It didn't take long for Dri to find the scriptures, they were on the first roof to the west of the chapel. They didn't look any worse for wear, and she rushed back to the chapel, to set both Father Clemente's and Lewes' minds to ease.

She walked up to the chapel steps, where Lewes was patiently waiting, still hanging his head with the shame and guilt of what he had done. "Look, cos. I found them." Dri showed him the scriptures in her hand.

"Wh-where did you find it?"

"Only a roof away." Dri smiled at the boy, glad she was able to make him feel less guilty about his crime.

"I'm glad it's found, but…See it back to the father for me? Please?" Dri thought about it, and agreed. Lewes had learned his lesson. She doubted he'd pull another stunt like this again. "Thank you." With that, Dri went inside the chapel, and returned the scriptures to Father Clemente.

"I am newly come, and eager to become a part of this place. I wish to be of service. But I have dallied long enough…There is work for me to do! Take this, as a thank you for returning the scriptures." He placed a coin pouch in Dri's hand, one that held about 300 gold. She thanked him and left the chapel, in order to continue on with her jobs.

Dri returned to her house in the afternoon, packing for her trip into the woods. She made sure she had plenty of rations, arrows in her quiver, and even a few medical supplies. Then she headed out. Looking around her home one last time, she headed out, with a pack on her shoulders. Well, this has turned out to be a most productive day, all things considered. Along with finding the scriptures, Dri had also told Merin the news about his brother. Merin had forgiven Elvar, as there was nothing Elvar could've done. She had gotten another coin bag out of it, and had bought new weapons and armor from the local merchants.

Heading out toward the gate, she felt something in the air. Not wrong, really, just different. She turned and saw a black cloud begin to form in the air, just a few feet above the ground. What is that? She watched it, curiously, until it formed into a portal and a man fell onto the ground out of it.

As the darkness receded, she was better able to make out his features. She could easily tell he was a mage by the staff on his back. His beard and hair was a wavy brown, and he was dressed in a simple green outfit. He raised his hand in greeting to her, and she noticed the glowing mark on her hand. His hand and my chest, they glow the exact same way. Dri looked back down at her wound, now even more curious than ever.

"Hello Master. I am called Rook."

Dri looks back at the man, Rook. Master? "Hi Rook. How did you get here?"

Rook looked back at Dri. "From the Rift."

Dri waited a bit longer but saw that he wouldn't offer any more of an explanation. Maybe he'll talk about why his hand glows? "Rook, why does your hand glow?"

Rook looked at Dri in complete seriousness. "It is a mark that shows that I am a pawn."

Pawn? What the hell is that? Dri continued to look at Rook, until she heard Adaro call her name. She turned, just in time to see him walk toward her.

"Dri, have you a moment?"

"Of course." Dri excused herself from Rook, saying she'd be right back, and followed Adaro a few feet away.

"That man you were speaking with…He's o' the pawn legion. They come from some unknown place. Just appear, without a warning. They're a strange lot."

Pawn legion? "How're they strange, if I may ask? Aren't they human?"
Adaro hesitated, trying to explain. "Not human, quite. They look the part sure enough, but they lack the will…the spark that drives us. They have no capacity to feel nor act alone, so they live as sellswords. Myrmidons, they're called."

"I think they may have a connection to me. My wound and Rook's hand," Dri gestured back to Rook, who was standing in the same place he landed, "glow the exact same way."

Dri can see Adaro thinking about it before he spoke again. "Mm…There's an encampment west of the village where men gather to face the dragon. I'd wager a fair number of his kind will be there as well. Why don't you take him? Might be you learn aught o' why he came to you in the first place."

"Good idea." Dri looked back at Rook, who still hadn't moved. "Rook, you want to come with me out of Cassardis?"

Rook looked at Dri. "Of course Master."

Dri looked back at Adaro. "Is he always going to call me Master?"

Adaro nodded. "That's their way."

Dri sighed, thanked Adaro for his help, and led Rook out of Cassardis.