[center][color=YELLOW][b][h3][u]GABRIEL DIGANI

En route to Silverwick
 
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	Gabriel had barely stopped these last two weeks. Ever since leaving his men to die beneath Lanteran pikes, the former Thorn Captain, because as far as everyone else was concerned he had either died or deserted, had ridden Megathocles to his limit. First to escape the Lanteran outriders, which cost him essential travelling days as was forced to lose them in the Sirosan Heights. And then the hard ride south towards the ruined city of Silverwick. 

	The thought still made his stomach flutter and his spine tingle. [color=GOLD][i]"You knew this day would come from the moment I revealed myself to you. You must be ready for this. Only the Gods Below know what manner of individuals my fellow Legionnaires have managed to call upon. This first meeting will be vital in making a good first impression. My fellows will fall upon any perceived weakness like hungry wolves."[/i][/color] Gabriel knew that yes, but knowing and actually being prepared were two different things. Sure, he trusted the Brass Prince and was truly intent on seeing the Dream made true. But the other Legionnaires were another matter, from what Agabyzus had shared of his fellow Lords, few if any shared their purpose. More interested in wanton destruction and senseless bloodshed than actually doing anything productive with their power. [color=GOLD][i]"It was this stupidity that led to our downfall. I can only imagine how much they may have decayed and what sort of people they have taken as their Chosen."[/i][/color]

	Turning back was not an option, however. Gabriel's fate had been sealed the moment he picked the silver earrings from the sacked Rivaldi caravan. Now the only path forward was seeing this great enterprise through to the end. And that, he was more than willing to carry out. Onto victory or death. [color=GOLD][i]"Preferably the latter, I doubt we will get another shot at this."[/i][/color].

	And then silence. Even running over the same thoughts, plans and doubts again and again got tiresome after a while. Gabriel was exhausted, his limbs felt like lead after hours of riding without rest, even holding on to the reins was becoming too much. Megathocles wasn't much better, the horse was even more tired. A lesser beast would have already collapsed. But the black horse was no mere beast of burden, even if it still had its limits.

	Unwilling to push his horse further and not in any conditions to travel further this night, the Chosen guided his horse out of the beaten trail and into a thicket of thorny, dry bushes. Half stumbling out of the saddle. Wincing and tearing up a bit as his sore legs struggled and failed to support his weight. A nearby boulder helped him avoid a humiliating fall face first into the dusty ground of the wasteland as he used it to slid himself to the ground. Not bothering with much else. Megathocles would never flee, too trained for that. And judging by the sweat and his tired panting, it was not like he could go far. Not that Gabriel himself would be able to catch him in his current state. 

	A fireplace, Gabriel decided, would be more trouble than it was worth. The night was hot and the fire might alert others to his presence. Oh, and of course, he was so tired that even the rough stone at his back was lulling him into sleep. Though to be fair, he had slept in worse conditions. The smell of a single man and horse didn't even bothered him anymore. And the pain in his body was only another reason why he should let his eyes close and sleep it away. They were close now. Another hard ride and they could reach Silverwick tomorrow before lunch. So tired was Gabriel that he almost missed Alessandra landing atop the boulder.