As the party rode towards Lionsgate, they stopped and made a camp for the night. Solomon gathered everyone together to make sure everyone was on the same page.
"Listen here, we are at war with the West. They have declared us enemies and villains. Ultas and Voron have control of Silverstone and they will not stop their onslaught until they have the Beacon Stone. So, which one of you have it?"
"What are you talking about? What stone are you going on about? Why do Ultas and Voron want it? What's going on?" Mark asks furiously.
"Ultas and Voron want the Beacon Stone because it supposedly contains the magic of the Marches. We thought one of you would have it, but it seems as though the stone is somewhere else."
"Could the stone be in Silverstone? I've heard that there's an extensive mining operation going on underneath the city."
"It's very possible that the Stone is there."
Samuel went over to speak with Rachel.
"Uhm, hi Rachel, I'm Samuel."
"Samuel, huh? What brings you over here to my brother and I's tent?"
"I uh, think your, uh you know, attractive?"
"Is that a question or?"
"No, no, I'm just really bad at this whole "courting thing."
"You've had to have had some experience, right?"
"There was one girl who I thought would be good to court, but she ended up hanging herself because she ran out of bread."
"She hung herself. Because she ran out of bread?"
Rachel laughed at the event, causing Samuel to cringe. Samuel couldn't deny it though, Rachel was stunning; long ginger hair, smooth, fair skin, and the most beautiful blue eyes he'd ever seen. She noticed Samuel sizing her up, every inch of her body, from her light, but round hips, to her kind tight breasts.
"And just what are you looking at, Slick?"
"Oh, haha, just, you know, your, gorgeous body!"
"Forward are we now? Good, I like forward. And honestly, I think I might like you as well. But don't get cocky."
They spent some more time together, laughing the night away. Jessica and Zeno commented that Rachel and Samuel went together like butter and toast, and Paul made the best soup any one of them had ever had. The party then gathered their rest and set off towards Lionsgate. They rode hard and fast ready to rush right through the gate.
Agripian, Sorrian, and Cansoulian waited in their chambers for Ultas and Voron to initiate the trap.
"Sister, my love, we cannot allow ourselves to fall from our convictions. Remember, we never kill innocents if they get in the way. We never harm mothers or children. And we don't commit mass murder."
"Brother, why do you have to be so formal all the time? We're not going to fall, Cansoulian nor I."
"Its true Agripian. We are quite steadfast."
"Good. I don't trust these men. I feel as though they are working for some one else."
They each threw their cautious glances, then set out with Ultas and Voron to set the trap. The party would arrive within the hour.
The party made it through the gate only to be faced down by Ultas, Voron, and the assassians.
"Your not going anywhere, Scholars. Nor is your party of vagabonds," Ultas shouted.
The two parties did not hesitate to engage. Mark, Zeno, Dante, and Paul had no trouble fighting, but they underestimated the the skill and ferocity of Ultas Voron and the assassians. Sorrian attacks Rachel, the two women dancing around with fluidity. Sorrian outclassed Rachel, but Rachel was much stronger. They fought around for awhile before they broke away. Dante fought Ultas and Voron by himself before Solomon tried to help and take down Ultas. Ultas did not hesitate to use his superior skill and strength to run Solomon through.
"This is what happens when you face us. The West will crush and destroy the East. We will release chaos and shape the world the way we see fit. Lay down your weapons, and we will allow the rest of you to live and burry your friend."
Solomon was still barely hanging on to life as Ultas made his demands. The party agreed, laying down their weapons. Ultas threw Solomon off his sword and to the ground, where he bled out before the party could even move. Ultas, Voron, and the assassians turned around and rode triumphantly to Silverstone.