Alright with the MCAT done and classesrunning, I now have a schedule. That means I can get out a new chapter! After this I'm going to relax, so I hope y'all enjoy the first new chapter of the year and had great holidays!

Now then, onwards!

To Albion

Louise stared in open shock at Wardes, mind blank of any words. Should she greet him? Question why he was there? Run away screaming like an embarrassed maiden?

Oh wait, she'd done that after waking up from another round of those infernal dreams. Scared the life out of Kirche with her scream and Siesta had to run her down. It hadn't been an auspicious start, but was the universe so worried that it had sent her fiancée?

With no response forthcoming, Neb stomped over to leer at Wardes. "Captain, if you would please give her a moment to breath, it would be appreciated. Have you brought the information?"

Wardes chuckled and, to much further shock, scooped Louise into his arms and held her up like all her armor weighed nothing. "Ah, yes, forgive me. I was simply so… stunned. Little Louise has grown so much under your watchful eye, I could not help but go to her."

He smiled down at his passenger, who was still gaping like a fish, and strode to his griffin. "Come, you remember Leonidas no? He will be carrying us on this journey, no need to fret."

Then he looked to the scowling Neb head. "Our destination is La Rochelle, the largest port town. It will be two day's ride from here, but it will be easy to procure a ship. I trust you and I can work together to keep these fledglings from harm?"

Neb snorted and Wardes took that as an answer, stepping up onto his familiar's back. Before anything could be said, the griffin took to the air and started to fly off, though slow enough for the carriage to follow.

"Load up!" Neb barked, his students scrambling into the carriage while Siesta took the reins. "Keep pace with that damnable griffin, and so help us all if we lose sight of them!"

Within a minute, the students were loaded up and Siesta whipped the reins, the carriage rumbling out of the academy in hot pursuit of the griffin, Neb loping beside them while Flame and Verdandi held on for dear life on the carriage's roof. A few moments later, Tabitha whistled and clambered out of the carriage, leaving her stunned friends behind while she leapt into Sylphid's saddle and took to the sky.

After a half hour of hurrying, the griffin slowed to a more sedate and manageable pace, allowing the carriage to catch up to its shadow. Sylphid hung behind the carriage itself, Tabitha silently designating herself the rear-guard. With the hurry done for now, Neb regarded Siesta. "Out with it, you look like you're trying not to scream."

She let out a high-pitched whine, voice strained. "I… I am trying to be calm and professional, yes. However, I find it distressing that… Lady Louise did not deign to inform me that she was betrothed."

Neb huffed. "You and me both. I was unaware she even knew the man until Henrietta called for him. Judging by her shock, I'd say it's been some time since they've last seen each other. She also may just be in shock because of how… affectionate he is. You and I both know she doesn't do well with it."

Siesta's grip on the reins tightened. "I… I know that, but being betrothed is a big deal! And to the captain of the griffin knights no less! Even I know who he is! Louise… Louise should've said something about it, she's boasted of far lesser things!"

"She has!" Kirche agreed, leaning out of the carriage window with fire in her eyes. "This is the kind of thing she'd have held over all our heads for years on end! Yet this is the first I'm hearing about it for Brimir's sake! My family listens for everything that has to do with the Vallieres, there's no word of this!"

Neb regarded her quizzically. "…Truly? Hm, she has mentioned not wanting to shame her family to you all at some point, correct?"

Nods all around.

"Then perhaps that has to do with it." Neb mused, eyes going to the griffin above. "Such a… famous betrothal would look well on any family, but Louise… well, we all know where she was at the start of this year, no?"

The somber reminder passed as Neb gnashed his teeth. "It's no matter, you can interrogate her when we make camp. Recall, all of you, not to let the presence of a reputable knight get in the way of your thinking. He is not infallible, nor am I, and I feel we'll be arguing more often than not. Exercise your best judgement!"

The final snap sent Neb storming off, his position settling before the carriage as an intimidating herald. With that line of conversation cut off, Kirche settled back into the carriage and opened the small hatch over her head. "Siesta, can you hear us?"

Siesta tapped the wood next to the hatch, indicating she could.

"Lovely." Kirche sighed before glowering across the space at Guiche and Montmorency. "Did either of you know about this?"

Montmorency turned her nose up at the question. "Not in the least, and I wouldn't have cared had I heard earlier. Frankly though, Sir Wardes himself? He's well known as quite the bachelor, gossip has him tied to a different woman every week."

"Even still, he's quite the legend!" Guiche gushed, shock given way to awe. "There's so many tales of his heroic deeds, from slaying dragons atop his griffon to defending entire villages by his lonesome! Then there's the tales of the knights after he took command, they're the most decorated order since he took the post!"

Kirche crossed her arms and groaned. "Fantastic, you're a fan. Go get his autograph later for all of us. Least then you'll be acting like the kid he thinks you are."

Siesta offered her two silver. "I don't think it wrong to have idols, but it is strange. Even if Lady Louise was not… at the point she is now, one would think Sir Wardes would at least announce he was betrothed. Surely the rumors of his bachelorhood would only cause further damage when he… wed Louise."

The mention made Kirche's teeth grind. "We can speculate on it all day, there's nothing to be done about it now. I'll get my words in with Louise later, but for now, what are we going to do about the good captain?"

She waved away the odd looks she received. "Don't give me that, you all saw him. Barely glanced at any of us as he carried Louise like a porcelain doll. He doesn't think we're much of anything, a burden at worst or distractions at best. I for one refuse to let him think of us like that!"

"He's military." Montmorency pointed out with a scowl. "And a storied one at that. Any veteran will see us for the greenhorns we are. We just need to stay well within our means and not try to be morons."

Kirche scowled back. "We can take care of ourselves! We've taken down trolls, orcs, even those bandits! Sure, we took some hits, but we're not babies either!"

Guiche held out his hands, acting the peacekeeper. "My friends, there's no need to get so upset! We shall show our worth in due time, let us follow our training and do what we can. Is that not what we've been striving for these last months?"

It at least got the tension to lessen a bit, but Kirche glared at him as she settled back. "I still don't like his attitude. He checks all the boxes for an ideal nobleman, but we all know ideal people don't exist. He has to have an angle in all this, why else would he agree to join up with us for such an important mission?"

"Princess Henrietta is confident in our skills." Siesta called back, slipping into old habits. "And perhaps Neb convinced her to keep what aid she sent us for this mission discreet. After all, knowing Louise, she'd have gladly put aside our primary goal to see Tristain safe."

Montmorency snorted and glared out the carriage window. "Indeed she would, but I feel it still too reckless. The mission is of national importance, and no one man of any strength should be entrusted with it let alone alongside unproven students. If anything, the Manticore Knights should be involved, not the Griffin's captain."

Guiche leaned back and shrugged. "As Kirche said, we can only speculate. There's little we can do on the road save prepare, and as far as I'm aware, we're prepared as can be. As such…"

He reached into the lining of his cloak and pulled out a square package. "Who's up for cards? We won't be stopping until it's time to camp or something blocks our way."

"Let's see if you still suck at Old Maid!" Kirche cackled, immediately into it.

Montmorency sighed but decided it was better than staring out the window for hours on end. "Deal me in, we'll use the cutlery case. Bets?"

"Nothing more than fun or pride." Guiche answered, already shuffling the deck. "It's too bad Tabitha deigned to take the rear guard, it's more fun with four people and our wonderful commentator."

They could hear Siesta chuckle before she answered. "I'm only a commentator because I cleaned you all out. To this day, only Tabitha has a poker face I can't read. But if you want, I can keep track of wins and losses since I can't see the cards. Keep my mind occupied."

As the carriage fell into the rhythm of card games, Siesta spared a glance to their flying friends. She could only hope Louise would have a good answer for hiding her fiancé from them, and that Tabitha was ok. She'd looked troubled in the short glimpse Siesta had gotten before Sylphid rose into the sky.

-Tabitha-

"Sis, are you upset?"

Tabitha sighed as Sylphid asked her question, gaze turning from the back of Wardes's griffon. "…Not really, Sylphid, just thinking. I'm trying to recall if Sir Wardes ever came up in my… messages."

Sylphid titled her head, eyes squarely on the griffon's tail. "…Sis, Iru can tell you're upset. Feeling in my gut, you don't like that Sis-Louise has a fiancé."

Tabitha's nose scrunched, trying to deny it. "I am not upset, Iru. Surprised, yes, but… not upset. Knowing Louise's family, I really shouldn't be surprised she has a fiancé."

Iru, a shortening of Sylphid's real name, cooed at Tabitha. "It's ok to talk about your feelings to me, big sis! I know you're upset, it's clear as day! Everyone else was upset too, especially sis-Kirche and sis-Siesta!"

Tabitha couldn't help it as a pout settled on her lips. "…I really think she should have told us about her fiancé, even discounting who he is. It's expected of… ladies of our station, to have fiancés, but she never breathed a word of his existence. You'd think she'd be comfortable enough around us to share something like that."

"Sis-Louise is stubborn." Iru countered, voice echoing Tabitha's pout. "Still prideful too. Iru thinking she didn't want to share until she lived up to family name. Besides, Sis hasn't told her real name yet!"

Tabitha's pout became more pronounced. "I'm aware of my own hypocrisy, Iru, no need to remind me of it. I was going to inform her and everyone else on the first day's ride only for him to appear. As for Louise's pride… honestly, it wouldn't surprise me if that was the case. She stills hides the scar from the first mission, worries Siesta more and more… why does she have to hold these things in?"

She sighed, bitterness burdening her mind. "It's not as if her demons are anything but her own."

Iru craned her neck to look at Tabitha. "…Sis, all demons are our own. Iru knows this, you know this. Still friends with sis-Louise, right?"

Tabitha nodded slowly and Iru cooed. "Then friends you'll be staying! Sis-Louise looked just as shocked as you felt when the Wardes person showed up, so don't lose heart yet! Sis-Kirche going to get answers too, so just be there!"

The dragon looked smug, if that were possible. "Maybe sis-Louise even be giving 'thanks' for sticking with her?"

Tabitha lost her frustrated pout for an annoyed scowl. "You've been spending too much time with Neb."

"He's funny!" Iru giggled as she turned her gaze back to the road below. "So many stories! Lots of what he says go over Iru's head, but he always teasing Sis and others about something called 'love lives.'"

Tabitha groaned and went quiet. She should've known better than to try and hide how she felt about the whole fiancé business from Iru, but the young dragon was right. Louise had looked like Flame getting caught trying to sneak a live coal into the tower when Wardes arrived. That kind of surprise begged all kinds of questions but one stood out above all others.

How long had they been betrothed?

Tabitha sighed and shook her head. There was no point trying to speculate while they were traveling. But even so, as Tabitha did her best to get her mind back on track, every glance at the griffon made something hurt deep down.

And she could only be terrified at what that could mean.

-Louise-

As she flew through the air, held in strong arms and tended to with the utmost care, Louise was a little girl again.

It felt like a lifetime ago. She was still two weeks out from Eleanor giving up on her, still holding out some hope that for all the hits and insults there'd be a breakthrough. Cattleya was feeling well that day, and Louise had gone to see her and complain about Eleanor. Mother and Father had been home as well, and for the first time in a while up to that point, they'd had breakfast as a family.

Then came the maid, calling for her. The rush to her room, getting dressed in one of her finest gowns. The cosmetics and hair decorations swiftly thrown on with nary an explanation in sight. Being hurried from her room, practically carried to the main hall. The grim sight of her father in his fine robes, hair coiffed as if on official business. His hard words telling her to remain quiet and not speak unless spoken to.

The main doors opening to admit Mother in full uniform, the fear that seized her heart at the sight but could not be shown. Then came the young man behind her, in the uniform of the Griffon Knights. He had a goatee now, but back then he was smooth-faced and handsome regardless.

Mother would approach her and Father, introduce the up-and-coming Wardes, and tell her in no uncertain terms that he was her fiancé. All the negotiations, arguments, and concessions had already been made. This was merely the formal introduction of bride and groom to be.

Wardes was then as he was now, unfailingly polite and kind to her, all compliments and open affection. By all accounts he was smitten with her on sight, and truth be told, so was she. But even as he greeted her, took her hand, and called her 'Sweet Louise' for the first time…

She'd felt the gaze of her parents slowly turn away from her, and ever since, she'd been little more than a stranger in her own home.

"Louise? Are you uncomfortable, should we land?"

Wardes's voice snapped Louise out of her dour recollection. "Oh, no, I'm fine! Just… thinking back to when we first met."

"It's been about four years now." Wardes mused, gentle smile never leaving his lips. "I still remember seeing you for the first time. Just after I received my promotion in the knights. You've only grown more beautiful since then."

He chuckled and stroked her ponytail. "Certainly stronger and more mature at that. To be honest, I didn't believe Her Highness when I heard that the hydra everyone was talking about was yours. But, now that I see you… well, I think he was the right one to answer your call."

Louise was able to let a smile slip onto her lips. "Yeah… he's been…everything I could ask for in a familiar. He's not quite as grand as Leonidas, but good enough I guess."

She could feel the griffon puff underneath her, but Wardes held her attention with his laugh. "He's a wise creature, that's for certain. Though, you should have seen him haranguing the smiths while he was in the capital. Even my old sergeant wasn't that ornery about equipment."

Louise blushed and looked away, suddenly shy. "…He's been good to me, and my friends. We… really appreciate all he's done, and I'm thankful he's coming with us. Though… not quite as thankful as I am to have you come with. It's a great comfort to have someone of your skill with us."

"You are going into a warzone." Wardes noted with thinly veiled worry. "I… don't like saying this, but I have to wonder why Her Highness sent a group that only has a few months of training and experience under their belts. As I understand it, we're to retrieve vital information from Prince Wales himself, and he's at the center of the besieged royalists."

Louise still didn't look at him, even as she wanted to jump to Henrietta's defense. She wasn't sure how much Wardes knew of their whole mission, and the warning of Asha still burned in her mind. Still, she had to answer. "…Mobilizing the whole of any of our forces, especially the elite ones, would just bring unwanted attention. Albion has all kinds of eyes on it, I'm sure, and no one's going to look all that much at us. Well… assuming Neb doesn't draw too much attention…"

Wardes looked very impressed. "How astute of you! But even still, I can't help but worry for you and your friends. Even with Sir Neb there to assist us, getting caught by the Reconquista forces will be… problematic."

Louise nodded and felt herself relax a bit. There was no reason to pull Wardes into the full mission, but… it looked like he was just as trustworthy as she remembered. There was simply no way to fake the concern in his voice.

"Louise?"

She shook her head and gave Wardes a smile, her entire body relaxing a bit. "It's nothing… thanks for caring so much as always, but I promise we can take care of ourselves if it comes to it. In fact… want to see some of what we have after we make camp tonight?"

Wardes looked to consider the idea before smiling again and nodding. "It would be my honor, my sweet Louise."

Louise settled further into his arms and pulled her cloak about her as the wind picked up. "Then I'll enjoy riding in your arms again. I haven't flown with Leonidas since last I saw you."

Wardes nodded and they settled into a comfortable silence. They still had a lot of ground to cover before the sun set, but Louise was glad that the shock of earlier had faded somewhat. What she couldn't explain, though, was why she felt the slightest disappointment whenever she looked to either Tabitha or the carriage below.

Louise dismissed the thought and focused on the ride. She hadn't flown on Leonidas in years, like she'd said, and it was so very different than soaring about on Sylphid.

Why dampen the experience?

-Evening-

Neb grunted and snorted as he worked to clear a campsite, none of his party currently in sight. They'd made exactly as much progress as needed, but Neb had, in his annoyance at all things Wardes, gone ahead by almost thirty minutes. Really it was a small miracle no one had tried to see why he was going so fast.

"That man had no respect." Neb muttered as he clawed out a shallow circle, other heads ripping up shrubs and other small plants. "Speaking to me like an insect, acting as if my clear centuries of experience were beneath him. And that damned griffin, its ilk are arrogant no matter the world it seems."

He snorted again and swiped his tail, clearing much of the debris he'd made. The campsite was almost ready for the students and begrudging help. Well, begrudging on Neb's part, but he was still upset at the man. Why Henrietta would trust someone like that to be their point of contact, he still had no idea.

The snap of a branch caught his attention, every head ceasing their work. Golden eyes scanned the darkening tree line, taking in every ray of fading light. He could see nothing, but that didn't mean something wasn't there. His nostrils flared and he drank deeply of the air…

…

…

…Wait.

Neb's every head snapped to edge of his small clearing, eyes glaring into the darkened forest beyond. His maws pulled back into vicious snarls and he breathed in again.

…

…

Brimstone.

Hellish howls filled the air and three hounds burst from the darkness, hairless and burning with infernal fire. Neb met the howls with screeches of his own, the hellhounds leaping at him with reckless abandon. Neb met them with snapping jaws and a charge, his sheer bulk bowling the hounds over as their claws and fangs raked at his hide. Two of them were able to escape his maws, but one was not so lucky. It howled and screamed as one head bit deep into its flank and hauled it into the air, another two snapping up to rip and tear.

As their fellow died a painful death, the others howled again. Their flames scorched the earth before them as they charged again, attempting to strafe and flank Neb while three of his heads were busy. Neb hissed at them and waited, one of them charging a split second before its fellow. Neb's entire body tensed before exploding into action, back legs erupting to the side as he sent his tail flying out to club the first hound with a massive crack. The other was already in the air and baying for blood as it slammed into him, jaw ripping at one of his necks while its claws gouged bloody furrows in his hide.

Neb's free heads struck the hound with wild abandon, but no matter the chunks he took from its hide, the hound continued to rend and scorch his flesh. Angered, one head seized the hound by its neck and pried it off, though not without ripping out his own flesh as it refused to let go. He ended the creature by biting hard into its flank and yanking until it howled and became two with a hard tear, its scorched spine exposed to the air.

He spat out the extinguished corpses and snarled as he advanced on the last hound. It was stunned but still snarling at him in unearthly hatred. Neb regarded the creature with equal contempt before raising his foot and crushing its skull in a single hard stomp.

The hound clawed at him in its death throes, but soon went still. As Neb stooped over to inspect the corpse, a black shadow bloomed across its skin and consumed it, swiftly turning to a pile of ash.

Neb spit a curse and looked back to see the other corpses slowly disappearing with the wind, ash as well. A deep breath revealed no further brimstone in the air, the three hounds the lone threats. Neb released the breath slowly, feeling the scorched flesh slowly knit itself back together.

"That wasn't my imagination…" the hydra growled. "Unless this world has hellhounds of its own and I missed hearing about them… this isn't good. And those hounds… even if it's the worst case, only cerberi are mad enough to attack one of my kind in such little number."

He snorted and went about cleaning up the remnants. With such little information to go on, it wasn't the best time to inform the students of what attacked him. They were as much in their own thoughts as he'd been, adding this to the mix would only make things worse.

Instead he settled onto the ground and focused on healing his wounds. The best thing to do would be to bring up the idea of hellhounds in the midst of campfire conversation. If anyone knew anything, hopefully they'd share, and he could get a firm grasp on things.

If not… he'd need to keep an even sharper eye out.

Such thoughts were banished by the sound of hooves and carriage wheels, his students arriving just after his new set of scales grew in. A moment later, Leonidas swooped down from on high followed swiftly by Sylphid, the two fliers having flown off to scout while Neb cleared the spot.

The riders came out, those in the carriage gratefully stretching their legs, but little conversation was had beyond then. The business of making camp was seen to swiftly, Tabitha and Siesta gathering kindling, Montmorency filling the trench Neb had dug with water. Guiche summoning some golems to act as sentries before setting up tents with Wardes. Then Louise and Kirche saw to the horses and familiars, though Leonidas would only allow Louise to feed him. All of it was done efficiently and perfectly in line with the training the students had been put through.

But as Louise went over to help Siesta gather the items for their meal, Wardes swooped in and assured her he'd help the handmaid tonight, his treat. She demurred to his promise, but got him to agree to let her make something in the morning as thanks.

Siesta was much too professional for even a concerned look towards Louise, but all could tell she was consternated working with Wardes. Even more so when her consternation made her make small mistakes that Wardes was swift to correct, all with that same calm smile.

"Founder he's insufferable." Kirche muttered as she started the campfire. "There's being skilled, but he's just showing off."

Guiche sat next to her, idly polishing his saber. They'd all since taken off their cloaks, but he was the only one to not shed his armor too. "He's been nothing but a gentleman since we've met him, a chivalrous one at that. Perhaps you're simply too busy trying to find fault in him?"

Kirche scoffed and tossed the burning patch of kindling into the small pile of sticks, the stack catching swiftly. "I already have fault with him. He's so high up on his griffin he can't see anything he does as bad. I mean, look at our 'illustrious' teacher over there!"

She pointed to the edge of the camp and Guiche glanced over to see Neb holding some kind of heated argument with himself. Of the six heads, two were prosecutors, two were defenders, one was the recorder, and the last was the judge. He even had the powdered wig.

"…Where did he get that?"

Kirche shrugged. "Got me, probably snuck it into the carriage. And it's not just him, our supposed 'leader' and Tabby are out of it too. I can understand Tabby, that musta been a shock, but why's Louise so quiet?"

Guiche frowned. Indeed, Tabitha was sitting off to the side with Sylphid and reading one of her books, and Louise was in the carriage messing with her hair. Tabitha could perhaps be forgiven, even Guiche had figured out the bookworm was crushing on Louise. But their nominal leader, who was still a font of energy and occasional brimstone, being so quiet…

Guiche shivered and sheathed his saber. "You… may have a point, though I don't think it's necessarily Sir Wardes fault. For what… little Louise speaks of her home life, I can infer enough from her continued cosmetic use. Image means much to her, and for all his virtues, Sir Wardes is a known Casanova. Nothing serious obviously, and he clearly thinks the world of Louise, but that has to sting."

"Not enough to make her that quiet." Kirche answered, frustration clear. "And I don't know if we'll be able to corner her without Wardes being over her shoulder. Think… you can do something about that, fan boy?"

Guiche's frown deepened as Kirche's voice took on a scheming edge. "And how would I go about 'cornering' Sir Wardes so that you may interrogate Louise? And what questions do you intend to ask?"

Kirche smirked at him and started adding logs to the fire, flames strong enough to catch the dense wood. "That is for me to know and you to find out. As for 'cornering' Sir Wardes, I'm sure he won't turn down a friendly show of skills against a longtime admirer."

Guiche gave her a flat look. "So what, I'm supposed to request a duel from him whilst you abscond with our leader and do all manner of scandalous things to her? She's set to be married you horndog."

"As if you weren't chomping at the bit for a chance." Kirche snarked back. "And I'm going to bring Siesta with me anyway, she can slip away easily. I won't do anything 'scandalous' as you say until Louise is back to herself and gets her head out of the sand."

Guiche was clearly incredulous. "Kirche, I figured out your crush, Siesta's crush, and Tabitha's within the first month of our training. If Louise hasn't figured it out by now, I don't think she ever will!"

Kirche hushed him with a glare. "Don't talk like that, you and I both know she just doesn't know how to take affection. I mean, even the shock of Wardes showing up can't show just how quiet she is, it must be what I mentioned earlier and that."

The glare dissipated and she slumped. "Then there's where we're going. We'll be in La Rochelle tomorrow evening, and from there we'll be in a warzone. We need Louise to be on top of her game at all times, so if I have to ram down her gates to do it, I will!"

Guiche started to crack up, Kirche glaring at him petulantly. "Even when being serious you're still trying to get in her skirt! Louise should thank the Founder the rest of her potential suitors aren't as open as you, I think the sheer embarrassment would kill her!"

Kirche reached over and swatted his head, Guiche still laughing at her. "Oh shut it! Just be ready to challenge him and give it your all too!"

Guiche got his guffaws under control and stood. "Very well, if your little plan will return our friend to herself. However, do not expect anything more than a few minutes, as I'm certain Sir Wardes will see me defeated after indulging my attacks."

Kirche nodded and went back to tending the fire, Guiche wandering off to speak with Tabitha. Not a moment later, Siesta came over with a big pot full of stock. "Fire ready?"

Kirche waved to the flames and Siesta set up the pot holder, the stock soon bubbling away. They were silent as Siesta threw in various bits of vegetables, mushrooms, and spices, but the handmaid couldn't hold back her curiosity. "What were you talking Guiche into?"

Kirche shrugged and pulled her claymore out from behind her seat. "Nothing too important, I assure you. How's working with Mr. Perfect?"

"Completely insufferable." Siesta muttered, peeling a potato with a bit more aggression than necessary before adding it to the stew. "He doesn't need to say a word but he knows all my movements before I even make them. Then he just… smiles and corrects me gently!"

She huffed and grabbed the ladle she'd hung next to the pot, giving it a few turns. "If I wanted someone to look down at me behind a veneer of gentle civility, I'd still be working on the academy's staff!"

Kirche couldn't help a chuckle as Siesta stomped her foot. "You and me both. He's the picture of a chivalrous gentleman and I hate his guts for it."

Siesta tapped the ladle against the pot and hung it again before looking to Kirche. She crossed her arms and leaned down to look the redhead in the eye. "And what exactly are we going to do about it?"

Kirche smirked back at the whispered words. "How good are you at grabbing an insensate friend and making like a leaf in the wind?"

"I've never tried to kidnap my friends before." Siesta answered wryly. "But getting her away with a distraction shouldn't be all that difficult. What do you have in mind, oh mistress of embarrassment?"

Kirche's smirk grew and she pointed to where Guiche was attempting to engage Tabitha in conversation. "Leave that to him. You'll know the signal when you see it."

Siesta glanced around before starting to sign at Kirche. "You can't honestly expect Guiche to keep him occupied for longer than a few minutes. How are we going to get Louise even a bit normal in that time?"

"With pointed questions and poking her pride." Kirche signed back, just as skilled at the little secret language as her friend. "If there's one thing we can count on with her, it's that she does not like having that called into question. We may have to get into an impromptu spar, but it's better than nothing!"

Siesta snorted at the passionate gesturing, unable to cover it. "You're… something else, Kirche, I hope you know that. Alright, we'll go with that. But if something goes wrong, you're the one taking the burn."

Kirche held up her hands in surrender. "As you say. Should probably head over to the wonder-guy over there, I bet he misses you!"

Siesta scowled mightily and Kirche just knew she'd incurred an unpleasant chore. Whatever it was, Siesta decided to keep hidden as she walked off to make the rest of the meal and try not to explode at Wardes. With the stew now her responsibility, Kirche settled in to wait for her chance.

Then they'd get some answers.

-Guiche, Three Hours Later-

The evening went on mostly smoothly from there. The meal was made, bellies were filled, and everyone got in some light exercise to loosen up from hours of riding. Neb was still arguing with himself, and based on the noise it was turning ever more into the court drama of the century.

"I wonder how he gets any instructing done like that?" Wardes mused as the camp watched Neb make a fool of himself. "The princess described him as wise and grumpy, but I don't recall hearing he was this… silly."

Montmorency shrugged. "He's just anxious to get to Albion. His training is… harsh, but we've grown tremendously from it. Though some of us were more willing than others."

She laughed as she said it, but her distance from Guiche showed how little she meant it.

Her fellow blonde cleared his throat and bowed his head to Wardes. "Speaking of… Sir Wardes, would you do me the honor of sparring?"

The camp went quiet. Everyone sitting around the fire stared at Guiche with varying emotions, from Louise's outright disbelief to Kirche's smug grin. Tabitha gave her thoughts first. "…Not lasting long, no point."

"Oh of course there's a point." Wardes argued, gentle as ever. "Sparring against a more experienced opponent is the very basis of training, and if I can help you all grow just that little bit more before we reach our destination, I don't mind doing so."

He stood and pointed to a flat section of earth just beyond the moat. "Shall we spar over there? Do not mind the lack of light, learning to fight in such conditions is important as well."

Guiche almost flashed over to a spot, rapier out and ready with his wand pointed out in a salute. Wardes chuckled and took his time going over, the rest of the camp following to watch. Except Louise, who found her mouth covered and voice muffled as Siesta and Kirche grabbed her and ran off into the woods.

She tried to yell at them, but whoever had their hand on her mouth was doing a good job of keeping her muffled. Thankfully, the abduction was short and Louise was deposited next to a tree. "Alright, spill."

Louise popped up to her full height, indignation and wounded pride sparking in her eyes. "What's the big idea?! I wanted to see that spar!"

Siesta frowned at her friend, concern clear in her every fidget. "Louise… what's wrong? You've been so quiet ever since we left the academy, since Sir Wardes arrived in fact. We're… we're all worried about you."

"Yeah, so spill. What's got you so down?" Kirche asked, her own concern laced into an otherwise annoyed tone.

Louise bit at her lip and the fire in her died. "It's… not something either of you have to deal with, and not something I want to burden you all with. I'm… I'll be fine, I just need to rest tonight and let the shock of seeing Wardes again fade."

"Why is seeing him so shocking?" Kirche pressed. "I mean sure, we're all shocked you have a fiancé that famous, but we were able to calm down after thinking on it a bit. You… unless you had a talk with him on the flight here, you've been quiet basically all day."

Louise looked down and kicked at the ground. She silently wished she'd kept her braid in place, but being out of it made one do things without thinking. "I… I… look, neither of you can breathe a syllable of this to anyone else. Not Neb, not Guiche, not Monmon, and especially not Tabby!"

Kriche and Siesta shared a raised brow at the vehemence, but silently swore their silence. Louise glared at them, detecting the pun, but heaved a heavy sigh. "Look… both of you know from what happened with my mother that my home… isn't the best place. Wardes is a perfect fiancé for our family, his accomplishments speak for themselves. And with him…"

She bit her lip again and looked to meet their eyes, stubbornness tempered by what the others could call resignation. "With him… I cease to be in that family. No failure daughter, no stain on the name. Just him, and my sisters. I fade away into the background, be a good little wife, and that's all I have in my life."

Louise forced a bitter laugh. "So yeah, even if he's everything you could ask for, he's essentially the last kindness I was granted. It's not his fault, and he's only ever been wonderful to me, but… I can't help but see what he represents. That and I can't help but hear the rumors of his playboy tendencies, so that doesn't do anything good."

Siesta took a deep breath and sighed through her nose. "…Thank you for sharing, Louise, but I don't think you should share a tent or room with Wardes on this trip. I know you are betrothed, but… I do not believe you will rest well so close to him."

Kirche held up her hand when Louise looked to protest. "We even have a good reason for it too. We're not in enemy territory yet, so we don't have to abandon all social norms. Have Guiche tent with him, you can share a tent with one of us."

Louise's jaw worked as she tried to figure out how to refute the logic. "…He will insist on it, I just know he will. Even if you use that, he may just dismiss it outright, and… I don't know if I can refuse him."

"Bullshit." Kirche and Siesta said in stereo, Louise looking stricken as Siesta kept going. "Louise, this isn't you! You are not demure, you are not obedient, and by all that is good and holy you are not quiet! We haven't spent this time together just to have you turn into a church mouse!"

Kirche added her own thoughts, though she couldn't hide the disbelief in her tone at Siesta's outburst. "Uh… yeah, you haven't been yourself since this morning! Neb may have drilled respecting those with more experience into our heads, but we're not weak or on a battlefield! Shape up, you're better than this and you know it!"

That appeared to help, some fire returning to Louise's eyes. "S-Shut up! I am perfectly capable of speaking to Wardes as an equal, I was merely stating what is expected of me! I never once said that I would conform to those expectations now did I?!"

Siesta and Kirche looked to each other again and shared a victorious nod. Louise scowled at them. "Yes-yes, be proud of yourselves for all I care. Now are we going to go back and see if Guiche is still standing or continue this farce?"

Kirche felt the desperate desire to push up non-existent glasses but shook the strange thought away. "Oh no, let's not stick around on our account. If this goes as I expect, we may very well return to see dear Monmon worrying herself sick over him."

Louise smirked at the idea. "Oh that'd be a sight. 'Starting over' my skirt. Do you think we'll be finding a priest in Albion?"

"If not, I'm sure Neb's read up on the nuptials in his spare time." Siesta sighed, starting back for camp with her friends following. "Though I'm not sure such a service would ever be called anything other than 'sword-point'."

Kirche chuckled at the image of Neb holding a wedding with the bride and groom at sword-point. "It'd have to happen in their armor too I'd bet. Just getting back from some important battle, all exhausted, but finally realizing their own foolishness…"

"Don't give me ideas!" Louise laughed, a similar scene appearing in her mind's eye. Returning from battle, alive, going to pray, kissing beneath the stained glass of the chapel… ah, it was so romantic.

If only she could picture it with Wardes instead of her friends!

The girls shared a laugh and Louise was able to keep herself from blushing, the rest of the walk to camp peaceful. Upon arrival, they found Guiche splayed out on the ground and Montmorency next to him with Wardes, the latter offering words of advice to the fallen boy.

Neb, apparently done with putting himself on trial, was laying next to the fire as the girls approached him. "Oh, there you are. Mind telling me why you two dragged off your designated field leader whilst a good show was going on?"

"Why were you holding court?" Louise shot back, noting a bit of relief flash over the head she was speaking to. "And why did you think packing costumes in our luggage was important?"

Neb waved the questions away with his claw. "That is something to be discussed later, when it's pertinent. What's pertinent now is why you three were off in the woods. With only Siesta armed at that."

Kirche flashed her wand, the ebon wood hidden in a pocket. "We're not silly, Neb, I made sure to bring my wand. Besides, ladies can keep their conversations just as private as you can. It wasn't anything important, we just wanted to talk with Louise in private."

"Speaking of, you should probably bring Tabitha next time." Neb answered, content with their preparedness. "Even with the duel going on she looked quite wrapped up in something."

Siesta nodded. "I'll go speak with her. Kirche, Louise, you should go see what Guiche learned from his… encounter. Who knows? Maybe there'll be something he can shed light on."

"True enough…" Louise muttered, looking a bit guilty. "Um… Kirche, about your idea…"

Her friend smiled. "Say no more! Let's go get what we can out of Guiche and Monmon, then we'll take the plunge!"

She grabbed Louise's arm and dragged them over to Guiche, who was back on his feet and bowing to Wardes. Siesta nodded to Neb and strode to the other side of camp, whatever she was saying to Tabitha lost on the wind.

"Truly you earn your moniker." Guiche nearly gushed as Kirche and Louise walked up. "The strikes, the ease of casting, your footwork! All of it was like watching a dance!"

Wardes gracefully hid his face behind the brim of his hat. "You're quite the young man too. The saber suits your style of battle perfectly and your command of the golems was like watching a veteran squad at work. Should we return from this and war be averted, I'd certainly consider taking you as a squire."

Guiche looked ecstatic, only for Montmorency to cut in. "Let's not fill his head with such thoughts until we in fact return. For all we know, just getting to our destination will require breaking lines, not sneaking through them."

Wardes lifted his hat to regard her. "…It's as you say, though we do have three effective line-breakers with us. In any case, well done Guiche. I admit, I sensed that all of you were well trained on sight, but now the princess's choice has my full confidence. Her eye for talent appears far greater than my own."

He finally seemed to notice Louise and Kirche. "Ah, Louise, Ms. Kirche. Your companion is quite the fighter and commander for his age, and I see now that your bearings were not merely drilling. You've all had practical experience, haven't you?"

Louise puffed up in pride. "Indeed we have. We've put down orcs, captured bandits, and slain our fair sure of trolls!"

Wardes looked to share her pride. "Dear Louise, I apologize for thinking you still that same girl I met so long ago. Even if the thought was in the very back of my mind, it still informed how I spoke and acted around you."

He took off his hat and covered his heart with it, bowing to her. "I apologize if I made you seem… less able. I swear that I will allow you to do as you wish whilst we're still on the road, though I hope you will forgive me if I take charge a bit once we're in Albion."

Louise seemed to relax immensely. "That… I don't think any of us will mind. For all of what we've done, I think your experience wins out there. Um… before we start asking Guiche how it went, may I ask you something?"

Wardes never lost his smile as he straightened. "Of course, ask me anything."

"Um…" Louise hedged, toe digging into the ground. "I… understand that this is going to change in Albion, but… would it be ok if I was in a tent with one of the other girls tonight?"

Wardes blinked, looking briefly confused before chuckling. "Of course, my dear Louise. While I would not mind sharing a tent with you, we are still only betrothed. Please, feel free to tent with your friends, I will gladly share with Guiche."

Louise took a step back, shocked. He… hadn't insisted? Maybe he really… was trusting her?

"Well that's great!" Kirche cheered, an arm going around Louise's shoulder and pulling her into the redhead's side. "Means I can get all the juicy details on your engagement!"

Wardes laughed this time and stroked his goatee. "Oh I assure you, there's no 'juicy' details to be had. Unless you count flying on Leonidas, a few boat rides on the estate's lake and a picnic or two juicy."

Kirche gave a sly smile. "Oh dear sir, you have no idea how much you've given me to work with."

Wardes appeared to regret his words, given the resigned look Louise sent his way, but he played it off swimmingly. "Don't give her too much trouble, alright? We all have an early morning tomorrow."

He put his hat back on and bowed politely to them. "In fact, as I recall, I have first watch tonight. Good night, all of you. I shall see you at dawn."

He left them without another word, Leonidas soon swooping out of the clearing with Wades in tow. Once he was gone, Montmorency groaned long and loud. "Founder in heaven, that was insufferable! All those compliments, just honeyed words! He was playing with Guiche, not once taking him seriously!"

"At least until one of my golems got him on the leg." Guiche noted, gaining surprised gasps from those who didn't see. "After that he became… far more professional. And by that I mean he demolished me shortly thereafter. I think I hurt his pride."

Louise felt oddly pleased at that news. "If nothing else, you got to see just how low on the pecking order we still are! And just how much a help he'll be when we get to Albion."

"True enough," Guiche sighed. "Though may I ask someone to help me to my tent? I fear even with Montmorency's prompt treatment, I won't be moving well until I rest."

Kirche shrugged and stooped over to pick him up. Guiche squawked in surprise, but Kirche carried him off with nary a care for his protests. Louise and Montmorency stared after them before the latter looked to the former. "Your fiancé is a dangerous man."

"Well duh." Louise deadpanned, unimpressed. "He's the Captain of the Griffin Knights, of course he's dangerous."

Montmorency shook her head. "That's not what I meant. You weren't here to see it, and I don't think Neb was close enough, but I saw something when Guiche's golem got in that glancing blow."

She shuddered at the memory, the sheer anger in Wardes's expression for the barest breath. Guiche didn't see it either, if only because the captain had covered the distance between them in an instant and sent Guiche's face straight into the dirt.

"You'd think a beggar spit on a duke." Montmorency explained when Louise's skepticism didn't fade. "I've never seen such anger in a man before. It was if the very act of Guiche's golem hitting him was a sin worthy of death. Though… I think him hearing my gasp after he put Guiche in the dirt brought him back to reality."

Louise frowned at that. "…Are you sure? He certainly seemed more than sincere when offering his compliments."

"He had an audience, and more importantly, you were there." Montmorency countered. "He's hiding something behind that veneer of sugary chivalry, of that I'm certain. Whatever it is, he doesn't want others to see ,least of all you. Please, be careful with him."

Louise scrunched her nose as her frown deepened. "…I'll be sure to do so, Monmon. Thank you for bringing this to me."

"I'd rather not see… a friend… hurt over this." Montmorency hedged, cheeks pink as Louise turned her frown to a big grin. "Oh wipe that look off your face! You look like a clown!"

Louise dropped to her knees and hugged Montmorency. "Look at that! It only took months of grueling training bordering on torture and four or five near-death experiences to get you to call me a friend!"

"Well considering I never really wanted to be your friend…" Montmorency muttered as Louise squeezed her tightly. "…But… well, if I'm going to give Guiche a new start, I may as well try to be your friend despite being a real hind to you."

Louise chuckled and nuzzled Montmorency's cheek with her own. "That's just like you, ya stubborn mule! Gosh that's so nice to hear! I was getting a bit worried that you would always kind of stay on the sides, but now you're part of the group!"

"I've been part of the group you moron!" Montmorency snapped as she tried to push Louise's nuzzling face away. "And stop getting so physical with me, you're acting like Zerbst!"

Louise let go like she'd been branded. "I am not acting like Kirche! Do you see me getting handsy?"

"Not with me, but if I were Siesta…" Montmorency teased, enjoying the flush of Louise's cheeks. "Or Tabitha… hell, I've seen you eyeing Kirche more than once… you sure you wanna-"

Louise had turned pink as her hair by this point. "S-S-Shut up already! Fine, I'll drop it, but I want you in on all our conversations now! If we're going to be friends like you saw we are now, no standing off to the side!"

Montmorency giggled and nodded. "Fine, I'll do what I can. But if I might ask, who will you be tenting with tonight? As I understand, I'll be tenting with Siesta since she's not bothered by me tossing and turning."

"I… don't know." Louise muttered, embarrassment fading a bit. "I mean… I can tent with either Kirche or Tabitha no issue, though Kirche could possibly suffocate me if I'm not careful. She's very grabby when asleep."

Montmorency shrugged. "I got her something to help with that. It's a really long pillow, something she can grab instead of you or Tabitha."

"Thank you." Louise said, sincere as she could be. "You have saved us all from suffocating so long as that pillow stays with us."

Montmorency rolled her eyes. "One day you'll admit you want to be trapped in her grip, but today is not that day. Anyway, I'm going to get some sleep. For all that Wardes now scares me, he had a point about having an early morning."

Louise flushed again at the insinuation, but bid Montmorency goodnight. Once she was gone and inside her chosen tent, an evil smile crossed Louise's lips. She started to cackle under her breath, an idea on her mind. "Embarrass me, will you? Well Monmon, friends don't let friends get away with stuff like that."

With a plan in mind, she ran back to the campfire. The rest were settled around it, Tabitha waving to Louise. "…Good evening. Have a good talk with Montmorency?"

"I did!" Louise agreed as she settled by the fire. "Though she seemed quite… happy to embarrass me for no good reason. As such, since she's now willing to call herself my friend, I propose a little something in return."

Evil smiles abound at the campfire, the girls quietly plotting the 'downfall' of Montmorency's stubborn denial. Or at least they hoped it would be a downfall instead of hardening her mule-headed determination. Regardless, with Neb's silent approval, the girls split into two teams. One would be Siesta and Kirche, making sure Montmorency was indeed sleeping. The other would be Louise and Tabitha.

Who were currently trying to pull Guiche out of his tent without jostling him awake.

"At least he doesn't snore." Louise groused as they slowly pulled him out. "But why'd he decide to sleep in his armor?"

Tabitha shrugged. "Who knows? He's clearly tired enough that getting dragged across the ground isn't waking him."

Louie huffed and pulled again, the girls dragging Guiche out by his feet. They proceeded to drag him as carefully as they could across the ground, though not without a few winces when they accidentally bumped him into a small rock. However, Guiche slept like the rocks he was dragged over, and they handed him off to Kirche with little issue.

Kirche chuckled as she ducked into the tent, Louise and Tabitha peeking in. Inside, Montmorency was already out and sprawled about, Siesta standing by to receive Guiche. Kirche set him down and the pair set about making sure Guiche was both comfortable and well within range of Montmorency. Once in a suitably compromising position, everyone retreated from the tent.

A Neb head greeted them when they all stopped cracking up. "Now that your schemes are done, who will take responsibility when poor Guiche is inevitably struck tomorrow morning?"

"I'll do it." Siesta volunteered as easily as breathing. "Kirche's a little too obvious, but I'm the next best suspect anyway. Montmorency knows my novels after all."

Louise pouted at her. "No one will tell me what those novels are either! Can't even borrow the damn things, you all get so flustered when I ask!"

"For good reason!" Kirche assured, the firelight hiding the slightest blush on her cheeks. "It's not your kind of literature Louise, you'd find is incredibly boring."

Louise frowned at her, not knowing that the novels in question covered material that got even Kirche hot under the collar. "…Well I can't really do anything about it here, but Siesta, you don't need to take the blame. We all did it, so we can tease Monmon about it tomorrow!"

"Don't tease her too much." Neb droned as the rest of him came over to rest by the fire. "We'll need all of you on your game tomorrow. Figure out your arrangements and get to bed."

The head looked up and the girls followed his gaze, the moons staring back at them on a field of stars.

"Hot damn, it's that late!" Kirche groaned. "Alright fine, I'm heading to bed. Louise! Who you tenting with?"

Louise opened her mouth to answer… only to pause, eyes up on the moon. It felt like it was… trying to tell her something. "Uh… actually, I think I'll stay up a bit longer. I need to talk with Neb about a few things, don't wait up for me."

Kirche raised a brow in question, but didn't give Louise any trouble. "Alright, if you're sure. Night all!"

She turned and disappeared into her designated tent. Siesta and Tabitha shared a look before the former excused herself and went in after Kirche. Tabitha remained, staring at Louise curiously. "…You're ok, right?"

Louise gave the best smile she could. "Yeah… I'm fine, Tabby. Sorry for not giving you a real talk, everything just… happened so fast. I'll be sure to explain everything to everyone tomorrow, ok?"

Tabitha was only partially mollified, but she knew Louise kept her word. "…Alright, but first thing ok? We need everyone ready before we're in La Rochelle."

Louise crossed the distance between them to give Tabitha a quick hug. "First thing, I promise. Rest well."

Tabitha briefly returned the embrace before going to her tent, the group silently deciding the battle partners would tent tonight. Once they were away, Louise strode up to Neb and waved him closer. Neb brought all his heads to bear, the center-most lowered to her level. "Yes? What do you wish to speak of?"

"Do you… have any stories of the moon, back in your home?" Louise asked, expression turning stormy at his confused tilt of the head. "Believe me, I think it's important."

Neb narrowed his eyes at her and nodded. "Aye, I have a few stories about the moon. Follow me, they're best told away from firelight."

He stood and loped off, Louise jogging after him. They entered the tree line and Louise put herself right behind his tail, doing her best not to lose sight of his crests while the rest of him faded into the shadows of the forest. Neb was kind enough to clear the path with his sheer bulk, so she didn't need to watch her step, but Louise couldn't help but be concerned as they ventured deeper into the forest.

Neb did not speak until he'd led her into a clearing just large enough for him to lay down in. "Come here, I'll begin momentarily."

Louise stepped into the clearing, moonlight illuminating her frown. Neb snorted at the look of concern, the ground shaking ever so slightly as he flopped onto his belly. "It's nothing serious, Louise, merely a tradition of my home. Come, sit with me."

Louise relaxed a bit and strode up to his flank, sitting on the ground. She stared up at him with serious eyes, but Neb couldn't help but laugh. "When first we started holding lessons in the grass, you never sat in the grass. How far you've come."

Louise's serious gaze turned to a half-lidded glare and Neb smirked at her. "Oh come now, take the compliment. Or would you prefer I call you a dirt-loving elf?"

Her glare turned to a scowl. "Are you going to start or am I just going to hear you try and insult me?"

"Cheeky as always." Neb chuckled before he reached out with a head and hooked Louise. She yelped as she was pulled close, not expecting the move, but didn't do anything more than punch his side when Neb pulled her against his scales. "There, now look up."

Louise did so with a pout, looking to the sky where both moons and the stars shone above. With her attention on the sky, Neb's heads rose into view on the periphery, not obscuring but certainly there. "Now then, as I told you a while ago, there are three moons in my world compared to the two here. Originally, there were only two, created by Asha during Genesis."

One of his heads circled the moons above, as if drawing them. Then a second head hissed at the first and they reared up at each other between the moons, one higher the other lower. "Then, when Urgash fell to madness, he assaulted his sister and the First War began. The battle of siblings was fought on all levels of reality, but ultimately, Asha defeated her mad brother with the help of her children, the Elemental Dragons."

The rest of the non-speaking heads joined the higher head and the lower head was drowned in their attack.

"However, Asha was weakened greatly from the battles and was forced to leave her world in order to heal. Without her, the eldest son, Elrath, sought to destroy his mad uncle once and for all. But Malassa, his twin sister, knew that without chaos to give it purpose, order would perish. Thus began the Elder War, as she led an assault against the Golden Gates of the angels, servants of her brother."

The heads fell away, two more hissing at each other whilst a third rose to sit between the two moons. "Shortly before this began, Asha created the third moon in the image of the cosmic egg which birthed her and Urgash. Within this lunar weave, she now rests, still healing from the wounds inflicted upon her in Genesis and ultimately ignorant to that which occurs beyond the great cocoon."

The two hissing heads fell away and the third head curled up into a circle, Neb's voice a whisper next to her ear as if he was sharing a secret. "Few know it, but Asha's cocoon is the final resting place of all dragons. When one nears death, it sheds its mortal form and flies to the cocoon, where it will rest until Asha calls for them. The other moons are resting places as well, one claimed by her children for their followers and the other for the rest of the creatures that walk Ashan."

The curled neck pulled back to form an open circle, surrounding a field of stars. "Asha herself is the guardian of the underworld, so the moon she resides in are the gates. Once she calls the dead into the gates, she judges them and chooses their new life. Then, they go through the underworld and are stripped of their past life to be reborn."

The head uncurled fully and the one speaking to Louise met her enraptured gaze. "There are many myths and legends associated with the moons from there depending on who you speak to. However, the most important was when a mortal by the name of Sar-Elam was able to enter the spirit realm and journey to the moon, where he spoke to Asha herself. She's said to have taught him the nature of matter and spirit, and from there he was able to seal away the demons who had been running rampant after Urgash's defeat."

He tilted the head and blinked curiously. "Though it I might ask, why the sudden curiosity? You and your friends have only ever been concerned with those that speak through me and I only truly mentioned Asha in passing."

Louise blinked away her vivid imaginings and worked her jaw. Did she share the dream she had, where Asha herself spoke to her? Was it even a real dream or just some conjuring of her mind to escape lewd imaginings? Was it even relevant to what was going on?

"…I was looking at the moon earlier and the thought entered my head. We probably won't have many chances to… have times like this, going forward. Sorry."

Neb regarded her for a moment before chuckling low in his throat. "If that's all, you needn't have sent everyone away. You know quite well I'm ever willing to tell tales, no matter the situation. Even were we in dire straits, I'd still tell them should you or your friends desire."

"I'm allowed to be selfish every so often." Louise muttered, hugging her knees as she leaned into Neb's side. "And… it's my apology for not telling you about Wardes. It always seemed so far away, my marriage. Wardes was like a dream, and to be honest, he still feels like one."

A Neb head nuzzled her shoulder whilst the one regarding her spoke. "I thank you for giving me a chance to relax, then. However, it is not needed, I don't blame you for not sharing. Just meeting him in the capital was enough to show me just how much an opposite he is to what you were."

Neb's voice took on a dark, strange tone, Louise catching sight of dark miasma leaking from his jaws. "You hate him don't you? Deep down in your bones. He is that which burns in your bones. The anger and despairthat still eats at your mind and soul!"

Louise glared, spotting the front of his body glowing with a faint light. "…Get out of his voice, Dark One. Our time together is not yours to invade."

The dark miasma became more pronounced, the eyes staring at her shifting to motes of purple mist. "You do not realize it, student, but your conversations are always known to us. We listen in the night, in the fire, in the wind, in the trees, in the river, and in the sun. Do well to remember that."

"Release him!" Louise demanded, feeling the pressure of Malassa's gaze mount behind her eyes. She'd never been this close to Neb when one of the Six made their presence known, and she had to wonder how his head was undamaged by the apparition. "Even if you hear our talks, it's no reason to try and change his words!"

"Oh, but these are his words." Malassa laughed, the pressure on Louise doubling. "Just not ones he'd say out loud. You forget what he is, student, he knows how to get everything out of you if he so wished. He knows how to motivate you, how to comfort you, and how to turn you against everything you love."

The head shifted into a full draconic mirage. "If you have truly grown as you claim… then why listen to him anymore? Your decisions are your own, he cannot decide for you. Have you grown into that independent dream you've always held? Or will you ever lean on him, even should he tell you all that you love must die?"

Louise covered her ears as the pressure pounded in her head, trying to make her thoughts scatter. "Neb… wouldn't do that! And I can make my own decisions, I've been making them ever since I summoned him!"

"So you say." Malassa cackled, enjoying Louise's suffering. "But will you say the same when what I say comes to pass? Will you still hold fast to that belief when the world shows its cruelty?"

Louise refused to answer, eyes shut as the pressure sought to make her head explode. Only for it to disappear and a familiar muzzle to brush against her hands. Slowly, she uncovered her ears and opened her eyes, a very concerned Neb head looking at her. He was back to normal.

"Louise, what happened?!" The hydra asked worriedly, assuaging some of Louise's fear right there. "We were speaking of Wardes but you went quiet and looked pained!"

Louise took a deep breath and discarded the illusion she'd seen, silently cursing the dark dragon. "It… it was nothing, Neb, just your benefactor deciding to screw with me again. She... cast an illusion, through the brand on your chest. I think they're… figuring out how to work more through it."

Neb frowned deeply. "That's… news. Hmm, if that's the case I may need to start learning more about the brand as well. If they're slowly growing able to use their powers beyond simply possessing my heads and speaking, then we may be in trouble if I can't learn the intricacies of this brand."

One of his claws came up to scratch at the brand, the rest of his heads examining it while the one conversing with her kept talking. "But I apologize for whatever illusion Malassa chose to put you in. It's well known that the magic she represents creates some of the most realistic illusions, strong enough to terrify entire armies with a single image or sound."

Louise pursed her lips and nodded. "Yeah… I could tell. Um, would it be ok if you sleep next to the tents? It'd be a real comfort having you there with everyone."

Neb smiled back. "Of course. I've been on the receiving end of those illusions more than once, they're never easy to get out of your head. Let's get back to camp, our journey continues at dawn."

Louise stood and, though a bit shaken, walked back towards the dying light of the campfire. Neb stomped after her, making sure she could hear him the entire way back. On arrival, Wardes and Leonidas had yet to return and the fire had darkened to only a few flames and a pit of smoldering coals.

Louise strode over to warm her hands over the coals, a light breeze carrying the chill of night. It really was late, and getting a full night's sleep just wasn't going to happen now. "I didn't think… we were gone for so long."

Neb crawled through the shadows, his heads coming to rest on one side of the tents and his tail on the other. He could see his fellow familiars resting together a short ways behind the tent, Flame acting as their personal heater. He chuckled and settled down for the night, one head on Louise while the rest slowly dozed off. "Engrossing stories are powerful all their own, not even time can hold them. I assume you're tenting with Tabitha tonight?"

Louise finished warming herself and went to the Neb head. "Yeah… I'll probably be tenting with Siesta or Kirche next time too, keep everyone rotating. Monmon can say otherwise, but we're all able to withstand her tossing and turning."

Neb hummed and his head came to rest just beside the entrance. "I see… well, it is time for us to rest as best we can. I will wake Kirche for next watch, do not concern yourself."

Louise shook her head helplessly and disappeared into the tent, Neb's eyes turning to the sky. He did not make a sound besides deep breaths until he heard the light breathing of his students. With their slumber assured, his questions came forth. "The Six's power grows stronger, and I was unable to ask of the hounds. Is the breach growing faster than we were led to believe? Do the Six not speak to us because of something going on in Asha? I fear if that's the case, there may well be an eclipse going on."

His eyes narrowed and he looked to the sky again, noting that the moons above were… closer than when he'd first arrived. "…Could an eclipse be approaching? I can't even beging to speculate, but should both worlds have an eclipse at the same time…"

He shuddered at the idea, silently praying that was not the case. If the hounds were not native to this world as he thought, and an eclipse occurred… there were so many ways things could go wrong.

"Then again the eclipse may not last long if it does occur." Neb mused once his heart settled, trying to look on the bright side. "Urgash isn't what one would call a good communicator, for all we know he's completely forgotten to inform his children. The hounds could very well have wandered here by sheer accident, it's happened before back home."

The words felt hollow to his ears, but it was all he could hope for. It was certainly possible that what he'd said was true, but again, there simply wasn't enough information to go on.

It was a worrying trend when it came to this quest.

Eventually, Neb sighed and settled down to rest. Worrying over such things would not be conducive to their work and concentrating on seeing his students through a warzone took precedence above all else. He'd leave the questions in the back of his mind to stew as they gathered more information, then he'd be able to explain the possible problems once there was a greater grasp on things.

Neb sighed and closed his eyes. Tomorrow had the feeling of a long day.

-Morning-

The camp stirred to life as the first rays of the sun broke the canopy. They were greeted by Siesta and Tabitha, the pair the final watch and in charge of breakfast. Wardes had returned and, after Kirche was woken to take her spot after him, was informed of where Guiche was. The man had chuckled under his breath and gone into his tent without another word, only emerging when dawn broke.

But even with that, Guiche and Montmorency were not seen, and the entire camp huddled around their tent flap, peeking inside. The pair of blondes were sprawled across the tent floor, Montmorency in her traditional disheveled state while Guiche looked amazingly well ordered next to her.

"Study in opposites." Siesta giggled under her breath. "Here I'd always thought Guiche was the slob."

Kirche held a finger to her lips, leaning quietly over the handmaid. "Quiet, we don't want them to wake up just yet!"

"They need to." Neb harrumphed, even as one of his heads held position over them all with its view into the tent. "If they're not up in five minutes I'm waking them myself, damn whatever you all are trying to do."

Louise shushed him, her and Tabitha opposite their friends and peeking in curiously. Even Wardes was there, looking far too amused, and the other familiars were just enjoying breakfast. Neb was talking with them and laughing at how exasperated they sounded about the girls and their antics.

Tabitha looked to add her two gold when the blondes stirred, all going quiet. Montmorency rolled onto her side, bringing her deliciously close to Guiche's lips, but not quite enough. Guiche, much to the teeth grinding frustration of his matchmaking friends, shuffled back a bit as he slowly woke up.

Then his eyes flew open when he saw Montmorency bare inches from him, her light breaths tickling his skin. All saw him tense and suck in a breath, eyes wide in panic as he tried to slowly worm his way back from her. Montmorency would not let him.

Guiche let out a mouse's yelp as Montmorency unconsciously reached out and grabbed him, Guiche now caught in her embrace as she pulled him in. The poor boy looked to the tent flap, eyes begging for rescue when he caught sight of the audience.

The many wolfish grins he got in return promised no such relief.

Before Guiche could formulate an effective strategy, Montmorency muttered something and her eyes fluttered open. "Oh… good morning…"

"G-Good morning…" Guiche stuttered, making sure his hands and arms were firmly by his side. His entire body was ramrod straight as to hopefully avoid catastrophe. "Um… I really should be getting up."

Montmorency, still drowsy, tried to pull him closer. "…Five… more minutes… Neb can… wait…"

"I don't think I can!" Neb called into the tent, Montmorency waking instantly. "Now would you kindly unhand the poor boy before he dies of fright?"

Montmorency looked from Neb to Guiche, slowly letting go of him with a stunned look. "…What the hell are you doing in my tent?!"

Kirche intervened before Montmorency could rouse her wrath. "That's our fault actually! We wanted to pull a prank on you both, dragged Guiche in here after you were both asleep!"

Montmorency turned her angered gaze to the tent flap and let go of Guiche. "And why the hell would you do that! Do you want him to get slapped for no good reason?!"

"Well that's up to you isn't it?" Siesta answered back, all smiles. "And you looked so cozy laying there with him we simply didn't want to disturb you. It's all harmless fun."

Louise acted the counterpoint. "Well, it's harmless since she's mad at us. Anyway, fun's done, let's get on with things folks!"

The audience gave unenthusiastic agreement and left to their work, Montmorency still glaring out the tent flap with bright red cheeks. "The nerve of them, really!"

"I, uh, apologize for not waking sooner." Guiche whispered, not wanting to set her off. "I would have left you be and scolded them for this."

Montmorency huffed and turned her back on him. "It doesn't matter, just get out already!"

Guiche apologized again and dashed from the tent, Montmorency grumbling as she got herself ready for the day. But she looked back to the flap for a moment, making sure no one was there, before muttering to herself: "And here I thought I was having a good dream."

The rest of the morning passed uneventfully, breakfast had and the camp packed in short order. The only thing of note to happen was Louise turning down Wardes's offer to ride Leonidas again, citing her role as the group's commander. Instead, she asked Guiche to take her place, as his golems or Verdandi could get messages to them quickly while Leonidas and Wardes scouted.

Wardes conceded the idea surprisingly quickly, pleasing Louise greatly. She was quite glad that he was living up to his words the previous night, and with that gladness the dream she'd had two nights passed faded to the back of her mind. Just because she needed to beware 'the Grey' didn't mean it would be Wardes. For all she knew, it was going to be someone flying a grey banner, or a mountain pass.

So she gladly climbed into the carriage when everything was ready to go and they set off, the girls having a card and dice tournament. Guiche kept Wardes busy with numerous questions that the older man patiently answered, not unlike a lion entertaining a mouse, while Neb and Sylphid walked alongside the carriage. La Rochelle was only half-day's travel from their camp, so there was no point running there. Everyone was sure Flame and Verdandi appreciated that, if only because the mole didn't have to hold on for dear life.

As the mountains came into sight and grew ever larger, a Neb head slithered into the carriage. "So, stupid question, but why exactly is there a port in the mountains again? I understand that Albion is past these mountains, but is there a series of rivers over there?"

Tabitha looked to him, face set in a strange expression. "…You don't know? I thought you were gathering every scrap of information on this as you could."

"It was admittedly more on terrain, population, politics, and so on." Neb said, noting the other girls ignoring him in favor of their tense hand of poker. "However, I never truly searched for how Albion could sit between Tristain and Gallia. I assumed it was a country of rivers, given the many descriptions of its lush forests. Oh and windstones since your mad ancestors thought putting a whole fleet of ships into the sky was a good idea."

Tabitha chuckled. "Well… that's the thing. The reason Albion has that airforce is because of the abundance of windstones in its soil. They're… so abundant in fact, well…"

She pointed up. "The entire country flies, land and all."

Neb stared at her in open disbelief. "Tabitha, seriously, no jokes please."

Tabitha shrugged right back. "No one believes it until they see it, but trust me, you will. Currently Albion's southern coast is a bit further to the north of La Rochelle, so we won't be seeing it until we approach on a ship."

Neb still looked unconvinced but Tabitha waved him away. "I assure you, you'll see it. Now if you'll excuse me, I have winner."

Neb snorted and retracted the head, mulling over what Tabitha said. There was no way an entire country could be flying right? It was one thing for the wizards of the Silver League back home to be doing it considering they used so much of their own magic, and they only got cities floating! A whole country lifting off from the sheer number of windstones sounded ludicrous!

"Though I've seen more ludicrous things in my time here." The hydra growled to himself, two of his heads examining the brand on his chest. "But that's for later. Sylphid, it's been a while since Guiche sent us a message through Verdandi. Mind getting us an aerial view?"

The dragon cooed at his request and set to the air with a great flap of her wings, soon fading into a dot in the sky. With her gone, Neb looked to the snoozing pair on top of the carriage. "Well neither of you are much for conversation, are you?

Flame and Verdandi answered with their most professional snores, Neb glaring at them. He was half tempted to smack them off the carriage out of spite, but the urge was suppressed as Sylphid swooped down and landed right in front of him. "Spot something?"

She cooed at him and pointed towards the mountains, Neb narrowing his eyes as he tried to see exactly what she was pointing out to him. It took a moment, but he was able to spot regular pits in the rocks that couldn't be natural. "Outskirts, we're nearly there. Good eye Sylphid, it wouldn't surprise me if Guiche and Wardes were already in La Rochelle."

Though it certainly begged the question just what they were doing. Starting the process of finding a ship? Reserving rooms at an inn? Wardes dispensing wisdom on how to actually speak to women without putting his foot in his mouth?

Who knows? Neb thought with a sigh, another sidelong glare going Verdandi's way. Regardless, we're in sight of our destination. Should all go well, we'll be there by sundown.

Yet he knew in the back of his mind that something was bound to go wrong. What it was, he could never know for certain, but his gut twisted as they approached the mountain pass.

-The Hinterlands of Tristain-

"We're nearly there!" Siesta called into the carriage a few hours later, the passengers snapping from yet another round of solitaire. "Be ready, the road's going to get bumpy shortly!"

The girls braced themselves and their luggage, but none were quite prepared for the amount of jostling to come. They bounced and shook and rattled as Siesta guided the horses onto the mountain path, their items barely held in place.

"Founder this sucks!" Kirche complained after an entire hour of the jostling. "How does anyone live out here?"

Louise was doing her best not to look at Kirche, as the jostling was making her friend's chest move in a variety of interesting ways. "I assume most are in the shipping business. Flying would certainly be preferable to this."

"You'd think they'd pave the main road!" Montmorency growled as a hard jolt sent her out of her seat. She landed with a thud next to Tabitha, who was criminally unbothered. "Siesta, what the hell is causing all the bouncing!"

Siesta was pleasantly flippant in her response. "Oh, you know, the remnants of multiple rockslides. Pits in the ground, large boulders, things like that. I think we all prefer jostling to crashing no?"

"…I think we do." Tabitha replied, catching Louise as another hard jolt sent her friend flying. "How long as we going to be roughed around like this?"

As she asked the ride smoothed immensely, Kirche groaning in relief. As the group got themselves settled, Montmorency stuck her head out the window. "Hey, Neb! Could you have moved some of those boulders out of the way?"

"I've been doing so!" The hydra answered from his spot at the head of the little procession. "But I can't do anything about the pits or smaller rocks!"

He proved it by shifting one such boulder aside with a great boom, the carriage cantering past him. Shortly after cresting a slight rise, Siesta pulled on the reins and tapped on the panel next to her. "Everyone, we've arrived!"

The door creaked open and the passengers piled out, Louise climbing up to stand next to Siesta. "Wow! The whole place is carved out of stone!"

"I'd heard of La Rochelle before." Montmorency muttered as the others caught sight of their destination. "But I never thought it'd look like this."

Neb chose then to arrive and look over their destination. La Rochelle was built into a caldera, mountains surrounding it with a great tree standing just beyond the town. The tree itself was barren of leaves, but its branches and trunk were crisscrossed with moorings and wharfs of all sizes. The town that serviced it was also mostly barren of decoration, being carved from the stone around it, but the setting sun showed the streets bustling with people.

"Even a war doesn't stop trade." Kirche observed wryly. "But a griffin could get lost in crowds like that. How are we going to find Guiche and Wardes?"

Neb grunted and pulled a shaking Verdandi from the top of the carriage, Flame already down and kissing the earth. "Verdi here has Guiche's sent down to a science. Assuming he's not distracted by gems, he should find our wayward members before long."

One of his heads loomed over the mole, almost glaring. "Right?"

Verdandi saluted the hydra and dove into the ground, creating an obvious trail to follow as he tunneled off into the city. Neb started after him, calling back to the girls as Sylphid came in to land. "I think you'd all prefer to walk after that mess of a ride here, but whatever you do don't get separated! Louise especially, you'll be the first to know once we've found Guiche."

With that, the hydra descended into the city, garnering immediate and total attention. With a distraction sufficiently given, the girls shared long-suffering stares before Louise took a seat next to Siesta and the rest took positions around the carriage. Sylphid with Tabitha riding took the rear while Flame waddled to the front, his tail a guide as the sun disappeared behind the mountains.

The town lit up as the girls entered, the stone facades from above shifting to more colorful store fronts and taverns at street-level. Everything was built into the stone proper, and the streets showed the prosperity of the people in both cleanliness and numerous lamps to light the advancing night.

"It's… really nice here." Kirche observed as they looked around. "I knew sky-ports did well for themselves, but this is something else."

Louise couldn't help a chuckle. "At least it's not all decorated in silver and gold, that'd be too much. But sheesh, what was Neb thinking just going ahead of us like that?"

"He's provided quite the distraction." Montmorency countered. "You don't see anyone batting an eye at us despite Sylphid and the carriage."

Tabitha added her two gold. "And he's searching for Guiche. I don't like how long they've been silent; it doesn't bode well for anything."

"On that we can agree." Siesta sighed, gently stopping the horses as they came to a rest in front of a humble tavern. "But if we're going to make use of ourselves, let's put all those lessons to work."

The girls got everything together, threw on more common cloaks, and Siesta vanished into the darkness of a side alley. With oversight granted, the other four entered the tavern to the immediate bedlam of an evening in full swing. Only Kirche was ready for such noise and shepherded her friends to an open table in the corner with no windows nearby. She laughed at their wide-eyed expressions. "What, none of you ever seen a tavern at night?"

"…No." Louise squeaked. She indeed looked very lost by all the noise and rowdy patrons, and Kirche could see her eyes following the bar wenches about, especially when one bent over to deliver some drinks and exposed some skin.

Tabitha's face was scrunched in distaste at all the noise, looking like she'd chewed on a lemon. Her eyes were unfocused and a hand was desperately scrounging through her cloak for a book. Montmorency was in a similar state of consternation, though based on her gaze it had more to do with the lurid ballad currently getting belted through the air.

"Alright girls, leave this to me." Kirche sighed. "I recognize that song, even if the throats singing it can't hold a tune. Tabitha, you know what to do."

Tabitha nodded pensively and Kirche set off into the crowd. The smaller girl's job was to keep an eye out for their fellows until they got their heads on straight, and watch for threats. Drunkards like those found here were bound to notice the table of lovely ladies at some point and that was going to cause trouble.

Kirche's focus was on the bar, where a bunch of the rowdiest fellows were singing the song. There wasn't much room to be found, but Kirche was able to squeeze her way to the bartop and wave the barkeep down. "How much for a round?"

The barkeep raised a brow at her, his head of greying hair showing he'd been at this a while. "And who be askin for such a thing? No big contracts this month last I heard."

"Oh, the gentlemen over there wouldn't be celebrating otherwise." Kirche giggled, three gold coins appearing in hand. "In fact, it's such a grand celebration that I think three full rounds should be just enough to make the night merry don't you think?"

The barkeep took a sharp breath and his voice dropped low. "You really that desperate missy? War's going south in Albion, these skies ain't gonna be safe."

"Do you really think I'd be in this place were that not the case?" Kirche hissed back, a lock of red hair falling from her cloak's hood and catching the barkeep's eye. "We don't have time to speak to the dockmaster as protocol demands."

The barkeep hummed and held out his hand. "Well… you chose a good crew, even if it was by chance. The drunkards barely remember to pay their tabs, but I've heard nothing but good things about their sailing. The captain's going to want to speak to you the moment three rounds show up in front of him, where'll you be?"

Kirche gestured to the table she'd left behind. "Assuming a fight doesn't start, I'll be over there with my party. We've got… special accommodations, but I'm sure they'll be willing to suck it up."

The barkeep nodded and Kirche gave him the gold before making her way back to the table. As she arrived, a drunk man stumbled over and started trying to be suave. "Well, what have we 'ere? A bunch a pretty you ladies like you lookin' for a good… time?"

He belched the last word and Montmorency choked at the smell. "We wouldn't look for a dead horse with a boar like you! Begone you slovenly mess, you're not worth the words!"

The man did not take this clear rejection with anything resembling grace. "You… prssiy bwitch! Come'ere you little-!"

He tried to reach for Montmorency's arm, but Louise acted on instinct and stood, leg slamming into the back of the man's knee. He was forced to kneel as he grunted in pain, Louise grabbing his arm and forcing it behind his back. "Now-now, let's not get too violent, shall we?"

She forced it further, pressing the man into the table as he shouted in pain. The tavern went quiet at the shout, everyone watching Louise hold a much larger man in place. She pushed a bit harder as some other drunkards started towards them, her eyes lit with anger. "I suggest you don't try anything, you dogs. Lest you want something bad to happen."

The tavern heard a tear and the man she held screamed, Louise pushing the shoulder joint to its limit. The man, though, sealed his fate. "What're you bloomin morons doin?! Get these whores and get me outta this!"

Louise's pride promptly dislocated his shoulder.

As the man fell screaming to the ground, Louise planted her boot in his cheek and looked to the tavern at large, Montmorency and Tabitha standing to join her. "Alright, who's the litter of this mangy mutt! I would have words with you for letting him sully a lady's honor!"

Two tables, numbering almost a dozen men three sheets to the wind, stood and staggered towards her with various yells of 'whore, bitch, you'll pay for that' and so on. Kirche sighed and stood by her friends, noting that the men at the bar were watching closely. "So we doing this quickly or old fashioned?"

Louise ground her heel into the man beneath her. "No reason to grace these imbeciles with anything save an arse kicking."

"Glad to see you back to normal." Tabitha stated as she sized up the men lumbering towards them. "So… are we splitting them up or competing?"

Two of the men in the back were summarily dropped as Siesta appeared behind them, the hilt of her dagger ringing their bells. She smiled at her friends and stepped back to take one of the emptied seats, a silent challenge.

"Oh it's on now." Montmorency growled, cracking her knuckles menacingly. "The one to take down the most of these mutts gets a room to themselves tonight!"

Louise grinds her heel a bit more, making the man beneath her whimper in pain, before stepping off and kicking his lights out. "Well I've got one, so try to keep up!"

The girls gave war cries and charged the men, Louise ducking under a drunken man's attempt to grapple her and slamming her fist into his gut. The man hunched over from the strike, only to get a hard upper-cut into his jaw that sent him tumbling back. Kirche met the charge of the man that went for her, catching his hands in hers and stopping him cold as they struggled to overpower each other.

Kirche grinned as she felt the man stumble a bit from the contest, snapping his wrists back with a hard crack and kicking him hard in the chest. The man screamed as he was flung back into his fellows, joining the one Louise punched on the floor. The rest of the men stumbled back in shock, Tabitha darting into the crowd and knocking the teeth from the first she could reach, a loose broom stick her weapon.

Not to be outdone, Montmorency runs up to one of them and grabs their head, yanking it down with a roar as he knee met his nose with a hard crunch. The man yowled in pain, only to go silent as Montmorency kicked his knee out from under him and sent a haymaker into his jaw.

Both collapsed, leaving only three clearly wary men standing, Kirche and Louise's targets keeping the others down. Kirche was quick to go to one of the flailing men trapped under the one she'd knocked over, grab his arm, and in a swift motion snap it like a twig. The man screamed in pain and flailed harder, kicking several of his friends in the process before they were able to disentangle themselves.

Tabitha ducked low and charged the men as they stood, her broomstick twirling around to smack two of them hard. They shrugged off the attack and punched at her, but Tabitha stepped out of the way and used the broom to trip them up. As they fell, Montmorency was there to catch them with a dual uppercut that sent them spinning into the air.

As she claimed her second and third knockouts, Siesta vanished from her seat and put one of the wary men in a choke hold. Standing wide and strong, she held strong as he struggled to warn his fellows of her presence. "Shh… go to sleep…"

Her whispered words never reached him, the man passing out with nary a sound. Siesta laid him down quietly before walking to the next man's side. She stood there, watching the fight with him for a moment, before smiling and grabbing his hand. He looked to her, saw the smile, and his vision bloomed with stars as Siesta pulled his off-balance self down and straight into a haymaker.

The last wary man yelped as his friend was sent into him, looking up just in time to see Siesta's boot slam into his face and send both of them to the floor, groaning. Siesta wiped her hands, silently planning how to use the room she was sure to win.

Only one man was left standing and tried to charge Louise, but the smaller girl grabbed his punch and threw him with his own weight behind it, sending the man flying out one of the tavern's windows to crash into the alley beyond. Louise snorted and went to the man she'd uppercut, a punch from each fist sending him to the realm of dreams before she kicked the lights out of the man Kirche had knocked down as he tried to sit up from catching his breath.

"Four for me." Louise huffed, looking to the smiling Siesta with a bit of a glare. "And yours don't count, you didn't sign on to the bet."

"I signed on by action." The handmaid countered, secure in her victory. "After all, I took those two down to start did I not?"

"Montmorency and I have three each." Tabitha sighed, a bit miffed. "I set her up for those two hits, I should get credit too."

Montmorency kicked one of the men, making him groan. "Not that it matters, Siesta got five of 'em. Being all stealthy must be nice."

Siesta looked to answer, only to feel a sense of danger overcome her and she ducked. A bottle shattered on the wall behind her, Siesta backing up quickly to her friends. Louise locked eyes on the thrower. "Oi, what the hell!"

The woman who threw it smiled at them, another bottle in hand. She was wearing a commoner's dress, nothing to look at with its dull green color, and she wasn't much to look at either. "Well girls, you should know that starting a fight in a bar's never going to end well."

"They started it!" Montmorency protested. "We didn't do anything until they attacked us."

One of the men at the bar holds up his hand and the woman puts down her other bottle, though she was scowling. "Well, the tradition's to turn any fighting into a full brawl. It's why most of us don't do it so we don't have to pay the barkeep back."

He nodded to the groaning men on the floor. "They did start it though and you handled them right quick. Looks like the little ladies can handle themselves at least."

He leaned back and grinned, the shadow of his hat disappearing. The man was a tall one, wearing a red coat over a dark shirt and light pants with leather boots. His hair was black as well as his beard, slightly yellowed teeth shown in a bright grin. "The name's Captain York, I hear you need a ship and fast. Where's a bunch of pretty young girls like you off to in such a hurry?"

"It's something we'd prefer to discuss at your ship, Captain." Kirche answered, everyone staying tight lipped. "And this is just one part of our group. If you want us to talk business, tell us what dock you're on and we'll meet you there."

York's grin widened. "Aye, I like a girl that knows what she wants. Alright, well, since you just laid out most of my crew, we'll have to ask you lot to meet us at the docks tomorrow morning. We're at dock twelve, I look forward to doing business with you."

Louise huffs at him before turning on her heel and leaving the tavern. Her friends followed close behind, Tabitha noting silently that the street was deserted. "…It's not that late…"

Louise was too busy griping at Kirche to hear. "What were you thinking hiring a captain who has a crew of drunkards! There's more taverns here for sure, we'd be able to find another for sure!"

"Not one that would have a wild enough crew to actually take us!" Kirche argued back. "Look, we're not going to find a reputable crew that'll take us to a warzone. Even that lot may not take us, and they look blockade runners!"

Louise growled, but Montmorency buried any rebuttal. "She's right. Us laying them out may have actually helped, that crowd listens to strength far as I understand. It's all just like Neb's lessons."

Louise groaned and finally looked around. "…Say, wasn't it crowded when we went in?"

"Indeed it was." Siesta muttered, noticing the quiet street at the same time as Tabitha. "And I doubt the sounds of a brawl would clear the streets so… completely."

Louise narrowed her eyes and her hand went to Derflinger. "Derf… you ever have something like this happen?"

"Plenty of times!" The sword answered as the streetlights simultaneously winked out. "It's called an ambush!"

He'd barely spoken the words when arrows flew from the shadows, the girls diving for cover. Louise was able to find a barrel lid once she rolled to a stop and ran for the carriage, catching more than a few arrows on the lid before reaching it. She drew Derf and sliced through the reins holding the horses before slapping one on the hind. "Run dammit!"

The horses bolted away into the darkness, more arrows raining on the carriage. Louise took cover behind it, silently glad none of the attackers had flaming arrows. "Kirche, can we get some light!"

"I would if they weren't staggering their fire!" Kirche shouted back. "Tabby can't even get any wind going, it's ridiculous!"

Louise cursed, then swore an oath as flaming arrows landed into the barrels she'd left. "Oh dammit they do have fire arrows! Siesta, can you do anything!"

The whir of a blade cut the air and for a moment the fire ceased, a shout of pain replacing it. In the moment between the continued volleys, the girls were able to gather up behind the carriage. Siesta started giving Louise a sitrep. "There has to be at least a dozen attackers, on the rooftop across from us!"

"Sylphid wandered off to try and find Neb!" Tabitha reported, the cover letting her conjure a wall of wind. Good thing too, as fire arrows rained down to try and set the carriage alight. "Same with Flame by the looks of it! Unless we want to level this whole street, we're sitting ducks!"

"We're not leveling an entire street!" Louise shouted back. "Founder dammit, we can't get a good shot like this. Look, I got one thing that could let us advance, but we can't let them run either! The minute they have their eyes on me, Tabby, and Kirche, you two get to work!"

"Doing what?!" Montmorency shouted, poking her head out to take a wild shot at the attackers with a lance of water. It went wide and splashed against stone, but the storm of arrows slowed as the attacker relocated. "I'm shooting at shadows here!"

Siesta looked equally pensive. "And I have no bow nor arrows! My knives can barely cover the gap as is!"

"The point is that we're the distraction!" Louise growled back. "Your job is to actually get these guys! Take them out, but keep them alive if you can! If they resist too much or look about to escape, cripple or kill them!"

Montmorency grunted in answer but said nothing further. Siesta sighed in turn and nodded, short sword in hand. "On your signal."

Louise looked to Kirche and Tabitha before holding up a hand. Five… four… three… two…

Her staff, wrapped and held behind her back, glowed green under the cloth. A wall of stone sprang up from the ground and the arrow fire stuttered. "Now!"

The trio ran to the wall and ducked beneath it, Kirche sending a bright flare into the air. It lit the entire area in blinding light, allowing Montmorency and Siesta to dash across the street and into the alleys beside the building across from the tavern. Siesta was met by an immediate stream of arrows, the handmaid deftly taking cover behind a storage crate. Opposite her, Montmorency found but a single opponent, her estoc gleaming in the dying light of Kirche's fire.

With their positions set, it was time to see to the enemy that had ambushed them and get some answers. Most important of which being what these bastards had done with Guiche and Wardes.

It was the only reason for them to have been quiet for so long and for the attackers to have been able to set up the ambush. They certainly weren't here for the crew inside considering they hadn't let up the barrage!

-Siesta-

Dammit I don't have much time here!

Siesta growled as two more arrows thunked into her makeshift cover, a knife in her free hand. She wasn't made for fighting like this, at least not when the enemy had the ranged advantage. As it was, they could keep her there until someone with a big sword and bigger attitude could come and swing at her. No point throwing blindly either, the archers had taken new positions the moment she'd ducked down.

"There's three of them, I know that much." She growled to herself. "…Forgive me Louise, but I don't think I can close the gap without taking risks."

It was a foolish plan, a dumb one in fact, but she didn't have a whole lot of options. None of them expected enemies to show up before Albion, least of all ones that were targeting them specifically. Really they should have, what with Sir Wardes being with them and all, but seriously, who thought that far ahead?!

"If only I'd remembered to bring my eggs…" Siesta muttered before taking a deep breath. "…This is going to hurt."

She burst from cover as the arrows thunked into it again, dashing straight for the nearest archer. She'd chosen a good time, the archers having advanced on her position when she failed to materialize, and the first one jerked in surprise as she ran at them. Her sword flashed silver and their neck bloomed red, throat cut the instant she could reach them.

She was rewarded for her quick thinking by two arrows sinking into either shoulder, the arm holding her sword going limp. She snarled at her attackers and drew a knife from the belt at her waist, the blade flashing silver as it flew from her hand. It sank into the next closest archer's shoulder as well, her legs pounding as she charged the howling man. Another arrow from the furthest archer sank into her flank, but she ignored the pain as she ran.

The archer closest to her drew a dagger and parried her strikes with yet another knife she drew in the breath it took her to close in. They traded strikes thrice in showers of sparks and ring of steel before Siesta felt yet another arrow hit her. Instead of balking and opening herself, she used the force to fall into a crouch and sweep the archer off his feet with a hard kick to his knees.

The man fell and grunted, the air driven from him, but gripped at his throat as Siesta drove her knife into it. She ignored his dying flails and took cover, the last archer doing the same. She had four arrows in her now, only one of them of any import, but she heard the clatter of wood and the rasp of steel. Then came pounding feet.

Pouncing forward, she avoided the cleave of an axe as it sought to shatter her collarbone, her limp arm whipping around to smack the archer across his helmet. She grunted at the impact, the jolt sending blinding pain up her arm, and stumbled back as fire bloomed over her legs. The archer was trying to cripple her by the looks of things, but she wouldn't allow that.

Dodging backwards, Siesta ducked and weaved around every cleave and slash of the axe she could, lines of red slowly blooming across her skin and tears appearing in her clothes when she wasn't quite fast enough. She wasn't expecting the archer to kick after falling into the rhythm, his boot planting into her stomach and driving the air from her lungs. She folded over the leg, gasping, and her head rang as he slammed the haft of the axe into her skull.

She fell to the ground, trying to choke breath back into her lungs. She could vaguely hear the archer scoff and felt her arm seized, but she refused to let this be the end of it. Bent over as she was, the simple matter of grabbing another knife from her belt was simple, the gleaming blade held tight in her teeth.

As her arm was yanked, she pushed off with her legs and tackled the archer, sending him to the ground with a harsh thud. She quickly straddled his stomach and pinned his chest with her useless shoulder, knife flashing as she drove the blade into his throat. Crimson painted her face in an arterial spray, Siesta holding him down until he at last lay still.

Her breath came back with a harsh cough, Siesta spitting the knife and blood from her mouth. She lay there, panting for a moment, before forcing herself to her feet and retrieving her short sword. The arrows she couldn't do anything about, not without risking further injury, but that didn't make her useless.

Scowling, she looked to the wall leading up to the roof, doubtless where the rest of the archers were firing on her friends and master. That could not stand, not with her there!

Siesta put the hilt of the sword between her teeth, holding it there as she used her legs and working arm to slowly scale the wall. It was painful to the highest degree, but she persevered, all for the sake of ending the threat on her friends.

Because if she couldn't do at least this much, what use was she in Albion?

-Montmorency-

"Well this is just great!"

Montmorency sighed as her jet of water was intercepted by an identical spell, her opponent apparently a mage. This one was around her power level, but based on their movements they were a career criminal. That meant she needed to close the gap to even have a chance, but dealing with crossbow bolts and water jets was making that really hard!

"Come on, Monmon think!" The girl growled to herself as her cover was blown to smithereens. "There has to be something!"

Trying to buy more time, she charged her opponent, the mage dancing away from her with a mocking laugh. It sounded like a woman, but Montmorency didn't care a lick about that. No, this cretin was attacking her and her friends, there was no room for mercy no matter who it was!

The woman called out a spell and the alley was flooded with water, the stone street turned treacherously slick. Montmorency was barely able to catch her balance before the woman was upon her, striking out with a longsword that had seen better days. Montmorency's estoc flashed in retaliation, turning aside the blows as best she could. The slick footing was to her disadvantage though, as her opponent seemed right at home upon the flooded street.

"Damn you!" Montmorency roared as a hit scored, the longsword gouging a new scar into her leg. "You'll pay for that!"

The woman chuckled. "I'm sure I will, little girl!"

Three lightning blows came for Montmorency, the estoc turning two aside with hard clangs while the last drew an angry, bleeding red line from her shoulder to her hip. The blow staggered the blonde, her opponent sweeping her legs out with a lash of water and putting the tip of her longsword at the fallen Montmorency's throat. "You survived longer than I gave you credit for but this is the end."

"…You say that." Montmorency spat, cheeks puffing to the bursting point. The woman blinked, only to scream as scalding steam burst from Montmorency's cheeks in a stream of flesh-melting vapor. The downed girl slid on the damp rocks, ignoring the scrapes it gave her, and leapt to her feet, a slash from her estoc putting a deep wound in the woman's back. As she dropped, Montmorency stood over her, readied the estoc, and impaled the woman her neck, twisting the blade for good measure.

She did not turn the corpse over, not wanting to witness what the stream of steam had done. She hadn't expected the woman to be that quick, even with how fluid her movements had been. And now she'd have a new scar to ever attest to her folly.

"I don't have time for this, we have more to take care of." Montmorency growled before looking down the alley. She spotted some stairs leading to a second floor landing and took off, ignoring her bleeding wounds as best she could.

Her friends were still in danger, she could deal with all the bruises and cuts afterwards.

-Louise-

"Sweet Founder, why'd they run into separate alleys!"

Neither of her sisters in danger were willing to give much of an answer, their stone haven riddled with arrows. Kirche's flare had given them a brief respite to even get this cover ready, but the archers sure weren't letting them do it again!

"It's your fault for not telling them where to go!" Kirche snarled as an arrow barely missed her hair. "I know it was an on the fly plan, but at least tell them to stick together!"

Louise groaned and ducked under another volley. "I expected them to have some common sense! Like not trying to pull a pincer attack with only one person to either side!"

"Well you thought wrong!" Tabitha growled, unable to even start her incantations under that hail of fire. "Now what are we going to do! Some of the fire's let up, but they've got us pinned here!"

Louise whined as she tried to think of a plan that didn't involve turning the building into a smoldering ruin that got them into all kinds of legal trouble. That'd be mission end right there! "I'm thinking ok! I had trouble with any scenario like this that didn't have Monmon on hand for water!"

"Well I've got half a mind to-" The barrage stopped for a moment and Kirche stood to unleash a stream of fire at the top of the building, immediately causing the façade to burst into flame. At which point flaming arrows started raining on their heads.

Kirche huddled behind the wall with a pout and finished her thought. "Set the building on fire."

"Well you have!" Louise laughed, sounding a tad mad. "And now we're going to be in all kinds of trouble!"

"You think we're not already?" Tabitha asked incredulously, summoning some small ice crystals to fly up and dampen the fire a bit. "We need something to stop that barrage, something that lets me put up a more permanent barrier!"

Louise looked to remand her for that, only to feel something trickle by her boot. Looking down, she saw a stream of water running past them, a furtive glance beyond their rocky haven showing the alley Montmorency had run down flooded.

"Oh Founder be safe, I'd never be able to look Guiche in the eye otherwise." Louise prayed before grabbing her friends. "Look, Monmon's given us an out, be ready to hoof it under that arch the moment I say so!"

She got trusting nods and Louise felt her heart nearly burst in joy. Then her staff glowed ice-blue under the cloth wrapping it and she encased them all in thick armor of ice. "MOVE!"

The girls burst from their cover and ran helter-skelter to building's arch, arrows plinking off their frozen protection the whole way. Tabitha yelped as one found a thin part of the ice and pierced her calf, but she limped under the arch's cover nonetheless.

"Tabby!" Louise nearly screamed, golden light flooding from the wrapped staff. "Kirche, help me get the arrow out!"

Kirche stopped her from trying to do so. "Louise we can't! There's an entire process to this and you know it, trying to heal it with archers raining hell on our heads is asking to seal a bunch of fragments in her flesh!"

"…Would prefer that not happen." Tabitha agreed, deep breaths her only sign of pain. "Just… let's take care of this, ok?"

Louise looked to be in vehement disagreement but swallowed her fear at the expectant looks from them both. "…Fine, but so help me if that nicks an artery! Come on, make that wall!"

Tabitha nodded and started to chant, the water from the flooded alley flowing before her. No one said anything about the red mixed into it, but all tensed at the sight of it. Once ready, Tabitha tapped the ground with her staff and a wall of ice rose into the air, the crack of freezing water revealing a series of stairs formed in it.

"Follow that up, it'll give us cover!" Tabitha grunted, the pain growing in her leg. "And make it quick already, I'll be find down here!"

"Like hell!" Kirche answered, hauling Tabitha onto her back with nary an issue. "We go together or not at all! Louise, lead the way!"

Louise nodded and ran up the stairs, the ice layered in frost for grip. She could hear arrows slamming into the wall as she ran up the stairs, arriving at the top in short order to find the archers looking around. They were trying to spot her, but they weren't looking up.

"Gotcha you bastards!" Louise snarled, leaping from her spot on the wall and drawing Derfling in the same motion. One of the archers heard her and looked up just in time for Derf's blade to sink into their face, the force of the fall cleaving their skull in two. The golden aura in Louise's staff roared to life again and suffused her, Louise blurring as she charged for the next on. They had barely a moment to even register her charge before she lopped off their arms and left them to bleed.

The rest noticed her and loosed whithering fire on Louise, the hastened fighter weaving through the fire in pursuit of her targets. As she ran another through, Kirche crested the wall and put Tabitha safely behind its ramparts before unleashing a stream of fire. All save two archers were encircled in flames and Louise spared none in the ring, Derflinger flashing with every swing and thrust.

Nor did Kirche spare any either, her own greatsword claiming its first life when she leapt from the wall and surprised one of the archers focused on Louise, a hard cleave nearly bisecting them at the waist. Arrows sought her as well, but she'd been wise enough not to change out of all her armor like the others had. With their fire split, the archers slowly dwindled in number until only two in the ring of flames and the two outside were left.

The two outside attempted to flee, only for tendrils of water to grab them by their feet and lift them into the air. In the same moment, Louise charged one of the last archers in the ring of fire and successfully judged how they'd try to dodge, her shoulder pushing them back into their fellow who was trying to watch Kirche.

Louise leaped away as Kirche roared in, claymore flashing forward to impale both her target and the one Louise pushed onto them, slaying both. Kirche cared not for their final gasps, immediately running back to the wall in order to retrieve Tabitha. While she did that, Louise looked to the captured archers. "…Who are you people?"

Her question was met with silence, Montmorency climbing up from where she'd cast her spell. "I don't think they want to talk!"

Louise gaped at the wounds on her friend. "Holy Founder, Monmon are you ok?!"

Montmorency waved off the concern. "Don't worry about me, I'm… mostly… ok… Holy shit, Siesta!"

Louise whirled around and screamed, horrified. "Siesta, sweet Brimir what happened to you!"

Siesta waved with her bloodied sword at her friends, face pale and clammy. "Glad… to see the danger… has passed… Um… I'm mostly ok… despite how I look…"

"Like HELL!" Montmorency roared, making an immediate beeline for the handmaid. "Lay down this instant and let me treat you, you fool girl! What did you find down there?!"

Siesta giggled tiredly and slumped to her knees. "Oh… just… three of those… archers. They're… not a problem… anymore…"

"Holy mackerel!" Kirche cried the second she saw Siesta, Tabitha cradled in her arms. "Siesta what'd you do, walk into a firing line?!"

Louise, turned to the hanging archers and roared a wordless spell, the enemies entombed in ice. They'd keep while she saw to her friends. "Kirche, take Tabby over to Siesta, we can get this fixed!"

"Well get your ass over here!" Montmorency snapped, slowly laying Siesta down. "She's losing blood fast; we need that little miracle you call magic, now!"

Louise sprinted over, leaning beside Siesta as Montmorency started extracting the arrows. "Dammit Siesta, you weren't supposed to go alone! This wasn't infiltration, it was a fight!"

"I… know that." Siesta laughed again. "And… I apologize for doing this to you. I know it was… foolish, and misguided, but… I wanted to keep you all safe."

Louise blinked back tears. "And you did, but please never do this again! We can't lose you to a bunch of… of… brigands Siesta! Just lie still and let us work ok?"

Siesta smiled and her body relaxed, Montmorency using her magic to dull the pain. "Alright, this is going to be… really painful, but I promise it'll be quick. Ready?"

Siesta nodded and Montmorency flooded her wounds with water. Siesta couldn't help but wail in pain as the water surrounded and started filing down the arrowheads, the slight jostles sending waves of searing pain up her spine. Montmorency was quick with her magic and filed the heads down to a single point the same length as the shaft, at which point she pulled out the entire arrow and filed metal in a single pull. Louise's magic showered the wound with golden light immediately after and the wound stitched itself back together, nary a scar to be found.

"Ok, move your arm for me." Montmorency cooed, sounding surprisingly gentle. "That's what I'm really worried about, can you do it?"

Siesta panted deeply, tears of pain in her eyes, but moved her arm slowly. It responded as normal, no longer limp, and she breathed a deep sigh of relief. "…Thank you, both of you."

"Thank me by resting!" Montmorency barked, losing some of the gentle demeanor. "Now Kirche, get out of the way, I need to help Tabitha."

Kirche shuffled aside, looking very tired. She was splattered with blood from those she'd slain, as all save Tabitha were, but everyone still wore blood of some kind. "Hey, Louise… what are we going to do with those guys?"

"Get answers." Louise stated, no doubt clouding her words. "We find out who hired them, what they wanted, and go from there. I promise we'll find out who hurt Tabby, Monmon, and Siesta. And we will make them pay for it."

Kirche sighed and gave Louise her best facsimile of a smile as Tabitha was seen to, not speaking until the wounded leg was healed. "…I'll hold you to that. Let's go find out what those bastards know."

Louise nodded and they stood, intent on interrogating their captives.

Only to find mangled corpses hanging from shattered ice.

"…The hell…?" Louise breathed in disbelief. "I… I didn't hear anything, did you?!"

Kirche shook her head in equal disbelief. "Not in the least… ice should shatter when you break it damn it, something's not right!"

Montmorency, hearing the little conversation, hauled both Tabitha and Siesta to their feet. "Then there's no rest for the wicked! Louise, give Siesta a boost, whatever killed those guys could still be around!"

Golden light suffused Louise's staff again and Siesta immediately looked better, her normal color returning somewhat. The handmaid rolled her shoulder and took up her blade, a knife in her off hand as the girls formed a circle.

They glanced about the rooftop quietly, the flames from Kirche's spell nearly faded. There was nothing to see save the fading flames and corpses around them…

Wait.

"The corpses…" Tabitha whispered, a shiver running down her spine. "They've… something's been chewing on them…"

Every gaze sharpened at the observations, ears straining for the slightest sound. But there was nothing, nothing to see or hear except the crackling of fire…

Siesta's nose crinkled. "Brimstone."

And the shadows leapt at them, burning claws and smoldering fangs slamming into the ring.

The howls of the damned echoed through the night as the girls fought phantoms, never catching a good look at their attackers as smoke cloaked everything save claws and fangs. And even then, the ring could not hold forever, not with the phantoms striking so relentlessly.

Louise found herself pushed from behind as Montmorency was charged, but as her friend fended off the assault, Louise found herself charged from the flank and her arm seized in red-hot fangs. She screamed as her flesh burned, the phantom dragging her away from the others in a frenzy of activity.

"Louise!" Siesta screamed as her master was dragged away, unable to give pursuit as another of the phantoms dove at her. "LOUISE!"

Kirche roared as she tried to break ranks, but Louise had enough of her faculties left to give orders. "Don't move you… gah, morons! Keep each other safe, I'll be fine!"

She proved it by driving Derflinger in the phantom attacking her, the creature yelping in pain and anger. It thrashed hard, sending Louise flapping about like a ragdoll before it released her.

And she flew off the rooftop.

"LOUISE!"

Louise blinked as she began to drop, noting the shadowy figures surging towards her friends. It was all in slow motion, but… she could swear they all looked like hounds. Why did Tabitha look like she was about to cry? And… were those Guiche's golems?

"Took you long enough…" Louise muttered as time sped up, barely catching a glimpse of Guiche arriving with wrath in his bearing before she fell beyond the lip of the roof into the alley beyond.

Louise had just a moment to look down and see the damp stone of the street below rushing towards her, a single thought crossing her mind.

This is gonna hurt.

Impact brought searing pain along her entire right side.

Then, blessed darkness.

Ch. End

Oh sweet heaven I cannot apologize enough for taking this long. School has been an absolute monster since about mid February when I first started writing this. I hope a 20k word chapter can help make up a bit for the absence!

But yeah, I hope everyone enjoys our first step on the adventure! We had some fun, got a bar brawl, and then something not near as fun! Let's hope next time brings a bit better times for poor Louise.

Now, reviews!

Vixtra: I do hope this one lives up to expectations! I think this will be a very fun ride, so I hope to have you with us for it!

Z.L.C. genesmith: I dunno, seems a bit too obvious doesn't it?

Xeivous1: Patience friend, we need to yank her head out of the sand first.

DschingKhan: They do make quite the loveable trio don't they? Also this story has really long chapters on average, so getting out of the opening arc in that many words feels about right to me ^^;. Hope you enjoy this one too!

Codexrun: Thank you for the compliments, I'm certainly enjoying myself with the chapters!

Pacer287: Creating a fictional pantheon is something I've done in a separate story believe it or not. And no worries on being late, the holidays are always nuts!

That's all for me folks, I'm going to take a nap. Again hope everyone enjoys and we'll see you next time!

Ciao!