We the Unwanted We the Unwanted

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Adran Triveron (Impregnable Fortress, Geraldis)

"I'm fairly certain she doesn't want to hear anything from me but defeat Clay." Adran said with a sad grin. "It's understandable, years of feeling like an exile and doing nothing about it will make a person quite frustrated, and I don't blame her for letting those pent up emotions come to the surface. Still, I'm glad you understand the need for caution here."

"The way I see it, there are three scenarios that could play out, depending on what kind of man this new king is. Best case scenario, the king is a kind and just soul who wishes to understand the plight of the Guardians and make amends for centuries of exile, in which case we appeal to his compassion. The second scenario is that his feelings are neutral towards the Guardians but guarded due to our false reputation, in which case we appeal to his logic, and create a case for how the Guardians and Luina can work together and benefit each other. The third and worst case scenario..." he paused as he remembered the gruesome image he'd created, "He hates the Guardians just as much as his fathers before him. If that's the case, we probably wont make it past the gates of the city, and may have to fight our way back home."

"I'm hoping the latter doesn't happen, but we should be prepared just in case. I'd suggest sending an envoy of no more than five Guardians including myself. You can at least tell Illya I was planning on going whether she forced me or not. You know our comrades better than I could ever hope to so I'll trust you with deciding who should come with me. We go under a banner of peace with weapons concealed for last resort measures only, and should we be allowed to meet with the king, I'll work my magic." He was joking on that last line, felt it was important to relieve the tension a bit. He only hoped Clay would find the plan acceptable.
 
Claius Vondale (Impregnable Fortress, Geraldis)
"I'll gather some volunteers," Claius said, rising from his seat. "Hopefully we will be able to have you leave before daybreak."

He went for the door, then paused.

"Adran, it might not seem like it, but many of us support you as well. For the least, I appreciate it. We will gather your supplies and transport for your journey there."

He nodded to Adran, and exited the room. To his left, Illya was leaning on a wall.

"Was I too harsh?" She asked quietly. Claius stiffened.

"Yeah, a bit." He pulled out his waterskin and took a swig of water. He offered it to Illya, who took it gratefully.

"I feel terrible." she said.

"Don't be." He replied. "He understands how you feel, and so do I. We're all in the same family here."

She looked unconvinced, but decided to drop the matter.

"What did you talk about, while I left?"

"He wanted to tell you that he was planning on being responsible for the negotiations. We are getting him to leave by tomorrow morning."

"By himself, no right?" She asked.

"Of course not. We will send some escorts along. We would be expecting a hostile response from the King's Guard, so it's best to stay cautious."

"I'll go." She said firmly. Claius raised an eyebrow, and she quickly added, "I want to make it up to him."

"We'll go too." A voice sounded behind him.

Claius turned to see Vee Gregorson, Lieutenant. His cronies were behind him in a semicircle.

"Figured it's something to do, since me and my boys are just screwing around all day. Anything to help out."

Four men total. Claius wasn't sure if it was overkill, having six people leave for the envoy, but he decided it saved him time from searching for others. Besides, he would probably hear plenty of critical comments about his and Adran's viewpoints. This was easier.

"Alright. Gregorson and Illysa. You two are in charge of escorting Adran to Helios. Be careful, and remember, you're in enemy territory. Don't try to fight, retreat."

I'll be getting your stuff ready. Get some rest early tonight, tomorrow is going to be a long day."
 
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Adran Triveron (Impregnable Fortress, Geraldis)

As Claius left, Adran couldn't help but be impressed by his ability to get things done around the fortress. The man says he'll have everything ready to go by tomorrow morning, and Adran would bet money that he'll get it done. He's lucky to have a man like that be his ally.

But with contemplation done, Adran thought it best to check on the infirmary to see if any other Guardians needed tending to, then it was off to get some rest. He suspected that tomorrow would be very interesting, for better or worse.
 
Esra T. Montaque
(Impregnable Fortress)

With a sigh of defeat, the female walked along silently and slouched down by the fire, sitting rather nearly for being on the ground as she felt the heat radiate off the flames. 'I wonder...' Her thoughts began to wander slightly, she had been a bit wild of recent when it came to where she went. Occasionally you could find her where she is now. Other times in the forest and even, once in awhile, you could find her causing mischief for others around her age.

Indeed, she probably could use some growing up. Just last week, she replaced someone's masculine boots with a pair of feminine; they didn't notice sadly until she pointed it out, and by then everyone else had been able to spot out the difference.
 
Adran Triveron (Impregnable Fortress, Geraldis)

As he began the trek back to his room, seeing as the infirmary was pretty much empty. He took notice of the group of his comrades grouped around a fire, and his curiosity got the better of him. He imagined that word of his plan had gotten around by now, and was curious as to what the general reception was.

As inconspicuously as he could, Adran made his way over to his comrades to eavesdrop on their conversation.
 
Donovan Blackmoore (Impregnable Fortress, Geraldis)
Mostly it was the common soldiers that had gathered around the fire in the center to talk. There was plenty of differing opinions going on. Donovan listened to one man argue for peace. He was tired of all the talk of peace it wasn't going to work like that. Yet there was the warning from his adopted father to be mindful of the distrust he had. It was overwhelming in times like these and Donovan shook his head. "Aye, they'll do the same as they always have. We'll spend another winter starving. Maybe worse. I wouldn't expect the king to care for us. Look at the rich. They have no conscience."

"What of Adran?" The fellow guardian returned. He knew well that Adran had been rich one time.

Donovan glared at the guardian. "You would believe that he would represent us? He's one of them! All that fancy talk. Even struts like he belongs in the court." He had failed to notice that others were gathering around the fire. Though he was not the only one to carry on with the argument. Soon enough the campfire was surrounded with various insults and men eager for peace while others were just as eager to see blood in the streets. "I don't care if he is worried about the consequences. Is it any different? The blood of their people or ours? Their men or our men? It's because he relates with the privileged. Their lives are worth more. Their men's blood is tainted with gold." Killing was killing and he didn't care much who it was.

A man pointed to the newcomers at the fire. "Donovan would you change your tune if you knew who was here?" It was always interesting to see what the man would do. There were few that had as bold a mouth.

"Nay." Turning slightly he saw that those listening were some that he spoke of. "What would you say to my accusations? Guardian." Growling the last word he waited to see what the man would speak for in defense. Already the common soldiers had heard the majority of the argument and Donovan had taken a side vehemently against the peace loving idea. It wouldn't work. That just wasn't how things happened.
 
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Esra T. Montaque (Impregnable Fortress, Geraldis)
Esra glanced over at him and intervenes in the conversation sharply. "Donovan, easy. Adran is not like them. He is more civil than us, maybe.. But he is not as much as them. He is..." She seemed to think of the word. "Well, I am not sure. He is just different, I suppose."

She didn't mean to stray into someone else's conversation, but had trouble holding her tongue as she sassily stood up for the other male. Her head rests lazily on her knees, outfit consisting of more masculine clothing due to not changing since her hunt earlier.

"You need to put yourself into his shoes, maybe then it could be easier to understand: yes?"
 
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Donovan Blackmoore (Impregnable Fortress, Geraldis)
Donovan turned to face the girl. His brown eyes had hardened. "You need not talk to me about easing up. Even a father will betray his own blood." Though he was far shorter than anyone there a few had learned the hard way that Donovan was all but wire and muscle. "Adran is not yet a guardian in my eyes. Till he spills blood for our cause he is simply here playing his games." Taking a deep breath he pointed a gloved hand toward the girl. "I've stayed clear of him from the day he arrived. Would much rather to tend my own wounds than have some peacock do it for me. Do what you will. He's no more Geraldi than he is guardian."
 
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Adran Triveron (Impregnable Fortress)

Adran suppressed an urge to facepalm after being revealed among the crowd, he'd just wanted to observe, not be involved in a confrontation. But he was in the thick of it now, no surprise that it was Donovan Blackmoore either. He never liked Adran, always keeping his distance and giving the cold shoulder simply because he didn't trust a man with Adran's lineage. As if such a thing mattered. He was frustrated, tired of being known as a politician, that wasn't the life he wanted.

"You and Major General Illya seem to be alike in that thought Donovan." He stepped forward into the light of the fire, eyes burning with passion. "You both have come to the asinine conclusion that just because I came from wealth, all I'll ever be is one of those self-empowered, narcissistic pricks. Well you're wrong. I had to live amongst the scum that inhabited the Upper level for years, and everything I saw about that world disgusted me, so I left it behind. I escaped from their tyranny because I wanted to help people, keep people alive. And for three years, that is the job you all have graciously allowed me to pursue." He addressed everyone at the fire now. "If I didn't care about each and every one of you sitting here right now, would I have ever worked so hard to patch up, every laceration, every broken leg, and every wolf's bite? If I was truly the highborn scum you think I am Donovan, why wouldn't I have just let you die of infection?"

He moved closer to the man, angrier than he's felt in years "My job, is to keep you all, my real family, safe, and goddamn it that's what I'm going to do! If it means stopping you from throwing both your lives and the lives of the innocent lowborns away in some stupid war that could have easily been avoided, then that's what I'm going to do. And frankly Donovan, I couldn't give two shits if you see me as a Guardian or not, I couldn't give two shits if you like my idea or not. Claius trusts me, everyone here clamoring for peace trusts me, and that's all I need. If you have a problem with my methods, take it up with Claius, I've said all I need to say."
 
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Esra T. Montaque( Impregnable Fortress, Geraldis )

Esra was surprised at how both males replied to this situation, eyes flashing anxiously and seemingly shocked. She didn't expect either to have a feisty anger like this: then again, she didn't get into many conversations with either but she does know them both.

Hearing Adran speaking with such conviction had definitely spiked her interest: before she exclaims something suddenly. "I think I have an idea! Although I feel neither of you will agree..." She was going to probably regret this, "The group is leaving off tomorrow: you two, if you fight beside one another, or at least, travel... It may help. Or one of you may be killed off and the other will live happily every after." Definitely blunt and weird in personality, to say the least.
 
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Donovan Blackmoore (Impregnable Fortress, Geraldis)

Donovan was fuming before the man could even finish his first sentence. Asinine was perhaps the only big word that he understood from the entire reel of nonsense and self righteous ranting. The over privileged brat came to hover over him. This was the one thing that Donovan hated more than anything else. The saying of spit in the eye held true almost every single time. It didn't make him a hard man, but it certainly helped. A slight bit of spittle hit him just above the left brow. It had all gotten quiet around the fire. Of course the dunce was going to try and back up his nice story with how he had saved his life. "I didn't ask for your saving." Stepping forward himself he was about ready to throw a punch and then the girl spoke again. She seemed to think that the two of them would leave together. Turning toward her momentarily he snapped back. "Stay out of this."

Grabbing both Adran's arms he squeezed hard and stepped forward again to force the man back. "You son of a bitch. Going in there with all your fancy talk. Its going to be the destruction of the guardians. " Releasing Adran he gave a slight push. "Stay out of my way."
 
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Esra was very displeased with how he told her to get out of this conversation to say the least, picking up her bow and suddenly tapping the back of his head. "Don't tell me to stay out of this, I may be guarding your back one day and 'slip up.'" It was not a common thing for her to say something along the lines of a threat, but she also did not enjoy being told what to do by anyone who she does not know well.

"And stop being such a hard head and think about what you are doing- don't go starting fights and shovin' others around!"
 
Adran Triveron (Impregnable Fortress, Geraldis)

Adran realized the mistake he made, it seems getting angry only made things worse so he tried to play peacemaker again. He's much better at that. He stepped in between the two Guardians "Both of you please stop this, fighting amongst ourselves isn't going to solve anything. Esra I appreciate you coming to my defense, but this should stay between me and Donovan." He tried to give her a reassuring smile before turning to Donovan.

"Why do you hate me so much Donovan? What did I ever do to you other than be born to a rich asshole? If I could've chosen who I was raised by I would've chosen a far better man, but I couldn't. We're comrades, we've been comrades for three years. I've been more than willing to try and get along with you, I want to at least be on good terms, why wont you give me a chance?"
 
Donovan Blackmoore (Impregnable Fortress, Geraldis)

A tap on the head only inflamed Donovan and he stared at the girl. "I pray to god you never have to watch my back then." She was only making it worse and he was doing his best to control his temper. However, a group of people trying to tell him what to think was the last thing on his list. At least the others understood and they said as they pleased. Always the common man could understand that, not these two. "Miss you best keep to yourself."

Then Adran pushed right in between them. Donovan glowered at the man. He was pushing the limits. It had been made clear that he wanted nothing to do with him and yet the fellow prattled on as if he should now be a friend. "Your forked tongue is a problem. First you fight and now you try to ease the situation with smooth speech. I don't take a liking to that kind of man. It only proves that you are a man of two minds. I don't much care to know what else you dabble in besides coming here to help us." Keeping his gaze steady on the man he waited for him to either respond or leave. Donovan wasn't going to give Adran the pleasure of remaining here. To win this fight Donovan was going to stand his ground. Unless he received orders otherwise and in that case it would be an honorable discharge from the conflict.
 
Esra T. Montaque
( Impregnable Fortress, Geraldis )

Esra quieted down when Adran intervened, eyes large and seemingly uncertain on what to do. Her head lowers and she sighs, "I'm sorry, both of you. I should not have intervened... I would do my job and not shoot you if that helps, Donovan... I didn't especially think that I would get carried away like this..."

She moves back and sits back down, she had become fairly close to docile again, the blonde not certain she would want things further out of hand considering her father would just be more upset with her.

"We will all have to work together one day, though... At least we see what each of us are like..." Esra speaks more to herself than to them though, when stating this.
 
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Adran Triveron (Impregnable Fortress, Geraldis)

Adran's heart broke at Esra's last comment. He just wanted to be understood, to not be judged because of where he came from, he didn't want this.

"I'm sorry Esra, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. Donovan, I'm sorry you feel that way. But if my negotiations fall through, you get the war you want. And you can laugh in my face and call me a fool all you want then. I just don't want any of you to die." And with that he walks past Donovan straight to his room and locks the door behind him.
 
Donovan Blackmoore (Impregnable Fortress, Geraldis)

Watching the man finally walk away was all Donovan wanted. He would have been just as glad if Adran hadn't been there. This was strictly a discussion among the men here at the campfire. It was strangely quiet after the fight. Several of the men walked away as well. Those that remained gradually started talking again. Donovan figured he was likely going to hear something about it. Most importantly he hadn't made any threats idle or otherwise. The men called to the meeting could differ in opinion as Donovan had heard and so he held the same right. When the orders came regardless of what they were he would follow. Tonight was the night that he had to say as he pleased. Beginning in the morning or with the first orders he would follow without question.
 
[Illya Lott] Donovan Blackmoore (Impregnable Fortress, Geraldis)
Illya had been watching the scene unfold above. Trained in stealth, she was able to stand above them, in plain sight, undetected. Now that Adran had left, she walked down the stairs towards Donovan.

"Hey, you. I'm not sure what makes you hate Adran, but you cut it. You are not any less foreign to us than he is, but I'm not trying to hold that against you." She smiled roguishly. "Perhaps, you should join the expedition, like Esra offered. You seem to lack the understanding gravity of the situation."

She turned her back on Donovan and started fidgeting with the banister.

"It's not like I approve of what Adran proposed, but I respect Clay. As far as I know, Claius never had made a decision that had brung about harm to our people. Not that Saxo had, or anything, but we should value the ultimate decision of our superiors.

"I am going to join the mission, all things considered. It's not because I approve, but because I want to be there to protect my people. Gregorson's boys are going to be joining the escort, but they are far too inexperienced to be able to fend off a legitimate threat from the Luins. I would've liked to have Claius to come, but the people need him more than ever, given the harsh winter we had to go through. Donovan, you are one of our strongest fighters, and even though you hate the guts out of this man, please. We need your help."

She glanced up at Esra. "You should come, too. We need someone to scout for us, and though I don't want to put the pressure on you, but you probably can do the job ten folds better than I can."
 
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Esra T. Montaque
( Impregnable Fortress, Geraldis )

Esra quickly stood with large eyes, excitement in them instead of anger or distress. "I-I... I can go? Really! I mean..." She blinked, gulping back her eagerness and nodding her head. "Of course, I will do my best. Whe do we set out though? I did not pay the male attention to this..."

She was embarrassed about that; the fact that she could go and did not even listen to what was important! The freckle faced female ran a petite and slightly tanned hand along the back of her head and glances away: "I should talk to father about this: I am going either way but he deserves to know at least."
 
[Donovan Blackmoore] Illya (Impregnable Fortress, Geraldis)

Regardless of his choice the offer from Illya was as much a command as it was her way of saying it was his punishment. Gritting his teeth he watched her as she fidgeted with the banner. This officer of them all knew how to get him every time. He would have rather been punished with extra duties or less rations for a week. Hunger he could easily bare. Illya was seemingly taunting him while he tried to think of any way out of this. It was true that the Gregorsons boys were not as experienced and Donovan loathed to see a mission so ill equipped to be sent out.

It was a filthy taste to his mouth. Still she had asked and it was as good as an order. "Aye...I've spoken my mind. It would be my honor to serve best as an officer of the guardians sees." Clearly enunciating the words with a hint of anger he accepted the command. This did not change his mind and the offer to the girl only made it worse. Did Illya purposefully choose the girl to irritate him? Esra had shown herself to be immature with her threat and now he had to be bodyguard to Adran with the girl playing scout. "First light when we prepare to leave?" Ignoring Illya's choice of comrades for however long this took, Donovan figured it was best to know when his punishment started so that he could be prepared.
 
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