Lion Heart [M]

[Anti-Hero]

https://www.facebook.com/daisuke.aurora.9/videos/10156141363689077/
All credits of this video go to a personal friend of mine Daisuke Aurora

Dearest Son,

I guess I should begin my explanation here, odd that this will be my final entry in this journal. I've kept it ever since I was a kid, but the odd thing was this journal was never just mine. Before my father left, he wrote here too and before him his father, and I really don't feel like pushing that any further, but I'm sure you'll get the idea. I plead with you, more than any other book, read this one and take it to heart, because unless something has changed, this too will be your path. That's why this journal is what it is, a record of those who came before you, for those who will come after. There are details here that may one day help you put an end to all this, but for now, we have no idea. My name is Seigilius Vireliusteus autem Giredania, but really my name is Seig Virelius, I'm not sure why, but our royal family has always found it more fit to drastically over complicate names. More to the point, because knowing this is my last message to you, I feel like I could go on for hours, days, months, I'd be exaggerating at years. There is still so much I want to teach you, but I'll have to leave that to your mother. Poor girl, she was actually fit to be queen, however, you'll come to learn that kings don't have the luxury of wives. It will make your old man sound like a young fool, but I wish I could have married, sex was a lot of fun. More so, I wish I could have known you for a while longer. Today is the day before my twenty-third birthday and you are but a mere five years. You resemble your mother more than me, but you'll grow and no doubt like me, have a magnificent beard.

See? Side-tracked.

As you get older I would like to leave you with a few last lessons that I will never be able to teach you. One, be happy, you will train hard, be pushed harder and sometimes that will boil over into rage and sadness, but you need to stay happy. The time you have isn't much and no grudge is worth losing what little time you have. Two, don't fear love. While we may not be allowed to marry, grow up as you would, love who you would, and understand that everything we do is for the love of the people. Three, be strong. Be immovable, be the wall at which your kingdom can hide behind, be the sword that thrusts against our enemies, be the light that will one day burn away the darkness. These people, they know of our destiny and of theirs and while they do not show it they are afraid. As my final act as your king and your father I give you a small but important gift, with your mother's aid, give yourself a name. In our kingdom it is tradition that this be your first act as the new king. Let no man, no demon, angel, or God, take that from you and if they so try, stand against them with everything you are. You are my son, my father's grandson, and our world's king. I am proud of you in whatever way you choose to live and know that your decisions belong to all kings.

I love you my son,
Seig Virelius.


His hand lingered for a moment with the signing of his signature, clearly, he'd left far to much unsaid. But, he knew that, even as a King separated from his family the majority of the time the bond between them was unmistakable and it wasn't easy letting go. He laid his pen down on the table and with a quiet heaving sigh close the book, dust particles shown in the light when they were blasted from its pages, they floated for a moment before settling to their new home on dark mahogany wood. The legs of the chair scrapped against the floor as he stood and across the room a young maid and butler snapped from a relax attention to a more sharp one, he smiled and shook his head.

"There's no need from either of you, this just was harder than I expected." He pursed his lips into a half grin and let his weight rest on one leg while he peered out the window, slowly but surely composing himself for the events coming.
"If I may, sire..." A small voice from the maidservant crept up out of the silence in a commanding but comforting tone, "You're human, this was never meant to be easy for anyone, least of all you, you needn't justify yourself to us." She stepped forward during her snippet and then back again, the instincts of a mother were all to apparent, she had wanted to show comfort to someone in pain but recalled her place and thought it inappropriate.


IF I can at all help it, we'll make it back alive. All of us.

He blinked away a swelling of tears in his eyes and turned away from the warmth of the sun at the very least he'd see the boy one more time at the naming coronation at that was something, plus who could say no to the sheer amounts of food that the city would be presenting for the festival.

"Alright, I suppose its time to get ready." He stepped into a stride and made his away to different corners of the room, properly dressing himself, grooming, etc. The things he outright wouldn't allow his servants to do, The preparation would take some time but the Festival was one that pushed well on into the next day, but its beginning came tonight.

Just outside his bedroom window stalls had been erected and banners were slung from building to building welcoming all travelers, whether they had come to have their mettle tested, to cook amongst the greatest chefs, or just to enjoy and celebrate the High King and the Royal Family. Even the streets were already packed with merchants looking to sale their wares and the people were scuffling about trying to make sure everything was ready for all the attendees. This festival was easily their most important holiday, some even considering it sacred, although the King scoffed at the idea. The Young Prince was even found walking the streets with his mother and several guardians armed to the teeth. This day was special and there wasn't a soul who didn't treat it as such.

Finally, at the city gates that had been left ajar, albeit heavily guarded, for the incoming line of attendees and warriors, some had made their appearance even the oddly place centaur form outside the barrier, that one was going to a special attraction considering how rare it was to see them. For those who already arrived many of the homes and businesses had opened their doors free of charge, as was tradition.

[Pheasant]

Doctor Lumen Laelius Lucianus was no stranger to excess.
He’d grown up in the mountains city of Opalli, amongst warriors from every corner of the Empire who drank as fiercely as they fought.

He’d also survived eight years of his own study in the Military Academy of Sira-Se, in Medicine no less.
But the pomp and reverie he’d already witnessed, even before the official ceremony surprised him.

Twice already he had been propositioned by already drunken revelers.
They sized up his snappy Parade Uniform, indicating his schooling.
Eyes lingered over the Asklepios, a staff with a snake coiled around it, sewn into the arm of his jacket.
Then, their eager gaze and mischievous grin rose to his face, locking onto long vertical slits flanked by grainy blue and patches of blue-white scales that curled around the side of his head, up to his scalp.
Two invitations were hastily retracted.

Doctor Lumen tried not to let it bother him. He’d had twenty five years of practice.
Just not quite enough practice.

The Half-Human, Half-Something-Scaly decided to take out his annoyed disappointment on food, grabbing a breaded and fried sausage on a stick from one of the stalls.
It was a bit too much like dinner, he admitted, but the more doughy and chewy confections were hard on his first and second molar and premolars, not as sharp as his canines and central/lateral incisor but still much sharper than a normal human.
The meat was well cooked, and certainly delicious but something was off about it.
Overcooked? No, as far as festival food went it was nearly perfect.

He’d finished it before he had time to form a further hypothesis, leaving the food stalls towards the center of the festivities. If Lumen didn’t arrive early, he was sure to be stuck in line behind a crowd of children eager to serve in the Lion Heart, the High King’s hand selected unit.
Lumen sighed.
He wished he could steal some of that eagerness.
He wished he could pretend that it wasn’t just another death march of a long line of them.

For a brief moment the Doctor considered what it would be like if he were selected. Barely keeping up with the greatest warriors of his generation.
Patching them up, sending them back into danger. With each return, a little bit more of them missing until they didn’t return at all.
Lumen wasn’t fool enough to think he could avoid that fate either, after long enough.
His talent was in saving lives, not in swinging a sword.
His responsibility was here. Even a lesser Calamity would claim a number of lives he dared not fathom.
The lives of the High King and his warriors would be a drop in the bucket by comparison.

Lumen took a breath, and found a seat.

He just had to make it through the Selection. Then, he could relax and actually enjoy himself.

[StormyNyte]

The streets were already much too crowded for Namida’s liking. She much preferred the rolling forests and grasslands of The Fringe, at least out there the only ones under-hoof were those you saw fit to put there yourself. She was right where she meant to be though, it was to be one of the biggest festivities in over a score and big festivities meant money to be won. The sound of her heavy hooves rang out against the cobblestone street with each progressive step accentuated by the soft creaking groan of her leather girdle belts and saddlebags, drawing surprised glances from any that weren’t already openly gawking.

She ignored the shocked stares for the most part, mildly pleased that the milling throng seemed to part itself before her with minimal effort, aside from the occasional drunken fool that staggered blindly into her path. One such spirited individual had been attempting to garner the attention of a group of women with acts of bravado. As she started past, the man staggered backward and nearly lost his footing when he stumbled into her. On blind impulse, he spun and landed a solid fist to her humanoid stomach, but it was obvious by the widening of his eyes that he had fully expected to connect with someone’s jaw. In a flash of movement, Namida’s hand shot out and caught the man by the collar of his tunic, pulling him off his feet with ease.

The anger that smoldered behind her hazel eyes was enough to make the man visibly pale, but a quick flurry of motion from the corner of her eye drew her attention. The scene had sent some passersby scurrying and now a small group of city guards were rounding the corner, alerted to the cries of alarm, with hands at the ready on their sword hilts. She eyed them as the most high ranking of the group stepped closer, speaking with a tone of military authority. “Is there a problem here, Beast-kin?” She snorted, lowering the drunken man back to his feet without releasing him. “No problem here, Sir. I’m merely helping this gent’ remember why he should better monitor his ale consumption.”

The guard’s face remained hard and impassive. “Then release him and be on your way before we are forced to remind you why you should monitor your own behavior within the Capital.” She regarded the lot of them coolly before forcing a grimace of a smile and nod of acknowledgement. She could take on this group easy enough, but there would be no way she would make it to the gates of the city alive with the whole of the royal guard bearing down on her. Leaning down, she spoke in a hushed tone through clenched teeth. “Consider yourself lucky I have somewhere important to be.” With that, she released the man and nodded again to the guards before pushing past the drunkard and continuing on her path.

She wasn’t here for the all the pomp and circumstance, to blazes with it and to blazes with this changing of kings that had the lands in such upheaval. Let the old dogs sod off and die, she didn’t care as long as life got back to some semblance of normalcy. Her destination was the arena. Grand festivals often hosted organized fights for the amusement of the masses and the winner’s purse served as a potent lure for a wide host of fighters vying for the chance at claiming it. Pushing her way through to the registry booth, she stooped the slap the necessary four coin entry fee onto the counter as the registrar dipped his quill back into the inkpot, looking up over the rim of his glasses.

“Name?”

“Namida Thunderhoof.” With a grunt of acknowledgement, he scribbled her name onto the registry below nearly thirty others.

Looking up again, he motioned to her weapons and bags. “No body armor and arena-provided weapons only.” She huffed at that, “Very well.”

The registrar then withdrew a contract from somewhere behind the counter. “The aim in this arena is to be the last fighter standing, but you are not to kill your opponent, the fighters may still end up being selected for the King’s Lion Guard. But these fights are still very real and accidents do sometimes happen. This contract absolves the Crown from any financial responsibility in the unlikely event of your death. Read it over and make your mark.”

Looking it over for a short span, she took up the quill and signed her name. As soon as the quill lifted from the parchment, the man snatched the contract up and ushered her to the gates with a sweeping motion of his free hand. “Welcome to the Arena. May fortune be with you, Namida Thunderhoof.” Standing tall, she stepped her way through the gate and made her way to the arming room to prepare.

[StormWolf]

Kaia Vandrachen took in a deep breath of the festival filled air. Preparations were well on their way and would be finished well before the King was ever to arrive. The hustle and bustle of many feet and hands working to prepare, the unity of everyone's movement as they worked together to make sure everything was perfect. This was a celebration of both joy... and sorrow. She looked up to the direction of the castle, well visible now on her perch on the rooftops. Weaving through such a bustling crowed on this occasion was not ideal nor quick for the place she had to be. She stood up and moved along the rooftop keeping her wings slightly ajar as she leaped from one roof to another, light footsteps taking her farther then she could have gone down there.

The crowds didn't end right up until the walls surrounding the castle itself, Heavily guarded gates. Her father would be somewhere here with in the castle doing his duty as ever the loyal man she knew him to be. Her smile widened as she looked at the old familier walls, walls she'd once climbed just to follow her father to work, to get a glimps of the prince born just a year prior to herself. A prince who had turned into a King and a King they would be sending off very soon. "Things haven't changed much since I've been gone. But have I changed?" she asked the wall before she dropped off the roof and glided down to land gently on the ground. There were ways to the top of the walls, could her fingers remember the old grips? would they even fit? Well she supposed there was only one way to find out.

* * *

Outside the High King's chamber, Brennus stood like a gargoyle by the ornate threshold in his parade best. Dressed head to toe in deep blue, embroidered with martial scarlet braiding. Black leather boots polished to a shine, his armor and parade lance glittering with bright gold scrollwork. Only the mighty tiger pelt draped across his shoulders moved, luridly shifting in the dainty sighs of wind that carried through open windows. Serfs in livery scuttled about on soft-slippered feet, hauling trays of mulled wine and sweetmeats that tugged at Brennus, making his mouth water.

Nobles in their silks and velvets passed by - some more than once - in hopes to catch the King as he departed his quarters, and were sent on their way by little more than a terse leer from the aging bodyguard. Rare was the guard dog that did not need to growl, or even bark. A young court lady plucked up her skirts to shuffle by, tittering indignantly. Brennus' lip quirked in a faint sardonic smile beneath his beard. Gods help him if his Kaia had ended up like that. Not that he found a properly regal bearing distasteful, but it was a matter of personal pride that in a room full of soldiers, the toughest man in the room was his daughter. Logic told him that he would never need to worry about her, being more than able to care for herself, and then some, but he could not shrug off the mantle of a father's instinct.

* * *

Kaia pulled herself up onto the edge of the wall and perched preciously along the edge. The air was rich and full down here compared to the cloud city and the climb that would have winded and tired her as a child seemed so simple now. She peered down into the court yard below there was hustle and bustle here but not nearly as crowed as the city outside was. Nobles strutted around Like many colorful peacocks, maids and and servants scurried here and there all in preparation. Her brown eyes searched the courtyard but in vain. Of coarse he wouldn't be out here.

She pushed herself from the wall and allowed herself to gently glide down into the flowerbeds bellow. Folding her wings tightly against her back she stepped out into the paths. She'd have to be careful about who she bumped into, some of these nobles would sneer are her obvious half blood statues, and if anyone recognized her before she found her father they would likely make an announcement of it to him which would ruin her surprise visit, which is why she had avoided the main gate. She wadded past Serf going the opposite direction skirted around lords and ladies and ignored inquisitive glances. He'd be with the king, or near enough to protect the man. She climbed steps and roamed down halls, peering through windows and casting wondering gazes upon the Muriels and tapestries on the stone walls.

Eventually She came to a small balcony that over looked a hall below it guards posted at either end watching the movement from above. Stepping up to the rail between a pair of ladies and peered down into the space below her eyes trailing down the hall until she saw him. Her smile grew, Gripping the rail in one hand she leaped over deftly hanging into the rail as her feet touched the absolute edge. It take to long to find her way down through the halls, this was the quickest way. She waited for a lul in the movement below before pushing off the edge and with a gasp from the two ladies behind her her gray specked wings opened up to gently glide her down towards the man she'd been looking for. "Father!"

The shadow of her descent hit him before the sound of her rustling feathers ever did. In truth, most men-at-arms, monstrosity, or elsewise unsuspecting pizzle would have been taken unawares. Yet, Brennnus lifted his winged helm with an ivory smile beneath the nasal, mostly out of greeting for his daughter, but there was a sprinkle of sardonic sadism for the ladies aghast.

"Hello, Owlet," He mused and threw his off-hand wide in a welcome to embrace. She could have a family all her own, but he would never let her outgrow her childhood nickname. "Is the celebration so drab you've come to keep company with this old oak?"

A gleeful chuckle left her lips as she glided into his embrace. It been to long since she'd heard the childish name her father had adorned her. Quite fitting it was. She laughed quietly as he spoke. "I've seen it along the way, I'll have plenty of time to bump along in the crowds and drink and eat till my Stomachs content. I wanted to surprise my old Oak of a father before his undivided attention would be on the king and his keeping." she said bemusedly. "Besides, I can't in good conscious tell mother of my arrival and leave you out."

"Ah, most generous of you to keep me in your thoughts, daughter-mine," he said with a throaty chuckle. She was in fine spirits, which served to soften the jagged edges of Brennus' naturally pensive demeanor. "While you eat and drink yourself sick, set a cup or four of mulled wine aside for your old man. When his grace releases me from my duties, I'll have some catching up to do."

Kaia's feathers ruffled in amusement. "Certainly, I'll be sure to claim a bottle for our own." She assured him. "Maybe two, I'm sure there is a lot to be said." She smiled more softly at her father. It had been a long time since they had set down and talked and she couldn't wait to do so now, but she could wait a little longer to share longer words. "I've missed you, father." she said more quietly just for his ears as she gave him another warm embrace and gentle kiss on the cheek before stepping away. "I'll see you soon with that mulled wine." She grinned. "Try not to have to much fun before then?" she called over her shoulder as she started down the hall.

[Tune]

All the flamboyant pageantry, loud crowds and even louder voices made Devrin wonder why people flocked to such events in general. Everyone knew the symbolic nature of the Festival, but why celebrate sending an enite line of Kings' to their death? Immensely strong as this generation's King may be, living within the boundaries of Giredania and the Barrier, what good would he do in the Fringes?

"Unlucky fool," Devrin scoffed, scowling at a woman who stared with confusion.

He was on edge. Obvious as the sun glared down upon the world, he was out of his element, and the cautious glances of onlookers as he fingered the hilt of his blades, made it more so. The gleaming streets of Opalli could not prepare himself for the sheer size and grandeur of Giredania, no matter how many times he had visited. How long had it been since he wandered these streets? he wondered. Months, most likely, before the incident.

Minerva, the glowing ball of goodness and sunshine, would've loved the festivities. They had made plans to attend the Selection the last time their group travelled through the capitol. The others weren't interested; they were compelled to spend their remaining days travelling Crassia and the Fringes. No, it was Minerva who put the foolish thought of becoming a Lion Heart into his head. It was her dream to become a member of the Lion Heart, and he would've followed her to the ends of eternity to make her wish come true. Instead, he lead her and the others to an early grave. There was no amount of booze that could wash away the memory.

Bloodshed and the sound of battle, on the other hand, always did the trick. The sudden flurry of armed guards drew his attention, and before his conscience could protest, he caught sight of the commotion in a matter of moments. His eyes were met with a glimpse of the beast-kin - a woman? - before falling to the man in her clutches. She was a centaur! For the first time in years, he was caught completely off guard. He had heard stories, from a nomadic Orc, of a centaur clan once dwelling in the Fringes, but he had never had the luck to see one in person.

He hid an amused grin behind a gloved hand, eavesdropping from behind a throng of onlookers. Whatever the man had done, he had kicked a hornets nest and the guards were his saving grace. From her armor to her musclular stature, Devrin knew she was a fierce warrior. There was no doubt about her presence; the centaur female was here for the Selection, and she was competition, md Devrin thrived on the thrill of it.

If the centaur was here, would any other beast-kin oddities be found in the crowd? Lumen perhaps? His mother, Laureate, mentioned the lad studying in the capitol. What of the odds, to be reunited after a long absence? After the centaur female tossed the drunken fool, Devrin pursued the woman, whose mere presence parted the crowd like a knife through butter. His assumptions were confirmed when the centaur-female strode up to the Registration booth.

"Figures she would," muttered Devrin, shuffling into line behind some generic looking welp. The boy couldn't have been more than a teenager, with a mop full of messy blond hair. Leaning down to peer over the boy's shoulder, Devrin couldn't help but snicker at the sight of the kid's shiny swords strapped at the waist.

"Aye, boy. Trying out for the Lion Hearts, are you?" asked Devrin, over the sounds of the crowd. His attention was split between harassing the poor lad, and learning more about the centaur just ahead.

Was the name "Namida" or something else? He couldn't quite catch the last bit, but he'd refer to her as Nami, which would most certainly irk such a dignified woman.

"- registering. What of it?"

"Huh?"

Oh, right. Forgot I asked the brat a question, he thought. Feigning innocence, Devrin replied, "Ah, sorry lad. Couldn't hesr ya well. You're registering?"

The boy nodded. "Ah, good good! Just a bit of warning to ya," he said, gesturing to the centaur, 'Nami' ahead. "Have you ever seen a centaur before? They're powerful beast-kin. Ever been kicked in the face by a horse?"

"- well, no, I - "

Devrin interrupted, "Getting kicked with a single hoof from her, would be like comparing a pebble to a boulder. And she's the boulder."

Just a while longer, and he'd be one step closer to making Minerva and his shared dream, a reality. Or give it one helluva fighting chance.

[AliceMalice15]

Theorynn’s breath quickened as she ran through the city dodging past citizens and celebrators alike. Her boots pounding hard against the solid stones beneath her feet served as her cadence to push her along to her destination. Hastily dodging a cart rolled in to her path by an unsuspecting vendor she cursed quietly and waved apologetically to the flustered man.

“Sorry,” she called over her shoulder, “I’m really sorry!”

Pressing onward she shook her head and sped up her pace. She was going to be soooo late. They were only accepting entrants for so long before they’d have to begin the selection. The selection of Lion Hearts. The best of the best all in one place vying for a chance to live and die for king and country. She had lived for this chance for years. Even Sir Cian had seen the fire to follow her father had been in her all along. She was always bound and determined to become a Lion Heart and prove she was worth something. Thud!

“Oof,” Theorynn groaned as she ran smack dab in to a rather heavily armored gentleman knocking her to the ground.

“Hey watch it kid,” he growled grabbing and lifting her by the shirt front, “ you shouldn’t be running around with warriors like me hanging about. You might get bruised.”

“I-I’m sorry what,” she said in disbelief, “exCUSE ME!?!?!?!”

Wrenching down on the man’s arm she forced him to drop her which bent him down a little closer to her height and more in to her area of reach. Crouching down a little lower Theorynn quickly angled the crown of her head at the man’s jaw and put all of her might in to a powerful forward leap. Ramming her head directly in to his jaw may not have been the best plan, but Theorynn had never been one to shy away from a terrible, yet effective, idea. Waltzing up to the arena gates she smiled at the gate attendant who was giving her a not so amused expression.

“Well I take from your expression,” she said with no small amount of attempted swagger, “you saw that and know why I’m here.”

Rolling his eyes the man placed the waiver on the counter for her to sign. Quickly signing her life away she sauntered in to the arming room and began grabbing what she’d require.

[Anti-Hero]

The door was pulled open not long enough after words had ended to see a set of wings bouncing up and down the hall. The King half-smiled and placed his hand upon a sturdy shoulder held by, whom he considered, his most loyal. To be entirely honest, Seig had been ready some minutes ago but felt it improper to interrupt a man and his daughter in their reunion. He leaned on his knight for a moment to attempt some show of affection, that was about all Seig ever seemed to amount to, a small passing here, a nod there, it was awkward to say the least, but his words saved him.

"Brennus, if I didn't know better I'd say you actively choose not to recall I can hear 'everything'." Seig smiled and motioned his hand up the hall. "What kind of lord would I be if I kept a man from his daughter? Be off with you, I'll survive the one day more, atleast." The smile turned into a sort of sly-grin as he strode passed him and made his own route down the hallway. He wasn't much for fans and even though Brennus had been there since the crack of dawn, people were still gleefully roaming the castle halls trying to get some variation of acknowledgment from him. He nodded, he smiled, he attempted so very hard to ignore the patrons he loved and despised like family. Today was to be a busy one, people would throw themselves at his feet and weep, as if this wasn't an occurrence that took place every so often, the warriors coming from afar might scoff at him upon glance, the volunteers would fight in the arena in hopes that might affect his choices, blah, blah, blah, none of this was new. What no one knew was that Seig had made his choice already, he knew who the Lion Heart would be it was just a matter of making it to the end of the festival.

"This title be damned..." He mumbled to himself and began to whisper back and forth as if he spoke to another, thought it was quiet an unnoticeable unless certain individuals had made arrangements to get within inches of his face, he certainly hoped to avoid those today, though it was unlikely. The hallways that he took lead into a large open courtyard that had been special sectioned off to begin the arena festivities that traditionally, began the true celebrations. The arena was essentially one giant free-for-all were any warrior who'd signed their name had their personal weapons and armor stripped and been assigned pieces brandished with a color and a number. This served to signify 'who' they were, it held no actual value it was just a way for the fans to easily cheer for their favorite contestant. The rules were always fairly simply, no killing, it was immediate expulsion and it carried a criminal penalty of execution. The arena was meant to simply test skills and mettle in combat, there would be no single winner just those who would last the allotted time of three hours, those who stood amongst the last were rewarded with cheers and free everything until the festival ended. Food, drink, sleep, all needs were met.

He looked out over his balcony and sat upon his chair, his hand grasped the rope tightly and pulled once, twice, a third time, these bells indicated a half hour before the arena would begin, time to get ready was now. A guard behind stood quietly at attention, Seig sighed a bit and motioned to him.
"This isn't a day in which I need a guard, go home, and tell the others too, enjoy yourself, there's no sense in all of you working when there is time to play. Be off with you." He slumped down a bit, propped his foot upon one knee and waited, soon, the prince and the prince's mother would join and they would discuss the naming ceremony. As they would arrived, contestants would trickle into the arena and once all were present, the bell would be rung to begin.

A loud smash of hammer to bell as well as gates slamming shut to the area exits signified the fighting had begun.

[Pheasant]

With a loud clamor of noise and shouts, the mock battle had begun.
Lumen clenched a long thick wooden pole, a few inches taller than himself as combatants threw themselves at one another, and all at once the different fighting styles and fighting mentalities that permeated the kingdom converged in a cacophony of war cries and challenges.
Although he stood within the bowl of chaotic fighting, Lumen's reasons for being here today were very different from the rest.

A bright yellow tabard with a large white medical cross sat above a solid iron breastplate, and above even that was an enclosed helmet, the front visor perforated to allow him to see.
The job of being a medic within a live arena was unenviable, but Lumen had insisted upon it today against his better judgement.
The arena medics were little more than glorified morticians who often caused as much damage as they'd fix. It was very nearly as hazardous as actually fighting as well, a warrior surrounded by opponents had little time or care to be selective about their targets.
The generous amount of armor he wore, as well as the long defensive staff reflected this.
Just as important, the staff would allow him to separate wrestling or injured combatants who were so hopped up and deaf on adrenaline that a yell would not reach them, and separating them by hand was too risky.

There was a loud thunk as the first fighter hit the ground, and Lumen felt a bit bad for the young man. It was hard to say whether he was trained or not, he'd been wedged between two larger fighters and caught out of position.
Lumen followed along the wall of the arena towards the man, already sizing up his injury. He'd deflected the first strike of his opponent, armed with a short blade and a cestus, but was so concerned about the opponent behind him that his attacker drove a sharp fist into his stomach.

Lumen came to a sharp stop as another pair of fighters slammed into the wall ten meters ahead. A shield and swordsman had managed to pin a spear fighters weapon across his chest, and now they were both locked in an erratic grapple.
The doctor backed up to a safe distance, sparing a glance at the frenzied melee in the center of the ring. Some had already been knocked over, and Lumen was concerned that even if their weapons were blunted someone would be trampled to death.

The two fighters in his way had fallen backwards, in favor of the spearmen. The blunt point of Lumen's staff shoved the spearmen off and he shouted, loud and crisp and well practiced from his formal training, "BREAK UP!", he ordered.
The two somewhat surprised fighters obeyed, breathing heavily as they stumbled away from each other. Ensuring fights were clean and entertaining was secondary to his duties, but still important. Punching each other to death on the ground was neither clean nor entertaining.
"BEGIN!"
The two continued their bout, but separated as the main melee was being pushed in their direction.
Lumen hastily shifted as well, to a more open area of the arena.

A fighter was wailing on the ground, and despite Lumens insistence he couldn't get a word of sense out of him. The injured mans arm had been bent at an odd angle, and the Doctor had to pin him down with his body weight to keep the man from struggling.
Two hands gripped his arm tightly by the wrist and elbow, and with a loud pop and minimal beside manner, Lumen had popped his dislocated shoulder back into place, careful to avoid pinching the nerves underneath the bone.
He suspected that this was going to be one of the lighter injuries of the day.

[StormyNyte]

Once inside the arming room, Namida eyed those already there as they returned her scrutinizing gaze, some even exchanging hushed whispers when she passed. She could easily venture a guess as to what they were plotting, but if it phased her in the slightest it certainly didn't show. Clopping her way to a vacant area of the large room, she began the task of unbuckling and removing her myriad of belts, saddle bags, armor, and weapons.

With the task of signing up for the Selection done and over, Devrin surveyed the groups of challengers making way to the Arena's armory. All eyes were on the elephant - er, centaur - in the room. For such a large space, Devrin could tell the woman was out of her elements indoors. On the battlefield would be a different story. When was the last time he was kicked by a horse? he wondered, beginning to unbuckle the straps of his cuirass. He found a spot near 'Nami' the Centaur, and cast a glance in her direction.

The rules and limitations of this particular arena irked her, she was a living weapon who seldom had to practice restraint in battle, but she would manage. The lack of guards within the arming room also unsettled her like a biting fly refusing to be shaken off. Piling her belongings in a careful heap, she straightened and stamped a heavy hoof twice, eyeing the rest within the room and snorting.

"Rules be damned. Any of this goes missing, I'm cracking skulls until it's back."

"Talking about cracking skulls already, are we, miss?" he jested amid the task of unbuckling his cuirass. He'd miss the weight and protection around his abdomen, should be end up on the wrong side of a provoked centaurian female.

If he recalled correctly, the rules were pretty basic and made to limit life threatening injuries. An ‘eye for an eye’ mentality, Devrin was used to. Holding back and not killing his opponent was another.

"Execution is a hefty price to pay for casualties," he said, suppressing a grin, "but punishment for thievery might be waived." Pure speculation, of course, but only a fool would steal from other warriors if they stood a chance at becoming a Lion Heart.

Namida gave the man a sideways glance and huffed, seeming to barely take heed of his presence. Small talk and sudden attempts at thin comradery were rather foreign social constructs to her. For a span, it didn't seem that she would respond at all as she let her eyes wander the weapons rack. Lifting a broad sword from it, she fingered the edge to test its bite. Dull. Returning it, she spoke. "Hard times make for bigger risks taken. People are desperate and this festival is nothing but an eye-wash."

Finally settling on her choice, she took up a large steel war hammer and tested its weight and balance before nodding to herself. If she were prevented from cutting her opponents in half, she'd settle for knocking the sense out of them.

The Centaur was a tough character, that's certain. Removing his sheathed swords from his belt, he paused, almost contemplating their absence. The battles they had saw him through were each more daunting than the last. The sheathes themselves had seen better days, often used as blunt objects. He gave a quick once-over at the weapons racks, scoffing at the selection.

"Nothing in life is guaranteed," remarked Devrin, storing his swords and last of his gear. He wasn't a man of modesty, but being gearless and weaponless... He felt nude. Their generation's King had damn well be worth the embarrassment.

Devrin strode toward the weapons rack, his dull eyes surveying his choices. Nothing that would keep him alive long outside the Barrier, but killing an opponent in this tournament was akin to digging his own grave. Fate be damned, Devrin had already chosen his own graveyard. No need for burials or an audience. He chose a short sword, testing its weight distribution. Ambidexterity was a bonus, but nothing felt more comfortable than a hilt held firmly in his right hand.

Unsheathing the sword, he held it in the air, judging its edge. Good quality, but the edge had been dull for the occasion. He couldn't help but laugh. "I'd be dead before this," he gestured toward the weapon, attempting to gauge the centaur's reaction, "could cleave a hand from a hobgoblin."

That statement did manage to tease a chuckle from her. "Well, you could at least slice it off a bit of bread first" Her long tail gave a lazy swish as she shouldered her weapon and turned her attention full to him.

Namida knew a survivor when she saw one. Due to a lifetime in the far reaches of The Fringe, the telltale traits were unmistakable. With a lowered voice, she continued. "I have a feeling you've made due with worse. Stay out of my way and you should be fine."

With that, she strode past him through the central gates and into the arena. The sudden bright glare of sunlight washed over her, accompanied by the rumbling cheers of the crowd. Her scarred hide gleamed harshly under its light as she and the other fighters moved into position.

Pawing the ground in anticipation, she pushed the war hammer from her shoulder and readied her grip as she eyed the other contestants, sparing only a split-second gaze at the wall of watchers in the stands.

Her eyes then fell to the few gleaming men in armor suits and she snorted. Medics, by the look of their designated markings. They would certainly have their hands full today.

The roar of the crowd thundered back to life as the starting bell tolled. With flashing steel and battle cries, the three hour fight was on. Namida watched as a large group of fighters eight strong broke off from the main group and rush toward her, which came as little surprise to the Centaur warrior. She knew how rare her kind was and how much prestige would be won by besting her in battle. If they were as trained as they looked, they had her beat with their number, but as long as she kept them scattered and unable to surround her she still stood a good fighting chance. Scowling, she reared and thrust her war hammer skyward as she bellowed a wordless battle cry, lashing at the air with her front hooves before dropping into a full charge.

[AliceMalice15]

Theorynn had spent most of her time before the mock battle chatting and testing out her temporary arms and armor. Being as she knew most of the local folks, guards and knights from around Giredania as well as a few from Opalli, she had an easy time avoiding staring over long at the centaur across the room, though she still stole a few glances here and there. Who wouldn’t be intrigued by someone who’s legs alone could take out most of the people here? Soon enough, sooner than some might hope when surrounded by friends and comrades at arms, these thoughts were shoved aside and Theorynn’s expression became one forged in stone. If nothing else could be said about the young knight it was that when in practice or any sort of mock battle her focus was sharp and unbreakable. She could always be counted on to have someone else’s back in combat practice and she had always been the quickest study when it came to weapons play.

The walk to the courtyard was short and familiar. The guards would often train here and Theorynn along with them. Though she was not a guard they seemed to enjoy having her along to spar with. She proved a good challenge and mentor for the younger recruits, and the older guardsmen especially enjoyed watching her trounce some of the younger more hot headed recruits when challenged on her abilities due to her gender or stature. But this was different this time. This time she was going to make something of herself. She was going to show her king that she could provide the intellect and strategic prowess to protect him and their country. She had to. She couldn’t fail her father. Not again. She would do this no matter the cost and she would follow in his footsteps. No matter the personal cost. This is what would prove her worth in this world.

As the clash of weapon against shields and armor alike reached her ears Theorynn dropped down in to a battle ready stance squaring her shoulders, grounding her feet, and placing her own regulation shield in front of her with enough clearance to see over. She may not require the shield throughout the battle, but it would be good for protection until she could get a good read on the battle styles of those around her. Charging in to the fray she picked a target she knew would be out within the first few bouts anyway. A young guardsman who she recognized as one of the weaker yet still very determined recruits. It would be good to get as many people out of the fray as possible before picking any real targets. Then she could focus on the few who would actually pose her any challenge. Knocking the guardsman to the ground was easy and she quickly disarmed the boy and smacked him on the wrist with her blunted weapon just hard enough to cause minor injury that would knock him out of contention.

“Ah damn,” the boy cried out as her blade smashed against bone with a harsh crack, “come on Theory! Damn, I think you may have broken it!”

“Get out while you still can,” Theorynn barked over the loud clashing and clanging of battle, “you’re not ready for this and luckily I caught you first. These people are here for real battle. They won’t spare your life and limb like I will.”

Deflecting several in coming blows from eager participants Theorynn backed in closer to her fallen comrade and kept them at a distance. Helping the guardsman up with her sword hand she bashed another incoming opponent with her shield and pulled her friend to his feet aiming to get him to a medic quickly before one of the more zealous combatants decided to make his injuries worse. These mock battles could get nasty as far as injuries went. Spotting a somewhat familiar medic pinned between the main brawl and a couple of combatants who had moved out of the main fray and were headed his direction Theorynn decided to head his way and provide aid. Backing herself and the guardsman toward the courtyard wall where the medic was pinned she fended off a few glancing blows from the combatants as they passed and moved to place herself between the medic and what was nearly a wall of flailing weapons and limbs. As they neared the medic who was tending to yet another injured fighter she nodded to him over her shoulder.

“I have another injured here,” she called over the clamor, “minor injury to his wrist, but he should be alright otherwise. He just won’t be picking up a weapon for a day or two. Can I provide any assistance or protection.....um....Lumen, isn’t it?”

[Tune]

"I have a feeling you've made due with worse. Stay out of my way and you should be fine."

The centaur was right; a blunted weapon was the least of his worries. Even with a dull blade, any weapon could do damage. Worse, if an inexperienced whelp was on the other side. The entire Arena erupted into a frenzy. Weapons of all kinds swung through the air, and Devrin wasn't keen on getting caught in the thick of the melee. A brute of a man, with the unkempt beard to boot, blocked his path. A flurry of blows from dual war axes. Each blow sent shockwaves up his arms, threatening to break his weapon - or his grip - in two. A sudden gleam of steel above his head was the cue to disengage.

Devrin launched into a forward roll, avoiding the downward slash of a broadsword. The axeman wasn't as lucky; over the roars of the crowd, battle cries and screams of agony, he could've swore he heard the two weapons collide. He wasn't about to wait for the dust to settle to see who won that collision. Up on his feet, Devrin nearly tasted the blade of a man's sword. Maybe it was all the dust, but he might've lost an inch from his beard. A warm trickle of blood dripped down his throat, and he reacted before fully comprehending the extent of his wound.

A shaken young man, barely old enough to enter the Arena, stood in front, weaponless with a blade at his throat and the collar of his shirt clenched tightly in Devrin's gloved hand. The kid's mistake made his blood boil.

At least two fell as the Namida barreled through the line, catching a third in the stomach with a mighty swing of her hammer and sending him flying. A shower of dirt exploded from her hooves as she stamped to a sudden halt and wheeled around to thunder toward them again. Steel rang as the shaft of her warhammer met with the edge of a broadsword, deflecting it with ease before heavy hooves rode down the offender. The pained screams that followed barely registered as she continued her pre-emptive assault.

She was easily holding her own in that manner for quite some time before three more combatants rushed her at once. She reared with intent to strike them down with both hoof and hammer, but a sudden and sharp pain ripped through the back of her left thigh as her movement reached its apex. The unexpected shock of it buckled her leg, sending her reeling backward with a vexed shout that was equal parts pain and frustration. On sheer instinct, her uninjured hind leg lashed out as she hit the ground with a heavy thud, blindly connecting with the scrawny attacker with force enough to send him careening into the arena wall.

She had been so preoccupied with those she saw as more of a threat that she hadn’t noticed the man’s furtive approach. This was why most Centaurs preferred traveling and fighting in pairs whenever possible, that way there was always someone to watch your flank. Uttering a string of curses, she barely had time to glimpse the spear shaft protruding from the back of her lower thigh. Even dulled, the the fool had managed to sink it deep. There was no time to attempt removing it before the original three were on her. In a flurry, blows were both blocked and struck as she fought her way up. Devrin couldn't ignore the overwhelming presence of a centaur on the field. From over the shoulder of his opponent, neither could the others. By the time she had gotten a knee up to stand, she had already abandoned her weapon for bare fists and fiery rage. She was making headway, but before she could fully find her feet, two more combatants noticed her volatile floundering and resolved to take advantage of it.

With a hard shove, he sent the young kid colliding with a female shield maiden, knocking the shield from her hand. He managed a quick reprieve during the sudden fight he caused, and forced his way toward the thick of the battle. He dealt blow after blow, desperation rendering the idea of a 'fair fight' pointless. Kneecapping one man, he kicked another off his feet, and used the flat of his blade like a club to knock heads together.

He watched Nami fall, but couldn't prevent her from being rushed by opportunists. Devrin yelped in pain as a solid object struck his side. He felt the warm rush of blood oozing from a reopened wound, slowly soaking through his provided Arena armor. Before he could retaliate, he heard the clang of metal against metal from behind, and a scream of pain. He didn’t have time to stop and reap his vengeance. Blinking the sweat from his eyes, he pushed forward, shouldering others in his way. Nami’s defensive onslaught was desperate, as he witnessed her fighting off opponents with hooves and hands. Every movement he made caused pain to shoot up his side, and he damned the troll - and the idiot - to oblivion for his predicament. He rammed his pommel into a man’s rib cage with enough force to crack bones, winding the man and knocking him off balance. Devrin downed the man with a vigorous stomp to the man’s Achilles heel.

With a powerful headbut, Namida sent the closest attacker reeling backward, clutching his bloodied face. Once an opening presented itself, a swing of her fist crumbled a second one to the ground where he remained unmoving. Finally winning the chance to stagger fully back to her feet, she managed to catch the wrist of the third’s in mid-swing of his mace. With a wordless shout, she wrenched his arm backward with enough force to pop his arm clean from its socket before taking him by the throat and hurling him away.

He was panting by the time he stood before Nami, shielding her from the blow of a warhammer. Pure adrenaline and throbbing misery compelled Devrin to stave off the blow, and forced the hammer wielder back. “Thought you could use some help,” Devrin huffed, casting a wary gaze in Namida’s direction.

Her chests heaved like the mighty bellows of a forge as she worked to catch her breath before her momentary respite was broken by the harsh ring of steel on steel. Her face sported a feral smattering of blood, sweat, and dirt when her attention snapped to where Dervin stood. The wild, battle-frenzied look in her eyes may have seemed like she wouldn’t bother to discern friend from foe, but after a tense moment she offered a wordless nod of acknowledgement and thanks.

Seizing the opportunity, she twisted her torso to grasp the offending spear and, with a snarling shout, wrenched it free. The bleeding wound would slow her down, but it was better than trying to continue the fight with the spear still sunk. Clutching the weapon with white-knuckled anger she snorted and hurled it toward the closest movement that caught her eye, which just so happened to be the fighter that Dervin had originally shielded her from, taking him down by the shoulder before the man could attempt striking at him again. “We’re not out of the fire yet, stay sharp!”

Devrin thanked his lucky stars he was deemed an ally, temporary as it may be, because the bloody woman was a beast.

[P.K.]

Kaia wasted no time wondering the halls there was a bottle of Mulled wine she'd promised and get a bottle she would! With light footsteps she bounced and bobbed weaving through the crowds and out into the open courtyard. From there she began to make her way against the crowds that were flooding in from the city. Food and drink to be had, surly there would be plenty but as she reached the outside of the gates she heard the bells toll. She paused and turned back looking through the gates in the direction she'd heard the bells. The arena. Some would fight for glory, or the free fair afterwards and some would fight to impress the king and become one of the lion hearts.

She had thought long and heard about doing the same. While she might not have risen to the expectations of the academy in the legacy her father had left but becoming a lion heart would rise above it. She'd also thought long and heard about how her father might voice his opinion... as high of an honor as it was she doubted he would want her to venture so young on a journey that would likely never see her return to make a family of her own. Ending the Vandrachen Lin with her. Not to mention how her mother would feel about the whole thing who also likely wanted to see owlets from Kaia sometime. But she would not hesitate to pick up her weapon in his deafens should he ever call her.

Her thoughts turned to the King as she turned away from the castle. She'd grown up near him but she'd never become close. he'd always seemed preoccupied no matter how she'd approached him if she could ever get that far. Never unkind but some what cold, she'd always wondered what he was thinking especially when he holed himself up in the castle libraries. But as she'd watched him grow as she grew she thought she began to understand. He knew what was expected of him and not only was he going to do it he was going to go beyond it. He had a purpose perhaps even a dream or a demand of the world he intended to see happen. He was going to change their world somehow. She could feel it.

She weaved through the streets, taking in a deep breath of the mixture of festival goodies, feeling her mouth water. but she needed to focus on finding the mulled wine first. Her light footsteps taking her down the streets as she searched, keeping her wings tightly to her back to keep them from getting in the way. Eventually she arrived at a stall that was selling exactly what she was looking for. It didn't take much convincing to get herself a decent sized bottle for herself. Pleased with her acquired item she began to weave her way back through the crowds.

She figured she would watch the sparing in the arena but as she drew closer to the castle and the courtyard it was being held in she realized that the time was drawing close where they would no longer be accepting fighters and she realized that she'd really rather be in there with them. Proving herself worthy to be called a lion heart. If the King was going to change the world, She felt it in her feathers, She wanted to be there to see it with her own eyes to make sure he reached his goal with her own two hands. With this thought in mind Kaia picked up her pace through the streets.

Kaia arrived at the booth out of breath just as the man was packing up. "Wait!" He sighed and slowly set back down to face her. Kaia smiled faintly and pushed the bottle of wine behind her back. "I would like to enter, if its not to much trouble." She took the waver he offered with a small thank you and quickly signed it, hesitating only a moment before she put her last name. He waved her in before he placed the paper with the rest and quickly stood before anyone could stop him.

Most everyone had left their gear and grabbed the provided weaponry and armor. She took to a corner and stripped off her short sword, having left her halberd at her home as it be to cumbersome in a crowd. Stripping away her gloves and armor. Carefully setting her bottle of wine safely between her things and covering it gently, out of sight out of mind. There would be plenty of time after the arena to catch up with her father. For now this is where she needed to be. Strapping on the armor that was provided and snatching up a long polled weapon she adjusted herself to its weight and grip. The armor was more cumbersome then her own and did not fit nearly as well with her wings, chaffing against the joints that connected to her shoulders, the weight of the weapon was fine but it was heaver in her hands then her own weapon.

Finely she took a deep breath and followed the others out into the ensuing chaos. Clashing metal, voices shouting and voices crying in pain. Kaia's eyes caught the gimps of steel and ducked as a dull broadsword swept just above her head. She popped up and spun to face the broad shouldered man easily a head taller then herself She leaped back and used her weapon to redirect his swing before she spun the blunt end up and slammed it into his chest. He grunted at the impact but smiled. Kaia knew her strength was easily outmatched by this man, truthfully by most people on this battlefield.

He grabbed the staff and jerked it to the side, jerking her closer. Kaia kicked up flaring her wings to give her air as her foot smashed into the man's chin bloodying a tooth as he released her weapon with a groan. Kaia hit the ground with her wings splayed over the ground but she lost no time in swinging the blunt end into the side of the man's head before he could recover. As he reeled to the side Kaia rolled up stabbing the weapon into the ground and using it to propel herself into the air as she swung around and smashed her knee into the man's ear sending him to his knee. He swung his weapon out wildly in her direction the flat of the blade catching Kaia in the side and sending her tumbling sideways.

She managed to somewhat control her roll ending up in a crouch, clutching her weapon as the man staggered to his feet but before he could charge her two fighters barreled into him knocking him to the ground once more. Kaia dived to the side to avoid the wrestling bodies and rolled back to her feet.

[StormWolf]

In the presence of his lord and sovereign, Brennus' back straightened, shoulders squared. The High King was a young man yet, but commanded a respect beyond his years, even beyond his station. The gravity of his burden, known since birth, was not to be understated. Brennus cleared his throat gruffly,

"Beg pardon, your Grace," said Brennus, his steely eyes trained forward. "Have you ever considered that I am fully aware, and therefore speak with purpose?" Brennus smirked. "In that, at least, I intend to be apart from certain others in the palace." Obstinate as a bulwark, unmoving at first, Brennus' stern brow quirked incredulously at the passing dismissal of his lord.

"Your Grace, I appreciate your thoughtfulness and candor, but my daughter, my wife, and I are aware of what my station entails..." he paused, the High King already moving on with that sly and knowing grin on his face.

Cocky little shite, Brennus thought to himself with a low harrumph.

"You've made your mind, your Grace, so at least permit me to escort you off the palace grounds." Brennus said, not quite a question or request as a statement. He was a man of purpose, to which he had fully dedicated himself. Half measures and cut corners were not something he would easily abide, even with permission given.

Once Brennus and his ward had parted ways, he walked the stalls on parade, helping himself to spiced wine and a steaming mutton pie, its warmth felt even through the layers of his gauntlet. The passing performer would make a show of their novelty skill, earning jeering and applause, and a shower of coin if they were fortunate. Keeping a leisurely pace, Brennus followed the herd of citizens to the arena. There, he would find himself a seat and give cheer to deserving contenders, standing and hollering an eagle-cry for his daughter, showering those seated beneath him with half-chewed pie.

[Anti-Hero]

Seig slumped down in his chair and took a quick drink, he watched with interest certain bodies on the field, locking eyes with more than one of them. He took another drink and realizing his discomfort rose from the chair and began grinding his hands together massaging his knuckles as the Prince and the Prince's mother walked around the corner. His eyes lit up and a genuine smile found its way stamped on his face. There was no falsehoods, no masks, when Seig saw his saw it was a bright light in the void that shined his way. The Prince wrapped his arms around his father's waist and quiet 'Hey Dad' could be heard passing from one to the other. He embraced his son tightly for a moment before raising a hand to his mother. It was somewhat of a handshake, but, more like a romantically inclined squeeze. He and She had always shared a special bond, even if the laws didn't permit a normal life for him.

"So Dad, who do you think is going to win?" The Prince's eyes were specifically locked on one creature on that battlefield, because he had never been witness to the prowess of a Centaur, actually he had never seen one at all. He was visually excited with anticipation of watching the heroes fight, a slight bounce up and down while he leaned on the wall of the balcony had all but consumed his movement.


"Oh, I have my thoughts, but first, I would like to know if you have chosen a name yet?" He looked at his son with a cocked eyebrow wondering if he had been like him at that age and would end up waiting till the last moment. "Yes sir and I think you'll like it a lot, Mom told me it was a good one." The Prince looked at his mother for approval and she nodded while running her fingers through his hair. "It is a wonderful name and Seig, I have no doubt you'll be satisfied at the coronation, he's spent nights thinking and deciding all by himself."


"Well, well, he's better than his old man, I waited till the last minute for mine." He laughed and pat his son on the back while his eyes focused back on the contest. Specifically he watched he Centaur as it was knowledge to the obvious who would likely win this contest if it went to one fighter. "Dad! Who do you think is going to win?" The Prince prodded again in excitement, he knew his father knew a lot about fighting and wanted an answer now so he knew who to watch. "Well, if you want my honest opinions, the young Centaur is going to destroy the competition, skilled or not she is the strongest opponent on the field. Since you're so interested...." He pulled the Prince to his knee, "...She is from a place called The Fringes, a place that lies beyond the protection of our borders, she comes from a place where constant battles our being waged to survive and she's grown up stronger than most because she had no choice. There are other fighters on the field today who actually pose a challenge to her and to some extent I'm more interested in them, I want to see what they'll do to stand as a threat against her."


"She's so cool and strong!" The Prince's eyes gleamed watching the Centaur fight it was obvious to Seig how much she had to hold back so as not to kill her opponents outright, it was impressive to say the least, now if only they could be adept at containing magic like the other races. He watched for a moment more continuing to lock his gaze onto certain combatants. "I think I have chosen my Lion Heart." He finally said it allowed even though he'd known for weeks prior to the festival.


"Hey, Dad? Will I know who my Lion Heart are?" The mood quickly to a sour turn and Seig felt his jaw clench when the question was asked and even more the boy's mother bowed her head quietly. "Yes, you will, but with any luck, this time around you won't need one. Let's watch the fight!" He feigned excitement to get his sons mind out of the dark but in some sense he began to wonder.


Don't question yourself now, fool.

[P.K.]

Kaia smiled at the unmistakable call she could just barely make out over the roaring crowed and the clash of steal. Her father was in the crowed above and though she didn't have time to spare looking for him she knew he was watching closely and she couldn't disappoint. The numbers were dwindling slowly but surly through the onslaught. Men and women alike were being dragged off the field to be tended to. Young and old, experienced and in experienced. It was thinning out to the lucky and those with quick wit and even quicker reflexes.

Kaia used the slight hook at the end of her halberd to catch the ankle of a passing young man. He rolled into a tumble catching himself with his battered shield and turned to face her just as she came down on him with both feet. Landing squarely on the shield She thrust the halberd down past his shield sending a glancing blow off his shoulder but it was enough to make his arm buckle under her light weight pinning his arm against his chest as he attempted to swing at her with the sword. the sword caught her leg as she drew back and struck for his head.

Kaia's leg buckled making her flop sideways as a line of red ran down the side of her knee. The man staggered to his feet one of his ears bloodied after the blow of her weapon had caught it he rushed her bringing his sword down before she could get to her feet. She deflected the blow once, twice, thrice before they held fast, locked in a struggle. He pushed down with his weapon while she struggled to push it back. She grunted at the effort but watched it steadily lower towards her shoulder before her brought his shield arm up to bash her in the head.

Kaia tipped her weapon suddenly making him slide past, pain snapped across her fingers as his weapon grazed them but she wasted no time as she stumbled past in tripping him on his face and finishing him off with a sharp smack to the head. She staggered to her feet, Her knee ached but it was just another addition to collection of bruises and cuts appearing over her body. She tightened her grip on her weapon feeling the blood running between her fingers making the poll slick in her grip.

Her heart beat against her chest and her breath came in rapid gasps as her dark eyes scanned the arena. She wanted to stand and catch her breath and truthfully watch the centaur fight. She'd heard of them but she'd never seen. From what she had seen out of the corner of her eye she was glad she was on the far side of the arena from the powerful swing of her hammer.

[AliceMalice15]

It was an unusual sight, seeing someone escorted around in the middle of an arena match. For most fighters, this was a once in a lifetime chance to prove their mettle.

Many had different motivations, but nearly all were unified by that grandiose idea that the Lion Heart had been established on. Helping to save their world with their sword hand.
Lumen had no such illusions, especially here on the outskirts of the brawl.
His priority was right where it always had been, the people in front of him.

“Correct, Doctor Lumen”, the medic replied, not even waiting for the end of their introductions to size up his newest patient.
Did he recognize either of them? Perhaps. The perforations of his enclosed helm made it difficult to identify others at a glance. No doubt there were a dozen other fighters on the field who would give him that same sense of familiarity, this caste of society was the most prone to injury.

But he couldn’t think about that right now.
The boys arm was dangling, and Lumen intended to keep it that way. His honorable opponent had suggested it would only be a minor injury, but such things were often underestimated by people who lived and breathed adrenaline.

“Stay still”, Lumen ordered, pressing a thumb against the injured fighters forearm, then carefully navigating down.
Wrist injuries were far from uncommon, but they came with their own unique set of problems. A large number of bones sat between the radius--the long bone of the arm, and the metacarpal bones of the fingers.

If the damage was bad enough, or the bones did not mend properly this boy might never hold anything again, let alone a sword.

Well, it was a bleak thought he’d keep to himself. There were always magical means of mending, but that was a dangerous thought-trap.
Energy used to heal was stolen from the King. Wasting it frivolously, when the body could often repair itself on its own was a dangerous mentality to fall back on--

The boy hissed, as Lumens thumb fell onto his wrist.
“There it is, the lunate”, Lumen murmured, identifying one of the small bones nearest to the radius, “I don’t feel any floating, so its probably just a hairline--”


The Medic felt a pair of hands grab him in a frenzy, and he let go of the recruit just in time to feel a sharp rip at his chest.
Where?
Where?!
Where had he come from, the woman had been watching the--
Lumen put it together quickly, recognizing the man whose arm he’d reinserted back into his socket who now held a handful of golden cloth.
He grabbed again mindlessly, the whole exchange of Lumen being pulled down happening in moments.
Lumen pulled his fist back sharply, driving it hard into his frenzied patients temporal bone--right behind the ear.

To be fair, the Doctor couldn’t blame him for it. Doped up on massive amounts of adrenaline from fighting and being injured. He’d blacked out, but it was common to wake back up in a frenzy and confused state.
Lumen almost felt bad, but--

Where had he gotten a fistful of that cloth? The rules of the arena meant--

“Oh no…”, Lumen muttered, feeling for the gold tabard on his chest, the one that identified him as a non-combatant.
Gone, shredded from their tumbling match.
“Oh, this is bad, this is very bad…”
Having been half distracted by the medic’s murmurings Theorynn was just as shocked as he when the first injured combatant started to grapple him in a frenzy. Cursing under her breath she geabbed the other man’s shirt aiming to refocus his attention just as the tabard on the medic ripped and the man was knocked unconscious once more by the medic’s expert blow.

“Well shit,” she swore, “you’re not kidding. Listen I’ll get you to the outskirts, just stay behind me and I’ll do what I can to get everyone back to the......ah completely opposite side of the courtyard.......well shit......”

Shaking her head Theorynn rolled her shoulders and repositioned her shield infront of their small group. Before them was the slowly, too slowly, thinning wall of weapons and though the outer perimeter was relatively empty there were still combatants and bodies alike huging the stone walls of the courtyard striving for protection from the onslaught. Their options were slim and unpromising. Around the edge would be safer, but would be too slow, the frenzied man could wake up again and once more attack Doctor Lumen, too risky. Through the Middle wasn’t any less of a risky option either of course, especially with an unmarked medic. Theorynn frowned.

“Our options are pretty bleak,” she called over her shoulder once more, “around the edge may take too long if our friend wakes up again it could spell trouble. I don’t like the idea of trying to forge a path through the middle of that fray, but it would get is there quicker granted you could maybe keep us at least shielded from behind.....I don’t really like our chances of that, but it could be worth the risk. Up to you doctor, I’ll follow your decision.”

Lumen was not a slouch, years of drilling at Academy had grinded out any pacifistic notions he’d had growing up. But he was unprepared, both mentally and in terms of equipment on hand to fight competitively.
But the man quickly dealt with the second issue, as he grappled with the first.

Lumen unceremoniously looted his now thoroughly concussed attacker, taking his sword belt sheath and all. It rested uncomfortably high on his midsection, above the coiling rope of scales that was wrapped slightly lower, his tail.
If his shield had a strap, Lumen wouldn’t have hesitated to take that as well. But the Doctor would not do without the longstaff now held in his off-hand, far more familiar to him than the sword that he would fall back on.

“They’ll pile up on us, if they sense weakness”, Lumen murmured partially to himself. It was a lesson many green warriors had already learned here in the ring.
He took a moment, a long moment to observe the field, his intrepid protector, their raving attackers.

The Doctors stomach churned sickly, pressure rolling around in his guts. Fortunately his helm hid any weakness in his expression, and his tone was well measured.
Lumen’s hand slid down, shifting along the tall height of the staff until he held it like a long two handed sword.
Imposing, intimidating, it could deliver a great deal of power that really would snap bones.
“We’ll probe the middle, and shift alongside it. As far away from the Centaur as possible”
He only hoped someone was manning the closed gate on the other side, like they were supposed to be.

This woman could just as easily have thrown him to the wolves, he’d have to thank her properly once this was all over, “What's your name?”, the Doctor inquired, taking a complimentary position beside her.

“Theorynn,” she said giving the medic an approving look, “Theorynn Redmane, and believe me I have no machinations to put us up against the centaur. She’s like to be the most formidable fighter here and I’d rather go at her without distraction. In fact should I stay on my feet long enough......I hope to have a chance to. Are you ready?”

The Doctor nodded, taking position alongside Theorynn's shield, "Lumen", he paused, "Laelius Lucianus. I owe you one for this, Miss Redmane."

They pushed forward, then rotated hard around the dense melee. Already some were reacting to their presence, smaller engagements shifting away in acknowledgement of the threat Lumen and Theorynn posed.
The Medic had hoped that some would recognize his armor, any long winded explanation would be drowned out in the roar of the crowd. But his gear was not unique or memorable, similar helms dotted the field of battle.
The fighters had acknowledged them, but were unwilling to move much more. On the opposite side of the melee the centaur was locked in combat and other combatants had adopted their same strategy of staying as far away as possible.
"We'll have to push them out of the way to get through", Lumen noted, shifting to hold his staff forward like a spear.
Another pair of fighters seemed to be coming to an agreement of their own not far away, and immediately turned onto Theorynn and Lumens defense with a sharp warcry.
The Doctor harried their advance with the point of his staff, but they were clearly not inexperienced. The nearer fighter pressured the point of his staff with a shield, trying to pin it down enough for the two of them to rush forward.
Lumens insides churned, his mind racing for a solution that was lost in a mountain of medical text and theory.

Theorynn’s sword rang out in a loud metallic clang as it’s blunted edge met the blades of both combatants halting their incoming blows. With a practiced motion she stepped around Lumen and swung her shield between her chest and their weapons. Both combatants went stumbling and the nearest grunted as Theorynn’s hilt came crashing down upon his jaw. In seconds the first combatant was up again his shield up as he began to circle them looking for an easy “kill”. Many fighters would be emplying this method to narrow down the numbers. A smart tactic in normal circumstances, but with two injured and a likely less combat experienced medic it simply made things dangerous. Gritting her teeth Theorynn charged the fighter whilst his companion still dealt with his bruised jaw and likely somewhat spinning head. Their shields crashed together locking the two in a struggle of strength and wits as their blades met and clashed over head. After a moment or two of struggle Theorynn managed a decisive blow to the man’s ribs earning a harsh crack as his bones gave under the metal blade. Grunting the man shoved her back and dropped his sword for a moment clutching his side.

“Let us by,” Theorynn barked, “I’m trying to get them to the medics! You can settle this with me alone once I get them to saftey. Now move!”

Moving back to place herself between the combatants and the injured Theorynn nodded to Lumen.

“You alright there,” she called over the fighting, “looked like you froze for a moment there. They didn’t get a hit in did they?”

Shame tumbled around in Lumens guts, their opponents only faintly recognizing the situation as it was explained to them. They retreated to opposite corners, their temporary truce of convenience seeming to be already forgotten.
"F-fine...", the Medic choked, a sickness in his belly. For a few brief moments, he'd believed he could stand alongside Theorynn and aid her as she was aiding him.
But in that instant of action, when thoughts and words no longer had a place the whole world seemed to pour into him.
The sour stench of the arena turning up his nose. The shrill cheers and jeers of the crowd up above them, rising with each thunder-crack of sword meeting sword.
Even the light seemed to take on a new quality, as Lumens oval shaped pupils sharpened down to narrow slits beneath his helmet.
The moment was there.
To strike. To prey upon. The instincts of his illegitimate heritage demanded blood.
But as Lumen wrestled with the tumbling heat of fear and doubt in his guts, the moment was lost.

"I'm fine", he repeated, more confidently, "We're nearly there, lets keep moving"
He'd lied to himself, coming to the city. His superiors had not 'volunteered' him, as he'd insisted to himself.
Doctor Lumen had come of his own accord, against the recommendations of his instructors.
One last chance to prove he could have been something else, someone else.
But it was time to stop pretending.
"I'm not a warrior, but we don't have much further to go"

Theorynn frowned at her companion’s expression but didn’t press the issue. Now was not the time. She could worry about him later when the fighting had ceased. For now she needed to get them to safety. True to Lumen’s observation their goal was close at hand. Minus a few glancing blows and persistent combatants warded off by a few hard knocks with Theorynn’s shield they made it without too much incident. As they got up to the area sectioned off for the medical staffing Theorynn grabbed Lumen’s shoulder and forced him to face her for a moment, locking her soft grey-blue eyes on the slitted pupils beneath his helm.

“Hey,” she said quietly, “whatever you were thinking back there.....just because you hesitated this time doesn’t mean you aren’t a warrior. You have it in you. The first time always makes you hesitate, and you’re a doctor. Your job is to heal. Fighting is entirely different and it takes a lot of guts to even attempt much less think about it. You did good. Don’t let your thoughts control you......find me after the fight?”

The man hesitated, but after a moment peeled off the now sand stained helm. Mint blue scales traced up from the curve of his mandible to wept and sweaty hair, matching his eyes that now returned from sharpened slits to round dark pupils.
Lumen's exotic face was no less expressive for its features, lines of hesitation and a touch of sickness.
"Y-yeah", the man began, the practiced confidence of his tone betrayed by his face, "After the fight. Go take down that centaur"
Certainly there was more to be said, but not now. He'd distracted her enough.
This was Theorynn's moment. Perhaps one she'd been training her entire life for.
He wanted this warrior to make the most of it.

Without hesitation Theorynn smiled at Lumen, the corners of her mouth curling up and forming her signature dimples on her cheeks, and gently but firmly bumped her fist against his shoulder. It was a soldier’s way of showing affection or comradery, but she hoped it sufficed for now as a show of good faith and appreciation. What were soldiers without someone to patch them up after all? Turing back to the fray she put her shield in front of her and charged. Now she had more to fight for. A new more pressing cause than just some title. She wanted to.....well in short she wanted to impress a boy....Sir Cian would Be proud....and smug....and likely get in a few laughs at her expense although there was nothing funny about wanting to impress ones friends and allies....he’d still laugh.

[StormyNyte]

Even as the number of contestants steadily dwindled, the amount of people focused on the wounded centaur and her human meat shield, only drew focus to the duo. He could feel the side of his cuirass grow damp from blood. Having fought in worse conditions, he was prepared to do whatever it took to make it out in one piece. Those nearby who witnessed Nami impale a man like a slab of grilled meat, had taken a step back.

Good idea, he thought, backing an injured animal into a corner was a bad idea. A lesson he learned at an early age, was to give space. Devrin edged forward into a defensive stance, shifting from one foot to the other, eyeballing a broad shouldered man - looked like a brawler from Lyse - wielding a flail. Gritting his teeth, he braced himself as the metal ball of spikes swung through the air. The moment he dodged the brunt of the attack, he couldn't stop the chain from yanking his sword from his hands.

Desperate and unarmed, Devrin lunged away from the man's next attack, slamming into a woman closeby. He was gambling on the centaur, and her next move as he wound up grappled with an irate ginger with a cracked shield and sword.

Taking advantage of the other contestants’ momentary hesitation, Namida swung her human half down to retrieve her hammer. Blood loss and the exertion of the fight made it heavier in hand than she recalled it being when they first started.

When she witnessed her temporary ally become unarmed, she snorted hotly as her warrior spirit rallied. His ill fated lunge sparked her ingrained instinct to defend and protect and, with little warning, a strong hand snatched Dervin up by the back of his cuirass and jerked him backward.

The sudden disengagement was enough to stagger the red haired woman before Namida thrust her hammer forward, nearly doubling her as the head of the hammer knocked her backward. Catching movement from the corner of her eye, her heavy hooves danced sideways in effort to evade but her wounded leg made the motion unwieldy and slower than necessary.

She managed to avoid the full force of the brawler's flail, but its spikes tore across her flank in a glancing blow. With a snarling shout, she shoved Devrin to her defensive side before grasping the hammer in both hands, shattering the wielder's arm with a retaliatory swing.

Suddenly being airborne was definitely not a first, but being man handled by a furious, injured centaur was. Thrust from the arms of a woman (when was the last time that happened?) and forced into an unarmed defensive stance, he lucked out when someone nearby was disarmed mid-fight. He scrambled for the discarded weapon, and rammed an elbow into someone's sternum in a mad grab for a dagger. A quick swipe of a blade slashed the man's thigh open, bringing the man to his knees.

Standing back-to-flank with the centaur drew curious gazes, and from among the thinning crowd of competitors, he saw someone with wings - and was that a tail? He told himself he'd recognize Lumen's distinctive features anywhere, but the pain in his side was making it harder to concentrate. He ducked as a woman lunged at him, and grabbed her by the belt, using her own momentum to fling her to the ground. Where she once stood, a claymore impaled the ground. The wielder, who obviously overextended, had gotten his weapon stuck, and Devrin capitalized by kicking the man squarely in the chest.

Nothing's fair in the Fringes, and Devrin would be damned if playing by the rules meant allowing serious injuries on the field. Namida’s wounded hide was a murky sheen of sweat, blood, and dirt as they continued to thin out the near-endless onslaught of contestants. They were coming from all sides at this point, the only positive being that she didn’t have to run the challengers down with her leg wound. At least she wasn’t facing them down alone now. The man was no fellow Centaur at her flank, but he would do well enough so long as he could continue to hold his own.

She glanced to the contestants at the far side of the frey, wondering if they were merely biding their time before joining or if they were wise enough to remain clear of her. Snorting, she lunged at a man that looked as if he had only lasted this long by sheer dumb luck. Her mock charge was enough to startle him backward and into the middle of two others who were squaring off. A flash of wings drew her attention as the fighting pair quickly ended the man’s lucky streak.

Namida eyed the avian beast-kin warily. She never enjoyed having to tangle with enemies on the wing, no Centaur did. As long as the distance was respected though, she wouldn’t go out of her way to engage the feathered woman. A sudden warcry drew her attention back to her own present, blocking a mighty hammer swing with the shaft of her own. The blunt force of the attack jarred her enough to stagger backward a step as she eyed the mountain that wielded it, he looked as though there was quite a healthy dose of Orc blood in his veins.

Baring her teeth in a snarl, she shoved him back. The next clash of their weapons rang out nearly as clear and loud as the toll of the starting bell itself, to the startled surprise of many. Some disengaged briefly to watch, but everyone nearest to them seemed to take a collective step back as the colossal warriors traded blow for blow. Within the first few seconds, it was obvious that they were nearly equalled in both strength and skill.

The thunderous blow of weapons striking nearby meant one thing - someone was able to go toe-to-toe with Nami, his wounded centaur ally. Devrin uttered a string of curses, slightly relieved that others took initiative and retreated from the fray. Perhaps Nami could've easily taken the man, if she wasn't injured. She might get killed, he thought grimly, fist tautly clenching the dagger in hand. Flashbacks of trolls marred his vision. Their stench, the smell of blood and rotting flesh made his stomach churn. It seemed all too real, and Devrin was already on the offensive. The timing of attacks were sporadic, but he was able to find an opening between one of Nami's powerful swings. His body absorbed a glancing blow from the hammer when the man's eyes zeroed in on Devrin skirting around his side.

He couldn't kill the man, but as he dodged a massive elbow clearly meant to cave in his head, Devrin plunged the dagger into the man's hamstrings, straining to deepen the blow. This had to buy the centaur enough time to capitalize. Two things happened in that moment, the orcish man roared and staggered as he swung to strike Devrin down and Namida grimaced through the throbbing in her leg to rear up, bellowing a warcry of her own as she brought the hammer down with all her remaining strength and full weight behind the blow. The cry was enough warning for him to rally his defence, but their fierce battle had compromised the integrity of his arena leant weapon. To the horrified shock of both contenders, her strike shattered through the hilt of his hammer and slammed heavily into his sternum, driving him into the dirt before she could stop it.

Namida froze, watching in stunned silence as her mighty opponent’s wide-eyed face went slack. Surely she hadn’t? Nearly every orcish enemy she had ever faced before had a much stronger physical constitution. She stood, mentally willing him to draw breath before dropping her hammer and taking a front knee beside the man to check for any sign of life. Her futile effort came up wanting and she shook her hanging head in disbelief. Remaining where she was, she spoke out to Devrin in a strained voice. “It’s likely to matter little now, friend, but my name is Namida Thunderhoof. Anyone who fought by my side as you did today deserves to know it.”

[Anti-Hero]

There was moment when hammer met flesh and the bones cracked beneath its weight that the mighty Centaur felt the crushing blow come back around onto her shoulders and it was in that moment that a throne lay empty and a young boy who's hand rested in his mother's was introduced to a terrible part of the world and more so to the power that one day he would achieve himself. Carefully, in that instant the boy watched his father move from one position to the next without warning and scatter the dust to the wind as his feet touched the ground near the Orc's corpse. It was in one movement, The High King stood, stepped and in the midst of the arena guarded the corpse while staring daggers into the heart of a Centaur that was near three times his size. He raised his hand and with a flick of his wrist tore weapons away from every warrior still on this field and slammed them to the ground, some even crumpling beneath the weight of his power. None had see it first hand inside the city walls, it was something of an ordeal to the people as his with every use there was an area of effect that pushed down on their shoulders and might bring some to their knees. The dust began to settle, albeit well away from him, the corpse, and the Centaur. He looked to one and then the other before his hand fell to his side and he faced that which dwarfed him, where as many would show hesitance, The High King radiated a presence of domination, let one of them raise a hand in his presence at this moment.

The few guards on duty had scurried quickly at the flash of his appearance and rushed to the iron bars that guarded that enclosed the tournament. Though, upon seeing their High King standing at the center of the ring a feint pulse of weak knees, turned stomachs, and headaches hit every last one of them.

His eyes pierced into the gaze of the Centaur, still in shock of her own power or was it a misdeed? He stood quiet for a moment and then with hand resting at his side he turned on palm up and motioned to the corpse of the half-breed Orc.

"Did you know, he was a half-breed?"

The king's sudden presence hit her like the crushing weight of a great stone giant. Panic gripped her heart as the unyielding force of his power drove her down. Her kind were not overly familiar with the touch of magic and if it weren’t for the sheer magnitude of it, she might have broke and run to distance herself from him. The more she fought it, the heavier on her it lay until her wounded leg finally gave out fully and dropped her heavy to the dirt before him. Bracing her human half up on shaky arms, she tried to focus on his question through a thick haze of weariness and fear.

Half-breed? Her blurry mind grasped at the memories of her previous encounters with Orcs throughout the Fringes. They were few and far between, as the two races did their best to avoid each other and any collaboration involving three or more tended to end rather messily. There was seldom time or effort wasted on knowing how to discern the purity of their pedigree. She barely raised her face as she shook her head again, eyeing the corps. He was paler than most she had seen, but other than that he looked to her nearly indistinguishable from others of his blood. Her voice was low and strained when she finally spoke. “Neither by his size nor strength could I have known this, Your Grace.”

He turned away from Namida and what power he exuded began to fade as he locked his eyes to the corpse of the Orc and wondered how much of what the Centuar said was infact truth. He knew of the dealings between many of the beast tribes and knw that many of the interaction with those out in the fringes usually ended in blood. He knelt down and his hand brushed over the Orc's eyes so that they shifted to a closed state, for many races this wasn't important but humans, in a way, revered their dead, so respect was everything. His hand passed over the wound before he stood, it was clear the intent of the strike was to fell and combatant but not kill. The Centuar were known to have so much strength that it was considered somewhat unpredictable how much they put behind their attacks. This however, was certainly not her full power and that was clear. He stood back up and turned to Namida once more a piercing guys turned steely.

"You may not have known High Kings in the past, but I knew you to be telling the truth before I asked, I simply needed to know if you knew what that truth was. However, the laws of our people are as follows: if one is to kill within a non-lethal tournament, the assailant is to meet the same fate before the next rising of the sun." He looked around and motioned toward the guards to come closer and to remove the Orcish corpse from the battlefield. "You may also not know that this tournament, while it comes with reward is held in the spirit that some of the warriors will go to meet their death at the hands of the Calamity. I leave you with two choices Centuar, One, you die here by my hand, it will be quick and I promise you will not suffer, or two, and my preferred suggestion, you forfeit your life to me and face the Calamity with the rest of us. What say you?"


The fading of the King’s power was quite a literal weight off of Namida’s shoulders. With careful slowness, she pushed herself back up to a half-seated position in favor of her wounds, watching the guards remove the ill-fated Orc before willing herself to fully meet his steely gaze. There was no doubt that he would easily make good on his word, everyone in attendance was given a taste of the power he wielded. Death or slower death wasn’t much of a choice, but Centaurs were stubbornly proud creatures. None would willingly lay down and die without a fight and now that she had killed without need, both her pride and honor made the decision simple. With a slight bow of her head, she brought her right arm across her chest to place a clenched fist over her human heart. When she spoke, her voice was unwavering. “My life’s blood is yours to spill as needed. Ask what you will of me, my strength and service are yours."

Seig turned away from her and nodded so as to allow her to stand with the pride no Centaur should be without even within spitting distance of their own failures. He looked across the crowd some of their eyes in horror, some looking in questioning wonder, and others ready to receive words from their King.

"So begins the selection of Lion Heart."

The High King looked around for those that met the requirements for selection near all of them could be found in the ring sans one or two men could be seen in the ring. In the past this had been more of celebration to the end of a tournament and it wasn't uncommon that those who one were awarded the title as well, their winnings were doled out as seen fit them and their families. However, this time was special, Seig wasn't here to simply quell a calamity he sought to end it entirely and that called for those who were special, some of them, Namida, wouldn't even be able to use his magic, but their skills, their histories, who they were as people would all be put to the test and he knew his chosen would surpass his expectations without the need for prodding or poking.

He raised his hand and the people in the stands who weren't stood and placed a hand over their heart as well as bowed their heads, for this moment was one of belief, power, and the willingness to serve with every ounce of who you were. The Lion Heart weren't chosen via a selection such as the military or the police, they were chosen by unseen forces that tied each of them together, some may even have known other prior while others may have simply passed along the streets, who was to say? His thumb and his middle finger pressed together and with force, the scraping of bone and pressure of air a snap echoed in the silence of the tournament grounds and before him were those that had been bestowed the title of Lion Heart.

No matter where they stood, what they were doing in that moment cease and five more bodies now sat in front of the King, with Namida that gave them a total of six Lion Hearts, the silence ended and the stadium erupted in cheer, for the beginning of the festival had come and gone the tournament was over and now was a time to celebrate.

'Are you sure these will be enough?'
He nodded silently in affirmation and whilst his eyes poured over his new allies he saw his son sitting their upon his thrown watching and smiling at his father, what name would he carry in the following hours?

[Tune]

Devrin kissed the dirt; a familiar taste, but hardly his favorite. The last thing he recalled, was the Centaur downing her opponent. Opening his eyes, he counted himself lucky, as only his face - lovely - hit the ground. Others who couldn't bare the pressure, weren't so lucky. His skin prickled, hairs standing on end at the mere presence of sheer magic on the field. Only one person alive contained such power - the High King of Crassia. Struggling to prop himself up on his forearms, Devrin's disgruntled expression shifted through the emotions of the conversation the King was discussing with Namida Thunderhood, the Centaurian woman. He had at least earned her name and respect.

His face fell when the full gravity of the situation took hold. Had he not immobilized the half-Orc, would Namida's hands be free of blood this time? No, the man looked every bit capable of taking the blow. From the looks of the splintered wood nearby, cheap craftsmanship was to blame for part of the man's early demise. Namida's choice came as no surprise to Devrin. Given her choices, life to die a warrior's death was better than meeting one's end from an execution. If she had died... Another person dead... Because of him? He wouldn't be able to handle it, not after...

"So begins the selection of Lion Heart."

That was the reason he had fought so hard to make it back alive from the Fringes. Everything that was left, all his promises to Minerva, lead him to this moment. Whatever would happen, whether he was chosen, weighed upon his actions today in the Arena. The release of the King's power was welcoming. He had time enough to wipe the dirt from his face, and brush his sweat dampened hair from his face. Devrin's eyes fell to the crowd as the stood, and saluted. His attention fell to Namida, now able to garner a better look in her direction. She was attractive - for someone who could cleave a man in two - but she was wounded, bloody and sweaty. She might not know human custom's, but even she showed the High King the respect a man of his power deserved.

He had been chosen. At this point, the adrenaline coursing through Devrin's veins was all that held his composure partially in check. The High King's choices for the Lion Heart were clear, and he knelt beside the others, clenched fist over his heart, head bowed, he choked back a dry sob. All the struggles he fought to overcome to make it to Giredania today, to be in attendance and survive the elimination melee, was for Minerva. To become a member of the Lion Heart and put an end to all the heartache.

I did it, Minnie. He smiled through the pain, I kept my promise; I finally did it.

It was only the beginning.

[P.K.]

The arena went still and silent. Kaia and an older man watched with a sinking feeling as well as awe. There he was, the high king in only the time it took the blink. she gasped as her weapon was ripped from her hands and watched it crumple against the ground under the immense pressure of the magic as an unseen weight forced her to the ground and she wasn't the only one. The man beside her was on his knees straining to keep from biting the dirt, It took all Kaia had just to keep her head up laying pron on her stomach.

She watched as the Orcish warrior was taken from the arena, A twing of loss. She didn't know him but that hardly mattered. a life gone was a life wasted, specially young. It was all precious. She turned her attention back to the King as he spoke to the centaur, still far across the ring Kaia couldn't catch everything that was said but she had a pretty good idea of what was going on.

The tournament had come to an abrupt end, a sad conclusion. the pressure lessened allowing Kaia to push herself to her knees as the king announced the beginning of the selection. Kaia brushed her hand over her front to dislodge the dirt, blood and dirt on her front as much as she could before she looked at the crowed in wounder. As one. Kaia looked at the crowed searching for her father in the crowed but she couldn't see him there. Confused she peered back into the Arena and realized she wasn't where she'd been just moments before. A cheer erupted from the crowds as she looked to the King. Her dark brown eyes widened as she realized exactly what had happened and a smile spread across her face.

An excitement rose in her chest. An feeling almost so strong that it brought tears to her eyes but her smile grew. Finely! To serve her king as her father did with every fiber of her being even if it meant she'd never return. Her feathers ruffled, a stirring in her wings but she didn't make a sound as she stood tall. A lion heart.

[AliceMalice15]

Theorynn was yanked to the ground by her shield arm before she could recognize the arrival of her king in the arena. Sliding her arm from her shield she rolled her shoulder and winced lightly. Not dislocated, but it would certainly be sore in the days to come. Looking up to where the king stood in the near middle of the arena she ran her eyes across the situation fighting the nausea and ringing in her head. The kings magic felt akin to standing next to explosives as they blew. Below the king however lay a man, perhaps a half orc? Hard to judge from that distance. The man was still. No breath entered his lungs and certainly no life filled his eyes as the king gently closed his lids. The centaur had killed. In the utter silence of the moment Theorynn closed her eyes, her long lashes barely grazing her cheeks, and prayed for the departed.

When the king spoke his voice was soft and yet it felt like a great weight being placed on her shoulders. He was certainly someone who’s power you could get some sense of just standing in his presence. Shaking her head lightly Theorynn tried to pay attention to what was being said, but until the ringing began to fade her mind could not regain itself. Was this truly the power of the kings magics? No wonder he’d never used them in close proximity to the cities before. She’d heard of tales of what the kings were capable of, but this was truly awe-inspiring.

“So begins the selection of the Lion Heart.” The only words she heard and the only ones she had so desperately wished to hear all day.

Forcing herself to her feet Theorynn prepared to join the rest of the combatants closer to the king. Before she could even take a step however she found herself suddenly at his side along with several others. All it took was an instant. Reaching up Theorynn reflexively tucked her mousy brown hair behind her right ear. There wasn’t much to tuck as she kept her hair relatively short and choppy, some even speculated she simply cut it with a dagger, but it was simply a reflex born of embarrassment and shock. As a blush rose to her lightly freckled cheeks Theorynn scratched the back of her neck. She had made it? She had really made the cut? Somehow in her endeavors she had actually managed to call the attention of her king and gain a place amongst the greatest of heroes......Did she truly deserve such an honor?

Pushing the invasive thoughts from her head Theorynn steeled her gaze and rolled her shoulders back. This was no time to be meek. She had earned this. She had made her dream in to her reality. She was following after her father after all these years. She was proving her worth. This is where she was meant to be. This is where she had fought and worked and bled to be. There was no turning back and there was no flaking out.

[Pheasant]

“The bone should mend within a months time, if you don’t--”

Between the time it took Doctor Lumen to blink and open his eyes again, he no longer stood within the spacious preparation chamber that had become his and the other medics triage ward.
He squinted as blinding light poured down from above, stinging Lumens blue eyes as they retracted into narrow slits.
Lumen now faced his king, and a roaring crowd. Even as he conjectured, a knee fell to the dirt as a hand passed over his heart.
What on earth was--?

Before he could aim his question, understanding filled his mind like water filled a pitcher.
An innate knowledge, like the step of a dancer or the stroke of an artists brush.
He had been chosen.
He was a Lionheart.

Before he could lament his own luck, good or bad, he glanced his head towards the orc being carried off, bulk too great for one man alone.
He tucked his head lower, and folded down his doubts.
There would be time to sort out the cacophony of thoughts bouncing inside of his head.
Did he truly deserve this honor?
Quiet…
More than others, who had bled and sacrificed years of their lives?
Quiet.

Did he deserve to count himself among his Kings greatest cohorts?
No, he did not.
But he was a Lion Heart, nevertheless.

[StormyNyte]

Namida was slow to find her feet once the High King turned from her to address the crowd. Shaking her flaxen haired head at the overall misfortune of circumstance, she eyed the king with an equal mix of both resentment and awe. Following a king of men to her own death was certainly not what she had traveled so far from fringes for, but what was done was done. If she were to meet her end on this folly, she had every intention of raging against it until her fiery fury was quenched by death’s icy clutches. Standing proud once more, despite her wounds, the centaur watched as the king quelled the the disturbed clamor of the masses with a simple raise of his hand.

In the sudden silence, the snap of his fingers seemed impossibly loud to her. In a blink, five more appeared at her side, eliciting a startled snort as she pawed the dirt in effort not to unconsciously give up ground. She frowned as the entire arena erupted and the others bowed their heads or took a knee before their leader. Let them grovel and cheer, she had been humbled enough for one day. She was glad to see that her arena ally was counted in their numbers, at least she knew he had a survivor’s spirit. Most of the rest of them looked as though they hadn’t set foot in the fringes even once.

’Tender-hooves, the lot of them… this king of theirs better know what he’s doing…’

A grim expression took hold of her face as she turned her gaze back to the king, holding his eye with a weighted stare of her own. Centaur or not, he was now the High Stallion in her eyes. She would shield their group with her very life if needed, but the finality of their venture rested squarely on his shoulders. Live or die, their collective fates hinged on the decisions he would make in their very near future. A singular nod was all she gave as she crossed her muscled arms and let her eyes wander over the cacophonous crowd. Great Gods, she needed a drink...

[Anti-Hero]

From the throne he looked down at the ring where before him stood prideful warriors ready to fight, ready to kill, and ready to die for many of whom they'd never know. He clenched his fist and his eyes swapped between his father and his mother and to the warriors who pledged their lives in that moment and in that same moment his father relinquished his title, "My name...my name is, High King Arsen Virelius." It was quiet, but all who were present heard the young king, newly crowned, announced his name and it was in that moment that all pride faded from Seig and washed over his son as he took a knee and place his right arm over his chest with his fist against his heart.

'You think he'll die too?' a formless voice plowed through his head as he knelt there with his eyes closed and his finger tightened beyond a clench in something of an expression of rage, "No. This will be the end."
'Are you sure? You'd be the first to even breach the secrets of this world, are you so prideful as to believe it will be you?'

"Absolutely."
Seig stood and looked at the warriors who now stood parallel to him in title and in status, they were no better nor worse and he'd not have them relish in formalities. "We leave tomorrow at midday, so, who wants to get fucked up?" a small sly smile curled up in the hair on his face with a certain look in his eye that was, new. With the weight of the title of his shoulders, for the first time in twenty odd years, he got to mingle among the crowd and act like a foolish child.

[AliceMalice15]

A snort escaped Theorynn’s throat before she could hold back the inherent reaction. Reaching up to cover her mouth, although it in no way covered the edges of her wide smile, Theorynn bowed her head slightly. She’d seen the king on few occasions get a little out of control and wild during feasts, but that had always seemed to be his general personality when relaxing. The peoples king.

“Your highness,” she chuckled, “If you don’t mind my saying so, I’d at least have a little restraint if we’re headed out tomorrow. I’ve seen you party before.....I’d hate to start out our journey on the wrong foot. The kingdom is counting on us after all.”

Leaning over toward Lumen she nudged him with her shoulder to get his attention. It was almost like the nudge you’d expect from somewhat misbehaving children in school.

“Why don’t you and I find some drinks and hot food after this and chit chat a bit,” she said, “seeing as we won’t be parting ways any time soon. Best to start making friends now eh? Maybe some of our compatriots will even join us. Sounds like his royal highness would be willing to join us at the very least.”

[Tune]

A new King, just a child, took the throne and the old King, a man named Seig Virelius, stood before them. He was the leader of the Lion Hearts and he wasn't what he expected. A mousy haired female knight spoke like she knew the former King personally, and it sounded like the man liked to drink. After everything was said and done, Devrin finally had time to take a good look at the others. Three humans and three beast-kin, including Namida and a half-avian woman. Beside the female knight, knelt the familiar human-reptilian he knew as Lumen Lucianus.

Maybe it was all the blows to the head or the shock, but Devrin struggled for a moment to piece together his old friend's appearance among the chosen Lion Guard. The man was studying to become a Doctor, from what Laureate had said. Lumen wasn't built to be a warrior, but if he was chosen... Devrin coughed, and cleared his throat, rising to his feet. The remaining combatants were being escorted off the field by Medics, and if his bleeding side was any indicator, that's where he should be headed as well. He turned to Namida, and bowed his head as a sign of respect.

"Devrin Roswell," he said with a grin, "Looks like we get to fight as allies again."

He bowed to the King, and excused himself. He stood in front of Lumen, and clapped the man's pauldron. "It's been a long time, my friend," he said gruffly, "We'll have to catch up later."

Devrin waved nonchalantly as he crossed the Arena, stepping over broken and discarded weapons. Having convinced a Medic for a roll of bandages, he joined others in the Changing Room. Some acknowledged his presence, others ignored or congratulated him. The honor felt hollow, the voices growing distant despite the fanfare and sounds of the stadium. He took a seat, and buried his fsce in his bloody hands.

"It should've been you, Minerva..." he whispered.



________________


Odds 'n Ends Elixirs.

The shoppe, with its handcarved sign and absurd name, was where he met Minerva. All these years, and nothing seemed to change. When they met, she was the shopkeeper's apprentice, studying herbology and medicine under Cassian. They were like family, which made the visit much more difficult.

Devrin stood outside the shop for what felt like eternity, listening to the melodic chime of the doorbell as customers shuffled out. After everything he had been through in life, the trials and tribulations, he dreaded breaking the news to Cassian and his family. The girls would be heartbroken. Taking a deep breath, the doorbell chimed when he entered the store, and Cassian's familiar voice greeted him.

"Devrin! My gods, you look like hell!" exclaimed Cassian, noticing the bruises and bloodstained bandages. The man's hazel eyes darted between examining the bandages and analyzing Devrin's face.

"Did you two join the Selection? How'd it go?" Cheerful and inquisitive as ever, Cassian never missed a beat. "Where's Minerva?"

All it took was one look in Devrin's direction, and Cassian's face fell. The vice grip Cassian had on his forearms was almost a welcomed distraction from his heartache. Cassian shook his head in disbelief, blond hair freely falling to cover his face.

"What happened?"


Cassian closed up shop, joined by Devrin, slouched over a wooden table in the supply room, an empty bottle of Whiskey and Regen Elixir sitting between them. The silence was deafening. After informing Cassian of the news, they attempted to numb the pain with liquor to no avail.

"So..." said Cassian, after a half hour of silence, "that's what happened." His voice was raspy, clearly shaken by the news. "And her family already knows?" Devrin nodded in response. "Well, uh..." Cassian cleared his throat, and took a swig of his drink.

"I-I.. I'll have to tell the girls and Adeline," stammered Cassian, ruffling his hair. "They're out enjoying the Festival." He forced a small smile, his hazel eyes red and swollen. "'Least ya made good... on the promisr, ya know. Thanks, for telling me in person."

The two spoke for awhile longer, about anything and everything other than Minerva. Cassian wasn't surprised that he was chosen as a Lion Heart, and as the pair started to part ways at the front of the shop, Cassian stopped him.

"Look, I know you're not very religious - and I'm hardly one to preach - but you're never alone, Dev. Don't forget, that you have some of the strongest guardians looking out for you."

Devrin sighed, and stared at the floor. "Yeah... Thanks, Cas," he mumbled.

"I mean it, Devrin. You've got a lot of people supporting you, even if you don't see it." Cassian crossed the floor, unlocked the door, and held it open.

"You're a Lion Heart. Go out and make us proud."

[P.K.]

Kaia's ruffled with pride and delight at the young kinds claim to his name. A new start for the young man, a new name, and now a weight upon his shoulders. With her king she bowed to the new and young king. Still a sad thought lingered. Would the cycle repeat? or would they do the impossible? She glanced at Seig for a long moment.

As Seig turned to them and asked his questions Kaia didn't bother to hide her laughter. "That's something I'd like to see." she said moving up closer. "For as long as I've known you, you've had your nose stuck in a book." She said. Living so close she'd watched him from afar but this was honestly the first time she was this close to her king, perhaps there had been things she had not witnessed while she was gone. She glanced at the female knight Her feathers ruffled once more as she grinned at him. "but by the sounds of it, I've missed development since I've been away!"

Tomorrow then. Till then now it was time to celebrate! She looked at the other chosen Loin hearts, one was already making his way to be treated and perhaps to other things. two other beast kin, the centaur and the other... intrigued her. Another half breed? Among them her father, she felt her chest swell with pride as she would meet his gaze, wondering what he might be thinking. And then the mousy haired women who'd spoken before, and the man who'd already strode off. This was serious business but tonight was the night to get to know them.

"I'd be happy to join you! If you'll have me." Kaia couldn't help over hearing the women speak to the other half breed and smiled Pleasantly, though it could not hide her excitement. She gave a courteous bow. "My name is Kaia Vandrachen. I'm more then pleased to be serving with you." she said quietly.

[StormyNyte]

The Centaur mare regarded her companions in silence before giving a heavy snort of derision. Unfolding her arms, she followed suit in breaking off and making her way back to the arming room. Her heavy steps were slow and measured as the sound of her hooves announced her entry.

The stubborn warrior that she was, Namida was careful to not reveal how deeply the bout within the arena had affected her. A pointed leer managed to ward off any of the few medics that dared to attempt approach. Collecting her things, she eventually found herself outside the arena walls and back into the streets.

Her clopping steps finally found her in front of a large fountain that served as one of the city's many water sources. Stooping for a bucket, she ignored the shocked looks as she set to rinsing away the blood and dirt that coated her until she was vaguely presentable once more.

Discarding the bucket, Namida gave a heavy sigh and rolled her shoulders before setting off again. Tomorrow would likely be the beginning of their end, but for now she had a mighty hunger and thirst to sate. She simply hoped there were decent stations to fulfill both needs without her having to duck in order to enter.

[Pheasant]

Tomorrow?!
Midday?!
As if having his whole--!

Lumen inhaled, sharply.
The foul sting of sweat, the earthy grit of the sand underneath his bent knee--
A faint, metallic aroma of blood--
The deafening battery of noise within his mind was instead filled with the shrill and hoarse cries from the stands above them.
It quieted visions of diagrams and charts, of the unique difficulties that treating half-breeds like himself and the feathered woman a few steps down the line from him presented.
The centaur woman was perhaps the most impressive, and equally worrying.
Little if any practical texts existed on their treatment, only hypothesis.

Perhaps it was callous of him to view the people he would soon be entrusting with his life with such cold objectivity. There was no telling whether they’d even accept his expertise, or dismiss him as a quack doctor.

But noone, he assured himself, would want to be treated by such a gibbering mess.

A light bump on his shoulder seemed to pull Lumen out of his thoughts and he tilted towards a head of pleasant brown, if perhaps not perfectly evenly cut hair.
Lumen had heard her question, but still took a long moments pause as he finally took in Theorynn’s features with a new puzzle to mull over.
Had they met somewhere before?
Not in the Arena that currently surrounded them obviously. Theorynn had guessed his name correctly after escorting her young friend to him, but he’d been introduced prior to the Tournament as one of the attending physicians, mostly to avoid the incident that had pushed them together in the first place--
Another familiar face clapped his shoulder, and one he this time didn’t need to guess at.
Devrin Roswell was perhaps one of Lumen’s oldest friends, they’d practically lived together for nearly a year at his mother's--Laureate’s clinic.
Lumen regretted not delaying boarding school for a little longer. After Ethriel, Devrin’s mother passed…
If he’d been there, maybe Devrin would not have chosen a warriors life.

He’d nearly forgotten to answer Theorynn’s question, tripping down memory lane.
“Drinks, food--yes”, Lumen replied suddenly, sheepishly. Any more of a delay on his reply, and that might have been awkward.

The Half-Avian, Kaia Vandrachen’s introduction came next, another unique member of this band. At least with another half-human, he didn’t feel quite so out of place.
“Dr. Lumen Laelius Lucianus”, the scaly faced man introduced himself, “If you have any injuries--”
There was a snort from the centaur, and she wasted no time in wandering off as the others had. He hoped that the glare she fired upon the other attending medics would not be turned on him, as if he were so lucky.
“--Please let me know, and don’t try and soldier on. Regardless of the...end of previous Lion Hearts, I don’t intend on losing anyone”

A flicker of doubt passed over his heart.
That was quite the promise to be making so nonchalantly, and for someone who was so mired in fears and doubts.
But it gave him something solid to hold onto, an alternative to a death march.
An objective, like an anchor.
Afterall, no one could die if he did his job right, right?

[Anti-Hero]

The King sat down at a table and raised his hand high into the air. In response, the entire tavern fell silent and the view of it's patrons turned toward him. A bit of a wicked smile and widened eyes gave credence to the idea that this wasn't going to be some speech. This was simply, a good time. "Bar-man! Tonight! The kingdom pays!" He looked at the man behind the large bar who had the thickest grin on his face while he stifled a laugh, knowing that tonight was going to be busy would feed him easy for the rest of the year.

Seig fell back in his chair and patrons began to rush the counter as tankards were slid down in a first come first serve kind of manner. He was one to be able to know how to party, but, no one had ever actually seen him drink, assuming he did at all. His table held 5 empty chairs and him, each one inviting but only to be taken by a select few. Those around knew who those seats belonged to, some of them maybe a little older than the prior calamity would cheer loudly as the Lion Heart walked through the door. Tonight, it had been suggested to go easy, but tonight was going to be the last time they could afford to not care for even a moment, because even places considered safe in The Fringes could be wiped out within the period of a day.

These children, were fighters, they were special, intelligent, loving, in some way they all brought something that would save them to the table. Devrin? Kept his secrets, but no secret could be kept from Seig, atleast, not for long. Kaia? He'd near grown up alongside her. At one point she'd been considered to be Aresn's mother, though, there were reasons that never came to pass. This was one of them. Namida? He knew, he knew that in the arena something more had taken place inside the brute that was the centaur. Theorynn? Lumen? All had their respective secret to keep.

'Don't act like you're not on the list too.'
"I know."

[StormyNyte]

Lumen's decision to raid the arena’s stockroom had been a good one afterall. Even he had underestimated the number of supplies their troop would need in his mind, the bandages, the splints, the medicines.

Certainly all could be gathered or substituted in some fashion. His mother, thanks to her time travelling along the border towns, had acquired a great deal of earthly wisdom.

Lumen however was not going to chance the health of the other Lions on lessons he only vaguely remembered as a boy.

He passed down a street of cracked cobblestone and overgrown weeds that peeked, and threatened to overtake the narrow alley. In this part of the city the buildings, mostly two story shops and taverns stood tall and almost seemed to curve towards the road, blotting out some of the sky.

It was here that he’d spent nearly all of his pocket money, gathering various books and tomes. Medical texts, particularly on the subject of the avian-human subspecies.
Perhaps the most out of place of these medical encyclopedias was the ‘Anatomy and biology of Equus Caballus’. Horses.

As he’d suspected earlier, the body of works regarding centaurs was practically non-existent.

Lumen wasn’t even sure it would be useful, in any capacity. Odds were, she wouldn’t even allow him close enough to treat her let alone answer a fairly invasive line of questions about centaur anatomy.

Having found no luck in sating her desires for food and drink without actually entering an establishment, Namida begrudgingly opted to collect the supplies they might need for their journey. It was certainly a better idea to collect them now than attempt to do so after she wound up too drunk to get back out through the tavern door.

Strapping the last bit of it securely within her saddlebags, she heaved a gruff sigh and flexed her wounded leg before continuing her slow progress through the streets. It offered a continuous ache with every step, but at least the bleeding had stopped.

As Lumen rounded the next corner, he was suddenly faced with the current subject of his woes. Many of the commoners had already cleared the street out of fear or anxiety at her presence, and the Doctor would have as well, had he not noticed her limping step.

An injury from the tournament no doubt. Even as mighty as she was, it didn’t seem like something she could just walk off as many warriors do. In fact, if he hadn’t been as blunt about it with the other Lions, nearly half of them would probably be starting their journeys with some sort of hampering injury.

“Hello!”, Lumen called with as much confidence as he could muster, which was suddenly killed when he realized she hadn’t given the group her name, “Fellow...Lionheart!”
Well, as far as greetings went he’d had worse.

As it usually happened, her mere presence parted the crowd like a royal procession of one. With a huffing laugh to herself, she wondered how the tavern's patrons would react to her entry. Her musings were soon interrupted though by the sound of a vaguely familiar voice.

With a irritated snort, she halted and half turned toward him. The lizard man from earlier, great.. What did he call himself again? Lumos, no... Lemon? Ah, hell... She gave him a flat look, staring him down. "You need something, scale-man?"

Well, he’d dealt with difficult patients before, the kind that didn’t accept help from anyone. Perhaps this would go more smoothly if she thought she was doing him a favor?
“Ahh, y-yes”, Lumen replied hurriedly, sensing the woman's impatience.

“His Highness asked me to examine everyone for combat readiness”
Well, that wasn’t exactly true, but he had gone along with it. More importantly, he avoided bringing attention to her rather obvious injury. Traditional warrior cultures, he’d read, responded to any implied weakness or injury angrily. “My name is Doctor Lumen, by the way. I don’t think we were introduced properly”

"Namida." The name was spoken as flatly as the look she was giving him. Her flaxen tail swished at her flank in annoyance. Two leggeds... always wasting time with things like that. Not wanting to chance irking the one person in this city able to humble her without even lifting a hand though, she heaved a heavy sigh.

Did she have any choice? No, none at all really. "Do your duty then, Doctor, but be quick about it."

That was...easier than expected?
Regardless, he couldn’t very well do this in the middle of the street.
“Lets go to the Tavern where everyone else is meeting up then,” Lumen suggested, “It’ll be easier, and a bit more private.”

Giving a gruff sound that could vaguely be construed as a short laugh, she shrugged before rolling her shoulders. "Well, at least it won't be a complete waste of my time. That's where I was headed anyway." With that, she turned away not bothering to wait for him to follow.

After a time, she found herself standing just outside the establishment. The door was low, even for some not roaming around on four hooves. It seemed that anyone standing over six feet high had to dip slightly. Why did everyone on two feet always seem to prefer meeting in places like this?

Shaking her head, she stooped her humanoid torso low and carefully stepped inside. It must have been quite a sight for patrons already well in drink to witness. Some were drunk enough to chance a chuckle, others murmured nervously, but all were smart enough to give her space even with as crowded as the tavern had become.

Glancing behind to make sure her saddlebags and hind quarters cleared the door frame without issue, she failed to take into account the height of the cross beams that helped support the upper level of the building. As she turned her sights forward, her head found the first of them with a heavy thud.

With a grunting curse, she stooped again and leered at the interior as she made her way forward. The bar was swarmed with customers, but there was one table further in that seemed still empty, save for one. Of course the table chosen would be at the back of the tavern…

[AliceMalice15]

Theorynn had been one of the first to leave the arena and head out in to the streets. She knew the tavern they’d all end up in before the night was out and she would find her way there eventually, but for now she was on a mission. Winding her way through the throngs of revelers and the vendors that lined the streets she made her way to the one part of town that was never quiet empty, but certainly never had more than a few living entities within it. Ducking below the marble arch that marked the entrance to the graveyard Theorynn bowed her head to the grand statue of the first king, or at least the attempted likeness of him that some artist or another had attempted in stone.

Moving with clearly practiced motions Theorynn passed between the graves placed in neat rows in the small yard until she reached one with a sword and helm etched in to the headstone. It wasn’t anything grand or fit for a king, but why would you make something grand for a place where no body lay rotting beneath? Kneeling before the stone Theorynn pressed her head to the cool surface and smiled.

“I did it father,” she said quietly, “I did it just like you. I’m a Lion Heart just as you were. I can finally prove to everyone that I am worth something and.......and I’m....I’m a little scared. I mean....what if I fail before we ever start? I believe in the King, but what if I mess things up? What if we fail and it’s my fault? Is this really where I’m supposed to be? I’ve strived for this moment my whole life and now I’m here but.....why am I so hesitant? Am I afraid to die? Afraid of what I’ll find?.....what if I find you out there? What’s left of you.......I’m so confused.....”

Theorynn’s hand twitched when her ears caught the sound of another set of boots approaching her from the same direction which she’d entered. Had she been followed? Was someone trying to get rid of her already? She couldn’t let that happen, but she couldn’t act until she was certain.

“Why are you so confused little bear,” the stranger chuckled, “did I truly teach you nothing? You have made it here and your journey is far from over. No use dwelling on what if’s when there is far more to focus on right in front of you.”

Theorynn nearly fell over in shock at the sound of the voice she recognized behind her. Whirling around to face the man she blinked owlishly at him a moment before flinging herself at him in a haphazard embrace.

“Sir Cian,” she cried out in joy, “I can’t believe it! I didn’t think you’d make it here! Not with the last time I saw you! Your leg- Your leg! Oh shit, I’m sorry! Did I hurt you? Are you alright?”

Sir Cian winced slightly as Theoryyn barreled in to him and put weight on the aforementioned injured leg. A foolish injury he’d gotten for not watching his footing during an intense sword fighting lesson not too long ago. Waving away the worried expression Theorynn gave him the stout older knight pat her shoulder affectionately.

“Do not worry for me little bear,” he said with a hearty chuckle ruffling her hair with his massive bear paw sized hands, “I have had far worse from far less worthy opponents. Though the physician did fuss a bit when I decided to come out to see my favorite little thief.....I’m proud of you Theorynn, and your father would be proud as well. You have made a place for yourself in this world when no one would give you one and you have fought long and hard to get to where you wanted to be. You could not disappoint us if you tried.”

Theorynn gave Sir Cian a watery smile and lightly punched him in the arm. He knew she hated sappy things like that and they always made her tear up.

“You crazy old coot,” she sniffled, “no wonder he’d always told us to watch out for you when we were little. Nothin’ but trouble.”

“Aye,” Cian laughed his deep green eyes crinkling at the edges, “but as it turns out you were the bigger troublemaker all along. Now go enjoy the festival will you? There are people out there excited to meet the new Lion Hearts. You’ve got an adoring public now.”

Giving the girl a push back toward the graveyard entrance Sir Cian encouraged her to go back in to the crowd and enjoy the present. The past was no place for one so young. Accepting a small hug he watched her leave.

“Ah she’s just as stubborn and determined as you Emeric,” he sighed to the empty grave running a hand through his short greying hair, “I hate to see her go knowing she may never come back, but......I pray for her safe return and know that she is in good company.”

Back in the crowded streets Theorynn wound her way through well wishers and awestruck passerby smiling and waving at all congratulations and cries of jubilation. It was odd having so many eyes on her so suddenly. Was this how the King always felt? Spotting the Centaur and Doctor Lumen heading in to the tavern, Theorynn ducked out from a ring of well wishers and new admirers and hurried in through the doorway behind them. Wrapping an arm around Lumen’s shoulders she smiled widely exposing her trademark dimples once again.

“Round of drinks for everyone seems appropriate right,” she chuckled, “we have just become the saviors of the world right? Least we could do is act like it’s not a big deal. Glad to have you lot along for the ride though, I’d be a wreck on my own!”

[Pheasant]

A surprised blush heated up Lumen’s cheeks, all the more obvious thanks to his blue tinted scales.
She was--ahh, close.

“R-right”, Lumen affirmed, “You just have to save the world, and I just have to patch you up”
He glanced about the Tavern. Despite the presence of Royalty and Lions, several of the patrons seemed to be celebrating in earnest, and King Seig seemed to be leading his people on the conquest.
Even Theorynn was in high spirits, and although he knew next to nothing about her he’d expected a slightly more somber reaction. From her, from everyone.
He smiled back at her. It was fake, but a good fake.
“Save me a seat, I have to help Miss Namida with an injury”
He folded the key to a fairly spacious backroom in his hand, rented from the tavern-master as he’d entered.

It had been for the purpose of doctor-patient privacy, but he couldn’t deny it was a bit more indulgent than that given he’d ordered a few amenities with it. He could expect a steaming hot bath in a few hours, if he still retained his senses by then.
He waited until Theorynn had retracted her arm and moved on, then moved back towards Namida, having to nearly shout over the loud conversations of the tavern, “If you’d follow me, Miss Namida”, Lumen offered, having pushed his way through the throng of people, “I rented a room, so we should have more space for this”

He still had a bit of work to do, before he could relax. If he could relax.

[P.K.]

Kaia looked over the handy work on her hand. Lumen was quite handy with his trade, a good thing to. With her luck and the luck of the others if she had to guess they would need a lot of patching up. As he said. Kaia had all but forgotten her injured hand during the events that followed the choosing of the lion hearts. But after he'd pointed it out she had to admit the pain was quite... painful. The damage wouldn't be permanent but she's likely have a little scare depicting the event later.

Kaia looked up at the stir in the tavern as the Center entered and covered up a small surprised chuckle as she smacked her head against a cross beam. Poor Giant, she must be so fed up with the little peoples buildings and strange ways. Though she'd likely never tell the women that out loud. She looked to Theorynn and grinned raising her glass. "Here here!" she said. As serious as their quest was and she had no doubt they would face their time of trials and lose and sadness... but for now it was a time to get to know her companions even as two of them were going off to treat the injury's from the arena.

She was admittedly curious about the centaur women, she was so strong and strange but she seemed approachable, she hopped that would change with time. She also wished to get to know Lumen better, after all he was much like herself a half breed with unique features. She ruffled her feathers and grinned again as she took a swig wondering what her mother would be thinking, and how her father must feel. "Lets drink! and be merry for tomorrow our serious quest awaits."

[Anti-Hero]

As every old night ended, so did a new morning begin. With that morning came those who dragged themselves from stupor to meet the day and set to work and then there were those who wake as the sun peeked out from behind the horizon who stood before a grand set of etched gates that crept open.

Seig pulled his hood up over his face and adjusted the way his cloak sat over his shoulders, he, like all of them was dreary with exhaustion from the night before, but, in their world magic was the thing that kept their bodies evened out. The moment they stepped through the shimmering barrier held in place by the gates his magic would flourish out of him. "To hell we ride." He was the first to take a step forward and in a way it was like stepping through a light waterfall. There was a kind of weight that dropped off of him as his foot passed through the barrier, then his hands, and finally his shoulders. It was almost cooling and in an odd way it was the first time he could breathe.

I'm Free.

He felt it, the surge he'd known was coming. It was almost enough to lift him from his feet as the air kissed his skin and the beast that had been caged within erupted with such force, such excited that it was if a surge of wind originated from him and forced the ground to move beneath his feet as the dirt kicked into the air and petals of every glower were blasted into nothing. That power searched for its host, not one, not two but five and it bashed against the barrier as they stood behind it. It was visual in form as it fought to connect to them. The wind in the sky moved out of its way and even the barrier shown force pounding against it, yet it resisted and those with the title of Lion Heart simply watched for a moment in in a kind of dumbfounded awe.

Giredania consumed and guarded against all things magic. In the High City, Seig could never adhere to his full power, a power that when unchecked in its first moments took a physical form as it surged and crackled along Seig's body but out here? The embrace of mana against them all was going to be felt. A hang over wouldn't feel like much once mana coursed through their veins and the wounds from their previous trials evaporated as if they had never really existed.

Outside the city walls there wasn't much that wasn't already seen, but even so, there was a freedom that existed that Seig had not known since his birth. For once, the High City didn't seem like much of a prison, more of a home being left behind. Would he ever see it again? Who knows.

Seig, I'm Free.

[AliceMalice15]

Theorynn woke up the next morning about an hour or so before the sun rose. The night before was a blur of conversation drink and food. Luckily she hadn’t over done it and her hangover was mild, but the dull throbbing in her head suggested that she maybe not do such things if she intended to wake up so early. Stretching her well muscled arms above her head Theorynn slipped from her lodgings at the inn quietly and strolled outside in to the early morning mist.

By the time the sun had begun to peek over the horizon Theorynn stood at the grand city gates as they slowly cracked open before their small company, her silvery mail catching the glimmering light of morning where it lay exposed beneath her cloth raiments. Letting loose a small smile as the warmth of the sun began to wash over her Theorynn felt her excitement welling up in her chest along with a feeling of nostalgia. This would be one of hundreds of times she had passed through the enormous gates that closed off the city from the outside world, but only the second that she would spend traveling long distances to reach a new goal. The prospect brought her no end of glee. No matter the end result she would be happy to breathe the air outside the city walls and sleep among the stars.

As the king stepped out and his powers released with what to Theorynn looked like the same bursting energy and enthusiasm for their adventure ahead her eyes glimmered with awe and joy. The energy of his magics called to her like siren song, a promise to whisk her away in to the great beyond as far as her legs could carry her and then some. Taking a step forward she hesitantly stepped through the barrier herself and felt the magics grab hold of her like a rag doll amidst a violent maelstrom. Relaxing her body she let the torrent of energy take hold and seep deep within her every fiber. It felt so natural, so right and it was as if that energy was filling a space she hadn’t even known was empty.

Barely containing her thrill at the feel of the magics coursing through her veins Theorynn turned to the King with a sideways smile and let out a shaky breath. It was a lot to take in all at once, but she was ready to prove her worth.

“To hell and back again,” she said, “I think I might be able to follow you through that.”

[Pheasant]

Lumen was groggy and irritable at his lack of sleep the next morning. His memory of the previous nights events was blurry at best, a red tinted mix of chaotic last minute preparations and bad decisions.
The scaly man all but had to roll out of bed, taking the sheets with him as he thunked down on the hard wood floor.
“Fffffuck my head hurts…”, Lumen groaned. He slipped out of the cloth and stood up with a loud crack from his joints, skyclad if not for the several wraps of bandages that criss-crossed his body almost haphazardly, some with a light scarlet stain.
Rather than injuries sustained in the fighting yesterday, he was instead a victim of his mysterious fathers lineage.

Moulting was an unpleasant experience. His scales would crack and peel at the surface and the skin underneath hijacked by a process totally alien to mammals, would be cut and bleed as the new scales forced their way to the surface. The pain was not particularly bad, but what set him over the edge was the near suicidal desire to itch under his hardened scales. Repeat over the large sections of his body, and it was enough to drive Lumen almost insane.
Usually moulting took a week, but he didn’t have a week.

Fortunately though, Lumen could cheat. Water, mixed with a heavy amount of lemon juice dried out his scales within only an hour. From there he had to thank his steady hands as a surgeon, as only a chisel was sufficient to grind off the scales.
It hurt, like the sensation of plucking a nose hair over three or four hours. But by the time it was over, Lumen was no longer ready to take a hand drill to his itchy skin.
Sanitize, wrap the newly emerging scales, and this fucking awful miracle of nature was over. It would still take almost a week for the new scales to set, during which he would have to wear a bandage over his face.
It was going to be a pain in the ass to explain all of this to someone else, but now his mood was only hungover and irritable, excessively polite in comparison to his mood during a full moult.

He dressed in clothes suitable for travelling, a light brown cotton shirt over a longer tunic and dark pants tucked into tall boots.
Belted of course with--
He let out an exasperated grunt as he handled his tail, triple bandaged. Unlike the rest of his body it was all scales, and it was going to be the most difficult to manage. Even further still, it had been doing...weird things, since the ceremony of the Lionheart. It was twitching, shifting, things it very well shouldn’t have been able to do because of its sheer size and weight.
His entire life it had been a nearly useless dead-weight, and a few hundred times he’d considered just chopping it off in one sweep. Some species of lizardfolk that had been studied had done so in order to better integrate into a human dominated society. But then, some lizardfolk also grew their tails back. Some also bled out almost instantly after losing their tails.
Without knowing what kind of lizardfolk he was descended from, if his father actually had been one and not one of the multitude of other reptilian races, the risk was too big.
Lumen decided to tuck his tail under an arm, letting it dangle to the right of his mid torso. Coiling it around his waist would be too painful.

Lumen had been beaten by a few other early risers, some of those gathered seemed almost more annoyed and irritable than he. His bandaged face had already drawn a few concerned and quizzical looks, but no one seemed especially eager to ask. Perhaps for fear that during the nights chaos they’d somehow done it?
Well, that was fine. He’d been trying to carefully nurse a polite and friendly impression with the group, and allowing one off morning to ruin that would be a hard step backwards.

As they approached the city limits and the barrier, Lumen had expected to feel no small amount of trepidation and fear. But, almost to his surprise those feelings were missing. Well, wasn’t that a good thing?
He’d spent a good portion of the night writing a letter to his mother, explaining this bizarre twist of fate, reaffirming that he would be back soon. Perhaps that was the source of his confidence? Or the tidal wave of foreign hormones coursing through his body to trigger his scale growth?
Either way he was oddly not worried, and that instead made him worry.

Stepping beyond the barrier that warded magical energy from the capital, Lumen felt a burning warmth spin through his body, as though he were standing in the sun during the hottest day of the hottest month of the year. He felt sick enough to vomit, and drunkenly elated simultaneously, enough that he had to drop down to a knee and force himself to breathe.
If you were to compare Lumen’s ability to contain magic to a cup, he was very much a shot glass. Brief, controlled bursts.
But now that glass had been dropped into something...altogether bigger. Was this the power of the Lionheart?
Underneath his bandages he could feel his skin knitting together, not unlike how he himself used magic. Pushed up by the flesh underneath, he could now feel his scales settling into their proper places.
He hurriedly unwrapped his tail, uncomfortably tight.
Red scales gleamed in the morning sun, tail practically twirling with ease.
“W-what…?”
He hurried to remove the rest of his bandages, creating some slack within his tunic to complete the task.
All red scales. But why? Was this another odd effect of the Lionhearts power?

[Tune]

Devrin had not made it to the festivities at the Inn the night before. After departing from the company of his friend, nostalgia overtook him - perhaps Cassian spiked his drink? - and he found himself wandering the crowded city streets with other citizens. He was, Hy far, not a fan of crowds. How he had managed trips into other Barrier cities, was beyond him. He offered his gratitude for his departed companions over a mug of Spiced Apple Whiskey. Giredania was one of the few places he could find it other than among Lyse traders.

Giredania during the Festival offered numerous commodities and comforts that he was unaccustomed, and being chosen as a Lion Heart, meant some merchants were more generous than others. Guilted by memories, food and beverage quickly began to lose its appeal. How many food stalls had he visited, and what was that saucy meat kabob made of? Devrin could handle his liquor, though all the free drinks had taken a toll on him by the time he drug himself into the Inn later that night. Sleep did not come easy for him, for a cold, empty bed was less comforting than sleeping on rocks or freezing stones.

How he wished to have spent the evening with Minerva...

With a loud groan, Devrin threw an arm over his face, cursing the light that seaped through the curtains. A slight hangover, indeed, but he dreaded the morning sun more and more as he aged - or he just really hated mornings. His body cracked like stepping on a pile of dried twigs, and he couldn't help but grimace from the lingering pain in his side. The elixir Cassian fave was not a miracle, but had eased the pain to make it less noticeable. He dressed quickly, fastening his weapons and pouches to his belt. There was a package left on the nightstand, a 'Good Luck' gift from Cassian, from what the note said. Ever the worrywart, Cassian always looked out for those he cared from, and Devrin smiled at the thought. The blind must've snuck in recently, because his wife's famous raspberry muffins we're still warm.

Adeline is too good for him, Devrin mused, nibbling on a muffin. He would have to sort through the package more thoroughly later, but the spare bandages and medicinal herbs might benefit Lumen. He paid his tab at the Inn and made his way to the main gate to join the other Lion Hearts and the King.

Others had already arrived at the Gate before he strolled up, finishing the last of his raspberry muffin. He cleared his throat, and dusted the crumbs off his shirt and cuirass. "Can't travel on an empty stomach," he mumbled, to no one in particular. Lumen was already in attendance, and if there wasn't a small crowd gathering to see their departure, he might've struck up a conversation. The man was covered in bandages, and if he remembered his time in the clinic... Was Lumen moulting again? The poor guy couldn't catch a break.

To see the King was one thing; to see the King's power burst into existence as he stepped through an invisible veil, was an entirely different sight. Devrin's entire body tingled, newfound energy surging throughout his being as he stepped through the Gate. He gasped in shock, a gloved hand reaching up to clasp his chest at the cuirass. His pulse was racing, reminiscent to adrenaline coursing through his veins on the battlefield. He felt alive. More alive than he had felt in months. Nearby, others had experienced something similar to Devrin. Lumen's experience had particularly changed his appearance. From blue to red scales, his old friend looked like a new man, and Devrin was eager to dive into Hell with the others.

Is it Magic or magic muffins he owed his excitement to?

[StormyNyte]

The next morning, Namida woke with a low groan and pushed herself up with a heavy hand against the wall from where she had apparently passed out in the back of the tavern the night before. Normally, sots that got that far gone were hastily removed, but for her shear size and new status as Lion Heart, she had avoided the particular humiliation of being tossed into the street on her face. She had definitely done her part to deplete the tavern owner’s stock and her sore body and a few broken tables scattered throughout the main room were evidence to exactly how booze-blind she let herself become. When she first caught sight of Lumen’s bandaged state, she was a bit concerned she had been at least partly responsible for it, but he didn’t seem particularly wary of her as he made his painful exit so she shrugged it off.

Muttering lowly as she held her head, Namida carefully made her way out of the tavern only to hiss as the bright light of morning assaulted her narrowed eyes. When they all met at the main gate and Seig stepped through the Barrier, she eyed the sudden strange display of magic bashing against the invisible wall with a warry snort. Normally, the warrior centaur would be the first to charge into the frey, but she had never been overly fond of magic and what she witnessed waiting for them now was enough to give her large frame reason to pause. Seeing the others stride through with little trepidation though, she cursed her own hesitation and clopped through the Barrier with a determined snort and swish of her tail.

Immediately, the strange power overtook her, coursing through her veins in a baffling rush of inexplicably strange cooling warmth. It was both soothing and invigorating as it stole away her physical woes and stoked the fires of her determination. The overwhelming sensation was too much to stand still for and she soon bucked and reared with a mighty thrashing of her hooved legs. Her large hazel eyes were wide with a wild look of renewed vigor and her chests heaved with anticipating breaths as if she were primed and ready for battle. She eyed each and every one of her new compatriots with a strange grin, feeling as if she could take on a whole family of giants in that moment single-handedly and emerge victorious.

[Anti-Hero]

Kaia stood just behind the barrier with the others in a wonderful state of awe at the sight. It was both terrifying and awe inspiring at the same time. She hadn't even felt the touch of the magic itself but the display made her feathers fluff around her shoulders and she could feel an aching tingle in every feather tip as she stood with her halberd clutched tightly in one hand.

Kaia let out a shaky first breath before she grinned briefly at the barrier and the physical manifestation of the kings magic beyond it and dove through. Immediately enveloped in the surge of energy the latched onto her. It was like back in the arena but at the same time, different. The ache from her knee and hand were gone in an instant replaced by the feeling of fresh energy and vigor.

It was breath taking enough that Kaia couldn't help something of a gleeful outburst so filled with energy the young avian women couldn't contain it as her light prancing footsteps carried her past Seig. This was a serious matter but even so Kaia could not bring herself to lose her smile or her enthusiasm. Her father would have been much more stoic she was sure but she couldn't help it. Joy seemed to be her first emotion of everyday.

"Smile Seig." She said more gently as she took a few steps closer. "To hell we might ride, But its together. The world is still beautiful, its still here." She said reaching out and gently touched his arm. "And things will change, I can feel it in my feathers." she told him offering another smile before she withdrew her hand and stepped back respectfully.

"Things rarely stagnate, especially in our world." He looked back over the shoulder she had rested her hand on, through the barrier and into these eyes of those who followed him. He beckoned to them, not in movement but in the way he caught each of their gaze before turning away and stepping forward. The barrier was like a special field in a way, inside of it magic was reduced but looking through it you could see the sheer power radiating off now not just him, but Kaia as well.

There was only one true downside to sharing any form of magic with others, especially the first time, something he'd known for awhile, something he'd feared just a bit. The voice in his head was loud but, quiet, it was always there but it was as if it stood next to him.

"Hello, Kaia. I've been expecting you."

It was abrupt and without warning. Seig didn't say a word, he just waited for her reaction, patiently and motioned for her to followed him as he continued walking, the others would fall in behind and in the moment they all became connected, he'd show them exactly what they were capable of.

Kaia spun on her heels to the group and then around herself but there was no one else beyond her and Seig. She was stunned, it was a voice she was not familier with, it didn't even resemble those of her new companions and yet. She stopped in her spin once more facing the king she watched him for only a moment before she moved after him. Amazing. There was so much she did not know about magic and if this was the magic... could it hear her thoughts?

"Is this how you've always felt?" she asked as she caught up to Seig. "Is this part of the reasons you've always been so... distant?" she asked after a moment. It had startled her at first but it was almost a familier presence in a way, perhaps even warm and comforting. For the first time since she'd known him she didn't feel like he was quite so distant.

"It has always been there. Ever since I was a child." He let escape a little smile and peered back over his shoulder as the others cautiously pushed their way through the barrier, as each person moved the voice greeted them. It was feminine in nature but had an otherworldly echo of a male hinging just around the the final warbles of sound.

He looked at Kaia and felt a little more at ease now that she knew, it was a small weight lifted off his shoulders, that a child hood friend now understood things that had escaped her for so long. The others, he'd known for a short time so, to them this may not be as jarring but to someone who'd been around as long as Kaia? This was something of an upset and yet, his feathered friend took it in a perfect stride.

Kaia smiled gently at him. A constant companion. "Amazing." she said finely spinning her halberd behind her and holding it behind her back with both hands. Things she could only guess at for years suddenly made some sense to her. But she'd always believed that when he was ready Seig would share. She'd been right though she never would have dreamed it would be like this. "Thank you, Seig." she said quietly as she walked with him and cast her gaze over the spiraling lands they would traveling across. something new and exciting, and yet terrifying.

[P.K.]

Kaia turned on her heals. some of the others were talking amungst themselves as they trekked. Poor Lumen seemed to have been unusually effected by the magic. She wondered why that was and considered asking the voice that had spoken to her after the power had rushed through her. And to be sure she was most interested in the other half breed since she saw so few of them. They would have a long time to get to know each other. She looked over them one by one eager to get to know them in time. But out of the group the centaur seemed the least approachable. She supposed she had good reason, she didn't seem to want to be here but due to... circumstance she was here with them anyways.

Kaia flexed her wings once before allowing them to settle close upon her back and made her way over to the women. It was as good a place to start and Kaia was eager to know more. "It seems all your wounds have healed as well." she said offering the women a smile. "My name is Kaia Vandrachen." She introduced herself with a small flourish of her halberd. "Its a pleasure to meet you."

Namida's spirits seemed to have improved a bit as they moved off away from the city, despite being brought along against her will. It's still better than death by execution, Centaur. That sudden voice gave her pause and she jerked up with a surprised snort. There were many things the hooved warrior didn't like about magic, and now... it seems that one more just added itself to the list. "That's s all I need, a voice I can't hit to shut up..." she muttered under her breath.

Her thoughts were soon interrupted as one of her compatriots approached her, the bird woman from the arena, before she spoke of her now healed wounds. She wasn't one for small talk but, seeing as they were stuck with each other, she gave a slight nod of acknowledgment. "Aye, seems they have. Namida Thunderhoof, wish I could say the same. But we're here now, so we might as well make do."

Kaia let out something of a dry chuckle. "At least your honest, if bluntly so." She said as she walked along beside her She couldn't help but study the women's chestnut flanks. what a gorgeous color and a powerful build. It was none to often one could say they could stand this close to a centaur warrior and ... well probably live to tell about it. "As you say, we might as well make do. I do hope that, maybe, we'll become friends." She said more quietly looking ahead before looking back at the others in the group. "Perhaps all of us. If nothing more. then I hope to at least gain your trust. We'll all work better together if we can at least trust one another and only the sky above knows what we'll be facing together." What a terrifying but exhilarating thought. Others before her had seen the same path, but not one had returned to tell anyone about it. perhaps, they would be the first.

As they continued to walk, Namida's flaxen tail swished to swat at some unseen biting insect. "No sense in wasting time with falst truths, bird-kin." A low sigh escaped her lips as she rolled her well muscled human shoulders. She really wasn't good with idle chatter at all and it showed, but at least she was trying. "Friends or not, we're a heard now and it's my duty to protect those within the herd. If it comes to a fight, I'll have your flank."

"I feel safer already." Kaia responded. Blunt but honest. Kaia had a feeling she could trust the centaur at her word. and undoubtedly it was a boon to have her here. a Powerful warrior in her own right, specially after that incident in the arena that landed her here. Best not to mention that she thought as she turned and began to walk backwards once again looking at their other companions. "I am curious, do you know this Devrin fellow well?" she had caught his name somewhere. And he appeared to know the other half breed with in the group which also peeked her curiosity.

In a way, Almost what she would imagine a younger version of her father being. Strong features and a few scars with colorful tales she was sure. Not that she could compare them but she could wounder how they would get along. "You two made a pretty good team in the arena, that's a good start to all of this." she said with a smile.

Namida watched with her constant expression of mild annoyance as Kaia half circled to begin walking backwards in front of her. The centaur gave a low huff of a laugh at the bird woman's question then, shaking her head as she cast a look over to where her arena ally strode while talking with the now red scaled lizard man.

"No, I've only just met Devrin today before the arena fight. I know his type well enough though, he's a survivor. People like us have to be survivors to make it in this world. I'm glad to have him at my flank, as you should be too." Her gaze moved back to Kaia then. "What of the scale-man, the doctor? He's no fighter, why do you suppose he was chosen?" Namida wouldn't outright say it, but in the back of her mind she suspected that he would be one of the first to fall if they didn't keep him guarded.

"I am." Kaia acknowledged. before humming in through as she eyed the red scaled lizard in thought. "Its a good question. My immediate thought would be all warriors would be chosen its true. But even great warriors aren't invincible having a doctor along means we'll have someone who can treat wounds better then just bandage and alcohol." she said. Of coarse with the magic it had healed them pretty much immediately, would that always be the case? She glanced at the king in thought. Perhaps not. "There is a reason, even if we ourselves arn't aware of it yet." She turned back around as a breeze ruffled through her feathers. "I'm sure we'll make a fine party." It was not for self assurance that she said this, more of a confirmation that she already believed such. After all, they had been chosen for this.

[Tune]

"Welcome, Devrin; I've been waiting for you."

A disembodied voice greeted him, and as apprehensive as one would normally be ( hearing voices wasn't a good thing, right?), he felt his body subconsciously relax. The voice sounded otherworldly, but familiar. Welcoming like a voice right before death. He laughed incredulously, and shook his head. This Lion Heart business... Wasn't exactly what he expected but it was only the first day. Minerva often recounted stories about previous Lion Heart and their exploits, but nothing that could be collaborated; just fanciful stories passed between weary adventurers and drunk tavern patrons.

His hand fell to his side, grazing the cuirass above the scars. The pain from reopened wounds had completely subsided, but he felt more unease than gratitude. He took a few steps forward, following behind the others that began to adventure ahead. He stopped and turned, his steely eyes falling on his scaly friend - Lumen.

"Laurea-," he said, clearing his throat, "Your mother... She's going to be beside herself when she finds out." Damnit all, he wasn't the type to be at a loss for words but to chide a friend he hadn't spoken to in years? He shoved a proverbial foot down his throat and choked on it, for damn sure.

"Uh... So, should I congratulate you now or later?" mumbled an embarrassed Devrin.

"I'll let you know", Lumen began quietly, "When I decide if this even is the kind of thing you'd congratulate someone on..."
The glint of his red scales was harsh in the light of the ascending sun. His tail rolled and flexed to and fro, Lumen suddenly having to contend with the mental management of an extra limb.
"Shes going to kill me when we get back, for only sending her a letter"

Devrin grinned, obviously amused by his old friend's remark. "Ah, she just might, but who knows," said Devrin with a click of his tongue, "with this kind of journey ahead, something might beat her to it."

He scratched the back of his head, glancing curiously to the others. "At least you're not alone," he said, nodding in the direction of Namida and the avian woman, who was awfully friendly with the King. "Maybe we can finally get some answers," he mused, "if the voice doesn't answer first."

Had Lumen heard the voice at all? Perhaps Devrin had taken too many blows to the head or the stress of it all was making him lose his mind. He'd wager Lumen would bet on a medical diagnosis of insanity via blunt force trauma.

The voice?
Come to think of it, he had heard something like that. Something inside of his head...
"I wonder if he'll know anything about me", Lumen mused, "Kings are certainly knowledgeable aren't they?"
He looked over the scales that covered his fingertips, "I have no idea whats happening to my body anymore..."

"Sounds like puberty all over again," chuckled Devrin. His friend's appearance was definitely a change in a new direction.

As a doctor, admitting that was especially terrifying.
"F-forgive me, I seem to be making this all about myself. How have you been over the past few years?"

Devrin's face went pale, and he averted his gaze. He knew the question would pop up eventually, but he couldn't imagine the crushing blow of such simple words. He was silent, teeth clenched as he fought for words.

Finally, he cleared his throat. "Life's been... One helluva adventure." He couldn't bring himself to be open with his friend, who shared some of his darkest moments; hopefully Lumen would forgive him. "I traveled everywhere - practically made the Fringes a second home. Thought about building a cabin and roughin' it in the wild." Lumen would see right through his jokes and forced grin, but he had a facade to maintain around others

Lumen coughed. That may have been a more...insensitive question than he'd meant.
True, they had been friends as children, but a long time had passed since then. His mother had alluded to some of what happened to Devrin during the intervening years, but she was tight lipped.

He'd pry more, but this wasn't the time place or company.
"W-well, we'll be roughing it out here soon enough", not much of a new direction for the conversation to go, but noone would probe further either

[AliceMalice15]

Theorynn had been the first to rush out in to the fields that lay before them highly enjoying the rush of the wind as it blew through the tall wild grasses and ruffled her hair. Exhilaration rushed through her body pushing her pulse to a rapid thump deep in her chest as her eyes took in everything in front of them.

”No turning back. This is truly the beginning. Will you stand strong in the face of all that is to come?”

The voice felt so safe and familiar as if it had been in Theorynn’s mind for her entire life. She couldn’t remember ever hearing it before, but something told her it was alright. Beaming brightly she jogged back over to the group and looked about as they all began talking amongst themselves some perhaps not as thrilled at the prospect of adventure as she, but nonetheless along for the journey. She had felt for a long time that staying inside the city walls was not her fate, that something lay just outside waiting for her. Now jere she was, there was no room for hesitation or doubt for her. This was it. This is where she was meant to be all along. Moving to pace herself next to Lumen and the man named Devrin she smiled brightly and stuck out a hand to the man she had never met.

“I suppose some introductions are in order,” she said, “I’m Theorynn. Theorynn Redmane. Theory if you need something shorter to get my attention. You two know each other? I don’t suppose it’s from time spent in Opalli, is it? He may little remember it, but that’s where we first crossed paths as well. I was a skinny little thing back then. What were we.....maybe seven or eight?”

Chuckling Theorynn rubbed the back of her neck a bright blush creeping up across her freckled cheeks. She wasn’t entirely surprised if Lumen didn’t remember her from back then, still half wild and ill mannered.

“I believe our first meeting was when I attempted to steal something from your mothers clinic,” she chuckled sheepishly, “when Sir Cian was being treated for that old wound he’d torn open in training that morning....as I recall it, you and I had a little tussle, then whatever it was broke open on the floor and I.....well I’m almost certain I gave you a black eye.......not the best first impression for certain....”

[Pheasant]

Lumen stared at the woman incredulously for a long moment.
Sudden a warm expression of nostalgia crossed his face, but it was immediately followed by a darker glimmer in his eyes. After another moment, it settled somewhere in between happy disbelief and amused annoyance.

He remembered the girl--well, a girl. Perhaps it had been the black eye, but more likely it was Lumen blocking out a boyhood trauma.

People often said girls were more sensitive, but Lumen had found especially when it came to medicine and treatments, it was the opposite.
At seven years old, Lumen was just coming to terms with masculinity and its importance, doubly so for a boy growing up without a father. Triple, growing up in a clinic that more often treated warriors than anyone else.
He was his mother's little man, the man of the house as many of those warriors had stated and restated.

So, when a thief decided to raid his mothers medicine cabinet, his response was fated.
Unfortunately Lumen had been riding on the fact that he was a boy, and she was a girl.
He had not calculated her superior height, strength and training.
The bruise Theorynn had left on his ego had taken much longer to heal than his black eye.

“It was Myrrh in Vinegar, an antiseptic”, Lumen quipped, unprepared for this particular trip down memory lane.
An antiseptic was about the most common medicine you could find, especially around Opalli. Made from Myrrh, a resin that was extracted like sap from particular tree species, then ground up and distilled in pure vinegar, equally common.
His mother practically handed out such vials to anyone who asked, but on this particular day it may as well have been anything.
Lumen’s expression eased back to one of mere jaw on the ground surprise.

“Y-you really--”, he stopped himself from finishing ‘grew up’. That Tomboy had grown up into as respectable a woman as one could hope, and based on present company one of the finest warriors to walk on two, or four legs.
That didn’t stop it from being about the most awkward thing to almost come out of his mouth.
“--Left an impression on my Mother. She still teases me about that”
Although recently her teasing had become more akin to prodding.
‘Have you found that girl yet, the one that gave you that black eye?’
Or her more vague though still equally transparent, ‘You just need to find a girl that can beat you up’--
Oh, glory.
He wasn’t going to be able to look Theorynn in the eyes without turning red, a noticeable pinch of color already staining his pale cheeks.
Really, it was just an excuse for his mother's request, that almost always followed a night of such teasing:
‘Your mama wants a grandchild, before the next Calamity’, she’d huff.
He never needed to ask why, of course.
During a calamity there was no guarantee of anything surviving, anyone could be taken by it.
A father, a mother, a child.
Him, his mother, his (hypothetical) child.
It was a numbers game, and Giredania always lost more than it gained.
“I’ll have to introduce--reintroduce you both to her, once we’re done with this quest, once we’re all back home in Opalli. Trust me Theorynn, she’ll love you”
It was...confident. A lie was easily bloated by confidence.
He just had to convince everyone on this journey that it was the truth, and at some point make himself believe it too. They would all come back.
It was just a matter of Lumen making it true.

---

Theorynn was oblivious to the color in Lumen’s cheeks as her own had begun to flush a much brighter red than before and heat spread across her cheeks. Of course she’d had no idea what she’d been taking at the time, but was simply following the ideals that she’d picked up from the streets. If it was in a medicine clinic it was useful and worth something to someone.

“I-I really do apologize for that first impression,” she giggled still rubbing her neck, “honestly Sir Cian had only just pulled me off the streets. You’d think I hadn’t had any up bringing at all. I hope I prove to be far more polite and lawful than that time.....I’d love to be able to reintroduce myself to your mother when....when we return....she was very kind to me back then, and I clearly didn’t deserve it.....sorry, I’m being awfully morose. It was a surprise to run in to you in the arena. I never expected to run in to you of all people there, but I can’t say I didn’t recognize you right away. Always thought your scales were quite pretty.....I-if you don’t mind my saying so....the color change is quite lovely as well.”

Theorynn mentally smacked her forehead in embarrassment and disappointment. Really? Was she trying to be complimentary or just creepy? She hoped Lumen would take her words in a complimentary fashion rather than that of the ramblings of an imbecile. By the gods she made such a fool of herself when she opened her mouth sometimes. Had she learned nothing of etiquette?!

Devrin's reunion with his childhood friend was interrupted - by the mousy haired, female knight who looked like she never took a step outside the city's walls. He regarded her with a cool, yet quizzical gaze, shifting his attention between the woman and Lumen. Obviously there was some sort of awkward familiarity between the two, and Devrin just happened to be the third wheel. Her enthusiasm and cheerfulness was... reminiscent. Albeit, painful.

He shook her hand, regardless.

As the pair chatted, his mood slowly began to lift. An amused grin slowly spread across his face, a mischievous glint in his eye. So, Lumen was bullied... by a girl? It took more self control not to snort at the irony, but he knew the scaly lad had went through his fair share of trauma and hardships before Devrin stumbled into Laureate's clinic.


"So..." he drawed, acutely aware of the situation unfolding. He wasn't much of an icebreaker, but he cocked his head toward Lumen, "I'm assuming you two've met?" He smirked, it having been ages since he saw Lumen get anywhere close to embarrassed. "Don't worry about 're-introducing' me to your Mother, I'm sure she's saw plenty of me recently to last her awhile," he remarked, turning his focus on the blushing knight ahead. She said her name was... Theorynn? He'd probably call her "Theo" before the journey was over.

He patted the woman's shoulder, "I'm going to catch up with the others, and let you two chat." He gave her a half-salute and trailed behind Namida and the bird woman, before turning to quickly introduce himself, "I'm Devrin, from Opalli. If you need a last name, ask Lumen. He should remember it. Rhymes with 'Rosefell'."

Devrin would later drink that painful joke from his memory.

[Anti-Hero]

They see what you see
They hear what you hear
From this moment on, they are as much a part of your life force as I am, remember that.

He nodded to himself as he watched each one pass through the barrier while he himself kept his distance from the small congregation. He knew what they did not, much like it had always been. This first breath of truly fresh air, marked the beginning of their last, their struggle, their rise to power and fall from it. He knew the stories, the moment warriors gained power, arrogance begun to breed itself inside them and consume them faster than any encroaching darkness. He watched them, and rose his arm with his finger extended and while they conversed he selected them one by one, motioning to touch each one of them, all though he did not. All accept the Centaur.

"Move"

Whether they spoke words or leaned still against a wall, even sat, it mattered not in that instant each of them was 'moved' a good fifty yalms(feet) from their position, it was a startling and abrupt way of introducing them to a power they would need to learn, right now to make use of, to live. This journey begins and ends in peril, one day outside the barrier will teach them all what they enlisted for.

"Welcome to the outside, I bet you're all wondering what just happened, Let me introduce you to my voice. I named her Hydalean, she spoke to each of you yes? Sans one. She also comes with certain abilities, all of which she has bequeathed to me and now I to you. Get ready, because its time you lot learn what real power has been waiting for you as Lion Heart....Now..Let's make use of it shall we?"

He grinned sadistically and with fifty yalms between them all, sans the Centaur who was no more than ten from him power began to surge and the first noticeable place were his limbs. He hands, one creating and rolling flames as if it were a child's ball and the other brandished his blade. The next point of power, his feet, the pebbles around them rose from the ground and hovered and so did he. Finally, while they stood there stunned he moved much as they had been force to moments ago, completely gone from view leaving only a momentary after image.

"Surprise, Devrin." He whispered as the heat from the flames itched Devrin's backside.

[Tune]

Devrin, the pessimist, had assumed they would be hoofing it to all their destinations. No horses, no horse-drawn carriage - not even an old vegetable wagon around to ease the burden. Not that he minded all that much. The reunion with Lumen, and the scruffy haired lady knight was amusing, but everything felt... Out of sorts. Their group was missing someone, and he tried to ignore the pang in his chest.

Devrin was saddled with a group of mismatch individuals, so he figured he'd make the best of the situation if he was destined to fight to the death beside them. At least, that's how the stories of previous Lion Hearts were told. He accepted his Fate a long time ago. Probably should've been dead a hundred times over, but the Gods had a sense of humor, keeping him breathing all these years. Just as he caught up to Nami and the other beastkin, he opened his mouth to call out to the two women before the air around him changed.

It was like being struck by lightning - without the searing pain and dazzling bright light. Definitely disorientated and seeing stars, Devrin struggled to comprehend what happened.

The sudden, slight change of scenery, was quietly being explained by the voice, named Hydalean, by the King.

"Fast travel?" he quipped, annoyed with the vague explanation from Hydalean. "That's... Fucking bullshit." If this kind of power existed before, why was there even a need for generations of 'Wizard Kings' and Lion Hearts?

His eyes fixated on the flames, and for a fleeting moment, he was taken back to the Fringes. Seig stood before the group, sword extended in their direction, flames coiling in the palm of his hand, like a child showing off a new toy, and all it took for a blink for their King to suddenly disappear.

Heat licked at the back of his cuirass the moment Seig disappeared, and pure adrenaline spurred his body into motion. He dodged, and spun on his heel, not quickly enough to avoid being singed by a fireball, but quick enough to fix a blade in the King's direction.

Heart pounding in his chest, stared down at Seig's blade, and his own in turn. Devrin was riled up, as would anyone be in a similar situation. "Surprise my ass!" he barked.

"Devrin," whispered Hydalean, "Master the power gifted to you. You must be faster, stronger to survive. The power is inside each of you."

Devrin considered himself agile on his feet, but comparing himself with the skill difference of a King blessed with magic -- a handicap would've been nice. Maybe a less cryptic explanation from Seig and Hydalean would've been appreciated, too. Somewhere down the line, his brain had forgotten to clue him in on the mystery solved. Somewhere between being teleported and having a fireball launched at his back, he had lost some of his common sense. Pointing a blade at the King, in front of newly appointed Lion Hearts.

He clicked his tongue in annoyance, and lowered his sword an inch, his attention on Seig never wavering. "Correct me if I'm wrong," said Devrin, allowing energy to gather in his core, "We can use magic now?" Dirt and petals began to shift and swirl below his feet, much as it had with Seig moments before.

With a quick bend of his knees, Devrin gathered the energy into his legs, and turned the ground its self into a springboard, propelled himself backward a few yards. His placement was off, and he stumbled forward, and fell into an awkward, crouch/kneel position, one gloved hand being all that kept him from kissing the ground.

Again.

[P.K.]

It was a Physical shock to be standing in one place and suddenly being in a completely new spot and she knew that she had not moved there. Whoa. she was breathless as she watched, almost like time around them was standing still. Seig was there, and then he was there! And she understood. She understood how he did it. It was flood a burst of knowledge she had had hidden deep somewhere just out of reach and then suddenly the door was open allowing it to freely flood her mind.

"Amazing." She breathed watching as Devrin faced the king and spoke. She blinked, like waking up from a daze. Allowed to use magic now?! A slow breath left her as Hydalean once again spoke in her mind. "Yes." Magic, how did one use magic? She was watching Seig and Devrin as the flow of information was transferred. "Elements. Breath in the air feel its currents. Feel the weight of the stone below you, the heat of the crackling fire and the cool flexibility of the water." There was a pause as Kaia spun her Halbred around and pointed it out towards seig. She'd never seen that look on his face before, and it was a little frightening she admitted. But she could feel the purpose behind it.

"Fly." Kaia's eyes winded a bit at the encouragement to spread her wings. Being in the air was nothing new for her, but her wings simply were not strong enough to fly as a bird would, gliding had always been the only thing she could accomplish. But is Hydalean's encouragement was right, and Kaia had a feeling the magic voice of her king was not wrong. "How?" she breathed feeling that tingling ache of excitement in her feathers. She felt herself focusing her feathers rustled as a tiny ball of fire appeared at the tip of her halberd.