*Arcxsus nodded to her cool reply*<strong>But of course the offer is still there.</strong>*His meal arrives, a small bit of meat with a splash of an asparagus looking green, one of which he promptly pops into his mouth and chews slowly.*<em>As I thought, just when I get a read on her, she slips into the shadows once more. Hmmm...</em>*He watches Seraphina with his head lowered to his food, absentmindedly eating. Looking for any sign that might indicate... well anything. Then he does the same with each in turn. He just smiles as his eyes flash over the other two of his own people.*<em>They radiate what they are thinking about, no need to guess there.</em>*Leaning back he sighs contently, himself only realizing he had just finished his meal. He looked at his plate blinking, still surprised at how military routine had still, after all those years, taken effect.*<strong>Sometimes I wish I actually enjoyed the food I consume.</strong>*He grabs the cloth under his plate and gingerly wipes his hands clean.*<br/><br/><em>A light snow has begun to fall, very unusual this time of year. The flakes are large and float lazily down. One alights upon the Guardians eye ridge and he blinks, lifting his head and looking into the sky. His voice seems, to the Terrax nearby, to sweep through their minds like a arm breeze, steeling them against the coming dark. "Stand firm younglings, the time has come for the last echoes of the Elders to make it's stand against the darkness of their creators hearts. Heroes will rise and many more will fall. But you have the spirit of my very fathers engraved in your souls." Many just stared stunned to hear a voice from the statue of flesh. Many more set their jaws and walk to their homes preparing for, what many, knew may be happening. War. An Ancient menace had loomed on the horizons. Confirmed reports of the Fay had been leaked of horrid beasts fighting to take the cities and homes from their very fingers. Not even the livestock were spared, simply slaughtered and left to rot. The feral Zarmen had all but fallen silent. The Terrax were on the march. The Fay falling back to their great cities, and the Troh arriving in force at the call of their collective in Dimat. Times were dire, just how dire? Our little group may soon find out.</em>