A month of training passed.

The duties they must perform. Improved sword skills. Identifying plants. Arinaths basics of magic.

Then another month.

What each plant does. Reading. Bow practice. Writing. How to not offend people: Religion.

A third month.

How to not offend people: Social classes. Emergency first aid. A few more basics in magic.

It was half way through the third month and it was a rare occasion where Julia, Markus and Garry all had the day off. They were wondering the palace grounds, since training mages and knights basically lived on the grounds until they had finished training. It was a pleasant day, and was as peaceful as you could get when surrounded by the heart of a city.

The three were sat near the west gate of the palace grounds, complaining about their useless lessons when they heard it. The sound of 100 or so hooves hitting the cobbled streets and they were getting closer. Julia, still being full of energy, decided to go investigate whilst dragging Markus and Garry behind her. As the three approached the now open west gate, they saw the 30 paladins riding up the main street and very quickly, though the west gate. As the last horse passed into the palace grounds, the gates swung themselves closed again and at quite a speed for such large iron gates.

The paladins all had very similar armour, plate which was silver and gold in colour although all three knew that the metal it was made form was much sturdier, and much more precious. There were a few riders who were clearly not paladins, noticeable by the lack of heavy plate armour and horses which did not leave slightly glowing prints behind them.

Markus swore he recognised four or so faces from the group. One of them being a paladin who had arrived a day after they had in salos. Markus didn't realise the other two as Luna and Ana until Garry pointed them out as they dismounted. Once the paladins had got off their steeds, they turned to them and appeared to hold a conversation for a short while. This was soon followed by several flashes of ethereal light. After each flash, less and less horses remained. In a matter of seconds all the paladins horses had disappeared leaving the few which had not been Paladins mounts. The few horses were lead to the stables.

Tari looked around once her mount had traveled back to its realm. Adam was looking nervously around. He had been acting jittery since they had reached the city limits yet he refused to tell her why. Luna and Ana where once again deep in conversation, not noticing what was happening around them. Tari sighed. She hopped that this would be over and done with soon.

It was several hours later when it happened. Tari and 3 other of her fellow Paladins where stood next to a large oak door which lead into one of the many studies around the castle, where the king of Salos, the arch Mage Arinath and Ellis Lightbringer all sat, deep in conversation. Tari had told Adam, Ana and Luna to stay in their quarters, which they were doing, despite Adam's complaints of being cooped up. Markus, Julia and Garry were sat eating their dinner in the recruits mess-hall, exchanging theories with the other recruits on why the Paladins were there in force.

There was a light rumbling, it started from being hardly noticeable but it slowly increased. Tari glanced at her co workers. They looked just as confused as she did. It continued for a few more seconds, just as the Paladins turned to knock on the door, did the rumbling seem to start dying down.

Inside the study, the three glanced at one another. Arinath bowed his head before muttering something under his breath and shaking his head. Their problems had just got a whole lot bigger, and judging by the length of the quake, the problem would rise to the surface soon.

"We are agreed on what must do happen?"

Without waiting for an answer the Mage continued.

"I shall travel north west but I fear the effort maybe futile. It will the same as trying to move mountains but I shall go."

"And move mountains you must!"

The lightbringer stood up as she spoke. It was a rare thing to see a paladin without armour, unless you traveled with one. They might love their armour but even they tend not to sleep in full plate. Under mail yes, full plate no. Despite that, Ellis stood before the king and Mage in simple white robes. Her black hair was tied up in a pony tail which came down to shoulders. There was a plain leather belt around her waist and attached to it where two war axes. Made of the same material as most Paladins armour. The design of them was simple yet elegant. The main part of the handle and the head was made with the silver coloured metal with the golden metal curling around it.

"I shall ride back to the temple and prepare as best I can. I shall leave a small group of Paladins under your command Jayden. I will send more when I can but we are already stretched thinly."

The king sighed.

"I thank you for your support, both of you, but we will not be able to do this alone. We need the support of the other kingdoms. All of the other kingdoms not just two. Even getting one isn't a certainty."

He tailed off, staring down at the papers scattered across the desk before getting to his feet.

"I'll send envoys out straight after this. I hope they other kingdoms will see sense and help. Other than that, I shall prepare for war."

The three leaders said there formal goodbyes before departing. As Ellis stepped out the study, Tari and her fellow Paladins formed up around the light bringer, going to the quarters designated to the Paladins.

Turning to leave, Arinath spoke.

"I leave tonight. Don't do anything rash friend."

And with that the mage turned on his heel. Green robes swing behind him, the Mage walked off down the corridor, leaving the king stood alone in the study. The rhythmic clicking of the archmages cane slowly faded away.

The king stared off after the Archmage as he thought things over. In the morning he would summon his council and let them know of his plan. They wouldn't be happy but he was sick of hiding behind the palace walls. He had to get out and this seemed like a good enough reason. He slowly headed towards his own quarters, the 4 royal guards tailed behind him by a few steps, and took there place out side the quarters doors.

It was during breakfast when it was announced. Due to the Archmage leaving on the Kings business and other high ranking kings mages also been sent to places, all recruit training would now happen on the road. They where only a month or so form it happening any way so it wasn't such a great leap. Not only that but the palace was no longer going to the head quarters.

Both Garry and Julia turned and stared at Markus, and seemingly at the same time asked,

"Did you know of this?"

Markus was taken back but he quickly realised why they were asking.

"Just because my dad is one of the King's council, does not mean I know anything of what they talk about and decided!"

The two had touched a nerve. It wasn't uncommon for people who know of Markus parentage to ask about his fathers affairs.

"Allow I am going to go find him..."

Both Garry and Julia jumped to there feet and eagerly awaited Markus to do the same.

"If you would let me finish, after I've finished eating."

Terrance was worried. It seemed like a very rash move. The most of the council said to rash. It was only arguments made by the king, himself and those few who knew the king personal which manages to persuade them to go along with it.

Now here he was, wearing robes with its hood up. A large leather bound book at his side. All of this hiding his sword and identity. A bag full of supplies slung over his back along side two others.

Sean stood behind him, wearing armor but not his normal set. The royal crest would of given them away. Instead it was unpolished and slightly battered. From the days when, as he put it, he was up to no good. A scythe was attached to his back.

The third and final man was Jayden, the king himself. He was wearing very similar armour as to Sean. The only difference was the swords held on his belt, one on each hip They seemed very simple weapons, with the only interesting thing being a nail sized emerald in each hilt.

Terrance knew that the emeralds where set there by Arinath and were what caused the swords to look so dull and mundane when the king wanted them to. This was not the first time they had done this, although it might very well be the last.

The group of three hurried through the palace halls and gardens until they reached the west gate where stood a group of 7 people. The last 7 people to learn of the little plan of the Kings.

Author's note:

Well lets face it, I was being optimistic last time... Sorry it took so long to anyone who was waiting, if any and sorry for it seeming to jump around a bit. Kinda hard to pick up on my own trail of thought from months ago. Don't want to make any promises but i seem to type more jurying exam session, probably since i should be revising. There might be another chapter at some point, put the story is far from done yet!