matter how oblivious he was normally, knew that his soldiers were like extended family to him, and so would be extremely agitated. Turning to his men, he said, "Listen, men. I know that... something out of the ordinary happened, but the Yelb are not at fault. Please, just... trust me. I wasn't harmed, even though it might've looked that I was." His men grudgingly turned away from the Yelb, but Reindolous came close, whispering in his ear.

"Not many people can say that with blood streaming down their face. You should let me take care of that cut." Kal touched his face, and dazedly realized that he was, in fact, bleeding. Turning to Reindolous, he was about to ask when this happened, when he realized that there was only one time when it could possibly have happened, when he was thrashing about. Making a soft noise of assent, Kal stood still as Reindolous grabbed a bandage from his satchel, and tied it around his forehead.

As his old friend tended to his cut, Kal mulled over what he had heard... and seen. Just what were The Chorus? And what did they mean by him being their 'Hero'? With the bandage tied tightly around Kal's head, Reindolous stepped back, and gruffly spoke. "Listen, Kallain. I know you're a High Prince and Heir Apparent, but that's exactly why you need to listen to me. Taking on some bandits is dangerous, yes, but touching something that causes you to have a seizure? That's something to get fucking upset about! How do you think Drevala or your parents would feel if they found out that you were killed after the fight? And it's not just about them, think of the Realm! Your parents aren't all that old, but they're certainly too old to have any more children! You are the only male heir to the throne! The Windral line would end with your father, after two hundred years of prosperity in Zersal! What would happen to your people? The resulting civil war would devastate them." Reindolous sighed, looking Kal in the eyes. "Listen, Kal. I know you mean well, it's just- if something had happened to you, I wouldn't be able to face your family, or anyone else, for that matter. Twenty-two years of protecting you, lost to some... trinket. Listen, I will let you have it, but if that shit happens one more time, I'm destroying it, okay?"

Kallain nodded, and said, hesitantly, "... Yeah, Reindolous, you're right." Looking up into the sky, he saw that it was about midday. Scratching at his bandage absently, said, "I think that if we left now, we would be able to make good time on the way back, no?" Reindolous nodded in the affirmative, and barked at the soldiers that were heading back with them to get ready. Looking at the chain-clad men, Kal felt guilty, as he clambered upon his horse, waving to the Yelb. While it wasn't the cute creatures' fault, that he had the vision, it was his fault for dismissing the entire event, even if it was to just comfort his men. He should try and figure out just what the hell this thing was, in the first place.

As Kallain road at the front of the column, his mind was a whirlwind of troubled thoughts and concerns. What was this trinket? Who where the Chorus? What did they mean when they said that he was their hero? The bandits story was also troubling. How had news of a blight in the forests not reached the royal family? Normally the druids of the Green Moot warned his father and mother before such tragedies took place. Yet somehow (as young men's thoughts often do when faced with matters of severity) in the middle of the princes musings his mind wondered towards his mothers handmaiden, Alexandria. He felt disappointed that he had to take off before the two of them could get acquainted...

On the second day on the rode back Kallain was thinking of nothing in particular, simply watching the road ahead, when on a light breeze he swore he heard a sound... now? Thinking it nothing more then his mind he simply ignored it until on the next gust he heard more distinctly...Not yet he isn't ready to open the door... Kallain stopped abruptly. "Kal? what's wrong?" Reindolous asked bringing his horse along side his. "Not..Nothing just thought i heard something, lets press on!" Kallain insisted bringing his mount up to a trot.

Again he heard the voice of the Chorus on the wind, strange, cold and ethereal. Many problems face our hero's kingdom... he will be called away again... tonight then in his dreams... the door must be opened" It wasn't until Kal moved to wipe the sweat from his brow that he realized he had been grasping the statuette the entire time, idly feeling its alien grooves.

"Do you think you're now brave enough to defend your country from the coming storm? You're not ready, not yet. But before we can begin to train you, you must be brave enough to be willing to accept this life. You won't remember us, or what we've discussed. You might recall portions of your time here with us, but the world of the dream is far different from the world in which you live. You will brush it off, until the time is right."
The god paused, staring down upon Kal, waiting for his response.

Kal thought back to his experiences here, in this place of Gods- though they laughed when he had asked if thats what they were. They had welcomed him into this palace of dreams when he had fallen asleep after the night on the road.

There, in the palace of dreams, he had been shown many marvels that he could still scarcely fathom.
A man that was part piano, or was it a piano that had grown a man, was endlessly playing music upon itself, and it's music brought tears to Kal's eyes, so grand and pure did it sound. Kal was not sure how long he had stood listening to the music, for he lost who he was while listening to it, so powerful was the melody it produced.
He had been shown a garden in which all of the thoughts of the world were flowers, and grew and died as they were thought. He watched as the sweet buds of love flourish, and then shrivel as the love died from the breasts of those it resided inside. And though there were many thorny weeds, vicious and sharp that were the thoughts of anger and hate, they were outnumbered by the delicate and colorful flowers of peace, wonder, and joy.
Finally, the Gods had taken him to the very center of the palace, held the same statuette that Kal had, though this one was larger than a grown man. The statue, (it was much larger than a statuette) floated in the very middle of the room, and slowly spun on it's axis. The room it was held in was massive, larger than the grand feasting hall of Kal's own home. It was floored with light grey stone, and was completely bare but for the statue floating above the ground. In the hollow center of the statue, it was a pitch black, and Kal could see falling stars move within it.

And it was now here that they stood, all of the assembled Gods, beautiful, alien, horrific, and utterly human. They each had the power to raze nations and raise mountains, and no mortal weapon could mar their flawlessly flawed skin.

And they had come to him to ask of his help.

"The storm will not arrive for a while. You will have enough time to grow and become the man needed to save us all. But for that to happen, you will have to undergo trials. Some will be harsher than others, but all of them will shape you into a better person, so long as you rise to the occasion. Fail to do so, and the storm will sweep over everything, leaving nothing but the rains and devastation in it's wake. When you will awaken, the statuette you were given will have fused with you, and we will watch and, if need be, guide you, in your trials through it. Of course, we cannot force you into this. You must choose this course, or you will resist it."
Kal was silent a moment, looking at the Gods, somber in their fine garbs, desperate and only starting to realize it themselves.

"Of course. When do I begin?"

The Gods laughed, relief and amusement at such naivety intermingling until they were one.

"When you awaken, you will have very little memory of what has transpired here this night, but you will be able to recall that you are on a path to greatness. We wish you luck, young one."

**********

"Young one, are you awake? It's late morning. I thought it best we let you sleep. But if we wish to reach the castle by nightfall, we had best get started now."

Reindolous was crouched at Kal's head, who was still wrapped in his sleeping roll.

Smiling, Kal drew himself out from the roll, stretching. Around him was the quiet murmur of his retinue preparing themselves for the ride back. Though the soldiers had all grown used with one another, there was an undercurrent of tension in them concerning the recent events that was as obvious to Kal now as it had been invisible to him the day before.

Something had changed, and though Kal couldn't place his finger on it, he felt it had something to do with the most wonderful dream he had last night.

As Kal changed openly into his riding clothing, (he was among men, and they had all grown comfortable with one another after the week together on the road and the battle.) he reached into his pants pocket for the statuette.

Finding nothing, Kal's smile changed to a slight frown of puzzlement. Searching for the statuette in his clothing revealed nothing, and neither did a close inspection of the ground at his feet, or in his bedroll.

"Looking for something, lad?"

Rubbing his neck, Kal said to the puzzled Reindolous,

"My statuette, though I don't think I really care to look for it anymore. Ah well, it may have fallen from my fingers during the ride." And truthfully, Kal wasn't concerned about finding the statuette. While it had been a beautiful gift, he just couldn't bring himself to worry about it.

"Hmm. Well, you look much better off today than you do the day before. It must have been the battle catching up with you that did you in."

Slinging both hands together behind his neck, Kal nodded, "Well, anyways, I feel much better now. Let us depart again and return home." Raising his voice for the rest of the soldiers to hear, "And I bet there are plenty of women who will be thrilled at the honor of keeping these hero's beds warm tonight!" Eliciting a cheer from the soldiers, the dark mood lifted from the party, and they quickly finished packing, and remounted on their steeds for the way home.

What Kal hadn't told Reindolous was that part of the reason why he wasn't worried about finding the statuette was that he could feel it on him. Tattooed onto the nape of his neck was a raised circle with geometric lines bending and curving away from the circle.

Kal decided that he would have to either start wearing more scarves, or grow his hair to be longer.

But then, that was a concern for when he returned home. Right now, the sky was clear, the birds singing, the horse beneath him strong, his company friendly, and the way pointed towards home.

Kallen and his company arrived at the castle shortly after the sun's heavily drooping eye had fallen closed beyond the horizon. The stable hands made their way to the group of men very shortly after they'd dismounted and began leading the tired horses to a well earned warm pile of hay and a drinking trough.

Kallen, with Reindolous at his side looked over the assembled men. It was a somewhat mixed group, hardened veterans recommended by Reindolous made up a part of them, but many of them, despite being at the top of their class and marked as promising by their superior officers, had been nearly as new to combat as Kallen had been, with this incursion into battle being the first time they'd bloodied their blades.

Kallen Addressed them:

"All of you fought well. You've honored your families and your Kingdom, your King and your Kin. Most of all though, you've honored me. It's been a pleasure fighting at your side men, and one I see no reason to end. I know that this was to be a simple incursion mission, but as of today, you are all being reassigned from your individual units and ranks, and being formed into a new cohort: The Wind Dragons.

Together we will make our enemies flee at the sight of our Banner. I will command you personally when available, with Reindolous assuming that position when matters of state call me elsewhere, as well as overseeing your training and tactics. As for now, go home and rest, you've earned it."

There was a cheer from the men, and with that, Kallen and Reindolous departed toward the castle entrance. As the walked, Reindolous with a smirk on his face said "If you were as good with a blade as you are making speeches, there wouldn't be a man in all the realms who could stand against you."

Together they made their way into the castle and were about to depart for their own rooms when one of the palce messengers came up and said to them. "His Highness the King requested that both of you make your way to his chambers whenever you made it back for a full report, no matter how late the hour, and specified that we should "Pull you out of your beds, and off of anyone in them" if we had to. Though I think that last part was meant in jest..."

Kallen's eyes widened and he masked a laugh as a cough at the last part. His face slightly red. That was certainly his father. The man might be the King, might be one of the greatest rulers that the Kingdom had ever seen, as well as one of it's best warriors, but damned if he didn't still have the sense of humor of a Tavern Regular.

Kallen nodded and bid the messenger to depart before sharing a glance with Reindolous. The older man was smiling as well, he'd known the king since before Kallen had been born, and knew exactly what he was like. Together they walked down the hall and toward the Royal Chambers.

Kallain nodded and bid the messenger to depart before sharing a glance with Reindolous. The older man was smiling as well, he'd known the king since before Kallain had been born, and knew exactly what he was like. Together they walked down the hall and toward the Royal Chambers.

Walking at a relaxed pace, Kallain stretched, popping his back. It felt good to be out of armor, after wearing the metal suit for so long, one forgot what a full range of motion felt like. Reindolous looked at him, amused, although he was doing the same thing.

Glancing back at the older knight, Kal suddenly thought about his decision to create an elite group. It was rash, but... he did the right thing. He thought. Looking to Reindolous for confirmation, he asked, "This may seem... silly of me, but, Reindolous, do you think that what I did, creating the Wind Dragons, was smart? I mean, I know it's my right, but should I just go around creating military orders?"

Reindolous let out a laugh as they turned a corner. "Kal, boy, if I had a gold for every time you made a decision confidently and then doubted yourself afterwards, I'd buy myself an estate in Da-kel, and sip wine on the beaches, attended by exotic ladies. Kal. Don't worry. The men will love you for this, their commanders can spare the men, and best of all, it'll create a legend, for the people to talk about in the taverns, for bards to sing about. Most of all, it'll create a battalion of intensely loyal bodyguards for you, so I don't have as much work to do!"

Reassured by his casual, comforting demeanor, he gave him a quick grin, and said, "Thanks, old man."

The knight slapped him on the back, smiling, and replied, "No problem, little boy."

Then, they reached the king and queen's chambers, the thick oak door framed by thick iron, making the door almost unbreakable, unless one brought a battering ram. Rapping on the door, and pulling it open, he poked his head in, saying, "Father? You asked for me?"

Sitting in a large, gilded chair with many cushions, was the king, shoulder-length black hair pulled back in a ponytail, dressed in a comfortable robe, reading a book, tall, broad frame, (which led to the popular description of calling him 'Sallas the Bear,) not seeming out of place. Probably because of his eyes. Those ice-blue eyes, which radiated authority, yet at the same time, warmth, noticed everything, and made you want to listen to him, not out of terror, rather, out of loyalty. His mother was nowhere to be found, which led Kal to believe that she was off with Alexandria, preparing for bed. Anyway, time to see what his father wanted.

"My son! Welcome! Do sit down, for while it won't be long, you must be exhausted from your long journey!" He leaned in close, and winked, whispering conspiratorially, "And if you saw that new lass that tends to your mother before you came here, you might be exhausted from something else, eh?" Kal blushed, but smiled and accepted the seat. While his father and Reindolous exchanged warm greetings, he thought about the new arrival to the Keep. Alexandria... What a lovely name. He would have to get to know her even more, learn what Preugua was like.

"So, Kal, mind telling me what exactly happened? Judging by the cheer in the courtyard, you either announced that your men could go wenching, or you were successful in your mission. So? What happened over in Helcomb?"

"So, Kal, mind telling me what exactly happened? Judging by the cheer in the courtyard, you either announced that your men could go wenching, or you were successful in your mission. So? What happened over in Helcomb?"

Kal leaned back and sighed. The Turnips, the Yelb... the statuette. He decided to simply not mention the statuette for the moment.

"Well, the Turnips proved to be of very little trouble and went down quickly. The..."

He scratched his forehead absentmindedly, with the words he had forming in his head vanishing as he grew distracted by other thoughts creeping in his head. Statuette... Alexandria... do I hear something downstairs?

His father leaned forward, putting his arm on his knee and his head in his hand. "Very good. Something else?" He gave his son a questioning look, noting the empty word at the end.

"...the... town recovered very well after the bandits were gone."

"Did you get along with the ladies?" his father gave a wink.

"Yes indeed." Reindolous filled in when Kal left the question with a silence.

"Yes. Sorry." Kal repositioned himself in his seat to regather his composure. His attention was plainly being eaten away, but by what? Why couldn't he keep his mind on the subject at hand?

"Have a drink, son." As Reindolous got up to find the wine in one of the room's many chests, the king leaned back and looked at Kal not without a little concern. "Hard trip back, I suppose?"

"Not that bad, actually." Kal finally made some words come out. "We met some Yelb on our way back, but... not much happened otherwise."

Reindolous shot Kal a questioning look before opening another chest and sifting inside, the distinct noises of clinking glass coming over a few seconds later. Kal didn't know why he felt it necessary not to mention the statuette; it seemed as though he was almost compelled not to mention it.

The king smiled and said with a light tone as Reindolous came over with a wine bottle and three glasses, "Well son, it seems like your mission was met with full success. Great work. Now-"

All heads turned when a high pitched scream came from downstairs, followed by shouting.

All heads turned when a high pitched scream came from downstairs, followed by shouting.

"What in the hells..." Began king Sallas, but before he could even finish Kallain and Reinoldus were running to investigate. They could hear the shouts coming from the castles kitchen, were an errand boy was cowering outside the door. Reinoldus shouted at him fetch the guards while he and the prince stepped into the kitchen.

What they discovered was a scene of horror, chef's and servants lay crumbled on the floor either dead or dying, while scents of dinner mixed with that of blood. In the corner of the room the surviving staff huddled while Drevala stood in front of them chanting protective prayers. "Spaldi, guardian of humanity and of the pure body, protect us, hide us, and save us from the darkness! And beg of you, help us safe guard the sacred spark granted to us from all who would wish to snuff it out!" Kallain had never seen such a serious and dangerous look on his normally carefree sister's face, as she stared down her approaching doom.

"By the gods!" Reinoldus swore starting at the intruder. When the apparition stood in the light all that could be seen of it was a shadowy, barely visible hooded figure, devoid of even an outline of a head or face. Upon hearing the knight and prince enter the room it turned away from the it's victims and walked away from the well lite portion of the room and into the darker regions. As it did so, slowly it's image faded away and a floating porcelain white mask came into focus. When it fully entered the shadows it's body disappeared completely leaving only that blank expressionless mask, with a jagged crack running down it.

"What is that thing!" yelled Reinoldus reading himself for battle. A quiet terrified voice spoke up from underneath a table startling the two men. "It's... It's one of the faded." squeaked Serell the scribe from his hiding place. "Their a group of people who believe that they by depriving themselves of contact and even existence in this world they will slowly fade into the next. They use their ritual masks to seal themselves away." The scribe spoke in a quiet nervous voice but now it rose in volume and hysteria. "But something's wrong your majesty! It's mask is cracked! Its been spitting gibberish as he slaughters the staff! Help us Kallain! Please!"

I can see you The voice radiated from the still Faded, but Kallain senses that the others couldn't hear, or at least understand what it was saying. I can see you. I can see you in this world, in the world beyond, and in the twilight in between The creatures voice was dull and unemotional, yet it didn't drag its words. It merely spoke with no infliction or notable tone.

I'm trapped. I can't see this world. I can't see the world beyond. But I can hear the twilight. It wants you to die. But this world is silent. Maybe if I kill you the twilight will free me.
"What do you want to do lad?" whispered Reinoldus, tense and ready for action.

"What do you want to do, lad?"

Kal stood, frozen, watching the Faded twitch and murmur to itself.

Kal had been trained to rush into battle without barely the thought of fear- he had led men into combat, leading the charge into the fray.

But he had never seen anything like this before.

There was a long moment of relative silence- the Faded stayed hiding in the shadows, it's cracked and worn mask trembling, a constant susurrus of muttered reassurances making overheard beneath Drevala's focused chanting- her hands held in front of her chest- clasped in a way that reminded Kal of both a traditional Spaldi prayer and a boxers stance.

Reindolus had already drawn his sword, and held it uncertainly in front of him- he wasn't sure what he was supposed to stab.

Kal hadn't even thought about his sword- he had left his on the chair in his fathers room.

"Kal?"

Reindolus whispered again to Kal,

"Dammit, lad! Snap out of it!"

Kal closed his mouth, trying to focus once more on the Faded in front of him.

But try as he might, Kal was just flooded with a sense of overwhelming apathy. He knew, objectively, that he should try and stop the Faded, but his mind was clouded over with this sense of inaction. He could barely begin to focus his gaze on the Faded, because after he did, his vision would blur, and he ended up once again struggling to remember what he was doing.

"Reindolus? Wha... Whats going on?"

It was now apparent that the old soldier was also being impacted by the strange affliction overcoming Kal.

"I'm not all that sure, lad.. I.. I think I'm going to sit down for a second.. Yes.. I.. I'll stand up in just a moment now.."

Reindolus slumped against the doorframe, his sword clattering jarringly to the ground.

The sound startled Kal once more into a focused awareness; when had he started leaning so heavily on the wall behind him?

Pushing heavily off of the wall, Kal stumbled forwards, heavy lidded eyes darting around, slowly taking in the tableau before him.

Serell was slumped numbly underneath the table, the servant was sitting curled up, a small paring knife loosely clutched in one of his softening fists.

Drevala, it seemed, was the only one of them who was still cognizant- she was staring down the Faded, who was starting to emerge from the shadows.

"Tell me, vile servant of the Half-lit Path, what do you intend to do? It's unlike your kind to be this daring."

The Faded had now once again fully emerged from the shadows- though now it carried a brutal looking curved dagger.

"My Brothers and Sisters will support my actions, once I am done with my task. Then your paltry god will be forgotten and the sun will set and the moon will never rise!"

What happened next was so quick that Kal barely recognized what happened, and had to piece it together afterwards to get a clearer picture.

The Faded broke out into a shambling run, it's nearly translucent shadowy form a hard to see blur, with only the unadorned ceramic mask and the curved dagger visible.

Drevala began to back up, first with startled fear on her face, but then a look of determined focus as she stood her ground.

"Invorincai oazhstar yeh Spaldi, oazhstar rulutien!"

The young priestess incanted arcane words that bent at Kal's sense of sound, the words slipping past Kal's comprehension and resonating in something deeper.

As Drevala said the words, the Faded slowed to a halt, trembling and frightened.

Kal slowly became more aware of his surroundings, and felt the clouded confusion begin to burn away from his eyes. Reindolus jerked himself out of his stupor, and Serell lifted his head to further watch the unfolding conflict between the two.

Drevala repeated the words again, and began to walk slowly towards the Faded, who now stood in the middle of the kitchen, stopping when she was just out of arms reach of the Faded.

"Leave. Now."

"Ohhoh, I intend to, princess. But, of course... You can't deny me taking some of you with me!"

Snarling, the Faded lashed out with it's knife, slicing upwards into Drevala's cheek, knocking her to the floor, blooding bursting out of the wound.

With a final twisted giggle, the Faded began to sink into the floor, with the bobbing mask slowly descending to the ground, until it to had vanished into the earth, leaving behind only the knife.

Kal stood mutely, staring at where the Faded had been, unaware or uncaring of the long, drawn out sobs coming from Drevala, or of Reindolous and Serell coming to clean the princess's wounds, or of the guards bursting into the kitchens, or of the demanding voice of his lord and king, his father, booming in the suddenly cramped space.

Kal could only look at the space, and wonder, and fear.

Kal could only look at the space, and wonder, and fear.

Staring at the space in the floor, something clicked. It was as if the previous events suddenly made sense. Galvanized into action, Kallain rushed forward, pushing past the guards, his father, and Reindolous. Kneeling by Drevala's sobbing form, he leaned forward, and gathered her head up into his lap. Giving her a hug, he began to break a little, hearing and feeling his sister crying like this.

"Shhhh, it's over now... I'm so sorry. I just stood there, useless... I'm so sorry... I should have done something..."

Drevala, still a crying mess, hugged him back, and said, "You... you couldn't have done anything. It was -sniff- better for you to stay back, you wouldn't have been a match for it...." And suddenly their father was there, wrapping the two of them in his massive, bear-like arms. His voice booming, he ordered for the guards to take the wounded servants into the shrine to Spaldi, where the castle's longtime Priestess, a Mother Lakas Vermilion, would eventually take care of them.

His voice softening as he addressed his two children, Sallas pulled Kallain to his feet, and looked him in the eyes. "Kal... your sister is right. You would've just gotten cut down by that thing. Believe me, I've seen numerous young men get cut down before me, defending their king, when a Priest or Priestess of Spaldi could've just banished it. Fighting those things is just pure foolishness. That being said, help me carry your sister to her quarters." Moving to Drevala's other side, Kallain helped her up, along with their father. They had gotten her upright, helping her shaking form remain upright. Her knees seemed like they would buckle at the slightest provocation, out of pure fright. They were in the doorway, when Serell's voice came chirping up from behind them.

"Sirs, would it not be best if you took Milady to the shrine of Spaldi? Mistress Vermilion would be able to heal her there." Kal ground his teeth in frustration at the scribe, and was about to start lambasting the bird-like man, when he was preemptively shushed by his father, who looked back at Serell with a flat, uncompromising stare.

His voice booming with authority, Sallas the Bear of Zersal spoke. "Serell. You have served under us for long enough to know that when I want something to happen, it does. I do appreciate your advice, however, there are a few reasons that it is impossible. One, while I am worried for my daughter, I recognize that her wound isn't as serious as the ones of the kitchen staff. Mother Lakas and the other acolytes are going to have enough on their hands, without healing her scratch. The wound is bound. It is sufficient. We will now take my daughter to her quarters, before she collapses of fright." Serell simply nodded. He was a longtime servant of the king, and he was utterly loyal, despite his somewhat-annoying demeanor. Kal's father turned back to his daughter with a look of caring, and worry.

"Come on, Drevvy, let's get you to your room." The two Windral men carried Drevala back to her room with the utmost care and delicacy, and set her down upon her bed. Her servants immediately rushed to attend her, and politely, with the utmost deference, told them to get the Hells out.

Once outside, Sallas ordered one-tenth of a cohort to stand guard outside of her door, the seven soldiers and the one officer dutifully forming a line in front of the portal, leaving them to allow or deny passage. He put his hand on Kal's shoulder, stirring him from his moping. "Walk with me." There was no hint of a question in the statement, only a command that was expected to be followed. So Kallain did, following his father up to his quarters.

"Walk with me." There was no hint of a question in the statement, only a command that was expected to be followed. So Kallain did, following his father up to his quarters.

Sallas opened the door to his chambers and once his son had entered shut the door behind them. The king of Zersal sat on his bed and, for the first time in Kallain's life, he looked quite old. "Son, I've been concerned for our kingdom recently. You wouldn't think it traveling the countryside, but when you look at a map we are truly quite small." Sallus sighed at this before continuing, "And our only steadfast ally is the Green Moot. An even smaller and unimportant nation. And now we are faced with troubles that i must admit are beyond my understanding. The Fade, a normally peaceful sect, invading my own home! and a blight that the druids don't see fit to inform me of!" Sallas the Bear nearly shouted the last phrase as his temper flared.

He simmered down as he continued, "It's no matter. I'll send agents to investigate these matters properly!" Kallain interrupted, "Say the word father, and i'll have the Wind dragons mobilized by tomorrow!" Sallas looked at his son for a moment and his famous smile had now returned. "That's my boy! Ready to face the problems of the kingdom face on! Like a true man! Unfortunately, i need you here for less, taleworthy work." Sallas then stood up and walked towards the window overlooking the castle grounds. "Kal i believe that Zersal is on the cusp of a golden age of prosperity! Despite this blight our lands are still fruitful, our silver mines plentiful, and our citizens are filled with national pride. All we lack are powerful allies and trade partners." Sallas threw open the balcony doors and walked out to overlook the land.

"We are so close to greatness boy! But a few malefactors can tear the entire kingdom down! You remember Lords Grellius and Krell?" It was hard not to. Kallain didn't know the whole story, but they were the two strongest high lords in the land, meaning they governed one of the four sections of the land. They are neighbors and always seemed locked in a never ending argument of some sort. "What's the issue now?" Kal asked annoyed. At his birthday the two were shouting up a storm and he had heard something about great swords at dawn. "Same old bad blood. As you should know, if you pay any attention to Serell's lessons, Grellius and Krell are not exactly from Zersal. Grellius is the son of a northern warrior, and a noble lady. He was raised in the on the hard ice of the north, until inheriting his mothers land. Krell's lands were conquered by your grandfather, liberated is more like it! The people were starving and the king suffered from hysterical disillusions.

The two hate one another because the north men once pillaged Krells lands. Krell mocks his birth and Grellius hates the man because he believes the man has been disloyal to me and seeks rebellion! In kal's mind he agreed with Grellius, he met the men and 'uncle Grell' would die for his father while Krell would probably piss on his corpse. Sallas continued, "I would force the two to sit in parley but both serve a vital function. Grell is the high marshal and he has used my armies to fight off orc and northern invasions for years. Krell is the my chief financial adviser and his lands contain all of the major ports." Sallas looked at Kal as he continued.

"Son i can't afford to play their petty politics! I need to focus on more pressing matters. Lord Telsin is inviting all the high lords and of course us to his nephews wedding in two months. Krell and Grellius will be there, i need you and your sister to babysit" Kallain nodded his head and moved to leave the room, when his father shouted now serious once again. ""Kallain wait!" What is it?Fade? House War? News on the blight? "Bring a date to the wedding. Good gods boy! All the high lords are wondering when you'll step out of the closet." Sallas smiled like a young boy as Kallain groaned.

"Bring a date to the wedding. Good gods boy! All the high lords are wondering when you'll step out of the closet." Sallas smiled like a young boy as Kallain groaned.

Where would he find a date to the wedding? There were no eligible ladies of noble birth for miles, and if there were, they'd be promised to some other lord. Sallas emphasized freedom of choice in his children's relationships, despite pushing them to get busy and have children to continue the line. Kallain appreciated that, as if he had been born to any other Lord, he would be married to some Lady he didn't even know at twelve years old.

Exiting the room, and walking into the hallway, Kallain rubbed his neck. The tattoo, which had appeared out of nowhere, was unexplained, and he knew nothing of such things. Still, that didn't mean he couldn't try and figure out.... after the wedding. Right. That was important. Who would he take, again?

Let's see.... Kal went through his mental list of eligible ladies. Well, in the castle, there was always Mother Lakas Vermilion... no. Too safe of a choice. The other lords might still think him to be gay. As a lady of the faith, there wasn't about to be any rumors about anything happening between the two of them....

Ah! Kallain snapped his fingers. He had found the answer! Alexandria, the foreigner handmaiden of his mother! She was pretty, and she would cause enough rumors to be spread about the two of them. As his mother always said, the best way to combat a rumor, is to make another, more bombastic one. Besides, his father had already assumed the two of them would hit it off, so maybe it would go smoothly.

His hopes were absolutely shattered when he turned the corner, and he saw Alexandria making out with a soldier. A Wind Dragon, to be precise. Wow. Kal... didn't know what to do in this situation, so he just abruptly turned around and hastily walked away.

Kal woke late the next morning, luxuriating in the softness of his bed, as opposed to the hard packed dirt he had slept on during his travels.
Reindolus had already woken, but had for once left him sleeping. Odd. But, given the recent events, welcome.

A quick glance out of his chambers windows revealed that it was midmorning. Excellent; Kal didn't need to make an appearance until afternoon, which was when he would start to organize the Wind Dragons.

Until then, Kal could do whatever he pleased. And right now, he wanted to take a bath. He hadn't properly bathed in a long while, excluding those short excursions into an icy river alongside his men.

No, right now, Kal wanted to bathe.

Pulling on some trousers and a spun shirt, Kal tugged on the bell that would call for a servant to his chambers.

Shortly after, a man dressed formally appeared at his chamber door.

"I would like to have a bath drawn up for me in my quarters."

"Yes, your Royal Highness."

The servant bowed, and left the room, leaving Kal alone again.

A few minutes after this, and then two serving girls carrying large buckets of steaming water entered his chamber, made their way to where his tub was kept, and poured the water into it, returning several times until it was filled completely. During this, Kal sat patiently, writing his formal report on the Turnips and the measures he took to rectify the situation.

When the bath was ready, Kal dismissed the servants, and then bathed, scrubbing viciously at his skin until it shone a raw, almost painful pink.
After that, Kal dressed himself more carefully, deciding to wear something that would be fitting for the warm summer day. Settling on a light cotton shirt and breeches, Kal then put on a short leather jacket and tan riding boots.
Studying himself in the mirror, Kal craned his head to the side, attempting to better see his outfit, when Kal caught a glimpse of the tattoo upon the nape of his neck.
Hmmmm.
It certainly wouldn't do to let anyone see that.
Scrounging around, Kal settled upon a vibrant blue silk scarf. It was light, covered his neck, and seemed deliberate.

It was at this point that Reindolus burst through the door, dressed in his sweat stained training leathers taking a moment to study Kal preening himself,

"Ay, you're plenty pretty, lad. Now, if you're done dressing for the ball, it's high time for us to get around to setting the Wind Dragons into form."

"Ay, you're plenty pretty, lad. Now, if you're done dressing for the ball, it's high time for us to get around to setting the Wind Dragons into form."

Kallain smiled, he to was excited to get started. The two men walked briskly towards the courtyard. The both of them were in high spirits and Reinoldus even began whistling an old marching tune. The two reached the courtyard and entered the warm summer sunshine.

There the Wind Dragons stood assembled ready for action, their readiness was apparent as well. Serell stood, ledger in hand, to help see to any logistical or structural needs. Upon seeing their numbers Kallain frowned. Now was when he decided what exactly he wanted this force to be. If he needed personal bodyguards 12 should be enough. If he wanted a short of princes own, he would need hundreds. He called over Serell and Reinoldus. "Men, we need some fresh recruits. Reinoldus, ask the veterans to recommend some active soldiers who would be willing to transfer. Serell, send some fresh recruits directly from training to us. But only more promising men, I want our numbers to be around 30." Serell rolled his eyes, "Sire As you know if you want to build a new army we will need far larger numbers. And if you desire bodyguards our current ranks..." "Thank you Serell! I am fully aware of this." Kallain interrupted aggressively. Reinoldus spoke up, "I think what he means Kal is what do you have in mind for us?"

Kallain smiled."Something similar to what we took to Helcomb. A small elite force, to deal with engagements that require precision over raw force. But with larger forces we can be used for more difficult quests. We could even assist the regular armies when needed!"

Reinoldus nodded his head in agreement while Serell shrugged and began writing in his ledger. Kal walked up,and stood in front of his currently assembled men. Alright Men! Let's get to work. For now I need to see how skilled each of you are in single combat. Our forces will be small, so each of us need to able to hold our own against several foes. Break into two groups, the brave will face our champion Reinoldus..." The knight cracked his knuckles and growled. "and the rest will face me." Kallain kicked up a training sword. And the first one to step up... was the man kissing Alexandria.