War of the Dragons II

[Flarecobra]

A new day had broke, Draca slept soundly in her home, after having a nice meal with her mother, and once she explained what happoned last evening, her mother grew worried. Dispite warning her about the risks, Draca still went out to the central square, as today a small singing troupe was there, and she had wanted to hear them.

[Mesden]

Elaina had eagerly left the Inn, hoping to get away from the blame of the hole in the floor problem.

She came upon the town square. That's when she caught Draca there and the singing troupe. A near tackle hit Draca from behind as Elaina shouted, "HEY! It's you! That girl from yesterday!"

She looked overly eager, like they'd been friends for a good long time. At this point, Elaina's arm was wrapped about Draca's shoulders as she jumped up and down giddily, pointing at the singers.

"I love music and singing!"

Very earnest, she is.

[Flarecobra]

Draca just stood there with a look of shock on her face, as the insane girl bounced on her back. She was also a bit worried that she would feel the wings that was now pressing into her back, as she fought to keep the robe's hood up. "Can...you...stop...please!?" She asked Elaina.

[Inbred Chocobo]

Robert stepped out of the inn's front door, looking a lot different that he did yesterday. His armor was not on him, nor was his sword. Instead he had a royalish outfit on today, on that gave a more relaxed feeling to him. Its as if he wasn't expecting to be going anywhere today. He noticed Draca and Elaine and walked over, in a casual sort of way.

"Would've slept in, but Elaine here kind of woke me up." Robert said as he closed the distance. "So have you come to a conclusion yet?" Robert asked, this time looking towards the troupe.

[Tarrin]

Balta walked back into town, He had left an hour before dawn to practice his armed and unarmed fighting and also to meditate.

He was now walking back into town when the music from town square wafted towards him.
"Great" Balta hated events like this, Too many people though a benifit was that he would hardly be noticed.

Keeping his hood up Balta entered the festive amusements, That was when he felt the slight tug on his belt, A smile crossed his lips, The theif was good tho he wasn't that good.
Balta didn't even need to pat where his purse had been to know it was no longer attached by its strings.

The young lad no older than ten weaved his way thru the crowd, Unbeknown to him he was now the hunted, Balta hung back watching as the boy made his way into a nearby allyway.

Dissapearing beneith his cloak of invisibility Balta followed his prey, In the darkness Balta saw who he was after, The boy handed over the stolen purse to his handler and made his way back into the crowd looking for his next mark.

Dropping the cloak Balta smiled, "Thought you were better than that Vargose"
the dark figure stiffened at hearing her name.
"Who are you? How did you know my name?" the darkened figure shot back the question vhemance in her voice.
Pulling back his hood Balta stepped into the smidgen of light that creeped into the ally.
"Balta! I...is that you?" the tone of the darkened female softened a little, Balta nodded and then put his hand out to the other figure.
"Bianka i believe that purse is mine" balta caught the purse as it was flung at him.

Both figures laughed and embraced "Come let us have a drink, It's been a long time" together the pair wondered into the light heading for the nearest vandor who would sell them something with bite.

[Mesden]

Elaina looked awkwardly at Draca at her request, head tilted and eyes scrunched ever so slightly.

"Alrighty!" she chirped, hand patting her on the back friendly, the oblivious girl feeling the wings but not even noticing.

"You!" she shouted, looking at Robert. She began to poke at his elegant clothing with an inquisitive look on her face.

"Fancy! Horribly ineffective, though!"

[Armored Bishoujo]

"Wait! Wait, Neesha!"
Neesha turned around to face the front door to Ciria's house, hiding her impatience.
"Why did you try to leave me like that? You didn't even wake me to tell me you were leaving."
Neesha shrugged lightly. "You were sleeping so peacefully, I didn't want to bother you. I was going to come back and apologize."
"But you didn't even have breakfast. Aren't you hungry?"
"Not really. I don't usually eat until in the afternoon."
Ciria puffed out her cheeks. "But breakfast is food for your brain!"
"Fortunately, I don't really use my brain all that much. The world seems to demand that I rely on my strength instead."
Ciria's voice started to crack. "It can help you there, too! It will revitalize you and give you the energy you need to throw your weight around!"
By now, a few people were looking at Neesha and Ciria. Neesha noticed this and blushed slightly. "Fine. If it'll get you to shut up, I'll eat something."
An overjoyed Ciria nearly chirped. "That's all I ask. See, you need to listen to me and come back inside. I promise it'll be very warm and delicious."
Ciria literally skipped back into her house as Neesha stood out, wearing a slightly exhausted expression and slouching. "Maybe I shouldn't've come to Torin. There's too many weird people here. I really need to find that girl with the red eyes."
Sighing, Neesha pulled her heavy body back into Ciria's house.

[Inbred Chocobo]

Now how do you fight stupidity like that? Robert thought as Elaine poked him. Then an idea struck him. It was so ludicrous it might work. Robert looked Elaine right in the eye with the look of a father really. Calm, yet happy just to see the face. Being older than most of the other warriors here had its advantages, namely one being a better father face. "Elaine, why don't you go see if the others in the inn are awake yet? I think the preist lady might be over joyed to see you."

[Mesden]

"Oh!" she chirped, grabbing him for a hug and hopping up and down again, "That's a great idea!"

She broke the hold on Robert and ran back to the Inn, nearly tackling open the door and screaming, "ALIS!!!! HEALER LADY!!!!!!!!" instantly bringing a look of fear and confusion to the entire dwelling.

She soon broke into running around, checking people to see if they were Alis.

[Inbred Chocobo]

"That will buy us a little time without her." Robert said once Elaina dashed out for the inn. Robert looked back at the troupe. "So whats with the dragon that landed in your path last night?" Robert said casually, playing the game he was last night.

[Flarecobra]

"Hey, this close to dragon terroroty, sightings can be common. Other then that, I don't know what you were talking about." Draca said.

[Tarrin]

Bianca threw a few coins on the bar, "Ale and keep em commin" she raised her voice so as to be heard above the music.

A astonished look crossed Baltas face, Vargose never shouted, That was when he noticed her hand snake from a man sitting to her left the twinkle of coin shining in her hand.

"Guess he's buying" Balta laughed as a cheeky smile crossed Biancas lips, The two stood there, To anyone watching them they appeared to be chatting about nothing, But to anyone trained to notice then the small movements of their fingers told an entirely different story.

Within minutes of meeting the two were caughtup on the goings of the other, Balta had even learnt of a few peices of info he hadn't heard and a few he had.

Bianca stood Hugged Balta and made to leave, Laughing balta called "Close but i'll have it back" his hand caught his purse as Bianca dissapeared into the crowd.

That was when he noticed the red tinged woman from the other nite talking to the knight wannabe, "Hope this is less violent than last time" Balta thought to himself.

[Armored Bishoujo]

"Are you sure you're all right?"
"What? Never seen someone swallow a fried egg whole before?"
"I just wish you had took your time with breakfast. You're not even giving digestion time to occur."
Neesha slung her warhammer over her shoulder. "I don't have time for digestion. There's this girl I really need to see."
Ciria's took on an injured expression. "A girl...you really need to see?"
"Yeah, some girl with red eyes I met last night during a street fight. Said something about dragons that I really must know more about. I really it's really important. Life changing stuff, y'know?"
Ciria sighed with relief. "Okay. Well, I guess you'd better go and take care of that problem, then. Just make sure you stop by my house when you're ever in Torin again, or come back if you decide to stay longer."
Neesha gave Ciria a thumbsup. "Sure, it's a promise. Oh, do you know where I might someone in this town on a day like this?"
Ciria pointed down the road Neesha was on. "The central square is down that road. There's some troupe performing down there today. I'd be going myself but I expect my father back any day now."
"Thanks. Well, tell your father when he gets back that I think he's a lucky bastard for having a warm, comfortable house and a kind, beautiful daughter to come home to."
"..."
And with a final silly salute, Neesha was off, hurrying down the road to the square, leaving a rosy cheeked Ciria standing in the doorway. "She... she called me kind and beautiful."
Ciria backed into her house, closed the door, squealed with joy for several seconds and began a joyful humming, feeling better than she had all week.

"Wow. It didn't take long to find her at all."
The red-eyed girl was more distinguishable by the cloak she wore instead of her red eyes. Since it seemed like she was busy now, Neesha would wait before asking to join up with her until all her other problems were dealt with.

[PhoenixFlame]

Alis was soundly asleep when dawn broke, and had been sound asleep throughout the explosive night. Or at least tried to sleep. Sleep in a room next to Eliana was nearly impossible, due to intermittant cries of, "YAY! SLEEP!" and "DREAMS ARE FUN!" penetrating the night and the double-glazed walls of the inn. Of course, auspicious circumstances never easily found the poor priestess. She had merely finished dressing when Eliana returned.

"ALIS!!!! HEALER LADY!!!!!!!!" Came the yell, this time. With the urgency of someone dead or dying.

Alis burst out of the room like it was on fire. After all, Eliana had likely blown some poor sap's arm off, and needed someone to try to fix it.

"What?! What's the matter?" She asked Eliana urgently after she scene she'd made in the inn's commons threw the patrons there into paniked disarray.

[Mesden]

Elaina half tackled, half hugged Alis.

"HEYO!" her voice cheery and her face glowing with a gratuitous smile.

"That guy with the fancy clothes and the horse told me to come get you!"

[PhoenixFlame]

Luckily there was a wall behind Alis, or perhaps she may of hit the floor, or worse, a table. Eliana was a strong woman, and her sword was a very heavy object. These contributed to a tackle-hug being very dangerous. Alis cringed at the sudden impact with the object behind her, but was relatively uninjured.

"Ah... Right?" She replies, with both confusion and... Well, with Eliana, it was all confusion.

"So, shouldn't we go see him?" She asks meekly, after a long, awkward pause.

[Mesden]

"Yeah!" she squeeled, shooting her arm up triumphantly and taking Alis' wrist in the other.

"THISAWAY!" she called, pointing out the door (Which was the only obvious exit) and dragging Alis behind her through the people in the common room as if she was in some hurry.

(Got PF's permission to drag her!)

[Inbred Chocobo]

"Well listen, I know that dragon landed on your path, because I saw it land there as I walked away. I don't know your connections with them, but I would like you to come along. So will you accept my offer and come along?" Robert asked, noticing that others were starting to watch him. "I am going to gather a group up, and get the others here to join me, so it won't just be me and you if your worried about that."

[Armored Bishoujo]

Neesha was the first to see Elaina and Alis. Well, it's difficult not to see Elaina, usually because she announces her presence several seconds before she appears to cause chaos. Alis looked pitiful and Neesha was suddenly glad she did have breakfast. Chances were high that Neesha would be spending more time in Elaina's company, and Neesha would probably need every single ounce of energy Ciria's breakfast afforded.
There was no use waiting around. Neesha if anyone could deal with Elaina's overabundance of energy and she didn't want to leave the red-eyed girl alone without having her questions answered. Then she could decide what to do next.

[Flarecobra]

Just then, one of the town watchmen cried out "Raiders! It's the Dark Army!!" From the barracks, and those stationed through out the village, hundreds of militiamen came out, while the civilons ran away, panicked. "Great..." Draca said, and took off to the west.

[Armored Bishoujo]

Neesha didn't say anything. She didn't even give it a thought. She just broke out in a full sprint, joined up with Draca and slowed her pace to stay with the girl. Whatever Draca was going to do, Neesha wasn't going to let her do it alone. "You don't mind having a little help, do you? Of course not."

[Inbred Chocobo]

"Well, I'll be right back. Don't wait up for me." Robert said as he dashed back towards the inn. "Hey Girls. Bye Girls." Robert said as he wooshed past them into the inn. Figures the one freaking day I decide not to wear my armor, we get attacked. Robert thought as he went into his room and grabbed his armor.

[Mesden]

"OH OH! HEY!" Elaina chirped as Robert passed by. Then her eye was caught by the familier sterling hair and large frame of Neesha.

Of course...Elaina...

"NEEEEEEEESHA!" she yelled, dragging Alis behind her and dashing to catch up with the pair.

Alis' wrist isn't going to be doing well for much longer...

[Armored Bishoujo]

Neesha stared at Elaina for a moment.
"You might want to let me carry that girl you have with you." She said, indicating Alis. "I think she would appreciate not being harshly pulled through most of the town."
The leather bikini-clad warrior slowed down to meet Elaina and Alis, extending a muscular arm to take up the task of bringing the poor healer lady along.

[Mesden]

Elaina looked at her oddly, head titled as if she had no clue what she meant by, "I think she would appreciate not being harshly pulled through most of the town."

"I was just escorting her!" she said with the returned wide smile, jerking Alis' wrist forward to Neesha, as if presenting her as some przie or treasure.

[Flarecobra]

Draca ignored the girls, and just kept running at a high speed. "Please let Mom be ok...." She said, the lower part of her cloak being pushed out a bit by her tail.

[Armored Bishoujo]

Neesha wordlessly took Alis into her arms like a newlywed man would cradle his bride. "Yes, and you did a very good job doing that. I'm proud of you."
Neesha knew she was acting stupid, but she also knew what Elaina would do to people who were on the receiving end of her displeasure. She was thankful for one thing, though: Elaina's very...well, her very insane personality allowed Neesha to easily see what would keep Elaina happy...or she hoped. Cheesecake probably ranked within the top ten ways, and Neesha was sure combat and stuffed animals were right on up there as well. If only more people were like Elaina...
"Wait. That's the worst thought I've ever had in my entire life."

[Tarrin]

The hooded figure that was the girl from the earlier evening ran off, As she did so Balta noticed something strange, His senses where highly trained and something was poking at the back of her robes, A weapon Balta thought but what type? The girl seamed so timid that a weapon seamed out of place.

Balta decided to follow, Discreatly ofcourse arousing the girls suspicion was never a good idea.
As for the attack on this place, With so many milita and the fact he wasn't getting payed he decided that he would just stick with this girl for now.

[Mesden]

"Yay!" she chirped, happy at the "Good job" she had been given.

"Oooo! What're we fighting!" she squeeled with a jump and a clap of the hands.

[Flarecobra]

Just then, a four-legged, wolf-like monster jumped out and attacked Draca, knocking her off her feet and tearing off a good chunk of her robe, revealing that she had dragon wings and a 3 and a half foot long, red scaled tail. She glared at the monster, then unleashed a fire breath attack that looking like a smaller version of a red dragon's breath attack, causing it to light it's pelt on fire and run away from her, yelping in pain.

[Mesden]

"Oh! Oh! Dragon lady! SOOOOOO cool!" Elaina shouted, pointing at Draca and jumping happily.

"Legends are fun!"

[Inbred Chocobo]

"So much for me being the legend eh?" Robert said, his horse coming to a stop as he reached Draca. He had jumped on his horse after getting his equipment, and had closed the gap fast to catch up with her.

Robert offered a hand from his horse for her to get up. "Get on. Your obviously worried about your home from your distress. And unless you plan on flying this will be faster."

[Flarecobra]

Draca made "Oh...SHIT!" look, and slowly turnd and saw the group that followed her. She sighed and said "Hey, Can you keep this a secret? I'd...rather not let this be well known." Draca asked, looking at them.

[Inbred Chocobo]

"Yeah, I'll keep it a secret. But I can't keep their eyes shut so come on." Robert said, motioning for her to get on so they could get moving.

[Mesden]

"OH! I CAN HELP!" Elaina shouted, dashing up to Draca, twisting her sword from its holster in her cloak and throwing it over on the Half dragoness.

"I don't need that much clothing anyhow!" she said happily, now only wearing...you've seen the picture.

[Flarecobra]

Draca blinked, and removed the cloak and her torn robes. "Like this'll do any good." She said, and took off at a high speed.

[Mesden]

"Awwwwh...she dropped my present on the ground!" Elaina whined, picking up her cloak and running after Draca in curiousity.

[Tarrin]

"A tail...a Dragon tail" The thought sliced thru Baltas mind and a sneer came too his lips.
Not only had dragons destroyed his clan but now they also had mated with humans, Surely this was some plan to completely do away with the race he was apart of.

Now more than ever he was determined to stay with this creature, A burst of speed saw Balta following the hybreed, He knew he wouldn't keep up but he'd get an idea of her destination.

[Armored Bishoujo]

"Hang on tight, Alis!" Neesha said to the woman in her arms, still unsure while they were bringing the healer along in the first place and broke into a full sprint, the kind of speed someone would move at if they were trying to break down a wall with their face. She could not lose Draca's trail. It was all a sign. The dragon girl had to have the closure Neesha had been seeking for so long.
"She's fast, but I'm persistent."

[Flarecobra]

A plume of smoke was visable in the sky suddonly. Wide-eyed, she ran as fast as she could, and soon came across a burning farm. "MOM!!!" She yelled, and ran into the burning building.

A couple of minutes later, her clothes smouldering, she came out holding an older woman, dark haired, and covered in ash with large burns on her body. "Mom! It's me, Draca.....Who did this!?"

[Armored Bishoujo]

Neesha slowed herself down before Draca's house. With a quick look at Draca's mother, she set Alis down on her feet. "Alis, please see if you can do something about that girl's mother," Neesha said, and with a final worried urging of the word "please", Neesha moved over to a small group of people from town gathering to see the burning house.
"What're you doing? Get a line of water buckets going now!"
"I don't think-" some guy started talking.
Neesha didn't have time for this. "Do what I tell you to do. Go get some buckets, form a line, and let's get some water on this house!"
"Hey, who do you think you are?!"
Neesha didn't bother with her hammer. She simply moved up and grabbed the guy by the collar, lifting him two feet from the ground. "I think I'm the girl who's about to pull out your eyes so you can see how badly I'm going to kick your ass. Now get moving and get those buckets of water!"
This got the people going. Neesha sighed. "The people of Listrum knew immediately what to do when a house was on fire. And they taught their children what to do, too. Yeesh."
And then she brought out the warhammer. "I'll try to see if there's anybody in the area who could've done this."

[Flarecobra]

There was no one around, as Draca holds her mother close to her.

[PhoenixFlame]

"Ow!" "Augh!" "For the-*Crack*Arrugh!" generally consumed most of Alis' speech during the time Elaina, and, later, Neesha deemed it necessary to drag her through the streets of the city, and later, through the ensuing battle where the young priestess' mental cries about the cruelty of fate were suddenly and irrevocably answered. Yes. She had to stay with these people.

"If you'll politely let me go, I can assure you that I can very much walk by myself!" Alis yelled at Neesha in a very flustered, very aggravated voice. "Oh, by the nine divines, this is the worst day I've had in my life." she muttered additionally after the warrior-woman had released her.

"I can't do anything now, as you've sprained my wrist." Alis sighed in a dreadfully grave tone, looking down at the form of Draca cradling her fallen mother, as Alis seized her holy symbol with her left arm. She slowly approached Draca and her fallen mother, and while it would be best to leave the two alone at peace... It was her duty to see these things through.

"If you'll allow me, I'll see what I can do." She whispers quietly to Draca.

[Dragonsbane]

"Apparently we meet again. Forgive me for not knowing your name, miss Dragonslayer."

Tybalt's morning had been uneventful. He had eaten a large breakfast, bathed...dispelling the myth that all Felidiae hated water in the process...put on his freshly-cleaned travelling garb, and set out to find Draca, about whom the Lord had given some interesting information. Stuff had happened along the way.

Now he slouched against the wall behind Neesha, his hat down over his eyes. He dusted himself off, and walked gracefully over to Draca, "Once the healer has finished with your mother, Chosen One, might I have a moment of your time? You see, I was sent here on a specific mission of utmost importance, to find and aid you."

Up close, it was apparent that the blood of more wolflike creatures slicked the blade of Gallant, but his outfit was surprisingly unruffled, and he didn't even bear a single scratch from combat.

[Tarrin]

Balta stood frozen in place, His eyes glued on the scene in front of him, He watched as Draca carried her mother out of the house, Wait.. no it wasn't Draca it was himself, In his arms was his own mother.

A young Balta layed his mothers charred body next to his father and sister, There they lay dead the smoke billowing from the clan buildings, A sickly sweet smell wafted into Baltas nose, Looking at his family it was then that he understood where the smell came from.

Balta bent over double as the contents of his stomach came to greet him again, An eternity seamed to pass as he lay there dry heaving, Tears rolling from his eyes.

"Mom! It's me, Draca.....Who did this!?"
Balta came back to the now, Watching everything he snaped out of his daze and started scanning the area, Sky first dragons were the first thing that came to mind.

[Darth SS]

Kal was standing behind the rest of them, looking on silently. He'd been awake early. However, he'd stood around staring slack-jawed at Elaina for most of the time, then the army had shown up. Of course, he'd joined in the running. And now, he looked on sadly as Draca cradled her dead mother. Still though, there was still raiders about...

Kal turned around and crouched, bringing an arrow to his bow, and pulling it back slightly. He'd best give some minor form of protection before they got moving again.

[Flarecobra]

Draca set her mother down, and looked at the burning house. She took a sniff, then scowled. "I know who did this....The attack on the village was a fent. They were after me." She said coldly. She then looked west. "Dad...I need you...." She said softly.

[Armored Bishoujo]

"Sorry. No one."
Neesha came up empty, but at least a line of water buckets was finally starting. It looked like nothing would be spared the touch of the hungry flames, though. Neesha just watched Draca cradling her mother, remembering Listrum's destruction. She didn't cry. She ran out of tears a long time ago.
In her clear mind, however, this raised a point. Perhaps dragons were victims of events like this, too. Could Listrum be connected to this girl? Pfft. She knew that was absurd the moment she thought it. This girl seemed to be destined for great things. Listrum's destruction could have had one in a large number of reasons for coming into being. Neesha hadn't ruled out that it might've just been a horrible incident.
Anyways, this could be important. Neesha decided then and there that Draca had the closure Neesha needed more than anything, and if this was any indication, then she thanked Master Hasman for his teachings and guidance. His skills, instilled in Neesha, would prove most valueable.

[Flarecobra]

"You guys..." Draca said, looking at them. "I'm going to help the village, if I can, if they haven't pulled back by now. Afterward, I'm going to see my Father. You can come with me, but on ONE condition. Unless we know it's corrupted, NO ATTACKING DRAGONS!" Draca said.

[Mesden]

"Oh! Okie!" Elaina chirped and walked up to Draca, a wonderous look of excitement filling her eyes.

[Armored Bishoujo]

Neesha nodded and put her warhammer away. "Of course I'm going."
Neesha didn't give her reason. She didn't think Draca would understand, and would probably think Neesha was crazy for thinking what she was. It did sound kinda crazy.

[PhoenixFlame]

Alis knelt down beside Draca's mother, placing her hand and holy symbol on her forehead and saying a blessing. With a solemn motion, she closed the fallen woman's eyes, and stood.

"Well, I'm going too, but someone should deal with the funeral arrangements as soon as possible. With the enemy so close, to leave her here would be... Most unwise." Alis warns, harkening back to her earlier practices with less than respectable forms of magic.

Yes, the old days were something she didn't wish to look back on. A lesson, perhaps. A penance even, but the blood of a legendary person was certainly a potent agent for dark magic of all kinds. Alis would reccomend cremation, but did not wish to anger Draca by making such a suggestion.

[Mr.McSpiff]

Derrick saw the flaming house from the inn, and came running to the scene. He was still hopping on one foot trying to get his chainmail boot on when he heard Draca say, "You can come with me, but on one condition. Unless we know it's corrupted, NO ATTACKING DRAGONS!"

The knight in training tripped as he got his boot on... right in front of the group. (What a way for a knight to make an enterance :D) He stared at Draca for a moment after picking himself up, and thought, "Ha! I knew she was part dragon! Why else could she have put that big gash on the thug, and why else did I see that dragon standing in front or her and no one caring when I looked throught the window of my inn room?! Oh yeah, oh yeah - uh... I really have to start thinking more like a knight"

He then looked at Draca's mother, I'm terribly sorry about your mother. If you'd like, I could ask King (So and So) at the castle near my town (changed my mind now, the castle near his town he went to after it was destroyed isn't one of the forts near Torin) to have a funeral arranged for her.

"I'll accompany you on your quest if that's okay. I'm sure going with you will lead me to that bastard black dragon that corrupted my father and destroyed my town," he said that last part about the dragon maybe a bit too angrily.


(Yes, I caught up to everyone else! I'm not very confused anymore!)

[Tarrin]

"Yeah why not" Balta agreed readily, His mind already working on how to take down any dragons they may find, Sure he'd agree with the cross breed, On the surface at least.

Baltas life depended on his ability to lie, Be it lying who he was or convincing a mark he was their friend so he could get into a possition to finnish the job. Agreeing with Draca and making it sound real was no problem, A means to an end ....A means to an end.

[Flarecobra]

Draca looked at Balta. "I don't beleve you. I see it in your eyes....You're planning something." she said, locking eyes with him.

[Tarrin]

"Yes i am planing something" Balta gaze locked with Draca "I'm tring to plan how to use this group to help save your village" Balta looked at Draca with determination.

"Although if you already have a plan, Then please enlighten us" Balta waited for the reply.

[Flarecobra]

"No...I doubt that's what you'e planning.." Draca said, running back to the village.

[Tarrin]

"Mistrustful little thing isn't she!" Balta stated, "After all i wasn't one of the people who either maimed or killed anyone last nite" With that last part Balta turned down an ally and dissapeared.

Balta made his way past the ramparts that protected the town, Avoiding the battle raging on was a bit of a trick but he did it.
He then set about finding whom ever was in charge of this attack, He needed to make them consider a different course of action or at least delay their attack untill he could put his own plans into place.

[Armored Bishoujo]

"Don't let her out of your sight," Neesha advised. "This...Draca seems like the type who'll rush headfirst into trouble without really thinking about it when she gets emotional."
With that, Neesha swung the warhammer over her right shoulder and went off in full pursuit of Draca.

[Mesden]

Elaina...Followed. Not much to it. I guess she probably yelled, "Hooray! Conflict is fun!"

[Flarecobra]

By the time she got back, the battle was over, the Dark Army unit withdrawing. There was a few deaths, and no real damage done to the buildings. After conferring for a second with the town's Doctor, they buried Draca's mother. "So, what are you going to do now?" a friend of hers asked. "I'm going to see my father......he's told me that if something happoned to her, to see him. He will help me." Draca said, gathering up her supplies in a pack. She was given a new robe to replace the damaged one, this one a firey red, that depending on how one looked at it, changed to orange and yellow.

[Armored Bishoujo]

"You waste no time. That's good, I like that." Neesha approved. "If they all came just for you, then we should get moving as soon as we can before they realize their mistake."
She looked in her bag to make sure she had all her necessary equipment. "We can talk about what's going on as we go to meet your father."

[Dragonsbane]

Tybalt...followed Draca. Why the hell not? Apparently, no one can see him besides Elaina and possibly Alis.

[Inbred Chocobo]

Robert too decided to follow Draca. The only reason he hadn't said anything was because dealing with funerals wasn't really his thing. As he looked around, something suddenly startled him. Robert stumbled back a few feet completely taken by surprise. "What the..? Are you a ninja or something like that cat man?" Robert said to Tybalt, never noticing him until now.

[Dragonsbane]

"A...what?" Tybalt blinked at the newcomer, then noticed his fancy clothes, "I saw! Absolutely wonderful fashion sense, although those are last year's."

[Armored Bishoujo]

"They're becoming more difficult to ignore," Neesha noted when looking at Robert and Tybalt. "I wonder if they'll be going with us, too?"
Neesha wasn't comfortable around men. She usually only encountered the bad kind, or the kind that needed to depend on her which she somehow found more distasteful. These men would be different but Neesha wasn't sure if it was in a good way. She would've preferred if it was just the girls going to see Draca's father.
"In fact, I only respected three men in my entire life," Neesha observed to herself. "My father, my boyfriend and Master Hasman, and the first two are dead."

[Darth SS]

Kal was still lounging while standing, and watching the whole group. Apparently, they were a group of rag-tag travellers off to safe the world. Funny how things works out. Nevertheless, he checked his stuff. He was good to go.

"Shall we head out?"

[Tarrin]

After all his trouble it was only a raiding party, Balta scowled a waste of time and energy, Now the group had packed and was reding to leave, Balta stood at the back not bringing notice to himself, He was very good at that, he'd follow the group and see what lay ahead.

[Inbred Chocobo]

"Ah so what, all the new stuff looks terribly uncomfortable." Robert said back to Tybalt as they followed behind Draca. "You don't really look like a dragonhunter to me Tybalt. Why are you here?" Robert asked, trying to get to know his fellow adventurers. Since it did look like they all were going to follow Draca anyway.

[Mr.McSpiff]

Derrick followed Draca (Yes, I'm hopping on the bandwagon), and thought to himself "I wonder how long this group will be able to last before we all drive eachother insane."

[Raiden]

Suroz appeared behind Alis, the hole in the earth pushing him up onto the main ground. He gave out a massive yawn.

"So...I'm guessing I overslept again, huh?"

[PhoenixFlame]

"Indeed you have, Suroz. Kindly proceed with the others. I intend to look after this woman's burial rites." Alis solemly nodded toward Draca's mother.

"It's the least I can do. I'll meet you shortly." The priestess continued, "Go, and may the nine go with you."

((Vacation from this tuesday to next tuesday. During this time, I assume Alis will deal with these proceedings.))

[Flarecobra]

Draca's mother was laid to rest, the only death in the raid. Afterward, she slung a pack that was shaped to fit between her wings and said "You all don't have to come. Besides, only I can go into his cave."

[Armored Bishoujo]

"But you're in danger until you get inside," Neesha said. "Besides, I've got my reasons for not letting you out of my sight if I can avoid it. Like it or not, my hammer will now be wielded for your sake."
Neesha slung her warhammer over her right shoulder. "I think all of us feel the same way, or kinda like that. Even those useless guys over there, so please stop asking us if we want to come with you."
Neesha's expression was sincere, but kind of desperate, like she really wanted Draca to just get things rolling.

[Flarecobra]

"Come on, brigands may be stupid, but they're smart enough to stay out of dragon-protected lands." Draca said.

[Armored Bishoujo]

Neesha decided not to respond to that. If she had heard Draca's advice over a year ago, she wouldn't be in the mess she was in now. So she stayed quiet and considered the girl before her.
Draca was younger than what Neesha would've expected in the savior of the world, giving Neesha thoughts of hopelessness. But the death of Draca's mother, though a tragedy, gave Neesha a positive insight. This had to be the sign that Draca was starting to walk along the path towards her destiny. Neesha frowned on it, hating herself for thinking that way. Her biggest problems were something Neesha brought upon herself with her foolish assumptions and graceless arrogance.
If Draca's destiny was to be fulfilled, Neesha planned to sooner die than to let her go it alone and end up possibly failing. Complete atonement for her sins against the beasts and the cure for her hidden wounds all rested in this red-eyed girl's journey.

[Flarecobra]

"How about the rest of you?" She asked the others.

[Dragonsbane]

"...if you had listened, you would know that I was sent to find and protect you, even if it means laying down my life in the process. I'm not as useless as the man with the hammer thinks, either." Tybalt gestured vaguely at Neesha. Although she was female, she seemed rather mannish…probably preferred women, anyway. Not to mention that with the contempt she had for males, she was probably sexist, and there were very few things that Tybalt hated more than sexists.

He gave Draca a low bow, raising her hand to his lips and kissing the back of it, “Thus, consider me your vassal until the end of this journey. My sword, my life, and my honor are all yours. In this task, our fates are intertwined…and honestly, you’re a lot more pleasant than I imagined.” He smiled radiantly, baring the slightly fanglike teeth of the Felidae race.

[Armored Bishoujo]

Neesha found herself liking Tybalt more after she finally got an earful of what he had to say. Sure, he was a jerk and something of a pervert, but Neesha couldn't think of a man who wasn't. She couldn't even count the number of times Master Hasman got into fruitless drunken brawls, usually involving protecting women. Some of Neesha's muscle mass was thanks to those events. Neesha decided that Tybalt, and probably the other guys as well would be at least tolerable, and probably worthwhile companions.
"I didn't say anything about you being useless. I'm sure we'll be lucky to have you as long as you don't pause to cough up a hairball in the middle of a battle." Neesha retorted with a grin.

[Flarecobra]

"Well, um...I.." she blushed. "I hope it won't be needed..."

[Mesden]

"Oh! Ohhhhh! I'm coming, too!" Elaina squealed, jumping up and down giddily near the group.

[Tarrin]

Balta threw a nod towards Draca, Yes he would follow the group.

[Mr.McSpiff]

"As I said before," Derrick said, "I'm going to come with you. And if I'm guessing correctly, I think we'll need all the help we can get to get through this alive."

[Flarecobra]

She turned to leave, and looked at the others yet to respond. "Well, you coming along too I assume?"

[Armored Bishoujo]

Neesha felt really good for the first time in a while since the events that put her on the path to seeking Draca began. Finally, she had found the girl and things were looking up. No more fruitless searching of each city and town. It even affected her usually solid posture and she now had something of a bounce to her step and a grin on her face.

[Darth SS]

Kal nodded.

"Yep, along for the whole fun ride."

[Flarecobra]

"Well, I guess the rest of you will be sticking around here then. Later." Draca said, as she threw on her new firey robe and started to head out of town, going west.

[Mesden]

Elaina followed behind, some kid of irregular, but natural bounce in her step.

"Soooooooooooooo, Ms. Dragonlady, how far is it?!"

[Flarecobra]

"It's a couple of days. And I have a name you know." draca said, looking over her shoulder.

[Mesden]

At the "I have a name, you know." Elaina's perky step somewhat stopped and her head unnoticeably drop from the high position it always held.

"Oh, sorry." her voice sounded almost defeated in such a simple thing as her attitude seemingly acted the wrong way to someone she liked.

[Armored Bishoujo]

Neesha was taken aback by Elaina's sudden change of mood. She had already formed her opinion of the young swordfighter, and this change made her erase some things. Not bad things, either. Neesha could learn to like Elaina a lot more from now on.
"Two days and then we'll know what to do. I look forward to it."

[Dragonsbane]

"I did think to bring provisions, Miss Draca." Tybalt walked alongside her, the wind gently ruffling his expensive-looking gold-trimmed cape. Somehow, he managed to make the cross-strapped pack he wore look both fashionable and elegant.

"Fear not, Miss Elaina. Lady Draca isn't angry at you." he smiled at the girl with the explody sword.

"You, Muscles, did you bring food too?"

[Armored Bishoujo]

Neesha stretched, flexing her upper body towards the comment.
"Not really. I'll have to hunt at some point." A thought crossed her mind. "Actually, I'll go ahead. It never hurts to get the meat or whatever I can find ahead of time."
With that, Neesha slung her hammer over her right shoulder and ran ahead of the team, intent on finding some predator to turn into an afternoon meal.
"C'mon out, wolves. Coyotes. Lions. Bears. Mama needs her meat."
She had seen wolves outside the village, and was sure they would live in this area as well. Usually she would lure the enemy by laying down and playing dead, then killing one with the knife she brought along for cutting meat from her successful hunts as they drew close. Wolves didn't particularly care to challenge girls her size unless they were really hungry. "As long as the dragons didn't come through this area, there should be some easy animals around here somewhere."

[Flarecobra]

"Hey, it's only a couple of days away, you don't have to hunt." Draca said, then stopped from chasing her. "Say, Tybolt, you don't have to use any title with me. I'm not of any nobility....only thing unique about me in my draconic heratige."

[Armored Bishoujo]

Neesha was stopped by Draca's words, and glanced ahead. From what she could see, the route they seemed to be taking would be plentiful in edible wildlife. She wouldn't be hungry again until at least the early evening anyways. Plenty of time to find a variety of food. The only problem was that she was relatively inexperienced as to what berries, mushrooms, and other flora were safe to consume. Draca might know. And she was right. Neesha could always hunt when the party would eventually camp for the night.

[Dragonsbane]

"Milady, I am honored that you wish me to be on a first-name basis with you. Thank you, Draca." he smiled at her, "So, can you breathe fire?"

[Flarecobra]

"Yes, though it bothers my throat when I do so, so I don't do it that often. I don't have the same protection dragons have." Draca said.

[Mesden]

"Ooooooooh, really?!" Elaina said, seemingly giddy again at the fact that Draca was draconic.

Yeah...she's oblivious...

[Flarecobra]

"Yeah. Like my scales. Yes, they're tough, but no where near the toughness of dragon scales." Draca said, looking over at her. "And yes, I can fly, but not for long distances."

[Armored Bishoujo]

The trip would probably be uneventful early on, at least until the enemy found out that they weren't quite successful in snuffing Draca's life out. Neesha tried to entertain herself by picking out stereotypes.
Draca? The cursed heroine who has had to put up with a life Neesha certainly didn't envy.
Tybalt? Perhaps some kind of noble prince whose duty seemed split between keeping Draca's spirits up and protecting her life. And heck, possibly a love interest for Draca or someone else. Lord knows a woman could easily do worse than he.
Elaina? A hyperactive happy-go-lucky swordfighter with a tendency to take action first and consider the consequences of those actions much later in time, if at all. But that unique showing of emotion left Neesha a little confused if that was really the case.
And Neesha? Well, looking upon herself as cynically as she could, she figured she was the strong, cold bitch type who made her home in forests and plains and didn't express herself well because of her own big secret.
Neesha set her hammer on her shoulders and hooked her arms around it, turning her brain off and focusing on the trek.

[Flarecobra]

They continued on until near dusk. "We'll keep going, there's a river nearby that we can use nearby that's good for making a campsite, plus there's a rock overhand there in case the weather turns bad." Draca said. Though what she didn't tell them was that there was someone that lived near there that she wanted to see that could help them.

[Tarrin]

Balta followed the group, He would lag behind a little acting as a rear guard, he studied each in the party during the long days march, Tracing their movements hoping to see how their style of fighting would be.