[color=darkorange][center][h1]Mason Drake[/h1][/center][/color]
[hr][@Rai]
Mason sighed, his palm firmly planted against his face as the bandit girl made her request. [i]Did she really have no other wish? If so, why that, OF ALL THINGS, WHY THAT???[/i] Even more surprising, was the fact that the king even bothered to answer her seriously.

[color=#FBB917]"I said I would aid you. So if a dick.. is what you want. All things related to the sexual is Lord Eros's realm of knowledge. So wait, like the others, and I will send for you to have a meeting with him. Now. Go."[/color]

The crowds whispers of disapproval ricocheted and echoed through Mason's mind. [i] Weren't they all heroes? Why were they all being treated like..... a... a.... joke??? [/i] Painful memories began to rush through Mason's head, only for the King's voice to break through the room's hushed whispers.

[color=#FBB917]"If these warriors are not your desired representatives then I extend membership into these united ranks to anyone willing to step fourth. I warn you. The perilous duty of protecting all descendants is not for the meek."[/color]

Only a single, very large man stepped forward. [color=9ACD32]"King Vrondi,"[/color] his voice boomed  with a large grin on his face, [color=9ACD32]"I have no quarrel with these people, though I do find a number of your company ta be quite lacking in bravery an' honor. All drawing their swords on one injured person, even if they do have an interestin' view on humor, all the while shiverin' in their boots at tha very prospect o' dirtyin' them up. Let me volunteer in their stead. I pray I don't disappoint you even half as much as these pompous men who owe their title merely ta their father's pastime in bed."[/color]

Mason was at least happy to see the King's pleasantly surprised smile. [color=#FBB917]"Ah. A fine introduction. Yet we have enough of those who can speak, and much more elegantly. Lets see if your proclaimed talent is better coordinated than your speech. Choose your blade warrior and step forward."[/color] Vrondi offered, from the weapons that sat on the walls. All of various types and sizes, mostly symbolic and large. He then looked to Blight. [color=#FBB917]"I have a better task for you Blight. Please demonstrate a knights proper form and test his mettle a bit."[/color]

With the 'Blighted Knight' now occupied with testing this new individual, a young Sol, clad in a long white tunic led the group toward their rooms. As he was led out of the hall by the servant, Mason heard other knights murmuring about how joining such a group could 'tarnish their reputation'.  The young seraph sneered in disgust. [i]Reputation? Reputation is mere vanity. A TRUE knight's only concern should be fighting in pursuit of justice.[/i]

The knights' cowardice filled Mason with fuming anger, such that he barely noticed that he had already arrived in his room. When suddenly, a low, wispy voice, barely loud enough to even be a whisper spoke from behind Mason.

[sub][color=006666]"Why fight for such insects?"[/color][/sub]

Turning to face the voice, Mason was confused to find that he was alone. Was he hearing things? Assuming it was just an odd thought caused by frustration, Mason left his room and made his way to the Guest Library.  Perhaps reading would calm his mind.

Scouring the Library, Mason grabbed every book he could find regarding the Gaian Dragon Temple that King Vrondi spoke of. Gathering his collection on a vacant table, he began to eagerly read book, after book, after book, learning all he could of the temple. Nearly half the pile had been completed before fatigue got the better of Mason, as he eventually passed out atop the collection he had gathered.