The night hangs oppressive, almost a physical impression of a cloudy night in the forests edge. No night birds sing, no rodent scampers about. The moon does not even make the occasional peak through the deep clouds which are solid like the ceiling to the vault of the abyss. A flit of light through trees. A smell of smoldering fire. A sound of men talking in the hush of the mourning, or conspiring.
Dark figures hunch over a dying fire. Their voices are low, the voices of men trying to keep secrets that must be voiced. Drifting through the trees as though sneaking themselves come the words… time… goddess… explosives… people… king… caravan… guards… peace… farmers… them… revolution.

The words flow through Darilan's mind as he stands frozen in place, camoflauging himself in the black of night. It is obvious that these people mean harm. In his mind he sees the moat around the castle, its waters crystal clear and flowing, nonstop, arount the circular path. In an instant, the water, no longer pure, is dyed a deep red. Time… goddess… explosives… people… king… caravan… guards… peace… farmers… them… revolution... he hears again. King... people... time... guards... explosives... them... farmers... farmers' revolution... timed explosives... guards, people, king... peace... REVOLUTION.

OCC: Yea! Someone found me. Fun, fun! These conspirists are attackable, aproachable... joinable... and many more verbages that can be chosen... so ya know.

Darilan slips into a shadowmeld and creeps closer to listen.

Blank has not seen Darilan arrive, so he is oblivious to the watcher. What he is about to do could be foolhardy, or downright brave. He is going to approach the conspirists. He swallows deep, and steps out of the darkness and into the moonlight to address the strangers. He grips his sword hilt with a will. These people may be enemies.

I couldn't help but overhear your little conversation. Needless to say, you were pretty loud. Lucky that whoever you conspire against is not present in this neck of the woods. So, who is it? Who do you intend to harm? From what I gathered, it is either the head of the Cartel, or the King himself. Or are you under orders from the King to steal from the farmers? Come on, spill it out. I won't tell. I'm on no one's side. Yet.

OOC : Or MAYBE it's a free Nintendo Revolution!

Lost in shadow Darilan moves close to see and hear everything, including the approach and words of Blank. Words die a guillotine death at Blanks entrance. Bodies lift and spin, hands going to weapons. Now that you are close details are clearer. Thirteen people now stand around the fire. They very in race and gender, in clothes and station. From the dirty beggar rags of a male goron to a well dressed hillian woman, they all share one characteristic: a red bandana obscures the lower half of their faces. One stands apart as he wears a porcelain mask of simple design beneath his bandana. The fairy draws magic and the others begin to draw weapons before the man in the mask raises his hand to stop his comrades.
“You have apparently heard too much,” he says, his voice drifting out is low and breathy. “But we are not highway robbers, and we kill only those that are our enemies. As you sit in neutrality we will do nothing as of ‘yet’.” A smile drifts into his voice, “I like you, you have moxie. (Favorable reaction from your Nintendo Revolution reference. VIVA LA REVOLUTION!) I am Pax, the captain of this little band.” He motions the members standing behind him.
“You ask a lot of questions that I simply will not answer until you have joined our ranks. Needless to say it is curious on why you are out in the deep woods, traveling at so late an hour. That is beside the point. We seek to send first a peaceful message, a request to change and grow in this our beautiful nation. And we are preparing for the fight that may be inevitable. I have been hospitable and given you my name and our purpose, will you be so kind to give me yours.”

Blank realizes he is outnumbered. I immediately regret this decision... he thinks to himself.

I am Blank, a well-learned fighter. I have no intention of killing anyone who is undeserving of death, whether they be enemy or ally. Tell me, Pax... are you... the Democrats?

The smile enters the voice again, “Indeed, though many of our number disapprove of our preparations. I have heard of some of your exploits fighter Blank. Traveler from afar, am I correct?” His voice hardens. “I too am a fighter, and can see that, unlike us, you did not do your research. You pale and count our numbers; your stance tells me that you are ready for combat. You know us, so now let us know you. Tell me, where do you stand? With the people, or with the king?

Staying in shadowmeld, Darilan thinks, They are plotting against the king. I knew it. But why? What the leader asked made no sense. 'Are you with the people, or with the king?' The king represents the people. How? The opinions of the people are insignificant. Besides, no one thinks lowly of King Harkanian II, right?

Blank's pale face shines with moonlight, he begins to feel uneasy.

Are you... the man that Victor degraded outside of North Castle? I think your organization already knows my stand... I have thought about many things, and I am sure my loyalties lay with the King before another party. He has done nothing wrong. He is not to blame for Ganon's maliciousness. And when you say "With the people," you seem to assume that all are opposed to Harkinian's leadership. If that's the case, congratulations. But I can not be loyal to your concepts at this time. I am a neutral fighter, my allegiance lays nowhere. As such, I will not report your conpiracy to the next Knight of Hyrule that I lay eyes on. But if it's a fight you want, I'm well prepared to offer my service to the King for a short while.

His eyes harden and the vitality returns to his face with a new sense of confidence and righteousness.

I don't believe you are an evil man, Pax, nor is your Democratic Organization. But this country doesn't need to be thrown into a new system during this era.

Blank palms the hilt of his sword, preparing to draw from his scabbard should Pax become violent. The other Democrats make him less comfortable. A conflict is not what he hopes for.

“Ha!” Pax barks a laugh. “I am not that man; I seek not the public spot light.” His voice hardens and the members behind him move putting the campfire behind them, fanning out slowly. The light plays out a more sinister look to Pax’s mask. “You seem a conflicted man, master Blank. Claiming neutrality and loyalty at the same time. Each man fights for what he believes in. Belief is what drives men to live, to fight. Someday you will find something to believe in, to die for, and to live for. Loyalty is not something picked up and discarded like some greedy mercenary. Loyalty is everlasting like belief. A road you must pick, a banner must be flown, or you are stagnant, and that is the true death.”

Pax's words are true. For that very reason, Darilan can not believe in Pax's cause. His loyalty is to the King, the Goddesses, himself, and his friends. Perhaps, he thought of slipping out of shadowmeld and speaking with Pax, he could find common ground with the guy. Chances were they both believed in the divine Goddesses. Darilan is loyal to the people too, and he could show Pax how the king benefits them. But he doesn't come to the light, he waits in the darkness, and he plans, draws out his ideas, for that is what a Scribe does.

My sense of neutrality and fealty at the same time are very conflicting, as you have brought to light. I feel a certain obligation to my home country to keep it safe, and I am sure that the King's methods will ensure safety. However, I do not serve him, or any other party for that matter. I am not bound to servitude in a national army. I would not fight your organization for the protection of the King, but I would protect the kingdom of Hyrule itself from your ideals. I have nothing against you people, I bear no grudge to you personally. But in my neutral state of mind, I follow my own beliefs. And I believe that Democracy is not Hyrule's path of government. I fight not for the king's ideals, but for my own. They just happen to be the same.

You say that without everlasting loyalty to one thing I may as well be but a corpse. But I do have loyalty. To myself. That is the basis of a neutral man's principals. Loyalty to self. I live for myself, I fight for myself.

Perhaps you are unsatisfied with my ways, Pax. Perhaps I am better off dead, if my loyalty is not to something righteous or noble. Alas, it can not be helped. I am no cleric, but I believe in the decision of the Goddesses. Or at least, I do now.

Blank doubts the Democrats will see his point of view, or if they do, declassify him as one who should have no opinion on the matter. But one thing is for sure : he knows too much. They look to be less than violent, but anyone can dcide to kill or let live ay any given time. Blank still palms his hilt, staring into the eyes of the mask.

“Draw then, dearest Blank. Prove your ideals with the metal of you sword against odds that will prove your convictions; fight for your self Blank Fireside.”

The sharp sound of metal clearing sheaths, bowstrings creaking, going taunt, and the sounds of mystical chants begin. Pax steps backwards and two of his compatriots step forward. The fire breathes upwards with a great whoosh of a giant breathing deeply in. The light it casts is bright white throwing the revolutionaries into silhouette. The fire dies abruptly leaving a purple image that dances in the inner eye. Where ever you look, Pax stands. The image fades, Pax is gone, and the rebels stand and wait your sword.

Blank looks worried for a moment, but then a grin brightens his face. Pointing at the closest Democrat, a plume of deep black smoke erupts forth from his hand and engulfs his enemy, or at least he believes it does. Perhaps the target jumped clear.

The grin does not diminish from his relaxed features. A black cirlce appears below his feet, and he sinks slowly but safely into its confines. He is lost fom sight. And yet, his voice can still be heard.

Be careful, politicians. I may not be the only one watching with hidden eyes. This is a large world. I wouldn't be surprised if far more warriors are already onto your little scheme.

All is quiet in the still of the night, once more.