The Three Travellers
The road to Cecia was almost entirely overgrown. As the rain continued to pour, it became clear that many that came to the crossroads did indeed heed the warning given by the sign. Though it was overgrown, it would be plain to the three travellers that this way would once have been used greatly due to the sporadic cobbles than popped up occasionally underfoot, in the dark times after the apparent 'fall' of Cecia, when those that had fled still maintained hope of a return to their homes, and as such kept a close watch on proceedings in the forbidden town. In the early days following Yeltzoa's invasion, the western edge of the forest had been the area chosen to be the new territory of the town folk, but the evidence showed no signs of any settlements in the area, nor that any had ever chosen to live here... Nature, it seemed, had hidden away the past underneath roots, branches and tall grass...or perhaps something else had caused the abandonment of the place...?
Due to the vast amounts of vegetation present, the going was slow for the trio, and it was as the path began to become almost impassable that they suddenly emerged from the tangle into a field. It would have been a fairly typical field, if not for its unusual placement on a rise. Trees sprawled in every single direction from the clearing, as far as the eye could see in some cases... What also would have been immediately noticeable was the stone tower that now stood half collapsed in the centre, and even more prominent spread across the entire area of the grass were small, black crosses. The tower itself stood as a symbol of hope to the free folk, but the black crosses gave the air a heavy feel, and a feeling of death permeated the area... Almost as if they were being watched...
Worries aside though, the pouring rain had slowly given way to a clear sky, and far to the west, the sun now rose, and under its shadow, an irregular shape slowly exposed itself to their eyes... Only one explanation would suffice. Quite plainly, they now looked upon Cecia Town...
Mezonas
Mezonas stepped backwards, startled as Whisper tumbled forwards out of the tree, though he did manage to catch the woman as she emerged from her shelter. He laughed softly as the initiate's question. "Perhaps... You seem to have quite the knack for binding yourself into trunks, eh?" Her moved one foot backward slightly, so as to remain upright, before continuing, "Is this a regular habit of yours?" He continued to hold Whisper in place, waiting for her to regain her own sense of balance. At that point her would release her from his grasp.
Gemina
The chestnut-haired woman laughed again, before whispering happily to Iatairris, "Sleep well young one." With her piece said, she turned around and paced a few steps away to where she had previously been lying, before sitting down and addressing the two other men. "Come. You two should sleep. As I said to Irris, we will discuss matters tomorrow morn..." Settling herself down, Gemina let herself drift into a deep slumber.
Arya
"...and what exactly do you intend to do about it?" Arya listened gloomily from her wooden chair inside the large chamber, a bored expression set upon her face. She would occasionally glance at her new...friend across the room from her, who would return her glance with an expression of his own. Since the events of a few nights previous, the matter had occupied her thoughts every moment of the day. She had been unable to sleep soundly, it pressed upon her mind so much... And the fact that he had caught her in the act only made matters more difficult. She didn't have much time in which to act. Many lives depended upon her actions, and if she didn't do something, then it was likely that no one would. Closing her eyes tight shut, she envisioned for the tenth time that day what would have occurred if it had been the Duke that had caught her in her...act... It was time to do something. Of that she was certain, and now was a better time than ever. Opening her eyes, she glanced around briefly, before standing upright and moving to the centre of the room. Curtsying to the Duke, she excused herself with muttered words, before walking outside, curious expressions following her footsteps, not least those of him...