The royal fool stood abroad outside the audience chamber. He giggled and jumped around as he saw the Arisen walking towards him.

"Dear Maker," she scoffed, "He actually kept you?"

Feste frowned, but the laughed again. "Tonight's the night the bitter Knight leaves the comfort shores of home, for heady depths of court."

"Bitter knight?"she repeated.

Feste smiled. "Pray, let this token from humble Feste render favor with the leviathens within." He placed something atop her head, but she tore it off and threw it back at him.

"I'll serve none your japes fool."

She pushed open the doors to the audience chamber. Castle knights lined the way to the duke. She spotted Julien and Mercedes among the knights. The duke was talking to his steward, then halted when the Arisen approached.

"Are you she?" the duke asked.

The Arisen nodded. "I am. I seek your guidance, ser. Pray, I know not of how to be an Arisen."

"And we know not for your name. I am duke Skylar Thaddeus."

""Tis a great pleasure, ser. But I do not wish to reveal my name. I just prefer to be called the Arisen."

"Fair enough. As an Arisen past, I slew the dragon a year ago."

"If you had slain the dragon, then how could he have taken my heart?"

He rubbed his chin. "I know not. But I will take you under my wing. Apprentice you to ones Lord Julien and ser Mercedes. And offer you a place in my court."

"And do what? Be your little marionette? No thanks."

"Marionette? What is that?"

The Arisen laughed. " You should really get out more."

"Hmm. If you do not wish to be knighted, then at least let me offer a place to rest your head."

"I'll stick with the inn." She sighed. "Look, ser, the longer I am here talking to you about nonsense, the longer I am not looking to kill that dragon."

"You must not go after him yet. You would not even know where to begin your journey."

"I know the dragon makes his roust in the Tainted Mountain, just beyond the Greatwall encampment."

"You don't even have any information for the journey."

"'Tis said that the Dragonforged compiled multiple books and scrolls containing tactics against many creatures."

"One is forbidden to step foot at Hillfigure Knoll."

"Oh? And why is that."

Duke Skylar jumped up, "Because I forbid it!" He sat back down on his throne. "How did you aquire such knowledge?"

She grinned. "Where I come from, there isn't much aught to do. I ended up just reading a lot of books."

"Where do you hail from?"

"Pray, the BitterBlack Isle, ser."

The whole room hushed and started at her in awe.

Riven and the others slept as the Arisen ran through a few books borrowed from Camilla and Stefen. She found little to no information about a heart stealing dragon, but she came across the Tainted Mountain and other dragons. While the others slept, she commonly read aloud to herself.

"The Tainted Mountain was probably once a regular mountain, but was corrupted after the invasion of demonic creatures. The temple is a tower built straight upon The Greatwall. The fortress allows access to the Temple through a series of underground caverns.. I already know this." She flipped through more pages. She stopped when a word caught her eye. "It is implied that the Dragonforged was once a citizen of the great civilization upon the mountain ranges surrounding The Tainted Mountain, now abandoned, crumbling, and fallen into ruin. It is theorised that he was chosen to become Arisen, and when he failed to slay The Dragon, instead making a pact with it, he fled into hiding with his pawn and his kingdom laid to waste."

There was a loud bang outside. She looked out the window and saw nothing but darkness, then returned to her books. Closing one, then opening another. "Wyrms are powerful magical casters, possessing an array of deadly magical attacks, the means of flight, and the ability to breath Ice to freeze their foes solid. All lesser dragonkin can seize control over the will of Pawns for a brief period and then use them against the Arisen. The Wyrm bears a glowing stomach where its heart resides and serves as an exploitable weakness. Wyrms are similar to its cousins, the Drake and the Wyvern, bearing many of the same abilities and characteristics, however it is instead related to the Ice element. As such the Wyrm bears a natural weakness to Fire based attacks. It is said that the witch of the woods can understand Wyrm Speak." She looked up. Witch of the woods.. Where have I heard that? She thought back to her arrival. "Selene!"

She rummaged through the pile of books around her and picked up another after another. Opening them all and flipping through them until she found what she was looking for. "A mysterious forest covered in a thick fog. The curse can be permanently undone by destroying seven Fog Talismans found scattered in the Witchwood. Its source is unknown. Witchwood is divided into two areas. This second area is accessed via a door located next to the Hut, that is originally blocked by a Golem. It is located East of The Ruins of Aernst Castle entrance and South of The Encampment, following the road from both of those locations in the direction stated, you will come across a fork, take the path leading south closest to the edge. Selene is a mysterious young girl who resides in the mist-enveloped Witchwood. No one seems to know her history or background, but she's an excellent herbalist."

She slammed the book against the wall. "Damn it!" Dropping her head into her hands, there was a noise next to her.

"You take your reading very seriously," a voice said.

Looking up, the blond knight from earlier stood next to a castle guard. Both had bags at the ready.

"Julien, right?" she asked. "What do you want?"

"Is that any way to address a lord?" the guard commanded.

"It is if you don't care," she replied. The guard glared at her and she looked over at Julien. "Is there anything I can assist you with.. Lord Julien."

He handed her a scarp of paper. "A message from the duke."

"He has couriers, no?"

"He does." There was a hint of confusion in his voice.

"I'm just curious as to why he sent you instead of an actual messenger." She unfolded the paper. "By order of the duke, please escort Lord Julien to his post at Windbluff Tower. See to his safety and protection." She laughed, "What? The all mighty Lord Julien can't handle himself? Windbluff tower isn't even fifteen miles from here."

He slightly grinned. "It's the middle of the night, 'tis dangerous to travel in small numbers."

"And adding one more will help?"

"You will not bring your pawns?"

She looked over at she slumbering pawns. "I'll let them sleep. Let me grab my gear and we'll be off."

Lord Julien stood alone outside of the capital with two horses at the ready. The Arisen looked around.

"Where'd the guard go?" she asked.

He handed her the reigns, "He got called back to the castle. 'Tis just you and me. Objections?"

"None. Lets go."

They mounted their horses and strode off to Windbluff. They rode in silence for a good while. The Arisen looked over at Julien.

"What's on your mind?" she asked.

"Begging your pardon?"

"Somethings wrong. Whats wrong?"

"I was just curious," he started. "What is it like on the BitterBlack Isle?"

"It's a very dark and very mysterious place. Countless Arisen have visited this place in hopes of finding something. On a quest by a king of old or just for fame and glory, many who travel into the maze have never seen the light of day again. There lives unspeakable creatures of which no one has seen outside those walls."

"Have you seen this creature?"

"No. Olra never let me near the main entrance of isle."

"Does she know your name?"

She giggled. "She's the one that named me."

"They why does no one else know it?"

"On the isle, it's kill or be killed. There isn't a single thing on that island that wont try to make a meal of you; or at least try to eat your face off. Trust no one, trust nothing."

"And you survived for nineteen years.."

"I'm surprised I made it past being an infant."

She rode a little fast, but Julien caught up.

"I'm a hunter, Julien. Not a warrior. I have no place in the dukes court. You have no idea how out of place I feel just being in the presence of a knight of your stature."

"What do you mean?"

"As you beheld the great leader who stood at the head of such men, the purity in your heart began to slowly but surely blacken, yet you stayed loyal to your homeland and its people. You rose against the duke and sent him to his exile. You are a hero among the people of Gransys. I look up to you Julien. Your the reason I want to become strong. I want to earn a real title. maybe start anew here in Gransys."

"You are certainly ambitious., Arisen. I thank you for the kind words. I never knew I could have so much influence in someones life."

"It's more then influence. You are a role model to some of us. There are those who you don't even know who would follow you into oblivion and back."

He blushed, and the Arisen stopped abruptly.

"What is the matter?" he asked. "We are almost there."

"We're being followed."

In the blink of an eye, both Julien and the Arisen were thrown off their horses and knocked unconscious.

The Arisen slowly opened her eyes. It was dark, but she could see Lord Julien passed out and chained down next to her. Shackles were around her own wrists and ankles. She started to yank and tug at them, but they wouldn't budge.

"Julien?" she whispered. "Julien!"

"He can't hear you," a deep voice boomed. "He'll be out for another hour or two. Seems the duke most famous knight is also a weakling."

She scanned the dark room, but saw no one. "Who are you? Reveal yourself!"

"Ah, but you know very well who I am. You just may not realize it yet, young Arisen."

"So what do you plan to do with us? Kill us."

There was a loud maniacal laugh. "I have no intention to kill either of you."

"Then what is your intention?"

"An early warning." He chuckled. "We will meet again, my dear. In time."

A bight shining light surrounded the both her and Julien. She had to close her eye it was so bright. When she opened them again, she was standing in the middle of Windbluff tower. Julien was asleep on a cot and the horses tied up. One of the guards looked startled when he looked at her.

"Hail, ser" he said. "I wasn't expect you to come here alone."

The Arisen stumbled on her words. "Lord Julien is on his cot. We.. ran into a spot of trouble but nothing we couldn't handle." She bowed. "If you'd excuse me, I'll head back to Gran Soren."

"Alone? At this time of night?"

"I can handle myself, ser. But I thank you for the concern."

Untying her horse, the Arisen makes for the capital. She made it back by the next morning. Her pawns were awaiting her outside the inn. Riven jumped up when he saw his master walk through the doors of Gran Soren.

"Master!" he called. "Where have you been? We were worried."

"I had to escort Lord Julien to his station. I just got back."

"And you needed us not?" Duccio asked.

"I didn't want to wake you for such a simple mission."

"Is something the matter?" Mel asked. "You seem a little shaken up, master. Did something happen?"

"No," she quickly. "Everything is fine." She sighed. "I need to go speak with duke Skylar."

Her pawns awaited her outside the castle gates while she spoke with the duke. She burst through the doors while a loud bang.

"I assume Julien made it safely?" he said.

"We were attacked last night, and taken prisoner."

"But you escaped obviously. How?"

"He let us go?"

"And where was the guard I sent along?"

"He said he had other business to attend to here at the castle."

"I made no such decision."

"Well someone did."

The duke went silent. The Arisen could tell he was worried about something beyond her knowledge.

"Apparently, you seem to still have a few enemies out there, your grace. If you permit it, I will hunt down the attacker."

"No," he answered. "Do not track him down."

"With all due respect, ser, I was the one attacked."

"And one of my honored guards." He raised his hand. "Leave me to thing."

The Arisen shook her head and walked out of the castle. She noticed a woman in the gardens. After approaching, the woman stood up.

"Lady Aelinore?"

"My, my." The duchess stood and giggled. "Apologies dear warrior. But to see a face austere as the castle walls much as yours. Still, 'tis more agreeable then the endlessly dour air of most of my husbands sworn swords. Valor dwells in the heart after all. The brave aught not need their raiment to speak for their mettle, no?"

"What in the bloody Makers name are you talking about?"

She stood in silence just staring at the Arisen.

"I should get going," the Arisen said awkwardly.

Shaking her head, she headed for gates but was stopped by a woman. It was Mirabelle, the duchess' maid.

"Begging your pardon Arisen, but may ask a favor of you?"

"What?"

"We mustn't speak here, meet me tonight in the castle gardens."

The Arisen gave her a look and left the castle. What could she want with me? How would I even get past the guards?

Riven smiled at his master after she passed the gates. "I overheard the conversation between you and Mirabelle. You think it wise to meet her at night?"

"I guess we'll find out tonight."

Just as she had said, Mirabelle awaited the Arisen in the gardens.

"Lady Aelinore has requested a privet audience with you in her chamber. 'Tis quite strange of her to have such a request."

"I just want to get this over with."

The Arisen snuck into the castle and made her way the the duchess' bedroom, removing her mask and cowl upon entry. The duchess smiled and ran to the Arisen.

"My warrior has come for me."

"Your warrior?"

"You must think me a shameless harlot."

"I'm starting to actually."

Without warning, the duke stormed in with castle guards.

"What is the meaning of this?!" he boomed. "I heard there was an intruder, but you Arisen?"

"Your wife is a harlot, your grace."

"How dare you!"

"If you waited just a few more minutes, she probably would have tried to give herself to me."

"Enough! Have this villain removed."

The guards took the Arisen to the dungeons where she spent the night and whipped. Ser Jakob released her the next morning and she stumbled out of the castle gates. Riven caught her as she fell.

"Master!" He looked her over, "You're hurt! How did this happen?"

"That bitch of a duchess." She stood up and Riven assisted her walk by putting her arm around his shoulder. "Lets get back to the in, we need to do a little investigation. I think the duke is hiding something."