Chapter 1: Fated Task (Main)

[Nynx]

The group journeyed forth up the hill, nearing their intended destination. The cold was finally starting to disperse and turn into a luke warm sensation. That feeling was proof that they were nearing the Nassau region. Finally nearing the top of the hill, they looked down the long slope and saw they destination. It was big, it was deserted and it looked like a bunch of ruins. The structure looked old, way older than any of them and it seemed to have a mysterious aura radiating from its stone structure. "What is that?" said Rose, covering her arms as if the cold was still effecting her. Lien put her hand on her shoulder for a quick second and walked in front of the group.

"That is where we'll be staying." Lien used her hand to signal the group to walk a little faster. Shin was a bit nervous himself. He felt the same type of aura that Rose felt. Was it magic or was it just some supernatural feeling due to nostalgic or some dark past? As Shin got closer to the structure he began to recognize it.

"Wait a minute, that's..."

" St. Clare's Monastery or better known as the judgment gate." The group was now about 20 feet from the structure. The most obvious physical descriptions was the huge door leading into the building and the lack of a roof. The place looked like it was in the middle of a war. Rose being nervous yet curious decided to ask a question about this strange structure.

" Why is it called that?" She asked, hoping she wouldn't get a said tale as her response.

"This was the most common area for building military bases and gathering supplies during the great war. Factions from Evalince drove out the monks and used this place to gain vital supplies and natural resources for their journey. It was also the place where the decided to enstate or relieve soldiers of duty. Those that were relieved was sent home, those that were instated were given a weapon and sent on the front lines. Thus why it was called the judgment gate." After her speech, the group walked into the old abandoned monastery. From the inside, it didn't look like a monastery, it looked like a fort. Old weapons rusted weapons could be found on the left side of the walls, ladders where put up to reach the upper levels or the building for aerial view and there was a door leaving the back part of the monastery. The first thing Shin noticed was the fireplace set up in the middle of the area and 9 sleeping bags was neatly placed away from the fire.

"I picked those up from some wandering merchant for a decent price. There are enough for each of us." Lien said as she looked at Shin. He nodded and turned toward his group behind him.

"Time for a rest everyone. IF you have food, now is the tie to eat up. We'll start fresh tomorrow morning.

[kunekune]

The look of the "monastery" was quite unpleasant for Paco, seeing as how it resembled any other building after an explosion from within. Without a roof, how were they to adequately hide tonight? What if they were to be ambushed in the middle of the night while asleep, assuming anyone could sleep?

One thing was certain though: it was much warmer here. Cold environments were still foreign to Paco, so even a taste of a lukewarm climate was refreshing in its own way for the young boy. A smile almost crept up on his face but was quickly dispelled when the leader began to explain why the monastery had come to be known as Judgment Gate.

"Judgment...Gate..." Paco spoke as he, wide-eyed, examined the building.

Usually buildings that brought about judgment in some way, righteous or ignoble, weren't the best to take shelter inside, especially ones that looked as though the judgment wasn't so long ago. Despite his fears, Paco couldn't muster the strength to disagree with the leader and continued to stare at the decrepit building. Sleep would not come easily for him tonight.

[Tony Redgrave]

~Judgment Gate huh...?~ It figures such an old ruin would have such a "profound" name such as that. Even for someone such as he, the past was in a sense, tangible here. Upon hearing the back story to this place from that bitter archer, he could clearly envision the hustle and bustle of this area with all of his inhabitants and the soldiers who awaited news upon their fate.

As though it actually mattered...

He met this place with the same look he seemed to give whatever crossed into his line of sight. A sharp and rather unpleasant glare was all he had to offer his surroundings. There was nothing exciting or wonderful about this place in his eyes. To top it all off, this area was somewhat of a bother to take up shelter in. Though the walls blocked off the wind and the climate was a quite a bit warmer then since they had been walking, It made it so that if there would be an ambush from the enemy, they wouldn't be able to see it coming.

Though, there were from what he could see, there were only two entry points. The part from which they entered and that back door. At least those points would be easy to defend but.. what if the enemy was gutsy and managed to sneak up the walls and drop down from the open ceiling? It seemed somewhat unlikely but, unexpected maneuvers were always ones to take into consideration

However, all of this was too much to really think about for now. Risks were abound anywhere. To acknowledge them was wise but to lose yourself within them was foolish in of itself. He would simply have to minimize his risks as best as he could. Turning his gaze to the warm fire that had already been burning for the group, he decided to stay away from it.

Staying close to the fire would be a predictable move and he had enough warmth from his clothing and his cloak. Likewise, a sleeping bag would be comfortable but being within it would limit his movement. If he had been woken from his sleep to set his eyes upon an enemy, he would be hard pressed to free himself from it and defend himself.

Roland casually walked over towards the left side of this area of judgment and kicked aside those rusted and dulled blades. It was this action that freed up just enough space for him to sit with his back against the wall and he promptly did so. He then unclasped his rapier and sheath from his waist and placed it right upon his lap, positioning himself so that he could sit quietly and observe his surroundings.

He had no time nor the patience for small talk and comradeship as it was. Being left alone to his own devices for the first time since they had set out together was quite actually, a very refreshing feeling. Best to savor it now while he could. Though.. having some food to eat would make the time past a bit faster. All he had was a canteen on hand and half full at that.

[Rorschach]

Shauna was rather excited but disappointed at the base. It wasn't as "luxurious" as she had thought but it was better than the cold they were travelling through earlier. Wandering around the base, Shauna had noticed many weapons scattered over the floors.

"A lot of weapons, this mustve been a violent area," She thought to herself.

The name of this place "judgement gate" was rather unsettling to Shauna. It sounded like something paranormal would occur in an area like this, slaughtering everybody in the area. But obviously, Shauna was overreacting. As she continued walking, she held her empty teacup and frowned. This place obviously had no tea or water.

She walked back to the group with her cup in the air.

"May somebody please direct me to the nearest water supply? Or care to share some tea with a young lady?"

[Angel]

Once in the structure, Alexander within a few moments made it obvious he wasn't really in the mood to socialize. After feeling the fire's warmth for a very little while and remembering when he worked with the flame for his life, he grabbed his sleeping bag and went off in another direction himself. Heading up one of the ladders, he decided he would be happier in a position better suited to let him be able to react to his surroundings. The enemy couldn't fly so they would have to come from below and with this small frame and sharp eyes, he could notice them and have time to escape.

He wasn't willing to give up his life for this group. When push came to shove, with this knight's crest and his young feminine and noble looks.. he would just plead kidnapping and surely they would take him back to the capital. The knights knew the sight of his younger sister anyway and were rather fond of her.

But thinking about such things was a waste of time when he already knew what he decided. He would just react as things happened and make judgments based on his own thoughts.

[Maelys Knight]

"Hmmm." He judged the defendability of the place, and their strongest point would be being able to see the enemy before they got to them. But they would still be on short notice, considering they were practically in a crater. The hill they came over was part of a ridge that ran around the "Gate." Add to that, the crater was about 120 feet in diameter, leaving about 50 feet from the walls of the monastery. He would have to take advantage of the ladders and the non-existant roof.

He walked into the building and proceeded to one of the ladders that still looked sturdy. It creeked as he climbed it, given his weight plus his armor, and he reached the highest level. He began shivering, for he was freezing cold and had been supressing the need to show it. His armor being steel, which conducts the cold and stays frozen, did not help. He thought a moment about shedding it to sleep, but then thought otherwise. If they really were going to be ambushed, he did not need to be caught without armor on.

Rikkan bent over the side of the floor, looking down to the first floor. "Shin, can ya send someone up to help with sentry duty!?" Rikkan wanted to get some sleep, but what if they were attacked while he was asleep? Someone would have to stay awake as he slept, as he stayed awake as they slept, as to keep a consistent watch for Riviere`s army. So far Rikkan had no quarrel with Riviere, and he hoped he didn`t get a reason to. With that, he went over to the low wall and sat down against it, placing his swords to his right.

[Nynx]

OCC: Sorry everyone. Work, stress, slump.. lots of things. I'll be posting actively for now on. Get some sleep and I'll start the good stuff.


Shin heard Rikkan's voice and looked up at the platform above. "Sure I'll send someone up right away!" He said loud enough so he could here him. He wasn't really concerned about sentry duty though, he was more concerned about Lien. She was quiet and reserved more so than she already was. He wondered what she had found but he didn't wish to say anything. Lien walked past him, approaching the latter to the upper platform. She put her hand on his shoulder and said "I'll tell you later." Those were reassuring words for him but also a sign of a horrible night. He sighed a little but it was fine. He was good at working off of little sleep anyway. The others were still wondering around while three people were on sentry duty. He wondered why Katherine was up there. She was so small. That was no place for a young girl but if he said anything about it, he would get bitched out. He picked up the sleeping bag that was reserved for her and threw it on the upper platform.

"Hey Cutie. You'll need your beauty rest for tomorrow." and with that he turned toward his sleeping bag.

"Get some sleep guys. We have a long day ahead of us."

[Tony Redgrave]

The atmosphere was finally starting to quiet down a bit and with it, Roland was visibly more at ease. That seemingly condescending look he always had etched upon his face had dissipated into what one could describe as more pleasant then before. Even the mild chill of night didn't seem to shake him in the least for that woolen cloak of his was keeping him as snug as a bug in a rug. Now all that was left was to drift off into Sandman Land for preparation for the next day.

Yet before he could, he took note that one of the more outspoken women of their little group was walking with a piece of fine china in her hand and actually asking if anyone had tea to share with her. What type of idiot would ask for that at a time like this? Considering how they had been journeying on foot and packed only with the essentials to go where they needed, no one would have anything like that. He honestly expected her to be called out on her rather nonsensical question and drinking glass or in the very least address her first question on where the nearest water source would be.

But, it seemed no one said a word to her. In fact, she was flat out ignored. Not even a simple glance from Shin who of all people should be seeing that everyone should have some water or at least share some of the water he could have in a canteen or whatever. But instead, he was busy giving his attention to that child up on the second story and tossing up to her another sleeping bag when she clearly had one in hand.

That observation alone irked him even more..

Though he didn't like what he saw, it was too tiresome to make a fuss about it when everyone was just getting settled in for the night. Instead, Roland took it upon himself to address her want. With nothing more then a half hearten toss forward, that canteen of his sailed and twirled in the air, knocked into the young woman's shins, and fell right at her feet.

"Don't even say a word to me... Just give it back in the morning." he spoke to her in a rather harsh tone. Now that there was nothing more to do or say for that matter, he buried his head back into his knees and went back to his quest to get a bit of rest