Tasmyn looked at Daniel in surprise at his comment, "Have you not seen me, my arms, my legs, my weapons? I have been in far worse then war I will be fine," she said simply, her tone slightly snippy but she clenched her jaw before making any further nasty comments and decided instead to walk in silence. As they finally reached the cooking area she stood behind Daniel and looked around curiously at the camp, her first time of just standing still in such a long time.

As she moved forward to take her bowl from Keyt she inclined her head graciously and smiled warmly, "Thank you friend, perhaps you may dine with us?" she said warmly her eyes intending to meet the other woman. Without waiting for a response she nodded once again then walked over to where Daniel sat, "You best be cautious of your seemingly harmless words, you may offend some women," she said calmly taking a sip from the enticing stew and relishing in its taste.

The four soldiers Sena had passed earlier now stood behind him awaiting their turn for stew. Sena filled his bowl, took a deep whiff and smiled graciously toward Keyt. The stew was rich in meat and vegetables, a treasure among a camp of this size. Usually, if anyone were to make a similar dish, it would contain lizard meat and what little veges could be obtained in the area. This meal would be worth remembering, Sena thought.

Sena took a seat on the log that was just a few steps away. The man's attention was split between the group behind him and the stew. The men from the North drew a lot of attention from everyone in the camp, not just from Sena. Some appeared hostile, others seemed afraid. Sena was more curious. Why did these men draw so much attention?

Daniel and Tasmyn, after filling their bowls, sat next to Sena on the log. He leaned over and spoke. "The rest in your party, the two from the North, why is every man and woman in camp so enticed by them?" Sena asked in a steady voice, his tone purely curious.

Tasmyn looked at Sena with mild surprise, her eyes widening for a second when she registered that he was the man who had bumped her, "Perhaps you should ask them yourself," she said with a slightly hostile tone. Her eyes narrowed as she heard the curiosity in his tone, automatically taking it in a suspicious light. As she waited for a response from either companion she looked around at the fellow soldiers, and was mildly surprised herself at seeing how much attention the brothers were getting despite the fact that they were not doing anything against the norm. She shook her head slightly and looked down at her stew with blank eyes 'I will never understand Southerners,' she thought to herself.

Erurainon and Hérion walked toward the line for the stew. The two brothers stood in line casually chatting back and forth. When the line was finally down to a few people, the stew ran out. "Ah, damn. I'm starving." Hérion said to his brother. "There looks to be another man dishing out food over there." remarked Erurainon pointing to man handing out rice to soldiers. The two brothers walked up to the man. "Hello my friend, my brother and I would really appreciate if we could have some rice. We can both pay for our share." Hérion said smiling. "Fresh out." the man said simply. "Wha...? I can see the steam coming off the rice!!" Hérion yelled, pointing to the pot. "Sir, we don't want trouble, just some food." remarked Erurainon. "We've had a long trip and just really like to fill our empty bellies." "As I said. Fresh out." the man replied, staring disdainfully at the men. Hérion tensed and his face turned bright red in anger. Erurainon but a hand on his brother's shoulder, and leaned toward him "Let us just go back to our camp, we'll find something. I don't want trouble on the first day." he whispered in his ear. Hérion turned angrily and violently walked back to the camp, kicking a small wooden stool down in the process.

"Despicable. Our war with Kenern was over 500 years ago, and it ended in truce!" Hérion yelled to no one in particular. "If anyone has a right to be hateful it is us. They came and tried to take our lands. They called us savages, and we showed them a taste of Arkadian steel." he continued. "That's what we get for calling a truce. We should have completely obliterated this place a long time ago. LOOK AT THEM! They treat our people like dirt! Let's go back brother. They obviously do not want our help" he finished, sitting down at the Arkadian camp. "No brother. We cannot let a few ignorant pigs destroy the alliance. They called for aid, and we will give it to them. I have given my word as an Arkadian! And I will not break that oath! We will fight the soldiers of Arkanine, and we will gain the respect of every man, woman, and child in Kenern! Soon we will show the world a force that none other than the Morkoians* know. And our people will have the respect they finally deserve." Erurainon swore, drawing his sword to the sky. The men of the Rochkallo' drew their blades and spears and axes and pointed them to the sun. "Alkar ten'Arkadius!" The men chanted.

The chanting died down and the brothers ate the stale food they had in their saddlebags. A battle was coming, hopefully it would come before the tension drew allies to battle.

Tasmyn saw the ill treatment of the brothers and was shocked, "Filth," she muttered under her breath making an obscene gesture to the man who had denied them rice, standing she turned to look at all the feasting men coldly, "Have you know shame? They come as friends and you do this? You are lucky to have the horse lords on your side you disrespectful Southerners!" she sneered, her voice travelling over the now silent camping point. She glared at all the men again then turned and walked away quickly to the Arkadian camp.

Upon arriving she walked toward the command tent and rounding a corner saw the brothers, she walked over to them and lowered her head, "Friends, I am sorry for the disrespect that has befallen you, it is a disgrace of Kenern, I am lucky enough to not be Southern and therefore can better understand you're segregation, you are a strong tribe and they will soon find out. I smell battle on the wind," she looked up again, a determined expression on her face.

An uproar was started. The men from the North were being treated with disrespect, something Sena had long predicted. The strife between Kenern and those men run deep, Sena thought to himself, fishing off the last spoonful of his stew. Many were attracted to the scene, however Sena remained calm and collected like always. He returned the borrowed bowl to the tribeswoman and bowed.

"Many thanks, tribeswoman," he said. "I cannot repay you at this time, but I shall not forget your face, friend." As he finished, Sena nodded his head slightly and turned heel, walking out of the tent. "I suppose I should head back to my camp," Sena thought aloud. "Night is approaching, and war is on the rise..."

He started moving toward his camp. His stride was not stopped by anyone on the way; people instead moved out of his way, something he was used to. Chatter amongst the soldiers could be heard. Many things about the North and of history. "We don't need those weak men," one man said to another. "Those bunch of women on their horses?" the other man responded. "Ha! They'll be dead within the week. GOOD RIDDANCE!" The man drank from his bottle, belched, and laughed from his stomach, drool dripping from his mouth. Disgraceful. Sena walked past the men shooting them a hard glance, shutting them up in their place. The strife between the two lands was not of importance to Sena, for he was from the far West where matters like this did not reach his lands.

Another discussion could be heard from one of the tents, unknowingly, Sena had walked right past the Arkadian camp on the way to his camp spot. "Friends, I am sorry for the disrespect..." he heard a woman say. "I smell battle on the wind." Sena paused a moment hearing the familiar, angered voice that addressed him earlier that evening. He stood outside the tent and reached into his pocket for a toothpick to pick out the meat that was stuck between his teeth....

"Not the the best meal I've had in my life I must say." Hérion told Erurainon, biting into a piece of hard bread and dried meat. "No, it's not brother but it's food." Erurainon replied with a smile. Hérion slapped his brother on the back saying "Uma, Eru, it is" with a tiny smirk.

Just then, the brothers saw a Tasmyn walking over. "Friends, I am sorry for the disrespect that has befallen you, it is a disgrace of Kenern, I am lucky enough to not be Southern and therefore can better understand you're segregation, you are a strong tribe and they will soon find out. I smell battle on the wind," she told us. "My thanks Tasmyn. We are not too worried though. Some people think us savages, but we know in our hearts we are not," Erurainon said. "Ah, so you can smell it too my fair lady?" Hérion said smiling at her. "We do too, we know that battle is coming, and with it a storm like no other will come as well..." Erurainon said with a serious face. "Hopefully father and grandfather can get here before the battle. The rest of our army would help a lot." Hérion said with, like his brother, an identical serious face. "Well, it getting late, brother, we should set up our tents and head to sleep. We have a big day tomorrow." Erurainon said. "My many thanks my lady for apologizing on behalf of the camp. Sleep well, see you on the morrow. If you need anything at all, wake us." Hérion said with a smile and wink.

The two brothers walked away from her and set up their tent. They unrolled their sleeping rolls and laid down. "Seems to me you fancy that Tasmyn woman brother. Never thought you'd settle down here. Erurainon said mockingly. "Ah, we'll see. I just want to go to bed for now. Hérion replied, sounding slightly annoyed. Both closed their eyes and let sleep come.

Tasmyn inclined her head to the brothers again, "On the morrow for sure," she said her gaze meeting Hérion's and she saw him wink. The gesture caused her to freeze for a second then shudder at memories related to such actions. Steeling herself she smiled politely at the brothers, "good eve," she said quietly before rushing off stumbling out of the Arkadian camp to the female sector of the main camp. She found an empty spot and pulling out a brush from her pack she cleared away the stones and dust from the grass. When she was satisfied she took her sleeping roll from the pack and stretched it out, then settled down on it wrapped in her cloak, her bow was unstrung next to her, her pack on the other side and on her right forearm which was hidden by her cloak sat a deadly blade in a protective hilt. She lay on her back, not tired gazing up at the multitude of stars.

Keyt watched the happenings in silence, her sharp, wise eyes fluttering over each that took up her camp....and those whom passed it. She would smile at those whom talked to her, and give either an acknowledging nod or a denying head shake. She knew common, but it was terribly broken, and those whom usually heard her spoke did all they could to keep from laughing. She kept to her tribal language, so at least people didn't know weither she was being kind, or about to draw her blade. Very few people her seemed to be of her plains, which both relieved her, and made her linger her homelands. But she would pass the thought on as always.

After the boys were denied their meal, forced to move to another serving hut, and discriminated against, she almost wanted to hex the men that did so against them. She remembered not how to do such spells, but she could spend the entire night remembering.... and it would make her feel better. She despised all whom used discrimination. She refused to treat someone differently because of their apperance or actions, unless they had first done so to her. Her tribe had taught her that everyone had an inner animal, and though some animals were different than others, they were all the sons and daughters of Mother Nature. And why mock your brothers and sisters?

She watched as the man returned her bowl and spoon and bowed in respect to her. She would bow her head in equal respect. "You are much welcome, friend. You no need give strength to me." She said, the terrible common rendering it's ugly head. She pushed herself from the ground, and gave the man a half hug - customary goodbye for the Wild Wind tribe. While she hugged him, she could feel something within him, something all tribesmembers could do. She could tell his spirit animal.... She herself was the fox: Cunning and intelligent...but this man. She felt something within him.... and she could identify it clearly.
"Take care, and not do any thing hasty. But have faith in you, Hare. Your footsteps always careful and planned." She would say, releasing her grasp on Sena.

She would, walk back to her own tent, and walk to a small chest lying on the ground. She would reach down, and open the chest, taking out a rather long, straight pipe with a small bell at the end. She would also retrieve some herbs from a small woven pouch. Grabbing a pinch of the mixture, packing it tightly, and resting it in the bell of the pipe. She struck her fighters togther, snapping lightly as sparks jumped from the connection of finger and thum. The sparks were bright enough to light the pipe, and the contents, causing it to puff into smoke, almost happily. The mixture of herbs slowly smoldered, as Keyt toked happily on it, her nerves calmed, and her mind becoming collected. She would nod to the man still residing around her tent, and begin to walk off in Tasmyn's direction.

She would stroll slowly, untill she came upon the woman's tent. She could not deny her presense. She could almost feel it... it was as if the grass and wind spoke to her her location. She would softly walk up to the woman gazing up at the stars, rolling her feet as not to make any noise. Once she was upon the woman, she took a deep inhale on her pipe. "Can not sleep?" She would ask, her tribal dress flowing lightly in the wind that seemed to respond to her.

Tasmyn looked up at Keyt, and blinked a few times, pulling herself up slightly onto her elbows she grinned sheepishly, "Not particularly, far too much on my mind," she said gazing at the tribal woman who appeared to be almost moving in the breeze, at least that was how her tired eyes saw it, "Care to join me?" she asked, gesturing to an empty expanse of grass at her side. Her long fingers touched the grass and was surprised how different it was to the grass at her home, more lush and alive.

As she waited for the tribal woman to respond to her offer she laid down again and rested her head on top of her left arm, careful to keep her dagger covered. "You must have good eyesight to see me from so far with such little light," she said conversationally as she gazed up at the moonless sky. The expanse of stars made her feel small almost insignificant. The constellations were different to those at home and this surprised her, she thought all could see P' Lirty and Ure' Kwa the constellations of her gods but it seemed not.

Keyt would nod, and walk to sit beside Tasmyn, offering her own grin. She liked this one. She seemed light-hearted, and good natured. The woman seemed at reletive ease. She would take a toke of her pipe, before looking over Tasmyn once or twice. "What on mind?" She would ask, her eyebrow raising lightly. However, before she would respond to her other vocalization. "Wild Wind tribe nocturnal hunters teach all brothers good night vision. Make out shapes and tell what are." She would say smirking. She would turn her head, and blow the smoke she inhales away from the other woman.

"So. What problems you, Mouse?" She would ask kindly, hoping that Tasmyn wouldn't be too offset from her broken english.

Viraliz was leaning on a bulding waiting for his target to show up. His target was an merchant and his two bodyguards, that was all he knew and all he cared about. All he needed was a name and the target would soon be dead. As the target began to walk down the street Viraliz walked towards them. The guards noticed him but didn't suspect anything yet. When he got a bit closer he sprinted towards them, the guards drew their swords and readied for an attack. Viraliz drew his wristblades as one guard tried to cut his head of but he missed with an inch, Viraliz used the moment to slash his throat killing the guard. The other guard made a downward slash, but was blocked by one of Viraliz blades. The guard never had to dodge an wristblade that hit his heart. With both of his guards dead the merchant dropped to his knees and begged for his life. Viraliz looked him in the eyes and retracted his blades, the merchant seemed reliefed, but Viraliz grabbed his head and broke his neck.
Seeing that all of his targets were dead Viraliz decided it was time to escape before the guards arrived. He climbed onto a nearby building and ran across the roofs until he found an empty building to hide in. When he finally found one he sat down on a chair and thought for himself," These targets don't pay enough and are to easy. I think i will try to gain an audience with some leader in Kenern and offer my services." When he looked out the window he saw that things had calmed down a bit he left the building to find better work in Kenern

Erurainon woke up in the middle of the night. He put on some breeches and boots before he went out into the camp. The moon was extremely bright, but everything seemed quiet. He wondered when the battle was going to take place. The night was very still, he couldn't hear birds or any animals. It was quite odd. It was just then he smelled the smell of smoke. " Nar!! Nar!! Wake up!" he yelled, spotting the flames. The flames were at the edge of the Arkadian camp, near the horses. Ian ran and grabbed the bucket of water by the fire pit, for drinking, and tossed it onto the flames. It was getting very close to the horses. By this time, more men, both Arkadian and not, were throwing water on the flames. After half an hour of fighting the flames, the flames managed to die.

Ian and Hérion were sitting in the cool grass, occasionally coughing from the leftover smoke. "Leave here horsemen! You are not wanted!! Can you not see we need men, not boys in this army?? You're leader and his brother are younger than my youngest son! Small boys!" a man said. "Boys?! Boys?! This 'boy' will send you to the next world old man! You tried to kill us all, along with our horses. I will return the favor!" Hérion yelled. Before Erurainon could do anything, Hérion drew his ax and was locked in battle with the man. "Hérion stop!" Erurainon yelled. What could he do? If he interfered, there was a chance both he and his brother would be killed. The man barely managed to block Hérion's swing of his ax. Hérion was much quicker and much stronger. The man would be no match for Hérion and his ax. The man chopped at the top of Hérion's head, but Hérion hooked the crescent of his ax around the sword. Hérion quickly kicked the man in the back of the calf and down he went, losing his sword in the process. Here it was, Hérion was about to start another war. The man was crying as he looked up at the face of his soon-to-be-killer. Hérion raised his ax above his head, Erurainon closed his eyes. He heard Hérion yell before he opened his eyes. Hérion had brought his ax down inches from the man's head, but not hurting him in the slightest. Hérion pulled his ax out of the ground and looked with pure malice at the crying man. "You want us to leave? We will leave on the morrow." Hérion said wiping the dirt and grass from his ax of his breeches. Hérion turned and walked back towards he and his brother's tent.

Ritter approached the camp in anticipation. “So this is the realm of Kenern?” he thought to himself. He was anxious to arrive in the camp, see the soldiers, the mages, and the generals, to see what military prowess the mighty realm of Kenern had to offer. He had heard stories of the great military deeds they’d committed. He’d also heard of the many war atrocities committed against the Arkadians during their war long ago. Rumors also mentioned that the Arkadians sent military relief to Kenern. Ritter sighed at the thought of infighting between the two realms in a time like this.

He neared the entrance of the camp but no guards were present. He was extremely confused as to why there would be no guards during times of war. He chuckled at the thought of the guards abandoning their posts when they had heard he was arriving. Though he knew that no one in Kenern was aware of his arrival, he was fully aware of his menacing appearance and stature. He stood 6ft 5’ and was covered from head to toe in full plate armor. He was a menacing sight to behold. The most awe, or rather fear inspiring piece of armor he had was the helmet he wore: it was a custom great helm with giant angelic wings, or as some have described them to be demonic horns, sprouting from the top. His wore a white silk cape with his shoulders covered in fur. The cape was held together by thick metal chains. All these features of his appearance, combined with the abnormally large longsword he carried, would have intimidated the guards as he approached them.

The guards would have normally questioned him if he stood before them. Their voices would have slightly trembled, but after briefly explaining his willingness to help to the guards, Ritter would have been granted access to the camp. Ritter would have chosen an armed confrontation over diplomacy, but words were necessary, Kenern was not the enemy.

Ritter stepped into the camp, the hour was very late and soldiers were beginning to make their way towards their respective tents, although a large amount of them were missing. Some were still socializing and snickering amongst themselves. He noticed the northerners were not amongst those who were native to Kenern. He sensed a high amount of hostility coming from the Kenern soldiers. Ritter remembered the loud noises he heard coming from the Arkadian camp while he marched and wondered whether or not it was to blame for the schism between the northerners and southerners. As Ritter marched through the Kenern camp, most eyes were fixed to him. Some looks were out of curiosity, others were in fear or confusion. There were a large number of glares. “They don’t seem to want foreigners in their ranks”, he thought. Ritter knew he would not be able to seek shelter for the night in the Kenern camp. He decided to make his way to the camp the northerners possessed.

Ritter arrived at the Arkadian camp and begun to bare witness to what might be the shattering of the one single alliance that could save Kenern.

After his journey Viraliz found himself near an Kenern warcamp. Thinking for himself, "Finally a place to rest and find some work." As he got closer he saw a couple of guards near the gates, when he got close enough one of the guards said, "State your buisness." Viraliz looked at him and said with a cold voice that would make your bones shiver, "I came here for work and to rest." The guard obviously confused said, "What type of work are you looking for?" Viraliz simply stated, "I am an assassin for hire. Bring me one of your generals so we can talk buisness." All of the guards started laughing and the guard captain said, "If you are an assassin then I am the king of Kenern." Viraliz decided that a show of force was needed to pass so he extended his wristblades and grabbed the guard captain and said to him, "Let me pass and nothing will happen." The captain signaled the other guards to stand aside, then Viraliz dropped him and retracted his blades and said, "Thank you." When he was inside the camp he decided it was to late to find some work here so he quickly found an quiet place for some rest.

Tasmyn was a little surprised at being called mouse, she was mere seconds away from responding when she heard the yells. Glancing once at Keyt she began to run towards teh shouts. Her blood chilled as she realised it was coming from the Arkadian camp and she increased her speed further. She arrived in time to see Hérion fight with the Kenern soldier and cringed as he started to bring the axe down. She relaxed slightly when he stopped but this soon turned to a look of horror when the Arkadian captain said they would pull out. She ran after Hérion and made an attempt to grab his arm, "wait!" she said breathlessly steeling herself to be dragged along if need be.

Hérion stopped and turned when he had heard Tasmyn call out. When she caught up with he and his brother, they continued walking towards the tent. "I'm sorry Tasmyn, but this has just gotten completely out of hand. I mean they tried to set fire to our camp. I don't want to endanger the lives of the men to fight a battle that is not ours, and one in which we are not wanted." Hérion said sternly. "We will pull out tomorrow." Tasmyn looked to Erurainon, as if to plead with him, "I have to agree with Hérion. If we stay, it won't be long until one of us is murdered. If that happens, all hell will break loose. I can assure you if something like this happens again, the men will turn on the Kenernian men, and we will have another all-out war. I don't want to risk that. We will pull out tomorrow." Erurainon told her. Hérion and Erurainon both sat on the ground outside of their tent, staring into the moonlight.









(OOC - Start the battling soon! I've got a cool story idea!)

Tasmyn looked at the brothers aghast, 'I was wrong about you then, I thought you were strong war-like men but you merely run away to think I respected you!" She said in disgust and turned away. Walking out of Arkadian camp she looked at the sky and was surprised to see it getting lighter, "It is almost first light already," she murmured as she continued to walk back to her bedroll. Deciding it was best to get a few hours sleep before training in the morning she laid down and closed her eyes, dozing off almost instantly.

When she awoke, it was much brighter, the sun poking its warm head over the horizon. Stretching she got out of bed and began to walk around. She walked out of the camp in the direction the Arkanine soldiers would come, she had her bow with her as she walked with confident strides. She climbed a ridge and stood, wind blowing in her hair, the sun behind her she could see for miles. In the distance she could see the desolate land of Arkanine and was horrified to see something milling along the boarder. "Troops," she muttered without thinking. Her eyes widened, "Troops!" She shouted, sprinting back to the Kenern camp, "The enemy is milling!" She yelled to the drowsy men.

Viraliz awoke early in the morning when the first sunrays arrived. Viraliz thought to himself, "Time for some morning exercise." He imagined an enemy infront of him and made a few strikes beginning with quick strikes to the "enemys" torso and followed it up with a roundhouse kick. After doing it for half an hour he decided it was enough for now. After finishing a meal consisting of herbal tea and some bread he heard some shouts in the distance.

Erurainon and Hérion were up and riding long before first light. They were only about 15 miles from the Kenern camp when they reached the top of a hill and decided to eat breakfast. "Nîn Káno! Nîn Káno!" Erurainon heard as he dismounted. "Yes, Mornenion? Please speak." Eurainon told his fellow horseman. "Arkanine soldiers are mobilizing. They are going to begin their attack soon." the man replied with his head bowed. "Thank you Mornenion. We will watch the battle eh?" Erurainon said. "Dismount!" Hérion ordered as he also dismounted.

Tasmyn continued to run around yelling but her warnings fell on deaf ears. She rushed to the command tent breathless only to be stopped by guards, "Whadda ya want?" one asked wearily raising his sword,
"Arkadians are mobilising along the boarder" Tasmyn replied breathlessly, they stared at her blankly then slowly opened the tent flap and she rushed in. She told her story to the generals and they nodded
"We will get the troops started now," said one general and the others nodded, all five -including Tasmyn- left the tent and went to the training grounds, they sent runners to all corners of the camp to tell the troops to mobilise at the training grounds instantly.