Master Dragon sighed, shaking his head. "This is indeed a problem."

Aryun nodded, her hands clasped around the letter while Erdric shifted in his chair on the other side of the small table.

"And you know these men?"

"Of course I know them. One I've known for a very long while, the other since I was a mere child. I trust them with my life."

Erdric cocked his head, watching her. "That's a bold statement."

"It is the truth, Lord Erdric," Aryun snapped. "Now, when do we leave? I must get back and see how the battle is going."

Master Dragon stood, offering his hand. "As soon as you must, Lady Aryun. I will not stop you, but I cannot accompany you in this endeavor, but you must keep contact with me and allow me the privilege to know what is going on."

Aryun stood, taking his forearm in a clasp. "Indeed, Master Dragon, you shall know."

"Now, the question remains if Erdric will accompany you or not, and who else would."

Erdric looked up between Master Dragon and Aryun. "Since the out come of this affects this kingdom, it is my place to go, so I will go." He looked at Aryun, watching her reaction. "Allow me to gather my things, and I will help. As for who else goes, it's up to them. They are risking their lives, and I want to know who will willingly come." He rose, nodding to Lady Aryun before he turned and walked out to gather his things.

Aryun huffed to herself. "He's always so abrupt."

Master Dragon shook his head and smiled. "So are you, Lady."

"True, but I've always been like that. I've the feeling that it's not his way."

Nara shook her head. "We don't know for sure. We only know what we see, what we have seen, but not what he was. I think he's burried that. He hardly ever laughs, he smiles more often now than before, but he's still scarred and that will take time to heal, Lady Aryun. You know that."

"Aye, I do."

They all met in the Great Hall, and there, all decided they would accompany the Lord Erdric with the Lady Aryun. After all, they reasoned, he was their lord, even though he did not rule them. They were his friends, and they would not forsake him.

"Well?" Alena quarried as she fastened her claws upon her wrists and hands. "Where do we go?"

"Vasi'shan," Aryun replied off handedly.

Xristis rolled his eyes. "She means, how do we get there."

"We came the way I came. Simple, really."

"You know, you're being as enigmatic and as annoying as Erdric used to be." Xristis secured the last belt for his sword, and winked at Alena who giggled at him.

Erdric rolled his eyes, fixing the last strap for his white armor. "Thanks," he replied dryly. "I never knew I annoyed you that much, Priest." With a look over his sword, he quickly sheathed it, pulling out the last article of his armor, the headpiece.

The gold seemed to glitter as he slipped it over his head, the dragon-like wings spreading out from his temples. It may have appeared like it was little protection, but this was the infamous helmet of Yeshua. It glistened as it was fully sat upon his head, and the wings shimmered. The power was nearly palatable around him as the armor set was complete.

Aryun was impressed at the figure he made as he slipped his robe over the armor for warmth. He was tall, slender and a figure of strength as he stood there, rechecking his equipment. His face was a mask of concentration as he checked through the pack before slinging it on his shoulder. He stretched up, lacing his fingers together and rocking back on his heels before he caught Aryun watching him.

Blue met sea green and both were caught in the other's gaze until Erdric broke off, looking down at the floor and scuffed a foot before turning his back on her.

Aryun sighed and started to walk forward, eliciting the attention of the rest of the group. "Are we ready now?"

Mara and Nara coursed an 'aye', Xristis and Brey nodded, and Alena cheered. The rest were staying behind. Taloun stayed due to his wife's impending birth, Raygnar because he refused to come, and Lucria due to the stick that seemed perpetually wedged in her ass. She refused to be around Aryun, and more importantly, Erdric was coming and she didn't want to be around him.

It didn't bother Aryun. The less people that came, the better in her opinion.

"Where are you going?" Brey asked. "I could use a spell to get closer to our destination."

Aryun nodded. "That seems appropriate. We need to get to the northern chain of mountains near your kingdom, Brey. Then I can take it from there."

Brey nodded, and all gathered around him as he made circles in the air, murmuring the name of his home, and suddenly they were in a field with a castle town not far off in the distance as well as the Castle of Stantos with its blood red banners flying.

A soft breeze ruffled Aryun's hair and sent it flying. She had taken it down during the night and neglected to place it up, but she didn't care. She closed her eyes, allowing the breezes to caress her face.

She turned, almost in a trance and pointed towards the mountains. "We head this way. The portal is up there in the high peaks."

She walked off, leaving the rest to play catch up for a change.