5
The group of close to forty approached the part of the jungle fourteen of them had been some days ago. Not all were of Tyria Vanguard, but were affiliated only because of unpaid debts, gestures of braveness and interest, but most of all what was at risk. The next elder dragon to rise was enough reason for many to mend hatreds and form new allegiances.
Aerion chuckled watching the broad, tall ogre lash away at the jungle debris not native to its home. Its devourer pets too appeared to have trouble, not used to the terrain.
"Long ways from home, eh, Cravisk?" Aerion joked smiling, realizing just how far they were from the Ascalon area. He had never held a conversation with an Ogre before and found enough courage to impose since he knew its name from Skarr.
Cravisk looked over to the human. "I am. Yesh,"
"Why are you here?" Aerion wondered aloud walking past jungle brush with ease.
"I am here to rebay a dept to Shkarr Hyuuman. He helped my kraal, sho I reshpect him and I will reshpect you. What is yor name?" asked the Ogre in worn yet lavish leathers. The two medium sized horns intimidated Aerion slightly, not to mention the mask covering Cravisk's nose and mouth. The odd axe-like weaponry that was hand crafted by the Ogre looked tantalizing yet warmed Aerion knowing Cravisk was an ally.
"I am Aerion and I respect you too, hunter. You and the kraal you hail from. To even be able to work with anyone outside your kraal in an orderly fashion speaks a lot for you guys.," Aerion meant what he said and found it weird being allies with an Ogre.
"Thanks Aryon," Cravisk said with a hidden smile. His devourer pets stayed at his side peering around the jungle they traversed. The one on Cravisk's right was sifting through the jungle dirt. As it walked, searching for a snack.
"Everyone!" Nivrin shouted standing atop the same hill he had perched on previously while finding out about the shadows and Mordremoth's minions. He peered at the many before him while watching the sun rise. Officers of the Vanguard walked up and stood in front of the mass group.
"We go out today to not only look into a possible threat, but to reassure those in our land that it is theirland that is safe." Nivrin looked to those who began to cheer and rally, "No need for that, no noise. We do not want to draw attention. We get in there, investigate, and leave. I plan for no lives to be lost. You all come to us from different life trodden paths, and I expect you to keep going about that path after this detour."
Mainly composed of the five dominant races, there were many among the mass group from other walks of life. Mixed in with the Tyria Vanguard were representatives from the Priory, Whispers, and Vigil, as well as Pact officials. Though the Pact was the coalition of the three orders, it had become more of Trahearne's unit against elder dragons, almost becoming its own order. Not just the other orders were there. Ogre's, Skritt, Hylek and Quaggan mixed in the group. Two Centaur trotted along in accordance with a peace treaty and to seek out the centaur cousins that inhabited the Wastes many years ago. Even one Tengu was among them all, somehow having ties with Nivrin and/or the Order of Whispers.
"We will meet back here at dusk fall and," Nivrin started before looking at the group in a new light. There was no title to cover this mass of individuals. Though from different walks of life, they were still amassed for a single cause. A sole purpose. They needed a title, in Nivrin's eyes anyways.
"Nivrin, are you alright?" William asked wondering about the pause.
"I am fine William. Just eager to move out," Nivrin lied, thinking of what to name the group.
"Then call for us to head out?" William retorted wondering why Nivrin was lagging.
"We shall in just a second," Nivrin looked away from William and looked to everyone. "Today we hope to find some clue our claim is true. Mordremoth is a new name to many of us, but has lingered through the ages in books and legend. This group we have collected is more than formidable for what Elder Dragons can exhume, for many of us were there for Zhaitan's fall, but first we must prepare. Learn. Make right our claim before we act." Nivrin smiled and continued seeing some smiles back and some confused faces, "We will be the forerunners of what may come. We will be brash and face the front before all else," Nivrin grinned. He was okay with the name in his head, though he also thought it could have used more thought put into it. The name was fine for now however. "We are the Forefront."
The group offered a few cheers and nods before seeing Nivrin called off the noise again.
William chuckled, "That'swhy you were paused. Not everything needs a label Niv," William offered with a hand.
"Ah, but a designation makes us stronger William," Nivrin said before looking to his officers. He leapt down and looked around wondering where to start.
"How will we divide?" Skarr asked eager to make way.
"We take small teams and spread out. Pact, Vigil, Priory, and those from the Chantry, form up. I will select a crew to accompany me for differed reasons. And the rest just find a grouping."
William glanced at Nivrin at the comment as Amerial went to speak, but saw Nivrin's face of disinterest and stopped herself.
"We search for anything we can use to our advantage. Anything we can use to either reassure our safety or ensure our next battle for Tyria," Nivrin's eyes bulged slightly having forgotten to relay information, "Oh! I forgot!" he shouted, "Make sure before you leave to align yourselves with the waypoint that Grebb and Revvo are erecting to get back easier, otherwise it will be a long walk." Nivrin saw the two Asura's work in the distance. "Also, thanks to Revvo and the Priory, we have lights to use for incase we run into trouble."
"Let's just call them flares Niv," Aerion commented while leaned up against a tree.
"Flares even. Everyone here will each be given a flare by Aerion. If you run into trouble, erm," he stopped unsure where to go next with the information. He had no clue how to use these flares and looked to Aerion.
"You just put your fist in the air with it in your hand, make sure everyone is close by, and use it. That's it. The device will do the rest," Aerion shouted grinning at Nivrin.
"Yes, what he said!" Nivrin looked faintly disgruntled by his fellow human guild mate. "Hey, I'm more of a blades kind of guy, not gizmos," he commented to Aerion, who just nodded.
The groups began forming. People walked around chatting while figuring out where they needed to be. Nivrin shooed others away until he stood alone with the Tengu.
"Kydrei. You are with me," he spoke to the Tengu.
"I know this already," replied the bird-like being with bright green eyes and an orange-yellow beak. The gray colors of its feathers entwined perfectly with the black ones, making it not only stand out, but appeal to the Order of Whispers attire it adorned. The blades it wore as part of the Tengu's wardrobe were even shaped and made like feathers.
Nivrin nodded. He glanced out over the groups and then to the mass unsure where to go. He grinned seeing his divine Norn ally.
"Arrik. I need you with me."
Arrik looked up, surprised Nivrin wanted him. "Uh, alright. I'll be glad to." He walked over to Nivrin and Kydrei, clad with a shining aura and a smile. He had no complaints with it. Vaskar, who was right beside Arrik when Nivrin asked, looked over wondering if he would be included. Nivrin looked to him seeing his wandering eye. He felt bad. "You too. Let's go." Vasker did the same, joining Nivrin and the other two.
"I do think I should go with the leader of all of this," spoke a human to Nivrin with three people behind him, obviously his servants by his royal attire and golden colors.
"And who appointed me leader in all this?" Nivrin jutted back, "I do not want such the title. I am already a leader of a guild, Sir Salreznar," Nivrin huffed hearing the human royalist speak to him.
"Then perhaps I can take up the role. It'd seem quite fitting for me." Salreznar said boasting his chest upward in stature as if he was almost positive he'd make such a great leader.
"I think a boot between his legs would fit better," Arrik said under his breath. Kydrei made an awkward noise, as if a laugh. Arrik was more surprised than glad he made a Tengu laugh.
"Fine by me. The title is yours Salreznar," Nivrin said rolling his eyes ever so slightly, "However, you will not accompany me and my crew." Nivrin turned back to the group on non-grouped soldiers.
"And why not?" Salreznar asked offended. The wrinkles in his forehead from the raised eyebrows and the wide brown eyes belied the offensive face all too sternly. The royalist was used to hearing what he wanted to hear.
"I prefer ones who can fight for themselves and not have squires do the work and fighting for them."
Nivrin walked through the crowd after his comment. Kydrei and Arrik tagged along while Nivrin looked around for those he needed.
Sir Salreznar appeared angry, but in a way he never was before. The royalist was not used to being let down. He was declined and it felt unnerving. Stifled, he stumbled a bit while merely turning to his servants. Ignoring the event, he continued, "Alright. Everyone," Salreznar shouted, "I have been appointed leader. I am picking those to come with me. If you're with me, we go North!" Salreznar began to tear up slightly. Most present thought it from tears of joy at the new title, however they knew nothing of the saddened tears of reality Nivrin caused.
"Shathalia, with me," Nivrin said approaching her.
Shathalia turned around, interested in his order, as though it was a proposal to her.
"Me? Why do you want me?" she asked looking Nivrin over trying to figure out the intentions.
"For an array of reasons dear. Mainly because I saw how you fight. It interests me and I only now wish to see these skills better myself."
"No need for flattery guild master," Shathalia smiled after her remark.
"Was not trying to flatter you, just you fight like that of a thief or bandit and yet you're a death raiser. It is interesting, dear. Where did you train?"
"I taught myself with what I took from another," Shathalia said smiling faintly, only realizing she said took and had to clarify, "I mean learned, what I learned from another."
"Well it is as impressive as you are, dear. Please, come with me so I can study your combat more."
Shathalia grinned. It was a compliment and Shathalia loved it. She was a female after all. "Alright. I will go with you. Nikcoli is to accompany as well."
"No," Nivrin said sternly. His facial expressions didn't change in the least. He was too concerned with looking out his peripherals, though no one knew.
Shathalia was shocked by the response and now felt belittled instead of the small tingling of attraction. "Why not? We've been traveling together for the better part of my travels and to separate us now would just be a bad omen."
Nivrin tilted his head while glaring at Shathalia. "Bad omen for who Shathalia? Is that a threat Sylvari?" He asked knowing it wasn't. He was playing a game, of sorts.
"It wasn't, I was merely saying we've not yet been apart. We fight better together, study best in a pair and just do better alongside one another. We shouldn't part."
"Well you will be apart for this. Nikcoli is better suited to Amerial's group," Nivrin lied pointing to Amerial with her almost gathered group.
Shathalia looked to Nikcoli as she approached. Nivrin looked away, but stayed close, shouting for Dalvyr as a gimmick. He watched the ground looking to the little shadows that the trees and humanoids cast. A happy, yet worried façade coated Nivrin's face: his assumptions were correct. Nivrin leered downward uncontrollably.
"Nikcoli, how-," Shathalia started before her friend intervened.
"It shall be just fine, Shathalia. Calm down. Do not get emotional or overly into your combat, lest," Nikcoli looked around and saw Nivrin's gaze, "Well, we know what will happen. Just stay focused and do what you must. You are in need of this truthfully Shath. To be alone and control this yourself. You've become much better and you know this. It is time to test yourself."
Shathalia took a deep breath and smiled. "You're right, Nikcoli. I am sorry. Just haven't been away from you in such a long time."
"I understand. We are connected like sisters and I too feel the pain of this sever, but we cannot be together always. It will be good for us."
"True." Shathalia hugged her.
"Dalvyr," Nivrin said done eavesdropping and seeing him approach. His glance hadn't moved from the ground, still staring down at something.
"Yes?" the white one responded.
"I want you with me." Nivrin smiled and finally connected with Dalvyr's eyes.
Dalvyr looked confused. "You do?"
"I do."
"I thought you wanted for us officers to take a group out ourselves?" Dalvyr wondered out to Nivrin.
"I did." Nivrin did not look to speak another word, confusing Dalvyr more.
"Then what," Dalvyr started before stopping due to confusion.
"Amerial is entirely capable of leading your group, especially with Nikcoli now. They will be quite fine." Nivrin said knowing Nikcoli and Shathalia were right behind him, as if causing a tear in their emotions about the subject.
Dalvyr nodded. "And what do you want of me?"
"Your skills with a bow of course," Nivrin gloated.
Dalvyr smiled blankly, "No need to brag on me friend, it does not suit a Vanguardian such as yourself, but knowing you well now, I do believe there is more to it than that."
"Perhaps, but for now it is just of your archery." Nivrin smiled, nodded, and patted Dalvyr on the shoulder before looking out for another of his to be crew while walking past the white one.
The groups began to take form as Nivrin collected his last pieces to his investigating puzzle. Five groups formed up, which was perfect to Nivrin. Each group could walk off and investigate a different direction. The only fully formed and ready were the group of the orders and the newly formed group of Amerial's.
"Our group is ready Nivrin," Amerial said smiling.
"Oh? Who is your group composed of?" he asked looking them over.
"I have Nikcoli, William, Sonja, Gunnar, Kadra, Grebb and Revvo."
"Sounds fine to me. You will be just fine, especially with the two Asura."
Grebb and Revvo grinned, liking how Nivrin catered to their Asura brilliance tinged with arrogance.
"Speaking of which," Nivrin said looking to Revvo and Grebb, "Did you erect the waypoint?"
"Yep," Revvo responded while pointing to it a couple yards away in a clearing.
"We did. It is temporary, but temporary is a variable term when it comes to waypoints." Grebb began to scratch his head.
"What do you mean?" Nivrin asked wondering while looking at the floating Asura device in the distance.
"Well, waypoints aren't exactly a common knowledge internally. We know they do work, we don't know how they work," Grebb answered with a guilty smile.
"Define temporary, because I would prefer to get back at a decent hour towards dusk."
"I say temporary because it may be here for a couple days or a couple years. The input method I used are the same ones we used some years or so ago, where the waypoints would have to be replaced after so many years of working."
"Ah, so just for today is fine, right?" Nivrin wanted reassurance.
"Yes," Revvo and Grebb said simultaneously.
"Good," Nivrin said now looking to Amerial.
"We will head south, is that alright?" Amerial asked seeing his eyes.
"Yes, that is actually where I thought a group of your collection would be best to explore. Closer to Rata Sum and the Grove. Quite a good choice."
Amerial nodded to Nivrin and they set out before anyone else.
"Hey, where are they going? I want a few of them to be in my group!" Salreznar said walking up behind Nivrin.
"They're full. And it looks like your group is full too, Sir Salreznar…" Nivrin joked seeing Salzreznar, his protector and his two squires.
"We have no one else but us… Will no one join us?" he asked aloud, however he sounded desperate. Nivrin contemplated taking the rag-tag crew seeking only glory for the bored royalist. They merely wanted to broaden the royalist's name more. Nivrin wasn't sure if it was for more power, recognition, fame, fortune, or to strengthen his name. Either way, it was a bad reason for Nivrin. He regretted bringing them in that moment looking over their dull, despondent faces. He was about to accept them into his group when Skarr came up to them.
"You four just hanging around? Not looking to be part of this Forerunner group?"
"Forefront," Nivrin corrected.
"What? Yes. We are looking for more to join my supreme ranks. Our group will find exactly what us Forefront people are seeking," Salreznar bragged with an ignorant pride.
Skarr huffed. "Well if that's the case, get in my group. We need some fodder."
Salreznar choked on his spit at the fodder comment. The royalist didn't know how to react, but couldn't if he wanted to. He was busy trying to catch his breath and stop coughing while being offended.
"Well, that's settled," Nivrin said shaking his head and moving out before Skarr changed his mind. Mid way he saw a sole charr staring into a dagger it held. The blade almost resembled a short sword with its length and width.
"Bloodgaze, right?" Nivrin said approaching him. Nivrin made a point to figure out why his surname was Bloodgaze and why he had yet not been put in a group.
"Yes. That is me, Sworn. Sworn Bloodgaze," Sworn said peering up from his blade riddled stare. The crimson coated eyes caused Nivrin to smile, now knowing the truth behind his surname.
"Any affiliation with my Norn friend Hrafn Darkgaze? Part of the same Warband?" Nivrin joked.
"What?" Sworn asked confused at Nivrin's joke. He thought him serious, "No, no relation at all, save the 'gaze' part."
"A jest, sir, nothing more," Nivrin said disappointed, finding it more humorous than anyone else present evidently. "You've not picked a group?"
"You mean a group hasn't picked me," Sworn said sheathing the blade to his side.
"In that case, come along with me. We could use another pair of blades."
Sworn nodded with interest, not out of courtesy, while peeling himself from leaning against a tree. "Alright. Where to?"
"Behind me for now. With the rest of course," Nivrin commented now seeing the rest of his to-be crew conversing amongst themselves a few feet away. "Well, I don't know Verona, perhaps you're right, but the Borderlands are where I seek my glory. Rival guilds, renegade groups, enemy keeps and forts for ransacking, commanding large armies," the warrior said with an unseen smile beneath his helmet. A great sigh came from beneath the faceplate, "That's where the action is really at."
"While true," Nivrin interrupted Verona as she was about to speak, "if this proves to be an elder dragon, you'll have all the action you could ask for."
"You are?" Verona asked, peeved she was interrupted.
"I'm Nivrin, leader of the Tyia Vanguard. You are?"
"Verona," she put simply with quaint disgust.
"Well met," Nivrin said with a smile.
"I'm Hargox Chainblade, but call me Chain. Chain Legend. It is what I am known by," the Norn warrior said introducing himself while raising the faceplate on the helmet revealing deep brown eyes and some dark blue tendrils of hair, "And we are from the Last World Order."
"Last World Order? Does it encompass this world? The entire planet of Tyria?" Nivrin asked wondering with a hint of humor.
"Uh, yes?" Chain said wondering just what Nivrin was getting at.
"Ah, well that's nice. Kind of like us Tyria Vanguard then."
"Like the Ebon Vanguard?" Chain asked with a parallel humor.
"Kind of, except with less hatred towards the charr, more widespread, and not completely engrossed in reclaiming Ascalon."
"I see," Chain said as the two shared a laugh.
"So, are you and your crew in need of a group?" Niv asked eyeing those with Chain. They looked ready for whatever may come, which is what drove Nivrin to ask them.
"We are. Will you have us?" Chain said offering up a courtesy hand to Nivrin.
"I definitely will. And you will finish our grouping."
"Sounds good," Chain said turning, realizing he needed to introduce the rest of the crew with him, "Oh. This is Verona Warnell, blade mistress," Chain said hovering a hand to the female he spoke of. Clad in browns, blacks, and whites, with hints of gold, this human female looked all too ready for the journey ahead of her. The tight leathers adorning her figure left little to the imagination, yet enough to want the more yearning males to want to find out.
"Charmed," Verona said with the utmost lack of concern and care.
"This is Tipps, Asura dark magi," Chain motioned to the small sinister Asura. The dark colors and greens mixed with a sinister attire composed of both Asura intellect and decay appropriated the dark title.
Tipps nodded with half shut eyes. Or half open. Whichever was more likely for his master Asura plan.
"And this is Hesporos, my fellow fighter from the Borderlands," He waved to a human adorning red, blue and gold colored heavy armor.
"Yep, we met at the Borderlands, fought together and haven't changed since. Still fight everywhere together," Hesporos mentioned with a honorable nod to his fellow Borderlands partner.
"Well met all," Nivrin said bowing to the four. The introduced ones too bowed, Verona out of courtesy, not because she wanted to. Nivrin eyed Verona, somehow recalling her face somewhere before. He quickly shunted the thought, for it was moot and getting to be breakfast time.
"Nivrin!" called Hrafn walking up.
Nivrin turned and saw his Norn friend, "Ah, Hrafn. I was just talking about you earlier."
"Our grou-" Hrafn started before realizing what Nivrin had said, "Wait, you were?"
"Yes. You're Darkgaze, right?"
"I-I am," Hrafn remarked unsure what Nivrin was getting at or why he was being talked about.
"This is Sworn Bloodgaze," Nivrin said waving to the charr.
"Oh. I see. Well," Hrafn started ignoring Nivrin's lack of adequate humor, "we're going to head out. Our team is ready and mostly composed of the other races."
"Oh, they've collected into a single group? How interesting." Nivrin looked over past the mesmers to see the three Skritt, two Quaggan, three Hylek and the two Centaur standing beside one another. He chuckled all too lightly and grabbed Hrafn's attire, pulling him down to Nivrin's size. "This a jest? I can see you illusionists staying together, but bringing them -AND- collecting them into one group? Hrafn, this is a time of worry and anxiousness for the races, not a time to play."
Hrafn sulked slightly, "Niv. I am hurt you think I'd do such a thing. I regard them just as I did the first time I met their races." His tone was all too serious.
"Hrafn, they've all been enemies until recent years. Skrittsburgh just some years ago opened its gates to us and the Quaggan have been the friendliest out of all of them. They better come back in one piece."
"Just one?" Hrafn said with a wink to his friend, yet without a smile or any hint of teasing. Nivrin didn't smile or even look content with the Norn and his awkward ways.
Nivrin watched as the group headed northwest. He sighed.
"Niv, is all well?" Kydrei asked.
"Yes. I just hope this all turns out well for Tyria."
"As do we all. I doubt anyone would be here otherwise," Kydrei said as a loud commotion interrupted them. They looked to see Skarr and Sir Salreznar bickering over something. Skarr appeared fed up and hit Salreznar on the head with his greatsword hilt, where the Sir fell to the ground. Nivrin wanted to go intervene, but decided it was better to watch, for humor sake.
"Hey!" shouted the female human that was Salreznar's appointed guardian.
"Here," Skarr said tossing his fingers towards the unconscious nobleman, "take your royal idiot and bring him. Drag him, push him, heft him up, I don't care. At least now we can rest our nerves from his foolishness."
Skarr sheathed his greatsword at his back and walked on with the rest, save Salreznar's crew. They lingered a little before following.
"Ok, not everyone here, but most of us Nivrin," Kydrei corrected.
Nivrin chuckled and looked to Verona who was approaching.
"When do we head out?" she asked with a crooked smile. Nivrin saw she was friendly this time, but wondered again where he knew her from. He figured he'd play along, for it was to be a long day otherwise.
"We leave now, actually," He stated and looked everyone else, who were talking amongst themselves, "We head due west! We investigate what used to be Nagaara village and head west beyond that."
"Wasn't there just mountains west of the village?" Arrik asked out of worry.
"Yes there are, why Arrik?" He asked with a fake look of interest.
"Just wondering is all." Arrik shifted in his armor some, recalling his past and realizing Nivrin was trying to kill two problems with one trek. Arrik sighed, which turned into a chuckle out of fear. He now knew Nivrin was up to something other than just an elder dragon investigation by the tone and look he received from him. Arrik also knew what was on the other side of that mountain.