Chapter Two: The Auran.

It was about bloody time! The men had begun to get restless and fidgety at this standstill, stall thing. So were the horses for that matter. Kath himself had to personally look each man in the eye, an emotionless nod for them to remain where they were, consequences for any man to walk their horse out. It wasn't a matter of fear for them, but they knew authority and Kath was one with a voice for it. And they knew respect and their captain had been there to help them when times became overwhelming in the battle. He left no man behind. It seemed that Veldrin however was easily distracted when the wait grew long. The sandy haired man almost wanted to chuckle at such a lapse in discipline only to scold practicing soldiers. It was Soraya's word that mattered. By her words would men lay down their lives to further this war for justice. So he waited and he made sure that his men stayed steady.

Kath was bemused as Soraya turned down the information that was readily available for coin from the elven twins. Their information was most often reliable and quite detailed by all reports, but even an army such at theirs with noble premises behind it needed coin for expenses, for food.

At her start, the captain plied pressure to the ribs of his bay gelding, prodding the creature forward gently, signaling his men with a soft whistle, two short bursts followed by one that trailed off. Kath rode behind his commander, her dark hair waving in the wind kicked up by her steed in a near hypnotic fashion. Veldrin rode beside her and Kath could hear her words to him. She was honorable and steadfast and the surprising part for Kath was that Veldrin too seemed to share these beliefs. He would have spoken, but felt that he was already doing too much. Eavesdropping on a secret conversation perhaps. He could not do more.

"Men, forward! Form up!" Kath called to his men, signaling with his left hand even as he called to them quietly, knowing that the enemy could still be lying in wait. Two soldiers went to either side, flanking the main party. The other three rode rear guard behind Kath who himself stayed behind Soraya and Veldrin. A soft breeze shook the branches above and caused him to shiver though he prayed that it not be a bad omen as some breezes tend to be.

On a patch of thick grass and dirt lay five grey hair rabbits. For an instant the sky turns red. One would miss it by blinking. On that same patch of ground the land is scorched and the air smells of burnt meat. A man who did not exist here, forces himself to stand up. His legs ache. His skin burnt and bruised. The ringing in his ears wont go away. He feels tired and sick. His left hand is broken. So is his right collar bone. His face is cut deep right above his left eye. The blood dripping down makes it hard to see. He stretches has he stands. This dark hair man stands about 5’9”. Wearing a black pair of pants with some holes in them. No boots or even a shirt to cover his back. Not even his favorite blades he came to treasure. Under the blood his hazel eyes try to scan the area around him. No one appears in sight. It hurts him to do so but he takes a deep breath of the cool air. He thinks to himself…

*I could really use a shave*

Soraya smiled at the man, she certainly did not doubt that one day she would prove to her uncle that her army would be one of the most successful of the Sudao legions, she as their leader. She knew she could lead them to victory, despite her unconventional manner as a Lieutenant General, and though she was not always sure if she took the right actions, she was positive things would work out; she had good men, skilled, hard working and trustworthy. That was all she needed.

She did not yet know much of Veldrin, but she had a feeling he was one of those men, including Kath and his comrades now riding behind them. She prayed to the gods that he would not prove her wrong.

Her horse skidded to a halt and turned as Soraya pulled on the reins upon arriving at the shadows of the grove. She spoke loud enough for her men to hear. “Through these shadows we return to Azrian. My goal is to learn of whom stands now as their leader and of any changes since the battle…” she paused. “I also want to locate the caller of Abaddon, the one who cost us our victory of the battle…” Soraya cared to know more of this stranger. She would want to keep an eye on his whereabouts, better to be prepared for a future battle with the knowledge that he might be present between the enemy, and avoid another disgraceful loss. “Their shadows would be watched by their own dark alliances, go carefully! We will meet at the blue stone within an hour.” The blue stone being a familiar landmark at the borders of Azrian. And with that, the men entered the shadows, and were gone, only to set foot on Azrian grounds seconds later.
((Notice - we are going back to Azrian! not Ahila, where the main RPG board is taking place - just in case))

Vasquiri pocketed most of the change, smirking at his brother.

It would seem that our services are no longer needed here Brother.

Olorafien's mouth curled into a wicked smile, That seems to be so.

Vasquiri held out one of the tiny silver coins, and handed another to his kin. They both placed them ceremoniously beneath their tongues.

I'm sure this is enough to pay our way through the underworld.

And back again Brother.

The snow on the ground swirled as two sets of wings took to the air, accompanied by high , piercing screeches.

They rode onward towards the location, ground zero of the battle that had so recently obliterated kin and ally alike. The snow that had fallen was stained with the blood of those brutally slaughtered by the demonic creature of the nether realms, summoned by one whose magic ran as deeply black as most in their own army. Kath himself began to muse at how a person such as this would release the creature against his own kind in aid of those who were most certainly villians in their own rights, trying to abolish the magics which ran parallel to their own. Kath held tight the reins of the bay, guiding him steadily over the slippery terrain.

His men were silent, grim. The blood scent had not left this playing field even with more snow falling from the heavens above. It was a gray day to begin with, but perhaps vengeance would give them something to smile about once again. Soraya spoke of her plan quickly and quietly. They would watch from the shadows, gathering information with which to fight the allied forced of the Yeidin. Battles were only so much towards the physical which is why Kath liked for his people to be silent and quick, to dart in and out, spies and assasins the lot of them.

"As you wish, Lady Soraya. We will find out what we can though who knows how far the enemy has begun to move this long after the battle." Kath reined up beside Soraya, his bay pawing the ground as the breath poured like smoke out of his nostrils in the cold air. With a hand gesture, he called in the flanks and drew near the rear. It was time to send them out.

"Cordeau, you pick one man to accompany you. Henrick, you as well. Pair yourselves out, last group rides triple. Stick to the shadows like wolves on the hunt. We need to gather intelligence. The dark summoner, locate information about this person especially. Who is their leader now? Where is their next regrouping location? Who are their commanders? We shall find this out for our commander. Go! Meet at Blue stone in the hour. The shadows hide thee all."

They moved out like wraiths across the snow, shadows from the trees playing across their painted horses, splotched gray and black. They, Kath was sure, were the finest troupe any captain could ask for. Their discipline was rigid and their loyalty always unquestioned. He only hoped that they would remain safe even in his certainty that they were the most noteworthy soldiers around. A Captain must always boast of his men.

"My Lady Soraya, I can either go on my own route or stay with you if you so choose. I would only aide you and protect you if need be. You are too valuable to be lost in a spying mission such as this." He knew that Veldrin would possibly also choose to stay with their commander, but Kath had decided to offer his services personally. The niece of Lorven would be a great prize for the Yiedin. Lorven would probably not desire to randsom her in any case, too great was his drive for victory against the fiends which assailed his people.

On the ridge around the place where they stood, in a place more of grass than snow, Kath saw a flash of red light before all turned normal again. He wondered at the cause of such a thing. If it be the dark summoner or another force. Or even perhaps it was his own imagination. "Commander, did you see that light or did my eyes deceive me?"

Penthar

The General turned from speaking to the elemental to respond to the half-breed. "Lieutenant, carry on" he said flatly with a nod, veiling his own contempt for the mummified soldier. His training of the troops was sufficient, and he was capable of following orders, so his attitude towards his leader would be overlooked-at least, until his usefulness runs out. He returned to the elemental before him and thought for a moment before speaking.
" Very well, we are in a war to overthrow the oppression of the Lumerians against our kind. They wish to suppress our freedoms as Umbrians. If this is your cause as well, go, and see the cambion Lieutenant. He will assign you a place in the army, and will evaluate and train you. Agreed?"

Quietly now, Veldrin entered the unorthodox shade portal that tied one area to the next. The brief seconds between reality was a cool refresher for the cambion’s exposed face. Darkness and an unsettling presence of elsewhere, of another world, made Veldrin’s demonic side feel more at home. Perhaps one day, the man would be able to be at one with his dual bloodline; he would be rid of this wretched disease that ailed him.

When he and his horse set foot upon the battlefield, the mount gave an unpleasant snort, as if this wasn’t the place she was expecting. Veldrin muttered a comforting word to the creature before looking around himself, keeping pace behind the others. Veldrin watched as Kath ordered his own men to split and explore, and then offer his services to Soraya. If the man wanted to play bodyguard, then so be it. The cambion had his own things to deal with now that they were on the old battlefield. He hadn’t been here, when the fighting had commenced. Unfortunately, the lieutenant was away on another call, dealing with troops far isolated in Sudao territory across the continent. Many didn’t know this, and were already spreading rumors about him being a deserter, or worse. Veldrin had made promises to himself to deal with those…rumors…later.

Setting aside the notion of hardly knowing exactly where they were, Veldrin focused on another thing. The voices. All around him were the voices. They carried with the wintry breeze, penetrating Veldrin’s covered ears. They whispered, shouted, and screeched and roared. Veldrin could feel his rotting skin scrawl, stretch, as if his fell blood struggled to become one with the unseen speakers. He caught sight of the red light as well, and then added, ”I saw it too. But I also…hear. Hell still has a presence in these lands, Soraya. They are enraged, having lost a chance to be released into the world. I can hear them all. They await freedom.”

Sometimes Veldrin cursed his inborn ties to the hellish realm. It was one of many things about him that caused mortal men to shun Veldrin from their societies, cultivating his hatred for them, and for himself. But in this case, the cambion was glad for it. He knew that these demonic voices held an important message of some sort, but he had yet to decipher it. They were like beasts crashing their heads against an unseen window, struggling to break through, to poison a new world. Sensing the presence of their own kin, they assaulted the cambion with their words. ”They can taste the battle. They know there is war in the mortal world, now.” His voice gentle and melodic, Veldrin regarded the infernal presence calmly, as if he dealt with their badgering each day.

“Fear not for me, Kath, I can take care of myself… but you can keep old General Hivaro safe!” She kidded, ignoring the General’s raspy protest. “Stop playing, child. We are on enemy territory now.” Hivaro warned, using the term ‘child’ only on rare occasions, specifically when his patience grew dangerously thin with her. Soraya jumped at the red flash in the distance, for a second believing that they had been discovered, but her racing heart slowed when she realized it was not of the enemy’s magic.

Veldrin spoke, and a line formed between her brows as she looked at him for a moment, his words making her feel uneasy; ‘opening up the gates of hell’ was a discussion she had before with her uncle and the elders… of course, that was how the Lumerian’s spoke of it. The Umbrovians instead preferred saying “Free our kind”… Soraya had her hesitancies about this goal; were they truly meant to tip The Balance and release that of which never had roamed the earth before? ‘..and how do you know, child, that they never did?’ Lorven would ask her coldly, ‘How is it then that it is not that the Lumerians haven’t already altered our delicate balance, making this world lean into the light more so than into the dark? Is it not true that a shadow exists everywhere, even where there is light?’

This indeed was true. Even in the brightest, lit room, you could not avoid the formation of a shadow in the tiniest nook, bound to be there somewhere… while it was possible to completely snuff out the light. With this fact, how could one deny that perhaps this world was primarily a realm of darkness that the Lumerians had destroyed in a time long forgotten?

Soraya pushed these nagging thoughts from her mind to concentrate at the task at hand, slowly tearing her eyes away from Veldrin. “Er….. ye.. Katharysis and Veldrin… go have a look and see what that light may be… I’m off to see for myself the on-goings here. We will meet at the rock.” And with that, she and Hivaro drifted into the shadows and was gone.

They had all seen it, that flash of red light, ominous and foreboding as any. It was only emphasized more by Veldrin's obscure statements of Hell and its presence. Potential allies, certainly, if whatever it was understood the war going on around them. Then she had dismissed him. It seemed so offhand. First she'd go alone and then she'd go with Hivaro. Best someone than no one, he supposed. If Hivaro failed to protect her from enemy hands then it was his neck... if he survived and then it was everyone else seen riding with her that day.

"As you wish, ma'am. I will go with Veldrin and together we will seek out the source of that light. May the shadows hide thee."

The man watched as they sunk into thicker shadows and disappeared out of sight, leaving Veldrin and himself together. The cambion was deep in some sort of trance, or so it appeared to Kath. Strange man, he thought to himself. He unnerves me and yet... I feel some sympathy for his appearance. By all reports, he is an efficient ally.

"Well, Lieutenant, shall we go?" Kath had already turned his bay and started him off in that direction, the horse whickering softly.

----------------------------------

Kath's Men

The three separate parties flew off like the wind, their steeds kept to the shadows, blending in with the snow and the shade. Broken bodies lay strewn about like cast off dolls, eyes open to the sky, blood crusted to their lips caught in silent prayer to the gods that they thought they'd see after leaving this world or in silent curses, promises of revenge upon those who had sent them to their demises.

Cordeau signaled Seven to swing around the perimeter of the battlezone with him. Henrick and and Castor moved the opposite while the remaining three, Felix, Grevor, and Penny, moved down into the area. It was obvious that not so many remained now. The dead, the dying, the deserters. Felix, wearing no indication of allegiance, picked up an alliance armband and moved in to speak with the remaining survivors in camp, making excuses, believable at that as to why he had not rode in before now. These were the stragglers, men and women who were leaving the alliance because of the last battle, their terror motivating them to flee. There were even names whispered among the survivors of the leaders of the current band.

The spies around the perimeter saw the mass wave of footprints leading away from the battlefield. They were leaving to find new ground of which to occupy and hold and regroup. This did not bode well for their army. They would have to break into a new stronghold wherever these tracks may lead. If only someone could infiltrate and leave hints, like breadcrumbs along the way and perhaps a secret way in... Cordeau rubbed the rough hair on his chin, prickly stubble. Yes... yes, this would be the way they went. Why should the mighty Sudao be forced to be the wolf, chasing its prey endlessly across these battlefields of offerings left for carrion feeders?

The man walked slowly across the land.

*Sniff Sniff*

The land reeked of blood. A battle must have taken place here.

*Battle. How much more do I have to endure* He thought.

He keeps walking along. Only pausing to cough up a lung. Blood spatters across the ground with each cough.

*That’s not good*

His insides feel on fire. He would know.

*I need to find someone or something soon*

The man screams.

“Óðinn!”

Veldrin seemed to sway on his mount for a few heartfelt seconds, as if the sources of those voices were proceeding to pull him down with him. When he heard the steady voice of Kath, and the distant trotting of horse hooves leaving him, the man straightened and looked towards the captain. His eyes were narrow and attentive, and he nodded curtly. ”Let’s go, then.” At that, the cambion dismounted, taking great care not to land on the ground with a thud. Veldrin reached for the scimitar wrapped in cloth atop the horse’s saddle, and strapped the weapon to his belt. He carefully walked towards the area where the light had been, gripping the hilt of his blade with alert fingers.

At the sound of that foreign shout, Veldrin swiftly drew the scimitar out from his belt. He held the blade low, its form unmoving and as steady as the head of a readying viper. Veldrin turned towards Kath, his face grimly unyielding as he took a few steps closer to the area in question. It was then that he saw the form of a man hobbling out into view. Blood dripped and the stench of suffering hit Veldrin’s nose. On the surface, this stranger didn’t quite look like any sort of threat, but the cambion wouldn’t take any chances. Pointing his blade towards the stranger, Veldrin spoke, “Your name, stranger. Or we’ll allow you to join the rest on the battlefield.”

Kath heard the shout. The strange language harsh to his ears. It was straight ahead. Veldrin, off his horse, unsheathed his scimitar and approached. Kath dismounted, unsheathing his two blades, the smallsword and the dagger, bidding his horse to stay where it was. His feet crunched in the snow where he moved and he heard the approach of another figure.

It was a man and from whence he had come was nothing but a mound of scorched earth. The iron tang of blood and burnt wood... bodies perhaps...? It was overwhelming. Kath had to maintain control on his gag reflex even as Veldrin issued his challenge to the strange man. The man looked a bloody mess too and there was no way that he would be able to stand much longer with those spasmy coughs which wracked their way up his body, muscular though it may be.

"He needs a physician..." Kath said softly, perhaps only to himself, though his sympathy could only go so far as this man was neither declared foe nor friend. "What side do you declare, stranger? Do you fight for or against the Lumerians?" Kath spit off the word 'Lumerians' with a bitter fire though it was not his intention. He held his blades across his abdomen to protect it from whatever this poor, bloody man may decide to dish out, but he would not press past Veldrin's position for the possibility of two versus one made them stronger in case this was only a diversion tactic laid out by the enemy.

*I’m being address by someone, no someone’s. What language are they speaking? Or is that just the ringing in my ears? I can’t make them out. My vision too fuzzy yet. Are they pointing blades at me?*

The man grins.

*Are those horses? I wonder if they would miss one? I wonder if they would be missed? NO. Don’t think that. They could have friends near by. They could be brothers.*

He speaks under his breath. “Brødre”

His eyes widen and a look of terror strikes his face.

“Brødre!!!!”

He turns from the strangers looking all around him. As if expecting people to attack him from all sides. He can barley lift his right arm but he reaches out to no one. “Brødre” He turns back to the strangers. In a stern voice he speaks.

“Hvem er du folk? Hvor på midgard er vi? Gjør du vet av snøene stammene fra nord? Tale!”

The man falls to the ground unconscious. His strength spent yet he is still breathing.

Veldrin stood there quietly as the lurching man struggled for some semblance of bodily control. A sort of muffled language emitted from his lips, and he couldn’t tell whether any of this was his name or just rambling. When the man collapsed at last, the cambion slowly looked towards Kath, returning his scimitar to his belt. ”He’s in no condition to fight us, regardless if he’s friend or enemy. We’ll take him back to camp, and get him to a medic. If he’s a friend—lucky for him. If he’s an enemy…well, we’ll just torture whatever we can out of him.” The half-demon looked like he was smiling as he returned to his horse, keeping his trademark limp in check.

((whoops!!! hahaha how silly of me))


Lyavitt nodded to the man's request. He told her to consult the Cambion lieutenant for her role in the war. She's heard of cambions, half-breeds, they were obviously less powerful than a demon, but their appearance is much more horrid. She looked around the camp, apparently he wasn't there. What she did know about the cambion at camp was his strong rotting odor, it was faint now, but there were still traces that headed to the forest.

She growled to herself, prideful surface-dwellers. She was already offering her aid as a being from hell and they just pass her around like a ball. She walked towards the forest then broke into a run. She remembered the cambion being on a horse, if she wanted to catch up, she had to move quick.

As she ran, her temper began to rise. They were making a fool out of her, they were passing her around like some object. Prideful. These thoughts surged through her mind, as the path behind her started to light up in flames. Foolish. Bastards. What will her sisters say when they have learnt that she has allowed herself to serve underneath surface-dwellers or rather chasing a cambion? She didn't know why she was doing this anymore, the rage had taken over her.

"CAMBION!!!" She screamed while she ran. Flames sprouted from her empty eye-socket as she gritted her teeth. The Sati are known in hell to be very temperamental creatures, and Lyavitt was never an exception; she was angry... she didn't care if she was about to make a very stupid move.

From far away, a group of soldiers saw a pillar of fire rising into the sky.

Kath had the greatest urge to poke the fallen man with a stick to see if he'd move. Sure, what Veldrin was saying made a lot of sense. Take man back to camp for medical attention. Torture though...? The man didn't even appear to speak in any language known upon the face of Galdrenan.

The Captain sheathed his weapons, their cool hiss into the sheath sounding marvelous in his ears. Ahh, clean blades! "Yes, we should definitely do that. Your horse is probably the most sturdy for bearing whomever this is."

Of course, Kath's playful nature called to him once again and he could not but help himself. He poked the fallen man gently with a stick. It was just strange that he could be shouting up to heaven with such fury and then fall down. Sure he was bloodied, but they hadn't even done anything to him. He almost expected him to pop back up again, yelling some sort of oath in his strange ungainly language. He tossed his stick away, seeing no movement, and looked back towards Veldrin with a half smile. "I had to be sure, you know?"

As he returned to the fallen man while pulling his horse along, Veldrin glanced briefly at Kath and shrugged. ”If he’s not on our side we’ll be doing more than just poking him with sticks.” At that, the cambion knelt down beside the man and gauged his own weight and strength against the other’s. Shrugging, the man stood back up and turned to his horse. He nudged at her hind legs, speaking brief commands to the animal until she lowered herself to be more accessible. Veldrin returned to the body and lifted it, almost effortlessly, and propped it upon the saddle like a large bag of some sort. Despite his condition, the lieutenant did have stores of strength within him, possibly remnants of whatever demonic powers he kept inside.

Stepping towards a large shadow with his steed, Veldrin turned to the captain. ”Hopefully I’ll be returning here briefly. In the meantime, see if you can join up with the others. I’ll find you again.” At that, the cambion blinked out of existence, swallowed up by the dark shadows that his kind called home. When the demon arrived back at the edges of the campsite, he wasn’t prepared for what he saw. That pillar of flame over there didn’t look fitting for a hidden army site. Pulling the horse and body along, Veldrin approached what looked like that Sati female he had seen before.

”Hold fast, stranger! What’s so important that you felt need to call me like this? You could have the whole damn forest burnt down!” Even with the thundering roar of flames, Veldrin’s voice was still loud, authoritative. He stared at the stranger woman, knowing she was a creature of hell herself. He dealt with volatile tempers like hers before, but was unwilling to see how far she could go. Not here at least.

Kath smiled softly with a sigh as Veldrin popped out of the immediate vicinity. He wasn't really that bad of a fellow. Just creepy most of the time. The wind was picking up, brisk and chilling. It carried the stench of the place he stood away, the burning, rotting flest, smoldering remains of the brown grass beneath the melted snow. Whatever that man had been or was, was probably just trouble. Kath himself was glad to get rid of him.

He went back to his horse who had wandered a little bit, nosing through the snow to find some half decent grass beneath it. He didn't blame the old chum for his hunger. Even Kath had a bit of a case for the munchies. There was still plenty time left for the hour of searching as Veldrin and himself hadn't had to go very far to find the burned, bloody man with his strange yellings. Perhaps he had been crazy. It would have been easy to see that. Nonsensical babblings always did seem to be the mark of the mad.

He mounted onto his horse and turned it more southern to see about rejoining the others before meeting up at Blue Stone. He was not quite ready to finish this venture and, though alone for once in a long time, he felt strangely free instead of unprotected. The bay gelding trotted away, the captain sighing like an idle dreamer while still on the look out for what danger the world may hold. Vengeance seemed far from him today. Perhaps he had satiated that craving in the battle four days ago. It seemed like forever away again even after the horrible events, but... For a moment he was a simple boy again, free and playful. That is, until he saw the remnants of blood in the snow. It tore his senses again, reminding him as to what had happened here. He was around the battlefield again. Carrion crows still flocked about savoring delicacies of their choosings, the jelly from squishy eyes, staring up into the emotionless sky, spilled intestines. It was hard to see again though he knew that it would continue until this war was solved, equality or subjection established.

"We are not evil! We didn't want this!" he cried out softly to no one. He was not one to revel in bloodshed. He, a simple musician, perhaps. What would I have been if not for this with my family's name run into dust because of this stupid prejudice?! Kath wiped at the moisture beginning to rim his eyes and squeezed his horse's sides to make it gallop.

The thundering hooves drown out the sorrow and the wind wiped away his tears, stealing the moisture. They were not evil. Their course was just. And Kath would see it turned right.

Cordeau looked up and signaled to his partner. The Captain was approaching at fast speed. The second-in-command saluted silently and Kath fell into pace with him in the shadows.

"What have you found out?" Kath asked him.

"Our enemies be running. That's fer sure. Per'aps they didna mean fer the monster to et up everything. Ah, the bloody cowards. They headed ou' about that away." Cordeau replied with a point of his hand.

"And the main party?"

"Safe an' sound. See 'em?" Kath nodded at the response, seeing youthful Felix. He was a good information gatherer already. They should be heading back to their rally point soon.

((Soraya))
Pulling the cloak closer about her and staying to the shadows, no one had noticed as Soraya moved alongside a busy street following a group of officers and a captain, local people going to and fro laden with supplies… to them she looked like another allied Umbrovian. Hivaro, on the other hand had no cloak to hide away his military colors that would instantly warn the local people that a Sudao was now standing on their turf, right under their noses. So he remained hidden in the shadows, while Soraya ventured closer to the activities, listening to their conversation. She had gathered that another great battle was taking place further up in the north… and that their leader remained the same; Vasilios Chatillon of Eslin, who now too was on his way to join the battle with his men. There was no sign, however, of the Surdan, perhaps he had gone with the Eslinian General… but then again she had been there for such a short time, she was not expecting to just walk right into him if he was still there…

She sensed the rise of panic, turning, she could see five young serfs running towards the officers, in their hands were shovels, and they were covered in grime, judging from the direction from where they came Soraya understood that these men were burying their dead, and cleaning the battle field. Breathless, they shakily spoke to the captain, whose expression now turned serious and dark. Soraya could hear only a few words, but what she heard was enough to make her turn away and retreat.
“Aye, sir! Jeamar is sure of it! He even seen one of ‘em on the field…” The shortest boy nodded his head, one being Jeamar. “Yah… they’re Sudao for sure… One of them was screamin’! Somethin’ about murderin’ us all!”

They had been found. Soraya and Hivaro carefully moved through the shadows, managing to avoid detection by the dark mages who would be scanning the darkness for signs, and moments later they stepped out into the woods, quite a far distance from town, yet shorter from the Blue Stone. She turned slightly to the shadow, concentrating, as through it she would send a message to her men; they were to leave immediately. The Umbri within bowed, and hurried to deliver her words.

((Penthar))
Penthar had decided to watch the training sessions of the footsoldiers, particularly close-quarter combat. He was not certain the troops were being sufficiently trained, and his hunch was correct. As he watched one group, the trainer, a particularly pompous and aristocratic officer, was talking down to the men, raving on them their technique was incorrect. Penthar moved silently in behing him and folded his arms, snorting just as he was finishing a sentence.
"No, no, like this! Now again...what the.." the officer turned to see the General standing behind him." SIr! My apologies, I did not know you were there" he said quickly, snapping to attention. His training group quickly followed suit, all standing straight and stoic, awaiting their leader's orders.
Penthar refrained from sneering at the arrogant fool. He was teaching the move all wrong. He looked over the training group, a mixture of Umbrian men and women. He needed each and every capable body for the battles ahead, and by the shadows, he would not let this fool make a fatal mistake with them now.
" Tell me, lieutenant, is it? Just where did you learn that technique?" he said flatly, one eyebrow arched as he stared straight into the officer's eyes.
The officer did not like his tone. He was from a powerful family, and general's rank or no, he would not let this man talk down to HIM in front of his trainees.
"Sir, I was trained. as all my family, by the best swordsmen in the land. I see not why my talent and knowledge should not be passed on to our troops in the hopes of making their success greater in the coming battles " he said with a hint of disdain, not breaking his gaze with his superior officer.
Penthar sneered at this point. It was exactly what he predicted this fool would say and do, and what he had hoped for. Seems a lesson in humility was in order.
"It would seem you were taught by the best, but you did not learn from them. Your technique is all wrong. A skilled swordsman will counter it all too easily, and your bones will be picked clean by the beasts, and not our enemy`s bones." he said, still leaving his arms folded, and anticipating the fool's response.
" I see. I know not of your family, dear general, but mine is one you would not want to mess with" he said softly, so only the two of them could hear."So, I recommend you drop this little act and head back to your tent to scheme away another battle plan."
Penther smiled. It was and eerie, dark smile that only says that something wicked was about to happen. "I see" he said flatly. "Alright, let us see if you are correct in the technique then." Penthar turned to the trainees."Troops, form a circle. I want you to observe and retain this valuable lesson. The lieutenant and I are going to go over the fighting maneuver he was teaching to you. We believe a demonstration of it is in order" he said out loud as the trainees broke ranks and formed the circle around the two of them.
"Lieutenant, after you..." Penthar said, beckoning him into the circle as he removed his cloak....

They had heard whispers of someone called Baran though the name did not ring a bell with Kath. Perhaps Soraya would know more. Carefully they retreated, regrouped, and headed onwards through shadow towards the elected meeting place. The Blue Stone. There was no one there yet so Kath and his men reined up and settled down for a short time.

Kath smiled, patting Cordeau and Henrick on the backs and ruffling up Felix's dark hair, making the boy smile. "Men, you all did well. No casualties and no detection! We should all be off of jacks duty for a while if we keep up this sort of record, eh?" They all chuckled softly.

Cordeau winked at Kath for a moment. "Captain, give us a song, will ya?" Kath was well pleased to oblige. He whistled softly recalling songs of his youth, a jovial tune fit for dancing by a campfire. So he whistled and they waited.

Lyavitt made contact with the bloodshot eyes of the cambion. She was startled, she sensed that he was far away before... he must be able to travel like a demon. She raised a finger at him, "The people around here aren't that hospitable" she hissed. "Hell will have to return the favor."

She breathed in deeply, keeping a close eye on the half-demon, she let the flames die down as fear started to well up in her. Something bothered her about this being, she couldn't place a finger on it, but the anger inside of her was quickly turning into fear. A mix of emotions were messing up her thoughts, she was frightened and furious at her fear now. She wasn't supposed to be afraid of a half-demon. Sati should be above half-demons...

"The man with the dog at the camp told me to talk to you, cambion." she said with a faint quiver in her voice. "I want to aid you in this war."

"I swear!" She addded "if you pass me around, I will..." she held up her hand in front of her and created a massive fireball. She lifted it and threw it across the clearing. They both heard a massive explosion. "I hope that you, half-demon, would understand."

The broken man lay still on the horse that was carrying him. He opened his eyes to see that he was standing in front of the black gates of the underworld.

“Ingen!” He covered his mouth quickly.

*Did she hear me?*

He could hear nothing from anywhere. He stood still. He could barely keep his thoughts together.

*Two seconds out and I’ve already died and been sent back to her*

Instantly he thought he was going to throw up. Even going to his knees just in case.

*What is that smell? I can almost taste it. So sour. Just like my aunts cooking*

He spit a few times on the ground. Relief came over him. He felt warm now.
Whispers came from the darkness. He could hear words but he knew not what they meant.

*I can’t stay here. I will not stay here.*

“Jeg kan ikke bli her. Jeg vil ikke bli her.”

He blinks while hearing an explosion. He is staring at the ground from a top of a horse. Out of the corner of his eye he can see he his riding with a bandaged man. Up a little further an orange figure.

*Is that man on fire? Why is he not screaming in pain?*

Pain. The man remembers his own pain.

*I can’t die. Not now. I won’t go back.*

Just using is eyes the man scans the area. He’s in some sort of camp ground. Doesn’t look to be anyone around. Lifting his head some he sees some animals thirty feet off, tied to a pole in the ground.

*Someone’s diner no doubt. I wonder if he miss them?*

The man felt jolted as he rolled himself off the horse landing on his knees and hands. In seconds he was dashing towards his prey.

”Hospitable?” Something welled up inside Veldrin at that world. It wasn’t anger, nor was it confusion, hatred, or any other sort of debilitating emotion. It was something that could only be seen in the amused glitter of Veldrin’s bloody eyes, and in the slight tremor of a laugh that shook his bandaged chest. ”My friend, if it’s hospitable, you want, then you’ve come to the wrong world.” His eyes narrowed then as he approached the stranger, keeping his arms to his sides so the female could see that he bore no threat at the moment. ”This place isn’t run by us. It’s run by another kind. And I can guarantee you that they will do more than just…’pass you around’…Trust me. The Lumerians, and regrettably some of the fool Umbrovians, see creatures like you as a scourge on this land—a darkness that threatens to consume their precious light and serenity. Imagine what they think of me—half human, and half you. I am…what they despise, and what they seek to prevent. That fabled unity between light and dark that can swing Galdrenan into chaos and some such…nonsense. Now, I’ve been used for my bloodline, I’ve been…passed around more times than I care to admit. I’ve been hated, shunned, and betrayed. Since I was a child. But you don’t see me tossing around fireballs to prove my displeasure, do you?”

A swift rustling sounded behind Veldrin, and he turned right when the stranger had slip off of the horse. A lifted brow hinted at the cambion’s quiet regard as he watched the burnt man rush towards housed livestock. ”Be sure he doesn’t slaughter the whole heard!” Veldrin ordered, looking to a group of soldiers guarding the precious food source. ”If he tries, kill him.” Veldrin knew that the man probably needed sustenance more than any petty healing skill, and so he didn’t mind if the man got to one of the goats. He watched as the soldiers pulled out their bows and readied arrows, just in case, and then returned his eyes to the Sati.

”You are a lady of fire, of great power. It’s regrettable that our…general Penthar seems to see you as just another tool in whatever-the-hell sort of power trip he is riding on. I will be sure to not make that mistake, my lady. I am...Lieutenant Veldrin, but just Veldrin is fins as well. Lieutenant, is but a title that holds more burden to me here, than power." He looked towards the fight circle that Penthar had formed with another lieutenant. "Perhaps in the near future, I will be able to provide more of my truths, but not now. The infighting in this damnable camp makes me want to sew my own mouth shut. Now follow me—you shall aid me at my side until we find a suitable position for your abilities. I have found that this sort of…mentorship is the best way for worthy newcomers to find their place. I hope that does not sound too…patronizing?”

At this the cambion made his way towards the fence, bypassing the row of soldiers with the nocked arrows and watching the stranger with renewed interest. ”I don’t suppose you’ve seen this man in your part of hell before?” He turned to the Sati quietly, his eyes hinting at intrigue.

((Penthar))
((Hope the finish is to your liking *grabs some popcorn as well* ))

The lieutenant smiled, bowing to his "superior" officer as he drew his sword. He carefully watched the other return the bow in kind, and drew both of his swords, carefully sticking one to the ground just on the edge of the circle.He was going to enjoy humiliating the older man.
"Well, general, shall we give the trainees a proper lesson?" he said, just before charging the man.
Penthar maintained his grin, and watched the fool make the same techinical mistake. Instead of the other being able to throw off his block, Penthar flung the lieutenant's sword from it's intended mark, and turning quickly, planted an elbow hard onto the square his back, knocking him to the ground.
" As you can see, if the move is made incorrectly, you will be at the mercy of your enemy" Penthar said flatly to the trainees as he awaited his opponent to get up. "It he had kept it true, it would be me on the ground, not him, and the victory would have been his." finished,e glancing over as the training officer got up.
The now angry lieutenant stared at the General, his silver eyes showing his well kindled anger for the humiliation. He wanted nothing more than to spill blood. He charged as the older man said "Again" and beckoned him.
The swordplay was a bit longer, and Penthar still held the evil grin on his face. After several parries and block, he again dropped the Lieutenant when he attempted the move, this time bringing a knee into his gut and smashing him in between the shoulder blades with the hilt of his sword. The man dropped, heaving and cursing as he caught his breath. Penthar gave him some distance as he spoke to the trainees once again.
"I want you all to pay strict attention. I will perform the move against my opponent. Watch particularly the grip on the hilt of my sword, and the entire form of my arm" he looked at the now standing fool on the other side, and said with a wink " Go when you are ready, boy."
The lieutenant was livid, He charged, cursing the general and proclaiming Penthar's soon to be demise. They both were a near blur as swords swung and contacted with the all familiar metallic clang, reverberating throughout the camp..
Penthar cautiously waited for the right time, and as he performed the move, the troops gasped as he threw his attacker off balance, turned and with a single twist, drew his dagger and planted it into the man's side.
Penthar went nose to nose with the shocked and gasping lieutenant, still grinning as he said softly " I bet you wished you had paid closer attention to your instructors, boy" before pulling the knife out and kicking him to the ground. He motioned for two guards to pick him up. "Take him to the healer, his wound is painful, but not life threatening-yet" he said as he wiped his knife before putting it back in it's sheath near his right side.
He turned as and talked to the trainees, ignoring the guards as they carried off the beaten man who was still gasping and holding his side in shock and disbelief. "That fool would have you die for the sake of his own vanity. I however, need you to live, and not for vanity's sake. Trained properly, you will not only survive, but will be victorious against those that wish to oppress our people, and our way of life. Now, practice the move properly, and you will defeat the alliance armies when next you meet them. Resume to your sparring, I will watch, and help you correct the previous fool's improper training."
Penthar recovered his sword, and watched the trainees carefully as they began to correct the flawed move . He nodded his approval as they began to flow in their technique, the ballet of death becoming more graceful with every turn....