Quinn passed the woman, not acknowledging her as she pushed herself into the room.

She was surprised to see the man from earlier speaking with the Stormscale girl. "Hello. Have any of you happened to see Etor?"

Quinntalia sat on her bed when she spotted her bow lying there. A sigh of relief crashed through her. "Never mind- sorry to bother. But I should introduce myself." She winced, then continued.

"My name is Quinntalia Azure Constantine, and I am a Lady of the Elven Nobility."

Sylric Tassarion

The last... Thunderscale...? The name and status as the last one sent a shiver through my body. The Thunderscales... We... the raider group... they... My eyes flickered this way and that across her expression. I turned my head away so that she couldn't see the blood drain from my cheeks, and I placed one hand over half of my face, trying to conceal as much of my reaction as possible.

"O-ok, Draycil..." My voice came out as a stutter, despite me trying to keep my composure. With trembling hands, I shook my head a little - not noticeably, but slightly. It can't be... I... I wanted to ask for her pardons to leave, but my lips would not form the words. Instead, I was rooted to the spot, unable to speak.

The other woman tried to speak to me. Perhaps she even introduced herself, but I had zoned-out, the world around me becoming a dizzying blur as I tried to make sense of what I was recalling. I tried to get it out of my mind, but now that it had come forwards, I could not shake it off.

My eyes were beginning to sting, tears threatening to form. I can't. I can't cry, not now.

I took a deep breath, then turned, and fled out of the door.

Where I was going, I was not sure. But I could not face Draycil, not at the moment. I went into the training room, taking up a position that meant that I was not facing the door, and that I was far in the corner. Hugging my arms tight to my chest, I wheezed, panic beginning to seize me.

The raiders... I... she was the one we were trying to hunt down.

Quinn watched the man flee out the door, then raised an eyebrow at the Dragonscale girl- Draycil, right? "What happened?"

"All I did was tell him that I was the last of the Thunderscale's." I say confused as to why he ran.

Quinn narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "Well, he was nicer than Snake-girl outside. That is- before he lost it." She began to unpack her quiver and bow, hiding them under her bed, before looking at the clothes on her bed. It was a royal blue tunic and pants, with black lining- the colors of Alanthia. It was paired with a pair of hunting boots, a breastplate and pauldrons. She had seen gauntlets and shields at the training center.

Next to the clothes was a note.

Hello Recruit 30,
You have been chosen as one of the three recruits from your bunker to fight on horseback.

Quinn blinked in surprise. What is the King doing? Shouldn't everyone have a horse? Weird... But she continued reading.

You will be given a horse tomorrow at the training center. We expect you to live up to the expectation we have set upon you.

-General Ailith

"What's that?" I ask walking over to her bed.

"A note from the General. It seems I am to be one of those who will be taught to fight on horseback, along with 14 others- two of which are from this room." She said. "Maybe you were picked?"

"I don't even know what number I have." I say stareing at the note on her bed.

Sylric Tassarion

My legs felt weak beneath me, threatening to let me fall. Shakily, I went over to the wall, and sat behind the close-combat training dummy, my arms crossed on top of my legs. My thoughts had left me, overpowered by the immense amount of stress, fear and sorrow that had thrown themselves into my mind. I buried my head, clasping my hands together as a tear ran from my eye.

I can't... I can't... How am I supposed to speak to her now... Knowing what I've done...? I paused for a moment, allowing a sob to shake my body. Does she even remember...? What we... did... Through a small gap, I could see the dagger hung on my belt. The temptation to cast it aside was strong, but I refrained from doing so - I had to make myself remember that this was my fault. How do I look her in the eyes anymore, knowing that I made her life hell... all for... all for... My fingers clenched into fists, and I sobbed once more, hot tears drenching my face.

I wanted to forget what I did. But no matter where I turn, I cannot escape it.

How many more...? How many more will there be, whose lives I have ruined, or at least tried to ruin?

I don't know if I will be able to return to the bunker. I am an embarrassment to all that I hold dear; may my shame forever haunt me.

For once, Walf was in the Kingdom. Not for long, though. The Half-Orc needed some more rope, and lumber. He walked through the market, grimacing slightly.