The Shunen Grounds

Recent nights had become strenuous. More and more revenants appeared, as Uriel and her company ventured further into the steppe. The group would find these malevolent spirits wandering aimlessly through the land, howling and moaning like injured animals. Any living creature unfortunate enough to meet these spirits would find their lives drained by the revenants.

The group took extra precaution to avoid thee revenants. Spotting and avoiding them was fairly simple during the day. It was during the night, when matters turned complicated.

With bodies that resembled shadows, revenants blended perfectly into the darkness. Only by hearing their moans, or feeling their ghastly presence, would the company learn of a revenant close by.

A mighty gust graced the land that afternoon. The company trekked through the uncaring land, fighting against the wind. Uriel found her body becoming a little sore from all the walking. Despite the discomfort, Uriel welcomed a bit of the pain. It helped as endurance training. By no means did she enjoy feeling her muscles ache, but she willingly took it to strengthen her body.

"Are you doing well, my lady?" Jotun asked, still looking in top shape. "Perhaps we ought to stop here for some respite?"

"No, that won't be necessary," Uriel scoffed. "I have journeyed through harsher conditions, back when I belonged to a free company. This trek is far more comfortable than a few from the past."

"Oh, is that so?" Jotun chuckled softly.

"I'm not lying," Uriel snarled, with a small frown.

"I never said you are," Jotun replied, with a small grin on his face. "You proved yourself to be a strong and capable warrior, when we clashed swords. Any other human would have met defeat after two of my strikes."

Uriel blushed softly, and smiled proudly. "I will accept that compliment," she said, raising her nose in the air. "Sadly, I will admit that I was not at my finest that time. When my strength returns, we shall have a proper duel."

"Well, I very much look forward to it, my lady," Jotun accepted with a nod. "It has been a very long time since I last fought against a human who actually stood that long against me. If anything, you seemed quite familiar with my fighting technique."

"You're not the first Dark-Elf I fought," Uriel explained. "I have met and fought a handful of Dark-Elves before, each as skilled as the last. You so happen to use similar stances and techniques as them."

"Ah, you're far more experienced than I assumed you to be," Jotun remarked. "Our duel actually made me a little anxious. I believed that my skills were finally beginning to wane."

"I wouldn't say that," Uriel chuckled. "You may be the toughest Dark-Elf I have ever fought against."

"Dark-Elf only?" Jotun remarked, with a wink. "So, am I to presume that you have met humans who may actually be better than me?"

"The world is very big, Blood Crow," Uriel sighed. "I have fought against some of the best, a few of which I have unfinished business with."

"Well, it's a shame that I was banished to Ebonus then," Jotun grunted. "I would very much like to try my luck against these so-called best."

Uriel smiled softly, as she began to imagine what may happen if Jotun actually faced some of the warriors that she could not best.

Traveling through the land may have been long and dangerous, but discussions such as these provided the company with a sense of calm, which they very much needed. Silence and focus were important, but too much of it could invite boredom and even tension.

As they continued their journey, something eventually caught their attention. Out in the distance, a grand monolith watched over the land. At first, the company mistook it for some sort of silent giant, due to its shape and form. A settlement of primitive tents rested around the feet of this monolith.

"There it is," Krin declared, pointing towards the monolith. "That is the Shunen Grounds, the home of the exiled."

"That's the Shunen Grounds?!" Ragosh exclaimed, appearing rather disappointed. "I'm amazed that none of those monsters have attacked them."

"According to some stories, the giant rock scares the monsters away," Krin replied. "I am uncertain if that is true or not, but it has kept them quite safe, it seems."

"Well, as long as we get to rest in place where those demons can't reach us," Ragosh growled with a shrug.

"I wouldn't get too comfy around these exiles," Daku snorted. "Though we do not mean them harm, I doubt they will greet us hospitably."

"I know," Ragosh groaned. "I just hope they haven't gone insane living out here."

"We're already right in front of their dwelling," Krin noted. "There is no point is in complaining now."

"Indeed," Uriel agreed, as she stepped forward to stare at the location. "Let's keep moving now. I'm actually quite eager to meet these exiles."

They pressed on and soon reached the Shunen Grounds. Several different reptilian warriors occupied the area, living in crude tents made out of wood and leather. Unlike the Ovoo and Chamael village, the settlement did not have any decorations or items that spoke of culture.

Only tents, a couple of scattered bones, and extra weapons for protection occupied the territory. If anything, it far better resembled a temporary encampment, rather than a permanent dwelling.

The exiles took on a variety of shapes, sizes and features. Some appeared rather short and thin, others looked massive and broad. A few had claws the size of their hands, and some would even have feathers growing around their neck. Uriel found it interesting to see such a variety of different lizards gathered together. It actually reminded her a little of a costume party, except the costumes were all real.

Despite their individual uniqueness, all of them gave off a rather haunting and miserable vibe. Each one simply sat or lay on the dirt, barely moving or even making a sound. If not for their blinking eyes, they would have easily been mistaken for corpses. To be precise, they looked like ravaged reptiles on their last few days, slowly waiting for their lives to finally end.

Uriel looked around, somewhat displeased with the manner they presented themselves. The eagerness she had a while ago quickly disappeared. She began to wonder if any of these warriors would actually prove themselves to be useful.

"This isn't exactly what I was expecting," Uriel murmured.

"Actually, this looks far better than I predicted," Jotun commented, as he looked around. "Considering that this land is haunted by all those spirits, I'm surprised that they're not all scales and bones."

"That's a very optimistic way of looking at things," Uriel remarked.

"When you've been wandering through Ebonus as long as I have, you tend to look for the brighter side of things more than the darker," Jotun explained. "Believe me, it keeps you sane."

As they entered the village, a couple of heads rose. Eyes widened and turned towards their direction, or to be more specific, towards Uriel and her two elven companions. They clearly had never seen humans or elves before. Although they seemed a little more alive, the exiles still looked rather dead inside.

"Greetings, Ovoo," one particular exile greeted in a deep and raspy voice. He sat on a leather rug. Much of his body seemed to have been bandaged with rags. "Interesting company you bring."

"Ah, yes," Ragosh replied and then cleared his throat. "I am Ragosh, son of the Ovoo's chieftain. This here is Overlord Uriel, the new War Master of both the Ovoo and Chamael clans."

Ragosh did not loudly announce this, yet his words spread quite quickly. The statement garnered a bit of commotion. Soon, their focus narrowed from the trio, to just Uriel herself. Surprise and disbelief showed in their faces.

Many of them mumbled and whispered at one another, while others remained silent. A few even chuckled, thinking it was a joke. None of them could truly believe that this creature, which had no scales, fangs, claws or even a tail now led two clans.

"Well, welcome to the Shunen Grounds, War Master of Ovoo and Chamael," the exile said in a rather jeering and somewhat sarcastic manner. "What brings you to the encampment of the shamed?"

Ragosh lowered his head and frowned a little at the exile's tone. "Do not be deceived by her appearance," he hissed, as he rattled his spear. "She may look frail, but she is a mighty warrior."

"Yes, yes, I'm sure she is," the exile chuckled. He made no attempt to hide his skepticism.

Mycelia bit her lip and clenched her fist. A few sparks lit around her fingers. "My lady, may I burn half his face off?" she requested, her fingers twitching to cast a spell. "Perhaps some a few more injuries would teach him some proper manners."

"Please work on your temper, Mycelia," Uriel sighed, as she patted the elf on the shoulder. "We're here to recruit them, not make more enemies."

"Now, perhaps you could answer my question," the exile coughed, and shook off a bit of the attitude. "What brings you here? Have you come to join us in our misery?"

"The Allosaur and other clans threaten both the Ovoo and Chamael," Ragosh answered. "We have come here seeking aid."

Bits of energy filled the encampment. The exiles stretched their limbs and approached. Like a whisper of moths attracted to a flame, the exiles gathered around the group, intrigued with their plans. Uriel went from dismayed to disturbed by their sudden movements.

"Fight against the Allosaur, eh?" the exile murmured. "An interesting errand for both clans. I did not expect the Ovoo to actually have the courage, nor did I expect the Chamael the ambition, to challenge a greater clan, such as the Allosaur."

Ragosh grumbled. "Our situations times have demanded as to change," he replied, as he looked around at the exiles present. "Will any of you stand with us?"

At first, no one answered. Only silence and grim stares thrown back and forth.

"Youngling, what can you offer in exchange for our aid?" the first exile asked. "Can you restore our honor? Give us new homes? Or perhaps grant us your ancestors' blessing? Will either the Ovoo or Chamael even accept us into their clans?"

Ragosh did not respond. He didn't say anything, but his face said everything. Without uttering a single word, he denied the exiles a place in the clan. Krin and Daku remained silent as well. They growled in frustration, knowing that their clan wouldn't accept the exiles either.

"That is what I thought," the exile sneered. "Like any other clan, you would simply give us food and drink, in exchange for our services. Then as soon as you are finished with us, you would expect the survivors to return to this accursed land to wallow in shame."

Uriel couldn't help but cough, when she heard this. She immediately remembered the day when Ragosh and a few of his clansmen first arrived at Nul Hunur. They asked for her aid against the Allosaur, in exchange for three baskets of food. In hindsight, such offerings did seem rather petty, especially with just how much more they actually had.

Turning to the other exiles, Uriel found each one of them staring at the group like hungry predators, ready to pounce on their victim.

"Now, leave this place, for you have wasted your time," the exile hissed. "We will not take part in your squabbles, only to be used and discarded at convenience."

"Ragosh…," Uriel eventually spoke. "Can your clan really not accept them to their own?"

The young Ovoo sighed. "No, Lady Overlord, the clan cannot," he grumbled. "We cannot accept them, unless their own clan has pardoned them of their transgressions."

Uriel then turned to the Krin and Daku. The two Chamael responded by shaking their heads.

"Lady Overlord, this rule is one that all clans share," Daku explained. "We cannot simply bend the rules and traditions whenever we see fit."

"If your clans can't do something for them, then perhaps I could," Uriel murmured. "Exile, tell me, are you all satisfied with your lives here?"

"Hmm… living the rest of our lives in this pit, stripped of our honor and no purpose," the exile listed down. "Why yes, we are VERY content with how we are wasting our lives in this place, fearing that those monsters would one day pluck the very life from our hearts."

"Your sarcasm is very endearing," Uriel replied sarcastically herself. "What if I can offer you a way out of this? I can give you a better home, a chance to redeem yourselves as warriors, and even a purpose."

"And who are you that you can give all this?" the exile asked.

"I am Uriel, the Overlord," she answered. "I have grand plans for this entire land, and all of you could be a part of it, if you wish."

"No disrespect, Overlord," the exile spat. "But we do not know you. We have no idea who you are, what you're capable of, or if any of your promises mean a thing. For all we know, you may just use us and then throw us back here, when all of this is done."

"Then allow me to prove myself," Uriel replied. "What can I do to prove that I won't just cast you aside, when this conflict ends?"

The exile didn't answer immediately. He stared intently into Uriel's eyes for a while, as if he were trying to make her flinch with his sight. A moment passed. The exile frowned and gave a reluctant sigh, which carried a hint of surrender.

"Follow me," the exile said.

As he stood, the exile revealed himself to be tall and quite lanky. His neck stretched quite high. It looked almost the length of his own arm. He had scales of turquoise, and stripes of a darker shade. His eyes looked like the yolk of an egg, and two long horns poked out the back of his head.

"May we have your name, exile?" Uriel asked.

"Once, when I still enjoyed good days, I carried the name Sidra of the Apotos Clan," the exile replied.

He led them out of the Shunen Grounds and to the entrance of a woodland close by. Although not great in height, the trees had a grim and ominous presence about them. It almost felt as if an echo of danger bounced from tree to tree, warning any intruder of danger lurking within its shadows. A soft wind blew, rustling the leaves.

"A special tree of white stands at the heart of these woods," Sidra said. "A sweet and delicate fruit grows in its branches. Pluck as many as you can and return them to us, and we will consider the aiding you."

"It can't be that simple," Uriel quipped, as she crossed her arms suspiciously.

"I highly doubt it is, my lady," Mycelia agreed. She took a deep breath and stared into the shadow of the trees. "Some lives in this woodland. Something sinister and powerful."

"Well, now that we know that there is a condition, perhaps you could explain it further," Uriel suggested to the exile.

"I was just about to get to that," Sidra growled. "A great spider watches over this forest, enticing prey with the colors of its abdomen. Its venom slowly stops your blood, causing a very painful and agonizing death. I would suggest you be careful of this arachnid."

"A mere spider shall not stop us," Mycelia replied, as she held up her hand and lit a flame over her palm. "If it dares lay one of its eight eyes on us, then I shall burn it to a cinder."

"Is there anything else you'd like to tell us?" Uriel asked.

"Yes, it is from a white tree, impossible to miss," Sidra answered. "Other than that, nothing else."

"Very well," Uriel grunted. "We shall return with enough fruit for all of you to fatten yourselves with."

"Then we shall await your return with eager bellies… Overlord Uriel," Sidra responded, slightly bowing his head. His tone changed at the last minute, showing a bit more respect. Although not a lot, at the very least some he showed some.