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[Arlin]

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Arcana crept forward with catlike grace, an arrow notched on her longbow as she moved through the thick underbrush with nary a sound. The soft crackle of a snapping twig…followed by the deafening snapping of twigs, underbrush, and leaves signaled to the ranger-knight that a large beast was bearing down on her quickly.

She whirled around, her arrow pulled back with all the strength of her lithe arms, aiming the weapon towards where the beast would emerge. The footsteps resounded through her head, and a bead of anxious sweat dropped from her cheek. All of the sudden the trees parted with an earsplitting roar, and a large figure leapt at her before even her well honed senses could release the arrow. It flew harmlessly into a tree where the beast had just been, and before Arcana knew it, she was tumbling along the forest floor, in the grip of this unknown, fearsome beast.

Finally they ceased tumbling, and she tried to reach for her hunting knife, but found her arms pinned. She shut her eyes tightly and turned her head away in preparation for what would surely be the killing blow. She waited…and waited…finally she braved opening one eye…and she sighed in resignation and defeat.

‘I win Arcy!’ the large half ogre said through a smile that spread from ear to ear. Arlin leapt off her, and then pulled her to her feet with one arm. She knew she should scold him, or at least say something that would make her ‘defeat’ less humiliatin. All she could do was smile back at her half-ogre lover, and give him a kiss on the cheek.

‘Yes Arlin, you won…again’ she muttered. Every time she went out hunting, one way or another Arlin would find some way to surprise her. A few days before, he had set up a plainly obvious snare for her to find…only to come up behind her and put her in one of his infamous bear hugs. Despite the…surprises…their past few weeks in the woods, away from the wars and politics of the rest of the world, had been a welcome reprieve.

The day was soon replaced by nightfall, and the pair made their way back to the cabin they had purchased recently just to get away from it all. It was simple, but it made their needs. Arlin’s scimitar hung on the far wall, having been unused since they came to the cabin. Arcanas bow saw plenty of action however, as the game in these secluded parts was plentiful. Arlin did most of the cooking, having spent many of his mercenary days on the lam, he had become an expert at cooking with little or nothing. Arcana had even gone so far as to sew him a chefs cap, which he proudly wore awkwardly on his oversized noggin.

After dinner, they slid on to the sparse couch, where Arlin pulled a wool blanket over them. He held her tenderly in his oversized arms, as she nuzzled against his chest. ‘Its so nice to just be away from it all Arlin. I don’t ever want to go back…’ she spoke into his chest. She made this remark every night since they had arrived, and the idea had started to grow on the half-ogre. Why should they go back?

‘Eh…Arcy…what if we didn’t go back? Ya know…there aint a lot left fer us back thar. Just more fighting, more politics, more books…’ Arlin visably shuddered. Arcana looked up at him with wide eyes though. Though she often thought of just leaving, she had never considered it an option. She loved Arlin dearly, and she wanted to spend as much time with him as possible…but she had to worry about the Knights, and Vesper. She couldn’t just drop that…could she?

She looked up into Arlins emerald eyes, and she saw he was serious. She slumped back against the couch and pursed her lips in consideration. ‘Arlin I…I don’t know…’ she looked over at the half-ogre for guidance, in a strange twist of irony, as he was the one often seeking her advice.

Arlin shrugged helplessly as he spoke ‘I is tired Arcy…me whole life has been fightin’ someone er sumthin. I aint wanna keep fightin’ the same battles and jus’ watchin’ some new bad guy come up the next day. It aint gonna end…no matter what we do. I don’t wanna fight no more Arcy. I jus’ wanna be wit ya. I don’t wanna ‘ave ta worry about ya every time someone decides they ain’t like me. I love ya Arcy…and I don’t wanna lose ya.’ His green eyes sparkled with the innocent truth of a young child. He had spoken from the heart, and she believed every word. She embraced him tightly, wrapping her arms around his thick neck.

‘Arlin…lets leave. Go some place far away, where no one will ever find us. Some place where we can finally have some peace…and a few new adventures’ she gave him that mischievious grin that meant she was up to something. Arlin broke into a smile and responded with a passionate kiss. Arcana responded eagerly, as they nearly fell over each other on the way to the humble bedroom.

The next morning, the cabin was empty. A small note was left nailed to the door, scrawled in the unmistakable script of a well-bred noble woman. It read:

To our guildmates

It has been our honor to have lead you into battle and be your guildmasters. The Knights of Sosaria and the Army of the Frontier have given us countless hours of enjoyment and pleasure. We could not be prouder of you. And it is with a heavy heart that we write these words to you. Our days amongst you have drawn to a close, and it has come time for us to seek our destinies elsewhere. We do not do this without much consideration, but we feel our time has come and gone.

To our friends, it was with you we saw true strength and friendship. For all the fun times and heart, we thank you. We wish you the best in your endeavors, as we are sure you wish us the best in ours. Know that we will carry on your legends into whatever realm awaits us, and that we will miss you.

Fare thee well

Arcana, Lady of the Knights of Sosaria
Arlin , Captain of the Army of the Frontier
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As the fire fades to night, remember always the ember that started it all.

[Mordis Blackman]

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As the gate to the remains of Shadowspire closed behind him the mans gaze tightened as his solid black eyes fell upon a note nailed to the door of the cabin Arlin had been staying in.

Though he cared little for friendship and surely would not miss the company of the Half-Ogre, the gold he had been recieving had been enough to keep many of his experiments going.

After a moment he turned and opened a gate back to Shadowspire.

"There are always people looking for mercenaries" Mordis thought to himself as he stepped through the red moongate back home.

[Katya]

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Katya approached the bar in Skara Brae and smiled sadly at the bartender. She ordered two drinks, and as the bartender watched, she held each one up for a toast in turn. “To the Army of the Frontier,” she said quietly before downing the first drink. “May all who wore the uniform honor their past and move on to a bright future.” The drink was stronger than typical Army issue, but she managed not to cough…barely.

Before taking the second belt of liquor, she raised the glass high. “To me. Better healer than soldier, and now out of a job. Not that I was much good at the job anyway,” she admitted to the bartender, though he looked far less than interested. She placed the glass gently back on the bar and walked, a bit unsteadily, from the grimy tavern. She wandered outside and plopped down on one of the benches to watch the world go by.

As people passed…peasants, knights, nobles, shopkeepers, all walks of life…she found herself unfastening her valorite gloves and placing them in her pack. Perhaps her time of fighting could be done for a while. She’d stay prepared, but maybe…maybe it was time for a change. Whistling, she began unbraiding her long red hair until it lay thick upon her shoulders. Now she almost looked like a normal young woman enjoying a sunny day. Almost. She glanced down at her all-black clothes, and lost herself in thought. Was it time to abandon this quest as well? After a moment, she grinned wryly. She couldn’t change that much, that fast – and the reason for her mourning remained.

Katya swung her feet up onto the public chessboard and grinned at the random passerby. You could meet anyone in Skara Brae…

[Deidle]

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Deidle sat cross-legged under a cherry blossom tree just outside the walls of Zento. He had begun his morning training with some peacful meditation. The cherry blossoms fell upon his bare shoulders but his concentration remained unbroken. This was the skill his bushido training had given him. The ability to find peace in even the most hectic of cities.

But his concentration was soon forcfully broken by a couriers voice.

"Excuse me sir..." the voice shook as he handed Deidle a message. Deidle opened the message and read it slowly. His face remained calm. He understood the message and the reasoning behind Arlin and Arcana's decision. But he could not hold back the anger he felt. He slowly stood up and bent down to pick up his no-dachi. Turning quickly he threw the sword at the stone wall of Zento, imbeding it up to the hilt. He then calmly picked up his samurai armor and walked into the city.

"Is my training all for not? I sought to become a strong member of the KOS, but if no one steps up to lead.. I fear the KOS may be lost."
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*The only thing necessary for evil to triumph, is for good men to do nothing.*

[Vincent Darkmoon]

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Vincent rolled onto his back, and reached to his nightstand to retrieve the letter he recieved. He glanced over the key parts again, perhaps the ninth time he had read the letter. He let it fall to the ground this time, as he groaned in boredom, and rolled onto his stomach on the comfy bed.

Another new home then, I guess. I wonder if my goal that brought me to the army is still worth the fight and effort? he thought.

He rolled the direction opposite the nightstand, and felt around over the side of the bed for something. Retrieving the next guild recruitment book that was on top of a pile of two dozen others, he began to read, seeking the next new cause to fight for and belive in.