"yes, and where are we to get fresh troops. There is hardly more than 3 people in this camp unharmed from the disaster at the castle." Ash asked with a rebellious smile. "I don't think you know any cure all spells. Even if you do, I'm not sure people are comfortable having spells cast on them."

"The name's Amicus. And as for the cure all spell, I am afraid that doesn't even exist, and even if it did, it would cost so much energy, it would delay our advance by ten fold. Even more energy than it would take to heal one person at a time," he replied. "So it would be wise to take on the most vulnerable places in the enemy's defense. Perhaps outlying villages and such. I say we build up our strength over the course of a week so more than three men are ready to fight."

"about weakness and such, you were coughing quiet a bit when you walked in. I could look around for some ginkgo or maybe some ground-ivy if you need it. I was taught a few herb tricks when i met a village healer." She said with a more relaxed and serious tone. "of course if it's a problem with energy use, seeing as to how you just mentioned energy usage in your last statement, then i have some yerba mate which relieves hunger, gives more energy, and improves mood." She suggested as she pulled the herb (yerba mate) from her pocket and fiddled with it a bit. "if you prefer, i'm sure someone would not mind making this into mate tea."

"It's not as simple as that. Magical energy is not like normal energy. It comes from the force of magic one has, or the force of magic in the surrounding area. Once all of it has been used then it must be given time to form back as to not hurt the user." Taz answered still looking at the map. "And what if we were to go to the less corrupted villages to search for able bodied willing to help?

"ok." she shruged as she threw a berry from the herb into her mouth. "no matter how we go about it, the smaller, less... infected if you will, villages are where we need to start." She said as the herb relieved her tension. "I find no sense in doing it otherwise."

Amicus shook his head to the offering of herbs. "I already have an herbal concoction meant to ease my cough. It does not cute it, for it is linked to my magic energy and such." He pointed to a nearby village that had had reports of low hostile activity. "We could start here. Surely there are some survivors hiding underground who are able to fight."

" *tsk tsk tsk*, Amicus. I fear you underestimate our enemy. That, or you are over-confident in the common people. The enemies will most likely have though of that, or the people didn't." she paused for a moment, then put her hand on her chin. "Of course, there is a possibility that I am wrong..."

"And I fear that you are underestimating any survivors. Ever heard of survival of the fittest? Surely those we will find to fight with us are better suited than, perhaps, a member of the former royal court." Amicus gave the rogue one of those looks. "Unless you'd rather not try and see if my hunch is correct? In which case, we have already lost, what with the three of us and two other unharmed soldiers."

"hey"she said as she put her hands up, palms open near her face. "I'm just pointing out that it is very unlikely that more than about 5 villagers a village would have made it. Yes Iv'e heard of survival of the fittest, but it seems you have not heard of survival of the wittiest. I must point out once more, our enemy is more capable and dare I say, smarter than you think. I'm not saying that there will be no villagers. What I am saying is that there will be few villagers who will be most likely strong yes, but also most likely un-trained in weapon wielding and or any other necessary skill for battle.."she declared confidently, leaning against the table on which the map was placed. "Either way, for one reason or another, we should start small, and work our way up. That is, especially if you intend on taking all of the able-bodied villagers with us. also, any villagers will require food and drink to ensure health. They very probably will have been deprived of such things until our supposed arrival."

Amicus gave her another one of those looks that seriously showed he did not care a bit for her negative sense of logic. "You are focusing on a very small picture. People can be trained, people can be fed. Five capable people is more than what we've got right now. It almost sounds like you're trying to talk us out of even trying to recruit villagers from the villages." Amicus tapped the table with his fingers impatiently. "This village is small, and word has it that the enemy has shown little interest in it. There might still be people there, and may be some supplies stored away. The only way we can provide for everyone and ensure fast healing is to collect as much we can. So, when will we be taking action?" The mage sent a sharp glare at the rogue with his dark watery eyes before looking to the other mage.

//I don't think our characters are going to get along....