We the Unwanted We the Unwanted

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Adran Triveron (Whitewood Forest, Geraldis)

Adran could only grin at Donovan's suggestions. "I wouldn't have it any other way." He quickly looked out from the tree they were behind, and caught a glimpse of the zealot group running even further in the wrong direction. "Very well, if we move now, this group shouldn't be able to see us. You're looking ready to go so on three. One, Two, Three." On his mark he began sprinting again, though at a slower pace as Donovan had suggested. He kept his eye out for the others, hoping that they would be alright on their own.
 
Donovan Blackmoore (Whitewood Forest, Geraldis)

Donovan grimaced at the man. It was so hard to disagree with him when he was so agreeable. Somehow the doctor was starting to grow on him but, he was still trying to keep his guard up. Courtiers had a way of weaseling their way in like Adran had done with Claius. Starting out at a slightly faster pace Donovan worked his way North. After a while he slowed to his usual jog. They would have to keep the pace all night and all the next day. Depending on where the Zealots were he would have to try and keep the hours sleeping limited.

Shortly after dawn he noticed that Adran was plenty awake but, he didn't seem to be moving as fast. "We'll have to keep moving. You'll get used to it after a while. Tonight we take shifts." He couldn't afford for anyone to sneak up on them.
 
Isolde Bennett (Whitewood Forest, Geralids)

Isolde was an experienced rider and was easily one of the more fast riders that the fortress had at their disposal. The woman had shed her heavy armor in lieu of speed and galloped at full speed through Whitewood Forest toward Helies. Isolde had mapped out the most efficient route to Helies, a direct path that would easily be a 4 day ride but she was determined to shave off a day. The sun was reaching its peak in the sky, the woman would have several hours of day light to cover a lot of ground but yet, Isolde was still unhappy with her pace. She gritted her teeth, leaned closer to her horse's head and patted the side of his neck "come now, we have to be faster than this" she whispered. She sat up, kicked the horse's sides with her heels and increased her speed ever so slightly.
 
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Esra T. Montaque
( Whitewood Forest, Geraldis )

Finally, she decided.

To run.

There was nothing she can do to help anyone else right now- she needed to find Donovan and Adran! And even if she tried to fight, in close combat she did not even have a weapon! Let alone skills enough to defeat any of these warriors!

She at first just slunk backwards and away, before rounding about and turning into a full on sprint when a good distance away from them. 'Which way did they go? The others....' She could try and track them but... It is not exactly the same as animals! Animals are predicatble, these two on the other hand... Her head shakes quietly as she tries her best to head North some as she moves.
 
Claius Vondale (Impregnable Fortress, Geraldis)
Claius woke up quite unusually. The kids have been making a racket in his dorm, and pouncing on him to wake up. Groggily, he sat up on his bed.

"Kids, don't you have training soon?" He asked. He got out of bed and started getting ready for the day. The sun has just risen and the light pierced the window into the room. It was going to be a nice day.

"You are supposed to train us!" One of them squealed. "Isolde said so!"

Claius raised an eyebrow. Is she sick?She was fine the day before. He picked up his battle axe and opened the door.

"Alright, but breakfast comes first." He said. The kids all charged down the hall, making a racket as they did. Claius sighed. That's going to wake half of the others up all right.

He followed the screaming chorus down to the cafeteria, and glanced around for Isolde. She was typically a early bird, but today she was nowhere in sight. He ruffled his hair. Sheesh. She should have at least gave me a heads up before handing the kids over to me.

While the kids sat there eating, he decided to take a meal up to her room. Apparently the chefs had not seen her in the cafeteria at all. She probably didn't feel well enough to move around a lot, so her position was quite understandable. Unfortunately, the two men that were most knowledgable of medicines were out on the expedition; Claius made a mental note to ask Adran to pass on some basic skills to some others, in the case that the situation came up again.

He knocked on the door of Isolde's room gently. He didn't want to intrude on any embarrassing activities, which he had accidentally done before. There was no response, so she most likely was still sleeping. He quietly opened the door.

The bed was empty. In fact, the room was empty. Claius set the tray of food on the table before examining around. The first thing he noticed was that her halberd was gone as well.

She couldn't have left could she? He strode down to the common room and asked around. No one had seen her since last night. He shook his head.

She must've went after the others. I told her to give it another few days. Claius in fact had been worried about the party as well, but he was cautious to not affect the negotiations. He shook his head. Hopefully, she didn't do anything stupid, but it is Isolde...

He retreated back to the cafeteria and quickly ate, surrounded by the kids who were now finished and pestering him. Once he finished all the kids started pushing him towards the training hall, all he could think about was if Isolde, too, was going to be safe.
 
Adran Triveron (Whitewood Forest, Geraldis)


As dawn began to rise and Donvan began to lay out his strategy for taking shifts, both men heard a rustling from the bushes towards the main road. They froze as a member of the King’s Guard appeared from the brush. “Halt!” The soldier shouted as he entered a combat ready stance.

Adran thought to himself, Time for the first test of our new alliance. He whispered to Donovan “Let me handle this.” He took a single step forward looking incredibly relieved. “A King’s Guard, oh thank the gods. Our envoy has been ambushed by the North Wind Zealots!”

The soldier gave an unsure look, obviously not expecting such gratitude. “We had seen the casualties. Identify yourself.” Adran nodded in understanding. “I am Adran Triveron, political ambassador of the Guardians. We’d been returning from Andaris after successful negotiations with King Andelorn when we were attacked.”

"Envoy? We didn't get any reports about this." The soldier was shocked, as Adran had anticipated, word hadn’t spread far enough of the Guardians’ desire for peace yet. He presented the King’s seal which he had been holding in his back pocket for the soldier to inspect. "This is his highness’ royal seal. You've received orders to return to Helies right? I collaborated with him on that message and he ensured us that this seal would grant us safe passage."

After a moment of inspection the soldier turns toward the direction he came from. “Captain! Can you take a look at this?” At the man’s call, seven other members of the King’s Guard appeared, seeming to have listening to their conversation. The man Adran assumed to be the Captain spoke up after another close inspection. “Well we shouldn’t trouble you any longer. Would you like us to… escort you back?”

He didn’t need a squadron full of King’s Guard so close to their home before being able to explain the situation to Claius. "No we should be fine on our own. One thing though, we scattered into the wilderness as the ambush began. There were eight of us, were any among the casualties?"
"We haven't identified each individual. All we have confirmed was that many of them were zealots. We also found an abandoned wagon with supplies in them. Our forces have those currently." He struggled to maintain his composure after hearing the man’s words. If most of them were zealots then that means that some of his comrades fell in the ambush. He thought of Esra, Illya and the Gregorsons and sent a silent prayer for those who may have fallen.

"The wagon was ours. Is it possible to send the intact supplies back to the Impregnable Fortress? I'll let the Guardians know you'd be delivering them." The captain scratched his head at Adran’s request. "It's a long way off from here now; our men had been instructed to return to Helies, so they brought it along with them. I'll see if we can send it over once we return to our group."
Adran nodded "That would be most appreciated. How many of your group would that require?" He needed a solid number so that if they sent more than conveyed, he’d know something was suspiscious. “Maybe two at the most. I'll have to see what my commanding officer says about the matter though."

"Very well. Thank you sir, and may your travels be safer than ours have been." The captain nodded at Adran’s words. “Farewell.” The King’s Guard left the way they had come as Adran looked over towards Donovan. “With the King’s Guard surveying the area, it might be safer for us to travel on the main road, but I say we keep to the forest surrounding it in case the zealots try something else? Thoughts?”
 
Donovan Blackmoore (Whitewood Forest, Geraldis)

Donovan instantly reached for his sword when he heard the call to halt. He wasn't about to halt he wanted to kill the man. They couldn't be trusted. If he didn't make the first strike they would. Before he could charge ahead and kill the man Adran told him to stand down. The two of them had agreed on the Adran handling the more sensitive things like this. Still it didn't make him feel any better about it. What if the Kings Guard decided to kill the man? Then all of this would have been for nothing and Donovan would be left with a dead carcass instead of the information that they just risked their lives for.

No matter that he was given the order not to take action he still stood close to Adran and held a hand over the hilt of the sword. A moment of bewilderment came over Donovan. He'd never seen men so affected by a piece of paper with a chunk of wax on it. When the other seven appeared from the surrounding area Donovan couldn't help feeling that this was the perfect opportunity to cut the Kings Guard down.

Still it seemed that he wasn't supposed to take any action. Looking to Adran he watched for any indication that he could kill the Kings Guard now. While it may have been an agreement with the King to have some kind of peace Donovan didn't trust the agreement. Hatred had been rooted in the hearts of the people, Kings Guard, and Guardians. Peace sounded nice, but whenever he found himself faced with the Kings Guard a little bit of that hate boiled to the top and he wanted to kill them. It was much deeper than words. The little man's eyes flashed when Adran asked about the ambush. No doubt a few of them were lost. This was part of life and battles. No matter where you went it was guaranteed as a Guardian that you would likely lose a companion especially if you stepped out of your territory. Setting his mouth in a grim line he watched as the men dispersed and then he looked up at Adran again.

Surprisingly Adran didn't mind asking for an opinion on something. Donovan still tried his best to keep his guard up. This silver tongue was dangerous. He'd talked his way out of a fight and now he wanted to still be friends. There was much more at play behind the man's smile than what he let on. Lip curling slightly Donovan nodded. "Aye...It sounds like fine plan." Agreeing with the man was still difficult. The doctor had enough common sense.

Once they had travelled on for a few more hours he shook his head. "How do I know that you won't turn on us? You play both sides as if you belong to either." If Adran betrayed them Donovan was going to be the first to kill the man.
 
Adran Triveron (Whitewood Forest, Geraldis)

A melancholic smile appeared on Adran's face as the shorter man asked his question. He'd been expecting it for a while, ever since they left Andaris really. "You don't, and you're wise not to trust people like me, I've always known that my 'silver tongue' as you call it makes it difficult for people to understand my true motivations. That's why I trust actions, not words. If the king betrays us and it comes to war, then when you see me fighting on the battlefield, then you'll know who's side I'm on." He turned to Donovan.

"Your actions speak volumes for your loyalty to the Guardians, which is why I trust you to hold there best interests at heart, even when you're acting too aggressively. All I can do is stop your bleeding, fix broken bones, and hope that I have an opportunity to prove myself in the future." As he finished his speech, he heard a horse galloping from the north. "Do you hear that? We should silently investigate who the rider of that horse may be." As he began stealthily moving towards the main road.
 
Donovan Blackmoore (Whitewood Forest, Geraldis)

Donovan listened to the man. It didn't do anything to calm the uneasy feeling that had begun to rise in his guts. He knew that there would be a day when Adran's true colors would show. As much as he wanted to be there. It was also a thing that he dreaded. "Now you try to flatter me." Squinting his eyes slightly he shook his head with disgust. The man was always talking out of both sides of his mouth. Wouldn't say who he would be fighting for and then tried to tell Donovan how loyal he was. He didn't need anyone to tell him where his loyalties rest. "I'm here to make sure whatever you heard from the king is delivered to Claius." The leader had seemed to be almost blind in his approval of the doctor.

Then it grew silent and Donovan heard the hoof beats on the hardened ground of the road. "No!" Hissing at Adran he reached out to grab the man and instead he missed. This was like asking to get killed. The doctor was so sure of himself and his head was over sized because of that stupid piece of paper. It couldn't save him from a sword. Donovan started to run toward Adran and saw a glint of sunlight reflecting off a weapon up ahead. Maybe the doctor hadn't seen it from his angle but, Donovan did. Vaulting from a rock jutting out of the ground he threw all his weight into the doctor and landed on top of him just in time for the weapon to thrust overhead. "Stay down!" Donovan used Adran's body like a spring board and caught part of the wooden shaft on the Halberd.

Without looking to see who the bearer was he wrenched at it roughly and moved closer to the one handling the weapon. Viciously he kicked at the opponents knee. Pulling at the Halberd once more it felt that he was gaining ground in the fight when a solid thud sounded behind him. Both of them stopped momentarily and he looked back to see the doctor crumpling. Meeting the gaze of his opponent he frowned. During the fight he'd been nearly blind with the rage and instinct that drove him to survive. "What are you doing here?" Carefully letting go of the weapon he glared at her and then looked back at the doctor. "I told you to stay down! You could have got killed. Soldiers learn to obey orders first and you couldn't even bear to hold position?"
 
Isolde Bennett (Whitewood Forest, Geraldis)

The woman had been riding for some time now, she was becoming sore and had eaten her rations and drank water without stopping. Isolde had the faintest idea to what she was riding into, would she make it to Helies and suddenly there be peace between Guardians and Kings Guard? Would she make it there and be instantly captured? Or would she stumble upon a Guardian graveyard before even making it to Helies. Isolde shook her head at the idea of finding her comrades massacred and returned her focus on pressing forward.

In the distance, a faint sound of voices and movement could be heard. Isolde looked around but did not slow her pace, careful not to alert her onlookers that she knew someone or something was there. One of her hands readied on the middle portion of her Halberd, she was ready to dismount while letting the horse run into the distance and catch someone by surprise as she approached.

Isolde unlatched her feet in the stirrups in a swift motion, swung her body to the side of the horse, positioned her hands on her halberd to ready a downward crushing swing. She leapt off the horse and ss she swung her halberd down something stopped its momentum, puny hands had grabbed onto the shaft of her weapon. Her feet landed on the ground and then a blow to her knee caused her leg to buckle. One hand remained on her halberd, the other extended to deliver a blow to her aggressor's shoulder, hoping to release his grip but she stopped when she met his gaze and Donovan let go of the halberd. Isolde looked over to see Adran on the ground, she had felt her weapon hit something and now she knew what. The woman pushed the blunt end of her halberd into the ground and used it for leverage to push herself to her feet. She looked at Donovan with a blank stare, unimpressed, "what am I doing here, what are you doing here little man!? I almost killed you and your silly doctor." Isolde scoffed and moved over to Adran, putting a nurturing hand on his shoulder, "I apologize" she then looked at Donovan once more "aren't you supposed to be taking care of him, not injuring him?"
 
Adran Triveron (Whitewood Forest, Geraldis)

He'd thought his idea was sound at first, not even two minutes later he found himself dazed on the ground with a knot beginning to form just above his left eyebrow and Isolde, a Guardian who was supposed to be at the fortress, glaring daggers at Donovan. Fortunately the halberd had just missed his glasses so he could still see Isolde clearly. "It's alright Isolde. Even though you shouldn't be out this far from the fortress, your timing is impeccable." He stood up rubbing the point of impact from the pole arm.

"We were less than two days travel back to the fortress when we were ambushed by the North Wind Zealots. I'd talked to a member of the King's Guard who witnessed the casualties, some of ours didn't make it, though I'm not sure who. The rest of us scattered throughout the forest. We need to get back to the fortress so I can inform Claius of what's happened."
 
Esra T. Montaque

Woe and behold, several familiar voices caught her attention. Esra was doubled over in exaughstion, maybe running was not the best course of action... But she wanted to live, and to be able to see the other guardians again!

She withdrew a large breathe, slowly slinking towards the voices as she paused in the underbrush to listen to what sounded like... Adran!

"I agree." Her voice rang out from behind Donovan though as she stepped out, a look of an irked and sad expression on her face as she flicks her gaze away. "And the longer we stand around waiting, the more it is likely that the zealots will return to finish their job..." She strolled up to the three of them and almost seemed to hold concern in her gaze for Adran and Donovan, but it was masked quickly as she straightened her posture. "Though, I would not be opposed to a warm meal right about now... Even dog and cabbage sounds appealing..."
 
Donovan Blackmoore (Whitewood Forest, Geraldis)

Donovan's eyes lit with anger as the woman accused him of poorly carrying out his duties. There was far more to it than this. "You weren't close enough!" Following her over to where Adran was he continued with his rant. "I did save him from an idiot that thought they could come out here and save the day. All you do is train children how to fight. Already proved to me that you're soft. I'd already had you on one knee in a compromised position with the Halberd's end too far away to do significant damage to me. And..." Nearly yelling this time he pointed at her face. "If it wasn't for people like you I wouldn't have had to tackle his sorry carcass." Donovan was specifically trying to avoid the fact that he had helped to put the knot on Adran's head.

Somehow Donovan got the idea that Adran was one of the most ungrateful people he'd ever met. Despite the fact that he may have well ended up dead he was now happy to see the blithering fool that about ran him through. It was as if he thought it was Donovan's fault. Hardly seemed fair as the little man just saved his life and only inflicted minor damage to Adran in the process. "W-wha..." Finally stopping himself he just growled at the doctor.

To make it all the worse and relieving at the same time Esra's voice rang out. Donovan whipped around to see a friendly face and someone closer to his height. "Well tough luck. We're out of dog and cabbage. At some point we'll have to take some time to collect some food and..." He searched her face for a long moment before speaking. "What about the others? Illya? The Gregorsons?" His jaw clenched and he nodded. It was as they should have expected. Still it didn't make it any easier. Donovan took a deep breath and changed the subject. Grabbing Adran by the jaw he pulled a bit to get a better look at his head. "Hmm... I'll have to collect some Copper Globemallow leaves." Donovan took his gloves off and stuffed the top half of them into his belt. "It's usually in drier areas. Probably find some along the road here. Little reddish or lavender flowers, yellow center and narrow green leaves. They look furry. Adran's gonna need something help with that lump growing on his head." Donovan started to walk cautiously along the road. He'd seen a man or two die from head injuries like this and he couldn't afford for Adran to be one of them.

It didn't take long till he returned with a little collection of the leaves and he handed them to the doctor. "You hold those and I'll wrap your head." All he needed was for the leaves to be pressed against the man's head. Donovan ripped a strip off the bottom of his shirt and then bruised the leaves with his hands gently before laying them over the injury and putting the bandage over the leaves and lump.
 
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Isolde Bennett (Whitewood Forest, Geraldis)

Isolde stared blankly at Donovan as he ranted, spitting his tongue at her, overly confident as always. She could remember when Donovan first entered the fortress, a young lad, but feisty. The two of them had butted heads back then as well but something always seemed to bring them back together and here they were again, bickering like young children once more. "Come now, Donovan, you really think that you had won so easily? I'm a Guardian, remember. And you're right, the one appointed to train our legacy to ensure the survival of our kind." Isolde put emphasis on saying appointed, as if purposely saying that she was more trusted to train great warriors over Donovan.

Adran had been speaking to her, but she could barely hear him over the sound of her own voice. She sighed and turned to the doctor, now listening but only catching the tail end of what he had said. "Inform Claius about what?" Isolde questioned, seeking answers for what had already been spoken. Another voice appeared behind them, a familiar voice. Isolde turned to see the young archer, talking about Zealots and a warm meal. "Wait a minute.." she paused, "Zealots are chasing you?"

Isolde had journeyed to find her comrades, and she did, but now she was confused by the information being given to her. Or she didn't want to believe what she was going to hear; her gut feeling had not lied to her. Something had went terribly wrong.
 
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Esra T. Montaque
( Whitewood Forest, Geraldis )

A sigh sounds from her with a pout, no food? Well... What did she expect? The question about the others made her heart and throat tighten immensely and a pained expression cross her features. "I... I am so sorry, I had no way to help... I am no close combatant and... By the time I could get my arrow steadied... Illya... They..." Her eyes flash away. "It was not fair... I'm sorry..." That question, she was going to attempt to avoid it until they arrived back. She knew it was a cowardly act, both leaving before actually making sure they were... before a proper burial.... before anything. It was worthless dwelling on it at this moment though, but it will not slip her mind.

The next question. It was... almost just as hard for her to want to answer.

"Erm... Yeah... Sort of? I got noticed I think but I did not see any behind me... Then again, they could potentially plot another ambush..."

Then she examined Adran, brows knitting together. "Ahem... What happened exactly?"
 
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Adran Triveron (Whitewood Forest, Geraldis)

Everything started happening in quick succession after Adran had stood up. First Donovan and Isolde started arguing, then all of a sudden Esra appeared. He was relieved to see her safe, but as she recounted the fate of Illya his heart sank. He quickly pulled Esra into a hug. "You did everything you could've, don't blame yourself. I'm just happy you're alright." He let her go as the questions started to pile on.

As Donovan returned with the Copper Globemallow leaves and began bandaging his head, Adran spoke up again. "Everyone listen, our first priority is returning to the Impregnable Fortress. When e return we'll all sit down with Claius and explain what happened. We have four people and about a two days travel on foot, so Donovan and Isolde I'm going to have to ask you to reserve your bickering for when we get home. Everyone stick together, watch each others backs and don't make any more stupid decisions like I did and we should all make it through this unscathed.... well mostly unscathed." He indicated to the bandaged knot on his forehead and hoped he had convinced his comrades to get along for now.
 
Esra T. Montaque
( Whitewood Forest, Geraldis )

Esra had tensed up at the hug, eyes large and appearing uncertain what to do before gently hugging back. "I know.. I should have tried though, I should have avenged all of them... I will, one day. I promise that." She then seperated from him and listened to his plan, actually ripping a leaf from a tree while the others were not looking and examining it with a growling stomach. "After we tell what happened, I am either hunting, or stuffing myself... You two were hard to track! And to keep up with..." She did not intend to start fights right now, even if shortie cooked another dog she would not say anything. If it were a puppy then she probably would.. But Esra was doubtful he would do that. ' no, he would raise it and fatten it, I bet. ' "I guess we should be prepared to head to the fortress again then..."
 
Isolde Bennett (Whitewood Forest, Geraldis)

Esra's words regarding the rest of their group echoed in Isolde's mind. "An ambush? Illya..?" she put the pieces together and a solemn look consumed her face. So much had happened in such a short amount of time. The woman had fled the fortress against her superior's word in order to crush the gruesome gut feeling she had that her comrades were in danger. It was too late, though, she was too late, though. Isolde wanted to ask Adran about what had happened, did their group make it to Helies? She would have to wait for them to return to the Impregnable Fortress and hear the entire story when their group debriefed Claius.

Isolde looked up at the three of them, her face still solemn. She didn't want to give them a sympathy speech or even acknowledge them for being brave; it wouldn't have mattered, people had died. "Understood" she responded to Adran. "Unfortunately, my horse ran off and it had my rations in it. If we want to get anywhere we better go now."
 
Donovan Blackmoore (Impenetrable Fortress, Geraldis)

The news had been sobering enough. A slice of reality that Donovan had been avoiding but, couldn't help asking about when Esra arrived. He only shot the doctor a tired look when the man asked for them to quit bickering. Maybe he didn't understand, perhaps he would in time. Sometimes the fight was the only thing that kept a man going. Something to keep the heart willing and mind sharp. At times like these there was no such thing as the luxury to mourn. Donovan forced himself to give one last remark. "Well I know you're not the one leading on the way home. Let Isolde or I make the calls. Esra you can take up scouting again." They would need to keep on their toes. "Tonight we'll stop early and find something to eat."

Donovan trudged along and let Isolde take up the leading for the first day. He was tired and he needed some time to let his head clear. Illya had been an officer that he always liked. The woman was far more reasonable than most and it was a heavy loss for the Guardians. For days it had felt like he was wound tight and now it was starting to unravel. Quietly he put himself back together little bits at a time while they walked. It wasn't long before he regained his usual instinct. Already he was winding up tight again. Something was more than wrong. Zealots had never been so effective before. Why now?

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Early on the last morning Donovan tapped the shoulders of his companions. "We've got a long day. Need to get moving." A smirk came to his face when it was suggested he should set the pace. Pointing to his legs he grinned. "Aye..." Even if he was short he'd learned to keep good pace as a young lad. Had to keep up with everyone taller than himself. Today they would likely be hungry again. There wasn't time to stop until they reached the fortress.

Nearing afternoon Donovan slowed the pace to a walk for a few hours. They would need to take it easy without food in their stomachs. By mid afternoon the sun was high and he started jogging again. "We should get there before dinner." Already he could see the fortress. It was a ways out and the mountains often made things appear much closer than they were. Though he should have felt better the closer he got Donovan just felt a heavy bitter sweet settle over him. The gates were still open and they arrived shortly before sunset just as he thought.

Inside the gates Donovan walked with the group until they reached the meeting hall. Already there were Guardians buzzing about the Fortress like bees. They wanted to know what happened and he figured that there would be those standing outside the hall when Claius arrived to hear the news. Setting a hand on the doctor's shoulder Donovan nodded to him. "There I've done my duty. Now you do yours." Walking down the steps from the meeting hall he sought to blend with the onlookers and then fade away into the fortress. Donovan was a soldier not a speaker or one of eloquent retellings. This was something better left to a silver tongue that would soothe the ears of listeners. Adran could paint whatever picture he wanted. It would not change what happened. He could hope that the man would do them justice and tell the truth. Still he was afraid of what might be said, if the doctor would stray far from the truth.
 
Claius Vondale (Impregnable Fortress, Geraldis)
Claius dropped on his bed, exhausted. Never had he expected kids to have so much energy. He slipped his armor off and rested it on its stand, and then returned to resting for a while. He sighed. Isolde was gone for two days now, and he didn't know how much longer he could take working with the kids. They were good fighters, yes, but he would appreciated it more if he didn't have to check his rear every five minutes to make sure he didn't get jumped.

He pulled out the documents that were set on his desk this morning and went down to the chairs located in the common room. Scanning over them quickly, he tossed them one at a time into the fireplace. Normally, he would be more thorough, but he was too tired to properly function. Besides, the fortress seemed to be in good condition. He sat there a while, appreciating the heat from the flames. The peace was short lived.

A young boy came bursting into the room, and, between pants, exclaimed, "They're back!"

Claius immediately stood up. Could it be? He quickly followed the boy outside, without even putting his armor on. His heart skipped a couple beats as he approached the meeting hall. They made it back safely. I'm glad.

It was too late for Claius to arrange a feast for the returning party, but he wanted to be sure to organize one sometime. Isolde was probably going to get a proper scolding too, but at the moment he wanted to spend some time with the others. He chuckled to himself. At least the children were Isolde's problem again.
 
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