Massua woke with a start, taking in a strangled breath as she immediately tried to stand up. This attempt was met with a wood slamming across the top of her head, and she stiffly sat back down in the position she had been stuck in for several weeks now. She does not know this. Not even a night has transpired for her, and she felt like she was missing something the moment her brain ached into function. She looked around to meet darkness. Nothing but confined night. All wooden and cramped. She tried to stretch her legs out and met another wall before her knees were even half bent. The room to either side was less than a hand. She traces a hand along the seems and immediately knew what she was inside of.

A chest, she thought. Why am I in a chest?

Along one of the longer sides of the chest was a small hole that allowed all the air she needed to flow inside. She managed to maneuver herself, tucking her legs under her just to catch a glimpse of what was outside. She could see more darkness, except this time, painted with some space trees, a field, and a mountain far off into the distance. She could barely make them out, but they were there. At first, she thought this was some sort of prank pulled off by Edlund and Lyse. A little morbid for a joke, but not out of the realm of childishness from her perspective. She felt as if she was in a coffin. But mountains looked far too distant than what she was used to seeing from her home. This couldn't be in Liontari. She'd never even been twenty miles from the village before.

She tried to remember why he was suddenly within a wooden chest in the middle of a field, expelling the notion that this was some joke. She tried to grasp her memory but immediately felt a dull pain in her head. She went up to touch it, not far off from where she bumped her head and felt bandages in her hair covering may be a gash or welt that had formed. She seethed as she touched it and once again to the darkness around her.

"This isn't funny," she said in a small voice, almost hoping that Edlund or Lyse would suddenly unlock the chest laughing. But none did. Worry was then replaced by anger as she began to kick at the wooden frame, banging and hollering. Somewhat she knew that what she did was dangerously stupid. Who knows what horrors lay with the fields this time of night. But her frustration was causing action, not her reasoning. This continued all but a minute when the chest suddenly shifted. There was a distinct click as the trunk was suddenly opened, and all her movement ceased.

Outside, three men and two women stood over her, one carrying a lantern that lit the box's interior and made it hard at first to collect their features. All wore some shawl or face-covering that hid most if not all of their faces. Only the eyes were visible, but they might as well be empty sockets for as much emotion shown. They all stared down at her, a hint of annoyances in their posture, but nothing spoke of their wish for her to cease her outburst, then the swords and spears currently pointed at her. Each held at least one weapon in hand and more than ready to slice her into bits if she even blinked in the wing way. She recognized none of them, and they didn't look like bandits. From what she could tell from the clothes, they did not need stealing or ransom.

"She is awake," one said in a hollow tone.

"She poses no real threat at the moment," one of the women sheathed the curved blade she held but did not take her eyes off of Massua.

Massua clenched her teeth before speaking, coming out as a forced growl. "Who are you? Where are my mother and father? What do you want with me?"

"You will be silent, girl," a growl, far more animalistic and feral, resonated from behind the chest. A barrel-chested man with an irritated scowl looked down upon her, arms crossed. His right eye was bandaged, but one alone carried all the rage that the others didn't show. It was only pointed at her for a moment, then returned to the five, likely continuing a discussion had before her interruption. "It's enough that we failed initially to capture that boy, but we must also babysit this child. I don't care if she is our new leader, I was promised far more than this."

"You can't go against the word of the witch," one hissed as if deeply offended by his harsh words. "She slew Umerius. The law dictates that the order follows her now."

"Even I could have slain Umerius if I could have just-"

"Enough squabbling," a raspy voice emanated from one of the men. "We are just a week from our destination. You will be a part of something special, little girl, take solace that you will serve the light, soon enough."

The last sentence was aimed at her, but he didn't look down to say it. He strode back to somewhere behind the chest, where the crackle of a small fire was audible. The others stared down at the other man as if a fight was on the brink of happening. But they dispersed, moving to the fire outside her vision, leaving only her, and that man. He glared angrily at the others before kicked the latch closed and locked.

"Do not make another sound," he roared. "She said that you are needed, but I doubt she needs you with all your limbs attached."

As much as she was afraid, and indeed she was, she found herself biting her tongue to shout back from within the small prison they had her in. She had never heard someone threaten anyone else like that. Well, except when a merchant comes by with abhorrent deals. But such talking was seen as little taste. Strong words would have been made. But she's not in the village, she realized. These people don't care for courtesy, and not so much for her well-being, besides whether she is alive or dead. They wouldn't have stuffed her in this chest if this was not the case. How she hoped that she still had her spear, or perhaps the sword she was given. Anything would be a comfort in her hands.

She placed a hand on the walls again, careful not to make any large noises. The wood was strong and possibly reinforced with metal on the other side. Even though she was a "little girl" they took the precaution. However, there was something they hadn't accounted for, or so she thinks. She had been training with her brother since she was twelve, and he did manage to teach her some things. One of which was how to channel the power of the aura, into enhancing oneself. And now she channeled zoi into her hand. It was still a strain, and she immediately broke in sweat. But she knew it was not enough. She tried to go even further, channeling zoi further and further into the tips of her finger till she saw the glow in the darkness.

They reinforced the walls and probably the top of the chest. She placed the tip of her finger on the wooden floor. But I doubt they collectively have the sense to do the same to the floor as well.

She dug her nail into the wood. Not stabbing it, but making sure that she had good holding. She found the direction of the grain, how the chest was carved. She spent a lot of time around her mother, and she would often tell her that wits are far better than brawn. But both are needed to succeed. Her brother was always a shining example for everyone. He was a well-read man and also a knight. She understood just a little why every one of her friends at one time had a crush on him, and the single women whisper about him when their mother isn't around. But, she can also be crafty. She can also do things that most dream of doing. And she wasn't going to let that go to waste now. She knows that she won't be able to break out now, but over time she can weaken it, wait for the perfect opportunity and escape then. She would just have to be patient and endure.

Endure.

(X)

Edlund was puzzled, seeing everyone standing in front of the castle. The main complex of where officials, the king, and royalty reside. Knights are welcomed, of course, but even he was a bit shocked to find a letter under his door telling him to meet up with everyone here. He had been ready to go the moment he awakened, everything packed and sorted, for once, and feeling once again ahead of the curve. But then, Lyse decided to throw him off his game like this. He couldn't mistake that girlish handiwork anywhere. He was a bit annoyed, but at the same time curious as to why the three of them had been summoned without Lyse in sight.

Gray still looked sickly and ready to fall over if tempted by the gentlest of breezes, but not as bad as he had seen him before. He at least ready to travel. He wasn't wearing the more lavish clothing one expected from those raised in Silondras. Gray's clothing consisted of a grey cloak hanging mostly on one side of his frame. Black woolen shirt inside of a vest and grey trousers. They weren't of poor make, to any man, he would simply be a traveler or a merchant caught without his wares. The only thing throwing that off was the gilded blade tucked beneath his cloak. Elena kept to the simplistic theme, a dark green cloak, and pants tied off at the ankles. The shirt was a bit too well fit for Edlund's taste, but he had seen other women wear something similar when he visited the next village over. The only odd thing was a sword's hilt poking out from behind her. The sword was clinging to her back in a manner that would catch looks from every hill.

"Alright, it seems city folk can dress for the occasion," Edlund said as he approached the steps to the palace. The six sentinel guards made no move or notice to the three, and the pathway to the castle doors was cleared of any pedestrian. Elena and Gray seemed to be in mid-conversation, not a terribly positive one by the looks on their faces. "Hope I wasn't walking in on a couple squabbling."

Elena took a deep breath, an effort not to be offended present. "We were just discussing the suspicious circumstances of our calling. Did Lyse write a letter?"

Edlund pulled the piece of parchment and waved it in the air. "Yes, one of the few people I know that writes like this. Why he called us out here instead of the gates, I intend to beat out of him."

"I prefer that we don't get into that just yet," Lyse was behind him, packs also gathered and slumped over his shoulders. Like Edlund, he carried light. Only a few bags of clothing, rations, and supplies should last from here to Tigri. Edlund saw a heavy look on his face like he just was told his mother died as well. And for a moment, Edlund thought this was the case. But he also saw that determined, missioned look in his eyes that spoke of purpose. He couldn't see Lyse level-headed without it.

"I'm only stopping by to pay Paladin Novia a visit," he said.

"A visit?" Elena echoed in question. "I thought we planned on leaving without notice."

"You all can go to the gates if you please to," Lyse told them, looking up to the section where the Paladins operated. "I called you all here as . . . moral support, perhaps."

Gray gave him a quizzical look. "What are you up to, Lyse?"

"Nothing terribly important," he told them, but the look on his face said there was little truth to that statement. Even he could tell and forced himself to be more forthright. "I'm simply here to tell Novia what I'm doing and where I'm going."

"You really are going mental," Edlund nearly shouted. He lowered to nearly a whisper and stepped closer to Lyse. "They could be listening and spying on you right now. Hell, for all we know, Paladin Novia could be in league with them."

Lyse gave him an understanding nod. "It is a possibility. But I have a feeling that she's not. Doesn't feel that way. Telling her will be better than leaving abruptly as a new Ranger."

"He's right," Elena sighed, clearly not happy that he is. "Rangers are a bit different since there is no timetable for their missions. Sometimes, they can be called for out of the blue. If he's going to be unavailable, that is something she would like to know."

"So she can tear your head off," Gray pointed out. "Not a lot of explorers these days. She'd probably even break our legs to make sure you don't go. I quite like my legs where they are Lyse."

"Well, my sister can not wait," he sighed."Fate knows she'd either talked them to death or has attempted escape at least twice now. Wherever they are headed, we need to be on their trail unimpeded."

"I believe broken legs can be an impediment," Gray said lightly, then turned to the others. "I'll wait out here. Those stairs look pretty intimidating, and I'm saving my lunch for the ride."

"Hope the sentinels make great conversation," Edlund told him and moved on with Lyse and Elena. Gray immediately sat near one of the columns nearby, sighing in relief. The doors were already open, two more guards stationed on either side of the intricately carved wooden set of doors. They gave no sign that they were any more than well-made statues. They walked into an anti-chamber, two rows of columns on either side leading to the golden-inlaid doors that held the banquet hall for any festivities King James would announce. Not a sound escaped from that room. Instead, they took a set of carpeted stairs that lead to the next floor. Lyse lead them deep into the castle to taking the path he thought would take them to the Paladin's quarters. Elena had to correct him several times. The polished white-gray tiles that decorated the floors and the red carpet that occupied a sliver of the hall led them further and further in. The halls themselves seemed to meander about the castle, taking round turns and sometimes sloping up or down. Windows with thick translucent glass provided higher and higher perspectives of the castle. The only other time Lyse has ever been this high was when he walked along the walls. They ran into a few others while walking, mainly nobles and knights. Some dressed not of Liontari, but perhaps to the outlying territories. Some took no notice of them. Some nodded in the direction of Elena and eyed Lyse curiously. Especially some of the noblewomen, who estimated him in a single look before flashing him disarming smiles, then frowned when seeing Elena just two strides behind. Edlund rolled his eyes to this behavior. Sometimes, he thought, those of the upper crust had little respect.

Finally, they came upon a door, plain-looking but carved with a few words-the names of past Paladins. The only one that was inlaid with gold was the name of the current Paladin of exploration, Novia. Lyse felt a sudden pressure when he first laid eyes on the name, and all of them could sense someone on the other side.

"Good luck," Edlund told him, patting him on the shoulder.

"Come back out alive," Elena advised, and he nodded to both of them.

All he could give assure them was a nod, a nod not too sure in and of itself. But he did turn to face that door, that name. He felt like he was walking in on a den of wolves, but it was just one woman. Well, that was not the right way to compare more like the nest of a hydra or manticore. He took a deep breath, raising his hand to knock, but before his fist could touch the cherry wood, a voice shouted from within stopping him in his tracks.

"You can come in, young'un," it was indeed a shout, but one with patience he had heard when she spoke before. He wondered how far this patience could go, as he turned the handle and walked inside. Closing the door behind him, he was met with a modestly sized office or meeting chamber. Worktables littered the room with all sorts of documents, objects, and weapons he did not recognize from all sorts of make. The room was lit by several candles and even a lantern in one of the corners. In that corner was the Paladin's work table, where most of the clutter could be found. Books that looked ready to crumble sat in heaps unread, but marked with some parchment in a language Lyse recognized as Tunet, the language spoken by the native people of Novia's birth. She herself sat amongst this clutter. Her eyes could be mistaken as candlelight, bright orange, and glowing orbs piercing him like arrows, stunning him where he stood. The ashen grey skin furrowed into a frown as she laid eyes upon him, clearly troubled why he was here now. She wasn't wearing her usual garments, the sash hanging on one of the hooks that also held some axes and maces.

Lyse willed himself to walk closer, trying not to stare into her eyes. "I have come on the word of the King."

"James?" Novia seemed genuinely surprised. The way she said his name lacked any formality. "Why would he send a young'un like you to meet with me. I know you are new, but we won't be expecting any new quests till Rangers report on the happenings In Vulmant and Antalya. Well, if they find anything. The main reason we took that land was because of the conspiracy of conspiring with Frostland kingdoms. But it was speculated that some ancient temple was buried in those rocky hills. I would find it interesting what there is to find, don't you?"

Lyse found himself at a loss for words. She talked on and on; he wondered when he was going to get a word in. "I . . . do not know much of Vulmant, my lady. But I had heard rumors that on the borders they share with us eastward, a castle had been uncovered by the lord who governed that area."

The Paladin froze, a bit surprised, or maybe even intrigued by Lyse's answer. She took one of the books from the stacks, and then a quill and a pot of ink. She opened to a part mark by a red length of silk, and jotted down some quick words, and then closed it, looking up at Lyse now with even more intent than before somehow. She stood then and walked over to the windows. Dark metal frames and colored glass opened to a view of the early morning light just reaching the towns. The sounds of bells tolling for the dawn seemed to stir the streets in a slow buzz. But he suspected that within the hour, that buzz would turn to the movement of disturbed ants.

"It isn't often that we get a promising knight such as you," she said, not looking back, but he could tell she watched him from the corner of her vision. "The king seemed to of taken an interest in you as well. Whatever purpose that is, I wish to squeeze out of him myself. Tell me why you are not going to be available, just so I can put it into my books."

He knew the question would come up, even concocted an entirely fake story to cover his tracks if need be, if she was in league with Talin. But, those eyes dispelled the fog of lies he prepared, and urged him for straight answers, answer she could understand. He found himself unable to get the words out, and simply opted for honesty.

"The reason I became a knight was to help my family and my land," he said. "I wanted to make sure that my village stayed safe. But it seems I can't even do that."

"And why is that?" Her question was flat, but all the more encouraging. Lyse found himself spilling soup as she took her seat back at her desk, hands folded before her.

"My family was attacked just about a week and a half ago," he said. "These people kidnapped my sister, maimed my mother, and killed my father. I want to find her and bring her back. I have to, no matter what you say. Forgive me if I am talking out of line with you Paladin, but this is more important than some castle. It is my duty."

Novia raised an eyebrow at that last comment, but she began writing anyway. "I am not telling you to stay. As I said, we do not have the need for another explorer just yet, Vulmant can wait. It is nice to see that foolish young'uns like you are still around. Do you intend to enact your vengeance alone?"