Imperialism

Azalea inched closer to Nyir, biting her lip. She wasn’t scared, no— just a little… startled.
“It’s a small fire,” Azalea muttered to Nyir. “Probably a camp fire. Do you suppose it’s Therion’s men?”

…

The room was large, each seat sit filled. There was a man on the largest seat— handsome features, a scowl on his face, a cold look in his eyes. The brushed off on everyone— from the man stabbing a knife on the wall like a madman, to another being thoughtful. There was loud chatter in the room, until a servant entered and the commander commanded silence.
“Speak, servant,” the man waved his hand without looking at him. The servant flinched.
“L-lord Therion, the princess is still missing,” the servant stammered. “The soldiers who went after her have not returned—“
Therion waved dismissively, eyes on the wall. The servant tremble and excused himself out of the door. Only when he was out of earshot did Therion spoke.
“It seems the princess has collected some fine protectors,” he drawled. “No matter. She will, in the end, be mine, as she should be.” Theorion’s eyes washed over a man who was biting his lip, lost in thought. “Therese, have your soldiers locate Azalea immediately. Do not fail,” his cold eyes made contact with Therese’s indifferent ones, and the man nodded at the command. Therion then looked at the other man who was busy playing with a knife with an insane smile on his face.
“Kale,” he addressed the man, who had ceased his mad sport. “It seems there is a rat scurrying around in the room. Kill it.”

Zoe decided to not stay longer for she thought she would be discovered soon. However, she knew there was mor to his plan so she stayed put holding her breath for each second they came close to the door.

Azalea inched closer to Nyir, biting her lip. She wasn’t scared, no— just a little… startled.
“It’s a small fire,” Azalea muttered to Nyir. “Probably a camp fire. Do you suppose it’s Therion’s men?”

…

The room was large, each seat sit filled. There was a man on the largest seat— handsome features, a scowl on his face, a cold look in his eyes. The brushed off on everyone— from the man stabbing a knife on the wall like a madman, to another being thoughtful. There was loud chatter in the room, until a servant entered and the commander commanded silence.
“Speak, servant,” the man waved his hand without looking at him. The servant flinched.
“L-lord Therion, the princess is still missing,” the servant stammered. “The soldiers who went after her have not returned—“
Therion waved dismissively, eyes on the wall. The servant tremble and excused himself out of the door. Only when he was out of earshot did Therion spoke.
“It seems the princess has collected some fine protectors,” he drawled. “No matter. She will, in the end, be mine, as she should be.” Theorion’s eyes washed over a man who was biting his lip, lost in thought. “Therese, have your soldiers locate Azalea immediately. Do not fail,” his cold eyes made contact with Therese’s indifferent ones, and the man nodded at the command. Therion then looked at the other man who was busy playing with a knife with an insane smile on his face.
“Kale,” he addressed the man, who had ceased his mad sport. “It seems there is a rat scurrying around in the room. Kill it.”

"It might be," Nyir mumbled, stepping slowly towards where the smell was coming from. "Stay. Behind. Me."

Orion simply shouldered his bag, and stepped forward heavily, making noise so he wouldn't surprise the one with the fire. Pup going ahead, it stumbled into the clearing with the fire, nearly getting singed Laughing slightly, Orion stepped into the area after it. "Excuse him, pup's still learnin manners. Could I rest my bones near your fire for a bit? Been travelin all day."

Settling down next to the man, across the fire, Orion slumps his shoulders and scratches the dog under it chin. "Thank you much. Been a while since we've slowed down. Danger's afoot in these woods." Laughing to himself, he adds, "More so than usual anyway."

Shrugging, he replies in the same low voice. "People comin through lookin for Warrior descendants." Scoffing, he continues. "Like any o' them would stay in these woods, not with the critters in em."

(Hi y'all)

(Hullo)

Orion chuckled at the thought. "Nah, Pup ain't no danger less your a mouse. Not yet anyway. Giv'em a few years an some trainin up. He'll get his bite."

"He don got a name yet, not a real one anyways. Jus watchin im till I find someone to care for im. Ain't gonna leave im out without a momma lookin after im." Orion smiles, and scratches the pup again.

The stranger pauses for a moment, as if unsure how to answer. "I, I don really ave a name anymore, least not one that matters in the end. No point ina name if you live out here, huh." Seeming surprisingly saddened by this revelation, the stranger picks up his pup.

Nodding, the stranger spoke again. "Good to meet you Lucian, and ere I was thinking your line had died out." Laughing a bit, he continues. "Guess the warriors do live, huh?"

(I gtg, I shall return)

Stilling, he turns his blue eyes onto the man. "You really think they would've survived as long as they did without medics? Hardly."

Holding up his hands placatingly, he speaks. "My name used to be Orion Felspar. Even if I don't go by that name anymore, some people recognize it. I now am the rumored 'Ghost of the forest.' I mean no threat in the slightest to you or your furry companion." The "Ghost" doesn't seem all that dangerous.

"You have fur on your shirt." Orion explains thoughtfully.

The Ghost says the truth, plain and simple. "The kingdom has fallen. The princess lives."

"I have met with her. She searches for protectors, people to help her regain the kingdom. I know you have no reason to trust me, but a medic would be a great help." He explains, eyes darkening with intensity.