Godiva's Rogues
by Paralee Emdy

"Attack when the enemy shows their face! Don’t pull back until I give the order. Understand?” Captain Xerxes yelled out to his units of men.

The men gave a cheer and roar out to their Captain, all except for one, myself. For ten years now I have been under the order of my Captain Lord Xerxes. I have to admit, he is a wonder to me and his men he commands. Strong, independent, smart, everything and more that a solider would wish and desire in a leader. But, something happened, something changed in my captain.

Ever since this war began, my Captain Xerxes has been tainted. Times of yore he had a moral for the men to draw off of for their downed spirits. But now he does not supply such a thing. He himself seems down, more down then he used to be during times of war. As if something had convinced him to defer from his first devoted service to his lord king. Sometimes I do wonder, did my Captain Xerxes put his faith in a new lord, or a new someone or something more worth his service? I can not say I will figure it out, but I do have a little time to watch this first battle originate.

The units advanced as my lord king had ordered them to attack the coming forces of the kingdom of Suma. Our men had the motivation to kill the enemy. They also had reason behind it all. Our kingdom of Xi Xin was in danger of being over run by the Suma Empire that had been expanding for three years now. I had watched those three years and observed the movements or eavesdropped when I was given the chance as I had been assigned to century duty around my military lords’ discussion room.

Battle cries rang out from the men’s throats and roared into the air. Watching this began to perk up my senses to the reality that was now slowly commencing around. “Hey, Damon!” Bonifacius yelled to his friend next to him.

Damon looked at Bonifacius with a dreary look. “Facius…we’re advance’n into the battle.., and you have the nerve to yell out to me?” Damon sighed.

“Yes, just wish you good luck and watch your precious arse!” Bonifacius said smiling.

He nodded. “You too.” Damon sighed yet again.

We advanced into the line that divided us from Suma soldiers. Men broke out and began attacking Suma enemy. My mind sat in a lost state the beginning half of this. I drew my blade and took men down. Their cries got lost in my mind as the enemy began flying in at us. I watched as my own side got slaughtered before my eyes. There was nothing I could do. I could only fight the men of Suma as they came at me. My men of Xi Xin cried and hollered and begged for a retreat so they could regroup and form a unit or more to take on the next wave of Suma enemy that came after them. But, did they not know there was no hope or regrouping…or, that is what I thought at least.

Captain Xerxes called our men back and gave us the order to regroup the living back at the main camp. “Sir, how many made it?” I asked waiting for him to tell me we where the few.

“The ones you see walking are the ones that made it Damon.” I sighed. “The other units of the other military units I don’t know about. We’ll probably find out when we make it back to the central camp.” Captain Xerxes informed me as he ushered the men that could still hobble back onward.

“Thank you, sir.” I said washed of Suma blood and drenched in the shock of war.

Captain Xerxes nodded and snatched a random black stallion and mounted him and rode him onward to lead his living men back to camp. Lead us back to gripe at the king I hoped.

We returned within the hour of night fall. I settled down around the camp fire with Facius and two others of my unit he knew and I did not. “You made it!” Facius said so happy. I looked at the tired, battered and beat Xi Xin soldier.

“The enemy seems to have beaten on you quite a bit.” Damon said in slight humor.

Bonifacius smirked. “Sure did! And I fought ‘em all off as well! Well, I did have these two back’n me up. Tell me Damon, where were you during it all? I lost sight of you once we embedded ourselves in the middle of Suma men.”

“I don’t know. I forget where I am and nearly what I’m do’n. I just-fight, and kill the enemy in front of me.” Damon replied in a grunt or two.
“Oh Damon.” Bonifacius sighed. “Soon if you don’t learn to calm yourself, you’ll turn into one of them mercenaries that, that, I don’t know…kill his own men in his own kingdom!”

I looked at my friend in a tired still gaze. “Facius quit assuming for me. I can control myself. Leave me be. Now, save me some food when you cook it. I’ll be back.” I snorted. Bonifacius nodded and watched me leave. I suppose I should display my thankfulness for him being so caring and thoughtful and everything. Yet, at this present time I could not.

Heading down the rows of tents that dotted the main camp, I came up on my senior commanders leaving war council with the king of Xi Xin exiting behind his many sergeants, captains, generals, and many higher ranking in command. I stood there watching them; my look must have been read as envy. For the king and sergeant Calhoun looked my way, the sergeant waved me over and I came by his waver. “Yes’ir?” I said in a dry choked tone.

“Have you over heard what we have sentenced your beloved captain Xerxes to?” the sergeant Calhoun asked me. I shook my head feeling my throat dry more as my breath increased waiting for my superior to tell me. “We found him accepting pay from Suma general Altor. He accepted pay so that he would slowly kill off his unit and work on killing off the other units as fast as he could. I believe he himself, your captain, started this very war due to the fact of Sumas land stretch and border reforming.” The sergeant Calhoun explained.

“And you tell me this why Sergeant Calhoun?” I asked amazed he even shared such details with me.

“From what we extracted from your captain, he spoke of you on numerous accounts. He called you his right hand man. Though, we know you knew nothing of the matter of the money involved and his plans, correct?” Sergeant Calhoun asked me sternly. I eyed him back in a partly awe gaping expression that what I had so suspected years ago had soon been found out directly in the middle of what he had created.

“Sergeant Calhoun, may we speak in person?” I asked still astounded. The sergeant’s eyes bounced to the request. He nodded and led the way to his personal tent down the ways. Men of I suppose his unit and maybe others watched me. Whispers of ‘hey, ain’t that Xerxes boy?’ and ‘there goes Cap’n Xerxes little snitch, I bet ye he even delivered the messages that got sent to o’l king Suma’em self!’ they even thought ‘yea, he did it, he helped plan the massacre of all his men in the cap’ns unit. Poor dogs, slaughtered down like that…all for gold from our own enemy that wishes our territory fer themselves’. I was a convict in my own camp, my own army in my own kingdom. How degraded I felt once I finally reached the tent that had a nice fire going inside. I thanked the sergeant when he handed me a warm cup of ale. I had not had ale in so long; it was like the god of mercy had smiled down on me for this brief moment.

The sergeant Calhoun seated himself down across from me. He eyed me for a brief moment, and then sipped his ale. He was waiting on me to speak; I had not known any other officer like I had my own captain Xerxes. Then here I was, sitting in Sergeant Calhoun’s tent as a guest treated like my own captain had treated me in the past. He picked up his gaze and rested it on me. “You seem slightly shocked, about what? The news of your loving captain.” The sergeant asked me in a calm tone.

“No sergeant. I just have not had interaction with any other senior official other then my captain.” Sergeant Calhoun nodded in understanding. “I suppose you taking me in as such a guest, despite what your men and other officer’s men spat under their breath at me and all. Do you not believe what they have said of me?” I asked and explained in part curiosity to what the sergeant had to say.

“Well sir…can I call you Damon or would you rather a correct address to you?” he asked me, I shrugged, so he continued noticing I did not have a care of that matter. “No, your captain never spoke an ill word of you. He only spoke of devotion and how you cared for the men when he sent you all out. What the men out there say is only what they have come to believe. Once we settle it all, and put your beloved captain to his sentence by our king, we will have it all set straight with the men. For now I am afraid you will have to burden their ill conceived words and thoughts.” The sergeant explained to me and set straight.

“Oh, I see.” I replied as I drank more of my ale that slowly calmed my nerves about what had happened.

Footsteps stopped at the sergeant’s tent door. “Come in.” he called to the visitor that stood outside for a brief time.

A man entered dressed in dark colors. He had long silvery white hair down to his shoulder blades and searching deep black eyes that rested on us. I did not like this man, but the sergeant seemed un-nerved by his presence. He wore a short sleeve tunic and boots up past his knees. Burnt umber pants and a dark tanned boots adorned his legs. A sword settled on his left hip, making him a left handed fighter I assumed. “And you are?” I asked out of line. The sergeant eyed me for the sudden sentence that was his to ask and not mine. The man seemed unbothered by the question. I looked him over for a few more seconds; the sergeant wavered for him to be seated. The still gaze he put on the sergeant un-nerved me more. I did not like it, the uneasiness grew as he looked at the sergeant more.

“So, you come as of why? Messenger perhaps?” the sergeant asked in question.

The man continued to look at the sergeant, my sergeant, in the same still cold stare I had seen him enter with. I watched his hand slip a little down near his hilt. More nerve began leaving me, then finally he set me into a scare when he drew his blade faster then I thought I could stand. I was apparently incorrect for I was up between the man and the sergeant before even I knew it and had my own blade drawn blocking his blade from decapitating my sergeant. He pushed me back and rammed me into the sergeant’s lap. I shot out of his lap and made a lower slice at his exposed gut at the time. I did not make it and he blocked my attempt easily. From my dagger sheath I pulled it forth and cut a nice scratch on his cheek. He did not enjoy that and came at me with more force. His blade cuts tried deeper at my gut and continued to assault me further, directed at my gut and sometimes my neck to detour me from the pattern I had quickly figured out. The sergeant had stepped back out of our way and watched us converse on what we had started an unknown feud in his eyes. The man continued to press forward on me and into a corner in the tent. Why did he not run? Why did he stay put? Why? I pushed away the rational questions I had in me and continued to parry the blows thrown at me. Once I had obtained part of his intentions on how he planed to kill me with his trained skill, I intervened with my make shift idea of how stop him. Our blades continued to cross and block and parry and all that. He sent his blade down to the center of my gut. I blocked and sent my faithful dagger into his neck just as he made a swing at my legs that I barely blocked with my sword. The man fell to the ground clutching his neck. I watched him as he sputtered in pain and his precious life seeped out of him. He lay there settling in his blood. I had just defeated another like I had many times in the past. I sighed and jerked up my gaze to look for another. I had set into a mode of how I was on the battle field. A hand rested on my shoulder and I spun on my heel and locked it in and pressed down on it and when a cry of pain came, I looked down and eyed my sergeant under my mercy.

I stepped back as I had offended myself and possibly my own sergeant. He stood up massaging his wrist and looking at me in pure wonder and maybe even fascination. I bowed my head in shame. I felt a warm forgiving hand take my shame and lifted it up to look him level and maybe, so I thought for the moment, equal. “I’m sorry sergeant, I never intended to hurt you, I-.” he shook his head at me.

“No, no, please do not apologize. I am the one that should be saying anything Damon. You saved and protected my life. You acted automatically I would not doubt. I certainly do at times as I am very grateful to you, I honestly am Damon. Please understand that.” He looked at me in a kind and way that proved he understood myself and maybe even who I am. I looked at him back in pure surprise and wonder as to all this. “Come, sit, you will sleep and dine with me tonight and tomorrow we shall discuss things further. You are indeed different from all the other men I have seen under any of my senior and lower command.”

“Thank you sergeant Calhoun, thank you.” I said so grateful for his words of kindness and wonderful offer for the night. “I accept.” I replied to him offering me his tent in a partial repayment for saving his life.

Sergeant Calhoun nodded and set up the chairs and knocked down items I had disturbed while fighting the man that lay near the tents door. I sat down and looked at the dead man. “Who is he?” the sergeant shrugged as he continued to set things back to how they where before I had messed them up. “He doesn’t look Xi Xin, or Suma, do you think Suma has other men like Xerxes? Or perhaps he was easily able to lure Xerxes, and this man is a bounty hunter dressed to kill you. But why you?” I began talking aloud.

The sergeant laughed. “I really do not know Damon. All I do know is I have a slight hunch after you brought out those questions. For all I know, King Suma wishes to eliminate me and the rest of Xi Xin’s military arms. The rest of us are faithful to our king. And King Suma knows this. He’ll bite at what he must to get deeper wounds made to hopefully harm our king and make him keel over and submit to his will and desires.” The sergeant replied.

I nodded. For all we did know that was probably his intention all along. Now we had to fight to protect our small kingdom that Suma wished to obtain for his own. And I will stand by my lords and king to help protect my land.

The Sergeant Calhoun had guards come remove the, I suppose, assassin. I sat there dining happily on some meat and bread, as well as the lovely calming ale. "Sir." I ventured after a lengthy silence.

"Yes?" Sergeant Calhoun asked as he looked up at me.

"Why did that man not stir you?" I asked curious to his explanation.

He looked at me as he tried to form his explanation. Sergeant
Calhoun sighed. "Honestly, I don't know. I suppose I felt our lines wouldn't allow any such thing, men or creature, into our camp. My lord king constantly sends me new messengers or pages that I myself didn't even know we had." the sergeant sighed and shoved some food into his mouth
.
I looked down some, I had offended my lord sergeant Calhoun. "I'm sorry sir. I didn't mean to--."

"Damon, quit apologizing. There's no calling for it. Just because you point out something that I managed to miss should not make you halt your speech to me about it. I don't know how you and the..." Calhoun let out a deep breath. "I don't know how you or Xerxes went about things. But if you ever got the vibe that your over lord is ALWAYS correct. It ain't right. Yer overlord, commander, superior, superior officers are NOT always correct. I am and never will be always correct. Isn't the slightest possible for any race." he said giving a look of 'well, catch my drift?'

"You're like him." I sad randomly.

Sergeant Calhoun looked me in slightness of a sudden fear to the comment. Then his expression settled and took on his regular over look of me. "How's that?"

My eyes traced his and scanned his facial expression that he showed at the time. "He too had a strong opinion and expressed his views. Lord Xerxes just as well spoke to me as if I was his equal. I may have read your tone and words, as well as expressions incorrectly sergeant...but you too seemed to treat me equal. All when I only be a simple solider." I explained to him. Watching his face, at points I mentioned how he himself treated me and my former lord and commander had seemed to detour into a partial scowl.

"I see." he said slightly tense on the subject, so it seemed to me.

"Sir, I'll take my leave. Thank you for your loving hospitality and kindness to me." I said as I felt his tenseness flicker at some certain comments I had said.

Sergeant Calhoun looked at me slightly surprised at my sudden actions to retire from his company and tent. "If that’s what you wish." those where his last words as I made my way to his tent door. For a few I stalled at his tent door and peeked at him. My poor sergeant, something irked him. He seemed slumped in a defeated way as he stood near his bed. His beautiful long dark crimson cloak fell from his shoulders as he undid the Xi Xin pin that clasped it around his strong shoulders. I lowered my head in partial shame. I had done something to wedge some sadness into my sergeant. I, I, was and very well am to blame.' Tell me, all mighty lords above why preserve a lowly solider of street breeding?' I then deported from his tent cloaked in shame and depression of my ridiculous existence.

I returned to Facius's camp to find the moron still awake, tending to his precious fire. "Idiot." I greeted under my breath.

Bonifacius looked up at me and gave me a smug smirk. "Saved yer food like ya asked. And welcome back Damon." my only solider friend said kindly.

I settled down in a sigh and slumped my posture some and looked at Facius. "Thanks. Sorry if I come on strong." I said sighing and burring my face in my hands.

"Don't worry about it Damon. Besides, I've been 'round you for all these years. Don't you think I know you rather well? I mean, why would I not?" Facius asked me.

I looked at my friend. Bonifacius smiled somewhat grimly. "Yes, you're right. Very much so correct. I'm still sorry Facius. I suppose I'm a little caught up in today’s excitement."

Bonifacius smiled. "Now that I wouldn't doubt."

A smile flashed back at my friend. "Thanks." Facius nodded and began readying for bed. "Good night." I added as I stared into the beautiful hues of the fire.

Morning smacked me in the face with its arrival. I could have, probably did, sworn the sun was purposely blinding my poor eyes. So as I adjusted to the bright awaking the gods had chosen for me Facius stuck his head in and looked at me for a few. "Git up." he snorted.

I lay there looking up at him. The firmness he had directed at me set me in a slight state of clueless ness. "What time is it?" I asked still blank to anything that seemed to going about.

The soft noise of men moving about, horses snorting and sending their language of the horse into their own sentences to one another. Men mingled and talked, others sprinted to and from as errand runners or a page on an order.

"Nearly nine." Facius replied in a sigh. "Hurry and get up and look presentable. The Sergeant Calhoun wishes to see you." he added in haste.

No wonder the peasant born solider was up tight. I slightly laughed to myself. He found this to be a huge honor to be asked into one of king Xi Xin's commanding officers tent. "Who needs mothering when I have Facius to tell me what I must and mustn't do for my own well being." Damon said smiling some as he set up and crawled out of the tent.

Bonifacius furrowed his brows. "I'd rather not be labeled as your mother."

"Calm yourself Bonifacius.I was only jesting. For a smitten moment you had my hear leaping in other directions." I said as I accepted the warm tea and horrid breakfast.

Bonifacius smirked. "Glad, on accident and at reasonable time, that I could send a blood rush to your heart."

I sighed and ate up what ever it is the officers or pages had dealt out to the men. Facius tossed me towels and a sack of 'stuff' he claimed would clean me up and clean clothes to dress me up reasonable in look for sergeant Calhoun. So on I walked, I stopped at one of the kings officers unit camps and asked for the direction of the river. I received a mighty large amount of distain, hate, and other unfriendly gestures to offend me and hopefully make me desert to my 'real chosen' side of the war.

Ignoring their hate and rather rude gestures I continued on down the way in the direction they had given me in unforgiving forms.

Finding the small river that seemed to swell when the rain pored from the gods heavens made me thankful. Escaping the mouths of those who hate me settled my desire to, well, even the score here say.

I undressed myself and decided against relaxing in the calming waters. For, I had the sergeant calling on me, and Facius to please when I returned back to our camp after the sergeant had had word with me.

Quickly I threw on what Facius had handed me. A brand new pair of military issue pants. A short sleeve tunic of Xin Xin's royal blue border in pure white with her insignia of a black panther baring pure white fangs.

Now, it vexes me partly as to why our kingdom chooses a humans animal for its calling card. After all, we are the race of Xi Xinians...cross between elfin and demons so they say. But, if I'm wrong do correct me, if two races interbreed. How does that come out and into a pure race? I would not know one bit. But that’s my thought on my homelands odd theory and history.

Quickly I collected my things and sprinted the dry distance till I came around to the drop off for our laundry. I found the man I guessed I was to drop my sack of 'things' at.

"Name and unit." he asked gruffly.

I looked at him. "Damon." I replied.

"Unit." he asked for again.

"Well." I stalled.

"Hurry up boy!" he griped at me.

"I was apart of lord Xerxes unit." I finally spat out.

"Ahh, Xerxes whelp huh?" he said slightly disgusted.

The disgust that people shared for my commander tweaked my anger. My brows furrowed and I simply turned and walked off.

Soon I set into a run to get me to the sergeant’s tent. I did my best to dodge all the major mud puddles and mud all together. 'Facius better be happy' I thought as to I was putting more work into acting as if I where a prissy little brat that anyone at camp might have to stay up and clean for an audience with their commanding officer.

Delight struck me when planks showed up for usage to the officers tents. I was quite the thrilled. For a moment I stopped and looked at the array of officer tents. I could not find sergeant Calhoun’s by his insignia for the wind refused to flutter his and the other officers flags.

An officer strutted my way down the plank path. I moved off them respectfully and saluted the senior officer. He stopped, turned around and looked at me. "Name?"

"Damon." I replied slightly startled by his strong stern tone.

"Unit?" he asked me, as everyone else seemed to.

"I was apart of Xerxes sir." I replied waiting for his thrashing.

"So you're Xerxes little whelp." he snorted. I clinched my fists. "Why are you heading this way?"

"Sergeant Calhoun has called on me." I replied nearly spitting the response as he looked at me in a disgusted look.

"Last name?" he asked stern again.

"Claec." I replied waiting for more thrashing from his lips.

He looked me over. "Carry on." he grumbled.

I took the opportunity and gladly left his presence. Stopping half way I paused and did not even know where the heck I was suppose to be going! So, I sighed and turned around.

At that moment I heard "Damon, over here."

Turning around to, who I assumed, who I figured to be my sergeant. And it was. He wavered me over and ushered me to his tent he stood by.

Following his direction I walked to his tent. I entered it and a second time, though this time I was not a guest, or so I did not think, I was a solider being called on.

He motioned for me to be seated in his provided chairs, I sat. "The sergeant looked at me. "Do you know why I called?"

My head shook. "No sir, I don't."

The sergeant nodded. "Alright. I called you to discuss the sentencing king Xi Xin has fallen upon. As well as what we are to do about your few remaining comrades." the sergeant began. I listened in dread. My fists clinched and began whitening my knuckles. "They have, well yes the council of Xi Xin’s commanding officers did have a say in what went about, choose to give him the pike...the wooden one."

My face settled in a deep scowl. Anger in me hit the restraints I had once owned. I jolted up and absent mindedly drew my blade and swung at my sergeant. He fell back in his chair, then quickly rolled out of the way and drew his blade. I beat and beat at his blade in anger with my own. I parried and blocked and lunged for my 'enemy' and tried to damage and hope my blade could nick him. Force and anger entertained with each other and my rage flew into an over haul. I could not believe it! I could not believe them! Sentencing my lord Xerxes to such a sentence! Even though he just about massacred his unit should not call for the pike! My lord Xerxes, no, he could not die like that!

Continuing on I bet my hardest and tried to kill my sergeant. My mind was caught up in pure rage and hate.

Sergeant Calhoun noticed my devoted rage and tried to wiggle into it to put me out. But I kept up my guard like in battle. The enemy must felt and I must kill him. That was tall that was currently in any form of existence in my mind at the current time.

Pressing harder I drove my sergeant toward his bed. He glanced back let himself fall onto it. I pushed with all my strength to make the sergeants own sword slit his throat. He pressed back his best and looked up into my anger filled eyes. "Damon." he mustered. I continued to push more and hope to avenge my fallen lord. "Damon." the sergeant said again.

It made me wonder where he gathered the breath while fending me off to even say my name as many times as he did. I continued to pass the blade closer, if I was not careful, the blade would slip and his would embed into my arm. Did he plan that? I did wonder it, so I decided to stop it if it was indeed his plan.

During my absentminded struggle I looked into his eyes for a brief moment. They seemed determined in a sorts, but also calm. That did not make sense to me, he should have the desire to kill me, correct?

"Damon, I am Xerxes son." the sergeant finally said after calling my name two times or so.

My attempt to push his blade into my sergeants neck ceased. I pulled back some and lowered my sword to him. He lay there looking at me in almost, a comporting manner. "How? You look nothing like him." I asked as my rage settled.

Sergeant Calhoun sheathed his sword and found some cloth and yanked off a strip and began bandaging a nice wound on his arm that I had given him during my rage. "He had an affair with another woman, other then his wife. After I was born, so he says, my mother soon caught sick in the winter. That I'm unsure of as truth. But he also never lied about such affairs. So that is why you say I seem like him. I am a little of him." the sergeant explained to me.

I looked at him astounded. "They why are you allowing your very father to be put to the pike?"

"He murdered countless men, how can I not allow it? He took pay from general Altor of Suma. To help end our existence he sergeant explained in his eyes.

My head bowed. Sergeant Calhoun lifted my chin up with his warm encouraging hand and looked at me in a form regard and understanding at how I felt. "I'm sorry sir, I was entirely out of line. I-..." I trailed off as the words vacated my mouth.

"I very well understand your pain, Damon. He treated me as the son I was, at times, others he disregarded my existence. He did nothing more then move me along in life. That was his only form of help to me. And what he ran off and did, the accepting money from Suma doesn't please me. As well as it does not go over well with the rest of camp." My sergeant said to me in some distain about the backstabbing actions of his father.

I sighed and slumped into my seat. My sword loosed it self from my palm and rattled to the ground. I looked at it, there on the tip of the blade was evidence of blood. "So I did nick you, I'm sorry sergeant."

"Don't bother. No more then a scratch." he said in a grim laugh.

"Sergeant, what is it you wish to do about your fathers men?" I asked in an attempt to change subject.

"Put you in my unit." the sergeant replied.

I nodded. "Thank you."

"Father asked me to take you all in. He said that that was and is the only personal favor he asked of me. So, since he asked one of me, I asked one of him." the sergeant explained to me. I watched him sigh as he finished half of what he wished to say. "I asked for him to fully admit what he did with Suma Altor as well as explain to all of Xi Xins men what Suma had high dreams of snatching. As well as admitting he was not loyal to his wife as he should have been."

My face had settled into the color of the dead. I certainly felt dead, maybe the commander was even looking at me as if I was even dead. "I see, and, that’s to commence today?"

"Yes." the sergeant replied. "Damon, will you honor my father in the only aspect he can be at this point? Stand next to me in his sentencing?" the sergeant asked of me.

I nodded. "Of course sir, anything you will me to do I shall do."

The sergeant smiled. "Thank you, Damon Claec."

My head be in recognition that he too trusted me as if I was his fathers and myself his right hand man. "Sergeant."

"Yes?" he asked curious to my next question.

"Suma has pulled back to her camps as well, correct?" I asked purely assuming.

"Yes, but how did you know they had pulled back to their main camp?" the sergeant asked surprised.

I looked at him slightly perplexed. "I didn't sir. I assumed since Facius told me we killed 'bout double my company’s death in their men. Purely assumed they'd run home and cry to king Suma." I replied.

The sergeant smiled. "Very good. He did exactly that. We're waiting upon one final blow from them, it will be hard to diverge it into two groups for us to break down, we're bound to be beat back again."

Looking at my sergeants face it came purely to my thoughts. Sergeant Calhoun knew we where all going to die. What a nice way to die. Walk into your enemy’s palm, get sloughed by them and basically shamed as we're cut down. As well as make Xi Xinians the laughing matter of the nations and Suma's personal jester for life. I sighed and looked directly into my sergeants gaze. "Sir, you don't believe we'll survive, do you?"

He laughed in a morbid humor. "Exactly. All of the officers know it, and so does our king."

I looked at him confused. So, if you very well know you and your men are about to die, you still waltz in? I understand the issue about honor and dieing with an honorable attempt at defending your dream and country and all. But, why not try to devise something that will save your men. I suppose I do not know the full extent of the pressures my king and commanding officers are under. But, I suppose they have their minds decided. Kill us all under defending home.

The sad realization hit me as I dropped my eyes some from the sergeants. He knew we where all to die, all the officers did. And yet, they have not told the men. I suppose the moral is low enough in their eyes from Xerxes stretch with his acts. So, walking in with officers knowing their fate and soldiers not. I sighed.

Sergeant Calhoun looked at me. "Damon, you with me?"

I snapped to life as he shook me from my lock on realization about our final battle. "This is so degrading." I spat.

The sergeant laughed. "Yes, that nearly sums it all up."

"Nearly?" I repeated like a child.

"Yes, you forget the part that’s self sacrifice." the sergeant inserted in morbid humor.

I snorted. "Sir that’s just an inside detail to the degrading whole."
"Probably." he agreed. "You seem distressed. You are free from today’s activities. Go and try to relax. Take Bonifacius with you and try to calm. Stay in the borders of our centuries camp. And return around one of perhaps two to hear the confession of my father." the sergeant granted.

"Thank you sergeant." I said relieved. I stood up and saluted him. He nodded to my thanks and let me leave.

I left the tent throwing thoughts in and out and into new consideration. Perhaps we could win? No, no, how dumb am I, really? The sergeant is very much so the correct. And I have no reason to try and rival that. I suppose I have a different kind of optimism then my superiors.

A sigh settled into me as I continued on down the lesser traveled paths around camp. I stopped near a horse tie and acted as if I might borrow me a horse. But in truth I was over, er, eves dropping on this. "Yes, they've detained him in the forest. Smack dab in the middle I think. Who ever he thinks he is ohhh!' a solider said getting rather riled to my captains acts.

My heart sank. I still called him 'my' captain when, was he really? I mean, he now does not have me under his command. Now, I am his son's command. There's still attachment to the man, probably always will be.

They revealed all I needed to find my condemned captain. I followed the path out to the forest and hid in the brush as the centuries took shift change. I sighed, what ease this would be with a mages skill! But did our tiny kingdom have funs enough to hire military mages? Entirely not! For, we are half and half, should someone NOT run across mage talent in our kingdom. Well, lemme tell ya, na'da shown up. So, I continued on slinking to and from various places that could cover me. Finally my patience found me my lord Xerxes.

He stood shackled at the feet, one chain broke off into two to hold his ankles fairly. Cuffs clung pleasingly to his strong, think wrists. He proud self had very well vacated. Was this my very lord Xerxes? No, of course not, this was his true ghost residing in flesh. It irked me further on the thoughts of him wishing to kill own unit and company fast, then be paid for killing HIS very OWN people he himself swore to preserve and defend upon becoming the solider and captain of the Xi Xin kingdom.

I sighed, then looked up. "Hey Amsden, get over here! It's lunch time!" A fellow solider cried. I thanked the many gods above for allowing e my desired talk with my captain.

I walked out in a calm, cool feeling. When his eyes cradled my very body I lost all I owned in will to act as if nothing had gone astray in so many ways. He smiled gently. "My boy Damon. Loyal in all aspects, level headed during battle, my son, my boy, my my." he trailed off in spouts of words. The night must have chilled him probably spooked him knowing his fate that only waited to cling and clasp him good and firm.

"My lord Xerxes." I addressed properly.

A soft laugh emerged from his death ridden body. "You come to see me under no authority, why?"

"Obligation my lord." I replied as it became harder and harder to continue looking at his sin filled faced.

"You hadn't obligation to me past returning with your unit I had tried to kill off like a bitches bastard pups. And, you needn't look upon me neither." the captain spoke as calm as death seemed at night.

"Then, I set my own obligation my lord, and it requires me here and looking upon you." I replied as he searched me over for more to who stood in front of him.

"You come fro more then a glancing of our gods forsaken sinner, did you not?" the captain asked me as he whittled the truth from me like he always had in the past.

I sighed. "Yes sir, I did."

"Then carry on solider." he ordered.

"Why did you accept the pay?" I asked him bluntly.

"Simple. My king Xi Xin paid the forces little. Yes, we are that of a small kingdom, yet I see things could be changed to better benefit the likes governed in his time of rule." my lord Xerxes...wanted to be king? I shook my mind of such a thing and listened on. "So, when this war neared, I spoke on numerous accounts to Altor. He said he would pay me handsomely if I killed off my own lords units. So I accepted. Also, once Xi Xin lands became that of Sumian lands, he'd give me my wish. Kingship to better rule what Xi Xin couldn't do on his own. The kingdom was failing. Admit it boy, the devil himself know this." my lord explained to me, he watched my face and smiled morbidly. "You are appalled of my true self, are you not?" he chuckled in depressing humor.

"I knew about your exchanges with the Suma general years back. You lied, sir." I brought forward.

He snuffed at me. "Yes, I did have connection years ago, I admit it. Plans did rise during that time. Their desire to move finalized it though." he said seeing I knew much more then I had let on I know in all the years I had served him.

"I see." he looked at me. I remained still and unaroused in shock to his reality. "My lord, your son spoke only distain for you. As that is all Xi Xinian soldiers have to say as well."

"He's taken you in, good. I wouldn't trust hells hands to cradle your soul." he muttered. "He spoke of only distain? Plenty of ill will regarding my soul treatment of him I assume."

I shook my head. "No, his distain was very little, but it had more body then the praise he did admit." I replied as depression started to ensare me with its arms.

My captain, was he my captain? I sighed and looked into my..no, I looked into the captains dark green eyes. So evil resides in there does it? I sighed.

He seemed to feel my doubt and reading my thought, for, he looked me directly and did not flinch. "What is it boy?" he asked me in a deep tone.

I mentally smacked myself for not leaving already, but I could not leave him, could I? Well, I could if it, or I rather, could force myself to leave. Yet, so much of me still loved this man and respected him. Heh, though...., what is there left to respect? Yes, exactly, there is none. Maybe it be pity I own for the old tramp of a man. After all, Xerxes DID in fact endanger my own life...and Facius. My mind split in two. I owed nothing to him. He nearly, no, he did try to kill me and my friend. I was so blind. I have become so numb, I cannot feel you there...you are gone captain. I feel no remorse for you, sir. "Good day Captain Xerxes." I said cooling, then turned on my heel and left his very presence.

"Come back here!" he spat after me.

I did not turn back or look into his demented eyes. Though, I did stop a ways and say one final thing. "Captain, sir, you are more vile demon then you are noble elfin. That makes you very befitting to die, very." Then, I left. My very last conversation with 'My Captain Xerxes'.

Jerking my head up I glanced the sky. I still had about, oh, hour and a half? So I went to find Bonifacius. Asking around he turned up on miserable century duty all alone.

Showing up set him into a pleasing smile. "Damon!" he yelped ever the pleased to see me approaching.

I nodded my greeting. "Hello Facius."

He smiled ever the more. "Welcome, very enticing would you not say?"

I returned his comment with the very skeptical 'No Facius, it doesn't seem to be.' He laughed to the look. "Come. I ushered.

"Why? You taking my watch?" Facius asked me.

"Nah." I shook my head. "You're done with this for the day. Now come." I ordered.

He looked at me as if I had more of the least sanity I was clinging to. "Damon, I can't just up it." he argued.

"Actually, you very well can. Sergeant Calhoun, our new commanding officer, has granted us permission to have the day off." I explained to him.

His face sprung into a joyous look. "oh thank the gods~ How'd you talk'em into it?" he asked as he followed me down the highway road he stood century on.

I turned my head to him and smirked. "Talk him? Why, I did no such thing. He voluntary gave this to us." I explained as we continued down the ways.

"Oh, hmm, very odd, very odd indee--." I turned my gaze yet again to the sound of a clean whistle and Facius not finishing his sentence. My heart shot from its marriage with my soul and left me near lifeless, looking at my dead friend. More whistles cried at me as their arrow heads homed in on my being. Quickly I set to sprinting, Suma.

I dove into the nearest foliage that lacked cover because of the many saplings I encountered that sat spread out a many feet apart. Quicker I made myself, and it seemed to pay off. The whistles cried less and less as I put a greater distance between them and myself.

Shooting myself from the small wood I looked about. Camp was safe and unknowing of Suma that lay behind the small wood. I set myself to sprinting until I found a loose mount. Her master yelled his unpleasant words to me as I rode off in a dead gallop for my sergeant’s tent.

The horse performed perfectly. She was swift and leapt over the obstacles I asked of her. We made it to my sergeant’s tent. I dismounted in haste and lurched into his tent. He stood taking his cloak off and in the process of slipping on one for a warmer day.

Sergeant Calhoun looked at me in confusion. "Yes Damon?" he asked perplexed.

Catching my breath and my nerves as well as handling seeing Facius dead, I spoke. "Suma is beyond the wood. They shot Facius and plan to attack now sir." I sputtered.

He looked at me whiter then even I thought my face had looked when I saw Facius down on the ground dead. "Alright. Follow me then." he snapped as he put on his sword and dagger belts. "Did you run?"

"No, I borrowed that lovely mare." I replied still in shock.

"Take her and ride up to our kings tent and tell them Suma is preparing to assault. That’s all they need hear. I'll take care of the troops down below. Find me after you do so." my sergeant ordered me in haste.

I took my message and shot up to the tent instructed to. I barged in as I had so been given permission to do so, and delivered my message.

King Xi Xin stood up after all of his officers had shot off, to commit honorable suicide. He looked at me, fear sent chills down my spine. "Scared? Ah, so am I. Nothing at all wrong to it. Just a fear any being or creature shares." the king held a calm and refined poise that settled my souls chills.

"Sire, are you not going to help your men fight. Suma is nearly five thousand, and Xi Xin a bare seven thousand." I wailed in a plea he might come forth and lend support to his troops that would 'Nobly Sacrifice' themselves for nothing, well I saw it as no more then nothing other then cowardice honor.

He smiled morbidly to me. "How about you?"

"I am my lord, I would never offend my superiors. But if we're all about to die because of numbers...then, are you enough of an ass that you're scared enough to hide here and wait to be found? Perhaps you're pray in the gods will have them take you hostage and spare your life for use on your peoples? If so, you sire, are no more then..." my mouth stopped spitting out my words to my king. His expression was that of astonishment. I had assumed plenty in a matter of seconds. But had not the thought it be true!

Hastily I ran from the tent and remounted my mare. Why did my assumptions seem to find themselves attached to the truth? I moved the agile mare into yet another dead run. She followed orders like a solider herself.

We sprinted through countless men scurrying to and from to prepare their battlements. and their resting places. It killed me to know their fates, and possibly my very own. But I still stood on my home lands fronts, prepared to die for her lost future, lost cause and damned peoples.

I found my sergeant mounted up on his war stallion of a beautiful dapple gray. He looked at me in the calmest way I have seen in my entire damn'd life. The calmness chilled my soul, was he even part elfin any more? When we fight, my race, did we loose all connection with our rational elfin side? Perhaps, and the demon blood in us curled at deaths fangs. Waiting to prickle our hairs and send us snarling upon their major threats. Those living for death would die by their own hands. Something true, and from Xerxes very own mouth. I watched my sergeant order men in question and men ready to be strategically placed.

I nearly deserted, I wanted to and just about moved to accomplish it. I had not the desire to die for nothing! I fought with a purpose, to be my lord Xerxes side. Now I did not have that. So now I felt I had nothing around me to work for, or desire. "Damon, draw your sword, there they come." Sergeant Calhoun ordered in a ghostly voice that made me wonder who the hell that damn guys mother was. For, Xerxes did not have those cool tones for war.

He came correct, Summa enemy bordered the forest edges below. The sergeant yelled to his long bows to send them his regards as they came to them. His men gladly let loose their bow strings to send their sergeants wishes.

We sat there, me nervous...yet the cool feeling of the sergeant next to me settled any death thoughts. I was in death, basically, I was sitting in her very palm. Now she was sending her fingers forth to clasp us all in her fist and claim yet another victory. My sergeant commanded a second wave of long bows, then ordered his short pick off Calvary men that rode our way. Here they come, here came our death.

"Oh Callula, you ditz. Don't pity over them, after all, they're only half breed mortals."

"Don't tell me what I should worry with or about, that’s my choice"

My mare seemed one with me. She side stepped enemy trying to cut her flanks or stab me with their spears. She moved in time to allow me the exact placing of my blade to kill the enemy. This mare would be mine, after all, I am sure her original master is long dead. She's mine? I'm acting as if she and I are to make it out of here alive.

The sergeant pulled up near me and cut down another enemy. "Damon, I have my doubts we can kill them all ourselves."

I gave him a snort of sarcastic optimism. "Of course we will, sure the gods wouldn't let use die, now would they?" I asked as I cut down more Suma.

"Oh, but of course they would. They certainly are now." my sergeant grumbled as he decapitated more Suma soldiers.

"Oh Callula, quit your crying and stop watching."

"No!"

"Fine, tear your pathetic souls out for something not worth your time."

"I will, and it isn't a waste of my time!"

The Suma enemy flew in like knats and sucked our remaining life. "Oh will they die already!" I cried.

>From the sky came the heaviest down poor I had ever set in while fighting. Men unmouted fell as they tried to get traction to run at me or my horse. The rain thickened as we fought on. I looked up at that I thought was the river coming our way. "Sir...is that, what I think it is?" I asked as the pace had slowed down because of the heavy rain.

He looked up and confirmed what I very well had seen. "Yes Damon, that’s a rather nice flooding river that’s coming our direction. Hold tight to your mare." he ordered me as we cut down men that continued to try us.

~A tear fell in her finger tip. She applied her finger to the overflowing river and drove it to wipe out all men of Suma~

"Oh...my gods." Sergeant Calhoun choked.

I looked up in a double take at the coming waters. "Uhh...Sergeant. I wouldn't support this during a fight entirely...but...retreat?"

Sergeant Calhoun gaped. "I very well agree." he choked more as we quickly turned our horses and decided to flee into the safety of the forest wood.

"I win."

"Now what have you done Callula!"

"Oh shut up mother, its not as if you truly care."

"Yes, dear, after all...you did call them only pathetic mortals."

"I don't wish to hear about it."

We made our retreat with thanks to the god or goddess whom decided to show us mercy. I looked back as the water swallowed all of the Suma men. Devouring them pleasingly. I shuddered and pushed my mare into a long strided gallop to keep up with the sergeants war stallion.

"Sergeant, I think you charmed the gods somehow." I jested.

"Perhaps you did, but no matter to who obtains the credit, we're safe and Suma has hopefully suffered as well." the sergeant said smiling some as we slowed our horses to a halt and turned around to view a sopping wet war ground.

"Sir, shall we go back and cheek for survivors?" I asked curiously.

"No." he replied bluntly.

I nodded and we continued on into the forest. "We'll be able to make it home, right?"

"Doubtful. We'd be better off making our way out of Sumas borders. So, we have to make it out of Xi Xin borders. Maybe after we manage that, we'll move ourselves into the Godric kingdom lands." sergeant Calhoun explained in his figuring of what we where bound to do next.

"Sounds good to me sir." I replied as our tired horses carried us on through the forest. We made it out and found the highway. "Sir, I think we should dismount and walk the horses until we break for camp."

The sergeant nodded in agreeing and we both dismounted our horses and led them by foot.

"Claec." the sergeant Calhoun said addressing me by my last name. I lifted my gaze up to meet his. "I figured since we're bound to be run away military comrades that I'd let you onto my name. Though, in public in Godric, you and I will have to use first. For, I figure I'm possibly known somewhat from our councils between Godric and Xi Xin. Anyway, to the point of this, my name is Finin." the sergeant finally told me.

"Thank you sir, I'm honored." I replied with the air of royalty.

The walk lasted for, gods, I do not even know. I just seemed to never end. We broke 'camp' if you can call it that and unsaddle our mounts. I set down on the cool earth and peeled my still wet shirt off. I pulled my sword belt and dagger belt off and hung them on a lib to air out for the night. My sword and dagger rested in the comphy grass and shined through the few openings the thick trees allowed.

"Ser-er, Finin, after we get in Godric lands, should we try for entering their military for service?" I asked him in wonder.

"Yes, that’s what I'd have had us do, except....the king of Godric would ask us plenty about why we did not serve for our king." Finin sighed. "Yes that'd be the easy way out. Except, well..ugh." Finin grumbled.

I settled my gaze on the ground, then my mind smacked my poor brain with the idea that I was so dumb to forget it! "Finin, I, I visited Xerxes before I returned with the news about Suma." he looked at me in a curious matter, and an expression of 'why?' So, I continued. "And, he's deeper in the vile world then I could have even guessed." Finin snorted in a sarcastic laugh.

"Very good, as I learnt growing up. "Finin smirked.

"Yes, well, I spoke a little with Xi Xin’s king as well." Finin looked at me in wonder as to how talking to the king was significant to what had commenced only hours ago. "He had something in this with Suma. Our own king Finin! He had also made some deal with Suma! He didn't scatter out to defend his peoples like his officers did. I stayed a few and accused him of waiting to be found and taken hostage or appear to. Then make it alive and live under Sumas eyes." I explained. "So, he and Xerxes both knew of this. He probably knew exactly when Suma would attack us and where to position cap for them to corral us and kill us off!"

Finin looked at me some what astounded. "Wow, very good Damon. Even I didn't know of this. And you spoke your assumptions to the kings face?"

"Yes." I replied sheepishly.

"And Xerxes, what of him?" Finin asked me curious to what I knew about him before Suma came for us.

"I don't know what you want. But all I figure is Suma rescued him from where we had him tethered. And, both of them Xerexes and the king, are probably in a sour liking for us."

Finin snorted. "Now that I wouldn't doubt." He sighed and pulled off his shirt, cloak and sword and dagger belts and laid them out as I had. "Try to get some sleep. And thank the god or goddess or even goddesses or gods that saved our arses today. Someone had pity on our poor souls, and that we should be mighty thankful for."

"Yes, we should." I agreed as I laid down attempting to settle in the soft cool grass.

Morning came kindly today, no slapping or heart racing wake up calls for me. By that, I sent another thankful prayer to the gods.

I sat up to find sergeant still sleeping. Finding the drunk of a tree I settled up against it to keep watch while he slept on.

Have you ever wondered, why must we be so thankful to multiple beings above? I mean, heh yes they do in fact have the ability to alter my life and this worlds fate by the will in them. But, did you ever conceive the notion to what they really are? How did they obtain such powerful abilities? Personally, it bothers me that my soul is just about in their hands, but is also in mine. The gods play with us like toys for their enjoyment. Yet, they also bless and help us. I sighed, then hoped no god or goddess had decided to listen to a single mortals thoughts. For, that for sure would put me in their disliking. You had free thinking under certain rules. Your kingdoms way of life, and then the gods. I if you did not respect either, you had sinned. And I probably just sinned. So I sighed.

Something caught my eye behind some bush. Quickly once it had realized I had seen it, it darted off and away. 'Please no Suma spies!' I groaned.

Finin continued to sleep soundly. The war had worn the sergeant out, as it had me. My face fell some when I sadly recalled Facius's death. Then I swore revenge for my friends unfair death. Someday I will avenge you Facius, I promise.

I sighed and began stretching out of pure boredom. As I went through my stretches I caught glimpses of someone or something spying on us.

Finally after a good while of stretching my sergeant woke up and laid there watching me finish a stretch. "Not get enough of mandatory stretching in your service?" Finin jested.

I smirked. "No, I certainly received plenty, just for now I figured I'd do it while I waited fo you to wake."

Finin gave me a skeptical 'Sure that’s the reason' look. "Well, lets get a move'n. Got a fair amount till we make it to Godric."

I nodded and went over to where our shirts hung to dry. They where partly damp, but dryer then they had been yesterday. I tossed him his and he pulled it on. We strapped on our sword and dagger belts and headed to saddle our horses. "Suma will probably recognize our colors and the insignia on the horses blankets. As well as our clasps."

He looked at our shirts. "Ye, yer correct. Probably will. Don't bother to put it on then. Give it here and put the clasp in your saddle pack. We might need'em someday later." Finin ordered, I followed and did as he asked off me and pulled off my shirt. Finin pulled out his dagger and cut believe able slits in them, then ripped the insignia of Xi Xin our and cut them into pieces. "Alright, that should hopefully say someone killed us, or something."

I nodded. "Sir, will we need new public names?"

He thought on it as we walked to saddle the horses up. "Possibly. I figure we need last, but I'm nearly doubtful, no, yes, we will need new last. Information will have traveled to Suma quote fast." he went quite for a while as he searched out new last names for us. "Ahh, you be Gaderion and I'll be Raedon."

"Where'd you gather those names?" I asked curiously.

"Prisoners I executed years ago. Their names ain't existent anymore, that I know of." Finin replied.

I laughed. "Oh how lovely, named after a prisoner that’s dead."

Finin smirked. "Fold up your cloak and pack it and lets go." he ordered as he folded up his own and packed it in his saddle bag and then mounted up. I followed suit and we where soon on our way.

The horses enjoyed the morning trot we set them in. I slowly taught my mare to lengthen her stride to match up with Finins war stallion.

"The stallion, how noticeable is his breeding to regular horses?" I asked Finin as things for consideration came to mind.

He slowed to a talk and so did I. "Hmm, well, I'm not sure really. I hadn't the stable education like I might possibly should. Do you think they'd believe the tale of 'my father was an officer and before he died he gave me him?'"

Overflow: I nodded. "Quite believable." I agreed.

"Good, thanks for bring'n it up." he paused as I nodded to his thanks. "Our swords are military issue, and made. How to go about that."

"Thieves." I replied.

Finin looked at me. "Now, that'd get us into trouble, no?"

"Possibly. Unless we fell back on your 'father' giving them all to you, then you gave them to me." I replied in suggestion.

"Yea, that ought to do it." Finin agreed. "You're sly sir Damon."

I smirked. "As you are cunning and quick witted."

Finin smiled and continued on the way. I followed content with our back up story as our military possessions. The road became collective with merchants traveling to their destinations. I looked at the growing collection of varieties of men. "Sir!" I yelled to a man up ahead of us.

He turned around and looked at us, then slowed his cart to ride up next to me. "Yes?"

"Where are all of these merchants heading to?" I asked curiously and innocently.

"Why, don't you know?" he cried in distress.

I looked at the man confused as to what I had apparently missed. "Seems not." I replied.

The man seemed to just about have a heart attack or something. "Oh my, where have you been?" he yelped.

"Ahh, we don't come from here." Finin explained.

"Where then?" he asked.

Finin and I looked at one another, we had not created our 'homeland.' So, I stalled for time as Finin re ached into his mind for an existing country or kingdom, or perhaps even a frigged village that magically produced two well equipped soldiers on fine mounts. "No matter our location, tell me the event." I pushed aside.

The man seemed unpleased with his answer going unanswered, but put it as something that really had no matter to the subject we had formed. "Well, there’s cause for celebration for multiple reasons actually. One would be wonderful king Suma has defeated the lowly Xi Xinian kingdom. "My stomach drove the remnants of anything inside of me into a black pit. He was happy our army had been killed! I glanced over at Finin, he had the same deathly pale look to him But luckily the man did not notice it. "Everyone knows they're a bastard kingdom with bastard children and all. We all know that. So king Suma eliminated the incestuous creatures from the planet!" he seemed glorified to the very fact, as I a Xi Xinian...I felt like the bastard he called us. Finin seemed to catch how I felt and patted the top of my hand in assurance we would find some way to even this out. "And now us native Sumians are returning for celebration of the kings victory. Though one thing that does vex me. When my lord king Suma had sent his men out, I heard that the river flooded out and drowned units upon units of men. Very sad." A small smirk spread to my lips, as they made a smile on Finins face. Once again the man was wrapped up in his heroing tale about his mighty Suma empire. "But we return in victory. Then there's the announcement that our king is putting up his daughters hand to which ever man can please her." he glowed with pride as if he was to be that man. "Story from the soldiers mouth goes that there where two Xi Xin soldiers they had left to kill. Names unknown I think, anyway. That river seemed to be driven by the gods themselves! I myself don't understand why they would allow such nasty creatures as Xi Xin to live and escape. I heard there is a reward to who ever catches them and brings them alive to my lord Suma. Make you wonder 'what' and 'why they're so valued huh?" I swallowed and felt chills fly down my spine. I just hate being THAT wanted. My gods! "Say, did you say where you where from?" he asked curiously.

"Oh, no, we didn't. It's Rheghed." Finin sputtered.

I shook my head slightly. He came up with things faster then I figured possible, but he did. "Yes, Rheghed." I mimicked.

"Now wonder you hadn't heard a thing! So far from home!" the man yelped impressed. We nodded. "So, where are you heading?" he asked.

Not again! I groaned. "Well, we had no entire purpose. Really we where both curious about the outside world." Finin said quickly.

"Oh, adventuring eh?" he asked smiling. "How 'bout you boys accompany me to Suma to celebrate all this? What say you?"

I looked at Finin, he was biting back the same desire I myself had. Simply, we wanted to kill the Suma man. "Sure." Finin said through a forced 'yes.'

"How grand!" he said entirely the thrilled. I groaned, stuck with HIM for oh my gods how long?

"Say, how far from here to Suma?" I asked.

"Mmm, depends. There’s a port here in the up coming kingdom of Godric. Yet, that yields me want to go. Too expensive to travel myself and my lovelies behind me. And with yourselves. It'd be mighty more." he replied partly. Oh, I was all for and over the idea of going by ship! Anything to end the voyage and trip with him sooner put forth had my devotion directly upon suggestion. "Otherwise its good, mm, week or two by foot." he let on.

"We can pay for our part of the trip sir, and help you along." Finin said gruffly.

"Can you now?" the man asked perplexed that he would have so much.

We do? I blinked, since when? Finin flashed a look at me. We did not have any money as I figured. So, I nudged his claim along. "Yes, though it would be mighty wise to spend the night in Godric and let us scope the ships out." I suggested. Finins face relaxed to me catching to help cover him.

"Yes, I do agree with him." Finin added on strongly.

The man looked us over. He knew we had not travelers experience, or not all that much. So he asked, "And you know this how? Rheghed is up in mountain and valley lands, is she not?" he got us, hell if we knew Rhegheds damn lay out of her gods forsaken lands. And he thought Xi Xin was bad? What the hell? Rheghed, why the damn'd hell'd Finin say the bitching Rheghed? I sighed. Rheghed had a more known reputation for vile demons and demon breeding then Xi Xin. This made me wonder what the threat Xi Xin placed existing. For, we where so small and quite the peaceful bunch. It could not have been our bloody basatard king. He had a deal, but how early? Why? Xi Xin lands had something Suma detested, but what? We were not rich in the metals or jewls. I sat vexed by the thoughts and figured I should get myself to speak to Finin on private grounds about my thoughts. I sighed, shit, I had forsaken, offended, insulted, damn'd and who knows what the bloody else I did. Now we where screwed, the gods for sure heard me and where bound to make me pay.

Finin went a sickly pale, so I figured, had be been Rheghed? Not likely, so I tried it. "Sir, have you been to Rheghed?"

He looked at me surprised by the direct questioning he had just given.

"Well, no, but you here claim knowledge about ports and ships and ways to comendur their vessels for a bargain. And yet, Rheghed has NO ports!" he pointed out satisfied.

I smirked. "Correct, Rheghed has no ports." I sure as hell knew she had a river named the Tigress that split her down the middle, then that broke into a bay named the Lionel. They had ports. That Xerxes had told me years back when he had gone to pick up supplies for our men before spring training came. But, to make the man feel as the elder power I let him have his correct word. "But, we did travel through costal kingdoms like Irwyn and Isen and its third brother kingdom Irenbend."

He seemed impressed and envious we visited there. "So be it, we'll rest in Godric. I'll try to make sale in the market till we depart while you boys find a good ship for passage to Suma."

We nodded. "Yes, that we shall." Finin added strongly.

I sighed and grumbled as to when the man began talking to us. 'Travel Partners' he called us. I fidgeted at the title. No such thing! Not my ideal 'Travel Partner', Finin and the horses accounted for more then a 'Travel Partner'. I'm gonna ride on ahead into Godric, care to race me?" he chided all giddy. By that I assumed he had never had a ship voyage of any kind or length.

"No thanks, the horses are exhausted as is, you go on and we'll see you there." Finin coaxed along happily. He nodded and sped away the excited.

"Thank the gods he's easy." Finin laughed to my comment.

"Yes, I can agree." he said smirking.

"Finin, I thought up matters I need to council on." he nodded. Along the road as we traveled was not smooth. Travelers and snitches traveled as the same.

I turned my head up and looked back behind me. Finin noticed the something as I. We atwched a messenger for Godric behind us. His colors of royal purple and royal blue flaping in the wind as the rode up in a fast gallop. He wized byu us in haste. An idea flew into my mind. So I kicked my mare into a fast gallop to keep up with the sprinting messenger. We rode up along them and I loosened myself from my mares saddle and lept onto the messenger. He and I tumbled from his mount and crashed onto the ground. I landed ontop of him and punched him a few in the face. He began caughing and wheezing from the air knocked out of him and me punching the hell out of him. I pulled out my dagger and drove it to his temple, not hard enough to kill--but enough to knock him out.

Finin trotted up to me as I pulled on the Godric messengers clothes. "An...interesting way to get us in." I smirked.

I finished pulling them on and pulled the unvolentairly sleeping messenger into the brush. Finin untacked the messengers mount and threw it on my mare and put my tack on the messengers mount. He teathered the horse to his mount and mounted up. "Ready?" I asked as I settled the messenger bag around my body.

"Yeah. I'll be your escort." Finin said as we trotted back onto the highway and onto Godric.

"Now, getting into Godrics palace..easy yes. But Finin, what about the Sumian bastard?" I asked and pondered.

Finin Looked at me. "According to many that have disliked Xi Xin for what ever reason, we're the bastards. And as for hat ass of Suma...you go to the palace for your, whats yer reason?"

"To read this messege or hand it over which came in the diretion we did, and to scoop up any comment news about our war." I replied as we ventured into the path that led to the drawbridge.

"Ahh, very good!" Finin smiled pleased to my answer. "Alright, meet me in the docks. I know an old friend here, luckily. So, find the ship named Lady Pirate later on today and I'll wait on you there. Then we'll go out and find that Sumian man, or bastard as you prefer."

"Sounds good!" I said thrilled with the plan. "Er, Finin."

"Hmm?" he said waiting for me to ask.

"Is there a certain 'way' I go about this messenger business?" I asked before we crossed the drawbridge that had been lowered as we spoke.

"Really yer pa--er, new enduetied days?" I nodded. "Remember how you delivered simple things?" I nodded again. "Do that. Play dumb while yer at it." Finin explained to me.

"Oh! Ahh, ok later Finin!" I said as we trotted into the roads of Godric inner walls. I, 'Godrics Messenger' sped away in 'haste'. The mare snorted back at me, complaining she was too tired to act speedy. But that’s exactly what I needed, an exhausted horse to help play my 'Godric Messenger'.

We made it to the city square. I halted m mare and sat in aw. Godric is beautiful! Her city had towering homes of local salesmen and craftsmen and more. Cobbled roads remained smooth and worn down to an even smoothness. I moved her on in a believable 'tired exhausted' trot down the road that lead up to the castle which had the moat about it and yet another draw bridge.

The people watched me in wonder, and worry, a messenger on horse that could not move his beat horse faster then a death loped trot.

I looked up ahead and cringed. Godric centuries stood at a small sub gate that led onto the castle and her royal b lue painted gate. The centuries watched me approach. Some leaned over and whispered to and from one another. The made me somewhat uneasy. But I continued on and pulled up to them in a desperate attempt to make it up to them as if I cared, which I partly did and could care less then shit.

I reined her to a halt and nodded a salute to them. They nodded back. "You the messenger Lord Zeno sent?"

Zeno? What eh hell is he doing in...I thought, is he Suma? Damn'it! I know that name, he belongs to Suma but is Xi Xin born. Xerxes told me this years ago. Zeno was a normal peasant who joined up into Xi Xin’s army, but according to Xerxes, he 'disappeared' during a skirmish. Then never appeared. Soon his name was forgotten, but slowly reappeared but in claims he was Sumian, not Xi Xinian. "Uhh...yea." I replied finally after I had beat about my brain for past recollections of things I had not the knowledge I would soon need.

"Proceed." a soldier said allowing me onward.

I was surprised that hey let me by so fast. SO I took it and went. UP the road to the draw bridge my mare grumpily took me. I watched the castle come up and men yell to lower the bridge. It smashed down and let me on. By now my mare was nearly refusing to walk me any further. I dismounted her and led her the reset over the bridge.

Quickly a stable boy sprinted out as we walked into the inner ward. He sprinted up and hastily took my mares reins. "Now hurry to my lord kings audience." he ushered.

I stood there looking at the boy. He stood there looking at me as if I was mad. "Sorry, long ride, I'm just now catching the events."

His face seemed to relax to my lie about why I stalled, when in reality I did not know where the hell anything was! "I can understand, but you must go!" he cried.

"Alright, alright." I grumbled as I started up to the main doors that led to the castles halls.

The doors slammed shut once I got inside. I flinched at the sound, then glanced about me. Two centuries looked at me in a curious manner. I decided against asking them where to go and began on my own. The first servant I ran into, ask them! I thought.

Down the well decorated halls that boasted Godrics victory at war, how much you wanna bet Suma had Godric men dressed in Suma attire! As I trotted down the cool halls I began to wonder if I could get someone to answer this question. I turned a corner and nearly collided with some maid’s carrying laundry. "I'm sorry milady’s." I apologized respectfully. They made soft yelps to the near collision. Then blushed at the addressing I had given. Damn, called them ladies when they are only maids! Damn'it! "Very sorry, though can you point me in the direction that your king awaits messengers?"

"Head down this way and turn left untill you meet up with centuries at the doors." a maid provided for me.

"Thank you, and good day." I replied. They nodded and I split for the room I did not have a clue upon the hall it was even in.

I ran down the halls, and then stopped. Realizing I wanted to know what the mssage said. So, I opened a random door praying to the gods no one would see me enter this very nice room of a lady.

In the room I embeded myself in somewhere in case someoen entered, I would not be found. Perfect, I thought, a place between the bed and a tall dresser. Quickly I fumbled with the message and brke the seal. Now, excuse for it being open. I got it, smashed when Xixinians knocked me off my horse and then persued down a forest and ok, got the excuse.

Opening the letter and unrolling it I listened as voices walked past my room of hiding, it read:

Dear King Octavius,

We have killed all of Xixins military force and shall march on her capital the morrow. I have nothing further in knowledge about the rumors of the two surviving Xixin soldiers. For all we can say it is rumor and nothing more started by our neighbors in Rheghed.
Also, I have yet to convince Rheghed to join our efforts. If we can unite six of the eleven existing kingdoms in the North West, we'll be good for taking on the other five in battle.

Please reply,
Sincerly, Lord Xerxes

I stared at the signature. Xerxes! No! He is alive then, I grimaced; now we really did have to kill the son of a bitch. My mind beat and slapped me for being so stupid. Zeno is Xerxes middle name, is it not? If it is..oh the hell. Xerxes was in two places at once? I shook my head and rolled it back up and tucked it into my satchel, then made my way from the room unseen.

Finding my way out of the halls that only had rooms for nobles I happened upon a room, er, doors guarded by centuries. "My lord king Octavius in here?" I asked casually.

The two nodded and opened the doors to admit me in. I walked up the ways watching the king. He had no expressions of thought, only curiosity and wonder to the message I had read. I made it up to the king and presented the message with the broken seal to him.

"Messenger, this has an opened seal. Did you read it?" King Octavius inquired angered.

"No sire, I was pursued by Xixin and then unhorsed. I had the bag on me at the time and I landed on it. There for it broke the seal. I'm sorry my lord. I t’was accident." I said hoping he would believe my as I looked down at the lush and vibrant carpets.

He snorted. "Xixin, the two soldiers."

"I don't know sire, just know it was Xixin that tried to kill me. But I ridded us of them soon after." I replied with my heart smacking the hell out of my rib cage. If I stayed here any longer, I assumed my ribs would give in and break to my hearts beating force.

"I see, you're dismissed. Thank you for your services." the king thanked me as I rose and soon sprinted to the doors.

Once out of the king’s room I let out a breath of relief. I did NOT wish to do that again. I grunted and began walking down the halls in search of somewhere to snatch a tunic and rid myself of the Godric colors.

"Sir." came a young boys voice behind me. I mentally smacked myself. I screwed up somehow!

"Yes?" I replied as I turned around. My eyes settle on a young page. He had short hair to his ear tops of a soft red. Sweet blue eyes glanced me constantly.

"Are you searching for something?" he asked me curiously.

"Yes, I am." I replied hoping he would get me what I wanted.

"I can help you! I know this castle by heart!" he boasted at the chance to help me.

"Good then, I need a change of clothes and then wish to make it to the stable to check on my mare." I told him as his face lit up.

"Sure!" he said leaping to help me. "I’m Daisuke, who are you?"

I followed him, and then walked alongside him as he led me to the first stop. "Umm. Gaderion." I replied.

"Ok Gaderion. Heres my room, my lords has a spare one he never wears. I'm sorry we have nothing of Godric colors for your profession. But this shall do, no?" he said handing me the pale gray tunic. I slipped off my Godric messenger uniform and handed it to the child. He stood there staring at me. "What?" I asked holding the gray tunic.

"You got hurt." he said pointing to the hazy scars that dotted my body. Only half noticeable they where, but he saw them. I looked at them then at him.

"Its what you get for surviving death or making it through a pain." I replied to his curiosity.

"Ohh!" he said in aw.

I pulled on the tunic and belted my dagger and sword belts on my waist. "Thanks."

"Sure!" he said happily. "Now to the stables." he spoke aloud and pleased to be the one that was small yet knew the palace grounds.

We made it out to the stables. So far I had made it though all of this ok. But what worried me most was watching the messenger I had mauled walk in. So I pushed us inside, acting eager to see my mare.

"This thing?" the page asked me.

"Yes, that’s her." I replied as she nickered to me. She seemed to be more rested and I needed to get out as soon as that messenger had ran into the palace and cried to his lord. Yet, would they believe him? I pushed that aside and stepped into her stall. Her saddle rested on the stalls sides. I looked her over; ok them to go I decided.

The little page rested on the stall door watching me, I paid him no mind as I pulled the blanket on her. I paused. "Can you run and get me a regular saddle and blanket?"

"Yes, hold up." he replied as he raced away.

He soon returned lugging the saddle in his arms. I chuckled lightly. "Strong one, thanks."

"Welcome." he replied. I slipped the saddle and blanket on her and gently slipped her bridle on. "You're not Gaderion, are you?"

I froze and looked at him. My heart slowed to sudden beats. "What makes you say that?"

"You have freer tongue then I hear 'round here. Also, we haven't been to war for nearly one hundred years, and you have battle scars. You don't carry yourself as a normal messenger, you move as a soldier. Also, you're in a hurry to leave. All messengers hang around here till they get another duty reassigned to them. Who are you, what are you, why are you here, what is your real name?"

I gaped, I damn well gaped. Hell to the world, this little child. Damn! "Well now. You're very observant. Do I have your word not to tell upon me?"

The little page looked at me. "You're a bad man?"

"No, not of the sorts. But others portray me as bad. My real name is Damon Claec. I'm sort of an ex soldier of Xixin." his eyes bugged to the mentioning of my profession and my heritage homeland. "Will you help me?"

The page looked at me in aw, I think. "Yes, I'll help you." he replied calmly.

"Thank you much." I said relieved. Besides who would believe a little child?

He nodded. You're welcome Damon. I heard about the Xixin lands, Godric has never liked your land, but we ruffled our feathers and let you be. But when Suma proposed to take Xixin out, my lord king accepted the offer and supplied men." the young page said to me.

My brow raised. "You know more then any young page even should."

A blush reddened his soft pale complexion. "Aye, I'm the king’s son."

He soon returned lugging the saddle in his arms. I chuckled lightly. "Strong one, thanks."

"Welcome." he replied. I slipped the saddle and blanket on her and gently slipped her bridle on. "You're not Gaderion, are you?"

I froze and looked at him. My heart slowed to sudden beats. "What makes you say that?"

"You have freer tongue then I hear 'round here. Also, we haven't been to war for nearly one hundred years, and you have battle scars. You don't carry yourself as a normal messenger, you move as a soldier. Also, you're in a hurry to leave. All messengers hang around here till they get another duty reassigned to them. Who are you, what are you, why are you here, what is your real name?"

I gaped, I damn well gaped. Hell to the world, this little child. Damn! "Well now. You're very observant. Do I have your word not to tell upon me?"

The little page looked at me. "You're a bad man?"

"No, not of the sorts. But others portray me as bad. My real name is Damon Claec. I'm sort of an ex soldier of Xixin." his eyes bugged to the mentioning of my profession and my heritage homeland. "Will you help me?"

The page looked at me in aw, I think. "Yes, I'll help you." he replied calmly.

"Thank you much." I said relieved. Besides who would believe a little child?

He nodded. You're welcome Damon. I heard about the Xixin lands, Godric has never liked your land, but we ruffled our feathers and let you be. But when Suma proposed to take Xixin out, my lord king accepted the offer and supplied men." the young page said to me.

My brow raised. "You know more then any young page even should."

A blush reddened his soft pale complexion. "Aye, I'm the kings son."

I nodded. "Ahh. Very well explains it all." I rested against my mage and looked at her. "She could use the nights rest. I'll stay the night."

A smile spread over the young mans face. "Perfect! You can spend the day with me and my elder brother!"

I looked at him. "Huh? Older?"

"Yes, my elder brother. He knows more then. I as well as he supports Xixin, or did while it existed." he told me as he played with the door latch.

"Your powers nearly sound divided." I commented.

He bowed his head some. "They are, sadly. Father was once friend to Xixin. Then the larger, more influential Suma more of forced him to go help them with Xixin." I grimaced, poor child and his father. Forced to attack his fellow kingdom. "If we didn't help, Suma would create a stir to chain us to Xixins false reputation." He looked at him. It was clear, we where both hurt that our homelands where fighting one another. But what could we do? "Oh yes. I am Alair and I'll soon introduce you to my brother Cynn."

I nodded and quickly unsaddled my mare. "Now, how do you plan about explaining me?"

We departed from the stables and began walking towards a staircase that led to the walls wall walk and her many turrets.

"I don't know, Cynn will." he replied shrugging. I sighed, the kid needs to plan these things out!

Soon after he had led us to the damn south wall, and we had started on the north. Illogical in my opinion. But what the hey, he was and is my ticket to safety for the day. As well as my token out of Godric. So I settled with what the gods had oddly given me.

"Cynn!" he yelled proudly to a young man sitting on the wall walks gigantic stone blocks dangling his feet over the edge. He turned around and calmly settled green eyes on me. My amusement rose when he looked at me funny. I knew this prince, damn well did I.

"Long time no see Damon." he smiled to me.

"Yes, quite." I agreed.

Alair stood between us and stretched out his arms as if he need halt our reunion for him to catch up on what he did not know. "Whoa! You two...know each other?" he choked. We nodded. "Since when?"

"Since father sent me over there numerous times on business." Cynn replied.

"But that doesn't explain how you met him!" Alair grumbled.

"Once you meet a commander of any status, he tends to carry his favored soldier with him." Cynn replied smiling to me.

"Once you meet a commander of any status, he tends to carry his favored soldier with him." Cynn replied smiling to me.

"I didn't think you'd be here you damn bastard."I smirked as we embraced.

Cynn snorted. "You try run'n Irenbend with ease then find time to whip on old friends."

"Hell, I nearly slipped out of Xixin to vacation in Irenbend with you." I laughed.

"Don't blame you." Cynn laughed with me. "Well, lets go settle somewhere safe to commence talk."

I nodded. "Er, out of here. And, I brought Calhoun too."

Cynns eyes seemed to grow to his name. "He’s alive?" he whispered. I nodded. Cynn shook his head. "Lucky son of a bitch." he murmured. I nodded. "As are you."

I smiled. He was right, we where very well lucky bastards. We followed Cynn to the stable and pulled out three horses. Mounted up and followed him safely out of the castle walls.

Once we had left the last gate that bordered the castle and made our way, Cynn asked. "Where’s o'l Calhoun?"

"Said he'd be at the ship named Lady Pirate." I replied.

Cynn laughed some. "So that ones still docking here? Surprising."

"Still?" I asked as to why it humored him.

"She’s wanted for smuggling in certain shipments that she’s stolen from father’s vessels." Cynn replied as we turned off onto a round that I assured would lead us to the port.

Alair rode up next to his brother and hushed any further conversation. I rode behind the pair. Their silence began to disturb me for reasons I could not figure at the time.

We halted at a fork, one did lead to the port, the other was not clear or open to assumption . Cynn turned his horse down the road that did not lead to the port. "Where are we going?" I asked finally. Cynn did not answer me.

I slowed my horse down gradually, then turned it around and move the horse into a gallop. I thanked the gods this was a speedy horse.

Hearing more hoof beats behind me I figured Cynn and Alair had figured I had found out about their plan. Backstabbing bastards! Gods!

Randomly it began a light shower or that began to grow in strength as I rode on. Behind me I heard the scream of horses. I turned my head for a glance and watched a tree of huge size fall in the path. Now that is not the slightest normal.

Quickly I sped up the path in dire haste. The rain oddly dried out some as I made it up the path to the first gate. The soldiers let me in and I sped up the way. The drawbridge was slightly being drawn up, so I moved to clear the small g ap. The horse flew with wings and barely made it onto the gate. We slid down it and onto the firm cobblestones.

"Someone need go find princes. The sudden storm has caught them!" I yelled to the stable hands as I returned to their horse to them and ran in to find my mare.

Men raced in and pulled out horses to run out and do as I had so worriedly yelled. I saddled my mare and shot out with them.

The storm came back and saturated me. My mare snorted in deep breaths as we shot past peasants and merchants in the streets. I pulled her to a halt. "Where’s the port?" Someone pointed down a road and I picked out sail masts. So I moved on speedily down the market path and turned to find the port. "Lady Pirate, where is she?" I murmured to myself as I moved my mare along slowly scanning the ships docked.

I noticed a flag with a pirate skull on royal purple. Around the skulls head was a crown of embroidered gold leaves formed in a halo of a lady’s stature.

So, after finding his ship I hastily trotted to her and flew on the gang plank with my mare and looked around for Finin or possibly her captain. Hands started yelping at me to get my horse off their damn ship. I ignored them and watched as a man walked my way. He had long stringy green hair pulled back near the tail end of his hair. His soft yellow eyes watched me curiously as he neared me. "Cervantes." he called out.

Out from the cabin shot Finn! I was so relieved to see him. But calling him Cervantes? He smiled, and then laughed at me. "Even brought the horse on deck huh?"

"Well, once I found the ship I figured I otta hurry on since our old pal Cynn is a backstabber." I snorted in disgust.

Finn looked at me. "Cynns here?"

"Yes." I grunted.

"Well, lets shove off. Forget the old man. We don't have time." Finn ordered one of the deckhands.

The man that had walked out before him nodded and yelled out the orders to shove off.

"Here, take the mare down below with the others." Finn ordered one of the deckhands.

I dismounted and stood by him. "Cervantes?"

Finn laughed. "Yea, old name I earned before I went into the service." he partly explained to me.

"Oh. I see." I walked off to the railing and leaned on it. I watched the men setting us off and releasing our tethers. Finn followed me over. He gave me a sympathetic look. So I spoke. "I've known Cynn for ages. And the damn'd bastard tried to take me in!" I grumbled low enough so that only Finn heard me.

He sighed. "Yea. I was just as shocked when you barely mentioned it. Just watch Cynn and all the other kingdoms will be our for us. All because we know too much!"

"That’s probably our only part of our problem Finn." Maxwell said as he joined us.

I sighed, Finns face set into a pissy expression of more distain but he had...here say the bastard was pissed at Cynn more then he let on. "Maxwell, how are you continuously covering yourself and still docking in major ports?"

Maxwell smirked. "Friends in very high places."

My brows raised. "Such as?"

"Nah, can't tell ya. If I did then we'd all be in fer a lash'n." Maxwell laughed.

"Can you get us to that little down of Doak?" Finn asked Maxwell.

"Of course, but why there?" Maxwell asked confused.

"I have friends in the city that Doak is near. They haven't ratted you out. Now have they?" Finn conversed.

"Oh you're correct. Forgot I had them as back up if I need a hideout." Maxwell chuckled. "But you know, when I drop you off, that’s the end of me help’n you fellows. I won't be back."

Finns face paled. "What now?"

"My cover lasts only so long. And even my crew has to split for a few months after we hide the lady." Maxwell explained.

"Oh, yes. Forgot about that part." Finn muttered.

Maxwell nodded. "So you think you can hide out in the large city of Lobelia?"

Finn shrugged. "Worth a try. After all, why would two military men hide out in the city dedicated solely to the goddess Callula? I mean, its the nature goddess."

"I'm not sure. But I suppose you'll find out huh?" Maxwell said as he stood up.

The ship sailed on out of port and away from Godrics fingertips. So, we had escaped what..two fates? One at war time. The other now. I sighed and watched land soon fade away.

Home city for the goddess Callula? Never had I visited there. I grunted, nature, that meant women to deal with more then men. I grumbled to myself. Finn and Maxwell walked into his captains cabin and left me alone. I was thankful for the alone time.

Night began to fly overhead so I went down below deck and found my dinner and ate. I had not seen Finn since he and Maxwell had disappeared into the cabin. He was probably telling Maxwell our story. SO I hoped it was a simple worry such as that. I was directed to my little personal room and stretched out in the hammock that lay spread for me. I pulled off my books, sword belt, dagger belt, shirt and settled in the hammock.

I sighed and began to doze off. A bright light brought me back to looking around in my small room. The night formed into a female figure. I looked at her and stared some what. Long curly brown hair, and her clothing was a silky elegant dress of a soft baby blue. Around her waist settled a silver belt. Jewelry hung across her forehead with a deep blue indigo droplet dangling in the center of the silver chain. "Are you Damon?"

"Who are you lady?" I asked curiously.

"Umm. Call me Miranda." she said walking up to me. I looked at her beautiful face and could not help but smile. She returned it.

"Here, you can sleep up here." I said blurting it forth.

"Oh, no, I-." she cut herself off, "Its alright."

I shook my head. "No, I insist." I pushed at her.

She shook her head and sat down in a corner in the small room. I sighed. "No. It’s alright. Leave me be."

"Well, tell me who the hell you are then." I grunted.

"Direct as usual." she muttered.

"Direct, you know me?" I asked lost.

"Yes, I do. After all, and I think you should be more grateful to me for saving you and Finn." she snorted.

"Damn women, you didn't save my ass! Some god or goddess did!" I snapped.

"Such a mouth on you." she said irritated. She then settled her gaze on me.
"No, yer, you can't be!" I gulped.

"But I am, and did." she replied to me.

"Why?" I asked lost.

"Because its sort of written two will become my chosen to help my greatest wish." Miranda said to me as she looked my face over.

"Yes. That and you seemed in need a little ago." she replied calmly.

I nodded. "Yea, hell, w needed backup too."

She laughed slightly. "Yes, you certainly did. But no one else had pity for you. Except myself."

I gave her a sympathetic look for the kindness. "Thank you. But who are you, really?"

Miranda sighed and looked away briefly. She settled her gaze on me. "My names are Godiva and Callula." she replied Miranda smiled sheepishly.

"Holy shit! Holy hell! You have to be jesting!" I choked.

"I'm not, and calm your tongue." she sighed.

My mind did multiple flips. Shit, I have a damn goddess in my bitching room! "Oh..sorry." I apologized.

She laughed slightly. "Oh, don't bother. you swear more then I thought possible from a mouth. But it also made you easy for me to corner your thoughts."

I let out an impressed laughed. "Oh, so you've heard me, lovely."

Miranda nodded. "Yes, I heard it all. But, that’s another reason why I selected you and your friend. You both have what I need."

"What’s your desire?" I asked curious.

She did not answer me right off, but seemed to think how to word it. "See, you call us gods. But, we're really not."

I gave her a blank stare. "Lady, either you damn well are, or ya ain't. Do choose."

Miranda shook her head seeing I apparently did not see it her way. "What I'm saying Damon, is, we're NOT actually Gods and Goddesses."

I blinked. "Shit, you more then that?"

"No, we're actually mages. But we have you call us gods because our abilities are stronger then those we rule over." she explained.

"Damn, ya'll been lie'n to us patheics huh?" I chuckled glad I had not resided on worshiping the so called 'gods'.

"Yes. We have. We sent out rule that a 'sacrifice' of your most wonderful mage or warrior to us so that you wouldn't possibly try and find us if say...someone like yourself met that mage or warrior." she explained to me.

"Dumbing down the lowly. Smooth yet very well incorrect." I spat.

She looked down partly ashamed. "Yes, that’s the jist of the matter. But I wish to erase to erase our falsehood that we have made."

Oh hell I began laughing. "Lady, that’s shit you need to take up with someone else who can actually DO something about it."

Miranda furrowed her bros at me. "But I did. You're smooth about things before you engage them. Finn is tactical and you add to that just as much besides, you both know your lands. I don't."

"So, live amount us peasant bred and you'll soon learn damn well like I did." I snorted pissed.

She stood up and looked at me in the most gentle expression imaginable. No hate existed in her facial expression towards me. Miranda then walked up to me, knelt down and bowed to me in the manner worshipers did to her. "I beseech you and Finn to help me. Please."

I looked down at her. She honestly wanted our help. As well she apparently knew how to obtain it. And we where her ticket to cradle her desire. I sighed. Miranda stood up and looked as graceful as she had been written and sung about. "Alright. But you have to keep us from being found by hell knows how many son of a bitch kingdoms that want our asses killed."

Glee flew to her face. "Oh thank you! And don't worry, I have ways."

I shook my head. "Now get up here if you won't sleep up here and me down there."

Miranda crawled up next to me in the hammock and rested her head at my shoulder. Her warm body curled up next to mine and her eyes closed.

I looked at her. "Never in my damn life did I think I'd have a so called goddess sleep next to me." I chuckled to myself.

The ship slammed to the left enough as the bitching gods decided to, er mages I suppose, throw me out of my hammock and leave her nestled in it.

I laid there cursing every water and sea 'God' I knew. So, I got up and crawled back in. She curled up right next to me again. Almost as if she had waited for me to obtain that spot again. So I let her nestle in, then I settled in yet again and dosed off.

An hour or so later the bloody door swung open and produced Calhoun. "G-." he did not even make it to the rest of the word 'get' when he noticed my napping partner.

"Yea. I suppose you don't walk in every morning to your friends bed and find him nestled up with a goddess huh?" I said laughing some.

Finns eyes grew when I emitted the word 'goddess'. "Holy shit Damon! How the hell?" he choked.

"Honestly. She came to me." I said downing my voice.

"CAME?" he gulped.

"Yes, I came." Miranda said putting in her voice.

I sighed. "He woke you, sorry." I apologized.

"No worry." she assured. "Shut the door."

Finn followed the order and pulled up a chair I had in the room. "Damn." he muttered impressed.

"I need your help to destroy the title of us being called gods. in actuality, we're merely powerful mages." She said summing it up to Finn.

"Oh." he said shocked.

I looked at her as she watched Finn try to comprehend this. I pushed some of her beautiful hair back, and in return she looked up at me directly for the affectionate gesture. "Sorry. I-." I just stopped myself before I said anything regretful. She smiled kindly, then put her attention back to Finn in denial.

"So, will you?" she asked curiously.

"Yea, since the bastard volunteered us." Finn grumbled.

Miranda laughed. "Good."

"Uh huh. I'll be back with food and Maxwell." Finn said still grasping it all.

I laughed as well. "Well that was charming."

"Like you?" she snorted sarcastically.

"Entirely lady." I sighed looking at her.

"Do you trust me?" Miranda asked me in wonder.

"I have no idea really. I've never trusted what I can't see or touch. Though, I see and am touching you. So in my way of things. Yes." I replied explaining my logic.

Miranda smiled. "You're very interesting for a man."

"Am I now, don't your gods have more then a simple." I jested.

Her face furrowed. "Not at all."

I laughed to her distastes of her upperclassmen. "Well, the women down here seem to."

"They only wish for what seems the best to obtain. But of course they made it so they look like they should be obtained." she sighed.

I nodded. "You stay up here and I’ll stand while we talk with Finn and Maxwell."

Miranda sighed as I climbed out of the hammock. "I'm not what you where told!" she snorted.

"But you are a lady, and I have my doubts you wish to continue laying on a filthy man." I sighed in slight humor.

"So." she grumbled.

In walked Maxwell and Finn. Maxwell had a more calm reaction and less of a shock. "So you're the beautiful Callula?"

Miranda nodded. She sat poised in the hammock like the goddess she had been made into.

"How soon till we reach the village?" Finn asked.

"Few hours." Maxwell replied. "So now tell me how you got about getting your lovely self down here and them not knowing?"

“I go as I please, after all, the ‘gods’ have to come down to grant desires no?” Miranda replied confidently.

“Yes. But is there not many another way for them to ‘check up’ on you?” Maxwell asked curiously.

“Sort of. But I left strict command that I not be bothered until I decided to return.” Miranda said lost why he brought up such questions. “Why do you ask all this?”

“I figured you would have someone snooping about where you go for benefits they will obtain or be paid for their service.” Maxwell explained. “I would know, many occasions I had people sent to follow me about in hopes they’d receive something for catching me at some point or something other.”

“And you did what?” Miranda asked curiously.

“Killed them once they had me cornered.” Maxwell replied smirking.

“So cocky. Watch it kill you.” Miranda snorted.

Maxwell’s nostrils flared some. He heeded the warning and seemed to take it into account. “I’ll be sending someone down when we reach shore. Keep the goddess down here until we dock. I don’t need distractions on my deck.”

I nodded and found my shirt and pulled it on. Then strapped on my belts. “Well, I’ll go snag us some breakfast and be right back.” I said as I headed to the door. I felt her eyes watching me. Watching me like a goddess.

Making my way into the breakfast line and snatching three trays I slowly made my way up to be served.

“Hey. You got yourself a women in yer room?” a sailor asked me curiously.

“No, what makes you say that?” I asked worried.

“I heard you speaking to her last night! Don’t deny it!” He yelped.

“Then tell me how I have a women in my room while w where in the middle of the seas?” I asked in a snort.

He got cut short hushed then found no use in perusing what I could use logic and common sense on. So I collected our breakfast of, something even I could not identify. Though I did try.

I came back into my cramped room and handed out the food. Miranda looked at it as if something had contaminated her food. “What is it?” she asked with the funniest facial expression I had to have witnessed.

“No idea really. But Maxwell calls it food.” Finn said as he poked the supposed fruit.

Well I sure as hell could care less as to identifying what was on our plates. So I ate happily. Miranda and Finn gave me deranged looks for consuming Maxwell’s cooks shit. “What?” They shook their head and nibbled on things that seemed reasonably edible.

Anyway, life continued on and we landed in the villages tiny dock that could barely hold two lady pirates. We walked off with a content sack Maxwell gave us and some provisions and our Callula wearing a drab, husky gray black cloak to conceal her lovely body and dress.

We made it into the village and watched the Lady Pirate ship out. “He’ll only last so long.” Miranda murmured.

Finn looked at her. “And what is our lovely Godiva predicting for my friend?”

“Only the fate he has basically signed for.” Miranda replied coolly.

“Oh, and that is?” Finn inquired.

“His fate and possibly you will see the results later on.” Miranda said as we rode on down the village.

Villagers poked their heads out and watched us three strangers. Callula peered out from her hood and glanced at a women watching her pass. The woman gasped and apparently whispered to her elder daughter. “Its the goddess! And she travels with her chosen!” the daughters eyes widened and continued to watch the passersby.

Miranda turned her head back and watched the coming countryside. “If anything does happen. We’re safe here.”

“How you know that?” I asked curiously.

“I just do.” She said seemingly confident.

I sighed and followed Finn in a trot to the city devoted to Miranda. She followed up behind us and seemed to hold off any angers that might unleash a storm called on by nature. That’s saying she did have any.

Lobelia drew up in our eyes as we continued onto her. Tall temple buildings reached to touch the goddess they worshiped. Pure white walls bordered her holy domain. Homes of the wealthy sprung up and competed with one another for the right to boast their multiple story wealth and authority to worship their goddess.

“Its beautiful, isn’t it?” Finn murmured as we trotted up to her gates.

Not as beautiful as what they built it for, but hell, they tried no? Miranda looked over at me. I turned slightly red. “You did it again, didn’t you?” she grinned. “Bitch.” I grunted. Miranda smirked.

The gatemen let us in and we rode in. “Now where?” I asked.

“Find, oh.” Miranda said as children stopped and stared at her. “Children. Do you know where the home of Lord Alan is?” they nodded smiling. They pointed down a road and then told her the way, which only she could clearly hear. “Alright, lets go.” She ordered. We followed her lead down the attractive city of worship designed for her.

Miranda led us down many a roads and then through an ally or two. Soon we ended up in a lovely neighborhood of rich folks. She dismounted and walked up to the door of the whitest two story house I had ever seen. Someone answered the door and greeted her in excitement. She ushered us to follow her and so we did.

“This is Lord Alan. He’ll house us and try to help us sort this all out.” Miranda said thrilled to be somewhere she considered safe.

I walked in skeptical. The lord ushered Miranda into his room to sit. He stood in the hall looking at us both. “She and yourselves can’t stay.”
I sighed. “So I should have assumed.” I muttered.

“I’m sorry. The beast I can do you is today then leave tomorrow.” Lord Alan spoke to us gravely. “They have every, just about every, kingdom that agrees with them about you two..to kill you. And or snuff it out and bring it to Suma.”

We sighed. “Of course. Who’s NOT looking for us.” I grumbled to Finns comment.

The lord shrugged sorry he could not help us any. “Well. You got a map of the kingdoms?” I asked.

“Yes. Why?” Lord Alan asked curious to my request.

“I know maps well. I’m sure I can find us somewhere safe. I replied.

“No you can’t young man! All kingdoms are looking for you two!” the lord yelped.

“Not all.” I said coolly.

His eyes bounced. “You know those lands?” I nodded. “How?”

“I happen to get lucky and march through there once. Then saw many maps of it.” I replied. We would hide in demon land, I decided.

He led me into a room and pulled out a rolled up map of the kingdoms.
I glanced them for a little then found Miranda. “Lets go.” She looked at me as if I was insane to leave this haven. “Lets go!” I said more sternly. ‘ You trust my judgment don’t you?’ She nodded. “Then c’mon!” I snarled.

She got up and followed me out. Finn had the horses, so we quickly mounted and worked our way to the gates again.

The gatemen smirked down at us. “Let us out!” Finn yelled. They did not budge.

I sighed. “Come on, I can get us o-.” I began, but quit when Miranda blew a hole in the gates. "Alright, I’m already seeing the perks of having a goddess on our side.” I laughed as we escaped through the h ole and down the road.

The gatemen snatched bows and fired at us. I winced. ‘Damn, they’re good shots.’ I choked.

We sped on along. Finn knew this way apparently, for we where following the bastard.

Stopping at a fork Miranda said to take the left so we did. Traveling down at a trot sent my nerves to my wound up the all. Hell this hurt like shit!

Continuing on we happened upon a tiny town with an inn. I then thanked whoever it was for giving us Miranda.

Dismounting I hunched over some. Just a little longer and I could pass out! Miranda looked at me oddly. She walked over leading her horse. “You ok?”

“Your city of worship has mighty hell good archers.” I grunted then blacked out.

Miranda let out a short scream and caught Damon. Finn turned and rushed to pick him up from Miranda. “Pull the arrow out.” She nodded and did so. “Reach into my pouch and pull out three gold. That should be more then enough to keep us.”

They went into the inn, passing me off as their wasted, drunk comrade. Finn let Miranda pay for the room, they then made their way to it and set Damon down.

“Get me a bowl of warm water and some clean bandages.” Miranda ordered quietly as she ripped off Damon’s shirt.

Finn came back with the water and then went back for the bandages. Miranda began washing Damon’s wounds and looking at his beat dirty face.

‘Your so reckless Damon.’

‘Someone has to be.’

Miranda sighed and dried his back and around his wounds. She brushed his hair back and looked at him. ‘I suppose so.’

Finn came back and handed her the bandages. She wrapped them around him, then pulled a sheet over him. Finn had knocked his own self out, Miranda laughed slightly to herself.

She laid down next to Damon and drifted off to sleep, ‘You’re warm.’

‘As are you, are you cold?’

‘Yes.’

‘Then my purpose is correct, I will keep you warm Damon. Now rest.’

‘Thank you my goddess.’

The next morning I woke up and found her wrapped up in my arms. She was watching me sleep. So I stared back at her for a while. “Thanks.” I said truthfully.

“You still chilled?” Miranda asked me.

“No, I’m fine now, but thank you.” I said to her as she sat up.

“You’re welcome. Finn left to get breakfast.” Miranda said as i watched her. “What?”

“Nothing.” I replied earnestly.

“Uh huh.” She replied skeptical to me.

“Your wound was fairly deep. I’m surprised you held out that long.” Miranda said softly.

“Not like I had a choice.” I murmured.

No, but still.” She replied. I suppose she was impressed?

“Where now?” I asked her.

“I don’t know. I seem to not know a haven from a hell.” She sighed.

I looked at her sympathetically. “You blame yourself for my hurt, no?” she nodded putting her head down some. “Don’t be. No one knew they wished us dead as well.”

“I should have known better though.” She said beating herself with guilt.

“No. How could’ve you?” I asked her. She shrugged. I pulled her down to eye level with me. “Then don’t bother with it.” She laid there looking at me, searching but for what, I do not know.

“I’m still sorry.” She murmured.

I sighed. She sat up; Finn came in with the food and handed it to us. “Morn’n!” He greeted me.

“Morn’n.” I greeted back.

Finn sat down and began to consume his breakfast. “How you fair?”

Miranda settled up next to me and peered back at the bandages, she grimaced. I coked a brow to her expression. She then looked at me because of my notice of her. “Well?” I asked done waiting on her to tell me the stats on my wounds that hurt like hells shit.

She snorted slightly. “I think the scab that started broke. There’s blood bordering where you’re bare.”

“Well that made my day.” I grunted.

“Eh, you two stay put. I’ma figure out the location of this Gods forsaken hell hole.” Finn grumbled. I laughed, then groaned when my back caught up with my humor and returned it to its reminding me I hurt.

Miranda and Finn laughed at my quick change in laughter and grunts. I only grumbled as they bastard left still chuckling.

“That’s it, he can sleep in the stables.” I snorted.

Miranda giggled. “Besides needing to make him repent for laughing at something that honestly has humor. Lets put you back to sleep.” She said smiling and still laughing off and on.

I looked at her for a long while. She stared back. “Hell, goddess. Sleep? Haven’t I pleased you enough sleeping all night and nearly to noon?”

She looked at me partly sternly. “I, you have I just..” she sighed. I motioned her on to bluntly tell me what the hell it was she wanted.

Miranda cast her eyes down some, then gathered courage and brought her lovelies to meet my own brown rocks. “I wanted to sleep in your embrace again, and attempt to slowly mend your wounds.”

I admit it, I blushed. Hell I wanted her back in my arms too! So I did not even hit dislike to the request and actually, I smiled and made myself comfortable and let he settle in. “A mans embrace is different and inviting, isn’t it my little fox?”
Looking up, the both of us, eyed a ball of talking green light. “Now I’ve seen everything.” I muttered. The green light chuckled to my comment. I blinked, that’s all I could do considering I had a floating green ball of light in front of me.

Miranda frowned. “Go away. I never wanted to be in yours. You’re revolting.”

A floating green light revolting? Sure, why not. I mean hey, who’s to say light is not ugly?

“Oh Callula, don’t be so cruel.” The light begged her in a mans soft tone.

“Then quit mocking me and being jealous.” She grumbled.

The light chuckled. “Ahh my pretty Callula. Jealous am I?” he, er, the light chuckled. “Now tell me, what about this half breed shit would cause such a feeling towards me?”

She eyed the light. “You’re dicks hanging out.”

“What the hell?” the being of light choked, a full bring in a nicely woven tunic and pants, and he even had a rather...maybe I should steal that...anyway cloak. Decked out in nice shades of green. The umm..light creature had taste. That’s about all he got awarded for now. Short spiky hair in blue tipped in, of course, green made an impression on the beholder. His blue eyes searched me over, I had to smirk, he disliked me already. I eyed his nice quiver and elegant bow that settled among the many arrows. Now if only I could get away with stealing that off him.

Miranda sighed. “Damon, this is Ulyesseus. He’s what I like to call natures attempt at creating a handsome, perfect man. Yet she failed to give him brains and common sense.” Ulysses grumbled. So I smiled.

“He’s nothing more then a stray dog Callula.” Ulyesseus snapped.
She pawed at my bare chest daintily. So I smiled to help her enjoy pissing off this Adonis of nature. –Thats his older brother, Adonis--. I blinked –Hell no wonder--.

Ulyesseus settled down on Finns bed and eyed us. I have to admit, the guy was pissed! And that made me feel great. “They haven’t noticed you’re gone Callula.”

“Why would they? Mother deals it all out to them.” She replied setting her head on my chest, she was exhausted and I could tell. I assumed the goddess had been up half or even more of the night making sure I was resting comfort. For that I began stroking her hair and slowly coaxing her off to sleep.

A small smile actually fell to Ulyesseus’s lips. “How’d you know?”

“I didn’t. My ex captain had a friend with a young daughter. And they gave he to me while they conversed. She’d wind up in sleep. So I just tried it on her and seem to have gotten lucky.” I replied looking at the god.

He nodded. “Yea. She’s subject to sleep if you do so.” He smiled.

I looked the man over again. “How’s it you know her?”

He looked at me as if I where a regular moron off the street. “Do you not know your superiors famous stories?” he asked in dramatic defense.

I blinked and asked. “Do superiors such as yourself always make and ask such stupid questions that are obvious?”

The god did not exactly like that. His facial reply to the remark was clear as hell.

Callula opened her eyes and eyed Ulyesseus. She sighed and turned her palm upward and produced a spear of water. Then up turned her second and produced flames. Callula picked up her hovering ball of water and dropped it into her palm of flames. “You.” She muttered to Ulyesseus.

Ulyesseus upturned his nose at her threat. “You wouldn’t.”

“Are you willing to try me?” she spat.

His arrogance and high authorative aurora died down and he padded up to her command. “No.” He muttered.

“Then leave him be.” She snarled, and then settled back into her comfortable spot against me.

I chuckled. “So that’s why so many strong, destructive shorts hit Xixins small ports. Ya pissed the women off. Not a wise move my friend.”

The god did not find humor in my comment, but went back to settling himself away from the goddess that harbored tempests for his annoyance.

Finn walked in a few hours after Ulyesseus had made his day bue. He slammed the door shut and waltzed over to his bed. Looked at me, pointed to what I figured he had labeled as ‘it’ or ‘what the hell is that?’ I motioned him over. “Ulyesseus, Adonis’s younger brother.”

I am not sure he went to hell and back. But by Finns expression I figured he was in denial, again. “Another, ok lords of the skies what did I do wrong to meet him?” he moaned.

“Adonis’s little brother isn’t much of a curse. Its looks that failed to receive brains.” I chuckled.

Finn looked at me blankly. “I ment you, you dumbass.” Finn grunted.
“Hell Calhoun, you know you adore me. Admit it.” I jested. The ex sergeant gave me the usual ‘so how was it I said I’d kill you?’ look. I sighed and nodded to the chair near my bed.

Finn settled in it and looked at our sleeping goddess. Then glanced the dozing god. “I think we’re somewhere between Ebissa and Americus.”

I blinked. “Really?” Finin nodded. “Damn, we got a ways to go now don’t we?”

He grunted. “Always? Sure, for the optimistic. How do you suppose we make it anywhere with her? None the less, only if he follows of course, that other one there!”
I looked at the spazng Finin. “I have no idea. Wing it?”

The god, Ulyesseus, stirred then brought himself about to our conversation. “Oh no, I won’t be traveling with you rebels. I just wanted to find her.”

“Ok then, works for me.” Finin said pleased.

“So how is it she can be gone and they not miss her?” I asked curious.

Ulyesseus smiled amused to the question. “Just the same as for you down here. WE just leave and come back at leisure. Its just more able for us to find one another. Though that’s saying you have that one ability or you have a friend w ho locates them for you.” He explained to us openly. “Prophets aren’t real and they don’t happen. All they are is someone’s rebellious idea put into motion.”

I moved into a more comfortable position and eyed Ulyesseus. Who gazed back coolly. “Sow what is real then? Huh? You fist tell us gods don’t exist. Then you continue to say prophets are only rebellious words.”

He snorted. “Well clearly you are and I are real. And the objects before us. You’re faith shouldn’t lie in a god or gods. But yourself and perhaps your king, queen, military.” I nodded, had to agree, after all he is correct.

The son of the god Eligus bowed to us in a manner of respect. I smiled some, he supported our cause, well Miranda’s cause really. Then, he vanished into his little green light and vacated our room.

So we had a few huge kinks in our life right now. Yes we had just about every damn kingdom on our asses for serving our execution. But, at most we were alive? I do not quite know, I think I was beginning to look forward to meeting the goddess Morgan, goddess of death. But then again, I have a reason to life. To free the people of the..I sighed. If I free the people, is it not going to be total chaos? I looked at Godiva. Oh the things I get myself into lady. Though this has to be my largest and most mischievous event or operation I had come to accept.

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