The low murmurs of thirty or so Purebloods and staff of The Keep travel through otherwise barren halls, as they gather at the front of the building. None, knowing of what to expect, but all feeling as though it is something that will surely be remembered. The chilly corridors keep them huddled close as they await the arrival of Achlys, whose whereabouts remain unknown for the time being. Yet, as soon as their sense of confusion has nearly reached its peak, Achlys and Cronn arrive at the front of the crowd. Standing on a stage that has been made from what tables remain intact. Achlys proceeds to silence them and clears her throat."On this night, we have suffered our greatest losses. We have been taken for granted, and shown that there are still beasts in this world that outmatch us on almost every level. I cannot stress to you all just how truly sorry I am that these things have befallen you all." Achlys holds a clenched fist over her heart as she speaks these words, pinching her eyes

With a stomach full of assorted meats and vegetation, Yuler looks to the ceiling of her room. Dim rays of moonlight spill over her as they penetrate the thin veil her window curtains provide, reflecting only the dullest of blues onto the wooden beams overhead. She trails the length of each that can be seen. Stopping only when she has reached a corner of the room before proceeding to start on the next. No matter how many nights she has spent in this place, it has never begun to feel any more like a home than it had on the first. Blinking her eyes rapidly for a brief period, she rolls onto her side and peers out the window that sits level with her mattress.Nothing but rolling hills and rows of crops are to be seen for miles; especially under the night sky. This does not bother her, however. After all, it is the one thing she has found some ease in adjusting to. Nearly a year of trekking up and down The Keep's mountain was all it would take to appreciate such a sight.Pausing as she run

Fumbling through her belongings, Yuler pulls free a pair of heavily stained boots. Alongside them she slings a leather bandolier with empty pockets and a rounded hat that leans harshly near the forward left portion of its brim. The wavy, ash grey material clashes well with the rest of her selected attire, which she hastily slips into. Seating herself against a worn out mattress she slips into one of the boots and begins fastening its buckled straps, when she hears the door to her room begin to creak. Choosing not to look away from her boot, she simply listens in on what they may be doing."I haven't seen you wear any of that since....""I had hoped to keep it that way.""What's got you resigning that mentality?"Yuler hears the dull clinking of glass against teeth, followed by the sloshing of liquid as a bottle in Lee's hand comes to rest against his hip. A subtle hint of disappointment crosses his eyes, but he does not speak on it. Instead, he steps further into the room, leans again

Enervated eyes peer through expanding flames as logs turn to ember and ash. Acceptance of changing schedules is all but lacking as the four who possess them think over their future endeavors throughout the coming nights. With their horse stopping the wagon on its own and neighing back at them over the threat ahead, Lee tosses himself off the bench and pats at the creature's mane, cooing and shushing in a low voice."Not a thing in this world will get us moving through that." He informs, keeping a hand against the black coat as he continues petting. "We'll have to find another way around if we intend to make progress any time soon.""Any idea as to what might be the source of all this?" Marne steps off the wagon himself and joins Lee at the front, with Hael and Yuler following close behind."It's an unfortunately common occurrence in these parts." Hael shakes her head with disgust as the scent of singed bark trails towards her nostrils. "I've never known it to burn this close to an est

As night cloaks the skies overhead, casting its shadows over the lands below, slivers of flickering, warm light poke through a cracked door at the rear of the wagon. Within it, Marne and Yuler listen to the sounds of crackling wood, and the soft snores of Lee, who sleeps peacefully alongside Hael in the tent next to them. The pair have situated themselves along either side of the wagon's interior. Marne rests at one side, atop a pile of wool fabrics, and with his hat pressed down against his face. So as to block out the light as he tries to fall asleep. On the other side lays Yuler, who remains wide awake, seemingly unable to sleep. Her concerns with the coming days have begun to grow into unwavering worries. Memories of times under Achlys jab at her mind. Reminding her of when wielding a weapon seemed to have a true purpose. Yet, it is never without purpose. Even now."You're struggling." Comes Marne's muffled voice, having been spoken through the folded leather."Hmm?" Yuler tilts h