Keo sat across from her main pawn gaze locked on his in deep concentration. The mage had a look of utter determination on her face while Dae seemed unphased by his Arisen's strange request. "I don't understand." Dae broke the silence. "If you don't like the way I am this isn't the chair to change how I respond, Arisen."

Keo rolled her eyes and gestured to the soldiers seated around them. "This isn't a 'knowledge chair' Dae. You're fine the way you are.. This is a 'we need coin' chair. Now shut up and play the game." She mumbled before her eyes dropped down to the cards in her hands. Personally she had no idea what she was doing but the soldiers had invited them to play. At the mention of coin she had stupidly agreed however she had no clue what it was she was even doing.

Dae glanced to the Arisen then the soldiers and nodded. "Does the Arisen wish me to win money from the nice men?" He asked casually, gaze falling on his deck of cards.

"Of course, we need the money if we're to adventure any further." She mumbled. "Between me and you though... I'm bad at this." Keo had figured it was a game of lies. The way to win was to trick your opponents with a 'poker' face but every time she had a decent deck she got excited and cracked a smile, giving her away to the rest of the table. "Can.. You win?"

Dae kept his gaze locked on the selection of cards until she asked him the winning question. The fighter took this as an order and so he glared at one of the more skilled soldiers who sat directly in front of him. As a pawn he had no emotions to begin with and thus no tells which made him ideal for playing poker against men who were accustomed to playing for fun during breaks. Sure enough by the time he was done he had all the coin in the soldiers pockets sitting in front of him. Keo had long since left the game and was now seated right beside her pawn, watching the game curiously, she seemed pleased each time he won some coin so he kept it up until they refused to continue.

"Bloody hell! There goes my wages!" One of the soldiers sighed, head falling into his hands.

"That's the last time I let you talk me into playing against a pawn Jimmy!" Another huffed, smacking his friends head.

One by one the soldiers up and left to continue their duties leaving Keo with her pawn. Dae smiled to his Arisen and quirked a brow. "How did I perform?"

Keo stared down at the well earned coin, her mouth shaping into an 'o'. She had to admit he had talent for this poker thing. She felt an odd sense of pride wash over her. "Bloody brilliantly!" Keo grinned happily. "That was amazing! I didn't know you knew how to play poker!"

"I didn't." Dae shrugged, collecting his winnings into a pouch for safe keeping. "..You just told me to win so I did."

"But you played like you've done it before. Are you saying it was beginners luck?" She frowned, head tilting a bit to the side. "That seems impossible with the rate you went at."

Dae rose to his feet and attached the pouch to his belt securely before looking back to his master. "No. The first win was beginners luck.. The rest I just calculated. I figured the game was based off having a good hand and whether you could trick your opponents into thinking they'd lose. Majority of the time I just bluffed."

Keo stood and clasped her hands behind her back, eyes narrowing at him a little. "Wait.. You can lie?"

"It isn't lying if I don't have emotions to begin with." He informed her. "Back to Cassardis, Arisen? Tis a fair notion." He smiled once again, averting the topic. He'd done as asked and won the game. He found no sense in debating about it.

Keo stared at him suspiciously but she lit up at the mention of Cassardis, soon forgetting everything else. She had a sudden yearning to see the villagers again. It hadn't even been that long since she'd departed from the gates and already she missed the friendly faces. Rook and Hannah had soon returned to their sides and after a brief chat with the man at the tent to learn new skills the mage set off back home. Ever since she'd visited the Encampment she'd felt eyes on her but she assumed she was being paranoid. Or perhaps it was due to the pawns at her side, they had a knack for attracting attention. Either way she didn't like the feeling and wished to be back in a safe or familiar environment. For the journey Dae remained close by her side and all the pawns kept doing was alerting her to things she already knew. The hunt was going to be troublesome if the pawns kept that up the entire time. She soon felt like tearing her hair out and found herself stopping and whipping around to snap at them. "Whoever opens their mouth first is getting thrown into the Brine!"

The pawns glanced to each other in what looked like shock but Dae was the first to open his mouth, naturally. "Arisen... Time your attacks well, calm yourself then strike." He advised sagely.

"I'm so done." Keo huffed, turning to continue down the path while throwing her arms up in frustration. Cassardis was in sight and already she longed to turn back time. She no longer wanted to venture forth on some daring adventure. If she knew what she'd set in motion she would have never have ran at the dragon. But she had. There was no time travel. She had to face the grim reality. Now she was stuck with pawns who wouldn't shut up. Keo finally made it home but a creepy hooded man stopped her a few steps inside the gates. He seemed to be ranting about the dragons coming and the pawns and soldiers. She had no interest in the rants of an old man though, what she was curious about was who was behind the hood and just why he was in a black robe in summer. Dramatically he whipped his head up, showing her his half burnt face which caused her to recoil back in surprise and manage to kill all curiousity in a second. She watched him clasp his hands and walk back towards the exit, still ranting as he went. Of course Keo paid no heed to the mans words, rarely did she listen, she was more enthralled with his clothing choice. Once he'd left the mage turned to Dae and pulled a face. "He must get awfully hot in all that black. He does realise he's in Cassardis, yes? I wonder if he's suffering from heat stroke.." Suddenly Keo gasped like she had an epiphany and she pounded her fist into her hand. "That's it! No wonder he's so cranky!"

"Arisen... " Dae sighed, hands moving to rest on his hips. "It seemed more like he was threatening you...Or mocking you." Whatever one it was he didn't like him or at least the vibe he gave off. He seemed dangerous. "Perhaps we should move on. Aught there something we can do to collect more coin?"

"You want more?" Keo frowned, eyeing the pawn. He'd single handedly secured them enough coin to get them to Gran Soren and back... Twice, yet he wished for more. At least he was practical. "Well... The village was recently attacked. Perhaps there's aught we can do to assist."

The four wandered around the recovering village mostly just assessing the damage. The dragons attack was still fresh on everyone's minds, that much was clear by the expressions on their faces but at least they were trying to move on. Keo furrowed her brows and dropped her gaze, unable to actually look the villagers in the eyes. It was a strange sensation. She could see how grateful they were for her standing up to the dragon, some even looked upon her like she was a fabled hero but she was overwhelmed by it all. She couldn't bring herself to face their gazes for fear she'd disappoint them. Unknowingly she'd volunteered herself for something she had no business in. Heroes were supposed to be strong, courageous and righteous. Keo was none of those things. In fact she was quite useless, always forgetting things when they had just been told to her, mucking up tasks that she'd been assigned to and never reaching expectations. There was making mistakes then there was Keo. She closed her eyes and listened to the sea birds and the waves as thoughts of just leaving the dragon to its own devices flooded her mind. She could always just avoid the Wyrn. Avoid the responsibilities. Live in the empty house she could no longer call her home and spend each day happily oblivious. Too much welled up within her and she soon dropped to her knee's on the sand. So much doubt and anger swirled within her, she wanted to kill the dragon but she also wanted to leave it for someone else to fight. Keo was barely an adult but with all the weight on her shoulders she felt like that kid that had to be strong after losing her parents so young. So for awhile she just sat and stared out at the sea or watched the clouds while she tried to figure herself out.

Dae watched the Arisen from where he stood behind her. He'd frown as he witnessed the occasional fisher approach her to thank her for defending the village, she'd smile and nod her head then joke around until they departed from her but he'd noticed her smile was like his. It seemed forced. Unable to simply watch he took a seat beside the mage and concentrated his gaze on the horizon the way she was. Keo glanced to the pawn by her side, eyebrow raising at the brunette. "What are you doing?" Even the chipper tone in her voice was forced. He was there to help shoulder such burdens but it was obvious she didn't trust him yet by the way she was trying to hold it all herself.

"Waiting." He mumbled, eyes locked on the setting sun. As a pawn Dae was use to the Rift where there was no sun. He was accustomed to wandering through life, an empty husk as the hooded figured had so rightly said. There was something about this world, he just couldn't place it. Had he emotions he may have been moved by such scenery.

The blonde scrunched up her nose and looked back to the pinkish tinted sky. "On what?" It seemed silly even talking to him. He couldn't feel and he had to be ordered to do things. The pawns interested Keo but they also saddened her. To not be able to feel anything seemed so horrible. She pitied them.

Dae leant back on his hands, eyes closing slowly to listen as she had. "For you to trust me." He heard the birds and the waves that she heard. It may not have had the same effect like it had on her but it was pleasant. "I'm here to help shoulder your burdens, Arisen." He peeked one eye open to see her staring at him with a shocked expression which caused the corner of his lips to tug up into a smirk. "You act like you must do this alone but you forget my sole purpose for walking your world is to help you. I'm not here for show or did you forget?"

For some reason this caused anger to explode within the mage. She scowled and pushed him, instantly getting to her feet. "How can you say things like that so easily!? You speak words which are meant to hold meaning, to assure and comfort but you don't feel.. You don't mean them. How can I trust that? You're only here because you were forced to be! Don't you dare act like we're friends." She yelled, glaring down at him. She didn't expect much of a reaction from her outburst and she didn't get one. All she received was a confused look from the male.

With all the commotion on the beach Keo had caught the attention of the very boy she had hoped to avoid. Valmiro was sitting on the dock fishing when he heard the mages shouts, looking over his shoulder to investigate he spotted her on the shore yelling at some boy. Setting his fishing rod aside, Valmiro got to his feet and ventured over to his distressed friend. "Keo.. Is everything alright?" He asked as he glanced between the two. He couldn't help but wonder who the boy was, he'd never seen him before and he'd never seen Keo so angry before. In fact now that he thought back on it she'd never been angry, not even when she faced the bullies when they were kids. Now though the mere presence of this stranger had her seething.

"Valmiro!" She gasped, having been too lost in her glaring and anger to notice his arrival. Keo averted her gaze so she was glaring at the sea instead. Somehow feeling ashamed of her behaviour. "I.. Yes. Yes everything's fine."

Valmiro frowned, not believing a word of it, but ended up looking to the boy yet again. "I see.. Who's your friend then?"

"He isn't my friend!" She shot instantly, glare once more focused on Dae. "His name's Dae and he's a pawn. That's all." Keo crossed her arms and pursed her lips. She knew she was acting childish and incredibly rude but the fact was that she couldn't act like his friend when she had absolutely no trust in him.

Valmiro looked at this pawn and at her words he saw him flinch a little which caused concern to grow in him. "That's a little harsh isn't it?"

Dae stood and brushed the sand from his clothing, empty gaze moving to the fisher. "No. She's correct. I'm a pawn from the Rift sent here to assist the Arisen in her quest to slay the Wyrn."

"That.. Sounds like quite the adventure you've planned." Valmiro mumbled, arms crossing over his torso. "Your pawn, is he? Interesting!" His scientific nature got the better of him and he was soon circling the pawn, inspecting him. "Incredible.. He appears like us but.."

"I lack desire, emotion and ambition." Dae shot, eyes narrowed into a sharp glare. Being circled was seen as threatening to him but of course he loosened up when the fisher ceased in his movements and began nodding to himself. When he got a proper look at this Valmiro character, Dae found him completely harmless. He seemed to lack in ability actually. Unremarkable by a fighters standard.

Valmiro patted Keo's shoulder and smiled down at the girl, "That's truly amazing, cos. So I assume you'll be leaving us then?" It pained him to ask but he felt compelled to.

Keo kept her gaze on the sand, hands balled into fists as the anger lingered the more she heard the pawns voice. The pat had startled her and when she met Valmiro's eyes she was back to wishing she hadn't saved the village. "I.." Forming words seemed so incredibly difficult in this moment. How was she supposed to tell him that she was in fact leaving the village when they promised to go adventuring together? Would he feel betrayed? "Come with me." She finally managed. "Please.. Let's forget the Wyrn and just leave.. I'll send Dae back into the Rift and everything will be as it should. We can travel the world.."

Valmiro's smile faltered and he simply shook his head. "I wouldn't be able to live with myself knowing we've abandoned the village, Keo.. You know this. And leaving Gransys to the fate of the dragon is cruel.."

"But you aren't the one who has to face it!" She yelled suddenly which caused her friend to take a step back. "I'm frightened, Valmiro.. Running at that thing was madness! Chasing after it is suicide... I'm not strong enough to.. I can't do it.. I'm just a stupid little girl, how can I possibly hope to win against a bloody dragon!?"

Valmiro went to console her as she started to break down but was shocked to see Dae step forward and place his hand on her head comfortingly in his stead. "Arisen.. You can. That you ran at the Wyrn at all is proof that you hold a strength within you. A strength that will allow you to defeat it. You value other people and put their safety before your own. It is a remarkable quality to possess and not many humans seem to have it and this is why you will win. I'm sworn to protect you from the dangers of this quest and I assure you I intend to keep you safe during and after the journey. I have complete faith that you will put an end to the beast. You may not believe in me but I believe in you." Strangely enough the mage wasn't angered by his speech, she didn't feel as though he was lying to her, it was odd being able to see how he didn't know joy yet could believe in her so blindly. Keo was left gaping up at him as he flashed her a smile and put his hand to where her scar was. "You are my Arisen. The bond between an Arisen and their pawn is something I cannot find words to explain but just know I will never abandon you. Ignore the Wyrn or face him.. I will be by your side regardless. This I swear."

Keo glanced down at his hand then back up to him and nodded ever so slightly. She still didn't know if she could rely on him the way she was supposed to and frankly she still thought it a terrible idea but she recalled how impressed that tall soldier was during training. Surely if a seasoned warrior believed in her and thought her and her little pawn army capable in battle then they stood a fighting chance against the Wyrn. "So cheese comes with the resume.. Good to know." She mumbled with a small smile. "What are we married now or something?" She'd jest to ease the weight.

Dae dropped his hand to his side and tilted his head, unsure at what she was getting at. "..Yes?" His answer resulted in the pleasant sound of his Arisen giggling at him, taking his answer as a joke. He hadn't been with her long but he liked seeing her laugh, it was much better than her hostility.

Valmiro glanced in between the two and lifted his hand to catch their attention, "I'm still here, by the way.." He had debated just leaving them to it but a protective feeling had rooted him to the spot. He knew Keo very well and knew that she wasn't all that fond of men. He knew she feared them, possibly Leon's doing, but she feared them none the less. Of course he'd asked what she meant when she'd told him of her little fear but even she was unsure. All he knew was that unless she knew them she was skittish and careful when dealing with males. Dae wasn't human but he was still of the male gender which explained why Keo had so much distrust in him. Had he been female chances were they'd be merrily on their way to fight a dragon. After a certain incident with Leon Valmiro noticed how she would sometimes even flinch around him, her best friend, if he moved too fast or got too close. It enraged him as he knew Leon had used her as his personal punch bag, he knew he was the reason for her caution around men.

"Valmiro.. Are you upset?" Keo asked gingerly, shrinking back into herself. Valmiro and Dae could see her confidence disintegrate at the glare.

"No, no.. Just remembering something.." Valmiro smiled sadly, stopping himself mid-glare. He hadn't even noticed he was doing it until she asked if he was alright. He soon felt ashamed of himself as she'd just had a break down and she was the one asking if he was alright. He had to rectify this. "Are you alright?.. I mean.. Will you be alright?" He'd subtly gestured to her pawn and knew she'd understand what he meant with his head nod.

Keo glanced to Dae who perked up when he felt her gaze on him and she gave Valmiro the thumbs up. "I think it'll be alright. I just need to get use to it all.."

The group remained on the shore for most of the day, Keo using the time to say goodbye to Valmiro and eventually Quina. She'd decided it best to seek out the Wyrn. No more second thoughts. So that day they fooled around and laughed the best they could until it came time for them to part ways. She'd helped out around the village the best she could with the help of Dae and her pawns and soon there was nothing left keeping her there. Her journey was set in motion, for good or ill.