Let Us March|Aegestrom, Maelstrom

[Kender Bard]

The next dawn brings a flurry of activity. Lya gathers together her escort, as well as some recently freed Wind slaves that desire to go back to Talen'sul with her.

[Northen Light36]

Shadow looks out over his army from the back of his war horse and nods in satsifaction. "Not bad," he murmurs. "Smaller then I would have liked, so many of our younger people have left Malestrom on Force Quests in recent years, but hopefully the villages will be able to send a decent number of re-enforcements."

Acqua and Amaro are standing a short distance away from anyone else, talking seriously to each other.
"I mean it Acqua," Amaro says. "If something happens to me, don't play the hero this time. Just take Talon and Alethia and run. Promise me this." Acqua frowns unhappily, but nods.
"I promise," she replies quietly. "But you better not be so stupid as to get yourself hurt, Amaro." Amaro nods and smiles slightly at Acqua.
"I'll do my best kid," he assures her as the pair go to join Talon and Alethia.

Meanwhile Damien and Volt arrive at the city gates. Damien frowns at the sight of the gathering army. "Well, better find out what this is all about..." he remarks and calmly starts pushing his way though the crowds towards Shadow and Lya.

[Kender Bard]

Lya, seated atop her own horse that has been supplied to her, nods to Shadow in agreement and turns to start riding away, but stops suddenly. "Someone's coming, Shadow."

[Northen Light36]

Shadow looks in the direction indicated by Lya. "Damien..." Damien finishes pushing his way through and raises an eyebrow at Shadow.
"Looks like you're going off to war Shadow," he remarks calmly.
"We are," replies Shadow.
"Not with my people, I hope," Damien comments. Shadow scowls at him.
"With all the attacks your people have been making on mine, I'm certainly thinking about it. But no, now we're after the Clears."
"The attacks my people made were a direct result of one of YOUR people's village leaders kidnapping the sister of a Clan Elder," growls Damien. "But we'll discuss this later. You mentioned the Clears?" Damien clentches a fist. "I think I'll come along... I have a score to settle with them myself..."

[Kender Bard]

Volt, in his awe, stands staring at Shadow, mesmerized. But then he shakes himself out of his daze and looks at Damien worriedly. "Honored Leader, do you mean yourself or a union of the Fire types and the Storms in armed march?"

[Northen Light36]

"There's no time to gather the Clans, Volt," Damien replies. "I can only offer my own aid." Shadow raises an eyebrow.
"Stealing Storm children, Damien?" he asks, amused. Damien just grins.

[Kender Bard]

Volt is about to protest when Lya tilts her head and looks at him in wonder, murmuring, "He's not a Fire type, he's a Storm type." Volt can only blush, stammar, and bow before her, nodding. Lya is able to smile a little.
"Wonder of wonders," she says softly. "Even the Storms and the Fire types can get along it seems."

[Northen Light36]

Shadow and Damien exchange looks and laugh quietly.
"It wouldn't be the first time Fire types and Storms have gotten along," remarks Damien, sounding amused.

[Kender Bard]

Lya's smile fades as she nods. "Shall we go?"

[Northen Light36]

Shadow nods and shouts an order to the army, who begin to move out. Shadow then glances at Volt. "Boy, this is no place for a child to be going... You head to the inn and stay there, tell them I sent you and you won't be charged."

[Kender Bard]

Volt clenches a fist and shakes his head stubbornly. "I wish to aid both you and Damien. I have been training a little with the Fire types and want to test my mettle in honorable battle."

[Northen Light36]

Shadow shakes his head firmly. "You are too young," he tells Volt firmly. Overhearing the conversation, Amaro speaks up.
"My Lord, the boy is old enough to serve as a messager," he points out. "Why not let him come along and aid in that manner?" From behind Amaro, Acqua shoots Volt a grin and a wink. Shadow considers the suggestion.
"Very well, the boy may come," he says at last.

[Kender Bard]

Volt looks considerably relieved at the news, smiling at both Acqua and Amaro as he pulls off a salute for Shadow and falls in line behind the lords and lady.

[Northen Light36]

Acqua smiles and hurries a little to catch up with Volt and walk beside him. "Hi, I'm Acqua," she saids, smiling. "What's your name anyway?"

[Deleted]

The cloudy-gray mare seemed to know Locke did not have much experience in riding. She had a tendency to yank the reins from his hands and start walking in a direction opposite from what he desired. Still, he tried his best to ride where he could keep Lady Lya in sight. Even with the army around, Locke still felt it was his job to do his job, and he would not be swayed.

The mare yanked her head free again, and Locke grabbed the reins back, finally giving up and touching his sign. << Now you stop that, >> he ordered in a firm voice, and the mare stopped dead in her tracks, not comprehending the voice in her head.

<< That's better. Just behave, >> the Mind coaxed, and urged the mare forward, guiding her closer to Lya and Shadow to ride behind both.

The poor mare didn't know what to think.