Eris and Barret laughed as they walked. Since they had met him four days ago, he had been happy to just talk with Barret, leaving Haelith and Raine pretty much alone. Barret spent most of the day with his brother, but would always sit next to Haelith when they were eating, and woke Raine up with a hot drink, either coffee or tea, depending on the day. Eris talked about what he had seen, everything from one side of the continent to the other. Stories of the Imna'ralvas, which Raine had read about a long time ago: strange glowing jellyfish that swam to the surface on the last day of spring off the southwestern coastline. He talked about the Cliffs of Jrieal, a deep chasm that dug over a kilometer into the earth, where many theorize to be the ancestral nesting ground of dragons, and where the largest and most powerful mana crystals are, though no one dares mine them. One time, he had gone far north, and found a ruined ship that had casks of gold in it's hull, but before he could pull all of it out, the ship sank into the freezing sea, never to be seen again.

Barret likewise talked about the things he had done. While on the east coast, he had an unfortunate encounter with some marauding pirates, who nearly killed him, but he managed to lose them in the jungle. After that, he ran into a tribe of Tiger Keidran, who treated him well enough, and helped him by giving him supplies and maps. He talked about how he had gone past Mount Tanji, and even fought a Sentinel before, though last time it was with his friends.

"These friends of yours… who are they?" Eris asked. "You seem to trust them with your life, but if that's the case, why aren't they here?"

"Oh. Well, we left them behind. I've been having… issues with magic for a while. You never taught me when we were younger, so I didn't know how. But, a few months ago, I accidentally cast a spell. It was powerful, and it saved my life, but it was scary. I left my friends behind to find someone to teach me how to hone my magic, and these two came along with me."

Eris turned back to look at Haelith and Raine, looking them over from top to bottom. "Alright, so why did you two come with?"

"I grew up surrounded by humans and Keidran, so I also never learned how to use magic." Haelith said. "And… I like your brother." Barret blushed and rubbed the back of his neck as his face turned red. "A lot. We've gotten pretty close the last while."

Eris frowned. "Really? Have… how serious are-" his thought was cut off by Raine whacking him on the back of the head. "Ack! What?"

"You have never had anyone close before, have you? If you did, you would know that their personal life is just that! Personal!"

"Raine!" Barret said, shockingly sternly. "It's fine. He's my older brother. I don't blame him for wanting to look out for me." Raine's jaw dropped, but she backed up, blushing. "I'm… not sure how serious we are." he blushed. "I… it's not something we've talked about yet." Haelith blushed beside him, but he pulled her close, and wrapped his tail around hers.

"Alright, alright. I guess Raine is right though. I'm sorry. It wasn't my place to pry about that." Eris said. "Anyways, who are these people waiting in Edinmire? Anyone important?"

"Well, two of them used to be Templars, but they left the order last year, before the war broke out. There's a pair of wolf siblings, they're very good friends of mine. Actually, now that I think about it, there's every one of the major races there, some humans, most kinds of Keidrans, and even a couple Basitins." Barret explained, mentally ticking them off a list. "As for anyone actually important, I'm not sure about most of them. But there is one that you should know about: Trace Legacy."

"Legacy? The mass murderer? The guy who wants to commit genocide for fun? That guy?!"

"He's changed a lot. His memory was messed up a while back, and he's rebuilt a new life. He's engaged to a Keidran, and has been willing to put his own life on the line for her. He was willing to fight for me too. I was cautious of him at first, but he's proven his loyalty over and over."

"So the rumors are true then. Never thought I'd hear that. I remember when he rose to power. I had the unfortunate luck of being just close enough to Durlon to hear about the coup, and also too close that I was noticed. There's been more than a few times I really wish I could have your darker scales."

"Really? I was always a bit jealous of your scales. The way they gleam in the light, especially at sunrise or sunset always made me a bit sad that mine don't do that." Barret chuckled.

"Oh, don't get me wrong, orange and yellow is really nice, and I admit that I also love the way they reflect the light, but they also real stand out. It makes it very hard when I try to hide. So I don't anymore. If someone wants to tangle with me, then let them! I keep my skills as sharp as my glaive, and my armor makes everyone think twice. I mean, who in their right mind would want to go up against a six and a half foot, armor clad, glaive swinging, magic wielding dragon man?"

Raine chuckled. "It is rather intimidating, I will admit that. What sort of magic do you do?"

"Well, I used to do only basic magic like lighting campfires, minor illusions, easy stuff. But now, I focus on shields. With one hand, I strike at you, and the other I deflect your blows. It's… poetic. In a way. What about you? Why did you tag along?"

"I also wanted to learn magic with them. I've also known Haelith for a few months, and we're very close friends. My magic has always been different, it's hard to explain."

"Maybe I could see your magic in action someday. I might learn a thing or two." Eris smiled gently. The sky was getting dark, and long shadows covered the ground.

"Eris, can you help them set up camp? I'll go find some food."

"Of course." Barret left them, and they set up a small camp like they usually did. But as Raine tried to light the fire, Eris walked over. Leaning over the logs, he held up his hands, and blew through them, causing sparks to leap onto the wood. "Fire spells have always been my specialty. Nothing against you, or doing it the old fashioned way, but I'm ready to put my feet up and have a good cup of coffee." Just like he did every evening, he found a comfy spot nearby, and leaned against a smooth rock, sharpening his glaive while humming a gentle tune.

"Earlier today you mentioned being near Durlon. What were you doing there?" Haelith asked as she stretched the hammock between two trees.

"I've wandered from one area to the next for years. But that was five years ago, so what was I doing? Uh… I think I was probably just looking for supplies? I'm not a hunter like Barret is, so I usually rely on picking up food when I'm near towns or caravans. Why do you ask?"

"Just curious. I grew up around there, I was thinking I might have seen you before, but I might just be imagining things."

"Maybe. I get around, and have actually been back to Durlon a few times, but never went into the city. I can't hide as well in a crowd, so I stay outside, near the edges of society. Traveling merchants are usually kind enough to not go straight to the authorities when they see me, but a fair share have run off screaming." Barret returned shortly, carrying a wild pig. Carved, cooked, and consumed with a fresh pot of coffee, they ate as night fell. Just like the last few days, Barret and Haelith shared a hammock, Eris lay beside the stone, and Raine watched him until her eyes felt heavy. She couldn't shake the feeling that Eris was hiding something, but she just couldn't see it. Sighing, she laid down her head, and sleep took her.

…

The hammock rocked gently as he stood up. It was still hours until dawn, but he had to go. Three cups of coffee would do that to anyone. Letting Haelith sleep, he wandered into the woods to relieve himself, but came back to find that he was not the only one up. Eris was gone too, and though his bag remained, his glaive and armor were gone. Frowning, Barret walked over. He could pick out his brother's footprints from the ground, so he retrieved a knife from his own bag, and quietly began following them. He found himself a short way from camp, at the edge of a small clearing in a divot in the land. Eris walked calmly, glaive in hand toward a lone tree. "Yer late." a voice said. Barret watched from behind a tree and a bush, his scales blending in with the dark forest.

"She was watching me again." Eris replied. "Somehow, she must know. She's… particular with her questioning. Asks things I don't want to answer. Thankfully, I don't think they know about everything."

"You really think that it gon' matter?" the second asked. Barret was still tired. He knew the voice, but he just couldn't place it. "Thems'll be askin' more an' more once you get in sight of the fortress. I reckon we oughta just bag em now."

"No. We're too far out, it's still two days away."

The second chuckled evilly. "I can't believe what I'm hearin'. When has distance ever stopped you before? Yer going soft, general." Barret knew that voice. He had heard it once before, and he would never forget it. The clouds shifted, and Barret could see them both. He gasped as he saw a brown fox with a bow and long cloak. Aezr.

There was a whoosh as Eris's glaive flew through the air. "Soft? I care only for Barret. If you had brought him to me before they met, then we wouldn't be in this mess! You are supposed to be the greatest hunter in the Brotherhood! And what happened? You lost him! For months!"

"Ah, shadap! I only lost him cause of blasted Templars like you!"

Eris stepped over and hissed "Keep your voice down!" There was silence for a minute, as both people glanced around. Barret didn't dare even breathe until they turned back to each other, his heart pounding in his head. "We don't move yet. This girl… Raine… what do you know of her?"

"Not much. Had some sorta locket in her bag, and an old Templar journal. Lotta names in that book, but didna recognize any of 'em 'cept Orlin. She might have some connection to the old man, but who cares? It won't matter when we strike tomorrow. At dusk."

"What?! Now you listen here, I'm in charge, I outrank you!"

"Yer goin' soft. Forgettin' yer loyalties… Gettin' in too deep with 'em. Make your move, because I ain't gonna wait fer ya. When I see the right time, it'll be lights out."

Erisdar was quiet for a second. "Fine. But remember: alive, both of them. I need to find out what she knows, and I will not have you hurt him. If he will not join me now, then he will later. It will be the only way forward."

"Yeah, yeah, don't get yer scales riled up ya big lizard. Now get back 'fore one of 'em notices yer gone." Barret's heart pounded. Templar? Eris? General? It couldn't be. He would never. It couldn't be true. Crawling backwards, Barret snuck back through the woods toward the camp, his mind racing. It must be a ruse. A ploy? Some big mistake? A terrible dream? But the pounding of his heart, the gentle thumping of his feet, the voice of Aezr that echoed in his mind told him that this was no dream.

This was real.

This was very real.