“We will set up here for the night, come dawn we make our move.” Ioder said as he and the others stopped in the basin of the Growth. This great ravine separated the southern border of the capital with the fertile green fields of the farmlands. From here there would only be a few hours walk before the party would reach the main gates of Radasanth. But why in the world were these men hired by the assembly be putting in so much effort to stay out of sight? Hayate tried not to impose as much as he could but needed to know exactly what he was about to get himself caught up in this time. As the rest of the shields made a makeshift camp Hayate for the first time in days spoke up.

“Ioder before I can go any further I need to have a chat with you.” Hayate said as he walked past the cloaked man and made his way towards a small patch of trees just further ahead. Ioder fallowed without saying a word. The two stood side by side looking off into the distance neither uttering a word letting the sounds of whipping wind fill their ears.

“I need to know a few things before I can travel any further with you,” Hayate started turning to face the cloaked man. “Who are you and why didn’t you complete your mission in Tylermande?” Ioder sighed unveiling his face for the first time showing his young appearance, crimson hair, and pointed ears.

“Ioder Belle Horvat and these are the Shields of Alore,” he said with a bow. “And it may be hard to believe but in the moment I came across you I saw the potential you had. I witnessed you lashing out at the brotherhood as if they were ants. I felt an overwhelming power lingering in you that would put those in my outfit feel like mere children in comparison. Honestly the world needs a symbol to stand behind in the days to come. And as a member of the Assembly myself I’d like to offer you a unique position.”

Hayate didn’t say anything for a while instead he turned his back. These were the same words Shinsou used those long years ago to sway Hayate into fallowing him blindly. Would he let himself fall prey to flattery again and piss of Yamato?

“I’m not interested in fighting other people’s wars.”