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The dragon swung its tail at the Nord, and swung its head around to spew more acidic spit at its attackers. The sound of its shrieks and its spitting gave some reaction from the unconscious body of the Knight-Captain.
Evil creatures. Wicked things. Death is the only release for these abominations. No life within the vial or the tube, this we know...
The voices came again: more distinct, more focused. Then a lull, until finally they began to shout.
"RESTORE THE OLD, DESTROY THE NEW. CREATE THE FUTURE WE NEVER KNEW. THIS YOU KNOW..."
Nidesis began to awaken. The voices lifted as he entered lucidity. His sword was gone, his spear was gone. He had nothing. Nothing but the rusty thing sat next to him. He picked it up anyway, as there were no other weapons he could find. It was grey still, but didn't seem as dull so close. Carved into the blade were many ancient runes he could not recognize. The blade was longer than he was accustomed to, and the crossguard was not straight like any of the swords he'd wielded. It was curved upward, like the horns of a goat. One the pommel lay a stained red gem, unlike any he had ever seen.
Might be worth something after all, but now I need to make sure I can get out alive...

Mundzac was twisting and turning to avoid the beasts attacks, but managed to get out his bow and fire one shot in each of the creatures eyes, then saw the Captain waking up. "Welcome back to the land of the living sir." and fired another arrow in the direction of the beasts throat.

Rhys largely ignored the chaos in the group of adventurers and focused his magical powers on the dragon.
"Blifná e taí, usuth mak eçrœd!"
An extremely powerful enchanted blizzard slammed into the beast, in an effort to freeze it or at least slow it down. However, this spell left Rhys weak. He fell to his knees, arms still raised in their casting position.

With arrows and magical ice leaving the creature weakened and dazed, Nidesis knew he had only this one chance to finish things. Though the acid may melt the blade, a puncture in the right spot would still kill it. Again he charged at the beast, which was still stuck in place by the ever weakening ice spell Rhys had cast. Seeing its fleshy underbelly, the Knight-Captain rammed his blade into it. It was much sharper than he expected, cutting the flesh like butter, and showing no signs of weakness from the acid. Pulling out quickly so he himself was not endangered from the fluid. The beast gave one last weak cry before giving up its struggles, with the ice breaking beneath the dead weight.

"It's...It's dead."
Nidesis could barely say the words with how fast his heart raced. It was a near-impossible task, but this lucky find had helped him do it. It was clearly enchanted, that much was obvious. He would have it appraised back at the fortress. He decided to lay down and rest before continuing toward the exit. There was nothing spectacular following the dragon's lair, only more bones and heavily damaged reliefs. The exit was a hole where some monsters had burrowed in from the surface, and from the outside had the appearance of an inconspicuous cave. Looking back, Nidesis could see the hill which the domed room was built under. Atop it were the ruins of an old market town outside the city. It had clearly been abandoned long before the dragons moved in, indicating why no one had noticed it. Rendalis City was a ways off in the distance, more so than Nidesis figured it would be.
"One's sense of direction can get lost underground, clearly" he observed.

Making their way back into the city, the remaining citizens were beginning to leave but once they caught sight of the Knights huddled around them waiting for news.
"The City is safe again!" he exclaimed, proud of the team's accomplishment, "We found a beast and slew it. A quick repair of the city's sewers should return things to normal."
The ecstatic citizens thanked them profusely, and invited them to meet with them at a village outside the city to celebrate with them as the city itself would take a while before being properly rebuilt. The guards were also informed of where the cistern had collapsed so they might repair it.



When the team arrived at the village, it was filled with tents and packed inns where the city dwellers had moved in. In the square a massive feast had been prepared with all the rations the denizens and the refugees could spare. Their food troubles would surely be at an end soon, so they saw no reason not to indulge. The Knights were seated as guests of honor, and games and dancing were everywhere. The hellish nightmare was over, and each of the Knights was given a laurel of victory and an ever full cup of wine. This would be the only opportunity for respite between the city and Loklin, so Nidesis decided to stay, if only for the night.

Rhys didn't like this one bit. From a practical viewpoint, the celebration drew too much attention for him to be comfortable. From a more subjective point, the music and the celebration reminded him of something from his past, and suddenly his appetite was gone and the wine seemed to taste more bitter than the drunkenness was worth.

Rhys held the triumphant wreath in his hands and whispered a spell. He watched as the leaves became ember became ash, staining his gloves with a line of black. He sighed, dusted himself off, and walked away to find some deserted stone balcony to claim as his own.

Halvor couldn't remember the last time he had a proper feast. His long life in the Griffin Order was a dreary one.

The last time he was able to indulge even somewhat was a few years ago when he was called to investigate why a farmer's livestock kept disappearing. When he got to the farmstead, he found the farmer with a few holes in his stomach lying dead in front of his house. Obviously a case of a goat thief who got caught and had to kill the owner. Sadly not all that uncommon nowadays. Halvor figured that it'd be a shame to let what little food the farmer had go to waste, so he ate the farmer's food, drank his wine, and had a nice sleep in his bed.

Now, though, not only was he getting a bellyful of warm, fresh food, he was also a guest of honor. People were actually being genuinely nice to him for the first time in a long while. Usually when a civilian sees Halvor, their face shows a mix of unease and dismay at his harsh features and indifferent gaze, but now people smiled, thanked him, and continually handed him food and drink. A few not-ugly young ladies were even giggling to each other while looking at him. And on top of it all (though it might have just been the wine talking), he was actually enjoying the company of his fellow Knights. He raised his cup of wine to the Captain and promptly downed the drink.

Mundzac was in his element, eating food and drinking legitimate wine like the rest of the fancy-lads. With a rather nice looking lass on one leg and a few fellow fighters around, he added another song to the air of celebration and told of fighting stories with his fellow men and the darling on his knee.

The whole village was out celebrating the end of the nightmare, and the Knight-Captain was at the center of it. The young elf was relishing in his fame. The endless toasts and dancing, the food and the girls, the friendship and the jealous mutterings of the local boys. The recognition was more intoxicating than the alcohol, and soon enough he was singing with red cheeks the songs of their people, the customs of victory passed down for millenia. Inside his head the voice was soft but clear:
A hero now? Bah, a hero one will be, but only if the deed is done...
It came so sudden it was as if it had forced itself into his mind. He drowned it out with a bottle of wine and went on with the celebration into the night. Eventually, though the indulgence was so great he began to slip from consciousness, and before he knew it he was asleep.

A dream came to him that night, vivid as reality.


He was in agony, the bolt had pierced the plates of his armor.
Respite, that's what he wanted-no, NEEDED.
Into the city he went, though the enemy had sacked it. All left was a carcass, but they had moved on. He had come too late, and they all were killed trying to save a city that was dead. He leaned on the walls, but he still felt his strength leaving him.
"We're finished" he said
The voice disagreed
We will rebuild. If not you, another. Right always prevails over wrong.
He wasn't sure he believed that, but it was better than dying for nothing...


Nidesis awoke from the terrible dream with sweats and a racing heart. Calming himself, he looked around at the aftermath of the feast.
Near everyone was on the floor, snoozing in embarassing circumstances that revealed what they'd been doing before. The exhausted Knight-Captain mustered the troops, and together they marched home with an awkward silence between them...

Mundzac rode, no signs of the previous night, (with the exceptions of some "marks" which he received from the fine village girl, whom he had woken up with underneath of one of the feast tables that morning) full of energy and not a bit of headache. Out of all of the men there, it wasn't unlikely that he was the one most "experienced" with such high volumes of drink in short periods of time. He rode up to his commander, "Well I had my doubts about this whole thing and that beast was one hell of a focker, but it seems like we actually did a bit of good, wouldn't you say?"

Mundzac rode, no signs of the previous night, (with the exceptions of some "marks" which he received from the fine village girl, whom he had woken up with underneath of one of the feast tables that morning) full of energy and not a bit of headache. Out of all of the men there, it wasn't unlikely that he was the one most "experienced" with such high volumes of drink in short periods of time. He rode up to his commander, "Well I had my doubts about this whole thing and that beast was one hell of a focker, but it seems like we actually did a bit of good, wouldn't you say?"

Nidesis had been in a daze since he left, and Mundzac's words were like the squire ringing the morning bell: An annoying return to consciousness.

"Hmm? Y-yes, of course! Saved the city from that vile beast. Not much worse for wear either, haha!"

He really had to force himself to laugh that time. Things just hadn't been the same since that battle. The voices, the visions, it all made him so uneasy...
He had to keep going though, and that he did with a kind of determination one gets when trying to shake off their problems. All the way back to Loklin he kept the same blank face and occasional response to conversation. He refused to disclose anything, though, for if there's anything the older commanders had taught him it was to never reveal weakness in front of the troops, even as his dream grew more vivid with every repeated viewing on every night spent on the road.

With any luck, it'll all go away at Loklin...


When arriving back at the fortress, Nidesis noticed his reception was not that of the usual disinterest, but with hushed whispers and looks of concern.

When went past the gatehouse into the castle courtyard he saw why.

Standing there was Zalbar, the craven Arch-Mage of Rendalis, and the senior members of the order, including the Grandmaster. He had a smug grin on his powdered face, making Nidesis all the more uneasy. The guards stepped up to his horse and told him to dismount immediately in a commanding tone. Reluctantly doing so, he approached the group with caution.

"What is the meaning of this? Why is he here?"

"That he is the legal ruler of Rendalis, boy! Something you clearly forgot on your little adventure." responded one of the greybeards in a mocking, patronizing tone.
"That's enough, Galbitrox. I shall handle this" replied the Grandmaster, "Nidesis, is it true that you disregarded Zalbar's motion to leave and encouraged his people to stay?"
"Yes, Grandmaster, I couldn't leave the city until I knew what had happened. Leaving such a matter unresolved would have been insane!"
"That was not your decision to make, Nidesis. Zalbar is the ultimate ruler of Rendalis and disregarding him is a very clear breach of your duties. The fact you did not attempt to contact us when making your decision to enter the sewers is another."
"There was no time, Grandmaster! And I needed all my men for the expedition! I couldn't afford to waste one on sending a message!"
"Enough, Nidesis! Do you understand what could have happened? What if you had failed? The citizens were not evacuated, they could have fallen to some evil power, or all been eaten by whatever lived down there! And who would have known about it until it was too late?"
"But I destroyed the corruption, sir! Rock dragons, deep in the sewers! We slew them both!"
"Regardless, I am obligated to enforce discipline in this order! I cannot allow you to simply continue this reckless behavior because you got lucky!"
"Fine, what will you do then, eh? Take away my commision like these haggard old men want? Go ahead then, do it! Push me to the wayside because some tower fop that can do a few parlor tricks wants it so!"
"No, Nidesis, you have not yet been found so reckless to be unfit for command...yet, unless it is you continue on this tirade."
"What?!" replied Galbitrox, flabberghasted he had not gotten what he wanted, "B-b-but sire! This boy is clearly unfit for-"
"What did I just say about belittlement?! Out, all of you! Zalbar, go back to your city provided your populace can still stand you. Go in the trust I will find a punishment for this Knight-Captain."
"W-why? I want to see that justice is done!"
"That is not your business, but that of the order. Go."
Strutting away like a crippled chicken with his hurt pride, the Arch-mage left in a hurry toward the inn at the other end of the bridge.
"As for you...I will find a punishment for you. In the mean time you and your charges are discharged from your mission. You will wait in your quarters until I summon you.
Disheartened and angry at the same time, Nidesis stormed off to his quarters in a huff, leaving behind his bewildered subordinates.

my phone keeps trying to correct "Nidesis" to "Nudes is". That is all.

Nidesis had been in a daze since he left, and Mundzac's words were like the squire ringing the morning bell: An annoying return to consciousness.

"Hmm? Y-yes, of course! Saved the city from that vile beast. Not much worse for wear either, haha!"

He really had to force himself to laugh that time. Things just hadn't been the same since that battle. The voices, the visions, it all made him so uneasy...
He had to keep going though, and that he did with a kind of determination one gets when trying to shake off their problems. All the way back to Loklin he kept the same blank face and occasional response to conversation. He refused to disclose anything, though, for if there's anything the older commanders had taught him it was to never reveal weakness in front of the troops, even as his dream grew more vivid with every repeated viewing on every night spent on the road.

With any luck, it'll all go away at Loklin...


When arriving back at the fortress, Nidesis noticed his reception was not that of the usual disinterest, but with hushed whispers and looks of concern.

When went past the gatehouse into the castle courtyard he saw why.

Standing there was Zalbar, the craven Arch-Mage of Rendalis, and the senior members of the order, including the Grandmaster. He had a smug grin on his powdered face, making Nidesis all the more uneasy. The guards stepped up to his horse and told him to dismount immediately in a commanding tone. Reluctantly doing so, he approached the group with caution.

"What is the meaning of this? Why is he here?"

"That he is the legal ruler of Rendalis, boy! Something you clearly forgot on your little adventure." responded one of the greybeards in a mocking, patronizing tone.
"That's enough, Galbitrox. I shall handle this" replied the Grandmaster, "Nidesis, is it true that you disregarded Zalbar's motion to leave and encouraged his people to stay?"
"Yes, Grandmaster, I couldn't leave the city until I knew what had happened. Leaving such a matter unresolved would have been insane!"
"That was not your decision to make, Nidesis. Zalbar is the ultimate ruler of Rendalis and disregarding him is a very clear breach of your duties. The fact you did not attempt to contact us when making your decision to enter the sewers is another."
"There was no time, Grandmaster! And I needed all my men for the expedition! I couldn't afford to waste one on sending a message!"
"Enough, Nidesis! Do you understand what could have happened? What if you had failed? The citizens were not evacuated, they could have fallen to some evil power, or all been eaten by whatever lived down there! And who would have known about it until it was too late?"
"But I destroyed the corruption, sir! Rock dragons, deep in the sewers! We slew them both!"
"Regardless, I am obligated to enforce discipline in this order! I cannot allow you to simply continue this reckless behavior because you got lucky!"
"Fine, what will you do then, eh? Take away my commision like these haggard old men want? Go ahead then, do it! Push me to the wayside because some tower fop that can do a few parlor tricks wants it so!"
"No, Nidesis, you have not yet been found so reckless to be unfit for command...yet, unless it is you continue on this tirade."
"What?!" replied Galbitrox, flabberghasted he had not gotten what he wanted, "B-b-but sire! This boy is clearly unfit for-"
"What did I just say about belittlement?! Out, all of you! Zalbar, go back to your city provided your populace can still stand you. Go in the trust I will find a punishment for this Knight-Captain."
"W-why? I want to see that justice is done!"
"That is not your business, but that of the order. Go."
Strutting away like a crippled chicken with his hurt pride, the Arch-mage left in a hurry toward the inn at the other end of the bridge.
"As for you...I will find a punishment for you. In the mean time you and your charges are discharged from your mission. You will wait in your quarters until I summon you.
Disheartened and angry at the same time, Nidesis stormed off to his quarters in a huff, leaving behind his bewildered subordinates.

Rhys watched the young elf leave his sight, then turned back to the Grandmaster. He felt oddly infuriated.
"Perhaps I am mistaken," he growled at the old man, "but our orders were to find out what was happening in the city and to correct it, were they not? Or am I wrong, and the oh-so-bloody-revered Griffin Knights have been rendered little more than a group of village watchmen?" His disgust was practically visible on his mask. Rhys clearly didn't fear any retribution.

Mundzac, not one for the complaining's of high born lads, simply left. As far as he concerned he did nothing wrong, he even questioned the decision to stay. So he led his horse to the stables, Removed all the tack on the horse, then walked back to his tent.

my phone keeps trying to correct "Nidesis" to "Nudes is". That is all.

Nidesis had been in a daze since he left, and Mundzac's words were like the squire ringing the morning bell: An annoying return to consciousness.

"Hmm? Y-yes, of course! Saved the city from that vile beast. Not much worse for wear either, haha!"

He really had to force himself to laugh that time. Things just hadn't been the same since that battle. The voices, the visions, it all made him so uneasy...
He had to keep going though, and that he did with a kind of determination one gets when trying to shake off their problems. All the way back to Loklin he kept the same blank face and occasional response to conversation. He refused to disclose anything, though, for if there's anything the older commanders had taught him it was to never reveal weakness in front of the troops, even as his dream grew more vivid with every repeated viewing on every night spent on the road.

With any luck, it'll all go away at Loklin...


When arriving back at the fortress, Nidesis noticed his reception was not that of the usual disinterest, but with hushed whispers and looks of concern.

When went past the gatehouse into the castle courtyard he saw why.

Standing there was Zalbar, the craven Arch-Mage of Rendalis, and the senior members of the order, including the Grandmaster. He had a smug grin on his powdered face, making Nidesis all the more uneasy. The guards stepped up to his horse and told him to dismount immediately in a commanding tone. Reluctantly doing so, he approached the group with caution.

"What is the meaning of this? Why is he here?"

"That he is the legal ruler of Rendalis, boy! Something you clearly forgot on your little adventure." responded one of the greybeards in a mocking, patronizing tone.
"That's enough, Galbitrox. I shall handle this" replied the Grandmaster, "Nidesis, is it true that you disregarded Zalbar's motion to leave and encouraged his people to stay?"
"Yes, Grandmaster, I couldn't leave the city until I knew what had happened. Leaving such a matter unresolved would have been insane!"
"That was not your decision to make, Nidesis. Zalbar is the ultimate ruler of Rendalis and disregarding him is a very clear breach of your duties. The fact you did not attempt to contact us when making your decision to enter the sewers is another."
"There was no time, Grandmaster! And I needed all my men for the expedition! I couldn't afford to waste one on sending a message!"
"Enough, Nidesis! Do you understand what could have happened? What if you had failed? The citizens were not evacuated, they could have fallen to some evil power, or all been eaten by whatever lived down there! And who would have known about it until it was too late?"
"But I destroyed the corruption, sir! Rock dragons, deep in the sewers! We slew them both!"
"Regardless, I am obligated to enforce discipline in this order! I cannot allow you to simply continue this reckless behavior because you got lucky!"
"Fine, what will you do then, eh? Take away my commision like these haggard old men want? Go ahead then, do it! Push me to the wayside because some tower fop that can do a few parlor tricks wants it so!"
"No, Nidesis, you have not yet been found so reckless to be unfit for command...yet, unless it is you continue on this tirade."
"What?!" replied Galbitrox, flabberghasted he had not gotten what he wanted, "B-b-but sire! This boy is clearly unfit for-"
"What did I just say about belittlement?! Out, all of you! Zalbar, go back to your city provided your populace can still stand you. Go in the trust I will find a punishment for this Knight-Captain."
"W-why? I want to see that justice is done!"
"That is not your business, but that of the order. Go."
Strutting away like a crippled chicken with his hurt pride, the Arch-mage left in a hurry toward the inn at the other end of the bridge.
"As for you...I will find a punishment for you. In the mean time you and your charges are discharged from your mission. You will wait in your quarters until I summon you.
Disheartened and angry at the same time, Nidesis stormed off to his quarters in a huff, leaving behind his bewildered subordinates.

Rhys watched the young elf leave his sight, then turned back to the Grandmaster. He felt oddly infuriated.
"Perhaps I am mistaken," he growled at the old man, "but our orders were to find out what was happening in the city and to correct it, were they not? Or am I wrong, and the oh-so-bloody-revered Griffin Knights have been rendered little more than a group of village watchmen?" His disgust was practically visible on his mask. Rhys clearly didn't fear any retribution.

Looking to make sure the others were out of sight, the Grandmaster explained himself to Rhys,
"You know as well as I do, kinsman, that our world is teetering on the brink. Aldor is neglected more and more by our brothers in the east with every passing day, and the Nords grow bolder in their incursions. They have no love for our order, and would see it driven out permanently from here. The Caelians don't much approve either. The only way we can survive is to align ourselves with the Archmagi, even if it reduces our effectiveness. Only together can we resist our would-be occupiers." After the long-winded and oft quoted speech the grandmaster had to deliver near every other day, he motioned for Rhys to follow him to a more secluded spot, where he elaborated:
"Truth be told, though, I don't want to punish Nidesis. The boy has spirit, more than a lot of these old grouse you see in command. In time I have no doubt he will be an excellent commander, once he's lost that youthful temper. While reckless, I know you all wanted to do the right thing, no matter the cost. That fact is not lost on me. Go to the mess, get some food, go to quarters, and sleep. In the morning you will see what I mean."


Nidesis had gone to sleep easily enoug after the exhausting ride home and subsequent chewout. His dreams, however, remained unusually dark and vivid, it was as if he were recalling a memory rather than a nightmare.

Images of the grandmaster were illuminated by the chanting of "Traitor" by the same voice he had heard for all his nightmares. This time, though, it was like a chorus rather than a single disembodied source. The chanting grew louder and more frequent until the grandmaster's face morphed into another. He did not recognize the man but hatred burned for him nontheless. The old stranger's smile felt like a taunt, asking if he dared to strike at him. Looking into his eyes, Nidesis was transported elsewhere, to visions of burning cities and tortured souls. A massive black dragon stood over it all, laughing with the stranger. The dragon had opened its mouth to speak when a knocking at the door woke Nidesis up from his slumber.

It was a summons from the grandmaster, to meet him in his office. Donning a tunic, the Knight-Captain hurried to the Council Tower, and opened the door to find the old man quietly sitting in his chair with a feather pen and a bottle of wine.
"Nikanuur, my boy! Sit down and have a drink! I think I might have found the perfect solution to your little incident."
"Y-you mean you aren't angry with me, sir?"
"No, I think you did a rather fine job with that rock dragon. It was still reckless and stupid, but a fine job. Obviously, under normal circumstances I would have to discipline you harshly for the breach of protocol, but these are not normal circumstances..."
rising out of his chair and gazing out the window, the grandmaster sighed and said,
"These are times of change we live in, and if the order shall survive it must understand flexibility. Thus, I'm designating you and your unit for special assignments."
"Special assignments, sir?" asked a bewildered Nidesis.
"Yes. In times such as these we need brave souls who would risk everything and circumvent procedure to accomplish the most secret needs of the order. To do what others could not."
"I-I'm honored, sir! I won't let you down!"
"Sit down, Nikanuur, I'm not finished. Though you will have amnesty for your past violation, the assignments you will undertake shall be just as dangerous every time, if not more. Additionally, as these are secret missions, you can not wear our symbols or proclaim yourselves as Orderly Knights. You will be completely dissociated except when returning to Loklin to report back. None of this will be recorded, and you will recieve no more triumphs, understand?"
A somewhat disheartened Nidesis replied, "Yes, sir. I am ready to undertake these missions if it means I can continue to serve."
A smiling grandmaster informed him that he would be given his assignment on the morrow and that he ought to get some sleep. When he left, the grandmaster sat back down and began to write again.
Maybe it'll turn out well, after all.

"Hmph," Halvor grunted.

Back to waiting, it seemed. He had long grown used to wandering around Order fortresses like Loklin, though.

He walked to the alchemist's lab to stock up on some more of his ingredients. The same elf alchemist from countless visits past stood behind his desk and toiled on some mixtures as he always did. As Halvor entered, the alchemist looked up, nodded to him, then silently went back to work. He knew Halvor was experienced at the craft, so he allowed him to take whatever he needed. Halvor still didn't know his name, and he was sure the alchemist didn't know Halvor's name either, but he seemed fine enough for an elf. Didn't bother him like other elves did. Halvor looked around and picked up some general ingredients that fortify one's health and stamina. He then thought back on the last mission he went on and made sure to additionally grab some herbs and liquids that help treat acid burns just in case he ran into another acid dragon in the future -- not that that would be anytime soon given his current orders.

He then headed to the small archery range to practice. His shots at the first acid dragon were spot on, but it couldn't hurt to keep fit, and he got some relaxation out of it as well. Luckily the range was vacant, too. After setting down his pack, he grabbed his bow and nocked an arrow. He held his arms fixed for a good while to test his strength then released. The arrow hit near the bullseye. He half-smiled contentedly. Slowly and deliberately, he readied another arrow, took a deep breath, and shot again. Bullseye. As he began to pull out another arrow, a trio of young elves walked through the entrance and, after seeing Halvor, began to whisper among themselves and snicker at him. He sighed then picked up his pack and walked to pull the arrows out of his target. He knew no good could come of him staying there, so he steadily gazed ahead and left.

He finally headed to the the mess hall to get some food. It was about a quarter full -- mostly humans -- and there was a nice dark, quiet corner in the back. He grabbed some stew and half-stale bread, filled a mug with mead, then headed to the spot to enjoy his meal in peace.

Mundzac essentially did similar tasks to Halvor, but in the opposite order. First he headed down and had himself a meal. He figured it would get him used to the standard food again rather than the feast meal. After that he grabbed his bow, started walking to the range, then got an idea.

 Something he hadn't practiced in a while. He took a target, and set it up in the horse track. Then saddling his horse, Mundzac rode at full speed in the circle, then drew his bow. His first two shots were sub-par, but once he got back into the feeling of shooting from horseback, his aim became more precise. He even got a bull's-eye once.

"This could do us some good if we ever have to fight in an open field," He thought to himself as he loosed another arrow.

The next day began early, with Nidesis' team ordered to muster at the gate before dawn so as to maintain the secrecy of the mission. A hooded figure there revealed himself as the Grandmaster, with Nidesis by his side. He explained the situation, and that the senior leadership considered all of them to be just as guilty as their commander of going against the wishes of an Arch-Mage. Thus he made the choice immediately clear: Join their commander in the ranks of the Secret Order, or leave the Knights entirely.