((I guess I should stall a bit for now since everyone's in the forest...))

::Phileo Devonshka - Palace - King's Private chambers::

"The war against the aura users has come to a stand still hasn't it?" Two fingers moved the black bishop diagonally across the board.
"Only in terms of excitement." The hand moved the white Queen up ready to capture.
"Its almost time then." The golden ring glimmered as the black pawn moved forward one square.
"Yes, when the generals return the plan can progress to its next stage." The same hand moved the white knight.

Red eyes gazed up from the chess board to the magnificant royal chamber following the glittering silverware decorations to the great doors to the King's room. His hand clapped twice and instantly six maid servants entered with head held low. They bowed the customary bow and began dressing the king.

Defoko walked the empty street, back to the palace's front doors. The doors were giant, golden, and beautiful, with a sleek texture that shined no matter rain or sun. It seemed a storm was brewing not too far away in the forest, and would surely move on top of the kingdom. Defoko slowly pushed on the door, with enough force to slightly open it enough for her to get inside. She started to enter, when she suddenly heard the running pawed-feet of a aura eater behind her. She quickly turned around, nearly afraid she had left her aura in the open for the dogs to see. Then she saw an item in it's mouth. She slowly walked over to it and put a hand to it's mouth. The dog spit it out into her hand, which she easily caught. She was about to open the bottle, when the dog rubbed up against her, wanting a 'thank-you' pet. The enigmatic girl wasn't very accustom to dogs, and pocked it's head, before turning back to the note.

"General Yent reporting status of recent dog assault. Most eaters dead, several rebels wounded. Will pursue the rebels at a distance for the time being. Will not engage so await my return. Do NOT send anyone else as it would ruin my efforts to follow them." Defoko said in a monotoned voice, her eye's not betraying an ounce of surprise.

She turned back to the great doors and opened them a little more to let the massive dog inside. It ran in, followed by the cat-like Defoko. She briskly walked through the courtyard and to the main doors to the palace. Once inside, she turned down the main hall towards the Kings chambers, where there was surely a guard stationed, who could tell her where the King was. Since she was little, she had wondered the massive and complex halls of the palace, and knew them by heart. She yawned briefly before arriving at another massive set of doors, which was the Kings chamber. Two guards stood outside the door, holding their weapons high. The stared at her as she walked up.

"I need to see the King or a General about something that was sent from General Yent," Defoko voiced in a nearly electronic device. The guard smiled at her.
"The Kings busy little cutie. But I'm not. I won't be later tonight either, if you wanna accompany me..." The perverted Guard said to her in a low voice, so not to alarm the other, nearly sleeping Guard of his perverted actions.
"Addressing your Commander that way could get you killed, pawn. Now, the King would need this letter, alright?" Defoko said coldly.

(Ok so post like Freehat never attacked)

After the Aura eaters had been taken care of He turned to Angel. "How about we get you back to Base and patched up...everyone is welcome to come too then you can decide from there.." He said sounding much more a leader then second in command. He looked at all the faces, the different people here all skilled in one way or another. He laughed silently to himself as he looked to Angel waiting for her to take the lead.

"Fine" she sighed. " I guess I have no other choice" she said she startled leading the ones that would follow. " Soki I'm taking route B19, I bet they have some more aura eaters coming. Besides I doubt they are going to get through it since its a waterfall" she said as she started walking.

"I have gotten to trust your instincts Scythe I will not go you might need me later" Thead says. Then he walks to the top of the castle to relax till his next mission.

::Phileo Devonshka - Palace - King's Private chambers::

As the maid servants dressed the man of highest authority one maid's gaze deterred from his presence to that of the chessboard wondering who the king was playing with. Without warning his cold hands gripped her chin and pulled her close to his own face examining her complexions left and right. Fear struck her heart and her knees felt like jelly. To be on the King's bad side could mean instant death... or worse.

"Your face look unfamiliar..." Devonshka's cold dragging tone and his unforgiving eyes pierced her soul causing both sweat and tears. Judging by her appearance she was in her mid teen, maybe late teen but no more. Pressing his fingers down his ring carved a smooth line of blood on her face. Then the unbroken face of unforgiveness broke twisting into sadistic smile. "Don't be afraid..." And his tongue caressed her wound licking the blood almost sampling its taste. "not bad..." His voice seemed to smile.

With hearts frozen in fear the other maids said nothing and did nothing except their own jobs. Like machines. Like machines. Not worth attracting attention. Like machines. They told themselves repeatedly.

His tongue caressed her cheeks and reached for her eyes when he was suddenly interrupted.

"Your majesty. A report from General Yent has arrived."

Fear and uncertainty struck the maids. Interrupted... the king was interrupted.... But the interruption seemed to have caught his attention.

"Send in the reports."

The maids, after just finishing their duty, hurried out while the new girl sighed in relief. Bad move. The other maids thought in unison.

"You..." referring to the same maid. "your pay will be doubled." Devonshka watched in amusement as they filed out. Someone else, however, came in and Phileo's expression spoke, through silence, his command. "Your report?"

Defoko was soon let into the Kings magnificent chambers. The perverted guard had a bloody nose. She quietly walked forward, as all the maids filed out, one in particular caught Defoko's eye. She had seemed to be subject to the Kings insane behavior, baring bruises and blood on her body, and seemed to be almost crying, while the other maids avoided all eye-contact.

"This report was sent from General Yent, on one of his dogs," Defoko said emotionless, handing the note up to the King, who she was bowing to.