The group departed the castle, and with Clun leading the way, lolloping down the track, they passed into the forests.

Tyrcestus stood next to Clun and Sean at the head of the group, Clun in the center, Sean on Clun's right. Vizard, Gizzard, and the ladies were behind them.
"So..." Tyrcestus asked Sean. "How long have you been in this land then?"

Hexy saw a chance to make Trinity angry and took it.
"Well...wait, I asked you first! And also..."
She looked around to make sure nobody was listening.
"Ty's been giving me the kind of wink a man gives a lady when he wants to... get to know her inside and out," she winked. "And from the way Sean's blushing, the cutie... I think I'll have both!"
She chuckled, and batted her eyelashes at Trinity. "That doesn't bother you, does it sweetie?"

Her face, still red, Zalia got herself dressed as quickly as she could. She replaced her earring, and paused to catch her breath, trying to stop her heart from leaping out of her chest. 'He...he just...' she thought to herself, then walked out of Beelzenef's room. She stopped in front of Beelzenef, not able to look him in the eye for fear of blushing all over again. "I'm sorry if I hurt you....you...well...you surprised me." She said, then walked away.

Zalia walked in silence with Beelzenef, not knowing what to say or do. 'He saw you in your...' she thought to herself and started to blush again, as they walked down the tunnels. 'Just great.' She thought, as she looked away from Beelzenef, so that she couldn't see him out of the corner of her eye.

Zalia looked at Beelzenef, then quickly looked away. "Yes...that sounds nice." She said, then looked at the plate in front of her. "Though, I don't think I have swim clothes..." she added, as she began to eat.

Clun chuckled, and Tyrcestus blushed.
"Oy... this is already nerve-wracking without the threat of my own team fighting..."
He looked over at Sean again.
"Well, not really much of a competition between us, really. You're a lean, mean, groomed ninja who's about fifty times scarier than I am in a fight or otherwise, and I'm just some apothecary apprentice with a few potions and some healing tricks. Clun's a river troll with a big club and some magic powers, Vizard and Gizzard have their psychic manipulation abilities, Hexy has witchcraft, Trinity can turn into a giant cat..."
He looked down at himself and laughed wryly.
"All I am is a trumped up doctor who really needs to get in shape. The walking's doing me good anyway..."

Vizard and Gizzard were playing rock paper scissors, completely oblivious to the outside world, both brothers completely content with each other's company.

Hexy grinned wickedly - Trinity had slipped up.
"Oooh... you like Tyrcestus, don't you?"
She poked Trinity, then got a truly evil look on her face.
"I'm going to tell him."
She started skipping towards Tyrcestus, grinning...

"Yes." Zalia said, keeping her eyes on her plate, even when it was empty. She couldn't look at Beelzenef for even a second without blushing.

"what you say is true, but thats not what I meant." Sean glanced back at Trinity and Hexy then looked back at Ty.
"I think Hexy might be wanting to create something between you and trinity, to benefit herself of course."
Sean looked around carefully as he talked with Ty.
"but I think you'll find out why soon enough. Anyways, from my experience it's always the one that stays quiet that you have to watch out for. What you did to that knight back at the castle was pretty impressive. You can be surprised at what someone can do when they find themselves backed into a dangerous corner."  
Sean glanced over to Clun as they walked further along the trail.
"So how far is it to the southern goblin village? "

The spy reappeared in the middle of a busy marketplace. He looked around as he made his way through the crowded street and onto a side street.  this wasn't your typical marketplace or your typical town, but a marketplace that is crawling information and stolen goods and a town where assassins, exiled knights and criminals alike have found a safe haven. I guess it sort of serves a place where the black market exists. he made his way to a quiet section of town that was filled with oriental style dwellings and shops. stopping in front of a set of huge gates, he entered through them and entered the giant palace like courtyard where young ninja assassins where training.

I guess they could use the training. they couldn't be in a better place to learn.

Once he was in the oriental type palace he headed for where Zerrox would be.  
You can tell that this man wants power by this place, but then again he was the one who built this place and made it a safe haven for exiles and criminals alike.
He found himself in front of a sliding door where you could hear the dark master. Thats what his students referred to him as. As he entered the dimly lit room, Zerrox greeted him, even without the spy saying a word. the master never even looked at him.

"Ah, welcome back. now tell me, why have you come to me? Didn't I ask you to keep an eye out?"
Zerrox prepared a small crimson lightning charge in his hand waiting for an answer.
"Or have you found something out that I should know?"
the spy told Zerrox about where sean was heading and what he was seeking as well. Along with Everything that he could find on the Electric Sword. The master paced in the room like he was concerned, but had a furious expression on his face.
If a sword like that exists, then it could be very useful to me. But if that outsider is looking for it as well and gets a hold of it... that means.
"Right now I am divided between punishing you, or thanking you for this information. I guess it all depends on if we can retrieve this sword or not."
He sat down as he was about to start meditating.
"I'm sending out my archers and a few of my advanced students to deal with this. Lets hope that you made the right choice since more than a sword hangs in the balance."  

Zalia rose from the table, still in her half human form, and moved her fox ears forward. An irritated expression formed on her face, as she walked by Beelzenef, and to the entrance to the goblins new home. "What are you doing here?" Zalia demanded, noting that it was the advanced guard that had arrived; which meant her father intended some kind of battle to erupt.
"We've come to take you back to the capital." The captain of the advanced guard declared.
"I'm not going anywhere." Zalia retorted, as she folded her arms.

"Just over dis next hilly," Clun said confidently.

Tyrcestus saw Trinity race past and called out.
"Trinity, what-?" But she had already passed him and was now a good distance ahead.
Hexy strutted up, laughing her head off.
"HOW PRECIOUS!" she yelled to Trinity. "YOU CAN COME BACK, SILLY KITTY, THE BAD DOGGY'S GONE NOW!!"
She was almost beside herself with hysterics, and Tyrcestus gave her a quizzical look.
"What happened?"
"Aw, Trinity's a bit of a pussy-cat," Hexy simpered. "She's a ickle scaredy-cat, with the fur to prove it!"
She turned to look at Tyrcestus, still laughing - and then the laughter died.

Tyrcestus's eyes had suddenly acquired such a fierce look that it felt like her very soul constricted inside her body, like he was squeezing it like he would squeeze a throat.
"She nearly died for me," he said softly. "I don't know what your problem is with her, Hexy. You've done nothing but pester her ever since we met. I'm out of patience now. If you don't stop insulting her and teasing her..."
Hexy suddenly felt very very small and suddenly remembered with stunning clarity how Tyrcestus had sent the general flying into a castle wall when he'd gotten angry.
"I WILL MAKE YOU STOP."

Even Vizard and Gizzard took note then.
"Steady on, mate."
"It's only teasing."

Tyrcestus turned to look at them, and the hurt in his eyes made them draw back.
"Yeah. Just teasing."

Hexy suddenly felt as though her joke had backfired beyond control, and silently rushed forwards to catch up with Trinity.
"Hey! Stop! I'm sorry, OK? I'm sorry..."

Clun couldn't help but whistle.
"You get scary when you're angry."
Tyrcestus's face went from angry to tired, then from tired to soft.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly to Sean. "I probably overreacted. But she almost died for me. And I don't want anyone calling her a coward. I'm sorry."
They were nearing the top of the hill before they could see the goblin village.

"At least it's not too far now. you do remember who we need to speak with, right?"
just then he saw a cat race past them, realizing that it was Trinity as Hexy came up ans started to talk to Ty.
Just as I thought, she was up to something with those two.
Then he saw Ty's reaction. And the look in his eyes and tone of his voice sent Hexy running after Trinity.
He caught on quick. now lets see how long she will leave those two alone for.
glad she realizes when she angers someone.

"Now thats the kind of think that won't make you useless on this journey. every ability can be useful..."
Sean patted him on the shoulder and smiled.
"That might have put some sense into her, and that was probably needed since we all could very well be involved in the battle that lies ahead."

As the group got to the top of the hill they could clearly see the goblin village.

but the member of Zerrox's clan of exiles was close by in the trees, watching their every move. He made sure that he wasn't noticed but he could see where they where heading. he heard a couple of branches move behind him and  leaves being rustled.

"you guy's can't be any more silent?" he looked behind and realized they where part of Zerrox's archers.
Thats odd. Ether he has trust issues or this is more serious than I thought.

Lord Song got off his horse, and walked towards Zalia. "And what makes you think that I'd let my daughter be taken by a monster like you?" He snarled at Beelzenef.
"Father!" Zalia hissed, as her ears pointed forward, and an angry expression formed on her face. "Just listen to yourself. You're purposefully hateful. I will stay where I want, and with whom I want." She walked right up to her father. "You are the monster here...and no one else."

" I will leave you for the time being then. I'm sure that the boy that I left behind to watch the outsider, as you refer to him as, will probably wonder what is going on when he sees the archers appearing."
The spy vanished again, leaving Zerrox alone to meditate.

"Thank you for keeping track of the group. And all you need to know is that which they are looking for Zerrox seeks as well."
He could tell that the kid still had doubts about the why the archers where here.
"There are others that also wish to process this aincent relic as well. An possible army of Elfin fighters are out looking as well for there new king."

He looked over the goblin village and saw them entering the outskirts of it. he looked over the surronding area making sure there weren't any surprises.
Lets think. last I checked Zerrox had just over twenty five archers in a group. there's about five here so if there is any trouble we'd know about it by now.
The spy throught to himself for a little longer as he figured out what to do.  

the boy, who was in his mid teens, went up to the spy and looked out onto the village as well.
"So what do I call you by? since I've working with you a lot more lately..."

"you can call me Sarret for now. I hope you can fight well boy, since it's as hard to fight off an elf as it is to kill one."  

Zalia blushed slightly, as Beelzenef grabbed her hand. She turned and looked at him, surprised by his admission about caring deeply for her. "B-Beel-"
"I don't care what you think!" Lord Song shouted. "I will be taking Zalia home, by force if needed."
One of the advanced guard raised his arm, as the advanced guard archers readied their bows.
Zalia turned to her father. "Stop this." She begged him.
"I've said my peace. You can either come home to avoid bloodshed, and submit to your role; or you can stay and watch them all die. It's your choice." Lord Song spoke coldly.
An archer, having difficultly steadying his bow, fired his arrow...striking a smaller goblin in the chest.