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"Stuck in a crummy patrol under freezing temperatures. What a life," Eoin Neylan muttered with feeling. The young grey wolf tightened the collar around his neck firmly. Under normal circumstances he would welcome the prospect of a challenge worthy that befits a true son of Allemance, but this must surely take the cake. Miles back, the population of Sourisport lived comfortably in their homes, rested by the warmth of the fire. And here he was, in the dark and freezing weather, riding in the middle of the night where the bitter winds constantly howled and without reprieve. His head slightly craned sideways to stare at the hooded figure in front of him, along with the helmeted paladin and two levies trailing in the rider's wake. Indeed, once his mission was complete, he would formally request the sergeant for another assignment that suited well to his task. Maybe at the human city of Patrie, perhaps, or even the capital of Louvain.

"Quit yer moaning, rookie. A job is a job, isn't it?" Sergeant Lometh said cooly, unseemingly relaxed and with not the slightest heed to the freezing temperatures or the arduous journey on the road.

The old sergeant, a brown-greyed wolf responsible for Eoin's assignment, took this rather well in the journey from Erin all the way to the outskirts of Sourisport. Despite his age Lometh was far better adapted to the work than Eoin ever could. The lupine had the burly fortitudes of an ursine and the patience of an ovine. For several days they have travelled without incident and encountered no threat. Little it was to do that it bordered Eoin close to boredom. He'd expected some form of violence to guard an important target, some outside threat like bandits or monsters that would leap out from the bushes. Then again Allemance had always been this peaceful ever since the queen had taken the affairs of the state.

Still, it probably helped that there was something to do, Eoin thought, rather than to be cooped up here into tedious chores such as this. While the old wolf presumed the concept of earning a good reputation was through every day means such as guard duty and escort missions, Eoin imagined something more than that. Lacking the time or patience he hungered for some recognition, any recognition. He was a willing participant against the world, showing everyone how strong, fit, and able while Lometh had been in a position that gained no higher title than a mere sergeant.

Eoin tightened his grip on his sheathed scabbard sword and wished he could draw it. To lash at something, anything to pass the time. A black blade forged south of Vinyot, he had earned such fine craftmanship from his winnings at the tournament. He felt a flicker of pride the more he looked at it. How right and proper it was for him. This show of quality, his victories, would create an impression right now across Allemance, least of all with the group.

From Baritte, Eoin's blademanship had been the talk of the town. Whispers and gossip flooded the streets of a prestigious young wolf that bested every fighter in the tournament, earning several glances from barons and officials alike. So much attention that it reached the eyes of Eoin's mysterious rider and then enlistment into levy service by the sergeant. Like his grandfather once said, if ever there was an excellent advertisement to achieve higher acclaim, the tournament was just the place.

Eoin couldn't help but grin to himself, remembering his achievement that was his due. He recalled the rush of cheers that called his name, the violent clash of weapons and the colourful language of his foes as he crushed them without mercy. The last one was especially he enjoyed the most.

"I know that look," Lometh began with a gentle smile and shot the young wolf with a sympathetic gaze. Eoin didn't return either of the gesture, no longer grinning. "For one who is fleet-footed and able to handle a blade, you're quite easily readable."

Eoin shot back at him with a deadly glare, but Lometh seemed unfazed as if he saw nothing more than the wrath of a puppy before him. He'd come to wonder what the old wolf was insinuating and whether he was a fool or just downright senile to notice anymore. A second later, his question was answered by a hearty chuckle that came out from Lometh's lips. Even muffled the sound had a peal of deep, resonant laughter, not scorn or hints of ridicule, but with a warmth and goodness that made Eoin cringe outright.

"You really need to be a little more patient, Eoin," Lometh said, his smile still in place over his jaws. "Thinking much about all the fighting and the honouring would do you no good," one finger tapped on his helmet. "Gets you distracted in the head."

"At least I have something to dream big," Eoin growled, though not raising his voice high enough to warrant trouble with the others. "And what's wrong thinking about it?"

"Heh, nothing at all," Lometh admitted, earning an arched brow from Eoin. "Just keep your ideas with a grain of salt. Just because you won that silly tournament of yours doesn't mean--"

"Silly?" Eoin narrowed his eyes, teeth bared. "There is nothing silly with what I have done to get it." His paw tapped twice on the hilted blade. "See this? This is the proof of my accomplishment. I don't see you scoff at that."

Eoin heard an expelled breath as Lometh shook his head. "Oh, you simply do not get it," he said softly, two fingers rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Duty is not always glorious, rookie. Sure, it isn't a fun, ideal time to cross in the cold frigid climate with nothing to do, but we have our orders, and good men follow it."

"And that is why I don't understand," Eoin remarked with undisguised annoyance. His eyes then shifted a glance at the rider and its coterie of bodyguards. "What are we doing here?" His voice raised slightly into a harsh growl. "We should be somewhere where the fighting is. And instead, we are here... Babysitting."

From the start, the rider had been the main focal point of a mystery that Eoin struggled to understand the beast out. Hooded, the figure was cloaked in velvety silk of black and gold, hidden away as if to avoid the prying eyes of the world. Many times he tried to get a closer detail of the rider's face, only to be obstructed by their bodyguards.

Like the rider, the escorts weren't the type of folk for social dialogue, which Eoin would later learn of their cold and stoic demeanour. He felt slightly uneasy from the silence surrounding them, as if they were merely walking statues rather than regular beastfolk. Since their journey began, he practically learned nothing from them, unable to find any concrete of their past. Not even their names. Even their faces were hidden, and Eoin - not once - had seen any of them remove their helmets. All he knew about them was their shapes and appearances.

The squat, broad equine wore the full silver-plated armour that fairly distinguished itself as a paladin. At first, Eoin gawked in surprise at the engraved royal symbol and that a member of the queensguards would be among the group. Then later he sought at every opportunity to get its attention, only to give up on the third day. Despite his opinions, it didn't stop the young wolf from trying to ask if the paladin could endorse his name across Allemance. A word from a queensguard, no less than a paladin, would elevate Eoin's standings to even greater heights of glory.

The other two levies that trailed behind the paladin's wake weren't much help either. Identical in almost every way from the same average height and build, Eoin suspected the two wolves to be twins. Yet, he couldn't be sure if it was accurate, given that their identities were deeply shrouded in mystery. Even more strange was that they weren't part of the sergeant's unit.

For Eoin and Lometh, their uniforms had a deep shade of maroon with a blackish edge in contrast to the two's olive green and jasper. All levies wore the colours belonging to their respective group. His uniform was a common sight around Allemance, but theirs were a different blend, unique. He suspected the twins must have hailed out on Glasrun far northeast from their location, or perhaps even farther, somewhere obscure where few would don the green.

So intent was Eoin on the group that he barely noticed Lometh's inquisitive gaze as he rounded in the indicated direction where the young wolf was staring.

"Best not to mention it to our gracious host," Lometh said with undisguised mirth. "Otherwise, you might face problems with the bodyguards very soon."

"Let them. They'll find me no easy foe to beat."

Lometh whirled back on him, then down at the sheathed blade where Eoin firmly wrapped around the pommel. "How very direct of you," he commented, his smile slightly dented. It went even further at the mad expression across Eoin's sharp features. "And bloodthirsty. If I know any better, I say you're a disciple of the sun bull. To my surprise, to see that you aren't."

Eoin snorted. It was an ugly sound as he idly looked down at his chest. Something green glittered in the pale moonlight of the night where the pendant dangled with silver chains wrapped around his thick, furred neck. It seemed very small and unremarkable, compacted to the shape of a leaf dedicated to the Beast Mother. As he studied it, he pondered the reason for keeping it for so long?

Nostalgia, perhaps? He thought, now recalling it as a gift from his father, Themier Neylan. While not as pious or dedicated in the belief of the goddess his father wanted to believe, he had been nevertheless grateful for the old man. His father had insisted that he remain at his side, safe from harm and take over the family business.

But that life of effortless comfort and coddling was all behind him now. Here, he was not only alone - out in the vast, open world.

Here, he was free.

Utterly tired at the sight of it and the idle chatter with the sergeant, Eoin turned away to pass the time as he had done a hundred times on the road. He looked beyond past the rider and their silent entourage to fully glimpse the background of Allemance.

Despite his earlier complaints about the trip, he found outdoor sightseeing to be a list of things he very least disliked. He had some aesthetic appreciation to understand the tameable beauty that surrounded him. Of endless fields and rolling farms, shining brightly under the moonlight.

So bright was the chilling night that he could practically see much of everything in the distance. Like the vineyards from either side of the road, round, juicy grapes just ripe for the picking. Or the ruined windmill just ahead from their direction that glimmered from the top floor or...

Eoin's train of thought suddenly stopped, then blinked in dawning confusion. Something didn't feel right.

Imperceptibly unaware of his actions, the young warrior Eoin pulled the reins gently as the large dodo-mounted creature slowed until it came to an inevitable stop.

Lometh, suddenly aware of this, followed similarly and halted the dodo just a little ahead of Eoin. If the others had taken notice of the change, they gave no sign. Not even a backward glance did they attempt as they continued on.

"What is it, rookie? What did you see?"

Eoin didn't respond, not registering Lometh's words as he leaned forward, cobalt eyes squinted hard into focus at the supposed abandoned structure. He'd thought he was imagining, just a mere trick in the shadowy light. Yet, his suspicion was well-founded as the familiar glimmer shone faintly, constantly towards his attention.

It could have been nothing, Eoin reasonably told himself, just some discarded remnants from within the windmill, like a mirror or otherwise, that somehow refracted by the moonlight. Yet something odd about how the glimmer angled itself, almost as if the light was directly upon them.

It was more than mere coincidence.

It was potentially suspicious.

Lometh repeated the question, a little higher and more firmly this time enough for Eoin to hear it.

Before Eoin could respond or utter anything at all the glimmer from the windmill briefly flashed, and a sound like an oncoming whistle hung in the air. Something metal had punctured wetly just ahead of where the rider and the bodyguards were present. And then, a heartbeat later, light erupted forth in a noise of immediate detonation.