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Gefton’s ancient lips parted in a smile as he gave a small chuckle, his eyes sizing Blaise up.
“Ah, my dear lady, I fear Algren would not allow you time to speak before his spear would run you through. He is a simple man and one of a cold, calculating mind, but he is, for lack of a better term, possessed by his dream. He dreams of a unified and peaceful Empire and he seeks to destroy any and everything that stands between peace and the people, and right now he feels you are the obstacle. Some say, that when peace comes to the empire, he will kill himself for all the wrong he has done If you still seek council with him as well, I can take you to him but there I can promise you no safety. Here you have safety, there well…” he shrugged “I make no promises.” Gefton paused for a long time before adding. “But I am glad that you agree to council.

Chrono looked shocked. It was quite possible he was not giving Blaise enough credit for her skills, but that did not stop his protective, big brother-like tendancies to kick in. It was safe to say without words he'd be staying nearby to keep a close eye on her. Well, as close as he actually could. No telling where these talks would be held.

"I will remain here in waiting, Ma'am." He said flatly with a final tone. There was no those ways to change this block-head's mind.

After Kcoul spoke, Glen looked to Blaise and said, "I will go too Mage Superior, once I have done this I will attempt to find you and return with the lieutenant’s reply." Following this, Glen quickly vanished into the woods, and when he was sure he was out of sight, he took one last look at Blaise and Chrono before continuing in the direction they had previously been traveling. He knew that he had to move as quickly as possible, but he also had his suspicions that Gefton might have placed soldiers around his position in case something unexpected happened, so he also moved as silently as his training would allow.

Blaise nodded to Gefton and gave a reassuring glance to Chrono. As she heard him address her as ‘Forester’ she realized that he had introduced himself but she failed to do so.

“My apologies. I realize that I haven’t properly introduced myself. I am Mage Superior Blaise; you may just call me Blaise on simple terms. Now that matters of identity are out of the way we may move to important matters. If where we stand is suitable enough for you, then let us begin council. Otherwise, if you have a place to your liking . . .” She said in a last attempt to stand but a little farther away from the forest.

"Ah, that was it." Jacob asked boredly as she slid off the side of the horse and took his back. "Such a short trip, and I was beginning to enjoy the scenery...

No sooner had Jacob walked away from the horse di the beast cillaspe to the ground. It was a horrifying sight to see. The horse's skin was torn and bloody, as if its muscles were just bursting from beneath its skin. Needless to say, this creature was dead, and at the hands of Jacob it had met a very painful and gruesome demise.

"Ew... you'll want to clean that up before it starts to smell..." Jacon commented, his nose scrunched up with displeasure.

Gefton listened to Blaise response and nodded in approval. Her words were chosen well and she spoke with intellect, not a fanatic fervor. She made points that would need to be argued and Gefton took a long time to respond.
“So you are not a native then, well…”A chuckle “I make no lie, the Empire is corrupt, I have seen this for many years. Innocent die, many fear to leave homes for fear they will die. I will not make judgment except that the man in power and most of those who taste power in the Empire are corrupt. They have absolute law and they do as they see fit. But do you ever ask yourself why? For example, Algren ordered a town burned near here, many innocent died but to Algren, he was doing a heroic thing. He knew you would come to the people’s suffering. It was all a trap. To Alrgen and to many that run this empire, they believe a few must suffer and die to ensure peace. If criminals know that any crime they commit results in death, most will not commit the crime and civilians to prevent innocent deaths, make sure crime is stopped. But for this policy to be effective, those in power must show no mercy. The orders of a master must be carried out, no matter what. If not, society falls apart and we have anarchy.” Gefton was silent for a very long time and then he spoke to Blaise, only now his voice was melancholy and slow “I too, like you, am a victim of the Emperor’s justice. I once had a wife and a son. However, my wife and son were in the wrong place at the wrong time and sentenced to death for a murder they did not commit. They died and I found out only when I returned home to find a royal notice informing me of what had happened.” Gefton gave a sad smile. “Algren is young and stupid, he believes peace will come to this land with the eradication of the Foresters. He sees you as the trouble with the Empire. He may not know much about you but with that misconception he would march against you a thousand times if he had that many lives. And tell me forester, how many Imperial soldiers have your troops killed? How many of them had families and your people cared not as they were cut down? Are those foot soldiers not innocent? They simply obey orders like they should” Gefton paused, his eyes narrowing slightly “Can you really sit their and say you are better than the empire when you kill to? Do you really believe your promised Messiah will ever come? Algren has a dream of peace; he once showed me an entire room of scrolls at his house where he had made laws and ways to make peace in the Empire. What are you doing for peace? You kill soldiers guarding prisoners and call it justice! The Empire is dying and you are helping it die!” Gefton snorted bitterly “You Forester’s may be waiting for a Messiah but those who know Algren have found one already.”

Algren sat in his tent, the flame of a single candle burning before him. He watched the candle slowly melting.
“Am I a fool Asmudius?” Algren said slowly, breathing heavily. “Am I like all most of the Empire says, a fanatic fool?” Algren never looked at the tall, white haired man lurking in the darkness around him.
“Lord Algren, you are a not a fool but a visionary!” The femine voice hissed out from the shadows. “Once the foresters are dead, you’ll be a hero! The emperor will announce you as his heir and then your vision of a united Empire shall be yours!” Algren nodded, some color coming back to his cheeks as he waved of a spectral figure conjured up by his imagination.
“As always, my friend, your council is most appreciated.” A sudden out burst and cries reached Algren and he grabbed his spear as he rushed out, the cold wind hitting him hard in the early morning. Algren saw the horse and then smiled as he saw Jacob.
“I should have known that the moment you entered my camp, something would be dead.”

Algren embraced Jacob, delight shinning on his face.
“You are right Jacob, it has been far to long.” Algren released Jacob and then turned toward his tent and motioned for Jacob to follow. “Well, since we have much to catch up on, let us at least do it over glasses of wine and meat. It may be early but a little wine clears the head eh?” Algren chuckled “So, how is life with the alchemists? Your society is even more secretive than the dragon slayers. Or if you tell must you kill me?” Algren held the flap of the tent open for Jacob to enter.