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Raedou shook the Draon's hand firmly. There was no difference of strength between the Ganzi and the Draon, but Hashmal could undoubtedly snap Raedou's neck like a twig.

"Well, a Great Storm has spread across our beloved land..." said Raedou, "One unlike any storm our races have ever seen in the land we have come to love so much. And as a result, the Horde has spawned from their hellish pits a second time."

He decided that he should move on to different news.

"Lady Elysia sadly passed away, and her gem was inherited by the Royal Champion, Fayt Yelsi. He is quite the skilled warrior; a spar with him would be well worth your time."

He looked back at his two allies, and introduced them to Hashmal.

"This is Ephlas, a mage that has saved my life on numerous occasions." he said happily, "And this little fellow is..." he stopped and looked down at Clem.

"What was your name again, biologist?"

(( Well, you did save my life on numerous occasions! There was the arrow shield, the backup in the battle at Krestere's lodge, the bezoar... help me out here, people rofl

Oh, and does anyone here wanna join my RP? We need more people, so if you're interested, look it up: It's named Reach for the Stars.))

((Yeah, basically. You don't have to know everything about it; just that it's in the age of gunpowder, steam engines and old-fashioned pistols. Oh, and clockwork. Lots and lots of clockwork. This RP revolves around machines and magic, so you'll do fine, I promise. razz ))

Ephlas narrowed his eyes. He was clearly uncomfortable with the situation. "It was irrelevant. I understood perfectly, but that hand symbol eluded my knowledge. What was its purpose?"

Ephlas was still standing along the far end of the wall. He was not very... 'welcome' to the idea of this overly companionable knight. For some reason, or another. Most likely - no, most certainly - 'or another.'

"Indeed. I was supposed to guard them until they were ready to harvest, but when the time came, I was attacked by a creature of some sort... My spells failed to work on it, but only made it stronger... It drove me from the Arcanicite gems I guarded." Hashmal said gravely.

Hashmal looked at the mage and the biologist. If Raedou hadn't been with them, she would have killed them without a second thought. Humans were greedy creatures, save Elysia... Still the Magi seemed on edge. Hashmal preferred it that way. She was wary of any spellcaster who didn't know of the motions.

"What do you mean? The Regulation motions are what controls a spell... The only other way would be to be specific... which can lead to some very lengthy spells..."

Hashmal blinked, "There's a barrier of null-gravity just before you enter... it's very thin, but keeps the world outside the mine from being affected by the intense gravity... It also keeps out things... It should be fine even if buried under water... You have all the time you want to 'dally,' as long as you can withstand the gravity in here."

Raedou put his hand on Ephlas's shoulder and slowly shook his head. A Draon was not the kind of being that one showers with penetrating questions before getting cleaved in two.

"We will discuss that another time, Ephlas my friend." Raedou mumbled, "But yes, we have no time to lose... Hashmal."

He looked up the Dark Knight.

"We will help you slay this creature, on the condition that you guide us through of the mines safely, and then out of the mines when our job is done. This creature seems to have been made to defeat you, since you of all people could not vanquish it."

Raedou looked back at Ephlas and Clem.

"Me and my friends have a great wealth of abilities at our disposal, so surely we can defeat the one who drove you away from your post."

"Do we have an agreement?"

Geoffrey ran through the active corridors, slipping through gaps in people and in between the throngs of the crowd. Many people were rushing through the Favraen castle, and all were in a panic.

The young page slowly opened a great wooden door, slipping inside before closing it and muffling the jumbled cries of panic outside. He turned to face his Knight, already dressed in full battle armor.

"What's going on out there?" Helenne asked, adjusting her helmet to fit correctly.

"Your ladyship, Baelta has attacked," the young page told her.

"What? Where?"

"The entire northern front, straight down the middle. They're cutting a huge swath straight down, to the capital."

Helenne paused for a moment to shake her head and squint at Geoffrey. "You sure you're sane, boy?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Where am I needed?"

"The map room, I believe."

And so Helenne left for the map room. She was currently residing in a small outpost, some ways west of the Favraen capital, and so she wasn't in immediate danger, nor her location so. In the capital resided the Duke of Elmire, a tyrant would-be king. Helenne opposed him voraciously.

It seemed, that the entire country of Baelta, when faced with the unyielding fury of the Great Storm, was throwing its entire might into one huge attack against Favraes. It was war.

When Tanessa, Irwin, and Cedric entered the small border town between Eopia and Favraes, rumors of the invasion had already reached it. Walking slowly down the central road, towards the village square, they heard whisperings of it on every eve.

Tanessa looked worried, but Cedric seemed to be out of it again. He was just following Tanessa, going quietly along and not making a sound, nor was he looking around, just staring at the ground.

Three Magi refugees. That was the newest rumor on the lips of the people of at least one little border village.