The bright morning light shown through the wooden window. Hugo's eyes slowly opened. He rubbed the crusty sleep from his eyes. "What is this stuff anyways?" He thought. He got his gear on in the gray light of the morning. He yawned as he walked outside and down the deck of the ship. Being back at the castle reminded him of the 2nd Firebringer War. He remembered all of the people that lived together during the war and how they bonded together for the common good.

They were people of all characters and different style. It didn't matter if they had been enemies before, just that they needed each other. He remembered those they had lost, Lulu, Jimba, Zepon, even Luc. Luc had shown Hugo many things about life. He saw how the life Luc had lived had led him to madness and disregard for humanity. He learned from him what not to do.

Fubar called to Hugo as he found himself standing on the bow of the ship, watching the waves. "I hear ya, I hear ya. I'll be there in a second." Hugo responded. This journey had him riled up and he hadn't had a good night sleep in a few days so he was ready to have this adventure started. He dashed across the wooden floor and leaped down the stairs, taking them three at a time.

He reached the waiting griffin and climbed atop him. He clasped the soft feathers in his hands and hung on tightly. He had fallen once before but never hit the ground. The ground didn't scare him as much as the falling did, he decided. He and Fubar took to the air and circled the castle. He liked flying with Fubar, it was exercise for him and he got to experience flight. They landed in the town-square, outside the manor. This was where they were supposed to meet the others.

He saw Joker and Geddoe approaching and chatting about something. He could tell that it was about their mission from the expressions and gestures. Hugo had honed his skills of reading people for their true intentions, a skill invaluable to a rising clan leader. He saw Chris and Louis come toward the group along with 4 of the other Zexen Knights. Roland and Salome were nowhere to be found. They all looked excited and anxious as Hugo felt.

"I suppose I should go pick up your gift now shouldn't I, Louis?" Chris said with a smirk. "I'll be right back." With a turn on her heel she spun toward the armory where Peggi had made her a new set. She picked it up and went toward Dominic's Shop. Ace, Queen, and Aila had come to join the gang as well, Aila bearing enough soda for everyone. "Aila I'm glad you're here early. It has come to my attention that you have served as an apprentice to our group since the war and have learned our ways." Ace says boisterously. "Like all of us, I think it time you become officially inducted and get a new code-name." He continued to say. "Group meeting!" with that the 12th Harmonian Frontier Defense Squad huddled together and began talking amongst themselves. Aila watched on with a scared look on her face.

"Well?" she asked as they came out of their huddle. "Your new name is Ten. We think it fits you to us very well." Queen says with a smile as she throws an arm across Ail… Ten's shoulder. "I hope you like it."

"I do. Thank you" Ten said with a big smile spreading across her tan face. "How about we celebrate with some soda, eh?" Joker said with a grin. "Yay!" With that the group walked off toward the bar. Hugo had broken into the conversation with the Zexen Knights.

"So I hurl the Harmonian across the field and watch him bounce. Who would have thought that Harmonians bounce?" Leo had just finished his story and the group laughed with him.

"So what do you think is keeping Lady Chris?" Louis asked impatiently. "I'm right here!" Chris said coming up the stairs. "Where's the weapon?" asked Borus.

Juan came into view coming up the hill with a heavy load in his arms with a blue blanket thrown over it. He could hardly walk and when he reached the group he dropped it to the ground with a resounding clang. "BE CAREFUL!" Chris cried as she checked the pile to make sure it was okay. When she found it to be in suitable condition she stood up cordially and popped Juan up side the head. Considering she had her gauntlet on, Juan sure enough felt it and collapsed on the ground. They all stared at his unconscious body for a moment except for Chris who held her head high and shut her eyes.

"Shall we commence?" she said as she opened her eyes and held her arm out to beckon to Louis. Louis walked over and took a knee with Lady Chris.

"As you know, it is the choice of the master what your first weapon well be. What you might not know, is the number of choices and the symbolism of each one. When I was apprenticing with Lord Bellard i remember that the first lesson I learned as a squire was from my weapon. The first one I got was a net and spear. It's not a customarily used weapon in these parts but it showed me that in different places different morals are valued and showed me skills I would need to become a good leader. I use a sword now, but I'll never forget how to use the weapons of the fisherman." she said to him.

"And now it's your turn. As for your first weapon, I've put a lot of thought into i... Leo get your head out from under that blanket! As I was saying, Ihave been with you through all of this fighting and all of this turmoil,all this aggresion. So why don't you take a look see what's under the blanket." Chris said. Louis turned around and threw the blanket off. Under it lay his new Squire's Armor. Underneath the breast plate and shoulder guards lay a round orange plate. It had iron edges and was an oblong shape. A square with half circles on opposite ends. In the middle was a dark brown stag head and it had a yellow diagonal slash in the back ground over the base orange color.

"A sheild? Thank you Lady Chris, but I'm a bit confused." Louis said with a quizicallook cast across his face. "I'll teach you the lessons of having a shield with time. Patience is a virtue, and Knights are to be virtuous." Chris said.

KNOCK KNOCK! "Thomas we need to be leaving now! You don't want to get left behind do you?" Cecile's voice echoed in the silent hallway. She was dressed in her father Brown's armor. She was standing in front of the closed door waiting for Thomas to finish packing and getting ready to leave.

Thomas emerged from his chambers dressed differently than he normally would. He had abandoned his normal manor cloths for an outfit more fitting for their journey. Over his brown coat he had a brand new silver breastplate and over his normal "high-water" socks he wore brand new leg gaurds. He had his masters sword equiped to the side of his also new leather belt. His appearance had changed but he was still Thomas, and wearing his concerned face.

"I'm ready. Lets go." Thomas said in a soft voice. He had never been a loud person since his mother had died. He wished he could have done something more for her, something to keep her from dying but now she was gone and he had finally come to terms with that. Thomas and Cecile walked down the hall and into the foyer.

"Sebastian, in my leave you are the master of this castle. Please take good care of it." Thomas said as he walked by Sebastian. "Yes sir, of course." Sebastian responded as he straitened his posture. "I will ensure the safety of the property and all those who are residents of it."

"Thank you" Thomas called as he and Cecile headed out the door.

Joker, Ace, Geddoe, Queen, Jacques, Ten, Chris, Loius, Hugo, and Fubar all stood in the flower garden now and saw Thomas and Cecile approach. "Lets go already!" Ace cried. "We've been waiting all day!" Geddoe looked over at him and he quickly became silenced.

"I apologize. Lets be off then."