• All these blissful minds going through their existence day by day, unaware of the truth...

    "Leader"

    The man known as Leader was staring outside the window down at the city streets. People going about their business trying to make a living. He despised the historians for not writing the true events that took place during the Great Divide. Soon though, everyone will know what happened not just that day in the Dolyon Empire, but throughout the whole pleasurable chaos.

    "What is it Ruik? If you are here without the whereabouts of where the others are I will kill you where you stand. Now speak." He replied coldly still staring outside.

    The man bent his head and spoke. "Yes, It would seem that after three weeks of dealing with these petty thieves and troublesome old fools, I have located two. Though one seems to be constantly moving, not staying in one place, which is why we couldn't locate him sooner."

    "F'lorin... that man was always suspicious of me. I will deal with him later, I have a feeling I know where he will go. His honor will be his undoing... For now tell me where the other one is."

    "Yes, she spends her time now as the owner of a hot spring inn. Not less than a day and a half outside the Northern gate. I believe the establishment was Summer Springs."

    She? He smiled "Yes, the beautiful Sasha. Those two women always looked after each other, it would be in my fortune that they would continue to live as their instincts desired." He turned to face Ruik. "We leave at once. Sasha has something that belongs to me." That smile of his returned. "And it would be nice to see an old friend once more... I do hope she remembers me."
    * * *

    "Damn, can we NOW leave for Zocun?! You got what you wanted, you found the Band member."

    Kitan turned and shook his head "Not THE member I wanted to find, yes I found Jonathan, but thanks to him I have a good lead on where M'kael is."

    Four days after reaching Kushu, Kitan had heard rumors of the emissary from Zocun resembling the man who once fought as swiftly and as quickly as the hawk that was always perched upon his shoulders. He was determined to prove it either way. The very next day when the emissaries from both Kushu and Zocun were signing document to improve the trading between the two, Kitan rushed through the crowd and attacked the emissary from Zocun. The two fought as if time hadn't hindered them at all. And by two, the people saw Jonathan and Starswift's offspring, Tril. The two had fought for only a few moments, and in those moments they learned all that they needed. Time slowed as each parried and struck out against the other. The two fought for only minutes until the royal guard suppressed and apprehended Kitan along with his entourage, who had rushed through the crowd around the fighters, calling Kitan's name.

    "So you found the wrong man, At least you got what you want. Now if your not gonna help me" Axel spoke as he tossed his pack over his shoulder "then I'm gone." He started walking off away from the two of them,

    Kitan and Jade exchanged a look before each grabbing an arm of Axel. Jade spoke then.

    "Axel, please, we are going to help you get what you lost. But we have to prepare. Its obviously a trap. That woman is waiting for you in Zocun. Please, think before you act this time... we need to watch the others' back."

    Axel stopped and looked back into Jade's eyes. She smiled and nodded. He turned to look at Kitan, who just nodded slightly.

    Axel nodded. "Alright, I guess I need to do more of that thinkin stuff. So then, what direction is Zocun from Kushu again?" He said pulling out the map. "Where to?"

    Kitan walked over and studied it.His village was near the mountains to the west of Dralgo. Dralgo itself was rather large, though most was unfertilized desert to the south. If they decided to head south, they would go through the Urgothri Desert, known for its large inhabitants. Or so he had read from a book he bought from a merchant in the last three weeks. Kitan was eager to learn about the world outside. Once past the desert they could take the path through the Lunar plains eastward into the small mountains of the Shepherds Den. Although it sounds peaceful, its filled with unknown terrors. All who have ventured there to make a name and carve a small nitch in History's belt have perished. Never to be seen again. Not even a scream of agony has escaped its eerie welcoming embrace. Merchants could weave a tale or two sometimes he thought to himself. Instead Kitan pointed to the eastern borders of Zocun. "We go from here, down through the southeastern gate here" Moving to indicate the location. "Then the fastest trail would be the stonestrewn trail of Habidash and continue in that same direction to the northwestern border of Zocun. There's a village near here, at the edge of the capital so we can rest there before we reach Zocun hopefully two days later." He rolled up the map and looked at them.

    "Any questions?"

    "I don't, but how long should this all take? I want to get there as fast as I can." Axel said frustrated that it was beginning to sound like weeks.

    "If we continue with this group and encounter no more delays, we should reach the gate in three days time, from there we can buy a boat and sail down the side of Habidash in a half a days time." Axel looked to Jade who nodded. "Then its settled, we take a boat. Lets hope it goes as smoothly as planned."

    The three packed and readied themselves. When the merchants were ready, the three joined them. The merchants were more than happy to have capable protectors in their entourage. Dedric was more than ecstatic to have another few pairs of ears to hear his many many tales. Axel spent his time sleeping, eating, and playing with that single coin. When he held it up, his eyes Jade noticed would glaze over and his other hand would clench into a fist. The coin itself was common. The only distinction was a single etching through the middle on both sides. She let it be, he would share when he was ready. The crack of the whip and the shout of the guard brought her out of her thoughts. The journey for her was becoming a very interesting one indeed.
    * * *

    The times have become a disrespectful time since when he travelled with those he now sought. He glanced over his head to the still corpses of the bandits who thought it wise to strike him at night. He sheathed his dual blades strapped at his waist. Then turned.

    "Ruik, how has it come to be that men of such standings would come so close to me?"

    Ruik bent his head and slapped an arm across his chest. "I apologize Leader, It seems the men I assigned as your personal guard were not as skilled as they had boasted."

    The man known as Leader planted a single kick into Ruik's jaw. "From now on you test them with your blade, if they fall, then they fail, if they live they pass. Teach them the way I was trained during the Great Divide... A pity these sell swords are. Leave me."

    Ruik rolled backwards, slapped his arm across his chest and ignoring the blood dripping from the corner of his mouth, turned and left.

    Such a loyal hound. I will have to reward him, should he not try again with these simple blades. Tomorrow I shall see my old friend Sasha. And be that much closer to my vision... my destiny. He laughed deep and loudly, like the cackle of a jackal before the strike.