[h2][u]Yarosmere[/u][/h2]

Yolin turned around at the questions of the students, walking comfortably backwards. His eyes lingered briefly on Summer's tears as she stood close to Mar, before returning to gaze at Darius, E'nasha and El'kan. "The Prophet is...a visionary. You are inspired by his very presence, driven by his words. When he speaks, you believe, no, you [i]know[/i] that he is speaking the truth. A very intelligent man as well, having single handedly organized the entire rebellion and the following government reforms." 

He gestured around him, seeming to indicate the success of the reforms by the buildings around them. Now that they were away from the front gates and the palace itself, the city seemed almost normal, aside from the few signs of battle in a collapsed building here, a door hanging on it's hinges there, and a red stain off in the alley. People were chatting cheerfully as they walked or worked to clear the remaining damage, small children were running around in excitement, and one could hear the swelling chatter of a massive crowd up ahead. The Marketplace. Yolin continued, his eyes shining with devotion. 

 "I do not know him myself, but I was the first to kneel before him as the voice of the Sand God. I used to be a soldier in the old military. I was cut off from my unit and army by a Naga ambush. There were five of the monsters, all surrounding me. I began to pray to the false God Gaurot, sensing my death ahead of me. Then, he appeared. He drove them away with the burning power of the Sand God and his brutal sword arm. Then, he spoke to me about why he had saved me and my purpose as the first Deliverer. I haven't left his side since." 

Aramir looked around them, feeling uneasy. Not just because of the dangerous situation there were in, or the bodies and maniacs around them. There was something wrong with the city they were walking in. Something [i]missing.[/i] Aramir fidgeted uncomfortably. It didn't hit her until they were almost into the bazaar. There were no animals in the city. Not a lizard, a bird, a rodent, a wild cat, or even a feral dog. There was nothing. She looked around pensively one last time, before following Yolin into the crowd.

The crowd seemed to know who Yolin was, and respectfully (and more than a touch fearfully) parted before him. "Come friends! I have made our reservations at the shop of the best cook in all of Yarosmere, if not all of Tiien!" As they sat down, soup bowls were placed in front of them. "I took the liberty of ordering something to take the edge off before the main course, which looks like it'll take a few more minutes." Yolin beamed. "Anymore questions?"

[i]Althalus[/i]

[color=0076a3]"Just haaaad to come along on this stupid mission. Couldn't get a normal one, like the Barons. Everyone needs an assassin in Djarkel. Could have quietly made my services known and already had information and contacts from a baron, but nooooo, I had to take this mission. Even Yarosmere would be better. I hate fanatics but I hate mindless monsters more."[/color] Althalus complained under his breath, hefting up the crossbow he had brought along. It wasn't like the small one he kept on his thigh. It was a proper crossbow, and he had already loaded it upon the sight of the man in the middle of the city. It was no surprise when the shambling corpses (what was with corpses and his missions these days? This was twice now!) came slowly up the way towards them.

Althalus waited, gauging the threat of all of them. [color=0076a3]"Craig, I hope you know, I am not drinking that animal blood. Nox alignment necessity or no."[/color] He commented casually, pressing the stock of the crossbow firmly into his shoulder and firing at the lead denizen. The bolt whistled through the air, punching the denizen through the chest. The woman jerked backwards, but was otherwise unfazed, continuing to shamble forward. 

[color=0076a3]"Gods damn it."[/color] Althalus cursed, loading his crossbow. [color=0076a3]"Of course they're unable to be killed by normal means. That would make this mission [i]easy[/i]."[/color] He fired again, this time taking the woman through the forehead. She fell to the ground and laid there, unmoving. [color=0076a3]"Well, that's simple enough. Stab them in the skull if they get close enough!"[/color] He called to his compatriots.