Departure

Morning.

Arthen and the others waited patiently at the airship dock for theirs to arrive.

Innes wasted time challenging anyone that walked by to duels while Arthen and Tina sorted through the details Vidar had provided and the Siel's Relics. Objects of great power that were once thought to have not existed at all. These items were the keys to their future. The Balaur must not have possession of them, no matter the cost.

Tina's gaze fell to the ground. "I see."

"It's definitely a serious matter," Arthen told her. "The future of Atreia is at stake. I'm still trying to take it all in, myself."

"I wonder what they are going to have us do in this."

"If we're lucky," Arthen continued. "It will be a simple matter. But something tells me that won't be the case."

Tina took a deep breath and exhaled. "I guess we'll have to find out once we get there and talk to Richelle."

Arthen nodded in agreement.

"Hey there…" A soft male's voice spoke from behind them.

Tina and Arthen both turned.

It was Vince.

"Oh, didn't see you," Tina remarked.

Vince smiled. "I know. That's what I do best."

Tina smiled.

"I couldn't help but over hear that you guys are getting all the fun and exciting saving-the-world stuff. So I thought that I'd butt in."

"You're free to join us," Arthen told him.

Vince laughed and glanced down at the ground and back up again at Tina and Arthen, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "I'd love to but I do have my own things to do." He paused before fixing his gaze on Tina. "Unless you want me to come along."

Tina shook her head. "You don't have to. We know that you like to do your own thing. It's not like you would be paid either."

"Yeah…" He sighed. "Well if you need me for whatever reason and change your mind, you know how to find me."

Tina smiled. "We'll let you know if we need anything from you."

"She's right," Arthen told him.

Vince nodded and smiled before finally darting off again.

"You know," Arthen continued. "We could really use his help this time. We don't know what to expect and if we need him, there is no telling how long it would take for him to get out there.

The cleric shrugged. "We should be fine, I think. I don't want to have to burden him with something that isn't his responsibility, especially if things do take a turn for the worse."

"I suppose," Arthen responded.

Moments later, the sound of clanging bells filled their ears as their ship became visible in the distance. A large wooden ship with tall sails pushed through the air by strong propellers and only the latest technology engineered by shugos, themselves.

Workers readied cargo that would be placed on board and maintenance personnel prepared their tools for check ups once the ship docked.

After unboarding everyone and everything, they started to let others on. Mostly soldiers and others stationed in Gelkmaros.

Once the three were on board and everything was running fine with supplies packed below deck, they were bound for Balaurea.

"Wow, another one already? Geeze, it must be a record." The dark haired scout chuckled.

Vince was in Morheim, the busiest place in Asmodae second to Pandaemonium. Many people lived in the highest mountains overlooking the snowfield which towered the patamor thicket and the sprigg habitat, both very sparse woodland areas where the remnants of the ancient Elims, tree guardians, lived with other creatures. Even further was the Salintus desert, surrounded by hills and mountains and fiery volcanoes.

He sat high on a rocky cliff overlooking the desert watching the passers-by below, mostly scouting for enemy Elyos who made their way into the asmodian lands. This was a common hot spot for intruders.

He sat comfortably, peering down at one Elyos who was making its way to the sprigg habitat on the other side of the hills behind him. Vince watched him carefully and grimaced. "Do they all walk like that?"

After another moment when there was no sign of him stopping or turning around, Vince drew two daggers from their sheathes on his back and crouched down as he went into stealth.

The hapless Elyos continued forward as fast as he could. Blonde hair, blue eyes, and clad in light armor. He was untouched by trial or darkness unlike the Asmodians who possessed sharpened claws and long manes down their backs and eyes that glowed red in the face of battle.

Vince jumped down from his spot and landed behind the enemy. He readied his blades, eyes glowing crimson, and went in for the attack.

Immediately the Elyos swung around and shouted something intelligible in Elysean.

Vince paused and looked around him and then back at the enemy.

"I…must…" The blonde shook his head, eyes wide. "Elim…message…important.."

Vince sighed and shook his head. "Not happening today, buddy." Another moment and his blades tore through the Elyos like paper and it fell to the ground, face first into the desert sand.

"When will they learn?" The scout laughed as he wiped off his weapons and put them away. "Hmm…"

"Vince of the Fenris Fangs?" A squeaky voice inquired behind him.

The scout spun around to see a furry shugo standing before him. "Gah! Don't call me by that title out here like this!" He chastised.

"Oh sorry…Nyerk." Came the reply.

"What is it?"

"A missive, sir. It's from Viscum"

"I'll take that, thanks." Vince told him.

The shugo nodded and handed him the letter. "That be all. I must be going. Time is silver, friend. Akakakaka." With that, the shugo hurried off again.

The scout opened the letter and unfolded it. The letter read simply:

Vince, meet me in Primum Landing. I have a new assignment for you. When you are here, you will receive the rest of the details. I will be looking forward to seeing you soon.

Blood for blood,

Commander Viscum

Vince grinned and folded up his missive and tucked it nicely into his jerkin where it was safe. "Sounds like I've got myself another mark." The scout muttered an incantation and drew a rune on the back of his left hand with his right. When it glowed brightly, he covered it with the palm of his other hand and vanished.

"Ack I'm gonna be sick!" Innes doubled over the side of the ship in agony.

"You should go below decks if you're feeling that bad," Tina told him.

"No," the red head contested. "I'll be okay up here… I think. Augh."

Tina sighed. "We'll be there very soon now. Just a little longer."

"I hope so." The mage groaned.

Tina turned to Arthen. "Do you know how long it will be? Innes is absolutely miserable."

Arthen thought for a moment before answering. "Another hour, I think." He looked over at Innes. "Maybe some medicine would help?"

"I can see what I have. Something should work." The cleric opened the flap on her satchel and began digging through her things until she pulled out an amber shaded glass bottle. She handed it to Innes. "That might help your stomach," she told him.

The mage snatched the bottle from her and popped off the corn and poured the contents of the bottle down his throat, desperate for relief.

After a moment, Tina smiled. "Better?"

The red head paused before answering her. "Yes. A little."

She nodded. "Good. Give it a little bit to work. You should go lower and rest. We'll get you when we're almost there."

"Thanks," he said before heading off to the lower quarters of the ship.

"I never knew that he had such bad motion sickness," Arthen remarked.

"Really?" Tina looked at him. "Or maybe you've just never noticed."

The warrior laughed. "I guess not."

Tina smiled. "One hour, huh?"

"Yep," Arthen told her. "Then we'll get some answers out of Richelle. Maybe the situation isn't so bad."

"I hope so." Tina exhaled and turned her gaze to the distant clouds that passed them by.

I hope.