Sourin Kingdom!

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Just outside Elftown Adel waits for the some of his friends to come and get ready to set forth and stop war. Their first stop would be Sourin Kingdom who was currently sending raiding parties to the surrounding providences. Although not full blown war it would start a war soon. His friend Hiuko sadly could not come because of trouble with a tribe of dragons in the far north. He'd be gone for quite a while sadly.

A lone figure emrged from the dirtroad. The light at his back left him in shadow, a silohoutte if you will. The body was exsentuated by a like size sword that hung across its back. As it neared his face emerged from the shadow, dominated by his peircing ice blue eyes. He drew close to Adel and halted dropping the sword from his back, it hit the ground with a thud and noticably left a imprint apon the dry ground. He looked apon Adel with curiosity. "Are you organizing the rebel party?" He asked with neither sopport or opposition in his voice.

Adel held his chin and looked over Steelheart. "Let's see, blue eyes, a want for stopping war, and an oversized sword. Although I wonder if Hiuko told the complete truth about you." The last sentence he said under his breath. Adel extended his hand and said with a smile, "The name is Adel Reise and this is the rebel party."

"Im surprised he knows i have blue eyes, and no dont use the same crack he did about the compensating for somthing with the sword, its an heirloom." Takato broke the ice with a light joke. "Please call me by my first name, not my battlefeild name, Takato."

"If all goes well then I won't even have to call you on a battlefield. Nice to meet you Takato. Oh and when he told me the sword compensation joke I asked him how he knew... that shut him up." he said with a little laugh. "So is the whole power of metal thing true too or did he make that up?" He asked wanting to see such a strange power.

"Now that would be giving up a trade secret now wouldnt it? You seem to know a good deal about me." Takato quizically scanned Adel up and down. "Aside from leading a peaceful rebelion i know nothing of you."

"I come from a continent called Landor to the east. My parents stopped a war and lost their lives fighting off an army. They fought of nine tenths of the army and only knocked out the men. With that act their deaths united the two warring kindgoms and they became one providence. Then when I turned seventeen, which is y age now too. Me and some of my friends took on the rest of Landor and united the with as little war as possible although unlike my parents I've had to kill people." He finished looking at his sword. Then with a smile he said, "I have no special powers to speak of. I'm just fast and good with a sword."

Takato was taken back a little. "Well then, after that I guess it would be right to show you." He humbly grasped his chain as a faint silver glow spread from his palm, down his fingers and onto the chain. It seemed to take a life of its own as it liquidly shifted to take the shape of a intricated mace.

Adel watched amazed and when the mace was made Adel asked, "So can you change the metal into anything or just weapons?"

"Anything my energy can sustain, no giant fortresses or the like..." Takato hated sharing his short comings to others. In reality the elder of his clan used to be able to form mountanous beasts of iron and steel.

"I see. That's way better than what I've got. Three lcky charms and a good sword arm." Adel said as he looked towards the gate. "There was one other person that said she might come so unless a hawk comes by with a letter I think we should wait. Adel sat on the ground and asked, "Anything you might want to know about me while we wait?"

Takato sank to the ground next to Adel, using his huge sword as a back rest. "You said you are a swordsman, what style?"

"Freestyle. I've never had a proper lesson in swordplay so I developed my own style over time and it seems to be very versatile." Adel explained. "What about you? Do you have any styles of fighting with your rather... large sword or are there any?" He asked looking at his sword. That thing is huge. I probably couldn't even lift it. He thought to himself.

"Interesting, i was trained in all forms but i excel in koryu kenjutsu, relentless attack. Its not all just swinging that giant meatcleaver round, you gotta know how to use it." Takota unsheathed th huge sword and took a based stance gripped the hilt with both hands and took a step foward. His hands performed some quick flicking motions then swung diagonally once. The nearby roadsign fell in half, then spilt into five peices once it hit the ground evemn though it looked like he only swung once.

"Jeez. I probably couldn't even pick that thing up. Let alone do that." Adel said standing up. "That's why I've got this thing." He took out his sword. It was as long as his arm but it was as light as a feather. "Made of pattern forged steel, tempered and treated. The handle has a nice give to it so if I get frustrated I don't go white knuckled when it tighten my grip on the handle." He said emanining the sword. "It must have taken my father a long time to make this sword and it's lasted all his life and fights and all of my fights although it hasn't even been a year since I got this."

"Light swords are good as well, this thing feels light to me because of its connection with my family, its been around many times longer than I have. So is your father a smith?" Takato asked creating a little small talk.

"Yes, he was, and an even better swordsman from what I heard. I also heard that my mother was fencing teacher for the town." Adel shrugged, "That might be why I'm good with a sword with no training but you knows, since I didn't grow up with my real parents there was no real insperation for my swordfighting." Adel wondered about this as he said it. "So what did your parents do, if I may ask?"

Takatos expression became very dark. "There business, as well with all my clan, was war" Ha sheathed the sword ans stuck int back into the ground to lean against. "She was a feild medic and he was a one man army....im sorry to hear about yours, what happened to them?"

"They died fighting an army by themselves. They knocked out everyone and they knocked out about nine tenths of the army. The stopped the war an brought unity to two kingdoms that are now just one providence." Adel said thinking back to when he was told this. "So, are your parents still alive, if that's okay for me to ask? I wouldn't want you to answer anything you didn't want to."

"I have no idea, when on the feild no information can pass back or forth so i really dont know." Takato stopped and gazed up at the sky, its warm sunshine heating his body and giving him a sense of ease. "Its cool that yours went out in glory."

"Thanks." Adel said looking at Elftown waiting to see if the other person would join soon. There was a rustling in the bushs and when Adel turned around it was just four goblins. "Look, something to do." He said as the goblins started to charge them. Adel got his sword ready as the the goblins came at them with bronze cutlasses and iron shields. There were two goblins for both of them.

Two of the golbins spotted the big sword and grunted to each other. "We take other guy..." One lunged at Adel as the other jumped off his back for a falling slash, protecting its chest with the sheild.

Takato didnt even bother unsheathing the huge sword, instaed he stood up grasped the hilt and brought the huge blade up and over his shoulder. It smashed into the ground sending huge chunks of earth flying at the assailants and creating crazy vibrations.


The goblins put up their shields and crouched down effectively stopping themselves from getting injured by the earth chunks and by crouching down they didn't fall from the vibrations. Then they ran at Takato again and tried to surround him to his right and left before slashing at him. "Come of Takato, no need to use that much strength on these guys." Adel said before parrying a both slashes from both of his goblins in one movement.

Takatos eyes had gone completely silver, and a menecing grin crossed his face. He wrenched the sword up causing the sheath to fly off. His muscles tensioned as he swung like a top trying to decapitate both in one move.

The two goblins that attacked Adel regrouped as one scuried behind him and waited unoticed as the other distracted Adel with a fury of blows.

Adel easily parried all of the golbins attacks and eventually figured he should stop this soon so when he block one blow instead of recoiling to block the next blow he moved his sword over the goblins and pushed down and if he got to sword all the way down he would step on the sword to get is stuck in the ground and use his other leg to kick the goblin.

The goblins after Takato ducked down and the sword just barely missed their heads. Then they started to crawl towards Takato so they could use an upward stab at his chest.

The sword went through, the Goblin who was kicked grabbed the extended leg as the other jumped foward to bring the sword down and lop off the limb.

Takato simply dropped the level of the sword knowing they couldn't dodge on their knees and even if they did they couldn't escape. His chain flowed up his body and connected to the hilt to allow ranged attacks.

Adel flicked his sword up subconsciously and parried the jump slash and then in the same fluid motion followed through by aiming the hilt of his sword at the head of the goblin that was holding his leg to knock him out.

One goblin put his shield up in time and was tossed a few feet away while the other had its head lobbed off. The goblin that survived got up although it was a little weak it was still ready to keep fighting.

The goblin was caught dead on and instantly knocked uncocious. The other tried to keep its distance after seeing its companion stunned. It reared back and hurled the sheild like a frisbe, a heavy razor edged frisbe.

Takato's silver eyes glowed like that of a wildfire, his face frozen in an expression of pure bloodlust. He used the momentium of the spin to hurl the huge blade at the lucky goblin. The increased momentium from the spin sent the sword off like a massive arrow carrying enough inertia to knock over an elephant. Takato gripped the attached chain so he wouldnt lose the sword in its missile like state.

Adel sidestepped as much as he could and used his sword to defelect the part that would have hit him and the shield fell on the ground now harmless. Adel put his sword infront of him and bowed as a symbol of starting a fencing match then put his sword out to fight.

The goblin put up it's shield to stop the blow but the force was so strong that the shield was pushed up and went into the goblin's head and it died instantly.

The Sword buried itself into the ground pulling the airborn Takato to a halt. Takatos eyes died and return to their normal state. He blinked and looked around at the horrific scene. He collasped onto his knees and his shoulders began to shake.

The goblin glanced at his fallen comrades and the experienced swordsman standing in front of him. It laid its sword at Adels feet and fled in fear.

Adel picked up the sword and dropped his head to pray for the two that died. After a minute he turned to Takato. "You okay. It seems like you need to control the bloodlust a bit. I know it's hard but we'll be fighting quite a lot on this quest so I'll help you with it. Everyone will I'm sure of that. When you’re ready we’ll bury these two, their swords can mark the graves. I’ll start digging them." He said as he put the goblin sword he was given into the ground. The unconscious one he moved to one side of the road and the dead ones to the other side then he started digging the graves with the goblin sword he was given.

Takato's shoulders shook uncontrollably as he got up and retreived the sword. He picked it up and brought it down long ways, he repeated the motion until there was a six foot hole. He walked over to adel to help with the body's, tears streaming down his face.

Adel and Takato set the bodies in the graves and reburied them and then they gave them a moment of silence. Adel the pierced one of the sword in the earth at one end of the grave and said, "Mother Earth please help them find the after life they desire and let their next lives be peaceful." Adel stepped back and the other sword was at Takato's feet. "You can do this; the quicker we lay their souls to rest the better you'll feel. It doesn't matter what you say just wish them good will." Adel said before bowing his head in silence. He quickly glanced over at the other goblin and he was still unconscious on the other side of the road.

Takato took the blade and cut his own hand with it, his odd grey blood trickled onto the blade. He concentrated as he minipulated the sword until his own blood had dulled the edge down to a round shape. He plunged the dull sword into the head of the grave. "Please no more violence, I'm sorry." He kept his head down and walked up to Adel. "I couldnt help it....the power from the god of war...its a double edged sword...in return...we become emtionless beasts at times....I'm sorry.....we're monsters...."

Adel put a hand on Takato's shoulder and said, "You're not a monster. All I see is a human, a human that can overcome the gods of war. Have you heard of a dwarf named Lebon? He was a great warrior and he was able to kill an army of one million men effortlessly and without even drawing his ax. The gods saw this and bestowed upon him more power. With this he was able to rule the world and he started to but Lebon hated when the gods took control. He fought it off and by defeating the control on the gods of war the gods of peace saw fit to give him the title of sage of war. Sure he's getting tired of the immortality he asked for along with the title but that's optional apparently." Adel smiled and continued, "Anyway, with your power you can take down an army I'm sure. Maybe not one million against you with only fists but you are human. Humans, although I despise them more than any other race, are a fantastic people that can do anything. Even defy the gods. We'll be on a long journey and I promise to help you to defeat their hold! I'm not sure how but whatever it is, even fighting the gods themselves, I'll be there right by your side."

Takato wipped his eyes dry. "I appreciate it Adel." He struggled to retreive his sword and secure it across his shoulders. "Please, if there is ever anything you need just ask and ill do whatever, to return the favor." He is optimstic but its useless. Nakini are destined to destroy themselves in battle, its our curse. "So who is this next member we are waiting on?"

"There should be one, possibly two girls." Adel said as he put his sword back in his scabbard and sat down across the road next to the goblin. "One is really spunky, at least that's what Hiuko told me, I think you may know her too. Anyway I'm sure she'll come. The other though Hiuko didn't know much about her but apparently she'd be great for this adventure he thinks of her as a good friend and very good sparring partner, besides you of course." Adel said as he scratched and itchy spot in the brown jungle he called his hair. "You might know her but we'll wait to see if they show or a hawk comes with a message saying they can't make it now. Adel shrugged and lied down to watch the clouds. Then Adel laughed and looked at Takato, "He's asleep." He said pointing to the goblin.

"I see" Takato had a chuckle to himself. The goblin was quite funny with its thumb in its mouth.

"That reminds me of the kids at the orphanage. Those were some great seven years. Even though I didn't have any parents I still had two of my friends from the village. Even after that my friend Cheryll stayed with me through the whole ordeal until I left for the rest of the world. She stayed to help maintain the peace. I elected people for that but she wanted to help since she felt like she didn't do much." Adel took out a piece of paper from his belt pouch with a special spell on it. It actually paints a still life picture perfectly with the background the same and everything. It was a picture of Cheryll. "I already miss her." He said with a smile.

"Wow she has a cute face," Takato looked up at the sky with its fast spaces. "The worlds so big, theres always a chance you will meet up with her again. There has to be people out there willing to help in the vast world. Its just to big to contain only people who fight and wage war."

"You're right. I thought it was just filled with good people but that was shattered when I was ten." He said putting the picture away. "Then when I became seventeen, which I still am, I learned that the world is all sorts of different shades of grey." He said with a smile as he looked up at the clouds. His left hand rest on the hilt of his sword, he didn't know why, maybe just to rest, but the strange thing was that something in him held him back from moving his hand. "Although I agree with you about not everyone wages war I do have to say that there are more that do wage war rather than live peacefully. At least that's how it used to be in Landor, and that's how it is here currently."

"Yeah i know i lived among them." Takato expressed in deep thought. "The world is never clean cut or straight foward, more like a confussed spider web. " His eyes searched the sky for the bird they were waiting on. "What happened when you were ten?"

A gentle breeze stirred the grass and sent little spirals of dust dancing across the path. A speck apeared on the horizon and quickly grew in size. Whatever it was moving and moving fast! A trail of dust followed the speeding figure, It drew closer and closer with no appearance of stopping, alomst like it was going to collide with the two. Suddenly it skidded sideways to a halt and as the dust cleared a girl was standing on top of a board with a sail attached. Her blonde hair settled around her shoulders, as she lifted a pair of gogles from her eyes to reveil a pair of lush green eyes. For some reason the dust blew away from her and didnt settle on her white shirt or clothes. "Hey are you....Adel?" She asked while apparently reading a note sqribbled on her wrist.

Takato was still recovering from the near heart attack he had suffered from the near death collision. "He...i...uh..." He was to startled to say anything.

Adel's hand, which was on the hilt of his sword, was able to move again, "huh," he said before taking another look at the newcomer. "I told some one was coming. Although this I didn't quite expect." Adel said to Takato. He stood up and said politely, "I would be Adel and who might you be?"

Gale scanned him up and down, then suddenly glomped him for no reason. "Im gale! Nice to meet cha! Huiko-kun told me all about you." She let him up then noticed the dirt she had just got on her pants. "Hmpp." Elegantly she snapped her fingers and a small wind gusted out of no where, blow cleaning the cloth clean. "Kinda small for a peace corp no?" She aked sqrutinizing first Adel then Takato with detective like curiosity. She tapped the big sword. "A little over kill you think?"

"Not in the least bit, one big sword, hundreds of opponents, the math adds up." Takato took up defensive at the comments on the newcomer.

"Ya, Hiuko told me about you too." He said getting up. "As for my size I believe I have perfectly good grounds to start this... peace corp as you put it." He said brushing the dirt off his clothes.

Gale flicked the sword. "Yeah math for a neanderthal, anyway im here to make this little party of two a party of three!" She held up three fingers and stuck out her tongue in a cute way. "Who is mr.overcompensation over here?" She whispered to Adel.

"That would be Takato." He said ignoring the neanderthal comment. He ignored the insults and reminded himself that they just met. It may just take a while to become friendly.

"Grumble....." I'll let it go cause shes just a bit cute.... Takato tapped his finger tips together in frustration. She does have nice long legs...arg..what am i thinking?!?!? she just insulted me!

"Well then, nice to meet you two." Gale sighed, tucked her tonfas out of the way and sat down on her board. Out of boardom she gently kicked her feet back and forth in the dirt. "So how many fighters are we gonna have in this shindig, and when is hiuko-kun going to show up?"

"Well we can start going right now. I'm not sure if they other girl will come or not right now." Adel explained. "As for Hiuko," he continued, "I'm not sure if he will come. He's busy with some diplomatic issues with the dragons to the north. He's good at diplomacy but since their dragons it could take a couple more days. Although I'm sure he'll catch up. Just a hop on Bangs and he can take a three day trip in one." Adel looked at the goblin sleeping peacefully on the ground and said, "Well shall we get going. There's a town not to far away and if we leave now we'll get there by evening. Leaving now also leaves room for the unexpected, these days who knows what comes out on the road." He explained as he started to walk.

Takato shoulder his sword and trudged along behind Adel. He kept his hands in his pockets and his eyes on the sky. His ears were wide open ready to jump in if he heard somthing interesting.

Adel stopped and looked back at Gale. "You coming or are you just going to sit there?" He asked waiting for her.

Hours later

Adel was looking at a piece of paper and he said, "Well it looks like the king of Sourin has been sending raiding parties to his own people and claiming that he's been trying to stop them but they keep getting away from his guards. Not even the guards know it is a trick for him to get more money. War is one thing but a king can't rule this way. It seems that the village we are going to is one that the king has raided so many times that it went from town status to village and there aren't many people left." Adel put the note away into his pouch and pulled of a folded map. He inspected and said, "Look they've got an inn though... anyone by chance have enough money?" He realized that he was still broke.

"I miss the days when it was just nature and the animals. Spirits free to roam and play among the leaves and streams. Where there was no corruption, no kings.......errr...um." Gale suddenly fazed back into reality and realised that they didnt know she wasnt really human. "Ahem so anyway, what do you suppose We do about it?"

Adel kept a note about what she said and put it aside. "I suggest that we first try diplomacy with words. If that doesn't work than we move on two option number two, diplomacy at the tip of a sword." He ended with a smile. "Sometimes though we may not even get to do the first option and there have been times where the king or emperor had to be overthrown." Then he looked at Gale and explained, "I've done this before back where I came from." He turned his gaze back forward and smiled, "I can only hope things go better than back home though."

Takato readjusted the strap of his sheath. His eyes then traveled up to Adels face. "So your an experianced rebel anarchist?" He said this with no insult intended, just lack of a better word.

"Rebel could be used but not anarchist." Adel said looking at Takato while they walked. "Me and my friends always made sure that the kingdom or empire was safely changed into either a kingdom or a providence. Kindgoms usually went to the next in line that the people saw fit to rule. If no one then the people governed themselves as a providence. The empires always became providences since they didn't have any royal families to speak of. We made sure peace was established after the overthrow so that they weren't left in disarray. The providences and kindgoms arranged for the leaders, kings, and queens to meet at a neutral location every turning of the season of their own will." Adel turned his attention forward again before saying, "Not anarchist, although my methods may look that way I never leave anarachy in my wake, only peace."

Takato suddenly had one of his rare insights that must be written in history books, but usually eraesed later due to one of his stupid actions. "One person cannot govern the will of many, yet the wills of many conflict when they rule themselves. A ruler may try to incorperate the wills of all, but all are never content. The hoi-poloi governing themselves resolve one conflict with varying answers thus creating another conflict in itself. Such is the paradox of establishment" Takato seemed to be off on his on while still with the group.

"Ya we figured that more conflicts may arise from other conflicts but that's the reason why my friends stayed behind. They all wanted to ensure peace whenever it rose and took action against others." Adel said with his head up watching the clouds go by as they walked although he had to squint since it was a little past noon and the sun was still close to the center of the sky.

"Like I said when people are in charge the world is chaos, before them there was peace." Gale looked at her two spaced out companions as a breeze gently rolled her along beside them on her windboard.

"True but sadly we can't necisarily kill all of the people. Besides evolution would just bring us back if someone found a way anyway. What I'm hoping to find is some kind of guru to teach people a way to live with nature and the elements instead of taking the land for their own." Adel said looking back at the road. "I heard tales from some people in Elftown that there are many people like that here but only one who truly knows these things. I hope to run into him on the journey so maybe we can pass on his wisdom to others and it will spread throughout the land."

Takato decided to break the mood. "Or we could find bangs and tell her that the kings all got together and banned catnip! She would destroy them." He suggested in a humerous tone, with only the intention to lighten the mood.

Adel laughed a bit at this. "They would be down on their knees begging for mercy. Not even Hedda could stand up to Bangs in a bad mood." Adel smiled and looked up at the sky. "So umm... like I was saying about money for the inn... It might be a silver piece and I've only got... one. I'll give mine up but does anyone have more? If not we could use a sure fire method to get money that I thought of back home when I was traveling."

"Well theres always counterfitting." Takato took one link of his chain and formed it into four exact replicas of gold peices except a gray color. "Anyone got any paint?"

"I don't... we'd have to buy some." Adel said with a glum tone. "Well the way I got money was more fun. You get to meet a couple of new people too. Except...," He looked at Takato, "you aren't allowed to do it. Sorry but it is holding sparring matches against the people for money. About five to ten silver and we get a lot of people."

"Why cant i?" Takato asked a little puzzeled.

Gale struck into the conversation. "Isnt that legalized cage fighting? Or illegalized cagefighting...or something?" She walked side by side with her two new compainions. This is so cliche. Two guys, one girl. If this was some ecchi manga you could probably expect a gang atempt. She shuddered at the thought.

"Well it's more like just sparring. No cage or even arena for that matter. We advertise that we are holding sparring matches and anyone interested should come with us to wherever there is a safe place to battle, like just outside of town. As for Takato, you can do this as long as you can keep that fighting thing under control. Remember the goblins... that was brutal and we don't want anyone to die." Adel responded to everyone.

"Oh...that...." Takato's eyes went down cast. He hated being known for his uncontrollable bloodlust like mode. Damn bloodline. An idea came to him even though he didnt like it. "Um Adel....for future reference..there is one thing you can do if i go stupid again...."

"What would that be?" Adel asked now walking backwards but checking behind him every now and then.

"If you know anything about seal magic...i have one on the side of my neck." Takato pulled down the collar of his shirt to reveal a intricate circle design. "I've never told anyone about it, cause I've never faught beside someone.....Just touch it and forse some mana into it...unfortunatly i crumple like paper."

"Yes well still unfortunately I don't know how to release mana." He said turning back around to walk forward. "Look, we're almost there!" Adel said pointing to the slowly enlarging village in the distance. The closer they got the more and more it looked to people rushing about. Adel had seen this before and he was never happy when it happened. "We have to hurry!" He said looked back at the others. "Something bad is about to happen!" Then he broke off in a sprint towards the village which was less than a mile away.

"Maybe I'll get to slaughter a raiding party." Takato put a hand on the hilt of his sword and took off after Adel. "Freakin sweet." His eyes started to fade again, but he slapped himself to get his senses back. "Lets see if we can help anyway."

"Well they aren't here yey it's just pre-rush. They probably got a scout report and are getting ready. They might not even get attacked today but just in case." Adel explained as the were running.

Gale had increased the speed of her wind board to keep up with the duo. "No matter what, they are disrupting the life in this urban town, so they must be punished." Her hair softly wished back and forth in the wind as her tonfas' thumped rythimcally against her hip.

---

When they passed under the gates barely anyone noticed them because they were scrambling around but one man did notice. He walked up to them and asked, no one in particular, "Can you three fight by chance?"

Adel looked at the others and then answered yes for all three of them. He had seen Takato fight and from what Hiuko told him, Gale was a very good fighter so he assumed they were.

"Good! We need people to help us. Our scouts reported a small army coming down this way from our own king!" The man clenched his hands into fists and the knuckles turned a bit white. "We need more people to fight so I was wondering if you three could help! We'll even throw in a free stay at the inn if you would like."

Adel smiled at the free stay and without a second thought said, "I'll be glad to help you!" Then he turned to the others, "What about you two?"

Takato cracked his knuckles. "Bring it on! I was raised for this...no sadly I was..Anyways, lets do it!"

Gale sighed and nodded regretfully. "I'll help." She really hated doing anything to hurt someone but it would help these people.

The man smiled and said, "Thank you so much. There are some other adventurers in the inn that also said they would help. We measured the army to be about a day away so please rest and tommarow when it is time we will sound a trumpet to let you know when to come to the east gate of the town." He ended by pointing towards the direction of the east gate. Then the man bowed and said, "I am the appointed leader of the village and if you need to ask me anything please feel free to." Then with that he ran back over to discuss some defensive plans with some other people.

"Well," Adel started turning back to Takato and Gale, "Shall we go to the inn and meet the others we will be on the battle field with?" 

Takatos eyes dulled as a menecing smile crossed his face. "Who needs to wait for tomorrow? Lets meet them head on and crush them!? He cracked his knuckles in anticipation.

"Hmm..." Adel said looking at Takatos neck. "Okay I have no mana but I do know this." He said before he reached for a pressure point that would make Takato unconscious for about half and hour.

But before Adel had even got close to knocking him out, Gale had yanked Takato back to reality by his ear and started to scold him. "You little monger... Control yourself."

Takato came back to reality. "Oww...ow..i get it..stop!" He pulled his ear back as his eyes came back to life.

Adel's hands was still raised as he looked at Takato getting his ear pulled. He smiled and said, "Well that works better than knocking him out for half and hour. He put his hand down and asked, "You guys want to do something specific? We've got a day and I don't know about you but I want to meet the people I'll be fighting with, besides you two of course."

A tremedous roar spilt the air, as if a great beast had been provoked. It took a bit to figure out where it came from until takato, redfaced, held his gut in pain.

"Can I do it now or do you want to try the ear thing again." He asked Gale with a bit less concern than he really should have.

"Im...just kinda hungery..." Takato reveiled redfaced. His stomache continued to let out demonic noises.

"Oh... well I'm sure we can get some free food for helping the people. If not I've got some herbs that'll hold you over for an hour or two." Adel said patting Takato on the back.

"Thanks man." Takato said while grimacing and clutching his stomach.

"Lets get to the inn." He Adel said helping Takato. "Gale come when you want." Adel said before they went in. There was a large bar area with a few seats open and the place was huge. There were plenty of tables and chairs to sit at and there were even some aventurers reading books, playing cards, chatting and drinking, some sharpening their weapons, and so on. Adel guided Takato to the bar and sat his on a stool. The bartender came out of no where and asked, "You two want anything? The travelers get to eat free today!" Adel smiled to Takato and said, "I'll have some hot water please." The bartender wrote that down and turned to Takato. "and you my rather... sickly looking friend."

"The biggest bowl of shrimp ramen in the house please!" Takato seemed to become estatic at the sound of free food. He already had a bib and two pairs of chop sticks in his hands. "I like mine a little on the less soupy side please!" He caled back to the retreating Bartender.

"Oy!" the bartender replied to Takato before he went into the kitchen to give the cook the order. He came back out and started to get some other peoples orders too. After only a minute or two a dwarf came out of the kitchen door and although he was about the height of the bar he managed to put the food on the bar in front of Takato and Adel. Everything was steaming from being freshly cooked. Adel took out a leaf and put it in his hot water. It disintegrated and colored the water green and he strated drinking it. "So how is your food?" He asked Takato.

The chop sticks rolled around in the bottom of the empty bowl. "Wow.....simply...wow." Takato replied holding his slightly bulging gut.

Adel looked at the empty bowl in amazement that Takato ate it that fast. "I guess you were really hungry." He said with a smile as he took another sip and turned around to look at the other travelers here.

Gale coughed as she sat at the bar from the cigarette smoke. She finally got fed up after a few minutes and calpped her hands together creating a huge gust of wind that cleared out the room. "Thats better."

"Gale's here!" Adel said over the rushing wind. A lot of people in the bar were stunned by the girl that walked into the bar and blew away the smoke filled air and she seemed to blow away the guys cigarettes right out of their hands too.

"I hate smoke. It kills the trees." Gale said with an innocent look as everyone's gaze seemed to settle on her. Her ears began to burn a little. "Um...hey look a uh...free ramen!"

The bartender was a little dumbfound by what just happened but he shook himself to his senses and nodded before shouting, "We need another ramen!" To the dwarf cook who came out minutes later to give Gale her ramen nice and still steaming.

"Oi! And s'more ale for me!" A voice called out unsteadily from the corner of the inn. It was a youth, his age unapparant. However, it was very apparant that he was flat-out drunk. He stood by a table of hard-looking men, gambling over their smokes. "And 'nother for m'ugly friend 'ere," he added, carelessly whacking the arm of the man closest to him. The man glowered at him, urging him to get back to the game. Turning away, the youth slapped a fat gold piece onto the table. "How 'bout this for starters?" The other men exchanged glances.

"Sure thing." The bartender said with a bi of a bow. He was used to all sorts of accents so he could tell if a person was drunk or just had a accent. The bartender got two mugs of ale to the table and asked, "Will there be anything else?"

Adel looked over at the table he heard the voice from and sensed something. He had the same feeling as he did for everyone else that had joined him before in his homeland and he knew he couldn't ignore it. "Wait here for a moment I'm going to meet some people." Adel said kindly to Takato and Gale. It wasn't an order it was just a way of saying I'll be right back and it sounded that way too. He walked over to the table and waited for kindly for the bartender to move on to other customers.

Takato got that prickly feeling on the back of his neck. He immediatly reached for his chain and held in his grasp just in case any funny business went down.

"Naw, that'll be all." the youth stammered, taking a swig from his long-empty mug. Then, he passed out, dropping heavily to the ground. A sack of coins hidden tied to his sword sheath burst open, sending coins flying. Solid gold coins.

Takato quickly formed his chain into wire that snaked out and raked a good portion of coins under his chair inconspiciously.

Since Adel was very close to the young man he helped the man up into his chair and then he pushed people out of the way to get as many coins as he could. When the coins were all gone he put the coins that he got back sack they came out of and Adel tried the make sure he was okay. "Hey, you okay?" He asked, although it was a stupid question. He might just be unconsious from the alcohal. Adel thought as he tried to awaken the young man.

Still out cold, he did not respond.

Adel looked around at all of the people at the table looking at the young man with greedy eyes so he helped the young man up and dragged him over to the bar next to him. He asked if he could get some ice cold water and the dwarf instead of handing it to Adel, wanting to do the honors himself, splashed it on the young man to wake him up.

Gale immmediatly flicked her wrist sending a blast of icy cold wind at the drunkerd making sure he would be jolted to conciousness.

Takato fomred a bat and held it over the boys head. "I could wake him up my way..."

"Wouldn't that just knock him out again?" Adel said with a blank face

"Where do you think your going mister morocca(sp?)?" Gale had takato by the ear when she heard him walk by and his pocket jingled.

"Oww...oowww" Takato was overcome by the force of the pull. "I....i had them i swear!" He hopped around leaning to his attacked side.

The youth spluttered awake, looking around with suddenly alert eyes. His eyes widening at the sight of Adel, he jumped up, almost knocking into Gale. "Sorry," he mumbled, backing away, and tripped on a chair leg, and was down on the floor once again. Groaning, he sat rubbing the back of his head. SSuddenly snapping up, he checked under his sword sheath. The coins. They were gone. Looking up at the first person he suspected, Adel, he drew his sword in a clumsy arc, nearly knocking off a few heads, and demanded, "Oi, where are they?"

Gale had already forced takato to produce the coins from his pocket with a few forceful tuggs of the ear.

He put up two fingers to Takato or Gale in case they decided to clobber the young man with the sword pointed at Adel. "I got as many as I could and put them back in the sack they fell out of. Don't you think it's kinda dangerous to carry around so much money?" after that Adel looked over the young man and continued to say, "Especially when you're, not to be rude, a bit clumsy with that sword."

"Then where am I supposed to keep the cash then, hmm? In your pocket for 'safekeeping'?" The young man retorted, waving the sword wildly dangerously close to Adel's face.

"Jeez you don't even have the depth of the sword. My my what a terrible thing." Adel says looking at the young man more so than the sword. "As for what to do with the money, many places around have very good banks you can keep it in, or you could at least put it in a better place than in a sack at your belt. A sack any thieve can easily cut but a leather pouch for example will take a bit more than two seconds with a sharp knife." Adel finished with a pat on the leather pouch attached to his belt. "So can I ask you politely to move the sword or do you want me to move it for you?" He said with no emotion in both his words and his eyes.

"The money comes first," The youth stated bluntly, holding out his palm. He managed to put on a face close enough to seeming almost confident, something he always - and never - was.

Takato handed the coins over carefully. Then in one swift motion he grasped the out held sword and it shift and sprang from its wielders hand to reform in Takato's. He swung the blade to point at its former owner. "Dont wield a blade unless you intend on using it."

He stared, bemused, for a full five seconds before gathering all his remaining dignity and working to regain his composure. "Why should I stain my blade over the likes of you humans?" the youth scoffed, speaking as though he were the one holding up a threatning blade and not his enemy.

"Takato hand the blade back," Adel said dully before adding, "I mean, it's not like he can use properly." The last bit he said with a smile looking from Takato to the young man. At this point everyone in the inn was watching the scene unfold. Even the bartender and the dwarven cook were watching, they weren't going to break it up unless blood was going to be drawn but so far it didn't seem so.

Takato laid the blade at the drunkards feet. "Here....dont ever wave it at me again." He huffed and began to become aware of the stares and the bumps on the back of his neck. "Stop staring!!!!!"

At that the people went back to what they were doing and Adel reached down and gave the sword back to the young man. "So what is your name if I may ask?" He kept a kind tone this time. Trying to change the mood of the conversation. At that the bartender and the cook got back to work and the noise of the inn started up again and slowly things were back to normal.

Takato pushed the sword away. "its yours." He turned back and swiped what was left of gale's ramen. "The names takato." He responded without looking up from picking out the shrimp.

The youth quickly snatched back the sword, giving the two a hard stare. "Vandora, Jaibriol." Looking down his nose at Takato(Although he was a head shorter) he commented in a clipped tone, "Wouldn't it be polite to look up at someone if they are addressing you?" He stared at the bowl of ramen as though it were something that he had just stepped in.

"Only people i respect. And you cetainly have not earned that." Takato still kept his unconcernd eyes on the food.

"Despite his... less than enthuesed personallity right now Takato has a point. You can't really earn much respect by throwin' around a sword, especially with as much experience as you have using a sword." After thinking for a minute he continued, "Well, my name is Adel, and if you'd be willing, I wouldn't mind teaching you a bit of swordplay." Adel said with a warm smile. He meant it with sincerity because he could tell a friend even if they hold a sword to him when they first meet.

Perhaps at some other time, Jabriol would have heartily accepted the offer, but even he could tell when he was being treated as one's lesser(which was too often), and he sorely disliked it. "At what price? Should I just hand you over everything but the clothes on my back? Or are you gonna take that too?" He snarled. "And how am I supposed to know that you're more skilled enough than me anyhow?"

"I will charge nothing. The way of swordsmanship should not have a cost. The only thing a teacher should receive from the student is patience and willingness to follow the teachings," Adel said in a sort of poetic way. "As for how we know who the better swordsman is," He stopped briefly thinking for a moment and continued with a decision he thought they would both be okay with, "tell me to do something with my sword and I will see if I can attempt it. Whether a sword trick, cut a tough material in two, I would even accept a dual although I would dislike to dual someone I'd be fighting side by side with tomorrow." He ended with a grin as he rubbed the back of his head.

Takato stood up from his meal and stretched his arms. "Ill measure you up, schoolboy." He unshouldered his huge broadsword and let it sink into the floor splittering floor boards from shear weight. He grabbed the handle without lifting it off the ground. "Lets go outside, if i fight here the owner will be down to a one story building instead of two."

The bartender nodded at that and Adel turned to Jabriol to ask, "Shall we take this outside, even if it doesn't come to fighting I really don't like crowds anyway." He said before walking outside and taking in the nice dusk scenery. The inn opened up into the town square which would be a good size for any challenge. Adel walked towards the center a bit and turned around to see if anyone else was coming out.

Takato hefted the sword up and followed them duo outside. The tip splitered the door top on the way out. "Let me at him Adel." He smirked and took the sword into a two handed position.

"Well don't be too hasty there, remember that it is he who decides the challenge, if any. Also I'm the one most likely to be challenged, although you fighting isn't out of the question of course and lastly remember what happens when you fight. We need everyone we can get for tomorrow's battle. However tomorrow's battle is exactly when you can go psycho on the oncoming army but not.

After a moments thought, Jaibriol concluded, "Sounds fair enough." He gave the two a devilish smile. "But I think I have a proposal for you for the challenge terms." He walked up to them. "HOw about the two of you fight - blindfolded."

"Well I can't say I didn't see this coming," Adel said under his breath. "Well I said I would accept a challenge so should we rip off some stips of cloth from out clothes for the blindfolds or can you get some?"

Takato frowned in dissapointment. "Why would i fight Adel? This whole scenerio was to prove your usefull ness trog." He spit in the dirt and rubbed it out with the toe of his shoe.

"You have a rather blurry memory don't you?" Adel asked retorically, "The whole test was to see my worth as a person who could teach swordsmanship. We don't have to test his worth as a swordsman because a student is only as good as his teacher can teach him, and I can see potential in him." Adel said, although the last bit about potential he said quietly so only Takato could hear, no need to fill Jabriol with hope quite yet.

Takato slammed his huge sword into the ground and let go of the hilt. "Then theres no need for me to swing this monstrosity. Instead he grasped his chain and it started to glow a silvery color and morphed to form duel Katanas. "Now ill show the original koryu kenjutsu style. Then maybe ill help you take this useless sack as an understudy." He crouched low and held one katana vertically and the other horizontally to his rear.

"You might want this first." Adel said throwing a long dark colored rag to Takato. "He said blindfolded," and with that Adel put on his blindfold, pulled out his sword and waited for Takato to move. His ears were twitching looking for the right sounds and his nose was picking up the scent of ramen coming from Takato's breath, although that was still not enough to focus in on him because it was a faint smell. "At anyone's signal," he said to no one in particular.

"nah im covered." Takato stamped his foot and a bit of metal raced up his hip and formed a pair of metal sunglasses that let in no light. "little more stylin huh?" his next move was unexpected as the hilt of the back blade turned into a long chain that he swung in a wide arc to cover a big areae without moving his feet to give him away.

Adel closed his eyes even though he was blind folded and he heard two things; the swing of something long and the clinking of metal of metal. He determined where the sound was coming from and held out his sword to stop the blow. When the chain hit the sword Adel could almost feel the metal swinging back around so he ducked and after it wrapped once he pulled his sword down and out. Then he started to walk towards where he determined Takato to be from the pull on the chain after it wrapped once. He was ready to react to any sounds and he kept in mind his surroundings as he calmly walked towards Takato.

Now that my trap is set.... Takato formed back his katana from a few close chain links and scuffled foward wher his chain had stopped. After he had reach ten paces, his chain haven been fifteen paces long he lunged with his foward sword bringing it down over his hopeful victum as well as bring his back sword foward in a parrying postition in case of a counterattack.

Adel heard the scuffling, obviously intentional so he stopped and turned half his body towards the sound. Adel heard the push off from the lung and sidestepped the downward swing and tried a horizontal slash with his own sword right towards Takato but his sword was blocked by Takato's other katana. He didn't try to grapple because Takato was duel wielding so he pushed down to make a count attack from the break harder and then jumped back. Adel was gifted with a very vivid imagination and he has honed it to use what he remembers of someone and the surrounding area and he determines their attacks by the sounds of he hears. He knew how to fight blinded, it wasn't the first time he did this, and wouldn't be the last!

Takato now knew that Adel was directly infront of him. I will show him the might of the Nakini and the koryu kenjutsu style. Takato brought his deflected sword straight up in a rising slashing following it with a cross slash from the other, spinning his wrist he flicked his arm to bring the rising blade back across diagonally while he quickly turned his body to swing his other foot foward and swing the cross slashed blade around for a blunt side strike. He did all of thes moves while inching foward, constantly attacking leaving little room for a counterstrike.

Adel had almost reached the end of the reach of Takato's sword from the last back jump so he jumped back a bit more tho dodge the attacks and slowly walked wide around Takato for two reasons, one, to get out of the ways of the attack and two, to see if Takato could hear Adel's movements despite the concentration a flurry like that might take and the sound of the winds whistling all around him because of the slashed. He stopped about five feet to Takato's right side.

Takato listened for his trap he had laid ealier. Adel might have moved to the right but his heel had clipped the spare chain sprawled across the ground creating a small clink. "Check." He lunged to his right completely cancelling out the sound of the blades and focusing only on the sounds coming from below his ear level. He lunged to his right with a spinning back hand slash covering about three feet and followed up with a straight thrust from the other blade laying across the first like a bow. (Three foot covereage and a three and a half foot sword covers six and a half feet.)

Adel hears the turn and lunge so he instinctively jumps back just enough to barely miss the spin attack and wondering where the second sword was, or better yet where it would come from, he ducked and rolled in a curve to the right of Takato and tried a diagonal slash as he quickly rose to his feet.

Since Adel had rolled to the right back to the inittial lay out he rolled right across the chain causing it to give away his position. Takato's swords swished through thin air. He crouched insintively and flipped backwards and brought his swords straight down as adels blade cut a staight leg right off his pants in mid air. Upside down takato thrust his blader straight up(down) where he thought the sound came from.

Adel thrust waa extended out its ful length by time Takato slashed so Adel was safe but his sword was knocked out of his hands and landed somewhere behind him although to his right more. He jumped back from where Takato would be and then he quickly and quietly walked over to where his sword was.

Although Jaibriol was foolish by some standards, he knew well enough that this was a fight he had to watch - and take notes. He wondered how Takato manged to not give himself away with so much metal on him. And how they both managed to tell the sound of one thing apart from another. As a test, he picked up a small stone, and aimed it at Adel's lost sword, which was still left open for taking - and hoped his aim was as good as it used to be. The rock hit the blade of the sword, leaving a loud clang of metal resonating briefly, but clearly.

Takato landed heavy in a crouch from his back flip and was baffeled as to where Adel had anded up.Crap. Hes no where near my chain now, i lost him. Wait...what was that thud? Adel's sword gave way when we hit so i think it was thrown away a bit. The clank was a trigger for his nerves. Takato immediatly grabbed the chain and whipped it up and brought it down in the vicinity of the clank.

Adel heard the clank and it landed right where he was about to place his foot. If I find out what hit my sword I'm going to run it through with the sword if I can get it. He thought as he cautiously moved his foot over the chain and moved over to get his sword counting how many steps it took. Then he picked it up quietly and moved back to where the chain was and he kicked it as hard as he could turning to where he though Takato should be. He tried to keep his internal compass pointed at Takato so he should be facing exactly where Takato would come from. His sword was ready in a defensive position and his legs were ready to launch.

That was intentional so he must be ready, how about i give him what he wants, with just a little curve ball thrown in. Takato dashed foward slamming his feet as hard as he could trying to portray the idea that he was running up right in a dead dash while he was actually crouched as low as possible. He reached his target point inches from the initial kicked chain and lashed out with one blade inches from the ground in an attempt to take out Adels ankles.

He has big feet but they never made this much noise before. Adel thought as Takato rushed him. Adel weighted until Takato was close enough for his blade to get him and he quickly sidestepped although something hit the heel of his shoe. It threw him off a bit but it came from a lower angle. He though either Takato was crouching or he'd just get him in the legs when he started his downward slash to where Takato would be.

The bit of a nudge at the end of the blade gave him a bit of an idea where adel had gone. Takato used his free blade to back spin on his heel and bring the blade to where he thought the bulk of Adel's body would be.

Adel's downward slash, although technically an attack, seemed to defend him from the slash from Takato's free blade. He held that slash for a bit before pushing forward and jumping back to break free before the other balde came at him, this time when he jumped back though he wouldn't be on the chain.

Crap the sword contact covered up the foot steps..where did he end up? Takato didnt move his feet but rose up a little and got in a better stance. He quickly slid his foot across the ground scooping the chain up in the air and sending it up and out in front of him.

The chain hit Adel's foot right as it was lifting was he was quietly walking around. I hate that chain Adel thought as he flicked his sword out in front of himself in a defensive way.

Its all in strategy. Takato smirked. He launched foward to the exact spot where the chain hit. He swung both swords, one high one low aiming to send the sword spinning out of reach.

Adel'ss sword took enough of a hit to knock it free from his hands and it landed with a clang well enough away and Adel smiled. "Well it's obvious who the better swordsman is here." He said to Takato, this symbolized himself submitting. "I'm thinking Takato would make a better sword teacher than I." He said to Jabriol as Adel took off his own blindfold. He was still on his guard in case Takato would go beserk though.

Takato was still focusing on keeping his blood pressure down and not letting his instincts take over. He calmly removed his visor and reformed the chain around his waist. "No my freind, you are the better teacher. I have no patience or control for a student but will help you and your apprentiance anyway i can."

Adel relaxed and went ve to pick up his sword. As he put the sword away he turned to Jabriol. "So, what do you say?" He asked with a grin.

Since he would rather die than admit he was impressed, Jaibriol tried to speak in a tone of mocking approval(however with a total lack of conviction that threw the act off). "Feasible." He stood arms crossed, expression placid. "I would not have enjoyed being tutored by such a hotheaded fighter anyhow." He waved lightly in Takato's direction.

"Not my fault. I was raised to kill savagly or be killed. Im trying to break the habit so please bear with me." Takato managed sarcastically through grinted teeth.

Gale clocked takato in the back of the head for the comment. "You see? This is why humans screw the world up. If you want to learn a better form of combat you should have learned from me."

Adel laughed a little and looking up at the stars he said, "It looks late, I'm headin' in. Jabriol, I don't care if you fight in the battle but it you want to train with me you have to at least survive okay?" Adel didn't even wait for a response before he headed in and got his room from the bartender.

Takato walked out behind the inn and chose two close trees. He reached into his pack and withdrew a small military style hamock which he strung between the two trees. "Id much rather sleep under the stars than closed in a building." He said to no one inparticular, even though he rubbed the back of his head in pain.

Gale simply walked right up beside him and flicked out a blanket and pillow which she immediatly collasped into. Her silvery hair spread out around her laike a blanket of its own. The brilliant fading light filled her blue eyes with its warm glow. "I like you, you enjoy the free nature..." She smiled and gazed up at the boy in the hammock above her.

Takato sighed. "I just dont like buildings..." and with that he drifted off to sleep.

A bit dissapointed, Gale lay on her back letting the lulliby of the crickets take her back to when humans were at one with nature. The kind gently people and the boy she had met so long ago......ZzZzZzZz

"If you two are used to life without a home, it's fine by me. I'm getting a real bed." With that, Jaibriol headed into the inn after Adel. Tossing a fat gold coin to the bartender, he didn't even bother asking which room he was to take, and let himself grab one that best suited him.

---

The morning finally arrived and Adel was out of bed right when the son was coming up. He went outside and found the leader of the village. They started to talk about the defense around the town and possible ambush attempts. None of the scouts were back yet but they would be within a few hours. The army was estimated to arrive by three in the afternoon so there was plenty of time to get focused get everything set up for the attack.

Takato grumbled and rolled over, only to remember he was in a hammock, he fell with a thud landing right beside Gale. "Damn..hammock." He proceded to take it down and stow it in his rucksack.

Gale meeped from her sleep when the heavy thud landed right beside her. She stood up with a scowl her hair completly bed headed. "Stupid mornings...i liked it when the bird songs woke me up."

Adel was carrying a 2x4 plank of wood past the inn when he saw the two wake up. "Hey guys," he said setting down the wood, "have a good sleep?"

Takato stretched his arms out as he spoke. "Always....arrrrgghh....do in a hammock." He cracked his neck and followed adel. "Whats with the lumber?"

"We've been making barracades at the edge of town since early this morning. I've just met a lot of the people fighting here today." Adel said with a smile. "This should be one of the last pieces we need but there are other people bringing the last piece so we are almost ready."

"You know you guys could have just asked me and i could have made a steel wall in like seconds....with axcess to the blacksmith that is." Takato yawned again and scratched his head.

Gale placed her hands by her head and summoned a gust of wind that immediatly sent her hair hair pin straight with a light curl at the end. "I could blow up some dirt mounds for barriers if needed." She offered.

"Go ahead, we need all of the help with these barriers as we can get." Adel said picking up the board and walking towards the east gate of town where the army was going to attack from. He looked back over his shoulder to see if the others were coming or not.

Takato cracked his knuckles and walked up to the nearest metal he could find, which happened to be the local windmill. His eyes flashed silver as it spread to his hands and up the windmill. The tower bowed and crunched in on itself until takato picked it up with one hand and laid it next to the wooden wall with it immediatly copied the shape and grooves to make another 300 feet of wall.

Gale did a hop and a skip then slammed her palms into the dirt causing a massive gust to blow up a huge mound of dirt to close off the area, resembling a old earth clod wall. She stepped back and adopted a russian accent, taking a line from one of her favorite movies. "Hey look i made a wall. And it took like, what, two seconds." She giggled to herself.

Late, as usual, Jaibriol finally came down to join the others. He looked thoroughly annoyed, having been pulled out of a late morning-sleep in due to noise that sounded like the world was being shook. Which it was, in some sense. "Could you be any louder?" he complained, looking up exasperatedly at them.

"Yes we could!" Adel shouted right next to him while carrying the pice of wood past then and finishing the wooden part of the wall and looked over the part wood, part metal, and part dirt wall. "Alright looks like we're ready." Adel said while some of the fighters went in front of the wall while other, long ranged fights, stayed behind the wall and got ready. There were at least two people watching the other entrances just in case of an ambush. "Looks like it's almost time, I'm going to get up to the tap of the wall to see what we're up against." He said to the others before walking off to find his way up the wall and at the highest point that faced the way the army came he could see a thin line of black forming on the horizon. For a moment he was lost in thought as he remembered this image all too well.

Takato was keeping in check even though he could feel his blood begin to boil. He placed himself in ftront of the wall with the advanced group and gave himself a twenty foot clear area in all directions, and unsheathed his word. He thrust the tip into the dirt until he needed to draw it.

Staring out into the distance, Jaibriol shaded his eyes from the sun with the hand that was not gripping the now unsheated blade, and frowned. "I see some dark clouds coming in. I'd hate to get soaked in the middle of a fight."

Gale stepped onto her windboard and shot off to get some advanced recon on the advancing force. She could get close enough for a good look without them ever having a chance of catching her.

When Gale got closer a tail came out of the clouds about and almost hit her out of the sky. Three black dragons slowly decended from the clouds. One of which had a dragoon on it. His full plate armor was dark blue and the helmet was in the shape of a dragon. On his back a a long lance with a blood red crystal blade. There were also little sparks of electricity bouncing off his armor. To Gale he said with an onimous voice, "Go back and tell them that their death has arrived!" With the three dragons soared low near the oncoming army who blanketed the vally for miles in both width and length. They only wore leather armor but the weapons were of all varieties.

Gale simply shreiked, causing a huge gust of wind to explode from her lungs. The sear blast shot her back and collided with the trees behind the wall. She quickly shook the leaves from her hair and rushed up to Adel. "We have a bigger problem than a raiding party!"

"You could say that." Adel said watching the dragons circling around the army now under the clouds and fully visible. He took a gulp and was about to say hope for a miracle but he was stopped by a cat rubbing up against his leg. He looked down at the cat and lifted her into the air with excitement but she sratched his face telepathically yelling, "Adel I told you to stop picking me up and spinning me!" Then Bangs turns to Gale and telepathically says "Hi!" with a voice that sounded like a smile.

"Bangs-kun!!!" Gale hit a few octives higher than mortal hearing. She snatched the demon cat up and hunged her like a rag doll. "Just who we needed at a time like this."

Bangs let Gale hug her and behind Gale came a voice, "Hey what about me? I'm the one that brought these guys." Hiuko stood behind Gale and on the opposite side of town three dragons ready to fight.

Gale glomped Hiuko with Bangs still in her arms. "Now its a party!!!" She laughed. Now oblivious of the on coming armaggedon.

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Return to Sourin Kingdom! or go to Tales of War!