Randionalia Ashengrits's Story

Adrian also thought that the fight was dragging out too long. for like 3 days."So... With that taken care off... Hey, since we're all gonna be a group for a long time... Lets get to know each other more. I am Adrian, thought you guys already heard it back in the prison, well it just feel proper that's all." Adrian said to everyone with a smile. while shrugging at the last part. "And I'm a bit hungry." He announced casually. The only food he ate since coming to the city was a single piece of apple, he can't help it if he's hungry.

Randi nodded. "Right, I'm sure you're all a little hungry. Follow me, we'll go to the mess hall in my part of the castle that I use to train my men. And my name is Randionalia Ashengrits. I'm the head of the kings group of assassins." She turned and began to lead them out of the jail.

"I did what I was asked to, but I don't recall signing up for your dumb mission," Gale said dismissively with a wave of his hand. "Suspicious or untrustworthy and you'll throw us in prison? Is that your idea of being funny? Or are you really expecting everybody to excitedly jump into this with that kind of attitude? As far as I'm aware, you don't threaten the people you're asking help from. No wonder the kingdom's in such an awful state seeing how it's being run by a bunch of clowns. Gotta recruit a bunch of travelers you just met because nobody else thinks its worth their time to save your sorry little princess? Yeah, I'm starting to see why. Forget this silly little game, I'm out."

As he turned around to walk away, Asha snagged him by the tail of his robe.

"Huh? Asha? What do you want?" he asked.

"You're a shape-shifter, right?" she said. "If you could shift into a dragon..."

"What? What are you..." he trailed off, moving her hand away. He stood still for a moment, though, pondering her last sentence. "But I guess...hm, that might be nice, actually...A dragon, huh? Yeah, I'd definitely be unstoppable, this isn't starting to sound too shabby now that I think about it. It might be interesting, to see what's it's like to soar through the eyes of a dragon. Why do you care, though?"

"This is an important mission for me," she answered, unsheathing her Gatekeeper Blade. "I'll take any help I can get, too."

"What is that? An enchanted sword?"

"You can call it that," she said softly, looking down at it. "It's inscribed with seven runes, each signifying the name of a great beast. Once it is felled, the rune will glow red - The dragon is one of those great beasts."

"And what happens when they all turn red?"

"This sword is a key. When its steel turns red, it will open the gate to paradise...or it will open the gate to hell."

"Sounds like some scary, world-altering stuff," Gale said, suddenly incredibly wary of the sword in the girl's hand. "Let's hope it's the former. What are the other great beasts?"

"Behemoth, Colossus, Archfiend, and Guardian. I've already slain Basilisk and Gemini."

"Interesting..." Gale said, his caution around Asha now doubled what it was before. "Well, I guess that's that, then."

Day 1

Still with her hood pulled up, the green haired maiden continued walking through the streets. Normally, she liked having her hood down, but few people seemed comfortable seeing girls with green hair...wonder why that was?

Especially when you had a green-feathered, red-eyed bird on your shoulder and no one around you seemed to bat an eye at it.

Glancing out from under the hood, she spotted some peaches on sale. They looked ripe enough, even if no fruit she had ever come across on her journey tasted quite as good as the fruit from her home...taking a few in her hand, the girl pulled her hood up just high enough so that her eyes could be seen. With a friendly smile, she handed over the money to the shopkeeper, bade him "Enjoy your afternoon, sir" and walked away.

Who knew you could be so introverted? she heard from her partner. You looked like your heart was about to burst.

Then you're terrible at reading emotions, the girl replied indignantly, trying not to have her facial expression reflect her mood from that comment. Lifting one of the peaches to her lips, she took a bite. It was actually rather sweet and juicy.

But then, when the girl looked up at her path again, she stopped walking. Both tamer and bird now wore tense expressions. A few meters away, walking out of a building with bars over nearly every window was a group of seven people...some of whom she recognized from the chaos from earlier. Were they about to wreak more havoc?

Guard up, Pirika, she thought to her familiar. Don't do anything suspicious, but be careful while those people are here. She resumed walking forward, casually taking another bite out of the peach in her hand as she did so.

Iator

The gnome couldn't help but overhear the conversation between Gale and Asha. He was more than willing to join this quest so he followed the group, his eyebrows raised as Asha mentioned the powers of her sword. He also couldn't help but feel that Gale was hiding something interesting about his powers as well. He closed the distance between himself and them. "You know. You two are very similar."


Kamlin

The Guard Captain led the new recruit towards the castle just in time to see Randionalia exiting the jail area with the strangers. He called out to her, passing a hooded individual with a green bird. "My Lady." He said, trying to get her attention. "We have one more ready to fight the dragon."

Randi glared over at Gale but looked up as she heard the Guard Captain, she looked over at the new recruit suspiciously. "Oh? And who might this be? More importantly, what abilities do you have?"

"Ah yes, well, partial thanks belongs to your own future comrades. I'm sure at least some of this damage is a gift from them. At least they stopped the criminals who had started it."

"Really?" Bliston rubbed his chin a bit and surveyed the scene one last time before he followed the captain onward. He did know, in hindsight, that he would be working with a team on this venture. Bliston wasn't exactly the 'team player' type but he could manage for the sake of one job. He did certainly hope that these others that he was forced to work beside would be competent though. Whatever judgments he would have to make though he would save until he actually met them.

It was as they were nearing the palace though that Bliston got the first sign of who these 'comrades' would be. A scent. A familiar scent. A scent that burn the inside of his nostrils slightly upon being assaulted by it. A scent he hated.

'No. No no no no!'

He grimaced. That grimace deepened into a frown and eventually into an our right snarling once they came into sight. The captain and someone else were talking, addressing him apparently, but Bliston had already shut them out in favor of staring down at the wretch he caught smell of earlier.

"What the seven hells is this?" He growled. "No one said anything about a fucking paladin being a part of this!"

Day 1

A man in elaborate armor--similar in style to that worn by the guards of Beystead--and a daemon walked quickly past the emerald-haired girl and towards the group of shady characters she was so cautiously watching. Glancing at the daemon, she noticed that there was a necklace of...severed heads...around his neck.

Her face immediately wrinkled in disgust. Who did he think he was, walking into a human city like that? She didn't have prejudice against daemons or other species...she'd be a poor excuse for a tamer if she did...but this was completely different. As far as the girl could tell, the necklace alone was just as racist as what treatment that daemon would have received from the humans...

"My lady. We have one more ready to fight the dragon."

...wait, what? What was this business about a dragon? Suddenly, the group had all the girl's interest. Turning on her heel, she started walking past them, listening in and keeping a slow pace. Of course, it probably would be more practical to listen from a rooftop, but somehow she felt like something would definitely go wrong if she tried that.

Lara Dales, a young priestess, approached the guard captain Kamlin. She stood at a height of 5' 1" with bright blue eyes and long dark brown hair that reached to her lower back. Her mace hung from her belt and a shield was tightly tied to her bag on her back. She smiled politely before saying, "Excuse me sir. I-Is this the group going on the king's quest? I couldn't help but overhear mention of it."

She looked at those following the captain and felt small as a mouse beside them while waiting for the Captain's reply.

A hulking man clad in armor appeared, beside him was the same guard captain who questioned them. Adrian observed the huge man and immediately flinched and took a single step back. His expression changed from the usual kind one to rage. "You! I know you! You are Bliston Ascor who kills to satisfy his own greed!" He said in a loud angry voice. Even a farm boy like Adrian heard of the infamous Bliston the scourge of war, he heard a lot of hateful stories and rumours about him. "Why is a murderer like of you here?!" He continued with the same tone of voice. Adrian only frowned more when he saw the heads hanging around his neck. "How many have you killed, you murderer?! How many family have mourned from what you have caused?!" Adrian's voice is filled with rage, preparing to charge if he make a single suspicious move.

Bliston continued to glower at the paladin, his teeth barred at the holy warrior like a territorial beast. His eyes only left the man for a moment to bark a shout of "Stow it farm boy!" He stalked forward, his metal boots hitting the pavement with heavy force, until he stood towering over the holy warrior. The Daemon's glowing red eyes drilled into the paladin as he spoke, his breath hot and rancid, in a barely contained disgust.

"I am asking if you honestly are thinking of making me work shoulder to shoulder with one of these damned zealots." He shot an angry stare towards Kamlin and Randionalia, only to return his withering gaze back downward to this time address the paladin. "Because I get the distinct feeling, that we will not be getting smoothly."

Adrian was completely ignored, he grit his teeth as his blood started to boil, and what's worst was that he heard he said work with them. "W-what, what is the meaning of this! Why is a man like him in our group?!" He questioned the guard captain. "I refuse to accept it! He is a monster! And look! He himself does not want to work with us!" He continued shouting. Obviously letting his emotions get the better of him.

Kamlin

The Guard Captain was about to show Randi the Royal Writ with Bliston's name on it, which would have cleared up that matter at least, when Bliston began growling like a madman.

"What the seven hells is this?" The demon snarled. "No one said anything about a fucking paladin being a part of this!" Kamlin opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by a quiet voice at his side.

"Excuse me sir. I-Is this the group going on the king's quest? I couldn't help but overhear mention of it." A girl said, hardly looking like the sort the King needed to rescue his daughter.

"Yes, but..." Kamlin started but was interrupted yet again by the demon's ravings.

"I am asking if you honestly are thinking of making me work shoulder to shoulder with one of these damned zealots. Because I get the distinct feeling, that we will not be getting smoothly."

"Now, just listen here, if you cannot work-" Kamlin tried to interject.

"W-what, what is the meaning of this! Why is a man like him in our group?!" One of the others, the young boy he'd questioned earlier yelled. "I refuse to accept it! He is a monster! And look! He himself does not want to work with us!"

"SILENCE!" Kamlin finally yelled. "You are all here for the same purpose, if not the same reasons. Whether renown, money, power, or honor guide you. You are all here to slay a dragon. It is not my problem whether you like each other or not. There is something bigger at hand and you would all do well to Remember. That. Fact." He turned to the group at large, never before had he seen such a large group of misfits and weirdos. A true adventuring group if he'd ever seen one.

Lara was frightened by the guard captain's shouting and stepped back from him. She forced her fading smile to remain before gripping the amulet that hung from the silver chain around her neck. She coughed to clear her throat and stepped forwards to listen to the captain. She took in the group and hoped she wouldn't be refused to join them.

"I-I'm not afraid of any dragons...I would be a valuable addition to your expedition." She said nervously.

Taethion watched as the group demonstrated their skills to this woman. He was surprised to see Asha and Gale fight each other but then again, it seemed this was the only way to leave this dark and damp prison. He knew they were skilled and had no fear about their eligibility. Then came the last to be judged and Taethion felt something was off about him. Ever since he saw him in the streets he has never spoken a single word. This man has given no hints or clues as to who he is. A complete enigma and when the young woman expected him to demonstrate the only thing he could muster was a simple phrase.

I...Dig

Taethion noted his voice was odd, and deduced a probable cause. He may be a foreigner and it would explain his strange attire and the accent in his voice. He must not know Londean and therefor has been unable to communicate, simply because he cannot understand us. Yet, it would seem he is able to read body language and actions and maybe understand a few words. Apparently he tried to demonstrate his skills but the young woman wanted combat prowess. To fulfill this, she engaged the beaked mystery man in a duel. The foreigner demonstrated he has skill and must have been a soldier at one point due to his stances. Yet, the show of skill seemed to drag a bit too long for anyone's liking. When it would seem the duel was not to end anytime soon, both the woman and the foreigner stopped. Taethion was confused by their sudden stop, was she satisfied? It seemed so strange to stop in mid assault but his answers were answered when Iator stepped up.

He must have used a spell to complete their duel before anyone got too serious. Taethion was glad it was over and it would seem the young woman, Randionalia, was the leader of the King's assassins. A very prestigious title, and her skills seemed to solidify this claim. As they finally left the confines of the jailhouse, they were being led to a place where food can be found. Upon the streets the group received stares, which isn't too surprising considering they stick out like a sore thumb. Taethion noticed a woman with green hair pass them but didn't pay her much attention. Along the way the Captain of the Guard returned and with a new addition to the group. The man was massive, far too massive to be a normal human being. There was something about him though, something familiar, as a certain aire hanged about him. He had wished he was more proficient in alignment perception like Ser Quincy. He could detect good, evil, and even neutral auras that surrounded every being. Still it didn't matter, even he said you couldn't judge a person by their auras, people can surprise you. When they etched closer however, this familiar man seemed to possess that same ability. He could sense the holy magic coming off of Taethion, something that he didn't have control of either.

The man quickly shouted his complaints about working with a paladin. Already, Taethion felt a twinge of insult over his words about Paladins. He called them all zealots when he knows that just wasn't true. Even more surprising, the boy Adrian shouted at the big man and even called him by name. Bliston Ascor. Ah yes, that's true! He knew he recognized him from some where, and he felt a bit ashamed to have not seen it sooner. Bliston is very famous in these parts, and is know for his brutality in warfare. Some say he is a war hero but most people just demonize him for his lifestyle choices. Obviously carrying around dismembered heads as trophies is one of them. He could understand the young boy's outrage towards this, Bliston, and even his unfair accusations and slandering was making the paladin boil with anger. He was beginning to shake when the Guard Captain spoke up ending the shouting match between Bliston and Adrian. During this time, Taethion didn't even notice the timid woman that walked up to the Captain, his mind was focused on Ascor.

The Captain did speak the truth, the real reason any of them are here is for a greater purpose. The Dragon is a threat to these lands, and Taethion was tired of seeing the monster ravage the Kingdom. On his journeys he has seen the destruction left in the wake of the Dragon. Entire towns razed to the ground, whole farms of livestock devoured, and many lives taken by the accursed Dragon. The Dragon's far reaching crimes are even affecting the people of this city. People are living in poverty and it's running rampant across the Kingdom of Londe. Taethion has even heard of the suffering of neighboring Kingdoms, who have also lost things to this Dragon. Yet, none of them seemed interested in helping, at least the Dragon isn't living some where in their lands. Still this Bliston is standing over him and was very aggravated. He looked prepared to take Taethion's whole head off and add it to his collection. His eyes bore down into his and Taethion hasn't yet to move, with his anger beginning to rise. If this giant of a man doesn't back off soon, he may just lose it. Then came this nagging, pestering thought in the back of his mind. His mind was transported back in time, to his childhood, as he remembered a lesson from his master.

______________

"Taethion, you become far too angry sometimes!" "How many times have I told you that anger is a pathway that leads to sin?!" He spoke, scolding a young boy after he was caught in a scuffle with the local kids.

"But Grandpa Quincy!" "They spoken ill words about you and insulted your very religion right in front of me!" "How can I not act upon anger when I know they're wrong?!" The boy shouted, tears began to roll down his eyes. "I don't like people hurting you, even though your not there, that doesn't mean the pain never happens." He spoke in a whimper.

The old, grizzled, man then spoke with a sigh, "Taethion, I told you to be strong against such attacks, that swords and magic are not the only weapons at people's disposal." "Words can hurt just as much and cut just as deep as any blade, yet we cannot allow ourselves to be defeated by these weapons." "We are Paladins, Guardians of the Faith and Seekers of Peace, have you forgotten about that?"

"No..." Taethion grumbled.

"No mumbling, boy." Quincy sternly spoke.

"Sorry sir." Taethion spoke up. "I'm sorry about all of it. I was just trying to defend you, because you told me to always defend those that can't do so for themselves." "You weren't here to defend yourself, so I did, and I just don't understand what I did that was so wrong?"

"It's not about what you did but how you went about it." Quincy spoke. "There is a fine line between good meanings and good works." "You can have the most, purest of intentions in the word, but if your actions do not reflect them, then it means nothing." "All you have done is add another link in the chain of sin, making sure it will continue to bind all life for eternity." "Anyone can say they mean well, but only good deeds will separate the truth from deception." "So remember, my boy, when conflict arises, when people seek to hurt or destroy you, you must never forget that you are a warrior for peace." "We do not create conflicts, we help to resolve conflicts, we do not encourage sin, we discourage sin, we do not seek chaos, we seek peace." "Never forget that the world needs more people who can think, who can learn, who can love, and who can forgive...there are far too many people who perpetuate hate, death, and violence in the world." The old and haggard man spoke. After a long drawn out sigh he shouted, "Now for your punishment!" "I expect you to carry these two bags of rice all the way back to the church!" Quincy spoke as he placed the large, burlap sacks filled with grains of rice upon the boy's shoulders.

"But these are too heavy!" The boy cried.

"Nonsense!" "If you want to become a Paladin, then you cannot be stopped by a menial task such as this!" "Now up the hill, go on, get on with it!" He ordered. The boy only groaned as he made the difficult journey from Gilfried back to the church.

____________

His memory receded in the back of his mind as he looked up at Bliston. Bliston may have noticed that his eyes were closed and his head lowered for a few moments. Taethion looked right back into his unforgiving eyes and then spoke, "If that is how you feel about Paladins then I'm sorry, you must have not met very decent ones in your life time." Taethion spoke. His voice very calm and his expression cool and unhampered by Bliston's words. "If it means anything, I hope your opinions may change someday on our journeys together." "That is of course if you do not mind working with the likes of me." Taethion spoke, he wasn't seeking approval from Bliston, just letting him know he doesn't feel as strongly about him as he to him.

Day 1

Surely enough, everything went wrong all at once. The daemon noticed that a paladin was among the group heading off to battle the dragon and promptly went into a rage, while a boy started shouting about how the daemon was a greedy murderer. In the meantime, a priestess tried to join in, but the chaos made sure she wouldn't get an answer. At this point, the green haired maiden watching them started to wonder if she would have to use her powers right now just to escape.

Just when everything seemed lost, the guard ordered for the chaos to end, reminding them of their task, while the paladin stepped forward and clarified that he didn't hold the same animosity towards the daemon. Would this solve everything?

It probably doesn't mean a thing to that daemon, the girl heard Pirika muse. He looks strong enough to take on a bunch of those people at once; one person's words aren't going to change that. Especially if it's the words of someone he hates.

We'll just have to see, the girl replied, taking the last bite of her peach and tossing the pit away, not caring where it went. In the meantime, though...I think I'll go see them about that dragon quest as well.

Completely blocking out her familiar's protests and "You'll be killed!" comments, the girl walked straight up to the paladin, her hood still just high enough so that her eyes could be seen. "So, you all are going off to slay a dragon?" she asked, keeping her voice low. "If you would be so kind, I would like to accompany you."

Covering her head with her wing, Pirika heaved out what would be a bird's equivalent of a long sigh.

Bliston held the stare with the paladin for a time. Then, as if some unknown condition had been satisfied, he straightened himself fully upright once more. No longer looming over the holy warrior like an angry bear, the outraged expression he had worn seemed to recede into on of mild distaste.

"I doubt that." His vocal tone was more neutral this time around. Finally relenting entirely, Bliston disengaged from the already dissolving confrontation by backing away and returning to his starting position by the side of the watch captain. He only briefly took note of the two new comers to the group before settling into a detached observing stance.

Adrian was taken aback by the guard captain's words. He knew that slaying the dragon is important and can saved thousands of lives, but he still just can't accept Bliston being part of the group, but he just hold his anger in and stood there in silence with his head down, but his glare remained fixed on Bliston. He looked at Taethion hoping that he would agree with him since he was the one insulted by Bliston, but much to his disappointment, he simply accepted him calmly... Adrian wanted to say a word, but he couldn't find the right word to say, once again he remained silent.

Randi rolled her eyes at the newcomers unprofessional outburst and said. "Now that that's settled, is there anyone who has unfinished business in town? We'll be leaving if the answer is no."

Bliston finally relents on his seemingly unstoppable quest to destroy Taethion. His words didn't seem to have much affect on the infamous warrior as he responded rather bluntly to his comments. Despite his flippancy to trying and reach some sort of reconciliation, the behemoth of a man went back to the Captain's side. Taethion then looked down to his side to see that girl with green hair from earlier. Did she just ask to join our party? Taethion thought. Taethion looked back at the others, all who are older and highly skilled combatants, well except for Adrian he looks about this girl's age. He wasn't sure about having kids partake in this quest, after all they will face many dangers and not all of them will probably be the Dragon. Still he looked back at her and with a sigh spoke, "Well I'm not the one who assembled this team," Taethion looked towards Randi who would probably just ask for her level of skill, instead he had a different question to ask, "But if you won't mind me asking, why do you want to go on such a dangerous quest?" Taethion asked looking back towards her. His face was bit long but that was to be expected from just surviving the wrath of a titan.