@Rjay,

Black was troubled. He was going to lead the rescue/researh party. That was not what troubled him.
Nor was it the fact they where going to that cursed forest. He wanted to go there for a long time now. It did not sit well with him that something that took so many of their own would get away with it just like that.

He was glad this king dared to face it.

No what troubled him was finding and forming his party.

He did have some in his mind. 2 from who he knew that would go with him if he Liked or not. Topaz and Shax where his 2 close friends. Topaz was still young but proved her skill and worth in the last quest they went on. He was part of a 3way team with them. Topaz the mage, Shax the Tank and he himself the enforcer.

That was a good combo and neither Shax nor Topaz had any familys to think of either. Shax his parents where dead. Nothing brutal or anything. They died peacefully of old age. He did not have siblings either, or a wife or kids.
He was too shy to start a relationship. Black always thought that was amuzing.

He himself did have a family, and though he felt awefull for leaving his mate, his adolecent and hatchling sons behind, this was something that needed to be done. Though his wife was not happy she understood. For that he was gratefull. She was more then he deserved.

But back to the point. He had to form a party. So counting Topaz and Shax that would make 3. Also counting the young fighting prodigy White Tenshi that made 4. Combine they had strenght, fire magic, strong defence, sharp eyes , ears and strong sense of smell, tracking skills and ...

He still missed a few vital skills. He needed a healer and a translator at the very least. Though a nature expert or dark magic user would also be nice. The forest was old, and though he was pretty clever and could read some old languages, he did not have enough knowledge to be able to translate languages that are unknown to him. And it is of great importance that if they do find something, a clue, that they are able to read it. So better safe then sorry, he wanted a translator.

And Healers where always handy to have around. He prefered one that could heal more then 1 at the time.

Black started pcituring all the zolnixi of the city in his head with their matching skills/ experience and freedom and will to leave. Now who should he ask....

@Coradrawa,

Renee was not stupid, she knew where the other Zolnixi was hidden but thought it best to play dumb for the moment.

"Hey, miss whatever-your-name-is, where'd you go?" She called and pretended to look around. Walking past the bush where the girl was hidden, Renee prepared herself.

@Makenna100,

Cougar was walking along the river and to anyone who saw him, he looked alone. He only wished that were true.

*Hey, hey, hey! Isn't this the forest those Zolnixi disappear in?* One of his spirit flames asked.
*Yeah, looks like it.* Another confirmed.
The largest flame by his tail laughed. *Maybe you should cross the river and disappear, Cougar. The world would be better if you weren't around and you know it.*

Cougar looked to the river, contemplating whether or not to cross it when he saw two little hatchlings being swept away by the current.
*Forget them! Just cross the river!*

*No, you must help them!* The smallest flame, Cougar named The Voice of Reason, struggled to be heard over the others. *They are so young, they do not stand a chance against the current!*

Though he was usually reluctant to help, he decided to go after the little ones. The Voice of Reason was right, they were doomed if he didn't help them so there was no way he could make things worse than they already were.
Taking a few steps back so he could gain distance into the river, Cougar jumped in.

@Amberanime,

Lady rushed through the corridors of the castle while carrying a large stack of language books, she had finished her work for the day and was eager to get to training with the soldiers. As she rounded a corner she bumped into someone, sending her books scattering over the floor.

"Oh, Mr Black Devil, sir. I am sorry, I should have watched where I was going. Please forgive me!" She was frustrated with herself. A lady should not run inside.

@Coradrawa,

Nao suddenly became very interested, and his tail stopped swishing. back and fourth, "Flowers...?" He couldnt remember anything about his past exept for a large field of red poppies."Lead the way."

@RJay,

Undergrowth ears drooped, wow, she thought, this gil' ain't ah' good lier is she, ja? She silently dug a hole need the back of the bush and started making a tunnel right under the Zolnixi. She started clawing silently at the earth above her making it weak ground so the Zolnixi would fall in.

@Makenna100,

Neon laughed, "Oh, so you really like flowers I am guess? Why didn't you tell me? I would of taken you to the lake sooner!" Neon started walking in a direction smiling to herself, but in her mind she was troubled, he might not remember anything but his sub-consuce will...and if he goes in the water what will happen? What if he panics? W-What if he drowns! *next part is for a laugh* I can't do CPR if that happens! I don't even know what CPR is!!!

Black looked at the girl and grinned.

'Relax Lady, It's just me. No need get so flushed. I've had worse things happend to me.' He said amused.

He started helping picking up books and looked at the covers.

'You study languages?'

Renee was still waiting for the Zolnixi to jump out when she felt the ground crumble beneath her. "Wha...?" Although unable to stop herself from falling she did manage to land on her feet. (Even if it was quite roughly)

~So this girl's a digger, is she? And she seems to know what she's doing too!~ Renee thought to herself.
Frost Bite tried to play this very same trick on her several times but had always managed to miss by at least five metres.

Moving quickly Renee pounced on the other Zolnixi, using her as a step to help get herself out of the hole. "I think my friend would like you." She said with a slight giggle.

"Yes, sir." She said, gathering up her books.

"Mother thought it would be a useful skill to learn far away languages. Though I've no idea why, I hardly even leave the castle grounds."