[h2][center][color=92278f]Of Paladins[/color] [color=a0410d]and of Goblins[/color][/center][/h2]

[hider=Elain's view]

Elain looked back at Kronak. The Hobgoblin had been padding along after him ever since they had arrived in town, instead of proudly stomping beside him as they had in less populated areas. His eyes had been darting about nervously, his bow never leaving his hand. Admittedly, Elain’s own hand was on the hilt of his sword, but that was just force of habit.[color=92278f] "We're safe here, Kronak. There aren't going to be any Mongrels this far from the Wilds."[/color]

But Apulum was where Elain had grown up, or near, anyway. He had nothing to fear from its streets. A great number of people might even remember him, if given a description. He'd only been gone a year, after all. A youth who had been among House Valens’ most promising students, and had left to travel not long before the Lord’s death. Around them, the buildings began to grow sparse, and then turn to farmland.

Of the other students… Elain had no idea where they had gone, nor Lord Lucius’ friends and compatriots. They had all fled soon after, or so the stories went. A number of his classmates had faded into obscurity. Others were now renowned gladiators, rising stars whom sponsors were willing to take to the arena themselves in order not to have to share. As far as he knew, he alone had decided to return.

He turned back to face the road, and then promptly stopped. Kronak bumped into him unexpectedly, but Elain almost didn't notice it. Because there, having sprung up from nowhere, was the estate. His eyes ran over the grounds, and across the stone wall that surrounded the manor. Guards stood before the gate, and though he saw a glimmer of recognition in their eyes, he hadn’t come to see them.

[color=92278f]"My name is Elain Vahlrot Lux. This is my companion, Kronak Usdolk, the Hobgoblin, of Tribe H’Kal. I seek entry to speak with Lady Loreia, and offer her my service."[/color]

The guards nodded, and opened the gates. Two of them accompanied Elain and Kronak into the training school, and Elain noted how empty it had become, despite all the memories he held of it. But then they found themselves in the courtyard. The old training equipment had been set up, though nobody seemed to be practicing with them. And a hundred eyes were ready and watching, for any sign of danger to their mistress. Elain’s own eyes, however, looked only upon the young woman in the chair at the far end of the training area. There was a determined look in her eyes that perhaps there hadn’t been before, or maybe he just hadn’t noticed. Other than that, she looked exactly how he remembered her.

[color=92278f]"I'm here, Loreia."[/color] he whispered to himself. [color=92278f]"But will you accept my oath? My sword? Do you even remember me?"[/color]

[/hider]

[hider=Kronak's view]

Humans.

Kronak couldn’t remember ever seeing so many in his life. They seemed to appear from nowhere, an endless sea of faces moving around the cobbled streets or dusty roads, gathered in market squares to hawk their wares or pick some pockets. And all of them focused on their own affairs- Kronak found that strangest of all. There seemed to be no regard for one another, just a cold unfeeling individualism that spurred each of them this way or that. There was no loyalty, no sense of kinship that he could see. He wondered how such a society could function, if no overriding purpose to unite such a diverse range of people. Some form of organised chaos seemed to reign supreme, but he was yet to make head or tail of it. Just thinking about it made him uncomfortable.

Uncomfortable. Now there was a word that could sum up how he had felt since leaving the H’Kal mountains. At a younger age he dreamed of the world beyond his own, one that seemed perpetually just beyond his grasp. Now that he was here of course, he thought he much preferred it back home. Such was the way of things, he supposed, but it didn’t make the experience any less pleasant. Humans leered at him wherever he went, treating him as if he was unfit the walk the very ground he trod upon. He was an outcast, an exile, more isolated than he had felt even at his most rebellious phase as a child. They made no attempt to understand him, to learn if he was an honourable creature or something beastly. They judged on appearance, not deeds or actions. Another strange custom. And then there was the mages…

He was snapped by his thoughts as he bumped into the Paladin, who had stopped suddenly in the road. He had been chattering away to Kronak since they arrived in the small coastal town, but rarely received a response beyond a grunt or a nod. As Kronak saw it, the more they talked, they more distracted they became, and distractions were dangerous. It was why he refused to put away his bow, and scanned their surrounding constantly, despite the Paladin’s reassurances. Kronak suspected Elain had not yet seen the pain absent mindedness could wreak, but he didn’t voice his thoughts. Elain could fight though, and fight with honour. It was the only reason Kronak was following him after all. 

As they resumed their march, Kronak wondered what his companion had been so fascinated by. The dusty road led to a large human dwelling that looked much the same as any other. Visitors were clearly not welcome judging by the high walls and guarded entrance, but with an introduction from Elain they were able to pass through easily enough. Kronak smiled to himself at that- so concerned with privacy and yet one could gain entrance with simple words. 

The courtyard inside was rather barren, with a few potential arena combatants milling about near some training equipment. Muttered conversations broke the silence and then died off again, while the woman seated at the far end seemed to have captivated Elain’s eye. A little underwhelming, really, but if he understood correctly they would find who the Paladin was looking for here, and he could begin to regain his honour. Eager to begin, he took a step forward to stand beside his larger friend and glanced up at him, opening his mouth to ask a question in that gruff voice of his. 

[color=a0410d] "What now?"[/color]

[/hider]

Elain shook himself from his trance, and looked to the Hobgoblin. [color=92278f]"Uh... sorry, what?"[/color]

Kronak sighed, the sound resembling something closer to a growl coming from his toothy maw,and readjusted his grip on his bow. He didn't like having to repeat himself. 

[color=a0410d] "What now?" [/color]

[color=92278f]"Oh." [/color]. Blinking away the last dregs of nostalgia, the Paladin looked around at the other fighters assembled here in the old training arena. [color=92278f]"See if you can figure anything out about these 'volunteers'. I want to know where they hail from and what they can do."[/color]

Kronak nodded in the direction of the two tallest men, each besting six feet tall, both with beards and axes. Big but slow, Kronak had seen their type before, though usually from a distance as he fired arrows at them. [color=a0410d] "They're Torgureni. Axemen. Berserkers."[/color]

[color=92278f]"Yes, I can tell."[/color] Elain said. [color=92278f]"But that's not what I meant and you know it."[/color]

The hobgoblin chuckled at his own little joke, the sound deep and rich. [color=a0410d]"There's ten of them. Makes twelve if we add you and me. All dangerous. All deadly. Except for that one."[/color]

He extended a black-nailed finger, and pointed towards a teenaged boy, with whom a woman in her late twenties was talking. Elain assumed was it was Sariyan they spoke, but he couldn't be entirely sure, as he only knew but a few words. Kronak knew none at all.

[color=92278f]"Is he a servant of the estate?"[/color] Elain mused.

Kronak shook his head. [color=a0410d]"A servant, but not of the estate. Watch."[/color]

And watch Elain did. Eventually he noticed that the boy kept glancing back at the black-robed figure standing in the corner of the arena. Also Sariyan, given the look of his clothes, there was something unnerving about him.

[color=a0410d]"I hope the boy follows out of respect, and not fear. Only the dishonourable force others to serve them."[/color] Kronak mused, mostly to himself.

Elain nodded in agreement, before casting his eyes about the arena. Beside the woman talking to the boy was a second, a few years younger and... Elain's cheeks flushed... she wasn't wearing much. He averted his eyes, lest someone think him a lech.

Next were the Torgureni - three of them. They hadn't realised it, but they stood quite close to one another, unconsciously going for the familiar feel of their homeland's aura. The red-cloaked woman, though, seemed a little cautious of her kin.

Then there was the rogue. He had two swords, or rather a sword and a dagger - and Elain couldn't quite place him. Where did he belong?

And then... a man? He seemed to be wearing an elaborate mask, complete with fur and long, curling horns. The Paladin jerked when his eyes went down and saw that instead of legs like he thought there would have been... there were hooves.

He could feel Kronak bristling beside him. Moving instinctively, Kronak drew an arrow from its quiver, preparing to fire at the beast before him.

[color=a0410d]"Mongrel..."[/color] the hobgoblin growled. Only the presence of the Paladin prevented him from shooting it dead where it stood. [color=a0410d] "Elain, it must die."[/color]

Elain grabbed Kronak's bow arm. [color=92278f]"Do not attack."[/color]

Kronak snarled, his rage threatening to overwhelm him. [color=a0410d] "Its very presence is an affront to my honour, Paladin, as it should be to yours. Why should I spare it?"[/color] 

[color=92278f]"I remember them as well as you do, Kronak, but to attack now, in the presence of House Valens' Lady, is equally as dishonourable."[/color]

Kronak paused at that, and considered the words carefully. They had merit, he decided reluctantly. [color=a0410d]"The Mongrel lives. For now."[/color] Making sure he kept one eye trained on the beast, Kronak glanced around the yard again. [color=a0410d]"Where is the Lady you speak of? We must be sure she herself is honourable before anything else."[/color] 

Elain sighed. His eyes went from guard to guard, and then to the sands at his feet. Reaching up to his throat, he found his amulet and grasped it. [color=92278f]"Guardian, give me strength to face my past and walk away unharmed."[/color] He swallowed dryly, and then looked in the direction of the chair at the end of the arena. [color=92278f]"Loreia is over there."[/color]

Kronak studied the woman for a moment, but found his eyes more drawn to the table of food nearby. A low rumble came from his stomach. [color=a0410d]"She seems busy. And I'm hungry. Perhaps a visit to the feast that has been so kindly provided is in order?"[/color]

Elain gave a low chuckle, then stopped when his own stomach echoed the hobgoblin's. [color=92278f]"Ah... well, some fresh food for once would be something to be grateful for. Let's go get some."[/color]

With that, the two headed to the table to enjoy a brief respite, Kronak watching the Mongrel all the while.