Mar grew impatient, this thing was becoming a nuisance, Julias as it was being chosen to be called had a confidence that did not serve it well in the current situation. Jade then spoke up asking for Julias for more reassurance, Mar on the other hand was wanting nothing more than a reason to run the thing through. What ever this creature was, it had something that bothered him...a scence of darkenss that even he did not posses. Nevertheless, it did not seemed to be subject to antimidation, so he became passivly angry.

"You know, Julias. Despite your polite dispostion, you strike me as something need be watched at all times. Jade speaks correctly when she asks for more, there are forces at work here greater than you can imagine. We do not know what race you are, though it is currently irrelevant at this point, for you still are a tresspaser, and even now claim that you've nothing to do with the Gods."

Mar began to do what he did instinctivly, finding all doors that Julias might use as advantages for escape. His shruikans had been put to poor use as of late, perhaps it was time to utilize them once more if this thing decided to run. Julias stood by the fire...Good Mar thought, Julias had mocked him about his magic. Though his kind was robust and violent, it was still something to be used...if he tried something foolish, he would light him up like a candle. Aryn and Ochlriss where on the other side of the camp...it was odd Mar still had not been very well aquainted with Aryn, there were so many passerby in the group these days. But he hoped that she would help Ochlirss if he nor Mar could catch Julias. Lars and Jade were fine where they were, though Jade was carrying the complaining Zai. He smiled, it seemed that Julias might not have any other option but to listen to thier demands...if he wanted to leave alive.

Lars eyed the being with a certain curiosity, the creature was clearly cloaked in a foul darkness, a darkness Lars once would have raised his sword and charged against. But that Myrmidon was long left behind on a ship on an ocean whose name would be forgotten in history, as changing as the waves themselves. When Lars became host for the Goddess herself, much of how he saw and perceived the world changed, how he saw himself and his companions changed.

Narrowing his eyes Lars watched the form, it was lean and seemed powered by magic, a hoary and powerful force of magic, once malignant and dark, but now it was tempered with a thirst that transcended its once dark nature. Watching the arrogance of the being, as it stood there Lars could not help but chuckle, for its preconceived notions of its own power it would fail, fall and be lost in the shadows and dust of forgotten dreams and shattered hopes. For even as the vessel that walked that was Lars Grimson, so walked the Goddess and her power was absolute, just as any of the Four and no Dragoon, Drayla, Dragon, Human or dark beast would stand before the desires and designs of the Four.

Lars spoke softly, “It is an interesting predicament we are in Julias, for you believe as all foolish creatures with their own self aggrandizement do, that you are of supreme power, able to defy a group such as us with your mastery of…what… magic? Magic with out purpose is chaos. Your purpose is unknown to you still. Knowledge? It is clear you have a lack of understanding to have come in the camp in such a way. Strength? No, you do not have strength here; you are at the whim and mercy of those whose camp you have entered. No, Julias of the shadows, you are not master here. You are the one who has entered seeking something.”

Straightening and sheathing his sword, Lars stared deeply at the creature a moment, nodding towards Jade to and Mars, “It is clear Julias you serve not but your own curiosity. You seek not to know, you seek to steal, to rob your knowledge, to assume from watching from the shadows you can glean that which you seek.” Lars smiled and bowed his head a moment, the winds of the night flowed through the camp, the fire flickered slightly then rose to an immense flame, flaring and sparking before it dwindled down to its normal size.

Lars spoke again, his voice calm with an age that belied his humanity, “Julias of the Shadows, you are here because you are destined to be here. You seek to know, but even now you are unable to clearly define what it is you seek among this company. Once you realize those Gods you say you no longer serve affect, control and shape the world for their own designs, the blinders that hinder your vision will be removed and perhaps then, you will begin to understand what it is you seek.”

Smiling softly, Lars nodded towards the others, “He will not harm us; I believe we have stumbled upon him as he has stumbled upon us, we have been fated to meet.”

Havin had been very active all day. He had battle a horde of dark beings, slayed an evil dragon, rescued a princess from a tower, even negotiated peace to the scum in Scilia's Sickle. It was then he awoke, sensing a darkness.

"Pity, a delightful dream..." He muttered to himself as he stood and stretched and prepared himself in a most slovenly manner. Not that the darkness he sensed wasn't important, he just knew better than to rush himself after having just awaken. It was night time, had he really slept all day?

The chosen were clustered around the fire, looking intently towards the being, to which Havin assumed was the cause for this dark presence.

Strolling forward, he caught the last of what Lars had said.

"He will not harm us; I believe we have stumbled upon him as he has stumbled upon us, we have been fated to meet."

"Well in that case," Havin said, still striding comfortable forward, "There's no since in not being cordial to our guest. Havin." He said outstretching his hand in greeting. There was a time when he would have been frightened by the creature of the night, A wight Havin would guess. Now however he didn't feel so worried. All that was ahead of him was life, in some form or another. The Four would achieve their goals with or without him. Death here was temporary, and life after was forever. So why be afraid? Havin waited for the wight's reply.

"Thats it...." Mar's impatients took the best of him, as Lars spoke and Havin greeted him, Mar spun quickly, and with the flat of his blade, smashed the back of Julias' head, knocking him out. "You know you lot sometimes are the last to act." He used his armored foot to roll the now unconcious Julias over, "Even when something dagerous is staring you in the face." Mar bared his fangs and let out low hiss, then shuffled out into the shadows outside the campfire. "Watch that thing, or I will kill it."

Aryn felt her jaw drop when the strange person slumped to the ground after Mar's blow. She'd been suspicious of the thing, herself, but not enough to just jump up and knock it out cold! Regaining her composure, she took a breath, and carefully released the spell she'd cast. A gust of cool wind blew through the camp, making their fire flicker. She winced; coudla been more gentle there. It only lasted a second, though, and then she glanced to the shadows after Mar's retreating form, and settled down cross-legged on the ground, watching the creature attentively.

Olechrïss could do nothing but stare at the now knocked out wight with a slight smile on his face. He looked around quietly, glancing at everyone in the camp quickly before coming up with a question.

"Is the hatchling alright?", he asked rather loudly so as to break the silence. He stared at the ground for a few seconds, before finally merging into an odd, human-like sitting position, waiting until he's tired before going to sleep.

Jade sighed, shaking her head at Mar. Well, at least that was one situation under control. She couldn't help but smile as Zai snuggled into her warmth, as infants had a tendency of doing when they were tired, and she gently rubbed the little one's winged back to try and soothe him back to sleep. "He's fine, Olechriss. A bit upset that his sleep was disturbed, no doubt, but he's fine. Lars, will you take him while I tie up our visitor?"

After years of sailing, Jade was confident in her knot-tying prowess (she had invented several of them herself, and was quite certain that she was the only one who knew how to untie them.) Carefully handing off the baby - and shooting Lars a quick smile - she jogged over to the carriage and picked up a few lengths of rope that had been borrowed from the Nova. As she headed back towards the unconscious Wight, she couldn't help but feel a touch of sympathy for the creature. He had come in to see the hatchling. Who wouldn't have? But still, rather than requesting a glimpse, he had chosen to sneak into the camp. Even with that taken into consideration, though, even the fiery-tempered warrior felt a bit embarrassed for the haste of her companions. But what was done, was done.

Rotating the Wight around a few times so she could properly restrain his arms and legs, Jade made quick work of the knot tying. "No one is to harm this creature without provocation," She called over her shoulder, her voice stern. "Now all of you, get some rest. We will have three guards awake through the night: one to watch the camp, one to watch Zai, and one to watch our guest. Unless it is your turn to watch, go to sleep. Now."

Mar stood there outside the camp fire, he grunted with annoiance. The Julias was not to be trusted till he showed Mar otherwise. His red eyes traced over the baby Zai, he would protect the hatchling with his life, and no intruders of the night will disturb his peacefull slumber.

Aryn nodded as Jade spoke. "I can keep two eyes on the creature" she volunteered in a soft voice. Well, she technically already was, but she'd be up late practicing anyway; might as well save someone else some sleep. And though she was by no means the most combat-oriented among the Chosen, she was pretty sure she could fend off this spider-thin creature. A strong gust of wind coudl blow him over. A small smile tugged at her lips. A gust that she coudl summon.

Mar looked indignant. Aryn chose to stay watch, but he was not one for sleep any how. So while she watched so would he. It peaked Mar's interest when he sence magic for the first time from her...Thats what you get, Mar you fool for not paying attention. He smiled, and his red eyes set out to watch the night.

"Sorry, dark one, but as you may have guessed...there is little room for risk in this camp. We are on a quest of utmost import, and now guard a babe. What can you do to assure us that you are neither threatening nor dangerous?"

With a slight smirk Julias turns towards the woman clutching the small babe.

“There are many ways, a binding among others, if any of you have learned of such things. Besides, if I bid your companions ill will would I not have struck from the darkness? I wish harm to none of you, let alone the child.”

"You know, Julias. Despite your polite dispostion, you strike me as something need be watched at all times. Jade speaks correctly when she asks for more, there are forces at work here greater than you can imagine. We do not know what race you are, though it is currently irrelevant at this point, for you still are a tresspaser, and even now claim that you've nothing to do with the Gods."

Not bothering to turn and face the speaker Julias replied in a low voice.

“I have no doubt you have seen many years, yet what I can imagine, and what I have seen for that matter is far more than you can imagine. There are powers that lurk in the darkest of shadows that would make your kind weep.”

Julias was exaggerating of course, but he didn’t care for this being, whatever it was. Though it was a puzzle as to what the creature was referring to. The strongest forces Julias knew of were the Gods, and not even the eldest of the Wights even considered defying them.

“It is an interesting predicament we are in Julias, for you believe as all foolish creatures with their own self aggrandizement do, that you are of supreme power, able to defy a group such as us with your mastery of…what… magic? Magic with out purpose is chaos. Your purpose is unknown to you still. Knowledge? It is clear you have a lack of understanding to have come in the camp in such a way. Strength? No, you do not have strength here; you are at the whim and mercy of those whose camp you have entered. No, Julias of the shadows, you are not master here. You are the one who has entered seeking something.”

Sheathing his sword the warrior, Lars apparently, took a long look at Julias.

“It is clear Julias you serve not but your own curiosity. You seek not to know, you seek to steal, to rob your knowledge, to assume from watching from the shadows you can glean that which you seek.”

A gust of wind rushed through the silent woods and the fire flared up, sending a ripple through Julias’s thin form. Biting back a snarl Julias watches the knight with narrowed eyes.

“Julias of the Shadows, you are here because you are destined to be here. You seek to know, but even now you are unable to clearly define what it is you seek among this company. Once you realize those Gods you say you no longer serve affect, control and shape the world for their own designs, the blinders that hinder your vision will be removed and perhaps then, you will begin to understand what it is you seek.”

Smiling the knight turned to the rest of the group,

“He will not harm us; I believe we have stumbled upon him as he has stumbled upon us, we have been fated to meet.”

As Lars finished Julias tried to work out a retort, or at least an intelligent reply, but found himself at a standstill. It had been a while, since he had been with humans, let alone ones this unique, and had long since forgotten the answer to many of these questions. It was true, he had not come here with a purpose, other that to view the new youngling and he had learned little in the last decade or so, in fact most of his searching had come to a standstill after he had attained the third rituals. As Julias stood wrapped in his own thought a voice arose from the former silence of the far side of the camp.

"There no since in not being cordial to our guest. Havin."

Ripped from his silent revere Julias stared dumbly at the outstretched hand. It had been a long time since someone had offered him a hand in friendship.

Turning slightly at the sound of movement the world Julias suddenly blacked out.

Julias seemed to float in a world of darkness. It felt like a dream, yet the pain at the rear of his skull was real. Slowly at first, but quickly turning into a blinding blur images and vivid instants flashed by Julias’s eyes. At first they eluded his grasp as he tried to concentrate onto them and turn them into more solid forms, yet as he finally gave up they began to coalesce into more complete images. The first to come were images of a small village that seemed too huge and disproportioned yet safe and familiar. Then as these images slowly trickled away they were replaced by more fleeting images, of great brick walls and rooms filled with scrolls and tomes. In many of these pictures an elderly man in plain brown robes could be seen, sometimes seeming to speak to Julias, and other times to others around him. As these images also began to wade they were replaced by long bright halls, and in many cases a peaceful vale.

Yet as these new images came forward another form appeared with them. Far more detailed and vivid than many of the people from before was seen a woman. Young and fair was the woman, with long blonde hair, a sleek beautiful figure, and joyful smile that overwhelmed even her sparkling eyes. As the images continued onward images of her became more frequent, until finally the images changed altogether. She was gone, and with her left the peace and tranquility, leaving only panic and anger. Images seen from the back of a horse now flashed by followed with images of many images and forest, finally seeming to stop near the edge of a camp.

Suddenly finding himself able to move once more Julias looked down and found himself changed. He wore a full coat of armour and held a long sword in his right hand. Small threads of brown hair seeped down just into his line of sight and thick leather boots covered his feet. Looking up with surprise Julias found himself at the edge of a large camp where it appeared some massive battle had taken place. Men in bandit outfits lay strewn across the battlefield, many seeming to have taken far more wounds than normally possible, one even had half a dozen spears in him and was surrounded by twice as many dead bandits. It was this last man that Julias that Julias walked to.

Even in death the man bore a look of grim determination, like a man that fought to protect his hearth and home. As Julias turned back to view the rest of the carnage a small piece of cloth shone out beneath the man’s limp form. Even as his eyes passed over it the truth bore down on Julias, like a crushing blow from the dark heavens. As a cry of sadness escaped his lips it seemed as if a great hand reached from the darkness and drug him away from the dark scene. He remembered what had lain below that still body, and he remembered what had happened there. Of all the things he had forgotten this had been the one thing he could never have forgotten, yet just the same he had.

Yet even as this memory came to pass another flow of images coalesced and centered in Julias’s mind; the image of a face, yet not the woman’s face, and not any face for that matter, it was Julias’s face. The face started young, and then began to morph and change to a that of a bright eyed youth, then a confident adolescent, then a headstrong and arrogant young adult. Yet all of the sudden they began to change, after that day at the bandit camp his face began to harden, and accumulate flaws and scars. Even as he aged the same look remained on his ever changing features; a look of cold determination. Eventually he reached the age of a wizened man, likely in his late fifties, and then the aging seemed to slow, yet speed up as well. His features began to darken, his eyes and cheeks began to sink in, and his once brown hair turned jet black. This continued until at last he was face to face with a dark face, with a cruel face, with his face. As the horrible realization struck Julias he let out a cry of despair, before the dark realm seemed to melt around him, and he was surrounded by darkness once more.

After a time that could only have been an instant, yet felt like an eternity Julias suddenly snapped to consciousness. Jerking up Julias was quickly dragged back down by his rope bonds. Slamming back down onto the bare and uneven ground Julias stops moving and waits for his eyes to adjust to the relatively bright light. He could tell someone was nearby him, but without them talking he couldn’t tell who.

Aryn jumped when the creature movedl.She coudln't remember its name, if it had given one, and she wasn't ready to call something so unnaturally thin with skin like coal and such burning eyes human.

"You would do well not to twist" she said, directing her words to the creature on the ground, and sounding somewhat apologetic. "Those cords are tight, and mistress Jade's knots will not slip easily."

She still wasn't in complete agreement with knocking him out and tying him up, especially after Lars said he was destined to be here, and spoke to the creature with respect, and then Havin introduced him; it was such a contradictory message to end that in violence that it was almost shameful.

Jade's glowing eyes flicked over in the struggling creature - Julias - 's direction. She smiled in a neither apologetic nor amused way. "Aye, mate, you'll just twist burns into your skin. I don't like to boast, but I've yet to encounter a stronger knot than mine. So just settle down and don't make a fuss or I'm afraid Mar might eat you, or do something far less pleasant. He's not much of a people person."

With this said, the unelected but understood leader of the Chosen closed her almond shaped eyes, relaxing as much as she ever did and leaning back to attempt to sleep. She had never been much of a sleeper, particularly not when Gwen had joined her and given her an extra reason to keep up a nightly vigil, but every once in a while the nights with scraps of rest worked against her, and she couldn't fight off the fatigue. This was one of those nights.

When she woke, the sun had risen enough to peek over the horizon and lend new light to the camp. She could hear Zai gurgling with curiosity, and she smiled as she imagined the baby squirming and his eyes roving around to take in the new world. Children were such delightful creatures, she would never understand those who disliked them.

Sitting up, the woman who had formerly been a shadow groaned slightly and stretched until her back and neck popped the soreness clean out of themselves. She rubbed any stiffness from her eyes and headed over to stoke up one of the fires, slowly looking around the camp and examining each of the individuals who were - willing or not - a part of it. The Four worked in mysterious ways, indeed.

Lars had slept close to Jade, while he had done so before, it was slightly different this time. When she stirred, he felt the movement, even though his body was curled away from her, yet he felt her move. Slowly exhaling and rolling over on his back, Lars looked at the stretching form of Jade, a wisp of a smile crossed his lips as he propped himself up on his elbows.

She was speaking towards Julias, peering at the bound creature; Lars was both nonplussed and slightly miffed at the sight of the tussled Wight. Standing quickly and grabbing his war sword, he stepped over towards the creature, his gray eyes filled with a strange glinting light, “Julias of the Shadows…I shall vouchsafe your presence among this company if you swear upon the blessed sword of a Myrmidon that you seek no harm to the chosen.”

With that Lars knelt low and pulled the sword from its sheath with a distinct “Shnkk” The blade caught and reflected the rising sun in an array of scintillating colors upon the bound creature, “Swear upon the virtues of Myra as the Goddess of Peace and I shall untie your bonds.”

Looking back at Jade, he said, “Lady I feel this being, as odd as it may seem is here for a reason. It behaves not like the undead I have faced before. It extends no aura of unease towards me, and can glean no harm in its being at this time. Surely in the light of the day it is weak and can be dispatched easily if needs be.” Lars bowed his head as he looked at Jade, the blood rushing up along his neck and into his cheeks, he was uncomfortably hot in his gambeson, and the sun was just rising.

Mar had watched as the sun rose, the first awake was Jade, moving about the camp as though some housewife watching over her home. Zai was still abed though obviously awake, Mar's keen ears missed little these days. As he moved from his spot that he had chose as post for the night, he walked passed Jade as she looked about, he almost tried locking eyes for a moment, but Mar thought it best not to start anyting with her in the morning.
Julias of the Shadows…I shall vouchsafe your presence among this company if you swear upon the blessed sword of a Myrmidon that you seek no harm to the chosen.
Mar hissed angrily as he herd the now awoken Lars speak to Julias. He had come to respect Lars as a friend and brother, a rare accurance between dracon and man, but his confidence in all the creatures that they had encountered was becomming most detremental. Or at least so he thought. Like an ethreal ghost, Mar was behind Lars in a second, "You'd better take responcibility for Julias. I trust you Lars, but remember just because you are a conduit to Myra, does not mean that all creation is as peacefull as you think. I hope you know what your doing brother...." With that Mar lifted into the sky. Riding the currents of wind he looked about him, it was cooler here. Mar continues his gaze till he spoted a small lake, folding his dar leather wings, he flew quicker than an arrow into the waters reflective surface. He let the water clense him off all the dirt and grime of the road, though a vampire and dragoon, Mar still had a scence of hygene...or at least to the smallest extent. Mar surfaced, relaxing all the muscles in his body, even with the heavy armor he wore, and massive wings at his back spread, he floated quite easily, Mar bore his eyes into the blue sky and enjoyed the moment of silence for the first time in ages.

Jade's mouth lifted into a light smile as she listened to Lars' words. She could never imagine living as a peaceful warrior, it would be so confusing! But he did so with an admirable grace, and it never once occurred to her that he was a walking oxymoron. He was simply Lars, and wonderful because of it. But when Mar rose and chastised him, the smile slipped from Jade's face and she sighed as she watched the dragoon leap into the sky. Rising to her feet, she stood next to Lars and looked down on the Wight.

"I trust your judgment, Sir Grimson," She said as she bent and unknotted the ropes around Julias. "And you speak of things I should have thought of myself. Julias here stumbled across us just as we stumbled across each other, surely all are guided by Fate. Julias," She addressed the Wight, "If you wish to join us, then it is your own decision to make. But we travel mostly during the day...and as you might have guessed, our brother Mar does not seem to trust you. So I advise you to choose wisely each of your actions."

With this said, she flashed Lars another smile and headed towards the squirming form of Zai, who was now more than ready for his first morning meal. She knelt next to his crib, her face melting into a maternal adoration that seemed so out of place on the warrior's visage. "Good morning, likkle one!" She cooed, scooping him up and retrieving the packet of goat's milk they had been feeding him. It wasn't traditional, but it would work. "How did you sleep, eh?"

Dropping the sweet voice for a moment, she called over her shoulder to her comrades, "We've still got a bit of fruit and some eggs that should make a decent breakfast meal. Don't bother rushing, it looks as though this is going to be a slow day."

With Mar steamed at the Wight's presence, and the Wight, and the newborn, travel was bound to be slow.

If there was one thing about himself that Havin had never doubted, it was his competency for creating a breakfast. He hadn't offered to cook for the chosen, mainly because he had been asleep during breakfast, waking up to the scent, and along during the other times of the day.

This morning however was going to be different. Havin woke up early and had already started preparing. He has searched the forrest for some useful ingredients. Mainly herbs and such, unfortunately he didn't have time to dry them, so he could only season them with the ones that were good fresh. A small patch of peppers here, edible mushrooms over there, and even some wild onions. Breakfast was shaping up to look nice. When Jade announced there were eggs available, Havin was on it in a heartbeat. He started with the mushrooms and the onions, cooking them in butter. When he was satisfied with the caramelized state of the onions, he then added the eggs, which he had whipped, and the peppers, which had been chopped, and a few select herbs for flavor. When the dish was finished, he sliced the fruit, arranged on each of the chosen's eating trays, and garnished them all with a leafy herb. He then began to serve the chosen their meals with delight.

"You would do well not to twist, those cords are tight, and mistress Jade's knots will not slip easily."

"Aye, mate, you'll just twist burns into your skin. I don't like to boast, but I've yet to encounter a stronger knot than mine. So just settle down and don't make a fuss or I'm afraid Mar might eat you, or do something far less pleasant. He's not much of a people person."

Following these remarks Julias hissed lightly; though neither sounded patronizing their remarks still reminded him of his position. His own actions just hours before were a far fly from his present attitude. The words of the knight, the time of unconsciousness, and the burst of memories and images had changed him, if only enough to make him view things differently. Testing the bonds he found both of their remarks valid, and hearing no other comments Julias settled into a deep comatic state. He’d wake a good hour before light, but just the same he’d need all the strength he could get if they left him bound and unsheltered throughout the burning day.

Awaking from his silent coma Julias viewed his surroundings once more. The bonds were just as strong and unbreakable as the night before, and the woman had been wise enough to keep his hands separated and relatively useless, otherwise he could have broke them with magic deep in the night. Finding no other alternative Julias set back into a silent rest, waiting for the inevitable daylight and the troubles that would likely arise. After a time the sun came up, and the party began to stir, sending Julias into a dark revere as he mustered what strength he had to shield his skin from the scatter beams of sunlight. Rising from his slumber near the rope woman, Jade, the knight Lars headed over to Julias’s bound figure.

“Julias of the Shadows…I shall vouchsafe your presence among this company if you swear upon the blessed sword of a Myrmidon that you seek no harm to the chosen.”

Drawing his sword Lars raised it into the air.

“Swear upon the virtues of Myra as the Goddess of Peace and I shall untie your bonds.”

Stepping behind Lars the vampiric and draconic warrior Mar spoke up.

"You'd better take responcibility for Julias. I trust you Lars, but remember just because you are a conduit to Myra, does not mean that all creation is as peacefull as you think. I hope you know what your doing brother...."

Watching as the being flew away Julias almost smiled to himself. He was glad he annoyed that one, he owed him a bit of revenge later. Yet with this opportunity that Lars presented such revenge would be impossible, yet would spite the being more than any torture Julias would likely be able to inflict. Yet even as Julias sat in thought the woman who had tied his bonds stepped forward.

"I trust your judgment, Sir Grimson,"

Unknotting the rope the woman continued.

"And you speak of things I should have thought of myself. Julias here stumbled across us just as we stumbled across each other, surely all are guided by Fate. Julias,"

"If you wish to join us, then it is your own decision to make. But we travel mostly during the day...and as you might have guessed, our brother Mar does not seem to trust you. So I advise you to choose wisely each of your actions."

Looking at her in a queer way Julias looked down at his free hands. She hadn’t even waited for him to swear before freeing him. She was pretty, trusting, and kind, it seemed familiar to him….To at least the extent that he felt he could not betray that trust. Under normal circumstances he never would have accepted the pact that the knight accepted, yet this was far from normal circumstances, and Julias wanted to spite Mar.

Looking the shining blade up and down Julias placed a hand flat on its hilt. As his arm reached into the light it seemed to sink in deeper that before, and as his hand touched the flawless blade it seemed to steamed like boiling water. Flinching slightly Julias began the pact. Whether the knight had intended it or not this pact was binding far more than any mortal words, especially considering the speaker and the goddess involved.

“I Julias Hyde, former disciple of the four gods, son of Ivan Hyde, swear upon Myra, Goddes of Peace, that I will bear no ill will or intent towards any of the members of the Chosen, nor any that fall into their protection.”

Hissing as he pulls back his burned hand Julias looks to Lars.

“Will that suffice?”

Jade groaned, stretching her shoulders until they popped comfortably. Two days ago, the Chosen of the Four and their collection of friends had succeeded in seizing hold of the second of five magical objects. It had not been easy. It hadn't been as difficult as fighting off a tribe of Canims, but it still had not been easy. And just what the strange set of teacups did was still a mystery, though surely it was something special. Between caring for the infant Zai and maintaining a constant travel, however, there simply hadn't been time to experiment.

Now, Jade had managed to steal a bit of time for herself while the Chosen relaxed after setting up their camp. She had exercised, meditated, and stretched, and was feeling in general quite content. Most people wouldn't have considered punching a tree relaxing, but for a woman like Jade...well, it just did the trick. As successful as she liked to think her casual conversations with Lars had been over the last few days, it was still a stressful matter, trying to show a man of peace that a woman of war could possibly be compatible with him. Several times when she would have liked to kick one of the wheels clean out from the carriage in anger, she had forced herself to bite back her temper and solve frustrations with words and logic. Just to show that she could. And it was eternally exhausting on her nerves.

As she headed back towards the camp, rubbing sweat off on the loose folds of her tunic, Jade thought casually about how much longer it would take to gather up the five sacred objects. It had already been several months, and they now had all of two baubles. What if they didn't gather them all in time? And once they did, how would they summon down the gilded temple? And how would they use the mysterious gift that they had yet to even learn anything about?

She nearly sighed as she passed the carriage, her mind abuzz with all of these unresolved issues, but she held the sound back out of concern of showing her...well, concerns to the others. That, and she had just noticed something odd. With the way the sunlight was coming down across the horizon, it was casting a long shadow from the carriage that stretched nearly across the entire camp. And as Jade's eyes flicked over to Zai's crib out of habit, she noticed an unusual adornment on the top of the carriage's shadow: what looked like it could have been the outline of a gargoyle, a crouching figure with spiked hair and slightly opaque, leathery wings. As the wings slowly began to extend, Jade felt her insides grow cold. This was not the silhouette of Marion.

She whipped around just as the air was split apart with a ferocious roar, and she was able to catch only a glimpse of the dragoon as he lunged at her from the top of the carriage. He looked young, perhaps only a few years older than Jade herself. But his golden eyes shone with fury, and his dark hair matched perfectly that of the hatchling. Jade had time to stumble back enough that her neck wouldn't be torn to pieces by the ready claws of the dragoon, and she shouted for her companions (though it might not have been necessary after the roar) as she was tackled and rolled to the ground. She could have drawn her sword, and with her skill could have perhaps even ended the furious dragoon's life before he even struck her. And once she was pinned, she could have in several ways freed herself. But she knew why he was there, why he had her crushed to the ground, and why he was roaring what could hardly be compliments at her in some dracon dialect that she didn't quite recognize. So for the time being, she simply yielded and hoped that her companions would do the same as she heard the swooping of great wings in even greater numbers fill the camp, and the air filled with dozens of cries similar to that of the one that had first announced the arrival of Zai's rescue party.

Sighing Julias looked down at the small pool of water ahead of him. These last few days had been very…different than the last few years. He had moved more in the last few weeks than he ever had in the year before, and it had started to change him. He no longer had deep dark thoughts about how to get out of his pledge, or of ways to harm innocents they met during their travels. He no longer leapt from shadow to shadow as they traveled, or delved deep into the damp confines of a barrow in the night. In fact not only had he begun to change mentally, but physically as well. His once jet black hair and skin were changing, his hair was already turning a dark shade of brown, and his skin seemed lighter, and less fragile, in a way.

Looking down at the small beams of light that managed to pierce the trees he watched as they struck his outstretched hand. He no longer feared the light as he once had, but now enjoyed it’s warmth on his face, and the life the sun brought. Just two days ago as they had recovered the strange artifact he had made another alarming discovery. His power was waning, in a way. Where once he could bend the shadows to his will and string off dark curses without a second thought he found his power over darkness waning, yet his power in general slowly strengthening. He felt as if he was more vibrant and full of energy than ever before, and he no longer straggled behind the group, out of breath and with sore legs.

As he looked down into the tranquil pool he came to look upon himself, and his eyes. While they once carried the blood red gaze of his kind they now seemed more calm, and neutral in a way. They were slowly taking on a silver appearance, and in the full moon his eyes shined and gleamed like polished steel. The night after they had recovered the strange teacups he had had a dream, similar to the one he had had when Mar had knocked him unconscious. Many things about his past, and himself, had been revealed to him there; Such as the name of the woman, Sarah, and his quest after her death.

Suddenly jerking out of his peaceful pondering by a primal roar Julias dived to the side out of instinct, turning as he did so. Out of the sky was falling a barrage of Dragoons, one of which had already dragged down Jade. Sweeping forward Julias’s cursed blade was in his hand in a split second, before he froze in mid step. She wasn’t struggling. He could see her, she was alive and conscious, but she wasn’t struggling. While his personal debt to Lars, and through him, Jade, urged him to slay the beast that held her down, the logical part of him held him back. If she wasn’t fighting she must think the dragoons weren’t there to kill them, or at least not there only to kill them, which meant if he went charging forward flinging curses and spells things could get very bad, very fast.

Wishing fervently that he knew why the dragoons were there Julias slipped the blade back into it’s hidden compartment and carefully held his ground.