Chapter 1 - Departure

The group spent the night feasting on the carcass of the wolf and talking. By the time the sun had risen, most of the group was ready to go. Marinus had to be woken up from his deep sleep.

“Oh right! Had forgotten we’ve got somewhere to go.”

Marinus gathered his things and caught up to the rest of the group who were a little farther ahead. They travelled for quite some time, stoping at a creek to fill up their water bottles and to have a rest.

“So, we’re going to this place called Sunnoh right? Heard it’s quite big. We getting more recruits there or something?”

Marinus put his bottle back into his pocket as he wondered why they were stopping over at another town. He knew they needed more supplies, but he also knew that supplies could be obtained from villages more closer.

The group was off yet again, marching through a small forest. It was a peaceful journey through the forest, only a couple of goblins daring to test the groups strength, but nothing too powerful.

As the group came out of the forest, they were at the edge of a large plain with quite a large town centred in the middle. Marinus knew that they were finally at the kingdom of Sunnoh.

“There it is! Finally, we can get some rest and maybe have a little fun before we leave again.”

The group entered the gates of the large town. It seemed very different to their town in Kina. There was quite a vast amount of people, all working away in shops or running errands for other people and children played on the streets with animals.

“Whoa! Where do we start?”

You will start right here. Welcome to Sunnoh travelers, my father has beckoned you to our Kingdom, and he wishes me to meet you. My name is Shinu, Prince Shinu. Please, accompany me to our palace, and on your way, make a note of things you would like and or need and I will be sure that we accomodates you.

Shinu bowed slightly, being the courteous host that he was, well schooled in manners and politeness. He was a brilliant swordsman and military strategist, well trained and highly valuable to the Sunnoh people as the future of their land. There was more to Shinu than a well trained Prince, even more than he even knew about himself.

Shall we?

Kel stared blankly at Shinu for a few seconds, as if trying to process the meaning of his words. She nodded silently, following the prince and her group.

The adventurers slowly made their way to the beautiful palace. Along the way, they passed the town square that bloomed with bustling crowds of people. A huge crystalline fountain sprayed clear, pale-blue water into the sunlit sky, creating small, crisp rainbows.

The palace suddenly towered before them, its brilliance evident in the noisy city. The architecture of the great castle was so strange but so beautiful, even Kel made note to take a closer look sometime.

She turned towards Shinu, waiting expectantly.

As the group walked towards the palace, Marinus took in all he could see, he loved the place. He watched dancers as he passed by, stared at the fresh apples in the food stands and took interest in the fine craftsmanship of armour and weapons being made by blacksmiths.

“This place is better than I thought! I’m glad we stopped here.”

Marinus was too busy watching everything but where he was going. He bumped into the side of the palace. Surprised, he looked up. His jaw dropped in awe at the sheer size of the palace. It was huge and decorated with all sorts of decorations and plants. He wondered what was inside as Prince Shinu beckoned them to come in.

As the last of the group walked inside of the palace, the amazement did not stop. The inside was twice as beautiful as the outside. Large curtains draped across windows, exotic plants from places Marinus had never heard of and above all, Marinus could see the kitchen from where he was standing. He thought it was the best thing he had seen all day.

“I’ll be gone for a couple of minutes. Please, make yourselves at home, and don’t hesitate to ask for anything.” Said Shinu

“Some dinner would be nice!” replied Marinus

Shinu ordered some servants to prepare dinner. As he walked away a servant came up to the group and showed them the way into the dining hall. It was a large room filled with lots of tables decorated with fine cutlery. As Marinus sat down, his stomach could be heard gurgling.

“Hope they’re not too long. Who knows what I might do if I don’t get any food soon.”

Kazu sat down silently. Although he was hungry, he did not intend to be fed by nobles.
Kazu feasted his eyes upon the splendid dining room. He closed his lips to keep from whistling.
Man, this Prince Shinu guy sure has a hell lot of a money, Kazu thought.The dining room had a huge, glistening chandelier hanging delicately from the ceiling. The ceiling itself was magnificent, shaped as a dome, just like cathedral. The walls were of ivory-white marble, and the soft, pale colored curtains were tied aside so that the warmth of the sunkissed light spilled into the room and and danced like sparkles against the beautiful glass silverware.
Kazu watched as servants rushed in and out, bringing in the first course: beef. Blood-red, sweet smelling wine was poured into their wine glasses. His entire party started to feast, except Kel and himself.
Kel gave him a look. He ignored her and the delicious food sitting in front of him, and watched the birds sing outside the window.[/size]

Kel stared Kazu down, unaware of his thoughts. She turned to watch the rest of her party feast, and waited patiently.
"Aren't you going to eat?" a maid asked Kel.
"Negative," Kel replied,"I must recharge." She then absentmindedly took out a long, blue cord, and plugged it into a nearby electrical outlet. Kel slid the other end of the wire onto her arm, and little azure lights pulsed rhythmicly. Kel started to feel more awake, and sat still as she recharged.

“Ah, that was good!” Exclaimed Marinus as let out a burp.

Marinus waited until the rest of his companions finished. When they all had finished, they were led into a large room with large comfy seats. The maid said to wait until the prince returned, but Marinus was curious and decided to go check out the rest of the palace.

“I’m just going to the toilet”

Marinus snuck off and went down a large corridor. The place seemed like what he had expected. Kitchens, large guest bedroom, but what intrigued him the most was a room that was full of the history of the prince’s bloodline. Marinus flicked through a couple of scrolls and books, he found out that the prince’s family was far more different to other royal families. His was a family of noble warriors.

“oh, so we did stop here to pick someone up then. Never guessed it was the prince himself.”

There was a rustling at the door. Marinus put the books back and hid behind one of the bookcases, hoping the person would just pass on by.

Kazu walked into the huge, well embroidered room, and spotted Marinus duck behind a bookcase. "Hey," Kazu said, "What are you doing?"
His stomach growled suddenly. He laughed sheepishly and replied, "Sorry, I didn't eat much." He noticed that Marinus had a weird expression on.
"What's up? What were you doing here anyway?"

“Me, well I was just passing by thinking this might the toilet room, but it’s obviously not and well I decided to stick around for a bit… What are you doing here yourself?”

Startled and a bit embarrassed, Marinus stood back up. He was still holding one of the books he was reading. It was called the book of royal blood. Marinus walked over to Kazu, waving the book in the air.

“I think I found some interesting information!”

Marinus opened the book to the page he was reading, which had a picture of a man in armour, fighting a giant dragon on one page, and writing on the other. Marinus read out the page to Kazu and it had become more clear to them why they had stopped at this place.

“So… This means that prince guy is going to join us, doesn’t it? It would explain why he knew we were coming.”

Kazu took the book and read the passage carefully.
"Hm. So is this like Shinu's family prphecy. I see."
Kazu smiled at Marinus. "You're quite the bookworm! How'd you find this?"

“Just opened it to a random page. Lucky find, I guess.”

Marinus went back to pulling out books and looking at them, another one caught his attention. The book was about monsters and how to slay them, Marinus put the book in his pocket.

“Hrm… This will come in handy later on. Well, I think I’m gonna head back now. I’ll see ya when you get back to that big room.”

Marinus opened the door and walked out, leaving Kazu in the room on his own.

'Does he always steal stuff like that?' Kazu thought as Marinus walked out of the room.
He was alone.
Kazu looked around in the dark, quiet library. Tall mahogany bookshelves towered to the ceiling, ladders clinging to their sides. He scanned the spines and took out a book that looked interesting.
He sat down and read. After what felt like a few hours, Kazu realized that his friends had probably finished eating and might be looking for him. He closed the book, slid it in its proper place on the shelf, and ran out to the hallway to see what his friends were doing.

Kazu walked right into Kel since she stood right in the doorway.
"Kazu? Is Marinus or the prince present? I must speak to them."
Kazu noticed that the tips of the girl's fingers tingled with blue sparks. She caught him staring and held her fingers to his face. "Recharge complete."

"Ah!" Kazu laughed. "Sorry, Kelly."
He grinned as he watched her expressionless face became a bit annoyed.
"So, what are we waiting for? What's next?" He asked.

A tall king donning a brilliant red and gold robe entered the room. With a smile he started...

Warriors! Tales of your struggle has reached the Kingdom of Sunnoh! It would be my honor to leave my only son with you on your journey.

The Prince who welcomed them bowed from behind his father, seeming more obedient than anything else.

Will you accept my offer?

Everyone turned their heads toward Kel. She was the primary leader, after all, or at least, in Kazu's view.
"It wouldn't hurt at all,'' Kazu replied, hiding his hatred towards the higher society.