?Sir! Cadencia, is en route with Red, Sir! They are just a few blocks down the street.?
Jonathan, offered a nod to the cadet, who in turn took his leave once more, running back towards Cadencia, Red and their newly formed caravan.
Jonathan then turned to Sean shaking his head softly, ?Seems like older times, Sean. Remember when we first came here to Rhy?din??
?How the hell can I forget, Jonathan? You damn near lost everything you worked for, playing with Kairee as you did.?
This time it was Sean who shook his head, ?And the second time. Well, I?ve no idea, what the hell we were thinking then, Jonathan.?
?Either way Sean, it all lead us to this moment, did it not?? Jonathan, glanced about the area that was the Market Place of Rhy?din. The pair were near the Grande Fountain in the Centre proper.
?Guess it did, John. But this time, it feels different, you know? This time it feels..?
?This time Sean, it feels very real and more so, very finite.?
?Something like that, John. I don?t know. What we are dealing with here, well you saw the watch when we came in. You heard about Marfa?s people. You see the citizens? Even now they stop and stare. It?s a mess, John and I don?t think we really know what we are doing here? I don?t know. Just sayin, is all.?
The Paladin known as Jonathan Michael DeFranque, glanced about the Market a moment more.. Clad in the armor of his order, a light plate set. White with gold, and red trim, the emblazoned set of scales, adorning the chest piece. A gloved hand lowered to gently offer his mount a scratch, or two.
As a passerby paused, Jonathan offered a warm smile to the lady and her child, ?We are here to help you all, I promise.?
The pair smiled to the Paladins, and ran off talking to others, as they passed. Even Sean could hear the hushed talk, as it made the rounds.
Jonathan glanced to Sean once more, as he rightened himself in the saddle once more.
A wink offered to Sean as he cleared his throat a tad.
?We are the Order of Delphyne Goddess of Balance! We are here to help in any way we can, the people of this city! This is our promise here, and now! You are not alone, Rhy?din! We are but one of many, who wish to help you all! We seek the Clandestine Order of Scathach! Can anyone assist us!??
?I can help you, Soldier.?
Sean, and John each looked at the one that had spoken out. Sean?s eyes widened a tad in regards to the person.
Before the pair, she stood. Hair of the greenest green, pig tails no less. She looked to be 16 or so, and garbed in what John assumed was a Holy robe of some type. The Japanese kanji, looking rather familiar, as he softly spoke. ?Shinto.?
?My name is Yotsuba Urashima-Ravenlock, and I?ll take you to Jenai.?
?I am Jonathan and this is Sean, and we thank you.?
?Don?t thank me yet, Paladin. You?ve no idea what you arrived into.?
?Regardless Miss Yotsuba, we thank you.?
Yotsuba simply nodded, an motioned to the western exit of the Market proper. ?If I am not mistaken Mister Jonathan, your people will arrive there, in a few moments. We can leave from there.?
Offering a respectful bow, Yotsuba turned from the pair, and made her way towards the exit she had pointed to a moment ago.
As the lass walked away, Sean swore he saw, ?Wings??
?Hmmm,? asked Jonathan.
?Wings, John. The girl there, she has--- I saw wings.?
?Wings, Sean??
?Yes, John. She had feathered wings.?
?Hmmm, ?said Jonathan as he eyed Yotsuba once more. ?You may be right, after all the girl is a Shinto Priestess and from the look of the kanji on her robes, she is a battle priestess.?
?I thought the makings were familiar, and I know the names. The Urashimas were here for that mess in WestEnd all those years back. They held the undead wall in check, despite losing a great number of their own. An didn?t they also defend the town hall during the ?scarred? incident??
Jonathan nodded, ?That?s right, alongside Ravenlock and his people. Losses were staggering then, as well.?
?John, maybe that?s what she meant by we have no idea what we?ve arrived into. I mean, if it really is Ravenlock doing this, what will we do? And you do know that Jenai is his woman, as well? Can she be trusted, as well? What if this is all some sick gambit, and we are now entwined within it? And didn?t Ravenlock also work for Kairee at one time and the government as well? What if----?
?Sean, do you trust me??