Elena could feel the presence of two men boarding the ship from below. It was a blessed thing to do, the ability to sense others who have aura. It was also convenient to be able to assess them through it. It can be difficult sometimes, especially when some can suppress their aura or even conceal it, as she has recently learned. But the two who boarded them gave no attempt to such an action. It was clearly the aura of mages, so unlike the aura that knights produced; far more streamed and fluid, like water than the grainy flow of most knights. But she knew it also to be trouble as well. She knew about the Ravens. Every knight is told about the ravens. They were responsible for making sure knights do not make it to the mainland, and knights were told strictly to stay away from them and from Torlak. It was one thing discussing it with Lyse, sneaking into a country people like them swore never to enter, but now that the enforcers of such an act were here, it was far more stressful than what she could prepare herself.

She felt the urge to go up there to see how things panned out. Lyse was already on deck, showing the ravens the documents proving him an ambassador, and the rest of them simple mercenaries or guildsmen under their charge. But if things go wrong, she felt the need to be there. She almost wandered off to try and listen in on what's being said, but before she could poke her head out of the door, Gray pulled her back in.

"Have you gone mad Elena," he whispered, anxiousness creeping into his voice.

"Sorry, I wasn't thinking."

"Well, keep a level head," he told her. "Our necks are quite literally on the line, you know."

"We are just mere mercenaries, aren't we?" she turned to him. He still had her by the arm, as if for any reason, she will start bolting for the deck to announce them all. "It would be strange if we weren't doing our duty."

"Our duty is staying alive," he rebuttal. "We don't know how they detect knights. "For all we may know, they might have already arrested Lyse. Please just lie low."

She gave a reluctant sigh, moving to sit on her bed. It felt weird not being the one to call the shots. IT wasn't necessarily her fault. Despite her father being a general and her receiving much training in combat and working in a team and leading men into battle, she found herself far below command in this party, something she still is unsure of how to feel. Celia was a veteran, respected even amongst older knights, and such a legend that even those trained just a decade later know of her in mere whispers, if at all. It makes all the sense that she would be the one to guide them somewhat. But by far, Lyse took the helm when she was injured. It was him who acted the quickest when they were being chased across the plains and concocted the plans that led them all here in the first place. Was she really delegated to merely an advisory body so quickly? And poor Gray, who follows her because of friendship, a need to be there to help. And she's here out of a sense of justice.

She took a long breath to calm her nerves. Lyse has yet to let them down; it would be akin to cowardice to doubt him now. However, she can not quite picture Lyse lying. She couldn't even imagine it, and maybe that was a source of the stress that arose in her. Then the door suddenly creaked back open, and Edlund stepped into the room almost silently, his sword tucked into his travelers cloak to conceal it. She cursed under her breath, realizing that she too was carrying a blade that would clearly designate her a knight, Gray as well. They might not be able to walk in public with them.

"How are things going up there, Edlund," she asked him as he shut the door behind them.

"Lyse is talking, and I think that's enough to break the load," he scratched the back of his head, sharing the anxiety Elena was feeling at that moment. "They seem to be buying it. Though, it's hard to tell with how coy and mysterious they are. At least the pirates up there, and they seem to not really like her all that much either. Seemed half ready to toss her to the gallows themselves."

"Well, that's . . . news," Gray offered.

"I'll take a little suspicion over a noose around my neck. Thank you," Edlund began to rummage through his bag of supplies. "Thankfully, I didn't bring anything denoting me a knight, and I got this crappy sword we picked up at the harbor. Speaking of which, I suppose you two didn't bring any backup blades, have you?"

"Only a short sword," Elena sighed, pulling it from her other side. It was a well-made weapon but far from what one would call comparable to a shapeshifting sword. "It hadn't dawned on me till now. Do you know how Ravens pick out knights?"

"No clue," Edlund admitted. "If not by our aura, then perhaps other means. They weren't bothered by Lyse, it seemed, and they barely glanced over me when I was up there."

"Well, there is no way we can use zoi then?" Elena reasoned. "One small thing and they might detect it with whatever method they have. Even if we are guildsmen, the fact that we can use zoi makes us a liability going to Torlak."

"Really," Edlund gave her a questioning look. "I never heard of such restrictions."

"Any person born of the clans that shows promise ability to manipulate aura, not just knights, are unallowed to step foot in Torlak," she spoke. "That was the deal the Grandmaster made. So no zoi, and no enchanted weapons either."

"Shall I rip off my clothes then?" Edlund chided to himself. "Your clothes could also give away that you can lift boulders with a mere hand."

Lyse opened the door and swiftly closed it behind him. If they had known less, they might have thought he had just exited a battlefield, but his composure was returned quickly once he looked upon all of them. Cradled in his left hand were two swords, both from the armory on deck. He tossed them to both Elena and Gray.

"Those are for you for as long as we are in Torlak," he said. "Have you already discussed our plan of action?"

"Indeed we have," Elena told him. "We'll limit our ability to manipulate aurafor now. At least they'll be on their own ship, so there won't be too much pressure."

"Mm," Lyse gave them all a thoughtful glance. "Yes, indeed. How about we turn that 'limited' to absolutely not."

"Why is that?" Gray looked at him, worriedly.

"One of the Ravens have taken up residence aboard the ship," Lyse said. "And he has a room, and he's going to keep an eye on us."

Edlund spluttered in a mixture of confusion and surprise," What- why? Why?"

"Apparently, it's some code for Hathan merchants," Lyse recalled. "Some form of etiquette, I suppose."

"Etiquette that could get us all fed to sharks," Edlund sighed haggardly. "Oh, my days. And we have several days till we reach the mainland as well? That's plenty of time to go poking at us till one of us cracks under pressure, Gray."

Gray looked at him defensively. "Are you suggesting that I'm getting anywhere near a mage? A sea nymph blessed this sword. That's pretty high up on the list of 'this is most certainly made for a knight,' you know. And Elena has that shapeshifting sword of her, and Lyse the pendants."

"They seemed to take no notice of it," Lyse said. "Though, it could be that they hadn't gotten close enough to sense it. Or perhaps they can't sense godly aura at all. Wait, can you all sense the pendant?"

They all gave undetermined looks to one another. Truth be told, they never really tried. It wasn't a conscious effort either. When they sensed aura, it often appeared to come from all this. Lyse held them at their questions as he rushed back to his and Celia's room to retrieve the object. The lapis-lazuli and emerald gems glowing ever so softly. He instructed them all to focus their efforts on it, which each did. And were subsequently surprised to see that the object had no aura. Unlike literally anything else, the objects were a mere black space in their vision, void of aura they could see visibly.

"Curious," Lyse looked down at the small object. He swore several times before that he was able to see it when he was sensing aura, often as a bright star or spotlight around his neck."

"Could it be possible that only you can sense it then?" Elena propose.

"That would make sense," he agreed. "Well, in any case, we'll have to be real careful. They may think you mere guildsmen, but at, any time we may be caught in our lie. We have few options out here in the middle of the ocean, and Torlak will be a beast on its own once we arrive. Who could imagine how many mages lurk there."

"Two is enough, thank you," Gray said. "Besides, we're all staying on the ship. It's you and your mother that needs to see the . . . Grandmaster. I'm sorry, it doesn't get easier to say as time goes on."

"I suppose you're right," Lyse realize. They will have to be very careful then. Talin already seemed everywhere in the clans, whether that be true or not. He is a foreigner in Torlak. Who knows who and what lurks on the isle of mages. Talin may have their feet planted just as firmly, if not more, in their lands. Even the Ravens could be in the eyes of Talin. He is a mere novice of the gods, barely able to defeat what could be said to be foot soldiers to Talin. And his mother, although powerful, was crippled by the pendant she used. The only person he could rely on to back them was Makyra. And he doubts she could handle more than a pair herself. Taking on the Ravens' offer of the escort was a gamble, one that would prove either a benefit or a huge detriment to their movement and secrecy.

They all went to their respective rooms to lay as low to the ground as they could for the day. Lyse told him, mother, everything, and she was obviously not at all surprised by the fact. Thirians are not prohibited from visiting Torlak due to their lack of ability in the mystical arts, but still, she had agreed to stay bed-ridden for the time being. Makyra expressed frustration that one of the Ravens were on board, but that only gave lamentation, as there was nothing they could really do about it. This wasn't their ship, plain and simple. And Moxie didn't seem at all happy with the situation either. In fact, she seemed a little embarrassed that she was nearly forced to take one of the Ravens as a guest for the time being.

"Curse their children," Lyse heard her curse through the halls. "And may their grandchildren have the face of asses. Calling on the traditions of the sea. The nerve of those black feathers."

"Captain," the Ravens calls you and the ambassador to their chambers.

"What now," Lyse stopped in his tracks and turned. The sun hadn't yet touched the sleek horizons, but the skies were already turning their colors. Moxie took a deep breath, an effort not to explode right then and there. She turned with a strained straight expression. But her eyes were now a startling yellow, and the slits now perfectly visible.

"Well, isn't that something, knight," she asked him in mocking curiosity. "For whatever reason, would they ask for the pair of us. Surely it is not that they suspect knights aboard my vessel. I would be quite surprised if that were indeed the case."

"As well I captain. But alas, avoiding it would bring us nothing but trouble."

"So, Colt, shall we?"

Lyse sighed. "As if we have the choice."

They walked on to Raven's quarters near the rear of the ship. It wasn't much bigger than the quarters afforded to most other crew members, but a small table was set in the middle of the room beside the bed and two chairs. The Raven was sitting patiently on the bed, his staff laid across his lap, and the bird's head pointed at the door. His eyes were closed, and he seemed deep into some form of meditation before noticing the two entering the room. Lyse resisted the urge to use zoi and determine what their aura had looked like at that moment. The raven's expression was patient, although a bit coy when looking at Moxie, who immediately took a seat across from him. Lyse took the other, first taking his blade from his side and placing it beside the small chair and away from his hands. That was an etiquette he was taught. Swords are not meant to be held at the table. Leaving your hands free of it meant you are willing to negotiate. Something that this Raven didn't seem to recognize, as he looked stiffly at the weapon as it was laid down. Lyse was glad that his blade was not enchanted but simply made from a strong material. To anyone's eyes, it could be mistaken for any regular arming sword one might come across in some pawn in the market. In the table, a small glass ball say on cloth. He didn't recognize it, was it decoration. He noticed the Raven also had a similar looking object on his ring finger.

"Thank you for coming," he spoke to them both. "I know the day is becoming late, and it was not even a day before since our last discussion. But you must understand, ambassador, captain, that my charge is the protection of my nation and to uphold their laws. And the activities of the Clan Empire troubles me. If you can not tell me the content of your letter, perhaps we could talk of more."

"Most certainly," Lyse nodded, although he was feeling uncomfortable not having a blade in hand now or the pendant to fidget within the meantime. "The clans are well off. The only troubles we face are those in the northern Frostlands who regularly threaten Lykos and even some of our outland territories. More knights are needed to mobilize to secure these points."

"Interesting," the raven remarked, although he seemed disinterested in the topic, and tried to pay close attention to Lyse's words, occasionally looking at the glass ball. Lyse didn't notice anything about it, but this motion have him nervous. He felt the pendant begun to warm despite his efforts, responding to need before want. "And the likelihood that this letter or your message pertains to aid, then?"

"Unlikely," Lyse told him. "My King James has made efforts on his own and is quite satisfied with the relationship that the clans and Torlak have at the moment."

"And of the knights?" the ravens asked. "What of the knights."

Lyse gave him a troubled look. He has not really lied once yet. Everything he said was true and public knowledge. But as soon as the mention of knights was brought up, he figured that this was some sort of ruse to lure him into a trap. The conversation has gone on long enough that he could deduct the engine that drives his motives.

Moxie coughed to clear her throat. "I know little of the happenings of the clans. Haven't come across any knights in a while, in any case."

The Raven held his gaze with scrutiny but kept his face absolutely still. "Well, before we continue, I believe that a nice beverage would be nice, don't you. You seem to have something caught in your throat."

"We have plenty of juices kept in the lower decks," Moxie rose immediately. "If you may permit me . . ."

"That is quite alright," from a small satchel the Raven carried, he took out red clothes, a geometric graphic etched in black. He laid it upon the table, and as it settled, an unusual shape seems to obstruct it from landing evenly, and it barely touched the table itself. Lyse could feel aura being strung together as the clothing was lifted, and suddenly and a full tea set was prepared, three cups and a pot of boiling water.

"That's quite the trick," Lyse note as he took a cup already full of the tea.

"Being on the sea a lot, mages find enchanted things such as these a bliss" he took a cup in hand and offered it to Moxie. "Some tea, captain? Or is it a bit too mild for your blood?"

Moxie let out what appeared to be a grin and a snarl. "Whatever do you mean?"

She took the cup and sat back down. Lyse went to drink, but something in the back of his mind warned against it, ever so briefly. As if this scenario had occurred before. It was a small sense however, and Lyse was only curious of it for the moment before the rim was to his lips. Lyse took a small sip, allowing the mellow tastes of honey and mint to cloud his tongue. Just before the liquid touched his lips, he saw it glow a dull blue color. He wished to use zoi once more to see if this tea was also abnormal. He felt nothing. There was no indication that it affected him. And as Moxie hesitantly took a sip, nothing happened as well. His mind was clear and sober.

"Nice," Lyse told the Raven. "Now then-"

when Lyse looked up, he found that the Raven had a sickening sneer on his facing and standing. The glass ball was as bright as a lantern as he suddenly felt aura surge inside of him. The Raven had raised his ivory staff and slammed it towards Lyse's head. The attack would surely crack his skull. But something seemed off. Something that Lyse couldn't quite put his finger on. It was as if everything was slow and distorted. Moxie was as still as a porcelain doll. The room walls seemed to melt on their own, and what appeared to be the fluttering of a thousand wings seemed to sound just outside the room. This wasn't real. None of this was real, and his mind worked to unravel whatever tangle it found itself in. He felt a rush of power, even if the pendant was so far away, that acted almost by impulse. The clarity of wisdom brought him to the realization of reality. And he found that the Raven wasn't attacking and that the walls were still rigid. But his body was held still by something. He could not feel his hands or feet, and he could barely hold his eyelids open. The cup hanged loosely in his fingers as the Raven stood. He heard grunting from Moxie as she too was taken hold, although her eyes wandered aimlessly around and unfocused.

"That confirms it," the Raven sneered, rising from where he stood. "The tea stimulated the body, causing you to emit aura naturally. I thought I had sensed it, but I needed evidence. You both are under arrest for violating the treaty between our nations."

Lyse's eyes went into a panic. The sudden attack was mostly a surprise, and he found himself trying to call upon the pendant once more. The power of wisdom was useless. The powers of evasion were useless, and the call of nature was absent hear. There was nothing he could do to defend himself, and the Raven was eager to secure the two. He had to dig deeper into the pendants. Search for something that was untapped so far. A power that his mother warned him to touch and apply. The powers of Dionysus, the drunken god. The god of revelry, or wine-making and fruits and vegetation. Of orchards and ecstasy. Of insanity, as well. Yes, that power. The power to render even the most powerful of beings mere husks of themselves. He felt that power and allowed the pendant to take hold of him for the time being. Then, he directed that energy, this pent up rattle of noises and sensation that was unreal yet real, to attach itself to the Raven, and immediately it took hold. In the motion of preparing cuffs for the pair of them, the Raven stopped in his tracks. Lyse, at the moment as well, felt feeling come back in a flash, and Moxie gasping for breath as she stood from where she was kept.

"Damn you," she unsheathed a blade. "Poison us? I should gut you-"

"Wait," Lyse grabbed her arm before the blade could meet the back of the raven's skull. His eyes were wide and small. He seemed to be aware of all, and nothing at all. He turned towards them, clutching the shackles, then began to spin once, twice, thrice more, holding the cuffs before them.