The past few days had taken a lot out of Tobias Ilingard. His normally bright eyes were dull, having been watching over his small flock of concerned villagers who had managed to survive the elven raids. They had managed to escape their burning town, only in time to see their country crumble into the ground. Tobias, being a foreigner to Vicena, couldn’t truly understand the magnitude of emotion that ran through those who he had spent the past three years with. Still, it was perhaps because of this lack of attachment that he had managed to lead the group of villagers from Muon Pond to Udny Pass. They had only escaped with the help of Marcus, a mage's apprentice who had been staying with his master in the town, and Tobey cursed his luck that he had lost track of this very powerful ally.

	Tobias, or Tobey as those he was familiar with called him, had helped the remaining villagers set up, and had taken on the role of leader among the small group of refugees. Their former clan leader had been struck down by a well-placed elven arrow, and the paltry amount of  able-bodied men were grieving the loss of their loved ones and country, catatonic and alone. He took on the role with some ease, though he felt extremely restless. 

	That was then, this was now. Tobey had taken up guard duty along the western wall. He wasn’t expected to be there, but he was always waiting for news that could be shared with his people. And the guards did not object to having another man who knew how to fight on the wall. Something had destroyed Vicena, and all were on edge. No one had felt safe when the only concern were elven raiding parties, and now things had only become worse. Tobey wished he could find out what was going on. He had family he needed to see, relationships that needed to be repair, and perhaps most importantly, life to be lived. Standing on that wall, he had half a mind to simply grab a horse and depart back towards land he had once called home. 

	Still, his gaze wandered to the small group of tents that was all that remained of his village. To Martha, with her three children who had lost their father. To Kile, who had held onto the hem of Tobey’s cloak for most of the journey, a grown man frightened out of his wits. These faces needed him, and he couldn’t  muster up the heart to leave them so easily. 

	Tobias was awoken from his pensive daydreaming by the sound of voices. He saw guards gathering on the wall near the gate. Slowly, he walked over to join, spotting a group of travelers who were likely fleeing the destruction of Vicena. There was a human woman, along with- Wait a moment. Were these… elves?

	Tobias had never had issue with these creatures. Until they had nearly killed him and all those who had resided in his village. He still couldn't understand why they had done it, and it was perhaps because of this that he found himself running back and down the stairs, to watch from a distance as the guards began to step out. He wanted answers, and he didn't imagine he would find them if these elves were impaled by all manner of pointy objects. He recognized Rodney, whom he had spoken with a few nights prior while swapping drinks and tales of woe. Yet here he was tense, crossbow raised and pointed towards the newcomers. Tobias stepped forward.

	“Come now Rodney, there’s no need to have that thing pointed at them. What sort of threat are they? A few elves and a dying human?” Tobias knew how quickly things could turn sour. He smiled, a bit of the light returning to his eyes. He understood what it was like to come to a foreign place and be mistrusted, and beyond that, these people could prove useful. “Your friend has good sense. Let them through.” He didn't recognize a single member of the party from such a distance.