[b]Avalon ~ Castle Gandryll[/b]

Avalon stood in front of the King, his wet hair still sticking to his hollowed cheekbones and his long jacket creating a noticeable puddle on the wooden floor. Castle Gandryll, sometimes known as the Castle in the Sky, was as much of a prison as a palace. It was a formidable stronghold on a mountain that was nestled within 200 ft. redwood trees that set it high above the surrounding city. The vast network of bridges, pulley operated elevators and ladders made it impenetrable during war, but extremely inconvenient to access for someone with legitimate business there. It did have its own infrastructure and those living there could easily survive without needing to venture down from their dwelling within the thick branches. However, despite being constructed of beautifully polished woods and glittering auburn stone, it lacked warmth. A kind of decay seemed to hang in the air, as if the place was rotting from the inside out. 

"You redecorated," Avalon stated stonily, glancing around the throne room that was now draped with rich furs and ornaments. "As your economic advisor, I told you that your coffers could not support such luxurious purchases."

"You know, they're all gifts. This is the month of my birthday and I am still receiving presents from across the Four Kingdoms, as is customary - you ought to know. And I don't think I've received one from you," King Leolin glanced accusingly at Avalon who unflinchingly met his eyes. To Avalon, King Leolin was a petulant child playing dress-up who believed that merely wearing a crown gave him all the power of a kingdom. It was only his first year on the throne but he should have learned by now that no gift comes free. 

At closer inspection, the furs that draped the walls and covered the floor were actually softly oiled silvery fish skin, most likely mermaid, that caught the candle light and cast it across the entire room in soft spectral rays. Old tight fisted Siorus would not be this generous unless he wanted something in return. Avalon still did not know how to respond to King Maxen and Queen Meiriona's contribution to Leolin's birthday celebration. Did they know what they had actually sent when they gifted the snow leopard? Aurelia had yet to recognize the occasion, and with the month coming to a close, the move could be interpreted as thinly veiled disapproval. 

"I am here to talk about your operatives. It has not been an easy day," Avalon removed his jacket, revealing heavily bruised arms and long scratches that spanned from his throat to his chest. They appeared to have only just begun to scab over.

"So you haven't been able to control Kucing? I thought you were a bit better than this." Leolin raised his eyebrow, visibly taken aback by Avalon's wounds. 

"No, these I received protecting Gideon from himself. He is very skillful, but prone to outbursts. I believe he got in an altercation with Sel, but I won't jump to conclusions. I told you this project was high risk and you encouraged me to press on. The Empusa I reached out to has proven to be high functioning and very appropriate for this work, which will hopefully compensate for Kucing. She is unable to remain in her human transformation for much time and is very unstable. I think being around other Canavar will help stabilize her," Avalon replied, picturing the recruits and wincing a bit internally.

"I thought you promised me a unit, four half-wild Canavar is not nearly the quality nor the number that I require. I trusted you to protect me and I feel surrounded by uncaged beasts." Leolin grimaced, the disgust displayed widely across his face.

"I do see beasts surrounding you, but they're not my Canavar. They are the Lords and Ladies of Gandryll who are seeking to devour you alive. I do my best to protect you, but you make it extremely difficult to do so when you blatantly ignore most, if not all, of my advising. I have sworn my loyalty and I will do all I can to keep you in power, but you must prove yourself worthy of the throne or all of my work is useless," Avalon said coldly through tight lips. He spun around on his heel, picked up his still damp jacket and walked from the throne room without looking back. "Duty calls, but hopefully my report enlightened you. I will meet with you again upon the morrow." 

The rain clouds had broken and the deep sienna of the sinking sun lit up the forest surrounding the castle in hues of red and orange that made it appear to be aflame. It was both comforting and terrifying, a feeling Avalon was very familiar with. The castle was devoid of people as everyone had retired to their beds and the noises of the forest hung heavy in the air. He walked outside until he came to a ledge. Below one could see brief glimpses of Gandryll's City Center through the thick canopy of trees. He paused for a moment, taking it all in, before letting himself fall forward. He travelled through the air, feeling the wind whipping around his hair and clothing. The ground was nearing and he felt the familiar drop in his heart, the instinctive fear response that this sense of plummeting always created, no matter how many times he did it. He kept falling until he could almost count the stones on the ground before him. The fear blinded him, it always did, and his vision went dark. But, just when he was sure his body would crash upon the paving, he felt the familiar lift. His vision had returned and he could now see little details that he had missed before and his hearing now allowed him to identify each separate noise within the wave of sound. Vast silver wings carried him through the air and Gandryll become smaller and smaller, shrinking below him as currents of air pushed him upwards. Avalon constantly kept his emotions in check but moments like this - the freedom of flight in the light of the moon - was enough release to keep him sane and doing his job for a little while longer. 

When he had landed and recovered his clothing, he travelled to the base of the castle where sturdy lodges for the servants were built into gnarled roots. Night had fully fallen and the darkness was almost oppressive as lights were largely forbidden after dark for fear of accidental fires. Beyond this area were thick thorns that grew protectively around the base of the castle. Avalon navigated them deftly and came to a door obscured by leaves and growth. Within was a hidden annex that was once used to house political prisoners. Only the King and his advisor knew of it and though it did not serve the purpose it was intended for, it proved a perfect safe house for the Canavar. 

He stepped inside and was met with the warm glow of a lantern. Within the lantern was an orange orb of light that bobbed up and down, occasionally knocking against the glass. It was a will-o-wisp, known to the people of Gandryll as Ghost Candles. They had been outlawed and identified as contraband, but that did not keep Avalon from making use of them. This lantern was held by an angular looking young man, Sel, whose fiery hair could never brighten the haunted darkness that hung in his eyes. Sel set up the lantern in the center of the room and the utilitarian furnishings became visible. There were a number of bunks set into the wall as well as a hearth for cooking. One door led into a large fortified room that Avalon had turned into a training area and another which revealed a long and convoluted passageway into the underbelly of the castle. It was sparse but well outfitted with everything they needed. 

Avalon stood by the lantern, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. Three others emerged from the within the annex and when they stood in the light, Avalon saw clearly how motley they were. They originated from all corners of the Four Kingdoms and from all stations in life. It would be a challenge to unite them, but that was the most important part of training. If they could work together, they could be unstoppable. But at the moment, the likelihood of that remained questionable.

"I have your first mission. I have been following the news regarding Lady Taliesin's missing son. My sources have provided me information regarding a recent payment she made to Wolfsbane, a pair of assassins operating out of West Gandryll. That's not quite the search and rescue team I had expected. Further information revealed that Wolfsbane was unsuccessful. The surviving member spoke of a beast that appeared out of nowhere who gutted her partner before escaping into the forest. This is more than enough to raise suspicion that there is a Canavar involved. Prepare yourselves, we will begin our search in City Center upon daybreak. This mission is about information gathering, you will need to be discreet and perceptive. Although, at this point, I do not think we are the only ones searching for the young Taliesin. Be prepared. That's all, goodnight."