[i]Previously in Broken Honor…[/i] Velta was not at the house when Shura and Rysko arrived. Shura assumed that she was still out with the village’s Hunters, as a recent mishap had caused a rift in the group, dividing them and causing them to threaten one another. He and Rysko worked together to cook dinner that evening, and saved what leftovers there were for Velta. However, even after Shura put Rysko to bed and made sure he was sound asleep, she had yet to return. It was past midnight when she returned, worn and exhausted. She waved off his questions, saying that she will answer them after she’s had a decent amount of sleep. Shura fell asleep quickly, while Velta tossed and turned most of the night, unable to rest comfortably. [quote] Ronin clambered over a ledge and stood to his full height, now as tall as his own father. He inspected the overhang that lay before him, quickly determining that it would be enough protection for the night, especially since bad weather wasn’t due for a few more days. “This’ll do for tonight!” He called down over his shoulder. He heard an affirmative grunt from Mirage and a small cry from Jade that he took to mean as a recognition of what he had said. Soon after he began unpacking the supplies the trio would need for that night, Mirage and Jade managed to catch up to him. “Ronin…” Mirage began, her whining voice carrying easily across the rocks, “will we ever reach the top of this mountain? It seems like our climb will never end…” Jade made a few whining cries as well, voicing her agreement with Mirage. “Don’t worry, just a few more days of climbing. Then you’ll get to see my old home. Or at least, what’s left of it. I’m not sure what’s still there.” Ronin spoke without looking up from the bag, but he held up the metal canister he showed them in the morning. “However, feel free to help yourselves to what’s in here, courtesy of Bopsheezi. Be sure to thank him when we get back.” [/quote] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [quote] When Ronin awoke the next morning, he found Jade slumped against the rocky wall, far away from the dangerous ledge, but there was no sign of Mirage save an auburn tail dangling over the top of the overhang. He sighed, climbed to his feet, and walked out from underneath the overhang. He spied Mirage lying on the rocky face atop the overhang, asleep in an undignified position and only partially clothed. She was lying belly down, with no shirt and only a small skirt on. How on earth she got up there in those clothes, or lack thereof, Ronin had no earthly idea. He looked around the campsite and located the rest of her clothes, which he collected into a pile next to the campfire for her until she woke up. It was only about 30 minutes until Jade awoke, but it was several hours past that when Mirage awoke with a start. She bolted awake with a screech and, as a result, proceeded to fall off the overhang and onto the small clearing where Ronin was waiting for her. “EEEEK!!” Mirage completely freaked out when she realized what she [i]wasn’t[/i] wearing. Ronin handed her clothes to Jade and turned around, saying, “Here, take your clothes from Jade and get yourself decent.” Jade took Mirage’s clothes in her mouth and sauntered over to Mirage, who took the clothes from Jade and began to dress herself. “I-I-I-I’m sorry, sir, i-i-i-it won’t happen again-” At that, Ronin let out the heartiest laugh he’d had in a [i]very[/i] long time. His laugh echoed from deep within his gut and bounced around the rock walls. It stunned Mirage and Jade completely, and only after he began slowing down did Mirage stutter, “I-I-I’m done, now, R-Ronin… I’m so sorry for that…” Ronin chuckled slightly some more before turning around. “Don’t worry about it, Mirage. We can take the rest of today easy. Just means that we won’t have too many breaks until we get to the top, OK?” Mirage nodded, then walked over and sat against the rock wall. Ronin walked toward the cliff, then called out over his shoulder, “In the meantime, why don’t I tell you more of my story?” [/quote] In the morning, Rysko left the house alone and made his way to the training school. Velta and Shura, on the other hand, made their way to the village elder’s cottage, a humble abode with an ever-roaring fireplace. There, they met with all but one of the Hunters of the village. Ringivek, Jäger, Artemis, Aeowin, Liam, Michael, Talos, and Phoenix were all there, but Clyde was nowhere to be seen. When Velta and Shura arrived, Aeowin was in tears, sitting on a rocking chair with the village elder attempting to reassure her. The village elder was ancient, even older than Jäger, whose hair was already graying and beginning to fall out. The elder’s skin was wrinkled and ragged, and his breath came short. He wore simple clothes, not designed to stand out in a crowd, but meant to put the villagers at ease in his presence. Though he was aged, the elder stood tall, towering over most of the other Hunters in the room. He was fully human, but he cared equally and deeply for all within the village and under his care. His name was Troy, but nobody ever called him that anymore. Instead, he was only ever referred to as Elder. Elder Troy stood up and spoke to the crowd of villagers, “My friends, no matter your thoughts on where he has gone, Clyde must be found. Perhaps we can agree on that, at least?” The Hunters nodded their heads in solemn agreement, but Liam, who often worked alongside Clyde in the field, rose in hand. “If nobody here took him, how are we supposed to find Clyde, Elder?” Liam growled slightly and leered at the other Hunters as he spoke. Elder Troy turned to him and gave him a comforting look. “I suggest starting where he was last seen and looking for signs of human passage. Isn’t this your job, Liam?” Elder Troy stood to his full height and looked over the crowd. “Hunters, I charge you with this: Find Clyde and bring him home safely.” ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Clyde came to in a dark room tied to a chair. He felt gloves on his hands, but as they were tied behind his back, he couldn’t check what the gloves were. He looked around, but the room looked no different than if he closed his eyes and looked. He didn’t know what time it was, nor did he know where he was. He was only aware of who he was and the faint passing of time. By his reckoning, it was only about half an hour before someone came calling. Suddenly, a step sounded from behind Clyde. Clyde began panicking, and he tried to call his lightning affinity, and though he felt the familiar warmth from the electricity arcing in his hands, he did not see the familiar blue light accompanying the feeling. Clyde felt a warm breath on his neck, and he heard steps to his right. Suddenly, the blue light Clyde knew so well appeared in front of him, lighting up a man’s face in front of him. “Well, well, well… You’re awake.” A wide, evil grin broke out across the man’s face. [quote] “Alright, that’s enough for today. Mirage, you need to drink lots of water - that’ll help with your recovery.” Ronin stood up and began collecting the things that were set out around the campfire. “Jade!” Ronin called, then whistled two sharp, high whistles. Jade chirped once and ran off, ready to obey her master’s command. “Ooooh, my head… Ronin, please remind me to never do Bopsheezi’s catnip again…” Mirage groaned. She stood slowly, then took a water bottle from a bag and chugged it without stopping. Ronin placed all the bags by the rock wall and began to work on the campfire. Jade soon returned with some rabbits caught in her claws. Ronin took the rabbits and patted her on the head, congratulating her on a job well done. That night, the trio had delicious rabbit stew for dinner, one of the only meals Ronin has any kind of confidence in making. [/quote]