Name: Captain Elenore Morgana
Age: 27
Species: Human/Woodland Elf
Height: 5’3”
Occupation: Commander of the Giganoto Coleoptera. (Giant Beetles)
Powers/Abilities: Telepathically communicates and controls giant beetles known as Giganoto Coleoptera.

Bio: As a child, Elenore Morgana was found living in the Great Forest in the heart of Ferros. Discovered by a family of nobles, she was adopted and taken back to their estate, not knowing who she was, how she got there, or how she had survived. At the time, she spoke no discernible language and was effectively mute. Over the years, she learned to speak, and revealed her past. She was abandoned at a young age in the Great Forest, but was quickly taken in by the Giganoto Coleoptera, species of giant sentient beetles with magical potential. Under their care, she discovered that she could communicate with them telepathically. To be able to naturally communicate with the beetles is a rare trait in this land, one that is believed to be a gift of the divines, meant to be a bridge between the species. These individuals are dubbed Oracles of the Armored Ones, or just Oracles for short. Upon learning this, her adopted family took her to an academy to learn to become a commander of the beetles in the royal army. In this academy, Elenore excelled at strategic maneuvers and eventually became the top beetle commander in the army. Of all the Oracles, Elenore seemed to have the strongest connection with the beetles, considering them to be part of her family.

Combat: Physically, Elenore is comparatively frail, with no more physical strength than an average human. Because of this, she tends to rely on stealth in hand to hand combat. Her real strength lies in her connection with the Giganoto Coleoptera. The beetles consider her one of their own and will defend her with their lives. Furthermore, Elenore specializes in directing them in combat against structures, garrisons, and other behemoth class enemies.

Giganoto Coleoptera: The Giganoto Coleoptera are a species of giant sentient beetle that are indigenous to the landmass of Ferros. These beetles are capable of communicating with other organisms through telepathy and are known to have magical potential. This species typically stands at around seven stories, but have been known to grow even larger. This species is carnivorous, and their prey items of choice are dragons. Their exoskeletons are extremely thick, and are highly resistant to nearly every form of attack.

Weaknesses: As stated before, Elenore is not very strong, and can be easily overwhelmed by nearly any non-human species. To make matters worse, her beetles are extremely large, and can be ineffective at combating smaller hostiles, assuming that they’re nimble enough to avoid getting stepped on or getting hit by mandibles. Due to their close connection to Elenore, they feel what she feels. If she is incapacitated, mortally wounded, or killed, they feel it too, and will be disoriented as a result.

“Most people look at these beautiful creatures and just see big, ugly bugs. When I look at them, I see my family. These guys took me in when I had no one, and once you get to know them, they’re really great! I just wish other people would give them a chance…”
~Cpt. Morgana on the Giganoto Coleoptera.

(End of ref. @Radiant you can reply at anytime now.)

(Hey, nice picture and info! I love the giant beetles, they're so cool. X) )

'Hmph,' Knife growled, and kept walking. //It seems unlikely that no Ultras would show up,// he thought, but decided not to make himself seem pessimistic by saying this out loud. Beside him, Eldritch was also quiet, mulling over his own thoughts about the situation. Up ahead, the camp was beginning to come into sight.

{As the camp came into view, it became clear that more kids had been found, as they were beginning to overflow out of the medical tent. It would seem the entire city's child population was completely unharmed.}

Meanwhile, back at Osseous, Ardens had healed enough to begin moving about again. He suited up in his armor and began to head for the door. But, before he could leave, he was approached by a fellow necromancer.}
Necromancer: "Where do you think you're going?"
Ardens: "Out."
Necromancer: "Out where?"
Ardens: "Just out. I need to take a break for a while."
Necromancer: "What about Delilah? You were charged with her care."
Ardens: "She'll be fine without me for a while. She's stable, and I gave her enough sedatives to down a dragon twice her size. She won't be any trouble, trust me.
Necromancer: "How long will you be?"
Ardens: "A few hours at most. Trust me, everything will be fine."
{Without giving his colleague a chance to retort, Ardens pushes past him, shifts, and takes flight into the setting sun.}

'It's very strange,' said Knife as they approached the outskirts of the camp. 'Even if this 'Orphanmaker' doesn't like killing kids, you'd imagine that the rest of Dolorus' army would kill them. Unless she tells them not to.'

Just then, Armin walked towards them from the campsite. 'How did it go out there?'

{The old mage answers Knife before turning to Armin}
"Because she was the only one who took this city. No other Necromancers helped, so they weren't around to kill them. It was a complete success, Armin. We drove them back with minimal casualties."
{The old mage takes a moment to look about at the camp.}
"I see you've found more younglings."

Armin glanced over his shoulder. 'I didn't find all of these, only a few of them. The rest were found by Sargon and the other scouts and patrols in the city. There's a lot, isn't there?'

Knife cast his gaze across the camp. 'If the 'Orphanmaker' won't kill children, then we should make an army of children to send into Dolorus's hideout.'

Eldritch looked aghast. 'I hope you're not being serious. That's a horrible idea.'

{The old mage looks at Knife, face matching Eldritch}
"You do realize that while Orphanmaker doesn't kill children, the other thirty or so do, right? You would be sending them to their deaths."

'Oh... I didn't think about that,' Knife grumbled. 'That wouldn't work, then. Never mind.' Eldritch let out a soft breath of relief.

'What's our next plan?' Armin asked. 'Are we going to march to Dolorus's place and attack them there?'

"Yes, actually." {The old mage confirms.}
"We're just waiting for the rest of our army from Aurum and Dredge. It's going to take everything we have to stop that madman."

'How long is it going to take for the rest of the army to get here?' said Knife. 'Hopefully not too long, otherwise the Akhetians might run us into the ground before we can do anything.'

"They're travelling by beetle." {The mage replies.}
"They'll probably get here by morning."
{Looking into the sunset, the old mage sighs.}
"I just hope that's quick enough."

(Just a heads up, in a fat minute, we're probably going to cut back to the necromancer's hideout with Glade and Frida.)

Armin thought that since the Akhetians seemed to be able to appear out of nowhere, this probably wouldn't be quick enough. But he kept his opinion to himself. 'Alright. Anything we need to do in the meantime, or are we all going to take a break?'

(Sounds good to me. :D)

{The mage looks over at Armin.}
"No. We've done all we can for today. As the sun sets, you all should get rest. We have a long march ahead of us tomorrow."

'Sounds good to me.' Armin looked around. 'Hey, do I have a tent? I was in the medical tent before, so I don't know if I have my own place.'

Meanwhile, Knife and Eldritch both began to walk away, presumably to get some rest.

"You have the barrack tents."
{He says while pointing to a large group of massive tents}
That's where all the soldiers sleep. We couldn't exactly bring individual tents for each soldier, so you're going to have some bunkmates."

'Makes sense. Well, see you around.' Armin nodded at the old mage before leaving for one of the large tents. He stepped inside, looking around.

Meanwhile, Knife was boasting about his performance in the earlier battle. 'Two Smelters, Eldritch!' he growled. 'It was my ice breath that killed them. The ordinary soldiers could barely do a thing. And I survived fighting that War Wagon.'

'You injured your wing and ran away,' replied Eldritch, sounding slightly amused.

'Hah! The 'running away' was tactics, not cowardice!'

{Inside the tent, there were other soldiers, milling about, putting away their weapons and armor, and a few were already lying down.}

...

{As Knife recounted his tale, a few soldiers with drinks, including Captain Morgana, began to jeer at him.}
Soldier 1: "Oh, yeah, you killed the weakest Akhetian class that exists, real impressive, Knife."
Soldier 2: "Oh please, That War Wagon was kicking your ass! If it wasn't for Jack, it would have killed you.
Cpt. Morgana: " Tactics my ass. You were running scared, kid! Take out Pugna, single handedly, when he eventually comes back. Then, you'll have my respect." (Proceeds to take massive swig of her beer)

Armin inspected his surroundings, then went to put away his equipment as well. //I wonder where Sargon and Ana will be,// he mused. //That is, assuming Ana is even out of the medical tent yet.//

'I don't listen to the ravings of half-drunken soldiers!' Knife boomed. 'Yes, I only killed two Smelters, but most of you common troops probably couldn't manage even that!' Eldritch lingered a short distance away, watching uncertainly.

Soldier 1: "What are you talking about? I've killed more Smelters during my time in this army than you ever will in your life."
Soldier 2: "And how many is that?"
Soldier 1: "... Three..."
{As the two soldiers broke out into hysterical laughter, Morgana stepped up.}
"You (hic) think you're a bigshot, 'cause (hic) you killed a couple piles of rock? //I// (hic) killed Pugna,and a slew of other War Wagons. You (hic) ain't nothin..." (She then proceeds to stumble drunkenly)

Knife glared at Morgana. 'You call yourself a Captain?! You look like one of the drunken delinquents I grew up around. What would you do if we had to go into battle again today?'

Morgana: "I....I could still beat 'em. (hic) I fight....better drunk..."
Magnus: "Morgana!
{At that, everyone froze up, and the captain sobered up pretty quick.}
Morgana: "Shit!" {She whispers.}
"I was never here!"
{She then tries to run off, stumbling and falling a few times in the process. As soon as she's out of sight, Magnus comes walking up through the crowd.}
Magnus: "Ok, where is she? I know she snuck off to get drunk." {He says tiredly.}

'Um...' said Eldritch, not really wanting to give away that Morgana had just been there. Knife, however, had no such qualms.

'She went that way,' he grumbled, pointing a claw in the direction Morgana had run. 'Does she do this often?'

Magnus: "Unfortunately...Thank you, Knife. It's good to see at least one of my soldiers has the wherewithal to not get drunk when he threat of ambush is very real."
{He says while looking around at everyone else. Shaking his head, he begins to walk after the captain.}

'They're only celebrating their victory,' said Eldritch, his voice quiet. 'Maybe we shouldn't be so harsh with them.'

Knife snorted. 'They're forgetting about what's going on. Things are serious here. We're being attacked by both the draugrs and the Akhetians. There's no time for this kind of celebrating.'

Magnus: "When we win this, Eldritch, I will personally provide the liquor and entertainment, but right now, we need to focus. This war isn't over, and if we're not careful, we'll lose."
{With that, Magnus walks off to find the captain.}

(Re: Thank you so much!)

'Come on, let's go,' said Eldritch, walking away towards the barracks tents. After a final glance at the departing Magnus, Knife followed as well. Upon arrival at the tents, Eldritch went inside while Knife found a space outside the tent to sleep, as he was unable to shapeshift, and therefore wouldn't fit.

(Are we going to return to the other group now?)

(Ye)

{Meanwhile, back at the Necromancer's place of residence, all was fairly quiet in the mountain as the day subsided. Lucy was in Frida and Glade's cage, scribbling pictures on the floor with a pebble, as most young children do.}

(Re: Lol yes please)

Glade lay near the front of the cage, his head resting on his front legs. He should have been tired, since it was almost nighttime, but he had done so little since being captured that he found himself more restless than anything else.

Frida was sitting further back in the cell, listening alertly to every sound around her. 'Hey, what are you doing?' she asked, looking towards Lucy in a curious manner. She could hear the young dragon scribbling on the floor, but obviously couldn't see it.

"Drawing." {She replies sheepishly.}
"There's really not much else to do here. I just wish I had crayons and paper instead of a rock "

'Huh, that's cool. Are you drawing anything in particular?' Frida asked.

"Not really." {She replies.}
"Just my Mommy and Daddy."

'Your parents, huh? Do you think they'll be trying to find you right now?' Frida asked. Glade lifted his head and peered over curiously to look at the drawing.

(Re: (I hope it's alright to be replying here) Haha yeah! I always think back to their interaction with your characters and think to myself, "Man, my boys were wimps. They need an upgrade." xD)

"I don't think so. My mom and dad kinda-HEY!"
{Lucy dove over her drawing to keep Glade from seeing her current drawing.}
"This one's not done! Look at that one!"
{She points to a different drawing, depicting her with two larger dragons. One had curved horns and the other seemed to have a tuft of feathers on its head.}

(Is the finished drawing the one showing her parents, or a different one?)

(The finished one she's pointing to does depict her parents.)

Glade obligingly turned his attention to the drawing Lucy wanted him to see. He studied it for a moment. 'Those are your parents?' he said curiously. 'They look nice. That one's got feathers, like me!'

'Is it the same species as you?' Frida asked.

(Re: Lol okay. Well, the upgrade I've made on them is mainly to give them greater skill and durability. They are much more adept with their weaponry and and metal bending than before.
I have considered it but haven't made a move to officially continue it. However, I'm hoping to host an open RP sometime after the new year, so we can work things out then.)

"Well, both my parents were dragons, obviously. My mother was a western and my father was...something feathery. I don't really know, he was just really colorful. But as you can see, I mostly inherited my mother's traits. I don't even have feathers, and my skin's a dull grey, like hers."

(Re: Hopefully! I'll be out of town in the next few days, so after new year's day might be the earliest I can do. If I'm not swamped tomorrow and the day after, I might be able to host something.)

Glade nodded, gazing at the drawing. 'I'm a hawkdragon. At least, that's what we've always called ourselves. Your dad definitely wasn't the same species as me. We're never that colourful.' He smiled a little. 'Were your parents nice people?'

(Re: Thank you, I appreciate that!)

{Lucy looks down, a little sad.}
"They were, then dad made mommy leave, and brought this other woman in and told me to call her new mommy. But when I refused and he got mad. So I ran, to find my mom, but I ended up here. And now I can't find her..."

Glade was still staring at the drawing. He felt like there was something familiar about the appearance of the mother dragon, but he couldn't put his finger on it. He gave up and turned to Lucy instead. 'I'm sorry to hear that,' he said sympathetically. 'But I know you'll find your mother someday. Don't give up looking. She's out there somewhere in the world.'

(You know, don't you? ;). )

{Lucy managed a small smile, but before she could reply, a voice rang out from the nearby hallway.}
Dolorus: "Oooooh, Glade! I need a willing test subject again! You ready for round two?"
Lucy: "Oh, crap...."
{Dolorus had not come into view yet, but he was coming. Lucy began to speak in a panicked whisper.}
Lucy: "Frida! He can't see my drawings, or he'll know I'm here! Quick, lie on top of them!"

(I've been putting the pieces together. X) )

Glade stood up and went to the bars without hesitation, watching for Dolorus to appear, while shooting a concerned look at his cellmates. Frida came over and obligingly lay down over the drawings on the floor, or at least where she guessed them to be. 'Is everything covered?' she whispered.

Glade cast his eye over her. 'I think so,' he replied. 'Don't move.' He then turned back to watch for Dolorus.

{Right as Dolorus turned the corner, Lucy dove behind Frida and out of sight.}
Dolorus: "Alrighty, I got more tests! Let's get going!"
{Dolorus opens the door and waits expectantly for Glade to exit.}

'Thank you,' said Glade politely, exiting the cell. Frida folded her ears back and snarled at Dolorus.

'You'd better not kill him, you creep,' she said.

(Quick update note in the most recent Shacklestone room.)

{Dolorus just grins his twisted smile at her. }
"Relax, sweetie. This spell is non lethal. The only way he'll die is if I f up /royally/ . So sit back, relax, and be a good little girl because I am the one who decides your fate."

Frida didn't reply, but lay her head down on her forelegs and bared her teeth warningly, as if to say 'you'd better be careful'. Ignoring her, Glade turned to follow Dolorus away. 'What kind of spell are you doing this time?' he asked.

"Same one as last time." {He says nonchalantly.}
"I just think I figured out how to get different hybrid forms between ourselves. Basically, while possessing you, I think I found a way to shift into different forms."

{As the pair leaves, Lucy peeks from behind Frida.}
"Is he gone? Phew. Thanks Frida, I appreciate it."

'That sounds very interesting, sir. I hope it works out,' said Glade.

Frida pricked up her ears and carefully stood up from Lucy's drawings, moving to a different area of the floor now that she didn't have to hide them anymore. 'You're welcome. I still think Glade is crazy, though,' she said.

Dolorus: "I'm sure it will, Glade. I'm sure it will."
{Dolorus led Glade back to the altar room like before.}
"Ok, get on the altar and spread your wings, like last time."

{Lucy giggles.} "I think he just wants to protect you, Frida, so he puts his life on the line so you won't have to."

'Alright.' Glade climbed up onto the altar and did as he was told. He lay perfectly still, knowing from last time that he was probably safer if he didn't move.

Frida snorted. 'If he wants to protect me, then I should be able to protect him, too. We're friends. It shouldn't be a one-sided thing. Though, I know Glade has always been self-sacrificing, so it's not really a surprise.'

{Dolorus gathers his supplies and slithers on over to Glade. He begins his work, slowly and carefully, constantly checking his work.}
"Mhmm , that goes there...And this rune...there...now where did these go again?"

{Lucy just smiles. }
"He's sweet . I like him. Such selflessness is hard to find in people these days."

Glade didn't respond. He just kept still and quiet, hoping Dolorus knew what he was doing.

'Yeah, I agree,' said Frida. 'Though it's possible to be TOO selfless. Sometimes I think he ought to stick up for himself more.' She lifted her head and sniffed the air. The dungeon was filled with the mingled scents of other prisoners, some of which had probably died some time ago. 'D'you know how many people are trapped down here?'

"Three hundred and twelve."
{Lucy states matter of factly.}
"With nothing to do, I decided to count them."

{Lucy curls up and shivers a little.}
"Well, that's the number, not accounting for casualties..."

{Dolorus kept working in silence. Apparently, this set of runes was much more intricate than it was before.}

(I think I'm going to leave glade here for a while, and we'll pick up with him later. Right now, Lucy and Frida need to do something plot related with Delilah. ;) )

(Alrighty!)

Frida's ears pressed back. 'How many do you think died?' she asked, then shook her head. 'I guess it doesn't matter. Besides, aren't we all going to be rescued at some point? You kept talking about that earlier.'

"Oh yes. I just know we will. After all-"
{Lucy's ears pick up at the sound of something coming.}
"Uh oh. Quick, lie down on my drawing again!"

Frida did as she was asked. 'Who is it?' she whispered, listening to the stranger approaching up the corridor. 'It can't be Dolorus again already.'

{Lucy did not answer, for she had already vanished. The sound of the footsteps that approached indicated a heavy limp, and slight grunts of pain accompanied them. It was Delilah, walking into the prison area, looking around with a confused expression. She began to inspect each cell.}
"Who was that talking now?" {She inquired.}
"Where is that little girl?"

Frida lifted her head. She recognised the voice and scent as Delilah, and also guessed who it was by the fact that she knew Delilah was injured. 'What do you want?' she growled as she heard the dragon come near her cell.

{Delilah glared at Frida, although she couldn't see it.}
"I heard someone. A little girl, from somewhere in here. What do you know, sightless one?"

'Are you sure it wasn't just one of the half-crazed prisoners? I mean, there's a LOT of people in here,' said Frida calmly. She then decided to take a gamble; being blind, she had no idea what the cell looked like, or if Lucy's ability really did make her completely unseeable. 'You can see there's no-one in here except me, right?'

{Delilah growled and started to walk away, but then something made her stop.}
"Wait. Stand up, sightless one."

Frida pressed her ears back in an expression of worry. 'I don't take orders from freaks like you,' she said, hiding the worry behind a scathing tone of voice. 'Get lost.'

{Delilah was not amused. Snapping her fingers, a burly draugr opens the cage and approaches Frida.}
"You should know better than to talk back to me. Minion, restrain her!"

Frida immediately stood up and backed away as she smelled the draugr's approach. 'Fine! I'm moving.' //It doesn't matter anyway. Even if she knows what the drawings mean, Lucy is still invisible...//

{Delilah entered the cell and inspected the drawings. The first made her squint, the second and third made her start to internally panic, the the last one, the one Lucy hadn't finished, made her lose it entirely. With a wave of her hand, she commanded the draugr to tackle Frida and restrain her against the bars.}
"Who drew these!? Who?! Is this some kind of sick joke?!"

{The final, unfinished drawing from Lucy depicted the feathered dragon consuming something, and below it the words:
WHY DID YOU LET ME DIE?}

Frida grunted in pain as she was pushed roughly against the bars. 'What are you talking about?!' she exclaimed. 'Whatever those things on the floor are, I don't know what they are. I've never seen them! And there's nobody in here except me!' //Lucy, just WHAT were you drawing?!//

{Delilah wasn't having any of it. What Lucy had drawn clearly made her livid}
Delilah: "You're LYING!! Minion, who else has occupied this cell?!"
Minion: "A hawkdragon, named Glade."
Delilah: "And where is he?"
Minion: "Dolorus took him for testing."
Delilah: "Oooh, just wait till I get my hands on him..."

At that, Frida attempted to pull herself out of the draugr's grip and leap at Delilah. 'Don't you even dare! He hasn't done anything! Why would he know anything about this? He's innocent and you /can't prove/ he's done anything!'

{As Frida struggled, the draugr forced her against the bars with greater force.}
Delilah: "This is all the proof I need. When he gets back, I'll-"
Lucy: "Stop! Wait!"
{Delilah stops at the voice, her eyes wide. Slowly, she turns to see Lucy, fully visible, holding up her paws in a gesture of 'wait'.}
Lucy: "I drew these. Frida and Glade did nothing, please don't hurt them."
Delilah: "I-it's not possible! H-how-? Wh-who are you!"
Lucy: "I think this is some sort of misunderstanding. If we talk about it, I think we can....figure it out."

Frida tried to snap at the closest part of the draugr's body she could reach, then froze abruptly when she heard Lucy's voice. A moment later she realised that the small dragon had deliberately revealed herself in front of Delilah and her minion. //Dammit Lucy, I thought I was hiding your existence for a good reason!// she thought. 'Don't hurt her, either,' she growled at Delilah. 'She's only young.'

(Wait, she thought she was hiding Lucy's existence for a good reason? What makes this reason not good? I'm confused. )

(She didn't know why Lucy wanted to hide herself, but she assumed there must be an important reason for it. So she's surprised that Lucy chose to reveal herself now after wanting to be invisible all this time.)

(Ooh, gotcha. It's because she didn't want Glade to be murderized XD )

{At this point, Delilah's mental stability seems to be deteriorating. She begins to shake and shout, a wild look of fear on her face.}
Delilah: "No, NO! You're not real! You CAN'T be! I watched you die! I mourned for you! You're NOT Mirabella!
{Lucy takes a moment before speaking.}
"No, I'm not. I'm Lucy. I don't know who you think I look like, but I'm not-HEY!"
{At that moment, Delilah grabbed Lucy by the scruff of her neck and started walking off with her.}
Delilah: "I WILL get to the bottom of this! Whatever you are, I will get answers! Minion! Lock up the cage!"
{With that, the minion throws Frida against the opposite wall, then moves to lock up the gate.}

Frida hit the wall quite hard, and staggered upon landing. She stood up, shaking her head, disorientated. Lucy and Delilah's scents were fading from the cell, telling her that Delilah and taken the younger dragon and left.

'Leave her alone!' she yelled, her voice echoing up the corridor. 'She hasn't done anything to you!' She then sighed, knowing Delilah probably wouldn't pay attention. //Well... looks like I'm on my own now.//

{Lucy's voice echoed back.} "Frida! Don't worry, I'll be fine! Just tell Glade not to freak out!"

Frida lay down in the corner of the cell, close to the drawings on the floor. 'Glade won't freak out,' she muttered to herself. 'He doesn't freak out. He'll be a little worried, but he'll be completely optimistic that everything will be fine in the end.' She then fell silent and waited, hoping the hawkdragon would be brought back soon so she could tell him everything.

(Ok, I'm going to do a slightly long section with Delilah and Lucy, then we're going to cut back to the army's camp for a minute to do something with Ardens, then back here to resolve this and give you back Glade. Ok?)

(Alrighty, go ahead.)

{Delilah takes Lucy to a back room, locks the door, and set her down. Delilah doesn’t seem to be handling this well, as she’s shaking, and she on the verge of hyperventilating. Lucy, on the other hand, is calm as ever.}

Delilah: “Who are you?”
Lucy: “I’m Lucy. I already told you that.”

{Delilah lunges forward and roughly picks Lucy off the ground, holding her in the air.}

Delilah: “No, I don’t believe it! You /look/ too much like her! Who are you!”
{Lucy yelps and starts speaking in a panicked tone.}

Lucy: “Lady, I don’t know what you’re talking about! I told you, I’m Lucy! Ow, you’re hurting me! Stop!”

{Delilah’s expression turns to one of grief as she drops Lucy. Taking a few steps, she leans against the wall, sobbing. Lucy picks herself up and approaches Delilah cautiously.}

Lucy: “Wait, I know you. You’re the Orphan Maker, aren’t you?”

{Delilah doesn’t answer. She just slumps down the wall and pulls herself into a ball.}

Lucy: “You don’t hurt children. Why? Why do you hurt everyone but kids?”
Delilah: “…Because they remind me too much of her…”
Lucy: “Who?”
Delilah: “My daughter…”

Lucy: “Oh, is that the Mirabella you mentioned?”

{Delilah doesn’t answer. Lucy walks over to her and sits next to her.}

Lucy: “You mentioned mourning her. I’m sorry you lost her. But it doesn’t make sense. If the children remind you of her, and you can’t hurt them because of it, then why hurt everyone else.”
Delilah: “…Because they deserve it.” {She replies, her tone suddenly dark.}
“Mira was the only goodness this world has ever shown me, and she was ripped away before her time by the only man I thought I could trust. I thought he was different, but he was just like the rest. Everyone in this world deserves what’s coming to them. Everyone I’ve hurt deserved it…”

Lucy: “You’re wrong. There are good people out there. People like Mira, people who are like how you used to be. And you’re hurting them, Delilah. You’re hurting everyone.”

{Delilah turns violently and snaps at Lucy.}
“And what would /you/ know about me or my daughter!? You’re barely past nine!”

{Lucy stands at this.}
“You’re a fool to judge me by my appearance. I know more than you think. I know she would be very disappointed in you if she knew you were using her death as an excuse to lay waste to the world.”
Delilah: “Shut up…”
Lucy: “And I know that you blame yourself for her death. You see yourself as a worthless failure because you couldn’t save her.”
Delilah: “W-what?”
Lucy: “And I know with absolute certainty that the way you blatantly disregard the lives of others makes you no better than Ogden.”
Delilah: “SHUT UP!!”

{With a rageful cry, Delilah struck Lucy with her hand, laced with decay magic. The blow sent Lucy flying, hitting the wall with a crunch and the decay caused severe tissue loss at the point of contact. Lucy lay motionless as blood began to pool beneath her. Taking a moment to realize what she had done, Delilah puts her hands over her mouth and falls to her knees, letting out a cry of horror and guilt.}

Delilah: “W-what have I done? Lucy! I-I’m…..I’m so sorry…”

{As Delilah began to weep miserably at what she had done, Lucy began to stir. She sat up, her blood defying every natural law as it flowed backwards, back into her body. Her bones made a cracking sound as they pulled themselves back into place and mended instantly. Her decayed flesh was rapidly regenerating. Standing, she spoke in a slightly annoyed tone.}

Lucy: “Delilah, you really ought to control that temper of yours.”

{When Delilah saw this, she wore a look of absolute horror. She stumbled backwards, hitting the wall awkwardly.}
Delilah: “W-what the hell are you!?”
Lucy: “I’m your wake-up call. What, did you think my appearance in the form of your daughter was a coincidence? This was the only way you’d listen, even if it was painful for you.”
{Delilah recoiled in fear as Lucy approached her.}

Delilah: “What do you want from me!?”
Lucy: “I want you to wake up. Look at the things you’re doing and the people you’re hurting. I’m an exact copy of Mira and you basically just killed me out of anger and denial. If you will not hear the truth, then I will show it to you.”

{At that moment, Lucy reached out and touched Delilah on the forehead After a few moments, Delilah passed out, slumped against the wall.}

Lucy: “You could be so much more, yet here you are, doing the dirty work of a daedra. You need to remember the love you felt, your peace in the world. You’re not a lost cause, and I will save you”

(Lol novel. XD Up next, Ardens is going to appear at the camp. You can have any active characters who aren’t sleeping during this part to either spectate or interact f you wish.)

(Nooovvveeelllssss. :D
Haha, alright. I probably have at least Sargon still around somewhere.)

{Meanwhile, back at the king's camp, all was quiet, save for the wind blowing through the ruins and the quiet crunching footsteps of patrolling soldiers. On the edge of the camp sat Biceras, gazing into the dark landscape, seemingly contemplating something. Given the events of the day, she could not sleep and so, went to the edge of the city to brood. Sighing, she shivers slightly in the wind, looking aimlessly into the dark.}

As it turned out, Anastasia had left the medical tent shortly before nightfall despite not being entirely recovered, due to her wanting to see Sargon. However, the vampire seemed to have disappeared, perhaps to go scouting.

With a wistful sigh, she started looking for a tent to sleep in. Limping painfully across the camp, she suddenly halted, frozen with fear, on seeing a silhouetted person sitting on the outskirts. Then she let out a long breath of relief. //Oh, it's Biceras...// With nothing else to do, she approached the other dragon shifter. 'Hey, what are /you/ doing out here so late?'

{Biceras turns to see Ana and addresses her with a depressed tone.}
"Oh, hey Ana. Glad to see you're feeling better. Me? I couldn't sleep, so I'm just sitting here...reflecting."

Ana frowned and went to stand behind Biceras, folding her arms. The brim of her hat cast her face into shadow, making it hard to discern her expression. 'About what? Oh...' She seemed to realise something, and tilted her head curiously. 'You sound miserable, so I'm going to guess you're thinking about that Ardens guy. Well? Are you?'

"Yes, Ana, I'm thinking about Ardens."
{She says morosely.}
"He's the whole reason I'm out here Ana. He's all I have left of my past. My family? Gone. My friends? Their ashes are scattered to the winds. I don't care what they all say about him. I'm going to find him, and I'm going to take him home."

(Re: Thanks so much!)

'Then you should,' said Ana decisively. 'Who even cares what everyone else thinks? If you really believe in him, then do it.'

{Biceras looks up at Ana, giving a small smile.}
"Thank you, Ana. Hearing that from you means a lot."
{As she's about to continue, a voice comes out from the darkness. }
"Well, I'm happy to hear you say that as well, Ana. I wasn't sure if you'd try to kill me on sight."
{In the darkness, barely visible, stands Ardens. He's fully armored, but has his helmet tucked under his arm. He steps forward with his free hand up in a gesture of peace.}
Biceras: "Ardens?"
Ardens: "Yeah. I just want to talk. I'm not-"
{He's cut off when Biceras abruptly rushes up and hugs him, picking him up off the ground.}
Biceras: "Oh my god, Ardens, you don't know how happy I am to see you!"
Ardens: "I know, I'm happy to see you too. I thought you were dead all this ti-"
{He's cut off again when Biceras puts him down and kisses him. At this, he gives a very surprised expression and tries to push her away, but her grip is too strong.}

'...Ugh.' Ana pulled down the brim of her hat low enough to cover her eyes. Ironically, despite her obsessive love for Sargon, she seemed a little disgusted by the sight of other people kissing. 'Biceras, get off of him. I'm standing right here. Besides, he was talking.'

(Huh, if Ivy existed during these events, I wonder what her reaction to this would be?)
{Biceras lets him go, smiling sheepishly.}
Biceras: "Heh, sorry. Too soon?"
Ardens: "...Yeah...a little bit...I know you've missed me but you should be sure you're ok with...who I am now....before you decide whether or not you want to do that..."
{Biceras' expression drops a bit.}
Biceras: "...Oh...yeah..."
Ardens: "Come. Let's talk somewhere where a passing guard won't try to take my head off."
{Ardens begins to walk along the edge of the camp towards the ruins of the city. Biceras followed him.}

(She would probably be squealing with delight in the background and cheering them on. XD)

Ana hastily pulled her hat back up so she could see. 'Hmm... well... I know she believes he's trustworthy, but maybe, just in case...' She cast her Cloak spell, making her completely invisible. Then she began to follow the pair, keeping a fair distance behind so they wouldn't hear or smell her.

(XDD)
{Not seeming to care that Ana disappeared, the two walked for an abandoned building. Once inside, they sat at a table across from each other. Despite saying they should talk, neither really knew where to start. After a few minutes of silence, Ardens breaks the silence.}
Ardens: "...Well...It is good to see you again."
Biceras: "You've no idea how long I've been looking for you, Ardens. I've spent years looking for everyone we lost that night."
Ardens: "Did you find any of them?"
Biceras: "Yes, but...too late..."
{Ardens exhales softly, closes his eyes, and slightly puts his head down.}
Ardens: "...We're all that's left, aren't we?"
Biceras: "...I'm afraid so."

Ana followed them to the building, but didn't go inside. She would have been too easy to notice if she did. Instead, she located the window of the room they were in, and stood outside it, closing her eyes and listening intently.

{After a brief silence, they continued.}
Biceras: "Ardens...I've heard things about you. That you've done terrible things to the people of this world. I just want to know-"
Ardens: "It's true. All of it..."
Biceras: "...But...why? Why, Ardens?"
{Ardens sighs.}
Ardens: "I was angry, Biceras. I was angry at the world. Everyone I had ever known and loved had been taken from me, all at once. Mom, Dad, Azureus, you...I just...I lost faith in the world, you know..."
Biceras: "I understand that pain...I've felt it myself...but to seek out an evil like Dolorus..."
Ardens: "I didn't seek him out. He found me. He offered me the power to take revenge. To avenge everyone. All in exchange for my loyalty. I had nothing left to lose so I accepted his deal.
Biceras: "Oh, Ardens..."
Ardens: "I know...Quite the mess I've gotten myself into...I've done terrible things, Biceras...If you want nothing to do with me anymore, I'll understand."
Biceras: "No...No, it's not like that, Ardens. You're still a good person, I can see that just from this conversation. Please Ardens, leave this place with me. Leave this cult, come with me. We'll run away together, make a new life somewhere. Just....come home...Please."

(Man, Ivy would probably love these two if they were all together in an RP. XD)

(She definitely would. XD)

Anastasia grimaced. 'God, you two are slushy,' she muttered under her breath in a tone of disgust. She wasn't sure how she felt about Ardens. He seemed genuine, but he'd also killed a lot of people for no good reason. //Not like Sargon,// she thought fiercely. //He only kills when he NEEDS to.// She then continued listening, to find out how Ardens would respond.

{Ardens just sighed.}
Ardens: "Biceras...I can't do that..."
Biceras: "But-"
Ardens: "No matter where I go, Dolorus will follow me. I lost you once...I can't be responsible for losing you again. You're better off without me.
Biceras: "No! I lost you too! I can't lose /you/ again! I don't care about this Dolorus! If he's the reason you can't quit, then...then...I'll kill him myself!"
{Ardens stands and shakes his head.}
Ardens: "No, Biceras. You can't beat him. You need to leave this place. Save yourself."
{Biceras stands as well. She rushes him and wraps her arms around him.}
Biceras: "I'm not leaving Ferros without you!

(You can continue if you like, since Ana is just listening at the window.)

(Ok)

{Ardens just chuckles at this and hugs her back.}
Ardens: "Oh, Biceras. Still stubborn as ever."
Biceras: "I'm not taking no for an answer! You're coming with me, even if I have to drag you the whole way!
{Ardens becomes a smokelike mass and easily escapes her grasp.}
"It's too late for me, Biceras. Leave Ferros. Go home. You'll be much happier without me."
Biceras: "No! I'm not going anywhere unless you're coming with me! I've come too far to give up now!"
Ardens: "Biceras, please. I've done terrible things, you don't even know me anymore. Go home, I'm begging you."
Biceras: "No! I don't care! I don't care about what you've done! Don't you get it!? ...You're all I have left..."
{Ardens just looks down at his feet.}
Ardens: "Biceras...You're the greatest friend I could have ever asked for...I don't deserve you...Goodbye."
{Despite Biceras' pleads, Ardens becomes smoke once again, exiting the building. Once outside, he shifts and flies off into the night. Biceras runs out of the building after him and watches him fly away.}

Ana looked up to see Ardens disappearing into the night sky. As Biceras ran outside, she un-Cloaked, making herself visible again. She eyed Biceras silently from under her hat for a moment, then said quietly, 'Are you alright?'

[Biceras doesn't answer right away. She just stares up into the sky, her hands balling into fists.}
"...I'm not giving up on him, Ana. I don't care what I have to do. I'll kill Dolorus myself if I have to..."

'Yes, well... don't do anything stupid,' said Ana. 'If Dolorus is as powerful as he's supposed to be, then I'm very sure that you can't beat him on your own. Committing suicide isn't going to convince Ardens to come back.'

(Biceras: Yes Ana, just as committing suicide against Dianne in Shacklestone didn't make Sargon love you. XDDD )
{Biceras sighs and looks down.}
"Well...I have to at least try...I've come too far to give up now."

(Ana: Oh, shush. That's a completely different situation. D:<)

Ana folded her arms, grinning. 'Maybe I'll help you. You'd stand a better chance at killing Dolorus with the help of my magic. Anyway, what now? Are you going to keep standing out here for the rest of the night?'

"No...I suppose I ought to try to get some sleep..."
{She says, back in a saddened tone.}
"What about you, Ana?"

Ana shrugged. 'I came out to... look for somebody. But it doesn't matter, I'm sure he's fine. I guess I'll be going to bed now too. Who knows what we might have to do tomorrow?'

"Yeah...Busy day tomorrow..."
{Biceras says, looking forlorn as she walks back for the barrack tents}

Ana hit her on the shoulder. 'Stop looking so miserable,' she said irritably. 'There's nothing to be miserable about. You're alive, and Ardens is alive, and we're going to kill Dolorus and end this stupid war soon.'

{Meanwhile, back in the Necromancer's prison block, a voice breaks the silence in front of Frida's cage. It was Lucy.}
"Frida! Frida!"
{She calls in a hoarse whisper.}

{Biceras jumps in surprise when Ana hits her.}
"Ana...I mean, I can try, but...Well, I guess you're right...Alright."
{Biceras puts her chin up and manages a smile.}
"Everything's going to work out. We're gonna do it together, and it's gonna be great!"

Frida immediately jumped to her feet and walked up to the bars. 'Wha - Lucy?' she whispered in a puzzled tone.

'Yes, it will. So quit complaining and get some sleep,' said Ana. They reached the barracks tents, and Ana chose one and began to walk towards it.

"Yes, I'm ok!"
{Lucy replied enthusiastically.}
"Are you ok? Did that draugr hurt you?"

'I'm fine,' said Frida. 'Well, I might have a few bruises, but nothing's broken. I was more worried about you and Glade.' She moved closer to the bars. 'What happened with Delilah?'

{Biceras looked one last time towards the horizon, he smile dropping a bit, before retiring to her tent. //I'm going to bring you home, Ardens. I promise.//}

Lucy: "I don't really know...Well, we got to this back room and...she apparently couldn't deal with how similar I looked to her long deceased daughter, and...She had some kind of mental breakdown so I...just kinda walked out. I mean, she was just curled up in a ball in the corner so...I figured we were done."
{Lucy gives a shrug.}

'So... you just left her there? Well, as long as she doesn't come back... Anyway, what are you planning to do now? You can't get in here, the door's locked.' She kicked the bars of the cage for emphasis.

Lucy: "I don't know. I'll figure something out. I guess I'll try-Uh oh, someone's coming." {Lucy ran off as footsteps approached. It was a large draugr, holding Glade. He was unconscious, but seemed unharmed. Oddly enough, there were red feathers in his plumage that were rapidly falling out, being replaced by his normal feathers. The draugr put him down in the cage, dropped another bag of candy, and a deck of playing cards, before exiting and closing the cage door.}
(Feel free to wake him up whenever.)

Frida jumped backwards when the draugr entered, but as soon as it left, she crept forwards again, catching the scents of Glade and the bag of candy. 'What the...' she muttered. 'What is this stuff?' She poked at the deck of cards with her paw. Since she'd never seen anything, she didn't have a clue what they were. Then she turned her attention to Glade, nudging him tentatively. 'I think he's out cold...'

Lucy: "Yeah, but he seems...unharmed. Mostly...Hmm, this is concerning..." {She takes a pawfull of the red feathers falling off of Glade.}
"Last I checked, Glade didn't have red feathers."
{She was cut off by voices coming down the corridor. The individuals never enter, but their conversation can be heard.}
Dolorus: "Where did you find her?"
Necromancer: "She was in the interrogation chamber, curled up into a ball and sobbing in her sleep, muttering about that 'Mira' again."
{Dolorus gives a heavy sigh.}
Dolorus: "I don't understand. Her old memories haven't resurfaced like this in hundreds of years, and suddenly, she's getting visions of her past? Where's Ardens, he was supposed to be watching her?
Necromancer: "He left hours ago, said he needed a break."
Dolorus: "How troublesome..."

'He didn't have red feathers? And he does now? Is that a bad thing?' said Frida. She then fell silent, tilting her head to better listen to the two voices. 'Huh, seems like they found Delilah...'

{Rusling can be heard as Lucy reaches between the bars and grabs a candy.}
"Yup...(Crunch)...And no, he didn't have red feathers before. They were white before...and the red ones are falling out now."

'I wonder what Dolorus did to him? As long as he's not hurt or anything...' Frida hesitated for a moment, lingering beside Glade, then she turned away and picked up a candy as well.

"Looks fine to me....(Crunch)....I'm sure it doesn't leave any permanent side effects." {Lucy sits down and pets Glade's head.}
"He's absolutely precious when he's asleep. I wish you could see the look on his face."

Frida just snorted and sat down to eat more candy. 'I'm sure he is. I don't need to, though. His personality is 'precious' enough.' She pushed her snout into the bag, trying to get the last piece out.

{Lucy looked over at Frida.}
"Hey! Aren't going to save some for Glade? He was the one that went through whatever it was Dolorus did to him!

'What he doesn't know won't hurt him,' said Frida. 'I could just get rid of the bag before he wakes up, and he'll never know.' Despite this, however, she pushed the bag away with the last candy piece still inside. 'Mhm, I guess I'll save him some. I don't really want any more, anyway.' She then turned to poke at the deck of cards on the floor. 'What /are/ these things?'

"Playing cards."
{Lucy says simply.}
"Have you never had any?"

'I don't think I've ever encountered any. I've only heard about them,' Frida replied, examining the cards with her paw. 'They just feel like hard, smooth rectangular things. So people play games with them or something?'

"Yeah, each one has images on them, and you can play all sorts of games with them. Dolorus likely gave them to Glade to help him pass the time. But...I don't think they're much use to you..."

'Probably not,' said Frida in an amused tone. 'It's OK though. Maybe you and Glade can play with them.'

"Probably. When do you think he'll wake up?"

'I don't know. Maybe we should start shouting at him really loudly?' Frida suggested, her face completely serious.

Before she could try this, however, Glade stirred. Drawing in a long breath, he opened one eye, looking around curiously without lifting his head. 'Mhm...? Where's Dolorus? Oh. I'm back in here again.'

"Welcome back, Glade."
{Lucy said pleasantly.}
"Dolorus gave you more candy and playing cards, but Frida ate all the candy."

'I didn't,' said Frida indignantly, though she was grinning. 'I ate all of it except one piece.'

Glade raised his head off the floor and gazed at them both, as if to make sure they were OK. 'I must have been asleep for a long time. I don't remember much.' He leaned forwards to grab the candy bag. 'Did anything interesting happen while I was gone?'

"Weeeelllll,..."
{Lucy began.}
"Delilah figured out I was here and dragged me off for...some reason...She ended up having a total mental breakdown because I apparently look a lot like her long deceased daughter...So....I just walked out..."

Glade looked up at Lucy with surprise, absentmindedly chewing on a candy piece. 'Delilah had a daughter and you just happen to look like her? That's very strange. What are you going to do if she tells other people that you're here?'

{Lucy just shrugs.} "I think she already has, and I don't think they believe her. My ability to cloak basically means they'll never find me, so I'm not worried."

(By the way, that last drawing she hadn't finished is going to be different from the one Delilah saw. Mysterious, isn't it? XD)

(Oooo, mysterious. XD)

'Well, that's good,' said Glade with a smile. He finished eating the candy. 'I don't really remember what happened after I went with Dolorus. I think he mentioned something about trying to shift into other forms while possessing me. I don't know how that works... but I guess it did work, because I'm still here.' He shrugged.

{Lucy gives a thoughtful look, gazing at the red feathers littering the floor.} " I dunno. Maybe it did..."

Glade glanced down at the feathers, humming thoughtfully and picking one up. 'I don't remember anything about these, either. Did they come from me?' He looked at himself. 'Well, I think I look normal now. Whatever it was, it's worn off.'

{Lucy gave a worried look.} "Glade, these were falling off of you..."

'Well, I guessed that, but they're all gone now. And I feel completely fine,' said Glade. 'I don't think it's really anything to worry about.'

{Lucy still looked worried, but she just nodded.}
"Ok, Glade I believe you. Well, things can only get better from here."

'They'll get better,' said Glade with a warm smile. 'As long as we're all alive, there's plenty of hope.' He patted Lucy on the head, then curled one wing around Frida's shoulders in a brief hug. She winced slightly, and Glade's expression immediately changed to one of concern. 'Are you OK? I thought you weren't injured?'

'No, it's... nothing. I just got thrown against the wall by that draugr pretty hard. Nothing's broken.'

Glade continued to eye her worriedly. 'I don't like leaving you two alone in here. I don't want something bad to happen to you while I'm away with Dolorus.'

{Lucy gives a smile.} "We'll be ok. We're honestly more worried about you. Dolorus is a bit unpredictable."
{As she finished, more voices could be heard from the other room. It seems Ardens had returned.}
Dolorus: "Ardens!? Where have you been?"
Ardens: I-I was just...Getting air."
Dolorus: "For five hours?"

'You don't need to worry about me. Dolorus hasn't hurt me yet.' Glade then fell silent as he heard the voices. Frida pricked up her ears, also listening intently.

'We heard Dolorus talking to someone before you woke up,' she informed Glade. 'About how Ardens, that dragon guy, had left the place. I guess he's back, finally.'

{Lucy looked over curiously, but didn't try to hide, as no one entered the room.}
Dolorus: "Ardens...This wouldn't happen to have something to do with that girl you met during the battle, would it?"
Ardens: "W-what? Of course not! Don't be ridiculous! I am-"
Dolorus: "Ardens, Mr. Pecky was there, and /he/ says you two know each other."
{At this, Ardens offers only stutters.}

'Mr. Pecky?' Frida repeated quietly. 'Did I hear that right? What kind of a stupid name is that?'

Glade didn't take as much interest in the conversation as she did. He settled down on the cell floor and began to play with the deck of cards, while half-listening.

Dolorus: "Ardens. Our mission here is too important. We can't afford any distractions."
Ardens: "W-what are you talking about? I'm telling you, I don't know her!"
Dolorus: "Good, because the next time you meet, /you're/ going to kill her. Take advantage of her foolish heart."
Ardens: "W-wait a minute-
Dolorus: "Problem?"
Ardens: "......No, sir..."
Dolorus: "Good."
{With that, Dolorus slithers away, leaving Ardens to stand there, panicking internally. //Oh God, what am I going to do? All this time, I've been venting my rage on the world because it took her from me, but now, it gave her back, and I'm supposed to....Sh!t!//}

'That sounded bad,' commented Frida. 'I wonder who 'she' is. Maybe Ardens has a secret romance with somebody from the other side.'

Glade looked concerned. 'Well, didn't Dolorus just order him to kill whoever it was? That's not good. Maybe Ardens will refuse and leave his army, or something. That's what I think /I'd/ do in his position.'

{Lucy smirks upon hearing this, but hides it from the others.}
"Yeah, I'd do that too, if I was him...Oh, Glade, can we play some Go Fish? It's my favorite!"

(I think we're just about ready to skip to the next day, after your reply. What do you think?)

(Sure!)

Glade smiled, seeming to forget about Ardens and Dolorus. 'Yes, let's. I like that game. I think I'm pretty good at it.' He gathered up the cards and started dealing them out between himself and Lucy. Frida, meanwhile, settled down nearby to listen to them play.

{As the night faded, and the dawn began, officers began to walk through the barrack tents, waking up the soldiers.}
Officer: "Ok, everyone, let's go! Another glorious day in the core! Every meal, a banquet, every paycheck, a fortune! I love the core!"

'Ugh, who's making all that noise?' Armin complained, before looking up to see all the soldiers around him waking up. He then remembered he was in the barracks. 'But it's barely even dawn. When this is over, I'm never going to join another military campaign.' He continued to complain under his breath as he got up.

In another tent, Ana had already been awake when the officers came. She had been sitting up, contemplatively gazing into the distance. She normally woke up early, so this wasn't unusual for her. As the officers started to walk through the tent, she looked around. //I wonder which tent Sargon is in? Maybe this one?// she thought hopefully. //I didn't see him at all last night...// She silently got up and started to get ready to leave.

{One commander heard Armin’s complaining and walked up to him.}
Commander: “Ooh, I’m sorry, sweetheart, is it too early for you? Want me to fetch your slippers?”
{He jeers sarcastically.}

{In Ana’s tent, Biceras woke up and started getting ready, looking more tired than anything else.}
Commander: “C’mon, ladies, put on your big girl britches(sp?) and get what grub you can! As soon as our reinforcements get here, we got a loooong march ahead of us!”

'Yes, it /is/ too early,' grumbled Armin, as if the officer hadn't been being sarcastic. 'Why do we need to get up right now? Is Dolorus going somewhere?' He picked up his sword from where he'd left it lying nearby and sheathed it. 'How are people even supposed to fight effectively without enough sleep?' he muttered as he did so.

Ana was one of the quickest to get ready, since she'd already been awake. She stood by the wall of the tent, staring dreamily into space, obviously still thinking about Sargon.

{The commander just laughs.}
“Yeah, Dolores isn’t coming, but Akhet sure is! We need to move, so get dressed, get armed, and get out there! Today, we march!”

*Dolorus

{As Ana was daydreaming, Biceras emerged from the tent.}
“Mornin’ Ana. “ {She grumbled.}
“Ew, what’s that face for?”

Armin just sighed. As quickly as possible, he finished getting ready and stepped outside the barrack tent. As he did so, a large falcon swooped down from the sky, landed a few feet away, and transformed into Sargon.

'Where've you been all night?' said Armin.

'I was scouting the city. There might have been more survivors.'

Armin just eyed him with dislike. 'I'll bet you weren't out there so you could rescue the survivors, though, were you? You probably hoped to find some poor wrecks to turn into vampires.'

Sargon didn't respond, standing beside the tent and looking around to see if Ana was nearby.

Ana jumped as Biceras spoke to her. She obviously hadn't sensed the other dragonshifter approaching. 'What do you mean, 'ew'? I was just wondering where Sargon and Armin are. You know, the people I came here with.'

{Biceras raised an eyebrow, smirking slightly.} "Jeeze, judging by the face you were making, I'd say you're a little more than friends with them, if you catch my drift."

"Trying to go back to your old ways' eh?"
{A voice piped up from behind Sargon and Armin. It was the dragonshifter that helped Knife and Eldritch.}
That's right, I know who you are, Silver Count."

(It's 4AM here right now, I couldn't sleep. DX)

Ana scowled. 'With /both/ of them? No way. I don't care about Armin at all. Sargon, though...' She quickly shook her head, stopping herself before she said any more. 'Um, well... nice weather today, isn't it?'

Armin cast a wary look at Sargon, but the older vampire showed no surprise that the dragonshifter knew his title. 'I have no idea what you mean by that,' he said coolly. 'I am here to do my job, like everyone else.'

OOoooof, rip. XD

"Uh huh." {The shifter said with a tone of doubt.}
"Listen here, old man, right now, this land's got more than its fair share of problems, so don't go adding to them by trying to force yourself on people. You keep your fangs to yourself, and we won't have any problems. But, if I catch you trying to turn people against their will, I'm going to tell the King, then deal with you myself. Got it?"

{Biceras smiled knowingly.} "Mhmm...I'd say it's perfect weather for a romantic wedding, don't you agree?"

Sargon stared at the shifter silently for a few moments, then said, 'Of course. I've no intention of making trouble for you or this land's people. I apologise if I caused any doubt.'

//Really, eh?// said Armin telepathically. //No trouble at all? Come on, I bet you Turned at least some people--//

//That's enough,// said Sargon coldly. //I have done nothing.//

'Yes, it is - wait, no! What are you talking about?' Ana turned to glare at Biceras.

{The shifter glares at Sargon momentarily.} "Alright. I'm going to hold you to that."
{With that, the shifter walks off to find some food.}

{Biceras' tired smile only widens.} "Oh, just that we all might die within the next few days, so if you love that Sargon guy to the point where you're having immoral daydreams about him, maybe you ought to ask the king to hold a short ceremony for you, so you can make your relationship official. Just sayin'. We might all be dead in the next 48 hours, so better now than never."

Once the shifter was out of earshot, Armin turned to Sargon. 'So... /did/ you Turn anyone?'

'That is none of your concern.'

Armin folded his arms. 'I'm pretty sure it is, because I actually want to help these people, and you floating in the background biting random passers-by isn't helping.'

Sargon ignored him and started to walk in the general direction of the other barrack tent, trying to see if Anastasia was there.

Ana blushed. 'I have no idea what you mean. Sargon just... a friend. I do /not/ have any kind of feelings for him like you're implying.' Her tone wasn't particularly convincing. 'And I wasn't daydreaming. I was just wondering where he might be, because I didn't see him all last night.'

Meanwhile, Eldritch emerged from the same tent Armin had been in. He gazed around curiously, then walked off to a quiet spot in the camp and began practising his ice magic.

While he was doing this, Knife walked past. 'Eh? What are you doing?' He looked down. 'Why is the grass all frozen?'

'Nothing,' said Eldritch. 'I just wanted to get a few minutes' practice in.' He released the magical enchantment on the grass and it began to thaw out naturally.

{Biceras began to grin mischievously.} "Are you sure? So, if he walked up to you right now, and said, "Baby, will you love me forever?", you would reply with, "No"? If he asked you for one night of fiery passion before we all might die, you would say no?"

{As Eldritch practiced, Captain Morgana walked over with a cup of hot tea.}
"...A few minutes' practice? What exactly are you practicing?"

'Don't be ridiculous, he'd never say something like that,' said Ana, blushing harder. However, after a moment's hesitation, she said, 'But if he DID ask me that... then... I would say yes.' She glared at Biceras. 'OK, I think he's attractive, I admit it! That doesn't mean we love each other.'

'Some ice spells that I think might be useful in the next battle,' said Eldritch. 'I don't know the full extent of what I can do. I can only discover new things by trying and experimenting.' He waved a hand at Knife, who yelped in surprise as he found his feet frozen to the ground.

'Hey!' he complained. With effort, he managed to break the ice and free himself.

'That spell doesn't seem to work on Akhetians,' said Eldritch sadly. 'They break the ice too easily.'

{Biceras chuckled, leaning in towards her with the same grin.}
"Well, sounds to me like you love him, even if that love isn't requited. Honestly, I think he's a bit too old for you, but if you truly love him, don't let anyone tell you different."

'It is NOT love,' Ana insisted, tilting the brim of her hat down to shadow her expression. 'And he's not THAT much older than me. I'm in my 250's, you know!'

{Morgana nods, sipping her tea through her scarf}
"Yeah, those guys are hard to perish. If you could get a spell that would freeze the Smelters solid, that would probably weaken them immensely. And that spell isn't entirely useless. It would slow down draugrs and stop the Necromancers in their tracks."

Biceras: So, if you're in your 250's, how old is he? His 260's? 270's?"

'I suppose so,' said Eldritch thoughtfully. 'If we see Smelters again, I'll try to freeze them. Though, Knife does a very good job of that by himself.' Knife grinned in agreement.

'He's about... 490,' muttered Ana, dropping her voice low in the hopes that Biceras wouldn't hear exactly what she said. //Come on, it's not THAT big of an age gap!// she thought irritably.

{Morgana nods.} "Yeah, That's definitely useful. No telling what we might run into out there."

{Biceras' smile drops a bit.} "Sweetie, that's almost twice your age. But, if you like him, well,... that doesn't matter."

'Hopefully we won't run into any more Akhetians though,' growled Knife. 'I'd rather just deal with Dolorus.' He gazed at Morgana for a moment. 'Hey, aren't you the one who got drunk last night and taunted me for only killing two Smelters?'

'Don't patronise me!' hissed Ana. 'I already told you, nothing's going to happen between us.' //But wouldn't it be amazing if it did...// she thought longingly. //I won't give up hope! Someday it'll happen!//

{Morgana chuckles.} "Yeeeaaaahhh, I was a bit tipsy. Sorry about that."

{At that, Biceras backs off.} "Ok, ok, you don't need to get upset. I was just...trying to be supportive."

Ana sighed and pushed her hat back up into its normal position. 'Sorry... it's just that I get Armin making fun of me about this /all/ the time. I know you're not like that, though.'

'No hard feelings,' said Knife. 'Apparently this drinking thing is a habit of yours? Maybe you should quit already. If you were drunk on the battlefield, you'd probably die.'

Eldritch glanced back and forth between them, wearing a concerned expression. 'Knife, I'm sure she knows what she's doing... she /is/ a trained soldier.'

{Biceras looks down and rubs her arm.} "Sorry, I didn't mean to cause you pain. He's a jerk for doing that. I know how it feels to be picked on for liking someone."

{Morgana shifted her stance and raised her brow.} "Yes, thank you, Eldritch. Your friend's right, Knife, I know what I'm doing. And besides, I'm sure I could still win if I was drunk."

Knife gave her a skeptical look, but didn't press the issue. 'If that's what you think. I won't argue with you, but keep in mind that I won't waste my time saving you if you're drunk on the battlefield and can't fight properly.'

'Yeah...' Ana sighed. 'You're a nice person, Biceras. If only more people were like you.' She was about to say more, but then stopped abruptly as she noticed Armin and Sargon walking towards the barrack tent. 'Oh damn, they're coming.' She glanced around frantically, then hurried away, scared that Sargon might've heard what she'd been talking about.

{Biceras gave a bewildered look at Ana's actions. Looking between Ana and Sargon momentarily, she hurried after Ana.}
Biceras: "Ana? Ana, where are you going?"

{The captain just snorted at Knife's remark.} "That's not going to happen. And besides, who are you to judge me anyway? I'm a grown, responsible woman who graduated top of her class in the Academy of Oracles in Aurum! Between the two of us, I think I have a somewhat better idea of what to do and how to handle myself than you do."

Ana stopped and turned around. 'Shh!' she whispered. 'I don't want them to know what we were just talking about!'

Armin and Sargon stopped in the place Ana and Biceras had been standing before. 'Hm, she's running away? From /you?'/ said Armin. 'I wonder why.'

Sargon didn't respond, but sent a telepathic message into Ana's mind. //Ana. Come back and explain what's going on.//

{Biceras just looked confused and spoke in a whisper.} "What does it matter? Ok, maybe it matters if Armin knows, but other than that, what are you worried about?"

Ana looked around to make sure no-one was nearby, before replying in a hushed tone. 'Sargon doesn't know about this... and I don't want him to find out this way. And I /really/ don't want Armin to hear.' She stiffened as Sargon's telepathic message reached her. 'But... if I run away like this, then they'll know for sure something funny's going on... oh, dammit.'

Knife rolled his eyes. 'Like I said, I'm not going to argue with you. I'm not your mum; it's not my job to stop you from doing anything stupid. But let me tell you this; you're probably the most irresponsible excuse for a soldier I've ever met.' With that, he started to walk away, not looking back.

{Biceras blinks a few times.} "Dammit? What's dammit? And why is it so bad that he knows how you feel about him?"

{Morgana just frowns and flips Knife off behind his back. "With that, she just stomps off to some other part of the camp.}

Eldritch stood there awkwardly for a moment, glancing back and forth between the departing Knife and departing Morgana, then started to walk back towards the rest of the soldiers he'd been sharing a tent with.

'It /is/ bad!' hissed Ana. 'Because... I'm not ready to tell him yet! If I /do/ tell him, then I want it to be special.' She looked back at Sargon in the distance. 'But... maybe he didn't hear anything,' she added hopefully.

{Biceras smiles and puts her hand on Ana’s shoulder.} “Don’t worry so much. I doubt he heard anything. Besides, so what if he did? You’ll never have a relationship if he never knows.”

Ana sighed. 'Maybe... I guess I'll go and talk to him. It can't be /that/ bad.' After a moment's hesitation, she walked off towards Sargon.

'Ana,' the vampire said in greeting as she approached. He raised an eyebrow. 'Care to explain?'

Ana blushed. 'Um, it's nothing, my lord. Nothing at all.'

'Then why did you run away?'

'Uhmm... n-nothing! I promise! I just... saw a really cool spider over there and wanted to check it out!' said Ana, improvising.

Armin's expression turned a little alarmed, and he peered over Ana's shoulder to see if there really was a spider there.

{Biceras walked up behind Ana, smiling and acting casually.}
"Yeah, she said it was a Goliath Bird-Eater or something like that. Never seen a spider that big before."

At that, Armin backed away a few steps. Ana nodded eagerly. 'Ooh, yes, it was /massive!/ It ran away before I could capture it, though. If I see another one, I'm going to keep it as a pet.'

'Oh no you don't,' said Armin warningly. 'If you start adopting giant spiders as pets then I'm leaving the country.'

Sargon just stared at Ana, clearly trying to figure out whether she was being honest or not. In the end, he apparently decided that he didn't care. 'Well, I believe the army will be marching onward to Dolorus's mountain soon, so make sure that you are ready when we do.' He then turned around and began to walk away.

{Biceras put on a mocking grin, put her hands on her hips, and leaned in towards Armin.} "Aww, what's wrong, Armin? A big, strong vampire like you isn't afraid of a little arachnid, are you?"

'A LITTLE arachnid?! That didn't sound like a 'little' arachnid to me!' said Armin incredulously.
'It sure wasn't,' said Ana, grinning evilly. 'It was at least as big as both of my hands together.' //It's kind of a shame that there wasn't really a spider there,// she thought sadly. //But maybe I can still find one... hmm...//

{Biceras just laughed at Armin's reaction.} "So what, you're still a lot bigger than it. It's not like it's an Araneo."
{It seems that the other soldiers were catching on to the conversation. Apparently wanting to be apart of it, one starts to silently creep towards Armin from behind with a large, fuzzy spider on the end of a stick. He signals to Ana and Biceras to stay quiet about it.}

'What the hell is an Araneo?' said Armin. 'It had better not be some kind of giant killer spider.'

Ana saw the soldier approaching, almost laughed, and managed to stop herself just in time. 'Oh, but that sounds wonderful!' she exclaimed, grinning. 'In my opinion, the bigger spiders are, the better! Before we travelled to this country, I had a few really big fluffy tarantulas at home as pets. I couldn't take them with me, though.' She started rambling about the characteristics of her tarantulas, partly to keep Armin distracted.

{Biceras saw the man and successfully kept quiet about it.} "Oh, an Araneo is a species of spider that's about the size of a small horse. You can ride 'em!"
{The soldier very quietly poked the stick to Armin's shoulder, allowing the spider to crawl on his shoulder. He then backs away, awaiting the freakout. }

Armin frowned. 'Well, if they live anywhere around here, then I'm going to--' He stopped when he felt something poking him, and turned around to see what it was. As he did, he caught sight of the large spider sitting on his shoulder.

With a high-pitched yelp of terror, he instantly shifted into hawk form and took off in a flurry of feathers. As he flew up into the air, Ana sprung forwards and dropped to her knees to scoop up the spider from where it had fallen on the grass.

'Aww, aren't you adorable?' she cooed as she let it climb onto her hands. Then she looked up at Armin flying away. 'Ha! Wimp! I've never seen anyone move that fast just from seeing a harmless little spider before.' She gave a cackling laugh.
Sargon, meanwhile, was just watching the proceedings with a 'what is going on' expression on his face.

{The soldiers, Biceras included, exploded in laughter.}
Biceras: "Ahahahaha! You-you should've seen the look on your face!"
Soldier: "Ohohoho! Look at all the feathers he lost just trying to get away! It was totally harmless, ya yellow belly!"

Ana stood up with the spider, talking to it softly as if it were a baby. Armin flew back down and returned to human form, looking slightly embarrassed, but also annoyed.

'Just because it's harmless doesn't mean I want the damned thing anywhere near me!' he retorted.

"Oh, lighten up, Armin." {Biceras says, still chuckling.}
"It was just a harmless prank."

{Just then, the low drone of beetle wings reverberates through the area. From the South, about thirty beetles flew in, landing all around the camp. The structures on the undersides of each beetle opened up, and hundreds of troops piled out, getting into formation}
Biceras: "Huh, guess that's our reinforcements."

'I'm all for funny practical jokes,' Armin grumbled. 'Just not when they involve monstrous spiders.'

Ana managed to tear her gaze away from her new pet long enough to watch the beetles fly over. 'Oh. Does that mean we'll finally be heading out now, then?'

{As the soldiers lined up, the commanders of each walked forward and greeted the king. After a brief discussion, they return to their battalions. The commanders of the original force began to give orders to the troops.}
Commander: "Ok, everyone form up, Scouts, front and center! Mages and Light Keepers behind them!"

(Wait, are the commanders talking only to the new soldiers, or to everyone? Kinda confused about what's happening.)

(Oof, that’s my bad. They’re giving orders to everyone. They’re trying to get them into formation for marching. Scouts are to go ahead of the army, mages and light keepers at the front, infantry in the rear. )

(Alrighty!)

'Looks like we are,' said Armin, and headed off with Sargon to join the assembling troops. Ana put her spider down on the grass, eyed it regretfully for a moment, and then hurried off to get into position as well.

Meanwhile, Knife and Eldritch had already gotten into formation. Eldritch, of course, was with all of the mages. Knife had positioned himself near the back of the group with the infantry.

{Once everyone was in position, Commander Danes addressed the scouts.}
Danse: “Alright scouts, listen up! You’re all going to go ahead of the army, call out threats, ambushes, and difficult terrain! Go no more than five clicks out. And those of you with telepathy, I expect you to use it. Now go, and then report directly to me. Let’s go!”

Armin shifted into his hawk form and took off, rapidly gaining altitude as he scanned the area ahead of them. Sargon followed a moment later, shifting into his faster falcon form.

On the ground, Ana watched them fly away. //I hope he dies,// she thought wistfully, looking at Armin. //But I hope nothing bad happens to Sargon out there...//

(And then something terrible happens to Sargon, but Armin is completely unharmed. XDDD)

{With the army in formation and the beetles walking along the borders of the group, the long march to Ossius begins.}

....

(We're going to cut back to Glade and Frida for a little bit, if you don't mind. I need to set something up for the next sequence of events.)

(Ana: NOOOOOOOOOOO--)

(Go ahead and cut back to them!)

{Meanwhile, back at the mountain, it was the early hours of the morning. As the prisoners slept, Delilah was sitting right in front of Glade and Frida's cage, seemingly waiting for them to wake up. Apparently, at some point in the night, she sneaked away from the infirmary to sit here. Her expression was not one of anger, or hatred, but of sad contemplation.}

After a while, Glade stirred. He lifted his head and looked around, blinking sleepily before catching sight of Delilah outside. 'Oh... hello,' he said, politely, if a little uncertainly. Frida was still asleep, so he kept his voice low.

{Delilah didn’t react to Glade’s greeting. She just glanced at him awkwardly.}
Delilah: “...I’m waiting for the other one to wake up...”

'Who? Frida?' Glade looked down at the motionless orange drake. Despite her sharp hearing, she hadn't been awoken by the sound of Glade and Delilah talking. 'Well, you might be waiting for a while... Can't you tell me why you're here?'

{Delilah just continues to stare blankly ahead.}
“...Last night, I met a dragonet named Lucy who resided in this cell...I just want to know if she was real, or just a figment of my imagination.”

'Oh! Well...' Glade looked around the cell uncomfortably. He didn't know if he was still supposed to be keeping Lucy a secret, given that she'd already revealed herself to Delilah. 'Well, I haven't seen anyone like that...' he said hesitantly. He hated lying.

{Delilah narrowed her eyes at Glade.} “You suck at lying, you know that?” {Sighing, she looks away.} “I want to hear it from her.”

Glade smiled apologetically. 'Sorry.'

At that moment, Frida lifted her head. 'Glade, who the hell are you talking to?' she said sleepily.

'Oh, don't worry. It's just Delilah.'

'What?!'

{Delilah looks at Frida as she lifts her head.} “Sightless one. I have a question for you. The dragonet I met last night...She was real, right? I’m not going to hurt her or tell anyone about her, I just want to know...”

Frida sighed. 'I guess Glade tried to tell you she wasn't, right? Well, she already showed herself to you, so it can't do any harm to tell you the truth... Yes, she was real. Her name's Lucy. I don't know where she is right now, though.'

{Delilah sighs and nods.} “Ok. I just needed to know.”
{Standing, She turns and starts to walk away. //So, it was real. Guess I only have one choice now.//}

'Has she left?' asked Frida.

'Yes,' said Glade, watching Delilah walk away.

'Hmm, I wonder why she wanted to know if Lucy's real? I mean, why would she NOT think she was real?'

'I don't know,' said Glade thoughtfully. 'Maybe it was so strange that she just assumed it was a dream.'

'I just hope she was being honest and isn't about to find Lucy and hurt her, or anything.'

(We should maybe make a new room for this sometime soon. This one's getting pretty long. X) )

(Yeah, I'll have to get started on that. It might be a while though.)

{As Delilah walked off, Lucy appeared from behind the pair, outside the cage.}
"Of course I'm real. Why wouldn't I be? What an odd question."

(No problem.)

Glade turned to look at Lucy. 'Well, maybe she just couldn't believe that she'd really met you. I suppose it must be very strange to meet someone who looks just like someone else you know...'

{Lucy just gives a puzzled expression.} "Yeah, but...Is the resemblance that strong? Am I...related to her maybe?"

'Maybe it's just a coincidence,' said Glade. 'Or maybe you are related to her, but I don't understand how you could be.'

'I say it's a coincidence,' said Frida, yawning. 'I bet you don't even look that similar to her daughter. She's just crazy.'

{Lucy just sits down.}
“Still, it’s really odd. I don’t get any of this. Why me, and why now? Hasn’t she seen other kids?”

Glade only shrugged. 'I wish I could answer your questions, but I'm just as surprised by everything that's happened as you are. On the bright side, though, Delilah isn't trying to hurt or kill you. And who knows, maybe seeing someone who looks like her deceased child will make her reconsider all the evil things she's doing here.'

Frida stayed quiet, sitting near the front of the cell and listening in case Delilah or Dolorus came back.

(Gee, Glade, for seeming clueless half the time, you sure are intuitive. XD)

“Maybe...” {Lucy hums in thought.}
“Or maybe your incessant niceness rubbed off on her. Maybe she’s been infected by your kindness?”

(He's not quite as clueless as he seems. XD)

Glade smiled. 'Well, if me being nice has the ability to make other people nice too, then that's great. But I don't think I'm the reason why Delilah is acting different. I don't think I have the power to change her like that.'

Frida snorted as if to say, 'of course you're not the reason, that's just stupid'.

(Was Colors dead for anyone else, or was it just me?)

(No, it died for me too. Rip XD)

(Ok, here we go...)

{Lucy glances over at Frida, a little annoyed.}
"Y'know, Frida, a little kindness can go a long way. You don't need to snort at our thoughts like that."

'There's a big difference between being kind and being naive,' Frida retorted. 'Glade thinks that being nice to people will solve all problems.'

'I don't think it solves ALL problems,' said Glade mildly. 'But I still think that kindness is better than hatred and anger.'

{Lucy sits back, tents her hands together, and gives a thoughtful look.} "Well, you have a point, Frida. Not everything can be solved with kindness, but conversely, violence isn't alway the answer. However, more people are willing to resort to violence than to try a pacifistic solution. Glade's special in that way, that is, he isn't aggressive.."

'I guess you're right,' said Frida. 'But maybe the reason why more people use violence to solve problems, is because violent methods are more likely to work. I'm not saying I'm happy about that, but maybe it's true.'

'I don't think it's true,' said Glade thoughtfully. 'I think lots of people BELIEVE violence to be the only option. In my tribe, hawkdragons are very warlike, and they use fighting to solve everything. I'm not like them. I can't help but feel that lots of problems could be solved with pacifism - if only more people were willing to try.'

Lucy: "Well, that is true, Frida. Violence and intimidation often gets those with dark hearts everything they want. It's the easiest path. Perhaps after all this is over, Glade, I could meet your tribe, see what's really rattling around their noggins."

'I'd like to invite you to meet them someday,' said Glade courteously. 'They often challenge outsiders to fights, to see how strong they are... though they probably wouldn't try to challenge you, because you're so young.'

'Hey, why have /I/ never met your tribe?' said Frida.

'Because I didn't want to endanger you. They might not have liked you. They're not always... very happy about members of the tribe making friends with outsiders, like I did with you.'

{Lucy chuckled.} "Well, unless they're willing to pit me against another child, I don't think they'll try. As for Frida, will they even care that she's blind?"

Glade blinked. 'I don't think they'll care about her being blind. It probably wouldn't stop them from wanting to challenge her. She's a different species, and hawkdragons aren't always trusting of other species. They prefer to stick with their own people, and their own culture.'

'It's kind of strange that you're so different from the others,' said Frida. 'I wonder why you didn't grow up just like them.'

Glade shrugged. 'I've just always known I was different.'

{Lucy tilted her head.} "Hmm...Glade, what were your parents like?"

'Well, they weren't bad parents,' Glade replied. 'But they always wanted me to be like the others in our tribe - strong and fierce. So they were a little disappointed when I wasn't like that.' He smiled, a little sadly. 'I don't talk to them very often anymore. We each have our own, very different lives.'

{Lucy closed her eyes and nods.} "Mhmm. So, where do you think you get your pleasant demeanor from?"

Glade looked puzzled for a moment, before saying, 'I don't know. I really can't answer that. I just remember growing up, seeing the hostility and fighting happening all around me, and realising that I didn't want to live my life that way.'

Frida pricked up one ear. She was listening intently, but staying quiet.

{Lucy hums in a puzzled tone.} "Hmmm...I guess you're just a gentle soul. That's nice... I wish more people shared your philosophy."

(I'm not sure if you remember this, but I had a segment a while back with Stella. She's going to become important to the plot fairly soon, so if you want a refresher on her past appearance, just let me know and I'll copy/paste the segment.)

{Meanwhile, up in his upper chambers, Dolorus was spending time with the girl who was seemingly living up there. The girl was playing a harp and Dolorus sat, coiled in the corner, listening.}
Dolorus: "Stella, my dear, you play so well."
Stella: “Thank you, Father.”
{The song concluded, and Dolorus smiled.}
Dolorus: “Such a beautiful song. Oh, wait here.”
{Dolorus slithered off to a back room, and promptly returned with a wrapped box.}
Dolorus: “Happy birthday, dear!”
{The girl’s face lightened up at the sight of it.}
Stella: “Oh, thank you, Father!”
{Taking it happily, Stella unwrapped it. As soon as she opened it, a cloud of particulates blew into her face. She began to cough and lose consciousness.}
Stella: “(Cough cough)…F-Father?”
{Dolorus had no look of concern on his face. Rather, it was a twisted grin.}
Dolorus: “Happy 18th, my dear.”

(I had forgotten about her for a while, but now that you mention her, I do remember her. X) )

Glade smiled, seeming pleased. 'I'm glad you think so. I think you're a very kind, gentle person yourself.'

(I think I have to head off for now, but I might reply later tonight if I still have wifi. See you!)

(Ok, Bye!)

{Lucy smiled up at Glade} "Thank you, Glade. I think there are a lot of people who can be nice if they're just given a chance."

'I think there are probably lots of people who /want/ to be nicer but are too afraid to,' said Glade thoughtfully. 'Because they feel that being cruel or violent is easier. I wonder if Dolorus is evil because he really wants to be, or because there's some other reason?'

'I'm pretty sure Dolorus is just evil,' said Frida. 'He creeps me out.'

{Lucy just tilts her head.} "I dunno. He must have a reason for this. nobody does anything without reason..."

{She wanted to continue, but she was cut off by the sound of someone approaching. It was Dolorus. Lucy dove behind a cage before he came into view. He passed by but didn't enter. In his coils as he went along, one could see an unconscious girl with a red streak of hair. As Dolorus went past, he passed Delilah. Delilah saw the girl and froze. Delilah knew every prisoner in the cell blocks. Being the one who constructs the majority of centaurs and abominations, it was her job to know about every prisoner and their viability to be used in a draugr construction. However, that girl was completely unfamiliar to her. Dianne turned and followed Dolorus, stopping him just outside the altar room, where Glade had been taken previously.}
Dianne:"Dolorus, who is that?"
{Dolorus stopped and turned to Delilah, trying to make a casual grin.}
Dolorus: "Why, just another prisoner I'm using for testing."
Dianne: "Is she? I've never seen her before."
Dolorus: "Erm...She's...new...."
Dianne: "But...you came from the direction of the mountain's interior, not the prison block. Where have you been keeping her?"
Dolorus: "Look, it's not important, Delilah, she's a prisoner, and I need her for tests. Ok? Ok. Bye!"
Delilah: "Wait a min-"
{With that, Dolorus hurriedly slithers into the room and slams the door in Delilah's face. Delilah just stands there with a puzzled look.}

Glade looked worried. 'Who was that little girl? Does anyone recognise her? She looked quite young.'

'I don't recognise her scent,' Frida whispered back. 'I wonder what Dolorus is up to? Whatever it is, I guess he hasn't told Delilah about it.'

{Delilah walks back, and into the prison, still looking confused. She doesn’t say anything, she just stands in the middle of the room.}

Glade peered through the bars at Delilah. 'Are you all right? What's going on? Who was that?' he asked worriedly.

Frida, smelling that Delilah was there, folded her ears back and took a step away from the front of the cell.

{Delilah took a moment to respond, still looking puzzled.}
"I'm fine, but...I have no idea who that was. Have you...ever seen them in here before?"

Glade shook his head. 'No, never. She looked very young, though. What on earth could Dolorus want with her?'

{Delilah looked to Glade, then to the door.}
Delilah: "...Something's not right here...Even by our standards..."
{With that, she walks out of the room and back down the hall. Lucy reappears shortly after, but says nothing, seemingly processing what just happened.}

'...Hm,' said Frida after a short silence. 'That was weird.'

Glade nodded slowly, even though she couldn't see him doing this. 'Maybe if Dolorus ever asks me to do tests for him again, I'll try to ask him about that girl. He seems to like me because I don't cause trouble, so maybe he'll tell me something...'

{Lucy looked around uncomfortably.}
“I have a bad feeling about this...”

'That's the most cliched line you could have said,' muttered Frida, but Glade was taking Lucy more seriously. He looked worried.

'Well, I guess we can't do anything right now. We'll just have to wait and see what happens,' he said.

Lucy: "I suppose you're right..."
{Lucy walks up and sits down outside the bars.}
"Well, what now?"

'I don't suppose you can free us from this cell?' asked Frida hopefully. 'I mean, you're outside, and we're inside. Can't you find some way of opening the door...?'

'She might be outside, but she doesn't have the key,' Glade reminded her.

'Hmph.'

Lucy: "And even if I did, you've got hundreds of draugrs and dozens of necromancers between you and the exit. How would you escape?"

'We could find secret passageways to get out without being seen,' said Frida, grinning. 'It'd be like an adventure story.'

Glade coughed. 'I think it's great to consider escape plans, but that might be too risky,' he said diplomatically. 'We're probably safer just staying in here. Besides, we get to see things that are happening between Dolorus and his followers.'

Lucy: "Look guys, I like an adventure as much as you do, but unless we have a solid idea of how to get out of here alive, I don't think attempting an escape is a good idea."

Frida sighed and lay down, resting her head on her front paws. 'I don't think there's much we can do, then.'

Glade was arranging the playing cards across the floor, seemingly for no reason other than to occupy himself.

{Lucy sat down and began to think, getting quiet. But, the sound of someone coming caused her to once again hide. It was a group of Necromancers and draugrs, heading for the altar room. None of them so much as glance into the prison.}

Frida lifted her head. 'Ugh. Draugrs,' she muttered under her breath as she caught their scent.

'It's a big group of them,' Glade whispered. 'Some necromancers too, by the looks of it. I wonder what /they're/ up to? They seem to be going into that room where Dolorus took the girl...'

{Lucy pokes her head out from behind the cage.} “I don’t know. Hopefully she’ll be alright...”

'Doesn't Delilah control the draugrs?' said Frida curiously. 'If that's true, then maybe she sent them into that room to find out what's going on.'

“She only controls a portion. Each necromancer has their own force.” {Lucy pipes up softly.} “Maybe Dolorus called them?”

(We'll probably cut back to the army in a fat minute.)

Glade just stared in the direction of the altar room, a worried expression on his face.

Frida made a thoughtful noise. 'Well, let me know if you see anything interesting going on.'

(Alrighty.)

{Lucy subsides into silence, looking thoughtfully at the hallway.} "...I'm sure it'll all work out..."

{Meanwhile, back at the army, they were still marching in the same formation. At this point, Armin and Sargon would be about five clicks ahead of the rest of the force. Biceras was in the front, keeping an eye out. As Sargon flew along, a telepathic call comes to him from one of his fellow scouts. //Sargon. I see something shiny below the treeline in your sector. Can you identify?//}

//I will investigate,// Sargon replied, before starting to fly down towards the trees, searching for whatever it was the other scout had noticed. Armin watched him descend, wondering if he should follow. Then, deciding that he didn't care what Sargon was up to, he continued flying steadily in the same direction as before.

//Seems pretty quiet,// he thought, observing the landscape he passed over.

{As Sargon flew through the trees, something metallic came into sight. It was a metal bird-man creature. It was clearly an Akhetian, and it was staring right at Sargon.}

As soon as he recognised the creature, Sargon stopped descending and pulled himself into a hover. He stayed a good distance above the creature, staring back at it. //There is an Akhetian ahead of you, in the trees,// he said telepathically to the army commander. //I am unsure which type, though.//

{The scout replied, sounding surprised. //What? An Akhetian? You’re sure? What does it look like?// The Akhetian continues to stare, eventually breaking the silence.}
Akhetian: “Hey, Organic! Are you just a bird, or are you a shifter? You’re anatomy is a little different from other birds, and I’ve never seen your species in this region before.”

//It bears some resemblance to a bird,// Sargon replied. //A humanoid, metal bird.// He swooped down and alighted on the tree branch near the Akhetian, sending a telepathic message into its mind. //I am a vampire.//

{The Akhetian squints it’s eyes at Sargon.} “Ah, I see it now. Your put together a bit more robustly than other birds. You with the army headed this way?”
{The scout replies hurriedly. //Sargon, that’s an Ultra named Praetorus! Do not engage!//}

//We are only talking,// Sargon replied coolly to the scout. Then he turned his attention back to Praetorus. //Yes, I am. Were you stationed here to stop us?//

{Praetorus shakes his head.} "No. I mean, Akhet would probably want me to, but...She hasn't explicitly told me to yet, so...I'm not going to. I just wanted to see how you dealt with the Hydras."
{Immediately, a telepathic call comes through. //Sargon! There's something breaking through the trees, heading right for the army! Fall back!//}

//Hydras?// echoed Sargon. Then he looked up sharply, hearing the second message coming through. Immediately, he leapt off his branch and started flying back towards the army. Along the way, he almost collided with a hawk, veering aside at the last second.

//What's going on?// asked Armin. //Is something attacking us?//

//I have no idea,// said Sargon. //But you'd better come back, too.// With that, he swooped away, leaving Armin hovering in mid-air for a moment before the other vampire followed.

(I escaped the quotation mark glitch by using apostrophes instead. XD)

(Oh, thanks!)
{As Sargon and Armin fly back, Something massive is running through the trees.. As it breaks through a clearing, it is revealed to be an amalgamate creature, massive, with three dragon heads, much like the one that tore down the perimeter wall in the capital. It was sprinting right for the army. In the distance, two more massive shapes were also approaching. The reports were reaching back to the army, causing the commanders to order a halt.}
Magnus: "Alright, listen up! We got three Hydra amalgamates coming in hot! If you're a Mage with a ward spell, get ready to use it! Lightkeepers, As soon as you see them, open up!"

(Oof, I forgot the glitch. XD)

Eldritch was watching the approaching monsters, seemingly frozen in fear. Knife growled and nudged the ice mage with his muzzle to get him to pay attention. 'Didn't you hear that? Ward spells! Can you use them?'

Eldritch shook his head. 'I don't do that type of magic... everything I do involves ice or snow. I think I'll have to leave that job to the other mages.'

Knife stood beside him, eager to find out if his ice breath had any effect on the hydras.

At that moment, Sargon and Armin swooped down to land among the troops, shifting back into their human forms.

'Boss! Are you OK?!' shouted Ana, obviously worried something had happened to him. Sargon ignored her, drawing his two swords and turning to observe the advancing hydras.

{Biceras tensed up as the Hydras emerged from the forest. As they came into view, the beetles with light weapons attached their undersides began to use them against the Hydras. However, the Hydras were so large, that they were able to run through the light without falling apart immediately. One clashes with the beetles in the front, swinging its fists at them, roaring, and fighting to free itself from the mandibles. Another leaps from behind the behemoth fight, over the beetles, and was looking to land on the troops behind the beetles.}
Magnus: 'Wards, NOW!'

Ana, being one of the mages able to cast protective magic, immediately activated her Ward spell, creating a large transparent barrier over herself and a portion of the troops. Knife blasted a jet of ice breath up at the hydra, despite it being unlikely that the breath would make contact. Eldritch just stood next to him, looking terrified.

Armin and Sargon both shifted into their bird forms and took off again, since they had no way of fighting such huge creatures. They circled above the battle, watching what happened.

(Colors ate ,my really long comment. I'll retype it later.)

(That sucks when that happens. :( )

(Indeed, it does. It sucks spheres. :/)

{All the mages simultaneously put up their wards, creating a giant shield. The Hydra landed on it, cracking it, but not breaking it. As soon as it did, a beetle bringing up the rear flew forward, grabbed the Hydra in its mandibles, and proceeded to force it away from the group. However, before the Hydra got far, its ribcage opened, revealing that its thoracic cavity was stuffed with all manner of abominations. Now that its ribcage was open, they flood out like a torrent, running underneath the beetles and at the army. Magnus draws his sword.}
Magnus: 'Everyone! Drop the wards and defend yourselves!'

'Oh dammit...' Knife muttered. He then leapt forwards, throwing himself into the midst of the battle and blasting every draugr he saw with torrents of ice breath. Eldritch stood frozen in place for a moment, then conjured a large ice shield to protect himself and ran after Knife, also using his ice magic in an attempt to harm or freeze the monsters.

Ana started throwing balls of magical energy at the draugrs, trying to knock them back. She still had her Ward active, but had minimised its size so that it only protected her and not anyone else.

(Eldritch, do the draugrs...scare you?)
{As soon as Magnus gave the order, the army roared in fury, with magical attacks, light beams, and projectiles hailing down on the approaching draugrs. Biceras and the other light keepers were doing their best to keep the draugrs at bay, but they were numerous. Knife's ice breath froze the smaller draugrs fairly easily, but the larger ones didn't freeze entirely. One particularly large and burly amalgamate ran up on Knife, looking to tackle him. Ana's blasts complimented well with the draugrs Knife was freezing, shattering them and dispatching them quickly. However, one centaur manages to avoid the storm of oncoming attacks and lunges right for Ana.}

(Eldritch: 'Of course they do. They're terrifying.')

Knife made no attempt to avoid the creature lunging at him, instead letting out a roar of challenge and throwing himself upon it, spitting ice breath and ripping at its body with his claws. Eldritch, spotting the fight, ran over and started throwing long ice spears at the creature from a short distance away, trying to damage it in some way.

Ana turned around just in time to see the centaur charging towards her. With a yelp of surprise, she threw herself sideways to evade it. Then, while lying on the ground, she tossed a ball of energy at the centaur.

(Oh. Well, don't let the necromancers know that. XD)

{The creature clashed with Knife, punching him at every opportunity. The ice was slowing it down quite a bit though. The ice spears Eldritch threw really didn't do much, as they stuck in the creature, then promptly broke off. Magnus yelled out to Eldritch.}
'Eldritch! Use a sword! Cut it into pieces!'
{As Ana's attack connected, the centaur skidded backwards, but quickly recovered. As it began to approach, it stopped and began shrieking, as a light weapon connected with it. Biceras had turned and started attacking it.}

Eldritch heard the yell and quickly conjured a large ice sword, a duplicate of the one he'd used during the last battle. After a second's hesitation, he ran at the creature attacking Knife and slashed at it with his sword, as hard as he could.

High above the battlefield, Sargon and Armin were circling around. //Ana is being attacked by some kind of centaur creature,// Sargon said.

//Never mind,// said Armin uncaringly.

Ana scrambled to her feet, eyes wide as she turned to Biceras. 'Thanks!' she yelled, expecting the light magic attack to destroy the centaur.

{Eldritch's strike severed the draugr's arm, giving Knife a distinct advantage in his fight.}
Magnus: 'Good! Draugrs draw strength from their biomass! You need to dismember them!'
{Biceras destroys the centaur with ease, then turns to face a whole pack of centaurs, charging for the pair.}
Biceras: 'Don't thank me yet!'
{She opens the weapon up on the centaurs, causing them to scatter and try to surround them.}

{As Armin and Sargon were spectating the battle, a voice came out, not ten feet behind them. It was Praetorus, flying in place. His large, metallic wings flapped powerfully to keep him in the air.}
'Hey! Aren't you going to help them? Aren't they your friends?'

Eldritch and Knife began to work together, trying to tear or cut the draugr into pieces.

Ana didn't have any light magic so she wasn't as effective as Biceras in this fight, but she continued to throw balls of energy at the centaurs, as well as keeping up her Ward spell to protect herself, ready to extend it to also protect Biceras if she needed to.

//We're only vampires,// grumbled Armin telepathically. //There's nothing we can do against those things. We'd only get slaughtered.//

Sargon didn't answer, but nodded in agreement with Armin's response.

{Eldritch and Knife, working together, were able to quickly dispatch the draugr.
Given the nature of her weapon, Biceras had to keep it focused on the centaurs for around twenty seconds. This gave every centaur she couldn't focus on the opportunity to flank her.}
Biceras: 'Ana, cover me!'

{Praetorus gives the pair of vampires a very displeased look.}
'But, you're vampires! Aren't you two really physically strong? Grab a greatsword and start hacking!'

Ana moved closer to Biceras and started using her magic to blast away any centaurs that tried to get close. Just then, Knife came charging out of the fray towards them, and a moment later Eldritch came running after him and slashed at one of the centaurs with his ice sword.

'There's... a lot... of these things...' he gasped, clearly out of breath from sprinting after Knife.

'They're no match for ME!' Knife roared, tackling another centaur.

//Now that I think about it,// said Armin, //I'm pretty sure I just heard Magnus yell that you can defeat draugrs by cutting them apart or something. If that's true, then we probably /could/ fight them.//

Sargon looked at him, then at Praetorus, then back at the battle. //...Perhaps,// he said grudgingly. //Let us make an attempt, then.// He flew down to the field, shifting into human form and pulling out his dual swords.

Armin followed, pulling out a single sword and looking around, surveying the battle.

{Biceras looked about at all the support that showed up and smirked.}
'Ok, let's tear these freaks to pieces!'
{The centaurs backed up and regrouped when the support showed up.}

{When Armin and Sargon land, the next wave of draugrs appeared. One was a massive amalgamate, crafted in the form a giant, boney spider, whose legs were made of dozens of limbs grafted together, and its body was bloated, looking like an amorphous mass of flesh and teeth. What's worse? It's bee-lining right for Armin and Sargon.}

Knife ran over to join Ana and Biceras. 'Hello, strangers. I hope these things weren't giving you too much trouble?' He shot a bloodthirsty grin at the horde of centaurs. Eldritch, who was still holding his ice shield and sword, also ran over to join them, looking around warily.

Sargon was looking for Ana, and hadn't yet noticed the enormous creature. Armin saw it first, and his eyes widened with horror. 'Uhhm... look over there,' he said, tapping Sargon on the shoulder to get his attention.

Sargon looked. He didn't seem horrified, but immediately raised his dual swords and prepared to attack the creature. 'Its legs seem like they would be easy to cut off,' he observed.

'I don't know about that, but let's find out.' Armin then charged at the spider-like monster, swinging his heavy sword at one of its legs.

{Biceras turned and grinned at Knife.} "Well, they can't now that you're here. C'mon, let's dust 'em! " {She then opens up the weapon on the centaurs, who immediately scatter and attempt to flee}

{When Armin's strike severs the amalgamate's leg, it shrieks, then tries to stab him with another of its legs. Each of its legs ends in a sharp, boney point.}

As Biceras attacked with her light weapon, Knife chased the fleeing centaurs, blasting ice breath at them. Eldritch watched the dragon running away, and sighed quietly, knowing he wouldn't be able to keep up.

Ana scoffed. 'Cowards!' she yelled at the draugrs. 'You attack us and then you won't even fight? Come back and let us destroooy yooou!'

Armin dodged, but only barely, and at the same time Sargon leapt forwards to cut off the leg that the creature was trying to stab him with.

{As the centaurs ran, Knife’s ice breath slowed a few down enough for him to catch them. Biceras focused her attention on the fleeing ones.} “That’s right, run, you bastards!”

{upon losing a second leg, the creature then charged at Sargon, looking to trample him with its spike legs.}

Knife threw himself on the nearest centaur and began tearing it to pieces. Eldritch, upon realising that some of the creatures were slowed by the ice, quickly ran over and started attacking them with his sword to help Knife.

Ana shifted into her dragon form and took flight in pursuit of the fleeing centaurs, letting out a mad cackling laugh as her huge form cast them into shadow. She lunged downwards, attempting to capture one in her jaws.

Sargon evaded the attack by shifting into his bird form and jumping up into the sky. He then began to circle above the monster, effectively leaving Armin to fight it alone.

'Hey!' Armin shouted up at him. 'Don't even think about flying off and...' He trailed off, reminding himself that he had more important things to think about. Raising his blade, he turned to confront the draugr.

{When Ana caught up with the centaur, it turned on her, latched on to her face, and started clawing at her. Biceras caught up moments later and destroyed it, giving Ana a face full of ashes.}
Biceras: “Oh, sorry Ana!”

{The amalgamate then turned its full attention to Armin, lowering itself a bit, gnashing it’s teeth. While Sargon flew up, he was intercepted by Praetorus.}
“Hey! Where are you going?”

Ana landed heavily on the ground and started coughing violently, having swallowed some ash. When she was finished, she turned to give Biceras a baleful glare. 'Gosh, watch where you're shooting that thing!' she huffed.

//Why are you here?// said Sargon, sounding annoyed as he faced Praetorus. //Are you only here to watch us fight and do nothing to help? You have no business asking me why I do not fight, when you are doing the same thing yourself.//

Armin gritted his teeth and glared at the monster. 'You want a fight?' he challenged. 'I'll cut off all your legs and leave you for the Light Keepers to find.'

{Biceras just chuckled nervously and turned to help Knife and Eldritch. The centaur Eldritch attacked struck back at him with unbridled ferocity, clawing away at his ice shield. The Amalgamation Armin was fighting simply shrieked and charged, looking to stab Armin repeatedly. Praetorus just glowered at Sargon.}
Praetorus: “Hey, if I help you directly, Akhet will be cross with me. I am helping indirectly by preventing desertion!”

(Oh, btw, won't be around for Shacklestone this week. Going camping. Sorry. :( )

(No problem! I'm not really sure when the next Shacklestone session will be, anyway. King hasn't been around, and I'm not sure whether I should continue things without him, or put the RP on hiatus. So things are going to be slow for a while.)

While the centaur was tearing at Eldritch's shield, Knife sneaked up behind it and jumped onto its back, locking his jaws around its neck. Eldritch backed away and sent tendrils of ice to coil around the centaur's front legs, trying to immobilise it.

Ana was about to help them, when suddenly she froze, a horrified expression on her face. 'Oh no... Sargon! Sargon's in danger!' She then took off into the sky, rapidly flying away.

Armin did his best to dodge the creature, but eventually one of its stabbing blows did hit him, leaving a deep puncture wound in his left arm. Scrambling backwards to get out of the creature's reach, he yelled up at Sargon. 'COME DOWN HERE AND DO YOUR DAMN JOB!'

Sargon just stared at Praetorus. 'Perhaps you should keep out of our business. You're a member of the enemy side - the Akhetians. So either attack us or leave us alone.'

(Novel paragraph yaaay)

{The centaur immediately started bucking and clawing at Knife, trying to get him to release. Biceras looked up at Ana as she flew off.}
Biceras: "Ana! Where are you going!?"
{However, before running after her, Biceras destroyed the centaur Knife was attacking. Seeing what Ana was headed for Biceras calls out.}
Biceras: "Ana, stop! That's an Ultra!"
{Praetorus continues to scowl at Sargon. Reaching to the ground, molten particles rise from the earth and cool, forming a spear in his hand}
Praetorus: "'Sides' are subjective. It all depends on where you stand."
{Praetorus then brings the spear back and throws it with such force that a mach cone forms around its tip. Despite the way it appeared, he was not aiming for Sargon. The spear ripped past him and landed with a thunderous crash, annihilating the spider amalgamate, just as it seemed like it was winning against Armin.}

Ana didn't seem to notice that the spear hadn't been aimed at Sargon. She seemed to think that Praetorus had been aiming for him, but simply missed. With a screech of fury, she dived towards the Ultra, extending her claws to grab him.

On the ground, Armin slowly lowered his sword and looked upwards. He knew that the spear hadn't come from Sargon. //Huh. It's that Akhetian guy again. Is he on our side now? Probably not.//

Meanwhile, Knife tightened his jaws around the centaur's neck and, with a massive surge of strength, ripped its head off. He then jumped away from it, hoping that losing its head would be enough to destroy it.

Eldritch winced. 'Can't we kill things in less horrible ways?' he muttered under his breath.

I’m baaaaaack! :D

{In response to Ana's attack, he simply accelerates and flies over her at the last minute, effectively dodging her.

Despite losing its head, the centaur didn't turn to ash. Decapitated, turned to look at Knife, making a gargling noise. Seeming still able to perceive its surroundings, the headless centaur lunges for Knife. }

(Welcome back! Hope you had fun!)

When Ana realised that she'd missed, she turned in the air to face Praetorus again, snarling furiously as she prepared for another attempt. At that moment, Sargon flew up to her.

//Enough, Ana,// he said coldly. //I have no idea what brought that on, but control yourself. He was helping us - surprisingly.//

Ana looked crestfallen. 'But I just wanted to save you!' she cried. She looked at Praetorus, then back at Sargon. 'That thing /wasn't/ trying to kill you?'

Knife stood his ground and blasted the centaur with a large torrent of ice breath as it charged towards him. At the same time, Eldritch lunged at the centaur with his ice sword, swinging wildly.

{Praetorus crosses his arms angrily and glares at Ana.}
"Of course I wasn't. If I /were/ trying to kill him, he'd be nothing but feathers and red mist right now. Now, go do your jobs and help your people. Something big's coming, and you're going to need everyone alive to bring it down."
{Biceras was running over to where Ana was above, looking up at Praetorus. However, when she looks down, she sees a centaur creeping up on Armin.}
Biceras: "Armin, watch out!"
{The centaur fighting Knife and Eldritch couldn't last long against their onslaught and turned to ash.}

(Did you see the comment I wrote about Shacklestone a little way back there? Just wanted to make sure, so that you'll understand why I might not post any RPs for a while.)

Ana snorted. 'You can't tell ME what to do, freak! I don't listen to you! Get off our battlefield and back to the other Akhetians, or whatever they're called! I bet you're here to sabotage us!' She would have continued ranting, but Sargon ordered her to go and help the others. She turned and flew away, looking disgruntled.

Armin turned just in time to see the centaur sneaking up on him. He struck out with his sword, aiming a slash towards the creature's neck area.

Knife chuckled. 'That was quite easy, wasn't it?' he said, looking over at the pile of ashes.

Eldritch was hunched over, leaning on his ice sword, trying to catch his breath. 'No, it wasn't.' Knife just laughed.

(I did, and I understand. Although, I wonder what happened to King.)

{Armin's blow hit its mark, but the centaur did not react. It simply lunged forward, grabbed Armin from under the shoulders and lifted him up in preparation to bite his face. Biceras tried to help, but a small draugr jumped on her back and was trying to wrestle her weapon out of her grasp.}
Biceras: "Dammit, get off!"
{Praetorus, getting a little impatient, begins to approach Sargon.}
Praetorus: "Look, old man, your fellow scout (Armin) is about to get his face eaten! Go help him!"
{As Knife celebrated his small victory, a new draugr appeared. It was humanoid, and stood a bit taller than Knife, and was covered head to toe in a black suit of armor. It growled in challenge as it walked towards Knife, hefting a mighty battle axe.}

(Aah, alright. And yeah, he doesn't seem to have been active anywhere. I'll just have to wait and see what happens.)

//You should stop interfering,// Sargon responded, before he turned and dived down in falcon form to land on the centaur's back. Upon landing, he shifted back to human form and slashed at one of the centaur's arms, trying to cut it off so that Armin could escape. Armin, meanwhile, was trying to free himself, though without much success.

'Look out,' warned Eldritch, turning to face the new draugr. Knife didn't seem concerned. With a snarl on his face, he stood and waited for the knight-like creature to walk towards him.

'Try me,' he growled. 'You think you're so menacing? I'm not scared of you.'

(Alrighty. I'm cool with that. :) )
{Praetorus said nothing in response. He just hovered mid-air, watching the fight. Upon losing its arm to Sargon, the centaur dropped Armin, reached back, threw Sargon off, and rushed him, looking to trample him.
The large armored draugr went from a slow walk to a sprint. Hefting the axe above its head, it swings it downward at Knife, trying to cleave him in half. }

After being dropped, Armin scrambled to his feet just in time to watch the centaur charging at Sargon. Before it could trample him, however, a shriek of fury echoed across the sky. Ana came back again, diving straight for the centaur and knocking it over with a flying charge. She used her size to pin it to the ground, snarling furiously, while Sargon got to his feet and moved away.

Meanwhile, Knife had decided to focus on dodging the creature's axe blows instead of attacking while he tried to find a weakness in its armour. Further away, Eldritch was using his power in an attempt to freeze the draugr's armour plates together so it wouldn't be able to move as easily.

{The giant armored draugr pursued Knife relentlessly, swinging its axe about wildly. Eldritch’s ice didn’t slow down this creature down for long.
The centaur clawed savagely at Ana, trying to get her to let go. Biceras had destroyed the small draugr pestering her and ran to Armin.}
Biceras: “You alright?”

Ana started clawing at the centaur in return, with the intention of tearing it apart so it couldn't go after Sargon anymore. She didn't appear to notice or care that the creature was inflicting wounds on her.

Armin glanced briefly at Biceras and nodded to show he was fine, most of his attention taken by watching the centaur/Ana battle.

After a while of dodging, Knife let out a growl of frustration and blasted the draugr with fire breath. Though he didn't often use it, Knife had the ability to breathe regular dragon fire as well as ice vapour. Eldritch hurried backwards to make sure the flames wouldn't hit him.

{Biceras used her weapon to destroy the centaur, then she approached Ana.}
Biceras: "Ana! Why didn't you just toss that thing away? You're bleeding now!"

{The large draugr seems unaffected by yht flames and continues to swing its axe about in a wide, sweeping fashion. One of the commanders on the battlefield yells out to Knife.}
Commander: "Try to get behind it! Hit the back of its legs to knock it off balance!"

'Nobody attacks Sargon and gets away with it!' Ana howled, still in a protective rage and seeming unaffected by her injuries. 'You should have let me tear that /monster/ limb from limb!'

Knife heard the commander, but was unsure how to get behind the draugr to attempt this strategy. Just then, Eldritch called out to Knife.

'You concentrate on getting behind it! I'll...' He paused to swallow nervously. 'I'll distract it for you.'

Knife nodded, and immediately began trying to circle around to the draugr's back. Eldritch jumped in front of it to get its attention, holding up his ice shield and sword to protect himself.

{Biceras huffs, primarily out of fatigue.}
Biceras: "Ana, what about yourself? You need to keep yourself alive too!"
{When Eldritch gets in front of the draugr, its attention snaps to him immediately. Lifting it axe until it touched his heels, the draugr swings it axe down towards Eldritch, looking to cleave him in two.}
Commander: "Eldritch, MOVE!"

'My life is nothing compared to his!' cried Ana dramatically. 'I'd gladly go to my grave sacrificing myself for him! And--'

'Ana,' said Sargon, cutting her off. 'It was one draugr. I was perfectly capable of dealing with it myself.' A few feet away, Armin made a disbelieving noise.

'Yeah, right,' he scoffed. 'It was about to trample you into the ground.'

Eldritch couldn't move quickly while carrying his heavy sword and shield, so instead of dodging, he sent more magical power into his shield, making the ice as thick and solid as possible. Then he ducked behind the shield and closed his eyes tightly, praying it would be enough.

While the draugr was swinging its axe, Knife had time to run around behind it. Using his tail, he delivered a powerful blow to the back of the creature's legs as the commander had suggested.

So, this one's getting way too full, so I posted a new one.