Talbot was about to speak some more to the two women about the thief, but then he heard something. Voices. Lots of voices. And… hooves hitting the ground. Worry fluttered in his heart and he looked at the women again. No. It couldn’t be. They couldn’t be there already. [b]”… Listen, you two. Take this woman to safety. Warn the others. Tell them that they need to hurry and pack up and leave.”[/b] he told them, his eyes growing dark. They wouldn’t take any more lives. Not on his watch. He thought of Natalia… and Helena. The one with the large blue eyes and red hair stared at him. She opened her eyes as if to say something but Talbot quickly silenced her. [b]”[i]Go![/i]”[/b] he snapped, and got to his feet. The woman nodded curtly and began to help the thief up from the ground. He, however, took off and darted in the direction of the voices. [i]Oh, Naga, help me.[/i] he pleaded, clenching his teeth as he leapt over a dry root. [i]Give me strength, and please let them take the bait…[/i] Coming across a worn path, he saw the people in the distance. An army, maybe two, coming toward him. At the head were two masculine figures. To him, one looked familiar, but the other one spurred no memories. Talbot stood there, bristling, as they approached. “Who’s this? A mage?” the familiar one spoke, and Talbot instantly knew who he was. [b]”Pleased to meet you, Exalt.”[/b] there was venom dripping from Talbot’s voice, and he pulled out an Arcwind from his satchel. [b]”I don’t think you know me.”[/b] Darrian’s eyes looked him up and down, something glistening in his gaze. “All I see is a mage.” [b]”[i]Shepherd[/i] sorcerer.”[/b] at that, Darrian snarled. [b]”You killed them. You killed them all. You killed my fiancé, and you killed my friends.”[/b] Talbot stood defiantly in front of the army. [b]”I have nothing else to live for. Except for making you pay.”[/b] At that, Talbot held up his hand and hissed out a word. The Arcwind spell slammed into the Lord, but caused little damage. The Exalt stood his ground and cursed, unsheathing his sword, and preparing himself to fight. Talbot smirked. Yes, this was exactly what he was hoping for. He turned his back and darted into the sparse forest, the whole army roaring at his heels. He ran and ran, his breath coming out in gasps. This was what he wanted. Even if he died, he would save the rest of the Shepherds from the attack that was going to come onto them. If he hadn’t done this… they would have all been slaughtered like pigs. But his heart was leaping, his legs were becoming tired. No, he had to go further. He had to take them as far away from the rest as possible. [i]Hopefully, that archer and other woman told everyone to flee.[/i] he thought. [i]Natalia… I… I’ll be with you in a bit, okay?[/i] They came upon a dead end after running beside a steep cliff that led to what seemed to be a trickle of water that closely resembled a river. Talbot stopped at the edge, panting wildly as he gazed down below. [i]This is the end.[/i] the thought crossed his mind as he heard the thundering of hooves and feet against the floor. The ground trembled and he glanced up at the wall of rock that stretched far above his head, blocking him from further progress. [i]At least everyone is safe.[/i] A chuckle made him spin around to face Darrian and his men. He was laughing atop his horse, clapping his gloved hands together sarcastically. “How bold of you.” said Darrian. “You spent your life on one blow.” [b]”It was worth it.”[/b] Talbot took a fighting stance again and stared at Darrian. [b]”And I’m about to give some more.”[/b] [i]”Tsk.”[/i] Darrian almost looked bored. “I’m not going to waste my time pulling out Falchion again. You’re nothing. Just some brave-hearted fool that decided to throw his head on a blade.” Talbot continued to look directly at Darrian. His fist hand clenched, and he forced himself to stand taller than ever. [b]”I did not sacrifice myself for no reason.”[/b] he told him bluntly. [b]”There is always something to fight for.”[/b] Darrian sighed and looked toward one of his Pegasi Knights, giving her a lazy motion. She nodded and brought her winged horse forward, the tip of her lance glistening in the moonlight. Talbot narrowed his eyes and prepared another spell… yet the woman was coming closer and closer. The lance tipped downward, aiming to strike. He had to take a step back, he just had to… his foot met air, and he lost his balance. “[i]Ah![/i]” he let out, falling backwards. Yet the sandy ground did not meet him. Air rushed passed him as he fell down the cliff. The last thing he felt was the wind tugging at his clothes and pressing against his back, as if he were flying. --- It was one of the most terrifying experiences that Ambra had gone through. She trotted back to camp, dragging the thief with her. Bile had risen in her throat and she was sure that she was going to throw up from fatigue and stress. However, she knew that it could be fatal if she did. She would lose all of her meal, and all of the water she drank. She had more, but… the bout of vomiting could bring about more. She panted as she entered the clearing, setting the thief to the side before flailing wildly. For some reason, words escaped her at the moment. What could she say? That Talbot was potentially dead? That the army was nearby? She flailed for a while more before she paused, finally speaking. [b]”We have to go!”[/b] she cried. [b]”The bad guys are close!”[/b] She knew what she had to do. They had some extra steeds. Zaino and a few other Shepherds were passed out, out of hunger, dehydration, weariness. It was a sad sight, but they had to go. Untying some of the horses from the trees, she got them ready for riding. Dragging a woman to its feet and tugging her on the saddle, she tied her down and looked for someone else to put on the saddle. Ah, there he was. Zaino, that Shepherd that had asked her about the baby stuff. She dragged him to the feet of another horse, but he was too heavy and tall for her to put on the back of the horse herself. She grunted, struggling with his weight and size. Great… An extra pair of hands helped her, and when she looked up, she saw green eyes looking back at her. “He’s a heavy guy. We’ll yank him up on the count of three. Ready?” Lumara’s words were angry and slurred and drunken, yet there was an undertone of anxiety in them. Was it possible that she was afraid as well? Lumara, a Wyvern Lord who boasted and grunted of her power and strength? Ambra trembled at the thought. [i]If she’s scared, should I be even more so?[/i] “One, two, three!” the two women pushed Zaino into the saddle, and Lumara quickly tied him down so he wouldn’t fall. “Get the rest of the stuff ready. I’ll look for anymore unconscious people.” Ambra nodded and turned back the way she came. The pot had fallen but not much of the stew fell out. She rushed back to get it, and took it into her hands. Even though it was heavy and would slow them down a bit, it was vital to the Shepherds. With the help of Lumara once more, she was pushed onto the horse that Zaino was on and glowered at. “Just because I’m helping you doesn’t mean I like you.” Lumara snapped. “You’re a Shepherd and that’s all that matters. Now, keep a firm hold on that pot. That’s gonna be our dinner.” Ambra nodded and the blond woman walked away to the brown beast she called a mount. [i]I wonder if Talbot is okay…[/i] she thought as she looked down at Zaino and then at everyone else.