<span style="font-weight: bold">Camp was made, and Ardessi was yanked along toward where her cage was to be set up. The metal collar about her neck chaffed and choked her slightly, but when she complained or protested she was met with a swift kick or shove to the ground. Hands bound before her as they were she did not have an easy time when it came to catching herself, so more often than not, the fall caused more pain than the collar. So, with a set jaw and her usual dead expression, she ignored the pain in her throat as she choked down the stale air and tried not to get in trouble. <br/><br/>However, as usual, that was never the case. No matter what she did or tried to do, she often was the center of some commotion. This time, it had to do with one of the guards copping a feel on her friend Maggie, again. Instantly, she reacted and managed to backhand the bastard before his buddies could stop her. Years or toiling away on the farm left her with much strength, even without the use of magic. So, he was left unconscious on the ground while she too was forced to the field for a beating. There she laid, through the gaps in her arms that were raised to protect her face she watched Maggie scream and shout at the men though that did nothing to halt their actions nor soften their blows. </span><br/><br/>Huddled among a group of similar young mages such as himself, Trent made himself as small as possible in this mass of warriors and powerful mages. Perhaps then he could avoid the death that so many here seemed to expect in their future. This coming prediction did not stop the hardier men and women from reveling in their baser pleasures. Singing, fighting and general, rough, merry-making was had throughout camp.<br/><br/>Among the rough-housing was a much louder shouting match going on centered on where he recalled that Maggie was marching with her wild mage friend. It had caught the attention of a large crowd and while no adventure seeker, Trent was a curious sort. Walking closer he then heard the screams, and picked up his pace. Maggie was crying out and trying to push them off her friend who was taking one hell of a beating on the ground. Thinking quickly he looked around the battlements and scanned for a certain figure on horseback. 'There, the captain!' Jogging a ways, he searched into himself for the his power, and latched ahold of it with his mind. Thrusting his hand forward with as much strength as his small body had, he cried out "Captain! Assistance!" And with his cry, a large gust of wind burst from his fingertips, carrying the shout with the flow of air.<br/><br/>A tent toppled over near the man, but no other damage, it being no more than a gust of wind, but the message was heard and the captain swiveled his mount towards the noise. Satisfied, Trent backed into the crowd trying to think of a way to get the men off the girl, but thinking of none, took a place near Maggie seeing if their combined strength could pry the men off. The attempts would gain nothing but a black eye before the captain arrived, men finally scattering.<br/><br/>"On your feet you sacks of shit! You want to be put in cages like her? Get the hell of the ground and back to your posts!" Throwing his gaze at Maggie now. "And you! Keep your charge in line, If she knocks out any more of these men she'll be costing us more than she might gain. Do I make myself clear?"<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">“Ye…Yes sir,” Maggie stuttered and waited for the Captain to be gone before she helped Ardessi to her feet. <br/><br/>The wild Mage suffered from some bruises on the surface and some of her ribs well. Though she was happy that Maggie was all right and demonstrated as much with a hug that was awkward no less filled with emotion.  The big toothy smile and gave along with the few signs that she knew had Maggie smiling and nodding as she pointed to Trent. <br/><br/>“He helped. Brought the Captain. Got hurt,” she pointed to his eye and spoke the words as she signed. <br/><br/>The giant of a man leaned down to get a closer look at the young man and his wound. A low grunt like growl started in her throat and were it not for Maggie’s hand on her arm she would have likely gone to find the man who hurt him as well. <br/><br/>“No. We get to your cage now and then you get some rest. Yes?” <br/><br/>Ardessi appeared distressed but relented only after she patted Trent on the head as a form of thanks.</span><br/><br/>"Y-You're ah, welcome." He stuttered out. She was far larger on her feet than sprawled in the dirt, and that would be intimidating enough if it weren't for how easily she did with so many bruises and cuts. He looked to Maggie, bewildered that any of this was happening, and simply followed. His eye stung, but keeping it closed made it bearable, and he kept quiet as he followed as close as he dared.<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">At her cage, the shackles and collar were removed as she ducked through the entrance way and headed over to her cot to lie down. “Had they pushed her any further she could have killed them all, without even a thought,” Maggie commented to Trent. “You have some power yourself, but you lack the confidence. Commit to it and it may help you a bit .” Friendly advice with a friendly smile as she watched her friend try to get settled on the bed that was no better than the ground.</span><br/><br/>A bit shocked at how calm she said all that, Trent continued the conversation. "Is she really that powerful?" He ignored the bit his own power. He had heard the same thing from many trainers so once more from this woman would be no different. "This must truly be a desperate mission if they are sending such a wild card with us. You make it sound as if she has no control." He said without thinking.<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">“Because she doesn’t,” the fact given with a bit of amusement. “She is a wild mage because she is indeed wild. Her magic is triggered in times of great stress and need. In an instant, she can become a violent and dangerous being whose goal is to eliminate the threat. The earth opens and swallows her foes, lightning rains down from the skies. Nothing is left when she is done and she barely recalls what happened herself.”</span><br/><br/>"The power of an Arch-mage, thrown randomly about. It makes more sense now why they would send her here. They see us in possession of a explosion of power, and we are the casing to deliver it safely." His voice droned down into a mono-tone as he continued, falling down into his own black state. He looked about at all the men and women whom would join him in this final journey, and his mind grew blank. "I should get back to my post." He stood shakily at first, and then set off for his previous seat. Whatever hope there was to be had in the camp would be far from Trent's sight.