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	Aeden scanned the forest around him while Allard suggested he hold off with his healing until they knew for sure this was all over. Wise enough words. Even so, the break was a obvious opportunity to take some advantage of healing. He grasped his burned arm and healed it thoughtlessly. The injury was not that serious, but distractions caused by it could be nothing short of lethal in the right circumstances.

He spotted wisps of energy down the path the Aion Knight walked and then his eyes settled on the Aion Knight himself. Something was very very wrong. He could not see it before with all the lingering essence of magic spread throughout the battlefield, however now that the man was farther from the mess he could see it. He concentrated his vision on the aura around his fellow and could tell there was something not right. Something that did not belong.
[color=ffd700]”Shit,”[/color] Aeden cursed and then he muttered to himself. [color=ffd700]”I can’t spite him for being a dick to me now.”[/color] He shifted in place showing signs of discomfort as he considered how to approach him again. He probably could not just walk up to his fellow Aion and say, “Hey something’s messed up with you that shouldn’t be”. [color=ffd700]”Sometimes I wish these eyes would show me something other than what’s truly there.[/color]

He jogged after his fellow Aion and when he caught up he called out. [color=ffd700]”Whoa, whoa. Hey I’m not going to let you just walk off without some medical attention, kid. These are some serious wounds, now let me heal you.”[/color] His tone said he was not going to ask another time.
He then noticed on the other side of the Aion stood a woman. A woman with a wispy magical aura wrapped around her neck. He stared at her neck for a few moments instantly recognizing what it was that was around her throat. He had seen the same thing on foolish slaves that spoke too loosely. He looked away from here and closed his eyes counting down from three to help him calm down from those awful memories.

	When Aeden arrived just behind Mason, Shye quickly withdrew herself into the shadow of the trees closest to her. She knew he saw her, and he was still staring right at her, but she wasn't sure about him either. He seemed to be allied with Mason, as he offered to heal him. Maybe that would be a good thing.  No, this was bad. Their whole plan was ruined before it even started.  Shye looked at the man from just behind the shadow of the tree next to her, her eyes and Nix's eyes faintly glowing in the darkness as she inspected him. One thing she noticed, was that he didn't seem to be directly looking at her face, but slightly lower, as if he was directly looking at the curse on her neck. Shye remained silent as she slowly backed away, unsure of what to do now. Should she run? Find Mason in the morning? Stay and risk being seen with the Alliance, but letting Mason look a lot less suspicious to his allies? Her eyes darted back and forth between Mason and the newcomer.

	Holding his head as he approached Shye, Mason responded groggily,  [color=darkorange]"I..... I don't really know what just happened...... But I feel..... [b]increadible[/b]."[/color]

Seeing Shye's concern as he looked up, Mason flashed her a weak smile as he nearly tripped over his own feet.  However, before he could discuss what had happened, someone else came from behind, spooking Shye.  In shock, Mason stared directly into Shye's eyes, giving her a wink [color=darkorange]"Get ready to run."[/color] he whispered..... No one could find out about the plan. [color=darkorange]"I FOUND YOU ASSASSIN!!!"[/color] he yelled as he lunged toward Shye sloppily.

	Garrett turned his head towards Allard, a new, glowing crimson orb now orbiting Garrett's head as he absorbs the flowing organ's pumping power, rejuvenating his thought process as he did so, it was a lingering madness in his head, however, like the constant reminder of entropy that would force him to devolve at a moment's notice of complacency. He coughed up a thick black substance, the remainder, of the emptiness of what he consumed before, he spat it onto the ground beneath him. "[color=a0410d]Raquel is asleep in my complimentary inn room, dearest winged guardian.[/color]" He had to think a moment as to why his concerns would be of that lovely woman. Well, he just did go completely psychopathically uncontrollable in a fight. "[color=a0410d]The only problem she faces now is exhaustion. She is as healthy as she can be.[/color]" His head then turned toward the direction where a crowd left off to, towards a deeper section of the forest they found themselves in. "[color=a0410d]My dear Allard, do you not think it suspicious to move [i] Further [/i] into the Forest after a conflict like this one? It would be much preferable to head back to town to purify their wounds, and rest up in the event further conflicts were to arise.[/color]" His ears perked towards the sounds of yelling. It would be anybody's bet to go see any more problems that would be arising. He waved Allard to follow him as he began a rushed journey towards the shouts of an Assassin in the woods, especially one that would be of concern to the alliance.

	Aeden reopened his eyes and noticed the woman was backing off slowly. He could see her body language was uncertain. He gave her a sympathetic smile as he did not recognize her as an enemy. Then the Aion yelled out while clumsily lunging forward calling her an assassin. Something about the pause he had beforehand tipped him off that he was trying to distract so she could escape.

He stifled a laugh. [color=ffd700]”Seriously? What kind of fool do you take me for? Her body language is more of that like an ex-slave than any kind of assassin. Look if you came out for a tryst late in the night then fine, but damn it all to hell I am not going to offer to heal you again.”[/color]

He then muttered to himself. [color=ffd700]”Where in the hell do they look for recruits these days?”[/color]

	Shye, while a little startled by the comical and slow attempt at trying to have her run away, was met by nothing but a chuckle from the other knight. He thought that Mason was coming over here to see a woman, that could work. She looked between the two, her yellow eyes settling on Mason.[color=DC143C] "Perhaps it...may be best if I took my leave..."[/color] she said quietly. [color=DC143C]"You are hurt and need the help. I'll...be in touch."[/color] she said as she tried to choose her words carefully. With that she would attempt to leave deeper into the woods.

Allard nodded, exhaling sharply. [color=9ACD32]"Alright. As long as she is safe, I thank ya for making sure of it."[/color] Allard couldn't rightly say anything about her 'partnering' with him though, as he wasn't in a position to do so...but still. He wasn't all to ecstatic about it.  He calmed down though, until he heard the shout as well, following Garrett over to where Mason was.

	Realizing he'd only fucked up more, Mason hurried after Shye, [color=darkorange]"I'm fine, don't worry about me getting healing-- I've had far worse wounds, and there are many who need such care far more than I do...[/color] with a pause, Masons voice became a whisper, [color=darkorange]  I'm sorry about tonight, but apparently the beast infected me with something, and I need to get it fixed before I go, lest I risk spreading the curse"[/color] 

Just managing to catch up to Shye, Mason put his hand on her shoulder, [color=darkorange]"Please, find me in the morning.  I swear upon my life to you that nothing will stop me from saving you and your son....."[/color] he pleaded with a sigh before giving her a quick hug; even wrapping his charred wings around the woman before sending her off, [color=darkorange]"Now go...... and Shye, stay safe."[/color] he said with a warm smile as he turned to head back to where the others were.

	Aeden gave the Aion a doubtful look. While he believed that he had experienced worse as Aeden’s own personal experience with injuries was far worse as well, but he had a hard time understanding the disinterest in being healed. Then there was the curse. Perhaps that was the messed up thing he had seen in the man’s aura. [color=ffd700]”Fine you don’t want healing I won’t waste the energy on you, but something is not right with your aura. At least let me diagnose it after I’ve healed Allard.”[/color]

He then turned to face Allard and saw both Allard and the formerly-beastlike man approaching. [color=ffd700]”Everything’s fine, the young man’s just embarrassed about a late night tryst in the forest. Must have been why he came out here in the first place.”[/color] He looked at the stranger and smiled. [color=ffd700]”So you must be a part of the alliance, I am Aeden Demavend, I recently arrived to join as well.”[/color] His eyes turned to Allard. [color=ffd700]”Alright, lets get somewhere safe to heal you up. It would be… unpleasant to be attacked by another beast right after a fight like this. Most of you are exhausted and it is late.”[/color]

	Garrett shot ahead, his eyes tracking the departure of a highly prolific individual in the woods this night. He was tracking the faint tracks on the moistened turf that was the forest floor, and the faint.. Scent, similar to what Garrett could recollect as the same perfume or aroma his mother put off as she worked in the kitchen to feed his younger self. That was of no import at the moment. What was of import was the fact the [i] team [/i] was letting an assassin go free without any formal form of questioning or declaration of allegiance. Women were not on a pedestal to be passed off as common, weak, fodder. They were as capable as men, even more so as assassins, seeing as the mindset of passing them off as weak was common among men, even most women. He was going to stop that shady individual. Bring her back for questioning, maybe utilize her assets for the better of the alliance as a whole. He was a blur to those around him, the power exerted from the absorption still running within his empowered veins.

"[color=a0410d]Wait just a minute, dear stranger![/color]"

	Shye had given Mason a short bow before running off into the woods. It was a moment later that she heard something following her. Once noticing this, she began to pick up the pace, trying to lose the crazed crimson knight, remembering what happened not too long ago, she had no desire to speak to him. All she had to do was lose him, as she  wasn't too keen on fighting at the moment, and she could then go about finding a safe place to camp up for the night.

	Speed was not the only factor in a chase through the woods. There were obvious paths anyone would take, and winding shrubs and bushes that obscured pathways where any would exist. At the best case scenario, he could chase her like a sheep guided into a pen, at the worst case, it would be a competition of endurance. Garrett sped up, his clawed, blood-forged armor legs doing the work of forcing himself forward, while at the base of his protective soles laid lovely, flat sheets of blood that would slam and bounce themselves against the ground as the clawed foot hit the ground, increasing the speed beyond his normal limits. At an even worse case scenario, he could summon a set of blood spears to keep her in one place.

"[color=a0410d]Stop running! We need to speak! [/color]"

	Shortly after  Shye looked back and noticed that he was ever so slightly gaining on her. So suddenly, as a tree passed between them, there would be two of her and they would split off into different directions.  She  was fast on her own naturally, though she could be faster if she used her thrust from explosions. This unfortunately, would do nothing but lead him to her though. so she continued.

	Garrett was losing his patience, more-so that he had to give chase, now he had to chase two of the same person. This was a trick. Her smell was distinct, and any reproduction was a reproduction. Just like hunting a single beast among the stench of the entire pack, he was dead locked on the trail he was going for. He did not want to take chase in the first place, stopping an assassin who was running away took precedence. He was fast, but wasn't catching up soon enough. Blood was fast, if he was able to hold a beast in place with the manipulation of blood, and the viscosity as well as all other properties of open-air blood, he may be able to make some sort of blood-lasso. That was perfect. A blood-lasso. Blight flexed his claws, the orb of crimson blood hovering around him, still transferring incorporeal powers into him, split into two, thick streams, both towards each of the unknown absconders, their plan was to latch around the legs of the runners, and get them to, well, stop running. They shot forth, faster than Garrett's attempts to run after them. They were going to grab onto something of flesh or cloth, and that would seal the deal. Once that was done, he would reel those thick strands of blood back to himself, nothing is worse than making decisions that have a chance of him losing. He also really liked having the blood he had ready for consumption.

	Both Shye and her doppelganger were in mid leap when she felt something jerk on her leg, causing her to crash to the ground an roll, her momentum carrying her a few yards till she hit a tree. They were both then unceremoniously  dragged back to the direction  they came from, back together to where Garrett was. Shye and the doppelganger acted fast to burn away the blood around their leg, both getting up and preparing themselves to fight now that he had caught up to them. It didn't seem like they could outrun him. The man didn't seem to be in his right mind, seemingly a lust for blood controlled his thoughts. His blood magic reminding her of the atrocities that she would sometimes witness from the Therosi or Dolofon when on a few missions. She was afraid that this may be one of them, hiding among the alliance. Did he know about her? was he trying to get rid of her for failing so suddenly? She had three more days, surely that wasn't it. Thoughts rush through her mind trying to figure him out. the image of his attack on the monster not to long ago still vivid in her thoughts.

	Garrett stared at the women. The orb of blood seeming erratic from the overuse, as if it were about to fall apart. He felt a pain in his chest, the pain nostalgia gives an individual when they realize of the past they have lost. She reminded him of his mother, the eyes, the smell, it almost brought a few tears to his eyes.

"[color=a0410d] Do not run. It is making your situation worse for yourself. [/color]"

That enough could have cause more questions to run through her head, or answer some that may or may not be true to his true character within the alliance. He opened his right clawed hand, offering it over to the woman.

"[color=a0410d] You may explain yourself now, or I can tie you up again and wait until we get back. The latter, may not be as forgiving in nature. [/color]"

The way Garrett spoke,  especially in this situation, was very obscure to those who were not taking his words at face value. Where was [i]back[/i]? There would only be one way to find out. There was also another problem with this encounter. She was in the battle. She saw him at such an enraged state. She was probably terrified at the speculation of what he would be doing to her.

"[color=a0410d] I... I was not in the right mind back there. But that gives you no excuse to run as you are smarter than you appear. It just makes your own case even worse. [/color]"

	Shye didn't dare speak. As far as she knew, if this was Dolofon or Therosi, her curse wasn't supposed to be broken, if even for a temporary amount of time. She remained silent. What else could she do? Shye simply shool her head to Garrett. What did he want from her? Should she try to run again? Could she make it back to town like this. The two waited for Garret to make a move, refusing to accept his hand in thinking that if could be a trick.

	"[color=a0410d] Do not play with me. I know you can speak. My ears are keen. Only two women have spoken in this forest, maybe three, counting there are two of you here. [/color]"

He eyed the two of them. He held his opened claw where it was. Now that he had her where he wanted her, he could be as patient as a saint with how he interacted with her and her would-be twin. They were fast, they knew how to cast some fierce magic. They could prove useful to the cause were they to be conscripted. He sniffed the air.

"[color=a0410d] Speak. I may be more forgiving for your running away after being called out as an assassin if you were to do so.[/color]"

	[color=DC143C]"What do you want from me?"[/color] one of them replied lowly. [color=DC143C]"Who are you?"[/color] the other asked.  Their bodies were both tense, ready to move at any second.

	Aeden turned as the beast-man brushed past him to give chase after the woman. He watched in silence and horror as he used blood magic to capture her. He stared with a light glower as he watched the beast-man pull in twins of the woman and started to interrogate.

He glanced back at Allard. [color=ffd700]”Are you fucking kidding, two blood mages? You guys have two blood mages. Dremmick doesn’t seem the type to be a Therosi at least through my first impression of the guy, but this guy? Is he good?”[/color]

	Allard shook his head, [color=9ACD32]"I know little of Dremmick myself save that he is a strong fighter. He proved that much today. This is tha first I've seen Sir Garrett use such magic. However, he is a knight in service in King Vrondi's castle. I would imagine that he is held in good standing."[/color] Allard's arms were crossed in thought as he waited for the outcome. he then turned to Aeden, [color=9ACD32]"If ya don't mind though, while we wait, you offered ta help heal our wounds before? Would make tha trip back a bit easier, I'd say."[/color]

	Apparently ignoring the corrupted warrior, Mason and the hunter were still discussing about them being cursed and trading the creature's hide for it's core. Just as Nailah was almost to attack the corrupted creature though, she heard a familiar voice telling her to wait. It was Allard, that had his hand raised, asking her to stop. Nailah didn't understand why stop, but since it was Allard who asked, he surely must have a reason. Thanks to him calling out to her in a low tone too, Mason and the corrupted creature havent noticed her presence. Standing still, she simply watched and heard to see where that was going.

Apparently, the creature whom they were fighting against was cursed. Those affected by it would become a husk of their former selves, either becoming a mad beast or simply a pathetic creature. According to the hunter, the only cure was death. While Nailah didn't know exactly how much about that was true, she was glad that she didn't fight against the creature. Even though they had someone who could dispell curses in the group, Nailah didn't want to try her luck. Unlike the hunter, who was too preoccupied carving the beast's hide and the corrupted warrior, Mason was quick to simply throw the beast's core to the corrupted warrior and simply walking away further inside the forest, alone. Aeden, who saw Mason walking away, also went after him. His expression was... different, almost as if he had seen something different... Something... wrong... Maybe if Nailah was on a bit better mood, her curiosity would have made her follow Mason, but right now she felt like she had enough of dealing with all that mess and wanted simply to go back to the inn...
Just like Allard said though, waiting before attacking the corrupted creature had paid off. As it held the creature's heard with it's corrupted gauntlets, not only the black blood above them disappeared, but the corrupted creature started to become more descended in appearance, revealing himself to be a descended, the same one she had seen a while ago on the inn, the same one that stole the waitress from Siiga. Giving a few steps back to avoid getting dirty from all that black blood, Nailah simply crossed her arms, watching when it became clear that there was no more threat.

Judging to how Allard reacted after seeing the man's face, Nailah assumed he was also a part of the Alliance. Even after knowing that though, it didn't change the fact that Garrett smelled like trouble... Especially on how he went berserk and became that strange, corrupted creature. Allard too, didn't seem to be that glad with him immediately asking where the waitress who was with him was now. Garrett, much unlike his previous, mindless and corrupted form, was quick to calm down Allard, carefully telling him that Raquel, the waitress that was with him was safe, resting at the inn. Just as Nailah was already thinking that they would head back to the inn, Garrett also mentioned the strange fact that both Mason and Aeden had walked further inside the forest, soon after those words, all of them were able to hear a yell coming from inside the forest. 

[color=C86060]"Oh no... Not again! You will go back to the inn with me Allard. There is no reason to-"[/color] Nailah said, finally revealing her position with an exhausted and annoyed sigh.(edited)
Much to her despair though, Before she could even finish her sentence, Allard had already followed Garrett further inside the forest.

[color=C86060]"Why couldn't we simply ignore them and go back to the inn?"[/color] she muttered, as she reluctantly followed both Garrett and Allard.

	He looked at her. It seemed she really could talk. It seems he wasn't as mad as he first thought as he came to from that blood-fueled rage he was previously in. He beamed a smile, his assumptions were correct.

"[color=a0410d]I am Garrett Everard. A Knight, Pathfinder, and impromptu leader for the Alliance. Though I may not look as such at the moment. I want you to explain yourself and your situation.  No woman would run after the fact at being called an assassin, she would plea for her innocence. Nobody would let you go off on your own unless they struck a bargain with you. Either you require help, or you are performing seditious, unforgivable acts against our troupe. If you are as innocent as the others have made you out to be by letting you pass back through the woods, then you may prove helpful for us as we may prove helpful to you. [/color]"

	Aeden hesitated as he glanced off toward the distant figures. He then started to heal Allard as he suggested, but even so, the thought of a slave having been caught by someone that used blood magic did not settle well with him. [color=ffd700]”Girl was collared. Strong curse. Looked like it was still somewhat active. Stuff that like is used by blood mages that don’t want their slaves to talk… ever.”[/color] He paused while he focused on healing a burn from the beams. [color=ffd700]”Although Garrett probably won’t see it.”[/color] Aeden pointed briefly to his neck with a free hand. [color=ffd700]”There’s an aura around her neck. Seeing something like blood magic will only make her less interested in talking.”[/color]

Aeden paused again. The entire time he spoke his voice sounded disturbed. [color=ffd700]”The collar may have been broken and her voice freed, but the curse is still there and will probably come back into full effect eventually.”[/color] He looked over his shoulder towards Garrett and the woman. [color=ffd700]”The Aion could probably remove it with time. I don’t have what’s needed with me. I don’t blame her for running. She probably doesn’t know who to trust.”[/color]

	With that Nix came flying down, not yet landing on either shoulder. It chirped at her, but this time in a specific pattern. With it, she nodded andd tapped her claws togeth twice, signaling it to land on her shoulder, the shye to the left of garrett fading away, leaving the one to his right. the signal meant that Nix didn't see any Dolofon itt recognized in the immediate area. Though she still didn't want to talk here, you could never be sure. [color=DC143C]"I...can't."[/color] she replied uneasily glancing around the forest and then back to Garrett.  Especially not to him. [color=DC143C]"Do what you must."[/color] she said, her resolve hardening.  There was still a chance she could escape him if she could knock him away from her. She couldn't trust Mason completely to do the task he told her. The others in his group needed him and would take him back. She would have to go. she would have to take her son elsewhere, and pray  that she was never found again. She balled her fists, energy gathering in them and heat raiating heavily from them as she prepared herself. [color=DC143C]"But I can't go with you...."[/color] she simply said.

	When Nailah arrived, the first thing she heard was Aeden obviously irritated, complaining that they had not one, but two blood mages on the Alliance. Unsurprisingly, they were both people whom Nailah didn't trust not even one bit, Dremmick and now, Garrett... Other than Aeden, Allard, Garrett and Mason though, Nailah saw two identic women, whom looked exactly like the woman she found spying on them after they met with Sophia. Not even trying to understand the scene, she simply ignored the fact that Garrett was pointing it's claws towards the two women while interrogating them and simply walked to where Allard was.

[color=C86060]"Can we not? Please? I'm already tired of dealing with inconsequent idiots... I just want to go back to the Inn, drink something and rest..."[/color] Nailah said, with a piercing look to Allard after he asked Aeden to help him with his wounds.

[color=C86060]"I am not going to wait for you anymore. If you want to sleep in the forest by yourselves, go ahead. I'm done with all this."[/color] she said, warning both Aeden and Allard.

[color=C86060]"I am going back to the inn. You two do whatever you feel like doing. I honestly don't care anymore."[/color] Nailah said as she simply turned back and started walking back to the inn.

	Garrett furrowed his brows. Staring down the woman and her 'hardened resolve', he clenched his opened hand, thinking that he could just wrap a thick blood noose around her and knock her out, tie her up, and question her when she is incapable of retaliation, he opened his hand when he realize that would not help any situation whatsoever.

"[color=a0410d]You are very quick to jump to your own conclusions. Stop. I am not going to fight those who do not need to be fought. Stop casting that magic of yours and talk to me. That is all I am requiring, you can whisper it into my ear if you don't want the owls to hear us. If you truly took in what you saw me as earlier you would understand not even a curse would stop me if I were to get angry. Here we are. In the woods. Calm, and collected. If you would like, you could tell me everything at the inn. The problem is. You need to not act as hostile as you are now. There are many things I need to address myself at the Inn with the rest of the retinue, and I would prefer to save an exhausting trip.[/color]"

	Shye breathes seem to calm down as she listened to him, energy disipating from her hands. She considerred what he had to say. Maybe sh could taka risk, if anything, if she went now, she could escape while their guard is down. She nodded to him, relaxing a bit. [color=DC143C]"Alright...I'll go..."[/color]

	Allard looked to Nailah as she started to walk way. He turned to Aeden, taking notice of his healing abilities.   [color=9ACD32]"Thank you, you truly have some skill here."[/color] he said inspecting Aeden's handiwork.  [color=9ACD32]"I'll go as well. Keep an eye on things here. Don't let it get too out of hand. I'll make sure she gets back alright."[/color] He then continued to follow Nailah back to the inn.

He didn't say much to Nailah on the way back, leaving her alone in her anger. She wasn't entirely wrong, though Allard knew if he hadn't shown up, things could have been worse. When they got there however, as he saw Nailah go off to where she would sit, Allard went to the bar. He then approached where Nialh was sitting with two huge tankard's of something strong. He set one down in front of Nailah and sat down with his with a long sigh, taking a long draft of his drink.  [color=9ACD32]"So...."[/color] he started.  [color=9ACD32]"Not quite what either of us expected..."

	Aeden smiled at Allard’s compliment. [color=ffd700]”Thanks.”[/color] He had mixed feelings in regards to his healing magic. On one hand he was proud of his talent in regards to it, but on the other hand it reminded him of the continued torture it allowed the Therosi to put him through when he manifested the ability to close wounds. He took a deep breath as he calmed himself down from those stressful thoughts. [i]When am I going to stop being imprisoned by my memories?[/i]

He waved as Allard and Nailah left, and he approached Garrett and the woman. The woman had a small dragon on her shoulder. Again, he gave her a sympathetic smile, but as his attention turned to Garrett his face returned to neutral. [color=ffd700]”Everything good here?”[/color] His tone was wary, as even though Allard had vouched for Garrett, Aeden decided caution was the greater decision to take around the stranger.

Even so, he could not let the slave woman be alone with a blood mage. [color=ffd700]”Allard and Nailah are heading back to the Inn. Best we head back too.”[/color] He looked at the woman with a slightly worried expression as he escorted them back to the Inn. [color=ffd700]”Whatever chains you’re held down by it’s best not to break them alone lest you strain yourself.”[/color]

	Garrett looked to his new addition of the return party. One of the Aion. He was there. His suspicions were understandable in coming to see what was going on. His clawed hand closed, returning to his side, nodding towards the unnamed woman to follow him as he turned towards the direction back to the city, where all the others had left off to. It would be a wonderful trip full of silence on his own part as he contemplated exactly how this situation could be utilized for his overall scheme for the night.

"[color=a0410d]Aion. I will assume you are a conscript or volunteer for this Alliance seeing as you so willingly heal strangers with no regard of payment from them. I was previously not in the right mind, and will explain everything to the entire retinue known as the Alliance when we return to the inn. We will also be addressing how the Alliance should be functioning, seeing as unspoken rules have only gotten ourselves to go behind our own backs and betray our notions of trust. What I need from you for this is, when we return to the inn, to gather those of the Alliance you know of, and inform them to gather those they know of, seeing as I am very sure we have received some additional help, including yourself.  We will be convening at the large round table of the ground floor. We will, of course, speak of everything covered tonight this following morning, but things need to be said, and things need to be decided. [/color]"

He kept a wary eye towards the cursed not-so-mute assassin that was supposedly following the other two to the inn.

	Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. SHIT! A tooth cracked in half in Mason's mouth as Blight raced after Shye.  As much as he wanted to stop that crazy bastard, that would only make the situation even WORSE.  At this point, Mason had little doubt that Garrett was a double agent; between the blood magic as well as [b]NOT[/b] being targeted by the Dolofon OR Therosi-- something wasn't right.  However, there wouldn't be enough evidence to convince the party of this unless he shared his conversation with Shye.  One path would lead to Garrett informing the Dolofon of Shye's insubordination, and the other would lead to the party turning against Mason.  The conniving bastard had set quite the trap to protect his cover; for now, Mason would just need to bide his time until he could plan something to counteract such meticulous scheming.  A grim expression fell over the young Aion knight; he needed to act as if he knew nothing of the situation, lest he put Shye into further danger.

As the others began to walk together back to the inn,  Mason wordlessly slipped into the group; inspecting his wing as they walked.  Oddly enough, the damn hole was nearly gone........ Exactly what the hell happened out there? Mason wondered; honestly, he could barely remember anything after leaping on the creature's back.  But that could be addressed later, as the safety of both Shye, and her son was currently on the line.


[hr]
[img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/501076833073233922/518205227367792651/cup-and-talon.regular.png[/img]

	Neither Nailah nor Allard said anything on their way back to the Inn. Honestly Nailah just wanted to relax and forget everything that happened. As she arrived, she went immediately to the counter to get something to drink. Gods knew how she needed something strong to clear her mind...

[color=C86060][i]"Just what have I gotten myself into...?"[/i][/color] she thought to herself, lowering her head, resting it on the table with a long sigh. Exhaustion, not physical but mental.

As she raised her head, about to ask for a drink, Allard did so before her, ordering two huge tankards. Judging by the smell, it was exactly what she needed, something strong.
After taking a long draft of his drink, he turned to her, commenting about what just happened.

[color=C86060]"Don't even get me started on that... I have no words to describe my frustration..."[/color] she said, taking a long draft of her drink as well.

[color=C86060]"You all are honestly a bigger threat to yourselves than the very beast that you were fighting against. I'm amazed that you all are still alive or even how you guys are able to call yourselves an 'Alliance'... Can you guys really trust yourselves?"[/color] She asked, raising an eyebrow with a piercing stare, talking not only about Dremmick and Garrett but if they could trust one another to work as a team in a battle situation.

	Lynn after seeing Nailah return, lazily lifted up a hand and waved to her. [color=7FFFD4]"Naaaaaailaaaah, you're back! See siiga, I knew it! They would be back eventually..."[/color] around her were quite the number of empty glasses of what used to be  cider. It seems they had started without her.

	It was then that she heard a familiar voice calling for her. Turning around, Nailah saw a very 'happy' Lynn, surrounded by a large number of empty glasses. Despite the fact that she was slightly disappointed for them to not have waited for her, she couldn't help but be surprised on how different Lynn was after drinking. Did Siiga say something to encourage Lynn to drink...? Honestly Nailah couldn't even imagine that such a shy girl liked to drink in the first place.

[color=C86060]"Lyyynnn... I need a huuuug..."[/color] Nailah moaned, lowering her head on the table and raising her arms as if asking for a hug.

	"Oh no ye don't!" With a fearsome cry, Bonnie leapt from the shadows and plonked himself directly between Nailah and Lynn. "Ye can just stay right there, where there's nae funny business gaein one between ye twa!"

Now Siiga didn't know what to make of that display. Bonnie probably thought that he was defending Lynn from some sort of predator, which was weird, considering he couldn't stand the sight of her, but whatever. But Siiga couldn't resist taunting Nailah, and while Bonnie had his focus squarely on the big girl, she leaned in and gave Lynn a biiiiig cuddle.(edited)


	Lynn's eyes showed surprise as her cheeks flushed red, though she was smiling. Maybe her face was red from the drink? But she was assured by Bonnie that it was just juice.... Is this why  She wasn't allowed to have a lot when she was younger? everything seemed a bit fuzzy, and like her movements lagged behind slightly. [color=7FFFD4]"Bonniiiie, I'm [i]fine[/i] see? I can hug!"[/color] she giggled as she returned the hug with Siiga.

	Now there was a sight to see. Two beautiful young women, pressing their soft, nubile bodies against each other in front of the whole bar, arms locked in a passionate, drunken embrace that would...

Where was I? Oh yeah, Nailah. Siiga was grinning a mile wide, eyes locked on Nailah. See, that slut didn't know who she was fucking with.

	[color=C86060]"For someone who looks so cute, you're surprisingly irritating, rude and impolite..."[/color] Nailah said looking to Bonnie with an annoyed expression without even looking at him as she drank more from her tankard. 

Even after Nailah heard Lynn saying she was fine and could even hug, Nailah simply didn't feel like looking back, still resting her face in her hands as she slowly drank from her tankard. She didn't need to look back to know what was happening. Siiga was probably hugging to provoke her.

[color=C86060]"You should be worried about Siiga... Getting Lynn drunk so she could have her all for herself... I wouldn't be surprised if she tried something weird with Lynn tonight... Look how she is rubbing herself all over Lynn... After all, she is probably still feeling horny after being rejected by that waitress and watching helplessly as Garrett walked away with her in his arms."[/color] Nailah said with a mischievous smirk and sharp eyes as she threw her head back to look at both Siiga and Bonnie, obviously provoking them.

[color=C86060]"Hnnng~"[/color] Nailah moaned as she stretched herself on the chair.

[color=C86060]"Silly boy... So naïve..."[/color] Nailah said with a sigh, drinking the last bit of alcohol on her tankard.

	"I'm only rude and impolite cause I stop ye getting what ye want~" Holy shit. Was that ivory!? Yes! The first time today, Bonnie was actually doing a no-joke, honest to god smile! The beacons have been lit! Gondor calls for aid!

"But ye forget, missy, is that ah've seen yon twa the-gether,  which means ah know how they are aroond each ither. But ye... Ye're a wildcard, ye are, and a pretty skanky one at that."

We'll just brush over the fact that Bonnie was literally a prostitute for several years. Hey, I never said he wasn't a hypocrite
As for Siiga, well, she'd heard enough insults to grow a bit of a thicker skin than that. And in response to Nailah's insults, she gave Lynn a kiss on the cheek

"She's just jealous that it's not her getting the hug" She said with a grin "Although who she's jealous of, that's a real mystery~"

	Lynn's eyes opened wide and her ears perked up when Siiga gave her a quick peck on the cheek.  She giggled with a winning smile. Normally she would be embarrassed by all this show of affection, but she was a little too far gone to think about it.  In a not so great way of defending Nailah, Lynn tried saying something for her on her behalf, not knowing how much they were at odds with each other, and barely able to make out anything Bonnie was saying. [color=7FFFD4]"She can have a hug if she wants one! Nailah is a nice person, I think.... though she gets handsy really quick though! Oh! We could doooo....a group hug!"[/color] she said, raising bothe arms in the  air with a big smile.

Allard watched the young Lassa with a raised eyebrow before looking to the others. [color=9ACD32]"Young lass, I'd believe you might need ta sleep off yur drinks,"[/color] he said chuckling a bit himself before downing the rest of his tankard. He looked over to Nailah. [color=9ACD32]"Oi? Done alreaddy I see, well, I'll have ta fix that!"[/color] He said as he picked up both tankards and went to get more.

	When Nailah heard Bonnie calling her skanky she simply looked at him with a piercing stare before staring at her empty tankard once more.

[color=C86060]"Bonnie, you should really keep your mouth shut... You're much more pleasant to have around when quiet..."[/color] Nailah said as she waved her hand dismissing Bonnie as just an annoyance.

[color=C86060]"You're really not worth my time. Go play with someone else and leave me alone. You're not worth my time."[/color] she said, with an annoyed sigh to Bonnie, before hearing Siiga's voice once more.

[color=C86060]"What? Jealous? Of you?"[/color] Nailah asked, laughing as she looked to Siiga when she heard her saying that she was jealous of her hugging Siiga.

[color=C86060]"Jealous of someone so sexually frustrated that she needs to make an innocent, naive girl drunk in order to have some affection?"[/color] Nailah continued, looking to her with a cruel smirk on her face.

[color=C86060]"After all, the only one I'm really jealous of is Allard, who still has something inside his tankard... Well... had a second ago..."[/color] Nailah replied, looking to Allard a few seconds before he gulped down what was left inside of his. If she was in a better mood, she would definitely take that chance to continue provoking Siiga but right now she couldn't care less about them.
Just as she said that though, Allard ordered another full tankard of drink for Nailah after suggesting that Lynn should stop drinking. While it was definitely amusing to see Lynn acting like that, she couldn't agree more with Allard.

[color=C86060]"I do agree with Allard. My dear, you should really stop drinking and go cool your head. A sweet and pure girl like you shouldn't be drinking like that... Or letting someone push you drinks until you get drunk."[/color] Nailah continued, talking with Lynn just like one would talk with a younger sister or a daughter. 

[color=C86060]"Thank you for the drinks, Allard, you're quite a sweetie."[/color] she said, with a smile to the gigantic man, playfully pinching his arm before she took a sip from the new, filled tankard.

When Lynn mentioned a group hug though, Nailah raised an eyebrow, turning towards Siiga and Lynn.

[color=C86060]"Not on a good mood for that, I'm sorry. Maybe another time. After all, I wouldn't like to take advantage of you when you're drunk."[/color] Nailah said with a cruel smirk on her face, teasing Siiga once more.

[color=C86060]"When you feel safe enough around me to give me a hug or to let me hug you, then I'll accept your offer."[/color] Nailah said, looking to Lynn with a kind and motherly smile.

	Wait, she was leaving him alone? Oh sweet merciful Buddha, all his Christmases had come at once! No more of that insufferable, pathetic attempts at 'teasing' him, just peace, quiet and the knowledge that he didn't have to watch his back. How his eyes lit up when he heard that she didn't want anything to do with him!

"Yer serious!? Fucking YALDIE!" the boy whooped and punched the air. "Fuck it, ye all want a round!? Ah feel like celebratin'!"

Siiga rolled her eyes at the boy's antics, but at the very least he wasn't sitting there with a sour face anymore. He was so much cuter when he was smiling. She tossed him a small pouch and told him to go wild, but make sure it was for the table, before turning to look at Nailah.

"She's an adult, she can make her own decisions. You're just frustrated cause she chose me over you" she kicked her feet up on the table "But it's okay. I can understand your frustration. Must be hard getting rejected by underage boys, hmm?"

	[Garrett and the rest of the group make it back to the inn at this time]

	"[color=a0410d]It would be easier for us to help you if you said something while we weren't in the public's eye, or near any peering, untrustable ears.[/color]"

He turned himself towards the nameless woman as they walked to the inn. Awareness was one of many Garrett's talents, taking great notice as one of the suspects of a seditious plot entered the group. His eyes would train on the winged male making a piss-poor attempt at sneaking into the returning party.

"[color=a0410d]You are not off the hook, either. You let this questionable individual go, without any relay of information of who they are or if they are truly an ally. You did more harm than good for this woman if that was your goal, especially knowing there was more than just you in these woods.[/color]"

He sounded like a stern father, scolding their children on a long trip back home after noticing the problems they made during the trip away.
It was a wonderful feeling in Garrett's head, and even more what he would be saying to the entire team, a recreation of a true alliance's rules and regulatory statements.

	Lynn seemed a little let down from all the arguing. [color=7FFFD4]"I'm fine....I'm just.... a little tired is all....I think..."[/color] Lyyn slidd a little down in her chair but then sat up as the fighting continued, trying to get a word in to ask them to stop but it wasn't working. All she could do was stit there with a worried expression and watch the insults go from one to the other. There was some odd notion in her head that this may be her fault, most likely her not being able to think right, she was never drunk before and this was quite an odd feeling. It seemed managable enough though. [color=7FFFD4]"I'm sorry to cause so much fuss...mmmaybe I should go ahead to the room.."[/color] she said. Though as she went to stand, everything semed to turn upside down and she started to fall out onto the floor,  a bit of a cartoonish flail as she tried, and failed, to regain balance, hitting the floor with a little yelp.

Aeden listened to Garrett as they made their way to the Inn. He seemed quite wise now that he no longer appeared feral. He spoke well and eloquently. Aeden could see he could be an excellent leader, but he would have to see how he operates among a group as diverse as this one. [color=ffd700]”You speak well, and I certainly agree that ground rules should be laid out. I understand that battle was not something planned by most of us and as a result it was absolutely chaotic, but it also clarified a need for everyone to come to consensus about how to function as a group.”[/color]

He glanced back to the woman again as they made their way into town and headed toward the inn. Understandably, she was silent and worried. Mason was not in much a better state it seemed. The scolding of Mason by Garrett was interesting as from what he could tell they were not that far apart in age. Age was a tricky thing when it came to descendants though after all he looked about the same age as they did as well, and he knew of descendants that were older than he was that looked his age as well.

When they entered the inn, the scene before them was to be expected. Noisy. Drunk. A party. [color=ffd700]”Nyph? Where is Nyph?”[/color] He glanced around the table the group now sat at and found the pseudodragon sleeping underneath the table with his head stuffed into a pewter mug. He sighed and stepped over to an open space at the table to pull his friend out from under the table and pick him up. The mug slipped off Nyph’s head as he left the floor.
He considered joining the party for a few moments, and he also considered suggesting they start coming up with a set of ground rules right away, but after everything that happened tonight he really had no interest in being a wet blanket. He looked at Garrett with a serious expression. [color=ffd700]”I get it that getting the ground rules laid out is serious. Now is not the time for that. I’m getting a space so I get put Nyph to bed. We aren’t going to get anywhere with that chaos going on right now.”[/color]

	Nailah heard as both Bonnie and Siiga continued with their pathetic display. Siiga trying to provoke Nailah and Bonnie... Honestly, Nailah had no idea of what that brat was trying to do. Was he trying to sound funny? For her he was just being pathetic. Anyways, she was just ignoring both of them right now. After all, she wouldn't gain anything by arguing with them.

To make things worse, Aeden and the others were back from whatever they went. Things were about to get even more annoying and irritating.

[color=C86060]"Ugh..."[/color] Nailah grunted, annoyed and exhausted.

[color=C86060]"Hey Allard..."[/color] Nailah said, leaning her head on his arm.

[color=C86060]"Can we [i]please[/i] go somewhere quiet? I'm really frustrated with all that happened, exhausted and it's just too noisy here... To make things worse, both Siiga and Bonnie just won't shut up..."[/color] she said with an exhausted tone as she started using her charm on Allard while being careful to talk low enough so just him would listen to her.

[color=C86060]"If it's not much to ask, could you give me a back massage? I just feel like my head is about to explode and alcohol is just not helping..."[/color] Nailah continued, looking to him as she waited for an answer.

	Oh, ignoring her, was she? Pfft. Siiga would see what she had to say about this.

"Oh please. We both know the only reason you're so pissed off is because you never got to hear Oh, Nailah! I love you~!" This last part, by the way, came in a loud impression of Bonnie's voice. Apparently loud enough to make others turn and look at them. "Well, unironically, I mean."

But when Lynn hit the deck, her demeanour changed. She jumped to her feet and was there like a flash. "Lynn! Are you okay!? Christ..."

	Though try as Garrett may to provoke a damning response from Mason, he would quickly be shown that the young knight; though arrogant, was FAR from stupid,  [color=darkorange]"You are a fool to think that we are free from surveilance sir Blight-"[/color] Mason stated coldly as he stopped and turned to Garrett,  [color=darkorange]"The shadows have eyes.... Or are you perhaps trying to divert attention from your recent antics? Quite a convenient opportunity, no?"[/color]  Once again, Mason continued to the inn alongside the rest of the group,  disgusted with the so called 'leader' of the newly formed alliance.   However, the moment he entered the inn, Mason was appalled to see Lynn on the floor; heavily intoxicated, with Siiga looking over her.   [color=darkorange]"Alright..... Who's amazing idea was it to give Lynn alcohol?"[/color] he groaned in frustration.

	Garrett nodded towards the more, jaded Aion.

"[color=a0410d] It will be in the morning then, enjoy your night. [/color]"

Garrett gave Mason what seemed to be a death stare. Assuming he had any intention to divert the attention from what he had done, whereas Garrett knew to himself he would be doing quite the contrary in the meeting he would have loved to occur tonight in order to save the Alliance from any further self-destruction on unwarranted suspicions, sedition, or infighting. They were at the inn now, and he couldn't outright flay the man in front of all these people, he didn't want to hear screaming or fight any of those who wished to protect the runaway slave-turned knight-without-a-code.

He would let this transgression against him and his own person for the remainder of the night. It will have to wait until the meeting he were to call in the morning, where a collaborative effort would be made to put in place enough change to keep the Alliance afloat.

His attention then turned to the nameless assassin, something had to happen to her that kept her in check for the rest of the night, he offered his hand to her.

"[color=a0410d]Fortune is favoring you tonight, miss, who has yet to give me her proper name. Your fate will be decided tomorrow. But you will not be going anywhere. Captive assassins leave any second of complacency guards would give them. We are taking a seat, out in the open, in public, where neither of us can be doing anything suspicious besides drinking or eating. It would be good time to sway me or convince me about the situations you have found yourself in. Keep your head on your shoulders, and reassure me that you aren't guiding any of the Alliance members astray. It will be a grand old time.[/color]"

	Shye looked to Garrett after she heard him chastise Mason. What Mason had to say only seemed to increase her discomfort.  If Garett would notice, Shy'es movements were very graceful, much like a noble. It was subconcious to her because that was how she was trained to move when growing up, engrained into her being through many harsh lessons. She neatly sat down in a chair, she thought about crossing her knees until Nix jumped down from her shoulder and into her lap, curling up in a ball, but her eyes and ears still on alert. She nodded to what Garrett had to say and would every now and then glance over to Mason. Until Garrett found it to be the appropriate time to talk, she simply sat there quietly with Nix, stratching or petting the furred dragonling.

	Aeden stepped up to the receptionist. He had enough of this night. There was just too much going on. Too much unpleasantness, and too much noise. Right now, he just wanted to relax in a room and pass out in the comfort of a bed. [color=ffd700]"I'll have a single if you have one."[/color] He paid what was due, got his room key, and made his way to his bed. He unpacked what little he had and removed his armor. Nothing worse than sleeping in your armor even though he was used to it due to some missions requiring constant vigilance. He placed Nyph on a pillow and laid down on the bed next to the unconscious psuedodragon.

[color=ffd700]"Buddy,"[/color] He commented as he started to fall asleep. [color=ffd700]"This might be the hardest mission we've ever been on..."[/color]

	Allard nodded to Nailah, feeling like that may be a good idea to him. [color=9ACD32]"Oh, I might be able to manage something."[/color] he said cracking his knuckles, because somehow all his fighting today has yet to be enough to pop them. [color=9ACD32]"Its been a long time, but I'm sure muscle memory will kick in."[/color] He then went to pay for two single-bed rooms, to which the barkeep informed him that there was only one single-bed left, bt they still had plenty of two-bed rooms. This caught Allard by surprise. He most certainly couldn't afford two two-bed rooms.Allard went ahead and bought a single-bed room for the night, remembering that Nailah told him not to buy her room, just her stew earlier in the day. He complied and went ahead to go to the room, opening the door to let her through first.

	The rowdy group was beginning to stir up the late night customers who were traveling traders. Many chose to sleep in tents than spend on an expensive Inn's room. The food however was worth buying and after the confusion in the town, the new arrivals, and the bloody roars out in the forest they needed a few ales themselves. Drinking shamelessly with all eyes on the alliance members who filed in. Two seraphim was enough to gain the regulars attention. But the others were clearly from all over the lands. Armor, attire and dialect be damned. Their natures screamed diversity.