As the group began traveling deeper and deeper into the forest, Soren couldn't help but notice Kaethe's blank stare. Something about her had changed and it wasn't for the better. Soren walked closer and upon inspection, Kaethe's eyes were slightly red. Had she been crying?

Soren thought against it since they hadn't been walking for very long, and someone would've caught her crying. Perhaps she had been rubbing at an irritation. Soren shook his head again, for he knew Kaethe wasn't that careless. She always took the time to apply salves and protective lotions. If there was one person who didn't enjoy being bitten, it was definitely his teacher.

Their small band of warriors was beginning to get ahead of Soren and Kaethe. Either that or Soren had slowed down to Kaethe's half-hearted pace. He took this chance to consult with her. "Kaethe, you aren't acting like yourself. Is something wrong?"

Kaethe murmured, "Have you ever bothered to ask me about my past?" Soren didn't respond. Her question was an odd one indeed. Why would she bring up her past all of a sudden like that? "It's true. I delved in Necromancy. When the others wanted to wait for you, I went ahead and summoned an imp. It doesn't take much to make one obedient. Summoning one is an entirely different story. I always feel light-headed and woozy."

Soren said nothing and rubbed his knuckles against Kaethe's thick skull. She winced, but didn't complain. She knew she deserved it for being so foolish. Soren took a deep breath and stopped in front of Kaethe. He held his arms open and looked to the side. Kaethe embraced him for a quick second and her smile returned.

Flushed from embarrassment, Soren hid his face behind his palm and sighed. Kaethe was simply too easy to please. Soren started to catch up with the group, but Kaethe yanked at his sleeve. Soren waited for her and asked, "What is it now?"

Kaethe smiled softly with guilty eyes. She calmly said, "Soren, you may hate me after this mystery is solved. But do remember that I'll always protect you. And it's not to repent. It's because I want to. Heed my words." She took a breath and exclaimed, "I'm sorry I couldn't protect them for you."

With her ambiguous smile and cheery disposition, Kaethe waded through to the front of the group. Soren replayed her words over and over in his mind. As he rewinded the tape in his mind, events began to make themselves clear. Soren told himself that he would have to ask Volke what kind of a man Kaethe's father was, and to ask Kaethe how her mother died.

Soren looked around for Zyan and saw him conversing with Rolf cheerfully. Shinon pulled Rolf away from Zyan earning a few bawls from his student. The sniper was at a loss and left Rolf to play with the Branded boy. An annoyed growl emitted from his mouth when Rolf ran behind his legs. "Stop messing around!"

Rolf grinned and cried out, "Unkie Shinon!" Shinon smacked his forehead in frustration and flicked Rolf's head with his finger. "Owwie!" Ranulf and Mist began to erupt in laughter. Jill stared at Rolf and Shinon trying to hide her own chuckle. Volke was off in his own silent world and Kaethe giggled. Soren shook his head with sympathy.

Soren crossed his arms and began pondering Volke's words. My parents knew The Ebon Arrow. They were close enough to have been murdered by him. Why would he murder them? Was the loss of his wife too great for him to handle? How did his wife die anyways?

"Thinking hard?" Soren turned around and saw Stefan. How had that happened? Stefan was leading the group just a second ago. Stefan pulled against the collar of his jacket to show his red Branded symbol. "Those who resemble beorc have red symbols. Those like Zyan have blue symbols. Need my help?"

Soren thought for a moment about Stefan's decision to help. They didn't know much about Stefan other he had pretended to be hermit, and he knew how to wield the sword quite well. Was it risky to put his trust in the swordmaster? "I suppose you could lend your knowledge-"

"Murderer! Leave Rolf alone!" Soren recognized Zyan's voice accented by living a beast-like lifestyle.

"Pah, what's this? The little freak is calling me a murderer?" That snappy voice belonged to Shinon.

"You shot down Violet. I saw your cape and hair! The shadows don't hide everything, killer!"

Soren stared at Stefan asking if he could check it out and Stefan nodded. So Soren went further up the path where the argument had broken out. Zyan was busy swiping his hands at Shinon whom had taken Rolf's bow for some reason. Rolf was standing in the middle trying to stop them. "Zyan, I can always get a new bow. Besides, it is a little crooked. I'll make a better one!"

Zyan yelled, "That's no excuse for this jerk to make you cry!"

Shinon bellowed, "Rolf isn't crying. Mind your own business you insolent pup!" Soren clutched his forehead in annoyance. It was tempting to blow everyone away with a tornado, but then they would avenge themselves tenfold. Sure they would've stopped arguing, but only to team up against him. Soren didn't want to be the one caught in a rampage.

"All of you, silence! Rolf, Zyan, walk at the back of the group. Shinon, stay in front where we can all keep an eye on you." Shinon glared at Kaethe and hastily glanced away ignoring her. He tossed Rolf his bow. Kaethe closed her eyes and began to fume. "Listen to me or I'll send you to a premature hell!" Shinon huffed and stomped off to the front of the group.

Soren cocked an eyebrow and sighed. "Someone's grumpy. That's rare." Soren trailed behind the two boys and looked around for Stefan. The swordmaster apparently had disappeared. "Ranulf, do you know where Stefan went?"

Ranulf turned around as he walked and shook his head. "Sorry, can't help you there." Soren sighed and continued strolling.

Soon they came to a clearing. Zyan ran ahead and tripped over a rock jutting out of the ground. Kaethe rushed over to help him up. Soren grimaced. That's what she did the first time we met. On my way to the mercenary group, I was bumped into by some inattentive idiot. Kaethe helped me up.

Soren walked over to Zyan and stared at his palm. There were still signs of the slash Soren had made. Soren stared at his blue sash. He had seen the purple robes and yellow sash for sages, but he preferred his own clothes. Soren fingered the silky material and grabbed his knife. Gradually he moved his knife back and forth against the sash. It finally cut loose, and Soren wrapped Zyan's hand.

Zyan smiled and Soren stuck his tongue out blankly. "One time only, kid."

"Kid! I bet I'm older than you!" Zyan growled and pounced onto the ground. Soren took a step back and felt someone's hands on his shoulders.

Kaethe smiled at Soren. She looked at Zyan and pouted. "Nuh-uh. Bad kitty. You two be nice to each other." Soren grinned triumphantly as Zyan scowled feebly. "Soren…" Zyan laughed as Soren let out a grunt.

Rolf came up to Zyan and chased him further down the area. The two boys glanced up, one proudly and the other in awe as a sign of civilization came into view. "It's where I call home." Zyan rubbed his nose and sneezed.

Soren stared at the rundown huts made of thatch and vines. Remains of former buildings were leaning to one side in slumped heaps. Here and there were ceramic pots filled with possibly food and drink. A pot hanging above a fire rested in the center of the abandoned village. A sign of former civilization was more like it.

Zyan led the group to a single building that still stood. A sickly couple came walking out of the doorway. As soon as they laid their eyes on the Greil Mercenaries, they fled back into their house. Zyan ran after them, leaving Soren and the others curious. Soren walked around the back of the house and saw a grave marker – a mound of dirt sprinkled with flower blossoms. "Here lies Violet. I'll avenge her no matter what! Zyan"

Soren touched his forehead. He closed his eyes and sighed. "Don't try to sneak up on me. What is it Stefan?"

Stefan stroked the hilt of his blade and grinned. He put a hand on Soren's shoulder, which Soren slapped away abruptly. Not the least bit displeased, Stefan laughed and patted Soren on the head. Soren didn't want to know if the pat was in a mocking manner or affectionate. Both were distasteful in his opinion.

"Kaethe had godparents for about a year to look after her, after the father left. Her mother died of an illness, a simple flu that hadn't been treated properly. I bet you're curious as to how I know this." Soren nodded his head. "Volke may be a bodyguard under hire… but I'm a family friend. Kaethe's mom always had this strong will to help the Branded. It was her calling of all things. Anyways, it was Vandal, Scorcher, and me, Hex. We had these little code names. Volke would always go off on his own gathering 'intelligence'."

Soren held up his hand and Stefan stopped. "Uh, could you go a little slower? Code names?"

Stefan chuckled, "Oh, of course!" He cleared his throat and continued, "So the three of us tended to venture around when we were younger. A lot younger. Kaethe lived near Gallia. In the desert in fact. After I heard about her mother's death… well, Kaethe was different. She was still kind and all, but she had this loneliness about her. I became a hermit just to hide my identity as a Branded. Nothing much behind my story."

"All of this, what does it have to do with me again?"

Stefan scratched the back of his head and answered, "Her godparents are your parents." Soren stared at him in surprise. He ran back to the center of the village. Soren looked around frantically for Kaethe and saw her arguing with Shinon again.

He ran up to her and demanded, "Who killed my parents? You know, I know you do!"