Alois stood at the village's edge, hood drawn up tight and face carefully shadowed as he waited for his friends. He was understandably confused as to why they had needed to see him, and since the village was on their way, he decided it would not hurt to stop and see what they had to say. Since Muto was there, perhaps he just needed reassurance that Alois was alright, this had been the longest he had gone without seeing him after all. Aksel had remained behind in a dug out they had found, he would wait out the day there before finding Alois once more.

It was several moments before Alois caught sight of Nai, and saw that he waved for Alois to remain where he was. He was leading Muto his way, fiercely whispering to him and keeping a tight hold on the man. Nai walked passed Alois, and entered an isolated thatched house, leaving the door slightly ajar. Alois knew the sign, and waited several moments and entered after him. He shut the door and turned to be greeted by a rather subdued Muto and Nai by his side.

"What's going on you two? Has the King tried to punish you?"

Nai looked to Muto as if waiting for him to explain, and quickly grew irritated when the other remained silent. "No he hasn't. We actually came because Muto has suspicions that you are or will be betrayed soon. We have not uncovered any information that shows that, but he was quite insistent."

Muto stepped forward then, gaze pleading as he stared into Alois's own. He spoke then, his voice now clear of the rasp as he took both his hands in his own. His eyes blazed with intelligence tinged with panic, and it unsettled the former Hunter to see.

"You must be careful. The doctor betrays. He will destroy you. They forced his hand and he has broken. The doctor betrays."

The words initially confused Alois, but despite his confusion he felt a deep sense of foreboding fill him, freezing his insides. He searched Muto's gaze for an explanation, but was only met with earnestness. "Where did you hear about the doctor, Muto?"

The other man was silent, his clear eyes filling with confusion and finally he blinked, seeming to have returned to the same empty slate he had always been. He lit up, as if seeing Alois for the first time. He threw himself forward, hugging him with a soft cry.

Alois looked up at Nai who only shrugged. "He suddenly spoke, saying he's had to find you. This is the first mention of a doctor I have heard."

Alois was silent, watching the subdued man who smiled up at him from his arms. Despite their stark height difference with Muto towering over Alois when he stood straight, the Hunter always felt as if he was the one looking down at Muto. "How long are you two here?"

"That's the thing. He and I are not going back. We are going to prepare and wait here. The other two will join us shortly I would imagine, since the King’s orders came as we left."

He had Alois's attention then. "What?!"

Nai smiled. "We will be quietly resigning while the King summons the units to march on these Golden Ones. You are going to be with them Alois. We will not risk fighting you and letting you stew in guilt for seeing us die."

Alois was speechless, gaze boring into him with awe. "But...you'll be discharged...hunted by the Capitol."

"The King is focused. He will not even notice we have gone until it is far too late to pursue us." Nai pushed himself forward, gently prying Muto from his arms. "Trust us. We can fend for ourselves. I already have plans in place. Of course, if you ever have need of us, we will aide you. No matter where you are. Or who you find yourself to be."

Alois felt overwhelmed, he certainly didn't do anything in life to earn the loyalty of these men. Before he could recover enough to reply, Nai pushed him to the door. "Get going. Clear the village by the night, and please keep us updated as best you can."

Alois nodded, throat thick with emotion as he pulled his hood back on and quietly left.

He would repay them one day, he swore on it as he left the small village behind.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Aksel had told Alois they were not far out from the Carpathian territory. He had advised that it would be best to refer to them by their proper name from now on, and that he should let Aksel speak on his behalf. He mused that it had been some time since he had seen the Carpathians, and did not know how things fared within the Clan.

The two had started speaking more, with Aksel telling him what he could remember about Layrion, and Alois telling him what he could remember of growing up, and the brief memories he had of his life before Yulian. Aksel had been surprised by the fact that an Icchorian had lived undetected by the Humans, and he of course became smug at the fact that Alois had Icchorian blood in him, even though he insisted that wasn't his real mother.

It had taken until now, and with Alois having told Aksel what Muto and Nai had confided to him, that Aksel was able to ask Alois about something he had noted about the Hunter while he slept.

"Engbrecht." His voice pulled the Human to a halt. He had taken to calling Alois by his last name since the Human refused to use his own. The Icchorian could tell it annoyed him, and that was only another reason to keep doing it.

"I want to ask you something."

Alois cast him a slightly irritated glance. "You ask me things all the time. Why stop now?" He then noticed how serious Aksel looked and straightened up. "What is it?"

"Do you....remember your dreams?"

Alois grew still. "What do you mean?"

"You have mentioned a doctor in them before."

Alois stared at him, his hands falling to his sides. "What? I don't remember them. Do...do I really talk in my sleep?" When Aksel nodded Alois narrowed his gaze. “What do I say?”

Aksel sighed, shifting. "I was going to ask Lady Layrion about it, thinking perhaps it had to do with the legends, but your friend mentioning the same thing from your dream makes me think otherwise."

"What did I say in my dreams?" Alois was chilled, the same sinking feeling he had when Muto spoke had returned.

"You were.... begging. Pleading. I can't say what for...but you wanted it to stop. Could it be....a repressed memory?"

Alois scowled. "I would remember something like that. I can't recall any of my dreams...honestly I thought I quit having them." Aksel observed that his white curls were a bit longer, another trait of Icchorians was their ability to grow hair at a far faster rate than Humans. He kept that to himself though, Alois would know in time.

Aksel tilted his head in question as the two resumed walking. He waited for Alois to collect his thoughts and speak once more. The only thing that could be heard for awhile were several deep breaths while he collected himself and launched into his story.

"When I was younger, I use to dream of different things. Moving across vast expanses of land, the ground flying under me so fast it was like I was flying." He smiled softly. "That was my favorite. It would be different areas each time. So it was always something new to see. Other times, I would dream that I was in a fight...there would be so much happening, I would be able to feel the adrenaline, the fear and the anger. But it wasn't me there. It was always like I was on the inside looking out. There were as many battles as there were flying." He sighed as he jumped over a fallen tree, noting the thick fog that rolled in quickly. "I quit having them when I started my own training...but maybe I really didn't...maybe I just can't remember them anymore."

Aksel knew that whatever Alois had dreamed before and what he was dreaming now were different. Alois would say much more than pleading words of mercy, but he wasn't sure that would benefit Alois to know. He nodded to show Alois he had heard and the two fell into a silence as the fog grew thicker still.

The quiet around them was foreboding, and Aksel felt his senses begin to grow on edge. They were being watched, he was sure. Subtly he drew closer to Alois, ready to do what he needed should the Clan no longer be welcoming to outsiders.

It took Alois only a moment longer before he was able to pick up the change in the atmosphere. He tensed, but otherwise showed no other indication that he knew. His ruby gaze remained carefully trained on the path in front of them, only a crinkly in his brow showing he was on alert.

They walked for a bit more in the charged silence, both tense and ready for what waited in the mist. Alois tugged his hood down further, ready for whatever came at them.

A figure loomed ahead of them, silent as the fog swirled about them. The man, it was apparent now, seemed to be waiting for them. As they came to a halt about a yard away, Alois took note of the golden armor the man wore, plated and heavy looking although he seemed to have no trouble maintaining his stance. Long blonde hair held in a loose bun was a contrast to Aksel’s own dark hair, and Alois found himself marveling at the existence of another Icchorian in Human form.

"State your reason for coming to these mountains." The voice was clipped, gaze steady and piercing, as if assured he was more than enough to stop the two visitors should they prove hostile. His words were accented in a way unfamiliar to Alois, but he was still able to make out what he was saying.

Aksel stepped forward. "My name is Aksel Storlin, and I am friend of the Carpathians. I have come to seek an audience with Lady Layrion, and my friend desires to speak with her as well."

The guard's gaze passed to Alois. "Is this true?"

"Yes. My name is Alois Engbrecht. I seek the Carpathians’ protection." It was what Aksel had told him to say should he be addressed directly until they were sure they were welcome.

The two were surveyed in silence before a low growl echoed in the small valley. The guard nodded. "Follow me."

Alois had grown alarmed at the low rumbling sound, but Aksel had appeared unconcerned with it, which put him a bit at ease. Could there be another Icchorian stationed in the valley who didn't maintain their Human form? Alois felt excitement grow inside him, he wanted to see one in their natural state, in control of their mind and their senses. Aksel had politely informed him that it had been thousands of years since he had taken on his beast form, and would be his last choice if he ever had to again. Alois had understood, but was still disappointed.

Yet if it were common for the Carpathians to use the forms, then surely he would see one while he was here. So wrapped up in his excitement, that when Alois started to pay attention again he found that he was definitely lost. The surrounding scenery was not very defining and there were no landmarks to speak of.

He glanced at Aksel who gave him a small nod before coming to a stop shortly behind the guard. The man was speaking to someone in a doorway, gesturing towards them periodically. He soon turned. "They will take you to the training hall. Lady Ammy will receive you there."

The two visitors nodded their thanks as the guard disappeared into the mist. They followed the humbly dressed woman, who smiled kindly at them. Alois instantly felt a connection, returning her smile.

"Excuse me miss, can you tell me who Lady Ammy is?"

"She is the Lady Layrion's sister as well as head advisor. She is the highest ranking member currently residing in position at the moment." Alois again glanced at Aksel who nodded.

"So Lady Layrion is not here?"

"No Sir, she is not."

Alois did not ask anymore questions, becoming quickly distract by the rooms they passed, each different in what they seemed to be used for. He saw desks and rows of books that his fingers itched to open, tables laden with vials and jars and what seemed to be equipment rooms holding weapons and armor. He felt overwhelmed. Here was a civilization of creatures that Humans thought were incapable of basic thought. They had furniture and structure and the arts. Everything that the scholars in the Capitol theorized was impossible for Icchorians to even comprehend.

He was brought out of his thoughts when a large room opened up to them. It was shaped as a sparring ring that was enclosed by a low wall. Various training dummies lined the edges of the wall, but they were not in use by the two participants. One was a man whose figure was thinner than the others but still built, lost in the billowing of his loose tunic and short pants as he swung a simple sword at the other fighter. The Seer was laughing as he seemed to both tease and correct him, his dark blue hair swaying over covered eyes. A dark haired elegant woman watched from the far side of the arena, her gaze locked onto the other man that growled at the Seers taunts.