It was midday, yet still she felt chilly, unaccustomed to the gentle sun of the Northern lands. Or maybe these were the recent changes in her body, due to almost constant use of Xotli's powers. Going back wasn't easy. Her guise as a priestess made her forget, no wonder - humans forget easily. The body forgot, and although the pain was gone from the arms and back, the memory of it still lingered: training without a day's rest with that sword wasn't easy.

(Auorix slides his polearm back and forth across his thighs as he sits by the fountain in the Noble district that had been the location of many changes in his short life)

Your road has been long Auorix Engel, and may yet come full circle on itself before your time here is over...as closed a loop that is possible at the least.

(Helm heavy, Auorix unstraps the chin guard and lifts it off of his head to rest at his side at the fountain. The lines of stress evident near his eyes and face)

You have endured many trials and tribulations in your pursuit of doing what you thought was right. Some has been successful...other decisions may not have been.

(Some children run up the stairs heading north towards the Noble's villas. Auorix pauses in his thoughts a moment to watch them play what ever form of combat they are imitating with sticks)

I arrived in the noble district to see Vatora being attacked by the Order. I charged into the fray and dispatched one of the assailants with her aid. We regrouped with another, and the three of us approached the Armsman. I saw our force was now outnumbered.

I had sped as fast as possible when the call to arms reached my ears. I arrived after our forces had to withdrawl. I saw disorder in the streets and no law being enforced. Below me were the banners and colors of the Deathlords, Midnight Brigade, and the Order of the Blade. there might have been one or two liasons from other companies but nothing more. 

My first thought was, what a unlikely bunch to have together against our forces...but I dismissed that thought as it mattered little. Seems ends must be met despite their means.

((I’ve done my best to capture the events of this weekend from Aurelius’ point of view, touching on some points, dropping a few here and there.  I didn’t chatlog anything (I’d kill for a decent chatlogger in the game!), so most of the conversations are from memory and as honest as I can recall))

Aurelius had barely slept the last forty-eight hours.  The dust and stink of all Hyborea’s lands still clung to him, even on the clothing he’d worn beneath his armor.  Every muscle ached, from battle, from travel, from the lack of sleep.  Yet, he still could not sleep.

He could only watch her as she slept.

Aurelius stepped into the alley, the door to the Green Man creaking quietly shut behind him.  He'd participated in many a war council in many a tavern, from the clouded rankness of the Salty Dog to an unnamed tavern, more a barn, in Brandoc Village.  He'd seen alliances come and go in his time as a mercenary commander and the Company he lead had fought for or against most of them.

But this war council had been different.  Throughout all the turmoil and strife of these last few months, the King's Guard of Poitain had always been the unlikeliest, yet the staunchest, of friends. 

     He stood quietly in the midst of battle, a calming nature crossing his features, almost too calming for those to stand in the heart of a fight. He stood beside one who controlled lightning as her ally and weapon. He controlling fire as his own. The sounds were loud and resounded through the rolling plains of Aquilonia. Sword to metal, metal to flesh. The clanging and boom of shouts.  

     Amongst him stood those of King’s Guard and upon their charge was those who called themselves, “The order”. He had stumbled upon them on their way to the fields of Poitain. He was unsure why he stopped, or let alone bothered to help. He did not know the predicament or why they were choosing to fight. However, He knew what The Guard stood for and whom marched in their ranks.