[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/ZUuuTCz.jpg[/img][/center][hr][center][h3][color=ed1c24][b]The Golden Sheep[/b][/color][/h3][/center][hr][color=0072bc]"More often than not it's the monsters, there's too many of them to get rid of. When there are no monsters, there's wild animals or even the weather,"[/color] the Captain replied to Althea while paying attention to Leon's behavior as he left them. The poor kid couldn't even disguise his displeasure. The best thing to do was give him time, thus Sonata remained silent, turning her attention back to her drinks unless Althea had anything else to ask.[hr][center][h3][color=ed1c24][b]Orello[/b][/color][/h3][/center][hr]The night would soon pass, bringing a new morning to follow it.

While the Princess conducted her review of Orello's troops, the Cadets would find themselves lined up in front of the Captain, outside of the fort. [color=0072bc]"Listen up, Cadets!"[/color] The Captain said, calling for their attention. [color=0072bc]"I have already informed you of the mission details so I'll not go over them again. From this time forward you'll be on your own with the Princess and Viola. I'll wait for your return here at Orello. This will be the last mission of some of you before graduating, so make it count, and don't die on me. I don't want to be the one to present your parents with a medal,"[/color] she said with a less stern voice.

[color=0072bc]"There they are,"[/color] the Captain said as soon as Viola and the Princess walked out of Orello, ready to join the Cadets' group. [color=0072bc]"I wish the best of luck for all of you,"[/color] she said right after saluting the Princess and leaving back to Fort Orello.[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/xK0yHuU.png[/img][/center][color=8493ca]"I'm sorry it took us so long. You won't believe what that Commander did to sneak his way out of a problem,"[/color] Viola said as she joined the group once again, now completely armed and ready for their long expedition.

Meanwhile, the Princess remained silent for a few moments, pacing back and forth to take a better look at the Cadets. Once she was satisfied, with her evaluation, she said, [color=9966cc]"Before anything else, thank you for being here. I know that this may have come as a surprise for some of you but the truth is that, as an Academy mate of all of you, I believe this will be a good chance for all of us to learn more together."[/color]

[color=9966cc]"Please, don't feel intimidated by my social standing or rank. I'm as much of a student as you are. In fact, I propose that as soon as we stop for lunch we decide who will the leader of this expedition by voting,"[/color] the Princess continued her speech talking in a normal tone, very different from the imposing one she used when she arrived at Orello, [color=9966cc]"Sonata also told me that you are a very spirited group. She believes that all of you will have a brilliant future after being properly polished and I believe in her assessment. So, how about dropping the formalities and have you call me Ires from now on as well?"[/color]

[color=9966cc]"Either way, how about we get going?"[/color] Ires said as she gestured for them to begin their march, keeping up the impression for the Orello guards that observed them from atop the fort's ramparts.

A few hours of marching later and the group would arrive at the destination of the first part of their trip, safe and sound for the time. The location of their resting spot were the [b][url=http://i.imgur.com/PuBNjyb.jpg]old ruins[/url][/b] of a village that succumbed a long time ago and was overrun by nature. A location that offered not only ample cover but fresh water and plenty of firewood as well. Certainly, they couldn't find anywhere better in this desolate region, or so Viola thought as she began to unpack and procure some provisions.