The guardians stand steadfast and ready for the impending fall of a country.

Chapter Three: The Plans Ahead

Adam and Blade neared the final gate out of Bama, crossing the trade square on their steeds. The fountain in the centre surrounded by shops houses and carts sprayed a cool mist over the warm air.

The two guard towers connected by a large stone arc stands overlooking most of the Trade District and in between them, the fortified double wooden gates. The door to the left tower swings open and two soldiers dressed in their light off-duty blue armor of the town's patrol walked out, both with their spears strap to their backs.

Adam stopped before the two guards as Blade went forth towards the right tower to give the orders to the soldiers stationed there to open the gates.

"Afternoon Jackson, Kenneth." Adam greeted the two guards. "Where're you guys headed?"

Jackson William, a devilishly handsome young man at twenty eight, two years older than his brother Kenneth, sported a hard spike brown hair and similarly colored eyes. He was much more playful than his brother but takes his position when it comes to being an older sibling very seriously. "Hey Adam. We're headed to the guild house. Ryan just called for a meeting."

"Anything I should know about?" Adam asked.

"I'm sure it's nothing My Lord." Kenneth replied. His hair and eyes were of equal to his brother's but he has chosen a more formal left combed hairstyle than the other. He was too smarter and more serious one of the two. "You've been to some of our meetings haven't you?"

"Yeah," Jackson cut in. "It's most probably just to discuss on changing watch or something."

The Watcher Guild, founded by Ryan, was one of the six guilds in Bama which forms the town's patrol and considered the most elite of the six, providing only the best guards in the city. Membership is only given after a series of sparring tests conducted by the existing members. Currently, there are only fifteen members which included Adam. Blade was not allowed in as he is forbidden to pledge loyalty to both the Royal Knights and the guild. The other guilds include the Archer, Swordsman, Rider, Spearman and Mage Guild which by their names, only have members of the specific trait.

"I see." Adam said. "Well then, I guess I'd better be off now." He pushes his horse forward. "See you later guys."

The two brothers waved back and continued on. Adam turned to watch them until they disappeared into the crowd before making his way towards the once again, awaiting Blade.

XXX

Koran packed the remainder of his luggage, which was not much, onto the back of his brown steed. Zee took the crate of provision which he had bought earlier that day and tied them to the back of his own amber horse.

Realizing his rope was too short, he turns to Koran, "Hey, pass me an extension for the rope would you? Koran?"

The boy has stopped packing and was looking towards the direction of the front gate. The setting sun shot long shadows from the people towards the two at the stable beside the First Gate. The silhouette of two teens on horsebacks took their attention as they disappeared behind the blocking wall and out towards their intended destination.

"You alright?" Zee asked in his croaky voice.

"Yeah." Koran replied.

Zee took a look at his companion. "What are you thinking about?"

Koran turns. "Nothing, and it worries me."

"Remember, you owe me." He remembers his 'master' said a few years ago. His purple themed noble attire was attributed to his status as the lord's advisor.

"Yes sire." Koran replied, mouth filled with distaste. He was on his knee, head tilted down. But even so, he could imagine the cocky grin on his master's face. He would have left a long time ago, but he is still indebted to the back stabbing bastard and even strays like him have their honors.

"Good, now go." The purple mantle fluttered past Koran's face as the man walks. "If all goes well, Bama will fall within days. And then, we can concentrate on summoning Nexus. Well, what are you waiting for? Be on your way." His voice was ecstatic from the excitement of the vision of his plans coming to fruition.

"At once!" And Koran got up and left.

XXX

The meeting room is on the second floor of the guild house. The windows were all opened to allow ventilation. The double door placed on the far left and to the right, two shelves full of books and files which have records of the country's criminals and detail of its history though the document are hardly ever used. In the centre of the room is a long magnificent wooden table surrounded by fifteen chairs which at least half of them were occupied.

Ryan and Yun told the story of their encounter in the alley to those who were present at the meeting. Valentine, Specs, Benjamin and Terry were on patrol and Tad was tending to his farm. Stephanie was busy handling things at her shop, leaving only Max the blacksmith, Kenneth, Jackson, Miguel, Lilay and Roy with Ryan and Yun.

Their seats have all been predetermined by the order in which the members joined. Clockwise from the one closes to the shelf is Ryan, Yun, Stephanie, Specs, Ryan, Terry, Valentine, Kenneth, Jackson, Max, Miguel, Lilay, Roy, Tad and finally, Adam.

Max is the local blacksmith and the self proclaimed best in Aleynonlia but no one ever takes him seriously with the exception of Adam. The prince have him does all the repairs and sharpening of his weapons, claiming that there are none better. Tad, his long time friend had begrudgingly admitted to his skills as a blacksmith at one point. He wears a brown workers shirt with collar and for his bottoms half, he wore long moss green pants and sandals and he always wears a red bandana over his shaved head.

Miguel, Lilay and Roy run a local rune shop together. Miguel is an excellent magician and has on multiple occasions been asked to join the Mage guild but has constantly refused. He practically runs the shop on his own and his two friends are just there to help. His attire is a white shirt and brown coat with blue jeans. He wields a pair of daggers instead of the usual staff like other magicians and they dangle off the holsters of his belt from his back. He has spiked up his black hair with magic to a ridiculous ten centimeters height to as he says it, "Impress the ladies!"

Lilay has been called the weirdest girl in city. She has been known to appear at random time throughout the city, often travelling large distance in a short period. Many thinks she holds a Godspeed Rune which allows people to move extremely fast but in truth, what she has is the power of teleportation which resides in her magical enhanced weapons, her claw gloves. She tries to keep her ability quiet though which isn't hard when you look at her humble personality. She wears her long blond hair in a ponytail. Her top is a white buttoned up sleeve shirt with blue trims and her bottom consists of a blue frill miniskirt and string heels.

Out of the trio, Roy is physically the strongest. His weapon is also unique in the sense that it is a six round revolver, one of the few firearms in the country. He's happy-go-lucky most of the time, but it doesn't mean he can't take care of himself in a fight. He wears a black leather vest over his gray shirt and clack pants. His brown hair is always messy no matter how much he combs it.

"So you're saying Doyle is coming up with a plan to overthrow the king?" Jackson asked.

"No," Ryan corrected. "I think it's more like he's being hired to help."

"That doesn't make sense. Who would want to use bandit in plot like this?" Kenneth voiced his opinion.

"Who knows, maybe this attack won't even happen." Max said.

"Max is right," Kenneth sat back in his chair and puts his hand to his chin, a sign that he is trying to put two and two together. "it's possible that it won't happen, but still, what if it does?"

"Should we alert the Royal Knights? Or at least tell Adam" Roy suggested.

"I don't think that's such a good idea. Adam's meeting with Lottrinbram is too important to divert him away from something like this." Yun said. Even if he would like that. "And if this information is true, alerting the guards would heighten the defenses of the city."

"Isn't that what we want?"

"No. If that happens, we won't be able to find out who's behind this. The heighten defense would most likely put the mastermind off from the attack. They'll most likely have people in the city to watch our movement."

"So what are we gonna do now?" Miguel asked.

"The guilds." Lilay said in a soft voice close to a whisper.

"Huh?"

Kenneth leaned back forward again. "The guilds?"

Lilay nodded.

"You want to involve the other five guilds?"

She nodded again.

Ryan, as if he just had an epiphany, exclaimed, "Oh, I get it!" The realization made Lilay smile. She has that kind of effect on people. Making them understand her thoughts with as little words as possible. "Kenneth, Jackson, I want you guys to go tell the other guilds of the situation and tell them to increase the number of patrollers. But tell them not to have everyone wearing the armor; we don't want to attract too much attention."

"Got it boss."

"Will do."

Ryan was now on his feet. "And tell them to keep an eye out for any suspicious characters or activity. If anyone falls under this category, bring them in for questioning. If possible, we'll weed out the scout and make them tell us about the attacker and then we can report to the Royal Knights. Yun and Max, inform the others of the plan when you see them. We'll be increasing our patrols as well."

Ryan was all fired up now. And they all knew nothing was going to stop him other than the passing of time.

Stars of Destiny

Tenken Star, Dagger Star: Miguel

Weapon type: Twin Daggers

Weapon name: Paper Planes

Element: Wind

Left hand rune: Cyclone Rune

Head rune: Gale Rune