The knight watches her get up. "Can I-?"

Then he watches her turn on heel and walk away with her quiet thanks. He stares after her for a moment before he also turns away. He begins marching back towards the fighting.

Storm sighs heavily as she watches the interaction between knight and ramtovi. "Welp..."

She turns to Saige, who is distractedly bothering a poor townsperson. "Saige, want to meet another friend?"

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In the middle of town square, a body suddenly appears on the street. The people around the body all step around her and continue on their way. Soldiers rush from the guilds back to the fray outside of town and townsfolk continue on their own personal missions. Except one. A knight in full plate mail wearing a yellow and blue favor on his hip stops and reaches a hand out to the form on the ground.

"My lady? Are you alright?" He asks, offering his hand.

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• News of the attack on His Majesty and the castle in Kinsbaile has started to reach the masses. The depth of the war is starting to sink in. Townspeople who were already panicked are beginning to lose all hope. What does this mean for our way of life? Will we be oppressed? Will there be new leadership soon? Are the heros letting this happen? Nobody knows…
• A huge beam of light struck the palace in Kinsbaile and obliterated an entire wing. Is the king still alive?
• Draconian reinforcements were seen descending on the Leib Olmai soldiers attempting to occupy the palace. With the Draconians assistance, Leib Olmai forces have been pushed back into the courtyard once more. Is there still hope for Ariad?
• With supplies effectively cut off to the city and farmland not yet harvestable, there has been a significant rise in crime. Theft, break-ins, and assault have increased as people quarrel over the remaining supplies. Food, components, anything that will fill their bellies or their pockets.
• In desperate attempts to keep themselves safe, some townsfolk are trying to switch sides. Some are pledging loyalty to Leib-Olmai in return for safety. Some are even joining the army of Leib-Olmai. It is said that if you paint a white snake on the door of your house you will be passed over by the raids.
• Earlier in the month, Haltija in Seshtau gathered for the birth of the first known Haltija child to be born on Ariadnian soil. The birth went well and mother and babe are being kept safe by the Baroness herself. Roman is now a proud father to a healthy son named Orion.
• Some Ariadnian soldiers reported enemy soldiers discussing a “shapeshifter” among their ranks. They claim this shapeshifter can take on any form but generally appears to seduce them. Several camps have been taken out by this seductive shapeshifter and it has the soldiers shaken up. Now they are leery of anyone they find attractive.

• A bright beam of light from the east blew through the gates of the graveyard and left massive destruction. What was it? Will the graveyard take their losses out on Volaire? So far everything seems to be alright. But undead don't die naturally so when will the seek retribution?
• The land is of the Ariad are healing! Crops are starting to grow and game is returning to the forests. Food is still hard to come by as the land returns to what it once was. What could have happened to fix the blight? No one is sure.
• A large commotion was heard at the Seshtau embassy. Rumor has it that the baroness sicced her flesh golem on someone. Is her temper getting out of control? Maybe someone more level headed should take over if she can't control her emotions.
• The disgraced noble Tristan was arrested for trespassing in the Foresetidale Embassy. He walked in intentionally. What was he thinking?
• Lines at the Tuatha’s borders are shorter now as citizens are being allowed to freely enter again.
• Acting Baroness Shi’Kari has appointed Lord Protector Vaerin Mercair to Seneschal effective immediately.

• Small game is returning to the forests and spattered areas of land are recovering from the curse. The heroes have been hard at work it seems. Many say it’s about time they stopped their squabbling and fixed the problem!
• The Weeping Rose has reopened for breakfast AND lunch
• Sir Fallin Drakesong was found among the dead in Dalefaer and Baroness Charlotte has not been seen. Was she captured? Killed?  No body has been found. With no Baroness and no Seneschal, Warlord Shi’Kari has taken charge and the city of Dalefaer has been secured, Leib Olmai forces successfully pushed back out of the city.
• Umbris is secured and Leib Olmai has been pushed back into the swamps. It is only a matter of time before all of Seshtau is secure again.
• Tuatha’s borders remain closed, even to merchants and wayfarers.
• The palace is still under heavy siege but King Vlastimir, his forces, and the army of undead are holding their ground. King Vlastimir himself is leading the charge against Leib Olmai.

• The hunters stalls in market square have been full of small game recently.
• Seshtau has been successfully holding back the tide of Leib Olmai however they have still not given up their assault entirely.
• Guerrilla warfare outside of town has been pushed back somewhat. However, Leib Olmai continue to hold ground.
• Ramtovi across the kingdom are saying that their seers all had the same frightening vision. What could it mean?
• Dalefaer has been occupied by Leib Olmai.

Barely a day after the heroes finally purge the Leib Olmai forces from the citadel and palace, the air suddenly tears open. Simultaneous portals ignite across the realm—flaring to life in the center of Volaire's town square, and within the central plazas of Dalefaer, Umbris, and Almuril. Panicked townsfolk scatter at the magical eruptions, while nearby city guards hurriedly draw their steel, bracing for yet another invasion.From the shimmering gate in Volaire steps a commanding figure, proudly bearing the crest of the Draconian Kingdom. Clad in immaculate military finery with a breast heavy with gleaming medals, he wears twin swords resting confidently at his hips. He pauses only a second before stepping aside to make way for the heavy, rhythmic thud of boots. A legion of soldiers, flying the same Draconian colors, marches relentlessly out of the portal behind him.

 

Julien nods. "Well alright then."

He looks around at the passing townsfolk and shrugs. 

"Well, should you find yourself in need of anything, I am opening an Adventurer's Guild here soon. Hopefully when things with Leib Olmai settle down a bit. You'd be welcome to come by and see if we have any work for you." Julien smiles again. "Otherwise, I suppose I'll leave you to it. I'm needed elsewhere. Safe travels."

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Sylvia folds her arms across her chest and smirks. "Hm. I tell you what... Why don't you decide if he's worthy of joining the guild. Consider it one of your first tasks as Guild Protector. Determine if he would be a benefit to the guild. Give him a task of some kind to determine if he's got what it takes to join us."

She shrugs one shoulder. "If you need an idea of how to test him, you could have him fetch components for us or craft an item of some kind. I leave it in your capable hands, Guild Protector."

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As the ward lowers and the cacophony of sounds explodes out of the guild, there is one voice booming above the noise.

"Get yer ass-! No no no! You hit it like this! Like this! These men need weapons and armor NOW! We don't have time to redo things!"

A tall woman with long blonde hair tied back loosely to keep it out of her face is hammering away at a sword. "Alright. See here? See where it's warped? Don't do that! This is how you do it."

She hammers down hard a few more times before she passes the hammer off to a sweaty young man who is nodding quickly. "Yes ma'am! I see now!"

"Good! Now fix it! We don't have time for mistakes!" She steps away from the forge and looks up, wiping her brow. 

She spots Zuiigri and nods to him. "What are you doing here? I expected you'd be on the front lines with the other Heroes. Ah. Or you need something?"

 

He looks her over quickly and nods. "Hm. Well, if you are the fighting type, we could always use an extra hand there. If you're not..."

He suddenly stiffens for a moment before he chuckles. "My apologies. I'm being rude. I should probably introduce myself first before recruiting you to the defense of the town, eh?"

He clears his throat and dips his head to her.

"You may call me Julien. I've been helping defend the town and the barony of Seshtau. I'm a little..." His words drift off and he shakes his head. "Anyways, who might you be? And forgive me for being blunt in asking but can you fight? Do you fight?"

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Julien squeezes her hand in his. "I-"

He hangs his head and sighs. "I suppose we have been busy, haven't we? I honestly can't remember the last time I-" He clears his throat before lifting his gaze to meet Jade's again. "I know we've both been fighting the invasion so how about we take a break?"

He steps a little closer to Jade. "You need rest if you're going to keep fighting them. Everyone should be safe here so how about we head upstairs?"

Storm raises her hand. "Got a spare room for us? Just long enough for the sun to go down. Then we can head back to Volaire."

Julien looks back at her and nods. He turns, without releasing Jade's hand, and waves someone over.

"See to our friends here. Escort them to the portal if they wish to head back to Volaire, otherwise, get them a room so they may rest."

The Seshtaun nods and turns to the others, waiting for someone to approach them.

Julien returns his attention to Jade. "Have you eaten? Maybe I could make you a relaxing tea and we can eat while we take a break."

Storm looks to the Seshtaun. "Can we get a room til sundown?"

The Seshtaun nods and gestures towards a hall. "If you'll follow me."

"Come on, Saige." Storm shrugs to gently nudge the wild elf. 

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"Holding." He says with a nod. "They were pushed back some initially but they have been holding steady since with the assistance of the Graveyard's undead."

Storm, standing a bit behind Jade with Saige slumped over her shoulder, jerks her chin. "How is the road to Kog'Thrak?"

Julien glances back at the draconian. "Last I heard from Volaire was that they were holding steady as well after an initial pushback. But I have no clue if the road to the village is safe so I would ere on the side of caution and avoid it if possible."

Julien glances around at the gathered faces before looking back at Jade. "I was going to go check on things in Volaire. I think Calliope will be safest here so long as the fighting stays outside of Umrbis. Unless you need me elsewhere?" He reaches out and takes Jade's hand, giving it a light squeeze. "I will go wherever you need me."

Storm leans over to whisper to Saige. "Want to go hang out in Volaire until we're needed? I could use a nap."

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Not long after Velithra removes her hood and begins walking back through town, a figure approaches her. He is wearing a green tunic with dark brown pants and a favor with black and red on his hip as well as dual daggers sheathed on each side. He has blonde hair tied back into a ponytail, a purple chaos star on his neck, and his eyes are dark and sunken. 

He smiles as he reaches her. "Hi there! I notice you seem... A little lost. Are you new to town?" 

 

As soon as Jade and crew return to the embassy, not even a full minute after the doors have shut behind them, the embassy doors burst open once again.

Julien steps into the embassy. His clothes and Sehstau favor are spattered with fresh and dried blood and he wields two different daggers in each hand.

He immediately begins barking orders. ”I need a warded room! NOW!”

The Seshtaun behind the desk jumps to their feet with a nod and rushes off.

Julien steps aside, holding the door open with his back, and people flood the embassy.

First to enter are Roman, Calliope, and Korenai. Calliope is doubled over and moaning with deep breaths while Roman and Korenai support her on either side. Julien continues to wave people with Hatilaja markings inside and everyone is either armed or paired with someone who is armed. They rush inside and begin forming a shield around the entrance of the embassy while the trio steps further into the common room.
Julien releases the door to someone else, sheathes his daggers, and charges through the main room at the same moment the Seshtaun from the desk returns.

“This way Lord Julien!”

Julien nods to them and turns to Roman. ”Go with them!”

Roman gives no indication he heard and instead begins walking with Calliope and Korenai down the hall with the Seshtaun.

That is when Julien finally notices Jade.

”JADE!” He turns to her and rushes up, throwing his arms around her for a brief hug before he pulls back again. ”Leib Olmai started sending out constructs and pushed our line back again. I thought it best to move our people back to the embassy for the time being. Calliope just went into labor.”

He looks her over. ”Are you okay? Did you save them?”

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