Shattered Crown: The aftermath

## Page 1

Part 8 - Chapter 1

Erick Bailee - King's Bodyguard - The Aftermath, Sunrest, Fairhaven

By the time the wave had done its worst, leaving a flooded and half-demolished town in its wake, the water had risen well beyond the banks of the railroad tracks. It easily reached Erick's chest, nearly impossible to wade through, and had transformed the landscape into a minefield of unsteady buildings and sharp debris hiding just beneath the water's surface. Erick stood with one arm looped around a tree, still catching his breath and his bearings; he stole a glance at Boraci, shivering. "Maybe we should go after Klaus."

He reached out with his free hand for a hold on the nearest building, inching his way toward it. "I mean, we..." He paused to wipe the muddy grime from around his eyes, wincing at the taste of it in his mouth. "We have to go after somebody, don't we? Where the hell do we even start?"

Alice Beckett-Oswald - Slightly Alive - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Alice awoke to a sharp pain in her chest, halfway through struggling to cough and hack the last of the water from her lungs. She turned onto her side, her head buzzing and her ribs screaming. As her vision began to clear, she noticed a figure in a dark overcoat crouching beside her, reattaching a beaked mask to its head. Instant recognition ignited in her eyes and she took a hard swing at Doctor, knocking them onto their side. They scrambled backward, holding their mask in place with one hand.

"Careful, now!" The voice was deep-ish, even-toned, nondescript - fake. Alice couldn't even begin to put a face to it. A twinge in her ribs forced her into a ball and she gasped through her teeth, reaching for her sword. Beneath her, she saw the slick shingles of a rooftop. Doctor stood up, hands open. "You've been mostly dead for a good few minutes, Ma'am. Take a breather."

Shaking with anger, Alice craned her neck to look up at the looming figure. "Tell me where my friends have gone."

Doctor's arms went slack. "Like you said: gone. Swept away, for all I know."

Alice pushed herself onto one elbow, her voice reduced to a pitiful rasp. "Then get the hell out of my sight! I've half a mind to take your damned head off!"

Doctor's bird-like head tilted back, then straightened up again. "Well, that's gratitude for you," they grumbled. "Have it your way." With that, they turned their back to Alice and made their escape. Once she was surely alone, Alice relaxed onto her uninjured side, still catching her breath. All around her, as far as the eye could see, water had overtaken the town. All those people... She shut her eyes. If she took more than a moment to think about it then, she would come unglued.

Despite the temptation to rest just a bit longer, concern soon won out. She had to know if everyone was alright. Alice carefully sat upright, relieved to find not a drop of blood despite the stabbing pain in her left side. Bruised ribs, she guessed - probably from Doctor's attempts to get her breathing again. With some effort, she shakily stood up. "Hello?" She turned around once, surveying the area, then started toward the roof nearest hers. "Is anyone there?"

Evelyn Luciole - Secret Officer - The Flood, Somewhere in Fairhaven

A sturdy balcony, its floor just beneath the rushing water, finally stopped Evelyn somewhere far from the road she and the others had taken away from Snowview. As she locked her arms around the balcony's railing and coughed until it felt like her lungs might burst, she saw people climbing - trees, rooftops, anything they could get their hands on. She wondered how many of them were hers, and how many of hers were left. After a quick climb up to the building's roof, Evelyn began to pace the edge, and searched for anyone who might be nearby. "Sound off!"

Dimitry Popov - Mercenary - The remains of the river bed.

Dimitry slid down one of the many internal struts of the crippled vessel. Fortunately it was a old Grail cargo airship, sold to Falcon's Reach when it became obsolete so he a general idea of where everything was.

He was brused, and had dislocated a finger or two, but other than that was uninjured. Unfortunately he had discarded most of his equipment in an effort to stay alive. He still had his weapons, but most of his ammunition and first aid equipment, as well as all of his rations, explosives and miscellaneous gear was gone.

And he had given his mask to Tula to protect her from the fallout, which wouldn't matter now that they had all been doused with radioactive water.

Without his mask he had no sense of direction. Clouds covered the sun, preventing him from knowing which way was north, and the wave had leveled almost all the landmarks.

The glass in the command gondola of the airship had been blown out, and it was badly distorted from the ride down the river, but he was able to squeeze his body through on of the holes. He glanced at one of the gunnery pods, the rebels could have used the artillery in there, but there was no way to remove, much less transport the half ton cannon and it's ammunition.

He stepped on the soaked ground, sinking into the putrid mud up past his boots. There was no way the rebels would do anything at this point. He doubted they would be able to find most of the rebels who survived the flood, and it was even less likely any of them would be in any state to fight.

He would find Tula, make sure she was alright, then he would put his gun to Evelyn's head and demand his payment. Just like the war of the wastes again.

He looked up at the sky and shouted in frustration. No words, just a drawn out roar, an outpouring of all his rage and frustration.

Then he began slowly trudging through the muck. "Tula! Where are you?" He shouted every few minutes. He passed several bodies, none of them recognizable, so slathered with mud they looked like some kind of hallucination caused by a waste beast.

"Maybe this is all a fever dream." He said to himself as his boots slowly mushed through the muck.

Matthew Barton - At least I'm still good looking - Concussed with no clue where he is, Sunrest

Matthew woke up his head an alarm bell, ringing with manic intensity. He was soaked, but he had escaped the majority of the water. He looked around and saw he had tripped on a tree root and knocked himself out on the ground.

He had a little blood running from his forehead but nothing catastrophic. He spat against the ground and found he had a great deal of blood in his mouth, and had bitten off a large chunk of his cheek. As soon as he realized what happened the pain hit him.

From his pocket he pulled out his watch and looked at the well polished silver casing. Other than the gash he looked alright. Except one of his pupils was dilated and the other was not. He knew that was bad, but he couldn't remember why.

He started wandering, his concussion making it difficult to really have any idea where he was going.

Leif Ragnar - The biggest ugliest thing in a tree since I took my Christmas ornaments down last year - Somewhere in Fairhaven.

Leif sat next to Kristen in the upper branches of a large oak tree, it had been the only thing he could find that would keep them our of the water before he got exhausted.

Kristen was shivering, still soaked to the bone and probably in shock. Leif didn't do anything, he had one hand wrapped around the tree, and the other covering himself. His underwear had come off at some point in the frantic swim, so he sat stark naked in the tree, far too high up to even try to get down. This was not what he envisioned when he crossed the ocean. It was like something a bard would sing in jest to the uproarious laughter of his audience.

He hoped someone would show up soon and bring a rope. He really needed to eat. And some pants would be good.

He heard someone shouting "Sound off" so he replied. "Here! Bring help!"

Boraci - Sunrest, Fairhaven

The water gathered around my lower torso, filling my boots with an inordinate amount of cloudy water. Klaus couldn't make it far. The bandages would surely come off in the water. The best we could hope for was some super-healing on his part. But he had proved on more than one occasion that he could take care of himself. Mr. Reid, on the other hand, didn't seem to be the adventure-seeking type. In fact, he seemed to care for nothing almost.

" I think I see some weird hair over there," I said, pointing toward where we came before being swept off by the water. I had to squint (due to ridiculously bad eyesight), but the body matched Mr. Reid's description. I turned to Erick. "Ready to go swimming?" I hunched my lower body and pushed off the bank under the water. This water was different from my home's swamp, thinner, so easier to slice through. Unfortunately, this water held booby traps. I could almost feel the sinister sharp debris plotting my demise.

 Evelyn Luciole - Secret Officer - The Aftermath, Fairhaven

Evelyn sat down at the roof's edge, catching her breath. Her left knee was a bit worse for wear, and a gash had been opened from the bridge of her nose halfway to her ear - but that was about it. She counted herself extremely lucky to be alive, but that left still left her with an ever-growing list of problems to sort through. The most pressing among them, for now, was trying to gather up what remained of her army. Second to that was finding out what the hell had happened to Asbel. For now, she tried not to think about that.

Struggling to walk through the muck and debris, Evelyn placed a hand lightly against her cheek. The sting of the injury had swelled to a throbbing pain that made her entire head buzz, blood seeping past her fingers, and it was all she could do to concentrate. The sight of a treed Vallakian and his small, shivering employer above her, however, was more than enough to grab her attention. She averted her eyes, blinking rapidly. "Holy shit," she muttered, then signaled to Leif with a wave. "Alright! Just... Don't move, don't do anything, we'll get you down."

Evelyn scanned the area for any living, standing people who might be able to help; the first person she spotted was Danor, coughing and retching beside a nearby building. Remarkably, she seemed to have avoided any serious harm. "Miss Arkaitz."

Danor raised her head. Her eye patch had been lost to the flood, and her hair clung to her shoulders in soaked ribbons. "Evelyn," she replied breathlessly. She raised a hand to tap her cheek. "You've got a little something."

Evelyn lifted her hand from the wound on her face and raised an eyebrow at it. "So I do."

With a heavy sigh, Danor slowly straightened up, her expression grim. "How can I help?"

While Evelyn looked through the nearest buildings for a rope - and perhaps a blanket - Danor continued the search for survivors. Both were met with mixed results. In a large heap of debris, Evelyn found a few sizable lengths of rope and what appeared to be a large bed sheet; she knotted the rope together, balling up the sheet and attaching it to one end, then made her way back to Kristen and Leif. "I'll try not to hit you, but watch yourself," she yelled up to them, and threw the weighted end of the rope at the base of their perch.

Erick Bailee - King's Bodyguard - The Flood, Sunrest, Fairhaven

Boraci's suggestion made Erick's stomach sink - the last thing he wanted to do was leave his nice, sturdy building - but he managed to steel himself quickly enough, and followed Boraci into the deeper water. Though, unable to see the exact edge of the embankment, his descent was a bit less graceful. He took a great deal of care to move as little as possible, but something unseen brushed against his shin as he swam, and Erick practically flailed his way closer to Boraci's side. "Hey!" He called to the figure ahead of them, hoping for a reaction of some kind - anything to assure him the person was still alive.

Celaena Moonlight - Assassin - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Her head pounding and her ears ringing, Celaena trudged through the forest, seething with anger. She had lost them. Flood or no flood, the fact of the matter was that she had lost sight of Erick and Jack, and now she had no idea where they were or even if they had survived the flood. She could hardly believe her luck was this bad. She considered calling for the others, but the possibility of being caught off guard by someone else - an officer, even a stranger - kept her silent. Beside that, it was all she could do to keep walking in a straight line.

Silas Reid - Botanist and Odd Job Part-Timer - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Who would have thought that Silas would have had such a hard time drowning himself amidst a flood? For the entire time he was afloat, he couldn’t move, couldn’t speak, as if he were completely subject to the whims of nature. He could only lie there and let himself be battered by the waves until exhaustion set in and the world submerged into darkness.

When his eyes came open again, he was in his room. It wasn’t the apartment he’d been hoping for, but another place he once called home. He stared down at his hands, so small and without the callouses that grew from his work, to the window beside him, where he could see a familiar pond stretch from under the dreary night sky. He laughed softly under his breath, bitter amused that his thoughts would take him here.

True to memory, his laughter quickly turned into a fit of coughs, each one like a dagger that sliced through his throat. Just splendid. He was almost afraid that he would forget how fun it was to be such a weak, snotty, little brat. Silas snuggled himself deeper into the cushions of his bed. If he closed his eyes, perhaps he would find himself back in the real world. Or better yet, that blissful eternity that he had tried so hard to avoid.

“Silas?”

His eyes snapped to the door on his left. It crept open, a sliver of light stretching across his room, and a pair of eyes looked around before staring back at him. Ada.

“You’re not supposed to be in here,” he said before he could even process her presence. This is a dream, he reminded himself. She can’t get hurt. She’s not even real. Still, Silas wasn’t in the mood to entertain her and threatened, “I’m sick, remember? If you get it, too, or she finds you here—”

Ada huffed. “Then I’ll be punished and trapped in a musty old room all day, just like you. I know, I know. I’m not stupid.” She walked over and sat herself down on the side of the bed. “Or afraid,” she added.

Silas stared at her for a full minute, doubtful of either of her claims, but rolled his eyes and relented. “Whatever. What do you want?” he said, while mentally trying to will her away.

She stared down at her lap, tugging at her fingers and oddly silent. He almost didn’t hear what she said next. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” he asked, genuinely curious.

“I was the one who threw your clothes in the pond yesterday.”

Ah, so it’s going to be about that. He sighed. “Right. If I recall correctly, you wanted your classmates to like you a little more, and you just couldn’t wait to get back at me for all the times I’d apparently stuck my nose at you.”

Ada’s eyes widened. “How did you—”

“I’m already over it,” he said, raising a brow, “and worse things have happened. Now is that all?”

“Well, yes, but—”

He swept his arm through the air, cutting her off. “But nothing. You’re finished, I’ve forgiven you, and it’s the middle of the night. Just leave me alone and go to bed.” He pulled the covers over his head and turned on his side, waiting to hear her feet touch the floor and the door slide shut. Instead, Ada had thrown the blankets off him, and Silas found himself scrambling back against the headboard.

“What the hell?” he exclaimed. “What was that for? What’s wrong with you?”

“What’s wrong with you?” Ada shot back. “Why are you always like this? I actually got you sick this time, and you won’t even let me come here to apologize?”

Silas scowled. “I would have gotten sick, anyway. If not you, something else would have come along and confined me to this bed. That’s how it always is.”

“That’s not what this is about.”

“You brought it up!”

“You know what I meant.”

“Why do I have to explain anything to you?”

“Because I’m your sister,” she said. “I know you more than anyone. Even if it’s not much. Even if we haven’t been on the best of terms. If there was anyone who could...” She trailed off, opting to reach out and tentatively lay a hand on his shoulder. “Please.”

Silas flinched. This wasn’t how it went. This was all wrong. Why would she—

His chest heaved, a harsh sound grating through his airway. Spurts of water splattered across the sheets.

Ada’s grip on his shoulder tightened. “Silas? What’s the matter?” she asked, her expression shifting to that of concern. “Silas? Silas!”

“Hey!”

His head jerked up slightly from the pool around him, yet Silas fell back as soon as he rose. He was clinging to the very edge of consciousness, neither alert nor truly awake.

Leif Ragnar - Bodyguard - The aftermath, Fairhaven.

Leif quickly tied the rope to the tree branch once Evelyn threw it.

He pulled the sheet up and did his best to cover himself before sliding down. His hands were almost entirely callous from a life working with ropes, so he didn't have any problems with rope burn.

He hadn't considered getting Kristen back down. She wouldn't have the strength to climb down herself. "slide down and I'll catch you!" He called up to her.

"No! I don't want to break my other leg!" She replied, clearly agitated.

"It'll be fine. I'll catch you if you loose your grip!"

"No!"

"Then what? You're going to stay up there from now on?" Leif retorted.

"No! Get a ladder."

"Fine!" Leif snapped and scooped up some mud.

"What are you doing?" Kristen asked.

"Nothing." Leif grunted before hurling the mud ball at her. Missed.

"Stop it!"

"No." He tossed another.

"Alright! But be ready to catch me!"

Leif walked under the limb and watched Kristen slowly grip the rope and slide down.

Jessica Stuart - Ambassador - Hydris, Fairhaven.

Jessica paced in frustration. There was a no fly directive from the Grail fleet, so the mail wouldn't be coming.

All the really important stuff came by airship, stuff to important or secret to use the long range radio, which was almost completely unsecured.

The bomb was a game changer. A super combine strike was well beyond Falcon's Reach or Rojya, and there was no possibility of any of the rebels obtaining such a weapon. She had known that there was one bomb unaccounted for, but she wasn't worried about any outside faction getting it.

The black market wouldn't have anything to do with it. Jessica knew second hand what happened to arms dealers who crossed lines, they ended up like her father, and so did their entire family.

She still had no idea how the king would respond. She didn't have the first idea how to explain the concept to him, since she didn't know much about herself, and trying to explain the possible culprits would be challenging.

Erick Bailee - King's Bodyguard - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Erick just barely caught the outline of Silas's face as the man lifted his head for the briefest of moments. For the first time since the wave had shown itself, Erick felt his courage returning. "You were right," he blurted out, forgetting his surroundings as he hurried forward. "It's him! He's alive!" Erick could hardly believe Silas had made it, given that he had done just about everything in his power to ruin the group's attempts to rescue him. He only hoped Silas wouldn't try the same thing again; their situation being what it was, Erick wasn't sure the man's good luck would save him a second time.

Danor Arkaitz - Gunsmith - The Aftermath, Fairhaven

Danor stopped in the middle of the street, her gaze resting on an open patch of soaked earth. If she ran then, she thought - took her business to the safety of the northern cities - she would probably make it. She knew the way. Things weren't so dire that she felt inclined to break her promise, but it was somehow comforting to know that the option remained hypothetically open.

Suddenly all too aware of the ruins and bodies around her, Danor sped forward. As diligently as her shaken focus would allow, she stopped to search rubble and check for pulses, her mind sheltering itself elsewhere. It wasn't until she heard Dimitry calling for Tula that she thought to try calling names as well - everyone she could remember.

Evelyn Luciole - Secret Officer - The Aftermath, Fairhaven

As Kristen made her way down to solid ground, Evelyn glanced back and forth between her and Leif. "Any serious injuries - any new serious injuries, rather?" The two seemed to have dodged a figurative bullet, but she didn't dare assume. Then again, even if they really were "alright," they probably weren't in any shape to spend all day and night trying to regather their people. As long as she knew where they were, she would just as soon tell them to stay put.

Boraci - Just Keep Swimming - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Mr. Reid seemed to respond faintly at Erick's shout, but fell back like a rag doll. He was miraculously buoyant. As Erick pointed out, he was alive, but probably hanging on the last wisps of consciousness.

"You grab his right arm, and I'll grab his left," I said, swimming closer. A sharp pain erupted on my calf: must be a bit of rusty metal. I tried to ignore it for the time being. I didn't know how to sew, though. So ripped clothing would be a problem. The least of my problems, but still, a problem. Mr. Reid was about as light as I thought he was, but it was all dead weight. (Not literally of course.)

Ugo Vasco - Man of Intellect - Sunrest, Fairhaven

the first thing Ugo had lost to the sea that day was not his ship, his crew, nor his discovery but his hope. Digging through the water, searching for it beneath the waves, he couldn't find it. He couldn't see anything, so he didn't even know if he was swimming up to the surface or not. For all he knew, he was crawling down, down, down into the depths. He wormed his way through the water regardless, and thought of Ilona.

Ugo had emerged, decades later and in a different body of water. He gasped and suddenly the present wasn't so familiar with the past anymore. He grabbed onto something buoyant, fluffy and clung to it to keep himself afloat. A weight was lifted from his face, the mask was gone and a blind man had no way of returning it. He cursed himself; his expensive travelling clothes had been ruined. It was then, he realized, that the bouoyant thing was in fact the floating corpse of a dead dog.

He thought about letting go of the dog, but didn't. It wasn't like he hadn't squeezed through grotesque tasks before. Plus it was either this or sink. He floated lazily along for a while and called out a few times for his son, Marwin, and was answered by suddenly being grabbed from above and yanked out of the water by something. He went limp and allowed who he knew was Marwin to pull him out of the water.

"My goodness..." Ugo exclaimed as he flopped down on whatever surface he was on, which seemed to be an awning that was miraculously only slightly ripped. Marwin sat down next to him, the cloth bending and straining under their weight. "What in god's name was that!?" Ugo exclaimed and sat up, patting around with his hands to find his cane. Marwin looked at his father, shook his head and smiled since the cane was gone, and yanked a piece of driftwood out from the water. "I don't know." Marwin said as he pressed the driftwood into his father's hand to use as a cane.

Ugo nodded, taking what seemed to be the broken leg of a chair and using it as his cane. "Too sudden to be natural... Must be the gimmicks of those damned revolutionary poltroons..." He said as he tried to stand up but the awning swayed and he fell back down again. "Where's out luggage? Did you manage to save it?..." At this, Marwin bit his cheek and looked at the things he managed to save for his father in a small pile to his side: Marwin's rifle, Ugo's mask and a single tome in brail. "... Not all of it, unfortunately." Said Marwin and handed both the book and mask to his father.

His father sighed, slipping the mask over his face as if the complicated system of locks and sets were simply a slipper, and passed his hand over the cover of the book to read it. He smiled under his mask. "This is the only book I need... Thank you, Marwin." He said and Marwin smiled, glad his father was alive and relatively okay. Suddenly, Ugo's head picked up and he froze.

"Do you hear that?" He asked, and Marwin listened. His father usually was the sensitive ears of this constantly unstable relationship, and Marwin was the uncanny clear eyes. Marwin cocked his head and tried his best, and eventually heard it. A voice (Alice Becket) calling out. Marwin then went over and used the awning as a trampoline and jumped up to the roof, where he lifted himself up on top of it.

"What do you see?!" Ugo shouted at Marwin, unable to fully tell what happened but heard him scramble onto the roof. Marwin peered around and, eventually, saw her. A couple houses down, in what seemed to be like... Armor?... How did she not drown? "... It's a woman..." Marwin said back. "... That or a very effeminate looking man. Quick, my rifle!" He said and waited. Ugo, after much bumbling around, grabbed it and handed it up to Marwin.

Once Marwin had his rifle, he lifted it and waved it around over his head shouting back at the woman (Alice). "HEY! HEY! OVER HERE!..."

Tula Nikos - Former Rojyan Soldier - The Remains of the River Bed

She had come to, or thought she did. Her vision was black from the ill-fitting mask that Dimitry had given her. The heavy thing had fallen across her field of vision. Tula had a sense that she was awake and alert, but her entire body was sore like she had never felt.

She groaned as she adjusted the mask over her eyes, vainly in an effort to try and make some sense of her damp, muggy environment. Already, Tula had begun to dread what brushing the mud and gunk out of her hair would feel like later. Her vision cleared, but not by much. Everything was shrouded in a thick fog, and it seemed to afflict every sense. Then, her body was slowly sliding out of the gunk.

"H-He...y..." She stammered weakly, only to be brought up shakily to her feet and collide with someone.

"Stai bene? Riesci a sentirmi?" A deep voice buzzed against her ear. (( Are you alright? Can you hear me? ))

"Enrico..." Tula wriggled out of his grasp, only to struggle to stand. Then, she faintly was able to hear her current beau's voice. Her voice weakly raised itself as she used a single hand to balance herself against Enrico's shoulder, her head still spinning. "Dimitry!"

"Cazzo!" Enrico called out, sharply and more audible. "Your woman's over here. She's weak right now, so follow my voice!"

--

Anya Bodrov - Former Guard to Czarina Andreyevich  - Aftermath, Sunrest

For someone who was, essentially, transparent and weightless, Anya found herself sinking fast and fighting getting past everyone's legs to emerge from the water. Her  head popped up, finally, just in time to see Erick and Boraci attempt to fish out a drowning, peach-haired man. Was it Silas? He was the man who was trying to help Klaus earlier.

Klaus!

She remembered, and spoke up to Erick. "Have you seen Klaus? Is he-" She just managed to catch his frame, barely buoyant, and distant from the group, as he was swimming off in a beeline someplace. Anya struggled to push herself to the top of the water to try and swim towards him, shouting his names, nicknames, and anything else that could get his attention to bring him back over.

"Ugh, it's back to dragging you by your big, stupid arms again." Anya muttered to herself once she got a hold of the weakened Body Thief and helped him swim back to the group. She struggled to keep him and his head afloat, but did her best to lug him back.

## Page 2

Erick Bailee - King's Bodyguard - Sunrest, Fairhaven

As instructed, Erick grabbed onto Silas's right arm and hoisted him upright(ish) to keep his face away from the water, looking for a place where they might be able to rest. The water was beginning to lower, it seemed, but they needed to stop somewhere; until they were reunited with the rest of the group, there was no point in rushing forward.

Just as he began swimming, an unconscious Silas in tow, Erick spotted Anya just beside him. His eyes widened, and he fumbled over his words. Before he could answer, Anya's eyes snagged on something to his right; following her line of sight, he soon spotted Klaus as well. With what little breath he could spare, Erick sighed with relief. Two down, he thought; if things kept going this smoothly, even he would be shocked. "Klaus, you gonna make it?"

Alice Beckett-Oswald - Captain of the King's Guard - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Catching sight of a rifle raised high above someone's head, Alice stopped, and her fingers closed around the hilt of her sword. She realized then that her own rifle had gone missing, no doubt lost to the water, but she was almost glad to be rid of it. As close as she would have to be to actually hit her target, she may as well just use the blade. With some hesitation, she raised a hand and waved back in answer to the man's signal.

Making her way toward the man's shouts, she jumped the gap between one roof and the next, and a jolt of pain flared out from her ribs and into her chest upon landing. She slowed, nearly losing her footing as well as her breath, and braced an open hand against her side. She felt slow - off. Evidently, being mostly dead hadn't agreed with her at all. The sight of survivors, however - even strangers - was heartening. With only one more roof between herself and the two men, she stopped, a hand still resting lightly on the pommel of her blade. They were a rather curious duo - though, no more so than her missing friends, she guessed. One wore a shining mask which covered his eyes, carrying a piece of driftwood as a cane, and the man with the rifle was a younger, rather solemn-looking fellow.

She greeted them with a small nod, looking each of them up and down. Thankfully, remarkably, they seemed to have avoided any serious harm. "Are either of you injured? Do you need assistance?"

Marwin Vasco - An Unwilling Assassin - Sunrest, Fairhaven.

"Unless your concept of injury involves pre-existing conditions..." Said Marwin, looking around trying to find anyone else. It wasn't a problem of finding bodies sadly. There were plenty of those roaming the waters like lost children, it was discerning the live ones from the dead that really made Marwin puzzled. Somewhere, Marwin heard a distant cry of an infant, so distant and fading that he couldn't tell if it was just a fiction of his own mind or true to form. Soon it was accompanied, though. As if the bodies of the dying were rising out of the water itself. Cries of mothers, fathers, siblings, dogs, babies, refugees; all. "... We're fine." Ugo finished, keeping his blind gaze on the woman.

Marwin shuddered, thinking of the water and the oncoming wave of poor, disheveled masses heading for Hydris. Right in the middle of a revolution. He wouldn't want to be there. He focused and shut the calls of the still living out of his mind. He looked, now, for an exit. Some way out that didn't involve killing yourself tripping over the debris and dead at the bottom of the chest high tide. "My name is Phaedrus, Phaedrus Menahem. This is my son Bayer." Said Ugo, telling the lie he had told others for what seems like decades. At this point the names seemed more truth than their own. He took the lead in the conversation because he knew Marwin was, in some way, going to mess it up. Plus Ugo's mask was purposefully crafted to hide his face. Someone reading Ugo for tell-tale hints of a lie would have to search pretty extensively. "My son is a hunter, and I like to study the constitution of certain wildlife. Mostly what he catches. It's nice to mean you, despite dire circumstance."

Ugo unlike Marwin showed no hint of remorse. Drowning was not a foreign concept and he knew these people were at peace now. In fact, if it was not for the woman, Ugo might have even made a cruel and darkly humorous remark at the town's misfortune. He was certainly no stranger to looking death in the face and playing the jester. With the woman though Ugo wanted to remain cordial. At least until they were out of danger, when Ugo would no longer need her help.

Although Ugo couldn't see it, Marwin did. When his eyes finally did fall to rest on the woman he could clearly see she was hurt. Clutching her side in what Marwin would assume was a broken rib. That was going to be a challenge. He also noted she had a sword though, and was clutching it in a way that seemed to hint she was more than knowledgeable on how to use it. "Do you need help?" Ugo asked, not seeing this and thinking she was some poor townsfolk. Marwin cleared his throat and Ugo turned to him, curious. "She's 'capable'..." Said Marwin in that special way. "Ah" said Ugo, smiling and understanding exactly what his son was implying. This hadn't been the first time Ugo mistook someone for something else. Ugo turned back to where he thought the woman still was. "Regardless, is there anything we can assist you with?"

Leif Ragnar - Bodyguard - The Remains, Fairhaven.

Leif shrugged. "I think we are fine. I finally got that stupid cast off. Just need to find a weapon. And some clothing. Though it'll be challenging to find something that might fit."

He glanced around at the wreckage. "I guess we're lucky to be alive. Can't imagine what caused that."

Kristen was shaking, not from the cold, but the immense shock. "That explosion. It... Must have blown a dam. All the water in the reservoir."

Leif turned to Evelyn. "Now what? I can't imagine many people will be alive down there. I think we should try to start a fire, they'll follow the smoke, and we can warm up."

Kristen snorted. "There's one slight issue with that. Oh, I don't know, everything is drenched. Don't think it'll be easy to light a fire."

Matthew Barton - Meeting the SVT - Woods outside Sunrest.

The three commandos roared down the country road, following the river, but not in the flood zone.

In their heavy protective gear and surrounded by the sound of their motorcycles it was impossible to hear.

Alexi slammed on the breaks, coming to a sudden halt. Someone was in the road ahead of them.

He jumped off and approached the man who wore the remains of a once opulent suit.

Matthew staggered back when the three horrible insect people got off their roaring machines and approached him.

"Hey, it's that outlaw I made look for Dimitry for us." One of them said.

"Really? Small world." Another replied.

"So what do we do with him?" The third asked.

"Leave him. Look at his eyes, concussed to hell and back. He won't remember this, and if he does it's unlikely he'll believe himself and no one will believe him either." Let's go.

Illyushin Mosin - Polkovnik (Colonel) of the 13th Guards Division - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Mosin pulled himself up the bank, gasping for breath. He had lost Silas during the flood. The waters had been too powerful. He slammed his fist on the ground and cursed.

His head was pounding, his heart hammered in his chest, and his vision began to blur. Mosin cried out. In his head, the droplets of water falling from his drenched uniform turned to blood. He heard his comrades screaming and the Ghouls from his past laughing in his ears.

He scrambled to his feet, readying his Degtyaryov Model 27. His eyes were full of determination and fear. "No," Mosin said. "No, they are back. I have to stop them." He looked to his left and saw a trail of water leading to the forest. He followed it, chambering a round in his weapon, until he saw someone a couple meters ahead. It was Celaena, but Mosin was too deep in the throes of his hallucination to see her as anything other than a Ghoul.

"I got you now, cyka," he said before he pulled the trigger. A burst of bullets came flying out, but his hands were unsteady and he could barely see straight. Each one of them missed and hit a tree beside her. He tried again but swore when the Degtyaryov Model 27 jammed instead. "You are not getting away," he growled while he struggled to fix it.

Celaena- Assassin- Wet, pissed and some moron shooting at her

Celaena quickly turns around at gun shot, her breath catching short as the bullets barely missed her. She curses under her breath, soaking wet, tired, pissed and scared she charges and kicks the gun out of his hand. Finally studying his face she recognizes him, she grabs his arm, "Mosin! What the hell is wrong with you!?! Where are the others?!" She growls out. She has a few cuts on her face and arms where debris have struck her from damn flood.

Jack- Blacksmith- Somewhere

Once Jack comes to he looks around and quickly gets up and starts walking, using his huge sword as a cane to hold him up. He has to find Celaena or at least someone. Jack takes deep breaths, trying to stay calm going through a list of scenarios of what can happen. He hears some shouting in the distance and follows the sound, limping slightly through the forest. A wave of relief when he saw the familiar figure of Alice, picking up his speed slightly in hopes of catching up to her.

Illyushin Mosin - Polkovnik (Colonel) of the 13th Guards Division - Sunrest, Fairhaven

It was hopeless. Between the shock from the aerosani crash and the damage from the flood, the Degtyaryov Model 27 was beyond anything he could fix. By the time Mosin looked up, Celaena was already right in front of him, kicking away his weapon and holding his arm hostage. He shook his head at her words and promptly unsheathed Shashka with his free hand, putting the pointed blade between them. "Let go of me, creature. I will never tell," he spat before trying to swing at her. He would protect his comrades to the very end.

Alice Beckett-Oswald - Captain of the King's Guard - Sunrest, Fairhaven

The younger stranger's cryptic reply all but confirmed Alice's guess that his traveling companion was indeed blind; more surprising was that the masked survivor then introduced them as father and son, a hunter and a scholar. Her eyes darted between the two for a moment as their horrific surroundings threatened to break her calm front, but she remembered her manners quickly enough. "It's nice to meet the both of you. My name is Alice Oswald. I'm-"

She paused, feeling a twinge of shame. She wouldn't be able to call herself a knight, or a guard, or much of anything before long - but there was no harm in using the title while she still had it. "I'm a knight." Her eyebrows furrowed. "And if you're not in a terrible hurry... Perhaps you two could help me find my traveling companions. I can repay you for your trouble or escort you to a safe distance if you like, but I can't leave this place until I find them."

Catching movement in her peripheral vision, Alice turned to see Jack hurrying toward her, and visibly relaxed. "Well, here comes one of them now." She looked to Phaedrus and Bayer with a sheepish smile. "It won't be easy. I would understand if you refused."

Evelyn Luciole - Secret Officer - The Remains, Fairhaven

Evelyn answered Leif's reply with a slow nod, her eyes wandering. "I'll keep an eye out. As far as weapons are concerned, if you can't find anything substantial before we get moving again, just grab something heavy." Kristen's faintly wobbling voice concerned Evelyn, and she made a dismissive motion with both hands. "Sit down somewhere before you fall down, please. You're pale as a sheet."

She returned her attention to Leif, rocking her jaw for a moment. "As for building a fire, we would need to get to higher ground to find fuel - much higher. Let's gather up some more of our people, then see how far we would have to go to find what we need. If it's doable, we'll try to start a fire and draw everyone there. Sound reasonable?"

Ugo Vasco - A Masked Wise-ass - Sunrest, Fairhaven.

"O-Oh..."He said, stammering a bit when he realized she was a knight. Any other normal man in Ugo's shoes would have declined her offer immediately, or even physically ran away. But Ugo, of course, had to keep himself from giggling like a schoolchild. This was surely fate shoveling a large scoop of cruel, ironic karma onto his shoulders. This was like two lions happening upon a lion tamer, or a petty thief happening upon an officer of the law. Ugo, being the devious old crone he was, just had to accept. It was a good thing they had come up with those thin, temporary aliases. Now all they had to do was hold it.

"Why, what citizens would we be if we refused a woman in need?" Ugo said, smiling warmly. Meanwhile Marwin physically groaned at his father's annoying trickery, albeit quietly. They didn't need to push the hand of fate any farther in his mind. If life puts a sword to your throat, you don't hug it. Regardless though he had to admit; the least thing Alice would expect them to do if they were assassins in disguise is help her. Sometimes, even stupid strategies can be brilliantly unexpected if their stupid enough. Marwin saw the man Alice was referring to, and was temped to use the scoped rifle to see him more clearly. He didn't though because he didn't want to cause a panic, and make Alice think that Marwin was going to shoot him. So instead he just squinted.

"He doesn't look good, he looks hurt." Said Marwin, turning back to Alice again. Ugo couldn't see him so he didn't bother to ask how Marwin knew he was hurt. Ugo spoke up, though. "I can help with that, if need be... I'm well versed in the medical field and treating ailments."

Boraci - Odd Job Handler - Surest, Fairhaven

Anya seemed capable enough to bring Klaus back into safety, despite the obvious height difference. How did she get around? She was ghostly, right? Logging that thought away for a later time, Erick and I dragged Mr. Reid toward the railroad embankment, as beyond that was mostly water-free. My leg continued to burn, like a pig over a spit. With vinegar dripping off of it. No doubt it would get infected. Just what I needed.

We reached the embankment and pulled Mr. Reid out of the water. I looked to Erick.

"You okay?" I asked him, as I quickly scanned our hopeless botanist for injuries. The man didn't seem particularly interested in joining the land of the conscious, so I gave him a good little slap across the face.

 Celaena- Assassin

His swing barely missed her by a hair, with a growl she twirls around him and a small gun slips out from her left sleeve it was a custom made-gun that Jack had created for her that shoots out sleeping darts instead of bullets. Celaena fires two more darts to either side of him in case he manages to move out of the way. He was acting delirious so hopefully the others will understand. Hopefully and hopefully that after a nap he will wake up more sane. "Sorry, Mosin."

Jack- Blacksmith

As Jack gets closer, he sees that Alice isn't alone and they weren't people he recognized. His ankle burns with pain as he slows down once he got closer to them, "Alice, it's good to see you're alright." He smiles warmly, as he leans against his sword, he begins to wonder if he sprain it since it was hurting like that.

## Page 3

Illyushin Mosin - Polkovnik (Colonel) of the 13th Guards Division - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Mosin deflected one dart with a quick turn of his sword, but the other pierced the skin of his upper arm. Baring his teeth, he stumbled towards her and eventually pitched forward. Using Shashka to hold himself up, Mosin was on his knees before he could even touch her. He was already exhausted from what he went though and the sleeping dart had pushed him over the brink. "You cannot fool me," he snarled after she apologized. "I will kill you, you understand?" His eyelids grew heavy as he looked up at her until he finally fell.

Alice Beckett-Oswald - Captain of the King's Guard - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Phaedrus's smile struck Alice as somewhat out of place, though its true meaning eluded her. She searched his face, most of which was hidden behind his mask, before lowering her eyes as if out of embarrassment. "Thank you." With that, she returned her attention to Jack to find that Bayer was correct; he was favoring one leg. She hurried over to him, relieved to see that he appear seriously injured. "Likewise, Jack." She mirrored his smile, her hand leaving the hilt of her weapon as she held it out for him to take. "Now, give me your arm - before you ruin your sword. Blades are not made for leaning."

She heard Phaedrus once again offer his aid, and she could barely contain her amazement at their good luck - finally. If he really did have medical expertise, they needed him. But only for now, she thought. Once the group was together again, patched up and hopefully in one piece, she would lead Phaedrus and Bayer somewhere safe. If they weren't already involved, it would be wrong to drag them into this mess. "Jack, this is Phaedrus and Bayer Menahem. They've offered to help us find the others."

She raised her voice a little to reach Phaedrus and Bayer. "I think Jack may have twisted his ankle, Phaedrus. It doesn't look serious, but we have a lot of walking ahead of us, and he's in pain. Is there anything to be done?"

Erick Bailee - King's Bodyguard - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Erick set Silas down once they were out of the embankment, shaking the water from his hair. Silas was still unconscious - but, he thought, at least they had found him. Boraci asked if he was alright, and he answered with a smile and a nod rather than fumbling over his words. All at once, however, his smile vanished and he broke eye contact with Boraci as the wound on his leg held his attention. "You're bleeding. How long's that been going on?"

Celaena- Assassin

She lets out a sigh as she pulls out the dart, "Sorry Mosin. I can't die now... not until this stupid rebellion is over and Erick is safe and Jack is safe." she then groans as she picks him up over her shoulder and starts walking again. She has to find some place safe so this lump of meat can recover. Normally she would have knock him out and leave but he is part of Erick group and she doesn't want to explain to them that she left him, unconscious in the forest. "You.... are a lot heavier than I thought" She grumbles at him even though he can't hear her.

Jack- Blacksmith

Jack smiles at Alice and chuckles, "If the blade gets ruin I can fix it, if blades where self manage. I would be out of a job" He gives her his arm anyways, a little grateful for the help. He nods at Phaedrus and Bayer slightly, "It's just a sprain. I'll be fine, the others could be in more injured than me. Don't worry about me."

 Ugo Vasco - A Man of Intellect - Sunrest, Fairhaven.

"Unfortunately Mr. Jack is correct." Said Ugo as a slight frown spread across his face. The subconscious childhood dream of having a sword for a cane withering and dying in the back of his mind. "The best way to treat a sprain is something warm and rest, and we have neither. Maybe once we can maneuver our way out of the Great Puddle, with everyone else in tow, medical treatment would be more prudent." He said and wondered how to get down from this roof anyway. Or, really, how he got from the awning to the roof in the first place. He dwelt back into how this town came to be washed away as well. He and Marwin had just been minding their own business, talking to a suspicious (they always are) man of vice about selling organs, when suddenly a massive tidal wave just kinda swept them all away. Ugo wondered where the man was now. Probably collecting the organs of the dead, if he had to assume. Thinking about that rather stinky fellow taking his organs was now renewed incentive to get Alice's group together and leave. Although, Ugo grinned at the thought of the man taking his defunct eyes and selling them to some poor sod. Ugo's last laugh.

Meanwhile Marwin had sat down, waiting for them to decide what to do next. Anywhere, really, was better than here. He looked at the rifle he had made with a side-hanging sight and a small air compressor located under the tip of the long barrel. Each shot had to be hand loaded and worked into the chamber, but the barrel was so long that Marwin could hit targets 500 feet out. That is if the thing didn't blow up in his face. He was eager to test it out his invention and this flood seemed to have stopped his aspirations. Sighing, he looked around. If they really needed to they could burn a house as a smoke signal. Rather needless, and he was sure only a few would understand it as a signal, but it would work last ditch.

"Do you have any inkling as to where they might have disappeared to, Ms. Alice? I would search, but ah..." He tapped his metal mask with his cane. "I'm as blind as a Swamp Bat"

Alice Beckett-Oswald - Captain of the King's Guard - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Alice nodded, mulling over Phaedrus's suggestion. "Perhaps you're right." One more reason to find the others as soon as possible. Lucas, Erick, the group they had separated from - she shuddered to imagine what the wave must have been like for them. She could only hope they were still alive.

Forcing herself back to the present, Alice considered Phaedrus's question for a moment as she got her bearings from atop the roof. As much as she tried to focus, her mind was still in a heavy fog. "Some of them - at least two, that is, made it past the railroad tracks to your right before the wave could reach them. I should think they'll be fine for now. As for those who were carried off by the water..." She surveyed the area, her expression tensing into a faint scowl as she recalled the wave's path through Sunrest. "I think we should backtrack a little, ahead and to your left, and work our way toward the southern edge of town, near the tracks."

Alice stepped back from the edge of the roof, ready to be on their way. As she did, an oddly discouraging thought struck her: the past few hours had worn her down even more than as much time spent in the Wastes, and the farther north they traveled - the closer to home - the worse it would get.

Marwin Vasco - Disguised Assassin - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Marwin followed his father, who followed the knight. It seemed rather peaceful despite the biblical flood. The occasional body floated by but Marwin didn't really pay any mind to them. It was only when they were rotting did Marwin care about them. Right now, he was too busy making sure his father was going the right way. Usually he did, following the sound of splashing water where Alice was, but sometimes Marwin had to guide him around pitfalls in the water and hazards. They kept up as fast as they could, which wasn't very fast at all, luckily though the water seemed to level the playing field for all of them.

"I wonder how far the waterline extends..." Ugo said, splashing along. The water seemed to have no end, and if it covered the entire town, it didn't seem like there was any objects high enough to act as a levee. In fact, it seemed this permanent curtain of water affected the entire area in some sort of fashion. "As if I needed to be more wrinkly..."

Jessica Stuart - Getting angry - Embassy, Fairhaven.

The riots were getting worse outside, a lot worse, several nearby buildings had caught on fire and burned down because the crowds prevented the fire fighters from reaching the blaze.

The embassy security snipers were dueling with people using the crowd as protection, and had reported seeing uniformed military and police personnel participating. Her requests to the king for assistance went unanswered.

Jessica turned to look at the thin, sickly looking man standing in front of her. "You said you have an answer." She snapped.

"Yes. I am a member of the second fleet's psychological warfare research division, and I specialize in AGF. I think I might be able to disperse or at least pacify this crowd. Of course, due to this being classified as a level six weapon I need your signed approval." The man said with a thin, undulating voice.

"What does AGF stand for? And why is it a level six weapon?" Jessica demanded.

"My apologies. AGF stands for acoustically generated fear. We play recorded sounds on very powerful speakers in order to frighten hostiles. It is a level six due to its experimental nature. Of course the recordings are unable to cause serious bodily harm." He coughed, but Jessica thought he wispered "mostly" under his breath.

"Tell me more. How can sounds be a weapon?" Jessica asked, leaning back.

"The recordings different, some are produced by modifying normal sounds into distorted wailing, others are simply recordings of people undergoing enhanced interrogation. The most effective we have is a recording of a strange resonance produced by an obelisk discovered within the sea of the lost. The recording does not do it justice, but people who listen to it for extended periods experience a sense that they are being hunted."

"Interesting. Now, is there anything else?" Jessica asked.

The man shook his head, but there was something off about the response.

"Are you certain? I could have my people search your things." Jessica snapped.

"Alright! Alright! That won't be necessary. Probably for the best they don't listen to that recording." He stammered.

"What?"

"Well... As you know almost all of the Banshees either died in the battle of Agnorak, or vanished soon after. A few were injured, and captured. I have a recording of the Banshee's scream. It does not cause fatal cardiac arrest or sudden paralysis like that of a real banshee, we think there are frequencies that we are unable to record that cause those effects. But... Well...Test subjects reported splitting headaches, night terrors, hallucinations, and a crushing feeling of dread up to week after exposure. During exposure they screamed until they passed out due to lack of oxygen. I would not advise using that recording unless coming under direct attack. It will cause mass panic."

"Fine what do you suggest we do?"

"I believe that it would be best if we set the speakers up at night, and played one of the unnerving recordings. It will not be as effective if they see us setting up the systems beforehand."

SVT-13 - Renagade special activities unit - Near Sunrest, Fairhaven.

Rankin glanced around. "I heard gunfire. Let's get out of here. Don't want to drop anymore bodies, no more evidence."

He turned to the confused Matthew Barton and examined a strange pair of bruises on the outlaw's throat.

"Someone was throatling him. And who do we know who likes to do that?"

"As an intimidation tactic? Or murder method?" Jefferson asked.

"Intimidation. I guess he found him. Gods Damn, never thought he would find that sneaky bastard." Rankin responded.

"Well, then we've got an even better reason to leave. If he did this to the messenger... Fuck that." Jefferson muttered.

Celaena- Assassin

She trudge through the snow with Mosin on her shoulders, she grumbles and sets him down under a tree and breaks some branches and starts a small fire to help keep them warm. Celaena sits on the opposite side of the fire and starts carving a piece of wood while she waits for psycho to wake up.

Jack- Blacksmith

Jack watches Alice, "We should get off this roof and rest. We won't be must help if we pass out mid walk." He looks around for a way off, still limping slightly.

Boraci - Sunrest, Fairhaven

I shrugged. "It just happened in the water. Nothing much to worry about." I sat down to catch my breath; towing a body through murky water was not the lightest of endeavors. The air itself mirrored the water: cloudy, thick. Pressing a hand to my bleeding leg, it came back red, as expected. "Any injuries that you care to divulge?" I asked Erick, as I tore the lower part of my pant leg to make an impromptu bandage.

I looked out over the debris, not seeing Anya or Klaus anymore. That could be a problem. Come to think of it, I hadn't seen anyone else from the supply run group since getting on dry(ish) land.

Erick Bailee - King's Bodyguard - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Erick shook his head, glancing downward as if to double-check his answer. "No, no. I'm fine, thanks." He looked around with a huff. "Dammit, I'd just gotten all those supplies - must've lost the bag. Anyway," Erick muttered, crossing his arms, "With Silas being in the shape he's in, how should we go about finding the others? Shall I go searching while you look after him?"

Alice Beckett-Oswald - Captain of the King's Guard - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Phaedrus's musing brought on another gust of grim thoughts, and Alice's shoulders gave a slight shiver. Too far, she thought - it went too far. Thoughts of the damage's extent, crept to the forefront of her thoughts, and she nearly lost count of Jack by her side until he spoke up. Without meeting his eyes, she shook her head. "I won't be passing out anytime soon. You can rest here if you want to, and I wouldn't blame you, but I'm going to keep looking."

Some distance ahead of them, a building collapsed under the weight of the rubble piled against it, and Alice paused. A ripple moved through the water, toward her and past her, as she listened to the splashing and creaking of the settling heap. "Perhaps the noise will attract attention," she thought aloud, not sounding very hopeful.

## Page 4

Kristen Mernoth - Noblewoman - The remains, Fairhaven.

Kristen slowly lowered herself to the ground and shivered. She glanced over at Leif who was looking at Evelyn. "Yes. That sounds reasonable. Though I just remembered something from a while back. There was this war between different clans, back in my homeland. And after a great victory the victorious cheif ordered his men to follow signal fires set by the enemy as they tried to rally. And thus, even those who survived the battle were put to the sword." Leif said.

"To simplify things... My orignal idea may not be so sound, as it might bring whoever caused this to come and finish the job." Leif continued.

Dimitry Popov - Muddy Merc - the remains Fairhaven

Dimitry had mud up to his knees, his jacket dragging behind him in the filth. "Got to admire whoever set that bomb off. Probably caused more damage from the flooding than they could have with the blast." He muttered to himself, trying to distract himself from the stink.

He used the bayonet on his rifle to turn a body face up. "No one I know."

If anyone else made it out of there it would be Tula. Probably could swim better than most fish.

"Cazzo! Your woman's over here. She's weak right now, so following my voice!" An annoying voice called out. Enrico. Maybe he wasn't completely worthless.

"On my way!" Dimitry responded as he adjusted his course.

It took a while, but he eventually reached them. "I would appreciate it if you don't refer to Tula like that. She's not my property." Dimitry snapped.

In a slightly less angry voice he added. "But thank you for finding her."

He turned to her and pulled the mask off. "Are you alright?" He asked.

Celaena- Assassin

 After a few hours of carving, the fire was getting low. She gets up and stays within sight of Mosin as she collects more sticks to burn. She hears a rumble in the distance but placed it as thunder as she continues. She scans the woods again as she walks back, Mosin should wake up soon, hopefully less crazy than before. Celaena watches him as he tends the fire.

Jack- Blacksmith

"Maybe.. or they will go further away from it..." He hobbles over and puts a hand on her shoulder, "If you need to rest let me know. I can carry you if needed. I know I'm probably not someone you trust because of Celaena but I won't let anything happen to you." He smiles slightly at her then removes his hand and looks around. "We should check the forest... Most of them probably got swept away there..."

 Evelyn Luciole - Secret Officer - The Remains, Fairhaven

Evelyn paused, eventually making eye contact with Leif - if only to make her annoyed expression plainly visible. "You think they would come looking for us?" She sighed, the harshness fading from her tone of voice. "Yes, I suppose it's not worth the risk. If we're not sure who did this or where they are now, perhaps we should lay low for a while. Though..." She stared over the wasted scenery, suddenly looking - and feeling - ten years older. "That does add another element of difficulty to gathering our people. Heading to higher ground may still make us a target, but if we pick the right place, it could give us an advantage. What else can you suggest, Mr. Regnar?"

Alice Beckett-Oswald - Captain of the King's Guard - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Lost in her thoughts, staring at the fallen building, Alice jumped slightly when Jack placed a hand on her shoulder. She nodded, surprised to find herself smiling. "Don't be silly. I trust you - and Celaena." Following his line of sight, Alice squinted slightly, unsure. If anyone was further upstream, they would almost certainly be injured - but Jack was right. If they were carried all the way to the embankment, they may well have crossed it and gone into the forest.

After a few moments of silence, Alice looked to Jack, then to Phaedrus and Bayer. "Well... If they made it to the forest, they probably walked there on their own two feet - but you're right. Perhaps we'll be able to see something useful from the tracks, at the very least." As she started forward, she lowered her voice, her thoughts already beginning to drift elsewhere. "And don't worry about me, Jack. I'll be fine."

Asbel Sutherlin - Having One of Those Days - The Remains, Fairhaven

All at once, every nerve in Asbel's body flared to life as he lay coughing and gasping in the mud, his ears ringing and his vision wavering like a heat haze. He saw the sky, which told him he was on his back - and he heard nothing, which told him he was almost certainly alone. With the water out of his lungs, he fought to catch his breath, but something fought back. He craned his neck to see a heap of debris piled onto his chest, his stomach, his legs; he was half-buried in rubble and mud.

Asbel returned his attention to the ashen clouds overhead, trying to remember how he had ended up there. No luck. Everything was a blur. He dragged himself out from beneath the rubble, only then remembering his broken hand, which startled him for just a moment. The more he moved, the more everything hurt, but he didn't think to stop.

By the time he was free, he was already exhausted and no less dazed, but he managed to stand and begin walking - the direction was anyone's guess. He stumbled a few times over nothing, taken aback by a sharp pain at the base of his neck: a ragged gash just above his collarbone. Covered in bruises and scrapes, assaulted by the sight of the ruined town and the countless bodies as his eyes finally focused, he only made it a few steps before falling to his knees, beside himself with shock.

Ugo Vasco - Man of Intellect - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Ugo kept to himself on the walk, but he could see from the corner of his eyes that his son was approaching his shoulder. Likely for a word alone. Marwin was always worrying about some possible hitch-up in the plan. Improvisation was their best tool right now, and Marwin was a man of plans. Ugo slowed down a bit, feigning that it was the water doing this when really it was his own volition to get a ways behind the knight and her friend. Once they were "alone", Ugo was the first one to lay his mental cards on the table in a hushed whisper: "This is not permanent. Only until we figure out what knights are doing out in our neck of the woods."

Marwin rolled his eyes, shouldering the rifle on his back a bit. "Oh I don't suppose it's the lord himself? That'd make a pretty penny." Marwin looked around at all the buildings destroyed by water. "Maybe the 'Great Puddle' did it for us?..."

"No, they're arrival at a time of great distress is no coincidence..." Ugo looked at the back of the knights head. "I would guess this was an attempt to deal with that rebellious rabble, or perhaps join it. Regardless she's onto something. Something that's at the heart of this whole national mess."

Marwin shook his head, and looked at his father with that of respect but also a deep disagreement. "Father- There's rioting on the streets of Hydris. The seat of an empire lays siege and the fires can be seen for miles. We are at the center of it. Whatever 'it' is..."

Ugo nodded, understanding his point and the two sped up to join the group again. Marwin now with a new sense of resolve. He didn't like killing people, then again who did? His father only saw it as a necessity, and if it were Marwin's choice, he would be testing his own engineering. But he couldn't help but feel that they were at the heart of the problem, or close to it now. For days they had been on the outside looking in. And now they were trapped in it, for much better or for incredibly worse.

"If need be..." Ugo spoke up, nudging Marwin. "My son here is a good scout if it comes to it. He'd be more than happy to trudge his way back to the town and collect what remains." Marwin didn't seem to protest at this idea, but did look back at the town with a frown.

Boraci - Sunrest, Fairhaven

I propped Mr. Reid's head on a flat stone. Those supplies Erick was talking about sounded pretty good about then. The dirt had turned to mud, staining my knees as I knelt down to feel a pulse on the botanist's neck.

"I'll be fine here. You can go ahead and look for the others." Wild goose chase that was going to be. (Why was it called a wild goose chase? I'd never met a wild goose before.) The water had vastly changed the scenery and if he had had any experience with Sunrest before, it wouldn't likely help him. The pulse was evading me, and then I felt a slow pump of the heart.

 Erick Bailee - King's Bodyguard - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Erick nodded, brushing the scales of drying mud from his palms. "I won't go too far. Maybe I can find something useful, at least. Looks like we'll be here for a while." After one last uncomfortable glance at Silas, Erick set out. As tempted as he was to scale the nearest building and travel as far as he could by rooftop, his instincts kept him on the ground and out of plain view.

Alice Beckett-Oswald - Captain of the King's Guard - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Alice stopped in her tracks, her brow furrowed as she turned to face Phaedrus and his son. In her mind, she cursed herself for being so suspicious, but that didn't stop her from fixing her attention almost oppressively onto Bayer as she spoke. "Once again, that's a very kind offer. But after what just happened, Bayer, and with all the rebels swarming about, would you really want to go back there alone - 'if need be?'"

Silas Reid - Botanist and Odd Job Part-Timer - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Some time after Mr. Bailee left, Silas began to shiver violently, his arms cradled tightly around his chest. His eyes appeared sunken, and his cheeks glowed beet-red, glistening with sweat. But the worst was happening right within his own mind. He could see shadows shifting and dancing across surfaces, strange sounds beating at his eardrums. Reality spun in all different directions. He was caught in a fever dream.

Then he pulled himself up like a shot and lurched toward the nearest person, Mr. Dermon. He lost his balance quickly, awkwardly grasping their shoulders to steady himself and leaning his forehead against their chest. He barely had the strength left to lift it up. Yet he was spurred to keep going, haunted by one particular image.

"Ada," he said, his speech slurred. "Ada, Ada, Ada. Is that you? There's something that I—that I have to tell you..."

Tula Nikos - Former Rojyan Soldier - The Remains of the River Bed

"I'm fine." Tula breathed, clasping his hand to give Dimitry a reassuring squeeze. "I'm just fine..."

Enrico cut in. "She's a woman and she's yours. I never implied her to be someone's property and never would."  After a glare from Tula, he used a somewhat kinder tone. "You're welcome, cazzo."

"Stop calling him that!" Tula snapped. Then, she turned back to Dimitry. "Like I said, I'm fine. Just a bit woozy, and there's more mud in my hair than I'd prefer." At her little joke, Tula gave him a half-hearted smile. "What should we do now?"

 Dimitry Popov - Mercenary - The remains, Fairhaven.

Dimitry smiled at Tula. "I'm glad you're alright. I figured you would be, probably the best swimmer this side of the ocean."

He slowly stood up and extended a hand to help Tula stand.

"We should get to higher ground. Don't want to slog through this mud anymore than we have to. Then I guess we look for the others."

Leif Ragnar - Bodyguard - The Remains, Fairhaven.

Leif grinned. "Well. Every old story can be told half a dozen ways. And there is one version of the story I told you where some clever warriors survived. Now, to follow their example we need to build a signal fire near an area where we could hide and watch."

He scanned the nearby area. "Like that copse of trees to your right. Now, most of us would hide. But a few would stay by the fire and warm themselves up. If anyone came close we could make sure they were friendly, and if they weren't we could ambush them."

He smirked. "What do you think?"

Boraci - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Mr. Reid shivered, rocking almost, and his complexion was unnaturally flushed. Coupled with the sweat dribbling down his face, I could only assume he was in some state of shock. At least, I thought. I hadn't ever taken first aid. Then, he popped up, and I leaned back to avoid getting hit in the chin by his rising head. He righted himself, and I planted myself like a tree so that his forehead was a steadying point for him.

His murmuring sounded like a woman's name. It was faint, but resolute. Who was this woman, and what did Mr. Reid need to tell her? I hesitantly circled my long arms around the man, trying to comfort him.

## Page 5

Evelyn Luciole - Secret Officer - The Remains

Evelyn nodded. "If we can manage to get a decent fire going, that sounds like a good plan."

Catching the faint sloshing of footsteps behind her, Evelyn turned to see Danor approaching with a handful of battered, filthy recruits in tow, looking a bit worse for wear herself. She shook her head at Evelyn's questioning look, her face an unreadable mask. Evelyn hesitated, but couldn't help asking, "Did you see Asbel anywhere?"

Danor noticed the faintest tone of concern in Evelyn's voice, and replied in as gentle a tone as possible. "I didn't see him." As quickly as she had said it, she added, "I could go back."

"Thank you, but you've done enough. If you want to stay here, we're going to try and build a signal fire." She looked to Leif and Kristen. "I'll try and find some things to burn. What do you plan to do?"

Tula Nikos - Former Rojyan Soldier - The Remains

She squeezed his hand tightly, and flashed Dimitry a smile at his compliment. "Right. Let's get moving!" Tula nodded over for Enrico to follow, and he obediently did so as she started towards the direction of higher terrain with the rest of the moving group. He followed behind, but kept a sullen distance as he searched for his second in command and whatever Voce children had survived.

 Silas Reid - Botanist and Odd Job Part-Timer - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Silas appeared emboldened when Ada hadn't immediately backed away. His eyes half-lidded, he leaned to her ear and whispered, "Somebody once told me, the world was gonna roll me so I'm never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down, never gonna run arou—wait... that was a mental typo."

((Okay, okay, what really happened was...))

Silas was surprised by how relieved he was when Ada hadn't immediately backed away. He kept still, almost as if he was frightened he would somehow change her mind and break this rare connection between them.

"You have to listen to me," he said, his grip on her shoulders tightening. Just like she had. "I-I'm not a man of many regrets but if I'm to die before the end of this whole affair, I will say this... just once: I'm sorry. I am deeply, inexplicably, terribly sorry. I should have been there for you. I should have been there for Noah. I should have been better to the both of you." He took a ragged breath before confiding, "I don't expect you to forgive me. I can't change the past, and I can't say if I could go back, things might have been different, but if there's anyone I care about in this world, if there's anyone who could..."

He shut his eyes, feeling very nausous. Had he really just said that? Was he really going to echo words from a dream back to her? He expected nothing more than another laugh at his expense or maybe a snort of disgust. What must she think of him, he wondered. Suddenly, he wanted to raise his gaze to meet hers but instead of rising up, his legs gave way and he fell.

Illyushin Mosin - Polkovnik (Colonel) of the 13th Guards Division - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Mosin was woken up by an uncomfortable sensation of heat. Immediately, his hand rushed to unholster Shaska from his scabbard. Adrenaline pumped through his veins, fueling the urge to kill. When he peeled his eyes open however, Mosin only saw her, the assassin. "Blyat, it's you. What happened to the Ghoul?"

Celaena- Assassin

She jerks her head up towards Mosin from her task of tending the fire, "There was no Ghoul. I had to knock you out, you were seeing things." She sits back on the dirt across from him. Her icy blue eyes study him, trying to get a read on his health before smirking slightly, "I hope I didn't hurt you too much."

Jack- Blacksmith

He was staring out into the woods, concern mask his face, drifting off into thought that he wasn't paying too much attention to the conversation. He was worried about Celaena, hoping he wouldn't find her in a tree or torn apart. When his attention slowly comes back to the conversation, "A scout would be handy... but Alice is right, it's too dangerous at the moment..."

Marwin - Assassin - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Marwin cleared his throat nervously, resisting the urge to tug on his collar. "Of course, I wouldn't want to..." He said to dis-sway opinion from him. He felt his father giving him a sideways look under the mask, even though he couldn't see. He was going to intervene to save him and Marwin wouldn't have that. He may be an assassin hiding from the thin veneer of law that was left in the form of a knight, but that didn't mean he couldn't at least keep that weak field of disguise afloat. "But tracking works both ways. You may be leading us to your friends but you might be leading unwanted guests."

SVT-13 - Just passing through - Sunrest, Fairhaven.

The three commandos left the still concussed outlaw and got back on the road, though they limited their speed so the engine noise would be more limited. Then they reached the edge of the woods and burst into the daylight and full view of several scattered groups of people.

"Fuck. Get ready!" Alexi shouted.

Rankin nodded and leaned forward in his seat in Alexi's side car and racked the slide of the mounted machine gun and checked the belt.

"If they shoot at us. Only then." Alexi snarled.

"Got it." Rankin replied. There were several small groups of people, the only one the were close enough to appeared to include a man in some sort of uniform, and a woman with bright red hair.

Then as quickly as they had arrived they went over the crest of a hill and were gone. Once they were a few miles away the stopped. "Were we spotted?" Jefferson asked.

"No I don't think they saw us." Rankin replied sarcastically.

"Fine. Should we go back and sanitize the area?" Jefferson asked.

"No point. They may have moved on, and gunning them down will only make it more obvious that this was a Grail operation, unless you want to go and pick up all the shell casings once we're done."

Jefferson just grunted.

Leif Ragnar - House hunting - The remains, Fairhaven.

"I'm going to get some pants." Leif replied to Evelyn's question and began waddling towards the nearest building that still stood, an old farm house with stone walls.

The door hung loosely and it looked like the contents had been ransacked. Maybe bandits, more likely the homeowners trying to take what they could after the rebels attacked the town in the first place.

He went through the dressers and found nothing that would fit. There was an old chest sitting in the corner which he yanked open. A small amount of coins, no value in those. A rusty sword, and a pair of leather pants that looked like they once had metal scales sewn on as armor, but they had since been removed. He tried to pull them on, and surprisingly was able to, though they were not entirely comfortable, as the leather was extremely old.

Probably the armor of some grandfather in the family, whatever made up the rest of the suit either lost or sold. But it was something.

He began leaving the house but stopped and picked up a wood ax that was leaning against the doorway. Something more than his bare hands.

Dimitry Popov - Mercenary - The remains, Fairhaven

Dimitry smiled at Tula and began walking back towards the high ground. His first aid kit was in his backpack, and that was somewhere down the river. Gone forever. Along with most of his ammunition, all his food, and his explosives. And his bedroll, and his clean and dry clothing.

He glared at the sky where the mushroom cloud had been and sighed. This was already shaping up to be worse than the war of the wastes. Then again, Poppy and her personality weren't here. So there was that. And Tula was around which was good. But so was Enrico. You win some you lose some.

Illyushin Mosin - Polkovnik (Colonel) of the 13th Guards Division - Sunrest, Fairhaven

“It does not. Thank you for not killing me.” Mosin stood up and checked the Degtyaryov, which had been placed beside him. The pan magazine wasn’t cracked fortunately, and even if it did, he still had half a dozen more in his rucksack, more than enough for a single man.

“Celaena, is it me, or do I smell petrol? Have you seen any vehicles in the area recently?” The Rojyan got on his stomach and deployed the Degtyaryov’s bipod on the fallen tree, aiming at the treeline. “I think we are not alone. Stick to cover, comrade,” Mosin said, as he removed a magazine from his rucksack and placed it next to his deployed machine gun. Little did he know, the Degtyaryov was still jammed.

## Page 6

Boraci - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Mr. Reid continued to murmur nonsense, apparently very invested in getting across this phantom message. I wondered who was on the receiving end, because it certainly wasn't me or anyone else in the physical world. Despite eating not too long ago, my stomach grumbled like a pup (baby bat) on its first kill.

My small companion collapsed on me, and I hastily hooked my arms under his armpits, then slowly lowered him back onto the damp ground. Did he sustain a head injury in the flood? That would make sense, right? I let his head rest on my lap. Where the hell was Erick? Had he found anyone? Someone with medical expertise, maybe? I kind of doubted simple herbs would be of much help here.

 Celaena- Assassin

She sniffs the air and nods, "You're not the only one, but I haven't seen any vehicles though I haven't really scouted the area. Made sure you were okay first, didn't want to get an earful once we find our friends." She gets up and looks off in tree line, "Don't shoot til they shoot. I rather not deal with unnecessary trouble, plus it's the two of us versus however many is there. Rather not die today, comrade." She climbs up a tree into the lower branches to try to get a better view.

 Danor Arkaitz - Tired - The Remains, Fairhaven

Danor sighed, looking over the nearby copse of trees. "I'll have a look around for some dry fuel. It will take a while, but I think it's possible. I suggest we stay close."

Evelyn motioned outward into the wreckage, gingerly wiping the blood from her face. "After you, Miss Arkaitz. Would you prefer to stay hidden, Kristen?"

As she made her way back out into the ruined town, Danor glanced down at the empty air where her bag normally was - her notes, most importantly of all. She remembered it all by heart, but the book itself was a memento she would never replace. Already, even as much as she scolded herself for it, she missed them. Still, there were bigger worries to worry. There would be time for sulking later - and when that time came, she was sure she wouldn't be sulking alone.

Alice Beckett-Oswald - Captain of the King's Guard - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Bayer's faltering rang in Alice's ears, and she surprised herself with the startled look she gave him in response. She hadn't imagined it, then. Something was making the man nervous. Still, for the time being, she didn't know what it was. She had no right to assume the worst of him. Stealing a glance at Jack, she relaxed slightly, and spoke more softly. "There's a good chance that we are, Bayer." Remembering her debt to the two of them, she smiled. "In any case, it's not my place to step on your generosity. Do what you think is best, but please be safe." She looked to Jack, who seemed unusually distant - and Alice didn't have to wonder why. "We'll find them, Jack. Try not to worry just yet."

Erick Bailee - Making new (weird) friends - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Flat on his back in the mud, unable to even lift his head and glare at his opponent, Erick slurred curses until he saw a beaked face looming over his. It spoke over his angry grumbling, sheathing its longsword with a vaguely condescending huff. "I don't want to fight," it said.

"Whad'dyou..?" Erick managed, glaring at Doctor through the spots in his eyes.

Doctor rolled a small, open vial between its fingers, crouching beside him. "Sorry. It'll wear off in a little while. I only wanted to talk, but you did try to take my head off."

Erick's lip curled upward in disgust - or he thought so, at least. "M'na shove that masss so far up yer mass..."

As if fearing he might somehow make good on the threat, Doctor removed their mask to reveal a... blurry face. God dammit. Masculine, he thought - young, short hair, dark olive skin. That was all he could get. "It's important," Doctor assured him. "I'm going to help you find your friends. I know where Alice is."

Erick's eyes widened, and he stirred slightly. "'S she okay? Wh- D'you see Ryouki?"

"Alice is alright, but I haven't seen anyone else. Now, I'm just going to pick these up for you..." He gathered the few useful items Erick had scrounged from the ruined town, which lay strewn in the mud, and tucked them into his coat. "Then I'm going to help you up, and we're going to go find-"

"Silas."

"Come again."

Already, Erick felt the toxin wearing off. He raised a finger toward the way he'd come. "He needs help."

The man's eyebrows raised. After a brief pause, he nodded once. "Silas it is, then. Up we go!" Doctor pulled Erick's arm over his shoulder with one hand and hoisted him to his feet with the other, leading him back toward the railroad tracks.

 Jack- Blacksmith

He blinks and looks back at Alice and gives her a goofy smiles, "Me? Worry? Nah." He chuckles and his expression grows stern as he looks back into the dense forest, "She's an assassin... what is there to worry about?" He trudges on ahead to allow them to talk while he looks around, staying in sight of them.

Alice Beckett-Oswald - Captain of the King's Guard - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Alice wasn't sure she believed Jack, though she managed a small smile before he went ahead to explore. She might not worry about just any nondescript "assassin," but it seemed to her that Celaena was different from most assassins - a bit on the hotheaded side, and far too honest for someone in her line of work. Then again, all the assassins she had ever met were a bit peculiar, weren't they?

Doctor #3 - Sunrest, Fairhaven

When he finally saw the two vaguely familiar people Erick had led him to, one of whom seemed to be semiconscious and possibly injured, he stopped some distance away and dropped his mask - along with Erick, who just managed to dizzily sit down with his dignity intact.

"I come in peace." He imagined the rest of his outfit might strike them as a bit strange, but he also had a feeling these people might have a unique definition of the word. Ignoring a wary glance from Erick, he looked to the delirious peach-haired man. "I'm betting that's Silas." His attention turned to the tall man whose name he wasn't quite sure of. "Your irritable friend over here," he said, indicating Erick, "tells me he's a bit worse for wear. What happened to him?"

Kristen Mernoth - Noble - The Remains, Fairhaven.

Kristen nodded and began hobbling towards a clump of trees nearby. The entire situation was becoming more and more sureal as time wore on. She was still worried about what the bomb would mean in the long run. She couldn't imagine any rebels obtaining such a weapon, and knew for a fact that loyalists lacked such capacity.

So that left Grail-El and Rojya. She doubted it was the Grail. The trade of grain was the only thing that allowed them to survive in their cities. She knew very little of Rojya. Merely that they were nearly as advanced as the Grail, and ringed by a huge wall. What they would gain from this was beyond her.

She slowly sat down in the old leaves and tried to make herself small in the shadows.

Dimitry Popov - Considering a new line of work - The remains, Fairhaven.

Dimitry finally set foot on dryish ground. From his thighs down there was a inch thick coat of mud, with twigs, leaves, and other debris stuck on. He sat down heavily on the still damp grass and looked across the river bed. Throughout the muck stuck uprooted trees, boulders carried down stream, the shattered remains of buildings, and of course, the battered corpse of the airship, the canvas skin torn, exposing the steal ribs and deflated gas cells.

The air was remarkably clear, and a strange silence fell over the land.

It reminded him of the wastes, just with more vibrant colors, and not as hot.

He thought about trying to clean his clothes, but decided it would be easier once it dried and he could just beat them against a rock and knock it all off. There was no way from the rebels to come back from this. A good percentage of them were dead or badly injured. He doubted many still had their weapons or ammunition. And to make it worse, their morale would have been shattered.

Time to cash out. Of course, Evelyn wouldn't have any money on her. But... The bounty on these people would be enormous. Boraci would probably get grabbed too, as would Asbel. But they would be protected, as would the other "heroes of the wastes" the king couldn't risk the outcry that would follow if he arrested them. Of course, they would hate him for it. But in the long run...

He didn't know how Tula would respond. He doubted she was very invested in the rebellion. Maybe he could convince the king to remove the banishment he put on her. Matthew Barton - Among friends - Sunrest, Fairhaven.

Matthew staggered forward before tripping over a fallen tree and landing next to a familiar pair. "Did you see them Mosin? Where did they go?" He frantically asked.

"They were the ones who sent me here! I recognized one's voice." He continued.

His head wasn't ringing as badly as it was, and the blood had all dried into a matted mass on his head.

His rucksack was gone. His vision was still blurry, and all his water was gone.

Boraci - hospice nurse - Sunrest, Fairhaven

I glanced over my shoulder. There stood a young man in odd garb, and Erick, on his knees, looking like he took a pint of hallucinogenic juice. "I'm sure you do," I replied, glancing at the pointed mask on the ground. I wondered what Erick got himself into. He was just supposed to be looking for others when this man - probably - confronted him. And dosed him. What was the point, if I could make him out?

I readjusted Silas' head, slicking back his unique hair. "Carried away in the flood. Hit his head pretty good on something. Lost consciousness, and has been babbling." I wondered what this newcomer could offer. He was dressed like one of the harbingers of war I'd been hearing about. Hard fellows to track down. "I hope you're not planning on drugging all of us."

Evelyn Luciole - Secret Officer - The Remains, Fairhaven

Danor and Evelyn searched every accessible building and pile of rubble in sight, finding a few useful things here and there. From a second story window, Evelyn was able to climb out and scavenge a few dry-ish planks and shattered beams from a tall pile of rubble which had smashed into the building's side. Danor explored the first floor - until the sight of the unfortunate souls who had taken shelter there became too much to ignore, and too much to stomach. She waited outside, gathering up the firewood Evelyn threw down to her, and avoided the woman's eyes when she returned.

It wasn't long before Evelyn noticed, and tried to get Danor talking. "I never thought things would be this bad - not so far from Hydris."

"I'm sure it's going to get much worse before we get there."

Evelyn stopped, her eyes fixing to Danor. "Do you want to leave?"

Danor sighed, gathering a bundle of wood under her arm. "More than anything. I think this whole revolution is a mistake. But I have a good reason to be here - so, as long as you keep your word to me, I'll stay."

Doctor #3 - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Once he was fairly sure the taller fellow didn't intend to do anything rash, he took a tentative step forward, trying to get a closer look at Silas. When the man's suspicious remark reached his ears, however, he paused to gawk, looking mildly offended. "For now, given the urgency of your friend's condition, I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that." He felt around the countless pockets inside his coat as he knelt beside Silas, muttering something under his breath.

Erick kept a close eye on him, growing more and more nervous as the drug wore off. He could see him clearly then: barely out of his teenage years, with an oval face and deeply set, focused eyes. He didn't look threatening, crazed, or even eccentric - which made Erick all the more suspicious.

"Sounds like a nasty concussion," the man said. He pulled the gloves from his hands and felt for a pulse on Silas's neck, scanning every inch of him from the shoulders up. Once he'd apparently seen all he needed to, he glanced up at the tall man. "For the record, I wouldn't count this as 'drugging.' He may come to in a hurry, though, so be sure not to drop him." He reached into his coat for a capsule of smelling salts, smashed the end of it, and waved it at some distance from Silas's nose. "Silas? Can you hear me?"

Silas Reid - Botanist and Odd Job Part-Timer - Sunrest, Fairhaven

The images wouldn't stop coming, each one more nightmarish than the last. Silas was paralyzed, descending further and further down a spiral. No matter how hard he tried, he could find no reprieve, until he could feel a hand brushing over his hair. His aunt, maybe. She never went easy on them, betraying only the tiniest concern when she thought they weren't aware.

He felt fingers press against the side of his neck. The doctor? Right. She must have called for him again, not that there was much he could do. Silas stirred in his stupor, wrinkling his nose at the repulsive smell. He managed to raise hand off the ground and bat at him weakly. "Bugger off," he mumbled. Immediately after, a cough forced its way from his throat, and a bit of saliva dribbled down the side of his chin. It was too hot. He wondered what had gotten him this time.

The fog that cluttered his mind eased up just a bit, and he scrunched his eyebrows together in confusion. What was this? A memory, still? Delusion? Reality? His eyes fluttered closed, and he decided not to think about it.

## Page 7

Marwin Vasco - Assassin - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Marwin nodded, and shot his father a look of annoyance. It wasn't out of the ordinary for his father to purposefully put him on the line but it was certainly a pest. His father was always challenging him in such a way. His father in turn grinned like an idiot behind the mask, and Marwin just knew that he was sticking his thumb out at him from under the golden disguise. Marwin cracked a smile, a bit amused at that as Ugo chuckled and then Marwin began to march back to the town. There was no way he was going to scout the town, oh no, he just wanted to make sure they weren't being followed.

He trudged through the water a bit, looking back every now and then to see if the woman had vanished from sight yet, until eventually the entire group disappeared from sight just as Marwin had reached the edge of the town. He felt a great weight lift off his shoulders, no longer under that knight's skeptical gaze, and immediately began to climb a nearby tree. It took a minute or so of grunting and cursing, but once he was up there, the leaves hid him and he managed to get a very decent view of the town. And that was where he saw them.

A small group of people, roughly 5 to 6, were walking towards Marwin. Following in the group's footsteps. He got himself settled on a large branch and got into a good sitting position. Then took aim with his long rifle, seeing that the men were not only going towards Marwin, but were searching house to house and body to body looting. Marwin knew these guys were trouble, but didn't fire. Not yet at least. Looting was not a death sentence, and although the act of looting certainly screamed rebel or criminal, it could just be some poor dazed citizens looking for provisions.

Then suddenly Marwin saw something out of the corner of his scope. While the looters were looting the houses, the two that had remained outside were armed with what looked to be like clubs. What's worse is that, while Marwin watched, one of them walked over to a floating body and upon discovery of the woman still being alive proceeded to try and hold her under. That wasn't normal, unso Marwin prepared himself to fire.

First, he leaned to the left a bit, so he could rest the barrel of his rifle on top of a thick unwavering branch. He took nice, even and slow breaths. Making sure each one had the required amount of oxygen he needed to remain conscious and alert. He put his hand on the stock to steady it and cushion his cheek. He pressed the stock of the rifle into his shoulder, expecting the blow back. When all this is done, then he takes aim right over one of the buttons in the man's coat. More breaths, in and out, as the woman continued to flail in the water as she was unable to breathe at all. When Marwin was ready he slowly pulled on the trigger.

The firing pin slamming into the back of the chambered cartridge. The shell dents and a spark ignites the granules of Cordite and Poudre B inside the brass casing, and it awakens and begins to roar. Gas is expelled in incredible volumes and pressure, pushing the small lead pellet forward down the tight and constricting barrel. Forcing it to spin as it goes. The expelled gasses push it out of the muzzle, yearning to breathe free in the open air, at the end of the dark tunnel. As the pellet leaps out into the world, the rifle jolts back into Marwin's shoulder, threatening to knock him off his perch and the gasses begin to scream in a thunderous boom, only having been slumbering dormant inside the rifle hundreds of microseconds ago.

The bullet sails through the air, forcing the air in front of it part and creating a vacum behind it. Before the sound of the gunshot has even reached the man's ears, the bullet has lodged itself a couple inches below the button. Worming it's way into his stomach, listing off to the left and missing his spine before the crumpled bullet now falls out of his back and into the water.

Marwin blinks as his rifle goes off, he always does. His father tried to teach him not to but he can't help it. When he opens his eyes it's already too late to see what has happened. And by the time he steadies and aims his rifle again the woman has already run off. The man now is floundering and splashing around in the water, trying not to be carried off even though he doesn't have the strength to stand anymore. The current carrying his blood downstream. The man is surprisingly silent, despite what Marwin can assume is only incredible pain, and Marwin tries feebly to comfort himself in the knowledge that the man is probably too deep in shock to feel any. In fact, the man probably still doesn't even know what happened yet.

Marwin's hands shake as he works the bolt on his rifle, letting the smoking shell tumble into the water below and sink. He never got used to taking someone's life, or even hurting people. Who could get used to that? He saw that the other looters had now stopped looting, and were now tying to help their friend. Whether or not they were following his father, the knight or the blacksmith, they weren't going to be following anybody else today. Unso, with a heavy heart, Marwin clambered down from the tree and marched back toward his father's side.

Ugo Vasco - Wise-ish man - Sunrest, Fairhaven.

Ugo, even without his son's help, managed to keep up perfectly fine with the woman. He followed the sound of splashing footsteps and occasionally only stopped to fumble to pick something up from the water. "... So..." He said, wanting some form of communication. "A knight, to whose service though? There are many lords of the land, if I do recall a whole court's load..." He said, figuring he still had connections within the court that would do him a solid. There wasn't, but part of the great thing about being a senile idiot was hope, right?

He was going to say something else when he heard the loud sudden punctuation of his son's gun. He turned his head to the sound, knowing it by heart. The buy had made it himself, and Ugo had heard it so many times it was almost like it had it's own story to tell. He tried to keep himself from smiling figuring it would send the wrong message. Inside, though, Ugo was happy. Their hunch of being followed had been correct, and Marwin had dealt with it. Ugo would be worried if he didn't hear the gun's retort. "... He's coming back." He said, when the gunshot had come silent. "We should get moving, he can catch up."

Boraci - Sunrest, Fairhaven

The young man appeared offended, although I didn't think he had room to be. After instructing me to keep Silas' head steady, he wafted some smelling salts. It brought up slightly stronger murmurings from the delirious botanist, but not quite strong enough to be fully conscious. My shoulders slumped a bit. If we were to move from this spot, we'd have to carry Silas. He was in no condition to walk. In fact, he manifested with such fragility that I was surprised the he could function day to day. There had to be another reason why he wasn't responding.

I looked down to the newcomer. "Got anything stronger?"

Doctor #3 - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Silas's weak response to the smelling salts brought a sudden, concerned change to Doctor's expression, and he seemed to falter for a moment. The tall man's question returned some of his focus, and he pondered it for a moment or two, drawing a handkerchief to wipe the man's chin. He had stronger things, certainly - but Silas's condition puzzled him, and he didn't care for that.

With a feather's pressure, he rested a hand on Silas's forehead, and then reached into his coat. "I'm going to give him something to bring down his high temperature, which may bring him to his senses, and it will certainly make him more comfortable. I have stronger things, but nothing I would dare give to someone in his condition. Prop him up a little, if you would." He uncapped a small bottle and poured no more than a few drops of dark, translucent liquid into Silas's mouth, then sat back with a pensive frown.

Erick, whose wits were steadily returning along with his strength, spoke up in an uneven voice. "Why are you doing this for us?"

"Because it's necessary," he said simply, earning an eye roll from Erick. Figuring he wouldn't get anywhere with the wary little fellow for now, he instead turned his attention to the other man, who seemed more reasonable. "Even if this wakes him up, he won't be feeling well. How - and when - do you two plan to find your other friends, with this one being so ill?"

Alice Beckett-Oswald - Captain of the King's Guard - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Alice watched Bayer go, feeling conflicted and suddenly exhausted. With just one of the two strangers gone, she found herself more at ease, but the pain in her side was only getting worse as they walked, and she was finding it increasingly difficult to breathe properly.

Phaedrus's question brought Alice out of her thoughts, and she almost found the attempt at casual conversation amusing. "Actually, I serve the King's guard. My career path was rather unconventional." The distant gunshot stopped Alice in her tracks and she turned toward it, listening closely for any other sounds which might explain it. She had just started toward it when Phaedrus urged them to move onward. "I don't doubt your son's competence as a hunter, Sir, but this is-"

She stopped herself, her eyes lowering. They had to keep moving; she couldn't afford to backtrack with her injuries and Jack's in the state they were in. They would simply be too slow. So, keeping her worries to herself, she did as Phaedrus suggested. "If you're sure."

Boraci - Sunrest, Fairhaven

I propped up Silas. His body felt unusually light. Erick piped up with the exact question that had barely crossed my mind. The young man's response felt cryptic, and I couldn't immediately think what he would gain from helping us. Sure, it was nice, but who was really nice in this hostile environment? There was a possibility that he had been watching us as we trudged past town, and perhaps recognized somebody.

I shrugged. "We could maybe make a stretcher," I answered lamely. "Or one of us could scout ahead. Although last time that was attempted, Erick got drugged." I raised my eyebrows. "Do you have any suggestions?"

Doctor #3 - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Doctor nodded along as the taller man spoke, staring unblinkingly downward. "A stretcher would work, I think, and it would be best to stick together."

He pondered the options on the table for a moment before deciding to suggest, "For now, maybe we should find a place nearby where we can settle down for a while. We're vulnerable, so perhaps we should take some time to rest and prepare ourselves for whoever comes crawling out of the woodwork. This place is already teeming with all sorts of unsavory characters, myself included."

"You keep saying 'we,'" Erick observed. "Does that mean you're with us now?"

Doctor's troubled, tense expression fell like a curtain, and he smiled. "We can discuss that - later. For now, whatever you two decide to do, I'll tag along."

Dimitry Popov - Mercenary - The Remains, Fairhaven.

Dimitry rolled his shoulders and stood up, and slapped himself, which snapped him back into reality. He didn't have time for thinking about the future at this moment. To many other things going on.

He began climbing the hill, fighting against the deep soreness that tugged at his legs. Rebels were scrambling up the hill as well. His radiation detector was still clicking, the water was contaminated, and with it, all the mud. He would need to find something to purge his system, as well as the others who he could stand. There wasn't going to be much of the medicine anywhere in Falcon's Reach, so the majority would have to go without.

But he would ensure those he trusted got higher priority. Most likely whoever detonated the weapon would have some Rad-Clear. So there was even more reason to hunt them down.

SVT-13 - Special Activities gone wrong - Somewhere close, Fairhaven

The three commandos waited in the trees, watching. "He's here somewhere close." Rankin muttered.

"Who is? Popov?" Jefferson countered.

"Yep." Rankin grunted.

"How could you tell?" Alexi asked.

"The outlaw, he had bruising on his throat that would suggest someone was strangling him, and small cuts on his lower jaw that look a lot like the marks the small plates on reinforced gloves make. And who do we know who likes strangling people and wears those gloves?" Rankin explained.

"Right. So how do we find him? He could be dead in the flood, could have left before the water hit. No telling where he is." Jefferson complained.

"We fire off some flares tonight. He'll figure it out." Alexi replied.

Boraci - Sunrest, Fairhaven

"What camaraderie," I remarked, wondering about the compassion of the newcomer. What did he have to gain? It was a rather cynical point of view, but one that had served me well in the past. You just had to figure out what they wanted. For then, though, transporting Silas was the main objective. I turned my head to the flood, examining the top layer of sludge.

"Erick, could you grab that piece over there?" I indicated a sizable sheet of wood that was floating nearby. Could have been part of the layers of a wall, or even a table. Whatever it was looked about right for Silas' size.

 Jack-Blacksmith

He looks back at Alice when he heard the gunshot, a part of him hoped it would have been Celaena who fired it but Celaena wouldn't be that careless and would only used it as a last resort. "Alice, he's right. We should keep moving forward I'm sure his son will be alright. We would only slow him down if we tried to help." The words stung as he said them. He leans against a tree for moment to relieve his throbbing ankle. He studies Alice for a while, "You seem to getting pale..." He walks over and kneels down his back facing towards her, "Hope on. We can keep moving while I carry you."

Celaena Moonlight- Assassin

She glares down at Barton when he appeared, mostly cuz she was pissed that she didn't sense his presence before hand. "What do you mean they were the ones that sent you?" She growls out from her spot in the trees. "Was the flood your and friends doing?!?" She was tempted to jump down and tackle him here and now but she has to stay calm...ish. I don't have time for this, I have to find Jack, Erick and Alice before it's too late.

 Illyushin Mosin - Polkovnik (Colonel) of the 13th Guards Division - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Mosin went rigid when Barton approached, relaxing only when the outlaw had drunkenly fallen over the log. If he remembered correctly, Barton had ran off like a coward as he and Silas were taken by the wave. Mosin didn't take kindly to such deserters. "Barton, cyka blyat. Men like you would be sent to the wall and executed by firing squad if you were Rojyan," he barked. "You abandoned us."

Mosin sighted in his Degtyaryov to 200 meters. Finally realizing it was broken, he used Shashka to try and work a round from his gun, a loud banging noise erupting from his efforts. "Let us hope whatever is out there did not hear that," Mosin said, his finger on the trigger and his eyes on the iron sights of the Degtyaryov.

Nodding along to Celaena's outburst, Mosin scrutinized his bloody appearance. "What happened to you, anyway?"

## Page 8

Matthew Barton - Concussed Outlaw - Sunrest, Fairhaven.

Matthew rolled over. "Abandoned? I don't see the others, so I could say the same of you." He groaned.

He reached for his canteen and tried to raise it to his lips, but since the bottom was split open there wasn't any water. "What happened to me? I don't know. My head hurts a lot. Think I hit it on something when I tripped." He winced as Mosin bashed on his weapon.

He glanced at Celena and started laughing, though his laughter quickly turned into ragged coughing. "Fuck. Think I broke a rib." He grunted. "But really? My friends? What is your definition of a friend? Because most friends wouldn't leave their friend wandering aimlessly in the woods."

He spit into his hand. "At least there isn't any blood."

"A few days ago I was in a bar in Lucan when someone put a gun in my back and demanded I go looking for that Grail mercenary... Popov I think. Told me to go to wherever the rebellion was worst. Said that if I didn't they'd hunt down my family. Didn't exactly believe them, but why take the risk."

"In the woods there were three of them. Had masks on, Caravaner style clothing at weapons. I recognized one of the voices. They had motorcycles, carrying a lot of stuff. I don't know where they went. Don't think they could have caused the flood. No way they could have carried enough explosives to blow up a dam."

He stopped and groaned, holding his side.

"They drove off. I don't know where to. But they looked like bad news. Armed to the teeth. Don't think they were mercs."

Erick Bailee - King's Bodyguard - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Erick watched the stranger almost unblinkingly, genuinely expecting to see something which confirmed his suspicions that the man was a threat - but the more he looked, the less threatened he felt. Doubly so because if the man was out of his teens, it wasn't by more than a year or two, which made Erick feel a little guilty for immediately taking a swing at him when they first crossed paths.

His reaction to Boraci's remark, however, was more than enough to rekindle Erick's mistrust. The stranger, in a hurried attempt to hide his discomfort, averted his eyes and laughed - dryly, without humor. Not a reaction one would expect from an innocent man. Shakily but without hesitation, Erick stood and went to retrieve the wooden sheet Boraci had pointed him toward and set it down parallel to Silas. For one barely noticeable moment, his eyes lifted to meet Boraci's and he shook his head. I don't trust him.

Boraci was clever. He would have noticed by then that this guy was far from normal - farther than either of them was used to, even. Erick was sure the warning would sink in. "Right," he said through a sigh, stretching his arms. "What sort of place are we looking for? Open air - or a place to hide?"

"Both," Doctor cut in. Erick answered him with a withering look, but he continued. "Visible, but defensible. Half of us are still capable of combat, I think, so-"

"Hey, now. Either your eyesight or your math is crap. I'm capable."

Doctor narrowed his eyes at Erick, his voice sharpening. "Three quarters, then. So, we can still protect ourselves. Maybe that wide alleyway over there would work."

"Fine by me." Erick shrugged out of his jacket and laid it down on the sheet of wood at the top, where Silas's head would be. "Doc and I can do the heavy lifting," he told Boraci quietly. "Your leg doesn't look so good."

Doctor peered around Erick's shoulder, curious, and raised his eyebrows at Boraci. "Is there a problem?"

Alice Beckett-Oswald - Captain of the King's Guard - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Alice sighed, knowing Jack's advice regarding Bayer to be the only practical thing to do. "Maybe so." When Jack paused to rest, Alice eyed their surroundings restlessly for a moment before finally stopping to rest as well. Even with something to lean against, nothing relieved the sharp pain in her side. She removed the plate armor over her chest, turning away from Jack to examine the injury beneath it. Owing to the lack of privacy, she didn't dare raise her shirt high enough to see the injury clearly, but she could make out a dark bruise which spread alarmingly far from her injured ribs. Whoever pulled her out of the water had definitely removed her armor.

Catching Jack's remark, Alice smoothed out her shirt and refastened her armor, making a point not to wince. When he offered once again to carry her, she simply patted him on the shoulder and shook her head. "I will not. If something happens, you need to be ready to fight. Besides, I don't want to make your injury any worse." She looked to Phaedrus, her eyebrows furrowing slightly. "Phaedrus, how are you faring?"

Celaena- Assassin

She locks her jaw, tempted to snap his neck at his friends comment but instead studies him then drop out of the tree and puts a hand on his chest to stop him from moving foward, "Lets say I believe you," She pulls up his shirt and feels his ribs carefully, "I'm no medic however nothing feels broken but it could possibly be a crack rib at the minimum." Celaena reaches into one of her pouches and pulls out a few pills, holding them out to him, "Pain killers, they should get you by for now. If you think we should try to go after them, you can do so. However I'm more concerned with finding the others. AND do not think this means I don't dislike you anymore. I still don't trust you and do not question what I consider as a friend. You have no clue what I've been through." She glares up at him before stepping back to face the both of them, "So what are we going to do? Neither of you are well enough to fight head on. So we can find the rest of the group or we can possibly try an ambush which would be stupid."

Jack- Blacksmith

He looks at her and frowns, his voice becomes stern and has a more commanding tone to it "If you do not climb on my back right now, I will pick you up princess style and carry you that way." He stays kneeling on the ground and keeps his back to her, "So what do you pick, Princess?" He flashes one of his cocky smiles at her.

Boraci - Sunrest, Fairhaven

I caught Erick's slight shake. He wasn't the only one wary of this stranger, that much had been established. I wondered if an alley was the best place. Sure, it was defensible, but what if the enemy came in from the roofs? I didn't really have the energy for a debate just then, so I made myself busy. Once the makeshift stretcher was in place, I used Erick's offered jacket and eased Silas' head onto it. I shifted the rest of his thin body onto the wood.

I put a hand to my leg, ripping the hem of my pants and tying a tourniquet around my calf. I rose to stand.

"No problem, here. Just a little scratch." I stood in between the Doctor and Erick. "I'll help lift the middle."

 Erick Bailee - King's Bodyguard - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Doctor glanced down at Boraci's leg and frowned, but seemed more interested in avoiding an argument than pressing for answers. Once the three of them had lifted Silas and started walking, Erick tried his best not to think too much about where they were headed, literally or figuratively. Wondering about the bigger picture was already beginning to drive his mood sharply downward, and the only thing he really cared about was finding his friends and, if he could get Ryouki and his family to agree to it, getting the hell out of there before they got themselves killed - or worse, arrested. Erick knew as well as anyone that he wasn't cut out for this whole revolution business. Besides, fighting monsters in the Wastes was a challenge he could handle; the threat of ending up in a cell, penniless on the street, or dangling at the end of a rope was what truly scared him. Working for the King had always made those sorts of worries feel very close by on any given day.

"You can call me Rowan, by the way."

Doctor's voice jarred Erick from his thoughts, and his grip tightened around the edges of the stretcher. Knowing he would only say something crass if he opened his mouth, he focused instead on watching for movement around them.

Alice Beckett-Oswald - Captain of the King's Guard - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Alice blinked at Jack, her mouth wordlessly open in shock. She had expected... Well, not this. Certainly something different from this.

Alice concealed a cross between a smile and a wince behind her hand as her shoulders began to tremble with breathless laughter. It was obscenely painful to laugh, and sounded nothing like it should, but she just couldn't help herself. "As much as I would love to see you try to carry me," she said, drying her eyes, "I'm afraid this is not the time or place for chivalry. I should know. If you absolutely insist, I will lean on your shoulder, but I would sooner ruin your other ankle than let you carry me anywhere."

Boraci - Sunrest, Fairhaven

I limped slightly along the edge of the makeshift stretcher. The scratch on my leg was probably going to get infected. But that was small beans right then. When the young man told us his name, or what I presumed to be a name he went by, I nodded.

"Well, Rowan, I'd shake your hand, but it's a bit preoccupied. I suppose you want our names now." A few moments passed, and we made it to the opening of the alley. I hadn't seen any suspicious movement, but no doubt looters would be rummaging about. I sat down on an overturned bucket and lifted my rifle from my back. It was waterlogged, so I started taking it apart. The carrier spring was a little sluggish, and I blew out the gas tube. The magazine was still nice and full. "I'm Boraci."

I looked down to the unconscious Silas and noticed he had a little more color in his face. Hopefully he was getting closer to waking up.

 Marwin - A Marksman (by trade) - Sunrest, Fairhaven

A short jog was all it took to catch up to them. Besides being slightly delayed by treading through water, he had caught up if not a bit noisily. His father nodded behind the mask, affirming Alice's question with an added "Yes, I'm fine..." he said and stepped forward to offer his medical services but Marwin had arrived just in time to place a hand on his shoulder. "A word... Real quick."

Ugo nodded, stepping back, and the two marched over to the side of the road behind a bush. Not exactly privacy but close enough too it, when your out in the middle of nowhere with water lapping up to your knees. His father looked at him under the mask and cocked his head to the side. A universal sign Marwin knew to be curious, a wordless question from a blind man that couldn't see what's wrong. It wasn't the warm rifle in his hands or the fact he was starting to confuse his fake name, it was the consequences of what would happen if the rest figured out what they were.

"We need to come clear." Marwin said, quietly as he could. His father could hear him even if he so much as muttered it anyway. Ugo tried not to laugh, of course they couldn't, but Marwin wasn't joking. What were they going to do anyway? Arrest them? For what? Even with a confession it wasn't exactly evidence, only just a very odd predicament. When Ugo didn't hear a response, his expression changed to rock solid.

"This is a serious decision." Ugo said, shaking his head. "I just hope they can appreciate your honesty more than I can... But I won't stop you. Just don't do it right now, wait until a good time." He said and went back to the group. Marwin followed, looking a little sheepish and silent. Ugo meanwhile stepped forward, still smiling.

"I can help, if you need it."

Jack- Blacksmith

He lets out a heavy sigh but then smiles. "I can see why Celaena likes you so much." He holds out his arm to help support her weight, "I think you should have him look at your wounds....the longer you wait the worse it will get..." He looks back as the two duck out of earshot and when Ugo offered his assistance again. Jack looks at Alice and cocks a eyebrow at her. "It is up to you."

Evelyn Luciole - Secret Officer - The Remains, Fairhaven

Once she and Danor had found enough ruined boards and broken branches to try and start a fire, Evelyn decided it was time to turn back. The longer they stayed out there, the more nervous she became, growing steadily more worried that almost her entire group had been killed. They had only found a few survivors, none of them familiar, and many of them were just unfortunate civilians who wanted nothing to do with an ill-prepared and vulnerable rebel group.

Danor, noticing Evelyn's lifeless expression, patted her on the shoulder and broke the silence with a short sigh. "Things will likely fall into place once we manage to get a fire going. Try not to look so hopeless."

"There's no point in my being dishonest."

Danor huffed. "Please. You're not baring your feelings; you're moping because you lost something. And if the others see it, I doubt they'll find it any less irritating than I do."

Rowan - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Hearing Boraci's name, Rowan was visibly taken aback, and kept silent for fear of rambling. Evelyn had told him that some of the heroes of the Wastes were traveling with them, but to actually meet two of them at once...

In any case, Rowan relaxed a little once he was officially acquainted with everyone; deciding to give the three travelers a little space, he planted himself at the alley's entrance with the intention to stand guard. Once Boraci and Erick had settled - and the latter had stopped staring at him - he guessed it was probably safe to try his hand at small talk. "I'd like to apologize for startling you both - and for drugging you, Erick. I should have explained myself more quickly."

Erick shrugged. "The mask didn't do you any favors either."

Alice Beckett-Oswald - Captain of the King's Guard - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Relieved to have avoided a genuine argument, Alice gratefully accepted Jack's help, which made a considerable difference. More than anything else, she was convinced that she just needed some rest, and there would be time for that later. "Thank you, Jack." Bayer returned to the group shortly afterward, which was also a relief; truth be told, despite Phaedrus's reassurance, she had found herself worrying for him.

Phaedrus's offer to help made her deeply nervous, even after Jack encouraged her to take him up on it. Her eyes lowered briefly, then rested on Bayer again. Even if the two of them were up to something, she supposed they weren't an immediate threat. Bayer in particular seemed uncomfortable, if anything, and she doubted that he was in a position to cause her any harm. "Thank you for offering, Phaedrus. You're welcome to try, but I'm not sure if there's anything to be done about it. At the worst, it's probably just a cracked rib."

## Page 9

Matthew Barton - Outlaw

“Thank you.” Matthew gladly took the pills but had some difficulty getting them down. No water and an incredibly dry mouth could do that.

 He listened to the assassin's ramblings without comment. She seemed really agitated about him talking about friends so he decided against making some sarcastic remark. But god damn she talked alot, which didn't make a ton of sense for an assassin, the few he’d encountered had been pretty tight lipped. Not that it made any difference to him. Just sort of odd.

“We should find the others. No chance we could take those three on. Automatic weapons, body armor. If they are even near by anymore.”

Chase Frost - The Remains, Fairhaven

"This is all your fault." Chase deadpanned as they climbed up some rocks. With the group separated, all he and Jae-Hyun were trying to do was find a place to try and send up some sort of signal. However, that wasn't really going as planned since making their way through the rubble was easier said than done. "It's all your fault. If you hadn't joined up with some weird rebel group and just-"

"Just what?"

Chase turned to face his brother, "Just...I don't know! Not joined up with the rebellion?"

"And then what, suffer at the hand of my miserable life? And do nothing? No thanks." Jae-Hyun scowled, readjusting the pack on his back. Thankfully nothing had been lost in the explosion, so that was nice. Chase let out a soft sigh at his brother's words.

Suddenly Chase caught sight of something up ahead. He wasn't sure if it was the best idea to call out, but did so anyway.

"HELLO?"

Silas Reid - Botanist and Odd Job Part-Timer - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Silas had woken up.

And for the moment, he laid there, crooking an arm over his face to dim the little light that hit his eyes, coaxing himself back to awareness. Not much time had passed since the Doctor fed him the elixir, and his ailment still had a firm grip over him, but at least he could say that he was no longer delirious. Strangely, he couldn't recall a single memory from after the flood had hit, only that he felt absolutely miserable. He must have caught something from all this bumbling about. His immune system was severely weakened to begin with, so it wasn't a surprise.

He shook his head in disgust. When he had enough of his fill, he planted his hands on the edges of the stretch of wood and groggily hauled himself up.

He weighed his surroundings before focusing at his reflection in a nearby puddle. His clothes sagged around his body. His cheeks glowed red, sweat dotting around his temples. His hair was… more or less the same. The satchel, he thought. His hands immediately flew to his side, only to come up empty. It must have been ripped from his shoulder during the flood. Even if it had held on, he doubted there would be little more than some limp herbs and broken glass.

He ran a hand over his face, finally taking one look at the remains of the group before burying his head in his hands. He was still alive. To make matters worse, he was lost in the ruins of god knows where with three imbeciles and no plan. He could simply finish what the flood started or traverse alone in this unfamiliar landscape, but he had neither the will nor ability to do either.

He groaned. Just what had he been thinking? He sure as hell didn’t know anymore. He tried to grasp the last thread of reason, but it had unraveled before his very eyes. If there was one thing for certain, he wasn't about to continue this farce of acting all chummy with the rebels, turning a partial blind eye at whatever ridiculous antics they were up to. He would follow them to the nearest intact town—whatever happened after that, he had not a single idea—but if they abandoned him for it, so be it.

"Do any of you have a clue as to where we are?" he said, bringing a hand up in front of his mouth. Wait a minute. As he glanced over them, he narrowed his eyes as he finally caught on to the one thing that was not like the other. Jabbing a finger at the unfamiliar figure hovering at the entrance of the alleyway, he exclaimed, "Who the devil are you?"

Boraci - Sunrest, Fairhaven

"Thanks for taking that off, by the way," I contributed. "Makes you more approachable, y'know?" I thought back to a few minutes earlier when Rowan seemed to recognize my name. But how would he? I didn't think a Wastes creature like me would make it into the history books. Well. If anything, it boosted my ego a bit in this desolate time of existence. Just as I was about to rearrange Silas' makeshift pillow, his eyes opened, and he pushed his way to a sitting position. Before any of us had a chance to tell him that we were basically in the same town, he demanded to know Rowan's identity.

"He's a stranger," I supplied, and then waited for Rowan to explain himself.

 Doctor #3 - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Rowan nodded in agreement with Boraci, casting a quick glance down at his mask. "You're welcome. The idea of the mask is to make me less approachable." For what must have been the hundredth time that day, his conscience twinged, and he turned away from the three men. If nothing else, at least he could be glad that Evelyn had sent him along with these people - to actually help someone instead of scaring them out of their wits. It was a pleasant change of pace, even if they were suspicious of him.

Silas stirred as he came to, and Rowan watched closely as he sat up. Rowan opened his mouth to answer the man's question only to be interrupted by another, which Boraci started to answer - then left to him. Rowan blinked, taken aback by Silas's tone, and worded his answer cautiously. He wanted to come clean but thought it best to do so gradually, especially since Silas was probably confused enough to begin with. "I'm a friend of the rebel cause; I'm here to help. You can call me Rowan." He approached Silas, burying his hands in his pockets. "Are you feeling dizzy or faint? How's your vision?"

Erick chimed in as well, surprising Rowan. "He helped treat you after we found you unconscious. Seems to know his stuff."

Danor Arkaitz - Gunsmith - The Remains, Fairhaven

The moment Danor and Evelyn heard voices, they drew their weapons, only realizing afterward that they were probably next to useless after the flood had done its work on them. Danor recognized the two men fairly quickly, however, and put her weapon away. Evelyn, with some hesitation, followed suit.

Danor rushed over to Chase and Jae-Hyun, looking them up and down. "Are you two alright?" To her surprise, they seemed more or less unharmed.

Evelyn promptly added, "Have you seen anyone else?"

Silas Reid - Botanist and Odd Job Part-Timer - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Silas was itching for a fight, still breathing hard from when Mr. Bailee and Mr. Dermon pulled him from the water. "Dizzy, faint, and everything in between," he answered briskly, deciding to pay Mr. Rowan, he supposed, little mind when he didn't appear to be an immediate threat.

He hopped off the wood and started forward, maybe intending to get a better look at the area, yet he was immediately consumed by the urge to turn to the side, plant his arm on the wall and throw up. He knew he should have waited between getting up. On the bright side, he hadn't had much of a breakfast.

"Hell and damnation," he gritted. "I have to get to Braile." Shifting most of his weight on the wall, he tried to steady his breaths by pursing his lips.

"You," Silas said, focusing his attention back on Mr. Rowan. "I suppose I should be thanking you. But if you would really like to be of help, how about you lead us out of here?"

Perhaps in any other situation, he would rein in that infamous temper. Even though he desperately wished that they had left him well enough alone, they did save his life. But now that he was alive, his mind was focused on his original objective: to get home. If he was going to perish somewhere amidst the rebellion, it might as well be there.

## Page 10

Jae-Hyun Frost - The Remains, Fairhaven

Chase immediately went on the approach Danor and Evelyn, a relieved smile gracing his features. Jae-Hyun observed the lack of supplies the two had, and counted himself lucky for his semi-waterproof case. That and the fact that Chase had managed to push him out of the way, saving them from sustaining any serious injuries.

"Yes, thankfully." Chase said, approaching Danor, inspecting her and Evelyn worriedly, "I do hope that you two are alright. No injuries?"

Jae-Hyun came beside his brother, and glanced behind the two women, seeing no one else there he responded to Evelyn's question: "No, unfortunately. You two are the only people we've seen so far. Have you found anyone else?"

Erick Bailee - King's Bodyguard - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Erick frowned as Silas struggled to regain his composure, and debated whether or not to offer his help. Silas wasn't the type to accept it, but he was obviously unwell. The problem remained firmly rooted in his thoughts until he finally stood and motioned to their makeshift stretcher. "You should sit down for a minute, Silas. No offense, but you look really rough."

Silas turned his attention to Rowan, saying he should lead them to safety, and Erick gaped at Silas as if he'd been slapped in the face. "'Out of here?' Whoa, whoa, whoa - you mean after we find the others, right?" He looked to Boraci, wondering how he felt about it. He hoped they didn't mean to leave him searching alone.

Rowan's gaze passed from Silas to Erick and back again, and Erick saw that the faint sternness in his expression had changed into outright anger. "Silas, sir, you're currently in no condition to be traveling through terrain like this, and I refuse to carry you on that plank again. But if you insist, I can lead you wherever you need to go."

For fear of the sound leaving the alleyway, Erick forced his voice down to a whisper, which left his throat as a forceful rasp. "What?"

Danor Arkaitz - Gunsmith - The Remains, Fairhaven

Danor shook her head in reply to Chase's question, then looked to Evelyn and the gash on her face. Before Evelyn could make some snarky comment about the injury, which was looking more painful by the second, Danor interrupted her. "Nothing serious, thank you." She shot Evelyn a glare.

Evelyn grumbled something along the lines of, "It seriously hurts." Hearing that they hadn't spotted anyone, however, Evelyn fell silent, her expression grim. Without a word, she adjusted her hold on the firewood they had gathered and continued on her way.

Only Danor stayed to explain. "We found Leif and Kristen, but that's it. We're hoping we can make a signal fire to bring everyone else to us."

Chase Frost - The Remains, Fairhaven

Chase winced at Evelyn's cold demeanor. To be fair, he had, by whatever amazing obliviousness, failed to notice the gash running across her face. Though Danor reassured him that nothing too bad has happened, he still felt more than a bit stupid about missing the wound that was etched across Evelyn's face.

But he thought that it wasn't just the gash, but rather the fact that they didn't come across anyone. Chase was also a bit dispirited at the thought that they might be the only ones, but as Danor responded to Jae-Hyun's question, he perked up considerably.

"That's great! And the fire is a pretty good idea." Chase smiled, glad to have found more people. Then he remembered the pack on his belt, resting upon his leg. "Ah! Actually, I have a mini-med kit. I'm not sure how deep Evelyn's cut is, but I have some healing balms and bandages, if she's interested?"

Jae-Hyun Frost - The Remains, Fairhaven

While Chase seemed absolutely thrilled at the thought of the fire, Jae-Hyun was a bit more wary. There was the possibility that their companions wouldn't be the only ones in the area after the flood, and the fire could accidentally catch the attention of the wrong people.

"We need to be careful", Jae-Hyun piped up, "when we make that fire, I mean. It might not attract who we want it to."

Jae-Hyun realized that it sounded a bit...harsh, he didn't think it was a bad idea though, he just wanted to be careful.

"I'm not saying we shouldn't make the fire, we just need to be careful". Jae-Hyun amended.

oraci - Sunrest, Fairhaven

I stood up, ignoring the pinch in my leg. I nodded along with what Erick said. "We still haven't found any others. Klaus and Anya at the least - they were closest." The key word being 'were.' Who knew where the flood took them. Hopefully the railway did something directional-wise. I shook my head, trying to make sense of the conversation taking place in front of me.

"Damn right we're not carrying you on the plank," I said, a bit too loudly, then gaped when Rowan's next sentence came out. Erick's exasperation was evident in his exclamation, and I frowned. "Aren't we supposed to stick together and get some supplies? I admit I was a bit preoccupied with food and, uh, other stuff, this morning, but I got the gist." I looked between Rowan and Silas multiple times, before settling on Silas. I pointed an accusatory finger. "You haven't been completely honest, I take it."

 Silas Reid - Botanist and Odd Job Part-Timer - Sunrest, Fairhaven

"I know my limits," Silas said between his teeth. "I can walk fine." He was moments from telling Mr. Bailee to hang the supplies, and hang the others, while he was at it, when Mr. Dermon threw an accusation that made him take pause.

He glared at the man, furious that he'd been called out and weighing whether he should come clean. He wanted to slip away quietly, or perhaps he would say something once they parted, but now was not the opportune time. Who knew how they would react, with such emotions running high?

Eventually, he settled for what he could, by acting like a wounded cat who's been cornered. "With what?" he challenged. "Was I supposed to share my life story with you? Is that it? Forgive me for not wearing my heart on my sleeve for someone I've barely known for a week, much less a Kyuketsu—"

"Hello?"

Silas whipped his head toward the entrance of the alleyway.

"Is anyone there?"

Anton Lutece - Rebel Leader of Acta Veritas - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Anton pulled on the reins of his horse, surveying the destruction from their perch on the hilltop. "Is this the place?" he asked of the haggard woman to his left.

She nodded.

"Search the rubble for survivors," he ordered to the rest of the group.

They had almost reached the rendezvous point in Braile when she had rode out the nearby woods like a madman, slumped across the back of a horse and screaming for help. She claimed to represent the United People's Army, and that her party had been swept away by a flood. She had stolen a horse just so that she could reach them in time, and Anton himself taken the fastest among them, yet he feared the worst.

He rode through the city, keeping an eye out for any sign of life. The others would be furious at him for arriving so late, most especially the Armed Forces, but if they were to defeat the king, they had to learn to look out for each other. Besides, all of them should be present for what may be the turning point in this rebellion.

"Hello?" he said, straining his ears against the sloshing mud. He thought he heard voices a little up ahead. "Is anyone there?"

Erick Bailee - King's Bodyguard - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Boraci's accusation made Erick all the more upset once he realized it was almost certainly true, though it only seemed to confuse Rowan. Panic boiled over and flooded Erick's chest like scalding water, and he found it increasingly difficult to keep his voice down. Rather than attempting to explain himself, Silas only became more evasive, which pushed Erick over the edge. He would have shouted, at that point - if not for a curious interruption.

Wondering, hopeful that it might be someone he recognized, Erick moved against the wall of the building nearest the voice's source and listened. His gun was probably useless for the time being, but he still had a knife; he drew the weapon without a sound and looked to Boraci and Rowan questioningly; at that point, he couldn't have cared less about Silas's take on the matter. He nodded subtly toward the entrance, raising his eyebrows. Should they risk stealing a look at the newcomers or stay hidden?

Rowan pointed to himself, then to the entrance, and gave them a questioning look. He seemed oddly nonchalant.

Erick glared at Rowan, officially fed up with him, Silas, and their collective bullcrappery. Was he asking to go out and meet them?

Danor Arkaitz - Gunsmith - The Remains, Fairhaven

Danor smiled at Chase's offer, motioning for him and Jae-Hyun to talk as they walked, but Evelyn shouted back at them over her shoulder, "Hold onto it. It'll be a miracle if this is the worst injury you see today."

Danor shrugged; truthfully, she agreed, but the offer was rather heartening. Jae-Hyun's warning caught Danor's interest, and she was quick to chime in with an explanation. "No, you're right. There is a risk. We'll do our best to lower it, though; we found a spot where some of us can remain hidden once the fire is going, just in case someone decides to try something."

Asbel Sutherlin - Rebel Mercenary - The Remains, Fairhaven

Asbel walked aimlessly for what felt like hours. After a while, once the adrenaline died down, he actually felt better, but he was still hopelessly disoriented. At times, he couldn't even remember what he was looking for - if anything. He could remember, however, that this was a fairly normal thing for him, and probably nothing to worry about. He hadn't injured his head, as far as he could tell; in fact, it was nearly the only part of him which remained completely unharmed, though his left eye had been hit with something and was nearly swollen shut.

After a while, he happened upon a small group of trees - possibly the edge of town, finally - and paused at a small distance from it. He didn't see anyone, alive or not - but there were countless deep tracks in the mud where he stood, running in every direction. Two or three people, he guessed, had definitely been up and about here. Still, he was too exhausted and sore to walk any further. It was probably as safe as anywhere else in that awful place.

Chase Frost - The Remains, Fairhaven

Chase nodded, buckling the satchel at his side shut. He agreed with Evelyn, that hers was probably not the worst wound they would see, should they encounter anyone else. Chase hoped, however futile, that hers would be the worst.

At his brother's remark, he frowned. I wonder if we will encounter 'enemies'...though the fire is truly the only shot we have at communicating our whereabouts to any survivors. However, upon hearing Danor's response, he fell back at ease, or as relaxed as he could be in this situation.

"On the note of the possible dangers of starting a signal fire, how are your weapons?" If you have any at all. Chase thought to himself, "Jae-Hyun and I have some small daggers, if need be."

Chase motioned to a couple of knives on his belt and thigh strap, which were more like throwing knives than anything else. Still, better than nothing.

Jae-Hyun Frost - The Remains, Fairhaven

Chase mentioned weapons, to which Jae-Hyun noticed that Danor's and Evelyn's weapond looked a bit damaged. Probably because of the flood. Jae-Hyun grimaced, the flood had really taken a toll on everyone.

Chase had, of course, the knives, which he pointed out, but Jae-Hyun had noticed something else. A small baton-like weapon that was also attached to his belt, runes and symbols decorating its surface. He had never seen Chase use it, but he assumed that it was his weapon of choice. If his habit of preferring small weapons and hand-to-hand combat remained intact for all these years.

Personally, he preferred his katanas, twin blades that were strapped in an 'x' on his back, underneath the satchel that held the supplies salvaged from the remains of the dam.

"Yeah, I also have two pistols and some bullets. Found them awhile back, near some rubble. They work fairly well." Jae-Hyun offered.

Anton Lutece & Silas Reid - Scientists - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Anton dropped down from his horse as he grew near. "No need to be afraid," he said, his words echoing off the misshapen walls. "I've come to help."

Unsure whether that was indeed the case, Silas stayed where he was. The closer the stranger came, the clearer his voice grew. Silas waded past the three, curious why it sounded so familiar, and his lips parted. "I know that voice."

They weren't friends, much less acquaintances, but any scientist worth his salt knew Anton Lutece, head of the Scientific Society of Braile. He spoke at his graduation ceremony from the Royal Institute, as well as many conferences across the kingdom. What could he be doing out here? Taking part in some type of relief effort?

Silas limped out of the shadows. "Mister Lutece?"

Anton gasped. "Goodness." He rushed forward to catch Silas from falling flat on the mud. "What happened?" He looked over his shoulder to see if anyone else would follow. "Do you know where the rest of you are?"

"The rest of me?" Silas breathed.

"Aren't you with the United People's Army?"

"Why would you ask that..." He trailed off as his eyes were drawn to the deep emerald-colored emblem shining on the ring of his finger. No, it couldn't be. He was mistaken.

"You can tell me," Anton answered, mistaking his horror for something else entirely. "One of your people sent for us. I'm from Acta Veritas."

Boraci - Sunrest, Fairhaven

I was about to respond with an indignant "I'm not a Kyuketsuki" but was spoken over. I paused a moment, my disbelief of the situation taking a backseat. I supposed, in a way, I was a Kyuketsuki, but not in the traditional sense. Wait. What was I doing? Semantics didn't matter. I pushed those thoughts aside and drew out a knife of my own, sticking to the shadows. Silas, however, seemed to have some sort of connection with the owner of the interrupting voice, and walked straight out. I began to wonder how far his frailties really went. That thought was dashed when he promptly collapsed like a damsel in distress in the arms of a rather stately man.

I shrugged my shoulders and made a "might as well go after him" expression. I stepped out of the alley and looked down at the pair of men. "There are only a few of us."

```
  Erick Bailee - King's Bodyguard - Sunrest, Fairhaven

```

Erick barely resisted the urge to reach out and grab Silas's arm as the man passed by him and out into the open, meeting the stranger outside without hesitation. Catching a somewhat resigned look from Boraci, Erick followed him out of the alley alongside Rowan. From a distance, he heard the tail end of the exchange between Silas and this strange newcomer, and was - for a change - pleasantly surprised. For one thing, there was only one person outside - one person and a horse. Beside that, it was a member of the least threatening rebel organization Erick knew of. People (bored nobles, mostly) had occasionally started rumors back in Hydris that he and Alice were members of Acta Veritas; though he had never considered joining, he did find their approach interesting.

"Which one of our people sent for you?" Erick stepped out from behind Boraci, but kept his distance. He noticed Rowan was smiling with relief, realizing who they were speaking to, but Erick thought it best to remain cautious.

Danor Arkaitz - Gunsmith - The Remains, Fairhaven

Danor shook her head, resting a hand on the holster at her side. "I appreciate the offer, but I would much rather fix this thing up once we're able to set up camp. It should be as good as new once I'm done with it."

Evelyn drew her sword-breaker from its sheath, illustrating her answer, then replaced it. "This'll do for now."

Danor sighed, returning her attention to Chase and Jae-Hyun. "I take it you two have been in the rebellion business for a while, then. For seasoned fighters, you're unusually friendly." She looked over their weapons, an eyebrow raised.

## Page 11

Anton Lutece - Rebel Leader of Acta Veritas - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Anton lifted Silas's arm over his shoulder to prop him up. The ashen-faced man looked as if he was just about to faint for the third time. Fourth if one counted the spectacle down at the mill. "You don't mean to say that you are the only ones left," Anton said, looking up at Mr. Dermon.

He turned to Mr. Bailee and answered, "It was a woman of a medium build and wild bluish hair. I wasn't able to catch her name. She said that she was accompanying your group when she narrowly escaped being hit by the flood. I think she was supposed to be the official representative for tonight's meeting." He took a long look at their surroundings, shaking his head. This was exactly what his group wished to avoid. "Did the king do this?"

It didn't look like his handiwork, yet the king had become increasingly unstable over the past few months. He had seen it himself each time he came to visit the castle, and the Fox had warned him time and time again that if they didn't take drastic measures soon, he just might snap.

Anton walked back to his horse and tried to hoist Silas over the saddle. "There are more of us scouting the place. We're all to gather back at that hilltop over there. Our medics in Braile can fix you right up." He stopped to take a breath. "This may sound a little strange, but I feel like I've seen you before. May I have your names?"

Dimitry Popov - The remains, Fairhaven.

Dimitry pulled himself up the tree branch, and swung forward so his feet landed on the rock outcropping that had been formed when the waver scoured away the dirt. He pulled a rebel up and kept going, they could fend for themselves now. He wasn't going to do anything else until he got his money. So if he had to wait until they reached Hydris for Evelyn to pay him he wouldn't lift a finger unless his life was in danger.

"The wastes were bad enough. But back then it was for survival. This is just as bad, and without the threat of extinction." He growled once he finally extracted himself from the main path of destruction.

He slowly pulled his rifle off his back and shouldered it, peering through the scope for any signs of life. There wasn't much, but in the distance he thought he could see a dispersing dust cloud, like the sort motor vehicles made when driving across a dirt road.

Near a group of buildings he spotted the Vallakian, shirtless and carrying an axe. He turned to the filthy rebels behind him and called out. "See those buildings! Some of our people are up there!"

He began walking again, too tires to do much more than a slow, plodding march.

But as he approached He recognized someone who shouldn't be here. Someone so out of place it in as almost comical. He slung his rifle over his back and drew his pistol from it's holster and let his arm hang loose by his side.

For all he knew Chase was leading a team of hand picked loyalist assassins. He was the king's secret illegitimate child, and in Grail tradition the illegitimate children of the powerful acted as elite body guards or assassins.

"So, you found your way out of the wastes all on your own. I'll give you credit, that's pretty impressive." Dimitry yelled while he was still about a hundred feet away.

Leif Regnar - The Remains, Fairhaven.

Leif heard the Grail man shouting again. This time at the new comers. Not surprising. It would be surprising if that mercenary didn't start yelling at the next person they ran into.

He looked around. The demon that tended to follow Dimitry around was gone. He wondered what the meant. Maybe the thing went hunting for innocent souls to devour. This was all so new to him. He had figured he would just need to look tough and keep Kristen from doing anything really stupid, but in the last week he had been shot, carried around in a cart by a demon, seen an explosion that rivaled the sun in brightness, nearly drowned in a flash flood.

He had to get Kristen out of here before things got worse. But he doubted the rebels would let them.

Jae-Hyun Frost - The Remains, Fairhaven

Jae-Hyun chuckled at Danor's remark at their friendliness. "Well in this conflict, you have to be nice to someone, don't you? It kind of reminds the mind that not everyone is against you, y'know?" Jae-Hyun explained, falling into step with Danor.

He thought they were nice people, and while they hadn't earned his trust, they had earned his respect. The peaceful feeling evaporated at the yell that filled the air.

Jae-Hyun's neck nearly snapped with how fast he turned to identify the voice. His eyes narrowed and one hand reached to grip his katana upon his back. He was not risking losing the only survirors they had come across. That, and his idiot brother.

Chase Frost - The Remains, Fairhaven

Chase gave an approving nod to Jae-Hyun's response in terms of what Danor had asked. "I'll have you know that I used to be a first-class assassin, Danor. I've seen more than my fair share of death. Nowadays, I try to see the best in people, more than coming to...ahem...violent conclusions." Chase grinned sheepishly.

However, as they kept walking he stopped dead in his tracks when a familiar voice pierced the air. Fuck. Chase mentally cursed, then wincing at the vulgarity of the word. But honestly, what else was he supposed to think? Chase wasn't exactly on great terms with Dimitry. For all he knew, Dimitry thought he was some evil loyalist or something. And judging by his tone, and the fact that he was distancing himself from them, he probably wasn't far off.

"It's not that hard once you've learned its quirks." Chase replied, holding his hands up subtly, to display the fact that he was harmless. As he glanced to his side however, he had noticed that Jae-Hyun had one hand on his katana. "Put that down!" Chase hissed, glaring at his brother.

"Not until he does. He touches anyone of us, I'll gut him." The feral quality that shone in Jae-Hyun's eyes startled Chase into silence. Looks like my little brother has been long gone.

Danor Arkaitz - Gunsmith - The Remains, Fairhaven

Danor squinted at Jae-Hyun, and her voice took on a joking tone. "Huh. That's an interesting idea. Maybe I'll try it." Chase added his take on the matter as well, nodding in agreement with his brother, and Danor eyed him with genuine curiosity. "You don't say." That had to be one of the most extreme turnarounds she had ever heard of if he was telling the truth. She stood by the approach that had gotten her this far - caution, and only enough niceness to avoid making a bad impression - but it wasn't natural for her. She did enjoy being nice, but in a situation like this, it seemed like a risk in itself. Being nice got you noticed, and not necessarily in a good way.

A shout from some distance grabbed Danor's attention, and she turned to face it. Dimitry?

Danor didn't have time to feel relieved at seeing another familiar face; tension soon filled the space between them. Danor heard Chase whisper harshly at Jae-Hyun, and saw that the man had reached for his sword. Danor's voice lowered, both in volume and tone, and she spoke slowly as if to a frightened child. "He wouldn't be touching us - he'd be shooting us. If you threaten him now, he could kill us from where he stands, so I suggest you relax."

Evelyn backtracked until she stood alongside Chase, his brother, and Danor, her arms crossed. She seemed unsettled - and Danor had to admit, the look on Dimitry's face suggested he was a step beyond fed up. He hoped Evelyn had the sense to tread lightly - as opposed to kicking dirt in people's faces, the way she usually did.

Erick Bailee - King's Bodyguard - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Erick didn't have the energy to hide his disappointment upon hearing that it was the rebel leader who had sent for help. In fact, disappointment didn't quite do it justice. The following question barely reached Erick, and he didn't think much of it. "I'm sure he wouldn't."

You don't know that, though, do you? The thought struck Erick hard, silencing all others. The King is unstable; you've always known that. He may have finally lost it after you left. If you had stayed and kept him in check, maybe none of this would have happened. You'd still be safe, back in Hydris.

Erick forced himself back into the present, shaken. Actually, this friend of Silas's seemed strikingly helpful. "Uh-" He paused to gather his thoughts, clearing his throat. "Erick Bailee. Yours?" Erick guessed he probably sounded stupid, but he was genuinely surprised.

elaena- Assassin

She nods, "We should find the others. Where should we look? The town? Forest edge? Where?" She knew she was being very talkative all of a sudden but she didn't want to think that Erick..or even Jack were hurt or even dead. She shakes her head slightly getting their lifeless and cold bodies out of her mind. "Let's start with the town." She says suddenly and starts walking ahead. Her mind elsewhere as she walks then she stops and looks back being very sassy, "Are you coming?"

Jack- Blacksmith

He nods and watches the two interacting and raises an eyebrow, something started to feel off. He sighs and brushes off the feeling and letting them talk.

 Anton Lutece & Silas Reid - Scientists - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Anton's eyes lit with interest. "Erick Bailee, of course! I might have even spotted you around the castle, I believe. Become a revolutionary, have you? It's quite reassuring to know that even those beside the king are not hopeless to our cause. And always a pleasure to fight alongside another war hero."

He smoothed a hand over the side of the horse's neck. "I haven't formally introduced myself, haven't I?" He bowed. "Anton Lutece, of the Scientific Society of Braile and, well, Acta Vertas." He straightened and gave a little laugh, pronouncing the lines on his face. He wasn't much of an old fellow, but he clearly had a decade or more on Silas. "I usually forgo the latter, but we had decided to cast off the veil of anonymity in light of recent events."

He coughed. "How about you?" He looked between Mr. Dermon and Silas. "We should be taking our leave soon. One would think your friend here had just caught the plague."

Silas was sloped across the saddle, his mind still far behind in the conversation. He wanted to will his hands to grab the reins and run away from this place, but since that wasn't happening...

"What meeting?" he managed to ask.

Anton blinked. "You don't know? Hmm, well, communication up and down the line with your group was never very good. But," he added, remembering how volatile the United People's Army was, "that could be said of everyone. Now that I think about it, I believed she mentioned something about Wood's Men being with you."

Dimitry Popov - The remains.

Dimitry squinted. "What are you doing here? Off hunting for Dad? Or are you just another shit-for-brains bleeding heart trying make everything better?" He glanced at Evelyn at the end before turning back towards Chase.

"Or, or... Did you finally decide to go freelance? That would be smart. Could pull in a lot of money that way, what with your... Affinity with the wastes."

He didn't move, but he did return his pistol to it's holster. There was no way anyone could cover the space between them before he could draw and fire. And if there were a bunch of assassins hidden nearby, it wouldn't really make a difference would it?

Matthew Barton - Sunrest area.

Matthew slowly pushed himself up and nodded. "Right behind you. We'll be able to get on the roof of one of the buildings. Get a better view of everything."

The pills she had given helped somewhat, and he was able to move at a normal walking pace. But he doubted he could run for very long if it came down to it.

He pulled his jacket off, it was tattered and muddy, so there wasn't any reason to keep it. He pulled the pocket watch out and stuffed it into the pouch he kept his shotgun ammunition so be wouldn't loose it.

Chase Frost - The Remains, Fairhaven

Chase scoffed at Dimitry's remark, eyes flashing red in annoyance. 'Shit-for-brains bleeding heart trying to make everything better' my ass. Chase lowered his hands slowly, and saw Jae-Hyun lower his hand from his sheath.

"Would've blocked it with the katanas. They're made of Heartsteel - bulletproof." Jae-Hyun bit back at Danor, seemingly annoyed at the lack of faith coming from them. Chase rolled his eyes at that. Of course Jae-Hyun would have katanas made from that metal. Probably stole it from one of their father's blacksmiths before leaving to join the rebels.

"I'm here for my brother. Also, no and no. Freelancing was my style back in the day," Chase paused, "Though I guess considering my - what did you call it? - 'affinity' with the Wastes the job would come easy. Mother Earth watching my back and whatnot." At this, Chase swung his arm in front of himself in a fake display of joy, a wide smile decorating his features. He abruptly cut the gesture off, face composing itself back to one of slight annoyance.

"Now I'm a 'selfish prick' looking out for my own well-being. And well, my boyfriend's too. But yeah, sorry, no loyalists or freelancers here." Chase shrugged.

Jae-Hyun let out and amused snort behind him, and Chase added, "If anything my brother is a loyalist."

"Fuck you." Jae-Hyun spat, clearly fuming at that remark. There was no way in hell that he would ever join loyalists. And Chase was well aware. He was just being a twat.

 Erick Bailee - King's Bodyguard - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Erick shied away from Mr. Lutece's attention, though it seemed innocent enough. The events of the last few hours had made him unusually paranoid, and he wasn't thrilled to have been so abruptly distracted from how furious he was with Silas. Still, he couldn't help answering the man's friendliness with a polite smile. Regarding Wood's Men, he shrugged his shoulders, worry shadowing his face again. "They were - before the flood. Haven't seen them since."

He was curious about the meeting; it implied that some sort of plan was being made and if that was the case, Erick definitely wanted to know about it. More than anything else, he just hoped Lutece was telling the truth about being able to help patch them up. Silas was a mess, obviously, and the state of Boraci's leg worried him.

Danor Arkaitz - Gunsmith - The Remains, Fairhaven

Danor leaned slightly away from the two brothers as they bickered with Dimitry, and kept a close eye on Evelyn, who was obviously one more word away from snapping. Her face had tensed into a mask, unreadable and silent, but Danor could see her fingernails digging into her crossed arms.

Evelyn raised her voice for Dimitry to hear. "How long do you plan to stand over there? This isn't the best distance for conversation."

Of course. Of course, she just couldn't help herself. Danor shook her head, passing a withering look over everyone present. "This doesn't concern me. I'm going to go check on Kristen and try to start that fire." She raised an eyebrow at Evelyn as she passed her, continuing on their way to the small cluster of trees where they had left Kristen. It was nearby; if she did need to intervene, she would probably hear the commotion from there.

## Page 12

Boraci - Sunrest, Fair Haven

"Frederick Dermon," I contributed, choosing to take a backseat for the majority of the conversation. It seemed like an eternity ago that we were with Wood's Men. Looking to the sky, I noticed with a small pinch of dread the setting sun. My shoulder blades started fidgeting, and I could feel my feet aching. Now wasn't the most convenient time. I adjusted my weight so that there wasn't a pinching sensation in my injured leg. "You said something about helping with injuries?"

Hopefully I'd be able to put off the transformation long enough to get a proper bandage affixed. Worse came to worse, some rebels would get a little scare. And I'd just have to avoid getting shot.

Anton Lutece - Rebel Leader of Acta Veritas - Sunrest, Fairhaven

"Frederick Dermon, Frederick Dermon," Anton muttered, rubbing his chin. "Where have I heard that?"

He put the thought aside when Mr. Dermon inquired as to what exactly may be awaiting them. "Medicine, food, shelter. Though it might take a while to get there. Unfortunately, I'm not a doctor by any means, so there's not much I personally can do. Hopefully, my colleagues will find more survivors to bring along with us."

He turned and began to walk back from where he came, prodding his horse to follow along by the reins. "Someone from Wood's Men, especially. There have been a couple of rumors between our two factions, and I would like to put them to rest." More importantly, he wanted to confirm if their leader was, in fact, the late prodigy, Hiram Wood. There was no doubt he would make for a valuable asset.

"Is something wrong?" he asked Mr. Dermon. "You looked uncomfortable with that leg. If you can't keep up, we might be able to squeeze you in with, er..." He stopped to look over his shoulder at Silas. "I don't think I caught your name, though you seemed to be familiar with mine."

"Silas. Reid." he replied hoarsely.

An unreadable expression crossed Anton's face. "You don't happen to be the same Silas Reid who conducted those experiments on the Ash Flower?"

He stayed silent.

"You are," Anton exclaimed. "Good Lord, we really must get you to a medic."

Erick Bailee - King's Bodyguard - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Rowan was the last to introduce himself, far too composed and easygoing for someone who had spent the better part of the day trying not to drown. "I'm Rowan. It's good to meet you."

It took all that remained of Erick's willpower to keep his hopes from shooting straight through the ceiling when Mr. Lutece told them how well-equipped they were. Shelter, food, and medicine - but it was so far from the worst of the flood... Part of him still wanted to stay and search, but it was entirely possible that his friends had already been discovered by other members of Lutece's group. For now, he guessed, he could relax a little.

To Erick's surprise, Lutece seemed to know something about Silas's condition - and his reaction didn't bode well. Erick opened his mouth to question the man but stopped just short of it, remembering Silas's secretive behavior. Not being in any position to help, and as someone Silas obviously didn't trust, he had no right to ask. Still, Lutece's words gnawed at the back of Erick's mind, and he soon found himself a satisfactory loophole. "Your people will know how to help him, right?"

"If it's that serious, let's be on our way," Rowan interjected, looking unusually restless. "Besides, this place isn't about to get any safer."

Dimitry Popov - Remains.

He slowly moved forward until he was about fifty feet away. "That better?"

"With out my shadowy friend around we have parity at close range, and I can't have that. That's why I've lived this long in this profression, never get in a situation where you and your opponent are equal or close to being equal. Now that I've explained myself. I would like you to convince me." He smirked. "Of why I or anyone should continue my support of your rebellion?"

"The flood killed, disabled, or disarmed at least a quarter of your forces, probably more. What could you possibly offer any of the outsiders that would make them stay? The Voce could certainly find a place with any other rebel band. And as a independent contractor... Well, we've been over that before."

Kristen Mernoth - Remains.

Kristen turned as Danor approached her. "What's going on?" She asked.

She could hear raised voices, but she couldn't tell who was talking or about what. Leif was wandering around, but that was about it.

She was still shaken, but had been able to calm down a little bit.

Chase Frost - The Remains, Fairhaven

Chase ceased his half-hearted quarrel with Jae-Hyun, instead choosing to listen to Dimitry, both his explanation for being so far and his challenge to Evelyn. Well, it wasn't exactly a challenge, more like a question with an underlying threat --basically a slap in the face with words.

Chase glanced at Evelyn who seemed to be at the end of her thread with everything that had just taken place. Honestly, Chase couldn't blame her. He was being a brat, and now one of the rebellion's allies had just questioned her ability to make ends meet.

Not a great day so far.

Chase moved a bit closer to Evelyn, using body language to convey his wish to stand by her and support her, should push come to shove.

Jae-Hyun Frost - The Remains, Fairhaven

Jae-Hyun stopped bickering with his brother, turning to listen to Dimitry.

He scowled when he spoke to Evelyn, clearly undermining her capability in rallying the forces and convincing them to stay. Jae-Hyun thought about telling Dimitry to wipe the smirk off his sorry face, but decided against it. In the rebellion, he was no more than a mere solider - a follower. It was not his place to speak for someone of a higher authority.

With that in mind, Jae-Hyun turned around, following Danor. "I'm also at a loss here, so I'll be taking my leave. Be careful."

Danor Arkaitz - Gunsmith - The Remains, Fairhaven

Danor dropped the firewood she had been carrying, stretching her arms out in front of her. She managed a weak smile, hoping not to alarm Kristen, but Jae-Hyun's presence nearby stoked her foul mood. Not only had he not listened to her; he had also blown hot air onto a very dangerous fire. "Not much. As you can see, we found some of our companions... Including one very unhappy Dimitry Popov." She knelt down, gathering up a handful of kindling. "He's having a talk with Evelyn and Chase - but I'm sure they'll work things out." She looked to Jae-Hyun, fixing him in a hard stare. "Isn't that right?"

Evelyn Luciole - Secret Officer - The Remains

Evelyn searched Dimitry's face, hoping to find some indication that he might be joking. Of course, he wasn't. She knew better. Now more than ever, she missed Asbel; this was his territory, and he had always been glad to handle it for her when the need arose. He liked talking, especially when he thought he could change someone's mind. Evelyn knew well enough that she wasn't very good at convincing people by any means other than force or trickery. Still, she had no other choice than to try if she wanted Dimitry on her side. If she failed, she would just have to hope her handgun was still in working order - and that she could draw it more quickly than Dimitry.

Evelyn linked her fingers and cracked her knuckles, taking a deep breath in and out. "You should support 'my' rebellion because 'my' King poses a threat to every surviving country, and I would rather remove him than have my kingdom wiped off the map because of him. He's unstable, selfish, and cowardly, and if something isn't done about him, war is imminent. Ask anyone who's spent time with him - hell, ask Tula. He holds nothing but resentment and fear for everyone outside his castle who isn't completely submissive to him.

"As for the other rebel groups, I'm planning to get as many of them in my corner as I can; we're all more or less on the same side. I think we're more likely to win if we stick together, but I wouldn't be terribly offended if they chose to team up with a different party. I can't offer any guarantees, but I'll offer everything I've got: my authority, my money, my life, whatever it takes to win.

"So, Mr. Popov, no more threats. Either side with me for the long haul or take your business elsewhere."

Anton Lutece - Rebel Leader of Acta Veritas - Sunrest, Fairhaven

"Perhaps," he said, "but that would depend on a number of things." He remembered reading Silas's proposal. It had reached his desk simply because of how outrageous it was. One would think that the man would have learned a thing or two from his parents.

Anton shivered and hugged his cloak closer to his chest as he traveled further along. The wind seemed to pick up as it grew even darker, and the mud at his feet certainly wasn't helping. He hoped that this war wouldn't carry on to winter.

"Quite something of you to start the fight in Glassvale," he said. The United People's Army did tend to be the most brazen and unpredictable of them all. In a way, something like that was to be expected. "Have you come across the king's army often? Met with any of the other rebel forces?"

Chase Frost - The Remains, Fairhaven

Chase's eyes widened in surprise at Evelyn's 'speech'. He was impressed with her self control, considering how much he had - accidentally - ticked her off. He would have to apologize for that later.

Not only was Chase impressed because of her steely resolve, but because she had managed to come up with quite a proposal, and if anything, a convincing one. He had taken her as more of a fighter than a talker, so he was proud. In a I-just-met-you-but-wow-that-was-so-cool kind of way.

Jae-Hyun Frost - The Remains, Fairhaven

Jae-Hyun's neutral gaze sharpened at Danor's cold demeanor. "Look, sorry about not doing what you wanted me to. No, let me rephrase that - I don't answer to you. I know that Evelyn is a ticking time bomb sometimes, and yeah, maybe both me and brother were a bit stupid back there, but this attitude you're giving me is uncalled for. You weren't the only people who had a hard time getting back onto your feet after the flood. Do you know how many dead bodies we found? How many people my brother insisted on giving a proper burial?"

Jae-Hyun stepped closer, his eyes flashing dangerously. He was tired, and at wits end. "I left them and followed you because I knew that I wasn't going to be of any use over there, so I thought I'd help here."

He grabbed some wood and arranged is into a square shape, then reached over for some kindling and leaves. Jae-Hyun reached into his pack and produced a lighter (he had stolen it), then proceeded to set the kindling alight. The wood began to burn slowly, until a warm fire began to appear, popping and hissing with the slight breeze blowing.

Jae-Hyun turned to the other woman, taking a deep breath before saying, "I'm sorry. I have...a bit of a short temper when it comes to these things. I am also quite tired and frankly, frustrated."

Jae-Hyun got up and then addressed Danor again. "Forget what I said. I am sorry. If I did anything to offend you before...and just now I suppose. And yes, I'm sure that Evelyn and Chase will sort Dimitry out." He turned and went into the forest nearby, to clear his head.

Boraci - Sunrest, Fairhaven

I waved off Mr. Lutece's concern, trying not to grimace too deeply. I almost laughed when he suggested I hop onto his horse with Silas. That poor beast. No, it wouldn't be able to handle extra weight. The animal looked almost as exhausted as the rest of us, if not more so.

"Go big or go home, I suppose." My fangs started to grow in, causing immense aches in my mouth. My stomach quietly growled, and I remembered the only food I'd had that day was an apple that morning. I couldn't quite hear the horse's heart pumping blood, not yet, but I imagined it was strained. I'd be doing that horse a favor. I mentally shook myself. We needed the equine for transportation.

"So are we going or -" my voice started to take on its strained, natural tones, more easily understood by swamp bats. Clearing my throat, I shifted my weight again. Better to let Erick talk.

```
 Dimitry Popov - The Remains.

```

Dimitry listened with a smirk "Do you really think I care about what happens to this country? It isn't mine. And it doesn't pose a threat to my country. The only reason I'm here is because this gives me the highest probable income."

"So yes. I will join your rebellion. Why? Because change causes chaos. And chaos." He grinned widely. "Is just what I need. But. But... But.. but." He paused and started walking forward.

"I'll need one guarantee beyond the normal guarantees that bind mercenary and client. I get to keep whatever I... Obtain. Be it gold, gems, or general spoils, anything. Other than slaves, obviously. I keep it. Because that means the risk reward balance is very much in my favor. So, do we have a deal?" He asked.

He wanted her to try and take the moral high ground with him. At least he knew and admitted he didn't have any. Nothing worse than lying to yourself.

Kristen Mernoth - The Remains.

Kristen looked in confusion at the new comer. "Who are you? Who is Chase?"

When the newcomer went off at Danor, Kristen spotted Leif slowly leaving his relaxed stance from behind the younger man. She quickly shook her head. She didn't know what kind of mental state her bodyguard was in, but it was unlike anything she has seen before. The big man was on edge, and who knew what might set him off.

Leif nodded but didn't seem to relax at all

## Page 13

Erick Bailee - King's Bodyguard - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Somewhat overwhelmed by Anton's sociable attitude, Erick fumbled for a moment before finally answering, "Yeah, some small group called Voce joined up with us. And we haven't had too much trouble with the King's army yet - mostly just other rebels." He looked to Boraci, seconding his unfinished question with a nod.

Something slightly "off" in Boraci's voice caught Erick's attention, and he wondered if his injured leg might be distracting him - and then he remembered the man's transformation. He was so secretive about it that Erick had almost forgotten. As much as he hated to agree with Rowan, this was one more reason for them to hurry along. "I'd, uh... While we walk, I'd definitely be interested to here more about what your group has been up to lately." He smiled tentatively, trying not to push his luck.

Danor Arkaitz - Gunsmith - The Remains, Fairhaven

Danor shrank back, shocked by Jae-Hyun's explosive reaction. Despite the overwhelming urge to argue with him, she kept her mouth shut for fear of breaking her calm front. When he stepped closer to her, she moved back, her heartbeat in her ears; part of her wondered if she should put some more distance between them in case he lost it. She didn't like the look on his face.

Once he was done speaking, though, he almost immediately busied himself with building the fire - something Danor had completely forgotten about during their one-sided fight. She sighed, realizing she had been holding her breath, and watched the flames begin to grow. Danor straightened when Jae-Hyun spoke to her again, and once again held her tongue until he was finished. "You didn't offend me. You scared me."  On both counts, she guessed, that was the real issue. Maybe she would just have to get used to being scared, given her situation. With that thought stewing in her brain, she knelt down and tended to the fire as best she could, remembering Kristen's earlier questions. "That was Jae-Hyun. Chase Frost is his brother." She flashed Kristen a weak smirk.

Evelyn Luciole - Secret Officer - The Remains, Fairhaven

Evelyn bristled, her head high and her shoulders back. Every word out of Dimitry's mouth was like fuel on a fire; she wanted to hit him. When he moved closer, she was sorely tempted to - of course, she didn't fancy being shot in the face. "You are the most repellent, hateful man I've ever met." She rolled her shoulders, forcing another deep breath. "No. No, we don't. Your help is very valuable to me, but that won't do at all - defeats the whole damn purpose of the thing."

She squinted, her mouth quirked to one side. "Is there any other, less monstrous guarantee I can offer to make you stay?"

Jae-Hyun Frost - The Remains, Fairhaven

Jae-Hyun groaned in frustration, kicking around rocks that were in his path. He felt hot, the way he usually did when his explosive temper got the better of him. 'It's not exactly your temper.' Chase's words rang in Jae-Hyun's ears, 'it's that wild spirit inside you. The one that tells you to disobey authority and run away every time someone tries to hold you down. You're like a wild mustang, really. Wouldn't be surprised if you had some magic coursing through those veins. Chase was the only one who had seemingly inherited magic, however. His mother was not, in any way, a witch. And the King, while certainly ill-tempered and rather insane, was not afflicted by magic either.

Jae-Hyun paused, looking at the trees that towered before him. He really didn't know where he was going, only that he needed to go far away. He needed to breathe. Jae-Hyun let out a tired sigh, walking over to a tree then sinking beside it. I really need to learn to reign in my anger, or at least act like I don't have issues with authority. Jae-Hyun chuckled to himself at that thought. It hadn't really been a problem before, since he had vented out on enemies, sometimes even during training.

But with the flood and the lack of adversaries he was beginning to grow restless.

Chase Frost - The Remains, Fairhaven

Chase tensed at Dimitry's approach, and from Evelyn's body language she also seemed quite wary of him.  At this point he almost wanted her to hit him. Maybe knock some sense into him or something...Chase pondered. However, he didn't want to: a.) Scare Evelyn with his use of his 'gifts' from the Wastes (she would most certainly think that he was an enemy then) b.) Make the rebellion lose one of its most valuable allies and maybe start another conflict, or c.) Waste effort and power on Dimitry in general.

Chase still readied himself, eyes flickering a blood red, should Dimitry  try anything funny in response to Evelyn's doubts

Anton Lutece - Rebel Leader of Acta Veritas - Sunrest, Fairhaven

"If you're certain," Anton said to Mr. Dermon, keeping his eyes trained on the path ahead of him. He hopped around a chuck of building and carefully skidded down a slope. His horse managed to follow behind, after some more prodding on his end. "Watch your step," he warned.

After Mr. Bailee spoke, he casually fiddled with the ring on his finger, his eyes caught on the glint of green. "I see. I suppose there's no harm. We had just mobilized a relief effort for those affected by this whole affair. The Syndicate even coordinated with us on the aftermath of Glassvale. Surprisingly."

He picked up his tone. "Since you don't seem to have been very informed about the meeting, I suppose you'll just have to see for yourselves later tonight. Although the rebellion had only began in earnest about a week ago, this has been months in the making. I must say, I've been very reluctant about this idea, but it would be hypocritical of me if I didn't believe in second chances."

Dimitry Popov - The Remains

Dimitry slowly advanced until he was about ten feet away. "Well. At least you are frank. But for a spy you really don't get out much, if I'm really the worst person you've ever met." He snapped sarcastically. He kept his hands crossed, he couldn't pull his pistol, but at this distance it he could probably tackle either one before they had their weapon out and ready.

"Now. For a more reasonable guarantee. I keep whatever I can obtain... Fine, loot... From government organizations. And very wealthy loyalists. Is that more reasonable?" He said before turning towards Chase.

"You might want to get some sunglasses. Can't be all that helpful displaying your emotions so... Blatantly."

In reality he was after one target. This was simply to ensure the rebels didn't think his actions were out of the ordinary until it as too late to stop him. The king's vault, an untold wealth of gems, artifacts, gold, and magical objects was his real goal. Even a tiny share would keep him and Tula living in luxury for several life times. If Evelyn didn't go for it he would leave. And find his old friends, they certainly would've interested, it would be just like old times.

Kristen Mernoth - The Remains

Kristen nodded. "Thanks. But who are you exactly?Wait... Chase Frost... No... He isn't." She abruptly cut herself off.

"Jae-Hyun. Interesting name, oh where did he go?" She said quickly, trying to distance herself from the topic of Chase. Then glanced around but saw nothing.

There had been rumors, especially among the nobility that the king had an illegitimate child, more than rumors really. And the name Chase Frost was one that circulated with those rumors. She didn't want to out herself as a noble, and showing knowledge of court gossip would probably be hard to explain away.

Erick Bailee - King's Bodyguard - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Though it seemed more than a little inappropriate given his current position, Erick couldn't help feeling ashamed for letting something so important go unnoticed and unchecked during his time as a bodyguard. He'd had his suspicions that they were planning to organize themselves, but if he hadn't switched sides, chances were he never would have known about this meeting. Still... "I sure hope you guys've kept this quiet enough, then. That's a pretty tempting target you've set up."

"Don't take this for some kind of juvenile secret club meeting, Mister Bailee. Like he said, it took months to organize - and immeasurable effort to do so without the secret police catching wind of it, I'm sure," Rowan added.

Erick fell silent, sensing that Rowan was prepared for an argument, but his doubts remained untouched. He couldn't be sure of how cautious these people had been until he made it to the end of the meeting alive.

Danor Arkaitz - Gunsmith - The Remains, Fairhaven

Danor caught herself sounding somewhat bitter after Jae-Hyun's outburst; in an effort to lift her spirits, she reminded herself of the amusing fact that Kristen had almost certainly recognized Chase's name. Even for a hero of the Wastes, he was interesting indeed - quite a mystery. "Not much of a gossip, are-"

Danor caught a tall figure and a subtle movement behind the growing flames and sprang to her feet, drawing and aiming her pistol on instinct. "Who's there?" It took a few moments of staring for Danor to recognize the man, who froze the moment he heard her voice. The second she did, she shoved her gun back into its holster, her eye wide. "Asbel?" Asbel was covered from head to toe in mud, soaked through and visibly disoriented until the sound of his name brought his wavering focus to Danor. Even on a good day, Asbel was no looker, but all Danor could think as she watched him then was that he looked quite dead.

Evelyn Luciole - Secret Officer - The Remains, Fairhaven

Evelyn held constant eye contact with Dimitry as he inched his way forward. It seemed they were getting somewhere, at least - but nowhere near where she wanted to be. She didn't like the idea of Dimitry stealing anything from anyone. Then again... If she just did her best to steer him away from places which he deemed acceptable to loot, she could probably do a great deal to minimize the damage he did. She couldn't stop him without going back on their agreement - if she agreed to this - but she could make it difficult for him, at least until they got to the castle.

"Yes, by a dangerously small margin. But do I have your guarantee that this despicable, greedy behavior won't distract or in any way prevent you from doing your job effectively? I can't have you wandering off every five minutes to rifle through someone's valuables - or causing unnecessary confrontation."

Jae-Hyun Forst - The Remains, Fairhaven

Jae-Hyun stood up. He had managed to reign in his temper down to a flicker of a flame, essentially non-existent. It was always there, humming beneath the surface, but for now his temper would not strike again. With this in mind he picked his way through the trees and back to the campsite.

As he approached however, he saw a figure approach Danor and Kristen. The figure seemed gaunt, and shaken - wet and caked in mud. Jae-Hyun tensed, carefully circling to come in front of the figure and behind both Danor and Kristen. He did not draw his katanas, but with the gleam of caution in his eyes it was evident he wasn't not prepared to fight, either.

"Who the hell is this?"

Chase Frost - The Remains, Fairhaven

At Dimitry's comment about his emotions he let a smirk settle on his usually warm features. "And how do you know that the emotions you see 'blatantly' are real? Hiding in plain sight is one of the best tactics one can utilize in conflict, you know."

Chase then growled something under his breath at Evelyn's retort for a guarantee. Dimitry was unpredictable, and he knew that if Evelyn didn't agree to his terms, he's probably find some other way to get what he wanted. And if he did do it his way, it would not only cause trouble for the kingdom, but for the rebellion. Serious trouble.

 Dimitry Popov - The Remains.

Dimitry raised an eyebrow at Evelyn's ending remark. "You really think I'm that stupid? That I would take a break in the middle of a gunfight to swipe a few coins from a dead guard? Or do you think I'll take the pathetic excuses for fire arms your nation produces? The only time I will loot bodies is if they have Grail or Rojyan weapons or equipment to replace what I lost in the flood, or expend in combat, in order to remain as effective as possible. That fair?

"And if you recall, the most recent confrontations have been caused by those Wood's Men. And who the hell knows where they went. So, I'd be more worried about the other rebels."

He glanced at Chase and shrugged. "Personally I prefer stealth over trickery. But whatever works for you."

Kristen Mernoth - The Remains

Kristen was about to reply to Danor when Asbel came out of the woods looking like death. She didn't do anything, just watched in silence. The lack of rebels who found there way was concerning. It meant a lot had been swept away. She still couldn't imagine what caused that blast. It reminded her of a story one of her father's Grail bodyguards, a quiet fellow with a raspy voice and terrible burns, had told about what happened when one of those sand ships blew up.

A blinding flash, a cloud stretching miles into​ the sky, and a gust of hot wind that could knock down buildings.

She knew the king didn't do it, couldn't have, no reason to destroy a dam that had been built less than three years ago. Even if her kingdom had that sort of power, which she couldn't imagine.

Evelyn Luciole - Secret Officer - The Remains, Fairhaven

Evelyn raised her hands, resisting the urge to roll her eyes at the exchange between Dimitry and Chase. "Fine. We have a deal, Mr. Popov." She stole a glance at Chase, reading annoyance in his expression; there was nothing to be done, she guessed, if the two simply didn't like each other. At least Chase had more self control than Jae-Hyun and hadn't outright threatened him. "Let's head back to Kristen. Once that fire gets going, we should be prepared to fend off whatever it attracts."

Asbel Sutherlin - Rebel - The Remains, Fairhaven

Asbel was all but unaware of the eyes on him as he fell into a clumsy sitting position near the fire, his head bowed as if he were asleep. Dimly aware of Jae-Hyun's question but disinclined to answer it, he focused instead on trying to get comfortable. He was extremely dizzy and the firelight seemed to make it worse, so he averted his eyes to the ground instead, leaning toward the fire in hopes of absorbing as much heat as possible.

"He's with us," Danor finally answered. "His name is Asbel Sutherlin."

Asbel glanced up at Danor, his eyebrows furrowed. "So I'm told," he muttered, and turned to lie down on his side with his back to Danor. "Wake me if I catch fire." He shut his eyes, shivering against the revolting feeling of mud under his hands and head. As close as he was to the flames, the chill of the ground faded quickly, but the numbness of shock held on. Other than cold and nauseated and vaguely worried, he felt very little.

Alice Beckett-Oswald - Captain of the King's Guard - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Minutes passed in miserable silence as Alice, Jack, and the two strangers trudged onward, finding nothing but bodies and disoriented townspeople - until the sight of a stranger riding through the wreckage on horseback caught her attention. She stopped, almost too surprised to react, and the person soon spotted them as well. She had feared, at first, that it might be a knight, but a closer look soon proved otherwise. Without a uniform or armor, the man approached them, but halted when Alice drew her sword. "Are you four with the United People's Army?" he asked.

Alice held her weapon at the ready, struggling to muster up a convincing glare. "Are you?"

"No," the man answered with a faint smile. "Your leader came to us for help. I'm from Acta Veritas; I'm here to bring you to safety."

"Who else have you found?"

"I've only found you - but more of us are searching. We'll have everyone out of here soon, I'm sure." He lowered himself to the ground from atop his horse. "Are any of you injured?"

Alice sighed with relief, sheathing her weapon, and nodded toward Jack in reply to the man's question. Finally, she thought. It felt as if they had been searching forever.

## Page 14

Boraci - Sunrest, Fairhaven

As talk of a combined meeting bubbled about, Boraci gingerly followed the horse down the incline. At the bottom, he turned up his hood. The mud squelched under the small group's steps, and he thought it wouldn't be that difficult to trace the group, if need be. Unfortunately, there weren't any drier paths to take. Hopefully something as trivial as some tracks wouldn't jeopardize what sounded like a very involved happening.

He felt his legs extending, chaffing against the boots. As a small plus to the whole thing, he found that wounds tended to healed quickly while in the metamorphosis, so the leg injury would not be a concern soon. As his wings started to grow, he gave a quick prayer of thanks to tailors who made over-sized coats. A few small groans escaped, and Boraci hoped that nobody - meaning Mr. Lutece and Rowan (and oh, all the assembled rebels) - would notice a generous difference in height.

 Jae-Hyun Frost - The Remains, Fairhaven

Jae-Hyun's eyebrows raised at the man's demeanor. As Danor cleared up his identity, he was struck by a sense of familiarity. This was the man I met back at the Old Mill...gave me a blanket for Chase.

Jae-Hyun immediately began rummaging through his satchel, swinging around to be at his chest. After a few seconds he found what he was looking for - the blanket. By the looks of it, Asbel was cold - both the ground and mud sticking to him probably doing very little to ease the chill that he probably felt. And while the fire was warm, it wasn't exactly blazing, providing minimal heat to the shaken man.

"Here, take this."  Jae-Hyun crouched to be near Asbel, hovering over him and placing the blanket over his frail looking form.

He looked up to Danor, still feeling a bit awkward in her prescence since his outburst. "I also have food if anyone it intrested. It's not much but..."

Chase Frost - The Remains, Fairhaven

At Evelyn's comment about fending off things, Chase's eyebrows furrowed with concern. "I do hope they're alright..." Chase murmured, turning to head the way Danor and Jae-Hyun had went a while ago.

 Asbel Sutherlin - Rebel - The Remains, Fairhaven

Asbel didn't notice Chase's brother until the man practically stood over him. He glanced up from the ground just in time to see Jae-Hyun crouch down and carefully lay a blanket over him; miraculously, it seemed mostly dry. It was certainly drier than he was, at any rate. Asbel grasped the edge of it with his uninjured hand to pull it upward, just past his neck, and bent his legs slightly to keep his feet from being uncovered. "Thank you." He looked to Jae-Hyun and gave a small nod.

Slowly, as he began to relax, his head cleared and he was able to piece his surroundings together. The flood, the explosion, the rubble careening past him, splintered wood grazing his shoulder like a set of claws. It occurred to him that he wouldn't be very useful to the group in this condition. How was he supposed to fire a gun with a broken hand? That is, of course, assuming that the wound in his shoulder didn't kill him first. It seemed as if the bleeding had slowed, but its position just above his collarbone prevented him from examining it closely.

Jae-Hyun asked if anyone was interested in eating, and Asbel felt his stomach lurch. He couldn't even think of food. He didn't hear any movement from Danor aside from the occasional rustling of wood and the crackling of flames. "I could eat," she answered, and immediately corrected herself with, "Just a little."

Jae-Hyun Frost - The Remains, Fairhaven

Jae-Hyun noticed how Asbel was only using one of his hands, and his eyebrows knit with concern. Not only that, but his movements seemed to be pained and stiff, almost as if he was trying to limit his movements because of a wound. He turned to Danor, who had wanted food, letting out a small laugh at her correcting herself with 'just a little'. He took off his satchel, and opened it up. He and Chase had managed to scavenge for food among the remains. It had been a miracle that most of the food they found in the rubble was intact, some of it already wrapped in cloth or butcher paper. Jae-Hyun took out some of the food, saving the rest for another time. He placed it on a flat stone near the fire and next to Danor.

"Okay, so I have some beef jerky, bread, and two apples. There's more in the satchel, and Chase has some too, but I think it'd be best to save it for later." Jae-Hyun then turned, letting Danor pick which foods she wanted, as well as what was going to be shared with Kristen.

Jae-Hyun proceeded to take out a first aid kit that Chase had put together back at the Old Mill, one for him and another one for Chase. It was made up of some healing balm, bandages, two needles and a spool of thin thread, a bottle of something purple (Chase had called it 'disinfectant', made from a Wastes plant), and two stones. Jae-Hyun didn't know what the stones were for, but Chase had urged him to keep it, "just in case".

Jae-Hyun awkwardly cleared his throat and knelt so he was closer to Asbel. "Uhm, I know that it might not be any of my business, but you looked hurt...would you mind if I checked you for wounds? I could, err, patch you up?"

Jack- Blacksmith

He pauses, leaning against a tree to get the weight off his ankle and reads the situation between the man and Alice. He was tense until Alice had relax and sheathed her blade before he slowly begun to relax himself.  "She is more injured than I." He studies the man, "How many more of you are out there searching?"

Celaena-Assassin

She trudges through the forest, her head had started pounding again, so she pulled out her bottle of pills and cuss under her breath. There weren't many left so she put them back in her pocket. Barton would need more later on a cracked rib is worse then a throbbing head. She sighs, staying a few paces ahead of them. She calculates their odds of surviving and worse if they have to fight. As far as she is aware, she only had a couple of scrapes and cuts. They other two are in worse shape, so if they run into someone, she was probably their best chance at staying alive. However, Barton could be more useful than he appears and Mosin might recover from his little episode faster than she would have thought of, "If we keep heading towards the town we should find someone who at least might have seen someone we know....if not we can get food and water." and medicine she thought to herself. Celaena thought it would be best they didn't know it was low, didn't want them to play the stupid hero routine when they are more inured than she is.

Asbel Sutherlin - Rebel - The Remains, Fairhaven

Asbel listened at a figurative distance from the short exchange between Danor and Jae-Hyun, his thoughts quieting. Just as his eyelids began to lower, he caught a shadow passing over his eyes, and opened them to find Jae-Hyun beside him, talking. Willing himself to focus, he turned his head slightly, catching the gist of the man's question. "If you wouldn't mind," he muttered. Truthfully, he wanted nothing more than a few hours' rest - but despite his tiredness, he knew it would be foolish to refuse the man's help.

Asbel pushed himself up on one arm, rising into a clumsy sitting position, and swayed slightly until the pounding behind his eyes subsided. He shot a pitiful attempt at a firm look in Jae-Hyun's general direction. "There's no need for checking." He pointed to the gash above his shoulder, where his weathered and muddied shirt was stained dark, almost black, with blood. "If you could just help me with this. It hurts like hell, and it's... Well, it's rather close to such important things as my neck and my face, which is a bit frightening."

Alice Beckett-Oswald - Captain of the King's Guard - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Alice answered Jack's remark with a sigh, but said nothing. She hadn't the energy to argue. His question did interest her, however, and she encouraged the man to answer with a questioning look. He frowned, his voice lowering. "Not nearly enough, I'm afraid, after all that's happened here... But that's all the more reason not to waste any more time. Let's be off." He looked to Alice expectantly. "Ma'am, if you're injured, perhaps it would be easier to ride than to walk."

Alice looked to Jack, flashing him a weary smirk. "Is there any way I could convince you to get on that horse instead? Your ankle will only get worse the more you walk on it."

Jae-Hyun Frost - The Remains, Fairhaven

Jae-Hyun grimaced at the spot where Asbel pointed. The man was looked about ready to pass out from exhaustion, and the weak attempt at a steady look only confirmed his thoughts.

Jae-Hyun reached over and delicately removed Asbel's shirt, which was like removing a scab from a wound with how it had semi-melded onto his skin. As the shirt peeled off slowly, he tried to keep a straight face at the sight of the wound, but the twitch of his mouth gave away his inner shock. God, it's bad. "Okay, so...it's not...terrible." Liar.

He rummaged through the makeshift first aid kit, pulling out the thread, needle, balm, and the bottle with purple goop in it. "Okay, I'm going to need you to stay still". Jae-Hyun spoke as he uncapped the bottle, placing a bit of goo in his hand. My hands aren't that dirty...I hope.

Jae-Hyun then began to gently rub it onto the gash that ran above his collarbone. It seeped into Asbel's skin and dried quickly, so he immediately went to grab the needle and thread. ""I'll try to be quick, but I can't promise it won't hurt." He leaned in and scooted closer to get a better view of the gash.

It was really deep, with dried blood surrounding the openings on Asbel's skin.

Jae-Hyun took a deep breath and steeled himself, pushing the needle through the skin near the wound and to the other edge of it. He did this about 15 more times before tugging lightly and closing the gash with the thread. He snapped off the excess with his teeth, awkwardly placing his face close to Asbel's neck. "It's not the best stitch job, but it should keep it closed as long as you don't move too much."

Jae-Hyun glanced at Asbel's hand, noticing the way it was being cradled. "I can also bandage your hand, if you'd like."

Dimitry Popov - The Remains, Fairhaven.

Dimitry smiled thinly. "Very well. I'll get ready for unwanted guests." He began walking towards the area people were working on building the fire.

He passed several rebels that still had weapons. "Get in the trees, we need lookouts so we don't get suprised." As a few of the rebels scaled the large pines he found the remains of a low stone wall, the sort used to separate the fields of different farmers. He ducked behind it. Any enemy sniper would spot the rebels in the trees, and start trying to kill them, which would let him find the enemy and nuetrilize them without any risk to himself.

Of course, he wasn't about to tell the rebels that.

Matthew Barton - Near Sunrest, Fairhaven.

Matthew nodded slowly and trudged behind Celaena. He didn't like this, would much rather have found a hiding place and taken the chance that whoever they encountered was friendly. But it he wasn't in the mood to argue with some one who was not only in much better health than he was, but had also demonstrated a certain level of violence and a lot of irritability.

He tugged open the small pouch that held his shotgun shells and pulled several out, examined them, and tossed a couple away. Muttering "Crushed out of shape. No use."

Celaena Moonlight- Assassin

She made sure she kept her pace slow. Not wanting them to wear out easily even though she just wants to tear the forest down to find Erick and Jack. She pray, actually pray that they are okay. Otherwise the world is going to suffer greatly if she found their limp bodies. The flood was no accident, even if it was she would kill the people who built the 'dam' thing. She took a deep breath trying to calm herself down. "Let me know when you guys need to rest." She looks over her shoulder for a brief moment as she spoke. She puts her hair up in a bun then lets it down and puts it and a braid, she keeps redoing and undoing her hair in different way. Not able to keep her hands still, she finally left her hair braided then pulls out a small wooden piece and starts carving into it as she walks, multi-tasking rather well.

Jack- Blacksmith

He lets out a deep sigh, "I'm not gonna argue Alice." He carefully picks her up and puts her on the horse. "I have a twisted ankle while you can hardly stand, m'lady. I may be a blacksmith to an assassin but I can still be a gentlemen." He chuckles slightly and turns the man again, "Please let me know if you need extra help.. My friend is out there...Whether she is alive or..or not I still want her found if its possible." He chuckles slightly and scratches the back of his head.

Asbel Sutherlin - Ow. - The Remains

Asbel didn't think to try and prevent Jae-Hyun from removing his shirt until it was too late; adhered to his skin by drying blood, it tugged at the wound as Jae-Hyun attempted to remove it carefully, the shock instantly silencing him. Still, even as his eyes began to water and his stomach began to knot, he grabbed the nearby blanket as soon as his arms were free and pulled it loosely around his shoulders to hide himself. It concealed his back from Danor and the others, but the tangle of jagged, gruesome scars which ran up and down his upper body was still partially visible from the front. If it hadn't been for the pain to distract him, he might have been mortified.

Unfortunately, it was extremely distracting. He didn't notice the look of alarm on Jae-Hyun's face, but the tone of his voice said volumes - and as soon as he warned him to hold still, Asbel's composure broke. He didn't know what to expect, but he knew it was going to be horrible - and horrible it was. The moment the needle broke his skin, Asbel let out an involuntary cry of pain, and only grew more upset as Jae-Hyun continued. He covered his mouth with one hand to quiet himself, his shoulders shivering as if from cold; the handful of seconds it took to complete the task felt like hours.

When it was finally over, Asbel slouched forward until his forehead nearly touched his knees, pulling the blanket further over himself. Over the sound of his own ragged breathing, he barely heard Jae-Hyun speak. When the man mentioned his hand, Asbel squeezed his eyes shut, cursing under his breath. "I need a moment," he answered weakly. "And a drink." It occurred to Asbel that it might be appropriate to thank Jae-Hyun for helping him - but for some reason, he didn't really feel like it.

Alice Beckett-Oswald - Knight - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Alice said nothing in response to being swept off her feet, as it were, but her expression grew abruptly grim and still, though she managed to flash a sheepish smile at Jack before he turned away. With her ego obviously wounded, she remained quiet for a long while after that. The newcomer, meanwhile, was quick to try and ease Jack's worries. "Well, it's possible, certainly. If she is alive, of course - like you said. In fact, I'd say it's very likely. As for helping us... Thank you, but I think we should discuss that from a safer place than this. Let's go."

With that, he led them forward, constantly scanning their surroundings, slowing every now and then to turn and ask how they were doing. It wasn't until the third or fourth time that Alice actually lifted her head to answer - when she saw movement ahead. Five people; among them, Erick, Silas, and Boraci. Without thinking, she called out, "We were worried sick about you!"

## Page 15

Jae-Hyun Frost - The Remains, Fairhaven

Jae-Hyun cracked a wry smile at Asbel's request for a drink. "Sorry, no can do. We didn't find any liquor among the remains." Jae-Hyun packed up the materials slowly, choosing to leave the man's hand alone. As for the wounds, it would be easier to gauge their healing process if Asbel didn't drink. But still, if he had any, he would be more than happy to share some with the injured man. It looked like he needed it.

Jae-Hyun glanced at Asbel's ruined frame and frowned. He shrugged off his coat and pulled off the warm cotton shirt, leaving him in a light linen blouse. "I think you're going to need more than a blanket", Jae-Hyun offered the warm material to Asbel, "I'd offer you my coat, because it's more resistant to the weather but I don't think your wounds would be thankful."

 Silas Reid - Botanist and Odd Job Part-Timer - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Silas held on.

The sways and trots of the horse became almost soothing as he laid on its back. He weakly lifted his head up once he noticed they were over-shadowed by the hill. When they reached the top, they were joined by company at last. One he was well acquainted with, for once. Disappointment, relief, and a number of things he couldn’t really be bothered to decipher crashed over him.

Anton smiled wryly. "Friends of yours?"

Silas didn't dignify that with a response. Instead, he buried his head in the horse's mane, hoping they would think he had fallen unconscious. He absolutely refused to deal with the moment at hand, and all of its implications. What an awful mess he'd dug himself in.

"Heavens, it's Alice Beckett," Anton remarked as they closed the distance between them. "I'm genuinely curious to know what the United People's Army has done to add such figures to their ranks."

He extended a hand to each of the new arrivals. "Anton Lutece, of Acta Vertas," he announced to the group at large. "I say it's safe to assume we're all in a hurry, are we not? You might even call this a time of war. Your people need medical attention, we're late for a meeting, and we both can't stay here a minute longer, lest we get caught by the king's forces. So what do you say to dispensing with the formalities and discuss what's to come as we leave this place in the dust?"

If there was one thing Silas appreciated about Anton, it was that he clearly prided honesty. Although he hadn't exactly spilled every secret he had to share, he tried to be as straight-forward with them as he could be. Quite bizarre for a supposed rebel, but it was a breath of fresh air after all the lies and secrecy.

Boraci - Sunrest, Fairhaven

I was genuinely glad to see Alice in such good shape, and that Jack fellow seemed all right as well. I wondered just how many rebel groups there actually were, and if the king's forces would be any match for the power of the people. The knights were possibly better equipped. Most likely in fact. And how were the sentiments of the common citizen, after this disaster? The flood had made a new battle ground, flushed of its potential casualties.

As these thoughts grew in my mind, I hitched up my coat around my shoulders and threw my hood over my head. My face started to transform, revealing a slitted nose, small but capable eyes, and giant ears. The last would be the hardest to hide. Maybe I could clip them down somehow? Or would that even be necessary? I debated back and forth in my head as I followed the horse carrying an inert Silas. Deciding that it wouldn't be too much of a shock for the rebels, I flicked my hood back off my head, relaxing my shoulders. I moved toward Alice.
"Have you seen anyone else?"

Alice Beckett-Oswald - Knight - Sunrest, Fairhaven

If she could have, Alice would have jumped down from the horse and run over to her friends; her tired eyes were bright with joy and relief. When Boraci came close, tall enough then to be quite easily reached, Alice rested a hand lightly on his shoulder and smiled. It seemed Silas was alright too, though he looked exhausted and possibly injured. At this, she was equal parts relieved and surprised, given the way he had acted before. She avoided his eyes, afraid this would show in her expression, and instead focused on Boraci's question. "Two men I'm not familiar with, and that..." She glanced up at Doctor, then breathed a short sigh of annoyance. "Him - earlier."

"When I saved your life, you mean." He raised his eyebrows.

Despite the pain it caused her, Alice straightened where she sat, her eyes narrowed. After several seconds of hesitation, she replied, "Was there another time I'm forgetting or are you just being an ass?"

Doctor faltered, deeply offended, and crossed his arms with a huff.

Erick suddenly piped up then, pointing a finger at Doctor. "He saved your life?"

Alice nodded, her smile returning. "I'm very glad to see you three in one piece. I was worried. Have you seen anyone else?" She glanced from Boraci to Erick and back again.

Asbel Sutherlin - Rebel - The Remains, Fairhaven

Asbel glanced up at Jae-Hyun to see the offered shirt, and took it with a small nod of thanks and a faint smirk. "You're very much like your brother. I hadn't noticed earlier." With some difficulty, he put on the shirt and then lied down again, his eyes immediately slipping shut. "Thank you."

Before he fell asleep, he heard Evelyn's voice as she approached. "How's the fire coming along?"

Danor's voice chimed in, "Slowly, but better than expected - and we found your friend. Or he found us, I suppose."

A pause, and then a calm question. "Is he alright?"

"We think so."

"Good. Don't wake him. So, who wants to hide in the trees and who wants to stay here and help tend to the fire?"

Anton Lutece - Rebel Leader of Acta Veritas - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Anton's mouth fell open as Mr. Dermon pulled back his hood, along with the rest of Acta Veritas. After a few minutes of stunned silence on their end, he took a shaky step forward.

"You're that Swamp Bat that joined our heroes in the war," he said. "Boracay or Boraki. Something like that." Anton tried to grasp his hand. "Poppy told me much about you. Hasn't this group been full of surprises?"

He wanted to prod Mr. Dermon with questions and take a better look at his new form, but there was no time. "From what I'm getting, there are still more of you out there, correct? Do those wings of yours work? Do you think you'll be able to pick out survivors from a bird's eye view?"

Boraci - Sunrest, Fairhaven

"Just Klaus and Anya, but they got washed away," I responded, then, wondering why I sounded a bit loud, saw that Lutece and his men were a tad stunned.

I smiled awkwardly into the silence, and shook the leader's hand. "It's Boraci." It hadn't crossed my mind that Poppy would have spoken to anybody outside of the old group about me. I wondered how she was doing. Staying away from the sauce hopefully.

"They should, yeah," I said, taking off my coat and stretching the aforementioned wings. "And despite popular belief, us Swamp Bats have pretty good vision. Just tell me where I should direct survivors." Asbel popped into my mind. I hoped he was all right. That grumpy old grandpa of a man would need a pick-me-up.

  SVT13 - Near Sunrest, Fairhaven.

The three Grail operatives dragged the large bags of equipment to the top of a decent sized hill and began assembling the radio antenna. The transmitter was of a older design, quite crude compared to current Grail and Rojyan models, but it could transmit on a large number of frequencies at once, and with enough power to override any other transmissions.

Rankin hooked the power cable into the battery of his motorcycle and cranked the transmitter's power all the way up. Alexi pulled out his compass and swung the transmitter towards Hydris so the radios there would hear the message loud and clear.

Jefferson glanced to Rankin who nodded. Jefferson took a deep breath and shouted into the voice piece. "You have surely seen our power. Now hear our ultimatum! The United People's Army demands the immediate abdication of the king, and that he and all members of the nobility to present themselves so they can be judged for their crimes against the people of Falcon's Reach!"

They had chosen the Unite People's Army as a scapegoat because it was probably the single largest, and most unhinged.

Dimitry Popov - The remains, Fairhaven

A light inside of his mask, alerting him to radio traffic in a military frequency. Dimitry groped around for the radio control, hadn't used it a long time.

"seen our power......r our ultimatum! The United ...... Army dema.... the immediate ....... of the king, and that he and all members of ....... to present themselves so they can be judged .........crimes against the people of Falcon's Reach!"

"Fuck!" he shouted before he stood up and ran towards Eveyln. "We've got a problem. I just picked up a radio transmission... Someone, equipped with a very powerful radio array, claiming to be part of the United People's Army, is demanding the king and other people, I'm guessing the rest of the government to present themselves so they can be judged for crimes against the people."

"Also, I think they claimed the bomb. So, there's that. Since you have the most knowledge of different rebel groups, which has the access to advanced radio equipment and has a grudge against the people's army? Because I figure they are the ones who sent that message."

Anton Lutece & Silas Reid - Scientists - Sunrest, Fairhaven

"Meet us down there, in the forest," Anton said, pointing at the thick line of trees that sat on the other side of the hill. "We can hide out among the shadows for the meantime before we join with the others."

"Hold on." Silas directed a look at Mr. Dermon. He'd thrown all pretense of laying low during the conversation when he learned something shocking. "You're a Swamp Bat?" It seemed obvious now, when his beady eyes, rabbit-like ears, and leathery-green skin shown in full view.

Silas probably should have stayed down, however, because the quick shot of his head was rather dizzying, and he suddenly had to turn to the side to retch his stomach's contents. It was little more than a glob of spit, since his stomach had nothing left to give.

 Evelyn Luciole - Secret Officer - The Remains, Fairhaven

Evelyn raised her head to look at Dimitry, curious, when she heard him shout. She figured it would have to be something pretty serious to piss him off like that - and serious it was. Evelyn sighed, pressing her fingertips against her temples. "Acta Veritas isn't overly fond of them - and they're well-equipped - but they would never blow up a dam. That's not their style. I doubt the Armed Forces of Lucan would leave their little bubble to stir up shit in Fairhaven..." Evelyn shook her head. "This doesn't add up. It might be a group I haven't seen before."

Erick Bailee - King's Bodyguard - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Erick saw Alice's expression turn grim when Boraci answered her question. He shot her a smile, hoping she would return it, but she didn't even seem to notice. Her eyes were lowered and distant; she didn't even appear to be listening to Anton's plan - until Silas sat up for a moment. She glanced over at him as he began to retch, her eyebrows furrowed with concern. "What's wrong with him?"

Boraci - Sunrest, Fairhaven

"Quick as a whip, Silas." I patted his back a couple times. "He's a bit frail. Probably needs to see a doctor soon."
In all likelihood, Silas himself had an idea of his ailment. I suspected he'd not always been forthcoming about his intentions, but he wasn't in any shape to be interrogated. At least for now.

I put some distance between myself and the group and slipped off my boots. My wings unfolded and I heard some joints crack. The night air felt refreshing on what had been tightly wrapped skin. The grasses below me began to wave as I lifted into the sky.

## Page 16

Chase Frost - The Remains, Fairhaven

"So your saying that it might be a group we have no idea how to deal with?" Chase asked, coming up behind Evelyn, "or just one that hasn't been out in the open until now?"

He was worried of course, not because he wouldn't be able to deal with them, but rather because he wouldn't know how. If Evelyn's doubts proved to be true, this would mean that another group had joined the playing field. And we don't even know if they're going to prove friendly...do rebel groups work with other rebel groups? Chase frowned at the thought, unsure of what to do.

Best if I follow Evelyn's lead for now, I suppose.

Jae-Hyun Frost - The Remains, Fairhaven

Jae-Hyun opened his mouth to protest at Asbel's comparison of him and his brother, but was cut off by the man promptly falling asleep. Jae-Hyun huffed in mild annoyance, before turning to see Evelyn and his brother approach the camp.

He moved closer to Chase, inspecting him for injuries. When he found none, Jae-Hyun decided to move back near the woods, leaning on a tree close to the camp. As soon as he leaned back, however, Dimitry appeared, running towards Evelyn, telling her of what he had heard on the radio.

Jae-Hyun's eyes hardened at the news, hands tightening into fists. Perhaps he'd get a chance to vent his anger after all.

Anton Lutece & Silas Reid - Scientists - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Anton frowned. Silas's condition certainly was serious. However, Anton looked to him in question. "It isn't my story to share," he decided.

"Exactly," Silas replied. He rubbed the lower half of his face vigorously with the back of his hand. "That's no one's business but mine. Let's just focus on getting out of here already."

He made a sound of surprise when the Swamp Bat laid a heavy hand on his back. "Hey—" he began, clearly planning to tell him off, but he had already took off into the night. Silas winced at the gust of wind that followed. "What's with you people?"

Suddenly, he was reminded of the lip he had given those three earlier. Gnawed by a growing sense of apprehension, he paid a glance at Mr. Bailee and Mr. Rowan. Great. Now he had to be worried about them ratting him out.

"Shall we get going?" Anton asked, completely oblivious to his plight.

Anton Lutece & Silas Reid - Scientists - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Anton frowned. Silas's condition certainly was serious. However, Anton looked to him in question. "It isn't my story to share," he decided.

"Exactly," Silas replied. He rubbed the lower half of his face vigorously with the back of his hand. "That's no one's business but mine. Let's just focus on getting out of here already."

He made a sound of surprise when the Swamp Bat laid a heavy hand on his back. "Hey—" he began, clearly planning to tell him off, but he had already took off into the night. Silas winced at the gust of wind that followed. "What's with you people?"

Suddenly, he was reminded of the lip he had given those three earlier. Gnawed by a growing sense of apprehension, he paid a glance at Mr. Bailee and Mr. Rowan. Great. Now he had to be worried about them ratting him out.

"Shall we get going?" Anton asked, completely oblivious to his plight.

Dimitry Popov, The Remains.

Dimitry pulled off his mask. "Alright. Look, here's what I know. Whoever did that had access to either a very high end radio transmitter, probably an older Rojyan model, possibly a Grail made one. Either way, it's expensive, heavy, and will require specialist maintenance. My guess is it was the National Revolutionary Front, or a false flag from the king to make people give him support again."

He sighed and looked out across the wreakage. "This was caused by a Grail made super combine bomb. Only thing that could do this."

He turned back to Evelyn and Chase. "The Grail military has, as of last time I heard, at least four of those weapons currently unaccounted for. Knowing the rampent corruption in the Grail government it's probably many more. Fortunately these things are incredibly expensive, so I doubt there are going to be any more going off. I doubt even your government could afford more than a few of them."

He was getting the sneaking suspicion that this was a caravanner operation. Barton had told him that his old unit wanted him back, and at least two of them were certified super combine munitions technicians. But he couldn't imagine them willingly work for non-Grail. Of course, if the money was good enough...

Matthew Barton, following Celaena.

Matthew slogged behind Celaena, wipping his sleave across his forhead every few minutes to stop the blood from the gash from going in his eyes.

It seemed like no matter how long they walked the buildings ahead of them didn't seem to get closer. "Why are you here? I don't get the feeling that you are really that much of an idealist, I mean, idealists tend not to you into the assassination business. Is it money? Sorry, I just figure that conversation is better than silence." He said.

Probably wasn't the best question to lead with, but at this point he didn't really care. They were all going to die eventually.

Erick Bailee - King's Bodyguard - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Erick watched Boraci lift himself into the air, breathing a short sigh. He hoped no one saw him while he was airborne - unless, by a rare streak of good luck, it was someone they knew. Hearing Silas's voice, Erick returned his attention to him just in time to hear, "What's with you people?"

Erick bit down on the inside of his lip, silencing himself before he could snap at the man. When he caught Silas stealing a glance at him, he immediately looked away. He wasn't angry - not anymore - but he probably had a pretty unpleasant look on his face, and the last thing he wanted to do was start something. Alice seemed more or less content to let Silas be after he refused to answer her question, but he could tell she was still wondering. She sat quietly, eyes fixed on nothing specific - until Anton's voice jarred her from her thoughts. "Lead the way," she replied.

Erick nodded. "Ready when you are."

Evelyn Luciole - Secret Officer - The Remains, Fairhaven

Evelyn's eyes darted as she considered the issue, intently focused. She didn't look up from the ground to answer Chase's question, but it held her attention for a moment. "It could be anything. I would guess that it's either a group we haven't seen yet or just that one of the usual suspects isn't at all what I thought it was."

Hearing Dimitry's input, Evelyn seemed to relax slightly. "The King might do something like that. I doubt he could come up with it himself, but it's almost certainly something he'd agree to - and I wouldn't have thought the National Revolutionary Front would be able to get their hands on that kind of equipment, but I suppose it's possible. Whatever the case, once we're on our feet again, I have people I can ask - places I can look. We need to find out who did this."

Celaena- Assassin- Gods knows where

She pauses for a moment before continuing walking, "No.. It's not money. I don't pay attention to this much. Like you said I am an assassin. But I'm not doing this for money." She pause under a large tree that is padded with moss. "Let's stop here and rest...." Celaena pull up her hair in a sloppy bun and collect some sticks to hopefully create a fire if there was anything to cook or if it got cold.

Jack- Blacksmith

Jack remain dead quiet, not moving for the longest time. He keeps glaring at Erick or looks at Alice with worry. Jack clenches and unclenches his fist keeping himself from not trying to run off to find Celaena. Figuring it would be a bad idea to go off alone and if Celaena finds the group while he went off looking it would be just a waste of time.

Dimitry Popov - The Remains

Dimitry nodded. "Once we make it to a city I should be able to get some information from any Grail mercenaries, they might have heard some rumors."

He took a deep breath and sighed. "We really should get moving, I expect that the king's forces are going to be trying to encircle this area, they know Snowview fell to the rebellion, and keeping it quarantined from the rest of the country makes sense. It's the same sort of thing my country does when a shade city is found. Keep it contained until they could bringing enough power to turn it all to dust."

Matthew Barton - Wherever he is.

Matthew shivered slightly. If it wasn't for money the only other options were she killed for the fun of it, or someone forced her to do it. But the second option didn't make a ton of sense either.

Thrill killers always made him uneasy. Not that he didn't have any blood on his hands. Far from it, but he didn't enjoy that part of a hold up.

He started helping pick up sticks for a fire. Something to do that wasn't just walking.

Boraci - Flyin' High

The rising moon shed blankets of light onto the remains of the flood. I decided that retracing our steps and then starting off from the mill would be my best bet in finding anyone. The night air smelled... mustier than usual. Moist wood, broken cement, and human waste mixed in a medley of scents.

I glided on a stream of warm air for a while, scanning the ground below with my ears, nose, and eyes. The wreckage was epic in scale and I began to theorize about the responsible party. It would have had to be leaders with deep pockets. Whatever exploded the dam needed to be huge and no doubt complex.

My eyes refocused on the debris. Smoke was coming off from a feeble flame. As I descended, the smell of blood increased. I landed a few meters away from the fire, not wanting my flapping wings to extinguish it. I realized the majority of the blood scent was coming from a man huddled nearby. I recognized the hair: Asbel. Evelyn, Dimitry, Chase, another man I didn't recognize, and a couple of figures in the shadows were nearby as well.

"Glad to see you're all mostly in one piece."

## Page 17

Celaena- Assassin

She glances over at Barton and chuckles, "You went quiet. Whats running through your head?" She settles down next to the tree and slides off her shoes and pulls out a rock from it and slides it back on. She tucks one of her legs into her chest and rest her arm on it as she carves into a piece of wood with her knife. Needing to fiddle with something.

 Anton Lutece - Rebel Leader of Acta Veritas - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Anton looked up to the endless expanse of stars. The trees of the forest loomed over them, cutting jaggedly into the night. He and the members Acta Veritas were huddled close in conversation. They didn't dare risk discovery by starting a fire.

"It's been a while since Boraci left," he said. He looked over at Silas, who appeared as though it was becoming increasingly difficult to breathe. He sat away from everyone else, even those of the United People's Army. Anton had given him his cloak to accommodate for the cold, but it was hardly enough. The woman didn't seem to be holding up well either, although she was putting a good front.

"Perhaps he's been captured," someone suggested.

"I'm telling you, Anton, we can't stay here any longer," said another. "The others are waiting."

"We shouldn't have put our faith in some Swamp Bat—"

Anton cut through the air with the slice of his hand, silencing them. He understood their concerns. It was becoming increasingly difficult to stay put. However, he wouldn't entertain bigotry among his group. They were educated, were they not? He was about to lecture them when he heard voices conversing through the wood.

"Do you hear something?" he asked, his shoulders tensing. The voices were faint, but they were close.

"All I hear—" Anton turned to look at Silas. Sweat beaded along the sides of his face. Even under the cover of darkness, he could see the red that stained his cheeks. "—are two more nuisances who've finally decided to show up."

Evelyn Luciole - Secret Officer - The Remains, Fairhaven

The sound of Boraci's wings startled Evelyn at first, nearly prompting her to draw her weapon, but it was distinct enough to be recognized fairly quickly. With a sigh of relief, she approached him, almost tempted to smile. "Likewise, Mr. Dermon. Have you seen anyone else?"

Danor emerged from the shadows, her eye wide. "Mr. Dermon? What in the world are you doing here?"

 Alice Beckett-Oswald - Knight - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Alice could hardly bear to hear Silas and the others talk about Boraci without snapping at them, which she knew would be wrong. Everyone was tired and frustrated as much as she was - but the very thought of Boraci being captured made her stomach turn. She sat in silence, her back to a wooden crate, her head resting on its edge. Erick sat next to her, alert as ever, hands gripping tightly onto his knees. Ever the dutiful bodyguard, she thought.

Out of the blue, he looked up from the ground, his hard expression softening slightly. The others mentioned hearing something and Erick rose to his feet, listening intently, until a spark of recognition and shock set his eyes alight and he took off running. "Celaena!" He ran straight to her - and then straight into her, wrapping his arms around her in an inescapable bear hug. "Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?"

Alice's eyes went wide and began to fill with tears of relief and shock, her open hand flying to her mouth. "Thank goodness," she muttered, and then chimed in just loudly enough for them to hear, "I'm glad to see that you're all okay."

Jack- Blacksmith

Jack perks up when Erick shouts Celaena name and runs after and bear tackles both Erick and Celaena, "You're alive!!" He laughs with tears in his eyes.

Celaena- Assassin

Before Barton can even respond, a shout came from the distance and thundering footsteps come quickly. Seeing it was Erick and Jack right behind him. She had to quickly toss the knife and carving so they wouldn't get hurt and falls backwards under their weight. "Get off you oafs! You're squishing me" She groans under them. Her face had turn a bright red that matches her hair from the attention she was getting. "I'll be fine once you get off!" Once Jack got off, she could breathe a bit better. She sits up with a still clinging Erick to her. "Barton has a crack rib and Mosin might have a concussion. I just have a few bruises and scratches. Nothing to worry about." She pats Erick back until he gets off. The only sign she showed of being happy to see them was a small soft smile.

Anton Lutece & Silas Reid - Scientists - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Blinking, Silas could see nothing but three shadowy figures approach them. Even up close, it seemed that his vision was failing him. Silas stiffened as Ms. Moonlight laid down the specifics of their injuries, his thoughts lingering on Mr. Mosin's in particular. Idiot. "Serves him right," he said between breaths, trying to ignore the tug of guilt in his chest. He hadn't asked for his help.

Anton approached them with a smile of his own. "While I hate to interrupt your joyous reunion, did Boraci lead you here? Are the three of you all that there is?" Remembering to be mindful of his manners, he dipped his head. "Please, call me Anton."

Silas may appreciate the polite distance that a "missus" and "mister" could afford but to Anton, it didn't make any sense. There were no strangers in war, although he would certainly respect their wishes if they were uncomfortable.

"Regrettably, I must inform you that we haven't the time to stop and rest," he said. "Once we arrive at our destination, you'll be given everything you need." He turned so that he could address both factions, his words weighing with a grim sense of finality. "If Boraci has yet to return, someone has to stay behind."

The air seemed to still. Even Silas, in his state, noticed, the tension so tangible he could almost taste it on the tip of his tongue. "Of course, this is no easy task," Anton further explained. "Only the best and willing need apply." One or two would suffice, he figured. They would lead stragglers to the point and hide if they spot any authorities. It had to be more reliable than leaving a note.

Matthew Barton - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Matthew aproached slowly, keeping his tattered and filthy suit jacket pulled shut. It helped keep the evening chill off, but also let him keep his hand on the handle of his shotgun without it being noticed. He was not entirely comfortable, but once he recognized Silas and Alice he relaxed slightly.

"Who the hell is Boraci? No we were heading towards the town and I since guess lady luck hasn't abandoned me completely we happened to cross your path. And yes, I think we're all there is." He replied.

"Which way are we going? A few hours ago I had a brief encounter with what looked like a small group of Caravanner mercenaries, and would prefer not to tangle with them at night." He pointed back the way they had come. "About four miles that way. That had vehicles so they are probably long gone."

Dimitry Popov - The Remains, Fairhaven.

Dimitry jerked around in suprise, his hand dropping towards his holster. Once he recognized the speaker a half smile dragged the right side of his mouth up.

"Good to see you're still in one piece. How was the flight?"

He yawned and looked into the sky. The sky was cloudless, but he could see a slight haze in the air as dust continued to settle. His stomach growled and he reached for his backpack to get out one of the long range patrol rations he kept in there, only to remember his backpack and all the food in it was gone.

Anton Lutece - Rebel Leader of Acta Veritas - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Anton looked at Barton oddly. "You don't know?" He was starting to become more aware of the strange dynamics of the United People's Army, who appeared to have a loose leadership structure and little control of its membership. It was obvious that a fair share of them were keeping secrets from one another, but for what purpose?

"Mr. Dermon, I mean. We'll be making a quick trip south, to Braile. Our destination lies no farther than the border."

His expression remained quizzical when he said, "Caravaner mercenaries, you say? Did you manage to catch what they were doing? Did they speak to you? What kind of vehicles were they riding?" He wanted to believe that they were only tourists, but the mere suggestion sat ill with him. Intuition, perhaps? Or was it due to the words of a certain fox?

Erick Bailee - King's Bodyguard - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Erick released Celaena from his arms, backing up a few steps to look at Barton, worried, then back to Celaena with a smirk. "You underestimate me! I can worry about anything." He patted her on the shoulder, his overjoyed smile returning for a split second before fading away as his attention returned to the rest of the group, leaving the same stiffly neutral look he'd been wearing for the past hour.

Barton mentioned that they had bumped into a group of Caravanner mercenaries, and Erick sighed. He'd have to keep an ear out for them, he guessed, but he had a feeling Barton was right about them being long gone. He hoped so, anyway. He wasn't overly fond of the idea of running into anymore weirdos like... Wait.

Erick's eyes widened. Doctor.

He looked around frantically, his eyes scanning the scenery, and saw no sign of the strange man. "Rowan's gone," he muttered. Realizing fairly quickly that this was probably a blessing rather than something to be concerned about, Erick crossed his arms and looked to Silas with a quiet, "Hm! Probably for the best, huh? He gave me the creeps." To himself, he hoped they could get Silas out of there soon. Erick wouldn't mention it out loud, especially to him, but he looked pretty miserable.

Alice's reply to Anton interrupted his train of thought, and he promptly tuned into their conversation again. "Thank you for your help. We would have been in much deeper trouble without it, I'm sure." She breathed a shallow sigh, managing a smile smile. "I would volunteer to stay behind, but I'm afraid I'm not up for such a task at the moment."

Matthew Barton - Sunrest, Fairhaven

"They didn't say anything important, just told me to get out of their way." Matthew lied. These people didn't need to know about his previous encounters, it would raise far too many questions.

"I don't have any idea what they were doing, but they weren't the sort of mercenaries you find lounging around in dive bars. The sort you only see in areas like Hydris or provincial capitals. Really high end." As a highway man Barton had a general knowledge of the caravanner mercenaries, as they had been flooding the bodyguard and merchant security market, which made his life a lot harder.

"They were on motorcycles, with side cars full of cargo. Could have been smugglers." He continued.

He tried to relax, but even with a few familiar faces he didn't quite feel secure. These new comers seemed off.

Anton Lutece - Rebel Leader of Acta Veritas - Sunrest, Fairhaven

Anton turned to Erick before passing a glance over the group. "Would you like us to look for him?" He wasn't sure if they would be able to. Perhaps whoever volunteered could, but for just one man? Anton shook his head. He really couldn't understand the ways of the United People's Army, but now wasn't the time for anyone to be running off.

"That's no trouble," he said to Alice. "I hadn't really expected for any of you to volunteer, especially after the ordeal you've just been through."

His attention was brought back to Barton when he spoke again. "I see." The mercenaries' presence couldn't bode well. Barton's answer only reassured it. Anton would have to ask the Fox about them, or send someone to investigate.

Someone from his group raised their hand, asking to stay behind. Anton nodded as he slid alongside Silas. "Those without a horse, pair up," he announced, "and let us be off."

## Page 18

Boraci - The Remains, Fairhaven

"I was separated with Erick and Silas when the flood hit. Some guys calling themselves Acta Veritas showed up when we were nursing Silas back to health - he's as frail as an old woman - and then Alice and that Jack fella appeared." Pretty damn lucky, to be sure. We needed some luck, after all that had happened. I took a second to flash a tired smile in Dimitry's direction. "The air is not the clearest, but most of the debris is rising about cruising level."

I crouched beside Asbel, concerned that if I breathed too hard he'd up and crumble into a bloody pool. "Anyway. I was sent to find other survivors from our group. Do you think everyone is fit enough to make a small trek to the woods, Evelyn?" I doubted it. We didn't even have Leif's cart anymore. Though I figured that it would be hard to navigate a cart in the scarred terrain. Mr. Lutece wouldn't wait around forever and it had already taken a bit of time to find the others. I wondered if we'd make it to the woods only by morning, and lose the cover of night.

 Anton Lutece - Rebel Leader of Acta Veritas - Fairhaven-Braile Border

A bit of sun had broken over the horizon by the time Anton lead them to the point. Hidden in the depths of the forest, looking no different than that of a rabbit hole, was the entrance to a hidden network of arches and walkways. After gesturing to the group to keep silent, Anton jumped down from the saddle and guided his horse inside. One hand held the reins, while the other fished for a match from his pocket.

The inner walls were carved of sandstone, almost entirely bare of any marker. Not all paths led to the sanctum. It was easy to get lost in a place like this. As Anton descended deeper into the structure, lighting the way with his match, he was finally assured he was getting close. Nondescript boxes were tucked to the sides, ready to whisked off on short notice. Very little was kept out of confinement. Yes, he thought, as they reached one of the many caverns. The others should be nearby.

"You've got a lot of nerve, Lutece. Bringing the king's dogs around here."

Anton looked around wildly, nervous that he had been caught off guard. His eyes widened further in surprise when he saw the Fox emerge from the shadows. In a few moments, the other rebels had them surrounded. "What are you talking about?" he asked. "What is the meaning of this?"

"You think we wouldn't notice?" the Fox said from behind his mask. "Alice Beckett, Erick Bailee. Were you planning to betray us under the guise of rescuing the United People's Army?"

Anton shook his head. "You're wrong. This is just a misunderstanding."

A woman stepped beside the Fox. The claw marks that rested on the sides of her face glinted under the firelight. "Oh?" she said, tossing back the faded red hair that tumbled around her shoulders. "And how can we know that for sure? With all of us gathered here, it would be the perfect opportunity to wipe us out."

Her piercing gaze went over the crowd, as if she were a butcher inspecting her new shipment of cattle. Anton suppressed a shiver. Aveline Rochester, the leader of the National Revolutionary Front, was no one to be trifled with. "If that broadcast was anything to go by," she drawled, "it looks as though the United People's Army is doing just fine."

Alice Beckett-Oswald - Knight - Fairhaven-Braile Border

Alice followed Anton down into the hidden entrance of a hideout, struggling to pick up her feet. At this point, she was well beyond caring what sort of place they ended up in, as long as it was safer than the middle of that ruined town. Given their situation and the fog of exhaustion settling around her head, her standards were about as low as they could be. Little by little, signs of human life presented themselves in the darkness - until finally, a voice signaled their arrival.

From the shadows, a masked man emerged - the source of the voice - followed by several more people, and a strikingly intimidating woman with red hair and a cutting gaze. Alice remained patient and silent for as long as possible along with Erick, who was quite literally biting his tongue, until the woman's insolence finally demanded a reply from her. "I don't know what broadcast you heard, but we are nowhere near 'fine.'" She nodded toward Silas, making a point to move as little as possible. "Several of us are in need of medical attention and frankly, I doubt the rest of us are doing much better."

Erick barely let Alice finish her sentence, speaking quietly through a stiff jaw. "We always get noticed. Do you really think the King would send two of his most recognizable guard dogs to try and sneak in here?"

Evelyn Luciole - Secret Officer - The Remains - Fairhaven

Evelyn trudged forward, eyes wandering. For what felt like the longest time, she didn't speak; to her surprise, Asbel was the one to break the silence. His arm hung around her shoulders and her arm wrapped around his waist, his feet dragging and shuffling as she practically dragged him forward. "All according to plan, eh?"

Evelyn's mouth twitched into a smile, though only for a second. "Of course."

Asbel breathed a hoarse laugh. "Must be going over my head, as usual." Evelyn sensed a bitterness in his voice which nearly stopped her in her tracks. Before she could gather her thoughts, he added, "Let go of my arm, please."

"What? Why?"

"Let go. Just for a while."

As requested, Evelyn released Asbel's wrist from her grasp. He swayed a little as he regained his balance, then started forward, one unsteady step after another. He fell behind Evelyn but kept up with the rest of the group, so she let him be. Instead she turned her attention to the rest of the group, her attention lingering on Leif and Kristen. "Do we need to stop and rest for a moment?" She imagined they must be fairly close to their destination - but in the state some of them were in, it would be a miracle if everyone made it there on their own two feet.

 Matthew Barton - Outlaw - Fairhaven - Braile border

Matthew seemed to fold in on himself as they entered the subterranean lair and shuddered. He had grown up in the gently rolling hills of Lucan, spent a good percentage of adult life sleeping under the stars, the narrow streets of Hydris had been bad enough, this, this was torture. The air was thick and stale, the light flickering.

Then they entered a larger space and it got worse. They weren't alone, and the other denizens of this place didn't seem happy about their presence.

He slowly tightened his grip on his shotgun while his left hand, with the dexterity of a party magician or a pickpocket, slid a pair of spare shells into his sleeve in case things got violent.

The man in the fox mask was worrying, though the mask probably meant they wouldn't die tonight, if they were all going to be killed why would he need to hide his identity. Aveline Rochester was an unpleasant suprise, especially considering that would mean there would be a large number of National Revolutionary Front goons slinking around to ensure their leader's survival.

Then the Knight and the Bodyguard decided it was a good time to start making a ruckus. "Shut up." He snarled at the two of them. "Now is not the time to be making demands." If negotiations fell through he doubted they would leave this place alive.

Dimitry Popov - Mercenary - The Remains, Fairhaven.

Dimitry slowed his pace slightly to fall in next to Asbel. "I'm assuming this is the point you want to start renegotiating your contract." He said with a wolfish smile.

"By the way, where are we headed? I must have missed that memo at some point." Not that the destination really mattered, probably some other near abandoned town where they would likely get ambushed.

His stomach growled, which was to be expected, but still annoying. He had marched further on less food before, but he always knew a good warm meal and a comfortable hamock waited at the end of the march. Here he would probably get moldy bread and damp straw. If the other rebels didn't hog it all themselves.

Leif Regnar - Bodyguard - The Remains, Fairhaven.

Leif glanced at Evelyn. "You've clearly never been part of a Vallak war party, I can keep this up for a few more hours. Get a few hours of sleep, then I can keep going. As long as you lot keep me fed."

He jerked his right hand toward Kristen who was holding onto his neck like a backpack. "This one weighs less than my hammer did, so it's not much of a burden."

If he hadn't been basically bedridden in that wagon for the past few days it would have been a good bit easier, since he had cramped up a bit after the swim they had taken, but that was to be expected all things considered. Hadn't had a chance to stretch.

Anton Lutece - Rebel Leader of Acta Veritas - Fairhaven-Braile Border

The Fox simply shrugged at Erick's remark. "The king is an idiot. I wouldn't put anything past him."

"Drop your weapons," Aveline commanded. "We'll treat your wounded, but the rest of you are to be questioned." She made a slight nod, cuing her faction to close in on them. "You are to be kept away from the others until you give us a reason to trust you. That goes for you, Lutece."

Anton balked. "This is completely unnecessary," he said as he removed the pistol he kept around his waist. Wary faces lurked all around. Tensions were already high among the different rebels, and this little setback certainly wasn't helping. Inwardly, he made a promise to himself that he would get them out of this within the hour.

Anton's eyes strayed to his pistol as it clattered to the floor. When he looked up again, he nearly jumped, for the Fox was now mere inches away from him. "Maybe we shouldn't doubt your character, but how do we know you haven't been misled?" the Fox suggested, his voice hush. His bright yellow eyes seemed to glow beneath the mask. "You've always been too trusting. You're lucky we even allowed you to get this close."

"You can't come to any decision without me," Anton tersely replied. "Wasn't it you who said, 'every second we waste here is an opportunity wasted out there'?"

"Which is why I expect you to prove your innocence soon." His eyes slid over his shoulder. "Whatever their story is, it looks to be very interesting." The Fox stepped away, and someone from the National Revolutionary Front took his place. He's enjoying this, Anton thought, holding back a look of disdain. He has to be.

He saw Silas being picked up from the horse, too weak to protest. He wasn't even sure if he was coherent enough to understand what was happening. Anton hung his head. "I'm sorry, everyone. Please just... bear with it for a while."

Alice Beckett-Oswald - Knight - Fairhaven-Braile Border

Alice grudgingly lowered her head and her voice when Barton told her to be quiet. She had hoped Erick would follow suit, but the reprimand only seemed to redirect his annoyance toward Barton. The red-haired woman told everyone to drop their weapons and Alice again, reluctantly, obeyed. Erick set aside his as well, fixing Anton in a questioning look as if he hoped the man might still be able to change these people's minds with a well-worded explanation, but he grew steadily less hopeful as the conversation drew on. Anton told the group to "bear with it for a while," and Erick's shoulders went slack, his eyebrows furrowed. "Seriously?" He shot Alice a bewildered look, and she answered with a shrug. Whatever awaited them down there, she doubted it would be worse than anything the past few hours had already thrown their way.

Asbel Sutherlin - Rebel Mercenary - The Remains, Fairhaven

Asbel managed a grim smirk in reply to Dimitry's remark. More like setting the contract on fire, he almost said. For now, until he had more energy, he would just consider it. Dimitry's question jarred him from his thoughts, and he shrugged. "Heading back the way Boraci came, more or less - I think." He squinted. "It'll be a miracle if we don't get lost."

Anton Lutece & Silas Reid - Scientists - Fairhaven-Braile Border

Anton was shoved towards another tunnel that was separate from the sanctum. At the end was a room, much smaller than that of the cavern they were in, completely bare of any furnishings. He leaned back against the wall, eyeing the rebels that guarded the entrance. Soon, their supposed allies would come for answers.

​"As you can see," Anton began, "we have a cult of personalities here with us today. Unfortunately, armies that aren't organized lose wars. Since we've been delayed—and I genuinely don't believe you're spies for the king—I've tell you what we've been planning."

He interlocked his fingers and exhaled. "The rebels have been trying to come up with a council of sorts, a unified command center able to coordinate our activities. Finally, an honest-to-god resistance, if everything goes according to plan, although each faction will still have their own role to play. We were supposed to come to an agreement this afternoon, through concessions and a mutual desire, but," he shrugged, "here we are."

He studied the faces of the United People's Army. "What exactly happened back there in Sunrest?" he asked. "What broadcast were they talking about?"

Meanwhile, Silas found himself in a place that looked like a rudimentary infirmary. Blankets were spread out all over the floor, but there were no curtains to offer privacy. Someone laid him down on one of them, hooking the lower half of his face to an inhaling apparatus. He breathed, feeling some mix of compound oxygen and an unknown solution filling his lungs. He could hear people speaking around him, but he couldn't make out their words.

## Page 19

Boraci - Human - The Forest

It felt like leading a group of the undead. A few smatterings of conversation now and then, but mostly silence. The silence was punctuated with dragging feet and ragged coughs. Throughout the trek I started to morph back into my human form. My boots fit better and my cloak played in the mud. I didn't even bother to hike it up around my shoulders like I normally would.

My stomach grumbled. I remembered that our group needed some grub, especially Dimitry and Leif. No way there would be any conveniently surviving pubs or cafes just waiting to serve us blueberry muffins. We were soon out of the main wreckage, though, leaving any chance of food service behind.

"It's just up here," I announced, leading the group through the woods. I checked behind me every so often to both make sure everyone was making it and assure myself that I remembered the way correctly. Soon we saw a figure standing in a clearing. The clearing. "Ready when you are."

Matthew Barton - Highwayman - Fairhaven - Braile border.

Matthew slowly set his shotgun and hachet on the ground and stood back up. With his finger he began picking at the cuff of his under shirt, which concealed a garrote. It wouldn't be much use if the rebels decided to kill them, but if they had to sneak out it would be better than nothing. Unfortunately for him his finger nails were rather short, so he couldn't get a good grip on the material.

He tried to stay near the center of the group as they were hearded into what he assumed was the holding cell. He glanced at Anton when he asked his question. The highwayman smirked. "What happened? Exactly? Did you see that explosion? If so you probably know just as much as we do, maybe even more, since we weren't exactly paying attention since we were running from the massive wall of water."

He made a sweeping gesture towards everyone else. "Do you see anyone here with a radio? Don't think anyone would have picked up a broadcast."

Dimitry Popov - Mercenary - Forest.

Dimitry narrowed his eyes as they neared someone standing in a clearing and stalked forward until he was about ten feet behind Boraci. "I'd like an explanation if that won't be overly challenging." He said in a low tone.

"And I think a great many other people would as well. We've had enough suprises of the past twenty four hours." He continued.

Meetings put in the middle of nowhere rarely involved things that law enforcement would approve of. Of course, after the super combine bomb attack this whole area was the middle of nowhere. Maybe it was simply he hated not being in control of a situation, and needed to know what was happening.

SVT-13 - Grail-El special activities unit - Camping without a camp fire.

"Lost them, they went into the treeline." Rankin said as he pushed himself up into a kneeling position, the high powered night vision scope similar to those used on recon airships setup on a tripod in front of him.

"Anything interesting?" Alexi asked.

"It's a night vision scope. I can't exactly identity faces with it. Especially, what two miles away? Popov is with them, or at least, someone in Scout Vanguard patrol armor is with them, maybe platoon strength force of rebels. Some armed, pretty disorganized.

"Interesting. We'll probably need the mortar if we tangle with them then." Alexi grunted.

"Maybe gas as well." Jefferson added, looking dejectedly at his cold rations, they didn't want to risk a fire and be spotted. As good as they were, and despite all the equipment they had, they were still human.

"No, too easy to trace back to Grail-El, who else uses weaponized toxins?" Alexi snapped.

"Who else uses weapons of such power they can launch a dust cloud two miles into the sky? I doubt there are any weapons in circulation elsewhere." Jefferson countered.

"Except the public at large, even back home, knows that super combine bombs exist. And third fleet information suppression teams have kept the lid on it pretty tight from what I've heard. Lots of muggers gone bad if you know what I mean." Rankin said and pulled out a cigarette.

"Put it back." Alexi snarled.

"Shit. Fine." Rankin replied and stuck it back in the box.

"Why do we drive motorcyles, loud enough to wake the dead, but a tiny red glowing dot... Risking detection." Jefferson said.

"Because you're sitting on top of the stupid thing, they aren't anywhere as loud when you aren't sitting right above the motor. Mufflers actually work." Rankin said as he pulled out a small piece of chewing tobacco and popped it into his mouth.

Celaena- Assassin

When the group was told to place down their weapons in a pile, she places all the ones that were visible down. Even if they find some of her hidden weapons, she will never be defenseless. Celaena sticks close to Erick and Jack sticks close to Celaena. She gives Barton a look and smirks slightly before scanning the others and already has figure out some means of attack. She will make sure they will get out alive and will protect Erick at all cost. Including Jack and Alice, maybe a few others as well. She stays quiet as they were lead into a room and stands right next Erick, her shoulder just barely touching his. The waiting game begins.

Anton Lutece - Rebel Leader of Acta Veritas - Fairhaven-Braile Border

Anton cocked a brow. "Your people sent the broadcast, did they not? I would think you would be privy to what's in it. Or were you kept in the dark about that as well?"

He pressed the tips of his fingers to his lips. "As for our accounts, we felt the ground shake and saw smoke in the distance. All we can assume is that a bomb must have been set off at the nearby dam. A powerful one, at that. We don't know how any broadcast fits in to all this, except that it's related to you. The United People's Army, to be precise. How they obtained it, we don't know. Why, a mystery still."

Was it another demonstration of power, like they had done in Glassvale? That attack had also been unexpected.

His face was scrunched in thought. "However, that was no ordinary bomb. I can't think of a weapon that might have caused the destruction we saw back there, except, well, a hypothetical scenario. We haven't progressed to a point where we can produce that kind of damage, unless it was by magic or..." The Grail, he wanted to say. They were much more technologically advanced than they were. Their sandships, especially, were run by a powerful energy source. Who knew what they were capable, really? If Barton was right about seeing those mercenaries, the connection would make sense.

But to go around, throwing accusations and stirring dissent towards a country they were on shaky ground with, wasn't the way. Falcon's Reach already had a rebellion on their hands. They didn't need another war.

Anton sighed, long and hard, through his nose. They had to remedy the situation before Boraci and his people arrived, or it was going to turn even more troublesome. He prayed the rebels didn't misinterpret their arrival as a threat.

"Anyway," he said. "I understand that you all are upset―I'm not happy with this, either―but if we're going to get out of here, I need to know everything that you do. We can't have anyone withholding information that can be used to our advantage or worse, put us in danger. Aveline and the Fox will accept nothing but the truth. Now, I ask: Is that truly all you have left to say?"

Erick Bailee - King's Bodyguard - Fairhaven-Braile Border

Erick thought back on this "broadcast," skimming his memory for any mention, but he had no clue what they could mean by it. It was either a mistake or an outright lie, as far as he could tell. As he and the others settled into their cell, he looked to Anton with an almost apologetic frown. It seemed he was genuinely trying his best to sort things out. Hearing him ask if they had been "kept in the dark" about the broadcast as well, Erick nearly snorted. "Starting to sense a pattern here?"

He doubted the United People's Army could have pulled off something so horrible. They were mean enough - maybe even smart enough - but he was pretty sure they didn't have the means. Either way, Erick and his friends hadn't known anything about it.

Alice sat down against a wall near the cell's exit, often stealing brief but noticeably uneasy glances at the space on her belt where her sword used to be. She seemed to have gathered herself somewhat, at least. In reply to Anton's question, she shook her head.

Erick wondered what he might add, but nothing came to mind - nothing very useful to them now, anyway. "I'm not working with a lot of info either. Sorry."

Danor Arkaitz - Gunsmith - The Forest

Danor paused at the edge of the forest, unsettled. A stranger stood waiting ahead of them; as far as she could tell, this person hadn't noticed them yet. Dimitry asked for an explanation before they moved forward, and Danor wordlessly seconded the idea with a questioning glance toward Boraci. She had all but given up on staying in the loop, but she wouldn't mind a little reassurance that she wasn't walking into something especially shady.

Sensing a possible stopping point for the group when he heard Dimitry's question, Asbel sat down against a tree. Whereas earlier he had seemed tense and uncomfortable, all she could read from him then was pure exhaustion. His eyes were low, half-closed, and he seemed very inclined to lie down right there on the ground.

Chase Frost - The Forest

Chase had been silently following along, his brother by his side. Neither of them had spoken a word, though they had done their best to be useful to the group. Chase couldn't decide whether it was confusion or just weariness that had inflicted his silence. He felt both physically and mentally tired by this point, and his confusion was doing nothing to help his exhaustion. As they approached the woods, Dimitry had piped up, asking for some severely needed information from Boraci.  For once, he and I can agree on something: the need for things to be cleared up.

He glanced over to Jae-Hyun, whose jaw was tight with anticipation, most likely due to his own unanswered questions. Jae-Hyun had been near the back of the group, and the brief stop had brought him to stand behind Asbel's sitting form, glancing at him. It seemed as if he were prepared to kick Asbel awake, should he pass out from the exhaustion that was clearly overtaking his lanky figure.

 Anton Lutece - Rebel Leader of Acta Veritas - Fairhaven-Braile Border

"That is unfortunate," Anton said. "Okay, I will tell them what you told me here."

He waited for the guards to bring them in but before he knew it, they were already four hours behind schedule. He was beginning to wonder whether they intended to question them at all. Perhaps the Fox enjoyed seeing him fester in a cell. No food or water was handed out. Were the injured being treated any better?

Finally, when his eyes were glazed with boredom and he was just about ready to bang his head against the wall, they came. He spent the next two hours explaining their story until they were thoroughly satisfied.

Anton staggered back to the cell, looking about as haggard as he felt. "Alright, you're free to go. I have also informed the rebels of the group that will be joining us.

The meeting will be at the Sanctum in an hour. Feel free to eat, train, or rest in the meantime. If you need to stock up, someone along the tunnels may be willing to offer some supplies. Keep in mind that it isn't always free. If you wish to leave, don't stray too far from the network. Try not to wander alone either. We can't have you getting lost."

He swiveled around but stopped to add, "Also, there is the possibility that your representative will be unable to attend the meeting. In which case, please decide on the replacement that will speak for you." Before Anton could even think about taking a nap, he had to check on how she and the others were doing in the infirmary.

Boraci - The Forest

I didn't know if Dimitry's questions were directed at me or the stranger. If at me, I wouldn't be the most help.
"Well as you can probably gather, the dam broke. I got stranded with Erick and Silas until an Acta Veritas bloke showed up. We came across Alice, Jack, Mr. Barton, and Ms. Moonlight, much in the state as the rest of us. I was sent to find you all."

At this point, the figure, who I saw now was a teenage boy, decided to speak up.
"Mr. Lutece led the others to a meeting of the rebel faction. I can take you there now." He raised his eyebrows. "Unless there are any other questions? Time is really of the essence."

Alice Beckett-Oswald - Knight - Fairhaven-Braile Border

By the time Lutece returned, Alice had practically worried herself into another plane of existence, and her eyes locked onto him the moment he entered the cell. He explained that they were free to move around the hideout and informed them about the details of the meeting, and Alice listened intently. She breathed a sigh of relief and, with some effort, got to her feet. As she made her way to the cell door, she looked to Anton with a solemn nod. "Thank you for all of this."

Though he had solved one of their more pressing problems, there was now the issue of selecting a representative to speak for them at the meeting if the People's Army's leader couldn't do it. Alice's gaze swept over their tired, ragtag group, catching on no one in particular. The sooner they decided on a possible substitute, the better; whoever spoke for them would need time to prepare themselves. "Any volunteers, then?" she asked through a nervous smile.

Erick raised his hands. "Not it."

Asbel Sutherlin - Mercenary - The Forest

Asbel struggled to his feet, nausea clinging to the back of his throat as he rose. It was as clear to him as anyone else that he wouldn't be able to stay on his feet for much longer. Where he had just been hoping for a chance to stop and rest, he immediately grew impatient. "I agree," he answered the young stranger in front of them. "Time is of the essence. Well said. Let's go." Asbel had grown rather attached to the tiny little fleck of dignity he still had left, and passing out face-down in the mud would probably squash it for good.

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Matthew "Black Bart" Barton - Outlaw - Rebel tunnels, Fairhaven - Braille border.

Matthew shook his head. "Not me either. You should probably choose someone who has the best interests of your rebelion at heart, and I most definitely do not. I'm going to get something to eat." He slid past Anton and, turning to one of the residents of the cavern system asked. "Where's the food kept?"

"Why should I tell you, you have no interest in helping out cause." The rebel said.

Matthew raised an eyebrow. "No, I don't have their best interests in heart, since while with them I have been almost strangled to death by a mercenary working for them, shot at, almost washed away in a sudden tsunami, basically force marched across what is essentially a three mile wide mud pit, and that was before encountering you lot in a tunnel system. So I'm fine with a rebelion. I just don't want to be a major part of it."

The woman slowly nodded. "I caught about half of that but fine. Go straight past two junctions then turn left and you should get able to follow your nose the rest of the way."

"Thank you. First straight answer I've gotten all week." Then he slowly trudged away.

Dimitry Popov - Mercenary - The forest.

Dimitry growled under his breath a short burst of especially nasty obscenities. It wasn't going to be a nice simple march through the woods until they found a town. No, it had to be more complicated than that. He took a deep breath to calm down. This wasn't any worse than some of the deep waste patrols he had been on, and on those he had to carry a heavy backpack full of stuff. He cursed again. Full of stuff like dehydrated meals ready to eat, and pain killers.

He glanced at Asbel who looked about three steps away from his body deciding to ignore what his brain said and falling to sleep right here and now. "Yes. Let's keep moving. We can get our answers later."

He also doubted the kid in front of them would know the answers to the questions he had. Kids voice sounded like it hadn't completely cracked yet.

The weather didn't help either. Of course, having grown up in the desert, in a massive, poorly ventilated steel machine, meant that temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit were enough to give him goosebumps. It had been worse before, when he had only just arrived in Falcon's Reach.