[center][b]Rilden[/b][/center]

Once back at Robyn's shop, he was glad to see Robyn, Chiron, and Alura were nowhere in sight. Now if Fusos' men did follow any trail, it would be Jamlamin and Rilden's. It was a rather bumpy ride, the mud wasn't a problem, but it made them uneasy on how sturdy this wagon was, and the terrain of the road. When the thief asked why he was trying to find people like him and Robyn, he shifted a bit in their seat. "My father would tell me the classic stories of how the High Empire rose, and fell. How the heirs to the throne went in to hiding from Fusos in the Halfling town not many people know of... And just like the rest of the land, we all had this feeling of lost hope. The Tyrant would kill anyone who claimed they were a gift bearer. Anyone who tried to fight against him, was soon never heard from again."

"I was told that one day one of us will rise to the challenge. To oppose Fusos. There were many times in my life where I lost hope. Where I think nothing would ever be happy again... I saw true torture, and terror. In Dorden. All those people suffering far much more than I had ever dreamed of, and how my father said we were destined to help these people. It took selfish acts for me to realize that I had to do something about it. I have no gifts, but I knew the stories of how if all the Gift Bearers stood up against Fusos, they would be strong enough to. Right now, we have the gift of the shadows, and the gift of life with us. Hopefully we can find the rest soon." Rilden finished, and as he did, he felt a bit of unease.

"Listen... do you hear anything?" He asked. There was not a sound in the dense forest. "Prepare yourself... We will lead them off the trail, and then you will use your gift. We will need to travel on foot until we reach the town." Rilden said, taking sneaky glances around the area, to try and spot any orcs hiding.

[center][b]Rhovanor[/b][/center]

The trip was surprisingly easy. The wagon was made much sturdier than Rilden's so it had less bumps. It was weird to not have his bow equipped, and not having Rilden to talk to, but he felt... at ease that Alura was here. It also helped that Chiron was walking by the wagon as well. The ride was quiet for courtesy of the injured, and Robyn who did so much for all of them. The stars were very slowly starting to shine through the clouds, the mud was still thick, and the wildlife was soothing. When Alura asked when he first met Rilden. "I first met Rilden, son of Thaimos almost 10 years ago. I joined a band of thieves who only stole from the corrupt, and supporters of the tyrant." He spoke loud enough for anyone awake to hear the story if they were curious, but also quiet enough to keep those asleep.

"His father just died by a raid by Fusos, searching for the legendary sword. Our leader took him in. To be honest, he seemed to be just like an ordinary human who took losses badly. The veterans knew of his father, he was a great man with a kind heart, and made us promise that if anything happened to him, we would teach him what he needed to know. We didn't think he would last long. But the more he trained with us, and the more he would fall, the faster he would get up, and try again. Our group of thieves were disbanded after an ambush, so for a bit Rilden and I would travel the land. We grew a bond, and at those times, we lost hope for anything good... We would fight, and steal from the corrupt, help if we could. The more we were together, the more he reminded me of Aleden.... But Rilden was destined to be captured for the stories of the 'High King.' I kept [I]Fortis[/I] for him until he came back. When he left, he was angry, lost, and with no hope. I do not know what happened when he was in that gods forsaken city... But he returned with a desire to find these gift bearers. He was more humble, and willing to fight for those stories told for so long..."