[center][h1]One Week Later...[/h1][/center]

Their departure from Brightlam had been a swift and early thing, in part to avoid the accolades their newfound fame brought. Fortunately, news of the Warriors of Light's exact details hadn't quite spread past the capital just yet, and they were able to take their leave of Drana Asnaeu at last without harassment from overawed locals. 

Unlike their last voyage at sea, this time the journey went without interruption at all, aside from a few minor monster attacks that were quickly dealt with and swept up. Their Dranan escort brought the Kirins to a port within a day's journey of Earl Demet's territory within the western marches. 

True to Rudolf's assumption, hardly anyone was recognized within port, aside from Galahad's armor and not the man himself. The presence of a dragoon with such motley traveling companions, two Ospreans included, drove some eyebrows up, but they were hardly accosted. They left port in good order after resupplying, and set out for Demet territory proper. 

Half a day away, it seemed their extended period of peace and quiet was finally about to end. Up ahead on the road, they saw the makings of a quarrel: two separate groups of armed men, hands close to their weapons and their leaders conversing in raised voices. Or at least one of them was.

[b]"You would bar our passage? Don't you know who I am?!"[/b] One of the leaders, a man in Skaller furs and armor, bellowed, triggering a flash of memory for Izayoi. 

[quote][url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5433370]The man scowled up at Zeidgram, ruby-red blood dribbling down his chin as he released a slew of curses up at him before his guttural voice hardened into decipherable words. [b]”How dare you strike me? Don’t you know who I am?”[/b][/url][/quote]

[color=#736AFF][b]"...Galahad, Eliane. He was one of the adventurers in attendance at Balmung Castle. The Unicorns' leader, if I recall."[/b][/color] Izayoi murmured in low tones towards those who had been with the party the longest. [color=#736AFF][b]"I see his unpleasantness is a constant."[/b][/color]

Meanwhile, Rudolf would recognize the other party leader as one Wulfric Demet, treating his counterpart's grievances with an easy smile and a barking laugh. The sight of yet another party approaching on foot piqued Wulfric's attention, which also served to cause the Unicorns to turn around. Said leader looked between the distinctive dress of dragoon, samurai, and gunbreaker alike, and his eyes widened in shock before narrowing in distaste.

[b][i]"You!"[/i][/b] The still-unnamed Skaeller noble glowered. [b]"What, was it not enough to simply leave matters to your betters? You had to walk in my footsteps as well? And what in blazes happened to most of your worthless group? Let me hazard a guess: they fell like dogs and you replaced them as quickly?"[/b]

Wulfric's intervention or no, it seemed this confrontation had the potential to erupt into violence. And wouldn't that be a fine first way for the Warriors of Light to introduce themselves to their host?