Vergil Crawford - Northern Mountain Pass

"I believe that the correct word your looking for Vessel, is Lesbian, it is used to describe the sexual, and/or romantic desires between two or more women. There is a similar term used for men, which is known as Gay. It is no mutation, but simply the physical and psychological desires of someone who loves another of the same sex, just as it would be if they loved someone of the opposite sex."

"Whilst it is reasonably okay to be considered one of these two, there is however, a group who outright opposes it, I think you may have heard of them Vessel. The Champions of The Tempest. They see something as homosexuality, as a sin of the poor, and to them, it would only create weaklings, and as you know, The Champions favour the strong over all others, maybe this is another reason why the **** wanted them removed, and picked you do it, so it would discover who you are."

Scarlett Verneer - Northern Mountain Pass

Scarlett was feeling a little unsettled at the prospect of leaving Lorel behind, it was something she couldn't quite understand, the feeling was just there. Scarlett understood and a year ago would have had no such problem with the idea. Here in the harsh cold of the mountains supplies, especially for a group this size, where scarce and the cave network bellow their feet could be extensive, and not mention dangerous. It could take days to find Lorel, dead or alive. That was if the bandits didn't kill them all before. Pushing the thought of Lorel to the back of her mind she took in a deep breath of the icy air and took the first step forward.

The Vessel called. Scarlett looked back."What?"

Lorel - Underground

Without a second thought he began to run away from the sounds but as he went sounds in other directions echoed. Barely able to see he had to recall what he had saw and go based on that. His magic feeling was getting weaker, and a strange feeling like he was being forced away. Now he was directly underneath the ball of light and he began to feel worse than anywhere else.

It was the ball of light, but why? He was starting to lose a lot of blood but he kept pushing on. But then he began to notice something, he began to feel stronger as he got away from the light. Slowly but surely his magic energy was being restored.

Lorel leapt over a stone column that was on the ground and continued on. He still had no idea what was cashing him but they were getting closer but he was getting stronger. Maybe the Ball of light was used to put down any mages?

Then as he was far enough away the lights came back on in full force almost blinding him. He crouched behind a column and grabbed his right hands wrist. His magic was back, he could feel it, but he lost too much blood and needed both hands to stabilize his attacks or they would be inaccurate. Just as the noise turned the corner Lorel jumped out and saw them.

Standing at 10'' they were hulking over him they stood on all fours but they could bring their two front ones and use them as hands. Their bodies were furry but had scales that overlapped their fur in some places. They were ape-like and their tusks weren't large but sharp, and stuck at forward rather than downwards. And then there eyes, they were deep blazing red, almost as if they were on fire.

They shrieked a noise like he hadn't heard before and he covered his ears. Would he be able to win?

Vergil Crawford - Northern Mountain Pass

"Hmm, I suppose I agree with the **** to a certain extent. The fact that you haven't been physically or sexually attracted to any of the men in the group so far, not that we have seen publicly, although you may have such thoughts going on in your head; and you did become fast friends with Scarlett when we was at the safehouse back in Grim, all of this would be considered proof enough for some, but not for you it would seem. You would want to study this some more, to try and find a reasonable explanation to all this."

Scarlett Verneer - Northern Mountain Pass

Scarlett turned around and looked at the Vessel.

"What idea?"

She had to admit to not listening to the conversion between Vergil and the Vessel.

Lorel - Underground

Lorel turned the ground all around him into ice, hoping it would trip the monsters. It didn't they ran on the ice and it simply cracked and broke before they could slip. He charged up a fire attack and ripped it out and sent it flying at the hulking beings in extreme speed. It struck one on their arm and set it on fire for a moment but with one pat, the fire was out.
They were close now, mere steps away from him. So he turned and began to run, looking at his surroundings. But he was getting faint; the blood was falling onto the ground and was leaving a trial. Where was he to go? He ran around a corner on the street and ran into a house before they could see. Inside he was still and went into a dark corner. Through one of the stone windows he saw them come by.

Did I allude them?

Suddenly they turned their heads and both of their eyes met and the beast roared and pounded their feats against their chests. With one sweep the stone house was destroyed and Lorel was caught in its rubble. Caught under a piece of stone he threw it over and it fell next to him. More pain. But before he could get up, one of the beasts were on him.
One of them picked him up like paper, their clutch was immensely powerful. They brought back their arm and chucked him across the street and he slammed into one of the cave's wall. Blood flew from his mouth as he fell. Multiple bones were now broken. The ground was cold, and he could barely get himself to get back up.

His eyes closed...

Suddenly he awoke, but he wasn't in pain anymore, he soon came to and he found himself standing. "What..?" He spoke confused. He looked around and behind him he saw the two creature's dead. But not just dead, brutally dead, bones sticking out, blood stained over their fur, heads gone.

His eyes widened and didn't know what to say.

What just happened?

Scarlett Verneer - Northern Mountain Pass

Scarlett looked at the Vessel and thought for a moment.

"Vessel, this is something you need to work out for yourself. Give it time and you will figure it out."

She didn't need to say more than that.

Vergil Crawford - Northern Mountain Pass

"Scarlett is right Vessel, now I know this may seem clichéd, but good things come to those who wait. Who knows, you may find the answers you seek, in the least likely of places." Vergil remarked in response to Scarlett's comment about the situation.

Lorel - Underground

Not knowing what to do, Lorel continued through the ruins. Something inside him, he felt was breaking down... The blood stopped, and his head cleared up and he felt better but how?

Amelia Foel - Nobles Meeting Place - Upper District

"Amelia, you called all of us?" In'fal asked sitting around the stone table.

Amelia stood up. "Yes we have much to discuss. As we all know, a new Noble will be chosen soon. Do we have any potential candidates?"

"Yes, The Mogaj, Res'san, and the Ana'sha family which I personally recommend as they helped with the Black Air incident years back." Noble Jalik spoke.

"That's good and all, but wasn't the daughter of the Ana'sha family supposed to marry Lorel Ion? How can we be sure to trust them?" Amelia spoke sitting back down.

In'fal interjected. "While it is true, the Ana'sha family was doing it as part of a deal between the families for power. It is possible that the Ion family of the deal was only to get more trust, Ana'sha family didn't know of this."

"What about the Mogaj and Res'san families?"

Noble Telimina spoke. "The Mogaj family is a well-known Mage family which has served the Nobles for decades now. Res'san family is a well-known crafting family."

"Crafting?" asked Amelia.

"Yes, they make some of the best weapons and armor in the entire City. Even the original Nobles used their weapons and armor and we can see how that turned out. Victory in the name of the Nobles."

"Hm... Those two do sound good and all, but I am not so sure they're Noble material." In'fal spoke. "The Ana'sha family has many ties and is already considered a Noble that isn't a Noble. They have lots of power and they also have an interesting secret which could benefit it possibly. Though only possibly."

"What's this secret, In'fal?"

"Sorry, it's not something I can speak of here. Outside this discussion group later I can tell you."

Amelia wasn't sure to be happy about hearing that or concerned. "Alright. Well we discuss that later. Let's move onto the next topic of discussion. We all know the boy lives, and he now traveling to the North if Intel is to be believed. That means the tides in this City are going to begin to shift. If they get help from the Dean of the North then we could see a war breaking out."

Jalik made a suggestion. "Why don't we just assassinate the Dean?"

"The Dean is an exceptional mage, and is always surrounded by friends, many who are either Mages or extremely skilled weapon users. And if we did, his son would take over and they would know that it was us and war would erupt. The North is too peaceful for an assassin to not be linked to some big group."

"What about the Champions of the Tempest? Couldn't we use them?"

The Guardians of Tempest hadn't crossed her mind, though she wasn't sure it would be best. "The Champions of the Tempest are an interesting variable... Not so sure we can trust them; I would say we would need to speak to their leader before anything."

"Makes sense." Jalik said.

"So what do you suggest Amelia?" Telimina inquired leaning forward.

"War will break out no doubt. We need to increase every aspect of Project Conquistare, and begin to increase our strongholds all around the City. Push the various factions out and maintain control and secure the borders. If we can take control of the paths through the mountains from the Guardians then we can block out the North."

"Our resources are getting scarce and you already want to increase it?" In'fal stated.

"I see no other option. We either do this or have our power be threatened. So what do the Nobles think?"

In'fal "Fine."

Telimina "Sure.

Jalik "Seems only logical."

Borwal "See no other way."

Ogshi "Yes without a doubt."

Himha "We can prepare then?"

"Good. Then it is settled. Now let us continue our discussion."

Lorel - Underground

He continued through the ruins making his way to the other side which he was then greeted to a large gate which both doors were off and on the ground. It was a stone gate with stone doors so he could only assume it was either a bitch to open it up or magic. Lucky for him it was already opened. Jumping on top one of the large doors he walked through the gate and then jumped back down.

It was getting dark again so he used his fire magic once more to make a light since his magic felt fine once more. He was still confused at what happened but he was only focused on getting out. Walking through the cave he began to get really hungry and there were no signs of food or water. But what was worrying was that he was going further down.

He was sure he was still going north but he was still getting worried whether or not he was going to be able to get out. Despite being under the coldest mountains he began to sweet so he took off his shirt and that's when he noticed all the wounds were closed up. But then he noticed it, over chest there was a large red marking that blood was on top of but there was no wound. He patted his hand on it and blood got over his hand but there was still blood on it as if he never patted it. His shirt had no blood on it. This was all very confusing.

Using water magic he tried to remove it but it seemed to have no effect. Not knowing what to does he simply used the water magic to cool off and he put back on his clothes and continued. His stomach still aching for food.

After much time of many twists and turns he began to go up. Maybe now he would reach the top.

Velen - Northern Mountain Pass

The group began to move and despite mixed feeling's no one went to try and find Lorel. As they knew it wouldn't be possible with the current situation.

Two Days later...

In the early dawn of morning with the sun rising up they made their way down the mountain and they could see it. The gate leading into the North. You could almost see the ocean from where they were, but they could see the outlines of the walls surrounding each district. Even could see the Bridges of Trust. It was a magnificent sight.

During the time they hadn't seen Lorel yet but Velen didn't give up hope. When they reached the bottom the gates were opened and everyone passed through. But they were out of the snow, as snow covered the whole Section.

Uegan was a fairly average district for the North but looked much different than any district in the Middle. Instead of a semi-industrial look of the Middle, it was a more cabin looking district where there weren't any tall buildings. When the gates opened Nashia thanked
everyone for their cooperation.

"Good job everyone, Velen you got good people with you." Nashia remarked. "Well I got to go, as I said, I hope you find your friend."

She stretched out her hand and Velen shook it. "Thank you Nashia."

With that she left the group and began to converse with her fellow Guardians. Velen retreated back to the group with everyone else. "Itsuka, what shall we do?"

It was strange for Velen to be asking. "Shouldn't we wait for Lorel?"

"I don't know if we can, the Dean must know of everything soon. If Lorel is still alive. He knows where to meet us. Or at least I hope. And what about you guys? Still going to Cryka?"

Vergil Crawford - Uegan District - The North

Whilst everyone was discussing about the plans that would occur in the next few days, and the safety of Lorel, Vergil looked upon the district of Uegan. Instead of tall building lining the landscape, it was more cabin like, short buildings as far as the eye can see.

Suddenly without warning, everything went dark for him. Vergil then opened his eyes, he was back in the Corridor of Dreams. He found himself sitting in a tall, white, leather arm chair, which had a piece of black leather in the middle at the front.

Corridor of Dreams - Vergil's Mind

"Why the hell am I here again? I haven't been affected by the ****'s mental attack. Who has brought me here?" He asked himself.
"I have."

A female voice replied with, seemingly coming out of nowhere. Then, a woman wearing a hooded cloak, appeared before Vergil, out of nowhere, as if by magic. The woman had long, light grey hair that reached the shoulders, although, some of it was obscured by the hood. Where her eyes would be, were obscured by the darkness of her hood. Her other clothing was rather refined, similar to what a noblewoman would wear. She then snapped her fingers, and a similar chair to the one that Vergil sat in appeared, and she sat in it, obviously waiting for Vergil to ask her a question.

"Who the hell are you?" Vergil asked in an enraged tone.

"I am, no one of importance, consider me neither enemy, nor friend to you Vergil, or should I say, Aeon." The woman replied calmly.

"Aeon? What are you talking about?" Vergil asked, sounding confused by what the woman called him.

"Hush." The woman said, quickly placing a finger to her lips. "All shall be revealed to you, in time. Now listen, here is a piece of information. I take it that you have been to this place before? This 'Corridor of Dreams' as you call it. Hmm, how cute. From what I can gather, the last time you were here, you saw fragments of memories from long ago, more specifically, your parents. Is this not true?". The woman asked, adding a slight giggle after she spoke the name of the place, as if amused by it.

"Yes, yes I did. How did you know?" Vergil asked her calmly, his anger subsided... for now.

"I have my ways Vergil, just as you have yours." The woman replied with, sounding somewhat cryptic. "Now then, for the information. You wish to find who your parents are, and who you yourself are, no? You will start this journey, from where the masks dance.""

"Masks? Dance? What are you talking about? Wait, what do the others see when they look at me this moment?"

"As I said, it will all be explained. In answer to your other question, nothing special really, they believe that you are admiring the scenery? Well that is what I have made them think. Sub conscious suggestion, they don't even realise that I have done something to them.". The woman remarked, her face showing that she smirked at that last comment.

"Pitiful fools, such weak minds in places, except for the woman you call 'The Vessel', her mind was strong, but I eventually got through. Yours was especially tough as well." She then added, sounding unsympathetic to everyone, save for The Vessel and Vergil.

"I see, thank you I suppose." Vergil remarked, unsure if the woman complimented or insulted him.

"In any case, I must be going, establishing a mental link of this magnitude takes a fair bit of energy. Fair well, Aeon. Perhaps we will meet again, in the real world. I am Fiora by the way." The woman said, as she snapped her fingers, and everything went dark again. Vergil opened his eyes, he was back in Uegan.

"That was weird." Vergil thought as he rejoined the group.

Lorel - Underground

His stomach was aching really badly now. Over the past two days, he hadn't had an ounce to eat. He was still in the caves and it was almost like a labyrinth. He had no idea if he was going to come out somewhere in the mountains or on the North or Middle side. Suddenly he noticed that the cave was coming to end... Was this it? Was this the end? He hadn't stopped once through the nights. He feared if he slept he wouldn't awake.

Suddenly he noticed a ladder. It was stone and was in oddly good condition. Seeing no other option he began to climb it. After what felt like an hour, he finally saw the ending. It was blocked off by some wood. He let go of the ladder with one arm and then charge an ice attack and slammed it against the wood. Instantly the wood froze and he punched it shattering it. He then climbed out.

"This isn't the mountains..." Lorel spoke as he found himself in what appeared to be a house or part of it. Boxes were stacked and various things were laid out like if something was going to be happening next. Suddenly he heard the rustle of footsteps and he took cover behind a box which he placed also over the hole.

"Man... This party is going to be big. Sure the Dean will have it all under control?" He heard one speak.

"Guards will be stationed at every point. It will be a night to relax. Now let's hurry up and get these to the carriage."

The Dean? So he was in the North, but where?

"I heard all of the lords of the North will be there. Luckily for us, since were in Tinsdal we don't have to travel far."

Tinsdal? I was in Tinsdal? I had traveled much farther than I had expected. Was everyone else here? Or am I only here because of the underground? It probably cut through lots of the excess that they had to go through. Plus I didn't sleep at all. So tired...

Eventually the two people left and Lorel got out after he was sure they wouldn't see him. He stepped out of the warehouse and was greeted by the sun. His eyes had to adjust for a moment; he was used to the darkness. He was in the middle of the streets now, and he saw the carriage going down the street that he assumed it was the two people.

He also noticed the ground went downwards where the carriage was going. Lorel then saw it, a large mansion in the middle of the district.

"So... Is that the Dean's mansion?"

Lorel Ion - Tinsdal

The first thing that came to his mind as he walked was how hungry he was. Seeing a little restaurant nearby he stopped and walked inside to get something to eat. Velen had given him some money on the trip up North in case Lorel was ever to go out on his own. He sat down at a table and a waiter came by, and he ordered a simple meal of steak. Lorel could barely wait to eat it.

As he sat he observed the setting, it was much more cheerful and peaceful then the Middle. He leaned back in his chair and yawned. After he met up with the Dean he was going to make sure he would eat. That's when he got wind of some whispers he could hear about him. Lorel looked over and saw a table with various people, three girls and one guy. But there was one interesting thing about one of the girls. She bore White Hair similar to his. It was unusual to see another with white hair.

Then he looked at his clothes which were all ripped in various places, probably the reason he was getting so many looks. After his food arrived he got he eat it as fast he could. It was the first thing he had eaten in two days and he was so happy. Once he finished up his meal he paid the waitress and got up and walked up out of the restaurant.

He looked back at the mansion, time to go meet the Dean.

Velen - Uegan

"Me and Itsuka will hitch a ride to Tinsdal. Hopefully Lorel will meet us there. I can't give up hope on him..."

Vergil Crawford - Uegan

"Call this a case of unbridled optimism, Velen, but I have feeling that Lorel is all right." Vergil remarked as Velen wondered for Lorel's safety.

Scarlett Verneer - Uegan

Scarlett Verneer had mixed feelings about her return to the north, it might be her home and birthplace but it had been made abundantly clear, on numerous occasions, and by certain individuals, that she was far from welcome in these frozen lands. As the group descended from the mountains Scarlett could feel her apprehension growing with every step she took towards the gate. Her unexpected arrival home would make a lot of people nervous and there was no doubt in her mind that the Dean of North would rather she turned around now and never returned.

It was just something she would have to deal with. Scarlett was more than aware that if she turned around now and returned to the middle district then she risked getting caught for the incident at the Nehelem estate. And to be honest Scarlett would rather face the wrath of the north than punishment, possibly even death, at the hands of the middle district. She would have made a nice scapegoat for it all too. With a more than severe punishment to act as a deterrent to others while reassuring societies elite that justice had been served.

Scarlett glanced at the horizon and felt the sudden surge of old memories and emotion returning inside of her at the sight of the buildings glowing in the fragile warmth of the rising sun. Stirring from a long and cold night the districts of the north seemed more like a haunting spectre to Scarlett than a living city, too many bad memories. In the distance the Vo'ana mountains loomed behind the frozen lake, a silent and permanent reminder of that past. Scarlett sighed to herself, closed her eyes, and pushed all thoughts of the north to the back of her mind as she stepped through the opening gate to Uegan.

The little boy sat on the pile of wooden logs watching the new arrivals enter Uegan, he scanned each and every face in the tired crowds hoping not to see the woman described to him. In truth the job was easy Kiel and his family needed every coin he could earn to scrape even a meagre living out here. It had been almost two years since the kind and gentle woman had paid him to keep an eye on the new arrivals in the district and he was afraid of the day it would come to an end.

Scarlett saw the little boy watching her, when he noticed his eyes widened and he jumped down from the pile of logs running into the crowds. Scarlett cursed to herself and wondered what trouble she had just walked into. She rejoined her group of new found friends and listened into the conversation.

"I don't know how much help I can be with the Dean, but what's in Cryka?"

Lorel Ion - Tinsdal

Lorel continued down the pathway, his stomach now full, but his eyes still drowsing off. It was a longer walk than anticipated; it wasn't a direct road to the mansion, but various pathways. Eventually he found himself outside the mansion. It was magnificent, with large detailed columns, stone pathways and then leading up to the house. But at the same time it kept a similar cabin style to everyone else's houses.

Naturally there were guards outside and one's on patrol, so Lorel walked up the steps slowly and made him as less suspicious as possible. When he reached the top the guards stopped him. "Your name?" One asked.

Lorel responded as clearly as he could. "Lorel, Lorel Ion."
"Your purpose?"

"I am here to meet with the Dean. I need to discuss things with him. A certain operation..."

The guards looked at each other. "That..."

Suddenly he noticed someone's voice from behind him down at the bottom of the steps. They yelled. "Guards, what's going on?"

"This boy wishes to be let in. Apparently needs to discuss something with the Dean. Apparently about an operation." One of the guards yelled back down the steps.

"Then let him in, I say." She spoke as she ran up the large steps to stand next to them. It was the girl from earlier, the one who had white hair similar to his.

"Yes, Miss Mizuki." They spoke as they opened the doors and let them in. They both stepped inside, the inside was simple, but was elegant, with carpets and stained windows.

"Thank you, Miss Mizuki?"

"Yes, no problem. The Dean is through the doors right there." She spoke pointing ahead.
"Thank you again. Why did you vouch for me?" Lorel asked.

Mizuki responded. "I saw you at the restaurant just a bit from here and you seemed to be normal. Though don't make me regret my decision. Or you will pay."

Lorel wanted to laugh but he could see she was being serious. "Well, I am off."

Vergil Crawford - Uegan

Vergil noticed that Vessel was somewhat distant from the others, her attention focused on the tournament. He walked towards her, and engaged in conversation.

"It seems that the tournament has gotten you interested, hasn't it Vessel. It would seem that the opportunity to deal with the head of the Champions has arrived. I take it you will be entering then?" Vergil asked her, seemingly shifting her attention away.

Vergil Crawford - Uegan

"Oh well, as you said, best opportunity you'll get to meet the head of the organisation, have fun with that." Vergil casually remarked, showing his intention to not participate.

"She is going to try and convince me to sign up to this, I just know it. Best prepare yourself Vergil." He then thought to himself.

Lorel Ion - Dean's Mansion - Tinsdal

Mizuki went the other way and went up the stairs. Who was she? Lorel kept asking himself. He walked forward at the doors and opened them. Inside he went and he entered the main chamber. It was small, and the Dean was sitting on the other side of the room. But it wasn't like a palace chair, instead it sat sideways and there was a table and another chair on the other side.

That's when the Dean noticed him and looked over at him. The Dean was an older man with a 5 o'clock shadow and grey hair, his eyes were dark green and he had some wrinkles but not many, mainly outlines of his mouth. He stood up from one of the chairs, and Lorel saw him wearing simple clothes, not overly high-class. A simple shirt and pants but it was better than most clothes in the middle.

It felt weird, he imagined he would be there with Itsuka and Velen but he needed to hurry it up and do it himself.

"Hello, who might you be?" The Dean spoke in a deep voice.

Lorel walked forward a bit and kneeled down once and the Dean nodded for him to rise, though it was something about his eyes that he didn't like people to kneel. "My name is Lorel Ion. Sir."

"Ion..?"

"Yes... My parents and friends were killed by the other Nobles. I was banished and together with Itsuka Mean and Velen Majl, I was coming here to talk to you about Operation Deathly Continuation. But sadly, on the way to the north, I was split from Velen and Itsuka and was forced to travel underground through ancient ruins and where I eventually found myself here." It was hard for Lorel to speak about it out loud. Suddenly he heard a door on the balcony above shutting loudly.

The Dean sat down in his chair and slumped, he put his hand over his forehead like he was trying to cover his eyes from the light. "So... It has happened?"

"Yes..."

He stood back up from his chair and walked up to Lorel and put his hand on his shoulder. "I am so sorry for your loss. When Velen and Itsuka arrive... We shall discuss more then. But for now, you must sleep. You seem tired and I have a feeling, the next couple of weeks are going to be hell."

Then the Dean snapped his finger and a guard came and had him escort Lorel to a room. When Lorel was gone the Dean stood alone in the main chamber until another door opened. It was Mizuki. "So... I guess you heard?"

"Yes... I can't believe it. How..." Her eyes began to tear up. "He was supposed to live a normal life... Now, he is thrown into this."

"I know how you must feel, he is your brother, and now only living relative and yet he doesn't even know you exist."

Vergil Crawford - Uegan

"Vessel, wait!" Vergil called out, but she was already amongst the crowd.

"I'm going to regret this, I just know it." He thought to himself, as he reluctantly made his way towards the gathering swarm of contestants. Vergil saw Vessel go in, behind some others. Vergil pulled up his hood, obscuring his face, and then his own hand.

"I'll fight." Vergil called, attracting the attention of the recruiters. They seemed to raise a smile under their helmets.

"Well, you look like you'll pose a good challenge Nice swords you got there. Join the others that just went through." The recruiter replied with, as he stuck out a finger, and gestured inside.

As he entered the dome shaped building, he spotted the Vessel in front of him, obviously looking around for someone. Then, a champion, dressed in heavy armour, obviously a symbol of his rank, took a group of twenty into the central area without too much coercion.

Fortunately, neither Vergil or Vessel was amongst them. A mysterious voice then boomed saying, that anyone survived after ten minutes, advanced to the second round. Pity none of them lasted longer than four minutes.

???? - Uegan

The cold air rushing into his lungs was bracing but the thought of the Kiel reward was the only thing occupying the little boys mind as he raced through the market as fast as his legs could carry him. Weaving in and out of stalls and people he felt a sudden twinge of sadness, this would be the last time he would get to sit and watch the folk arrive into the district. And they were such interesting folk too. Still, the woman had promised him extra Kiel if he spotted her friend. Screeching to a halt the little boy spotted the woman negotiating with a weapons trader for some arrows.

She better not be spending my Kiel!

Taking the moment to catch his breath the boy casually walked behind the woman and marvelled at her mechanical bow, all those gears helped to ensure you could draw the string back with even the tinniest of effort from your little finger. He had never seen anything like it. The sword edges on the outside only added to to its 'cool' factor. Reaching up he tugged her brown cloak lightly and looked up with a wide grin slapped across his face.

"Well what do you have for me?"

The women bent down with a warm smile radiating from her face, her kind eyes seemed pleased to see him. Her curled red hair fell from the inside of her hood and hung down the sides of her face shining in the morning sunlight.

"That woman, she's here. Came this morning with the Guardians."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes miss."

The woman reached into her pocket and produced a small bag of Kiel, it was nothing to her but to the boy and his widening eyes it was the most money he had ever seen!

"Take this, and tell your mother I will see her later about another offer of work."

"Yes miss."

"And go straight home, don't go spending it all on sweetrolls or anything like that!"

"Yes miss."

Katelyn stood up and brushed back her red hair behind the ears, she smiled at the boy as he vanished into the crowd.

"So, Scarlett, you have returned home."

Scarlett Verneer - Uegan

Scarlett looked at Itsuka and Velen.

"I'm going to come with you two and see the Dean. Let's just say that I fancy hearing from the Dean himself on what it about to happen."

Lorel Ion - Dean's Mansion - Tinsdal

Lorel got to the room; it was clean and much better than what he had been staying at for the previous nights. It was night to be in an actual bed. He laid down on it, and felt the blankets and covers, they were very soft. Then he tipped forward and back and then laid flat on his back on the bed. Slowly he began to close his eyes until he saw no more.

Velen - Uegan

"Sure, you can ride with us Scarlett." They decided to once more stay out of the business of others. So when they got the chance they got to the nearest carriage and hitched a ride. Luckily they had enough.

Scarlett Verneer - Leaving Uegan

"Well good luck Telnor and be safe."

Scarlett nodded at Velen and followed them to the nearest unoccupied carriage, the rather large looking driver who was dozing on the drivers bench seemed a little annoyed that his rest had been disturbed but quickly took off his hat as a welcome gesture to his passengers and smiled politely. It had helped of course that Scarlett had scowled at him the moment she realised he was trying to guilt her into feeling bad for him.

Climbing aboard Scarlett sat opposite Velen and Itsuka and slumped back on the seat in silence. Her mind began to drift almost immediately. It was going to be a long journey. Verneer. Scarlett thought about her surname for a brief moment. Sera had given it to her when she adopted the child into the Red Stain as her own apprentice. Scarlett however was a Vaalender. The illegitimate daughter of a northern man from the Elite Class and his courtesan. She snorted in amusement. So many people had tried to hide the fact in the years that followed that she almost hoped her 'father' would be there in the capital. If nothing more than to see the look on his face.

Vergil Crawford - Champion's of The Tempest Tournament Arena - Uegan

Vergil had watched fighters come and go from the arena, some with the applause of the crowd, whilst others left in body bags. After watching the Vessel's fight, it was time for Vergil to enter the arena. His opponent seemed to be a young man, early twenties, dressed in leather armour. The man's sword looked like it was about to slip out of his hands, obviously he wasn't experienced in swordplay. Vergil decided to question this.

"Tell me, what good is a man with a sword, if he cannot wield it properly?" Vergil asked his opponent sarcastically, keeping his mouth hidden from view, he then laughed.

"How dare you insult me, you honour less rouge." The man replied with, somehow drawing up courage.

"Honour less? My good man, just because I am rogue, doesn't mean I am without a sense of decency. Have you ever heard the expression 'Honour Among Thieves'?" Vergil replied with, sounding hurt at the insult. He then asked his own question

"I have not in the slightest, perhaps you should teach me, if you win that is." The man replied with a snide remark.

It seems that the crowd were getting restless, they came to see a fight, not a debate, if there is any difference between the two.

"It looks as if we have bored the crowd. Enough talk, have at you!" Vergil responded to the crowd's unpleasant mood, and charged at his opponent.

Vergil and the man then engaged in combat, which looked as if it lifted the crowds spirits. To give his opponent an easier time, Vergil only used basic sword techniques. Despite this however, he still had the advantage over his opponent. After about five minutes, the man, who he learned to be called Damien, had managed to bring their swords to a lock.

"Impressive, who'd of thought a talentless man such as yourself, would be able to pull off this maneuver." Vergil remarked, both complimenting and insulting Damien at the same time, a weak smile appearing on his face.

"Thank you, I must say, your rather talented for a thief. Who taught you?" Damien responded with, and then asked a question of his own.

"Myself actually. However there is one rule you must remember. Keep your eyes on the other hand of your opponent." Vergil replied with, as he picked up a handful of sand of the arena floor.

"What the?" Damien replied with, confused at what Vergil just said, he was then hit in the face with a handful of sand, causing him to stagger and break the lock.

Vergil used his opportunity to deliver a punch to the Damien's chest, knocking him over. He then placed a sword to the neck of his downed opponent. As Damien came to, he could feel at blade at this throat.

"Go ahead, kill me." Damien said as he coughed out the last few bits of sand.

"No. As I said, I'm not without honour, and will not kill and helpless opponent." Vergil remarked as he turned to the crowd, who were cheering him on.

"People of the arena, let this, excuse of a swordsman go. He does not deserve a place in the Champion's order, nor a death." Vergil called to them, asking them to spare Damien's life. However he didn't notice that during his speech, Damien had gotten up, and brang his sword up on high, ready to deliver the killing blow to Vergil.

As the sword came down, Vergil reacted, quickly turning around, and blocking the blade with his left bracer. He then plunged his wrist blade into Damien's heart.

"That on the other hand does deserve death." Vergil cruelly remarked as Damien fell to the floor. The crowd cheered Vergil in victory as he made his way to where other successful combatants went. Within the separate building, sat other fighters who had won their respective bouts. It was there he spotted Vessel sitting alone, and thought he'd make himself known.

"Well, that was a fun match."