Argus had been drinking, And i mean a lot of drinking. Ever since he had given Evelyn the notebook he had been heavily drinking in the hall watching the people set up the Party. Now Argus had never been in love before. And he was torn between duty to the order and his desires towards Red. So he did the thing every man would do in the same situation. Get stupid fucking drunk. Now this process could go take a while because he was a dwarf. But after hours of drinking he started feeling the effects.The party was in full swing. Everyone was dancing drinking playing games and doing other things. Everyone was having a great time. Expect for Argus who had been sitting in the corner of the hall the whole time looking at everyone with jealousy in his eye's." ITS NOT FAIR!" He thought as he took another swig finishing his Keg and throwing it away." Why can they be with there love and not me !!" He stood up almost falling over. He tried to stabilize himself which failed as he bumped into a bunch of drunken Templar's. They screamed some insults Argus screamed some insults and then went there separate ways. He stumbled through the dance floor getting shoved constantlly. After that he stumbled out of the hall. And then out of the blue he started singing. " What you gonna do *hick* What you gonna do when they come for you *hick*." Then he started sining another song." What do you with the drunken Templar *hick* what do you do with the drunken Templar. What *hick* do you do with the drunken Templar early in the morning!!" He then stumbled into Marcus and Red." Oh i'm so sorry *hick*." He said with sarcasm. He looked at the girl and statred seeing something. His vision was fuzzy but he could make out atleast one lock of red hair." Have i *hick* Seen you before somewhere *hick*."

Red smiled as Marcus requested a dance, rolling her eyes she took his hand and followed to the grand hall where much of the dancing took place. There were a number of couples who'd done the same as the music had shifted from a rowdy footstomper to a lively instrumental. For the first few minutes Red was indulging herself in the festivities, stepping in rhythm to the music and keeping pace with Marcus as they went around the dance floor. That being said, the entire time Red kept an eye on where Evelyn was at all times. Being back in the grand hall put her in at an even higher risk of detection and so every so often she'd pull Marcus away from where the captain good watch. "Took you long enough to find me", she said as they began to waltz "To make things worse you left without even so much as a goodbye". Red smirked at the thought of how surprised the Templars would be to find an empty cell come morning. "She's read my notebook, you know. I'm not sure how much but you need to keep an eye on her. At least until we know how much she is aware of".

Marcus danced the reels along side red with grace, comfortable in a fight or on the dance floor, they both swung with the music in perfect tandom. Amidst the dance they both repositioned repeatedly, staying within the large crowd and whispering when needed. "It would be inconvenient to stay talking amidst an empty cell. Atleast here I can feign ignorance, having never seen you come in." He spun her away to another dancer and continued for a minute or so with a different partner before Red eventually returned on the arm of a different gentleman. "What she knows isn't important. Sunderland is a fine leader and will not act hastily on the information gathered. Though maybe it is time she learned a little more."

The dance continued for a while in silence as both simply enjoyed the comfort of old semi-friendship. If Marcus was correct, Red hadn't spun a round on the floor meaningfully in a very long time. Just this once it would be ok not to worry about their problems.
It wasnt clear how long they had danced but eventually the two left the crowded floor to find a dark corner to talk, well away from Sunderland and any other prying eyes or ears.

"Now, why are you here, Red." The mood of cheer had crumbled from his face as the urgent business returned.

A concerned look came over Red as she stared out into the mass of people. "I recently completed a job in Talmaria when i received word to return to Farendar. Apparently something is going on in the capital...something to do with the royal family. I was to find you and hand over what I'd recovered on my last assignment before moving on. Now im behind schedule thanks to this lot", Red pulled out a small stone from her pocket, roughly the size of a gold coin. It was black but at its center a green glow seemed to emit from within. "I've had a ward placed on it, our scholars in Talmaria believe it to be related to Sar'than. I can't hold onto it anymore so I need you to send it with a raven to the Isle. The High Ocular himself wants to examine it", Red subtlety handed it to Marcus before whispering close to his ear, "Our enemies have planted themselves almost everywhere". Red looked rather worried as she scanned the crowd. Just by looking at her you could tell she expected a cultist to attack from within the crowd.

Marcus took the stone and deftly slid it up his sleeve, digesting the information in the back of his mind as more and more problems seemed to pile up out of the blue. "to inform you of our side, the templars bested a dream demon and the Kest hive. There were experiments performed. Hybrid cultist bugs are being created. Even a small hive can be a factory for them now." Marcus glanced behind him to be sure nobody could see. He reached into his coat and pulled out a single scroll and passed it to her.
"You are familiar with these I hope. Use it, this leads to a forgotten rendevouz a few days from the capital. I will see that this," he pat his sleeve subtly, "makes it to the destination. I'll bring it personally. Ravens are being shot down."

"Yes I saw the aftermath of your little venture into the caves. Hopefully that's the last we'll see of those abominations. While I was in Talmaria I discovered a cultist hideout in the southern forests. Apparently they were breeding Dreakind and accelerating their growth to be fully grown in mere days. They were dealt with but I can't help but wonder how many more of these experiments are out there", Red was silent for a moment before remembering what Marcus said about the ravens. "I ran into the cultist responsible. Follow the kingsroad to the east you'll find his body hanging from the tree". Taking the teleportation scroll Red nodded in thanks just before Argus bumped into her. Looking to the dwarf then back to Marcus she gave a look which said, "I have to go, handle this". Without another word she waded through the crowd towards the courtyard. The guards there were isolated so if she was halted there it wouldn't be an issue incapacitating them.

Unfortunately when she arrived in the courtyard, Marco was there as well.

@Cuccoruler

Kaathe, for the first time in a while, opened his eyes. His body felt stiff, as if it hadn't moved for days, but he still attempted to sit up. His sight was beyond burry, as his mind, for one reason or another, could only perceive colors, not shapes. His body was numb, and stung itself every time he moved. If there was any sound near him, then his ears hadn't begun to notice. As for his sense of smell...right now, it was focusing on breathing, above all else. This lead Kaathe to assume that most of his senses were still waking up.

He didn't know where he was, or how he got there, but the fact was that he had survived the Kest mission. Whether or not the person who brought him back was from the team or just a passerby was unknown at the moment. As he waited for his body to fully awaken from its current state, he began to sort out what had happened. His body was overtaxed, and he had fallen unconscious after the mission was over. He remembered giving a prayer for another dark elf he had known long ago. He remembered that he had discarded his crossbow and spear, because he just had to keep fighting until he either died, or survived until the mission was over.

Minutes passed, and his senses slowly began to fix themselves. His sight began to form shapes and movement. His touch began to return, as his body faded away from numbness. He began to listen, hearing the snoring of something nearby. His scen-Dear Goddess, what in the HELL was that smell?! It was a lethal scent, more dangerous than any demon or monster Kaathe had faced. It was akin to that of an ancient serpent, reeking of age and rotting corpses.

He needed air. He needed fresh air. So without thinking, he began to pound his fists into the wall nearby. It didn't take much, just a few swings managed to bash out enough bricks for Kaathe to stick his upper torso out and gasp for air. His hands were slightly bleeding, but he'd rather that over whatever poisonous gas someone had decided to place him in.

@TheDarkTemplar@boomlover

Marcus smiled as Red finally took off but his heart felt the tiniest twinge at the knowledge that it might be a very long time before they saw each other again. The realization was unpleasant to say the least considering both of them had nearly killed each other half a dozen times over the years for reasons that both agreed would need to remain secret. Maybe she felt the same, he mused, but dismissed the idea. 'Red' was not the type to get overly attached to anything but the mission and her single moment of self indulgence to Marcus' knowledge had been here in the hall with the other templars.
Marcus would have smiled if the foul-breathed dwarf had not interrupted the moment. A fake smile spread across his face in an attempt to hide his minor treachery from the usually quite astute dwarf. "No, good Dwarf, just a woman from the town come to celebrate. Tell me Dwarf.. do you feel in your state you are still strong enough to best me in a game of drink?" Marcus gave a sharp whistle as he glanced up and caught Aundairs eye, motioning for the boy to come over. As Marcus' assistant so to speak it was the boys job to follow commands. Regardless of how distasteful they might be.
"Do me a favor, Aundair? Find us three a drink that could peel the varnish off the the hardwood." He slapped Aundair on the back to send him off and eyed the dwarf. "Unless you're too gone to best me. I understand if you aren't up for a challenge."

Aundair was having a great time. His friends and him had been promoted, the kest had been slaughtered, and he was drinking. There's could be nothing better. He danced and drank, though he wasn't quite drunk yet. Swinging Miriam around in his arms he turned himself around and caught Marcus' eye. With a flourish he let Miriam spin off back towards the dancing group and turned to walk towards his mentor.
"Sir?" he asked as soon as he arrived.
"Do me a favor, Aundair? Find us three a drink that could peel the varnish off the the hardwood." Said Marcus and slapped him on the back
"Yes Sir!" Aundair smiled and turned away. He walked off with a purpose. Get his mentor drunk? He would gladly do that.
"Hey, Kade! Do you want to see one of the higher ups drunk off of his ass?
Kade laughed "Give you two guesses, and the answer isn't no." Aundair smiled at that.
"Then get me the strongest thing that you can find." Kade ran off and in moments was lugging back a keg of dwarven moonshine. "I'd suggest that you go get another, I have a feeling that I won't remember the rest of tonight." Aundair picked up the keg and hauled it back to Argus and Marcus. "Got a mug? I'm ready to start this." Turning, Aundair grabbed a chair, spun it around and sat down, resting his arms on the backrest.

Glodin saw Argus and Marcus not far off and made his way over to them. "Oi lads! I see both of ya are having a good time! I wanted to let you know that I finished the repairs on your armors and weapons. I thought you would like to know." He said with a proud grin.

Before he managed to excuse himself, he saw a younger man walk up with a keg and offered his comrades a drink. "Mind if I join? I barely even had a sip o' ale today." A large grin spread across his face, this one not of pride, but with victory and a fire in his eyes. He knew he could win against Argus as how far off his brethren was, and with his Dwarven constitution he could probably stay sober longer than Marcus. Or at least that was what he thought. And only the drink knew who would truly win.

@Otomosthecrazy

Cythlla looked up from her work when she heard the crash of the wall being broken. She had finished the counterspell awhile ago, though she was now working on something of her own. A new kind of spell, one that could be used for merging other magic into a single attack. She figured this could be useful if they have to face something as big as the Kest Queen again.

Cythlla turned to see Kaathe sticking his head out the hole in the wall. She giggled a bit, "It's that bad huh? Afraid that smell is Henry, it seems that eating Kest doesn't agree with him all that much. The moment he wakes up he will be running out of this room too." Cythlla said, if one were to look closely they would notice a nose plug on her. Not even Cythlla was immune to this smell it seemed, but this was the best place for her to work as no one had bothered her as of late.

Thanks to the new window however the smell was starting to dissapate. "You feeling any better after that nap?" Cythlla asked him. He was quite exhausted it seems, though Henry seemed to have beat him in the way of sleeping. A hibernating bear after all was a bit hard to beat when it comes to sleep.

@Zelosse@PrettyWalrus@ShaggyDoo0

Argus started laughing when Marcus said he wasn't up to the task." Pff good sir when the night is done ill still be drinking." He said barely able not to fall of his chair. Maybe this was a good distraction to get his mind off his trouble's. He then saw Glodin approaching."Mind if I join? I barely even had a sip o' ale today." Argus slapped Him on the back." Glodin my brother Hick* Join us on this game of life and death. A game that will decide the *hick fate of the world!!!" He then looked at the new man of the group who had just recently joined the party.." So *hick* you wanna join this or are ya a small chicken mate?"

( yeah i know the post is small but there wasn't a lot i could do in that situation.)

"I bet he is a small chicken. Not that I should care I've just got to worry about what will happen if we get attacked. This would be the perfect time to strike while we are celebrating our victory against the Kest." Karl who had been staying out of sight from everyone since after the Kest cave had finally re-appered leaning against a pillar with a mug in his hand, chugging it's contents his slams the mug on the ground shattering it. "But still I'm not gonna let that thought distract me! Now who wants to brawl!" Making his way to the center of the room Karl begins to move people around until there was a large open area. "Come now, I'll take anyone on. The rules are simple, no magic, no weapons, and no armor heavier than leather. Other than that it's free game. NOW LET'S SEE IF ANY OF YOU WEAKLINGS CAN TAKE ME ON!."

Ruinil had made her way through the halls and, yet again, found herself at the courtyard. However, this time was different. This time she found the captive squaring off against Marco. She was about to intervene and bring this prisoner back to her cell, when she heard the commotion in the Grand Hall. She hesitated for a moment, not trusting Marco for his treachery earlier, but decided to check out the Grand Hall first.

Upon entering the Grand Hall, Ruinil found an.... Interesting sight. It was Karl. And it seemed he was trying to provoke a fight. Ruinil sighed and pushed her way through the crowd, then finally managed to get into the circle, where Karl stood. Ruinil sighed. "Karl what in the 13 hells are you doing?" She called touching his shoulder, a move she would soon regret.

With her guard lowered, Karl grabbed her arm and threw her over his shoulder, slamming her back against the ground and knocking the wind out of her. The crowd cheered. Ruinil staggered to her feet, struggling to breath. She coughed furiously as she glared at Karl.

She had noticed his aggressive behavior since the night of the nightmares, however, she had finally lost patience. Drunk or not, Karl was going to learn his place. "Oh so that's the kind of game you wish to play? Very well. However... Don't blame me if you loose a few teeth or break an arm or 2!" She yelled, still coughing heavily. Breathing has been a problem for Ruinil since the day she had melded with Bartuc, however, this was a matter of pride and keeping this drunk soldier from getting too confident.

"Let's go! I'll let you have the first swing!" She yelled.

Marcus pulled up a seat at the rapidly filling table and procured a cup from a passerby, filling his cup and waiting for the others to do so as well. A nod to Glodin welcomed him to the table, another nod to Argus had them all raising a cup. "To the defeat of Sar'than!" Marcus cheering in an unusually happy mood. As a group they all put back their mugs and drained the contents in one long swig, the dwarves likely having an easier time.
This process was repeated nearly 5 more times before Marcus felt the first tingle of alcohol.

===========================

Bartuc had returned to the party shortly after Ruinil and Karl began their bout. Seeing her hit her Brough his anger to a peak but he swallowed the notion of attacking. This was a friendly fight, nobody would harm anyone here. Not this group atleast. Say what you want of Sunderland, but her troops followed to the letter and were loyal beyond question.

As Karl and Ruinil squared up again Bartuc came forward for a closer look, arms crossed and a wide grin on his face. "Careful, Karl. She's quick." He chuckled to himself, remembering a spat they had. "I'll take the winner on."

Aundair was laughing uproariously, at this point quite sloshed. He had already been drinking heavily before the drinking contest had begun and this didn't help his case in the first place. Ruinil and Karl fighting? He couldn't wait for it to really begin. He slammed back his drink and set his mug down before raising his hands to the other three at the table.
"That's enough for me, I'm tapping out. You guys have the tolerance of an alcoholic elephant." he laughed again and sat down hard in his seat. "I haven't been this drunk since.... well, i've never actually been this drunk." his words were slurring slightly and as he turned to look back at the fight, he felt his chair totter. The look on his face described it all. "welp... here we..." he was cut off as the chairs legs broke under him and his face disappeared under the edge of the table.
"Stop the carriage, I want to get off!" floated up from where he fell, followed by laughter. "That's it, I'm staying down here for a little bit. A pretty human woman that had walked by a few minutes ago caught Marcus' eye and waved with the support bar for Aundair's chair, a large smile splitting her face.
A quick grumble came from the floor and Aundair sat back up. "I guess we they don't make chairs like they used to."

@Ace of flames01
"Oh so your the first contestant! While I would normally gladly fight anyone I was more hoping for someone of the more non half-demonic variety!" Karl bows deeply to Ruinil, turning towards Bartuc,"Now him, he's more of the person I was hoping to fight." Reaching over and stealing a mug from another Templar, Karl chugs it's contents and hands the mug back. "But knowing how we under the command of Captain Sunderland are I guess I'll just have to fight." In a blur of motion Karl drops into a crouch and charges Ruinil, but instead of grappling her he sweeps his leg kicking Ruinil's legs out from under her, he then quickly leaps back and readies himself for her counter attack.

Varrus walked into the hall and saw the state of the party. He saw Aundair fall from his chair, saw two others getting in a fight, and a bunch of others sitting around, drinking and chatting. He even saw a recruit trying to show off in front of his friends, it seemed he was going to try and convince a barmaid into his bed. He whispered in her, had a smug smile, looked back at his friends, and was blindsided by the woman's fist.

"Well now," he spoke to himself, "this is mine kind of party." He strode over to the table that Aundair was at and snatched up a full tankard and drained it dry. "Ahh, much better, anyone got anymore?" He then pulled up a chair and poured himself another drink, "So, anyone wanna explain how the old man ended up on his arse?"

@Snarfulblast

Ruinil carefully watched every single one of Karl's muscle move as it were in slow motion as he tried to sweep her off her feet. She jumped up and over a few feet in the air, landing behind Karl before he retreated back anticipating her next move. Her eyes glowed crimson for a split second and her expression turned cold and emotionless, before she dashed forward with blinding speed. She then proceeded by grabbing one of his wrists, Karl swung at her but she managed to dodge and get behind him, then she kicked the back of Karl's legs with just enough force to dislocate one of his legs and knock him down. She the placed her other hand on the back of Karl's head and smashed his face against the ground, giving him a bloody mouth and nose and pinning him down. Ruinil then pulled back on Karl's wrist until a loud click! was heard; dislocating his shoulder.

With that done, Ruinil stood up and backed off. She a punished him enough and taught him a lesson he wouldn't forget anytime soon. "You are still weak, Karl. It makes sense as to why you wouldn't want to fight me." She replied with a cold look in her eye, only adding insult to injury. She turned to the crowd, that was now speechless of the spectical they had just witnessed. Ruinil sighed. "I'm done here. If you will all excuse me. Enjoy the party." She then pushed through the crowds and out towards the edges of the Grand Hall.

Landeel wasn't really in the mood to join the festivities, besides he had another matter to attend to anyway. He was outside the hall, waiting in solitude until another figure made itself known: The knight-sergeant he'd passed on the wall.

"It's surprising that you've decided to return to us, I was certain i'd have to watch for your blade when you recognized me"

"well...I've come to regret my defection, regardless, here..." Landeel produced a notebook, it was a report written my Marco about the kest hive the Templars had destroyed, he handed it out to the masked elf "I know you had a hard time getting your hands on it, it should tell you what we found there" The Elf took the notebook and hid it in his coat "one more thing: the woman they captured, the redhead, she seems to be trying to help the order and from what Marco told me about when he met with her she isn't worth underestimating"

The elf nodded "we'll be sure to keep an eye out. we-" he was cut of by the sudden appearance of Ruinil, who stumbled upon their conversation. It was Landeel who reacted, he was on her in a second, pinning her against the wall and lifting her a few inches off the ground, one gauntleted hand covered her mouth to prevent her screaming while the other quickly drew his shortsword and drove it through the base of her neck. He kept her like that for a few short moments while the life drained from her eyes. He withdrew his hand and the sword and stepped to the side as her lifeless body fell to the ground. Landeel had killed templars before and this was barely any different but it did feel just a bit unfortunate and it definitely complicated things. The Elf stepped forward "well damn...you go, I'll handle the body as I leave"

Landeel nodded and turned to walk away, leaving the Elf with Ruinil's body. Sometime Later the Elf was riding far from Thanermere and the half-demon's body was left burning in the woods.

Bartuc Crestfallen

Bartuc smiled at Ruinils display but shrugged at Karl, realizing it better not to indulge in that baser instinct to fight with someone so close to him in such a rut. Didn't look good to ignore her just to hit a man who had already been beated. Bartuc followed the feeling in his soul stalk Ruinil, his dagger on hip but armor and weapons still in their room. If only he knew how quickly he might have needed them now. His trail got steadier as he followed the footprints but something was wrong. Very wrong. The shock of surprise burst through him like a ballista bolt to the chest. Bartuc took off in a sprint to catch up to Ruinil.
His surprise was complete when he stumbled into his worst nightmare. Landeel stood with a bloody sword atop Ruinils body. Unarmored, barely armed, and angry, the crazed fighter knew without a shadow of a doubt that this was a fight he could not win but his heart was already starting to fail and his lungs refused to fill with oxygen. Bartuc rushed forward anyways, the dagger found the only opening it could on Landeels armor as it hooked upwards into his stomach. It didn't do much damage but the surprise and shock was enough for Bartuc to wrap one meaty hand around the betrayers neck and squeeze.
The world was blurry as tears of helpless rage escaped him as Landeels blade pierced through Bartucs chest and out the back. Bartucs grip loosened as he fell to his knees impaled on betrayers steel. The ghost of a smile crept on his face as one last fireball detonated at the killers feet.
Two corpses for the pyre.

Varrus was enjoying himself at the party. The fighting, the drinking, the dancing, it was all so jolly. He drained his tankard and left the table, he'd drunk more than his body could handle and so he needed to find somewhere private. As he left the hall and walked along, he heard the sounds of a fight in the distance, and it sounded savage, "Now this sounds brutal, this I wanna see." So he rushed towards the sounds of fighting, but as soon as the sounds started they were over, yet he continued onwards in the sort of direction it came from. He rounded a corner and saw blood, lots of it. On the floor, on the walls, and even on the ceiling. He saw no bodies, but he did see foot prints leading off into one area, along with some drag marks, and scorch marks of a fireball.

He had no idea what had happened here, no idea who was involved, only that whatever happened was quick and bloody work. He decided upon the only course of action that seemed sane at the time. Sound the alarm. He ran back towards the hall at a full sprint, not even caring anymore that he might piss himself, only that the others need to be warned. As he was running he shouted at the top of his lungs, "Alarm! To Arms! To Arms!" Hopefully someone would hear him and spread the word.

Marcus was the first to stand, woozy from the alcohol but always aware of duty over the self. Pistol in hand he charged the sound of the noise, a templar by the name of Varrus he later discovered, and roused the guards on the way to redouble vigilance and report anyone entering or leaving the castle. The scene of the crime was grim, a great puddle of blood and a large burned scar in the ground where a fireball had been dropped. To Marcus it clued in immediately who had been felled. Bartuc Crestfallen had shied away from festivities to follow his half-demon woman and now neither could be seen. Though he would not admit it, Marcus was conflicted by this news. On the one hand he was happy to have the half demons gone but on the other it was a shame that two fine fighters were missing. The blood was telling, as the big fellow likely wouldn't leave unless his opponent was dead or he was.

"Where are the guards?" Marcus turned to a nearby Templar and nearly struck the man when he stuttered. "YOUR JOB IS TO WATCH FOR PEOPLE LEAVING OR COMING IN!" His temper at a short fuse he grasped the armored man in both hands and slammed him into the wall inches off the ground. "WHAT DID YOU SEE!" He shouted.
"N-N-NOTHING, SIR, I WAS ON THE EAST WALL!" Marcus dropped him to the ground and wiped off his own clothes. "Find me someone stationed at the gates. I want to know where two well trained fighters just disappeared to and I want it 10 minutes ago."

The party was in full swing and all seemed to be running smoothly. A small scrap had broken out between the men but it was purely out of fun. For now Evelyn would allow it, as long as things remained under control. As for herself she'd found confidence that the castle would remain standing without her constant supervision and so retired to a nearby table by the Windows of the grand hall. As she sat facing the crowd a smile rose on her face, the same smile that was present on the faces of the common folk who filled the old halls with laughter. It was a small victory, but nonetheless important. People needed to feel safe with The Order, they needed to know that they'd find shelter and security behind the walls of every Templar fortress. Evelyn poured herself a mug of ale and calmly watched the night unfold. While she wasn't exactly partaking in the festivities, she wasn't playing the role of security either. In truth she merely enjoyed watching the dancing of those before her, to hear their laughter and enjoy their song. It was not a life she'd had and so she felt without. To watch from afar and know that her life was to promote such was enough for her.

Then the alarms came. The keep bell tower rang over and over again with a surreal hollowness to it. Like a death toll it rang out, echoing through the halls of the keep, silencing all present. In a matter of moments guards came dashing from their positions to wherever it was they were needed. Evelyn jumped to her feet and followed the guards to the courtyard. It was there see saw the horror that lay there. Ruinil, her throat cut open, her body lay open beside the scorched remnants of Bartuc and Landeel. The captain almost couldn't believe her eyes, when she finally did she was surprised to see who was already leading the investigation. The irony of it all was that she'd half expected Marcus to have been responsible for this. "Marcus! What in Altaia's name has happened?!", Evelyn cried out, her eyes staring wildly at the scene before her. Then a thought came into her head, it was sudden and the emotions it invoked came slowly. At first the feeling of realization followed by the growing rage which nearly drove Evelyn mad. "Where is the prisoner?", she asked calmly, hiding the boiling rage within.

Red had seen everything; the slaying of the Dreakind and the deaths of the two knights. It was a rather tragic event, what's more a new player had revealed itself to the game, one Red half expected to take advantage of the chaos. As the courtyard filled with angry guards and fearful peasants, Red quickly made her escape. Under the cover of her invisibility she exited the courtyard and made her way around the castle. After acquiring her things she set out once more to the springs where she met Argus. The road felt long and tiring, why this was so was a mystery to Red as she wasn't lacking in sleep or nourishment. After changing at the spring she continued through the forest till she arrived at a clearing in the woods. At it's center lay an archgriffin, black as night with red tipped feathers. It's beak was a darkened grey which was serrated along the edges. Red approached the beast without caution but rather confidence and warmth. "Nyxa, I brought you something", she said softly as the large creature sprung to life. It squawked loudly before Red could shush it. "Momma's sorry she left for so long, she didn't mean to leave you. Here, forgive me?", Red tossed a steak into the air and like lightening the arch-griffin lunged up and caught it. In mere seconds the steak had been devoured and the beast was rubbing its head against its rider. "I missed you too, girl. Come, we have a long way to the capital", the Griffin cawed slightly before lowering itself for Red to get on. Once seated on the saddle, Nyxa bolted into the air before darting across the sky. The night was young and with luck they'd reach the capital before it was too late.

---

Come morning the funeral pyres were built. The bodies of Ruinil, Bartuc, and Landeel lay atop one each. All the templars and peasantry were present for the funeral. There were no songs to greet the day, only tears and scowls. The priests prepared incense and recited prayers for the two humans and burial songs for the elf. All stood in the courtyard, their eyes either to the ground or towards the pyres. Evelyn stood atop the walls, overlooking the crowd and the dead. Her heart felt heavy and her eyes weary. The morning had promised progress but in reality all it brought was loss. As commanding officer she gave the eulogy, such a thing was not uncommon to her. "To protect the people and ward away the darkness. That was their oath as Templars. As knights of the order we give our lives to the preservation of the light...but on this day the darkness has found victory. The void created by the loss of these brave souls will never be filled. Never again will we find individuals such as they, who's lives they gave time and time again to the service of people who'd never thank them, never trust them, never repay them. Against all this they stood in face of the dark which now threatens the world. Let their loss be inspiration for the near future. To live as these souls did, and work to achieve their level of selflessness. The coming winter will be long and full of hardship. It falls to us, the Knights of The Dawn Covenant, we few who remain, to stand against the evil in the north. To ensure the light burns forever more", Evelyn nodded to a nearby priest who carried a torch to the pyres. With the lighting of each, a pain grew in Evelyn's heart. It felt as if a stake had been driven through her chest and with each pyre set alight, it had been hammered further in.

At the ceremony's conclusion she hurriedly packed her bags and prepared her horse. The way would be long and arduous and she dared not risk enduring another trip the likes of their first exodus to Thanermere. Once she was ready, Evelyn sent for a messenger to rally the men. They'd ride for Loringrad today.