The Envoy crossed into the Dutchy of Ackabond at twilight. Upon reach the Port-Town of Sandy Shallows, they checked into an inn and rested. While Nestlee and Ryowolf slept, Blackbird, Head Knight Gale, and two other guards would rotate watch shifts in pairs in two hour shifts. Around two o'clock in the morning, Gale and Blackbird were woken up, and assumed guard.
For a while, neither of them spoke. However, Gale broke the silence as her curiousity was peaked from the battle earlier. "Pardon my bluntness, but where did you learn to fight like that? I've never seen anyone handle a War Troll like that." Blackbird met her eyes, "Long before I was enslaved to that wretched man... I was a warrior. I fought for a home that no longer exists." Blackbird's voice trailed off, memories of the day the skies rained down ash and sulfur onto his homeland... just before it was wiped off of the map by the Demon Lord Cyphereus.
As the Blackbird returned to reality, he sighed. "The deciding factor on the day my people died, came down to the Demon Lord Cyphereus's overwhelming might and my grit." Gale looked at Blackbird confused. "Grit? What do you mean by that?" The Blackbird's ruby-colored eyes pierced the darkness to stare at her. "Grit is..." he paused a moment to think of a good reply, "Grit is the result you get when one combines passion, perseverance, and stamina no matter the cost." Gale nodded slowly, soaking in his reply. Then she looked back at him, "What could've possesed you to take on a Demon Lord? I can understand lower-tier monsters, hell, even a War Troll... but a Demon Lord?!" Gale's expression was exasperated. However, it was in Blackbird's reply that would haunt her until the end of her days.
"... I made a promise." The Blackbird let out a deep breath as he told her the tale. A young girl, no older than the child the envoy almost trampled, ran up into the village scream in terror. She told the village elder demons were in the woods. At once the decision was made to seal the village gates... but is was too late. Hordes of demons crashed through the walls, the gate, flew in from above... all hell had broken loose. Eventually, after slaughtering nearly every warrior, it was the village chief and Blackbird who remained. Despite Blackbird's youth, he'd best many demons, and keep the villagers safe. However, when Demon Lord Cyphereus appeared, the villagers made a deal. One life for their lives spared...
"And you were the sacrifical lamb..." Said Gale, eyes soft hearing Blackbird's story. However... "No. The little girl was. I was too young to have children, but my body and soul screamed as this was wrong... so I promised to make sure she was never taken by the demons." Gale winched at the thought of her next question, but asked it anyways. "Well... did you?" Blackbird didn't look at Gale, rather he closed his eyes, holding back tears. "The villagers... killed her... so I slaughtered them too, demons and humans alike... So no, I did not save her."
That was the last thing Blackbird said before the sun crested the horizon, allowing light to enter the inn's many windows. As Blackbird entered the room to wake everyone up, Gale caught a glimpse of his soul, using her ability Eye of Hidden Sight. His soul was that of a fire. Clearly, talking about the moment his life as a warrior ended had begun to choke out that fire. Gale sighed softly now realizing the reason he even stood up to the Royal Knights and the Bishop... was pure instinct. Trying to atone for his failure of the past.
Meanwhile, Nestlee stretched as he sat up, still groggy from a long night of map studying. His long, oversized nightshirt was hanging off one of his shoulders as he got out of bed. As he pushed his window open, the scent of sunbaked saltwater wafted into the open window as he started to get dressed. As he entered his powder room, he spritzed himself with a new cologne the local pharmacist had come up with, "Saltwater-Karamel". He washed his face thoroughly before putting on his salmon-colored button-up and white vest. Just before he left, he grabbed his bag and looked in the mirror with a sigh. "Yep... A certifiable lady killer... IF I COULD ONLY TALK TO A LADY!" Nestlee shook his head and left his room, then left the inn he was staying at and joined up with the others.
The local fishers shook their heads as he passed by them, for it was obvious to all of them that the "certified lady killer", could always find a way to be/dress just a little more flamboyantly every day, as they all knew, he had no interest in women. However, for Nestlee, today was a big day. He lead them into the Guild Headquarters of Darkened-Seas Guild. With the approval of the guild's clerk, the remnant of the envoy made their way to the port. There, his ship, the SSRaven, he'd spent the last few months making it perfect for his journey ahead, as he was going to be be escorting the envoy to the far continent of Pavlon. As they boarded the SS Raven, "Good morning to you, Sir Westland." Said the First Officer as Nestlee came aboard. "A good morning to you too, First Officer Sud. Have all the preparations been made?" The First Officer nodded and followed Nestlee into the Captain's quarters.
"Of course, sir! We are ready to depart." Nestlee nodded at the First Officer's reply and dismissed him. The First Officer saluted and then left the quarters shouting orders to his men. Once the sails were lowered, Nestlee took his place at the helm and closed his eyes as the naval-classed sailors raised the anchor. The twink-like, young man raised his arms as powerful magic swirled around the ship and gave the ship a massive boost. "All hands! We make history today!" Yelled out First Officer Sud. The crew cheered and got to work getting their mission underway... unaware they were being pursued.