<font color="darkred">"Give the order and we'll move out,"</font> Said Gus, while moutning his horse.

<font size=1><font color=silver>Arlyth sighed, and replied sadly, <font color=skblue>"Tragic... I'm glad neither of you were killed. Your right, it does sound utterly pointless. Its... a shame so much blood was spilled."</font> he sighed, and glaced at the horizon. <font color=skblue>"I fear by the end of this... we may not all come back as we first went in, if we come back at all."</font> he sighed again, deeply. <font color=skblue>"What a great way to start the morning. With such morbid topics. Want to pick another?"</font> he asked, <font color=skblue>"Or shall I just shut up, and keep quiet like a good little elf?"</font> his smile was slight, and weak in an attempt to shake his morbid mood.</font>

ooc-the order to move out has already been given (read alaerth's last dialouge post)

Alae shrugged and absently stroked Star Shadow's shoulder, <font color=pink>"This journey has already begun to change us, though we don't know it yet. I don't doubt that we will come back different. I just pray to the gods that we come back alive. All of us."</font>

Gua Nodded and decided to bring up the rear, looking and listening for any danger with his emptied mind.

<font size=1><font color=silver>Arlyth looked at his cousin sharply. <font color=skblue>"What do you mean?"</font> he asked, <font color=skblue>"I... the only thing that has changed for me is old wounds being opened up again, and the constant feeling of pain."</font> he sighed, then smiled. <font color=skblue>"And... meeting you."</font> a pause, <font color=skblue>"Even if I do fall on this, at least I'll have known you for a time at least, and that alone makes this journey worth while."</font> he smiled again. <font color=skblue>"Still, better if none of us fall."</font> </font>

Alae just shook her head to his negative words. She drew Isan and spun it in her hand to keep her mind off the present.
<font color=silver>"The trees are beginning to thin."</font> Alaerth said after a few moments <font color=silver>"We should be out of them in a few minutes."</font> He glanced at his sister in concern breifly before turning his eyes ahead.

<font size=1><font color=silver><font color=skblue>"Something I said?"</font> Arlyth asked Alae, his tone mild. <font color=skblue>"I see you can fight from horse, no doubt a useful skill."</font> he grinned suddenly, <font color=skblue>"Something else you were required to learn?"</font>

Alae glanced at him,
<font color=pink>Defarians are one of this plane's leading horse breeders. Almost everyone has one, and those of the army ride into battle. It is a required skill, yes, but one everyone enjoys learning."</font>

<font size=1><font color=silver>Arlyth smiled, and replied, <font color=skblue>"Also something that was required in my education, amongst other things."</font> he sighed, <font color=skblue>"Both mother and father thought that I should have a full nobles upbringing, and more. I imagine I had to learn almost as much as you; as well as all the ranger training they gave me."</font> he shook his head and sighed. <font color=skblue>"Ah well. So, across the border... they're not very friendly then? Is this the same people you fought?"</font> he asked, meaning the war Alae had just told him of.</font>

<font color=pink>"No, we are at peace with the people we faught with. Their land is to the south. We have never faught with the people of this land, but the tyrannical ruler of their says enough of what they are like."</font>