It was the little things in the forest that brought life to his smile. The trees and how they whispered. The trickling water flows of rivers and streams nearby. Even the sound of stilled life calmed him and reminded Brand that there was good in the world. Good still thrived all around them, and no amount of darkness could take away the light. For in light, there was darkness, and in darkness, shone light. One just had to know how to balance it, and he knew that they would have to bring the balance back to the world.<br/><br/>They, being the pillars of the Mariosa. Valen and Altima didnâ??t think so, but he was sure that if one day, they were able to get Annie back, then the King of Darkness wouldnâ??t be able to stop them. They would fight with their last breathâ?¦ they would, if only one of them would give their breath back to the light.<br/><br/>The sounds of birds chirping drew him out of thinking about the past though, and he nearly leapt from spot to spot in following their newest companion. Each step seemed to have a spring in them for the Youngest Knight, reminding many that he resembled a bundle of energy waiting to be released. Sometimes, when he forgot to control himself, little sparks of electricity would surge from his body and flick around his flesh. They were harmless but sometimes visible, a sure sign that he needed to discharge soon.<br/><br/>Leaves drifted by them, a melody in the wind that was unheard by ears not born to hear them. The Orange Fields were deadly beautiful, luring those into its luscious forestry and keeping them lost in there. For an Elf of ageless time, it was like being welcomed into a new home. For those a time limit, it could be their final resting place in the less pleasant and a bit lonely way. Nature was there though, and as he watched the doors opened, it reminded him that nature was listening. Through words and actions, every living being was able to interact on a subliminal level.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff8000"><i>â??Sheâ??s beautiful when she speaks Elvin.â??</i></span>Brand took note, seeing beauty in things that connected to nature. There was a grace about those who could ask favor of the voiceless beings around them, those who gave those beings voices. The things noted about the Elf before them were little, and it should have drew out suspicions from him, but didnâ??t. Too trusting at times, he knew his own faults, but wanted to believe that he saw goodness in her.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff8000"><i>â??Reminds me of past companions.â??</i></span>he mentally stumbled at that, suddenly wondering what happened to their companions back at the castle.<br/><br/>At the time, there was no choice, and the knights had to abruptly flee in order to live to fight another day. And then, there was Tsuâ??Ro, someone who had been invited to the castle that day for a peaceful dinner together with the knights and the Queen. Had he been with them at the timeâ??had he been late? Perhaps it had been for the best that something held him upâ??Brand would have asked for him to have come with them on their journey.<br/><br/>Snapping out of his worry for their friend, he told himself that their friend was in good health, and that he needed to focus on aiding their predicament at the moment.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffff00">â??You know, Iâ??d only been to Hieronidan once before; to visit Valen when he guarded here. Iâ??m an Elf, but I was born outside of this Kingdom. Strange, huh?â?</span>he spoke up, trying to make light conversation between them. Arioch hadnâ??t exactly made the greatest impression at the beginning, but he suspected that it was just her nature. Brand tried not to judge people when he first meets them, so it hadnâ??t been a surprise when she had spoken rather rudely to them. Rather, he felt confused as to why someone felt the need to speak so callously. However, he wanted them to get along, now that it seemed that Arioch was going to travel with them for an undetermined amount of time.<br/><br/>Not thinking twice about whether there could be a dangerous trap or not beyond the gates, Brand marched right on through with a smile pulling at his lips.