Not really caring what Lucien's plans were, Lei made her presence known, stepping out of the bush and leaning against a tree, her eyes resting on Jace, the knife resting against her thigh, a smirk on her face, "Heathenish witch? I could take that as a form of a compliment. But than I have been called worse, much worse." she brings the knife up to her hand and with the blade, opens a small slash in her finger, drawing blood, her expression never changing, "But than, I really don't have the time or cares to waste my breath on little toads like you." Using the bark on the tree, Lei's finger writes out the runes with the fresh blood, her smile growing darker, "I hope your not scared of the dark." As the last rune was wrote, the ground near Lei began to rumble, "Or things that go 'bump in the dark'."

Mairi frowned slightly as she heard the woman speak from across the short distance. "Hmm.... What do you mean by that?" Growling slightly, her ears perking forward as she attempted to try and focus in on the pale face. "A person whom speaks so easily like that.... Those kinds of words only fall so easily from the lips of someone that hides things." Speaking as she slowly let some of the tension off of the bow string.

Lowering the target of the bow from the woman's chest, she only held it on a spot of the ground near her feet. Although it wouldn't be that hard to flick it back up and let the arrow fly. "So then... If you're not my enemy, then tell this soul why you're lurking in this forest? Tis you be hunting for keys to the throne victory? Or some other hidden reason?" Eyes narrowed curiously, she examined what she could see of her. The way the shadows allowed her clothes to nearly blend in with the forest was not being kind on her sight, making her uneasy.

Brows raising at the way Jace controlled shadows, he was very intrigued by this ability. "Interesting.... Yes very intersting." Smiling now, lips curling as he realized that again he was doing what Makani was always calling his Cheshire grin. Fingers playing over the gem stone like buttons that held his thick coat shut around his thin body, the elf considered his new opinions about hiring the dragoon.

"Yes... Yes this was definitely a good idea after all." Murmuring to himself as he gave himself a moment and to glance at the fox kin that he had taken in so long ago. The way the young man was watching the pair before them, he seemed to be lost in thought.

Ears flicking slightly, Makani listened intently. "Wow..." The word slipped out in a hushed whisper, tongue darting out to moisten his lips as he attempted to stay calm and think rationally at all the amazing things he was getting a glimpse of thanks to the man in armor.

Narrowing his eyes slightly, the fox boy was wishing for a little light so that he could get a better look at this person whom Jace was talking so badly about. Hands shaking slightly, his mind was racing as he watched the way the shadows moved with the grace of water under the control of Jace. "This is amazing...." Pausing when he heard the words uttered by the woman, golden eyes going wide a gasp escaped him. "Oh my! You're a gypsy!?" Squeaking and yelping as he realized that he had said it aloud, slipping over to halfway stand behind Jokull. "Sorry...."

Jace smirked as the Shadow pierced the leg of the blood mage in front of her the sight of her pain made his skin crawl in enjoyment. The shadows quickly withdrew and retracted to this side Jace stood completely still looking at the women, His blood boiling in anger the more he though about the magic she was foolish enough to use. "People like you.. People like you Deserve the Templars wrath, All of you should be burned from this land never to feel the embrace of life again.."

Jace gripped his hand tight still keeping a watchful eye out for the women, then all at once a sigh escaped his breathe and a joyful carefree smile ran across his face. "But that doesn't matter now, My Shadows toxin has invaded your leg and it will be that much easier for me to kill an insect like you." Jace raised his palm in the air the tendrils like shadows following in the same direction rising from the ground then pointing towards Lei. "Feel, the embrace of the shadows you have hidden within your careless soul." He quickly swung his palm down the tips of his finger spreading out and pointing to different vital spots as the quickly lunged forward at her once more the tendrils heading to where his fingers had pointed.

Lucien smiled as he stood up, it was obvious the strangers were too busy admiring the foolish dragoon to see that he was behind them, a sick twisted manic smile appear across the mans face as he drew the sword he had out, red sparks of electricity dance acrossed the blade forming into a dragon like shape, Lucien slammed his opposing hand into the ground as an electric pulse ran threw the ground as it approached the strangers it circled around their feet creating evil like runic writing as the writing finish it quickly jolted upwards towards them both, if hitting them the electricity would course through all the major muscle groups and cause spasming of the muscles as well as possible paralysis. "Don't worry you foolish men, There is still hope look on the bright side, You will look lovely laying by my bed as war Trophies."

Kate looked upon the setting sun yawning and stretching out her arms, she looked down at Kanon, her eyes then ventured between the Setting sun, Kanon and the beacon of light "Well, its getting dark and im sure the maps will still be there in the morning" Kate giggled placing her hand against her mouth, then pointing off to a hut in the distance. "I rented a small place down that way for the night, I think im going to hit the hay.. You are welcome to come with me there is an extra bed" Kate smiled and ruffled Kanon's hair, then her eyes ventured toward the place where she had met Kanon. "Or you can go back to your home if you would like it up to you" Kate smiled and made her way towards the place she had pointed looking over her shoulder to see what the other would do.

Post closed.

Makani frowned as he heard that she sounded offended, but he would have said something, unfortunately he caught the sound of something from behind them. Glancing back Makani gasped lightly as he saw the pulse coming for them. Turning quickly he pushed Jokull hard to attempt getting him out of the way.As the electric pulse came up out of the ground, his legs collapsed and he couldn't believe how much pain the spell could cause one person.

His attention had been on Jace, but he was shocked when the fox boy pushed him from behind. "What the-" As he hit the ground, eyes went wide as he felt the edge of the spell that had grazed him. "Where?" Turning his attention to the dark forest behind them. "Come out and show yourself like a true man." Being in the dark forest was a disadvantage for his lack of night vision.

Sitting up, ears twitching as she heard the sounds of fighting in the distance Mairi frowned. "Not good... I better get moving if I want to find the crown pieces..." Mumbling softly as she stomped out the tiny fire she'd had going.
Making sure that the fire was out, she hurried off through the trees and walked wide around the opening where it seemed to be coming from.

Kate smiled and trying her best to hold back the tears that were trying to force themselves out, It was strange Kate felt already close to this person, Though she hadn't even known her a day.. "Alright you can stay with me" Kate giggled grabbing Kanon's hand pulling her gently towards the small hut walking in Kate let out a large yawn and looked over to a stone closet that had been carved into the stone hut where she had kept her sleeping clothes, she walked slowly towards it taking her scabbard from her wast and placing it at the foot of her bed.

"Make yourself at home" Kate giggled as she place her hands to the bottom of her shirt and proceeded to pull it off, gently laying it on the floor of the carved closet moving her hand to the other clean shirt in the closet and placing it on her body. "I hope you are ready to see the rest of the world.. im sure the Challenge will take us there." She giggled and turned around for a second to see what kanon was up too.

Just as Jace was ready to make chase a strange women jumped in front of him wielding strange blue colored flames. "I have no quarrel with you, So Please kindly move if not I will be forced to use lethal force to move you and I really don't want to kill all the competition before the Challenge even started." Jace shrugged his shoulders and Grabbed his lance the tendrils quickly dropping to there proper places amoung the nature.

"Oh your pain fox boy.. It fills my body with ecstasy, Please let me see more beg for your life as I slowly take it away." Lucien stepped out from the shadows toward the two who he had just attacked he looked at the man who previous addressed him. "Coward? That term is a laughable are you sure that's the last word that you want to come from that pitiful and weak mouth of yours?" Lucien Cackled as a Cheshire grin flew across his face. "Now shall we play a game of tag? YOUR IT!" Lucien once again slammed his hand against the ground the pulses ran through the ground towards the man and question, Except this time they stayed lit in the ground, spider webbing across the Battle field, Lucien pulled his sword to an attack stance and quickly charged the man swinging the electric charged blade rapidly and ferociously

Jokull couldn't see what was really happening until suddenly the little area became nearly as bright as day. Eyes going wide, he gasped now that he could see the man running at him and Makani laying on the ground in pain. "What happened?" Gasping as he raised his staff, focusing now that he could see the actions of the attacker.
Closing his eyes for a moment, he let out a breath and pulled out the power from deep in his core. Although he wasn't able to control all the power just yet, he would have to do what he could. "Slow freeze.... The air becoming heavy and cold, harder to breath." Smiling before he attempted to block the sword and faint to the side.

Makani groaned softly and struggled to try and push himself up, but it was useless. His muscles were screaming in pain at every ounce of effort to move. "N-no...Jo..kull... Not strong...enough.. Burning...electricity!" Gasping the words out and wishing he could get the point across.

Jace began to notice that the team who had attacked them was overwhelming them, he looked up at the attacking women "Sorry, im not in the mood for battle perhaps another time?" As the words flew through Jaces mouth a shadow tendril quickly shot up constricting, the women who wielded the blue flames. "Jokull,Makani.. We are leaving.." the man quickly ran two them both grabbing them and holding them tight in his arms, he used the ability that all dragoons were known for jumping and clearing the trees of the forest as well as the battle field. On the descent to back to a different area of the forest Jace let the two down gasping for breath grabbing his sides.. "We need to res.t..." before he could finish the sentence the man fell forward collapsing the armor hitting the ground with a hard thump causing dents across the once flawless armor.

Lucien frowned noticing that his pray had been able to flee, he quickly sheathed his sword dispersing the bits of electricity that lit the forest, causing the area to once more go black. "It seems its time to meet up with my partner.." Lucien darted towards the chest that held the maps and quickly snatched one, the proceeded to run the direction of which he had saw Lei run.

Kate smiled and giggled at Kanon's offer for food then let out a huge yawn. "Thanks for the offer sweetie,but I think its time we hit the hay. How about i take us to the market in the morning and you can cook us some breakfast if you like" Kate then proceeded to take the skirt around her legs off and place it in the closet letting the shirt drape down to her knees. "nighty night!" Kate giggled and jumped into the bed, her head laying against the soft embrace of the pillow, her eyes slowly closed and her mind fell into a deep peaceful sleep.

Jokull was shocked by the sudden change in location and it took him a moment to realize that Jace had relocated them. "Oh wow..." Swaying for a moment, he turned his eyes to the dragoon and sighed softly. "Geez... Used to much energy up all at once. You need to be more careful of that." Frowning as he knelt next to the man touched a small gem to the armor. "Makani will be sad when he sees all these dents."
Yawning loudly, he stretched and moved to check on Makani before moving his little friend over to stay close to the group. "I don't know what I will do with the two of you. Geez..." Mumbling before he curled up to lean against a tree to attempt some rest.

Makani was still in pain from the electric attack, but hopefully something could be done. When Jokull was checking on him, he nodded to let him know that he was fine, but it was more a wound of pride for now then that of a physical one. Letting his eyes drift shut, he grumbled and let himself sleep.

EVENT!

As the morning sun rose upon the beautiful kingdom a large feeling over magic was shot across the land, As the Contestant's had been sleeping the Clergy that worked for the kingdom had been plotting, On how to make the contest... Go quicker you could say as well as to keep the Contestants from the main streets from the Castel cities. Once again the overwhelming noise of the Clergy using magic to launch there voice was heard.

"Yes Hello Excuse me? This is Clergy Priest Stetman, It has come to our attention that this Contest has Produced Too many contestants and As of right now the Challenge will become not only a fight for the pieces but a fight for Survival as well. Across the lands of which the pieces were set we have Hired Necromancers to Summon Demons of all sorts to hunt the Hunters, They will kill upon sight and not know the difference, Between a Challenger and a Civilian, So I recommend those who want to stay alive to find there way to the cities and stay there." The voice went silent for a second then the sound of the Familiar voice once again pierced the Veil of Silence.

"Oh and thanks to our lovely Rogues, Traps have also been set across the land, as Well as a trap on each crown Should once piece be touched, the other piece's will be locked in place until the Challenge for the piece is finished and is rewarded to the victor. Happy Hunting" The voice was gone just like that, The clergy had started out right war this was no longer fun, Most Dropped out, For some it just encouraged them more to play, The thought of Dangerous Traps and the ability to kill Fueled there drive.

Waking up to the announcement, Noelle exits the tent to find Lance still asleep, he looked like a huge teddy bear. Scooping up a clean pair of clothes from her bag, she goes back to the stream to do a bit of cleaning up before the idea of dumping some cold water over Lance to wake him crossed her mind.

Quietly listening to the new announcement, Lei sucks a breath in and making sure Lucien was still asleep, she returns back to the village, locating Ele's scythe from where Lucien had kicked it. Picking it up, she hoped that Ele would forgive her..

Upon returning from getting dressed, Noelle notices Lance is awake, "Morning, sleepyhead." She plops down in the grass and watches him, guessing what is on his mind, "Either the new challenge has got you thinking or your worried about us having to face Lei." she pauses, giving Lance time to reply.

Noelle frowns, "Yes, I heard it." she pauses for a second, "Don't think so harsh of Lei, she is doing what she thinks she needs to do to survive. She doesn't have it easy, being a blood mage on top of the fact her heritage is off the Gypsies.. two things that most people seem not to like." she goes through her bag and pulls out some food, tossing some to Lance before biting in to hers, "Wouldn't matter if I took your advice or not, Lucien is out to get me and won't stop till he has killed me. I am just as safe with you than I would be with Lei in the city, only exception would be I have more options of defending myself out here."

Jokull groaned softly as he sat up and looked around the little area that Jace had brought them to the night before. Narrowing his eyes at the bright sun, he grumbled lowly before noticing that Makani was already up and cooking. "What's going on runt? What did I sleep through this time?" His voice was low and gravelly until he would be fully awake.

Makani chuckled softly and walked over from where he crouched next to the little cooking fire. "Here... Eat some breakfast and go wake up." Smiling lightly as he handed the little grouch a plate of what looked like cooked meat which he wouldn't reveal what type. Sighing as he turned back to tend to the armor that he had carefully removed from the sleeping Jace. "There was an announcement earlier this morning about how the tournament will work now...." He said softly before going into detail of what the voice had said while he worked on polishing and attempting to smooth the dents out of the metal.

Lance shook his head in disagreement as the women talked about Lucien. "I know him well, That man wants more power, he will be distracted by the challenge until its over, knowing that the cities are safe spots, I doubt he would break the rules and jeopardize his way to the throne." Lance looked at Noelle then to her hand remembering that she had no weapon to defend herself. "Besides what are you going to do if im busy fighting and someone attacks you when my back is turned?" Lance frowned then shook his head once more. "No, I cannot allow you to take the chance of being hurt.. You have to understand..."

The Aroma of mouthwatering food cause Kate's eyes to open instantly. "Mmm.. that smells so good.. " Kate sat up quickly looking over in the direction of the smell and smiling. "So you beat me to the punch huh? I was gonna buy us food you know?" she giggled and stood up walking to her closet and grabbing the clothes she was in the day before, then walking to the table and sitting down laying the close on the ground next to her. "So what are we eating to day sis." Kate's eyes widened the words had just naturally flew from her mouth, it was odd for her to call someone she had just met such a formal name, Kate went silent a blush covered her face. "Sorry.."

As Jace felt the armor move from his body he instantly jumped up standing in a battle ready position, It was then he noticed Makani had removed it from him and was working out the dents. "You really do like my armor don't you?" Jace smiled and walked over to the fox like man and patted him on the back "So whatcha doing with it?" Jace was trying to seem friendly to the man as well as showing interest in makani's hobby

Lucien followed silently behind the women as she walked away, Watching her movements as she picked up Noelle's scythe, He staid at a distance, enough to not be noticed but to watch the girl. Lucien had a feeling that the deal they made was a too good too be true. What is she doing with that scythe? Perhaps returning it to that women?

Noelle listens to Lance's side, "I understand where you are coming from." she sighs softly, "I've survived this long against Lucien, with and without the scythe. And I am not exactly helpless." she stands up and concretes for a moment before a little wisp of light appeared on her hand, "Spirits.." she smiles, "I don't know why I can summon them but I can, pretty useful to throwing into Lucien's face, he's sensitive to light, helped me escape a few times."

Not having the holder to carry the scythe, Lei carefully wrapped her fingers around the handle, allowing enough room for her fingers not be touching the blade. She might not have issues with daggers and knifes but anything bigger..
Pushing that thought out of her mind, she turned and begin the trek back to return the astray weapon back to it's owner, she was prepared to beg Ele for her forgiveness..

Jokull chuckled lightly as he watched the man jump up in such a quick and alert motion. "Ah good morning to you too. I'm glad that you could move so easily last night or we would have been lost to the fight."

Makani glanced up, noting the action and alertness as he went back to his work. Ears pinning back slightly, golden eyes rolled up slowly to glance at the man. "It's not that I really like it.... Armor intrigues me in all the unique differences and styles. I respect the armor and try to keep it in a fit condition to protect a body." Murmuring in such a flat tone as he set the piece back down on a piece of cloth to tend to the breakfast. "Here Jace.... Here's your plate and I hope you don't mind that I took your armor without permission." Settling back down now that everyone had a plate to continue his work.

Lance stared at the ball of light for a few minutes, it was like nothing he had seen before. "That is a very strange magic for a human to have." Lances tails swung from his waist to there proper place behind him. "Ah, feels good to let those damn things loose once in a while" He chuckled and looked down at his pocket that held the map. "I guess it would be safe if i watched after you and Lei..." Lance realizing what he said quickly shut his mouth, that name was probably taboo at this point around noelle.



Kate sat quietly only for a moment, as the tone in her face turned to normal. "You don't know what a sister is?" Kate contemplated long and hard about the word, it was weird trying to explain it to someone who was sheltered from the world.. "Well, a sister is usually a girl born from the same mother and father that is older than you or younger than you.. But on certain occasions some can get close enough to consider another, there sister..." Kate looked down at her plate and began eating slowly, hoping that the food she was putting in her mouth would keep her from embarrassing her self again.

Lucien watched as the women picked the scythe up within her palm, it was becoming obvious what the women's motives where.. It was time lucien stepped in, the man walked casually up to the women placing his arm around her shoulder and caressing her face. "Poor dear, planing on visiting little Elle are we? Just know this, though I have respect for you I will not back down till my blade pierces through her heart.. Understand?" the mans words were cold emotionless completely different from the night before when he had talk to Lei. Lucien looked glance backwards for a moment as if though he was trying to look at his neck. "Shush you.."


Jace smiled and looked at the man. "You have quite a honorable way of thinking Makani.. Maybe some day I could have you build me a custom armor hmm?" the man chuckled and looked over at the plate he smiled taking it in one hand and beginning to slowly eat upon it, he looked from makani to jokull. "How are you feeling today? Those attacks looked like the did some pretty heavy damage.. " He walked over to the man after finishing his plate and kneeled to his eye level. "Listen about the pay i was talking about... Makani can make me some armor for all i care. " Jace smiled his eyes going to instant blood lust.. "This challenge has suddenly interested me.. that blood mage.. and that women with blue flame.. Oh i cannot wait to kill them with the blade of my lance.."