Twilight slowly faded to dawn, though the change was much more minuscule to Raiden under the Chaos Gate. The clouds over all of Lodoss made the night darker, and dawn was a slight, almost unnoticeable change in lighting. But in Raiden, if you looked to the northeast from the northern tip of the bay, just past the clouds where they ended a few miles over the sea, you could see then end a golden, then orange glow warming the sky and reflecting on the ocean. Raiden was blanketed in fog, as any city on the edge of the ocean is in the morning. Instead of the crisp sea air this morning, the city was permeated with the smell of rotten fish and produce, and the smell of burning bodies. There was a sharp acrid smell as well, of wood and stone that still smelt of the horrible rain that fell two days ago. However, most of the locals had become used to it and no longer smelt the death and acid.

It was the time of morning when the fishermen and merchants and hawkers and thieves were only just waking. The population of Raiden that hadn't evacuated yet spent the night huddled in bed, terrified of the deep dark and sounds of battle. A few of the more hardy individuals near Dabagon Inn had witnessed unnoticed from the shadows, then slank away to an uneasy sleep.

Most of our heroes, had slept deeply with the help of spells or just utter exhaustion.

* * *

Wandering about, the fox yawned, her mouth gaping open and tongue lolling out. The horizon began to glow. Just a faint ribbon of gray to offset the blackness of the overcast night sky with an occasional streak of indigo breaking out from between clouds. Early morning smells wafted by, carried by early morning winds that blew across the island. The gentle sloshing of the sea could be heard in a distant sort of way as waves slapped against the creaking docks. Her tail twitched. Time to go. Time for the dream to start again.

Quickly and smoothly as mercury, the fox wove and dove her way past the stables and back to the inn. Her scent marks and her memory lead her way to her window. Daybreak was slowly creeping across the city. The window shutters were still slightly ajar, enough for her to have slipped out but trying to jump up through them would surely give a painful blow to her snout. "Why not just stand and open it wider," her mind mused. She began to shake. The dreams were starting. Her tail flicked to and fro before she crouched and leapt up, scrabbling to nudge the shutters open a touch wider. They creaked open just enough as she fell back into the dust of the alley. With a "Yip," she pranced and leapt joyfully over her accomplishment. She began to shake and felt weak and confused. The world faded and blurred into color. A final desperate leapt and she sailed through the window.

Gettie landed with a crash, loudly overturning her washbasin and knocking her stool against the door. She lay sprawled out on the floor, naked and disoriented and breathing in quick puffs. "Where...?" She pressed her hands under her shoulders and pushed herself upright. Slowly, just like before, her memories slid back in place. Raiden. Inn. Warriors. Herrick dead. Absently, she licked the water from the spilled washbasin off her palms and, looking over her shoulder, saw her neatly folded clothes still tucked under the pillow.

* * *

Like all coastal areas, Raiden and it's outlaying land was thick with cool, damp fog. The camp looked almost eerie. The sun was still hidden by clouds, but they were illuminated by the sunlight beyond. There were ranger guards who were set around the camp, but no alarms had been raised during the night. The horses were exhausted and slept deeply, some had even laid down they were so tired.

Seri woke in her tent, which was bigger than she needed, but she took it, intending to share with Azala. She didn't initially think of him as she woke, she had spent her entire life alone and only two nights sharing a bed with him. Now, she realized that he had come in yet, and wondered if he returned to camp at all. Seri crawled out of her blanket and quickly dressed. She combed her fingers through her soft elven hair, which easily fell out of tangles, then set her circlet around her brow.

She left her tent and glanced about the fog-blanketed camp. Ilavirin lay beside her tent, unsaddled and unbridled. Seri had no need to tie her down, in fact, nearly all the horses in camp had been allowed to roam freely about if they desired. It was best to allow the horses more rest, so Seri didn't disturb the sleeping mare. After breakfast was cooked and the tents were taken down, the horses would be refreshed enough to continue on.

Seri started wandering around the elven side of camp in the area her friends had settled into. She told herself she was looking for any of them to be awake, but she was honestly hoping to find Azala.

* * *

Aiyanna mumbled, and with a little jerk woke from her dreamless sleep. She silently thanked the priestess who had blessed her the night before. It must have been dawn or early morning at least. Most of the time she wasn't a late sleeper.

Aiyanna quickly got up and went through her morning routine of washing and neatly folding her blankets. Aiyanna then brushed her long hair slowly, considering that it was more tangled than usual.

After dressing into her tunic and light armor, she poked her head out of the door. No one was awake so far. Good! she thought. She wanted to go down to the fireplace and spend some time alone. It was a habit of hers and she loved it.

With a stretch and and a yawn she carefully tip toed to the common room and sat down near the freshly started fire, judging by the looks of the logs. She sat there, falling into meditation. Aiyanna pretended that she wasn't in Raiden but back at her mentor's house and meditating.

Alera had waited until the discussion was done inside, then had taken a light sleep. She wasn't all that tired. She casted one spell, and got thrown around a bit. That wasn't enough to defeat her endurance. She woke early as usual. She found it difficult nowadays to sleep in. Was that coming with the beginning of old age? She hoped not. Alera got a bit of bread early, and munched on it while waiting for others to arise. Aiyanna was the first she noticed to arrive on the ground floor.

"Good morning," Alera muttered in a yawn to Aiyanna as she walked in. "Sleep well?"

Aiyanna pouted a little for being interrupted before falling into a proper meditation. "Well...I was blessed by Priestess Deasa before going to sleep. The demon jumped at me first. I swear I am going learn how to fight without magic." Aiyanna got up from in front of the fireplace and sat near Alera instead. "I just can't get rid of that nightmare, and the worst thing is that I could not fight with magic. If not for Cray, I might well as be dead. Now that I'm thinking about it, I owe him as well." Aiyanna looked less cheerful at the thought, she still hadn't gotten over her fear of the man. Aiyanna ordered a breakfast of fried bacon and egg.

* * *

Zira woke in her dimly lit room, laying back to Blaze's front--the only way she could sleep with his wings. She was still frustrated with him over last night, and now she even worried a little for Gale, despite the fact she barely knew him. Though, in her mind he made a bad choice falling in love with a woman like Sevrina. Zira didn't wake Blaze with a kiss this morning. Instead, she quietly climbed out of bed and started dressing. She didn't know if Blaze would wake after the shift of weight on the bed, but he didn't move and his breathing stayed the same.

Fully dressed, except for her bodice (left with the priests of Cha Za) and her armor, she tip-toed out the door and shut it quietly. She wanted some time to herself. She walked quietly for two more doors, then continued in her normal pace when she went downstairs to the common room. So far, the only ones up were two sorceresses she didn't know and the maids.

The common room had been cleaned up during the night, tables were set right, and an even number of chairs were arranged around them. Delicious smells wafted from the kitchen, breakfast was cooking. Zira didn't want to impose on the conversation between the sorceresses, but she wanted to introduce herself eventually, so she sat at the table beside them, perhaps they would greet her.

One of the maids, who looked dead on her feet, walked over to her. "Would you like anything?" her voice sounded haggard.

"Umm, a cup of tea and whatever you're cooking for breakfast," Zira said guiltily. She didn't want to make this poor girl work, she probably had much less sleep than Zira last night. The maid only nodded and shuffled the kitchen, stifling a yawn as she did. Zira bit her lip as she watched her go.

Aiyanna couldn't help but stifle a yawn again before noticing that another was awake and sitting at the next table over. Aiyanna thought if they were going to work together as Jinn said, she might well as get to know them.

Aiyanna got up smiled, only showing a small sign of tiredness, "Hi, I guess I must have missed the party Sevrina came back with. I am Aiyanna Starwind, a sorceress." Then with a momentary pause then pointed to Alera, "And this is Alera, another sorceress." Aiyanna then thanked the maid with a tip when her breakfast was set down before her.

Alera nodded to the dark elf. She secretly hoped they didn't recognize her name. She had been lucky so far in getting by without any trouble. But a mage like her always caught attention. She damned herself for it, but she wouldn't give up her views.

Zira smiled as her presence was acknowledged. "Hello Aiyanna, Alera," she replied, her ruby-red eyes passing to each. "My name is Zira. It's good to know you, if we are going to be working so close."

* * *

Isorith, Yukiri and Acier had spent most of the night in a meditative trance while they enchanted the weapons which glowed about the floor of the room. Sairina had fallen asleep during the night leaning against the wall and Elza had at least crawled into the bed before passing out of exhaustion. The meditation kept the elder priests at work refreshed mentally as they channeled Cha Za's power through them.

The bedroom door had been shut and locked after everyone had gone to bed, though, Nipa had stayed with them to watch. Isorith was very fond of the grassrunner, since Cha Za seemed to be his patron god.

Isorith had sensed the dawn come in her trance and opened her eyes. Yukiri and Acier followed suit. Isorith sighed and looked down at the weapons spread across the floor. The golden glow around them seemed to be absorbed into the weapons and disappeared. They looked no different, but were now very different indeed.

Isorith exhaled as if she had just done hard physical labor and was now finished.

Acier stretched his arms over his head and twisted his back. "All done," he said to himself.

Yukiri stretched and yawned, then knuckled her back. "I think I will sleep for a time," she spoke in a lightly accented voice.

Isorith nodded, then looked over at Nipa who had fallen asleep nearby. It looked like Elza had covered him up with her cloak before going to bed. She smiled to herself, then leaned over and put her bejeweled hand on his small shoulder. "Wake up little one," she said softly, just barely shaking his shoulder. "It's done."

"Just five more minutes mom..." Nipa mumbled and tried to get comfortable. Unfortunately getting comfortable on this hardwood floor was rather difficult so he reluctantly opened his eyes. Upon seeing the Priestess there he blushed and grinned nervously wondering if he had spoken in his sleep.

"Um... Is it all done?" He asked having obviously not heard what she had said to him.

Isorith smiled warmly. "Yes, we're done," she said, then turned and motioned to Acier. The priest picked up Nipa's daggers and passed them to Isorith. Gently, Isorith placed them in Nipa's hands.

"Thank you," he said bowing to her as he received them back. "May Cha Za bestow his luck and good fortune..." he stopped as he realized who he was saying this to. "I've always been taught to thank those that help me, and to pray His blessings on them, I don't guess I have to pray His blessings on you..." He grinned and putting the daggers back where they belonged at his sides he shrugged his shoulders.

"I've got to say to anyways," he told them trying not to grin. Nipa had been excited to get to Raiden, he had been more than thrilled to meet so many different races, but to be able to spend a night with priests and priestess' of Cha Za had filled him with too much excitement to be believed under such gloomy skies. "May Cha Za bestow his luck and good fortune on you for all your days." He bowed to them all still smiling.

Isorith smiled brightly, almost on the verge of laughing. Yukiri, who was nearly asleep did giggle. Isorith put her hand on Nipa's shoulder again, in that motherly way. "Nipa, you are very kind," she commented. "We could use a little help getting these weapons downstairs. Will you help?"

Behind them, Yukiri shook Elza awake, then took the bed herself. Acier rose to wake Sairina.

"I would be glad to!" he told her. "What should I do first?" Nipa asked them.

* * *

When Deedlit awoke, she was still in Parn's arms. Carefully moving so not to awaken her knight, she collected her clothing, slipped out of the room, and down stairs, to the common room.

Once there, she paid for a breakfast and for the extra room that she and Parn had taken. She had time to freshen her face with water from the inn's kitchen. After a short time, she returned to the room with a tray laden with wonderful smelling fresh breads, dried fruits, honey, and two large cups of cinnamon favored tea. She set it on the small table near the bed.

She then went over to the window and opened the shutters. The sky was still dark and gray with the evil thing still looming above, but the wind blowing into the room was refreshing, despite the smells of the great city.

Parn woke up right when Deed brought the tray off food into the room and set on the table. She seemed to be ready for whatever happened today already. Giving a slight yawn, he pushed himself out of bed and began to dress himself, not looking out the window. That thing just needed to be gone, it was as simple as that. "Guess we should go see Cecil and the others off."

He gave her a grin as he took some of the fruit and popped it into his mouth. "Hey, maybe he won't be so morbid."

"Anything is possible where wizards are concerned!" replied Deedlit as she came over and picked up some sweet bread to chew on.

Then there came a knock at the door, before it opened and Cecil stuck his head inside the room. "The others are down stairs eating. We will be leaving soon. The Innkeeper told me you had taken this room. So I thought that I would ask you not to come and see us off. I don't mean to be rude, but I don't want any others in this city to know that we are leaving. To that end, I will magically disguise our party of travelers. I urge you both to take care of yourselves and catch up to us when
you can. We will miss you both and will look forward to seeing you again soon."

Deedlit walked over and gave Cecil a hug, then waved a finger at him. "I think you've grown far to serious for such a young human, Cecil! But I will do as you ask. Give the others my best wishes."

Parn chuckled at Deedlit telling Cecil he was serious. He was told he was to serious to, and Deed had changed that real quick. "Good luck Cecil. Take Deed's advice, get to serious and you'll see enemies where there are friends." He didn't like keeping Cecil and the others leaving, but he would honor the man's request.

* * *

Thorn, meanwhile had been up for some time before the others had waked from their slumbers. It was his habit. Not self taught. When your dad was a general, you woke up with his soldiers, whether bright eyed or bleary. Of course, he hadn't stuck around the inn. He was still a bit angry at Sevrina for disrespecting him in such a way. But for now, he was staring intently at the place he had seen last night. The camp was still there, and in the day, he could see it even more clearly, which was still blurry at best. Though he did make out several shapes that appeared near the border, they stopped and seemed to be talking to something. Well, friend or foe, he wasn't about to take a chance. He would head back to the inn, and maybe take some satisfaction in waking Sevrina to tell her the news. Turning on his heel, he made his way back to the inn, with an evil grin on his face.

* * *

As dawn crept over Raiden, Edwin slowly got up and sighed. He had slept as well as anyone would expect with the chaos gate over head, through he wish it was only a dream. Sitting up and shaking his head, he said to himself; "Well it appears another day down before the time to deal with that gate..."

* * *

Thorn didn't even stop to greet the people who were up, instead he went upstairs and to Sevy's room, where he immediately began to bang on the door. "Woman! Wake up! Theres a large force moving this way!" He went back down stairs and waited patiently for the reaction. He hoped she was angry, served her right.

Sevrina had slept well, until the banging on her door and Thorn's voice woke her. She groaned and buried her face in the pillow. She would need to have a little...talk with him. She would leave the leadership up to Zira maybe, or Deedlit and Parn if they were still with them. Nausea rushed back to her as she sat up. "Falis," she muttered and pulled out the bed pan again to empty her stomach. At least she felt more comfortable, in a way, that she was pregnant and not sick. She would have to leave soon, but she didn't feel right abandoning the battle. Until she began to show, she would be safe. The sickness would pass.

She wiped her mouth on the hem of her tunic, then pulled it off and walked to the dresser where a pitcher and wash basin sat. She washed her face and toweled it dry with her tunic, then quickly dressed. No weapons, except a few daggers. She gave just about everything to the priests of Cha Za to enchant.

* * *

Zira was distracted momentarily as one of the warriors from the night before, the half-elf with the strange eyes who got on Sevrina's bad side, quickly walked in and upstairs without sparing her a glance. The maid serving her passed behind him without a second glance and placed Zira's tea on her table, then shuffled back to the kitchen. "Who's he?" she asked the sorceresses, looking at the stairwell the half-elf had just passed through.

Getting dressed in his armor, Edwin walked down into the common room and sat down at a table, not sure what was going on. He was not going to make any noise, since he didn't want to bother anyone making plans.

Zira watched as another young man--human, dark of hair and eyes and clad as a warrior--entered the common room and took a seat. She debated calling him over as she waited for a response from the sorceresses.

Aiyanna looked over and saw Thorn, or rather Dravin, looking cranky. A grin appeared across her face, "That's Dravin, a mercenary we hired, since we needed all the help we can get. We also hired few more mercenaries as well." Then she tried to finish her egg, after a mouthful she spoke again. "We should be getting more people today, I saw them in a vision yesterday." Aiyanna took a few more mouthfuls of her bacon then slowly drank her warm milk with honey.

Zira nodded, then looked to the young warrior who sat nearby. "Hey, why don't you come over here? What's you're name?" she asked.

A little surprised to hear someones voice, he looked up, seeing at a table near Alera and Aiyanna a dark elf lady was looking at him. Looking at Zira, Edwin bowed his head as he stood. "Well my name is Edwin Starym, through before I stick my foot in my mouth further, are you talking to me or someone else down here?"

Zira chuckled, then glanced around the room. It was empty except for the maids, herself, Dravin, Aiyanna and Alera. "Of course I'm talking to you," she said with a smile. "Why don't you come over here and socialize?" Zira waved him over to her table. "We should get to know each other better if we're fighting in the same 'army'."

Laughing, Edwin nodded as he walked over to Zira's table. "Yeah you are right, it is good to know those you must fight with, otherwise one might make a mistake later on."

Sitting, he nodded his head slightly. "Through it appears I will have to do a lot of getting to know everyone, so forgive me if I appear out of it. A lot has happened so fast so I am little slow piecing everything together. Also forgive me I didn't catch your name."

* * *

Sevrina left Blade alone in the room, then headed downstairs. Zira, Aiyanna, Alera and Edwin were up and Thorn appeared to be waiting for her. She gave him a sickly sweet smile and strode over, swaying her hips in what would normally be called seductive, though Thorn likely wasn't thinking along those lines. Still smiling, she approached him. "Do you have a death wish little boy?" she asked brightly, then the smile dropped and she backhanded him hard enough to knock him out of his seat. "Do you really want to play with me? Do you know WHO you're dealing with? You're a fool! There are much more important things at hand than you're petty dislike of me, and what are you going to do for the day? Try and make MY life just that much harder? Try to run me out? Grow up. This is a war!"

Sevrina spun on her heel and shrugged to the others. She didn't care much for what they thought of that, all she wanted was to be alone. And to make that clear, she found the most secluded table in the common room to take her breakfast at.

Zira smiled warmly to Edwin. "My name is Zira. How long have been with this little rag-tag?" she asked. As she spoke, Dravin returned downstairs after some banging on a door upstairs. Sevrina's? Was he that stupid? Zira knew enough about Sevrina that she could be very unpredictable and only a very dim individual would taunt death like that.

And a few moments later, Sevrina did come downstairs to chastise Dravin Zira groaned and rested her head against her palm. "Now that was intelligent," she commented sarcastically now that she realized Dravin was indeed that very dim individual and Sevrina's reaction was indeed unpredictable, Zira wasn't sure if Sevrina would gut him on the spot, or merely taunt him. But, the assassin did have a point. Breakfast was laid on Zira's table as she observed the quarrel.

Rubbing his head, Edwin had seen enough of Sevrina to know that she was unpredictable and more then willing to strike back if you got her pissed. Looking over to Zira with a smile, he said, "Well since yesterday, and the Chaos Gate appeared overhead. One reason I am very quiet is that I don't know where I fit in this little group."

Alera's head jerked at the sudden rush of rash emotions that fluxed in the room from Sevrina. She was getting worried that she was not keeping that leadership talent she had before. Something was going awry with her. Alera could feel it in her gut. When she first met Sevrina, she wasn't like this. Albeit she was quick tempered, not like this. She had heard the yells of last night as well. To operate effectively enough to run the town, they would need to get along just enough to work with each other. She didn't think either Sevrina or the receivers of her wrath were trying very hard. She just stayed out of it. It was not her business to hold the group together. Sevrina was the leader. She was just some traveler who seemed to get in the way.

The blonde woman turned to those around her, nodded, and then said, "Excuse me." She stood and walked around. She filtered the Post Cognitive sight she had picked up, and got a feel for what went on the night before. Although she could not pick up things like what words were said, she could feel the anger that built up, the fury of emotions unleashed... Alera respected this. It was not her place to get involved. The sorceress walked to the door and put her hand on the handle. She stared at it for a second, then opened it to look at the outdoors. She breathed in the air from the outside. Imagine... All that she saw could be destroyed in such a short time... She felt a slight twinge of fear for those who did not know what the swirling mass in the sky was. Some in the town she was sure panicked. They didn't deserve this...

Alera closed the door quietly then walked to the opposite side of the room from Sevrina. Alera's fingers locked together and her head went down. What could be done... to save these people? A giant dispel magic? she doubted it. Some of the ideas were interesting. But they seemed... simple... What could they all do together to be victorious over the obstacle? Could something be done by physical means? She always believed that magic defeated magic. It all boggled her mind. She had never seen something so... daunting... in her whole life. What were they going to do?

Aiyanna's jaw dropped at Sevrina's rash reaction to Thorn's banging on the door. What happened to her control over her emotions? Aiyanna quickly went over to Thorn. "Dravin, are you okay? That was very rash of Sevrina to do." She looked over at the furtherest corner of the common room where Sevrina sat, waiting for her breakfast. Falis, what was wrong with Sevrina anyways?

"By the way, why did you bang on Sevrina's door?" Aiyanna asked out of curiosity.

Aiyanna rushed over to Dravin, saying how Sevrina's reaction was 'rash'. Zira chuckled and leaned back in her seat, sipping her tea. "Well, she did have a point," Zira said aloud for everyone in the room to hear. "There is no use in senseless bickering. How about this? Dravin, just stay away from Sevrina, and I guarantee you all your problems will go away," Zira said with a flourish of her hands, imitating birds fluttering away. In the corner, she saw Sevrina smile instead of smirk and nod her head.

Thorn had expected this. The woman simply was not a cheery woman. As soon as she hit, and he started to go back, he put one hand out to balance himself, and he flipped back and landed on his hands and feet. When she began to walk away his eyes began to glow a dangerous sort. A few seconds later several crystals burst from under the ground and hovered ominously behind him. "Why SHOULDN'T I now skewer you alive?!"

His voice was more of a growl then a tone, and his eyes still glowing. He pushed himself up so he stood, wiping the blood she had drawn with his right hand. "Why did I wake her up? Oh, theres an army just outside of Raiden."

The crystals dropped, but there was a rumbling directly under the ground where Sevrina stood, causing a brief shaking. He was calmed down now, but he didn't want her to be comfortable. "No, they aren't anything grotesque looking, but if they are, for example, an army of thieves planning a quickly ransack the city, they might not feel to bad about slitting our throats."

Watching as Sevrina came down and watching her with Dravin, Edwin sighed he said to himself, "Why do I have a bad feeling about this?" Then nodding as he watched Dravin and shaking his head again, glad to see crystals drop hoping that everything would calm down. "The last thing we need is fighting among us..."

Sevrina rubbed her temples, then jumped to her feet. "Falaris curse you, you fool!" She clenched her fists at her sides. "Do you have any respect for our hosts? You just put holes in the damn floor and you could have just brought this whole building down on our heads! You petulant little child! Why don't you pack up daddy's sword and go home and tie yourself back to your mother's apron strings?! This is pointless!" Sevrina threw up her hands and sat back down in her
chair. She was actually surprised at herself, she made no death threats, and that cold voice never slipped into control. Instead of gutting him, or slitting his throat, she had the desire to turn him over her knee. She welcomed that feeling. Maybe motherhood wouldn't be so bad for her after all.

Zira's ear twitched in her own frustration with this Dravin character. Sevrina was actually making sense. That was new, what changed in her? Zira knew immediately what army Dravin was talking about. Blaze told her he received a message from Seri in his mind the night before. "ACTUALLY," she said loudly, to draw Dravin's attention. "That army is our reinforcements. They are led by a high elf by the name of Seri, I fought alongside her in the Mirror Forest against Cray." Zira nonchalantly took a sip of her tea.

"I know what you're saying Edwin, we can't get anywhere if we bicker," she glanced toward Dravin and fixed her fierce eyes on him. "We need to work together, and utilize everyone's abilities. And I hate to admit it, but Sevrina is very right. If you're going to act like this, you can go home. Children shouldn't fight wars. One more outburst and I'm sure I can find PLENTY of help to send you on your way."

Aiyanna felt like screaming, maybe she was the youngest here, but this was stupid, all of them, maybe not Zira. "I bet Vesper enjoying his enemies are destroying each other for him!" Aiyanna said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Probably can't wait till everyone else jumps in as well." With that, she marched upstairs her staff floating behind her. She wanted to take out her frustration on something but couldn't. Curse this war, Aiyanna muttered to herself.

Alera watched the fire works in annoyance. Flying crystals, verbal attacks, and, of course, inevitable clinching end. Alera's staff had not gone into the pile for blessing. Alera never thought of doing it. But then again, she would have never placed her weapon for blessing. She had her own enchantments. And a second she was working on, for her staff. She didn't need to get a priest to do things she could do herself. Nor did she want holy magic interfering with her own magic. She didn't know what affect the bless would do on her magic. Chances are, nothing. But she would not take that chance.

She did not want to think about Sevrina right now. She believed Sevrina, from that moment on, did not deserve the right to lead them. Her emotions burst whenever. She wasn't acting like the leader she was when she met her, a day or two ago. She didn't really want to serve next to the new Sevrina. She was carrying stupid arguments way too far. Not that Dravin was making much better. But she would not intervene. If this group fell apart by the third day, she planned on leaving. They act like fools when the city they are inhabiting is about to be annihilated. Great time for them to hold a grudge...

* * *

Deasa led her sisters from the room they had shared into the hall, and as they headed to the stairs, they felt a small quake in the inn and shouts from downstairs.

"What in Marfa's name?" Ialin murmured with concern. Their pace quickened. Shortly afterwards, they met Aiyanna storming upstairs.

"Child, what happened?" Deasa asked, stepping in Aiyanna's path. Thalia and N'shara peeked over Deasa's shoulders and tried to see downstairs.

"Priestess Deasa!" Aiyanna quickly bowed to her. Aiyanna tried to calm down. "Sevrina is not acting her usual calm self, because Th-Dravin banged on her door saying there were some people on the edge of Raiden. Well he didn't know those people are reinforcement for us and Sevrina got angry about it, then Dravin retaliated, a little childish of him as well, no matter what he still has dragon's temper. The Sevrina also yelled back, and Zira isn't doing much to stop both of them! No matter who is right or wrong. I am worried, but I am only human and young too. I just gave up and was coming upstairs for some peace."

Aiyanna finished a little breathless, and wished to just curl up or even be down in the cellar. At least Cray wouldn't talk at all. She didn't have her siblings or parents to comfort her. She couldn't cry, all her tears dried up when was seven years old.

Granite caught the entire explanation as she walked down the hall to the stairs where Aiyanna stood with the group of Marfa priestesses. She listened curiously, she heard the yelling faintly in her room and the room had shook for a moment.

The priestess Deasa laid her hand on Aiyanna's shoulder and offered her a kind smile. "Child, we will try and put an end to this senseless conflict," the priestess assured her.

Granite strolled up behind them. "I thought heroes were supposed to get along," she said with a frown.

"It takes work to make a hero, apparently we are still in that working stage," Cyrla spoke up. "We can't have this now though." Cyrla walked out from behind the other priestesses and marched downstairs. One by one, her sisters followed. Granite tagged along after them.

Aiyanna sighed after the priestesses went downstairs. Though she doubted Sevrina was willing to take advice from the priestesses. But with some curiosity growing in her mind at the silence downstairs, Aiyanna silently went back down. Maybe Jinn might be around or Alera may say something.

* * *

Isorith cocked her head to the side, still smiling warmly. "Well, pick up the small weapons. The four of us can carry the rest."

Isorith stood, then picked up the weapons near her. Acier, Elza and Sairina all did the same and everyone managed to carry it all. Sairina walked to the door and bumped it open with her hip, then led the group downstairs. They passed Aiyanna and the priestesses of Marfa, offering smiles and curious looks.

When they made it downstairs, they unloaded their burdens on the tables nearest the stairs. There were very few people downstairs, it seemed that a good number of warriors chose to sleep in. They needed it.

Isorith cleared her throat, though she likely already had the room's attention. "We have finished our task. If you left a weapon with us last night, come and retrieve it. If we didn't enchant yours, then we will do more work later tonight."

Nipa had happily helped them and after depositing the weapons he had on the table he looked around and noticed several new faces. Well at least they were new to him as he had not met them yet. Moving to an open spot at a table he hopped up into the chair to give himself a better vantage point of the room. One thing he noticed was the grim looks and the occasional angry stare even though he himself could not stop smiling. Standing in the chair it gave his four foot two and a half inch height a big enough boost to at least come up to most everyone's level.

Gettie staggered back in, ashamed of the mess she'd made outside the door in the street. She had heard voices coming from inside. Arguing, bickering, screaming. Tensions seemed high... and there she was: stuck in the middle. She was a noblewoman, dammit! What was she doing in a place like this at a time like this? She should be safe, back at the manor eating her spiced porridge and tea. She should have servants watching out for her. She should have... her countenance fell. She wanted safety. She wanted someone to have kept her safe last night. Safe and fed and cared for. To have been kept inside and given chickens. To not have gone out and...

She pushed the horrible memories back. Still pale and trembling, she found an empty table and requested some weak tea. She kept her head down and avoided eye contact. She had no idea what she was going to do. Her rusty hair fell forward in lanky locks, partially obscuring her face and hiding her terror and revulsion at what had become her life for the moment. More voices. Shoutings turning into grumblings. Reconciliation of some sort? She couldn't tell. Neither could she remember seeing such diversity in one place. Humans, elves of all sorts, even a dwarf. She could have even sworn she saw some warriors with actual dragon wings. These were indeed trying times but perhaps there was some good in that it was bringing together so many of the races of Lodoss. ...And beyond Lodoss? For just a moment, just from the corner of her eye, Gettie could have sworn she saw a tiny person, the sort she read about from the history books.

* * *

Luda woke in the bed she laid in. It wasn't long after dawn and Ardyn was still sleeping, sitting on the bare floor against the side of the bed. She moved quietly out of the bed and out the door, shutting it behind her taking care not to wake him. He didn't take any time to get ready so he might as well sleep a little longer. Downstairs was already bustling with activity. She picked up her staff and Ardyn's sword from the weapons the priestess had blessed. Ardyn's sword was surprisingly light. As a priestess of Myrii she had a knowledge of many weapons including swords, but it was not the kind of weapon she felt comfortable with.

She asked the waitress for two servings of whatever they were cooking, one for herself and one for Ardyn when he woke up, and took a seat near Zira and some others she was talking to. They were talking about the unrest in the group. Whether she was a good leader or not, the temperamental dark elf woman had given them a heads up. Luda still had no idea what was going on, but she trusted Zira enough to put her questions aside. But, there were many more powerful fighters gathered here who she did not trust at all. The arguing was now beginning to give her a headache. "I should have become a sorceress," Luda mused to herself. "Spells of silence must be useful."

A yawn escaped Blade as he slowly padded down the wooden stairs. Though he neglected to equip his armor back onto himself both his swords were strapped parallel across his back. The long blonde hair stuck out in almost every imaginable direction as he rubbed his eyes into focus while reaching the last step.

Blade had caught most of the argument and decided to remain a spectator and took a seat next to Sevrina. Quickly his arms folded over the table and he slumped down using his forearms as a pillow and his head lolled towards Sevrina's direction.

"Yet another thing I was not informed of." Thorn, or Dravin, either way, angry as blazes, stated. This insolent little cur! Wait, how did she know that his sword was his fathers? Very few people outside the court did. He noticed the priestess' come down and lay their weapons out, he recognized his immediately and held it out. "Tell me, woman. How do you know that this sword was my fathers? I'd wager a handful of people know that... and all live in Moss. Well, except for one."

He held his blade out in front of him. He had no proof, but if she attacked him at his accusation, he would run her through as proof. "And that person would the assassin who killed him. Tell me, do I speak to that assassin now? The one who slit my father's throat like a coward while he was sleeping?"

At this point he didn't care what the others did. Surely they would respect some law. If she had murdered his father, surely they would not stop him from fulfilling the execution of a murderer?

Edwin was getting a headache listening to Dravin rant about things and closed his eyes. Why is it that I feel like today will be very long, and not very productive?Raising his head and looking at Dravin as he talked about his father's sword, Edwin rolled his eyes.

"The only reason she mentioned the sword was most likely as a way to point out what you are doing, because you are acting like a spoiled brat with all these out bursts! We have better things that to be done then fight among ourselves." Edwin knew this comment would not help, but Dravin needed to understand that he couldn't go around yelling at those in charge.

Orion went downstairs and looked around to see who all was downstairs and noticed a few familiar faces. With a soft sigh he leaned against the wall, content on watching what was going on. He heard Edwin and smiled in amusement.

Sevrina raised her eye brow as she looked at Thorn/Dravin. Edwin voiced the truth from behind them. "He's right," Sevrina said, sounding frustrated. "How many young warriors have I met who carry their father's sword? For all I know you could have picked it up at a shop in Raiden."

His father was assassinated? Gias, wasn't it? She recalled the name, and she recalled offing a number of Mossian nobles. All a part of a day's work. Either way, she did her job, got paid and didn't bother to recognize any sword. Interesting coincidence. "Now, can we just drop it?" Sevrina asked and reached up to massage her temple. This was tiring. Now was Zira going to throw him out or what?

Zira's ear twitched a little more violently. "ENOUGH OF THIS!" she shrieked and stood, then stormed across the room to Dravin. Zira raised her hand to her face to cast a spell, "I summon the power of Sylph to bind this aggressor in your might winds," she spoke and a breeze blew through the open windows and wrapped invisible tendrils around Dravin. "Sylph, let no sound escape his indignant mouth." The air would now not carry his voice.

Zira stood in front of Dravin, who stood rigidly now. "Boy, I don't know a thing about you, and I don't care to know right now. You are a liability to all of us, and we do not need to waste precious time with petty bickering. I don't care what you think of Sevrina, but I can assure you no one thinks very highly of her," Zira glanced over to the other dark elf. Sevrina merely shrugged. "But the simple fact is, she is here for a reason and I believe that reason is noble. Now, either you can stay here and forget about this argument, or you can leave and forget about this war. We will have no more of this bickering. Which is it?" Zira dropped the silence spell so he could respond.

Isorith sighed as she watched the scene downstairs. "Oh Cha Za, what have we gotten ourselves into?" she murmured. These were their heroes? Well, it seemed the boy Dravin was the problem, and the dark elf confronting him was about to end it.

Nipa watched the interaction and for once this morning his smile nearly left his face. He thought it funny that someone would react that way to carrying their fathers sword. Most everyone carries a sword that was in their family for some reason. It is not that hard to decipher.

When Zira started casting spells against the human Nipa nearly laughed. "Oh boy he's in trouble now," the grass runner commented quietly. The comment while too low for a humans hearing, those that had better hearing might have heard it as well. Shaking his head he ordered some breakfast from one of the more awake looking barmaids.

Alera moved to get up, but stopped herself. This had to be stopped. If it got any worse, she would. But she would be the example. She would not get angered. She would not use magic or force. She would not raise her voice.

Dravin, or Thorn, saw her reasoning. However, she had no right to restrain him. He didn't like using sorcery, but this woman seemed to be asking for it. Even if she didn't know who he was, he wasn't about to let her think she could just go around doing this. So, as soon as the silence spell was dropped, he began to chant his own words. "The cantrip to control the world will lose its effect, and it shall become my tool."

It would sound like gibberish to anyone except those who knew sorcery. Even a low level sorcerer would be able to block the spell with ease, but Zira was not one to his knowledge. "SILENCE!"

A red band of glowing energy wrapped around her throat, not choking her, but keeping her from speaking no matter how hard she tried. "Think your the only one with tricks?"

He spat this at her, still angry. Though he was calming down. He had no proof Sevrina was the assassin. And Edwin was right. It was a trend to carry a father's sword. "Now, you listen to me, and listen well. Oh, I will fight in this battle. Me and the remainder of my men. But I have been left in the dark about MANY things, and the cost was losing most of those I had with me." He said, still not able to move. He was working on that, concentrating on it as much as he could while still trying to keep what was left of his composure. "But I refuse to fight with that woman. I'll investigate into her after the battle, and if I find any proof that she murdered my father, I'll hunt her to the ends of Forcelia. Heres the deal." Still no luck with those bonds. Well, the only thing she could do was draw a sword and run him through. "Our new contract, so to speak. I leave, find another inn, and me and my men stay there. We fight in the battle, as promised. You can send messages to us if you want, doesn't make much difference. Seems like we'll be just as well informed with or without the messages. Do you understand?"

Zira clenched her teeth, restraining the urge to strike out against him. This was the last sort of person they wanted with them. Maybe it was a good thing for Dravin that her sword and daggers lay on a table across the room with the priestesses. She couldn't speak and it infuriated her. Dravin's words meant very little to her. Just drop your damn spell! she thought strongly, as if her eyes could have transfered the thought to Dravin's mind.

"Powers of Darkness, come to me," Zira looked over his shoulder to see Sevrina chanting a spell. Oh Falis, what is she going to do now? "Break the spell cast upon my sister, free her voice." Zira nearly gaped. Sevrina was helping her. Obviously, she was very strong with Dark spirits because the first try worked on Zira. She felt a coldness pass through her throat and her vocal cords release. The magical red collar around her neck disappeared. Sevrina did no more, she stood behind Dravin where she had been.

Zira glared at Thorn, who was still bound by sylph. "Fine, as long as you get out," she replied simply with barely restrained rage in her eyes. Regrettably, she released sylph and Dravin's bonds were broken.

Alera watched this unfold without much interest. Although perhaps she should have intervened with a dispel magic, she didn't. Another person for them to be angry about was not her goal. If they did it again, though. If it happened again, she felt that a mass silence cast on all spell casters would do best. Then she would get each a sheet of paper and a quill and ink. Perhaps then fighting would stop. She would even let that silence land on herself, to make it fair. And if they ripped the paper in anger, they wouldn't get another.

Thorn dry wiped his arms when the spell on him was released. He didn't really care that his spell was broken. After all, it was a weak spell. You had to be close and to the most part, any mage could see it coming. Breaking the spell wasn't that hard if you had someone with you. "As for the damages..."

He picked up one of the crystals, about half as long as his forearm with a reddish tint to it, though it was still clear enough to see through. A ruby, however low grade it was. And a large amount of it simply laying on the floor. "These rubies should be more then enough to pay for the damages and then some. If Raiden isn't destroyed, anyway."

He wasn't fond of this, but he quickly went upstairs, knocked on the doors of his knights, grabbed his things, and waited in the hall. By the dirty looks he got from his men they weren't awake yet. He went down stairs, not glancing at Sevrina. He didn't know whether he could keep himself from drawing his sword and attacking her if he did. Now was the hard part, finding an inn that was still in commission. Well, he could always just take a vacant one and pay later. Either way, he wasn't all that fond of leaving the inn. But then again, he was a bit happy to. It was definitely a mixed reaction.

Nipa could not believe this guy... "he has to be crazy," the Grass Runner muttered to no one, though possibly no one unless they were right beside him herd it. He could not believe that this was happening. "Are all humans this difficult to deal with?" he asked just slightly louder than his last comment.

He felt bad for the guy for loosing his men, but his grief was obviously clouding his thinking and making his act irrationally. The show of magic being thrown back and forth amazed him, though it did seem that the two ladies had a larger magic reserve than him.

Finding he was at a loss over what to do besides agree that someone should leave otherwise there won't be an inn left standing Nipa hopped out of his chair and moved away from them. As he moved though he saw a woman sitting off to herself with what he thought was maybe reddish hair. Not recognizing her he decided to try and improve on his day by meeting someone new.

Almost skipping, he went over towards the woman. "Good Morning My Lady, I am Nipa, Grass Runner of Alecrast." He gave her a small bow, and being only four foot two and a half inches, it was a small bow.

Zira watched every step Dravin took to the door, and when he and his men where gone, she sighed. "Damnit!" she growled and rubbed her temples. Her morning was ruined. She had been looking forward to meeting all these new people, not kicking them out.

She looked up at Sevrina who hadn't moved from where she stood. "Why did you help me?" she asked.

Sevrina's expression was blank, no smirk, no smile. "Because you were in the right," Sevrina said simply, then turned around and sat at her table with Blade.

Zira frowned. What was it with her? Why wasn't she her usual half-insane self? Well, it was probably a good thing. Zira turned and went to where the priests of Cha Za were. She debated apologizing and decided against it. It wasn't her place. Zira picked out her rapier and folded bodice from the pile. "Thank you, and praise to Cha Za," Zira murmured and bowed her head head respectively to the priests.

She tried putting the bodice around her body while juggling her sheathed sword on the way to the table, but didn't get very far by time she laid the sword down. She smiled a little shyly to Edwin, since was basically dressing in front of the common room. She came downstairs in her green dress which hung loosely on her without the bodice she wore around her waist. Zira turned her back to the occupants of the room and laced up her bodice.

Zira turned back around, fastened her belt and put her sword sheath back on her belt. She slipped back into her seat, gave Edwin a friendly smile, then sat back down to breakfast. "Now let's hope there are no more incidents," she said, but there was still a touch of anger in her voice.

Edwin watched as the magic was used and was trying to hide his amazement in it. He was glad to see Dravin go to a degree because it would end the conflict for a short time. Coughing softly, Edwin nodded, a little surprised as Zira put on her bodice and sat down. He nodded and sighed, "Yeah, lets hope there are no more incidents. Through under the stress that a lot of the people are in, there is a good chance some more incidents to happen later on. Hopefully none that like."

Aiyanna was a little relieved, but still frustrated. She came and sat down near Alera instead. "Well, I guess in some ways it's better to not to have too many dragon-kin in one place. Considering most of them are famous for their temper." Aiyanna muttered, and ordered a light breakfast tea. "After all, their is another dragon-kin coming, well as the ones here already in Raiden."

Aiyanna sighed, maybe she should have cast a silence spell on both Thorn and Sevrina and saved others from hearing the pointless argument. "This is stupid. At least some people should be arriving this morning." Though she hoped that wouldn't create any fights. But then she knew better to ask about what happened in the past. She certainly didn't like talking about it, why should others? With that she got up instead, "I am going to look for Jinn, maybe then look for Kitsa and others who had gone to the Rada academy." Aiyanna then headed towards the door, somewhat relieved to be out of the tension filled place.

Zira finished off her tea, which had chilled considerably. She grimaced and put the cup aside. At least her breakfast kept most of it's warmth. "I know, I've seen enough of that in the last few months," Zira replied. "Still, wishful thinking."

She ate a little of her breakfast before Aiyanna decided to go. Zira watched her silently, knowing how upset the fight had made her. The room had filled a little during the fight and now Zira noticed a pale elven man sitting apart from the others. Light elven, dressed in white with hair and skin that nearly matched. Zira wondered if he was of another elven race for how pale he was. "Who's he?" she asked Edwin.

* * *

There was no sun, no sound, no people. Jinn didn't know when he had fallen asleep just that he was awake again in what seemed like morning. The sun's light reflected off the horizon in a strange glow underneath the shadows, the only hint of daylight left in the city.

Late at night he had fallen asleep while sitting leaning against the second story of a home. During the night he had taken off his outer cloth jacket and flung it around his shoulders to be more comfortable. Jinn reached for it as he stood. There was no more point in being there. Perhaps there was something he could do with his new comrades. With a yawn he hopped down to the street and headed towards the inn.

* * *

Aiyanna breathed in the chilly air, and it was still gloomy dark. It matched her mood at least. She wondered when Kitsa and Zatch and Terin were coming back. Maybe they would bring back someone interesting from the Rada academy for her to talk to. She started walking towards the nearest store where she could get some mending to her shoes. Blinking, she remembered she did not know the city well. She would have to ask someone for directions, if there was anyone on the street in these conditions. Then she heard soft footsteps echo over the pavement.

Jinn continued walking, his eyes mostly on the sky above. It scared him that the winds he was used to caressing his skin was now so twisted. It was the same in Zipang when he had left, the dead wind. He still had his coat thrown over his right shoulder and kept walking through the empty street. Jinn hadn't seen her when he almost ran right over someone... "Oh..." Jinn blinked almost audibly. "Aiyanna."

Aiyanna, being in the morning, was slow to react to being almost ran over. "Good morning Jinn. You didn't sleep in the inn? That must been....well, not good under this sky. No moon or stars what-so-ever. It is so unnatural." Then she remembered, "Sevrina isn't in the best moods, best to avoid her. I got sick of them fighting. So I came out to look for you or Kitsa and others. Though I think my shoes could do well with a bit of mending."

"No I didn't...." Jinn ran his hand through his white hair as he answered. "I never liked sleeping under a roof." With her words he tilted his gaze down at her feet, indeed her shoes had become overly-used. "Alright... Let's get that fixed up somewhere. Let's get the pressure off them first."

Without a bit of warning Jinn scooped her up off her feet, holding her weight easily against his chest. And the quest for a boot-shop began...

"What the...?" Aiyanna nearly went into full protest but knowing it was useless, her protest died into muttered words until it trailed off. Though she didn't mind being carried, considering she wasn't at her best in the morning. This wasn't what she had in mind though, she was for once at a loss for words on how to act. Jinn wasn't someone she knew well, nor was he her brother.

"Are you sure you are okay carrying me like this...?" Though her face was burning red from being carried by someone who wasn't close to her.

"Perfectly." Jinn bounced her against him once to get a more comfortable grip and continued on. His mood had improved greatly and could be seen in his step as Aiyanna's dangling feet bobbed to his bounce.

There were numerous places for footwear to be purchased or mended in a city like they were in however the problem was that not a one seemed open. After a quick search of the area around them it seemed useless to look further.

"No one wants to be open..." Jinn had come to a stop and looked around, his eyes catching a woman shivering and watching out a second story window. "No one wants to be here."

Aiyanna was disappointed, knowing just about everyone with some sense would have fled this once bustling city. It was a ghost city already. "Ummmm, well that was a useless search. You might want to put me down. You must be tired to hold me this long."

Though, somewhere in a small corner of her mind she did not mind being held. She felt safe long as Jinn was around. To her, he would have made an ideal knight in shining armor, but she still barely knew him.

"Oh... I'm alright..." Jinn mentioned without much thought as he continued monitoring the room. He blew a bang out of his eyes before letting her back down again. "Maybe someone has spare footwear at the inn, I'm sure we'll find you something."

Aiyanna smiled, "I hope so, but maybe we should get back in, and hope that tension has died down." With that Aiyanna walked ahead, mulling over what to do about the hole that hung above the city.

"We'll see." Jinn padded along behind her, his eyes off of Aiyanna and into the sky above. "Things will be alright..." He spoke aloud, reminding himself, building confidence in himself. In reality who knew what would happen... tomorrows they would know if the Raiden would be saved or become Hell.

* * *

After quickly clothing herself and washing herself with what little water she could collect from the overturned basin, Gettie ventured towards the common room. Food. She was ravenously hungry. Something lingered, tugging in the back of her mind, a distant nagging regarding thoughts of food. The smell of frying bacon and warm beer filled the inn as did the lingering odor of blood and sweat and oiled steel. Blood. Her mind drifted. She remembered running the streets. She remembered being very frightened. Something horrible was outside last night. "No...," she whispered in a hushed voice. Standing in the hallway, she saw the shattered doors and the looks of a room that was hurriedly set back in order. Tired, injured warriors, the grim and sullen mages and clerics sat wearily conversing among themselves or regarding their meals. Something nagged at her about food. She ran her tongue across her lips and tasted the distinctly salty tang. Blood. Her mind spun. Panicked, she rushed through the common room stammering her apologies to those she bumped against. The door of the inn was set against the door frame and she gingerly stepped across. The yard outside was just as it was from last night. She remembered monsters and a violent battle. She saw the broken barrel she hide in and the scarred ground. Shouts and screams were left as rusty stains in the road. She remembered stooping down and lapping at a puddle of human blood... Gettie tasted the bile rising in her mouth, stooped to her knees and was quite ill on the doorstep of the inn.

* * *

Azala, meanwhile, had chosen to scout a little in Raiden before the others came. That was at least what he told himself. The real reason was he wasn't looking forward to going back to Seri and Sera. Seri would give him emotional and mental pain, and Sera would take care of any physical pain she decided to give due to any annoyance. Though he did know where their camp was. He would wait at the entrance... he had to force himself to start for that entrance. Falis, He didn't want to deal with them.

* * *

Sera made sure to wait for Seri when she went to visit the scouts. Most of the other rangers were asleep or just waking up and talking about what would go on in Raiden. Nothing extraordinarily serious. "Its time to make a plan with the information, I suppose."

She made her way to the barrier, not caring if Seri followed, and watched as all the scouts appeared... all except one. She was a bit miffed, probably out drunk or some other thing. A major annoyance. "Well?"

One of them shifted, then looked at the Chaos Gate, finally returning her gaze. Why they hadn't chosen to ignore that... she knew all about that. "Well, they... lost or won, it was hard to tell. The creature fled, but we didn't follow. You said not to engage it. Anyway, they went to bed afterwards, though a... dark elf... decided
to have a talk with one of the dragons. Said something about not killing a Gale. Anyway, they went to bed, then a few hours later, the other dragon woke up. It was still pretty dark out, so we had him followed. Isi should be back any second with what he did."

If that was a summons, the final scout appeared, breathing heavily, and pointing away. "The other dragon saw the camp, and he is heading back to the inn. He's suppose to be on our side, right? I was right not to kill him, right?"

* * *

Caradithil and Dinalindel woke from an uneasy sleep and looked around first, then looked up. Both seemingly hoping that the thing in the sky was just a bad dream.

"Still up there?" Cara asked even though he could see it.

"Yes, I do not understand what it is, but I do not like it at all."

The other centaur nodded his agreement then he poked a lump in the grass between them. "Wake up..." he told it.

"Go away..." it grumbled in a feminine voice.

Cara just laughed slightly and he continued to poke at it until Rain finally sat up. "What?"

"It's time to get up," Dina told her even as she gave him a scathing look.

Moving to their legs, both Cara and Dina shook off the dew that had gathers on them. Cara began trying to ring some of the dampness out of his hair. Looking back over at the city he looked apologetic. "I'm sorry Rain."

"For what?" She said as she stood up as well.

"I thought the city would be, you know, impressive..." he told her.

"As opposed to oppressive," chimed in Dina though he did not seem to be in a humorous mood.

"Yea," Cara agreed and the three just went back to looking over at the city.

"I wonder when we get to go down there?" She asked and both of the boys shrugged their shoulders.

Leaf was sleeping in her blanket near the centaurs. Ryna had taken her new boyfriend in their tent, so she would just let them be. The centaurs were a new interest, she'd had her fill of Ryna and her men. The voices of Caradithil and Dinalindel had woken her up, so she rolled over to look at them, and got a full view of the hole in the sky. She shuttered and drew her blankets over her head.

Cassandra woke as she heard the sounds of others waking. Like the other centaurs, she usually slept standing, leaning her humanoid pedigree against a tree, or beam. Cassandra walked forward to where the others stood, then glanced down at Leaf hiding beneath her blanket. It seemed they had gained a new companion.

Cassandra gently bumped Leaf with her hoof. "Come on child," she said and smiled as Leaf pulled back the blanket. Leaf offered her a smile as well, then stood and walked with Cassandra.

"It's just not something I want to wake up to, you know?" Leaf said.

Cassandra nodded and reached down to place her hand on Leaf's head. "I know. But we all have to deal with it."

Caradithil and Dinalindel were busy talking about inane topics such as how fast could the other run or now hard they could hit something when they heard someone approaching.

Rain had been the first to notice them as she had been resting on Cara's back and doing a good job of ignoring the two centaurs while braiding Cara's long hair. "Good morning!" she told the two of them getting Dina and Cara's attention.

"Huh? Oh Good morning," Cara told them.

"Morning Cassandra, Leaf," Dina gave a slight bow of the head to both of them.

"Good morning," Cassandra nodded to the three.

"Hi," Leaf said, trying to be her usual perky self.

Cassandra's eyes drifted back up the black spot in the sky. She frowned and stamped her back hoof. "I hate the way that feels," she muttered and tore her eyes away. Leaf refused to look at it, but she could see it from the corner of her eye.

"How about we go get some breakfast?" she suggested to the centaurs. "I can't wait to get out of here."

Cassandra nodded. "We should eat before we go, the humans and elves are still waking up it seems, and they're taking it slow. I don't think anyone is particularly excited to go to Raiden now."

Leaf casually hopped onto the seeress' back. She did that to any one bigger than her she was comfortable touching. Cassandra was a little surprised, but allowed it, it seemed like Leaf needed the comfort.

Dina looked surprised at see the way Leaf climbed up on Cassandra's back, but seeing how she did not object Dina could not help but comment. "I see how it is, one day you're nice to me and the next you won't even touch me." Had he not had a smile on he might have been taken seriously.

Cara and Rain just snickered at him. "Breakfast sounds good," Rain said.

Leaf giggled. "Don't worry Dina, you're still my buddy."

Cassandra smiled a small smile too, then turned back toward camp where the smell of cooking was. With Leaf hanging onto her, she trotted to the cook fire where most of the elves were gathered.

Cara followed the seeress with Rain on his back. Dina spared one last look at Raiden then that thing in the sky before following them.

Rain, just like the others, was no longer looking forward going into Raiden though she made no additional comments about.

No, this definitely was not in the long list of good, in Rain's mind, her mind remarked looking into the sky. The question of how could anticipation so quickly change to foreboding dread at such a sight, but more of how could it not? Rain passed a nervous look between Leaf and towards Cassandra. She held on a just a little bit tighter to Cara, leaning forward to whisper. "What in the forest is that?" voice edge having sharpened by the anxiety pressing on her heart. "Where are we going now?"

Cara smiled slightly, "Right now we are going to get breakfast. He then pointed up at the thing in the sky, "That thing is unknown to me, but I don't like it."

Dina nodded, "I will agree to that."

* * *

Erias woke with a few stretches and with self forced will power, he got up. He sleepily grabbed his sword and went to the stream to clean. With a splash of icy cold water, he woke up fully. There was no sunrise to be seen, except out on the sea.

When he came back, he was the first of humans to wake up. He poked at the dying embers for sometime before he finally got it to start up a small fire again. After some time in front of the fire in the chilly morning, he felt much better. Erias hummed a cheerful tune as he went to work making a soup. He wasn't best of cooks but he could make soup well. With some scrounging around, he managed to find enough vegetables to make a nice vegetable soup. Erias then looked out to Raiden again and felt his cheerful tune die thanks to that black hole in the sky.

* * *

Ryna and Callin shared a tent, but not a bed. They had their own blankets to sleep in. Leaf slept elsewhere, probably with the centaurs, she was angry with Ryna still, so she made a new friend with Rain. Leaf and Rain, interesting pair of names.

Ryna rolled over and looked at Callin lying nearby. So, how well was this one going to work? She didn't seem to be having much luck for the long-term. Randy died, she left Garrack, which maybe wasn't such a good idea, she missed him. That elf was just a fling that she was starting to regret. Now Callin, she had gotten drunk with and slept with. How long could it last?

She sat up and was still clothed, since she didn't feel comfortable sleeping in the nude with him, despite that he had already seen her naked. Ryna straightened her clothes and hair with her back to him and packed up what little she had unpacked.

Callin woke up while she was packing her bags, squinting his eyes just slightly. It wasn't really bright out, but his eyes wanted him to sleep. Though his relationship with Ryna bugged him a bit. They were lovers, yes, that was clear, even if he hadn't shared her bed the night before. He pushed himself up and watched her. "Morning... sleep well?"

He really didn't know what to say to the woman. Things changed, no matter what anyone claimed, once you slept with someone. "Guess we go into Raiden today, eh?"

Ryna looked at Callin and smiled. "I slept pretty good, I guess Sakura's song helped," she said. She didn't reply to his comment about Raiden, it worried her about what could happen.

Callin put his shirt on and gave her a sidelong glance. So, she didn't want to talk about Raiden. Seemed that way, anyway. "Yes, she does have a lovely voice to her. That young one with her is lucky, I suppose."

Sakura's voice, it was good, even helped him sleep to. Well, this conversation wasn't going anywhere fast. "So, do you want to travel with Leaf?"

Ryna shrugged. "Well, I want to get to know you more," she said and looked into his eyes. There was passion in hers, a desire and loneliness. "We all are traveling together after all." The passion faded, but she still felt it lingering. She looked back up at him and smiled. "Well, let's go get breakfast. I'm starving. We can talk on the way, you still haven't told me much about yourself."

Callin simply shrugged. Not much to tell about him. He didn't know much about himself. Cursed amnesia. Well, it looked like she wanted a little more then a one night stand. "Me? I'd like to, but I can't remember. Just been in Moss helping people make it here."

He began to walk outside, food sounded good to him. "How about you?"

Ryna looked at Callin and frowned. "You can't remember?" How could someone not remember their life? Maybe he just didn't want to talk about it, and that would cause problems in the future.

"Well, I already told you about me." Unless you forgot it. "A little in Honto and last night. There really isn't much else interesting that I can think of." She told him about saving Neese with Spark and Leaf and the others, about how she was a thief and dark elves killed her boyfriend. She told him that her death warrant in Blade was lifted and instead she was honored as a hero, and she decided to become a mercenary afterwards. She lived a full life, but nothing else matter much now that she was a hero.

Callin shrugged. It wasn't from lack of trying that he couldn't remember. He just couldn't remember anything beyond waking up. "Its not as simple as simply not remembering. I just kinda woke up one day, pain in my head, and when I tried to remember any further then when I woke up, its a blank. Amnesia."

He chuckled. "Well, at least I'm pretty sure about one thing. Probably not an outlaw. I guess I was just an ordinary guy before whatever happened, happened."

* * *

Aiden and Aaewin didn't have the luxury of a tent, so they slept side-by-side near one of the elven camp's fires. Aaewin had gone for ranger duty during the night and she was still sleeping. Aiden let her.

He climbed out of his blankets, then rolled them up and left them beside Aaewin to put on their horse later. The hole was still in the sky over Raiden and he frowned. Still, he had a good feeling about today. He was going to meet some new people, but he felt as if something more than that might happen. Aiden followed the smell of cooking to a fire where other rangers were preparing breakfast.

* * *

Mia woke up between Fou-Lu and Lucied. Her forehead rested against the wolf's furry back and she could smell the oils of his skin. He was clean though, they let him bathe with them last night. Fou lay with an arm around her waist and his face in her hair, likely smelling her scent. Mia smiled contently. Maybe things weren't so bad, and what happened with Sera was already a distant memory, at least until she saw the woman.

Lucied felt Mia's movement, then raised his head and looked back at her. The concept of getting up passed between them and Lucied rolled to his feet and shook his coat, then stretched his legs and yawned with a whining sound. His big, wolfy yawn caused Mia's jaws to crack open in a yawn of her own. Fou-Lu was awoken by her movement as well, but he pulled her close in a hug and a kiss instead of getting out of bed.

Moments later, the three were out of their tent and packing it up. With that chore finished, they followed the smells of food through the camp.

* * *

Naclia and Talen had managed to get their hands on a tent in the Glassy Woods and shared it. Naclia woke, very much rested and snuggled closer to Talen to wake him with a kiss. They had been quite active the night before, but not like they had been in the Woods. Just a couple times, by the creek, then in the tent. Naclia was...energetic that way. Naclia pressed her lips to Talen's cheek, which had grown a rather rugged looking stubble in the last couple weeks.

Talen, however, was tired. Last night had been exhausting, and it didn't help they were riding so long. Naclia was just insatiable sometimes. Not that it was really such a problem. He returned the kiss, his eyes opening as he pushed himself up. He would like to sleep on a bed when he got into Raiden. Even with that big black thing up in the sky. "Lets go get breakfast, eh?"

Naclia smiled, but her eyes seemed a little hollow. She could feel the chaos gate overhead. "Yeah, breakfast," she said. "I'm really hungry anyway." She leaned forward and kissed him again, then climbed out of their blankets to dress. After a few minutes, they were dressed, packed and working on taking down the tent.

* * *

Sakura had shared a tent with several female rangers who were willing to let her share. They were more interested in her being a priestess than a human. She wasn't sure where Fenix was, but she sent him to sleep elsewhere. One only one occasion had she slept in the same bed as him, but that was pushing it.

Sakura straightened her clothes and hair and rinsed her face, then left the tent to find Fenix and breakfast.

Fenix gave a large yawn as he woke up. Unlike most of the others he had chosen to sleep outside rather then in a tent. Wasn't just the fact that the only tents still open were the female ranger tents that gave him that decision. He wanted to be outside just to see if that gate would open, Raiden was his home, after all.

Pushing himself up and brushing himself off, Sakura was coming. He wondered if she would see him so much if they found Zatch. I wonder what Zatch would do? The last time hadn't been very pleasant. "Morning." He said when she got close enough to hear and see him.

* * *

Breakfast was cooking in the elven camp at the largest fire that was just about in the center. It was a meal of elven bread that had already been baked in the forest before they left and stew cooked in various pots and pans that the rangers had brought. There were also grouse and rabbit that had been hunted early in the morning.

Seri wandered through camp, greeting people she knew, but she didn't stay to talk. She was searching for Azala--not like she would admit that to anyone. She had no luck, so she went to the main fire and got herself some bread and a tin cup filled with stew and sat down on a log that had been dragged into camp.

Ryna blushed, "Oh," she said simply, looking a little embarrassed. She looked up at him and smiled. "Maybe it'll come back to you one day," She smiled and said hopefully. She followed her nose to the smell of cooking around a big fire in the middle of camp. The elves were cooking stew, rabbits and what looked like chicken or some sort of game bird. She got herself some bread and chicken, or whatever, and found a place on the ground to sit.

"So what are you going to do in Raiden Callin?" Ryna asked, then took a bite of chicken. It tasted pretty good. Must be an elven secret.

Callin began eating some of the game fowl, not really all that hungry. What would he do after this? Well, he didn't know. Probably hang around Raiden, maybe sell his skills. Eventually he would go back to Moss, but for the time being... "I guess I'll just get a job exploring or something. Don't know. I'm not really up to settling down for a while."

Ryna glanced up to the black disc above the city. "What if there's a battle?" she asked, sounding distant. She was certain there would be in Raiden. That disc was NOT a good thing.

Callin looked up at Ryna, then followed her gaze to the black disk. That thing was not good, but he didn't much know about such things. "If theres a battle... theres a battle. Nothing I can do about that. Besides, I don't think I could get away from that thing even if I left now. I'm just going to stay and fight, thank you."

* * *

Erias quietly went about giving out breakfast to other mercenaries hired and anyone else who came along. He made a enough for the entire camp. Erias smiled privately to himself as he finished eating his soup and his own bread from his pack. Then he went about looking after the horses. Though he felt a little nervous for some reason, it must have been that hole in the sky.

Kazh'e had gotten up sometime around dawn but didn't come out of her tent until recently. She had a hard time falling asleep last night, but it didn't show. The elf walked to where the others were awaiting breakfast, quiet as usual with Ise at her heels.

Fasz woke up in the morning, he had shared a tent with two other mercenaries. He stood up and walked outside and saw there were some people out of the tents, waiting for they breakfast. While he walked by the camp he looked at the sky, it hadn't changed much. There wasn't much time left so he decided to wait for the moment to come, using his awesome will to see how things go on and do nothing until the time comes for what he has been waiting for. Fasz didn't like doing that much, but he believed it was a good way of showing himself he was able of successfully completing anything he had to, and he wouldn't go talk to people or do something else, he had learned how to fight boredom and he would only talk if to anybody if he needed to.

Jonas climbed out of the back of his wagon, where he slept, and was happy to find that breakfast was prepared. From his own folding chair to sit on while the mercenaries had the ground, he looked at Erias with a grin. "My boy, you're handy to have around," he told Erias.

Erias smiled politely, "Thank you, I am fine with it. Though my old habits as page in Valisian court die hard." Then he went on with trying to feed the horses.

Joline climbed out of the tent she shared with Luria the night before and was happy to find breakfast was waiting. She leaned down and peeked through the tent flap. "Luria, it looked like Erias is playing chef again," Joline told her tent-mate with a wink. She stood again and looked at the sky. Suddenly her heart sunk down to her knees. That hole...

Luria yawned and stepped out of the tent she and Joline slept in. She liked being Joline's roommate of sorts these last couple of nights. She stood up groggily with pieces of her long hair sticking out in random places. When she smelled food she perked right up. Joline mentioned that Erias had cooked some. "Whoo, well he's good in my book then!" she replied and bounced off towards the food with big grin. "Yummy..." She noticed Joline's spirits dwindle suddenly and it hit her like a brick.

"Oh yeah... what are we gonna do? I dunno if Jonas or anybody else will be able to make money in this place, looks like most the city is evacuated. Before you know it, it's gonna be a ghost town." She pouted. "It's just not fair! We came all the way to Raiden, and there's some weird hole in the sky. What the heck is going on?" She knew she was probably talking to herself by now, and started eating instead. She wondered if there was a person behind that thing, or if it was some evil force of nature. But, nature doesn't spawn evil on its own, she thought, Maybe it's the dark gods or something! If it was, she wondered if they could actually do anything about it. She suddenly started thinking aloud again. "Ooh boy, we'd all be rich and famous if we could fix it!"

Erias sighed, he didn't mind cooking, in fact he enjoyed it. The end effort wasn't so bad, after all one has to eat to live so might well as make it worthwhile food. He remembered that black hole in the sky. He finally finished cooking some fruit into fresh jam with course, sugar other spices he liked to carry around. With some cheese, he managed to put out another plate for human side of the camp to eat. Then he scratched his head, maybe that might do. He already cooked some game birds, fruit jams and cheese with bread and vegetable soup for a breakfast. Even he didn't eat so much.

Considering he had nothing to do, he brought food to the lady and her companion. He carefully laid it out on a cloth on an overturned wooden box. "You might as well enjoy the food." He bowed , then went to find something to do. Gods forbid if someone found out he liked being awake so much at this time of the morning.

* * *

The five brothers of Rada scrambled throughout their chambers as they prepared for trip to Raiden. To almost anyone else it was only a small journey, merely a commute from one place to another. The brothers however hadn't left the safety on the institute since they were children, to them it was leaving everything they had ever known. Each of them were a little frightened and nervous as was to be expected, but mingled in the angst was a sense of excitement, a chance to explore the world beyond the stone walls.

"Where are my chemicals?"
"Is it going to be cold out? Should I bring a heavy cloak?"
"Has anyone seen my lucky rat cadaver? It was in a jar next to my bed last I saw it."

The brothers franticly packed, over packed, and unpacked for the journey as they shouted back and fourth to each other. It was then that Zatch walked in to tell them that they would be leaving shortly. But when he saw the chaotic state they were in he realized that it was a room he didn't really want to be in. He almost managed to escape when Lucius caught sight of him.

"Morning Crassus." As soon as Zatch was called to attention the other four approached him with a barrage of questions of how to prepare. Zatch himself was never well versed in travel, but compared to the brothers he was an adventurer and survival expert. A label he truly didn't enjoy at the moment.

"What are the weather patterns like out there?"

"How much sulfur of magnesium should I pack?"

"Do you know how much a Mossian bull toad weighs or should I just bring my scale?"

* * *

Kitsa sat on a bench in the hall, waiting for Zatch and Terin. She slept lightly since her mind had been churning with anxious thoughts of the upcoming battle. What if Vesper was really planning to attack sooner? What if something happened to the others over night? Kitsa's dreams had been filled with terrors and confusion, and she even woke up in the middle of the night in cold sweat. She didn't look for help from anyone though, she dealt with it on her own. She looked decent enough this morning, except for dark stains under her eyes.

Terin left his room and wandered down the corridor it had been on. Rooms intended for students and novice priests. Kitsa was easy to spot in her red clothes, sitting on the bench. Terin was dressed drably, and his hood still hid his battered ears. It offered safety to him as he smiled, thinking of Kitsa. He noticed her slit skirt wasn't covering her toned, tattooed thigh and blushed. She had lovely legs.

"Good morning," he said warmly to her and sat down beside her on the bench. His eyes met hers for a moment and he marveled at their ever-shifting color, before he blushed and turned his face down. "Have you seen Zatch yet?"

Kitsa nodded. "Oh yes, he went to visit the Brothers." Was Terin blushing? There was something about the way he looked at her...Did he like her as just a little more than a friend? Kitsa smiled on the inside. Even with his scars, he was a good looking man. Time would only tell.

I'm a fool, Terin thought. My face is slashed to hell, I'm missing half an ear. I shouldn't even waste my time with trying to get her, or any woman. I'll just find my sister...and...be alone. Who would love this face? Terin kept his head down, his hood hid his face. "I hope we can go soon. I want to get back the inn," Terin said, starting idle conversation.

After much trouble Zatch finally got all five of the brothers packed and ready to go. Although he advised them to pack lightly they had all managed to bring an incredible amount of scientific equipment. Books, chemicals, and every measuring tool imaginable were loaded on a wagon outside. Zatch protested at first, but realized that much of it may prove useful in the fight against Vesper, the whole point of bringing them after all was to augment steel with intellect.

With the cargo loaded Zatch returned inside to look for Kitsa and Terin to find the two talking on a bench.

"We are ready to leave whenever you are." He said to them only for his face to burn immediately when he realized he was likely interrupting a conversation. "We can wait a bit longer if you wish."

Kitsa jumped to her feet as soon as she saw Zatch. "Yes, let's go," she told Zatch since she didn't want to wait. She and Terin weren't really talking anyway, they were just killing time.

Terin sighed and stood as well, grudgingly walking to Zatch and Kitsa. That was one thing he simply couldn't stand about her, he couldn't tell how she felt for him. Every time she met someone new, she went bounding up to meet them with the same enthusiasm she talked to him with. He didn't know how she felt about him, or if she felt anything for Zatch. Terin lifted his head just enough to meet Zatch's eyes from under his hood. "Yeah, I'm ready," his voice was icy and detached.

Zatch leaned back slightly at Terin's voice, sensing that there was something on the elf's mind. The scholar mused to himself: Is he angry with me? If so I have no idea why, I didn't mean to interrupt their conversation.....I think too much, it's likely something else. Maybe he just isn't a morning person.

Pushing aside his thoughts Zatch led the two through the corridors of the institute one last time, pointing out the sculptures and tapestries of the famous sages throughout Lodoss' history. From Roshimo, the Kastuulian warrior poet to Wart of the six heroes.

Once they were outside they were greeted by the brothers who were surprisingly quiet, weighed down by the sorrow of leaving the only home they had ever really known.

Terin sighed to himself, hiding his face behind his hood. He had no reason to be angry at Zatch, of course, he had no reason to be angry with Kitsa. He was just frustrated with the way she was. Terin followed behind both, head down, hood hiding his face too all.

Kitsa followed Zatch out and waited patiently with him when they met the brothers. She pretended not to notice Terin's behavior, but she did. He really seemed to like her, but she worried that he might be too temperamental.