((Knocked out.))

Claude was a little shocked. He didn't consider him a brilliant strategist...he knew a thing or two and trusted common sense, but he quickly responded, "I'd be happy to help, so what is the first step?" That was a thing about Claude...he was always eager to help someone or some cause that he agreed with. He wanted to say he had a trick or two still up his sleeve, but...that would lead the others to inquire what. That was information he did not feel like sharing, less the group threaten to break up. The group reluctantly accepted the help of one demon...how would they handle the fact that Claude contained a demon within him? Furthermore, a demon he might not be able to control later on.

No...he had a plan for that situation. He would be forced to plunge himself deep into the enemy lines before he lost complete control. That would reduce...friendly casualties.

"Or will it?" Koroza interrupted his train of thought.

Claude simply ignored his resident and asked Hilde, "What allies do you speak of? How would they have survived the siege of Ionia?" Part of him still wanted to pursue Barbas, but it seemed he would have to put of his confrontation with the dark knight till later. He just prayed the psychopath would deal no more damage…after all he injured his fellow knight. Surely that would satisfy his bloodlust.

Pandora had been following Marlena as a faint mist since she first disappeared. There was something...tasty about her that Pandora liked. As Barbas moved out of sight Pandora quietly formed behind Marlena reading her unguarded thoughts like a book. Pandora decided that she would not consume this one yet as her mind was raw and lacking any subtlety or 'spice' that she liked but all the same.Pandora liked playing with her food.

"I find that humans tend to think rather stupid things as well. He never had anything worth saving to start with. So why save him? Dark shadows hide in the thoughts of men and they call me evil! Ha!" When Marlena would turn to look at Pandora she would quickly shift shapes and take on Hilde's form and using her voice would start to speak again." Going to run off to your mother little pup? Or are you going to follow onward like a brave little paladin? I can keep you company along the way."

Hilde, Theatre of Warriors Meeting

Hilde gave Claude a simple answer. "I did not say they were from the Ionian mainland. I said they would be most useful fighting on the water... assuming they evaded the wrath of the dragons' forces."

Marlena, Krizar Residential

Marlena was in possession of a jade talisman, shaped like a leaf with a jewel within it. The jewel glowed blue, and Marlena looked upon it... it had only started glowing just as she saw Barbas.

"...Milady?" She said, surprised to see faux-Hilde out here, and doubly taken that she didn't hear her sooner due to her spurs usually announcing her arrival anywhere. She looked at Pandora, with the ignorance of a novice and the hunch of one too.

"...I think Barbas may still be tainted by a demonic presence. The talisman you gave me glowed just as it did before when he was first being possessed in the Theatre. We must tell the lord Amaron that his man is lost." She said, her talisman rightfully detecting Pandora but failing to indicate it. She was already eager to return immediately, used to independence from her mentor except in direst times.

Taken aback by this humans stupidity Pandora tried her best to act like Hilde but without pieces of her mind Pandora's facade was far from perfect.


"We will Marlena, but first...." Pandora looked beyond the alleyway in which they stood into the street. People went back and forth some carting rubble or ferrying wounded for treatment. At an Inn a man was sweeping stone dust from curb outside his storefront. "Do you see those people? Going about their business? I want you to think about something,it could be anything. Think about something that you would want them to see. Think of it clearly and concentrate."

Marlena slowly wondered about Hilde's sudden request. She never actually told her to do something- she always asked what she should do in situations. It was part of her conditioning. Simply by speaking, Pandora's farce became suspect.

"...But... milady... isn't this too important right now..."

Wait. Why did Hilde say something about her mother? No, she already knows she was a complete orphan. She looked at the skin walker before here... Barbas was already leaving, but her talisman remained aglow.

"Who... who are you... I'm sorry, but I have to go!" Marlena was scared again, but not so much as to be held to inaction. She fled past Pandora, immediately heading to the Theater. Tired as she was, she did not want to stay near someone she didn't trust. Her presence was too *different.*

Pandora turned into mist and flew right through Marlena before reforming once again into Hilde. Pandora caught Marlena as she ran into her and took painful hold of her arms before wrenching her around to see outside of the alleyway. Pandora's face resembled Hilde's but as she looked to Marlena her mouth elongated madly beyond the curve of her head revealing needle sharp teeth within. Pandora spoke to her again, this time having lost Hilde's voice and gained the pitch of a demon. "Think of something....Now!" Pandora commanded increasing her crushing grip on Marlena's arm.

Marlena looked at Pandor-Hilde in fear. She was always taught to never let fear take ahold of her ever again. Demon kind fed on it, thrived on it- she was so afraid, and thought about her mentor coming to save her like she did back in the village. Save her, because she was weak, unable to protect herself or her fellow villagers.

No... she screamed in pain as her arm was gripped, and she reached for her mace in panic, trying to smash Pandora's face with the iron head, the fear causing a fight response.

Hilde

Around this time Hilde would eventually notice Marlena was missing. "Has anyone seen my squire?"

The Mace hit Pandora squarely where her mask had animated knocking her Hilde head away in a puff of red smoke revealing her mask surrounded by twisting red smoke where Hilde's head once was. The impact caused her to hiss in pain but her grip did not relent. She instead took hold of Marlena's neck making sure to raise her off the ground and push her against the wall.

Anyone outside the alleyway that looked to see them fighting would only see two birds pecking at litter.

Pandora's mask returned its gaze to Marlena, annoyed but thrilled at the same time. "You wish for your mentor to come just as she did in your village. You were taught to show no fear against evil but never did you ask what evil was. Evil is a construct Marlena. Do you think any of the enemy that died here was truly evil? What about the inquisitions that your mentor's order imposed? Do you think your enemies evil then? You are being trained by liars and killers to become one. Do not let your supposed weakness cloud your vision. You have heart." Pandora released her and transformed into mist disappearing from view.

Delmegar

"The first step Claude, is to rest. We are all weary, and most of us injured from the battle. We'll do no good without food and sleep. After that, we set sail tomorrow for Ionia and pray that we arrive to somethingto help. Hilde, I would be honored to have you sail alongside us. If you have allies that may sway the battle against these dragons, we'll need them." Delmegar said. At Hilde's inquiry to her squire he paused, looked around for a moment. "I never noted your squire, lady. I'm afraid I can't say. If you'd like, I can order a search party?"

Agares

Some few White Priests were arriving in the room a few moments later, quickly rushing to the side of Agares who was whitening. The wound would likely not kill him, if treated. But Barbas had a knack for finishing anything he started. He made due on threats, he finished his prey off, he killed when he pleased. Agares was confident in his ability to defeat the Dark Knight, but only in fair combat. Even a reputable warrior such as he could not fair long against Barbas.

"Lord Amaron..." Agares said just before leaving the room under care of the Priests. A sudden realization struck him. "Barbas... He had made threats earlier, towards the guard, Ricca. If he left in a rage then I'm certain he won't stop. The Dark Knight has always been more trouble then benefit."

His Lord's eyes opened wide, a fear washing over his calm face. Delmegar's fist balled and smashed the table beneath him, he grunted his frustration. "Find Barbas, and Ricca, immediately! I don't care who goes, who does what! But find them, now!"

Barbas

The Dark Knight stood over the fallen family, panting. It wasn't out of exhaustion, or injury that he did this but out of the rush. He was always the most blood thirst of the Dark Knights, the most powerful and angry.. Even his Lord Tartare feared him when he was enraged to this point. He stepped over the unconscious Ricca, kicking the young soldier in the ribs as he left into the street.

Watching in on the scene were numerous civilians, all terrified and confused. They were all speaking frantically, and he knew they would tell someone what he had done. Still panting heavily, furious and battle hungry, Barbas unsheathed both of his black blades and cried out in a mad shout; throwing his arms to his side and head back in a howl.

As the crowd cried out in terror, the majority parted in seperate directions and ran from the bloody knight. Down the street he could see the Krizarian Guards rushing to the scene. He wanted no part of fighting the Black Order. Barbas turned on his heel, choosing to run down a nearby alleyway to lay low for the moment, Until he could figure out an escape.

Demecian Village

The battle had long since subsided. The druid, whatever compelled him, had forced his hand in a powerful and fearsome way. He crushed the draconians terrorizing the villagers and left none to flee and tell the tale. Yet, even under his blind rage - the battle was far too easy. Effortless, even...

As Nite would reawaken, the Golem would be standing over him. The Golem smacked it's chest, causing shards to fall from him to the earth beneath. "You have done us great service, human.. The Gold has chosen wisely with you.. but, if you let the darkness take you. It will all be for naught. And Tiamat will rule again. We have no love for your kind, master of the Hand, but if you ever need us against this evil, we will come."

Theatre of Warriors to Krizar Residential

Claude nodded at Delmegar, but at the mention of Barbas making threats. He recalled Ricca mentioned he fought where he had family...perhaps his family, "I have an idea where Ricca lives, I'll go check that area. If I see your squire I'll tell her to come back here." He added to Hilde. Claude did not wait for a reply as he jogged out to the Theatre, and down to the town. Soon he founda few panicked citizens not long after he entered the residential area.

Claude grabbed the closest panicking citizen and asked, "What happened? Were you attacked? By who?"

The citizen managed to get out the only name Claude needed to hear, "Barbas...down the street." the citizen pointed toward a nearby house. Claude ran to the door, seeing the guard gathered around the door. He looked in trying to see what the guards saw, and see the extent of the damage. While he did not really know Ricca, but he was concerned. After all what had Ricca done to harm Barbas?