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"You ask why do I not talk much?"_______←«_____ ←«____ ←«___ ←«__ ←«
_____"...Because there is nothing to say."

Rath departed from the meeting room alongside Isadora, with lingering aggravation directed at Nino. Concerned or not, she should have known better than to speak like that. She had her duty... he had his.

He did not accompany Isadora to the stables and instead took a detour to his room. He opened the door to find Susan, who appeared to have just awoken. Rath left while she was still asleep after a soldier informed him about the meeting and inquired if he would attend. He shut the door calmly behind him and began to retrieve his belongings, such as his Talwar and other essentials. "Susan..." he greeted, as he moved about. "I am leaving for Adliana as soon as I am ready." He paused his packing and faced her. "...I would like it very much if you were to accompany me. But we haven't much time..."

O Father Sky, Mother Earth...
I pray that you give me strength.

The morning of this day felt so far away from the terrible things Learania had faced just the night before. All of it seemed as if it happened months, even years ago! But, when Sue awoke, rubbing the last bits of sleep from her eyes, she saw it was very evident that things had just happened yesterday. Although he looked much more like himself, her father's condition was surely not a hundred percent.

But he spoke of going to Adliana. If that was his decision, no one would shake him from it, and Sue knew that. So, instead of protesting, instead of trying to hold him back, the young woman nodded. "I'll be more than happy to ride beside you, father. If it's anyone Cheiftain Songhua will lend his ear to... it is the both of us." She said the words with a smile. Just the thought of seeing the warm, kind-hearted nomad, even in these troubled times brought Sue nothing but happiness.

No hesitation was needed much after that. Just as soon as possible, Sue was having her things packed, including Miugre, which she had to leave behind when she was unceremoniously removed from the castle. It was a shame to leave so fast though, as Sue would end up not having much of a chance to give her regards to her fellow guild members. Still, a duty was a duty, before all else. When all was said and done and ready to go, she only spoke a few words. "Let's go." she said, with a small smile remaining.

<=|Nomad Trooper|==0

"You ask why do I not talk much?"_______←«_____ ←«____ ←«___ ←«__ ←«
_____"...Because there is nothing to say."

Rath was glad his daughter agreed to go with him. He didn't ask her to come because he wanted company or because he believed he could not travel alone. He asked her to come because it would be best for her. The girl's father released a subtle grin. "Right."

Once they were both fully prepared, they headed down to the stables. It seemed that Isadora had left already. Her journey would be even longer. The two nomads prepared their horses and latched their belongings. They knew how to pack lightly and live off of the land. Very little food was being taken, and only two canteen's worth of water- one for each of them. They could refill when needed as they rode. Rath mounted his horse and trotted over to Sue. "This is known to be a four day ride. I plan to make it there in three. Keep up with me- I will not slow down for you. But we are headed for the Elder's encampment, which you have been to, so if we are separated, you know where to go."

His mouth clicked and Rath led his horse back around. He looked up at the castle and wondered if Nino was watching him. He waited for her to return for so long... and she never did, until Fefga brought her back. When Rath finally saw her again, all he could feel was disdain. "We ride, Susan. ...Do not fall behind. Yah!" As the reins were flicked the two nomads took off through the city. They headed for the northern gate, and eventually left Eyris, on their way to the plains.

Roy had not gone far before someone called out to him in a tentative voice.

"Excuse me?"

"Hm?" the young lord turned to look at who called him.

It was a girl with long green hair, an interesting circlet and a purple flowing dress that reminded him of a dancer outfit, but didn't have the same feel to it. He ran through his memory, trying to recall if he met someone like her before, but nay. Nothing was coming up. He hadn't met this person before. Now that she had his attention, she spoke again, with a slightly stronger voice.

"Do you know where I can find a place to stay?"

"A place to stay... like an inn? There's a few in town." he said. He paused for a few moments, pondered a brief second, then spoke again. "Do you want me to show you to a few places so you can choose which one suits your needs best? It can be pretty confusing walking around town if you don't know where to go." he offered.

Well, it wasn't like he was in a rush. The young lord had time to waste, and this girl seemed to be new around here. Why not be a good samaritan and help her out?

You know I can't slow down...

I can't hold back...

*******************

"Mmmm~..."

Finally getting some grub at the tavern really did hit the spot! His plan was to actually sleep after finally eating, but after finally getting the food, he didn't feel like sleeping anyway. Knowing me, I'll just fall asleep randomly anyway.

After stepping out to the back side of the tavern, he was met with a neat little garden with one single large tree at the middle of it. It provided with a soothing shadow in the direction of the tavern. After stretching, Lance went forward and touched the bark of the tree. "Heh. Guess some things still stay the same, even with a mental case in charge."

Still, the words of an impending invasion did make Lance uneasy. Not so much for love for the place. He had little care for this country, other than it being his current home. No one knew him, even fewer were his friends, yet for some reason, he felt like he was part of it. But most of all, if it was wiped out, he'd have even LESS potential comrades for his own mission.

Although the shade was inviting, Lance felt he had little time to rest. "I'm gonna rust if I don't keep myself sharp..."

Placing his fist against the trunk of the tree, he inhaled deeply before taking aim. "...Impact!" he yelled, while punching forward. Other than a weak little disruption in the air, nothing happened. "...heh. Guess it's still impossible through the fist, huh..."

Truth to be told, always having to open his palm to use an Impact was a bother. That meant he couldn't hold something at the same time as he'd use an Impact, so he couldn't use them simultaneously while charging a coin, or parrying with a dagger. It wasn't that much of a problem, but adding a wider variety on how to use his attacks could only be helpful, and versatility was his forte, after all.

"Guess I'm still too weak then." He chuckled to himself, before opening his palm up, and taking aim. "...Impact!"

He wasn't expecting a much bigger difference, after all, last time he remembered his Impacts could knock the air out of sudden, so going full power could possibly leave a mark, but not much else...

Yet, the sudden burst he released surprised even him. After a significant explosion, a large hole was left in the trunk, as a huge chunk got taken out, sending splinters and wood flying in every direction. His eyes widened, Lance's mouth curved into a childish glee. "Whoa ho hoooaaa! That was...wow! I had no idea I had that much power in me! Seems like all that training actually helped! Ahahaha!"

Pumping his fists, he started giggling like a kid. Until a deafening crack interrupted his joy. Looking back to the tree, he could see the top swaying, as the dent in the tree made it lose all its support. For a moment he stood still, as nothing else seemed to happen. But then, another gust of wind made another similar crack, before the tree gave up and started falling. "...oh SNAP!"

Lance didn't survive an evil old man just to get crushed by a vengeful tree! As he dove to the side, the tree's crown missed him by a whisker, before it crashed into the side of the tavern, making the branches break upon impact. No one in the vicinity could've missed the sound as it came down, and though the tree took the brunt of the damage, no one inside the tavern could've missed it. Still, Lance couldn't help feeling happy. "...Sorry Mr. Tree! But it just seems like I got stronger! Ahaha!"

*******************

Though you know, I wish, I could...

You know there ain't no rest for the wicked...

Until we close our eyes for good...

"An Inn... Well, I don't have any money. I need a place to stay for a while. I don't really have anywhere to go, and I don't want to sleep in the woods again."

Someone would have definitely called her out on her bluntness. But she didn't have anything else to say, really. There was no one giving her direction, no friendly hands to hold. All she could really do was wander until she found someplace stable.

"I know lots of changes have been going on around here... So I'm not even sure if a place like that exists anymore. If ever."

Someone lay a hand on her shoulder. After a moment of surprise, she smiled at the sight before her. "Ziaram!" She exclaimed happily. "I was worried about you... Things have been so chaotic lately. I didn't really know what to think!"

All of a sudden, she was feeling very, very happy. Where had all this company come from? It was wonderful to see a familiar face again. And even more people were coming their way!

But this was unusual. One of these men seemed familiar. It was that fire dragon from the other night? He looked much better now. He was the one who she really wanted to ask questions to. How lucky that he would be the one who found her!
There was another dragon with him too. Tiki gently shook his hand in response.

"You would allow me to stay with you? I really want to talk with you about what's going on... Thank you so much, FD." Why would he just call himself FD? It sounded odd when she said it out loud. Nonetheless, Tiki could not believe her good fortune. She was full of childlike glee, and was even fidgeting a little bit. She was doing an awful job at containing her excitement.

"And wait, you're his nephew?" Tiki returned her attention to Roy. "Does that mean you're a Dragon too?" He certainly didn't seem like one.

"Huh... lemme see tha'..." Leon reached for the rather strange collection of things that Rahkain was offering for sale, examining the souvenir from top to bottom. When he looked at it for a moment, he grinned. "Oh, this's a Talisman! I know someone who makes 'em... it's even still got its power! How much are ya askin' for it...? I can take it off yer hands." Leon offered kindly. Already, he was helping out his new friend in a business that would likely flourish when everyone was rushing to armories and shops for their war essentials. It made him think of Leena briefly, and how swamped she must have been with all those power boosting item requests.

And then, the Lieutenant felt himself stared upon. Did he really look that different wearing his Watch's uniform? Maybe he did. Leon always thought that he looked dignified in it! "Yeah, I'm an officer again. Feels great to be back, ya know! ... I ain't goin' to the front lines unless they come to me. Bein' in the Watch means defendin' the city, y'know. Of course..." Leon sighed. "Lately, the front lines always come to me... makes me wonder if I'll be gettin' rest any time soon..."

In his laments, Leon hadn't forgotten to get the gold out for the Talisman, however much it would be. Goddess knows he needed more resistance. If in the high likelihood that the front lines were taken to him, he'd need all the defenses and offenses possible on his side. At least he wouldn't be alone though. Leon was never alone. "...by the looks of it, yer not fleein', Rahkain. ... are ya gonna brave the war with me, then?" He asked, simply out of curiosity.

Riches, titles, fame, and glory...
Mean nothin' with lives to save!