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In a dimlit room, beds were upon beds and small chests settled themselves along the side and underneath the mattresses. Figures slept in the lower and top bunks of the beds, some snoring and others quietly writing, using oil lamps to cast a low light upon their pieces of parchment. One figure, a thin, rat-like lady, was tossing a wooden dagger up in the air, and having it land softly upon her stomach. Another figure was hunched over, over the edge of his bed. His eyes stared ahead, almost blankly, as his folded hands placed themselves upon his upper lip. Another male figure turned idly in his sleep, his head against the partially clean pillow.

The walls were a dull grey, and the windows were covered by banners of blue and white, a white lion depicted upon the center of the banner. Underneath the banners, the light of a rising sun slowly appears.

On a bedbunk placed near the window lays a female, hands crossed back her head as she reads a letter nestled on her belly, aided by an oil lamp a the first rays of sun, she seems distracted, smiling from time to time as she reads that letter.

Under her bedbunk, a half opened chest reveals a sheathed broad sword and a stylish leather hat perched on the pommel of that sword.

Somewhere from within, a man dressed in white and blue, with a foppish hat and satchels around his waist, rang a bell. The dull, resounding bell ran throughout the castle, echoing off of the halls.

The others within the barracks start, some opening their eyes and rubbing at them, and others pulling their blankets off of their forms, already clothed. The rat-like lady catches the wooden dagger within her hand and settles it under her pillow, before pushing her hands against the bunk bed, placing her boots upon the floor. The fellow that was hunched over slowly lets his gaze rise, drifting towards the door, before his form slowly rises, stretching his arms over his head, "Wake up, wake up, its time to move." His deep, resounding voice booms through the barracks. The male who tossed upon his bed groans, before his hand grasps his pillow, lifting it up and placing it over his head. The larger man lets his gaze drift towards the sleeping male, picking up his pillow slowly and tossing it at him, "Move it. We don't have time for slackers. To the auditorium, all of you."

Tugging the letter in one of her pouches she stands up, stretching herself as she rubs her eyes. "Time to move", speaks in a low tone of voice as she takes the broadsword from the chest, adjusting it's belt around her waist and placing the stylish hat on her head. She nods at the man giving orders and without hesitation she walks towards the Auditorium, almost on a quick pace.

Others follow the female figure in a steadily increasing number, their hands tightening their sword sheaths upon their belts, or straps upon their bags. Through the nearest hallway, with the cobblestoned flooring and walls, there were multiple hanging paintings of a finely dressed man with a bobbed cut of yellow hair. His clothing was of a light purple, his form upright and standing against a white and blue background, his collar was a bright red, fanned outwards. His boots were finely crafted leather with crisscrossing straps. Within his left hand, a gold and steel scepter.

Boots scuff almost silently against the blue carpet, within the middle of the hallway, which was outlined in white, until the large male strides forward, past the other cadets. His roughened hands push upon the large, wooden doors to the auditorium.

The auditorium was a wide room, with large, stained glass windows upon either side. Pillars of stone held up a second floor balcony upon the right side of the room, and a wooden altar, upon a wooden platform. The altar’s sides were draped with red, and two red cloths hang from the ceiling, adorning either side of a large, white lion upon a blue background sat.

The other cadets entered the auditorium, and the sleepy male stretches upwards, his mouth opening into a yawn, “This better be good.” His mouth closes and his right hand scratches against his side, “I was having the best dream.” Another cadet, with sharp, front teeth pushed against the sleepy male’s shoulder, “Yeah? Of what?” The sleepy cadet eyes the fellow, his eyes partially open, “Of getting to see your mother, again.” The sharp-toothed fellow frowns deeply, before his right hand shoves against the man’s shoulder, and the sleepy fellow lifts up his hand, forming a fist, before the larger male bellows out, “Keep the order, cadets.” Against one of the pillars, the rat-like lady rested her back, her yellow gaze lingering upon her hand’s nails, before drifting upwards, “Men.”

She enters the Auditorium, getting a place in middle of it she awaits, a hand resting upon the sheath of her sword. She eyes the two guys talking with each other, and she can't avoid letting out chuckle; specially when the rat-like lady adds that word.

She stands there, firm as a soldier and looking idly at both sides. "All of this must be for some good reason, don't worry fellow, I bet this is going to end in some sort of valuable contract for some of us".

The two male cadets settle, as the sleepy-eyed cadet drifts his gaze towards Elund, his mouth quirking into an odd smile, "Contracts don't get me worried. Its the being sent outside to die for a greater good that gets me worried." The wooden doors open and two knights upon either side of a taller, and older knight, walk into the room, their heavy sabatons making soft thudding sounds upon the blue and white carpet. The two knights look to their respected sides, "Line up, cadets. Make way for Sir Geoffry, Heavenly Knight of the Hokuten."

The elderly knight strides forward, lifting his sabaton when nearing the first wooden step of the platform, as the other cadets line up, side-by-side, upon the cobblestoned floor, on either side of the white and blue carpet. Sir Geoffry ascends the next step and walks behind the alter, his steady gaze drifting between the standing cadets, his voice echoing off of the walls in an almost gentle manner, "Brave cadets. As you may or may not know, the Hokuten is facing the consequences of being forced out of the trade city Dorter. Those who have returned to us have spoken of a rebellion, led by a group of bandits and merchants who have sided with the rebellion." Sir Geoffry pauses, before continuing, "The Duke has, after careful consideration, sent in an enlistment request. For those who wish to aid our knights in reclaiming the trade city of Dorter, I welcome you. For those who wish to leave early and escort our scouts, and secure a location of entry witin the trade city of Dorter, you will need to be ready within an hour's time. The caravan will be waiting outside of the castle gate's." Sir Geoffry pauses, as his steady gaze drifts between the sets of cadets, "There are no wrong decisions. Follow your hearts to what you know is best, cadets."

Sir Geoffry's sabatons thunk softly against the wooden steps, as he descends, the two knights quickly falling into step upon his sides. The three knights exit the auditorium, after the two knights close the doors behind them.

She listens to Sir Geoffry's words carefully, taking in note his tone of voice as she cants her head to a side, forming a line with the other cadets and removing the hat from her head in a signal of respect.

"Mmmm...Either way seems a dangerous mission" She shakes her head and when the three knights leave auditorium she walks toward the castle gates, if she is going to get in action better sooner than later.

As Elund leaves the auditorium, a few voices could be overheard from a few of the cadets, one being the voice of the sleepy-eyed male, “Guarding a caravan seems to be a more cushioned job. Think I’ll take it.” The sharp-toothed cadet peers at the other with a beady gaze, his teeth baring, clenched together, as he shakes his finger at the sleepy-eyed fellow, “You are nothing but a lout! The Hokuten wouldn't need such a lazy lout, such as you, sir.” The sleepy-eyed fellow shrugs his shoulders and begins to scuff his boots against the white and blue carpet, his form following after Elund’s.

Outside the castle gates, the castle’s white exterior glistens in the sunlight, two large trees planted upon either side of the castle’s gates. The steps leading to the castle are between the grass and the road, which was occupied by a caravan tied to two large, yellow bird-like creatures called chocobos. Those around the caravan were dressed as merchants, with foppish hats and loose-clothing of dull purples and browns. Each had a dagger sheathed at their sides, and one with a eye-patch approaches Elund, his form leaning into a handmade cane, the man’s arms spreading wide in greeting, “A’hello! Hello, hello. To you, as well, hello!” His right hand gestures towards the sleepy-eyed male, and behind him, the rat-like lady. The sleepy-eyed fellow turns his head, lifting a brow, his form starting, “Lord you’re quiet. Sneaking around, huh?”

The head merchant glances back at Elund, his arms falling gracefully to his sides, “You will be joining us, as we work with you and your knights, yes? If that is true, we are preparing to leave, I believe. We don’t have any more mounts, I’m afraid, yes.” His form turns about, making a few gestures towards the other merchants, as they sat about and leaned upon the caravan’s sides and wheels. They stood and pushed off the caravan’s sides, checking the chocobo’s reins and saddles, tightening the straps there. Others checked the caravan’s wooden wheels.

"Meh. That's your friend?, he thinks he's going to save the entire country himself or what?" She asks towards the sleepy-eyed male as she walks; she takes a look at the castle exterior and lets out a sigh in frustration "And they said nothing of payment for this mission".

As she stops before the merchants she shows an amused smile, taking note of the clothes of those merchants she nods after the greeting of the eye-patched merchant "Hello to you too. Yes I'm Straia, going to join the caravan as some sort of guard" She places her stylish hat on her head, covering herself from the sunrays "Don't worry about the mounts, I'm accustomed to walk my way. Any hint about we can expect to find?"

The sleepy-eyed male lets his gaze drift towards Elund, his lips curling into a half-grin, before he snorts, “Him? Hardly. Dated his sister once, annnnd I’ve been regretting it ever since. She made the best baked goods, though.” The sleepy-eyed man hangs his head, as he watches the group of merchants clamber into the back of the caravan, two lifting their legs upwards, pushing off of their other leg, when mounting the chocobos’ saddles. The eye-patch wearing merchant glances between the three cadets, the rat-like lady partially behind the sleepy-eyed male’s form, his cracked lips curling into a wide show of off-white teeth, “My name is Mr. Straik, welcome, welcome friends. We will need your blades, I’m certain, oh yes.”

Mr. Straik taps his cane around, as his form turns about, his right hand clasping the side of the caravan, his right boot finding purchase upon a wooden step. Lifting himself up, his right hand strokes at his mustache, before his gaze drifts towards the cadets, “Bandits, panthers, goblins, maybe even a dragon or two.” His cracked lips curled into a show of teeth, “There’s a lot between here and Dorter, I say, yes, I say. Sayyy"…his mustache twitches from side-to-side as he gazes at the cadets, “You know your way to Dorter, in case we get lost?”

"And I thought this was going to be the easy task. Anyways I don't have any idea of where is Dorter." She turns her head looking at the others, quirking an eyebrow, before step to one of the sides of the caravan, looking at one of those chocobos more closely.

"He's exaggerating right?" Asks towards to one of the merchants ridding a chocobo in a low tone of voice, expecting the rumours about dragons to be false.

The sleepy-eyed male lifts his shoulders in a shrugging fashion, his hands showing their open palms, "Haven't traveled much out of Igros. But I here its a happening place, as of late." His right hand rubs itself against the back of his neck, "The local barmaids been talking about the revolt being started by a little horned girl." He shakes his head, softly, from side-to-side, "I'm not sure if I believe them."

The rat-like lady's hands were within her pockets, as her gaze drifts from the caravan, to Elund, "Dorter is East of Igros Castle. Ivalice has not seen a dragon since the time of the seven kingdoms. Each kingdom is now a province, under the rule of the crown. There are drakes, but they are northerly creatures."

The sleepy-eyed male stares at the rat-like lady, his mouth agape, "What? Where did you learn that?" The rat-like lady drifts her gaze towards him, "I read and listen to lectures." The sleepy-eyed male frowns, after the word "lecture", "Knowledge through sacrifice, eh?"
One of the merchant waves the question away, his hands picking up and snapping the reins. The chocobo had turned its head to place its beak within Elund's hand, nipping at her shirt's sleeve, a quiet, "Bwawk.."

The chocobo's head snaps front, and the two chocobos move forward, the caravan's wheels turning, and the caravan moving along the well-smoothened, dirt road at an easy pace. The other two cadets walk beside the caravan, the sleepy-eyed male lifting his right hand to fan the yawn that escapes his lips, before his lips curl into a wide smile, "This'll be eeeasy. No armor, heavy sword, and following orders? Piece of cake."

"Hey, glad to meet you too" She smiles tapping the head of that chocobo before it starts to move. "Do you know something more valuable for our journey?" She asks towards the rat-like lady before start to escort the caravan, walking next to the chocobo and raising her hat just a little to watch the road.

The sleepy-eyed man turns his gaze towards the castle, as it became smaller, his boots scuffing against the dirt-covered road. His hands threading his thumbs behind the straps of his pack. The rat-like lady's gaze lingers upon Elund, before drifting ahead of the caravan, her right hand lifting its pointer finger, "South-East is the Mandalia plains." North-East is Fort Zeakden. Both are known to be troublesome areas, however, Mandalia plains is warmer."
The rat-like lady, glances towards the sleepy-eyed male, "And should you need to call for assistance, I suggest knowing our names." The sleepy-eyed male's gaze snaps towards the other two femmes, his eyebrows lifting, "Hmm? I miss something?" The rat-like lady's gaze lingers, as the sleepy-eyed male lifts his hands up, palms showing, "Okay..okay." His gaze drifts towards Elund, "The name's Samuel. Not Sammy, or Sam, or Mr. S. Just, Samuel." The rat-like lady nods, once, before her gaze drifts towards Elund, "I am Estrell."

The caravan's wheels turn upon the dirt road, the wood creaking idly. Behind the caravan, Igros castle becomes smaller. After a few hours of travelling, the caravan comes to a slowing stop, Mr. Straik holding his left hand up, "H-halt, halt halt halt." His eye-patched gaze drifts to the side of the caravan, his cracked lips curling into a dried smile, "There's a fork ahead. Now, which direction should we travel, hmm?" The road directly ahead veered off into two roads. One curved southward, the other, weaved itself northerly.

She stops by the fork and stretches herself. "Straia Elund, you can call me Elund, or Straia, I don't mind" She looks up to the caravan, moving a hand to knock at the woodplanks of it " I think is better if we take the south-east path to the Mandalia plains, better for a caravan, and a warm place is always welcomed" her eyes drift towards Estrell, watching her reaction as she says that.

Samuel’s head nods, twice, before his form stops, bending over to slide his fingers in-between his foot and his boot, pinching around a rock. His form rises as he turns to toss the rock, before his gaze drifts towards Elund, “Alright Elund. Guess you’re the legion leader now, have fun, making decisions and such.” His lips curl into a smile, before his gaze drifts towards Estrell.

Estrell’s rounded ears twitch lightly, before her gaze drifts between Samuel and Elund, her thinner shoulders lifting in a shrugging fashion, “I don’t mind.” Estrell’s gaze drifts towards Elund, matching her gaze, before she asks, “What is it?”

Mr. Straik taps his cane against the side of the caravan, before his left hand lifts it upward, pointing towards the South-Eastern road, “Through the valley and the plains, then. Yes, yes, we take that road.” The caravan’s wheels turn, as the two chocobo’s bwawk to themselves, their talons digging into the earth, after the merchants lift the reins up and snap them once. The caravan carries on, moving from the dirt-covered road, into the soft grass, jagged rocks of limestone appear slowly, as the caravan travels. The rock formation resemble tusks or fangs of a large beast.

//Uh! now the dices start to get rolled!//

She nods briefly assuming the command of the two cadets. She breaths deeply concentrating on her new role "Sure, hope you two don't get cocky when recieving orders" She turns her gaze towards Estrell and raises an eyebrow before resuming on her walk on the left side of the caravan. "Whats up?"

Samuel’s eyebrows tent upwards, as his lips curl into a brief smile, “Cocky? Nah, I don’t get anything when I get orders. Get it?” His throat releases a sound of amusement, before his arms lift upwards, crossing behind his neck, his gaze drifting outward, at the limestone.

Estrell’s features sharpen, as her pale gaze drifts towards Elund, her face shaking softly from side-to-side, “You were staring. I had thought you wanted to say something.” The caravan comes to a slowing stop, its wooden wheels creaking, as the merchants upon the chocobos pull up upon the reins, “Woah, woah!” The chocobos lift their beaked heads upwards, “Bwawwk!” Their talons run themselves along the soft grass below, as Mr. Straik leans forward in his driver’s seat, his hands upon his knees, as his eyes squint against the sun, “Now why are we stopped, hmm?”

In front of the caravan, a lone goblin stepped out from behind one of the limestone rocks, his hand carrying a rusted blade. His form was clothed in a pointed, red cap, a patched, long sleeved, white shirt, and makeshift boots. His left hand waves the blade about, his lower lip showing two teeth, his ears large and pointed, “Gob, go-gob!”