[b]Who Are You To Judge?[/b]
~[@The Irish Tree] (MAG)~

[quote=Magnus Eissenhoeff][color=FF5353][b]"E-Err...well, um...I-If you're sure that this is his "lover", then...I suppose it'd be best for me to go get him from his farm. I'm a bit too big to ride a horse to begin with. Thank you though, ma'am! I-I'm sure he'll be happy to have Sally returned to him. Do you mind keeping her here a while longer? I'd just be a few hours,"[/b][/color][/quote]

"[color=lightcyan]Ah, don't worry about that, sir. I'll just get my husband to ride Sally to Jeb. He's an old friend of ours, anyhow. Is he still at his farm in Ambran?[/color]" The Holstaur offered a more convenient approach. "[color=lightcyan]We'll just deliver any reward to you in a day or two. Ah, may I ask who you are and where you live?[/color]"

Noticing your disbelief at the revelation, the Holstaur added a remark. "[color=lightcyan]Yeah, life in Ambran does these kinds of things to people. I should know, my uncle-in-law raised goats.[/color]"

[quote=Magnus Eissenhoeff][color=FF5353][b]"T-That um...Salamander...s-she wouldn't...hurt anybody too bad, right?"[/b][/color][/quote]

"[color=lightcyan]Eh? Your friend is actually looking for a fight? I thought she was just--[/color]"

~[@The Irish Tree] (MAG), [@Enkryption]~

[u]Magnus[/u] and the Holstaur's conversation was interrupted by the arrival of a fearsome warrior clad in hellish armor resembling that of the Hellhound monster. The smell of of sulfur made it seem like that the armor really was forged in the deep depths of Inferno itself. The sudden appearance was enough to scare the Holstaur as she fell silent beholding the newly-armored [u]Annalise[/u].

"[color=navajowhite]Jesse![/color]" The man who found [u]Annalise[/u] earlier emerged from behind the Mimic Slime. "[color=navajowhite]I-I'm not sure what to make of this. I found her clad in armor near a well and then she threw herself in it and then she came back out like this and then she made her way here. It's all so weird.[/color]" The man quickly told the Holstaur, named Jesse.

"[color=lightcyan]What?! Nero, I don't understa--[/color]" The Holstaur stopped herself before finally realizing who the apparent newcomer was. "[color=lightcyan]Oh, I see. Looks like you're ready for a fight.[/color]" Jesse remarked, still a little afraid but she had now understood the situation. Eyeing Nero, she continued. "[color=lightcyan]Why don't you fight Nero over here? He's a warrior, a former knight of the Order and has seen many battles in his tenure.[/color]"

"[color=navajowhite]Wha? Jesse, please. I've left that life behind. I'm a simple assistant now. Besides, I'm a little rusty now.[/color]"

[hr]
[b]Liberation At Any Price[/b]
~[@The Irish Tree] (NEP)~

[quote=Nephele Francine Megalos III][color=A9A9A9][b]"So, what is your plan, then? If need be I can have this entire town covered in fog within an hour. And, how broken do you want the Varjans to be?"[/b][/color][/quote]

"[color=rosybrown]No, if they reach the town, it would already be too late.[/color]" Felipe shot down your plan. "[color=rosybrown]We must take them down at the pass that is south of Sonarra. Come, ate! We shall take you there.[/color]"

-----

Embarking on a wagon, you rode to the south. Your fellow passenger was a surprise, a Joyful, like the one you fought and killed while protecting the armless Ian. But this one was on your side and so sat across you idly. Should you stare at his grotesque mutations, the Joyful would not mind. It even appeared he was also fascinated by you but his helmet hid his eyes.

Soon you were out of Sonarra and into the Varjan countryside. The land was dark and foreboding. Bones and skeletons could be seen waylaid across the fields. Those that still had flesh left were pecked on by crows or nibbled by rats and other such vermin. Riding alongside you were a large group of Sonarran rebels, warriors and horsemen. You soon realize that their gear resembled Varjan gear heavily, being part of Varjo and all, so you might find it difficult to tell friend from foe.

Soon you were at the pass and the Sonarrans have begun digging in and setting up the ambush. Over yonder, just further south, you saw Varjo itself. Its high walls could not hide the dark spires and towers that jutted out of the blasted capital. The place radiated malice and hatred, madness and indulgence. A monument of Man surrendering to the devils in their hearts.

"[color=rosybrown]Ate, you say you can produce a fog? I'm not sure if an ability is useful since it will also obscure our rebel warriors' sights.[/color]" Felipe spoke to you. "[color=rosybrown]Is there anything else you can do? Perhaps breath something else? If not, that is okay. I'm sure your strength alone will be a great asset in our ambush.[/color]"