@Jollan



Metis followed the sweet healer Lynn like a shadow and just as quiet and was only slightly worried about taking the injured seraph male into the carriage knowing that Lynn as a healer was better suited to care for him than the aloof princess; she reeked of indecision. It was strange to observe how uncoordinated the group was and seeming more like travelers headed in the same direction than an adventuring party.

When they arrived at Pearl she helped remove the male from the carriage then once more resumed her status as Lynn’s shadow.

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@Rai@Guy0fV4lor@Verticus@Brithwyr

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Ami felt useless as she followed the party but kept it to herself the only hint of her unhappiness a song she sang as the marched along the road towards Pearl.



As they rode on Ami began to question her own presence among them wondering if she were merely a sightseer…. Useless adornment.

Then as they neared the city of pearl her spirit detected the injured therein and the healing magic of the Taxian faction so when they off loaded Mason she watched and waited as Lynn and Metis approached those Guild members and asked if they might be of aid. Once they’d finished she approached the Elder and introduced herself as a Taxian member with a bow as her wings glimmered like a barely seen mirage as she struggled to control her ability so near injured and ill.

Lynn let a big smile as she thanked the Taxis healer. Truth was, she loved her work. She enjoyed being able to help others in need, and ever since she was little and learned that she could heal with her magic, that was the main thing she had focused on. "C'mon, Metis, I'll show you what a busy day at home is like! But be warned, once I start, it could be a long time before I stop," she said with a smile. This is the kind of stuff the Alliance was supposed to be doing anyway, right? Not just sticking strictly to orders, but helping where they thought they could. Lynn was then directed over to an area of the tents that haven't been taken care of yet. She floated by each of the patients, taking about a good ten minutes, looking over all of their injuries, her face going back to that serious look that she got whenever she started concentrating on her work. She was receiving some critical glances from the Taxis healers, who were starting to believe that the girl was bluffing about helping and will just be in the way. Before anyone could say anything about it, Lynn, knowing what she would do, started to act.

Lynn unlatched the jar of infinite water behind her and produced a ball of water about the size of her head. She concentrated on it a moment and then touched it, turning it a cherry red color. The ball then dispersed into many evenly sized bubbles of red water to each patient, about 17 of them, telling them to drink it, or for the unconscious having it absorb into their body over a little longer time. "I've enchanted the water to restore some of your strength, though it won't leave you painless right now, it will give you the strength to move around when I'm done." She then took down the part of the tent they were under. "This will only be temporary, I promise." she said as she noticed some questioning glares. She then got down off of her staff, letting it float just behind her. It was the first time her feet had touched grass, and luckily for her it was nice soft grass. It actually made her ears perk up at first as she looked down at it a bit surprised, letting out a small giggle as she felt it with her feet. She then cleared her throat and shook her head slightly. "Sorry," she apologized a bit sheepishly to the onlookers and conscious patients. More water started flowing out of the jar, summoned forth by the rune affixed inside it. This water didn't touch the ground, but much like the ball of water from a moment ago, it formed in front of her. This one didnt change colors however, instead it dispersed into smaller parts, each of differing sizes to go to the different wounds the patients had, and she got each one right, memorizing who had what injury. The lassa girl then closed her eyes and held her arms out at angles in front of her, concentrated on the task now at hand of healing the wounds.

To anyone paying close attention to the water that now wrapped around the various injuries, they could see an area around the water that seemed void of light, as if there was a dark aura around the water, when it was in fact the water was actually taking the light from its surroundings. In the centers of these concentrations of water, someone could see that the light was gathering inside of it and being turned into healing energy, which was reversing both internal and external injuries in the places it had covered. Open wounds were slowly closing up, bones resetting, and the skin was growing back as it would normally, though obviously a scar now. The water itself was also filtering out impurities and infections in the wounds. When the water raised off of a wound upon being completely healed, there would be a small ball of these filtered impurities inside that would be cast away along with the water, leaving nothing but a healthy patient. The people would find that their bodies were fixed and thanks to the strength enhanced water from earlier, they had the ability to move around as well and make room for new patients.

She continued this cycle through quite a few more groups of patients, checking over each one afterwards to make sure if they were truly ready to leave from medical care before directing them back to the Taxis for one more round of checks, just in case. A Taxis healer started to notice her magic weakening after a bit and advised her to stop and rest up, commending her work, but she couldn't stop. Instead, she just started helping where she could the old fashioned way, without magic until her energy built up again. Like what was suggested to her earlier, this entailed helping with bandages and cleaning.

It was when Ami came down to introduce herself did she garner the attention of the Taxis. Her translucent luminescent wings gave them eyes of wonder. Barely a time a magician or entertainer bore through this town and word had been spreading rather swiftly through the Taxis high ranks. Of which one was inside. Of how a born healer, blessed with the well guarded blood of a high seraphim in Vrondi's castle, had been tasked with a group to purify the lands from Nuxta's curse. Almost immediately she was shown hospitality and allowed inside. Though she was warned for sake of her mind. "The conditions of these men and women are much worse than out here." One Taxis healer spoke. Her white gloves and cloak stained with splotches of crimson.

Outside things were much better soon after Lynn began to heal with her water magic. Few in the Taxis could match a simple yet effective remedy. Lynn was soon nicknamed "The walking potion" for her control of liquid, which to the simple people of Pearl was relatable to the liquid in a potion. Finding many of their injured and sick recovering swiftly many were allowed out of their sick beds and back into the town. A few made their way to the strength competition. Much too weak to participate beyond applauding their closest kin.

Within the walls of the Taxis building many were laid out on the simple stone floors with beds sprawled out with about five feet of distance between them. Others were elevated on hay bed and some were kept covered behind a veil. Every healer inside wore masks and Ami was offered one. It was similar to a beak in shape. Once she had it on she was allowed to visit the injured. Her visible aura was a spectacle and some questioned if she should be allowed inside. A distraction for some healers, but a mind soothing sight for the injured. So she stayed.

The worst being behind the veils she was motioned away from there. Though if she found herself unwilling to obey she would find the unsound body of one of the towns warriors. A large body beneath bandages that were stained with red and black. A rotting disease staining the ends of their stumps with a dripping ooze. Death was mercy for one in such a condition, one would think...
@Jollan@RumikoOhara

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The Bard's words made the waitresses think. For they were simple town folk and he was a seasoned traveler. Though speculation was soon tossed his way. He chuckled between his strumming. "I am glad your prejudices are so low in this humble town. But I've seen my share of Nayu in my time in Nero's city. This one is unlike any I've seen. A dangerous omen. In these times its best to be sure." He was nonchalantly playing while speaking, smiling even as he observed their reaction. The two girls looked at each other and then sighed, more customers were coming in. Some that were fresh from being healed and needed serving. There was little time to ponder on the bards words.

It was not much of a wait yet it had taken its time. Pipping hot bowls of Venison soup, with freshly picked vegetables and mouth watering herbs sprinkled within. Raquel held the two bowls on a large wooden plate she held with her right hand. Balancing it a bit over her head as she effortlessly strolled with it towards Garrett. She placed the wooden tray down gently. Off loading the bowls rather quickly, the soups contents swimming inside. Raquel took the wooden tray and laid it neatly against her lower waist. "Please enjoy your meal. If you need anything else don't hesitate to ask." She said with a smile and a humble bow. Her mind wandered before she thought to leave, visible from her eyes looking down nervously and her faces hue growing warmer with blood. "And after you're done maybe you can tell me what adventures you've been on. It's a quiet town, not much happens here... Well, enjoy." She turned quickly and walked away hurriedly. The expression on her face a mystery to Garrett.

Once he or any other customer needed servicing she would be by to help them. Merely wiping tables over and under, each one having a clear shine to them thanks to her efforts. Bending over and gradually wiping with circular motions whilst humming to herself.
@Verticus
Time Stamp: 2:00 PM

Allard could see it in her eyes, Raquel looked as if she was going to ask something but then thought changed her mind. He overheard the knight flirting with the girls which elicited a raised eyebrow for a moment but nothing more. When Raquel came back to the table with his food, he was pleasantly surprised to see one of his old favorites, the house sampler. "Thank you! It looks just how I had remembered it! It has been ages since I had real Gaian cooking." It wasn't any one thing really, rather it was a good portion of many things that they made from stews to platters and a whole assortment of different sides like fresh vegetables and potatoes.Truth be told, this platter could feed quite a number of people, and it took Raquel and another server to bring the food over. With Allard's size and build, however, he tended to eat a an insane amount in order to keep his size. This was his regular evening meal when he made his way to town. It brought back many memories, fond ones. When everything made sense and all he had to do was tend to the farm and his family. That reminded him though. The damage on the way here, as well as the medical center being full, had to mean another battle occurred recently.

"Raquel...." Allard said in a lowered voice, "What exactly happened here? Who attacked Pearl? It's the middle of the strength competition and there is barely anyone there. What could have caused this much destruction?"

Lila Moriarty

^{@Rai @13org}

Lila fell on her knees as she looked to Anui's expression. Cold, emotionless, side by side with his mother, whom still has that wicked smirk on her face. Even if Lila wanted to say anything. In shock, her throat was dry and she didn't have strength to stand up as she looked down to the ground. But instead of crying and breaking down, her tears stopped flowing. There was something wrong with all that...

Since when she became so dependent on someone? She loved Anui but... That wasn't who she was... Was she trying to run away from her true self? It didn't matter how much she tried, she couldn't make her body forget the reflexes of an assassin, she couldn't clean her hands from the blood she had already spilled... Love... Love made her fragile, weak, useless... broken... Love and all those other unnecessary emotions were the ones who put her in that situation, kneeling down in a pitiful state... She wouldn't let her newly discovered emotions blindly guide her anymore...

Fortunately, just as the Nayu elder was about to order the guards to take her, and Lila in return was getting ready to fight back, the very ground beneath them started shaking uncontrollably. Panic almost immediately followed on the hall where Lila was. Even though she thought she could use that confusion to escape, it was undeniable that that shaking wasn't just an earthquake... There was a tremendous force coming from below them... Something was making the ground shake like that...

But just as Lila was ready to run, a familiar voice interrupted her. Leaping above the others with a beautiful cloak made of black feathers, Anui landed before Lila.

"I'm sorry.. But we must go." Anui said, looking to the guards, who were helping the other royals to escape. Anui's mother followed him, shortly after appearing in front of them, saying that Lila should be in a cell. Lila gave a step back, wary about what exactly did Anui want with her, even though his mother's presence there already gave Lila a few ideas about what they wanted. But before she could think about it, but Anui's reaction immediately proved her wrong. Baring his fangs towards his own mother, Lila felt his arms embracing her and enveloping her in his coat.

Even if Lila was a warrior, an assassin, she was powerless when Anui embraced her. Love was a really scary thing. Beautiful, but scary... She couldn't help but to think... Love was no different from chains and shackles... The scariest part about all that was that people would happily use those chains and shackles voluntarily. And Lila... wasn't different. She couldn't help but feel happy and relieved when she felt Anui embracing her as he shouted towards his mother that he wanted to have an audience with the king. Even though she was a bit irritated with Anui, she couldn't help but let out a discreet smile as he sank through the shadow portal summoned by Anui.

Arriving at the castle's peaks, Anui and Lila observed the destruction and chaos going on below them. Looking at Anui's face, she could understand a bit why he was in shock seeing that but herself didn't feel much about that. Should she be feeling equally in shock? That wasn't her city... Those weren't her allies... Those weren't her family. Her family was only Anui.

Lila silently followed Anui to the private armory, watching as he took of his coat and wore a suit of light armor. His words sounded a bit ironic to Lila... How could she consider that 'her' kingdom? The only one who wanted her was Anui. Not even his mother wanted Lila. Rejected by her own race and betrayed by the Aion, the only place in the world for Lila seemed to be besides Anui.

"I'm sorry for... everything. I've not been a reliable companion until now, have I?" Lila said, looking down for a bit.

"My mind is still... So many things happened, so many new emotions, so many things to deal with in only two days... I know it must have been difficult to deal with me this time, but I... I'm learning how to control these emotions." Lila said, looking to Anui.

"I am still irritated by what happened... But the promise I made wont change. I am your blade and yours alone. For you, I would kill as many as it's necessary." she said looking at him, clearly irritated by him saying nothing when she called for him.

"Let me do the one thing I know how to do well, Anui. Let me fight by your side." Lila said, looking to him with a serious stare. She wanted to keep him safe, but that would also help her to clear her mind, to learn how to control all those emotions and to deal with all the changes on her life and herself.

After Dremmick got his drink, he thanked the rather attractive looking girl before drinking and dwelling on his plans for tonight. hopefully, with the sample he collected, he would be able to find something to reverse its effects. however, if he couldn't, he may be able to find a way to at least use the material in the future. When he finished his drink, he got up from his table as silently as he had arrived, leaving a generous tip that was more than the cost of the drink for the serving girl, and then went up to his room for the night.

When Dremmick entered his room, it was fairly small, yet comfortable. He hadn't opted for anything big and fancy, instead wanting something a bit more secluded for his work. He went over to a small table and unhooked the large middle pouch from his harness behind him. setting it on the table he pulled from it a number of glass vials that were strapped snuggly to the sides of the pouch as not to rattle or make noise. Each one had different plants in them for different medical applications. One of the larger vials however, held the sample of the diseased plant matter from the tree they came across. From what he has seen so far, it is the same as the blight that had taken ahold of the land around pearl and in a few of its people.

He started by cutting a piece away from the sample, and testing how it reacted to other plants he had with him, noticing that when it came in contact that they would enter a decaying state much like it was in. he then pulled out a vile of water to test how it mixed, over time he noticed that it mixed surprisingly well, creating a poison that had a rapid necrotic reaction to organic matter. It was strong, absurdly so. It's properties were comparable to a particular spider and snake venoms that causes bodily tissue to to decay over a coarse of a few days if not treated. This however, did it nearly instantaneously, causing necrosis in not only flesh, but any organic matter would find itself decaying. The only way Dremmick could see healing this properly, would be to cut your losses at amputation and cauterize the area immediately. As for the decaying matter, it seemed to spread, meaning that it would have to be burned off after all, but in a way that there was no active material left behind to continue spreading the disease. He smirked as he realized that although a foolish way to do it, Mason may have been right to torch that infected tree. He sat back in his chair, staring at all the small vials and mixtures he had made through his tests. That was when something seemed to click. If this place was attacked by Nuxta, which he heard had been joined by the basilisk queen, even if a basilisk wasn't in the area, the poisons that a basilisk could manufacture could be used to make poisons for combat for anything from siege weapons, to simple coated weaponry, to even destroying key factory and farming resources so that the enemy couldn't support themselves.

Dremmick leaned back in his chair a bit. Now that he figured out what it was, he had to find a way to construct an antivenom of some sort. and for that, he needed more resources. It was a theory, nothing more, but he felt like it was still a good hunch. He got up from the desk and placed everything back in it's place in his pouch, then latched it back on to the harness. He left his room, passing the incoming guests on his way outside. Paying no mind to the festivities, he went over to the medical center. He noticed it was still busy, The lassa girl seemed to be hard at work healing people outside, that other girl shadowing her the whole time. He made his way to one of the Taxis healers that was overseeing operations outside and got there attention. "I would like to see some of your patients inside, as well as speak to someone about this," he said holding up the vial with what was left of his sample from the diseased tree. "I've been studying it, but I lack the resources I need to complete any of my conclusions. For the sake of the people inside, I would appreciate your cooperation." Once again using others as leverage, Dremmick was honestly more worried about finding out a way to combat this poison should he or one of his allies fell prey to it, as it seemed like it was going to be a common poison that they were going to run into.

"Nobody is going to be takin' this old trail. Why did we even set up here," a rough looking man asked a number of others. They were all pretty grungy, but they were fairly well armed and there was a total of five of them hiding in the treeline along an old dirt trail in Gaia. Another man spoke up, "After that attack on Pearl, nobody wanting to keep anything protected is going to take the main roads. Besides, we already had a good haul off those battlefield corpses, we aren't in any hurry for cash." Another one snorted at this and replied in a deep gruff voice, "not for money, no, but we sure as hell could use some decent food." There was a murmur of agreement between all of them. "Look here, if we find a person, we'll shake 'em for all they got and then we'll all have a good meal. Otherwise, I guess we can fish something out of the creek."

"May not have to, look what finally showed up," the gruff voice replied, pointing down the road as a lone cloaked figure. "Time to increase our funds boys."

Shye, trying to save time in her walk, was taking a bypass road that would save about an hour of walking. It was a fairly peaceful walk, of which she was grateful for. She loves to listen to the birds singing and the fresh mountain air was refreshing. She felt like she could keep up this steady pace all day. It was short lived however as she saw a familiar sight out from under her hood. A small group of men came out from the treeline and blocked the road. The small creature behind her neck, under her hood chirped, she raised her hand to calm it, her claw giving it a little scratch behind its ear to which it leaned into, a little purr coming from it. "We have a toll here stranger," one of the more muscular of the bandits announced, "drop all your money, and we may let you pass." Shye shook her head. She didn't have much for coin other than a few copper coins and one silver, but they didn't have to know that. "You sure about this, the person has a beggar's cloak on, I doubt they have anything worth while," one of the bandit's whispered. Shye heard this however, and decided to go with it. She held out her hands, both empty of anything, trying to signify she had nothing. "Then the bloody beggar should turn back around and stop wasting our time, because they ain't coming this way!" The bandit yelled at his subordinate. But that wasn't an option for Shye, she was was trying to save time, not waste it by backtracking. She looked up a little more at the men there, sizing them up before continuing forward.

She went to walk around them instead, and one noticed something. "Aye, its a young girl, haha! What in blazes has you out here all alone?" That got the attention of the supposed leader real quick. "A girl you say? Well I think I can come up with another way for you to pay then, sweetheart." Shye froze in place as she heard that, her eyes sharply cutting over to the muscled bandit. Not in fear however, but in anger. Knowing that she should just leave, she went to keep walking as she was almost around them, but the big idiot had other plans. "Hold it right there, we aren't done here," He reached out and grabbed her hood, yanking it back to get a better look at her face, unfortunately for him there was a small furred young dragon that did not like being surprised like that. It jumped in his face, clawing and biting at him. "What the hell!? AURG! Get this little shit off me!!" Shye snapped twice and the little dragon jumped off of him and glided back to her shoulder. It got a good grip however as it sensed what was about to happen. The bandit backed off a bit as he held his face, blood coming down where where an eye used to be. "THAT BASTARD GOT MY EYE! I'LL KILL THE BOTH OF YOU!!"

The others got up to help support their ally and rushed her, she prepared as they were about to charge in, a jump and a quick burst of fire from her hands sent her in the air and just over them, casting off her cloak as she did so as not to get it bloody. They turned around to give chase when one was suddenly yanked backwards, fiery claws gripping into his spine and burning into his back, paralyzing the man almost instantaneously, leaving a fist sized crater where the spine used to meet the back of his neck. The group turned around as they heard him screaming in pain. "THERE IS TWO OF THEM!?" one shouted. "There is still four of us!" the leader shouted. But then there were three, then two, and now just the one, who was missing an eye. None of them had many hits on them, just one surgical strike. The heart. The skull. The throat. Each one had a hole where her claws ripped in and burned out anything there, some still on fire where she mad contact. The one bandit that remained, the leader with now a missing eye, cursed as she started slowly walking toward him, her doppelganger disappearing. "Y-you're no woman. You are a demon. I won't let you leave here alive!" He then charged her with his sword, though he was already weary from trying to keep up with her and now with only one eye, he lacked depth perception, making it easy to sidestep. Shye grabbed the man by the arm and let her fire roar in her hands. He screamed in pain as he dropped his sword. Her arm shot out and grabbed the man by the mouth, muffling his cries, claws digging into his face. She let loose a jet-stream of fire from her hand and didn't let go until the body dropped to the ground as there was nothing left of his head to hold on to.

Then, quietly and casually, Shye started walking back to her. She brushed her hands together, the little dragon picking up on another sign she taught it as it hopped off of her for a moment. Her whole body erupted in flames, though her clothes and gear easily resisted it. All the blood was burned off of her leaving her looking clean as she was before. She picked her cloak off of the ground and shook it out, a little bit of dust coming off of it, but otherwise still fairly clean. She then looked back with a smile and snapped her fingers twice, the little furred dragon jumping back up on her shoulder. She scratched its head and it nuzzled her cheek, and they went on about there leisurely walk to Pearl.

---

Ah, the great outdoors. The brisk summer breeze blowing through the trees, the chirruping of the birds, the long, open fields stretched out before her, fading slowly into an idyllic village far and away from the hustle and bustle of city life. And what was this feeling, this warm and relaxed feeling sitting in the pit of Siiga's stomach? The feeling that told her she could relax, stick her feet up and just do nothing as the clouds went by and the day could be spent lazily lounging about?

Ah yes. Boredom.

Siiga was bored out her skull. It stood to reason that, as someone who had grown up as an outlaw dodging the long arm of the law, that being stuck on a cart with a load of righteous do-gooders wasn't exactly her idea of a good time, but even she underestimated how dull this little stint would be! Even the lad fainting was without the ghoulish pleasure one usually got from that sort of thing, because it was so utterly without fanfare. Never, in the history of Descended history, did she think a Tyro could get so insanely out-her-mind bored that even the potential death of her comrades couldn't stir a stem of emotion in that cold, frosty ice-cube she had instead of a heart. Hell, let the poor bastard die. At least she'd get to bury him, and do something.

Expectations were therefore low as she entered the inn, trailing behind everyone else, before sitting down and ordering the hardest drink in the house, because god knows she could get herself proper shitfaced right about now.

And then she saw her. Hallelujah, holy shit, God is real and he is a woman! Those thighs, that rack, that face! It was like someone dug into the deepest recesses of Siiga's mind and found "perfection". She was gorgeous! Amazing! Sensual!

Like fuck was she letting Blight take her from her!

"Really? That's your best line?" she scoffed at the knight as the girl went out of earshot. If this was her competition, this would be plaaaaaain sailing

Sophia

^{@Rai @13org @RumikoOhara @Jollan}

The little test Vrondi gave Sophia held her back a little while but it finally ended. She could understand his preoccupation and especially why he did that... With that matter dealt with, she now had something to do before returning to the Great Library. She wanted to meet the Alliance group. Their journey would be hard and Sophia wanted to offer as much help as she could, without interfering too much, after all, that was still their trial.

Sophia originally wanted to meet with the group at the castle, but they got out before she was able to speak with all of them properly. Fortunately, not all was lost as Sophia could easily track their scent. If she flew low enough, above the most traveled routes, she would be able to discern their scent form other travelers. She still remembered some of their smells and names... Mason, Dremmick, Ami...

"Now... where could have they gone..." Sophia mumbled to herself, flying above some of the most traveled roads, oblivious to the panic that she was causing to the ones going below her. At least she wasn't flying on her full speed. If she was, it would cause a lot of troubles to the poor merchants and their caravans.

A lot of different scents came and went as she flew through. Strong scents of spices and other things carried by merchant caravans, the peculiar smells from the most different kinds of people until she felt some familiar scents amongst all of those. It was Dremmick, Mason and Ami's smell. She could feel some other scents traveling with them, but she assumed they were the rest of the alliance group she wasn't able to meet.

"There they are!" Sophia exclaimed with a satisfied tone as she followed the road and the scent trail. It wouldn't take long until she got there, especially thanks to how fast she could fly.

---

---

The town of Pearl wasn't nearly as big as Vrondi or other major town, but it was still reasonably big and definitely busy for a town that size, thanks to being a major hub for traders, merchants and farmers. Even from kilometers away, a dragon's powerful eyesight could easily see the entire town in vivid details. As Sophia flew towards the small town, she could see men, women and children gathered together for a festival, watching large men and women as they stretched themselves, getting ready to the main event. Despite the clear destruction, signs of battle and the foul smell on the air, those people still found strength to organize that festival in order to raise their spirits a little bit.

Landing before she got nearby the town, Sophia choose to shapeshift to her humanoid form and get in the city in a more silent manner. Even though she was on Gaia, having a dragon casually fly by their city and land on it is still a rather big thing. A mere visitor with draconic features was much easier to pass unnoticed. Even if it was someone with an appearance as... exotic... as Sophia's humanoid form...

The second she entered the town, she began searching for the members of the alliance she knew about. After a brief moment, she caught Dremmick and Ami's scent. They were coming from the medical center, which, strangely enough, was also from where a strange, foul scent was coming from.

The second she entered the medical center, she was greeted by familiar faces. It was Dremmick, and Ami, whom Sophia had met before on Vrondi.

"Dremmick, Ami!" Sophia said, calling both of them. While Dremmick was talking with some of the staff members, Ami was standing nearby the injured, offering some respite to them with her aura.

"Gather the rest of the alliance and meet me just outside the town. I will explain everything once everyone gets there." Sophia said, looking to both Ami and Dremmick expectantly.

"I'm sorry to ask this of you, but time is something that we do not have to spare... I wish we could have more time to talk properly but the situation right now is a bit... complicated. I'll do the best I can to answer all the questions you have." She said, with a sad smile on her face. The smell of death on that medical clinic was strong and impossible to ignore...

Raquel was soon called on by Garrett. As he reached his full height she was reminded of his entire clad of armor. She had never been to Nero but his shade of armor reminded her of it. It also reminded her of the ebony town of Onyx. Their hunters wore light armor but at times were equipped with black shaded leathers to move like shadows for the night hunt. Something she was a part of a few times. Though this one, Garrett. He seemed to her to be prepared to guard more so than hunt. "Did you enjoy the meal?" She asked in reply to his beckon. She gave him a smirk. She knew their cooks were the meanest around. Though the hunters stew was better in Onyx. She was sure a foreigner wouldn't be able to notice though as he seemed entirely satisfied. "Glad you liked it."

It was then she noticed the drunkard who smelled of fresh brew. Though the fact she too was foreign was not lost to Raquel. Unknown to her she was watching a tipsy previous bandit leader. Raquel's right hand met her right hip and her head tilted in confusion. Whatever Siiga meant by what she said was lost to her. The other waitresses walked about serving the other customers without notice. The bard kept strumming but kept a watchful eye. Then he began to hum. Singing a vague poetic song of dangers and strangers out in the woods. A folk lore like tale with real consequences within.

"Is there anything else you need?"

---

"I would like to see some of your patients inside, as well as speak to someone about this," he said holding up the vial with what was left of his sample from the diseased tree. "I've been studying it, but I lack the resources I need to complete any of my conclusions. For the sake of the people inside, I would appreciate your cooperation."

The taxis healers with their white masks and cloaks were less like individuals and more of a cloned mass. The ones Dremmick singled out to speak to simply nodded and beckoned him inside. Only through speaking were they noticeably different. As Dremmick followed he would see the many being healed by Ami and her wings glowing in a display of her rare trait. A closed door was opened and Dremmick was brought to what seemed to be a lab. Though there were still sick beds they did not seem to have anyone living beneath. There were different sizes and shapes and colors of potions laid on the table and looped together through tubes. A couple of people were inside mixing potions and alike with the blessing of some of the healers upon them and the auras being manipulated into glass bottles and corked close.


One of the few not wearing all white Amaiah swished a bottle in her grasp observing its contents keenly before lowering it at the sound of newcomers in their room. It was quiet inside indicating few visited this part of the healing center. She turned to see Dremmick and was told through mental communication, as Sol often do, of Dremmicks inquiries. "Barging in here like we're hiding something." She said whilst mixing another potion. She then placed it down and turned to face him. "Are you close to discovering its origins as well? Unfortunately finding a easy solution isn't easy." She sighed. Lifting her glasses up her face. "I'm Amaiah. May I see that?"

Once Dremmick was done with introductions and she held his experiments she began to take samples of it and mix it with other liquids. Getting various results she kept corked within bottles. The very first one being marked with an X. "It's not the potency of it. But the quantity. There isn't enough pure healers to renew the lands especially while so many are hurt. If only the waters were able to purify the lands.. Then we could focus on healing others." She spoke aloud while constantly working. "Sorry If I'm... rambling. Been a while since I've had company. Be careful though, don't knock over anything."

@Brithwyr@Jollan@Verticus@RumikoOhara

^{@Verticus@Rai@Brithwyr}

The town of Pearl, a town famed for being a hub for merchants, traders and farmers thanks to it being reasonably close to the gaian borders and due to the fact that the head quarters of the merchant's guild was located there. Money, gold and goods ran through the city in a steady flux, coming both from outside and inside Gaia. Such city attracted merchants of many different kingdoms, territories, cultures and races. Such mixture of cultures, goods, currencies and races made that town an incredible caldron filled to the brim with the most varied stories, rumors and news from both outside and inside Gaia. For Nailah, those types of city were always entertaining and interesting. Not only due to her potentially finding something interesting to do, but also exactly due to that mixture of cultures. Hearing stories, news and rumors from nomads, foreign merchants & etc. was always a good way to get to know a bit more about the world and maybe even help to decide where she would go next.

But upon arriving at the town, what Nailah saw was a bit different from what she expected. Even though the town was safe, there were undeniable signs of fight and destruction outside it. Not only that, but the entire town had a... sad air to them. Even though Nailah had no idea of what happened, upon looking around for a small bit, it was obvious that the city suffered some type of attack or disaster. Medical centers were bustling with people. Healers walked in and out frantically and a weird smell of death seemed to emanate from that place. Even though there was currently happening a strength competition of some sorts, probably to try and get their minds off what happened, the number of people watching the competition was much less than what Nailah expected it to be. She wasn't even receiving that many stares as she usually received when first entering a town... Fortunately, Nailah knew about one thing that always was extremely effective in making people forget their problems... alcohol. It was fun to see how even the most serious man or the most ladylike woman could become a bit more... happy and honest with themselves and their own desires after a drinking a little bit.

After wandering through the empty streets for a little while, Nailah finally saw a building that made her smile, 'Savvan's Inn'. Even from the outside, Nailah could hear the bard singing and playing his music. The smell of good food and drink was noticeable as she walked to the front door of the building and the overall atmosphere was much better than the rest of the town. Inside of the building, the ambient was cozy and comfortable. Even though there weren't too many inside, the bard still continued to play his lute with passion. The beautiful waitresses worked with smiles and enthusiasm as the customers enjoyed their food and drinks.

As Nailah walked towards one of the tables she took a quick glance at some of the customers. Amongst some who surely were local customers, a group clearly stood out. A tall, handsome guy wearing a dark armor, a strong, tall Amazonian woman with a wild beauty to her and a giant of an oro man. Amongst them, both the armor wearing guy and the Amazonian woman had their eyes on one of the waitresses, with the first trying to call her out after her shift ended.

The focus of their attention was a tall oro woman. Ample breasts, thick thighs and a beautiful figure. After looking at her and both the armor wearing guy and the Amazonian woman, she couldn't help but let out a discreet giggle. While the Amazonian woman had her eyes on the waitress like a starving wolf looking at a sheep, the armored guy was definitely faster and had already received a favorable response by the waitress herself. To a priestess of the Fallen Goddess, it was quite refreshing to see people act so openly about their wishes and desires, but Nailah herself wasn't completely satisfied yet...

"Let's see if my arrival can even the odds a little bit..." She thought to herself with a mischievous smile. While the waitress was a really beautiful woman, someone whom Nailah herself would definitely enjoy as a company, Nailah wasn't someone that could be ignored... Not with her body and with the incredibly revealing clothes she wore.

Walking towards the waitress and the giant oro man, Nailah sat on the very table she had just finished cleaning leaning on it in a slightly suggestive manner as she looked to both the waitress and the giant oro man.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything between you two." Nailah said with a giggle.

"Oh my, It looks your friend is quite popular with the other customers!" Nailah said to the giant oro man with a mischievous expression and a giggle after seeing the waitress blush visibly after the armored man's commentary.

"If you're not fast enough I'm afraid one of the other two will snatch her away from you... Or I may even do it myself!" Nailah whispered, leaning towards the giant oro man, close enough for him to feel her hot breath on his ear before turning to the waitress.

"Would you mind bringing me a hunter stew and a drink? I overheard a few travelers on my way here saying that the food around here is quite something. After such a long travel I would love something to warm up my both stomach and my throat." Nailah said with an amicable smile just before looking towards the armored man and the Amazonian woman with a smile and a wink.

"I'm Dremmick," he started as he introduced himself to Amaiah and then responding to the 'barging in' comment, "looking for a place better equipped for my work actually." He placed his experiment on the counter next to her and unlatched the large medical pouch from his harness, more like a bag that covered most of his hind quarters than a pouch, and set it on a clear space and pulling out some of his own vials of assorted salves, herbs, plants, and fluids. It was a miniature apothecary's wet dream in there. A good number of plants and item from all sorts of different kingdoms, from common to rare. The bag had many loops inside to hold an array of different vials in place so they didn't move around or break. There was a center wall in the bag that had loops holding various apothecary tools and instruments and a small notebook that had a charcoal pencil tied to it. If Amaiah had looked closely enough as he was unpacking, she would notice that he also had two jars of fluid similar to the poison she marked with an 'X' on the one vial, though a good bit darker. When she apologized for rambling he shook his head.

"It doesn't bother me," he stated as he picked up one of the jars of poison. It was then that Sophia, though he didn't know who she was, just that he recognized her from Vrondi, found him and asked him to gather up the others outside. He nodded to her, not thinking about how his eyebrow was raised as he was thinking, 'How the heck did she get here so fast.' He then responded, "I'll be down in just a moment. The others should be either outside or at the inn." He then turned back to Amaiah, "I assume you have seen something quite like this before, but used on a much smaller, slower scale. Many people use poisons from wildlife in warfare and assassination. I believe this is no different. Are you aware of Nuxta's betrothal to the Basilisk queen," he asked, walking her through his thought process. "If I were Nuxta, and I had the power of the basilisks at my disposal, the single creatures with the strongest venoms in the known world, why not try to find a way to take it to my soldiers," he placed the jar of the concentrated poison he made in front of her, "and weaponize it for all my troops.... I think that is what we are dealing with here." He went over to his bag and made sure everything was in order before he packed it back up and attached it back to his harness. " Anyway, I was planning on staying and working on it myself with the proper equipment. I'll be back if I can, and you can keep that to do what you like. Don't let it it touch any organic material though. Its highly concentrated and will eat away at the flesh in seconds." With that he promptly left the room to go see what it was that this woman followed them all the way out here for.



It would be an understatement to say that Lynn was tired. While she was working, people were being brought to her by the dozens, and she did all she could to handle whatever was brought to her, drinking a blue ball of enchanted water to boost her magic while she rested after every few groups of people. Even then though, as she rested her magic, she would help wherever else she could the old fashioned way. She apologized multiple times throughout it all to Metis for dragging her into all of this, feeling as if watching her work all day would bore the girl. When it was all over and everyone who was outside had been seen to, Lynn felt like she would collapse. She found a nice patch of soft grass under the shade of a tent and sat down. "I'm sorry, Metis," she told her new friend, not for the first time today, "Once I started I couldn't bring myself away from them. I hope I didn't.... bore you.... too much." She found herself slowly laying down and curling up in the thick cold grass, the end of her sentence breaking away and getting quieter as she started to nod off. It felt wonderful to her, something she had always wanted to do since she was little. She was tired, and her body demanded rest, as if it was a separate entity itself that flipped a switch that controlled her sleep. Within moments, she was curled up on her side, tail wrapped around her like she was in the carriage before, and fast asleep.

---

If the opposition had just been Blight, Siiga would have been laughing. I mean, who would you pick? The beautiful and wild Siiga, or the guy who's name literally means Plague? Just the sound of his name would have sent alarm bells ringing in someone's head, and they sound like this: "VD, VD, VD!"

But the situation was galvanised with the arrival of a new figure. She was tall, dark and drop dead gorgeous, with a stature that commanded people to look at it. Her skin looked soft as silk, and her smile could cause empires to collapse. But Siiga wasn't new to this game, and she could recognise the same firm warriors stance and blazing passion in her eyes that so starkly reflected her own. An untrained eye might only see the beauty of the newcomer, but Siiga saw in her both physical and mental strength that could only come from years of living a hard, rough life.

Naturally, Siiga wanted to fuck her.

Oh, but the waitress! She could just leave her with Blight, could she? Ol' Plaguerat would surely disappoint her, and a girl like that deserves a little better than him. But if she went after her, she might lose the new girl. But if she went after the new girl, she would lose the Waitress! Decisions, decisions!

Gameface time, Siiga. Don't like Blight get all the girls. Show your interest, and see what the reaction is.
She called the waitress over, and gave her a bright, dazzling smile. "I was just wondering if there was anything interesting to do in this town"

---

"Of course I liked it. It was a great dish. It was not as mouth demolishing as the Onyx original, but the flavor was great."

Raquel looked impressed. This man was no mere foreigner after all. The usual strong sense of Oro and Dragon blood made most natives of Gaia fairly recognizable. Much like the one named Allard Raquel was happy he was enjoying himself in this Inn. It became clear to her that her preconceived perceptions of Garrett was mistaken. He may have foreign blood but was not a stranger to her peoples customs. Not known to him but Raquel had family in Onyx as well. She would often hunt with them and if not for her current position as a waitress she would be wearing her hunters gear. Only when they wanted to be like the ones who lived on the mountain did they dress up. A taste of Gaia's fresh earth was what most of the towns were known to be. But the jewel laid atop of the mountain, to Gaia's capital city.

"Get off your shift early, Raquel. I want to tell you about a few of my adventures. I also have many questions I'd like to ask you. I'll cover you for how long I keep you from your job. Let's go for a walk, maybe watch the competition, or watch the sun go by."

"Well you'd have to pay for the meal first, and maybe tip a good host." She couldn't help but smile at his gesture. She was wiping tables as he approached, not ignoring him or rejecting his advance. She remained grounded in her life. His words of sweeping her up to enjoy the rest of her day was like a dream, or a joke. Was he serious? She asked internally. She gave him a stare to meet his black eyes. It was almost hard for her to make out his expression when staring into such dark irises.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything between you two."

Raquel could barely notice the newcomer through Garrett's encompassing stature. But this one made her presence known through direct intermission. When she asked for a meal she wondered if this girl was right in the mind. It was clear to Raquel at this point that these newcomers would give her quite a hassle and briefly glanced to the bard who was merrily strumming away, unwilling to pry these new faces from vying for her attention. Raquel was left to fend for herself and smiled to Nailah. "Sure! I'll put in the order." After speaking briefly to Nailah and writing down her order she was called by Siiga.

"I was just wondering if there was anything interesting to do in this town."

"Umm.. Well let me put in these orders and I'll be back with some ideas. But from the top of my head the strength competition should be going for another hour or so." She looked to Garrett. "I apologize... I-I umm.. I'll be back." She said unsure how to go about this gracefully. Never had she had such attention from so many fine foreigners. Likely passing through and looking for enjoyment, she figured. She shortly returned after putting in the orders a few minutes later. She looked a bit tired from her sigh of relief. "Is it almost time for you to try and escape from here? Hopefully to end up home." Said the bard as she passed him. She turned with an exasperated smile. "I think with how busy it is getting I might be needed for an extra shift." Her words she carried with her as she returned to the side of the room with the waiting party. She had no clue if they knew one another but she was happy to serve whomever. But as she had no more orders to fill she came to Siiga.

"Apologies. I'll be on a short break, but there are markets here. Right next door is a hub for merchants where you can find just about anything for sale that's on the up and up." Raquel's tail began to gently sway as she turned to face Garrett and approach him. "I'm sorry I don't think I can leave, though your offer is tempting. I will be on a break though so we can certainly talk." She turned to Nailah who was still close by. "Your meal is being prepared when its freshly cooked it will be brought out. Please take a table and keep an ear out for anyone who calls out your order." Raquel then made her way to the coat rack by the door. A few coats and hats were hanging there. She grabbed her own fur coat and began to exit when Garrett was ready.

Her direction was to the strength competition, merely a few feet away from being in sight. She observed it from afar. "Do you know about this?" She asked Garrett. Wondering if he was indeed from Onyx, or just knew their customs, and how well he was acquainted with pearl. "Is this too dull for your liking?" She asked with a smirk. Eyeing his armor. Though it was not like a shining figure. It was enough to let one know sir Blight lived a peculiar life. At least one compared to the simple Gaian farmer. Or even a farmer's daughter who served as a waitress.

@Brithwyr@13org@Verticus

((as usual indents are changes in writers))

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything between you two. Oh my, It looks your friend is quite popular with the other customers!"

“Ah, It’s fine lass, she’s busy so I shouldn’t hold her up from her work,” Allard replied with a hardy chuckle of his own.

"If you're not fast enough I'm afraid one of the other two will snatch her away from you... Or I may even do it myself!"

Allard reddened as the woman approached and whispered in his ear. He was not expecting that at all. He had a broad, sheepish smile as he laughed a bit uncomfortably and scratching the back of his head. “Oh, no! I’m not looking for that, I knew her when she was young, she…” his face seemed to drop a bit as the subject of his family came back around to him, “She was one of my daughter’s good friends...” His face seemed to brighten back up again, but a very trained eye could probably notice it was only a facade. “Besides, I haven’t been home in years, can’t just arrive and start making a ruckus on anyone’s behalf. Look at her, she can and probably has been able ta handle herself for a while now.”

Nailah watched as the man replied her. That was deffinitely not the answer she was expecting. Maybe others wouldn't notice that his change of expression was merely a facade, but Nailah was experienced in understanding emotions and things like that. That man had a broken heart and wounded mind.

"Oh, I didn't know about that. I'm sorry." Nailah said, straightening her posture and looking at the man with a worried expression.

"Would it be ok if I asked you what happened?" Nailah asked.

"I will understand if you prefer to not talk about it." She continued, waiting for the giant man's reply. Trying to hide and suppressing one's own emotions wasn't a good idea. It didn't matter how strong one thought they were, sooner or later, that would corrode his heart and mind, making him nothing but a mere shell of his former self.

"Its uh...that obvious, huh?" Allard said in a low tone, his face returning to that solemn one from a moment ago. He turnd his tankard, which seemed rather small for him, around in his hand and looked back over to the beautiful young woman before him. "I'm not sure ya would want ta hear my tale, lass. It doesn't make fur a good drinking' story, I'll tell ya that much. My name is Adelhard Baldewin, ya can call me Allard."

"Oh, don't worry, It's not that obvious. I just know when people are trying to hide something. You can call... female intuition if you want..." Nailah said with a giggle.

"I'm Nailah, just Nailah." she said, with a warm smile as he said that it wasn't a pretty story for her to hear.

"Every tale deserves to be heard, be it a sad or a happy one." she said, looking to the giant man, whom now wasn't trying to hide his true feelings.

"As a Priestess from the Cult of the fallen Goddess, mending and healing broken hearts and minds are something we know how to do very well. So you can tell me everything you want to say, ok? How you feel, what do you think... I'm here to hear you." Nailah said, resting her head on one of her hands, as if waiting for him to start telling her his tale.

Allard sighed heavily. He had never heard of any Cult of the Fallen Goddess, but maybe talking with someone would help. He looked up from his drink and into Nailah's eyes, the years of his struggles written on his face. They were strong, yet tired eyes, though fire still burned within them. He nodded to her. "It was eleven years ago, I used ta farm tha fields a few miles from here. I had a family here....a wife and two children. One, a strong lad following in my footsteps, and tha other, a gentle daughter, beautiful as her mother and twice a spoiled," he said with a faint chuckle. "My whole world on a small plot of land.... It was an honest living.... but it didn't last."

Allard leaned back as he rubbed his face, hand stopping over his mouth as his eyes stared off into the distance, recalling what happened. He closed his eyes for a moment before continuing. "There was a raid... I found out later that it was tha Therosi looking for slaves. The other farmers didn't last even a second. I held my ground as long as I could, trying ta protect my family, but I couldn't kill them all. They had strong magic, and there were just too many.... I couldn't protect my family." He was silent for a moment as he gathered himself so he could go on. "My son and my wife didn't make it. My daughter was taken from me. They believed she would be valuable. My left arm was destroyed and my wings were left paralyzed, but after fighting them off fur so long, they ended up selling me ta tha Fotians ta be a gladiator in their damned arena." There was another pause as he took a drink of his ale. "I was trapped in there for eleven long years fighting many other people in the same situation I was in. Many of us just trying to survive, and let the other live if there was some way to. Then one day, I had a new challenger, it was supposed to be some big event, but it was just a ploy by an angered noble ta earn some justification ta execute me. When tha gates opened, I was instantly stunned. After all these years, I was reunited with my daughter, Hildebrand. And she was my arena opponent. I couldn't imagine what hell they put my sweet girl through, but she looked broken, I will never forget that. I refused to fight, which was an executable offence, but for me, not her...." Allard's grip tightened on his daughter's sword unconsciously, "When he gave the order for the archers to fire, that bastard fired at my daughter....I wasn't fast enough to stop them all."

There were tears in his eyes, and as he held them back he cleared his throat as it felt there was a lump he couldn't get rid of. "I'm sorry," he apologized as he rubbed his eyes. "I lost myself in a mad rage, killing anyone or anything in my way ta killing that noble. When that dead was done, I deliriously tried ta escape with my daughter back home, but ended up in Vrondi. Hilde, didn't make it." He took a deep breath, collecting himself once more. "She was strong, and became a warrior, so I took her blade and engraved her name on it," He stood up and drew her blade and laid it on the table, it was large like a regular person's greatsword, but for Allard, it was as nimble as a saber. "In my family, and in many others, a family has a sword that is passed from generation ta generation. Tha names of their wielders inscribed on the blade when they pass. Once the last name is set, the name is copied to a new blade, forged the same way, and the process starts anew. The old blade is hung in the family tomb, a record of sorts. This is now hers, she has started her own path, as many women don't carry the blade, but she was more than worthy." He then drew his own massive weapon, the weight being nearly impossible for anyone to wield. It could only be described as a giant paddle made of steel and sharpened on one side. It had many names on it, and it was completely full. If one was fast to read, there was a fresh inscription, looking to be done by hand that filled what could only be seen as the last space on the sword reading, 'Adelhard' Allard set the blade down as well, shaking the room even though he was careful with it. "With this blade, I swear I will make them all pay. Every last one. Maybe then my spirit can be at ease...." He sat down and looked over to Nailah. "It is foolish, I suppose... But I can't let what they have done go unanswered."

Nailah listened carefully to Allard's story. Just as he said, it really wasn't a good drinking tale. The world wasn't very kind with Allard. If having his wings ruined, his left arm destroyed wasn't enough, he had to lose his lands, his wife and his son, was sold to the fotians to fight on the arenas, forced to fight against his own daughter, only to loose her shortly after...
Allard was already only a shell of his former self. For Allard, he had already died a long time ago, when he lost his life at the farm... The biggest proof of that was his name written on his own sword. The only thing keeping him going is the wish for vengeance. It wasn't surprising when she saw that giant man, who looked like a fortress on the exterior, clear his throat, holding back his own tears.

Gently putting her hand on his cheeks, she pulled him closer, making him rest his head on her chest.
"Don't hold your tears, Adelhard. It is ok to cry... You went through a lot, didn't you?" Nailah said, gently running her fingers through his hair. Not like a lover, but like a mother would.

"It doesn't matter how strong you are, how brave or even how foolish you are... Everyone cries, even gods do. Being honest with one's feelings, wishes and desires... There is nothing wrong about that. Being honest with one's own feelings won't make you weaker..." Nailah continued.

"I won't say that wanting to avenge your dead family is a wrong thing, because the one who did that to you certainly deserves it, but you need to do something first, Allard. Cry. Mourn your dead family, cry for as long as you need to, don't try to carry the world upon your shoulders, at least not alone." she continued, her voice with a melodic tone as Allard could feel her hot skin, warming his own.

Allard was taken aback, to say the least. Its felt like ages since someone has held him in their embrace, it almost felt foreign, like something from a hazy memory. He was stunned by how forward she was and her caring for someone she had only met but moments ago. His body shuddered, some tears did fall here and there, but he held himself from making a loud show of it. Whether it was of pride, habit, or just keeping it all in because he was in public and didn't want to look weak despite what she told him, he wasn't altogether sure. Most likely all of the above. "I've never told anyone about my past," he admitted to her looking up into her eyes, his strong jaw locked as he took a deep wavering breath through his nose. "Eleven years, not a soul. Nobody left for me ta take my troubles to. Yet you," He gently pulled away from her, "You came ta me... a total stranger." He honestly didn't understand why she seemed to feel so strongly about his feelings, why she wanted to hear his story, or why fate has brought her to him, but he wasn't against it, and he almost felt compelled to do as she asked. "I need ta do something I should have done as soon as I came here.....Would you accompany me?"

Nailah couldn't help but let out a satisfied smile, after all, that was what a priestess of the cult was supposed to do. That man, Allard, had already been through too much on his life on his own. He didn't knew how to be honest anymore, closing himself from the world and everyone. But he could still be changed.

"This is what we priestess of the Fallen Goddess do. We save not by preaching, punishing and judging others, but by understanding, sharing their pain, loving, caring about them and making them feel loved, desired..." Nailah said, with a warm smile.

"I don't know for how long I'll stay here on this town, nor do I know my next destination, but before I go, I would be happy if I could show at least one person how to live, how to be happy once more." Nailah said, agreeing in going with him.

Allard stood up from the table, retrieving his swords and leaving proper payment plus a little extra for Raquel's tip. "Alright then, it's not too far from here." When they left, he stopped by a store and bought a few candles. The destination they arrived to was the cemetery. A little ways in, they arrived a small stone building, In it were two swords, much like Allard's were hanging inside. "This is is the tomb of my ancestors. Many generations are inscribed on these blades.....Thank you for coming with me..." He took a deep breath looking at it as he took the candles and placed them in front of a plaque that had two names on it, 'Rosemary Baldewin' and 'Ferrin Baldewin'. While the swords bore the names of the families warriors, then were a multitude of plaques with his ancestors names on it similar to a regular cemetery. He took out an inscribing tool from his pouch and engraved 'Hildebrand Baldewin' in it as well, then left what looked to be a small pendent on top of it, a part of her belongings to symbolically say she was buried here. Along the edges of the building was written, 'Take this blade, when completely shrouded in the names of our warriors passed, and display it proudly in the tomb of our ancestors. Then go. Forge your own blade, and continue our legacy.' All ard drew his blades and sunk them both into the earth in front of him and knelt down to one knee. He lit the candles, in a long silence, but after a while his silence became grieving, finally letting out the pain he had felt all these years, away from the city with ears around every corner, and back in his homeland. His other knee came to the ground as his body leaned forward, elbows in the ground, face to the dirt. It felt right, his heart still heavy but it felt as if a burden had been lifted from his soul.

Before leaving, Nailah quickly searched the room for the waitress whom she had ordered her food. After finding her, she walked towards her as Allard was still leaving his payment.

"I will be already back, you can keep the hunter's stew warm and the drink ready." Nailah whispered, with a small wink towards the waitress before following Allard.

After stopping to buy some candles, they finally arrived at their destination, the graveyard. There, they entered a small stone building with two swords that resembled Allard's inside. After hearing his explanation, she gave a step back as he started the ritual he had just described to her. That was something very particular and Nailah knew it would be best if she let him do it in silence.

After he sank his swords on the earth, he knelt down, lighting the candles in a long silence. But after the silence, he leaned forward, his elbows on the ground and his face touching the ground, grieving. Nailah could feel that he was finally allowing himself to cry after so many years.

Walking towards him, Nailah stopped besides Allard, gently raising his face from the dirt, cleaning it the dirt from his face with her hands.

"Would you let me see your sword, Allard?" she asked, looking at him.

Allard slowly got off the ground and straightened himself out, rising back up to one knee. He nodded to her, and with a single hand he pulled the blade out from the dirt, and then just rested the tip of it against the ground so that she may see it, but he didn't try handing it to her, knowing it would be impossibly heavy, especially since the blade alone was nearly as tall as she was.

Nailah reached to the part where his name was engraved, touching it with her index and middle finger. After a brief moment, the scales on her fingers started heating up until her mere touch was able to make the surface of his sword incandescent. Slowly dragging her fingers where his name was, she erased the engraving, making the metal under her fingers as smooth as it was before.

"With this you're free from the shackles that bound you, Allard. You're not chained to your own past anymore. You've suffered enough." Nailah said, letting go of the sword.

"Whether you still want vengeance or not is up to you, but remember about what your family would have wanted for you. Honor their memory and your love for them by raising your head and continuing walking forwards. Live your life to the fullest, for your son and daughter, who lost their lives before it was their time, for your wife, whom loved you to the bottom of her heart and for yourself, who experienced that what no one should have to." Nailah continued, extending her hand to him, helping him to get up.

"Allow yourself to enjoy your own life once more, Allard. There is no need for suffering anymore." Nailah finished, with a kind smile.

When Allard stood up, it seemed like he was standing even taller than before, if one could imagine anyway. He held his sword up, light catching on the bare spot where his name used to be, a smile on his face as a hearty chuckle rumbled from his chest. "The only tears I will shed for my family after this day are those of joy when I get ta hold them once again." Allard Sheathed the sword and picked her up, embraced her though careful not to hurt her, lifting her off the ground. "I can't tell you how much this meant to me today, Nailah. I feel alive once again!" He set her down and pulled the other blade from the ground, sheathing it as well. "Please, I know it isn't much, but use my room to stay in tonight, I will just sleep outside. It's the least I could do."

Nailah couldn't help but let out a satisfied smile as Allard embraced her, lifting her off the groud. His expression was almost like if someone had just taken the world off his shoulders.

"I feel glad that I found someone who needed guidance." Nailah said after he thanked her.

"Although I must say... Normally, this is not something I do for anyone... Maybe it was really the goddess who guided me to you." Nailah said, with a smile and a thoughtful expression before she looked at him again.

"Hey! I could swear you were not as big a few moments ago... Was that thanks to me?" Nailah said after he put her down, looking at him with a slightly suggestive giggle as she slowly got back to her usual, naturally flirty personality.

"Thanks for your offer though, but I would feel guilty to just take your room like that and sending you to sleep outside!" Nailah continued.

"But don't worry, I plan to stay at that Inn at least for tonight. So if you miss me I'll be just a few steps away!" Nailah said, laughing. Whether she was joking or not with that statement is impossible to say.

"Should we go back? I am ve~ry hungry and there is a steaming hot hunter's stew waiting for me. Besides... I still want to see what that handsome knight and that hot amazonian woman will do regarding their little 'dispute' for your your friend's daughter!" Nailah said with a mischievous smirk.

"Aye, I must say I feel a great weight has been lifted, all thanks ta yur council. If ya ever need anything at all, don't hesitate ta ask, I'll do my best ta help." He seemed a little dismayed that he couldn't at least offer her something in return. "Ah, the night mountain air does a body good. I'd be fine."

"Oh-uh alright then, glad ta hear it!" Allard responded to her staying at the inn, turning a bit red with that sheepish grin from earlier. "It's probably a good time ta head back. As for Raquel, I'm not sure I nor her father want ta know how that will turn out," he said with a laugh as he followed her back to the inn.

After a short walk, they got in front of the inn again. Nailah could smell the food inside, reminding her that she hadn't eaten yet.

"You won't be satisfied until you can repay me somehow, won't you?" Nailah asked, looking to Allard with a chuckle.

"If you really insist, you could pay for my food!" Nailah said, laughing as she got inside the inn, sitting down in a table just as someone called her order.

"Ooh~ Lucky~ I was worried I would have to wait some more." She said, winking towards Allard.

"That's right," Allard replied about repaying her, "Though, as amazing as the stew is, I hardly think it equates to what you have done for me." He sat down with her, a serious look on his face, though not a sad one. "I have a proposition, if you would hear it. I joined this alliance so that I may one day confront those who attacked my family, And I do still plan ta do that one day. But, I owe you my life, of that I am certain. I also see that you travel alone, and although I am sure you are capable, let me offer you my protection. For saving my life, I wish ta protect yours."

"Having such a big and strong man just to protect me? I'm such a lucky girl~" Nailah said with a giggle.

"And... An Alliance, you say...?" Nailah asked, lifting an eyebrow after he told her his proposal.

"I suppose the Amazonian woman and the armored knight who stand out like sore thumbs are part of said alliance group, right?" Nailah asked with discreet laugh. She couldn't imagine both that armored oro and the tyro Amazonian woman on the same group.

"As I said before, I don't really have any destination... Hanging around with this alliance group of yours sure sounds really interesting!" Nailah said as her hunter's stew arrived together with a drink.

"Allright, I'll accept your proposal. I'll travel with you guys for a while. I'll be on your care~" Nailah said, slowly licking her lips after eating some of the stew.

"Mmmph~~" Nailah moaned with a satisfied expression.
"By the Goddess, this stew is amazing!" Nailah said with a giggle.

"Oh, and talking about the Amazonian woman... It looks she was just re-jec-ted~!" Nailah said, looking to the Tyro woman as she covered her mouth with her hand, giving her a provocative giggle and discreetly pointing towards the armored man, who just got out of the inn together with the waitress, which by the way, seemed to be pretty happy about that.

---

@Rai@13org

Yes. Good. The little ants were trying so hard to protect themselves. Oh how adorable! In the millenia that had passed, it would seem that the arrogance and zeal of mere cattle had come to know no bounds. From tunnel of shadow mist emerged heavily armed warriors, their souls far stronger than anything else this pitiful excuse for a city had to offer. They looked truly…. DELICIOUS. But let them have their moment, for souls that experience hope, only to have it ripped away in their final moments tasted far better than normal. Over a hundred more troops joined the stronger ants in their ‘assault’. Chains bourne of magic and darkness reached out from the abyss helplessly wrapped around the dragon’s body. Though he could tear through such petty bindings with ease, he allowed them to engulf him as tiny warriors rushed toward his hulking form, followed by a volley of massive arrows…

From the ground, it would seem as if the day had most nearly been won by the efforts of the Neroan troops. They couldn’t have been more wrong. Mere inches from their mark, the entire volley of dragon-slaying arrows was swept away by a spontaneous gust of wind. To the dragon, this was the equivalent of flicking away an insect. A vile sound; horrible enough to make even the bravest of souls soil themselves filled the air. The dragon’s amused laugh echoed throughout the streets, a powerful feeling of dread fell over all who heard it. This wasn’t a fight, it was a GAME; the monster was merely toying with it’s food.

With a violent jerk, nearly seventy of the city’s defenders became pale and lifeless, their very life essence robbed from their bodies. Those who didn’t fall immediately faced another consequence, a crushing pain constricting their chests as they collapsed to the ground, many fainting from the sheer feeling overtaking them. Troops fortunate enough to be furthest from the dragon would feel a slight pressure on their being as they felt a sizable amount of their strength evaporate in response to the dragon’s might. Only Sleeth and his hand-picked elites would remain unaffected, only detecting a trace amount of the otherworldly pressure brushing over them. ”Is that all? I expected something more… SATISFYING. the dragon tauntingly huffed as it looked directly at the King of Nero, a mad grin spreading across it’s terrifying face. Moving slowly forward as if to challenge the elite troops, the beast tore through the chains like wet paper mache, they were clearly inconsequential to this monster.

Could it truly be stopped?

It’s slow approach was accompanied by a sudden, otherworldly cold that invaded the air. The typically temperate city dropping to freezing temperatures. If that wasn’t unsettling enough on it’s own, even more disturbing was that any non-magical temperature reading devices would detect any difference, any form of magical device intended for communication, navigation, or temperature reading would be driven haywire, typically ceasing function altogether. The otherworldly cold seemed to defy all reason, piercing all means of clothing and armor, creeping its way deep into the bones of all that felt it, the only physical sign of the cold’s existence being the foggy breath of the living.

Shye was finally here. Pearl. It was a long walk, but a pleasent one, ....overall anyway. She poked around a bit at the festivities in town, a bit curious as to what was going on, and maybe able to find some of her targets in the crowd. He simple cloak kept her from drawing attention in the crowd, though every now and then a head would turn as a feint chirping sound would come from under the hood. One time someone accidently bumped into her and there was a sharp hiss sound. The man that just bumped her jumped at the sound, turning to see the young woman with a surprised look in her face, then smiling, mouthing 'sorry' to him as she snuck away. She pecked Nix shrarly with her claw, just enough to smart as it let a small grunt at it. She chastised it by shaking a finger and then making a buttoning motion over her mouth. Nix's head lowered, grumbling a little bit, but stopped immediatly as Shye's claw poised for another peck. She nodded in satisfaction as she looked around some more. She could smell food closeby, and it smelled absolutly delectible. she followed it to an inn and went inside. She noticed it was actually a little busy in here, and it took a moment to find a table away from most the others.

She sat down and awaited a server, only to request water and simple stew, having to use a menu to order as she couldn't speak. Nix then hopped out from under her hood and into her lap. It kneeded a bit before settling down in a ball on her lap. She then waited quietly and patiently, occasionally looking around the room at the decorations and the people. Noticing one familiar face from her blacklist. She left it alone for now, however. She was a bit tired, and didn't want to start trouble just yet. It would be better to observe first than to strike outright and loose the element of surprise.