Quorra stood before Hogs Inn the paper she'd been staring at earlier crumpled in her hand as her eyes roamed over the building. The small sign swayed in the night wind giving a spine shivering creak as it moved. The flickering candlelight from the window was inviting but the rest of the building was slightly run down. The black cloak she wore was trimmed in silver, the clasp in the front was a mini version of the Alionya crest. She kept her hood high so that it lay over her forehead to conceal her face and with her heart beating and a slight intake of breath to calm her nerves Quorra reached out and grasping the handle to the door shoved it open and entered. Greeted by the stale scent of days old drink and possible stew cooking in the kitchen. Stepping inside she let the door fall closed behind her, her eyes slowly roaming over the room, it was nearly empty save for a tavern wench and what appeared to be the owner who was wiping down glasses.

Finding it was alright she slowly slid the hood from her head and let it fall to rest on the back of her shoulders revealing herself to the two. Slowly she moved up to the owner and eying him briefly brushed her blond hair away from her face before ordering out. "I would like your best wine, nothing bitter either. I'll be sitting over there," she pointed to the table near the back door just in case, "Bring it quickly, I've traveled far and am parched." she turned away and made her way to the table, taking up the chair she slid it out and sat down, crossing her left leg over the right and leaned back to await the arrival of the others. She let her thoughts linger on the idea of the upcoming events and how she had declared she'd be returning home to take back the throne that belonged to her family and returning peace to the land. Her heart picked up the beat at the idea of it and she wondered if she would have the courage to follow through.

The regent stood on the great balcony overlooking the even grander Arena. All in the stands could see him, and so they should. Being able to bask in his glory, how luckly of these unworthy peasants. Stepping forward he looked down into the sand that would soon be covered in the fresh and hot streaming blood of traitors. Some wagons where in the arena, the drivers throwing out bread, fruit, and other food to the people in the stands furthering increasing their cheers.

He smiled amused at the scene, how easy it was to control the mob. He took their children for his grand army, he took their food, money, homes, and still because of a bloody game they adored him. This one arena was the great source of stabilization in his country. The suffering of these poor wretches made it easier for these peasants to deal with their own little lives. As the wagons left, the people quieted down waiting for their ruler to start the games, lifting his hands, his booming icy voice carried over the crowd of thousands.

“People of Alionya, Welcome to this wondrous occasion… but you did not come here to listen to me; no you came here for the bloody entertainment. So what present has your generous lord brought you? On one side we have Tanis, a little traitor who tried to assassinate me… tsk tsk how naughty of him” the crowd booed the traitor as he was dragged into the arena by a large chain. Once inside the guards stepped forth removing the chains and throwing down on the ground a rusty sword and small buckler shield. The starved man picked up the weapon and shield, and readied for what monster would come out of the gate.

“and who will he be facing? What could I possible think of? Well let’s find to together… I give youuuu the bandit lord Sarpian. That’s right folks, that little bandit who has been giving you so much trouble and death now has the pleasure of dying before you.” A tall muscled man was dragged in, his body held many whip marks and jagged scar mars on his body from the countless hours of torture, like before the guards dragged him out in a chain, and unbinding him they threw a great axe down, and shut the gates behind him.

“You all know how it works, two enter… one may leave, depending on his performance. Let the fight commence” he laughed a sadistic and almost insane cry, which was happily received by the blood starved crowd. As the men charged at each other weapons drawn, the regent sat in his throne to watch the festivities.

Before the fight got too heated, he motioned for a servant, who hastily came and bowed. The regent spoke softly “bring me Reala, I would so love her presence” the servant nodded and hastily sent the word for Reala to come to the Arena at the lords orders.

Frederic was seated in the far right corner of the Hogs inn, the one area that the candle light didn’t seem to reach. The hood of his black cloak was set comfortably over his head, casting a shadow across his face that hid all of his features, other than his smirk and his seemingly glowing red eyes. His large, two handed sword was set next to him, leaning against the wall just within reach, in case he should need it. He was wearing the usual red and black Maliuysan soldier’s uniform, for his armor was hidden away in his pack upstairs, in the room he had paid a ridiculously large price to stay in. A pint of ale was set on the table before him, as well as a late of bloody raw beef, but those no longer held his interest.

No, his attention had moved to the young woman that had just entered the inn, walking in a fashion that reminded him of the noble ladies at Selithia. She was obviously no commoner, as the clasp on her cloak identified her as Alionyan nobility. Given how few honorable families were left in this land, it wouldn’t be all too hard to find out who she was, if he decided to give it another moment of thought. However, he did not delve even further into the thoughts of her origins. No, his thoughts now focused on why she was here; in such a run-down inn, surrounded by low-class peasants. She was looking for something, or perhaps someone. Or perhaps this was just a stop on the way to her true destination… Perhaps she could use a companion, or even a body guard.. He was could use a bit of gold, and a quest would bring a bit of excitement back into his dreary life.. Frederic pondered these things for the moment and continued to watch the young woman. Hopefully she would prove him right, maybe hire him for the journey.. Hell, he’d go for free if it was a quest worth his time..

Reala was sat in her chamber, extracting the last of the rage from the vial of blood she had obtained from amidst a street fight.
She sighed, flicking her black hair out of her face.
Although harvesting emotions was what Wraith were made for, she had spent so long in Alionya where the regent tended to request her more dark products that it was starting to get to her. After all, there was nothing more depressing than having your most requested product be pain. Then again, it wasn't the most requested one on the streets. Her friends had been keeping Reala in the loop on what was going on in the streets. And the amount of people who needed artificial happiness to get through the day was getting terrible. Her friend Selena had almost burst into tears just from the amount of miserable people she had to deal with every day. Wraith may not be well respected but they weren't heartless. And some of the emotions people asked them for were just insulting, Wraith had to put up with some serious hell to make a living.
Still, at least the others never got ordered to kill anyone.
She looked up at the sound of a knock on the door.
"Enter." She said, turning to look at the servant, guessing what he was going to say before he even spoke. "I'll be there in a moment."
Reala watched him leave before placing her fear-gun in her belt and making her way to the arena.
She was not an assassin, but because she was one of the few Wraith who could harvest the death-scent it made her particularly skilled at killing. Something else the regent was quite happy to exploit. Why did she put up with this?
Because he knew about her addiction, that was why.
The roar of the crowds hit her as she entered the balcony, walking straight to the regent's side.
"Is there a reason you require my presence your lordship? Because I was in the middle of my work." She said softly, not hesitating to speak to him in such a manner. He would be used to it by now, he knew she couldn't refuse his orders.

The regent looked behind him at the wraith and spoke with a soft chastising voice “Now Now watch that tone of yours, and here I was bring you such a nice gift.”

Stepping onto the balcony overlooking the Arena, he watched with a sadistic gleam as the traitor managed to cut the Bandit lord down the chest the shallow cut allowing the blood to flow freely out onto the sand, and with the lord falling onto the ground; the traitor sensed victory stepping forward to bring the blade down upon the bandit, but the bandit lord pushed forth with his adrenaline kicking the traitors foot causing him to stumble, and before the traitor could regain his footing, the lord scrambled to his feet, and brought his axe down upon the traitors neck. Blood splattered all over the once pale sand, and the blood ran down the bandits’ chest in rivers.

The regent beckoned her forward “Come, I have a real treat for you”

Ryo had be charged with patrol, the youngest recruit as well as the only one who spoke his opinion carelessly; only being saved by several of the old veterans asking for him to be sent on patrol as punishment. Now here he was in some town far from the capitol his horse stopped in front of what looked like a run down old shack of an inn, in the middle of the night and with nothing better to do. With a groan he slipped from the Horse's back and tied him to a post moving inside the establishment, his uniform clearly showing him of Alionya's military as he settled down at an empty table his hands laid out in front of him and his head placed on top of them. The capitol had turned into a bloody place, blood lust and hunger for the arena's gruesome executions and sports now all that some people could think about. He truly felt like that his own home country had gone to hell once more, like ages past things were starting to seem dark again.

His mind was completely else where his entire joining of the military was based around the fact that he was honored to serve such a great king, now dead and gone. His memory erased from the minds of his people to be replaced with the lust for death and destruction. He wondered what his father would do and laughed at the thought being he knew right away that he'd probably stand up and fight the way his mother had talked about the man. He shifted in his seat, trying his best to get comfortable removing the strap from his shoulder so his Halberd could rest against the table like he did. He could do not much else but try and relax for a few hours before continuing his patrol, one more village and it was back to the capitol for him, just one more he continued to tell himself over and over again in his head.

Mael strolled out of the wood and onto the road, looking upon his handiwork. Another caravan halted, and there were no survivors this time. The horses were dead, a pair of arrows having silenced the ones pulling the wagon, and the other horses already gone now that their riders were dead and fallen. It hadn't been heavily guarded, none of them had the armor knights typically did. Kneeling, and pulling his hood back, the half elf looked at the lack of life the man's eyes held, before pulling his arrow clean out of the bloody tunic. Brushing a hand over the man's face, he closed the lifeless eyes and briefly remained silent, before wiping the blood off the arrow head and returning it to his quiver. Walking around to the various dead men, he claimed the arrows that were still serviceable, discarding the rest, and closing the eyes of the dead. He glanced at the caravan itself, and looked at what was stored. Nothing he could get any use out of, so he started a small fire, and lifted a stick and, after lighting the end on fire, tossed it into the wagon and, after scuffing out the miniture fire, fled as fast as his legs would carry him. He couldn't hang around and wait for someone to investigate the smoke from the fire. That would be stupid, so he was gone the moment the fire began burning.

It had been an hour or so of travel through the dense woods, and he had been drifting for the edge of the woodlands. He was going to keep half an eye on the nearest town again, something he had taken to doing as of late, as the road led there from the woodlands. He sat in the nook of a tree, green garb hiding him in the shadowy branches of the large tree. He had pulled his hood back up, and there was a few bits of life in the town, but it was late, so it was mostly travelers arriving after a hard days riding. Details were impossible, but he could spot the occasional ant sized speck moving. The smoke would no doubt still be visible, the smoldering wreck of a convoy was most likely sending off smoke still, even if the actual fire had went out. Maybe he would get lucky, and find some patrol of soldiers who would come in to check it out, and he could add additional traitors to his tally as of yet. That's how he saw all the current soldiers in Alionya's army, traitors to the former king. It gave him some peace of mind when he watched some fresh faced boy, star struck with the potential to claim glory in the name of the king, had an arrow sticking out of his chest as he slowly bled to death, or got lucky and died with a single arrow to a vital. Or a rarity, knocked off a horse and unconscious for death's specter to visit and claim his prize. Regardless, he watched the road for anyone heading for the main woodland road.

Out of the shadows walked the great king of Maliuysa, Sage. He stood just before the entrance of the "great" arena, a coliseum where some of the greatest crimes against humanity were being committed. Crimes that disgusted even him, despite his view of humans being nothing more than cattle. Sage stepped forward as the large number of guards assembled at the interest of the dark man in the Maliuysan soldier’s uniform. The majority of the guards came charging towards him, swords drawn, while the two in the back of their earlier formation went back into the arena, most likely to inform Regent of the intruder. That would, of course, work in his favor. Sage had a few things to discuss with the tyrant concerning the merchants and nobility that had recently disappeared while away in Alionya…
As the guards neared Sage, he reached his hand across to his cloaked side and grasped the handle of his sword, Genesis, which he had kept sheathed at his side just this once. A few of the guards faltered at the sight of the blood red blade, but the majority of them charged on, closing the distance between them and the intruder as quickly as they could. Perhaps their tactic had been to overwhelm the intruder with sheer numbers, or perhaps an attack from all directions. Things had not gone as they had hoped, for once they had gotten within a few feet of him, Sage whipped Genesis around in a wide arc, cleaving through everything at chest level. Blood splattered across the ground as the many pieces of the guards fell to the ground, releasing the life giving liquid that they had maintained into the soil under them. Sage closed the distance between himself and the other few guards, who had stayed behind at the sight of Sage’s blade, in a flash and impaled the one on his left, ripping the blade upwards as soon as the guard hit home against the man’s chest. He whipped Genesis around, splattering blood across the earth as the gore fell to the ground, and liberated the last guard’s head from his neck.
Sage swung his sword twice at either side as the corpse fell to the ground, throwing the blood from the blade onto the earth under him. He then slid the blade along his cloak before sliding the sword back into its sheathe. Now, all he had to do was wait. Either Regent would come outside himself to see what the trouble was, or another platoon of guards would be sent to deal with the threat. The former was more favorable than the latter, but he would see the “king” one way or the other. Even if he had to cut down a hundred soldiers on his way through the arena.

Regent was mildly annoyed that a guard had interrupted him before he could finish he matters with one of his most favored servants. The annoyance passed as for a guard to interrupt him, it must be for a truly enjoyable cause.

The guard stepped forward regretting coming to the Regent, he briefly thought he should have charged and died at the man with the red swords hands, as that fate was far less cruel than what his lord could think of. The guard stepped forward before falling onto his knees and stuttering out "My lord... a man has come in a Maliuysan uniform, he killed some guards at the front gate. What do you command?"

The regent stroked his chin thinking on it, and spoke absent-mindfully "My how rude, a decent person would give an announcement of their arrival, really but who truly could stay away from such a... beautiful spectacle. Well no matter, I do so enjoy company, now dont be rude invite him up. Although it is sad to lose those guards, this is their first training mission... poor boys, oh well they can be replaced." He waved the guard off, and the guard hastily got up sprinting back down to the gate to deliver the message. With the man gone, the Regent turned back to the Arena, and leaned against the railings, watching the winner still standing victorious.

"Really my lovely wraith, how rude. Ruining my present for you, little matter I suppose I can multitask"

Reala obeyed, stepping forward to look at the massacre below her.
She would never understand the human's love of violence, it just did not make sense. After all, violence was an action not a feeling. The emotions that came with it could be quite stimulating but just to watch the results, where was the excitment in that?
Still, she might as well see what she could pick up.
Inhaling deeply she closed her eyes as she sensed all the emotion in the arena. Rage. Fear. Pain. Excitment. Pleasure, mostly coming from the regent himself. And... sadness? She opened her eyes and looked towards the stands. Somewhere amongst those baying for blood, someone was crying. Probably a relative of one of the fighters, they would be seeking out happiness later today.
At the sound of the guard she turned, listening to what he had to say.
Killed? By a Maliuysan? She knew that Maliuysan's did not last long in Alionya, she'd been ordered to deal with them herself once or twice, but for someone to not only have dared to come here unanounced but also to kill several guards, that was unheard of.
She did not like the sound of this, and Wraith instinct is rarely wrong.
As the guarad left Reala turned to look at the regent.
There were far too many possibilities of what he might consider a suitable 'present' for her, especially as he knew what she craved.
"With respect my lord, although I am flattered by your generosity I believe this issue with the Maliuysan is more important right now." She said softly, bowing her head respectfully.
Reala knew when she could push her luck and when she had to behave, she wasn't a fool.

She'd been seated a short time when the tavern wench moved over with a bottle of wine and a cup, already the cork had been removed so the young girl poured it generously and set the bottle down next to it."Is there anything else I can do for you M'Lady?" Quorra shook her head and waved the girl away. "No I'll call should I need you" and took up the glass of wine and took an earnest drink, savoring it on her tongue before swallowing. An aftertaste of berries left lingering on her tongue. Glancing around she looked to each patron wondering if any of the men she'd sent for had arrived. The information had been discreet but hinted that she needed warriors to assist in aiding her in bringing her to the throne. Her eyes fell on Frederic at the far corner table and eyed him a moment. Raising a brow some Quorra waved at him slightly and called to him. "You Sir...in the corner..." she continued to wave at him. "Sir....over here, please come here" she snapped her fingers and motioned for him to sit at the table with her. "Come come"

"Daddy would hate us still travelling this late at night, wouldn't he Kyruu?" The quiet voice broke the silence of the night air as another was travelling along the main road. She had the appearance of a child, small frame hunched up ontop of what looked like a grown lion. Nym was small, though she wouldn't consider herself to be a child. And Kyruu was her steed and her closest childhood friend.
Leo, her father, had given each of his children an animal companion in their first year of life. He explained to each of them how he too had an animal companion when he was growing up in the forests, and how having one for themselves would benefit them greatly in their lives. Each was different, though hers seemed to be the most visious looking of creatures. Nym was sure that she had been given the lion cub as a friend for some kind of protection value alongside frienship.

Kyruu was still not fully grown yet, though already had the stature of a grown lion. He was a Great Lion though, a breed most uncommon, though Leo being a shapeshifter had managed to find his only daughter on. The mane of Nym's lion was still growing, now looking like an untidy mess of golden fur around his head.

"Maybe we should stop at the next town... No doubt your paws are starting to ache, you haven't stopped all day." She continued to talk to the animal like he was another person, gently ruffling the fur of his mane, hearing a low grumble from the Lion in reply.
"Yeah, well you won't have to hunt tonight. I'll make sure to get you the best meat in town..." It was like she could understand exactly what Kyruu had meant. She might've not been a shapeshifter, or an animal whisperer, but she could understand everything Kyruu said/growled as if it were clear english.

Kyruu suddenly came to a stop, shifting his weight from one paw to the other as he refused to move any further forward.
Nym frowned, leaning forward against the great lion's neck to peer over him and see what the problem was.
"Bodies..." She murmered, rather unnerved by the thought of getting off of Kyruu to investigate further. She leant back off of Kyruu's neck for a moment, peering round the nearby surroundings, though seeing as it was late at night, there was no chance of seeing much further than the edge of the road. "I don't like the look of this..."

Regent glanced back his eyes darkening “You will stay and enjoy your gift, which I have so kindly arranged.” Opening his arms his voiced once more booms over the crowd “Fair People of Alionya, I give you, your victor, the Bandit Lord!!!” the boos raced across the town, as the people pointed their thumbs down, and Regent blinked mocking bewilderment “Was his performance not good enough?” The boos continued and the Regent nodded understanding “well I can’t very well leave you unsatisfied now can I?”

The cheers amongst the crowd increased, as they chant “blood, blood, blood” ran across the crowd. The regent nodded “I understand, well than… what should we use.. Ahh” He lifted his finger in the air as if he had stumbled upon some great innovation. “Release the hounds!!” The Bandit lord looked around numbly, as the gates were opened and a pack of furious large gray dogs tore out of the gate, gunning to the wounded man. The Bandit Lord had only time to scream before the dogs descended upon him tearing him to shreds. The dogs happily and savagely tore into the poor man, devouring him as his blood splattered across the ground.

The Regent smiled at the insane roars of satisfaction from the crowd, how they pleased him… how invigorating. Humans were his favorite creatures, so violent, so bloodthirsty, yet they try to control this wondrous gift with the chains of society. Here the human’s deep nature was shown to the world, their true nature. In the darkness, they loved him, how amusing it was to see these vicious monstrous beings fall head over heels in love and adoration of the man that had casted them into hell, he even got wind of many worshiping him as some kind of god… indeed amusing.

Turning to his wraith, he walked around her looking her up and down, examining her for any changes. As he paced around her; he spoke in a soft whisper “You know that bandit lord feared being torn to shreds by dogs more than anything else, how it terrified him, petrified I suppose. The thought haunted his most rude awakening nightmares. I’m having some guards collect some fresh blood from him, and I was wondering on just what to do with such… deep, satisfying, and delicious terror.”

The woman's waving pulled Frederic's attention away from the plate before him once more, her motioning followed by words that were nearly unheard across the inn. He could almost guess at what she was doing here now, and given her manner of speaking to others, along with her refined speaking, his idea of her being nobility was confirmed. Frederic got up a few seconds after the girl snapped, a habit that she probably used with the servants, and grasped the hilt of his large sword. He hefted it off the wall and rested it on his shoulder, the blade as light as air for him. After so many years training with the weapon, he could now hold it effortlessly, often resorting to using a single hand to wield the massive weapon in battle. Frederic stepped out from behind his table and made his way over to the young woman, grabbing a chair along the way and setting it down before her. He then sat down, planting the sword in the wood at his side. “How can I help you, my lady?” He said, trying to be polite to the woman who had not thought to show such a courtesy.

Sage made his way over to the entrance of the arena, tracking black fire behind his heels. The hellfire spread across the stone below him, to the bodies where it engulfed the bloodied flesh. The black flames grew as they engulfed the bodies in a suddenly raging inferno, incinerating the bodies until they were naught but ash, damning the souls to an eternal torment within the pitch black flames. As Sage neared the entrance the soldier that had fled came down a long flight of stairs, still trembling from what he had just seen, or what his master had threatened to do to him. The young man, for that was what Sage referred to all men as, spoke loud enough for him to hear, an obvious note of fear held in his stuttered speech. “M-my master would like to i-invite you in g-good s-sir.” He said, gesturing towards the flight of stairs next to him. “Please go right this w-way.” He then ran off, his job completed, and his life secured for now. Sage shook his head slowly before making his way up the flights of stairs, every so often fading into the shadows at one corner to appear again in another higher up. When he reached the top, he took notice of the slaughter that the others before him seemed to enjoy so much. Then, with a snap of his fingers, he ended it. Black flames erupted along the human bodies that now lay in the pit of the arena, being picked at by hounds. Soon the hounds were also engulfed in the hellfire, and fell dead to the floor as the fires spread, quickly consuming the bodies. “Hello, Regent..” Sage began to say, focusing his blood red eyes upon the temporary king, “It’s been a long time since we last met…”

The Regents eyes light up with excitement at the black explosion, and he laughed clapping. "What a spectacle, what a finale. Looks like the poor little dogs weren't able to get out of the way, aww well that's to bad, the crowd seems to most enjoy it though" the crowd erupted in cheer at the new unexpected but delightfully wondrous spectacle. The magic was new and the crowd did enjoy new, and what better than seeing someone burst into flames and finish his death with a horrible burning.

"But sadly in the hopes of protecting my precious arena, you dont mind if i..." he waved his hand, and the last of the fires dissipated. "turn down the heat. Its just rude, to change the temperature without asking" Turning to examine his new arrival, no recognition registered in his eyes, so he paced tapping his chin in thought. "Lets see, arrogant, flaunts power to most likely satisfy some sort of bravado ego, is terribly, terribly rude. Kills harmless little boys playing guard for no reason what so ever, most likely to solidify his bad boy persona... my I think I know far to many people like that to remember who you are"

Stopping in his pace, the Regent turned back to the man and looked at him curiosity "So please enlighten me, who are you?"

Reala had the sense to keep quiet, she saw the look in his eyes.
She made no reaction at the crowds cheering for blood but inside she still didn't understand. The humans were so eager to see their own kinsmen bleed to death, blood was all they wanted.
Her eyes widened when the hounds were released.
The fear hit her like an arrow, she couldn't believe this. How had the regent obtained such personal information? No one would admit something like that to the person most likely to exploit it. And to have him die as well...
Reala didn't want to admit it, but she was impressed.
"Petrifying indeed." She murmured softly. "To capture such a fear is rare enough but to have it combined with the death-scent is something very few Wraith have been able to achieve. It shall be an interesting experiment." She turned to face the regent, bowing her head respectfully. "Thank you, my lord."
The fire did not shock Reala like it did everyone else, but she knew it wasn't a natural occurance.
She turned at the sound of the voice, watching the man carefully.
A king indeed, and one of the many who had refused wraith entry into his kingdom. Although the regent exploited her, at least her people had a good chance of survival now.
She had no sympathy for this king, he was no different to the others.

Quorra noticed that Frederic had been giving her a look from across the room when she began snapping her finger. Which only made her lift her chin and raise a brow but was content when he rose from his chair discarding the plate of food at his table and made his way towards her's, picking up a chair on the way. When he sat down she leaned back in her chair, spine straight and arms now crossed Quorra watched him as he asked her what he could help her with. His tone was rich with bass and a smile played over her lips."Yes you may help me,"She leaned in and kept her voice low."I am Princess Quorra, my father was the ruler of Alionya. I have decided to go against the Regent and reclaim that which belonged to my family and take revenge for his murdering them. I need people to assist me. If I succeed those that help me shall be rewarded handsomely"she pulled back again and rested her hands on the table now. "Would you be willing to join me in my task?"

Nothing, and that made Mael both frown and silently be relieved. Frown, as in no more of the Regent's men would die this die, relieved because no one of a potentially innocent nature had come to investigate, at least any that had come down the path he had been watching. So, having grown more weary, he began his fleeting motion back towards the actual site of the ambush to see if travelers from another direction had come and found the remains. It was unlikely, but not impossible, travel occurred at many hours of the night. So he kept his pace up, moving through the forest floor with speed now that he had abandoned his post at the forest entrance. Keeping within sight of the road, in a single sided way of course, considering the shadows he danced in were even darker at this time of night than later in the night, when dawn started her approach, and when the dusk was just fading. It wouldn't take long to arrive where he wanted, and there he would be tempted to finally rest. After all, an active night such as his was taxing on the body as well as the spirit.

Slowing to a jog, than walk, he arrived at the ambush site, and scaled a tree close to the site, near the edge of the road, but not close enough to be spotted as easily as, say, standing on the edge between the woodland shadows and the somewhat moonlit path. It was from this perch that he spotted an interesting traveler. It appeared to be someone mounted upon a large creature, a very ferocious one at the looks of it, though the rider itself appeared less than dangerous. He couldn't tell male or female from this distance, though he didn't assume the only dangerous part of the rider was the mount. No doubt there were things that the plain eye wouldn't pick up that made it dangerous. This had his interest, however, and as such he was willing to spend a bit more time observing the actions and whether he would intervene in this travelers life or not.

Well, this was definitely a surprise. At least, that’s what Frederic was thinking to himself as the woman before him, who was apparently the last heir of the royal family, explained her quest to him. Here he had been, waiting for a quest or expedition to come along, and he had gotten one in the wake of the unmannered woman before him. Though her story did, indeed sound far-fetched, he was not one to turn away a woman in need, nor was he one to deny the promise of reward as it hung over his head. Hell, this great quest of hers might actually serve as a means of entertaining him until he could return to Maliuysa.. He looked back and snapped his finger once, capturing the attention of the bar wench. “Please bring me a cup of wine, the best in the house.” He said, the bar wench acknowledging his reuest, before his attention turned back to the princess. “Fine, I’ll join your little quest, but know that I join for the excitement, and not for your cause. Nor am I joining for the money, though I will expect to be paid quite handsomely for helping you retake the throne..”

Sage almost laughed as the mortal known as Regent gave his little analyses of Sage, saying exactly what Sage had expected him to. After all, his grandfather and father before him had both said the same things, before they were killed. The Maliuysan king took a sort of sick pleasure from this thought, and his widening smirk showed it clearly. “Well, little Regent, we have met before. I came to see your father when you were but a child. I’m sure you will remember that day very well.” Sage waved his hand to the side, black energy flowing from his fingers as he did, and a chair of obsidian rose from the stone underneath them. “However, I am not here to discuss the past. I have come here, in person and alone, on business. I pray that you sit with me and avoid the mistake that your grandfather had made.” Sage was of course referring to one of the reasons for the old tyrant’s hasty unseating. Had the man parlayed with Sage, he may have been kept alive to tell this boy of his mistakes.

The regent laughed deeply honestly what a horrible diplomat "My arnt you a skilled diplomat, come kill some unimportant guards, threaten me, which I must say you did exquisitely even if it didn't work, I must admit you did it with experience.

His face paled at the reminder of his father, and he began to stutter "oh..no..no.. its you.." than holding that scared face, he broke into a sadistic smile "Is that the reaction you wished? my all you did was make my job all the easier. I would have had to kill the wretched weak little man myself some day... this was soooo much easier, and far more pleasurable. Why would I want to take over already broken souls? this way I got to warp and bend these delectable ones and even got to kill that little kind king and his wife in front of their little girl, my I wonder where she is, poor thing, but getting off topic honestly I must thank you, so on that note I will listen to what you have to say"

Waving his hand the throne sitting upon the balcony, slid across the floor across from the little man, and the Regent sat crossing his legs, and intermingling his hands "And what do you wish to discuss?"

Sage’s smirk stayed in place, despite the fact that he was rather annoyed by the antics of the lowly cattle before him. It was starting to become clear to him that the young man had, long since his take over, gone mad with the power. Either that, or he was the most twisted of the line of tyrants.. Yes, this boy had a sadistic air around him that resembled Sage’s own father.. Sage would have to deal with him carefully, for it was not yet time to kill him, and there was business to settle.. “I have received news that you have been holding merchants and citizens of my nation imprisoned here.. I am here to demand their immediate release.” Sage paused for a moment, glancing at the abomination that stood near Regent, the wraith assassin. “You will do as I say, or I shall decapitate you right here, and empty your frail body of its tainted blood.” Sage’s expression had become serious as he said this. He meant what he said. If Regent denied his request, he would kill him on the spot. The only reason the man was being tolerated at this moment in time was because Sage had gotten the notion that it was not his place to kill this specific cow.. At least, not yet. However, he would cast away this notion if the lowly human should refuse to free his people.

The Regent pretended to ponder this, with a soft hmm "My, if only I had your people so I could say no, than see if you could honestly do your claims, as I have gone quite bored. If I had your people you can be assured, that they would be dead already, but alas I did not, as I would take special enjoyment in their brilliant and glorious demise in front of my lovely audience." He waved his hand back to the crowd behind him, and laughed heartily.

"Although I take enjoyment in you honestly thinking I am like my predecessors, for I have evolved, when sadly you have not... such a pity. I have heard news of a bandit archer killing people on the road, attacking caravans not caring to look to see who it is, if anyone killed your people it was most likely this bandit, cause I assure you if it was me, I would take the time to enjoy it, and tell you out right it was me just so I can enjoy our little match, than once I had you on your knees before me, throw you into the arena and find out just how tough you truly are." With a soft sadistic smile that showed he was telling the truth about not killing them, cause in truth he was far to cruel to ever lie about something so small and unimportant

"Yes, someday we will fight, and I will show you just how frail this beautiful body is as I rip out your heart and feed it to your people, as I break them. That enjoyment; however, sadly must wait, as I deal with other little annoyances, now if that is all you may leave, your highness for I have no use for you."

With that the Regent stood, and extended his hand "Come now, let us shake hands as civilized monsters"

"Keep watch, Kyruu." Nym muttered, the lion would've heard her clearly though as she cautiously hopped from his back. She was still looking for signs of the attacker of this group, unsure whether this was recent enough to worry about being in danger herself. Her father would also hate the thought of her being in danger, though she wasn't too worried. She could look after herself, even if she wasn't as physically strong as her brothers. Mother taught her well enough.

She approached the nearest body, muttering a few small words under breath so that a small orb of light formed in her hand, just enough that she would be able to see what had happened here. Nym knelt down beside the fallen man, first noticing the wound at the man's heart; shot by an arrow, that was plain to see. Then she noticed the clothing of the man, eyes widening a little as she could see that this was a soldier of Alionya, now making sure that she kept her distance from the blood. If she was found with their blood on her hands, no doubt she would be accused of their deaths.

Nym stood again, muttering something again to make the orb a little brighter, allowing her to see more of the scene clearly. Judging by the lack of arrows about the place, and the closed eyes of the men, the attacker had come close to the people after his attack. Whether it be for his arrows or the money the men might have had, Nym was growing more worried. She didn't want to be here anymore, it wasn't worth the risk of her life.
With that decision made, she quickly made her way back to Kyruu, clasping her hands round the orb of light and making it disappear between her fingers.
"We can't stay here..." She told the lion as she went to clamber back up onto him.