[b]"We're supporting the vanguard you blood thirsty maniac. But fine I'll wager that you're going to be the first one shot with an arrow."[/b] came a well spoke cavalier much to the chagrin of his commanding officer who decided to say screw it and let his men make last second bets on their own time. [b]"Ten gold that Richards ends up with the most kills."[/b] came a younger cavalier with a grin on his face as the older cavalier grunted indifferently. It seemed that the group at least knew each other well enough. A few of the others in the troop went on with bets accepting and declining them at random. But not to loudly as to tip of Leo. ==== [color=39b54a]"Commander says we're just fodder for Lord Xander's cavalry units. Us conscripts are just here to lighten up the load. Quartermaster didn't even give me a second look. He looked me right in the eye and told me I wasn't going to make it to far. I aim to prove'em wrong. My daddy tells me all the time that I'm the best hunter in the village. I wager I can hold my own with others around me. I mean the Hoshidans have a cushiony life from what I hear. Don't make'em like we do in Nohr."[/color] Millow said with a chuckle as he raised his arm to show off his rather ample bicep on his free arm. [color=39b54a]"I'm glad to hear you're able to handle all of this. I use to hike in the mountains to look for game and go out into those creepy forests with my pals. Builds stamina the higher you go and the more often you go there."[/color] Millow continued with confidence. However when Taka brought up the fact that people were not going to watch his back Millow became a little bit less confident. [color=39b54a]"Huh people watchin' my back? Ain't that what the other guys are meant to do? Well if that ain't the case I'm not as full of myself as I was a couple seconds ago. How about you cover me bucko? I'll make sure none of them spear guys come at you from up close. Swords shouldn't be a problem either. Not a fan of those guys with magic though. The village mage back where I come from doesn't really talk much but he's righty dangerous. Can't imagine what military guys are like."[/color] Millow asked Taka with a bit of a shakey tone added to his voice. It was clear he wasn't expecting to be fighting any mages anytime soon. ==== As Audric ran he felt his legs grumble in response to his every step. Hours of running now had made his body sore and it was going to be a miracle if he could lift his axe soon. He had fought in prolonged chases before but never with high stakes like this. There was always someone with him on his bandit hunts. Now he was alone. It was a sobering thought that if anything happened Audric would die out here. His silver armor would fade away eventually become rusted. His beloved daywalker would shatter underneath the dirt. He...he couldn't afford to let that happen. Not because of him...but because of his family. He needed to go back home and make sure Nolan had his right hand brother back. And Keith...No he wouldn't put that on his little brother. However as he ran forward it became increasingly clear he was nearing his destination. However something unexpected was coming up. He could see....was that...a civilian?! No way...not out here! It was too close to the field! It was a woman on her horse it appeared. Audric didn't slow his pace however. He continued forward at his break neck pace. However he couldn't let her just...[color=00aeef]"Hey get moving! There's a war about to break out soon! Get out of this area!"[/color] Audric shouted loudly and as clearly as he could. He passed by the woman at this point and kept moving. [color=00aeef]"It's not safe here! Get movin-ah!"[/color] Audric stumbled as his foot got caught in a hole in the ground probably some animal's home. He fell forward and landed heavily on the ground. Pain shot through his foot but he didn't shout because his lack of breath combined with the fall made him go into a coughing fit. [color=00aeef]"Agh...damn....damn it...come on...get up!"[/color] Audric growled at himself between coughs. He felt his body hurt all over as he tried to force his body to stand up. But it was resisting him with all of it's power. He couldn't fail now...he was so close...