Mar roared as he bretheren attempted to scorch the red clad men. With his blade in hand, Mar ran head long into the fire. Flames licked at his amor and scails, causing them to glow brightly from the heat. Mar reached for one of the men with a clawed hand, and picked him up from the ground, "Protect yourself from this!" Mar lifted quickly launching the man slightly vertical, as he made his decent, Mar lunged forward with his clawed hand, hoping to rip the enemy's throat out.

"Argh! Now he takes to the higher ground?"

Wolf watched as Mars attempted to attack with a rather gruesome throat ripping move and the others had been knocked back or something. Wolf then laughed as he saw how easily he could reach the mage and catch him in one bad position. Jumping up into the air, he slammed his sword into the stone pillar, barely piercing it enough so as to get a foothold, Wolf then aimed for another partial crack so as to climb. Continuing his climb, Wolf started towards the mage.

"Sorry fool, this moron will learn his place."

The two robed being emit a singular roar of defiance at the terrible position they found themselves in. The dragoons were all around, keeping a steady wall of flame pressed up against them. The Chosen were closing in with vicious attacks. Both threats could not be fought off at once, and both were life endangering. The battle was lost, but at least one of the Chosen was wounded in the fight, and they would now be aware that the chaos in the world was fighting back.

With another final dual snarl, the two men dropped their hands and allowed the dragoon's flames to collapse in upon them.

"Wolf! Mar!" Gwen shouted, her eyes wide as she looked for some sign of the returned party member within the furious inferno. She couldn't see Mar, either, which was far more distressing...but she knew the dragoon would be fine. Comfortable, even. But that didn't stop her from worrying.

Jade, meanwhile, had instantly turned her attention to Lars. She didn't much care to see the charred remains of the robed figures, her mind was preoccupied with the physical pain she had seen reflected in the dear gray eyes. She attempted to glimpse whatever it was that had been damaged, gnawing on her lip and managing to keep her hands to herself. "Are you well? Where have you been injured? Shall I fetch Gwen?"

Aryn let go the winds in her control slowly, and her whirlwind which she'd erected around the enemies looked as if it were being unraveled as it deteriorated into the air, moving as a slightly strong breeze past the chosen and sending Aryn's long robes fluttering as it went. She couldn't resist holding a bit back, however, for the purpose of sweeping the ashes of the incinerated mages up, and scattering them. For a breif moment this spread the disturbing smell of burnt flesh, and sent faint, dust-like traces of ash through the chosen and dragoon ranks.
"S-sorry" Aryn apologised, feeling rather light-headed as she walked, stumbling once, to where the smoke was thinning rapidly; she was hoping to lend a hand to their two out-of-sight fighters.

Mar stood there angered and confused, they had learned nothing of who these attackers were, and most of all he didn't kill either of them! Moving past his brethren, Mar emerged out of the smoke with his armor steaming, "Damn these two to boiling gutless Hell!" stretching his great wings, Mar sat on the dust earth, contemplating who or what the rober men were after, it was at this point Mar figured that someone would have to fess up, at one point or another...so he waited.

Wolf only shook his head, wondering how they had not killed the ambushers. Cowards were they, he thought, if they were only able to kill from the trees. Watching Mars stomp off, he followed behind in great strides to keep pace with the Dragoon. Looking back he saw the others and could not help but smile; the progress of him in the group was already improving, he assumed. Snapping his head back forward, Wolf stopped a few yards behind and kept a check on Mars so as nothing too irrational was done.

Then he realized what Mars was thinking about who might've done it and possibly one of those Dragoon warriors were behind this attack. Wolf then walked past, putting on a fierce and cold demeanor. After stopping short of the lead Dragoon, he pointed back and yelled:

"Who did this? This was not a random assault, one of you sent these men to kill us and you! Who did this!?"

Jade's head snapped up as she heard Wolf accusing the dragoons. Her eyes narrowed in wrath, and she quickly rose to her feet and stalked over to him. The fool had only just swaggered back into the group like a drunken pig, and he had the gall to try and blame the dragoons for all this debauchery? Shoving herself between him and the dragoon that looked like he was about to claw the man's eyes out, Jade snarled at him, "Wolf, hold your slandering tongue! These warriors came searching for their egg, and we were all ambushed! And aside from that, it was these dragoons that destroyed the bloody ambushers in the end. And they could have just as easily roasted all of us! Why, for Myra's mercy, would they assign someone else to do it?"

Shaking her head in disgust, she turned back to the dragoon and bowed apologetically. She spoke to him in her best accented dracon, her hands folded behind her back in a sign of peace. "I apologize for your strife on our part. We servants of the four are in your debt for your aid with our enemy this night. If there is anything we can do..."

But the dragoon, who continued to shoot dark looks at Wolf, shook his head. "We are in debt to the Siblings' Chosen, for safeguarding our Clan Leader's son. Call on us if ever you have need."

And with these final brief words, the remainder of the rescue party crouched, launched into the air, and spread their wings as one. In a matter of seconds, the group consisted of mere dots in the distant sky.

Watching the fading Clan, Jade shook her head and sighed softly. Fate worked in strange ways. But suddenly, she snapped from her revelry and whipped around to growl at Wolf. "What in all of Hotay's inexplicable acts were you thinking? Did you want to be torn asunder? You fool!"

Ziela had been traveling for some great a time now. There should of been a village or something near by, but she could not see one in sight. She just past grasslands, trees, rocks and other uncivilized things. She was running low on food and drink, if she didn't find a settlement of some kind she wouldn't be able to get nourishment easily. Even spending time in the woods, she was not a great survivalist. More importantly, if she didn't find a town, she would run dry of wine. Ziela let out a depressed moan, she liked wine and she was down to her last bottle.

She had heard about the place she was in, not the friendliest of areas. She always wore a black full cloak, one that covered her body and masked her face under a hood. Underneath she wore a shirt and pants, making herself look like a guy. Her boobs were wrapped back and flattened to give a more masculine feel. Her hair short, above her neck and questionable if guy or girls hair, blond in nature with unusual red strips. The only thing she couldn't hide was her voice. The voice was high enough to be questionable, leaving an androgyny feel to her.

She was a healer and no real way to defend herself. If attacked by bandits or thieves she wouldn't want to be known as a girl, she would be afraid of that more than her life.

Her travels continued, her food and drink... almost gone. But then she heard some strange sounds from far away, she was not quite sure what, but they could be people. She rushed to where the sounds were coming from. Like metal clanking and yelling. She knew that whoever it was might not be friendly, but she was at least curious. If it was a battle, she may be able to heal for food or water, or very least coin.

She saw some odd people, dispersing around and fighting in an amazing battle. She hid behind some debris, not saying a word. A fight she had no idea what was about. People flying, fire, swords, spears. She couldn't keep up with it all. She just watched in awe. She had never seen so many things that could fly in one spot! She was so excited, that she was leaning forward, slowly pushing her head out for a better view.

Eventually the battle died down and she waited patiently. One of the groups had fled and another group flied away. She was uncertain that the group remained was friendly or not. They were yelling back and forth at each other. She was about to lean back, to think things thru of her actions she might do to approach such a war like group. But, as if a god was pulling a prank on her, the object holding the front her weight gave in. With a loud, and very short "Eek!" sound escaped her mouth and the noises of rustling to try to correct her error in movement.

The damage was done, they probably had heard her. Oh crap.. she thought to herself. She hoped that the people only thought it was an animal, but she deep down they heard. She just sat there, her breathing increasing and her adrenaline pumping. She hoped them to be friendly...

Mar sat there looking at Wolf and Jade bicker, this put a wide smile on his face. Wolf deserved the bit of scolding that he was receiving, it was obvious that the dragoon clan had nothing to do with the attackers...else they wouldn't have shredded them to pieces. As Mar sat there enjoying the moment, a faint noise sounded in the distance "Eek!". Mar's head shot up, looking out to the direction from whence it came. He let out a low hiss, why is there always something new coming our way! For the chosen of the Gods they like to keep us occupied.

"Jade..." Mar spoke loud enough to overcome her yelling, "As it were, we do not know who was that attacked us my kin. We do not know their purpose, were they after Zai or us? Unless you've information on this, then please share....ever since we went on this quest, we've run into some pretty peculiar characters, all of which know you Jade." As he sat there waiting for a reply, he kept his eyes out into the distance, he vampiric sight stretching far to look out the outline of a fallen individual. Mar would wait this time, it seemed lately he didn't have to play guard dog.

Wolf now lost his temper and not in the best way. Narrowing his eyes back at Jade, he then roared:

"Watch your tongue petty girl! I only sense that something is amise amongst them, is that my fault!? You do one more damned outburst toward me, I will ensure that you will at least lose an arm, Drayla."

Wolf spit at her feet, then spun around and stomped off, muttering inexplicable curses to the winds. The Drayla obviously did not know what the meaning of thought and outburst that can happen. Gripping his longswords hilt, he only continued to walk, daring her within his mind to try a damn thing.

Foolish pest, you do it, I will slaughter you. Heh.

This shot by his mind as he came to a halt away from the group, keeping his back turned from the piercing eyes.

Arygn sighed as she watched the exchange between Mar and Jade. The man was asking for any whipping he was likely going to get from their leader, so far as she was concerned; She'd watched Jade fight and seen the way she was with those twin blades of hers; the woman knew her way about in a battle, and while she could be a little hotheaded, she knew how to fight with her mind. Wolf, on the other hand, was showing nothing of himself but a swaggaring bully; she knew where she'd put smart money if there was a fight; if she was the gambling type.
There was hardly time to contemplate this, however, as her attention was drawn to a short cry at the same time Mar's was. Tilting her head slightly, she glanced at the others, and dusted off her robes quickly, walking over in the direction of the noise; the treeline wasn't too far off, she thought she saw a young man in the bushes; or was it a lady? hard to tell, they didn't seem to be armed from waht she could see, though.

Mar looked at Aryn as she walked towards the small comotion that seemed to be taking plce not far off from the group. "Careful, Aryn. We may not know if it is another one of those attackers. Go with caution, signal if you are in need of assistance."

Jade had felt anger before, of course. And she had certainly felt irritation. In fact, the latter was her most common emotional state. But now, she was furious.

Wolf had stumbled into the camp in a drunken state, and since doing so had accomplished little more than to challenge and swagger and in general stoke up the natural passionate fire that burned within Zaeken's Chosen. Jade had developed a good deal of patience since the beginning of the quest, which she considered to be an improvement of her person...but she could accept only so many direct challenges before her temper flared beyond her control.

There was a small commotion from the other side of the camp, but as Jade was already advancing on Wolf she did not appear to notice. Her eyes had flared up so brightly that they seemed to be almost overtaken with the bright green glow. Her dark hands lifted in a swift and angry motion, drawing both of her blades and standing a scant yard from the arrogant drunk.

"You've dared to challenge me once too often, Wolf! You speak with the courage found at the bottom of a wine jug, and I will not tolerate your jabbering mouth any further! Turn and face me, for I shall take less pleasure in cutting you down from behind!" She snarled out her challenge, holding firmly to her tightly stretched self-control to prevent herself from lunging at him before he turned.

"I doubt you would, Half-breed. You're nothing to me."

Wolf's more evil demeanor had now surfaced, slowly turning to face Jade, eyeing her with a fierce glare. He then frowned, drawing his longsword and settling down into his signature stance. One foot slightly forward and the other back, left arm in a relaxed position, and and his longsword tip pointing at the ground. Wolf stared into her, the Drayla he onced cared for was gone to him. Now she was nothing more than a complainer trying to position oneself so as to have control.

Half-breed will learn her place. She would have had no challenge if He was still within me. Now I actually have to fight.

Wolf then released a chuckle, smirking at his adversary.

"Come and fight me if you wish, Drayla. It has been awhile since I've fought a good match against one of your kind."

The yells were getting louder and their voices were becoming more hostile, more feral. Ziela was become frightened by the second. She tired to get an still mind. Wait, they are yelling among themselves, maybe they didn't hear me? Wishful thinking on her part. Anyone can be an enemy, and your enemy is always faster, stronger, and smarter than you are. She lived by that state of thinking. The sad part was, they usually were. Ziela was not meant for fighting, she was frail and weak. She could use her mind and a little bit of agility.

She was beginning to calm down. They really don't seem like the friendly type. She thought to herself. I should check to make sure they aren't coming towards me or at least not looking this direction, maybe I get away from here. She mustered the courage to look again, peering over the bush. To her left she saw two yelling at each other and to the right... Her heart sank. She saw eyes from something she couldn't identify any of the creatures in front of her. She had never quite seen such a mix. His eyes, staring right at her. Her eyes locked but in the corner of her eye, she sees a creature, a human she thinks, walking straight towards her.

Ziela's mind raced, her breath stopped. She was discovered and she assumed the worse. Her legs were locked in fear. Move, move, move, move, move, move! Move dammit! She broke the spell like contact by closing her eyes. She pushed off her legs, jumping with the front of her body still pointed towards the people. She was going to spin and then flee after that, but fate was laughing at her.

A tree. There was a tree just a few feet behind her. She forgot her positioning being so scared. She slammed into the tree, smacking her back and head into the base. Took the breath right out of her. She slid down the tree's bark, landing in between the roots. She attempted to breathe but her lungs were not cooperating. She coughed blood. Her condition, a scar on her chest, it was flaring up. Her chest was burning, eyes watering from the pain. Small amount of blood dripping from her lip, the bottom row of her teeth stained with blood and saliva.

Even with this, she had a priority. Someone could be just about to take her life and with her mind burning with thought, it was as if they were hostile as well. Her left hand gripped her chest, her right hand reached for the dagger behind her. She pulled it out and stretched her dagger hand straight out, not a thrust to attack, but to show she was armed. Tears streamed her face from the pain. "S-stay.. back." Her words were forced with her gasping breath. Teeth clenched and hands locked. Her face pointed to whoever was in front her. Her eyes showed fright. And they should, she was terrified.

Clang, clang, clang.

The ringing clanks of merchant ships, fishing ships and ships of all kinds echoed throughout the harbor as Gravyn arrived at the docking area. Seagulls soared above the port city cawing out with hints of mischievous actions to and fro. They colored the blue sea of the skies like little white clouds moving swiftly across from one end to another. Dock workers hurried frantically out of warehouses to bring in the next shipment of spices or other goods from the ships gull. Gravyn stood only a few feet away from one such warehouse and he peered inside. He saw dozens after dozens of crates lined up neatly along the walls, whatever was in there smelled awful as he quickly turned around and spat out in to the ocean.

A few steps to his left was a gang of pirates discussing their next plan of action. They were dressed in intimidating clothes and carried their weapons closely to them. They began to disperse back to their ships as two port officials strolled towards them, studying them carefully to see if they were escapees or wanted fugitives. Satisfied and certain that they weren't any of the two sort, they continued on their routine patrol down the docks. Gravyn walked over to a lamp post and leaned against it comfortably. He drew in the fresh salty air and warm sunny weather, he gazed out in to the sea. It was a long trip from and he deserved a small break.

He slumped down on to the floor and sat there, fixing himself a comfortable seat of gravel and dirt. He closed his eyes and slowly drifted off into a nap. He hugged his sword close to his chest and his dreams of home even closer. In this world he had learn to live a little and use even less money. Behind him was a tall two stories building, rattling above the main entrance was an old and tattered wooden sign. It read "Inn & Bar, best in town".

Aryn's wide, bright violet eyes widened as she approached the person; she still could not positively identify if it was a man or a woman she was approaching, if it was a man, it would have to be a very feminine one. The first thing she noticed besides that, though, was the blood on the stranger's lips and hand. She didn't look like she'd just killed or wounded someone, so it stood to reason that she was wounded, herself. "I'm not going to hurt you" she assured the stranger, stopping just out of reach of the small knife "But I can't help you, either unless you put that down, please." Her words, as always, were quiet and calm, precise in enunciation, the only betrayal of the slight twisting of nervousness in her stomach was a small fidgeting action; she shifted the ever-present satchel at her side back slightly, and then rested the hand on it. She was looking at the stranger with something besides the concern which radiated through her face; extreme curiosity was there, as well.

Jade bared her teeth in fury as Wolf faced her. The man wished to fight her, and his arrogance seemed to be dwarfed only by his inexplicable ferocity towards her. What she had done to earn his wrath, she could only guess. But at the moment, all she cared for was to beat down the nearly evil looking Wolf until his uncalled for sneerings ceased.

Gwen had started at the sound of someone crashing to the ground, her blue eyes widening in surprise. She watched Aryn head over to greet what looked to be a very frightened girl indeed. And on the other side of the camp, it was looking as though Wolf and Jade were about to tear each other apart. Gnawing her lip, she hurried over to Mar's side and grabbed his arm. "Mar, do something! Jade and Wolf are going to make folding fans out of each other!"

Even as Gwen spoke, Jade was assuming her preferred stance for a duel. One foot moved forward and, she leaned forward on the ball of her foot. Her other foot angled enough that she could lunge forward or feint back, depending on what Wolf did first. "Come then, for you shall find no better match, fool!"

Mar let his eyes go from the the clambering stranger and back to the camp. This time things had gone to far, Wolf had challenged the already angry Jade,and now were both ready to tear each other apart. At this Mar let out a roar that shook the very ground, moving quickly his armor flashed and he stood between them.

With his two muscular arms, Mar raised them both from the ground by the scruff of their clothes. Turning with burning eyes, Mar adressed Wolf first, "Listen you drunken bafoon! We are here to atone peace to this ragged earth. We are the Chosen of the Four! We do not mean to insult you, but your presitance in ignorant acsuations, and crude talk have forced Jade's hand! Calm yourself, and sobriety will be your first priority! I mean not to command you, but listen and things will resolve in a better fashion!" Mar released him, letting Wolf stumble away.

he looked now to Jade, with eyes as bright as hers. "Listen Jade, what I said the the bundler is true. It also applies to you! You are the Chosen of a God, though the God of War, Chosen nonetheless of all Four! Peace, Jade! How we to comsumate Heaven here if we enduct Hell on ourselved! Calm!" With a hiss, Mar dropped Jade, "Let this resolve in a peaceful manor, or Gods as my witness, I deem us all unworthy to summon forth the Golden Temple!" Shrugging off his anger, Mar left the camp, following Aryn's path towards the new stranger.

When Mar had first lifted her, Jade had been fit to bursting with rage. And a few months ago, she likely would have sliced off his hand--or whole arm--to get free and continue with her duel. But his words...perhaps because they were spoken by one who had formally been so impatient and disbelieving of the Gods' callings before, or perhaps because they rang with such passionate truth...calmed her through humility. She was indeed Chosen of Zaeken...but she had been Chosen to restore the balance in the world. Not to pick petty fights with drunks. By the time Mar set her back onto her booted feet, the halfling's breathing had returned to normal and her eyes had faded back to their usual amount of unusual glowing. She silently sheathed her blades as she watched Mar stalk off, and in doing so caught Gwen's concerned gaze. What sort of example was she setting for her Sena, engaging in such frivolous bickering? Another wave of humility swept over her being, and she faced Wolf with a grave look.

"Mar speaks truthfully. I've responsibilities that range far more important than enforcing my words over you or making you feast upon yours. But do not challenge me again, Wolf. You are not being forced to travel with us, but we will not achieve any sort of success if you are constantly disrupting the peace within our camp! If you do not wish to obey my word, then go elsewhere." And with this, she turned on her heel and followed after Mar to meet the commotion that had occurred in the trees.

"Hail there, what's all this?" She asked, coming to a stop with her hands at her hips. "How do you call yourself, stranger?"