It Has Begun

[Kaden]

"Yeah, I guess it was easier back then when all one had to worry about was themselves." He agreed. "But it's not a life I miss at all. I've got you now, and that's all the incentive I need to go through with this."

[cassandra]

"And I have you. You don't get it. I'm not afraid of the raid...or the fighting...or even of the killing...hell, for the first time in my life I want to do some damn killing! I'm afraid of losing people I love...I'm afraid of losing YOU!"

[Kaden]

"Didn't I already promise you that you weren't gonna lose me?"

[cassandra]

"Yes, and you'd best not break that promise either Kaden Torrick! If you do I'll follow you to whatever comes next and make you pay!" Cassandra said, only partially teasing.

[Kaden]

"I'm not going to die. But...if I had to..." The wizard paused, glancing down for a second. "...it'd be so that you didn't have to. So I don't wanna hear anything about you following me, you hear me?"

[Alledyra]

Dyra followed along silently, almost trailing Cassandra and Kaden without intending to...the bouyant feeling she had from talking with Kane had stilled into a semi calm state as she prepared for the upcoming battle. But she also wanted to say something, she just hadn't seem to have found the time...when had things sped up?

She was ready for the battle, her gift as able to handle energy as it ever would be, and she knew the damage that her spirit would take....she accepted that. What she didn't know was how far she could push it before she lost control of it...or what would happen to those around her if she did...and she had to clear that up, quickly...just in case.

In a soft whisper, almost unheard, she called, "Guys...one thing...my gift." Stopping to look down, she continued only when she'd looked up and had eye contact with all present, "If I lose control of it...you have to do physical damage...not magical. I'll do what I can to keep it under control...but it would be better if everyone stayed as far away from me as possible when I'm actually using it...I don't want...well, I don't want to harm you." She turned to Cassandra, and though her next words chilled her own blood, she said them steadily, "If I become more of a danger than an asset, you'll have to kill me...or leave me behind." Waiting for a nod of assent, she flicked her eyes from one person to the next.

Though she'd never been involved in this type of battle..with this many people...she didn't have any fear. This was her gift, and she knew it's strengths...she'd be able to take care of herself...she just might lose her mind doing so.

[narym]

Narym looked up at Dyra from where she was sitting under a tree. Ah, at last, she thought. At last it's out in the open. She got wearily to her feet.
" I know what you can do, Dyra," she said softly." I saw you." She felt great sadness for this young woman who had been given such a wonderful gift, only to have had it corrupted.
" I was able to protect myself from you then. I will be able to do so again. So,...." she looked at everyone there, "if everyone else is ok with this, I volunteer to go with Dyra, to help her." She turned her sad eyes to the damaged woman. " And to deal with her, should she lose control." She smiled gently. " If that will set your mind at rest, Dyra?"

[Alledyra]

Blanching only slightly, Dyra nodded her head as she said in a whisper, "What I've done..." She looked a bit confused, but assumed that Narym must have seen her heal someone, or perhaps take the life of an animal for an infrequent dinner one night. The rest of it, about Narym being able to protect herself didn't even phase her, as she looked both ashamed and lost at the same time. Because she had no recollection of the confrontation in the alley, or the people in the Cafe, she instead simply nodded, taking Narym at her word without questioning where the information came from.

Smiling, albeit faintly, she continued, "It will suffice...although I do not wish to die at this moment...I do not also wish to jeopardize this mission...or any of those present." Slowly, though, a deep fear crept through her, and she thought suddenly of Kane...frightened that he would think less of her for her fear, she closed off as many emotions as she could, and turning away, took the key from around her neck and placed it her pouch instead.

"That is, of course, if Cassandra and Kaden believe this to be acceptable as well." Resting her eyes on Narym, she wondered if she knew what she was getting herself into...Dyra herself wasn't sure, but Narym did seem confident.

[narym]

Narym frowned. Dyra looked confused. She searched her eyes as if she could read her mind, but was left feeling uncertain. Did Dyra really not know what she had done in the cafe? She looked over at Lily, but saw only confusion on her face also. What to do? Should she speak of what she had seen? Or take Dyra aside and confront her privately?
She waited for Cassandras reaction, thinking furiously.

[Kratos Cage]

Kratos checked over his gear to make sure everything was there and where it should be. He took out his sword and imagined the fight in his mind. With every swing and stabbing motion he could see a guard dying. He couldnt help but think of his mother and what had happened to her. This filled his mind and soul with rage. He looked up to the sky and whispered to the heavens to his mother and Cassandra's mother, "I know you both are looking down on us. Please protect my sister and all those with us."

Looking around, seeing Kaden he said, "I never told you, how much I appreciate you accepting me into this group. It is an honor for me to fight by your side and by the sides of all of the rest of our group. I hope to prove useful in this endeavor."

[Cassiel]

Cassiel was quite used to sleepless nights, that was when she usually hunted anyway. She was in panther form for traveling, and when they got to the camp, she curled up under a tree and went to sleep. Cassiel knew exactly what she needed to do, and dwelling on it wasn't going to help anyone. She needed to be focused and the only thing that would help with that was sleep.

After several hours, Cassiel woke up. She stretched and shifted so that she could talk to people. Looking around it seemed that everyone was deep in thought or conversation, so she sat back under the tree to thing. She had dealt with people with enormous powers before. Gods even. She remembered fighting through that storm Osric threw at the town when he was angry, and challenging Kane for stones. Cassiel wondered where Kane had been as of late. After he joined their side, he was around a lot.

[Kaden]

With a smirk, attempting to lighten the mood a but, Kaden replied, "You kidding? Cassandra would have probably killed me if I said you couldn't come along!" With a chuckled, he shook his head. "I'm just playing. Of course I'm gonna accept you into this. You and Cassie have the most emotional connection to that castle out of all of us. It'd have been a crime to not let you join us."

[Kratos Cage]

Laughing at what his future brother-in-law said, Kratos replied, "You are right Cassie and I have a strong emotional connection to the castle and the king. Soon he will pay, but for now, I think we should relax and get our minds off the attack. You are a wise man and I think we should definitely take time to thank everyone for what they are doing."

[cassandra]

Cassandra turned to Narym, and said "I think it would be an excellent idea for you to stay close to Dyra and.....help her should she need it." Trying to shake off just what form that 'help' might take Cassandra got up and went and sat down between Kaden and Kratos. Laying her head on Kaden's shoulder she looked up at him through slanted eyes and asked, "What have you two been discussing so intently?"