"So you're awake finally?" Luikan commented, "It's about time, I have more pressing things to contend with... Just be careful about that head, one more knock like that before it heals and.... Anyway, I want to see you in another weak to check on it."

Grenseal nodded and looked over to the two knights, "Did you find Lorelai?"

The one on the right, Garrett as he remembered him, replied, "No, but we did find a hunter named Quincy. He has admitted to knocking you out and working with Lorelai."

"Very well" Grenseal replied with a sigh, he would have liked to put her away for a while, "No sign of her then?"

"We found a hole..." The other knight, Abel, answered, "It was some old ruins, but no sign of her at all."

Grenseal shook his head then looked at the two, "Very well, that is all. You two are dismissed."

"Yes sir!" Garrett saluted, "Oh, by the way, President Lepant wished to speak with you."

He nodded as the two exited, leaving him alone with the old doctor, who promptly rushed him outside. He was back in Gregminister, which was no suprise since that was where Luikan's clinic was located. Since he was back, he figured it would be a good idea to check on Alen since he had duties at the castle. He walked up the path, passing the house of his former commander, Teo McDohl.

It's been so long... over three years since he died. But I do not regret it, I belong to the Toran Republic now. But still... would he be proud of my accomplishments?

The Toranian Knight pushed the thoughts from his head and continued on, at the north end was where Ain Gide had taken on Teo's son and the five others with him. He had died at this spot, loyal to the end.

Should I have been loyal? Teo and Ain Gide died for the empire, should I have died for him to?

He continued on into the castle, he wasn't sure why these things were coming back. Maybe the bump on his head had stirred it all back. Up on Gregminister castle he could see the Floating Garden, the place where Barbarossa had grabbed Windy and plunged to the bottom and died.

In the end, Barbarossa even died for his empire... yet I am still here. Should I have died, or is it better that I lived?

Once more he ignored the prying voice in his head and continued. Outside the castle a few soldiers were guarding, they saluted him as he entered. He went through the lower section, before ascending the stairs he noticed Tesla and Onil were at the side talking. Before he could go up, he overheard some of the conversation.

"So, who was that nice young lady and handsome man that saw Lepant?" Onil asked.

"Oh ahh... it was the Princess of Highland and a err... bodyguard" Tesla answered anxiously, apparently wanting to get back to work.

"He was so dreamy..." Onil said with a sigh, "So what happened?"

"Well... they had some negotiations... such as us not getting involved on either side and uhh... they sent Sir Alen to escort them" Tesla informed her.

"Alen? Oh dear... I suppose you haven't heard?" Onil replied, then glanced over at Grenseal, "You've heard, right?"

Grenseal broke out of his thoughts and stared at Onil, "Heard what?"

"Well... it's not for me to say... but there has been rumors going around that Alen wishes to leave... for good!" Onil exclaimed, "And now he has the chance!"

Grenseal shook his head, "I don't think so, why would he up and leave all he's got?"

Onil looked at him and shrugged, "You know him better than any of us! You know why... what has he got here? Sure a great job, but he is a warrior and general!"

"That is true" Tesla commented, "After all, you two only guard... it is the six generals who truly handle threats and such situations"

He though about it, it all made perfect sense to hear it, but even so seemed unlikely. If Alen wanted to join some war, then why hadn't he talked to him about it? His audience with Lepant was soon, but he was uneasy about relaying his own doubts to the president. It was unlikely he would let him off duty to chase Alen down, then neither would be around to do the job. He looked over at Tesla and Onil who were looking at him expectantly.

"Tesla, could you direct me to a harbor to take me directly to Highland?" Grenseal asked, confused by his own words.

"But... shouldn't you get permission directly from Lepant?" Tesla replied, cautious about the knight's actions.

"No, I have no time for that, so can you?"

"Very well, just a ways west is a new harbor town, it goes through the mountains and straight into Highland territory. It is dangerous, that is why we did not send the princess through there... it should take you a good ways north of Kyaro Town" Tesla replied hesitant to leak that information, "Just show rank and you will have no trouble."

"Good luck!" Onil shouted as Grenseal began to leave, "And when you get back, I want to hear ALL the gossip!"

He was still confused by it all, Alen just deciding to leave and himself for going after him so willingly. Abel and Garrett were at the town gate talking, he had to think of a way to get past them without suspicion. A plan was devised quickly, with a deep breath he walked up to them. They immediately saluted and awaited his orders.

"The two of you are to return to the Great Forest in case she is to return, understood?"

"Yes Sir!" The two said in unison, then headed back in town to prepare, leaving Grenseal the perfect chance to leave. After they were out of sight, he continued outside of the cities to where the few stables were located. To the common traveler, horses was offered to those going long distanced. But for high-ranking soldiers or those with enough spare pocket change, the hardy verrion was offered. During the war, Teo McDohl had gathered hundreds to improve his armored cavalry. But after so many were killed by the fire spears, only a hundred or so remained. Since then several breeders offered them for rental under high prices. Their tough hide, stamina, speed and endurance made them invaluable for long distance travel as opposed to horses.

Grenseal of course, had one of his own, so did not need to worry about the different pricing. He continued to the main stable, and soon found the one that belonged to him. After informing the caretaker of his departure, he saddled the verrion and started west to the harbors. On the creature's back, he was able to arrive by the time the sun had set on the horizon. The harbor was just as the name implied, a harbor and barely anything more. On the dock was a few boats, a large warehouse and a few small shacks and houses on the road. He got off the verrion, tied it up to a stake and headed to the docks. As he was going, an old man stood in front of him blocking the way.

"Excuse me son..." The man began, "But you can't be going on these boats, it's dangerous and only authori--"

He recalled Tesla's words and replied, "I need a boat"

"I was saying, only authorized per--" The old man started, but was once more cut off.

"Are you not letting me get a boat? You realize I am a outranking officer, right?"

"What?" The old man got a closer look, adjusted his spectacles and gave a surprised look, "Oh, your Sir Grenseal! Why I did not expect for you to come here, might I inquire why you need travel through this lowly treacherous path?"

Grenseal shook his head and sighed, "Official business, I need transport to Highland."

"Ah... I see, well that might be difficult..." The old man mumbled, he directed Grenseal over to a small shack. The man stepped inside, and looked at the papers a few seconds then looked up.

"Well, we have a cargo ship heading through Highland to Harmonia, it can drop you off north of oh... Tenzan Pass." The old man answered, "But it leaves in err... twenty minutes, you'll have a time getting on board..."

Grenseal nodded and thanked him, assuring him he would find his way. Which was pretty easy, as it was the only boat loaded and had people on it. One of the men attempted to stop him, but he passed his rank off and got on easily. The captain of the vessel finally took notice of him and approached. Grenseal informed him he was boarding and got on with minimal ease by showing his rank. Soon he had settled in a somewhat loose spot as the boat launched off. It was then he realized why he never liked boats, he got motion sickness very easily.

The next night, he was on the side of the boat in case he got sick again, the constant rocking was only making it worse. He heard someone coming behind him, as he turned around to see who it was a huge oar collided in to the back of his head, flipping him into the cold night water. The man looked down at the water and shook his head as the knight floated down through the water. He sighed and turned around, "I'm getting paid for this, that's what's important, right?"

Reality was spinning out of control, life and death passed before him. Memories faded out of existence, everything he knew, including himself, seemed to be caught up in the river's currents. It tossed and turned his body as was carried through the river. Yet all this time, he was oblivious to it, unconscious and half-drowned he was finally thrown up on the shore. The sound of several voices echoed in his head, distorted and muffled. But more and more he could begin to pick out the words spoken.

"I don't know how he could just end up on the shore like a drowned rat" A voice said, "It's kinda weird if ya ask me."

There was a brief silence before the voices started again, "We will wait until he come around..."

"Yeah, ok... err... looks like he's coming around!" The first voice exclaimed.

His eyes opened and looked around, he was in unfamiliar territory, in fact everything around him was unfamiliar. A few feet away a large group of poorly dressed people were watching him, the one in front was very tall. Through his eyes he could feel a strange darkness, uncaring and ruthless. His head was covered with short pointy yellow hair that made his head seem to be covered with horns. He had his two large arms crossed, which were built like a boar. The man's face was cold and impassive, hinted no emotion but an intelligence that set him apart from the others. Behind him stood another man, he was much shorter in comparison and dressed in a dark robe. What little could be soon under the hood was a well trimmed beard, two peering brown eyes and a scar across the right side of his face. A third man, who was nearly as tall and muscular as the tall one, stood on the other end. He head was bald on top and his teeth were all crooked or otherwise missing. He wore typical bandit clothing and kept a large club over his shoulder.

The nearly drowned man shook his head and continued looking at them before speaking, "Ugh... where am I?"

"South of Kyaro Town, north of Ryube Village" The tall man answered, making no movement at all.

"I see..." He didn't seem to understand fully where he was, he looked up at the man full of confusion, "Who are you.... hmm.... who am I?"

The man looked down at him, he scanned him briefly before speaking, "You are Thunder... a bandit... like the rest of us. I am Talrick Kajiro, the leader of this band of thieves and your master"

"Bandit.... thieves..." He mumbled, it made sense but somehow didn't feel right.

"Your weapon" Talrick motioned, pointing to a sword in sheath laying beside Thunder, "You will need it, we have a long trip to Northwind."

"Northwind?" Thunder asked, "Why are we going there?"

"It is our new location" Talrick answered, he then turned to the two men behind him, "Moore, Fudd; Accompany Secily and Balanth to Greenhill."

"Huh? Why?" Moore answered, who was the one on the dark cloak.

"I want you to fetch Lady Teresa, a ransom would supply funds and attract new members" Talrick replied, "As for the rest of us, now that Thunder has recovered we can continue."