Julius tossed the letter on to his bed. Never in his life had he not been summoned on a mission for the king, to be honest, the seven plus years he had worked for him he had only wanted to help- but now. Now all he wanted was to at least have a break for only a day, all he asked for was a day of rest. Could that be so hard? if only now he received the letter Julius realized the king would never let him go, and he was starting to regret his decision to not run away with that girl he was so fond of all those years ago.<br/><br/>Eventually though, he knew he would suit up into his armor, grab his sword... and be on his way to what ever danger the king of this castle told him to do. Because that was what his life was, following orders and doing what was right. He knew that was what it would be and so did his dragon. Him and his dragon Zhephira were so closely bonded, he could never hide anything from her and she was what spurred him on. When ever he decided to hold these thoughts close to his heart, she would roar them away. Knowing he would regret not helping.<br/><br/>The only thing he was upset about was that he knew the king valued his skills to high. Because to have one of the most skilled swordsman also being a dragon hunter, was such a prize indeed because the dragon channeled all the magic for him while he could become a master swordsman. Granted, they could not channel as much as a magisterial wizard could. Though it was magic all the same, and that was such as a prize good enough for the king to have a master swordsman and dragon bonded and in his pocket.<br/><br/>"Well, I suppose it is time to move on again." He huffed tiredly, no semblance of pride showing in his private room. He did not need to show such a facade here. True, he was very proud of his skills, though he did not need to force it out when alone at least.<br/><br/>Picking up the letter from the king, he geared himself up, slipping his armor on in practiced skill. He did not dare waist a servants time with his armor, to be truthful. he did not trust them not to steal something like his pouch of saved coins as well. Or even a piece of expensive leather. Quickly, he unlatched his sword from its wall hang and slipped it into his silver laced scabbard. The sword itself was of a longer blade, the pommel a fine steel with a red hued leather wrapped hilt. The brace between the sword and hilt was a nice solid steel that had chiseled etchings in it laced with gold the center held a very small ruby.<br/><br/>It was only moments after that he slipped out of the castle and left for the cliff where the others were gathered, that he noted a girl taking the lead, he knew he had taken a job or two with her before. Though it had never warranted him telling her his name. He was pretty sure that her name had started with an O but he never asked for it specifically. He had just heard it mentioned before and had not really made a note of it. In fact, he was surprised to see her. After all Julius had done more so private missions for the king. He could not even call himself solely a member of the dragon riders. He was one of them yes, though what he meant was that he never actually did many jobs with them, only working with them for the king at least once or twice. Letting her take the lead, he listened to the conversation.<br/><br/>“There is no telling how long this may take, I expect full reports every other day.” The king made a gesture as a servant handed everyone some things. He accepted a couple herbs, only ones he knew about though that offered some very mild healing for scrapes and burns as well as some that allowed some extra energy to fuel your physical work. "I want to make sure your well prepared. Take whatever you wish, however keep in mind to travel light."<br/><br/>The girl gave a salute and told the king she was in understanding.<br/><br/>“Dismissed” The king murmured with a slight smile.<br/>--<br/>Following the rest of the party out, namely the girl. He promised to himself that he would ask her name and the rest of the group just so that he could contact them without awkward emotion later on as if they got in a fight. If someone was in danger, he would want to be able to call there name and tell them to be careful.<br/><br/>As he walked up to the ledge and the girl dove off, he shook his head slightly.<br/>"Such dedication to her dragon." He could not help uttering without mysticism. Julius noted others do the same as she did and die. He was not surprised as the dragon caught her, and would not have been if she had died. Only sad that he could not have done something to help. Fortunately she did make it due to her quick flying friend.<br/><br/>Glancing behind him, he noted the king beside him. He would get unto his dragon last possibly if the talk lasted to long.<br/><br/>"So, Julius what would be on your mind." He said it not as a question. More as a conversation starter. "Are you afraid of the task, are you not wanting to do the mission, or are you not wanting to be with others-"<br/><br/>"Exactly my liege, I shall do it if you ask me to, though I am afraid my traits for helping them and fearing for the lives of my team mates shall impact my decision for the mission. What if I get myself into to much trouble? and what about that one girl that just leaped on to her dragons back. It was reckless, and there is already one reckless person on this team being me, i highly doubt a group of soldiers shall survive with two reckless fools on the group" he asked.<br/><br/>"Oh do not worry Julius, first off. Your thoughts are invalidly placed on the negative side of things. First of all, you are not all just a bunch of soldiers, you have different people on the group... thieves, Clerics, warriors, warriors such as Olga- granted a warrior is often wrongly printed as a soldier, but they are not. They fight for not just there brethren, but for there land and king, more so for there selves on a scale of wanting to help. Such as you, you are not reckless. You are more on the side of doing what is right and doing what is needed. You are honorable and<span style="text-decoration: underline">brave</span>never reckless."<br/><br/>Julius raised one eyebrow.<br/><br/>"Okay, maybe reckless some of the time, and- try not to get into the habit of challenging me Julius, get this done and come home. You are of great use to me and this city and t'would hat to see you fall. Or, well... read it im my letters I shall receive." He waved his hand, "Look after them, though do what is best for the mission overall. Whether that be putting one of them out of there misery from a curse, or by forcing yourself to not help any of them in impossible situations. If you can, survive and carry out the mission. I would say the same to them, as you are all capable of it." With that he walked back into the cave if he would have interacted with anyone else he had not known it for his dragon made a sweep in.<br/><br/>Julius grabbed his helmet from his underarm where it was held and raised his hands lowering it onto his head. Then stepping off onto his dragon he grasped one of her spikes. Hung on with his right hand and held his sheathed sword with his left. His shield clasped onto his back.<br/><br/>"I hope we all make it back in one piece" he grunted, his dragon growling back an agreeing reply. Julius did not know for sure if his dragon understood him. Though he felt as though she did, so he would talk to her as though they were brother and sister. Often referring to her as his Flying Sister more so then a beast.<br/><br/>"Follow the girl on her dragon." He whispered "this time we work with other dragon riders Zhephira" he told her. The dragon snuffing in some manner of reply. He did not know what it was. Excitement, sadness, anger, happiness? sometimes it felt as though his dragon was the only one able to read him, and that could possibly be the truth. They never really spoke in words, so much as he never knew if dragons had a voice or not, or at least not one he could understand, and so he did not need words.