Damen found it hard to finish sleeping when his shift came to an end, and Imos stepped in to replace him, so he would make sure that things were set for them to head on out. When the sun rose over the horizon, Damen could see the others were picking up, though the blond acolyte was a little ways from the group. He slowly drew his sword, and held it in a way to see his reflection in the blade; despite the damage, Damen always did his best to keep a mirror-reflective finish on it. '<span style="font-size: 10px"><i>I know not what you think of this decision I have made for us, father, but I pray for your sake that it was the right one, if at least for the time being. I wish, however, that... you could still be here, so I might know if your words would've held true; that I would've been capable of surpassing even you...</i></span>' These words weren't spoken aloud, but they formed within Damen's mind; it was clear that he missed his father, and it was true that he hated the Ordallians for killing him. However, Damen's conflict to fight with honor while providing his very best remained intact; it was rough, yet the apprentice would have to persevere.<br/><br/>"Armos... I trust you are ready?" Damen would speak to his chocobo mount as he approached him, stroking the end of his beak, causing his feathers to get ruffled out while a cooed, 'Kweh~' came from the large bird. "You're not as courageous as what Choco was... I understand that much. I know not if he's even alive... you were brothers, despite being different breeds. You miss him... as much I miss my father." Damen leaned forward, pressing his forehead against his feathered companion's, if only for a moment, before pulling away, looking within his eyes. "I want you to help us. Even... if it's just going in to get an important individual that we need saving out of the combat zone, that would be help enough. I'll make sure I'm the target when it happens... I promise." Damen certainly looked odd, speaking to the chocobo as if it were a person, but Maria, the youngest, understood animals the best out of the three siblings, and taught her understandings to a degree with her siblings. Though the blond squire knew not whether his words were understood by the creature before him, he would merely have to see how things go the next time a battle should ensue. It was still rough, though... He would be missing Ruby's birthday, which was in just two moon phases away from this day. Even a trip to Orbonne would be too long from the Fort, even on the back of a Chocobo. Nonetheless, when the time came, Damen found himself packed, and on Armos's saddle, reigns in hand while ready to go... however, he left command with Lydalia, so it was her word he waited for...<br/><br/><hr class="bbc-hr bbc-hr--3"/><br/>Ruby gave a few coughs; the chill of the early spring air during the nightfall was a bit hard on her, having not been used to being, or sleeping, outside, though the rise and leave was made earlier because of Julia's desire to hit the fort as soon as possible. Her clothing chose didn't help with the warmth too much, but nonetheless, she seemed perfectly fine. On her right hip was a fairly basic rod, nothing overly ornate or special about it, but wielding it helped her focus and aim her spells where she wanted them to go. Though she desired to become a summoner like her mentor, she honestly hoped it wouldn't result in her becoming like her on top of it. Nonetheless, Ruby let out a soft sigh, seeing the fort.<br/><br/>"<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#87ceeb">There it is, Ruby! It's not far... Onwards!</span>" Julia didn't even give Ruby a chance to respond, as she urged the Behemoth she rode forward at full speed, the two knights accompanying the pair riding their chocobo mounts, with Ruby taking the trail behind them. Unlike the other mounts, Ruby wasn't close to the chocobo she rode, nor did she plan to really ride one with the group... at least, not her own. She was given the task to ride with Damen on Armos, a Chocobo that they and Maria helped to raise to adulthood alongside Choco, their father's Red Chocobo mount. If nothing else, she will ride on Armos to make sure that she can get to places faster than the others, and perform magic hit and run tactics on foes while being careful not to have her allies caught in the crossfire.<br/><br/>Of course, those inside the fort would feel the rumblings and shakes provided by Julia's behemoth mount, but nonetheless, having such a powerful beast on their side would prove effective because of their massive size and tremendous survival ability. Add Julia's summoning prowess on top of it, the pair were an excellent combination that few would stand up against. Ruby truly still could not get used to being around such a massive creature, when she heard tales that those who ran wild could eat a man without troubles, that their horns can impale even the toughest of armors and most swords can't even damage their hides! Such ruthless beasts that were dangerous... but she was glad at least one was on their side!