Saber sat on a stump near the fringe of the forest, his Booth but a few hundred feet away. He stared into the sky, wondering what this war could possibly bring. As long as he had been in Hyrule--Which was nearing a year, he realized--There had been peace. Well, he'd been involved in plenty of scuffles, but as for something that involved the entire kingdom of Hyrule and its people...Well, that was out of his hands. He was no citizen of Hyrule--He barely knew anyone here, even. He had no loyalty towards the monarch, nor towards their Goddesses. He did not hate them, far from it--Hyrule was a nice place. However, if he died fighting their war...Well, he would never accomplish what he was after. Sure, they were fighting 'an evil force', but it didn't sound like something the gang would do...they were hazardous, sure enough, but he doubted his foes had the firepower to take on all of Hyrule.

On the other hand, if he fought against Hyrule, he was guaranteed death as well. The Hylian Knights were no slouches, and fighting every single one of them as well as several of the adventurers he had met in his travels was a daunting task. No, better to sit it out. However, he still felt a certain duty towards the denizens of Hyrule--They had taken him in, and he honestly felt more at home here than anywhere else he had traveled--Then again, he had never stayed anywhere but here. If anyone felt as he did, or if they were just too young or old to fight, he would do all he could to protect them from the wrath of both armies. He just hoped there were other adventurers willing to help him protect them. He sighed as he leaned further back, brushing his hair aside casually.

One of the many refugees was a teen. His name was Albert. He always wantec to be part of the action, but he wasn't quite ready for a war. He was a fun loving violin player, who was not only a squire, but was also studying his religion with devotion. He decided that he would wait until later before telling Saber he wanted to defend the group.

Another man came in, but he reported directly to Saber. He appeared to be in his mid-twenties. He was clean shaven, and his short black hair was clean and orderly. His light brown eyes were finely tuned. He wore a tan, tattered military uniform from a far of country, a black barrie(like the cap), combat boots, and a broken Terminian watch. He had a sheathed weapon, probably a scabbered at his side, and an odd weapon on his back. He carried a bow in one hand as well, but over half his weapons were concealed and unnoticed.

He spoke to Saber, and he had a mid-european(not that Saber knows what that is) accent. "Sabertache, what an honor it is to meet you. You may call me Zack. The agency I work for sent me here to help you protect these people. I was supposed to charge you sixty rupees, but I'll cover some of it. Just pay me twenty(role-playing wise). I am an excellent lookout, long range warrior, and cook. I will treat these people with compassion. I even know how to fight close-range. What do you say?" He was eager to get to work.

Saber appraised the newcomer with careful eyes. Yes, he looked able. "If you wish to help, then help you will. Just be cautioned, though it's possible nothing will happen at all, we may be horribly overrun. There's no telling what will happen. As for your payment..." Saber panicked slightly. Did he have twenty rupees? "I'll pay you at the end of this affair. Might give you a little more motivation to fight well, yes?" He turned back to the booth, and pointed at a small wooden door sticking out from a hole in the ground. "The refugees are in there. I've dug out a 50 yard by 50 yard room, stocked it with all the supplies I could find off hand, and had people bring their own things with them. Hopefully, this war won't last too long. If it does, though, I'm not quite sure how long I'll be able to keep enough food...We have about thirty people to feed down there, most of them children." He sighed and brushed his hair aside again. I just hope I'm not in over my head this time...

The green cloaked figure floated over the sands, a trail of fog about a foot long trailing behind him as he continued his trek to find the boy. Once in a while, a leever would pop up from the sands, ready to attack the King of Empty Courage, but it was stopped by a tendril of fog coming from one of his sleeves, the poor creature now disappearing into the dark energy all of the monsters of Hyrule formed into when they were really destroyed.

His hood shifted only slightly, once he had found the boy, one of the adventurers of the land he was now in. He floated up to the boy, himself silent, not a word said as he simply levitated one or two inches over the ground.

Kasei had read the note in North Castle. He did not exactly approve of Saber sitting out of the war. However, he knew that the mercinary was usefull to an extent: Aria now walked out of the forest, bag in hand, scythe in the other. Kasei had ordered her to go to Sabertache's booth as a refuge. The house was too remote. If it came under attack, she would be quite alone, and helpless.

Albert was wandering around the area, wondering if he should help protect these innocents. Soon enough, he got his chance. Zack had nodded at what Saber had said, both showing understanding and agreeing. He then spoke to the whole camp: Albert, the refugees, Saber, and the two new arrivals; everybody. "I'm going to build a makeshift watch tower, and if any of you wish to help, I would be much obliged." He made eye contact with as many as possible. Albert walked over, and said that he didn't mind helping. The two looked around for any other takers.

The mercenary wasn't sure why, but he felt an odd chill as he replied dryly to the ambitious builder. "And just where do you plan on getting the lumber? I don't have any off-hand, I've put it all into making the haven underground, and you sure as hell aren't disassembling my booth." He cast a sorrowful glance to the booth in question, a bit of wistfulness accompanying the realization that the booth had no wood to offer in the first place--It was dismally small, and weak. When he turned back to continue his chastising, he noticed a figure loping out of the woods--Aria. He gave a small wave to the woman. He hardly knew her--In fact, he wasn't sure he had ever spoken to her. However, he knew she was with Kasei often, and didn't seem to do much fighting herself. She must need protection, and he would do his best to give it.

The small hubbub that had answered Zack's call for assistance died away, the few refugees who had wandered above ground scratching behind their head sheepishly at the oversight. Saber heard the children beneath the ground running about and shouting--To them, this was exciting. They had no idea this adventure was dangerous, and that their lives rested in the hands of a few untrained warriors. "Well, I suppose I should go down there and try to sort things out a bit more--Get beds set up and such." He said to the two before turning back towards the heart of the desert. He gasped as he nearly collided with a green...thing. He wasn't sure if he had seen anything like it before, but it didn't seem hostile. If it were, it would have attacked him while his back was turned, doubtless. It had been so quiet on the approach, he hadn't even noticed it. He would have to be more aware, or he would be leaving the lives of his charges up to chance. "Hello?" He started nervously. "Are you here to assist as well? Or are you seeking refuge? What's your name, where do you hail from, and what are your talents?" he asked in rapid succession, trying to get a background on the silent stranger.

Zack replied, "The woods aren't far of." Saber had not realized the most obvious of answers. Albert went done to see if able bodies wanted to gather wood from the forest. There wasn't much else to do(Saber, you decide how many people choose to help from the shelter). Zack added, "Of course projects like these take time, but they are worth it."

Aria walked out of the woods, and towards Saber. "Hello," she said, "Is this the tantari booth? My Grandpa told me to come here." The half-shiekah said, putting down her bag.

OOC: Not much else to say....sorry...

Emege continued to float where he was, going back as fog came from one of his sleeves. It came before Sabertache, and began to spell out words, so that it was 'speaking' for the King. I am Emege, it began, I am the friend of Being and Smiley. I wish to help you. I can make anything you think would help. The fog dissapated, and the figure waited for his answer.

Sabertache stared blankly at the letters before him before sighing and turning to Zack again. "Well, I was about to ask you where you would find all the other supplies, like nails, hammers, and saws, but it appears that's been taken care of." He looked at Aria and nodded towards her. "This is the place, the saferoom is through the trapdoor in the booth, there are already a score and a half refugees in waiting. I don't know how I'm going to care for them all if this war lasts too long...They'd be safer in the Castle, but not everybody can afford to live there. All these houses in the forests and deserts are fair game, outside the Knights' reach..." He remembered that he had put Emege on hold and brushed his hair aside as he turned back towards the neglected newcomer. "I'm glad you're here, you'll be a tremendous help. Although I doubt you can make organic things like food, the inorganic supplies will be much appreciated. I don't suppose you could start with about ten saws, some hammers, and a bunch of nails? And Aria, could you please go into the saferoom and find about six men who can help with cutting down trees and building?"

This is tiring, He thought to himself. I wonder if I'm going to be able to keep everything running smoothly, the more people arrive, the more jobs will have to be organized. Then there's the matter of defending them...That's why we're here, after all.

"Sure thing, though I can cut too." The small shiekahn Aria said, heading to the trapdoor. Once inside, she noted how it smelled like a bathroom in there. She saw six men of choice, and started pulling them outside, one at a time, her cuteness, combined with her suprising streangth, made it impossible for the men to fight back. "Here they are." Aria said cheerfully, back on the surface.

Seth trudged through the sand, a small rucksack slung over one shoulder stuffed with as much food as he could carry from Sovelis's house. Naturally, he'd join the side most likely to win, but for some reason his visions could not ascertain which side would emerge victorious. He couldn't hide out at home either, as the first battle was taking place at that minute right in Rauru Town and Sovelis and Arrika had gone off to join the war. He didn't want to hide out in North Castle Town- there were still Hylian soldiers that were trying to recruit as many people for Hyrule's side as possible. A few of them recognized him, remembering his psychic abilities and knowing he would be a great advantage for their side. He'd slipped away through the crowds, the guards still calling after him. You may have called it draft dodging.

The Tantari mercenary's refuge seemed the only place he could go where no one would bother him until he officially made up his mind. He intended to remain neutral, but not forever. He also saw no point in announcing that to the rest of the people gathered there. He sat down, not recognizing anyone there except Aria and Saber. He didn't really know them very well, most likely guaranteeing that no one would bother him.

Emege lifted his hood, ignoring Saber for the moment as the newcomer came to the refuge. The King of Empty Courage levitiated himself over to the psychic boy, his trail of fog that continued to follow him still lingered from where he stood near Sabertache.

His fog once more came out, this time, to speak for the King to Seth. Hello, Seth. I am Emege, and one of the Three Kings. Do not worry, as I am here to help those who need it., the fog spelled out, and once the boy was finished reading, Emege returned to his spot by Saber, and began to create the items the mercenary told him to.

"I don't need anyone's help," Seth muttered angrily as Emege drifted away, throwing a small rock he found off into the endless sand dunes.

He closed his eyes, trying to come up with a final decision. He hated making decisions, because the entire process was annoying and usually took forever.

Seth wasn't innately evil, although being a thief dictated he be aligned with Chaos. Plus, Kobas, Rhyss, Arrika, and Sovelis were all on the "dark" side. If you can't beat em, why not just join em? Another plus- he'd Seen Mirielle joining the ranks of the Hylian Guard, meaning he'd have a fair chance of seeing her killed, or finishing her off himself, once and for all. Now that was something that would put a smile on his face.

But why not join Hyrule? He didn't particularly like killing off the innocents. And his brother... He knew Arunite, his jet-black haired half-brother, a young man around the age of 20, would be ready to smite down evil at a moment's notice. Arunite was strictly affiliated with the light and hated monsters or anything related to darkness with a fiery passion. It was one of the reasons why Arunite was always wary and jumpy around his two psychic siblings.

Although Seth hated his family just as much as they hated him, a small part inside him longed to earn back what little love they'd had for him. If they saw him valiantly aiding Hyrule, or if he managed to plan out a fight where he'd save Arunite's life somehow... His brother was sure to forgive him for everything. Maybe not completely forgive him, but make him stop cursing Seth's name whenever anything didn't go his way. It was a habit for the family to automatically blame Seth whenever any misfortune occurred.