Samantha yawned and sat on her small bed. She was thankful, and quite surprised, that such a small village had an inn big enough for her and her fellow soldiers. They were a relatively small group. Only twelve in total, but considering how remote the village was she expected to be sleeping outside in tents like most of the journey. The room was small, and dusty. A small desk sat beside the bed. It held up only a single candle that was lit. A single window sat above it.

Her sword lay beside the bed leaning up against the wall. She always felt a little naked without it. Faintly she could hear the sounds of festivities outside. People singing and laughing, as well as music playing. She could also see bound fires, and the shadows of men and women dancing. All of this made her feel festive and excited despite her weariness. An energy was in her, that fought against the tiredness. She got up off the bed, and stretched.

She began to make her way to the door. The old wood creaked and groaned under her feet. The door let out a loud wine as she pushed it open. Making her way down the hallway, and down a flight of stairs and walked into the cafeteria area. There she found her men, most of which where drunk and or passed out. Some where still awake, although only three still seemed sober. Two were deep in conversation, sitting at a back table. Huddled over the table talking. The other was sitting alone, her head held down a mug in her hands. Still half full with beer.

Samantha made here way to the lone girl.

Samantha "Didn't care for the beer did you?"

The girl jumped, startled by the sudden voice that cut through the silence. Bailey was a short and timid girl. Her brown hair was messy and only slightly fell past her shoulders. She wore a jacket and long skirt with boots that went up almost to her knees. Her eyes were a dark green. She was a young girl barely seven-teen, and she had her first drink tonight.

Bailey "Uh no, not really."

Samantha "Well that's fine, I wasn't much a fan myself when I had beer the first few times, but you'll learn to love it eventually."

Bailey had a look on her face that said I doubt that . Samantha laughed to herself. She had a soft spot for the girl, she was the newest member of the of their rag tag group. She was to shy and jumpy for her own good. In certain situations she would stand so stiff you would think she was a statue. Samantha pulled up a seat and sat next to the girl.

Samantha "So how was has your first expedition been? Do you feel tired."

The girl thought for a moment

Bailey "I feel fine. It has been a long journey, but not a bad one."

Samantha smiled at the girl. The trip had been a long one. Scouting for potential soldiers that wanted to join the the service, had gone for much longer than originally intended, they it was only suppose to be a two month voyage. The farthest they were suppose to go was to the small town of Arrowvale. A town far to the west of the main capital of the kingdom. However between there and the villages, not a single person wanted to join. It was quite disheartening. So Samantha, who had led the voyage to begin with, made a drastic decision. To push father west, in hopes of not coming back empty handed. It wasn't a popular decision, but it was one she felt she needed to make.

So they ventured forth and went, not only father west, but also north. Given its summer time. It would be the easiest to traverses now then at any other point in the year. So they made their way here. Eventually coming into this small town by the name of Baskwood. It seems even that was all in vain however. The two men who had been talking in the corner had now gotten up, and began to make they're way to the two girls. One was a younger man in his thirties. Short, jet black hair and a thin mustache. He had angry blue eyes, wearing a cloth jacket and gloves, with pants and leather boots. A long cape flew behind him as he walked. A broadsword lay at his side. His name was Carter.

The other man was much older. He was in his sixties. He hand twinges of grey hair that sat on his head. His eyes were a deep green and had on a pure white cloth and jacket. He also wore a long cape, with a sword that sat at his side. The older man was named Otto The two men pulled up chairs and sat at the table with them. Carter man spoke first.

Carter "So have we found any one here?"

His tone was abrasive. Samantha sighed

Samantha "No Carter, not yet."

Carter "More like not ever. From village to village we've gone, and we have nothing to show for it. We were only suppose to go to Arrowvale Samantha, but you've dragged us all the way out to boonies. And we still haven't found a single soul even slightly willing to join us."

Otto. "Now, now Carter, I understand your frustration. But you should remember that this is Samantha's first time leading something like this. I think we should give her some leniency."

Carter scoffed.

Carter "Yeah, but even for a first time she's lead us quite for. Too far, we should have been home a month ago."

Otto "I don't think its that simple. Its important we find new blood. The king said so much himself."

Carter "If its so damn important, he just cross the hole damn kingdom himself! Instead of sending us to do it for him."

Samantha "You know he can't do that carter. He has far too many other important things to do."

Carter "Well than maybe we shouldn't have come all the way out here. If its not THAT important."

Bailey "Just because king Geal himself couldn't do it, doesn't mean its not important. We came here to look for people to help with the cult, are numbers run thin, and we don't have many options. The cult isn't stopping anytime soon."

Everyone went silent. It was rare for Bailey to speak at all, much less with such conviction. They sat there for a moment, until it seemed like Carter was about to say something again when the door to the in suddenly opened. Through the door stowed Miss Amanda the women who had greeted the party when they had first arrived here. She was a larger women. Kind, yet also stern. A mother if ever there was one. She wore a long green dress and had dirty blonde hair that went passed her shoulders. She had a plate of food. Amanda walked up to the group, a big smile on her face.

She placed the food in the middle of them and sat down.

Amanda "Sorry to interrupt your little chit chat, but I thought you might want some food from the festival. Its quite good this time of year. One of the few times we get to have meat."

Sure enough the food had plenty of fruits and vegetables, while sausages sat in the middle of it.

Amanda "We have a hard time with live stock in these parts. Due to the weather and predators."

She continued to smile at them. She had a mother feeling to her. One that she wasn't use to. Given that she never had a mother figure in her life.

Amanda "You know I must say, I was quite surprised to see a bunch of Knights and soldiers pull up in our little town. We are quite remote. Not easy to find, and just as hard to get to. Although the most surprising thing was seeing you all be led by a women that's a half-beast."

Samantha blushed. She was all too familiar with how... odd her circumstance was. Being a women was never the biggest hurdle her. Their were some men and even women who disapproved of her position due to her gender. It was her race that made things truly difficult for her. Beithíoch were a rarity. In the kingdom of Ag Lonrú Solas, and like all things people had little experience with, It scared them. She pulled at her ear. Many people who saw her ears mistook them for a cats, same with her tail.

Amanda "Well I've met beithíoch before, the good and the bad. You'd be surprised how many folk can wonder in hear, even accidentally."

Samantha was grateful to the women for making her feel a little more at ease.

Amanda "So your hear looking for recruits? I don't know if you'll find any one here, but I suppose you could ask around. Or maybe they'll come to you."

She laughed to herself at that last part. It obviously seemed ridiculous to her that someone would even think of joining up with them. With ever word Samantha grew more glum. While carter seemed to grow more and more angry.

Samantha "We've come pretty far so wheel make sure to ask around, but on the off chance that some one is willing to seek us out. Could you point them to the right direction?"

Amanda "No need for me to do that. Pretty sure everyone in town already knows of your arrival and where you are staying. On the off chance that some one doesn't know I'll point them in the right direction."

The women began to get up form her seat when she stopped abruptly.

Amanda "Don't forget to partake in the festival if you wish. I see most of your men are... sleeping. But that doesn't mean you can't join us if you want. Its a festival celebrating the coming summer. Every one is invited."

After that she got up and left. Once she went out the door Carter started again.

Carter "So, another town we've come to, for no reason."

Otto "We don't know that yet Carter. We'll just have to wait and see."

Carter "You heard her Otto. Everyone already knows we're hear. Yet not a single person has come to us."

Otto "Carter, they are in the middle of a festival at the moment. Many are celebrating, others are busy. There may also be ones that are nervous, and may not want to approach us out right. At least not yet."

Carter "We don't need cowards who can't even approach us Otto. I say we bite our loses and leave for the capital tomorrow morning."

Samantha "No, we'll ask around the village. See for ourselves if any one wants to join or not. Then we'll leave."

Carter sneered. He got up form the table and stormed off upstairs. The sound of the stomping waking a few men that laid nearby. Some got up and stretched. Others simply fell back asleep.

Otto "Well what do you girls think about going outside and celebrating with the village folk. Can't hurt to build some trust with them."

Samantha thought this was a good idea. Being friendly with the locals could only help their chances. She didn't know how much it would help, but it would be better then sitting in here or in her room doing nothing. Samantha also wanted to see the festivities for herself. Given she had been hearing the laughing, cheering, and music she wanted to take part, and enjoy the night. They got up from the table and made their way outside. Immediately the sound of the festival struck them almost like an explosion. Bailey seemed to be the most taken aback by the sudden noise.

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Bailey "W-wow, it really is loud out hear. I-I think I might go back inside."

Before she could turn around and go back inside Otto grabbed her arm.

Otto "Now now little missy. You hardly interact with people as is. I think this is a great opportunity for you to finally interact with some other people. Rather than always having your nose in those books."

Bailey gave a little whine and turned back around, facing the lively crowd of people. They all made their way through the village. It was bustling, and people were everywhere. Food being handed out, music being played. People were laughing and singing. Some in quite conversation around fires. Or at least as best they could. It would be a wonder if they could hear themselves. Samantha was delighted to by all this. It made for a nice stop after such a long difficult, and disappointing journey. It did wonders for her, and raised her spirit. She began to feel full of energy again. Maybe they won't find any one to join them, but at least they'll get a good send off.

Samantha looked to bailey, who seemed to be having a considerably worse time of it. The poor girl looked like she was being crushed by the loud noises, and huge crowd. It wasn't what she was used to, or what she preferred. Most of the time you could find her buried in some book in a quite library. The exact opposite environment she was in now. Otto was also looking at the girl cautiously. He wanted for her to enjoy the festivities, yet it seemed to be having the exact opposite effect. Perhaps he pushed a little too hard.

Otto "Bailey why don't we go to a vender and get some food. You look like you could eat a little more."

The young girl merely nodded her head. He then turned to Samantha.

Otto "Will you be ok by yourself?"

Samantha "Of course. I can take care of myself."

The old man smiled and he and Bailey went on their way. Samantha walked around the small village enjoying all the sights and sounds it had to offer. Eventually after listening to plenty if music and eating her fill, she found a quite little corner. An old tree that seemed to fall over years ago. Samantha wished she could enjoy the festivities more, but the looming dread and anxiety that welled up inside her was becoming too difficult to bear. She sat there contemplating the long journey they've been on thus far. It really was a long and disappointing one. They could not convince a single person to join them, not one. It was Samantha's first time leading a mission like this, and she had failed miserably.

It felt like hours had gone by when another person had come up to talk to her. Although it wasn't any one from her party that had come up with her. It was a villager.

???"Are you one of the soldiers that came here today?"

Samantha looked up at he young man. He was tall and fit. A layer of tan over his skin. His hair was short and bright brown, which went well with his almond colored eyes. He wore what looked like basic farm clothes and boots.

Samantha "I am. You are one of villager right? I'm surprised you aren't as dressed up as the others."

??? "I was in a rush today. I just put them on without thinking."

She smiled at the young man.

Samantha "Well, There is always next festival. Do you want a seat?"

He nodded and sat next to her. The two sat there in silence for a moment. Until finally the young man spoke up again.

??? "I've never met a beithíoch before. Miss Amanda has told me a lot about them. I hope this isn't rude to say."

Samantha shook her head.

Samantha "Not at all, The more west we've moved the less people have interacted with them. So it's not surprising to hear that."

Samantha noticed that he seemed to be staring at her ears. She couldn't help but giggle a little.

??? "Oh, sorry. That's rude of me."

Samantha "Its fine. I've grown use to it by now. I get stares even in the capital. Although not because they've met a beithíoch."

He looked confused at that. He was still a country bumpkin, but it came off less strange and unsettling, and more sweet and innocents. She just smiled at him. It was nice to see a more innocent wonder in that stare then in a distastes. Samantha apricated him, he seemed so young and innocent.

??? "Are there people that don't like you because you're a beithíoch?"

Samantha "Some people see my kind to be too animalistic and emotional to hold important positions of power. Many knights and nobles who traveled to my peoples land in the south. We can be territorial and aggressive to those we are unsure of. Or so I have been told. I've never actually been to my people's land before. I was born and raised in this kingdom."

He look at her. It seemed he wanted to say something, but stayed quite. They sat there for a what felt like a while, but couldn't have been more then just a few minutes. Finally he began to talk again.

??? "You are one of the soldiers that came into the village this morning right? You are wearing some pretty fancy clothes."

Samantha look at the boy a bit surprised. Was he interested in joining? Maybe they were right to come all the way out here after all. Samantha could only hope.

Samantha "As it so happens, we are. Are you interested in joining us?"

He sat there for a moment, not saying anything. Until finally.

??? "I've heard plenty of stories of heroic knights and noble kings saving their kingdoms, and even the hole world. I doubt those stories are very accurate though."

Samantha sat there waiting for the boy to finish. Did he want to join? He seemed interested at the very least. Samantha could feel her heart beating in her chest. It felt as if it would was going to burst out of her. If she could get one, just one. By the eight, please.

??? "But, I've always wanted to see the rest of the world, and what it had to offer. So I was thinking of coming along with you. If you'll have me that is."

Samantha could have leaped up and stated dancing. After all that travel, after so much disappointment, after hearing no oh so many times. She felt elated, she felt like she could fly. It most of shown on her face because the young man looked at her, a mixture of shock and confusion etched into it. Samantha quickly composed herself.

Samantha "I'm happy to hear that. We would be quite happy to have you join our ranks. Although you should know all it entails. We'll need to train and teach you before we head off. You'll need to know at least the basics so that you don't die when we head out for the capital."

??? "Uh, right."

Samantha shot up to her feat, and straightened up. The young man followed her up.

Samantha "I'll need to inform my comrades of your wanting to join us. We'll begin plans of your training."

He nodded to her.

Oliver "I'll inform my father too."

She nodded, and both turned to join the festival. She turned back to him before he could walk away back to the festival and to his father.

Samantha "I almost forgot to ask. What is your name?"

He turned back to her.

??? "My names is Oliver ma'am."

Samantha "Welcome to the team Oliver."

She turned back and headed into the festival. As she walked through the village and festival. She could feel an energy and excitement course through her entire body. From her toes to the tip of ears that sat on top of her head. It took all of her will power to keep a massive grin from her face. In fact she wanted to do more then just smile. She wanted to dance, she wanted to sing, she wanted to shout her joy to the heavens, so that even the eight could hear her. Samantha need to find the others quickly.

She searched through out the village until finally she found both Otto and Bailey sitting at a small table in a quite corner of the village. There was little people, and even less music. They were eating food which looked to be a bowl of fruits and vegetables with little pieces of sausage in the middle of the bowl. When she walked up to table. Bailey seemed to doing much better for herself. She didn't seem to be on the verge of vomiting anyways. Otto was the first to notice her.

Otto "Well the festivals have done wonders for you at least. You look much better then when we left the inn at the very least."

Samantha smiled at him, she couldn't hold in her excitement any longer. Now that she was here in front of them it all just burst out.

Samantha "Otto, some one wants to join up, Someone came to me looking to join us! We did it!"

She was almost yelling. It was difficult to keep the excitement and happiness out of her voice. Otto looked shocked, but then a massive smile spread across his face. He jumped up and gave Samantha a big hug, lifting her off the ground.

Otto "You did it! You got one!"

He cleared his throat and calmed down a little.

Otto "Although I don't know if going out here was only worth getting one person to join us. We, at the very least, were able to get one person to join us. Congratulations Samantha we did accomplish our goal that we set for ourselves."

Bailey "Even just one. That's what king Geal said. Good job Samantha."

She had gotten up from her seat and was smiling as well.

Otto "I doubt he knows anything of swordsmen ship, or the study of the eight pointed star. We'll need to do a lot of training and studying. Did you find out how old he his?"

Samantha "No.. I forgot to ask. I barely remembered to ask his name. He looked to be in his late teens maybe early twenties. I'm sorry."

Otto "Its fine. Not like knowing know will change much. We'll just ask him when we next see him. You said you asked his name? What was it? What was he like?"

Samantha "He said it was Oliver. He seemed quite and well mannered. I don't know if he had the best temperament for a soldier, but we can train him. Or at least I think we can."

Otto "Well, we'll have to see tomorrow. As for now, let's relax and enjoy the rest of the night."

They sat at the table drinking and eating everything they could find. Samantha felt like she was on a high, with every passing minute excitement filled her. She started to dance and sing it all came pouring out of her like a waterfall. She was never one to drink beer, but tonight was an acceptation. Rather the bitter taste that lingered. The beer that touched her tongue was sweeter then honey. The rest of the night was a blur of laughter, singing, and music. It felt like a night of magic. The dread that plagued her, that weight lifted off and now it was as if she could fly.

After a time during her drunkenness' Samantha made her way to the center of the village. Sitting in its center was a large table that was filled to bursting with food and drinks. Candle and lanterns were lit all around it. Chairs were placed at the table although strangely no one sat in them. It was obviously important, and she was curious to know more. Samantha made her way to a tall skinny man that was wearing loose fitting clothing, he had gray hair and sunken eyes. The man seemed cocked sure of himself. Samantha disliked the man immediately. Still she wanted answers and he was the closest by.

Samantha "Wasss thiss all abooout?"

She sloshed her words, barley able to get them out. In the back of her mind she wondered if he could even understand her. He looked at her, the distastes plain on his face. He looked at her as if she just crawled out the dirt.

Henry "I heard that a beithíoch was among the soldiers that came into town, and a women to add to it."

Samantha didn't much like the mans tone or the way he he called her a beithíoch. It was true, but the dislike was plain to even her drunken ears.

Samantha "Oi! *Hic* Watch that tone with me! Just because I don't got my sword, don't me I can't bring you down with just one arm! *Hic*"

She shoved her free arm into the mans face, as if to show it off. He didn't look much impressed. The man pushed her away. Gentilly for his part. He also took a step back clearly not wanting to be too close to the girl.

Henry "You asked what this was about? Well it the seat that will go to the tonight's cattle contest winner. Which will be me, by the end of this night."

Samantha didn't much like his tone, he seemed far too sure of himself. Before she could replay she heard cheer from a crowd of people and looked back at the table. A crowed had gathered around a women. It was Amanda.

Amanda "Alright every one its time to announce the winner of the cattle contest!"

The crowed cheered as more people began to gather around.

Amanda "We have a handful of families who have entered! But only one can Win! I'll call the names of the contestants!"

She cleared her throat and began to yell once more.

Amanda " First we have, James and his family!"

A small cheer went up in the crowd

Amanda "Then we have Albert, and his great big ox of a cow!"

Another cheer was sent up

Amanda "Now we have, Jessica!"

More cheers could be heard

Amanda "And of course last years winner, Henry!"

Not so many cheers went up this time. Samantha tried her best to hold in her laughter. In her drunken stupor It came out sounding like hic-ups. The man glared at her, but she just smiled.

Amanda "And last, but most certainly not least, we have Frank!"

The crowed roared to life with applause. She could hear woops and cheers from the hole crowd. We had a fan favorite it seemed. Amanda put up her hands to silence the crowed, and to Samantha's surprise, they quickly grew quite. She was a women who could keep people in line. Samantha should ask her for some advice.

Amanda "Our judges have taken a look at the contestants cows! They say they are ready to announce the winner!"

The crowd gave one last cheer, before quieting, as one of the judges had gotten up from his seat. He was a small old man with barely any hair left. His back bent over from decades of hard manual labor. Amanda bent down so he could whisper the winner in her ear. For her part she made no reaction to the winner, merely thanked the man as he went to sit back down.

Amanda "And the winner is... FRANK!!"

The crowed erupted in cheers and applause. Henry the man standing next to her didn't much react.

Henry "Well, he did bring in a good one this year. I'll just raise a better one next year."

To her surprise the man began applauding as well, although he wasn't smiling. Samantha was a bit taken aback by all this, she didn't expect a man like him to react that way. She turned back to the table and saw who she thought must have been frank standing at it. He had a massive grin on his face. His skin tan and hair black. She also noticed the young man standing near him. It was Oliver. When she realized this she began to cheer as well.

Oliver must of heard her, because he turned to her, smiled, and waved. She waved back as well. His father noticed too, he gave him a little elbow on the side at smiled at the boy, who blushed. After that the two sat down and there food was brought to them. Samantha wasn't too interested in seeing others eat. She was also getting quite tired, and thought it would be good to head back to the inn.

The night had grown much quieter. To the point where she could here the sound of crickets in the night. She pushed open the door only to be greeted with the sound of snoring. She felt bad about all the men laid out about in the small building. She thought about ordering them to get up and out of the inn, but it would be no good. They were too drunk and tired, as was she. Samantha made her way to the stairs making sure not to step on any of her men. Puling herself up the stairs without falling and finally making it to her room. Flopping on top of the bed she gave one long yawn, before a deep sleep took her.