Alynia shook her head apologetically, but refrained herself from actually saying sorry. She sighed lightheartedly. “I’m not yet at the point where I know the difference…” She muttered furrowing her eyebrows in innocent confusion. But she laughed at her own uncertainties. She was still so new to all of this; obviously she had much to learn. Maybe before her husband returned she would try to learn a few things about fey norms, for her own sake as well as to surprise him.

Accepting that it would at most be some time before she saw Oberron again, she wondered if there were other things she should try to learn without him. Magic mainly, but also the politics going on within the forests. Should she try to find more about everything he had already mentioned, Artemis’s blessing, the dragon, the Heart of Storms? Though she was positive that there were many Fey hunting for answers, for a king could not do all of such alone, but Alynia didn’t want to be completely idle while he is regenerating.

She gazed around the village looking for a clock of some sort then she remembered that clocks were not a common aspect of fey life. Glancing up at the sun she tried to calculate the time figuring that this was something she would have to get used to doing or maybe eventually she would live to the point where something like time no longer mattered. Alynia assumed that it was a few hours or so passed midday.

“Is there a particular reason you brought me here? Or is it just safer here than the castle?” She asked Charon casually who she tried to stay close to. Alynia was looking around at the cheerful crowd centaurs that were drinking without restraint. Most were laughing and chattering without a care. Some were munching on various nuts and berries, and Alynia scooped up a handful of the snack too, nibbling at the very organic trail mix. She had originally just wanted something to occupy her hands, but she was glad to find that it was enjoyable to the taste buds as well.

Even though Alynia knew that she had nothing to worry about right now, her husband was alive, the witch was dead, and she was being dutifully guarded by a Charon she couldn’t help but feel this nagging pull that something was not right. Her eyes swept the edge of the trees suspiciously but saw nothing. She shrugged and decided she was just being overly nervous without Oberron protecting her. Alynia assured herself that Charon was just as capable.

Charon was a centaur and as such did not know much about magic. In fact only their shaman and apprentice had any passable knowledge of the subject though Charon was the weapon master after all and could deal with most offensive magic (he had a ring that allowed him to resist some of it) and in melee he was fierce enough to drive of Ents.

"It's nearly three o'clock," she was told when analyzing the sun though she was right in thinking that time hardly mattered to the fey unless coordinating something or marking the seasons there were few milestones that most of them tracked. Some species paid more attention to it like the brownies since they dwelled near human civilizations for the most part but most did not care to record it at all.

Charon frowned a little though as Alynia asked her question. He may have been the weapon master though he was still a centaur at heart and wanted to get drunk like the rest of them but he turned his attention to his queen, he was asked a question and so he answered as truthfully as he could without lying by omission as many fey were inclined to do. Centaurs were blunt, often brash but blunt so the truth was easier to fall from their lips.

"No, there are more people at the castle though mostly human. The hunter Arn is now regent over it and while centaurs are fierce in a fight the numbers there will probably deal with our small numbers but a lot of Sable's men are still there, they have lost and some might hold a rather nasty grudge against you. To be blunt I would rather not have you die on my watch, Oberron wouldn't take too kindly to that and while your orders were to take you to the castle I cannot deny you your request and will depart for the region in the morning after resting here.

"Another issue was to make you presentable again as the queen of the fey." He nodded. "Before getting to the castle especially if Puck is in the region. He may find your lack of respect for proper clothing well akin to nymphs and not queens. But if you desire to leave -"

Charon grew distracted seeing Corte enter the edge of the village. The blond haired elf was well dressed and his magical blade rested in a scabbard at his side. He glance around then moved toward the pair. Kneeling before Alynia he addressed her.

"My queen, you presence is required at Avalon ... there has been an incident and I have been sent to retrieve you."

Alynia giggled slightly at the centaurs response. Though what he said wasn't particularly funny, she could tell he wanted to stay and partake in the centaur festivities. "You don't have to be upset by my words. I really was just curious." she teased happily noting his small frown. "Though I am gracious for your honesty, it really would be fine by me if you had a drink or a few. I'm sure I can take care of myself if it's only within this village." she reassured kindly motioning toward a stand of many goblets filled with a deep red drink.

Alynia nodded in agreement at the thought to fix her clothes. She felt much less self conscious with actual clothing on her back. Her mind briefly wandered to Puck. At one point she had even suspected it was Puck who hired Summer, but she knew that it was not appropriate to voice such accusations, true or not, out loud. Though she knew that one day she would have no choice but to acknowledge her step son, but she quickly decided today was not the day.

" We can return to the castle tomorrow or even the day after if you wish. I'm in no rush to get anywhere particular or do anything of importance without my husband, especially of there are still remains of Sable's minions wandering about." Alynia knew better than to actually mention she didn't want to face Puck without Oberron.

Suddenly Charon seemed distracted. Alynia followed his gaze to face an elven stranger. She quickly willed him to stand as he knelt before her. Though she looked at the centaur for introductions, she was able to assume the elf was a guard or council man, someone with close relations to high status in Oberron's kingdom. "What is your name?" she inquired giving the elf a gentle smile.

Alynia paused putting on a thoughtful expression stringing together Corte's words. "Me? In Avalon?" she asked with a confused and surprised expression. "I can not travel there without the portal... Which currently is regenerating but certainly unusable..." Alynia tried to picture the black ring if flowers. "Yes I am sure of this, I saw the glade just a few hours ago." she stated mildly confused but Alynia was both unsuspecting and unconcerned.

"But none the matter." she turned to Charon. "Why don't you go enjoy yourself and I'll have Corte escort me through the village for a while." she requested. "Avalon can certainly wait until tomorrow morning." she mused with a thoughtful expression. 

Charon ended up smiling when she mentioned that they would stay for the night. He would do as commanded of course despite his own wants and needs and thanked her for her decesion, a most wise queen indeed.

While he was confortable that there was no danger in the village he took his charge seriously despite the base needs. he possessed. While he was not commanded to watch her he was aware that Oberron would have ordered it if he could have done so.

So in a sense she was his charge though he had no orders to do so Oberron would have wanted someone to look after her until she got back. But the queen wanted to do as he wished! Titiana would have never allowed him to frolick here for a day or two and would have demanded that her oredrs be carroed out. He was unused to that though he had wondered if this was a good thing or not. Since he wanted to get as drunk as the other centaurs so he supposed that this was a good thing and here among the centaurs he knew that finding those amongst them that hated the queen was far more difficult to find here than rather at the castle. But the queen laughed at his frank honesty. Amongst the fey (who possessed silver tongues for the most part) the centaurs tended to be bland and stick out with their words so he just assumed it was this bluntness that generated this mirth now.

He was fey so he wasn't insulted as a human might be though he considered the reason behind her laughter. He traced the reasons behind it when he saw Corte approach, kneel before the queen then arise.

"Corte is Oberron's royal guard. He usual resides in Avalon," Charon relaid in a whisper to Alynia.

"The glade is close, that is true though there are numerous other ways we fey know how to get to Avalon. I will take you, it's Oberron .... well you'll see but it is important that you come with me.

"My traveling companion willl meet us in the old glade, she has the winds and can transport us to one of the other portals in little time. She went to acquire a few other requests Oberron has made and thus it was quicker to split up. We saw the centaur tracks at the glade and I came here. I would have though that you would have gone there but the village was on the way ..."

Phebes lied, he kept things vague enough, would feign that he did not have the answers her questions. He Knew that it was past three now so there was plenty of time though tomorrow would be too late.

"My lord commands your presence at his side as soon as possible." Then a little worry, "tomorrow ma be too late. Forgive me I do not have all the details.:

Charon shook his head slightly. That was one order he would not follow, Oberron wouldn't let him pass on his assignment to another. He might have been the first person to come across her but he would have not passed her on like a coin for another to be concerned with,

"Phineas did not arrive in time? What has happened?"

Damn Charon! Phebes thought though he knew that centaurs were rather stubborn too. He had no idea what he was talking about but could assume a few thins. He looked towards him then, shook his head.

"I do not think so, I have been kept in the dark for most things. I was told to fetch the queen and bring her to the glade where we will take the winds to another portal." He had to think to get rid of Charon but he could not readily think of anything to that at the moment.

Alynia nodded impressively, Oberron’s royal guard? She could tell it was a high position. Though she was still confused at how this all worked, if there were other ways to get to Avalon, surely the Black Prince would have vehemently tried to use them. Then again she recalled the prince being unseelie, not fey so maybe it was different.

A worried expression crossed her face. “Tomorrow may be too late?” She reiterated. “Goodness, what’s wrong?” Alynia asked before realizing the elf had said he did not know details. This stuck up a bit of suspicion as well. If Oberron’s royal guard didn’t know the king’s status she couldn’t imagine it was all so important. But then again Alynia wished to be at Oberron’s side just as much as Corte claimed the king wanted.

Alynia looked up at Charon and saw he was against this though she didn’t understand why. The centaur was under theoretical orders, while Corte here claimed to be directly ordered by the king. She wondered what happened to Phineas… which she assumed was the young centaur that Charon had sent off earlier when she was rescued.

“I’ll go with you…” She said unsurely looking from Corte to Charon. “If my husband wants me that is where I should be.” Alynia reasoned humbly. She was such a faithful wife.

“Yes, I’ll go to Avalon… but first I would like to rest.” She stated stretching a bit. “It’s been a very toiling day and I am rather mentally exhausted.” She paused thinking a bit. “I’m not too sure If I would be able to make a trip back to the glades as it is before tomorrow morning at the very least.” What would another day do? Alynia had already been reassured that her husband was not dying as long as the forest still lives. “I’m sure Oberron will understand.” She said smiling thinking about the fey king.

“All around us is celebration, won’t you accompany me? So our friend centaur can enjoy the company of his companions?” She requested giving Charon an knowing smile.

"We'll go," Charon interupted. He wasn't as suspicious as Alynia but would never live this down either if this was some sort of trap or deception. He doubted that this was of course but until Oberron relieved him personally then he would stick by the queen's side faithfully. When attention shifted his way he bowed though he made no apologies, not caring if either was upset with him for being thorough.

Corte frowned though as he looked at the weapon master then Alynia. PHebes had about 9 hours to get her to the glad and the way things were looking he wasn't going to get her there alone. He was masked in this illusion so Charon wouldn't know it was him but how could he best or hinder Charon? Nothing was readily jumping into mind. Damn.

Think damnit! Think! What do I know? The queen was in tattered clothes when I saw her. They went to Oswald's place. She is without Oberron but not concerned even in the midsts of a problem. Phineas was sent to Avalon.

"My highness," his eyes darted around. "A word, in private."

Yes, let's see Charon interfere now although he couldn't hope to get out of Charon's line of sight he could at least fool the human, she couldn't have been up to speed on everything yet and so he would use some of this knowledge to his advantage.

When he had her alone he dropped his voice so as not to be over heard. "The king is dying ... there were assassins waiting for him at Avalon when he got there," a big guess on his part since he did not know why Oberron was absent but seeing Alynia in such a state of disarray without the king made for a good probability that someone or something killed him. Now a fey would realize that Oberron would not die as long as the forest lived and that he would reform on Avalon. It was common knowledge and he hoped that she could make the connection, kill Oberron here, interrupt him from reforming there, any sensible assassin would know that he'd be vulnerable at the other end and she did not know if the Heart transcended dimensions and could heal Oberron while he was in Avalon or not.

"He has been poisoned their, his regenerative proccess severed. I don't think he'll survive the night without you. He's very weak as it is, and if he could draw on your powers of Hope there may still be a chance but I'm afraid Puck will be king by this time tomorrow if we don't go to him soon. My companion went to get Sage, he is very knowledgeable about poisons and curing them whereas we split up not wishing to waste time I came straight here." And now a special little touch. "He was asking for you."

He hoped he kept things vague enough where her mind would fill in those details. He also hoped he did well enough to persuade her though if worse came to worse he would have to use his pipes to charm her, though if he did that Charon would be aware that their were satyrs in the area and he'd be both hot on his trail, and he could not hope to get far with a human in tow and that even if he got away with it Charon would make him a prime suspect to check out. Now was the time for him to hold his breath and wait.

Alynia  was just about to request that the centaur stay in the village, knowing that he wanted to celebrate. On the other hand she was pleased that he wanted to go through such extent to protect her, even with a royal guard around, even of it was out of respect for the king. Her thoughts were interrupted as Corte pulled her aside. 

"D-dying?" Alynia squeaked clasping a hand over her mouth. Though there was a part of her that didn't completely believe elf, it just seemed so unlikely. Oberron had been hit by Summer who had been doing it for revenge of Sable. Though there were positively no doubt that there were others that wished to harm him, it wouldn't make sense for them to know when Oberron would have gone to Avalon anyway. It seemed to be a rather complicated thought process, but she was a very logical person. At the same time Alynia was stunned and would've rather not take any risks, especially pertaining with someone who was so dear to her.

"Won't survive the night?" she whispered hurriedly, though wondering what kind of poison could take down the king of fey like that she filled in the blanks herself. He was weakened at that state and so she was worried. "We must make haste then, it's all the more reason for Charon to assist us." she stated thinking traveling would be much faster by centaur.

"I really can't imagine how this could have happened.." Alynia admitted, "And I don't know what I can do to help... But I will certainly try.." she wasn't too confident that her power of 'hope' was really all too effective, but if that's what it took to save a dying man she wanted nothing more than to be at Overrun's side to help.

Phebes had been glad that his poisoned words took hold upon the queen. He was grateful that he did not have to wrack his brain for other mans though he was disheartened by Charon's presence. That was until it dawned on him that he appeared to be an elf and not a satyr. If he had to mount Charon to be swift then he could cold cock the centaur from behind before he knew what was going on.

Alynia he could over power or use his pipes, she already showed she was suspectible to them without Oberron being present he would have had her already! That thought alone was causing his own arousal and he shifted a little to keep it better concealed as he dropped a hand casually toward his crotch to shield her direct view from it. No, it would simply do no good and while he entertained having some fun with the queen he wouldn't be so sure how long Charon would be out for so he was best to just pass her on to Esper, that scary woman! Too bad his pipes didn't work on her, though had he been closer he would have known better than to try.

The queen was eating up this lie, and not knowing the half of it he had to tread very carefully here.

"Oh, I'm afraid we don't want that information getting out just yet so Charon has to stay in the dark of the matter. He is free to accompany use but we don't want it common knowledge just yet incase we are able to save him.

"I have been told that you gave power to Oberron before that assisted him in beating Sable. This would be no different. I am unsure if he has told you anything about such magics or if you understand them but I fear Sage's knowledge of poisons won't help much and that if he is to have any hope it will be in drawing energy from you to counter act this poison, to promote his own health." He used some of the common knowledge he had heard about, mixed in a few soppy details about her being the only one to do this and added elements to keep Charon in the dark, about as good as he could hope to accomplish under the circumstances. She was certainly eating this up and they were about ready to leave, Alynia mounted though Charon stopped Corte from doing the same.

"No, she is slower than us so I afford her the luxury. You have the royal seal that lets you open up small rifts, use that!"

Damn that Charon! So it was not going to be that easy!

He chuckle. "But of course, I only intended on us all arriving at the glade at the same time. You'll slow me down, I'll meet you there." He was still as fast as a centaur and Charon would be burdened carrying her. The centaur nodded, then headed out of the village though once out of the boundries of it he slowed to a trot.

"He is lying your highness. While Corte can use the royal seal to open up dimensional points to make traveling easier he can take people along with him. If he's so concerned about us slowing him down then why not offer to use it so all three of us can pass through. I would have challenged him on it but for two reasons, you were to close to him and may have gotten harmed or worse and that there is no telling what he is or how many centaur would perish as a result of challenging him so I thought it was best to bring you out of harm's way with him still thinking little of the encounter. He seemed to overlook the fact that Corte had the seal so if he were a royal assassin sent by Puck he would have known this. What few know is that I have used the royal seal before as have many of my troops in battles passed where we would form flanks with the utmost of ease."

Alynia watched the elf carefully before turning her head to watch where the centaur was going. Her dress rippled in the riding winds before the Charon suddenly slowed to a stop. While listening to his cautions a slightly bemused expression crossed her face and then she shrugged her shoulders. Though she had initially believed the elf, Alynia wasn’t all to surprised to find that he was lying. Or maybe it was because she wanted to believe Corte was lying.

There was a moment of silence where it was easy to tell that Alynia was thinking things over. She found the idea of being able to open rifts in space to travel rather interesting, but she was much more curious on who would’ve wanted to harm her now that Oberron was away. Her mind did wander briefly to the Satyr that the two had encountered a few days back, but Alynia dismissed the idea doubting that Satyrs, like Charon, could achieve any forms of magic besides their music.

“Hm. I too found gaps in his stories so I’m not completely in shock, but at the same time who would stoop so low to bait me with a dying husband?” she wondered out loud shaking her head in amazement. “At least, I sincerely hope that he was an imposter…” Alynia added sadly thinking what she would have done if Oberron was actually in such danger. She sighed. “Thank you for concerning my safety in the matter and not attacking...”

With that Alynia began to organize her thoughts out loud, “I can’t think of anyone who ardently hates me, besides maybe select few of Sable’s loyal minions and even then I doubt any of them would have known of me being separated from Oberron so I don’t believe it was an assassin.” She peered upward watching the canopies of the trees pass by above them with a thoughtful look. “I guess it could’ve been someone who wanted to get to the king through me. I don’t know how fast new could have spread that he is now in Avalon. But I’m sure he has enemies that keep tabs on his doings.

“Then I assume we are going anywhere right now beside the glade correct?” She suddenly stated noticing that they didn’t appear to be heading in any particular direction.

"Most a Sable's minions lack any magical aptitude and few even know Oberron is gone, save for those that have encounted you who may think it odd that Oberron is not at your side. Of the major personalties aware of it that aren't amongst the centaurs at the village would be the brownie Oswald, Birch the Ent and the dryad Summer.

"Oswald is obsessive about shoes but is harmless. He knows a ton of magic but is not combat trained. In fact I believe the king has gotten shoes from him in the past and I can see no bad blood between them. The Ent has command over plants but no true magic and Summer from my understanding can use limited forms of magic, mostly charms and she and the Ent were created by Sable so even in her passing they would resent you.

"As for enemies of your husband." He paused, Charon thinking of matters. "There are numerous who would seek to get at him by getting at you. The goblin chieftain Pog, The Black Prince, various fey nobles ... I imagine that would be a rather long list indeed so I am unsure of who this imposture is. The Black Prince is unlikely to come here himself, he's busy running his people and I doubt one of Pog's goblins would create such an elaborate ruse my queen. So I am at a loss."

He paused reflecting on things. "We know the glade is likely a trap but we have little information behind this rouse. I can try to circle back and track this imposter and hope by capturing him we can find some answers and decide our next move. "We can ignore this too since we know it is a deception. I would say that we would be faster though not knowing who is behind this I cannot say for certain. This does not seem to be Puck's work, he hates humans but hates to acknowledge them even more so a kidnapping or assassination attempt against one is beneath him and I cannot see what his angel would be unless he knows of his father being in Avalon, then and only then could I see him trying to off you and his father to become king himself though as much as he dislikes his father and you I cannot see that happening."

“Alright, circling back seems reasonable enough… I would be much comfortable knowing who I’m dealing with.” Alynia reasoned. “Also would there be any type of magic that would be able to neutralize such a disguise? Or do you believe that it would just wear off with time?” She wondered knowing even if they did capture the imposter, it would be no help without knowing who it was.

Alynia didn’t really know what to do, completely oblivious to the whole idea of political assassinations, ruses, and anything of that mean. Surely back in her own realm her father had to deal with a good deal about it, but her? She was always under a protective wing. “I suppose it’s best if we try to capture the vigilante and find out his intentions, surely they are ill natured.”

She paused reminding herself a queen should be able to work through such situations, though possible solutions did not come easy. “He seemed very clear that I needed to be at the glade tonight, and not tomorrow. I can assume there’s some sort of deadline or task that needs to be completed. Otherwise I can’t think of a difference one day would be. Actually I think the perpetrator would be rather patient if there wasn’t a certain time by which he needed me. Certainly if he just wanted to hurt me, such actions wouldn’t need such a time frame. I can’t help but think it’s at least a bit more complicated than that.”

“So by saying this, I guess it’s possible that whoever was pretending to be Corte could just be a middle man.” She paused, thinking over her own words. Alynia was trying to think of other instances where a certain deadline had to be met. There was a possibility of a sacrifice like what had happened with Sable, but she was no longer a virgin so such a thing was highly unlikely. The only other idea she could think of if someone else had hired the fake to retrieve her and had set a certain time in which the task had to be completed. The latter seemed much more realistic. “Either way we should find him. We could either turn back to trail him from the behind, or we can go straight to the glade where he should be heading anyway.”

“Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I think it would be better if we trailed from the behind. If my guesses are correct in any way, I would rather not face the true culprit right away. I have learned that those who are subservient are much easier to deal with.” She mused thoughtfully. “As long as you are here to help me, I am rather confident he can’t get away.” She added brightly hopefully adding motivation.

"Surely they are, my queen," Charon was already whirling about towards the village again. He moved to answer her question though. "Such magic can be dispelled easily enough or divinations used to see through such rouses but we centaurs don't have much magic. The shaman, her apprentice, Oswald has a fir amount of magical talent."

Charon paused, uncertain as to what Oberron would do. Well, he was certain in a way figuring that he would serve to protect his queen while someone else checked on this mattered. He could leave her in the village with his son, since he did not know the power of his adversary send Phineas could be a disaster, vonversely he did not want to wish her protection on another.

Yet, yet Alynia had considered trailing this individual. Dangerous but -

"Ok, we will observe the trail and try to use stealth to watch it and the culprit. But you must listen to my commands fully if we find ourselves in a combat situation. As much as I would like to leave you here and check this out myself I will not trust your safety to another, however temporarily.

"Can you do so my queen, if it comes down to it? I of course differ to you in all decisions outside of combat of course." He debated, turned back in the direction of the glade and rested a hand upon his sword almost instinctively expecting trouble although there was none of course.

Charon seemed surprised at Alynia's decision, but she decided not to comment upon his reaction. She nodded thoughtfully. "Then once we capture the imposter, we'll bring him to Oswald.. Or the shaman. Which ever one doesn't really matter." she stated sounding confident. Of course she was not as steadfast as she sounded, but if Alynia didn't at least sound in her own plan, how would it ever work?

"Yes, I'd much rather go with you." she remarked "And follow any combat commands you issue. I can assure you I am utterly useless when it comes to battle." Alynia stated lightheartedly even though everything she was saying was completely true. "

She wrapped her arms around his torso tightly as they picked up speed heading toward the glade. As the queen and the centaur totter along Esper'a eye blinked open groggily feeling the vibrations of hooves on the first floor. She had been sleeping, resting up energy knowing she should probably not be tired tonight while she was dealing the queen also she should be very awake as her Prince gave Esper her strongly anticipated award. Esper shivered and licked her lips at the thought.

She quickly melted into the shadows behind a nearby tree, still able to tell who it was that disrupted her sleep but for them not to see her. Esper watched with surprise as the queen and Charon rode by. Esper assumed they were heading toward the glade. She was not planning to head there until midnight on the dot, but currently it didn't seem like the satyr had everything under control. 

Esper pouted her lips and stretched. She really didn't like being interrupted in her sleep, but her anger was all the more reason to let the satyr fail for now. Yes, she would let the queen get away and let Phebes fail. Then she would punish the satyr. Esper smirked wickedly, it was something she was actually looking forward to. 

Esper had time before she had to get back to her prince. Though she wanted to by besides Gersham as soon as she could, Esper wanted to have a bit of fun too so she waited. Impatiently but waited nevertheless. 

"Your not useless," Charon proclaimed though it sounded as if he believed her to be the best critique of her work thus far and he wasn't really sure about his statement, how could he be? He was being kind of course, but truthful too seeing that centaurs were terrible liars.

"You still have Summer's envenomed dagger," he reminded her, though she wouldn't have to be the best combatant to get a lucky blow in with it. Charon gave her a reassuring smile as the pair headed on, oblivious to Espers presence. Soon after making unnatural strides came an elf, bounding from heel to hell after them. He seemed to be going unnaturally fast and was persuing the others, either he was following the pair close at hand or perhaps was a rear guard in the event that something happened to the centaur, he could move up from a position in the reserves to lend assistance where needed.

But he soon disappeared out of sight. Phebes had no intention in failing and thus would do what he could. In a sense he had succeeded in that he got the queen to the glade before midnight. The trick would be keeping her there until midnight.

At the glade there was little outside of the ordinary save for a shiver of remembrance that the queen had. Birch was right ther, and that was the patch of grass where Oberron ... she tried not to think of it, tried to tell herself that it was ok, that Oberron was ok.

As these thoughts had been shunted out of her mind she could hear Charon make some observation. He had drawn his blade, though seeing nothing suspicious the weapon master pressed further into the glade.

"You know, your highness, it would be best to take the imposter to the village, keeping him confined should anything happen would be far easier there. We could always get Oswald to go there," his tone was low though it was clear that he had reflected on this over the trip. Always a tactician it seemed Charon was use to second and triple guessing things.

He flickered his gaze at her, nodded a little as if affirming his own statement but held up a hand. He heard something, at least he thought he had heard something back the way they came. This was a bad idea ... he got the sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach that something was out there.

  "Yes I suppose you're right, but I don't believe I'm at that point where I can drive a blade into another creature without completely destroying my conscience." she muttered rather distraught turning the light black knife over in her hands. "I suppose I could if worse comes to worst... But I'll admit I'd rather we not face any combat if possible..." Alynia's voice trailed off as she turned her head thinking that she noticed the elf that had bounded behind them before quickly vanishing again. 

Alynia sighed softly as the centaur walked cautiously into the glade. She didn't like being back here, it brought bad memories. Clutching closer to Charon, she really didn't like the tense atmosphere. "I agree... Capturing and confining the imposter would be the best course of action." she whispered as he walked steadily into the opening. "But we can o my accomplish such if the fraud shows himself.."

She placed a hand over her mouth to prevent any sounds of surprise from emitted as Charon stopped suddenly raising a hand telling her that he heard something. Alynia glanced over her shoulder nervously. She hadn't heard anything, but it was easily assumed that the centaur had a more acute sense of hearing than humans.

Esper quickly ducked behind a tree as the pair stopped, she had been following them wondering where her satyr friend had gone. She considered taking the queen now, but she had no intention to get into a fight with the centaur weapons master. It was that damn Phebe's job to get rid of him! Why should she dirty her hands? She quickly melted into the shadows appearing on the other side of the glade, watching with a light frown on her face. 

The centaur had abruptly stopped as if it had heard something. Esper growled lightly, she wanted the satyr to get rid of the horse so she could have the queen for herself... Or her prince actually. Esper felt bitter feelings surging up within her again, still thinking Alynia unworthy for her master's attention. But because she was intent to stay away from Charon's blade she could think of nothing better to do than to wait.