[@jasbraq], [@Jamesyco], [@Damycles], [@Ti], [@Herald]

[hr]

Faline's gaze flicked between Gus' face and the coin in his hand. The coin was of a similar origin as the tokens the rest of them received by their predecessors. His was of the Illusionist Rogue. This rogue spoke highly of the man who was his mentor. It was clear that he was an ally of sorts. [color=f6989d]"Dorian would be better at answering your questions than I would. We have been chosen in some odd way to pick up the mantle while our mentors figure out the Duskrot plaguing Vradia,"[/color] she informed as she put her bow in its sling on her back. 

The half-Elvian woman arched an eyebrow at the man on a gray horse, shouting at them from a good twenty feet away. [color=f6989d]"I am Faline, obviously an archer and dagger enthusiast. This is Dorothea. Although, I'm not sure if she will make the journey in this condition."[/color] She gestured to the passed-out mage on the ground. [color=f6989d]"We weren't hired to take out the bandits. We were headed to the ruins of the Hiemaquas Dragonian tribe,"[/color] Faline replied to the horse rider and turned to see Amandine holding a dead bird in her hands. She squeezed her eyes shut and pinched the bridge of her nose. 

[color=f6989d]"Amandine, that is pheasant. Not Simbel,"[/color] the redhead clarified with a sigh as she glanced at the sky where Simbel had disappeared. She hoped that the Elvian woman was okay. [color=f6989d]"You can eat the pheasant. Just please roast it first. You don't know what that bird has eaten or where it has been,"[/color] Faline explained to the little monk woman before she turned to Torsten. 

[color=f6989d]"We should rest here, burn the bodies, and send word to Dorian. Someone will need to take Dorothea back to the tavern and let him know that Simbel has gone. Plus, if any of those bandits had Duskrot in them, we'd be fighting a whole different enemy in the middle of the night,"[/color] she gazed out to the slough of bandits that littered the meadow and the treeline of the woods. 

The fiery woman sat her pack down on the ground. Faline placed her hands on her hips as she whistled. A snow-white owl soon appeared and landed on her shoulder as she knelt down to rummage through her pack. She tore a piece of parchment from her journal to quickly write a message to the head of the mercenary group. 

[color=f6989d]"Everyone, this is Athens. Athens, say hello, and no, Amandine, you can't eat him,"[/color] Faline introduced the raptor bird to the group. She peered into her owl's snowy eyes. [i][color=f6989d]'Give this letter to Dorian. Let him know that he needs to come to collect Dorothea. When we leave to continue, stay with her until he arrives,'[/color][/i] she told the bird through her connection with him. Athen ruffled his feathers and let out a squawk as a response of acceptance. Once Faline tied the message to Athens' right leg, he took off, soaring back to town. 

[hr]

As the group rested and the bodies of their enemies burned, Faline couldn't help but get the strangest feeling that they were being watched. Not in a physical sense, but almost as if someone was scrying them, watching from afar. With Dorothea and Simbel both gone, the two members seemed as if they weren't ready for the responsibility bestowed upon them. Not that Faline felt she was any more worthy of being a part of the [i]Oath of the Concealed[/i]. 

Faline saw Dorian ride up with a few extra men. She stood up from the rock she was sitting upon and strode over as he hopped off his horse. [color=0054a6]"A pretty amazing feat for a group that hadn't met each other before. My men and I will finish up here. You lot continue on,"[/color] he instructed as he bent down and picked up the still-sleeping Dorothea. Dorian carefully placed Dorothea in the wagon brought by one of his men.