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Ryugi did not speak. He didn't bother to answer John. He would not change who he was. As a hero, even as a former mercenary, he knew what kinds of dangers and troubles came simply with blindly following orders, as well as simply waiting for death or change. The boy who rode on the wagon was doing his part for king and country. There was certainly no shame in that. Ryugi found it odd that the boy would hate him so much after, effectively, praising him for trying his best to make things better. The knights allowing their princess to cry her eyes out without so much as offering a word of kindness, however, was simply too much. Does not a man of duty and honor hold himself to higher standards than simply following orders? Can one not still follow them, but still be a "better man" at the same time? These were the things Ryugi had wished to convey, not that all of the men were slackers. However, none of that mattered. If these men were to hate him, let them. He could take it. He would still fight for them, and for a bright future even if they hated him for simply speaking his mind.

For now, however, Ryugi took a place far behind the caravan, at least a good 20 yards. He'd let them sing their songs, and say nothing. He was here to help these people. He gained nothing from helping them, and yet he was here. The only payment for him was assisting in making things better for these people. He cared not about monetary rewards or trinkets. He'd given a hefty lump sum of gold coins to the king for his people. He was here, risking his life for perfect strangers, and yet, at every turn, he had been shunned, asked to move, or leave, or get out of the way because he was in some way impeding things. One would think these men would be more thankful for their presence here, but not a one had thanked them. Only the king had offered any thanks to John or Ryugi. Ryugi was putting his life in danger for these men, for their countrymen, but no thanks where had. What more could a man give than his life?

He sighed, watching the men march, singing. That was something he'd never been able to fit into. Blindly following orders, and his inability to do so when it came to matters of the spirit and the heart, was why, ultimately, Ryugi had discontinued his actions as a mercenary. What was it with mankind that he continuously failed to understand? He'd lived among them for over 400 years, and still they puzzled him. A soft pat to his shoulder caught his attention and he turned to spy Ryumi smiling at him. I heard what Mister Tomorrow said... I know what you were trying to say. I think that, maybe, though, you might have just said it in a way they didn't want to hear.

Ryugi sighed once more and nodded. I think you're right, Dearheart. I simply wished to inspire them to stop moping, and to stand up and do something more than just follow orders or whatever it was they were doing. Ryumi looked smug. It's hard to inspire people when they're strangers and you kinda insult them, though. It doesn't make you look very good. Ryugi was surprised. Sometimes, his daughter seemed wiser than he. Maybe it was because she was growing up among humans, whereas Ryugi himself had grown up among his own kind. Perhaps you're right, Dearheart. However, another lesson to learn from this is that, sometimes, your self-image is not as important as doing the right thing. People may hate you for it, or look down upon you for it, and it will be hard. But, you must take solace in the fact that you are helping them, even if they might not be able to see it or understand it. He chuckled. People have accused me of being blindly idealistic, but that blind idealism is part of the reason I am who I am today. I'm stubborn, I do not compromise easily, and I hold true to my beliefs. Those men over there might not like me very much right now, but I'll still fight for them, for their princess, and for their future. Ryumi giggled. Uncle Maxi says that you're like a candle in a dark room, and no matter how much the darkness bares down on you, you keep flickering away, providing light to those around you. She grinned. He also says you're afraid of spiders.

Does he now? Ryugi chuckled. Well, remind me to tell you the story of why I'm afraid of spiders sometime, then maybe you'll understand. Ryumi's face went mischievous. So it IS true... Ryugi narrowed an eye. I know that look, youngling. Don't you be plotting anything or you won't get any of the tarts your mother made. Ryumi's eyes went wide and she waved her hands in front of herself. No no no! I wasn't thinking anything. I'll behave! Ryugi grinned, satisfied. That's better...

Ryugi glanced to Ryumi as the young man called out to him. She looked back to her father and shrugged. Ryugi wasn't sure what the young man wanted, but, in any case, he hurried his pace slightly to move closer to the young man before speaking. Yes?

It would be impolite to ignore the young man if nothing else, and there seemed to be no issues with him walking closer since the others were busy singing and marching in line. Talking to the young man may give Ryugi something to do other than ponder in his own thoughts and have a playful banter with Ryumi.

Ryugi huffed and replied. I assure you my daughter's apparel and our supplies are well up to snuff. He glanced at the man and continued, snorting a bit, obviously haven taken a bit of insult to the man's insinuations about Ryumi's helplessness. As for my daughter's safety, I pity the man that would try to injure her in any way. For that matter, they'd have to get through me first...

And hear he did. The boy-knight, of course was sitting, and not standing. Ryugi wasn't really in the mood to deal with some kid who thought he was all that. Of course, he was taking things at face value. Ryumi, appearing to be no older than seven, would certainly be taken as weak, innocent, and an easy target. Innocent she may have been, but she was far from weak. Ryugi knew this well. Ryugi couldn't help but smirk knowingly.


Ryugi was about to reply again when Ryumi spoke up, cutting off whatever her father was about to say. Shut your mouth, you smarmy little whelp, before I stuff my fist in it and shut it for you! The girl's pinkish-red eyes flashed with anger, and a hint of gold light before she felt the hand of her father on her shoulder. Ryumi! What have I told you about making threats? His daughter jerked away from him and pointed at the knight's smug face. I'm not going to let him put you down like that! Just because I look small everyone underestimates me! You KNOW I could flatten him faster than- Ryumi Vespera Kazamaru, you will be quiet and stop working that mouth of yours this INSTANT. Ryugi rattled off the stern order to his daughter before she could finish, and the use of her full name seemed to give her pause. Her father continued, speaking to the knight.

My daughter, good knight, is much stronger and more capable than you might realize in your youth and inexperience. Live a few centuries and THEN you can lecture me on how to raise my child. Ryugi's words were stern, strong, and dangerous. They were not kind, but serious, and even a tad frightening. Now then, if you're quite done insulting my parenting in all your supposed wisdom, I believe our conversation is through. With that, Ryugi would slow his pace away from the carriage. He didn't have to sit around and be insulted by some loudmouth kid without even a 100th the life experience Ryugi had accrued over his nearly 2,000 year lifespan. He wouldn't dare bring Ryumi along with him anywhere unless he was certain he could protect her, or she could protect herself...

Ryugi didn't really know what to say. Sure, there were at least a dozen things going through his head at that point in time, but none of them really made enough sense to fit the situation. The boy spoke of hardships and bleak circumstances, but then again, Ryugi had suffered his own set of such things; his hometown destroyed and his parents killed by his own brother, his closest friend killed during the attempt to claim the sword he now wielded as his own, a friend he loved dearly on top of that and the provider of his trademark white scarf, another friend killed in a battle with a golem during a mercenary mission, the main reason he'd given up on such things until he could become stronger, and also watching all his old friends growing old, dying, as he stayed the same age. Time and time again Ryugi's life reminded him that he was never strong enough to save everyone, and it tormented him. His single biggest fear wasn't a trivial thing like spiders, but losing someone he loved because he was unable to protect them. Ryugi, despite his outward happiness and heroic resolve, had lived through many tragic and terrible events in his life, and yet he found a way to remain happy.

Could the boy accurately understand what loss might have been? What hardships might actually be? In his young age, the answer was most resoundingly "no." Ryugi had not lived the boy's life, but he, too, had suffered great losses, and many more than the young man. Ryugi had experience to back up his claims, and likely had the experience to lecture the young man on his thoughts and actions, but, this time, he remained silent. Pointing out the young boy's inadequacies in this situation was unwarranted. If Ryugi had learned anything about juvenile creatures, humans and dragons both, it was that they were strong-minded and strong-willed. They believed they knew and understood everything in the world according to what they'd seen over their lifetimes. The boy's young life had been a hard, trying one, that much was certain. All the more reason, then, to fight to make things better, all things. The young man seemed to think the situation was hopeless, but Ryugi had learned that no situation is truly hopeless, no matter how bleak. Sometimes, all it takes is for one man to stand up, and give everything he is into making things better, not just for himself, for everyone. These men, were at least trying. Wallowing in sadness and depression got a man nowhere, Ryugi had learned. The princess wept for men who were stuck in a grim rhythm, even if the situation they were in was less than perfect or ideal.

You want to know something, Knight? In my culture, a middle name is never decided initially. It is decided at a ceremony involving the entire immediate family and many family friends. Ryugi nodded towards Ryumi as he spoke. Vespera means to bear hope, to carry or hold it, in my closest friend's native tongue. I felt it was a good, strong name. He glanced back to the knight as he sat on the back of the carriage, brooding. I know a thing or two about bearing hope in a world that seems dark and bleak, and let me tell you something... He paused and walked a few steps closer to the young man. Mulling over how bad your situation is doesn't get you anywhere. Ryugi's red eyes flared with his own resolve, despite being deadly serious. Be positive, believe in your own power to create change and happiness, and if something tries to get in the way of you reaching that goal, you hold tight, take the pain, and kick that thing's a**. Ryugi crossed his arms. Willpower is an incredibly powerful thing, Knight. Your people, despite being downtrodden and depressed have the willpower to keep living. Harness that feeling, that stubborn determination to keep moving, use it to energize your spirit, and your inner flame.

Ryugi's hand stretched out and opened, a small flickering flame coming into being as he spoke, Ryugi not even trying to lessen his voice. He didn't care if the singing knights heard him or not. Inside all of you burns a flame like this one, small, but determined. Like any flame, it grows with fuel. The flame's flickering grew in intensity, and the orange and red tips of the ball seemed to weave and dance on Ryugi's every word. Fuel it with your determination! Mold it with your spark to press on! The flame in Ryugi's hand burned brighter and grew, flowing down his palm, across his forearm and across his chest, enveloping him in the burning flames, his eyes still rock solid on the young man. As you do, that tiny spark will grow, flowing through you, engulfing your spirit, and make you realize you ARE greater than the sum of your experiences or your past! The heat from the flames could be felt, even as the air swirled among Ryugi's hair and scarf, making the whole thing flow and move with the strength being unleashed, and still not even a fraction of what Ryugi was capable of producing. Your heart will swell, you will be empowered, and you will KNOW that you can overcome any obstacle that is thrown your way! It may not be easy, it may not be free of pain, but all that power and determination lies in all of you, in all things! And when you harness it... The aura of orange and gold suddenly pulsed back along Ryugi's body and into his hand, forming a ball of brilliant white and gold light, illuminating the red of Ryugi's eyes, before he spun on his right foot, sending the ball of energy speeding across the plain to strike a rock, the ball detonating and leaving rocky shards, and a bit of molten magma behind. ...you will see just how powerful the human spirit can be... The aura of flames died back, and left only Ryugi staring at the young man, and Ryumi staring in awe of her father. Believe in yourself, believe you can overcome, and harness the power of that resolve. And if you can do that, Young Knight, there is nothing a man can not attain for himself, or his people.

His speech finished, Ryugi was silent. He had nothing else to say for the moment. The young knight could listen, and take it for what it was, or understand it however he wished. His life and his future were in his own hands. If he wished to mourn the loss of his innocence to the way of things, he could do so, and Ryugi wouldn't say another word to dissuade him. People had to decide to change for themselves. The knights that marched seemed to lack that spark, even in song, but if that were the case, Ryugi knew he would have to simply have enough strength of spirit for all of them.

Ryugi watched the boy go with a sigh, his head shaking. If this was the spirit in the youth of Tellasa, then the place was doomed to die a slow and horrible death, and no magical shiny sword would save them. If they pushed themselves to succeed with even half the power they put into scoffing at or shutting down Ryugi's attempts to fire their souls, it's possible their town would be as prosperous as any other. He looked to John and spoke quietly so as not to draw the ears of the men. What's going on, John, is that I'm watching these people go down the tubes. They're so closed-minded to doing anything differently that they've all but assured their own slow demise, and no amount of happy singing or a magic sword is going to change that. Ryugi grumbled. That kid is the worst of them all. Thinks I'm crazy talking about willpower and action changing things. I can list at least a dozen times my willpower has given me the strength to conquer things I never thought I could beat. He sighed. I'm sick of this, John. I didn't expect sunshine and rainbows, but this is just sickening. Sickening! It makes me physically SICK to see these people so shut away from a change in thinking. He cast his gaze to the carriage and the knights, and the kid who thought he knew everything. I want to finish this damn mission and get back home, and just let these people pave their own way to ruin... It's clear I can't help them, and it bugs the living daylights out of me... Never before have I met a group of more stubborn, closed-minded, hard to deal with individuals.

That kid thinks he's had it hard. Maybe he has, I haven't lived his life. I've lived mine, and there are some moments in my nearly 2,000 years of life that would have cracked a lesser soul. He turned to John again. But I sucked it up. I kept going, and trying to move forward no matter how bad or torn up I felt inside. That drive, that determination to succeed, is what allowed me to pull past the hard times of my life to get to where I am now, with a loving mate, and a beautiful daughter. I have so much for which I'm thankful, but it wouldn't have been possible if I didn't believe I could do better, or get better, or find a way to make things right. He crossed his arms and placed a hand to his forehead, furrowing his brow. And that's what I don't get. I just can't get these people. I came into this willing to help them, to throw down my life to protect their princess and to get them back the sword they lost. But no sword is going to magically fix their problems. The only way I can see it doing a damn thing is making them BELIEVE that with the sword to back them up, their efforts will pay off, and like a false elixir, they will believe the sword has brought them fortune and good tidings. He shook his head.

So, I'm done. For once in my life I'm actually done trying to help these people. No amount of antidote can cure poisoned souls. I'm just going to keep quiet, speak when spoken to, smile and nod, and just get them back their damn "magical problem-solving sword", protect what needs protecting, and finish this... He glanced to John. Because I've checked out, John. I've reached my tolerance level. That said, Ryugi slowed his pace enough to trail farther away from the carriage, a few dozen yards before he'd continue walking. Before John could jump in and say something, he'd feel a soft hand on his big burly arm. It was Ryumi.

He blames himself, you know. Ryumi looked to her father, now silently marching along, his boots kicking up dust with each step, his scarf pulled up over his mouth, and his bangs covering his red eyes in shadow. My dad's a good guy. He fights to protect everyone. I've heard stories from my uncle... What hurts him most is not being good enough to protect or help everyone. My uncle says it's impossible, but my dad doesn't believe it. He keeps trying to do the impossible, break the unbreakable, and, surprisingly enough, often times he does... Ryumi paused for a moment, looking at her dad with a soft smile on her face. But when he can't, he blames himself for not being good enough, like it's all his fault that he failed, or lacked in some way that prevented him from reaching his goals. She sighed and looked back to John with her big pinkish-red eyes. So don't be all mad at him, okay? He's already beating himself up enough in his head as it is... As Ryumi finished, she quickened her pace to join Ryugi, and latched onto his arm, prompting a small smile from the dragon man, and together the two of them marched after the carriage in silence.

I don't think it's that at all, Mister Tomorrow. Ryumi shook her head. I think it's just that those men don't want to hear what my father has to say, at least the way he's saying it. He complimented them on their tenacity, and was trying to cheer that boy up because he looked so depressed. He talked about belief in yourself being able to overcome a lot of life's problems and stuff, and that being mopey or upset didn't solve anything. Ryumi shook her head. Instead of understanding the message, he got all grouchy and laughed at my dad. She put her hands on her hips and looked very stern all of a sudden. And that guy at the front was a real jerk to my dad too! He's putting his life on the line for total strangers and they thank him by shunning him and being jerks! All he tried to do was inspire them, and all they did was alienate him. She huffed in annoyance. Some way to show your thanks. If it was up to me I woulda punched that guy real hard and given him a piece of my mind. She sighed. But, my dad doesn't work like that. Sometimes things just work better with a direct approach. She grinned. Anyway, I think my dad just needs some time alone for now to get things sorted out. Maybe some time away from one another is what both parties need. So, I'm gonna go join my dad again. You...keep up with that singing or whatever it is you're doing. She waved a little wave before moving off to go join Ryugi, latching onto his arm as she'd intended before.

Ryugi continued to walk ahead at the beckoning from John. At the moment, he was perfectly fine to keep to himself and let the men and the big Aesir do as they pleased, so he simply nodded in greeting to the men that he passed if they made eye contact. Ryumi did much the same, but seemed to look at each of the troops and give them a big cheerful smile and gestures of encouragement. As the man moved to offer the waterskin to Ryugi, he smiled gently, and spoke.

Many thanks, Sir Knight. At this point, Ryugi nodded slowly with his head in a show of thanks, and handed the canteen to Ryumi. She wasn't nearly as stalwart as Ryugi, and she wasn't used to long distance walking. Ryumi echoed her father's thanks and took a drink from the waterskin sighing after quenching what little thirst she felt. She then handed the skin back to her father, who took a measurably smaller sip than his daughter. Just enough to wet his mouth and throat, not even a full mouthful. He then reached into his own bag and pulled out a small canteen on his own. He then tipped the canteen over, small runes glowing a faint blue on either side as he poured, and refilled what water he had taken from the knight's bladder of water. It was a "Decanter of Endless Water" or, more accurately, a "Bottomless Canteen." A knight never refuses an act of generosity on the part of another. It is a sign of good faith and camaraderie. As I have partaken of yours, please, allow me to give of mine. The knight's bladder was refilled quickly by the endless stream of water, as Ryugi turned to face the other knights. That goes for all of you. My canteen is your canteen, just as my blade is your blade, and my goals are your goals. We're all in this together, after all. Ryugi handed the water bladder back to the knight and took a drink from his own canteen as if to dispell any misgivings about the purity before continuing.

There is a saying that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. I do not wish to be that link to you all, to your princess, or to your country. Therefore, if any of my past words have caused you offense, I humbly apologize, and you can guarantee I shall have your backs in battle as much as I would my own brother. He chuckled. But, I ramble. Please do not hesitate to call upon me if your canteen runs low. I shall be more than happy to give. That said, Ryugi took another swig from his canteen before thanking the knight once more and hurrying to follow after John and the guard captain, Ryumi following behind her father, smiling.