The Forgotten Zodiac

"It would be strange if we didn't need you, Reetah," L'arc said, looking up. He gestured to Rush. "We got a deal with the witches of Halberd Hall. They're going to fix Rush for us," he said.

"Oh? And let me guess. He's too heavy for you." Reetah smiled knowingly.

"I can carry him," Manny protested. "But...not for very long."

"It's fine. At least I know I'm still important to you lot," The dragoness chuckled. "Well then, when were you planning to leave?"

"Anytime you're ready," Verolen stood. "Who all wanted to come?" He looked at the others, not entirely sure.

"Well, now that I know Sylas will be fine while I'm gone... yeah, I'd like to see Halberd," L'arc said, standing up. "And I can use vines to hold Rush still if need be. Provided we're on the ground, of course."

"I don't think that'll be needed, since he's paralyzed and all," Verolen pointed out quietly. "But you're free to come along. I don't think Sylas will join us, considering his promise. Were you coming too, Eve? Did you want to go, Manny?"

"I...uh, maybe. If mom is going." Manny nodded.

((Eve is with Ullar.))

"I think I'll come," L'arc said with a nod. He turned to look at Sylas, Kendra, and Byrne. "You guys will hold down the fort, right?" he asked.

((I knew that. 936))

"Yeah, sure." Sylas shrugged. Reetah had to explain to Manny that 'mom' was watching over Ullar for her, to which Manny shook his head.

"I won't go, then. But I'll carry him outside for you," He agreed.

"That's fine, then. More manpower here, which is a good thing." Reetah nodded.

"Right," L'arc said, looking over to Verolen. "Should we wait on the balcony, then?" he asked. He looked back over to Sylas, then glanced to Kendra. The girl was sitting crosslegged on Sylas' bed, her eyes closed as she relaxed.

L'arc smiled a bit at Sylas and shook his head, then headed for the balcony.

Sylas waved a bit, blushing profusely again. Manny turned and picked up Rush, walking to the balcony. Verolen stretched a bit, ready to go. Reetah left the room through the door, planning to swing around over the castle in dragon form.

Verolen grinned. "Hey L'arc, try lifting Rush's arm. I bet you can't." He said, pointing at the Chimera-thing's limp arm.

"What? Of course I can," L'arc said, grabbing the chimera's arm. "He's manakete, isn't he? They're not heavy..."

Verolen grinned. Rush's arm wouldn't budge, feeling much like lead. L'arc couldn't lift it without a lot of strain. "You haven't touched him much before, have you? He's not just a Manakete. He's a part of every species known to demonkind. Including...potato. All that DNA packed into one being makes for a density unlike any other. Most people wouldn't survive such incredible weight. It's just a testament to how strong Rush really is. To lift his arm is a feat for you, but he does it without any more effort than you have to exert, lifting your own arm. It's quite interesting..."

"Are you done playing?" Reetah chortled, taking Rush from Manny, holding him in her claws, "He really is heavy. Still, we should go," She held her free hand out to Verolen and L'arc. The demon prince fetched a blindfold from his pocket, tying it securely around his eyes.

"Ready."

"Ah..." L'arc was about to comment on the blindfold, when he remembered Verolen's fear of hieghts. Then, he simply shook his head and climbed into Reetah's hand, grabbing Verolen's arm and pulling him up as well.

Verolen followed along with L'arc's pulling, and soon enough, they were flying off towards Halberd Hall.

((I DUNNO WHAT TO DO NAO SO SORRY IT'S SO SHORT -sob-))

((MINE ALWAYS IS SO NO JUDGEMENT))

((HOW ABOUT SOME KENDRA/SYLAS?))

Kendra opened her eyes and stretched, reaching her arms above her head and inhaling deeply. She looked over at Sylas and smiled. "Relaxed?" she asked.

((SURE))

Sylas nodded a bit. "Yeah...I definitely feel a lot calmer. Probably a good thing."

"It is a good thing," Aries tutted. "That potion cured the stitching, but if you sustained damage to your heart...that's bad, Sylas. You know what kind of trouble we get into. If you suffer a heart attack in battle..."

"I know." Sylas sighed. "I'll be careful, Aries."

"Good. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go grab some food from the kitchens. Want anything, Sylas?"

"You know my usual." Sylas shrugged. Aries nodded and headed off; fruits and nuts. Sylas seldom ate anything else, though he would eat meat if he had to.

Kendra watched Aries go, then smiled at Sylas. "I have never met Viera before this," she said. "They are quite an interesting people. I had read of them in books, but novels about the surface are rare indeed."

"Aries is great," Sylas smiled. "I'm glad she's still alive. We met others...a nice elder named Rhre and a small family...I hope everything is okay for them. I think L'arc and Ullar ran into them..." He shook his head. "You'd think there'd be more of them. I mean...they are rabbits. Kind of. But...I dunno how they got to be so few."

"Nor do I," Kendra said, then sighed. "I do not think it would be wise to ask, either. They seem to be a proud people - I would not wish to incite sorrow in them," she said.

"I come from the South, in the Darklands," she replied. "It is a land dedicated to the old ways - it has been our custom for ages to serve as guards and stewards for the king. We are raised with weapon in hand and ancient knowlegde in our heads, to be the current ruler's champions," she said.

She paused. "We currently recognize Prince Verolen as the ruler, but he may not have heard of us. Our clan is secluded, and for the past several generations we have only been known by the current head of the Darklands."

"You serve the throne, but not the current one. Makes sense." Sylas nodded thoughtfully. "So you're...a good fighter then?" He turned his head, looking at the scythe she had come with. "It's a nice weapon, but I don't think I'd be good with something like that. Unless I were to throw it," He smiled a bit. "I'm a bowmaster, I think they're called..."

((Aw man, I just got a cute idea for a little cartoon. The Manaketes are running low on money for the war and so our little heroes have to find ways to help make money for the war effort. Verolen would be sitting on the 'dunking' thing where you throw the balls to hit the target and it drops the person into the water. Poor Verolen. xDD Verdi would play music, Arachne would sell flower bouquets, Israel and Rush would be rides, and Sylas...

Sylas would be running the oh-so-clever 'beat me in an archery competition and you win the jackpot, 5 silver pieces to play'. xDD))